100:00:01,000 –> 00:00:10,520God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. In other words, when200:00:10,520 –> 00:00:17,420you have Christ, all these things are yours. If you do not have Christ, none of300:00:17,420 –> 00:00:21,580these things are yours. Therefore, the great question is, what is your400:00:21,580 –> 00:00:24,040relationship with Jesus Christ?500:00:24,360 –> 00:00:27,440Welcome to Open The Bible, with Pastor Colin Smith.600:00:27,900 –> 00:00:30,500Welcome, David Pick. So glad you could be with us today.700:00:30,500 –> 00:00:32,580And Colin, we’re coming to the end of a series in800:00:32,580 –> 00:00:36,540which we’ve been looking at seven promises Jesus makes to us.900:00:36,540 –> 00:00:40,779Yes, a marvelous promises straight from the lips of the Son of God.1000:00:40,779 –> 00:00:45,200I mean, he says, come to me, all you who are weary, and I will give1100:00:45,200 –> 00:00:49,520you rest. It says all that the Father gives me will come to me, whoever1200:00:49,520 –> 00:00:51,759comes to me, I will never drive away.1300:00:51,980 –> 00:00:54,820He says, follow me and I will make you fishers of men.1400:00:54,820 –> 00:00:59,180These things Jesus Christ is going to do for those who are in him.1500:00:59,180 –> 00:01:02,740But as you’ve said, these promises do depend on our relationship1600:01:02,740 –> 00:01:04,180with Jesus Christ.1700:01:04,180 –> 00:01:07,080Yeah and that takes us to where we are today, because I think1800:01:07,080 –> 00:01:11,300one of the questions that some folks have might be, well, is Jesus1900:01:11,300 –> 00:01:12,760Christ really interested in me?2000:01:12,760 –> 00:01:15,180Is he willing for me to come to him?2100:01:15,180 –> 00:01:18,519And we’re going to look at the story today of a man who wondered2200:01:18,519 –> 00:01:21,500if Jesus was willing, and found that he was.2300:01:21,500 –> 00:01:23,980And here’s the great invitation.2400:01:24,019 –> 00:01:28,180Jesus Christ is ready and willing to receive you, and the great2500:01:28,180 –> 00:01:32,400invitation is for you to come to him, and to enter into and receive2600:01:32,400 –> 00:01:37,440all the good of the promises, that belong to those who are in Jesus Christ.2700:01:37,440 –> 00:01:42,220So today we’re looking at Mark, chapter 1 and verse 40 as we begin2800:01:42,220 –> 00:01:44,639the message called Jesus Is Willing.2900:01:44,639 –> 00:01:45,699Here’s Colin.3000:01:45,699 –> 00:01:51,480A man who has leprosy, terminal disease in that day, of course.3100:01:52,239 –> 00:01:57,120He comes to Jesus and he says, if you are willing, you can make me clean.3200:01:57,120 –> 00:01:58,879And Jesus says these wonderful words.3300:01:58,879 –> 00:02:06,080He says, I am willing, be clean and the man is healed.3400:02:06,080 –> 00:02:10,639Now, I’ve chosen this story for today because in these last weeks,3500:02:10,639 –> 00:02:16,679we’ve been looking at what Jesus Christ is willing to do for us.3600:02:16,679 –> 00:02:21,119Seven times, we’ve seen in the gospels, Jesus specifically says3700:02:21,119 –> 00:02:26,240that he will do something for us, I will.3800:02:26,240 –> 00:02:29,979He says, I will give you rest.3900:02:29,979 –> 00:02:33,960He says, you come to me, I will never turn you away.4000:02:33,960 –> 00:02:36,839I will make you fishers of men.4100:02:36,839 –> 00:02:39,880I will give you the Holy Spirit.4200:02:39,880 –> 00:02:46,160I will confess you before my father in heaven, I will take you to be with me.4300:02:46,419 –> 00:02:52,919And I will that you will be with me, and that you will see my glory.4400:02:52,919 –> 00:02:54,899And that’s where we’ve been over these last weeks.4500:02:54,899 –> 00:02:58,380Seven commitments that Jesus Christ makes to you, and4600:02:58,380 –> 00:03:02,240we have called them together, rock solid promises.4700:03:03,360 –> 00:03:06,559Now, we’re trying to wrap up the series today and I have two simple aims.4800:03:06,559 –> 00:03:11,960The first is, if you’re a Christian today, I want you to stand back and4900:03:11,960 –> 00:03:17,559really to take in the big picture of everything that is yours in Jesus Christ.5000:03:17,559 –> 00:03:20,139I want you to rejoice in it.5100:03:21,179 –> 00:03:26,460I want you today to be refreshed with a sense of thankfulness to God for5200:03:26,460 –> 00:03:29,119all that is yours in Him.5300:03:29,119 –> 00:03:29,899That’s the first aim.5400:03:31,380 –> 00:03:32,220And here’s the second.5500:03:32,220 –> 00:03:37,800There are some of us who are not yet committed to Jesus Christ.5600:03:37,800 –> 00:03:39,419You’ve been exploring these things.5700:03:39,419 –> 00:03:41,580You’ve become interested in Christianity.5800:03:41,600 –> 00:03:45,539Perhaps a friend has been bringing you to the church over these last weeks.5900:03:45,539 –> 00:03:48,899You’re interested and that is why you are here and that is a wonderful thing.6000:03:50,500 –> 00:03:53,580But although you are interested in these things about Jesus Christ,6100:03:53,580 –> 00:03:54,899they are not yet yours.6200:03:54,899 –> 00:03:58,899You are aware, even now, that they are somehow outside of you.6300:03:58,899 –> 00:04:01,639They don’t yet belong to you.6400:04:01,639 –> 00:04:08,979And I want to show you today how you can receive what Jesus Christ offers to you.6500:04:09,600 –> 00:04:14,580My prayer is that over this weekend, there will be many of us,6600:04:14,580 –> 00:04:18,540folks who’ve been about the claims of Christ for some weeks now6700:04:18,540 –> 00:04:21,640and this will be the time when you will cross the line6800:04:21,640 –> 00:04:24,980and you’ll move from exploring to receiving.6900:04:24,980 –> 00:04:28,679That you’ll move from investigating to actually believing,7000:04:28,679 –> 00:04:32,380that you’ll move from kind of observing on the outside7100:04:32,380 –> 00:04:36,040to becoming a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.7200:04:36,040 –> 00:04:38,179That you will not only know what He’s willing to do7300:04:38,380 –> 00:04:40,320but that what He is willing to do will become7400:04:40,320 –> 00:04:45,119what He actually does in your life and in your experience.7500:04:46,739 –> 00:04:48,279So let’s take a step back then7600:04:48,279 –> 00:04:51,920and look at the seven fold promise of the Lord Jesus Christ7700:04:51,920 –> 00:04:56,380and then we’re going to look at how these things can be yours.7800:04:56,380 –> 00:04:59,279What are the rock solid commitments of Jesus Christ?7900:04:59,279 –> 00:05:04,279What is the seven fold promise that Jesus has made to us?8000:05:04,619 –> 00:05:09,619Number one, Christ is willing to reconcile you to God.8100:05:10,140 –> 00:05:13,239That’s Matthew chapter 11 and verse 28.8200:05:13,239 –> 00:05:16,500Jesus says, come to me, all you who are weary,8300:05:16,500 –> 00:05:19,660all of you who are burdened, everyone who’s heavy laden,8400:05:19,660 –> 00:05:24,660he says, I will give you rest, that’s the first I will8500:05:25,359 –> 00:05:27,859and it is the promise of forgiveness.8600:05:27,859 –> 00:05:29,459We looked at the beginning of the series8700:05:29,459 –> 00:05:31,540at the story of Augustine.8800:05:31,579 –> 00:05:35,260Remember that man who said to God on one occasion,8900:05:35,260 –> 00:05:37,779you have made us for yourself9000:05:37,779 –> 00:05:39,959and our hearts are restless9100:05:39,959 –> 00:05:42,779until they find their rest in you?9200:05:42,779 –> 00:05:45,000And Augustine surely knew about restlessness.9300:05:45,000 –> 00:05:46,519He was conflicted.9400:05:46,519 –> 00:05:49,239He was at war with himself9500:05:49,239 –> 00:05:51,720and then he discovered that Jesus Christ9600:05:51,720 –> 00:05:54,359is able to give rest to the human soul9700:05:54,359 –> 00:05:56,619and he entered into that rest9800:05:56,619 –> 00:06:00,079when he received the forgiveness that Jesus Christ offered9900:06:00,100 –> 00:06:02,500and committed his life to him.10000:06:02,500 –> 00:06:04,619Jesus says, I give you that rest.10100:06:04,619 –> 00:06:07,820It comes from being reconciled to the father.10200:06:07,820 –> 00:06:10,760The end of your fight against God.10300:06:10,760 –> 00:06:13,859The Lord Jesus Christ says, your sins I will forgive.10400:06:13,859 –> 00:06:15,899I will remember them no more.10500:06:15,899 –> 00:06:20,299I will cleanse you from all unrighteousness.10600:06:20,299 –> 00:06:23,500So Christ is willing to reconcile you to God.10700:06:23,500 –> 00:06:28,380Second, Christ will never drive you away.10800:06:28,440 –> 00:06:30,839This is John chapter 6 in verse 37,10900:06:30,839 –> 00:06:35,619Jesus said, all that the Father gives me will come to me11000:06:35,619 –> 00:06:40,279and whoever comes to me, I will never drive them away.11100:06:40,279 –> 00:06:43,100This is the promise of security.11200:06:43,100 –> 00:06:44,540And