100:00:00,040 –> 00:00:05,820With all this that I don’t know, how can I live?200:00:07,120 –> 00:00:13,160How can you navigate your way through a world where God has kept so much secret,300:00:13,160 –> 00:00:17,020where so many of the big things that you think, I really need to know these things!400:00:17,020 –> 00:00:19,920And yet God has said, I’m not going to tell them to you.500:00:19,920 –> 00:00:22,160Welcome to Open the Bible, we’re with Pastor Colin Smith.600:00:22,160 –> 00:00:23,639I’m David Pick.700:00:23,639 –> 00:00:25,020Glad you could be with us today.800:00:25,040 –> 00:00:29,860Last time in our message we looked at Deuteronomy 29 verse 29,900:00:29,860 –> 00:00:33,700all about how we handle the questions God doesn’t answer.1000:00:33,700 –> 00:00:40,380The secret things belong to the lord, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever.1100:00:40,380 –> 00:00:43,139It’s a marvellous verse, Deuteronomy 29, 29.1200:00:43,139 –> 00:00:45,340The secret things belong to the Lord.1300:00:45,340 –> 00:00:47,240Now, we struggle with the secret things.1400:00:47,240 –> 00:00:51,580We want to know the whys of events and turns that happened in our lives.1500:00:51,599 –> 00:00:56,720And we’re being told here, you know what, that belongs to God and He has not revealed it.1600:00:56,720 –> 00:01:00,939What we need to focus on is our confidence in what He has revealed.1700:01:00,939 –> 00:01:07,580The promises that He’s given to us, and today we’re going to look at seven promises that belong to us.1800:01:07,580 –> 00:01:09,320That’s where we need to focus our faith.1900:01:09,320 –> 00:01:13,160I’ve got to leave what God has kept secret in His hands.2000:01:13,160 –> 00:01:16,379I’ve got to trust what He’s revealed and act on it.2100:01:16,379 –> 00:01:21,480So, that’s where we are today in the message of Deuteronomy 29, verse 29.2200:01:21,980 –> 00:01:26,620As we continue the message, act on what you know, leave the rest to God.2300:01:26,620 –> 00:01:27,900Here’s Colin.2400:01:27,900 –> 00:01:35,720Seven secrets that belong to the Lord and then seven promises that are given to us.2500:01:35,720 –> 00:01:38,440Well here we go.2600:01:38,440 –> 00:01:40,459Secret number one.2700:01:40,459 –> 00:01:44,099The future of your children.2800:01:44,099 –> 00:01:50,599Now, is there any parents who hasn’t wondered about this?2900:01:50,599 –> 00:01:53,480What will happen to your children?3000:01:53,480 –> 00:01:55,919What about your grandchildren?3100:01:55,919 –> 00:01:59,580What kind of world will my grandchildren inherit?3200:01:59,580 –> 00:02:03,120You ask that question?3300:02:03,120 –> 00:02:06,680This was surely in the minds of those who are standing beside Moses when he’s telling3400:02:06,680 –> 00:02:13,380them that there are two very different futures that may happen in the land.3500:02:13,380 –> 00:02:15,440What’s the future for our children?3600:02:15,440 –> 00:02:17,580Your children?3700:02:17,619 –> 00:02:24,300The secret things belong to the Lord.3800:02:24,300 –> 00:02:26,660Secret number 2.3900:02:26,660 –> 00:02:31,119The reason for your suffering?4000:02:31,119 –> 00:02:34,839All of us, at some time in life, will ask the question, why?4100:02:34,839 –> 00:02:42,479You will come to some painful experience and for some of us, this is so acute.4200:02:42,479 –> 00:02:51,919And you’re locked into this question, why was I born into that family?4300:02:51,919 –> 00:02:57,320Why did this illness come to me?4400:02:57,320 –> 00:03:03,360Why did that awful event happen to my son or my daughter?4500:03:03,360 –> 00:03:10,559The secret things belong to the Lord.4600:03:10,880 –> 00:03:17,039Point number three, the manner of your death.4700:03:17,039 –> 00:03:20,899How long will you live?4800:03:20,899 –> 00:03:27,679Will you reach old age or will God take you while you are young?4900:03:27,679 –> 00:03:30,160Will you die with a sound mind?5000:03:30,160 –> 00:03:33,360Some of us think about that, perhaps quite a lot.5100:03:33,979 –> 00:03:40,779And perhaps you ask the question, will I experience pain?5200:03:40,779 –> 00:03:46,520The secret things belong to the Lord.5300:03:46,520 –> 00:03:52,059Number four, the salvation of your loved ones.5400:03:52,059 –> 00:03:58,500I’m thinking today about someone that I have been praying for, for over 20 years.5500:03:58,500 –> 00:04:01,100He has no interest in God.5600:04:01,100 –> 00:04:04,080He has no love for