100:00:00,960 –> 00:00:03,140Notice that Jesus does not say, look if200:00:03,140 –> 00:00:04,520you become a real Christian there300:00:04,520 –> 00:00:05,880might be a cost.400:00:05,880 –> 00:00:08,400He says there will be.500:00:08,400 –> 00:00:10,280It’s in the very nature of what it means600:00:10,280 –> 00:00:12,520to be a follower of Jesus Christ.700:00:12,520 –> 00:00:19,639If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself.800:00:19,639 –> 00:00:22,299Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.900:00:22,299 –> 00:00:25,219I’m David Pick, and welcome to the program today.1000:00:25,219 –> 00:00:28,219And Colin, it doesn’t sound like we’re in for a warm1100:00:28,639 –> 00:00:31,580and fuzzy message today.1200:00:31,580 –> 00:00:33,200The word sacrifice there.1300:00:33,200 –> 00:00:36,939For some that may raise the question, is it worth it?1400:00:36,939 –> 00:00:38,240Yeah, absolutely.1500:00:38,240 –> 00:00:41,259And that is exactly the right question.1600:00:41,259 –> 00:00:43,939I love the fact that Jesus never hid1700:00:43,939 –> 00:00:45,799the cost of following him.1800:00:45,799 –> 00:00:47,180It was absolutely up front.1900:00:47,180 –> 00:00:48,980It’s not like, you know, the small print2000:00:48,980 –> 00:00:51,500goes into the advertising and marketing2100:00:51,500 –> 00:00:53,139kind of mode that’s all around us.2200:00:53,139 –> 00:00:56,020Jesus says no count the cost and it will be significant.2300:00:56,020 –> 00:00:57,320It will be significant.2400:00:57,320 –> 00:00:59,919If it’s not costing to be a Christian,2500:00:59,919 –> 00:01:01,660then I ought to be asking the question,2600:01:01,660 –> 00:01:03,480am I really on the right path?2700:01:03,480 –> 00:01:06,839But this is a cost benefit analysis.2800:01:06,839 –> 00:01:09,099I have to count the cost,2900:01:09,099 –> 00:01:11,779but I also have to look at what I gain.3000:01:11,779 –> 00:01:14,980I think of Paul saying for me to live is Christ3100:01:14,980 –> 00:01:16,300and to die is gain.3200:01:16,300 –> 00:01:20,260Only someone who lives for Christ is able to say that.3300:01:20,260 –> 00:01:22,660And what does the gain that comes3400:01:22,660 –> 00:01:25,199from a person who places the whole of life3500:01:25,220 –> 00:01:27,120into the hand of Christ.3600:01:27,120 –> 00:01:28,959And in the flow of Mark’s Gospel,3700:01:28,959 –> 00:01:32,400this call to commitment, costly commitment leads3800:01:32,400 –> 00:01:34,959to the revelation of the glory of Christ3900:01:34,959 –> 00:01:37,400that the disciples see on the Mount of Transfiguration.4000:01:37,400 –> 00:01:39,580And that’s what it’s like for us as Christians.4100:01:39,580 –> 00:01:41,239Used to sing when I was in youth groups.4200:01:41,239 –> 00:01:42,059You know this one,4300:01:42,059 –> 00:01:46,239if you will not bear a cross, you can’t wear a crown.4400:01:46,239 –> 00:01:48,199There’s a cross and there’s a crown.4500:01:48,199 –> 00:01:51,660And I gotta look at both, but they’re inseparable.4600:01:51,660 –> 00:01:54,519And the crown lies ahead4700:01:54,519 –> 00:01:57,779of those who follow Jesus and bear the cross.4800:01:57,779 –> 00:01:59,900So, let’s dive right into the message.4900:01:59,900 –> 00:02:03,419It’s called Jesus calls His people to sacrifice.5000:02:03,419 –> 00:02:05,139Here’s Colin.5100:02:05,139 –> 00:02:08,440So let’s begin at verse 34 where we’re told by Mark5200:02:08,440 –> 00:02:12,399that Jesus called the crowd to Him5300:02:12,399 –> 00:02:15,380along with His disciples.5400:02:15,380 –> 00:02:17,860Now that’s significant because if you look back5500:02:17,860 –> 00:02:21,139in verse 27, you’ll see that Jesus was speaking5600:02:21,440 –> 00:02:24,679to them and specifically just to the disciples.5700:02:24,679 –> 00:02:27,039And then when we come to Mark chapter 9,5800:02:27,039 –> 00:02:29,679as we will do in a few moments time this morning,5900:02:29,679 –> 00:02:31,839you’ll see that Jesus is relating6000:02:31,839 –> 00:02:33,919just to the inner circle of disciples,6100:02:33,919 –> 00:02:37,940just Peter, James, and John, just these three.6200:02:37,940 –> 00:02:40,759But in the verses we’re going to begin with today6300:02:40,759 –> 00:02:43,360at verse 34, Mark specifically tells us6400:02:43,360 –> 00:02:45,800that Jesus called the crowds to Him6500:02:45,800 –> 00:02:48,279along with the disciples.6600:02:48,279 –> 00:02:51,199So Jesus is speaking here to the visitors,6700:02:51,199 –> 00:02:54,100to the folks who were just dropping by,6800:02:54,100 –> 00:02:55,880to the folks who were vaguely