it’s a marvelous promise11300:06:44,540 –> 00:06:48,420that however many times you mess up as a Christian believer,11400:06:48,420 –> 00:06:51,980the Lord Jesus Christ will never tire of you.11500:06:51,980 –> 00:06:52,799There’ll never come a time11600:06:52,799 –> 00:06:55,720when the Lord Jesus Christ will give up on you.11700:06:55,720 –> 00:06:58,040You won’t get to a place where Jesus is going to say,11800:06:58,440 –> 00:07:01,040He’s not really shaping up very well as a Christian,11900:07:01,040 –> 00:07:05,339I’m gonna pass over him or her and move onto someone else.12000:07:05,339 –> 00:07:08,019No, you were in the Father’s heart, we saw12100:07:08,019 –> 00:07:12,700before the creation of the world, Christ died to save you.12200:07:12,700 –> 00:07:16,200He’s made the purchase and he lives to keep you.12300:07:16,200 –> 00:07:19,779Whoever comes to me, I will never drive away.12400:07:20,839 –> 00:07:24,220Third Christ promises to make you useful.12500:07:25,179 –> 00:07:26,779He says, follow me.12600:07:27,679 –> 00:07:30,600And I will make you fishers of men.12700:07:31,880 –> 00:07:34,959In other words, he says, I will give you a ministry12800:07:34,959 –> 00:07:37,279that will have influence in the life of others.12900:07:37,279 –> 00:07:39,220I’ll give you a purpose that you never knew13000:07:39,220 –> 00:07:41,640before you began to follow me.13100:07:43,239 –> 00:07:46,619When you come to Christ, this is marvelous,13200:07:46,619 –> 00:07:48,040your little life,13300:07:49,519 –> 00:07:50,760my little life,13400:07:52,260 –> 00:07:56,440gets caught up in the big sweep of God’s eternal purpose.13500:07:57,540 –> 00:07:59,760And you find in Jesus Christ a purpose13600:07:59,760 –> 00:08:01,519that you would never have known13700:08:01,519 –> 00:08:04,320and never have discovered apart from him.13800:08:04,320 –> 00:08:07,160Your life is in the hands of the living God.13900:08:07,160 –> 00:08:08,679And the Lord Jesus Christ says,14000:08:08,679 –> 00:08:10,500well now I’m going to use you.14100:08:10,500 –> 00:08:12,019I’ll make something of your life,14200:08:12,019 –> 00:08:14,079I will make you fishers of men.14300:08:14,079 –> 00:08:16,239So he reconciles us to God,14400:08:16,239 –> 00:08:19,260he welcomes us and keeps us for eternity,14500:08:19,260 –> 00:08:21,959he gives us new purpose and direction in our life,14600:08:21,959 –> 00:08:23,179he makes you useful.14700:08:23,200 –> 00:08:28,160Number four, Christ will give you the Holy Spirit.14800:08:28,160 –> 00:08:30,239This is John chapter 14.14900:08:30,239 –> 00:08:32,419Jesus says, I will not leave you as orphans,15000:08:32,419 –> 00:08:34,140I will come to you.15100:08:34,140 –> 00:08:35,679How does Jesus come to us?15200:08:35,679 –> 00:08:37,580Since he is exalted in heaven.15300:08:37,580 –> 00:08:39,400Answer, I will ask the father15400:08:39,400 –> 00:08:41,400and he will give you another counselor,15500:08:41,400 –> 00:08:44,219the Holy Spirit who will be with you forever.15600:08:44,219 –> 00:08:46,619And this of course is the promise of power.15700:08:47,580 –> 00:08:51,119I am so grateful for this promise.15800:08:51,119 –> 00:08:53,479What a marvellous gift it is.15900:08:53,479 –> 00:08:55,440The Lord, Jesus Christ gives us16000:08:55,440 –> 00:08:58,880more than a list of instructions.16100:08:58,880 –> 00:09:01,000I need the instructions,16200:09:01,000 –> 00:09:02,760but more than the instructions,16300:09:02,760 –> 00:09:07,320I need the power to do what Jesus tells me to do.16400:09:07,320 –> 00:09:09,000And this is what Jesus promises.16500:09:09,000 –> 00:09:12,340He says, I will give you the Holy Spirit16600:09:12,340 –> 00:09:15,080so that my presence, my power will be with you16700:09:15,080 –> 00:09:17,780and in you to live the Christian life.16800:09:17,780 –> 00:09:19,940Whatever you face, I’m with you.16900:09:19,940 –> 00:09:21,739He says, I’m with you always.17000:09:21,739 –> 00:09:23,539I will never leave you.17100:09:23,539 –> 00:09:25,900I will never forsake you.17200:09:25,900 –> 00:09:30,080Number five, Christ will confess you before the father.17300:09:31,179 –> 00:09:34,179If you confess me, he says, Matthew 10, 32,17400:09:34,179 –> 00:09:38,080I will confess you before the Father in heaven.17500:09:40,219 –> 00:09:43,820And this, of course, is the promise of final salvation.17600:09:43,820 –> 00:09:47,739Can you imagine any other moment