Christ.5700:04:04,080 –> 00:04:06,720Will he be converted?5800:04:06,720 –> 00:04:07,820I do not know.5900:04:07,820 –> 00:04:10,339I don’t know.6000:04:10,339 –> 00:04:15,919The secret things belong to the Lord.6100:04:15,919 –> 00:04:22,019Number five, the events of tomorrow.6200:04:22,820 –> 00:04:27,579So, my son and I plan to fly to England tonight.6300:04:27,579 –> 00:04:30,839To arrive in Glasgow with a second flight tomorrow.6400:04:30,839 –> 00:04:35,040And then to get on a bus that will take us from Glasgow to the north of Scotland in6500:04:35,040 –> 00:04:38,739Inverness, where we’ve got some days with my parents and then visiting hers.6600:04:38,739 –> 00:04:40,459We’ve got it all worked out.6700:04:40,459 –> 00:04:44,260It’s about 14, 15 hours all together with the three legs of the journey.6800:04:44,260 –> 00:04:50,059We’ve done it many, many times before and we’re planned and ready to go.6900:04:51,059 –> 00:04:57,059And every time I travel, I think about the words of James,7000:04:58,059 –> 00:05:04,059Listen, you who say today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city7100:05:04,899 –> 00:05:08,260you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.7200:05:09,899 –> 00:05:12,619Well, you don’t know what’s going to happen for you tomorrow either.7300:05:12,619 –> 00:05:13,959Whatever you got planned,7400:05:15,760 –> 00:05:18,380the secret things belong to the Lord.7500:05:19,119 –> 00:05:23,619Number six, the outcome of your ministry.7600:05:24,619 –> 00:05:26,119Now, as you serve the Lord,7700:05:26,119 –> 00:05:29,619as so many of us are engaged in ministry,7800:05:29,619 –> 00:05:30,619you will have discovered,7900:05:30,619 –> 00:05:31,799you don’t need me to tell you,8000:05:31,799 –> 00:05:35,459that there are times when you find yourself asking this question,8100:05:35,459 –> 00:05:38,720am I doing anything of lasting value?8200:05:39,839 –> 00:05:41,399You are praying and you say,8300:05:41,399 –> 00:05:43,679now is this making any difference?8400:05:43,679 –> 00:05:46,980Is there any Christian who hasn’t been there?8500:05:47,399 –> 00:05:49,980You make sacrifices and you wonder,8600:05:49,980 –> 00:05:51,959well, does anybody even notice?8700:05:53,040 –> 00:05:55,700The truth is that the last day8800:05:55,700 –> 00:05:58,200will hold so many wonderful surprises8900:05:58,200 –> 00:06:02,380because you don’t know the outcome of your own ministry.9000:06:02,380 –> 00:06:03,320You don’t.9100:06:04,600 –> 00:06:08,220The secret things belong to the Lord.9200:06:09,940 –> 00:06:14,940Here’s number seven, the progress of your Christian life.9300:06:15,940 –> 00:06:18,519If you are a Christian today,9400:06:18,519 –> 00:06:22,519you will know what it is to be alarmed9500:06:24,200 –> 00:06:27,519by your own lack of progress as a Christian.9600:06:28,799 –> 00:06:30,820God, of course, is conforming you9700:06:30,820 –> 00:06:34,040to the likeness of Jesus Christ.9800:06:34,040 –> 00:06:37,440And there is progress in sanctification,9900:06:37,440 –> 00:06:40,239but the truth is that it’s not always obvious10000:06:40,239 –> 00:06:43,059and if it is seen and where it is seen,10100:06:43,059 –> 00:06:45,100it’s more likely to be seen by other people10200:06:45,100 –> 00:06:47,540before it is seen by you.10300:06:48,660 –> 00:06:51,559And the reality is that sin lies so deep10400:06:51,559 –> 00:06:54,179within the best of us10500:06:54,179 –> 00:06:57,459that we often find ourselves alarmed and astonished10600:06:57,459 –> 00:07:02,320and even confounded when it breaks out in unexpected ways.10700:07:03,679 –> 00:07:06,220You thought you were making progress.10800:07:07,579 –> 00:07:10,140That you had left those things behind.10900:07:10,980 –> 00:07:14,019But now the sin that you thought you had conquered,11000:07:14,019 –> 00:07:16,579it’s back again, and it’s staring you in the face.11100:07:16,579 –> 00:07:18,500It’s almost as if it’s laughing at you.11200:07:18,500 –> 00:07:20,959And you say, well now have I made no progress?11300:07:22,339 –> 00:07:25,720Will I ever be the person that God is calling me to be?11400:07:27,500 –> 00:07:30,179If you are a Christian, you will know what it is11500:07:30,179 –> 00:07:34,000to stare into the mystery of your own sin.11600:07:35,000 –> 00:07:39,540The secret things belong to the Lord.11700:07:40,760 –> 00:07:42,779Now folks, this is humbling truth today, isn’t it?11800:07:42,779 –> 