A New Perspective, Part 1

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Welcome to another episode of “Open the Bible” with Pastor Colin Smith. In today’s discussion, we explore what the Apostle Paul means by regarding no one “according to the flesh” as found in 2 Corinthians 5. Pastor Colin takes us on a journey through ten factors that often distinguish us outwardly—such as appearance, age, and race—and challenges us to see beyond these surface-level perceptions. By exploring how a change in understanding Jesus can transform how we view ourselves and others, Pastor Colin offers a refreshing perspective on identity and value. Join us today as we open our Bibles to gain a new perspective and appreciate the liberating insight that being in Christ affords us.

100:00:00,320 –> 00:00:02,500Really,200:00:03,500 –> 00:00:06,360we once regarded Christ according300:00:06,360 –> 00:00:09,980to the flesh, but we do so no longer.400:00:11,060 –> 00:00:12,900Now what does it mean to regard500:00:12,900 –> 00:00:17,480someone according to the flesh?600:00:18,299 –> 00:00:20,959Welcome to open the Bible with pastor Colin Smith.700:00:21,000 –> 00:00:22,040I’m David Pick.800:00:22,340 –> 00:00:24,360Glad you could be with us today and Colin,900:00:24,580 –> 00:00:26,900we can’t leave that question just hanging there.1000:00:27,260 –> 00:00:29,559What does it mean to regard somebody1100:00:29,719 –> 00:00:30,799according to the flesh?1200:00:30,900 –> 00:00:33,040Well, it means to form an impression or an opinion1300:00:33,040 –> 00:00:35,520about a person on the basis of the most obvious1400:00:35,520 –> 00:00:36,560things about them.1500:00:36,639 –> 00:00:38,820So you’re talking about appearance, height,1600:00:38,860 –> 00:00:40,020weight, that sort of thing.1700:00:40,160 –> 00:00:41,340All of that kind of thing.1800:00:41,599 –> 00:00:43,419And all of these kind of things are the things1900:00:43,599 –> 00:00:45,160actually that make us different, they’re the2000:00:45,160 –> 00:00:46,980things that pull us apart.2100:00:47,299 –> 00:00:49,520They’re often the kinds of things that will either2200:00:49,619 –> 00:00:51,599inflate our view of ourselves that we think,2300:00:52,020 –> 00:00:54,060oh boy, I’m really something here, or depress2400:00:54,880 –> 00:00:56,000our view of ourselves.2500:00:56,020 –> 00:00:57,840Boy, I don’t like the way that I look.2600:00:57,919 –> 00:00:59,380And all of that kind of thing.2700:00:59,380 –> 00:01:01,860So judging according to the flesh2800:01:02,400 –> 00:01:04,800brings us to all kinds of places we do2900:01:05,080 –> 00:01:07,580not want to be in regards to ourselves3000:01:07,839 –> 00:01:09,360and in regards to others.3100:01:09,639 –> 00:01:12,260We’re going to look at how we change3200:01:12,279 –> 00:01:14,459the way in which we view ourselves and others.3300:01:14,760 –> 00:01:16,599And, guess what? How we view Jesus Christ3400:01:17,120 –> 00:01:18,120is right at the center.3500:01:18,559 –> 00:01:20,440So join us today, if you can, in two Corinthians3600:01:21,320 –> 00:01:23,760chapter 5, beginning at verse 16.3700:01:24,199 –> 00:01:27,000As we begin on new message and new perspective.3800:01:27,239 –> 00:01:27,959Here is Colin.3900:01:28,599 –> 00:01:31,120Please open your Bibles at 2 Corinthians4000:01:31,160 –> 00:01:32,480and chapter 5.4100:01:33,199 –> 00:01:35,500We looked last time from verse 144200:01:35,599 –> 00:01:37,239at what it means to be controlled by4300:01:37,639 –> 00:01:38,959the love of Christ.4400:01:39,720 –> 00:01:41,680And we saw the testimony of the Apostle Paul4500:01:42,360 –> 00:01:44,519that the love of Christ really took a grip4600:01:44,580 –> 00:01:46,680in his life, took hold4700:01:46,680 –> 00:01:49,400of his life when he came to conclusions4800:01:49,720 –> 00:01:51,739about the death and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus4900:01:52,199 –> 00:01:52,919Christ.5000:01:53,440 –> 00:01:55,699The first was the Jesus changed death5100:01:55,779 –> 00:01:57,860that he died in our place5200:01:58,139 –> 00:01:59,860in order to change the face of death5300:02:00,279 –> 00:02:02,040forever. That’s why he says one has5400:02:02,360 –> 00:02:04,580died for all and therefore5500:02:04,580 –> 00:02:06,419all have died.5600:02:06,680 –> 00:02:08,580He has changed death from what it would have5700:02:08,899 –> 00:02:11,839been a passing into condemnation5800:02:11,899 –> 00:02:13,860into what it will be for a person who is5900:02:13,979 –> 00:02:15,500in Christ and entering into6000:02:16,199 –> 00:02:17,759celebration is change the face of6100:02:18,419 –> 00:02:20,419death for all of his people6200:02:20,860 –> 00:02:22,259and they’re not only that, we saw that the6300:02:22,380 –> 00:02:24,160Lord Jesus has changed the face6400:02:24,479 –> 00:02:25,380of life.6500:02:25,699 –> 00:02:27,300The whole purpose of life.6600:02:27,320 –> 00:02:29,220He died to bring us from the6700:02:29,300 –> 00:02:31,520miseries of living for so selves6800:02:31,759 –> 00:02:34,119into the joy of living for him.6900:02:34,160 –> 00:02:35,460He died verse 15 that those7000:02:36,399 –> 00:02:37,899who live might no longer live for7100:02:37,919 –> 00:02:39,919themselves but for him who7200:02:39,919 –> 00:02:41,860for their sake died and7300:02:42,220 –> 00:02:43,740was raised now in these verses7400:02:44,639 –> 00:02:46,639we’ve really come to the core7500:02:47,199 –> 00:02:49,539of what God has done in Jesus7600:02:49,539 –> 00:02:51,520Christ for all of His people.7700:02:51,919 –> 00:02:53,080He’s changed death.7800:02:53,360 –> 00:02:54,539He’s changed life and7900:02:55,639 –> 00:02:57,399he’s done it for all who are8000:02:57,479 –> 00:02:59,940in Jesus Christ.8100:03:00,600 –> 00:03:01,880Now today we’re