in your life17700:09:47,900 –> 00:09:51,460that could come close to this moment17800:09:51,460 –> 00:09:54,719for you to stand in the presence of God17900:09:56,099 –> 00:10:00,280and for Jesus Christ to announce that you belong to him?18000:10:01,659 –> 00:10:03,460Can you just think about that?18100:10:03,460 –> 00:10:05,260And Jesus says you confess me,18200:10:05,260 –> 00:10:09,059I will confess you before the Father who is in heaven.18300:10:09,059 –> 00:10:10,380I will do that.18400:10:10,380 –> 00:10:13,900So those who are with Christ have nothing to fear18500:10:13,900 –> 00:10:17,059in the presence of God on the last day.18600:10:18,159 –> 00:10:20,380Number six, Jesus promises specifically18700:10:20,380 –> 00:10:22,539that he will bring you into heaven.18800:10:22,539 –> 00:10:25,299He says if I go and prepare a place for you,18900:10:25,299 –> 00:10:30,299I will come back and I will take you to be with me.19000:10:31,039 –> 00:10:34,719Here’s the promise of great and eternal joy.19100:10:34,719 –> 00:10:37,760Jesus Christ is opened heaven for us we saw.19200:10:37,760 –> 00:10:38,900And how did he do that?19300:10:38,900 –> 00:10:42,380He has done that through his death and his resurrection.19400:10:42,380 –> 00:10:45,659And when he said I go to prepare a place for you,19500:10:45,659 –> 00:10:47,099he’s not talking about doing some kind19600:10:47,099 –> 00:10:48,700of construction in heaven.19700:10:48,700 –> 00:10:51,340No, he’s talking about going to the cross.19800:10:51,340 –> 00:10:53,400He’s talking about going to the grave.19900:10:53,400 –> 00:10:55,359He’s talking about rising from the dead20000:10:55,359 –> 00:10:58,179and ascending into heaven20100:10:58,179 –> 00:10:59,979where at the right hand of the Father20200:10:59,979 –> 00:11:02,919he becomes our advocate, our Savior.20300:11:02,919 –> 00:11:06,539He becomes our king, exalted Lord,20400:11:06,539 –> 00:11:08,219and it is in this way through his death20500:11:08,219 –> 00:11:10,280and his resurrection and his ascension20600:11:10,280 –> 00:11:15,280that he is able to bring us into an opened heaven.20700:11:15,539 –> 00:11:18,559And then last week we saw the seventh part of the promise,20800:11:18,559 –> 00:11:21,080that Christ will show you his glory.20900:11:21,080 –> 00:11:24,039He says, John 17 in verse 24,21000:11:24,039 –> 00:11:27,919I will Father that those you have given to me21100:11:27,919 –> 00:11:32,919should be with me and that they will see my glory.21200:11:34,119 –> 00:11:38,880So the promise here is the promise of Jesus Christ himself.21300:11:40,299 –> 00:11:43,080Now, I’ve called this a seven-fold promise21400:11:43,080 –> 00:11:45,719rather than seven different promises,21500:11:45,719 –> 00:11:47,500because these are not promises21600:11:47,500 –> 00:11:50,679that can somehow be separated from each other21700:11:50,679 –> 00:11:51,700as if we picked them up21800:11:51,700 –> 00:11:53,619along the journey of the Christian life.21900:11:54,760 –> 00:11:58,460No, everything that God promises to you22000:11:58,460 –> 00:12:02,119is yours in Jesus Christ.22100:12:02,119 –> 00:12:04,359That’s an amazing promise to us.22200:12:04,359 –> 00:12:06,599Everything that God promises to us22300:12:06,599 –> 00:12:09,400is ours in Christ Jesus.22400:12:09,400 –> 00:12:10,760You’re listening to Open the Bible22500:12:10,760 –> 00:12:12,119with Pastor Colin Smith22600:12:12,200 –> 00:12:14,940and a message called, Jesus is Willing,22700:12:14,940 –> 00:12:16,419and it’s part of our series.22800:12:16,419 –> 00:12:18,659It’s the final part in our series,22900:12:18,659 –> 00:12:22,520Rock Solid, Seven Promises Jesus Makes To You.23000:12:22,520 –> 00:12:24,640Don’t forget, if you’ve ever missed one of the series23100:12:24,640 –> 00:12:26,919or if you ever want to go back and listen again,23200:12:26,919 –> 00:12:28,599you can do that by coming online23300:12:28,599 –> 00:12:32,520to our website, openthebible.org.uk,23400:12:32,520 –> 00:12:34,880or by going to your favourite podcast site23500:12:34,880 –> 00:12:37,080and searching for Open the Bible UK,23600:12:37,080 –> 00:12:39,320and there you’ll find all the messages23700:12:39,320 –> 00:12:41,419which have already been broadcast.23800:12:41,419 –> 00:12:44,260Back to the message now, we’re in Mark chapter 1,23900:12:44,260 –> 00:12:45,659here again is Colin.24000:12:45,659 –> 00:12:49,059Everything that God promises