00:07:45,959There’s a stillness among us as there ought to be,11900:07:45,959 –> 00:07:47,739because you start looking at life,12000:07:47,739 –> 00:07:51,320what you see is that however powerful sometimes we may feel12100:07:51,320 –> 00:07:54,920the truth is that the vastness is of that12200:07:54,920 –> 00:07:57,160which we do not know.12300:07:57,160 –> 00:07:59,459The things God has kept secret.12400:07:59,459 –> 00:08:01,700You don’t know the future of your children12500:08:01,779 –> 00:08:03,640You don’t know the future of your children12600:08:03,640 –> 00:08:05,179or the reason for your suffering12700:08:05,179 –> 00:08:06,679or the manner of your death12800:08:06,679 –> 00:08:08,940or the salvation of your loved ones12900:08:08,940 –> 00:08:11,359or the events of tomorrow.13000:08:11,359 –> 00:08:13,820You don’t know the outcome of your ministry.13100:08:13,820 –> 00:08:18,079You don’t even have a sure read on your own progress13200:08:18,079 –> 00:08:19,500in the Christian life.13300:08:19,500 –> 00:08:20,679And you say, well now,13400:08:20,679 –> 00:08:23,579with all this that I don’t know, how can I live?13500:08:24,579 –> 00:08:28,100How can you navigate your way through a world13600:08:28,100 –> 00:08:30,619where God has kept so much secret,13700:08:30,619 –> 00:08:32,659where so many of the big things that you think13800:08:32,659 –> 00:08:34,320I really need to know these things13900:08:34,320 –> 00:08:37,820and yet God has said I’m not going to tell them to you.14000:08:37,820 –> 00:08:38,919They belong to me.14100:08:41,059 –> 00:08:43,219Well, here’s the principle that’s right at the heart14200:08:43,219 –> 00:08:45,619of this single verse that I’m trying to work14300:08:45,619 –> 00:08:47,299into our hearts and asking14400:08:47,299 –> 00:08:49,460that God will seal in our minds.14500:08:51,039 –> 00:08:54,739You live with what God has kept secret14600:08:56,059 –> 00:08:59,940by trusting what God has revealed.14700:08:59,940 –> 00:09:03,059And we’ll continue to look at that in just a moment.14800:09:03,059 –> 00:09:04,400You’re listening to Open the Bible14900:09:04,400 –> 00:09:05,739with Pastor Colin Smith15000:09:05,739 –> 00:09:08,460and a message called Act on what you know.15100:09:08,460 –> 00:09:10,179Leave the rest to God.15200:09:10,179 –> 00:09:12,780It’s one of the most asked for and requested15300:09:12,780 –> 00:09:15,219and popular messages for the last 12 months.15400:09:15,219 –> 00:09:18,020And we’ve bundled that and several other messages15500:09:18,020 –> 00:09:22,419into a series we’re calling listener favorites 2025.15600:09:22,419 –> 00:09:24,059And if you ever missed one of the series15700:09:24,059 –> 00:09:25,260you can always catch up,15800:09:25,260 –> 00:09:26,419or go back and listen again15900:09:26,460 –> 00:09:28,179online at our website,16000:09:28,179 –> 00:09:31,340OpenTheBible.org.uk.16100:09:31,340 –> 00:09:33,179You can also find us as a podcast16200:09:33,179 –> 00:09:35,299and those are on all the main podcast sites.16300:09:35,299 –> 00:09:38,020Search for Open the Bible UK.16400:09:38,020 –> 00:09:39,140Back to the message now,16500:09:39,140 –> 00:09:41,840we’re in Deuteronomy 29, verse 29.16600:09:41,840 –> 00:09:43,460Here’s Colin.16700:09:43,460 –> 00:09:46,020The reality is that whatever you turn in life16800:09:46,020 –> 00:09:48,780we are surrounded by what we do not know16900:09:48,780 –> 00:09:50,280and what we do not control.17000:09:51,080 –> 00:09:56,080And you live with what God has kept secret17100:09:57,280 –> 00:10:00,479by trusting what God has revealed,17200:10:00,479 –> 00:10:03,719the secret things belong to the Lord.17300:10:03,719 –> 00:10:05,059You’re not going to get them17400:10:06,739 –> 00:10:09,479but the things that are revealed belong to us17500:10:09,479 –> 00:10:12,039so that we may be able to walk according to all of his laws.17600:10:12,039 –> 00:10:13,239That’s the principle.17700:10:15,400 –> 00:10:18,080So as we’ve been humbled17800:10:19,000 –> 00:10:24,000by seven secrets that belong to the Lord17900:10:25,400 –> 00:10:27,239let me try and encourage you18000:10:28,460 –> 00:10:30,580with seven promises that belong to us18100:10:30,580 –> 00:10:32,820because the revealed things belong to us.18200:10:33,700 –> 00:10:35,700Let’s think about how they tie together.18300:10:36,979 –> 00:10:40,280What about the future of your children?18400:10:41,559 –> 00:10:45,159I don’t