going to8200:03:02,399 –> 00:03:03,479come to the first of8300:03:04,240 –> 00:03:06,380really a series of conclusions8400:03:06,399 –> 00:03:08,559are applications8500:03:08,820 –> 00:03:10,720that come from the great truth8600:03:10,720 –> 00:03:12,259of who Jesus is and what he has8700:03:12,539 –> 00:03:14,559done and what he has accomplished8800:03:14,600 –> 00:03:15,660for his people.8900:03:16,080 –> 00:03:17,100And so we’re really coming9000:03:17,100 –> 00:03:19,500there to a series of conclusions9100:03:19,500 –> 00:03:21,960from this wonderful reality9200:03:22,160 –> 00:03:22,960that the love of Christ9300:03:23,440 –> 00:03:24,919controls us.9400:03:25,320 –> 00:03:26,179And what we’re going to see9500:03:26,179 –> 00:03:27,600today is that when that is the9600:03:27,800 –> 00:03:29,559case it changes the way that we9700:03:29,660 –> 00:03:30,839see other people.9800:03:31,279 –> 00:03:33,440And it also changes the way9900:03:33,679 –> 00:03:36,000in which we see ourselves.10000:03:36,399 –> 00:03:37,580And so I want to try and show10100:03:37,960 –> 00:03:39,559you from the Bible today10200:03:39,919 –> 00:03:41,699how it is that10300:03:41,720 –> 00:03:43,679knowing Jesus Christ10400:03:43,960 –> 00:03:45,360will change the way you view10500:03:45,720 –> 00:03:47,740others and10600:03:48,080 –> 00:03:49,580it will change the way10700:03:49,880 –> 00:03:52,539in which you see yourself.10800:03:52,839 –> 00:03:54,600So we come there to verse 1610900:03:54,619 –> 00:03:55,899and verse 17.11000:03:56,259 –> 00:03:57,339And I’d like to read these11100:03:57,339 –> 00:03:59,000verses again for you now.11200:03:59,639 –> 00:04:01,600From now on therefore11300:04:02,000 –> 00:04:03,460so the word therefore means11400:04:03,460 –> 00:04:04,619this is a conclusion.11500:04:04,660 –> 00:04:05,919This is what comes from what11600:04:05,919 –> 00:04:07,240we’ve been learning before.11700:04:08,080 –> 00:04:09,779From now on therefore11800:04:11,240 –> 00:04:13,039we regard no one according11900:04:13,539 –> 00:04:14,759to the flesh12000:04:16,600 –> 00:04:18,260even though we once regarded12100:04:18,260 –> 00:04:19,679Christ according12200:04:20,579 –> 00:04:21,339to the flesh.12300:04:21,380 –> 00:04:22,799So that same phrase a second12400:04:22,799 –> 00:04:23,299time.12500:04:23,760 –> 00:04:25,040Even though we once did this12600:04:25,040 –> 00:04:27,040we regard him thus no longer.12700:04:27,920 –> 00:04:29,200Then this marvelous verse12800:04:29,200 –> 00:04:30,920therefore if anyone is in12900:04:30,920 –> 00:04:32,799Christ he is a new creation13000:04:33,339 –> 00:04:34,799the old has passed away13100:04:35,040 –> 00:04:37,220behold the new has come.13200:04:38,440 –> 00:04:39,920Now the keywords here are the13300:04:39,920 –> 00:04:42,320words according to the flesh13400:04:42,799 –> 00:04:43,880and you’ll notice that that13500:04:43,880 –> 00:04:45,600little phrase comes twice13600:04:45,660 –> 00:04:47,040in verse 1613700:04:47,440 –> 00:04:48,679as if to underline its13800:04:48,679 –> 00:04:50,339importance from now on we13900:04:50,619 –> 00:04:52,600regard no one according to14000:04:52,600 –> 00:04:55,079the flesh we ones regards14100:04:55,079 –> 00:04:57,100Christ according to the14200:04:57,100 –> 00:04:59,480flesh but we do so no14300:04:59,480 –> 00:05:00,000longer.14400:05:01,480 –> 00:05:02,640Now what does it mean to14500:05:02,640 –> 00:05:06,440regard someone according to14600:05:06,920 –> 00:05:07,859the flesh.14700:05:09,179 –> 00:05:10,380Well very simply to regard14800:05:10,380 –> 00:05:11,359someone according to the14900:05:11,359 –> 00:05:12,899flesh means to form an15000:05:12,899 –> 00:05:14,859impression about a person15100:05:15,299 –> 00:05:17,480from the most obvious things15200:05:17,799 –> 00:05:18,579about them.15300:05:19,380 –> 00:05:22,079Remember the Bible says man15400:05:22,079 –> 00:05:23,500looks on the outward15500:05:23,500 –> 00:05:25,260appearance but God looks on15600:05:25,260 –> 00:05:25,859the heart.15700:05:25,880 –> 00:05:27,420We often emphasize rightly15800:05:27,420 –> 00:05:28,579the second half of that15900:05:28,579 –> 00:05:28,940verse.16000:05:29,140 –> 00:05:30,299God looks on the heart.16100:05:30,500 –> 00:05:31,660We forget the first part16200:05:31,679 –> 00:05:33,220which is that man looks on16300:05:33,220 –> 00:05:34,500the outward appearance.16400:05:34,920 –> 00:05:37,619We form impressions on what16500:05:37,619 –> 00:05:39,779is immediately apparent in16600:05:39,779 –> 00:05:41,660regards to other people.16700:05:42,140 –> 00:05:43,279Off course we do want to16800:05:43,279 –> 00:05:44,500know the heart but as16900:05:44,779 –> 00:05:46,079everyone knows that takes17000:05:46,079 –> 00:05:47,600time and you can’t do that17100:05:47,600 –> 00:05:48,339with everybody.17200:05:48,640 –> 00:05:49,839You’re only able to know the17300:05:49,839 –> 00:05:53,519heart of a limited number of17400:05:53,519 –> 00:05:54,040people.17500:05:55,179 –> 00:05:56,619So I want to list for you17600:05:56,619 –> 00:05:59,179than 10 factors that17700:05:59,179 –> 00:06:02,640distinguish us according to17800:06:02,679 –> 00:06:03,579the flesh.17900:06:03,959 –> 00:06:04,779And let me give you this18000:06:04,779 –> 00:06:06,119health warning before we get18100:06:06,119 –> 00:06:06,700into it.18200:06:07,160 –> 00:06:08,119Every one of them is18300:06:08,119 –> 00:06:08,700sensitive.18400:06:09,399 –> 00:06:10,660Every one of them is18500:06:10,660 –> 00:06:11,100sensitive.18600:06:11,160 –> 00:06:12,040That was the thing as I was18700:06:12,040 –> 00:06:13,899just meditating on this and18800:06:13,899 –> 00:06:14,700listening out.18900:06:15,279 –> 00:06:17,880What does it mean to be in19000:06:17,880 –> 00:06:19,859the flesh and