to you24100:12:49,059 –> 00:12:52,299is yours in Jesus Christ24200:12:53,500 –> 00:12:55,500and nothing that he promises24300:12:55,500 –> 00:12:59,159is ours apart from Jesus Christ.24400:12:59,159 –> 00:13:01,479That is why Paul says in Ephesians 1.3,24500:13:01,479 –> 00:13:05,419God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing24600:13:05,419 –> 00:13:07,799in Christ.24700:13:07,799 –> 00:13:09,979In other words, when you have Christ,24800:13:10,020 –> 00:13:12,559all these things are yours.24900:13:12,559 –> 00:13:15,039If you do not have Christ,25000:13:15,039 –> 00:13:17,340none of these things are yours.25100:13:17,340 –> 00:13:19,840They are all found together in him.25200:13:19,840 –> 00:13:22,559We’re blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.25300:13:22,559 –> 00:13:27,559The sevenfold promise of Jesus is ours in him25400:13:27,799 –> 00:13:30,159as he becomes ours.25500:13:30,159 –> 00:13:31,799Therefore, the great question is,25600:13:31,799 –> 00:13:34,260what is your relationship with Jesus Christ?25700:13:34,260 –> 00:13:38,239Because if Christ is yours, all these things are yours.25800:13:38,239 –> 00:13:40,700If Christ is not yours and you are not his,25900:13:40,700 –> 00:13:44,900none of these things are yours.26000:13:44,900 –> 00:13:48,700See, at the end of the day it is Christ who forgives.26100:13:48,700 –> 00:13:51,059It’s Christ who welcomes.26200:13:51,059 –> 00:13:54,039It’s Christ to make something of your life.26300:13:54,039 –> 00:13:57,020It’s gonna be Christ who gives you the Holy Spirit.26400:13:57,020 –> 00:13:59,739It’s Christ to confess this you before the father.26500:13:59,739 –> 00:14:01,780It’s Christ is coming again.26600:14:01,780 –> 00:14:05,179And it is Christ who is going to show you his glory26700:14:05,200 –> 00:14:08,299and bring you into his presence forever.26800:14:08,299 –> 00:14:11,200It’s not kind of experiences that can be found26900:14:11,200 –> 00:14:12,840somewhere apart from Christ.27000:14:12,840 –> 00:14:15,900They’re all in him.27100:14:16,840 –> 00:14:20,840So I hope as we think about what Jesus promises to us,27200:14:20,840 –> 00:14:24,080we’re seeing something more of his greatness.27300:14:24,080 –> 00:14:25,940I hope your heart is lifted by this.27400:14:25,940 –> 00:14:26,919Think about it.27500:14:26,919 –> 00:14:30,700Christ is the savior who reconciles you to God.27600:14:30,700 –> 00:14:34,659He is the shepherd who will never turn you away.27700:14:34,659 –> 00:14:38,140He is the Lord who is going to make your life useful27800:14:38,140 –> 00:14:40,380giving you new direction and purpose.27900:14:40,380 –> 00:14:43,460He is the advocate who speaks for you28000:14:43,460 –> 00:14:46,159and represents you in the presence of the Father.28100:14:46,159 –> 00:14:49,640He is the friend who will be with you always.28200:14:49,640 –> 00:14:52,700He is the redeemer who opens heaven for you28300:14:52,700 –> 00:14:54,580by his death and his resurrection.28400:14:54,580 –> 00:14:57,739He is the son of God whose glory28500:14:57,739 –> 00:15:01,340you will one day see and share.28600:15:02,299 –> 00:15:04,320And all that God promises to you28700:15:04,320 –> 00:15:06,200is yours in Jesus Christ28800:15:06,200 –> 00:15:07,880and none of what God promises28900:15:07,880 –> 00:15:11,039is ours without Him.29000:15:11,039 –> 00:15:14,520Therefore, what matters supremely29100:15:14,520 –> 00:15:17,919is your relationship with Jesus Christ.29200:15:19,640 –> 00:15:22,000Now did you notice, by the way,29300:15:22,000 –> 00:15:24,659that every one of the promises of Jesus29400:15:24,659 –> 00:15:27,359also speaks about our relationship with him?29500:15:29,419 –> 00:15:33,280So if we go back to Matthew chapter 11 in verse 29.29600:15:33,280 –> 00:15:34,919Jesus says that,29700:15:34,919 –> 00:15:36,900come to me all you who are weary29800:15:36,900 –> 00:15:38,640and I will give you rest.29900:15:38,640 –> 00:15:39,880And then he says what?30000:15:39,880 –> 00:15:43,159Take my yoke upon you30100:15:43,159 –> 00:15:44,419and learn of me.30200:15:44,419 –> 00:15:45,619So you see what he’s saying?30300:15:45,619 –> 00:15:46,960If you wanna have this rest,30400:15:46,960 –> 00:15:48,559you gotta be yoked to me.30500:15:49,919 –> 00:15:52,500Then Jesus is saying you’ve got to come to me.30600:15:52,500 –> 00:15:55,760All who the father gives me will come to me30700:15:55,760 –> 