know what the future will be for my children18500:10:45,159 –> 00:10:50,039but I know this God is faithful18600:10:50,039 –> 00:10:52,059and as he has been faithful to me18700:10:52,059 –> 00:10:53,539he will be faithful to them.18800:10:54,599 –> 00:10:57,059Acts chapter two in verse 3918900:10:57,059 –> 00:11:01,440the promise is for you and for your children19000:11:01,440 –> 00:11:05,640and for all whom the Lord God will call God is faithful19100:11:05,640 –> 00:11:08,320and the same God who is faithful to you19200:11:08,320 –> 00:11:10,219will be faithful to them.19300:11:12,200 –> 00:11:14,299What about the reason for your suffering?19400:11:15,760 –> 00:11:18,679I don’t know why some of the painful things19500:11:18,679 –> 00:11:20,640that have happened in my life occurred19600:11:22,299 –> 00:11:23,479but I know this19700:11:25,200 –> 00:11:28,960that our present suffering is not worth comparing19800:11:28,960 –> 00:11:31,979with the glory that will be revealed in us.19900:11:31,979 –> 00:11:34,159That’s Romans chapter eight in verse 1820000:11:34,159 –> 00:11:35,760and Paul says even more than that20100:11:35,760 –> 00:11:39,099he says in fact, our troubles are achieving for us20200:11:39,099 –> 00:11:42,780an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all20300:11:42,780 –> 00:11:44,619far outweighs them all20400:11:45,380 –> 00:11:47,460so I live with what God has kept secret20500:11:47,460 –> 00:11:50,780by trusting what he has revealed.20600:11:52,299 –> 00:11:54,859What about this business of the manner of your death20700:11:56,059 –> 00:11:59,700I don’t know how I will die20800:12:01,219 –> 00:12:02,500but I know this20900:12:03,539 –> 00:12:05,780to be away from the body21000:12:05,780 –> 00:12:08,419is to be at home with the Lord21100:12:08,419 –> 00:12:10,440that’s worth an amen by the way isn’t it21200:12:10,440 –> 00:12:11,799you believe that21300:12:11,799 –> 00:12:14,140and to be with the Lord, I know this21400:12:14,179 –> 00:12:16,320and believed this because he has revealed it21500:12:16,320 –> 00:12:19,059is better, by far21600:12:19,059 –> 00:12:21,460that’s Philippians chapter one21700:12:21,460 –> 00:12:22,940which is why Paul says21800:12:22,940 –> 00:12:24,880for me to live is Christ21900:12:24,880 –> 00:12:28,539and to die is gain22000:12:28,539 –> 00:12:29,359really is22100:12:30,979 –> 00:12:33,659so there are so many things in life that I want to do22200:12:35,400 –> 00:12:38,739but I’m not going to live in a craven fear of death22300:12:39,919 –> 00:12:41,679because I stand on a promise22400:12:41,719 –> 00:12:44,419I’m not going to die22500:12:44,419 –> 00:12:48,080number four, the salvation of our loved ones22600:12:48,080 –> 00:12:50,080your unbelieving loved ones22700:12:50,080 –> 00:12:52,679how do you stand on the promise there?22800:12:54,320 –> 00:12:55,520I don’t know22900:12:56,679 –> 00:13:00,599if my unbelieving friends our loved ones will be saved23000:13:01,799 –> 00:13:03,520but I know this23100:13:04,400 –> 00:13:09,640God saves people who are not looking to be saved23200:13:09,640 –> 00:13:11,200that’s my only hope23300:13:11,559 –> 00:13:13,080my only promise for that23400:13:13,080 –> 00:13:15,880it’s Isaiah chapter 65 and verse one23500:13:15,880 –> 00:13:18,919it has been a foundation of my prayers23600:13:18,919 –> 00:13:21,880for unconverted loved ones for many many years23700:13:22,599 –> 00:13:27,479God says I revealed myself to those who did not ask me23800:13:27,479 –> 00:13:30,719and I was found by those who did not seek me23900:13:30,719 –> 00:13:33,479are you praying for someone who is not seeking God?24000:13:34,440 –> 00:13:37,119are you burdened for someone who’s not asking24100:13:37,119 –> 00:13:38,640if God doesn’t pray in at all24200:13:38,640 –> 00:13:40,679and you say, well now, how will they ever be found?24300:13:40,679 –> 00:13:41,640They’re never seeking God.24400:13:41,640 –> 00:13:42,880here’s the answer24500:13:42,880 –> 00:13:44,679They’ll be found by him seeking them24600:13:44,679 –> 00:13:46,840It is not the sheep that seek the shepherd24700:13:46,840 –> 00:13:48,960it is the shepherd who seeks the sheep24800:13:48,960 –> 00:13:50,479That’s the basis of hope24900:13:50,479 –> 00:13:52,400that’s the foundation of prayer25000:13:52,400 –> 00:13:54,640that’s the promise to hold on to25100:13:55,880 –> 00:13:58,599so when I pray for unbelieving friends and loved ones25200:13:58,599 –> 00:13:59,760I say to the Lord25300:13:59,760 –> 00:14:04,000you don’t need their permission to intercept their lives25400:14:04,000 –> 00:14:05,679they’ll never find their way to you25500:14:05,679 –> 00:14:06,799so Lord please25600:14:06,799 –> 00:14:07,799in your mercy25700:14:07,960 –> 00:14:10,760find your way to them25800:14:12,280 –> 00:14:14,239the secret things belong to the Lord25900:14:14,239 –> 00:14:16,359but that revelation gives me26000:14:16,359 –> 00:14:19,200a basis for hope26100:14:19,200 –> 00:14:21,520and a sustenance26200:14:22,239 –> 00:14:23,400for prayer26300:14:24,440 –> 00:14:25,080number five26400:14:25,080 –> 00:14:26,559what about tomorrow26500:14:26,559 –> 00:14:29,320how do you live when you don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow26600:14:30,840 –> 00:14:34,280I don’t know what tomorrow holds26700:14:34,880 –> 00:14:37,400but I do know who holds tomorrow26800:14:37,400 –> 00:14:39,400and so do you if you’re in Jesus Christ26900:14:40,719 –> 00:14:42,840the future lies in the hands of God27000:14:42,840 –> 00:14:45,320and He is my loving Heavenly Father27100:14:45,799 –> 00:14:47,400do you remember how our Lord Jesus27200:14:47,400 –> 00:14:49,479speaks about this in the sermon on the mount27300:14:49,479 –> 00:14:52,559He says, do not worry about your life27400:14:53,760 –> 00:14:55,320and then He explains, why27500:14:55,320 –> 00:14:56,880why are you not to go through27600:14:56,880 –> 00:14:58,119worrying about your life27700:14:58,119 –> 00:14:59,359worrying about tomorrow27800:15:00,000 –> 00:15:00,840and he says this27900:15:00,840 –> 00:15:02,359look at the birds of the air28000:15:03,159 –> 00:15:05,159your Heavenly Father feeds them28100:15:05,159 –> 00:15:06,559now are you not much28200:15:06,559 –> 00:15:07,960more valuable than they28300:15:09,000 –> 00:15:11,000so he says and here’s the conclusion28400:15:11,479 –> 00:15:13,280instead of worrying about tomorrow28500:15:13,280 –> 00:15:14,919he says, here’s what you do28600:15:15,239 –> 00:15:17,960you seek first the Kingdom of God28700:15:17,960 –> 00:15:19,880and His righteousness28800:15:20,520 –> 00:15:22,679and all these things will be added to you28900:15:22,679 –> 00:15:24,559your Father knows what you need29000:15:25,679 –> 00:15:27,520so you see what our Lord Jesus is saying29100:15:27,520 –> 00:15:30,520don’t live a life that is consumed by worry29200:15:31,679 –> 00:15:33,599about things you cannot change29300:15:33,599 –> 00:15:34,840things you don’t control29400:15:34,880 –> 00:15:36,359here’s what you should do29500:15:36,359 –> 00:15:39,159live flat out for the Kingdom of God29600:15:39,159 –> 00:15:41,239go for righteousness today29700:15:41,239 –> 00:15:43,679pursue it every day of your life29800:15:44,280 –> 00:15:45,599and remember that tomorrow29900:15:45,599 –> 00:15:46,719is in the hands of God30000:15:46,719 –> 00:15:49,840who is your loving heavenly Father30100:15:51,719 –> 00:15:52,599number six30200:15:53,359 –> 00:15:55,520see how this is applying to the whole of life30300:15:55,880 –> 00:15:57,320I mean it goes everywhere30400:15:57,559 –> 00:15:58,840it’s one principle30500:15:59,280 –> 00:16:00,719it’s the principle to live by30600:16:01,559 –> 00:16:02,640what about this issue30700:16:02,640 –> 00:16:04,799of the outcome of your ministry30800:16:05,440 –> 00:16:06,479you think about this30900:16:06,799 –> 00:16:08,559what is God going to do31000:16:08,559 –> 00:16:09,840through our ministry31100:16:10,719 –> 00:16:11,799I don’t know31200:16:12,599 –> 00:16:13,719I don’t know31300:16:15,840 –> 00:16:16,799but I know this31400:16:18,880 –> 00:16:21,400God has said let nothing move you31500:16:22,320 –> 00:16:24,000always give yourselves31600:16:24,000 –> 00:16:25,520fully to the work of the Lord31700:16:25,520 –> 00:16:27,119because you know that your labor31800:16:27,119 –> 00:16:29,119in the Lord is not in vain31900:16:29,119 –> 00:16:30,880not in vain32000:16:30,880 –> 00:16:34,799you know, in the presence of Jesus32100:16:34,799 –> 00:16:36,880you are going to learn about prayers32200:16:36,880 –> 00:16:39,359you never knew had been answered32300:16:39,359 –> 00:16:42,039you are going to discover32400:16:42,039 –> 00:16:43,359in the presence of Jesus32500:16:43,359 –> 00:16:45,039deeds that you never knew32600:16:45,039 –> 00:16:46,880had mattered32700:16:47,880 –> 00:16:48,919you are going to discover32800:16:48,919 –> 