what does this19100:06:19,859 –> 00:06:21,320phrase according to the flesh19200:06:21,320 –> 00:06:22,679mean I’m meditating on it19300:06:22,720 –> 00:06:23,260something oh that’s19400:06:23,260 –> 00:06:23,880sensitive.19500:06:24,239 –> 00:06:24,959Oh so is that.19600:06:25,059 –> 00:06:27,720Oh so that and the reason for19700:06:27,720 –> 00:06:29,820that is that these things19800:06:30,279 –> 00:06:32,720reflect our life in this world19900:06:32,739 –> 00:06:34,100and as you will see they are20000:06:34,100 –> 00:06:35,440therefore the focus of great20100:06:35,440 –> 00:06:38,559tension in many spheres.20200:06:39,059 –> 00:06:39,820Here is number one.20300:06:40,640 –> 00:06:42,660Appearance the most obvious of20400:06:42,660 –> 00:06:43,220them all.20500:06:44,079 –> 00:06:45,640This is obviously the first20600:06:45,640 –> 00:06:47,500way in which we identify20700:06:47,519 –> 00:06:48,700people in ordinary20800:06:48,700 –> 00:06:49,779conversation.20900:06:50,299 –> 00:06:51,380Kahn will say.21000:06:52,140 –> 00:06:53,459Oh you know I spoke to Mary21100:06:53,459 –> 00:06:55,160Jones this morning and I’ll21200:06:55,160 –> 00:06:56,779say now who is she and then21300:06:56,820 –> 00:06:57,820and you say what she’s the21400:06:57,820 –> 00:06:59,380tall lady with the dark curly21500:06:59,380 –> 00:07:00,399hair and she walks with a21600:07:00,399 –> 00:07:01,459bit of a stoop and she always21700:07:01,459 –> 00:07:02,440wears a green coat.21800:07:02,679 –> 00:07:03,600I mean that that’s the kind of21900:07:03,660 –> 00:07:05,640ordinary conversation that we22000:07:05,640 –> 00:07:07,000have all of the time in22100:07:07,000 –> 00:07:09,380regards to how we describe or22200:07:09,399 –> 00:07:11,260identify people according to22300:07:11,260 –> 00:07:12,200the flesh.22400:07:13,000 –> 00:07:15,579You have a certain height and22500:07:15,579 –> 00:07:16,720you may either like that or22600:07:16,720 –> 00:07:17,339not like it.22700:07:18,040 –> 00:07:19,600You are of a certain weight22800:07:19,899 –> 00:07:21,320and you may either like that22900:07:21,359 –> 00:07:22,799or you may not like that.23000:07:22,839 –> 00:07:24,480You have your own style you23100:07:24,480 –> 00:07:25,600have your own level of23200:07:25,600 –> 00:07:26,859fitness and all of these23300:07:26,859 –> 00:07:28,440things are immediately23400:07:28,480 –> 00:07:29,140apparent.23500:07:29,940 –> 00:07:31,359All of us have thoughts about23600:07:31,359 –> 00:07:32,480our own appearance.23700:07:32,760 –> 00:07:33,940Whether we like it or whether23800:07:33,940 –> 00:07:35,160we don’t like it how it23900:07:35,160 –> 00:07:36,459compares with the appearance24000:07:36,459 –> 00:07:37,440of others and that’s why24100:07:37,440 –> 00:07:39,000these things become sensitive24200:07:39,399 –> 00:07:41,260but our appearance is a24300:07:41,260 –> 00:07:43,380factor that distinguishes us24400:07:43,380 –> 00:07:44,619according to the flesh.24500:07:44,640 –> 00:07:46,119That’s number one number two24600:07:46,660 –> 00:07:47,320ability.24700:07:48,119 –> 00:07:49,600I’m thinking here about gifts24800:07:49,600 –> 00:07:51,839talents abilities that each24900:07:51,839 –> 00:07:52,940of us have in different25000:07:52,940 –> 00:07:55,980spheres sports arts music25100:07:56,359 –> 00:07:57,559so forth and so on.25200:07:58,079 –> 00:08:00,220And our abilities in25300:08:00,220 –> 00:08:01,940different areas are part of25400:08:01,940 –> 00:08:05,000what we are according to25500:08:05,619 –> 00:08:06,540the flesh.25600:08:08,019 –> 00:08:10,640Now I went to high school for25700:08:10,959 –> 00:08:12,320six years.25800:08:12,359 –> 00:08:14,279And the reason I hasten to add25900:08:14,279 –> 00:08:15,100is not that I did26000:08:15,100 –> 00:08:16,399particularly badly.26100:08:17,179 –> 00:08:18,339It was that we didn’t have26200:08:18,339 –> 00:08:19,239middle school.26300:08:19,299 –> 00:08:21,100And so at the age of 12 you26400:08:21,100 –> 00:08:22,380went to what was called26500:08:22,380 –> 00:08:24,459secondary school effectively26600:08:24,459 –> 00:08:26,299high school and were there for26700:08:26,720 –> 00:08:27,339six years.26800:08:27,380 –> 00:08:29,959So I began there at the age of26900:08:29,980 –> 00:08:32,97912 and in the high school27000:08:32,979 –> 00:08:35,179that I attended for which I27100:08:35,179 –> 00:08:36,659will always be grateful.27200:08:37,280 –> 00:08:39,820We were divided into streams27300:08:39,900 –> 00:08:42,020according to ability and many27400:08:42,619 –> 00:08:44,500others we’ll have had this27500:08:44,500 –> 00:08:46,739kind of experience there were27600:08:47,059 –> 00:08:50,780five classes in each year.27700:08:51,760 –> 00:08:53,400And if you’re curious to know27800:08:53,400 –> 00:08:54,960where I was the answer actually27900:08:54,960 –> 00:08:56,380is very very boring as28000:08:56,419 –> 00:08:58,580absolutely slap bang right in28100:08:58,659 –> 00:08:59,299the middle.28200:08:59,760 –> 00:09:01,859Well I guess the school didn’t28300:09:01,859 –> 00:09:04,340want it to be too obvious that28400:09:04,340 –> 00:09:07,460the classes were streamed and28500:09:07,460 –> 00:09:10,460so the classes we’re given what28600:09:10,460 –> 00:09:13,159seems to be random names.28700:09:13,760 –> 00:09:19,520They were X G T H and K and so28800:09:19,520 –> 00:09:20,719you would go into one eggs or28900:09:20,719 –> 00:09:22,919one and two x and two g and so29000:09:22,919 –> 00:09:24,119forth and so on.29100:09:24,179 –> 00:09:25,440Well of course all the kids as29200:09:25,440 –> 00:09:27,159is always the case knew who was29300:09:27,159 –> 00:09:28,440at the top and who was at the29400:09:28,440 –> 00:09:28,880bottom.29500:09:29,159 –> 00:09:32,239And so here we were 12 years