00:15:57,440and whoever comes to me30800:15:57,440 –> 00:15:59,179I will never drive him away.30900:15:59,179 –> 00:16:02,159So this is describing a relationship with Christ now.31000:16:02,159 –> 00:16:03,260You’re yoked to him,31100:16:03,260 –> 00:16:04,419you come to him.31200:16:04,419 –> 00:16:05,239What else do you do?31300:16:05,239 –> 00:16:06,700You follow him.31400:16:06,700 –> 00:16:11,440Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.31500:16:11,440 –> 00:16:12,419What else are you to do?31600:16:12,419 –> 00:16:14,719You’re to obey him.31700:16:14,719 –> 00:16:17,000If you love me, Jesus says in John 14,31800:16:17,000 –> 00:16:19,159you will obey what I command31900:16:19,159 –> 00:16:20,400and I will ask the father32000:16:20,400 –> 00:16:22,520and he will give to you another counsel32100:16:22,520 –> 00:16:23,559or the Holy Spirit.32200:16:23,559 –> 00:16:24,380Why?32300:16:24,380 –> 00:16:25,799Because the Holy Spirit is given32400:16:25,799 –> 00:16:28,500in order to pursue a life of obedience.32500:16:30,039 –> 00:16:31,520You’re to confess Christ.32600:16:31,520 –> 00:16:33,140Whoever acknowledges me,32700:16:33,140 –> 00:16:34,479I will acknowledge him32800:16:34,479 –> 00:16:36,859before the father who is in heaven.32900:16:36,859 –> 00:16:38,739You’re to trust Christ.33000:16:40,340 –> 00:16:43,599Jesus says, do not let your hearts be troubled.33100:16:43,599 –> 00:16:45,039Trust in God.33200:16:45,039 –> 00:16:46,640Trust also in me.33300:16:46,640 –> 00:16:48,239I’m going to prepare a place for you33400:16:48,239 –> 00:16:49,640and if I go and prepare a place for you,33500:16:49,640 –> 00:16:50,900I will come back again.33600:16:51,900 –> 00:16:53,320Now you walk this way.33700:16:54,359 –> 00:16:56,039You yoke yourself to Christ.33800:16:56,039 –> 00:16:57,200You come to Christ.33900:16:57,200 –> 00:16:58,599You follow Christ.34000:16:58,599 –> 00:16:59,679You obey Christ.34100:16:59,679 –> 00:17:00,960You confess Christ.34200:17:01,179 –> 00:17:02,919You trust Christ34300:17:02,919 –> 00:17:07,319and one day you will see Christ.34400:17:07,319 –> 00:17:08,760John 17 24,34500:17:08,760 –> 00:17:11,439Father, I want those you have given me34600:17:11,439 –> 00:17:13,000to be with me34700:17:13,000 –> 00:17:16,619and to see my glory.34800:17:18,160 –> 00:17:20,359Now do you see the pattern here?34900:17:20,359 –> 00:17:21,500When you put these things together,35000:17:21,500 –> 00:17:22,859it becomes very clear,35100:17:23,839 –> 00:17:27,119the sweep of the promises of Jesus35200:17:28,099 –> 00:17:31,180and they are all yours in Him.35300:17:32,219 –> 00:17:35,979They’re yours when He is yours35400:17:35,979 –> 00:17:37,800and therefore what really matters35500:17:37,800 –> 00:17:40,959is that you are related to Jesus Christ35600:17:40,959 –> 00:17:44,300and the Bible puts this in all kinds of ways.35700:17:44,300 –> 00:17:45,979York to Him,35800:17:45,979 –> 00:17:47,540come to Him,35900:17:47,540 –> 00:17:49,119follow Him,36000:17:49,119 –> 00:17:50,599obey Him,36100:17:50,599 –> 00:17:52,119confess Him,36200:17:52,119 –> 00:17:53,359trust Him36300:17:53,359 –> 00:17:56,500and one day you will see Him.36400:17:58,119 –> 00:18:00,099Now folks, here’s the marvelous assurance.36500:18:00,099 –> 00:18:03,020You can build your life36600:18:04,020 –> 00:18:07,939on the rock-solid promises of God36700:18:09,000 –> 00:18:11,060and where Christ is yours,36800:18:11,900 –> 00:18:15,239all of His sevenfold promise36900:18:16,380 –> 00:18:17,319is yours.37000:18:19,180 –> 00:18:21,439Now here’s the burden that’s on my heart today.37100:18:23,199 –> 00:18:24,780For some of us,37200:18:24,780 –> 00:18:28,920the question right now is okay,37300:18:28,920 –> 00:18:32,780I see that amazing promises in Christ.37400:18:32,780 –> 00:18:35,180God will be properly related to Christ.37500:18:36,699 –> 00:18:39,319But how can these things become mine?37600:18:40,500 –> 00:18:42,880How can I be sure that these things are mine?37700:18:44,560 –> 00:18:46,300Somehow it still seems to me37800:18:46,300 –> 00:18:48,579that these things are outside of me.37900:18:49,540 –> 00:18:51,699How can I know that they are true of me?38000:18:52,300 –> 00:18:56,619How can I receive what Jesus promises?38100:18:58,119 –> 00:19:00,560Now that’s why we’ve come to Mark’s Gospel38200:19:00,560 –> 00:19:04,660and chapter one today in this very simple little