00:16:50,719ways that God has used you32900:16:50,719 –> 00:16:52,080that you had absolutely33000:16:52,080 –> 00:16:53,320no awareness about33100:16:53,320 –> 00:16:55,760during your entire lifetime33200:16:56,719 –> 00:16:58,559the outcome of your ministry33300:16:59,559 –> 00:17:01,239you stay strong33400:17:01,239 –> 00:17:02,679in all the many questions33500:17:02,679 –> 00:17:03,960that you have33600:17:03,960 –> 00:17:05,640in the cut and thrust33700:17:05,640 –> 00:17:07,040of ministry33800:17:07,040 –> 00:17:07,719and you hold to this33900:17:07,719 –> 00:17:09,680revealed promise34000:17:09,680 –> 00:17:11,079that your labour in34100:17:11,079 –> 00:17:12,680the Lord is not34200:17:12,680 –> 00:17:14,199in vain34300:17:15,680 –> 00:17:16,719and then here is the last one34400:17:16,719 –> 00:17:19,079your progress34500:17:19,079 –> 00:17:21,319in the Christian life34600:17:21,319 –> 00:17:22,719how are you to34700:17:23,560 –> 00:17:25,000live in34800:17:25,000 –> 00:17:25,959this reality34900:17:25,959 –> 00:17:27,280where sometimes you see things35000:17:27,280 –> 00:17:28,079in yourself35100:17:28,079 –> 00:17:29,479that are so discouraging35200:17:29,479 –> 00:17:30,760and you say35300:17:30,760 –> 00:17:32,800oh, is that still there?35400:17:36,719 –> 00:17:37,760I know that I am not35500:17:37,760 –> 00:17:38,760what I used to be35600:17:40,560 –> 00:17:41,640and I also know35700:17:41,640 –> 00:17:42,280I am not yet35800:17:42,280 –> 00:17:43,400what I hoped to be35900:17:43,400 –> 00:17:44,160You feel that too36000:17:44,160 –> 00:17:45,760about your Christian life?36100:17:47,640 –> 00:17:48,319Right now36200:17:48,319 –> 00:17:49,880the work of the Holy Spirit36300:17:49,880 –> 00:17:51,719it’s woven into36400:17:51,719 –> 00:17:53,040all our battles36500:17:53,040 –> 00:17:54,040with the flesh36600:17:55,560 –> 00:17:56,479but here’s the promise36700:17:56,479 –> 00:17:57,319that’s revealed36800:17:57,319 –> 00:17:58,520to hold onto36900:17:58,520 –> 00:17:59,760in all that we don’t know37000:18:01,560 –> 00:18:02,560Christ has said37100:18:02,560 –> 00:18:04,520when he appears37200:18:05,400 –> 00:18:07,239we shall be like him37300:18:07,239 –> 00:18:09,119Feed your soul on that37400:18:09,119 –> 00:18:10,079In the middle of all your37500:18:10,079 –> 00:18:11,079struggles with sin37600:18:11,079 –> 00:18:12,719in the middle of all your37700:18:12,719 –> 00:18:15,439battles with temptation37800:18:15,439 –> 00:18:17,520when he appears37900:18:17,520 –> 00:18:20,079we shall be like him38000:18:21,400 –> 00:18:22,560Seven secrets38100:18:22,560 –> 00:18:23,920that belong to the Lord38200:18:24,880 –> 00:18:26,359Seven promises38300:18:26,359 –> 00:18:27,760that belong to us38400:18:28,920 –> 00:18:31,800faith bows before the mystery38500:18:31,800 –> 00:18:33,400of what God has kept secret38600:18:33,400 –> 00:18:35,359And faith stands38700:18:35,359 –> 00:18:36,560in the strength38800:18:36,560 –> 00:18:40,160of what God has revealed38900:18:41,920 –> 00:18:43,079You see that even39000:18:43,079 –> 00:18:45,719in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ39100:18:47,839 –> 00:18:49,359What’s happening when39200:18:49,359 –> 00:18:50,640on the cross39300:18:51,439 –> 00:18:52,719he says39400:18:53,280 –> 00:18:55,319My God, My God39500:18:55,319 –> 00:18:58,640Why have you forsaken me?39600:18:59,599 –> 00:19:03,719He’s staring into the mystery39700:19:03,719 –> 00:19:06,719of what God has kept secret39800:19:08,439 –> 00:19:09,560And what’s he doing39900:19:09,560 –> 00:19:11,079when He says on the cross40000:19:11,079 –> 00:19:14,359Father, into your hands40100:19:14,359 –> 00:19:15,880I commit my Spirit40200:19:15,880 –> 00:19:20,319He’s trusting in the promise40300:19:21,520 –> 00:19:24,239that the Father has revealed40400:19:24,479 –> 00:19:27,119It’s what He’s calling us to do40500:19:27,119 –> 00:19:31,400He’s going to walk with us in it40600:19:31,400 –> 00:19:35,800The secret things belong to the Lord40700:19:35,800 –> 00:19:38,239So trust Him40800:19:38,239 –> 00:19:41,719in what He has kept hidden40900:19:41,719 –> 00:19:43,160And the revealed things41000:19:43,160 –> 00:19:44,079they belong to you41100:19:44,079 –> 00:19:45,199they’re yours41200:19:45,199 –> 00:19:46,439To enable you to stand41300:19:46,439 –> 00:19:49,079today, this week41400:19:49,079 –> 00:19:52,239And to follow after Him41500:19:52,319 –> 00:19:54,920In all that