old29600:09:32,239 –> 00:09:35,080trying to work out what these29700:09:35,380 –> 00:09:38,679apparently random letters might29800:09:38,700 –> 00:09:42,719actually stand for and we worked29900:09:42,859 –> 00:09:45,719out x we decided for sure must be30000:09:45,719 –> 00:09:47,520for excellent because these kids30100:09:47,520 –> 00:09:49,640were the high fliers G.30200:09:49,659 –> 00:09:50,820which was the next slot30300:09:50,820 –> 00:09:53,440therefore must be for Good T.30400:09:53,479 –> 00:09:56,299which was us we dubbed Terrific30500:09:56,479 –> 00:09:58,119though other classes reckon that30600:09:58,119 –> 00:10:01,000it may well be terrible H.30700:10:01,020 –> 00:10:03,440was obviously for horrible which30800:10:03,479 –> 00:10:05,020left K..30900:10:05,219 –> 00:10:07,359Which by universal acclamation31000:10:07,359 –> 00:10:08,940was regarded as standing for31100:10:08,940 –> 00:10:12,239chronic and these kids lived with31200:10:12,260 –> 00:10:16,500that for six years nowοw this is31300:10:16,500 –> 00:10:18,039the world in which we live and31400:10:18,940 –> 00:10:21,020how many of you have these awful31500:10:21,059 –> 00:10:23,299memories of you know two captains31600:10:23,299 –> 00:10:25,080picking teams for some kick about31700:10:25,080 –> 00:10:27,080game with a ball and and there31800:10:27,080 –> 00:10:28,599you are all the kids standing on31900:10:28,659 –> 00:10:30,460the wall I know I I love this32000:10:30,460 –> 00:10:31,919personal I love this person and32100:10:31,919 –> 00:10:33,460the first ones to be chosen they32200:10:33,460 –> 00:10:34,460walk out with that kind of32300:10:34,520 –> 00:10:36,440swagger because they’re obviously32400:10:36,440 –> 00:10:38,140the best players and then the32500:10:38,140 –> 00:10:39,940number that are standing by the32600:10:39,940 –> 00:10:41,640wall becomes lower and lower in32700:10:41,640 –> 00:10:43,400the last kids to be chosen can32800:10:43,400 –> 00:10:45,200walk out with with their heads32900:10:45,200 –> 00:10:47,280hanging because everybody knows33000:10:47,280 –> 00:10:48,200that the other ones who are33100:10:48,200 –> 00:10:49,760least wanted on the team why33200:10:49,760 –> 00:10:50,700because they’ve got a lower33300:10:51,159 –> 00:10:52,679level of ability when it comes33400:10:52,679 –> 00:10:55,140to this particular game.33500:10:56,059 –> 00:10:58,880We have different abilities that33600:10:58,880 –> 00:11:02,679distinguish us according to the33700:11:02,679 –> 00:11:03,340flash.33800:11:04,719 –> 00:11:05,960You’re listening to open the33900:11:05,960 –> 00:11:07,840Bible with Pastor Colin Smith and34000:11:07,840 –> 00:11:09,200a message called A New34100:11:09,200 –> 00:11:10,919Perspective if you have a miss34200:11:10,919 –> 00:11:12,299one of Collins messages it’s34300:11:12,299 –> 00:11:14,419very easy to go back or listen34400:11:14,419 –> 00:11:16,599again online at our website34500:11:16,840 –> 00:11:19,719Open the Bible org dot UK or34600:11:19,719 –> 00:11:21,359find us as a podcast and those34700:11:21,359 –> 00:11:22,880run all the main podcast sites34800:11:23,159 –> 00:11:25,440search for open the Bible UK or34900:11:25,440 –> 00:11:26,500follow the link from our35000:11:26,500 –> 00:11:27,159website.35100:11:27,679 –> 00:11:29,380Open the Bible is supported by35200:11:29,380 –> 00:11:30,679our listeners it’s your support35300:11:30,679 –> 00:11:32,200that keeps us on this station35400:11:32,280 –> 00:11:33,900and on the Internet and we’re35500:11:33,900 –> 00:11:35,419extremely grateful for the35600:11:35,440 –> 00:11:36,780support that you give us.35700:11:37,280 –> 00:11:38,599If that’s something you’ve been35800:11:38,599 –> 00:11:40,659considering doing this month we35900:11:40,659 –> 00:11:42,099have a special offer and I’ll be36000:11:42,099 –> 00:11:43,719talking to Colin later in the36100:11:43,719 –> 00:11:44,739programme about that.36200:11:44,780 –> 00:11:46,059So I hope you’ll stay with us36300:11:46,580 –> 00:11:47,780back to the message now.36400:11:47,979 –> 00:11:49,140Here again is Colin.36500:11:49,340 –> 00:11:50,739number three age.36600:11:51,559 –> 00:11:53,219The young and the old and36700:11:53,219 –> 00:11:54,559everything in between.36800:11:55,780 –> 00:11:58,500Paul says to Timothy, let no one36900:11:58,500 –> 00:11:59,880despise your youth.37000:12:00,780 –> 00:12:02,080What’s the point of him saying37100:12:02,080 –> 00:12:03,380that was some people will not37200:12:03,380 –> 00:12:05,000give him a lot of credibility37300:12:05,299 –> 00:12:06,559because he is young and he’s37400:12:06,559 –> 00:12:09,020going to have to to earn their37500:12:09,299 –> 00:12:11,539trust and their respect.37600:12:12,020 –> 00:12:13,640Similarly older people often37700:12:13,640 –> 00:12:15,979feel pushed to the margins in a37800:12:15,979 –> 00:12:19,219society that chases increasingly37900:12:19,219 –> 00:12:20,919after the young.38000:12:20,960 –> 00:12:22,719And so how many tensions in38100:12:22,719 –> 00:12:24,440society relate to these38200:12:24,440 –> 00:12:26,520differences between us relating38300:12:26,520 –> 00:12:27,419to age?38400:12:28,140 –> 00:12:30,619Number four, friends.38500:12:31,140 –> 00:12:32,340When you’re at school this can38600:12:32,340 –> 00:12:34,460be a huge factor in your life.38700:12:34,500 –> 00:12:35,840Who are your friends?38800:12:36,539 –> 00:12:37,960What’s the group to which you38900:12:37,960 –> 00:12:38,380belong?39000:12:38,380 –> 00:12:39,859Which group wants you in and39100:12:39,859 –> 00:12:41,580which group doesn’t want you in?39200:12:41,820 –> 00:12:43,940This remains true throughout39300:12:43,940 –> 00:12:44,359life.39400:12:44,619 –> 00:12:46,960We talk about social circle and39500:12:46,960 –> 00:12:48,599it becomes