interested,6900:02:55,880 –> 00:02:59,059to the curious, to the pool of people7000:02:59,059 –> 00:03:04,059who potentially might become disciples in the future.7100:03:04,699 –> 00:03:07,119And I want you to notice what Jesus says to them7200:03:07,119 –> 00:03:10,080because it really is quite astonishing.7300:03:10,080 –> 00:03:12,139Jesus called the crowds to Him7400:03:12,139 –> 00:03:14,559along with the disciples and said,7500:03:15,360 –> 00:03:17,179If anyone would come after me,7600:03:17,179 –> 00:03:22,179he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.7700:03:22,220 –> 00:03:25,199For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,7800:03:25,199 –> 00:03:26,839but whoever loses his life7900:03:26,839 –> 00:03:31,059for me and for the gospel will save it.8000:03:32,080 –> 00:03:35,899Now, what do you make of that as a sales pitch?8100:03:35,899 –> 00:03:38,179Some of us are in sales here.8200:03:38,179 –> 00:03:43,220What do you make of this as a sales pitch?8300:03:43,259 –> 00:03:45,479If you’re going to follow me, if you’re going to sign up,8400:03:45,479 –> 00:03:48,059if you’re going to become one of my disciples,8500:03:48,059 –> 00:03:49,619you better be ready to die.8600:03:50,779 –> 00:03:53,139You better take up your cross and follow me.8700:03:54,039 –> 00:03:57,000You got to realize that if you become a Christian,8800:03:57,000 –> 00:04:01,899that this is a kind of march to your own death.8900:04:03,419 –> 00:04:05,679You think what an astonishing thing this is9000:04:05,679 –> 00:04:08,660to say to the crowd,9100:04:10,139 –> 00:04:12,339to folks who are not yet even committed.9200:04:13,720 –> 00:04:17,380In most advertising, what we do9300:04:17,380 –> 00:04:22,380is we hide the cost and the risks in the small print.9400:04:23,799 –> 00:04:24,799I was thinking about this.9500:04:24,799 –> 00:04:26,660Suppose we had a new wonder drug9600:04:26,660 –> 00:04:28,380that gives you all kinds of energy9700:04:28,380 –> 00:04:32,160and takes 10 years off your age.9800:04:32,160 –> 00:04:33,799Suppose we were marketing this9900:04:33,799 –> 00:04:35,100and we think we’re going to make an absolute fortune10000:04:35,100 –> 00:04:37,859out of marketing this new wonder drug.10100:04:37,859 –> 00:04:39,359I’ve invented a name for it.10200:04:39,359 –> 00:04:42,480Let’s call it Sly-Vasic.10300:04:42,519 –> 00:04:44,559I hope that isn’t actually on the market yet.10400:04:44,559 –> 00:04:47,420I just made it up the other day.10500:04:47,420 –> 00:04:50,119But you see, if we were advertising this new wonder drug,10600:04:50,119 –> 00:04:51,899the advert would go something like this.10700:04:51,899 –> 00:04:53,820It’s a familiar kind of pattern.10800:04:54,880 –> 00:04:57,500Are you suffering from aches and pains?10900:04:57,500 –> 00:05:00,220Do you wish that you had the energy11000:05:00,220 –> 00:05:02,380that you had 10 years ago?11100:05:02,380 –> 00:05:05,140Do you wish you could bounce out of bed every morning11200:05:05,140 –> 00:05:08,399with a zest for life, as you’ve never known it before?11300:05:08,399 –> 00:05:11,760Try Sly-Vasic.11400:05:12,179 –> 00:05:15,059Ask your doctor if Sly-Vasic is right for you.11500:05:16,279 –> 00:05:21,279Then, in a low tone, almost an imperceptible mumble,11600:05:22,140 –> 00:05:24,579there would be something like this.11700:05:24,579 –> 00:05:27,799Sly-Vasic has been known to cause certain side effects.11800:05:27,799 –> 00:05:30,880Including nausea, headaches, vomiting, skin irritation,11900:05:30,880 –> 00:05:32,619blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks.12000:05:32,619 –> 00:05:36,019In rare cases, Sly-Vasic has been known to cause death.12100:05:36,019 –> 00:05:38,200You should not take Sly-Vasic if you are pregnant12200:05:38,200 –> 00:05:40,200or you have a liver condition, et cetera, et cetera,12300:05:40,200 –> 00:05:41,040et cetera.12400:05:41,380 –> 00:05:43,440And, after that mumble has gone on,12500:05:43,440 –> 00:05:46,799the bright and cheerful voice would come back full force12600:05:46,799 –> 00:05:49,480and say Sly-Vasic will change your life.12700:05:49,480 –> 00:05:52,239Talk to your doctor about Sly-Vasic today.12800:05:53,440 –> 00:05:55,040Take 10 years off your age.12900:05:55,920 –> 00:05:58,820Now, we’re all familiar with this formula13000:05:58,820 –> 00:06:01,200and we see it on the television every day and advertising,13100:06:01,200 –> 00:06:02,040don’t we?13200:06:02,040 –> 00:06:03,079Maximize the benefits.13300:06:03,079 –> 00:06:04,299Minimize the risks.13400:06:04,299 –> 00:06:08,320Say as little as possible