story,38300:19:04,660 –> 00:19:06,219and it couldn’t be more simple,38400:19:07,119 –> 00:19:10,959about a man with a dreadful disease of leprosy.38500:19:12,140 –> 00:19:13,939And he comes to Jesus and he says,38600:19:13,939 –> 00:19:15,939if you’re willing, you can make me clean.38700:19:16,880 –> 00:19:18,079And Jesus says to him,38800:19:18,800 –> 00:19:19,859I am willing.38900:19:20,880 –> 00:19:21,699Be clean.39000:19:23,000 –> 00:19:25,500And the reason this story is so helpful for us39100:19:25,500 –> 00:19:28,599as we’re trying to wrap up this series,39200:19:28,599 –> 00:19:32,319is that this man receives what Jesus Christ offers.39300:19:33,140 –> 00:19:36,859He is marvelously and wonderfully healed.39400:19:38,280 –> 00:19:39,619And I want to suggest to you39500:19:39,619 –> 00:19:44,619that how he received what Christ gave to him is a pattern.39600:19:45,000 –> 00:19:48,000It is a model for how you can receive39700:19:50,959 –> 00:19:56,020what Jesus Christ says he is willing to do for you39800:19:56,020 –> 00:19:59,040in your life today.39900:20:00,000 –> 00:20:01,280And there are just three things here40000:20:01,280 –> 00:20:03,020and they are very simple,40100:20:03,020 –> 00:20:04,359but I want you to see them40200:20:04,359 –> 00:20:07,839so that today if you have not walked this way already,40300:20:07,839 –> 00:20:09,300you can do them.40400:20:10,119 –> 00:20:14,959Number one, this man had faith.40500:20:15,319 –> 00:20:19,640That is he believed in Jesus Christ.40600:20:20,640 –> 00:20:23,000He comes to Jesus and he says this,40700:20:23,000 –> 00:20:26,859you can make me clean.40800:20:28,239 –> 00:20:29,219In other words,40900:20:29,219 –> 00:20:32,839this man has confidence in the ability of Christ.41000:20:32,839 –> 00:20:34,280That’s what faith is.41100:20:34,280 –> 00:20:36,680You can make me clean.41200:20:37,520 –> 00:20:42,180All that Christ is and all that Christ promises41300:20:42,180 –> 00:20:46,479becomes yours by faith.41400:20:47,199 –> 00:20:49,800You don’t earn it by making changes in your life.41500:20:49,800 –> 00:20:53,400You receive it by putting your trust41600:20:53,400 –> 00:20:55,520in the ability of Jesus Christ41700:20:55,520 –> 00:20:58,640to deliver on what he has promised41800:20:58,640 –> 00:21:01,599as we’ve read it over these weeks in the Bible.41900:21:02,500 –> 00:21:04,420Faith. Think of it this way.42000:21:04,420 –> 00:21:09,160Faith is like a hand open to receive.42100:21:10,160 –> 00:21:12,599So a lot of people spend their lives42200:21:12,599 –> 00:21:15,040with a clenched fist towards God.42300:21:16,020 –> 00:21:19,780Faith is a hand open to receive,42400:21:19,780 –> 00:21:21,079and it’s an empty hand.42500:21:21,920 –> 00:21:23,160There’s an old hymn that says42600:21:23,160 –> 00:21:26,319nothing in my hand I bring42700:21:26,319 –> 00:21:28,660simply to your cross I cling.42800:21:28,660 –> 00:21:29,800That’s faith, you see.42900:21:29,800 –> 00:21:31,920Faith is recognizing43000:21:31,939 –> 00:21:33,719that I am not going to receive43100:21:33,719 –> 00:21:35,239what Jesus Christ promises43200:21:35,239 –> 00:21:37,959by doing some kind of deal or a trade43300:21:37,959 –> 00:21:39,959in which I offer something into the pot43400:21:39,959 –> 00:21:41,579and he gives me something in return.43500:21:41,579 –> 00:21:44,319No faith is an open hand that’s empty43600:21:44,319 –> 00:21:47,339so that Jesus Christ can give you43700:21:47,339 –> 00:21:48,979what you do not have.43800:21:50,060 –> 00:21:51,660That’s what it is.43900:21:51,660 –> 00:21:55,680And the hand is open because you have become persuaded44000:21:55,680 –> 00:21:58,479in the ability of Jesus Christ44100:21:58,479 –> 00:22:03,479to do what he says he is able and willing to do.44200:22:03,560 –> 00:22:07,119So faith in other words rests on the ability of Christ.44300:22:07,119 –> 00:22:10,140You can make me clean.44400:22:10,979 –> 00:22:14,979Faith isn’t some kind of inherent capacity to trust.44500:22:16,520 –> 00:22:19,640If it was, some of us are more trusting than others44600:22:19,640 –> 00:22:22,859and frankly that may be a lot to do with your background44700:22:22,859 –> 00:22:25,339but actually faith is nothing to do44800:22:25,339 –> 00:22:28,079with your inherent capacity to trust44900:22:28,079 –> 00:22:30,239or your problems with distrust.45000:22:30,239 –> 00:22:34,819Faith is recognising that Jesus Christ is