important and39600:12:48,599 –> 00:12:50,859significant with regards to who39700:12:50,859 –> 00:12:52,179we are in the flesh.39800:12:52,200 –> 00:12:54,460Number five, race.39900:12:54,760 –> 00:12:56,320We’re talking about the things40000:12:56,320 –> 00:12:58,599that distinguish us according to40100:12:58,599 –> 00:13:00,919the flesh and clearly race or40200:13:00,919 –> 00:13:04,440ethnicity is one of these, and40300:13:04,440 –> 00:13:06,500it’s very striking how often in40400:13:06,500 –> 00:13:08,440the Bible you have reference to40500:13:08,440 –> 00:13:11,219the Jews and the Gentiles and40600:13:11,219 –> 00:13:13,260often the great tensions between40700:13:13,260 –> 00:13:15,419these two and how they might be40800:13:15,460 –> 00:13:16,580overcome.40900:13:16,739 –> 00:13:19,039You can’t understand the history41000:13:19,039 –> 00:13:21,739of America or of the tensions in41100:13:21,739 –> 00:13:24,219our country today apart from41200:13:24,219 –> 00:13:26,179this issue and the many many41300:13:26,179 –> 00:13:28,299injustices that have gone with41400:13:28,299 –> 00:13:29,239it.41500:13:29,500 –> 00:13:31,059Number six, gender.41600:13:31,299 –> 00:13:34,260God has made us male and female41700:13:34,460 –> 00:13:36,599and this distinguishes us41800:13:36,859 –> 00:13:40,059according to the flesh as we41900:13:40,059 –> 00:13:41,679think about race and about42000:13:41,679 –> 00:13:42,479gender.42100:13:42,580 –> 00:13:43,580Just think about this.42200:13:43,780 –> 00:13:45,419These are the great issues that42300:13:45,419 –> 00:13:48,039cause so much tension, so much42400:13:48,039 –> 00:13:50,039debate within our society.42500:13:50,219 –> 00:13:51,619We’re trying to work out how we42600:13:51,619 –> 00:13:53,460live together well with what42700:13:53,460 –> 00:13:56,700distinguishes us according to42800:13:57,159 –> 00:13:58,739the flesh.42900:13:59,020 –> 00:14:01,780Number seven, work.43000:14:02,039 –> 00:14:04,099According to the flesh our life43100:14:04,099 –> 00:14:06,739in this world, the kind of work43200:14:07,200 –> 00:14:10,059that a person does leads to a43300:14:10,059 –> 00:14:11,979very different kind of43400:14:11,979 –> 00:14:15,260experience in life, manual43500:14:15,260 –> 00:14:18,700labor, business, education,43600:14:18,700 –> 00:14:20,780health, art, science or as you’re43700:14:20,780 –> 00:14:22,380working the home and with the43800:14:22,380 –> 00:14:25,460family and the kind of work you43900:14:25,460 –> 00:14:27,320do relates very much to the kind44000:14:27,320 –> 00:14:29,659of experience that you have in44100:14:29,659 –> 00:14:30,099your life.44200:14:30,119 –> 00:14:31,859I’m always interested to ask44300:14:31,859 –> 00:14:33,619people, what’s your work?44400:14:33,659 –> 00:14:34,780Because that gives a great44500:14:34,799 –> 00:14:37,260insight into what a person’s44600:14:37,260 –> 00:14:40,200experience of life actually is44700:14:40,640 –> 00:14:43,739according to the flesh.44800:14:44,479 –> 00:14:46,619Number eight, home.44900:14:47,440 –> 00:14:48,659I find it difficult to know what45000:14:48,659 –> 00:14:50,960to call this one, uh, but think45100:14:50,960 –> 00:14:52,359about everything that goes into45200:14:52,359 –> 00:14:53,919a person’s lifestyle.45300:14:55,099 –> 00:14:57,099The home you live in, the car45400:14:57,099 –> 00:14:59,700that you drive, the vacations45500:14:59,700 –> 00:15:01,919you enjoy the restaurants you45600:15:01,960 –> 00:15:04,260frequent, the entertainment that45700:15:04,260 –> 00:15:05,799you choose, the leisure45800:15:05,799 –> 00:15:08,020activities you pursue, all of45900:15:08,059 –> 00:15:09,679this is driven in very46000:15:09,679 –> 00:15:11,700significant measure by what the46100:15:11,700 –> 00:15:15,440underlying means that are46200:15:15,440 –> 00:15:19,020available to you to sustain this46300:15:19,020 –> 00:15:21,460particular style of life.46400:15:21,460 –> 00:15:22,380So I could have called it46500:15:22,380 –> 00:15:22,799wealth.46600:15:22,799 –> 00:15:23,580I could have called it46700:15:23,580 –> 00:15:24,359lifestyle.46800:15:24,599 –> 00:15:26,979I called it simply home.46900:15:27,940 –> 00:15:29,419Home has associations.47000:15:29,419 –> 00:15:30,919We sometimes use the phrase, you47100:15:30,919 –> 00:15:32,380know, brought up on the wrong47200:15:32,380 –> 00:15:33,640side of the tracks.47300:15:33,640 –> 00:15:35,599Why do we use that phrase?47400:15:36,080 –> 00:15:37,820Because so many communities have47500:15:37,820 –> 00:15:40,440a more prosperous part of the47600:15:40,440 –> 00:15:42,359community that is one side of47700:15:42,359 –> 00:15:43,979a railway line and a less47800:15:43,979 –> 00:15:45,760prosperous part of a community47900:15:45,919 –> 00:15:48,900that is on the other side of48000:15:49,539 –> 00:15:50,780the tracks.48100:15:51,400 –> 00:15:52,679Number nine family.48200:15:53,119 –> 00:15:54,880And here we can include a48300:15:54,880 –> 00:15:57,679family of origin, family by48400:15:57,679 –> 00:16:01,479adoption and family by marriage.48500:16:01,960 –> 00:16:04,840And there’s the whole issue of48600:16:05,200 –> 00:16:08,440the mix that gets scooped out of48700:16:08,440 –> 00:16:11,080the gene pool and gets poured48800:16:11,080 –> 00:16:12,239into you.48900:16:12,619 –> 00:16:15,460And we think most of us perhaps49000:16:15,500 –> 00:16:17,520a great deal from time to time49100:16:17,960 –> 00:16:20,119about that gifts and talents and49200:16:20,119 –> 00:16:21,599physical features that were49300:16:21,599 –> 00:16:24,119passed to you from your parents.49400:16:24,979 –> 00:16:26,919But then along with that battles49500:16:26,919 –> 00:16:29,539and struggles and desires that49600:16:29,580 –> 00:16:31,159were in your father and mother49700:16:31,159 –> 00:16:33,859and may also in some degree now49800:16:33,859 –> 00:16:34,940be in you.49900:16:36,159 –> 00:16:37,760And most of us therefore try to50000:16:37,760 –> 00:16:39,479spend some time figuring out50100:16:39,520 –> 00:16:42,739now what is in us and where did50200:16:42,739 –> 00:16:43,960it come from.50300:16:44,679 –> 00:16:46,320And when we do this we are very50400:16:46,320 –> 00:16:48,900simply trying to figure out who50500:16:48,900 –> 00:16:52,780we are according to the flesh.50600:16:52,799 –> 00:16:54,359This is all part of what’s being50700:16:54,359 –> 00:16:56,559spoken of in Second Corinthians50800:16:56,559 –> 00:16:58,359chapter five and verse 16.50900:16:59,479 –> 00:17:01,099And for some this whole business51000:17:01,119 –> 00:17:03,039has many more blessings than it51100:17:03,039 –> 00:17:03,880has sorrows.51200:17:04,119 –> 00:17:05,640You think primarily of what51300:17:05,640 –> 00:17:07,800you’ve received genetically in51400:17:07,800 –> 00:17:10,060terms of what you aspire to in51500:17:10,239 –> 00:17:11,400those you have seen that you’ve51600:17:11,400 –> 00:17:14,359gone before and for others there51700:17:14,359 –> 00:17:15,660are many more sorrows than there51800:17:15,660 –> 00:17:17,219are blessings and when you think51900:17:17,219 –> 00:17:18,420of this whole thing you’re52000:17:18,420 –> 00:17:19,680thinking of what you want to try52100:17:19,680 –> 00:17:22,500and avoid in terms of what has52200:17:22,500 –> 00:17:23,699gone before.52300:17:24,880 –> 00:17:26,199For some who don’t know who52400:17:26,239 –> 00:17:28,000their biological parents are52500:17:28,040 –> 00:17:30,260there are open questions and52600:17:30,459 –> 00:17:33,719curiosity about what is in me52700:17:34,579 –> 00:17:36,339but what I’m saying to you is52800:17:36,339 –> 00:17:38,199that for every single one of us52900:17:38,459 –> 00:17:41,199this whole business is a mixed53000:17:41,500 –> 00:17:45,160bag according to the flesh53100:17:46,199 –> 00:17:47,500which leads to number 1053200:17:48,199 –> 00:17:51,459experience who we are according53300:17:51,459 –> 00:17:53,339to the flesh is shaped not only53400:17:53,339 –> 00:17:56,160by nature but by nurture not53500:17:56,160 –> 00:17:57,459only by the genes that have53600:17:57,459 –> 00:17:59,079been passed to us but also by53700:17:59,079 –> 00:18:00,219the environment of our53800:18:00,219 –> 00:18:03,040experience and so our early53900:18:03,040 –> 00:18:04,680experiences either of great54000:18:04,680 –> 00:18:06,680love or of great neglect54100:18:06,959 –> 00:18:08,839will have significant influence54200:18:08,839 –> 00:18:10,339on the shaping of our lives54300:18:10,359 –> 00:18:13,060according to the flesh the54400:18:13,079 –> 00:18:15,020opportunities that come or do54500:18:15,020 –> 00:18:17,280not come to us in our growing54600:18:17,319 –> 00:18:18,760up years also will be54700:18:18,760 –> 00:18:21,839significant some people seem to54800:18:21,839 –> 00:18:23,459have a track in which all the54900:18:23,459 –> 00:18:26,140doors open for them and others55000:18:26,160 –> 00:18:27,140have a track in which it55100:18:27,140 –> 00:18:29,020seems all the doors close for55200:18:29,020 –> 00:18:31,079them and it makes a55300:18:31,079 –> 00:18:33,459significant difference in our55400:18:33,520 –> 00:18:36,239experience of life according55500:18:36,239 –> 00:18:38,560to the flesh.55600:18:39,939 –> 00:18:41,180So there are ten factors when55700:18:41,180 –> 00:18:42,160I got to ten I thought I’ve55800:18:42,160 –> 00:18:44,040got to stop otherwise I’ll55900:18:44,040 –> 00:18:44,880go on forever.56000:18:45,000 –> 00:18:46,619You can discuss this in the56100:18:46,619 –> 00:18:47,160life groups.56200:18:47,199 –> 00:18:49,099You can add other factors and56300:18:50,040 –> 00:18:51,579to the list.56400:18:52,300 –> 00:18:53,800But as I’ve been reflecting on56500:18:53,800 –> 00:18:55,160these issues and just going56600:18:55,160 –> 00:18:56,180through the list and saying56700:18:56,219 –> 00:18:57,420why is it that these are the56800:18:57,420 –> 00:19:00,060issues that are so sensitive in56900:19:00,060 –> 00:19:02,760our world.57000:19:02,760 –> 00:19:04,180I think it’s for this reason57100:19:04,180 –> 00:19:04,900that because.57200:19:05,939 –> 00:19:08,380For many people what we are57300:19:08,380 –> 00:19:09,739according to the flesh is the57400:19:09,739 –> 00:19:10,660only thing that is.57500:19:12,640 –> 00:19:14,020And if what you are according57600:19:14,020 –> 00:19:15,359to the flesh is the only thing57700:19:15,359 –> 00:19:15,640you.57800:19:16,420 –> 00:19:17,020There is.57900:19:17,339 –> 00:19:18,959You will always be uptight58000:19:19,040 –> 00:19:20,920about who you are according to58100:19:20,920 –> 00:19:22,020the flesh you have to be.58200:19:23,060 –> 00:19:24,219If that’s all there is.58300:19:25,839 –> 00:19:27,079You’ll always be battling it.58400:19:28,719 –> 00:19:29,900and never find a way of coming58500:19:29,900 –> 00:19:30,819to peace with it.58600:19:32,780 –> 00:19:34,199And now that we’ve looked at58700:19:34,199 –> 00:19:35,060these ten.58800:19:36,660 –> 00:19:39,199I want you to see, hear, and58900:19:39,199 –> 00:19:40,140feel.59000:19:41,420 –> 00:19:43,760The extraordinary power of what59100:19:43,760 –> 00:19:46,219God says to us in 2nd59200:19:46,219 –> 00:19:47,819Corinthians chapter 5 and verse59300:19:47,819 –> 00:19:48,43916.59400:19:50,479 –> 00:19:53,439From now on therefore.59500:19:54,380 –> 00:19:57,780We that is, we who are in Christ59600:19:57,780 –> 00:19:58,959regard.59700:19:58,959 –> 00:20:01,680No one according59800:20:01,680 –> 00:20:03,680to the flesh59900:20:05,959 –> 00:20:07,959That is an extraordinary,60000:20:07,959 –> 00:20:08,959radical