He calls you to do41600:19:54,920 –> 00:19:57,160And my very last word is simply this41700:19:57,160 –> 00:19:58,599It’s on my heart41800:19:58,599 –> 00:20:00,719that there may be someone41900:20:00,719 –> 00:20:02,800here today42000:20:02,800 –> 00:20:04,560And you’ve just come into the church42100:20:04,560 –> 00:20:08,760and you’re just plain confused42200:20:08,760 –> 00:20:12,280And you’ve seen that life is empty42300:20:12,280 –> 00:20:13,560You don’t know God42400:20:13,560 –> 00:20:17,479God seems to be distant from you42500:20:17,479 –> 00:20:18,680You’d like to find Him42600:20:18,680 –> 00:20:21,599but you don’t know where to look42700:20:21,599 –> 00:20:22,880You’d like to have faith42800:20:22,880 –> 00:20:24,119like other people around you42900:20:24,119 –> 00:20:25,040seem to have faith43000:20:25,040 –> 00:20:29,479but you don’t know where to begin43100:20:29,479 –> 00:20:30,920Listen to these words of Jesus43200:20:30,920 –> 00:20:33,119in this last moment43300:20:33,119 –> 00:20:34,400He said this43400:20:34,400 –> 00:20:36,640Matthew 1143500:20:36,640 –> 00:20:39,680No one knows the Father43600:20:39,680 –> 00:20:43,239except the Son43700:20:43,239 –> 00:20:45,599And those to whom the Son43800:20:45,599 –> 00:20:48,119chooses to reveal Him43900:20:48,119 –> 00:20:50,160That’s what Jesus said44000:20:50,160 –> 00:20:51,040So here you are44100:20:51,119 –> 00:20:52,199and you say well I don’t know God44200:20:52,199 –> 00:20:53,119I don’t where to find Him44300:20:53,119 –> 00:20:54,119Where do I begin?44400:20:54,119 –> 00:20:56,680Jesus says well, you’re not unusual44500:20:56,680 –> 00:20:59,000No one knows the Father44600:20:59,000 –> 00:21:02,079You can’t find the Father44700:21:02,079 –> 00:21:03,599But Jesus says there’s only one44800:21:03,599 –> 00:21:04,439who knows the Father44900:21:04,439 –> 00:21:07,119He says I know the Father45000:21:07,119 –> 00:21:10,680and I can reveal the Father45100:21:10,680 –> 00:21:13,319to those to whom I choose to reveal Him45200:21:13,319 –> 00:21:15,839That’s hope for you there45300:21:15,839 –> 00:21:16,800You see that is why45400:21:16,800 –> 00:21:17,800Jesus says45500:21:17,800 –> 00:21:18,959I am the way45600:21:18,959 –> 00:21:20,560and the truth and the life45700:21:20,560 –> 00:21:22,319No one comes to the Father45800:21:22,319 –> 00:21:25,680except by me45900:21:25,680 –> 00:21:27,000And so in the very next verse46000:21:27,000 –> 00:21:28,119He says in Matthew46100:21:28,119 –> 00:21:30,160Come to me46200:21:30,160 –> 00:21:32,040Jesus says this46300:21:32,040 –> 00:21:33,439you should hear Jesus46400:21:33,439 –> 00:21:34,719whose risen from the dead46500:21:34,719 –> 00:21:36,959saying this to you today46600:21:36,959 –> 00:21:38,680you don’t know God by yourself46700:21:38,680 –> 00:21:40,599you can’t know God by yourself46800:21:40,599 –> 00:21:42,319but Jesus is saying I do46900:21:42,319 –> 00:21:43,839The Son of God knows the Father47000:21:43,839 –> 00:21:46,280and He says now you come to me47100:21:46,280 –> 00:21:48,160You come to me all you who are weary47200:21:48,160 –> 00:21:50,000and all you who are heavy laden47300:21:50,000 –> 00:21:52,920You come with all your unanswered questions47400:21:52,920 –> 00:21:54,839to Jesus Christ47500:21:54,839 –> 00:21:58,520The Son of God who died and rose again47600:21:58,520 –> 00:22:00,640And you come with all your unanswered questions47700:22:00,640 –> 00:22:03,119all that’s the secret to you47800:22:03,119 –> 00:22:07,599all that you do not understand47900:22:07,599 –> 00:22:10,000And you believe the promise that He has revealed48000:22:10,000 –> 00:22:12,560right here48100:22:12,560 –> 00:22:13,719He says to you48200:22:13,719 –> 00:22:15,640Come to me48300:22:15,760 –> 00:22:21,719And I will give you rest48400:22:21,719 –> 00:22:23,560For your soul48500:22:23,560 –> 00:22:26,479Jesus Christ says that to you48600:22:26,479 –> 00:22:29,680And in everything that you do not know48700:22:29,680 –> 00:22:32,479that is a promise that today48800:22:32,479 –> 00:22:34,359you can believe48900:22:34,359 –> 00:22:36,160You’ve been listening to Open the Bible49000:22:36,160 –> 00:22:37,400with Pastor Colin Smith49100:22:37,400 –> 00:22:38,560and a message called49200:22:38,560 –> 00:22:39,920Act on what you know49300:22:39,920 –> 00:22:41,640Leave the rest to God49400:22:41,640 –> 00:22:42,719And if you tuned in late49500:22:42,719 –> 00:22:43,920or missed