The Rainbow of Gods Promise

February 16, 1997 PM

1 Peter 3:18-22

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

RAINBOW is the reminder of a promise. It is a reminder of God's love even in a time of judgment. It is a reminder of the fact that when most of the world went crazy there were some who obeyed God. it is a reminder of the story of Noah

Somehow THE WATER OF BAPTISM GETS INVOLVED IN THE STORY— at least in this passage from Peter. He says that like the ark saved Noah, baptism now saves those who turn to the risen Savior. I mentioned baptism as a saving sacrament this morning. Peter says it does not save by washing away sins from the body— it does bear witness to a clear conscience with God.

JESUS was baptized at the beginning of his ministry here on earth. CAN YOU IMAGINE WHY JESUS NEEDED TO BE BAPTIZED? John the Baptist himself could not, because John knew Jesus did not need cleansing. But somehow Jesus identified with us sinners. "He took my sins and my sorrows; He made them his very own!"

THEN Jesus began His message to earth: "THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NEAR AT HAND!" Why was that good news? Because the kingdoms these people knew were kingdoms they needed salvation FROM. God's kingdom, they understood, meant freedom and goodness and joy.

But when they looked around they didn't SEE a kingdom— they saw only JESUS! JESUS IS THE KINGDOM! THE KINGDOM IS WHERE JESUS IS! This is the very same message WE need to hear: THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NEAR! Jesus wants to set us free from the kingdoms of this world— of greed and hate and selfishness—

WHERE IS JESUS? By faith Jesus is HERE! Jesus is where we need Him! Where YOU need Him! Jesus is the ARK OF SAFETY!

Key words in Jesus' message of safety and deliverance were "REPENT!" Turn! Change course! and "BELIEVE!" Trust what I am telling you! Follow Me! Make ME the center of your life!

DURING LENT IS A WONDERFUL TIME TO GET RIGHT//DRAW NEAR TO JESUS!

223 224 I stand amazed in the Presence // O How He loves you and me!