statement.60100:20:10,560 –> 00:20:12,719In a world in which everything60200:20:12,719 –> 00:20:14,459is about what we are in the60300:20:14,459 –> 00:20:16,500flesh the Apostle Paul says60400:20:16,500 –> 00:20:19,280from now on we regard no one60500:20:19,280 –> 00:20:21,199according to the flesh.60600:20:21,939 –> 00:20:25,140In a world in which peoples60700:20:25,140 –> 00:20:27,040lives are perceived to be60800:20:27,040 –> 00:20:29,119shaped and defined by the60900:20:29,119 –> 00:20:30,280ten factors that we have61000:20:30,280 –> 00:20:31,420looked at and others that61100:20:31,420 –> 00:20:34,140may be added the Apostle61200:20:34,140 –> 00:20:35,400says that for us who are61300:20:35,400 –> 00:20:39,099in Christ we don’t see61400:20:39,099 –> 00:20:41,160these things as ultimately61500:20:41,160 –> 00:20:43,800defining of any person.61600:20:43,800 –> 00:20:46,959From now on we regard61700:20:46,959 –> 00:20:49,219no one according61800:20:50,180 –> 00:20:52,140to the flesh.61900:20:52,140 –> 00:20:53,479So now that we have tuned62000:20:53,479 –> 00:20:54,520our minds into how62100:20:54,520 –> 00:20:56,180extraordinarily important62200:20:56,180 –> 00:20:57,819this is and how deeply62300:20:57,819 –> 00:20:59,380it speaks to our entire62400:20:59,380 –> 00:21:01,260world and to our personal62500:21:01,260 –> 00:21:02,920lives I want to put this62600:21:02,920 –> 00:21:05,760case before you.62700:21:05,760 –> 00:21:08,260That a change in how you62800:21:08,260 –> 00:21:11,479see Jesus will lead to a62900:21:11,479 –> 00:21:13,560change in how you see63000:21:13,560 –> 00:21:16,420others and a change in63100:21:16,420 –> 00:21:19,079how you see yourself.63200:21:19,140 –> 00:21:21,219That is the thrust of63300:21:21,219 –> 00:21:22,339these verses that are63400:21:22,339 –> 00:21:24,119before us as we follow63500:21:24,119 –> 00:21:25,319what the apostle Paul63600:21:25,319 –> 00:21:26,680is saying.63700:21:26,680 –> 00:21:28,140A change in how you see63800:21:28,140 –> 00:21:29,719Jesus will lead to a63900:21:29,719 –> 00:21:31,180change in how you see64000:21:31,180 –> 00:21:34,319others and a change in64100:21:34,319 –> 00:21:36,780how you see yourself.64200:21:36,780 –> 00:21:38,520And this is wonderfully64300:21:38,520 –> 00:21:41,339liberating for all who64400:21:41,339 –> 00:21:43,140are in Christ.64500:21:43,140 –> 00:21:43,979We’ve been listening to64600:21:43,979 –> 00:21:44,780open the Bible with64700:21:44,780 –> 00:21:45,880Pastor Colin Smith64800:21:45,880 –> 00:21:46,979in a message called64900:21:46,979 –> 00:21:48,439A New Perspective.65000:21:48,479 –> 00:21:49,479Looking today at ten65100:21:49,479 –> 00:21:51,400factors which distinguish65200:21:51,400 –> 00:21:52,579us according to the65300:21:52,579 –> 00:21:54,040flesh, which is how we65400:21:54,040 –> 00:21:55,099tend to look at people65500:21:55,099 –> 00:21:57,439we meet and know, but65600:21:57,439 –> 00:21:59,000the Apostle Paul writes65700:21:59,000 –> 00:22:00,300in 2 Corinthians chapter65800:22:00,300 –> 00:22:02,3805 that we may get to65900:22:02,380 –> 00:22:03,479the point where we don’t66000:22:03,479 –> 00:22:04,479regard one another66100:22:04,479 –> 00:22:06,000according to the flesh.66200:22:06,000 –> 00:22:07,239If we change how we see66300:22:07,239 –> 00:22:09,000Jesus it can lead to a66400:22:09,000 –> 00:22:10,099change in how we see66500:22:10,099 –> 00:22:11,780others and how we see66600:22:11,780 –> 00:22:13,640ourselves.66700:22:13,640 –> 00:22:14,780It’s a subject we’ll look66800:22:14,780 –> 00:22:15,880at next time so I66900:22:15,880 –> 00:22:16,680hope you’ll join us67000:22:16,680 –> 00:22:17,839for that.67100:22:18,500 –> 00:22:19,699If you ever miss one of67200:22:19,699 –> 00:22:20,939our messages you67300:22:20,939 –> 00:22:21,839can easily catch up or67400:22:21,839 –> 00:22:22,900go back and listen again67500:22:22,900 –> 00:22:24,439online at our website67600:22:24,439 –> 00:22:26,199open the bible dot org dot67700:22:26,199 –> 00:22:27,439UK, or on all the67800:22:27,439 –> 00:22:29,140podcast sites search for67900:22:29,140 –> 00:22:32,239open the bible UK.68000:22:32,239 –> 00:22:33,500Open the Bible is68100:22:33,500 –> 00:22:34,640supported by our68200:22:34,640 –> 00:22:35,939listeners financially68300:22:35,939 –> 00:22:37,099and if that’s something68400:22:37,099 –> 00:22:38,300you’ve been considering68500:22:38,300 –> 00:22:39,959doing, this month we68600:22:39,959 –> 00:22:41,140have an offer for you.68700:22:41,140 –> 00:22:41,939If you are able to set up68800:22:41,939 –> 00:22:43,140a new direct debit in68900:22:43,140 –> 00:22:45,040the amount of 5 pounds69000:22:45,040 –> 00:22:46,760per month or more or a69100:22:47,719 –> 00:22:48,680one-off gift of £50 or69200:22:48,680 –> 00:22:49,780more, this month we’ll69300:22:49,780 –> 00:22:51,760send you 2 copies of the69400:22:51,760 –> 00:22:53,380book Christmas Stories69500:22:53,380 –> 00:22:55,079by Colin Smith and also69600:22:55,079 –> 00:22:56,5605 beautiful Christmas69700:22:56,560 –> 00:22:58,479cards with illustrations69800:22:58,479 –> 00:22:59,880from the book.69900:22:59,880 –> 00:23:02,160Christmas Stories is a70000:23:02,160 –> 00:23:03,319retelling of the70100:23:03,319 –> 00:23:04,959Christmas Story from the70200:23:04,959 –> 00:23:05,959point of view of several70300:23:05,959 –> 00:23:07,280biblical characters.70400:23:07,280 –> 00:23:08,859Characters like Adam,70500:23:08,859 –> 00:23:10,560Joseph, Herod, Mary’s70600:23:10,560 –> 00:23:11,880cousin Elizabeth and70700:23:11,880 –> 00:23:14,780even the angel Gabriel!70800:23:14,780 –> 00:23:16,660You know, I have really70900:23:17,060 –> 00:23:18,560enjoyed telling the71000:23:18,560 –> 00:23:19,819Christmas Story from the71100:23:19,819 –> 