about the costs.13500:06:08,320 –> 00:06:10,079And because we live in that culture,13600:06:10,100 –> 00:06:12,399it would be very easy for us to think,13700:06:12,399 –> 00:06:16,000ah, well then that’s how we should do evangelism.13800:06:16,000 –> 00:06:17,500That’s how we sell the gospel.13900:06:18,420 –> 00:06:21,079Very easy for us to think like that.14000:06:21,079 –> 00:06:23,839The problem, of course, with misrepresenting the product14100:06:23,839 –> 00:06:27,859is that you end up with a lot of disappointed customers.14200:06:29,000 –> 00:06:33,160And so, if our approach to communicating the gospel14300:06:33,160 –> 00:06:35,140to the unbeliever is simply to say,14400:06:35,140 –> 00:06:37,119tell them about heaven,14500:06:37,119 –> 00:06:39,019tell them about forgiveness,14600:06:39,079 –> 00:06:41,859tell them about fulfillment that God can bring14700:06:41,859 –> 00:06:43,179in their lives,14800:06:43,179 –> 00:06:45,380and keep the rest for the small print14900:06:45,380 –> 00:06:47,959maybe in the discipleship class later,15000:06:48,880 –> 00:06:52,119then we are actually doing something very different15100:06:52,119 –> 00:06:56,600from what our Lord Jesus Christ models for us here.15200:06:56,600 –> 00:06:58,519Now I have to say that when I thought about this,15300:06:58,519 –> 00:07:01,640when you think about the astonishing statistics15400:07:01,640 –> 00:07:03,679these days in this country,15500:07:03,679 –> 00:07:07,239of folks who are abandoning a profession of faith,15600:07:07,239 –> 00:07:08,440a profession of Christian faith15700:07:08,440 –> 00:07:09,640that they once made,15800:07:10,559 –> 00:07:14,399I think that raises some serious questions15900:07:14,399 –> 00:07:17,559about the way that we are presenting the gospel16000:07:17,559 –> 00:07:21,299in this culture in the first place.16100:07:22,579 –> 00:07:23,600Now I want you to notice,16200:07:23,600 –> 00:07:25,380I find this very striking again16300:07:25,380 –> 00:07:26,880as I’ve studied it this week,16400:07:26,880 –> 00:07:31,880the absolute candor of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ16500:07:31,959 –> 00:07:36,399to the crowd, to the seeker,16600:07:36,480 –> 00:07:39,220to the person not yet committed,16700:07:39,980 –> 00:07:43,640to the unbeliever in your office or on your street.16800:07:46,119 –> 00:07:49,500The Lord Jesus lays out a full picture16900:07:50,420 –> 00:07:53,940of what following him will mean.17000:07:55,679 –> 00:07:58,600And I think those who are in sales know well17100:07:59,559 –> 00:08:03,600that normally what we do is we talk about the benefit,17200:08:04,000 –> 00:08:05,799then a little about the risk,17300:08:05,799 –> 00:08:08,459and then we slide in somewhere down the line,17400:08:08,579 –> 00:08:11,140the cost as quietly as we can.17500:08:11,559 –> 00:08:12,739But I want you to notice that17600:08:12,739 –> 00:08:15,940Jesus does this precisely the opposite way round.17700:08:16,839 –> 00:08:19,119He takes what would normally be in the small print,17800:08:19,119 –> 00:08:21,940the cost, and he makes it the headline!17900:08:22,859 –> 00:08:24,380Blazes it out there!18000:08:25,619 –> 00:08:26,779Let’s look at this together.18100:08:26,980 –> 00:08:28,320Let’s look at this together.18200:08:28,320 –> 00:08:30,660What is the cost?18300:08:31,279 –> 00:08:34,460Remember if we look back just to Mark chapter 31,18400:08:34,820 –> 00:08:37,960that Jesus has spoken for the first time18500:08:37,960 –> 00:08:39,859about his own suffering and death.18600:08:39,859 –> 00:08:42,380Mark 8 31 is the first announcement18700:08:42,380 –> 00:08:44,799of the passion of Jesus Christ.18800:08:45,159 –> 00:08:47,200He began, verse 31, to teach18900:08:47,640 –> 00:08:50,500that the son of man must suffer many things19000:08:50,500 –> 00:08:52,500and be rejected by the elders, chief priests,19100:08:52,500 –> 00:08:53,880and teachers of the law,19200:08:53,880 –> 00:08:55,000that he must be killed19300:08:55,000 –> 00:08:57,000and to make another three days rise again.19400:08:57,479 –> 00:08:59,280And from this point on in Mark’s Gospel,19500:08:59,280 –> 00:09:01,340everything is heading to the cross.19600:09:01,820 –> 00:09:03,880Jesus now begins a long journey19700:09:03,880 –> 00:09:05,719from Galilee to Jerusalem.19800:09:06,099 –> 00:09:08,260And once he arrives there,19900:09:08,260 –> 00:09:09,780Mark gives us detail of20000:09:09,780 –> 00:09:12,179the last week before the crucifixion.20100:09:12,700 –> 00:09:14,640The whole of the second half of Mark’s gospel20200:09:14,640 –> 00:09:18,559is