trustworthy.45100:22:34,819 –> 00:22:38,000That’s what it is not about you, it’s about him.45200:22:38,000 –> 00:22:41,119It’s about recognising that he has the ability45300:22:41,119 –> 00:22:45,300to do what he says because he is the son of God.45400:22:45,300 –> 00:22:46,760That’s why whatever your background45500:22:46,760 –> 00:22:49,400and whatever the letdowns in your past experience45600:22:49,400 –> 00:22:53,839cannot keep you from faith in new Testament terms45700:22:53,839 –> 00:22:56,800because faith doesn’t rest on a capacity in you45800:22:56,839 –> 00:22:59,660but it rests on an ability in Christ.45900:23:01,000 –> 00:23:03,520We’ve only just begun to answer that question,46000:23:03,520 –> 00:23:06,859how can I receive what Jesus promises?46100:23:06,859 –> 00:23:10,459As we’ve looked at faith and what it means to follow Christ46200:23:10,459 –> 00:23:13,040and we’ll continue this message in our next broadcast46300:23:13,040 –> 00:23:15,920so I hope your tuned in to join us then.46400:23:15,920 –> 00:23:18,459You’re listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith46500:23:18,459 –> 00:23:21,479and a message called Jesus is willing.46600:23:21,479 –> 00:23:23,400The final part of our series,46700:23:23,400 –> 00:23:26,599rock solid seven promises Christ makes to you46800:23:26,599 –> 00:23:28,400and don’t forget you can easily catch up46900:23:28,400 –> 00:23:30,239or go back and listen again if you’ve missed47000:23:30,239 –> 00:23:33,459any of the series by coming online to our website,47100:23:33,459 –> 00:23:35,599openthebible.org.uk.47200:23:36,760 –> 00:23:39,079And you can also find Pastor Colin’s messages47300:23:39,079 –> 00:23:41,079on all the main podcast sites,47400:23:41,079 –> 00:23:43,099search for Open the Bible UK47500:23:43,099 –> 00:23:47,880and subscribe if you want to receive regular reminders.47600:23:47,880 –> 00:23:50,640Don’t forget also about Open the Bible Daily.47700:23:50,640 –> 00:23:53,400That’s our series of short two to three minute47800:23:53,959 –> 00:23:56,599daily reflections based on Pastor Colin’s teaching47900:23:56,599 –> 00:23:59,219and read in the UK by Sue MacLeish.48000:24:00,079 –> 00:24:03,239Open the Bible is supported financially by our listeners48100:24:03,239 –> 00:24:05,479and we’re extremely grateful for that.48200:24:05,479 –> 00:24:07,439Here’s Open the Bible’s Amanda Cunningham48300:24:07,439 –> 00:24:09,420to talk about this month’s offer48400:24:09,420 –> 00:24:11,760for anyone who’s able to begin supporting48500:24:11,760 –> 00:24:13,760Open the Bible financially.48600:24:13,760 –> 00:24:15,300Thanks, David.48700:24:15,300 –> 00:24:18,199Yes, this month we are delighted to offer you48800:24:18,199 –> 00:24:23,199two free copies of Christmas Stories by Colin Smith,48900:24:23,260 –> 00:24:25,660a beautifully illustrated book49000:24:25,660 –> 00:24:27,479that tells the Christmas story49100:24:27,479 –> 00:24:29,920through five key characters,49200:24:29,920 –> 00:24:33,500including Mary, Joseph and the angel Gabriel.49300:24:33,500 –> 00:24:36,420You’ll also receive five exclusive Christmas cards49400:24:36,420 –> 00:24:38,699featuring artwork from the book,49500:24:38,699 –> 00:24:42,680perfect for sharing the true meaning of Christmas.49600:24:42,680 –> 00:24:44,439It’s our free thank you gift49700:24:44,439 –> 00:24:46,939when you donate 50 pounds or more49800:24:46,939 –> 00:24:50,800or set up a new direct debit of just five pounds a month,49900:24:50,800 –> 00:24:52,959but please don’t forget to leave your address50000:24:53,099 –> 00:24:55,640so that we can post your gift.50100:24:55,640 –> 00:24:56,640Thanks Amanda.50200:24:56,640 –> 00:24:58,099We’re very grateful to God50300:24:58,099 –> 00:25:01,920for the many Open the Bible listeners who support the work.50400:25:01,920 –> 00:25:03,400If you’d like to join them,50500:25:03,400 –> 00:25:07,880head over to our website openthebible.org.uk50600:25:07,880 –> 00:25:09,400where you can give online50700:25:09,400 –> 00:25:11,319and find full terms and conditions50800:25:11,319 –> 00:25:12,819for our offer this month.50900:25:13,680 –> 00:25:15,839For Open the Bible pastor Colin Smith,51000:25:15,839 –> 00:25:17,119I’m David Pick51100:25:17,119 –> 00:25:19,040and I hope you’ll join us again soon.51200:25:19,660 –> 00:25:22,040How do you receive what Jesus promises?51300:25:22,040 –> 00:25:24,920Find out next time on Open the Bible.