any of the message49600:22:44,079 –> 00:22:45,959Or if you want to hear any of the other messages49700:22:45,959 –> 00:22:47,719which have already gone out on air49800:22:47,719 –> 00:22:50,599You can do that by coming online to our website49900:22:50,599 –> 00:22:53,319Openthebible.org.uk50000:22:53,319 –> 00:22:54,680There you’ll find all the messages50100:22:54,680 –> 00:22:56,560which have already been broadcast50200:22:56,560 –> 00:22:58,400And you can also find them as a podcast50300:22:58,400 –> 00:23:00,280on all the main podcast sites50400:23:00,280 –> 00:23:02,439Search for Open the Bible UK50500:23:02,439 –> 00:23:04,800or follow the link from our website50600:23:05,880 –> 00:23:08,719Also available as a podcast and on our website50700:23:08,719 –> 00:23:10,599is Open the Bible Daily50800:23:10,599 –> 00:23:14,280That’s our series of short Daily Reflection Pieces50900:23:14,280 –> 00:23:16,239based on Pastor Colin’s teaching51000:23:16,239 –> 00:23:18,760and read in the UK by Sue Mac’Leash51100:23:19,599 –> 00:23:22,119Open the Bible is supported by our listeners51200:23:22,119 –> 00:23:24,439And if you already give to support the work51300:23:24,439 –> 00:23:26,800we want to say a big thank you51400:23:26,800 –> 00:23:29,119If you’ve been considering beginning to support51500:23:29,119 –> 00:23:30,800Open the Bible financially51600:23:30,800 –> 00:23:34,000This month if you’re able to set up a new direct debit51700:23:34,000 –> 00:23:35,599to the work of Open the Bible51800:23:35,599 –> 00:23:38,160in the amount of £5 per month or more51900:23:38,260 –> 00:23:40,660or a one-off gift of £50 or more52000:23:40,660 –> 00:23:42,459We’d love to say thank you52100:23:42,459 –> 00:23:44,560by sending you a copy of Pastor Colin’s book52200:23:44,560 –> 00:23:46,359Fly Through the Bible52300:23:46,359 –> 00:23:49,040Colin, what do you hope that readers of this book52400:23:49,040 –> 00:23:50,959will take away from it?52500:23:50,959 –> 00:23:53,180Well, that people will see that the whole Bible52600:23:53,180 –> 00:23:54,680is one story52700:23:54,680 –> 00:23:57,920and that it all points to the Lord Jesus Christ52800:23:57,920 –> 00:23:59,520You know, I think many folks know52900:23:59,520 –> 00:24:01,140some stories from the Bible53000:24:01,140 –> 00:24:03,119You know, David and Goliath, Jonah and the Whale53100:24:03,119 –> 00:24:04,520and so forth and so on53200:24:04,520 –> 00:24:07,020But I find that often people don’t realize53300:24:07,140 –> 00:24:10,619that there really is an overall storyline to the Bible53400:24:10,619 –> 00:24:13,020It begins in a garden, it ends in a city53500:24:13,020 –> 00:24:16,500All the way through it’s about the Lord Jesus Christ53600:24:16,500 –> 00:24:19,719So, when a person gets an overview of the Bible53700:24:19,719 –> 00:24:22,660that’s the best way to be introduced53800:24:22,660 –> 00:24:24,699to the Lord Jesus Christ himself53900:24:24,699 –> 00:24:27,079This is going to show you who he is54000:24:27,079 –> 00:24:28,579why we need him54100:24:28,579 –> 00:24:29,939what he’s accomplished54200:24:29,939 –> 00:24:31,180what he offers54300:24:31,180 –> 00:24:33,780what he’s able to do in the life of any person54400:24:33,780 –> 00:24:36,140who turns to him in repentance and faith54500:24:36,380 –> 00:24:38,180It’s cookies on the bottom shelf54600:24:38,180 –> 00:24:41,500and it’s going to be an introduction to the Lord Jesus Christ54700:24:41,500 –> 00:24:44,099Well we’d love to send you a copy of pastor Collin’s book54800:24:44,099 –> 00:24:45,660Fly Through The Bible54900:24:45,660 –> 00:24:48,160if you’re able to set up a new, direct debit55000:24:48,160 –> 00:24:49,900to the work of Open The Bible55100:24:49,900 –> 00:24:51,339for five pounds per month55200:24:51,339 –> 00:24:54,459or more, or a one off gift of fifty pounds or more55300:24:54,459 –> 00:24:55,859this month55400:24:55,859 –> 00:24:58,020You can find full terms and conditions55500:24:58,020 –> 00:25:00,439and you can give online at our website55600:25:00,439 –> 00:25:03,579openthebible.org.uk55700:25:03,579 –> 00:25:05,979For Open The Bible and Pastor Collin Smith55800:25:05,979 –> 00:25:07,060I’m David Pick55900:25:07,060 –> 00:25:14,060and we’ll see you next time56000:25:15,420 –> 00:25:17,560The Good Shepherd leads His flock56100:25:17,560 –> 00:25:20,219but where does He lead them to?56200:25:20,219 –> 00:25:22,300Find out next time, on Open The Bible