all about Jesus’ progress towards the cross.20300:09:19,239 –> 00:09:21,820Because this is central to the Gospel.20400:09:22,380 –> 00:09:24,799Jesus Christ has come into the world to die.20500:09:25,239 –> 00:09:27,039This is his great purpose and20600:09:27,039 –> 00:09:30,000this is how he saves his people.20700:09:30,359 –> 00:09:32,760And so those who are going to follow him20800:09:33,179 –> 00:09:34,799need to understand that20900:09:34,799 –> 00:09:36,359this is what he is about.21000:09:36,359 –> 00:09:37,900If you’re going to follow me, he’s saying,21100:09:37,900 –> 00:09:39,599you need to know where I’m heading.21200:09:40,179 –> 00:09:42,000I am going to die.21300:09:42,739 –> 00:09:44,440And not just die,21400:09:44,440 –> 00:09:48,359you need to know I’m going to suffer greatly.21500:09:49,140 –> 00:09:50,979I’m going to be rejected.21600:09:51,760 –> 00:09:54,099Then in three days I will rise again21700:09:54,200 –> 00:09:55,559and if you follow me,21800:09:55,559 –> 00:09:58,599this is what you’re getting yourself into.21900:09:59,200 –> 00:10:01,739You need to understand that.22000:10:02,460 –> 00:10:05,320If anyone, verse 34, would come after me,22100:10:05,320 –> 00:10:07,020he must deny himself22200:10:07,020 –> 00:10:09,520and take up his cross and follow me.22300:10:09,919 –> 00:10:11,859And notice that Jesus does not say,22400:10:11,859 –> 00:10:13,619look if you become a real Christian,22500:10:13,619 –> 00:10:16,159there might be a cost.22600:10:16,919 –> 00:10:18,500He says there will be.22700:10:18,900 –> 00:10:20,960It’s in the very nature of what it means22800:10:20,960 –> 00:10:22,960to be a follower of Jesus Christ.22900:10:22,979 –> 00:10:25,679If anyone would come after me,23000:10:25,679 –> 00:10:29,260he must deny himself.23100:10:30,099 –> 00:10:35,020Following Jesus means saying no to self23200:10:35,380 –> 00:10:38,020in order to say yes to God.23300:10:38,679 –> 00:10:41,400It means saying no to the flesh23400:10:41,400 –> 00:10:44,200in order to say yes to the Spirit.23500:10:44,799 –> 00:10:47,880It means saying no to a life of comfort23600:10:47,880 –> 00:10:51,219in this world in order to say yes23700:10:51,400 –> 00:10:53,700to a life of ministry.23800:10:53,700 –> 00:10:56,140And to what Jesus is saying very clearly is,23900:10:56,140 –> 00:10:58,299look, if what you really want24000:10:58,299 –> 00:11:01,280is a comfortable life in this world,24100:11:01,280 –> 00:11:02,580don’t become a Christian,24200:11:04,059 –> 00:11:05,700because it won’t be like that24300:11:05,700 –> 00:11:07,679if you are truly my follower,24400:11:09,000 –> 00:11:11,539not when you understand what that really means.24500:11:12,820 –> 00:11:14,719There are much more comfortable ways24600:11:14,719 –> 00:11:17,320for you to live life in this world24700:11:17,320 –> 00:11:19,840than being a Christian.24800:11:20,760 –> 00:11:22,739So, Jesus again takes the small print24900:11:22,739 –> 00:11:24,599and he makes it his headline.25000:11:24,599 –> 00:11:26,599First, I’ll tell you what it costs.25100:11:26,599 –> 00:11:28,739Then, I’ll tell you what it’s worth.25200:11:30,159 –> 00:11:32,080We’ve been looking at the cost25300:11:32,080 –> 00:11:34,219and when we come back in a couple of moments,25400:11:34,219 –> 00:11:38,320we’re going to look at the risk at what’s at stake.25500:11:38,320 –> 00:11:39,619Our message today is cool.25600:11:39,619 –> 00:11:41,880Jesus calls His people to sacrifice.25700:11:41,880 –> 00:11:43,119And if you tuned in late25800:11:43,119 –> 00:11:45,080or if you want to go back and listen again,25900:11:45,080 –> 00:11:47,900you can do that by coming online to our website,26000:11:47,900 –> 00:11:51,460openthebible.org.uk.26100:11:51,460 –> 00:11:54,219Maybe you’ve looked at the claims of Jesus26200:11:54,219 –> 00:11:55,739and you haven’t rejected them26300:11:55,739 –> 00:11:58,880but you haven’t exactly embraced them either.26400:11:58,880 –> 00:12:01,700You’re somewhere in between, a bit sceptical.26500:12:01,700 –> 00:12:04,900You have some hard questions you want answers for.26600:12:04,900 –> 00:12:08,380The good news is Jesus had time for sceptics.26700:12:08,380 –> 00:12:09,539He talked with them,26800:12:09,539 –> 00:12:11,340he answered their questions26900:12:11,340 –> 00:12:14,260and he offered them a pathway to faith.27000:12:14,260 –> 00:12:17,179That’s what Colin’s new booklet is all about.27100:12:17,260 –> 00:12:20,419It’s called, What Jesus Says to Sceptics.27200:12:20,419 –> 00:12:21,739And we’re offering this month27300:12:21,739 –> 00:12:23,859to send you