00:23:21,020perspective of different71200:23:21,020 –> 00:23:21,800characters who were71300:23:21,800 –> 00:23:23,260involved. And the one71400:23:23,260 –> 00:23:24,420exception to that is71500:23:24,420 –> 00:23:25,859Herod. I can’t say I71600:23:25,859 –> 00:23:27,000enjoyed that because of71700:23:27,000 –> 00:23:27,760course he was on the71800:23:27,760 –> 00:23:28,900wrong side of the71900:23:28,900 –> 00:23:30,099Christmas Story.72000:23:30,099 –> 00:23:31,959Absolutely opposed the72100:23:31,959 –> 00:23:33,199coming of the Lord Jesus72200:23:33,199 –> 00:23:35,219Christ into the world slash72300:23:35,219 –> 00:23:36,800whereas telling the story72400:23:36,800 –> 00:23:38,400from Mary and Joseph’s72500:23:38,400 –> 00:23:39,959perspective or Simeon’s72600:23:39,959 –> 00:23:41,599perspective, you know72700:23:41,599 –> 00:23:42,520you’re able to think72800:23:42,520 –> 00:23:43,359about, well here’s a72900:23:43,359 –> 00:23:45,359person who’s in heaven73000:23:45,359 –> 00:23:46,719looking back on this73100:23:46,719 –> 00:23:48,020most marvelous good73200:23:48,020 –> 00:23:48,859news of the birth of73300:23:48,859 –> 00:23:50,760Jesus into the world.73400:23:50,760 –> 00:23:51,760Well Herod’s certainly73500:23:51,760 –> 00:23:53,819not there! And the73600:23:53,819 –> 00:23:55,000message that comes from73700:23:55,000 –> 00:23:56,020his rejection of73800:23:56,020 –> 00:23:57,319Jesus is, it’s too late73900:23:57,319 –> 00:23:58,500now for him to change74000:23:58,500 –> 00:24:00,060direction, but it’s not74100:24:00,060 –> 00:24:01,760too late for you. And74200:24:01,760 –> 00:24:02,760what a marvelous thing74300:24:02,760 –> 00:24:04,900it is that we are in the74400:24:04,900 –> 00:24:05,760day of God’s74500:24:05,760 –> 00:24:08,459grace, where mercy and74600:24:08,459 –> 00:24:09,520love are extended74700:24:09,520 –> 00:24:11,099towards every person in74800:24:11,099 –> 00:24:12,560Jesus Christ. And what74900:24:12,560 –> 00:24:13,599a marvelous thing to be75000:24:13,599 –> 00:24:14,520able to invite our75100:24:14,520 –> 00:24:15,300friends and our75200:24:15,380 –> 00:24:16,400loved ones to receive75300:24:16,400 –> 00:24:17,599that mercy and that75400:24:17,599 –> 00:24:18,979grace. I hope that this75500:24:18,979 –> 00:24:20,400book will be a real75600:24:20,400 –> 00:24:23,300help to many folks in75700:24:23,300 –> 00:24:24,699sharing the Gospel, it75800:24:24,699 –> 00:24:25,500would be a lovely gift75900:24:25,500 –> 00:24:26,239just to give to76000:24:26,239 –> 00:24:27,000someone. It’s twenty four76100:24:27,000 –> 00:24:28,079pages, beautifully76200:24:28,079 –> 00:24:29,479produced and it tells76300:24:29,479 –> 00:24:30,540the Christmas story from76400:24:30,540 –> 00:24:32,099these different angles76500:24:32,099 –> 00:24:33,479in the first person76600:24:33,479 –> 00:24:34,699through the eyes of76700:24:34,699 –> 00:24:35,400people who were76800:24:35,400 –> 00:24:36,640actually involved.76900:24:36,640 –> 00:24:37,439Well we’d love to send77000:24:37,439 –> 00:24:38,680you two Copies of f77100:24:38,680 –> 00:24:39,380this Book and the77200:24:39,380 –> 00:24:40,339Five Beautiful77300:24:40,339 –> 00:24:41,939Christmas Cards if77400:24:41,939 –> 00:24:43,000you’re able to set up77500:24:43,000 –> 00:24:44,180a new Direct Debit77600:24:44,420 –> 00:24:45,920gift of five pounds per77700:24:45,920 –> 00:24:47,359month or more or a77800:24:47,359 –> 00:24:49,359one off gift of £50 or77900:24:49,359 –> 00:24:50,719more this month.78000:24:50,719 –> 00:24:51,920Full terms and78100:24:51,920 –> 00:24:53,119conditions of on our78200:24:53,119 –> 00:24:54,079website open the78300:24:54,079 –> 00:24:56,479Bible dot org dot uk78400:24:56,479 –> 00:24:57,619and please remember if78500:24:57,619 –> 00:24:58,579you want to take78600:24:58,579 –> 00:25:00,180advantage of this offer78700:25:00,180 –> 00:25:02,160don’t give anonymously78800:25:02,160 –> 00:25:03,660and remember to leave78900:25:03,660 –> 00:25:04,959your full Name and79000:25:04,959 –> 00:25:06,160address so we can send79100:25:06,160 –> 00:25:08,260you your free gift for79200:25:08,260 –> 00:25:09,380Open the Bible and79300:25:09,380 –> 00:25:10,660pastor Colin Smith.79400:25:10,660 –> 00:25:11,880I’m David Pick, and I79500:25:11,880 –> 00:25:12,780hope you’ll join us79600:25:12,780 –> 00:25:14,060again next time on79700:25:14,800 –> 00:25:15,660Open the Bible.79800:25:18,359 –> 00:25:19,439A change in how you79900:25:19,439 –> 00:25:21,140see Jesus will lead to80000:25:21,140 –> 00:25:22,339a change in how you80100:25:22,339 –> 00:25:23,900view others and a80200:25:23,900 –> 00:25:25,359change in how you see80300:25:25,359 –> 00:25:26,959yourself to find out80400:25:26,959 –> 00:25:28,500why next time on80500:25:28,500 –> 00:25:30,900Open the Bible.

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Colin Smith

Trustee / Founder and Teaching Pastor

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near – So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on X formerly Twitter.

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Sermons on 2 Corinthians 5 It’s easy to lose heart with all the difficulties of life in the body, the feeling that what you do may not have any lasting significance or value, the harsh judgments that other people may make about you, the disappointments that come in the plan you had for your life,

Colin Smith

New! Graphic Novel

A man of crime. A ruthless empire. A fellow prisoner. A promise of Paradise. 

Discover the story of the thief on the cross, and his life-changing encounter with Jesus, in this brand new full colour graphic novel version of Colin S Smith’s Heaven, How I Got Here: The Story of the Thief on the Cross.

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