five copies of this booklet,27400:12:23,859 –> 00:12:25,580that’s one for you to read27500:12:25,580 –> 00:12:27,960and five to give away to your friends.27600:12:27,960 –> 00:12:31,000It’s all about what Jesus says to sceptics.27700:12:31,000 –> 00:12:34,200This offer is open to anyone who wants to begin27800:12:34,200 –> 00:12:36,820supporting Open the Bible financially.27900:12:36,820 –> 00:12:38,619If you’ve been thinking about doing that28000:12:38,619 –> 00:12:41,119and you’re able to set up a new direct debit28100:12:41,119 –> 00:12:43,619in the amount of five pounds per month or more28200:12:43,619 –> 00:12:45,979or a one off gift of 50 pounds.28300:12:45,979 –> 00:12:47,500We would love to say thank you28400:12:47,500 –> 00:12:50,539by sending you five copies of this booklet.28500:12:50,539 –> 00:12:52,700Full detail and terms and conditions28600:12:52,700 –> 00:12:56,619on our website, openthebible.org.uk.28700:12:56,619 –> 00:12:59,559Back to the message now, here’s Colin.28800:12:59,559 –> 00:13:01,580So Jesus again, takes the small print28900:13:01,580 –> 00:13:03,400and he makes it his headline.29000:13:03,400 –> 00:13:05,419First, I’ll tell you what it costs,29100:13:05,419 –> 00:13:07,739then I’ll tell you what it’s worth.29200:13:09,619 –> 00:13:13,419Now he moves from the cost to the risk.29300:13:13,419 –> 00:13:15,400Really the question, what’s at stake.29400:13:16,219 –> 00:13:17,780And his words here are very powerful.29500:13:17,780 –> 00:13:18,960I hope you have your Bible open29600:13:18,960 –> 00:13:22,599just to see what Jesus says to us here.29700:13:23,700 –> 00:13:27,500What is at stake when you are thinking29800:13:27,500 –> 00:13:30,140about following Jesus Christ?29900:13:31,219 –> 00:13:33,380Now the reality is that in our six services30000:13:33,380 –> 00:13:35,200on a Sunday morning every week,30100:13:35,200 –> 00:13:37,539there are going to be some folks30200:13:37,539 –> 00:13:39,340and you’re thinking about this question30300:13:39,340 –> 00:13:41,059through the service.30400:13:41,059 –> 00:13:42,619You’ve been in church world for a while30500:13:42,619 –> 00:13:45,260and you’re saying, well, should I really commit myself.30600:13:46,419 –> 00:13:47,460Maybe I will.30700:13:48,659 –> 00:13:49,500Maybe I won’t.30800:13:51,119 –> 00:13:53,539And while you’re thinking about that question,30900:13:53,539 –> 00:13:56,880what is at stake in your decision?31000:13:58,500 –> 00:14:00,919Some of us have been sitting on the fence for a long time.31100:14:00,919 –> 00:14:05,000We’ve become settled in the environment of church,31200:14:05,000 –> 00:14:06,340but we know in our hearts31300:14:06,340 –> 00:14:07,640that we have not really made31400:14:07,640 –> 00:14:11,260a life changing commitment to Jesus Christ.31500:14:11,260 –> 00:14:13,739We’ve not taken that step.31600:14:13,739 –> 00:14:15,940Now, what is at stake?31700:14:16,080 –> 00:14:20,280As you kind of ponder this and think it through,31800:14:21,179 –> 00:14:23,359well, Jesus says three things are at stake31900:14:23,359 –> 00:14:25,380and you need to understand them clearly.32000:14:26,440 –> 00:14:30,739The first, verse 35, is your life is at stake.32100:14:30,739 –> 00:14:34,659Whoever wants to save his life will lose it,32200:14:34,659 –> 00:14:36,460and whoever loses his life for me32300:14:36,460 –> 00:14:38,200and for the Gospel will save it.32400:14:40,059 –> 00:14:42,200Extraordinary Principle32500:14:43,200 –> 00:14:48,200Universally true for every circumstance, every person,32600:14:50,219 –> 00:14:53,500that what you try to hold on to in your life,32700:14:53,500 –> 00:14:56,299in this world, eventually, you will lose,32800:14:57,580 –> 00:14:59,940and everything you lose, give up,32900:14:59,940 –> 00:15:02,059for the sake of Christ and the Gospel33000:15:02,059 –> 00:15:03,979in your life in this world you will gain,33100:15:03,979 –> 00:15:07,780you will have for eternity.33200:15:09,099 –> 00:15:11,419And so Jesus is saying as you think about your life33300:15:11,419 –> 00:15:14,099you can choose to live for yourself,33400:15:14,099 –> 00:15:16,299but then when your life is gone33500:15:16,299 –> 00:15:18,099you won’t be able to get it back.33600:15:19,500 –> 00:15:22,500And if you live for yourself you will come to a day33700:15:22,500 –> 00:15:26,140either in your old age or, if not in your old age,33800:15:26,140 –> 00:15:29,460in eternity itself you will come to a day33900:15:29,460 –> 00:15:33,000when you will wish that you could have your life back,34000:15:33,000 –> 00:15:34,820you will wish that you could live it again34100:15:34,820 –> 00:15:37,919and that you could live it for Jesus Christ.34200:15:39,219 –> 00:15:40,739But you will not be able to do that34300:15:40,820 –> 00:15:42,299because you only get one run34400:15:42,299 –> 00:15:44,799and when your life is spent it is gone.34500:15:45,840 –> 00:15:50,500So your life is at stake,34600:15:50,500 –> 00:15:52,820and whoever wants to save his life,34700:15:52,820 –> 00:15:55,900whoever wants to live for himself34800:15:55,900 –> 00:15:59,739and to pursue his or her own self34900:15:59,739 –> 00:16:02,020as the very center of everything35000:16:02,020 –> 00:16:03,880will find at some point,35100:16:03,880 –> 00:16:07,640either in later life or else in eternity,35200:16:07,640 –> 00:16:08,780you will find it’s gone,35300:16:08,780 –> 00:16:10,340it’s lost and you can’t get it back35400:16:10,380 –> 00:16:12,059and you would wish that you could have it back35500:16:12,059 –> 00:16:14,219in order to live it again in a different way.35600:16:14,219 –> 00:16:15,500You really will.35700:16:15,500 –> 00:16:16,739That’s what Jesus is saying35800:16:18,580 –> 00:16:20,119and not only is your life at stake,35900:16:20,119 –> 00:16:22,979but your soul is at stake.36000:16:22,979 –> 00:16:25,780Verse 36 and verse 37,36100:16:25,780 –> 00:16:28,820what good is it for a man to gain the whole world36200:16:28,820 –> 00:16:31,539yet forfeit his soul?36300:16:31,539 –> 00:16:35,679Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?36400:16:35,679 –> 00:16:39,539This word soul reminds us36500:16:39,539 –> 00:16:43,919that your life will never end.36600:16:45,460 –> 00:16:50,419God has made you a living soul, eternal.36700:16:51,359 –> 00:16:53,979Every time a baby is born into this world36800:16:53,979 –> 00:16:57,280a new life begins that will never end.36900:16:58,859 –> 00:17:00,940Your life because you are a living soul37000:17:00,940 –> 00:17:05,199will never, never, never end.37100:17:06,420 –> 00:17:08,859The world as we know it will end,37200:17:08,859 –> 00:17:12,479the Bible says that the Earth will melt with fervent heat37300:17:12,479 –> 00:17:15,640and then God will create a new heaven and a new Earth.37400:17:15,640 –> 00:17:17,819So the world as we know it will end37500:17:17,819 –> 00:17:19,619but your life will never end.37600:17:21,859 –> 00:17:24,699And even a person who may choose37700:17:24,699 –> 00:17:26,760and we should never do this37800:17:26,760 –> 00:17:31,020but even if a person should choose to take their own life37900:17:32,300 –> 00:17:34,780you do not end your life by doing that38000:17:34,780 –> 00:17:37,780you merely move your life to another place.38100:17:38,680 –> 00:17:43,199Because you have been made by God a living soul.38200:17:44,040 –> 00:17:46,219Now Jesus is saying when you think about that38300:17:46,219 –> 00:17:48,500you will begin to see that while the cost38400:17:48,500 –> 00:17:50,579of following Christ is great38500:17:50,579 –> 00:17:54,079the cost of holding back is far greater38600:17:54,079 –> 00:17:58,000because what you lose is your own soul.38700:17:58,000 –> 00:18:03,000And hell has many pains38800:18:03,660 –> 00:18:07,739but surely one of the greatest must be this38900:18:08,660 –> 00:18:11,219for a person to know what they could39000:18:11,219 –> 00:18:14,900have been for you in eternity39100:18:14,900 –> 00:18:17,500to ponder what you could have become39200:18:17,500 –> 00:18:19,219what you might’ve experienced39300:18:19,219 –> 00:18:22,280to know that you are wasting away39400:18:22,280 –> 00:18:24,520while you could have been a son39500:18:24,520 –> 00:18:27,180or a daughter of God feasting39600:18:27,180 –> 00:18:28,900at his table for all eternity39700:18:28,900 –> 00:18:30,520with all that that means.39800:18:31,400 –> 00:18:33,640So your life’s at stake.39900:18:34,660 –> 00:18:36,260Your soul’s at stake40000:18:37,280 –> 00:18:38,920and Jesus says to us here40100:18:38,920 –> 00:18:40,579your eternity is at stake40200:18:40,579 –> 00:18:43,280verse 38, if anyone is ashamed of me40300:18:43,280 –> 00:18:45,079and my words in this adulterous40400:18:45,079 –> 00:18:46,579and sinful generation40500:18:46,579 –> 00:18:47,520then the son of man40600:18:47,520 –> 00:18:48,680that’s Jesus himself40700:18:48,680 –> 00:18:50,099will be ashamed of him40800:18:50,099 –> 00:18:52,560when he comes in his father’s glory40900:18:52,560 –> 00:18:54,099with the holy angels.41000:18:55,520 –> 00:18:56,959Imagine the son of God41100:18:56,959 –> 00:18:57,979being ashamed of you41200:18:58,020 –> 00:18:58,719and all of you41300:18:58,719 –> 00:19:02,439here you are embarrassed about Jesus41400:19:02,439 –> 00:19:04,739You want your friends to think41500:19:04,739 –> 00:19:06,420that you are associated with him41600:19:08,339 –> 00:19:10,520and now Jesus comes in all of his glory41700:19:10,520 –> 00:19:12,459and Jesus doesn’t want anyone to think41800:19:12,459 –> 00:19:14,199that he is associated with you41900:19:16,199 –> 00:19:17,140Remember these awful words42000:19:17,140 –> 00:19:18,339of the Lord Jesus Christ42100:19:18,339 –> 00:19:19,880that there would be some people42200:19:19,880 –> 00:19:21,500to whom He would say depart from me42300:19:21,500 –> 00:19:22,780because I never knew you42400:19:22,780 –> 00:19:24,979you were never really associated with me42500:19:25,000 –> 00:19:28,280Your agenda was your own life42600:19:28,280 –> 00:19:29,319you were just religious42700:19:29,319 –> 00:19:32,579and as you were never associated with me42800:19:32,579 –> 00:19:35,599so now I am NOT associated with you42900:19:35,599 –> 00:19:36,939either43000:19:36,939 –> 00:19:41,060now the cost of following43100:19:41,060 –> 00:19:43,319Jesus Christ is very great43200:19:43,319 –> 00:19:47,239but what’s at stake is even greater43300:19:47,239 –> 00:19:51,260your life, your soul43400:19:51,619 –> 00:19:53,760your eternity43500:19:53,760 –> 00:19:56,839so here we are43600:19:56,839 –> 00:20:00,520got ourselves out of bed, got ourselves here to church43700:20:00,520 –> 00:20:05,660our minds are packed with all the stuff of life43800:20:05,660 –> 00:20:07,699and even everything you’re going to do today43900:20:07,699 –> 00:20:12,479and our live’s are stuffed full of44000:20:12,479 –> 00:20:16,140sports and relationships and44100:20:16,140 –> 00:20:19,119career and money, and travel, and leisure44200:20:19,119 –> 00:20:22,520family, and friends, all good and wonderful things44300:20:22,520 –> 00:20:27,839but Jesus is speaking to you about44400:20:27,839 –> 00:20:32,180your life, your soul44500:20:32,180 –> 00:20:36,599and your eternity, and44600:20:36,599 –> 00:20:41,680are you giving appropriate weight to this44700:20:41,680 –> 00:20:44,739thing of supreme value44800:20:44,739 –> 00:20:47,959in all the business44900:20:47,959 –> 00:20:51,219of your life? What is the attention that you are45000:20:51,219 –> 00:20:54,359really giving to this? Have you grasped45100:20:54,359 –> 00:20:56,680what is at stake as you sit there saying,45200:20:56,680 –> 00:20:59,160shall I be committed or shall I not be committed?45300:20:59,160 –> 00:21:02,199Your life, your soul an eternity is at stake45400:21:02,199 –> 00:21:07,680could not be bigger, could not be bigger45500:21:07,680 –> 00:21:11,099Now that really leads to the obvious third45600:21:11,099 –> 00:21:13,219question. What’s the cost? What’s at stake?45700:21:13,219 –> 00:21:16,699Got to ask the question. What’s the gain?45800:21:16,819 –> 00:21:20,640What is to be gained here in this calling45900:21:20,640 –> 00:21:24,619of Jesus Christ to come and take up a cross46000:21:24,619 –> 00:21:26,479and deny ourselves and follow Him?46100:21:26,479 –> 00:21:29,079The most costly thing in the world. What is in it?46200:21:30,760 –> 00:21:33,699Why would you do this? Why would anybody do this?46300:21:33,699 –> 00:21:35,920Why, when you’re discouraged as a Christian46400:21:35,920 –> 00:21:37,599and you feel like giving up, why would you keep46500:21:37,599 –> 00:21:39,680following on after Jesus Christ at this46600:21:39,680 –> 00:21:41,819point in your life? What will sustain you?46700:21:44,160 –> 00:21:46,040Now I think it’s very important to see that46800:21:46,119 –> 00:21:48,459when Jesus calls us to deny ourselves46900:21:48,459 –> 00:21:50,300and to take up the cross,47000:21:51,880 –> 00:21:56,880he is inviting us to deny lesser joys47100:21:58,160 –> 00:22:01,819in order to savor greater joys.47200:22:03,660 –> 00:22:06,579And you won’t deny yourself, I won’t deny myself47300:22:06,579 –> 00:22:10,560and we won’t take up the cross unless47400:22:10,560 –> 00:22:13,920we can see that in this, there is great47500:22:13,959 –> 00:22:16,920and eternal and overwhelming gain.47600:22:19,319 –> 00:22:22,599Pastor Colin Smith ending on a really important point there.47700:22:22,599 –> 00:22:23,959You’re listening to Open the Bible47800:22:23,959 –> 00:22:25,680with Pastor Colin Smith,47900:22:25,680 –> 00:22:29,800and a message called Jesus Calls His People to Sacrifice.48000:22:29,800 –> 00:22:32,800If you tuned in late or if you’ve missed this program48100:22:32,800 –> 00:22:34,880or any of the earlier programs,48200:22:34,880 –> 00:22:36,260you can always catch up48300:22:36,260 –> 00:22:38,280or go back and listen again online.48400:22:38,280 –> 00:22:42,760That’s at our website, openthebible.org.uk.48500:22:42,819 –> 00:22:45,920Or you can find the programs as a podcast,48600:22:45,920 –> 00:22:48,199and those are on all the major podcast sites,48700:22:48,199 –> 00:22:50,359search for Open the Bible UK,48800:22:50,359 –> 00:22:53,800and or follow the link from our website.48900:22:53,800 –> 00:22:57,079Also on our website is a daily reflections program,49000:22:57,079 –> 00:23:00,180and that’s two or three minutes every day49100:23:00,180 –> 00:23:02,640based on Pastor Colin Smith’s teaching49200:23:02,640 –> 00:23:04,579and read in the UK by Sue Macleish,49300:23:04,579 –> 00:23:07,040it’s called Open the Bible Daily.49400:23:07,040 –> 00:23:11,160You can find it on our website, openthebible.org.uk.49500:23:11,260 –> 00:23:15,380You can also find it as a podcast, fresh one every day.49600:23:15,380 –> 00:23:17,420Many Christians enjoy listening to it49700:23:17,420 –> 00:23:20,640first thing as a way to start the day.49800:23:20,640 –> 00:23:24,160Well, Open the Bible is a listener supported program,49900:23:24,160 –> 00:23:26,760and that means exactly what it sounds like.50000:23:26,760 –> 00:23:29,760It’s your generosity that keeps Pastor Colin’s teaching50100:23:29,760 –> 00:23:32,400on this station and online.50200:23:32,400 –> 00:23:34,839If supporting Open the Bible in that way50300:23:34,839 –> 00:23:36,859is something you’d like to begin doing50400:23:36,859 –> 00:23:39,479and you’re able to set up a monthly direct debit50500:23:39,660 –> 00:23:41,979of five pounds per month or more,50600:23:41,979 –> 00:23:44,579or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more,50700:23:44,579 –> 00:23:46,619we’d love to say thank you by sending you50800:23:46,619 –> 00:23:49,319five copies of Pastor Colin’s new booklet50900:23:49,319 –> 00:23:51,520What Jesus Says to Skeptics.51000:23:51,520 –> 00:23:53,339That’s one copy for you to read51100:23:53,339 –> 00:23:56,739and four to give away to your friends and family.51200:23:56,739 –> 00:23:59,739Colin, how would you describe a skeptic?51300:23:59,739 –> 00:24:01,420Well, I think a skeptic is someone51400:24:01,420 –> 00:24:03,140who would not at this point say51500:24:03,140 –> 00:24:05,160that they’ve made a commitment of faith,51600:24:05,160 –> 00:24:06,020but on the other hand,51700:24:06,020 –> 00:24:08,619they’ve not rejected the Lord Jesus Christ either.51800:24:08,619 –> 00:24:10,060They’re somewhere in between.51900:24:10,060 –> 00:24:12,040There are some real questions.52000:24:12,040 –> 00:24:13,699And the good news is,52100:24:13,699 –> 00:24:17,680that Jesus cares deeply about skeptics.52200:24:17,680 –> 00:24:19,319And we find this in John’s gospel52300:24:19,319 –> 00:24:23,060where he engages with people who have honest questions52400:24:23,060 –> 00:24:24,939and he does it in such a way52500:24:24,939 –> 00:24:28,380as to give them stepping stones to faith.52600:24:28,380 –> 00:24:30,380And that’s the aim of this little booklet52700:24:30,380 –> 00:24:32,579to show what Jesus says to skeptics,52800:24:32,579 –> 00:24:34,579and if you’ve got honest questions,52900:24:34,579 –> 00:24:37,260or if you know someone who has honest questions53000:24:37,300 –> 00:24:38,619about the Christian faith,53100:24:38,619 –> 00:24:39,459then I hope and pray53200:24:39,459 –> 00:24:41,920that this booklet will be useful to you.53300:24:41,920 –> 00:24:45,300This booklet is called What Jesus Says to Skeptics.53400:24:45,300 –> 00:24:46,420And it’s our gift to you53500:24:46,420 –> 00:24:49,020for beginning to support Open the Bible this month,53600:24:49,020 –> 00:24:50,900if you set up a new direct debit53700:24:50,900 –> 00:24:52,760of five pounds per month or more,53800:24:52,760 –> 00:24:55,579or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more.53900:24:55,579 –> 00:24:56,660You can give online54000:24:56,660 –> 00:24:59,599and find full terms and conditions at our website.54100:24:59,599 –> 00:25:03,180That’s OpenTheBible.org.UK.54200:25:03,180 –> 00:25:05,699For Pastor Colin Smith and Open The Bible,54300:25:05,699 –> 00:25:09,119I’m David Pick and I hope you’ll join us again next time.54400:25:12,780 –> 00:25:14,599You call yourself a Christian,54500:25:14,599 –> 00:25:17,180but denying yourself and taking up your cross54600:25:17,180 –> 00:25:19,780is not very high on your agenda.54700:25:19,780 –> 00:25:23,760Find out why that may be next time on Open the Bible.