100:00:00,800 –> 00:00:02,800I200:00:03,240 –> 00:00:05,820Didn’t come to tell you a sentimental story300:00:07,140 –> 00:00:09,840That’s not what Christmas is I400:00:11,240 –> 00:00:15,360Came to give you an account of what happened. I500:00:16,559 –> 00:00:20,520Came to tell you that God stepped into human history600:00:21,540 –> 00:00:23,540through Jesus Christ700:00:24,260 –> 00:00:28,059And that in doing that he’s reaching out to you800:00:28,620 –> 00:00:32,099Welcome to open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m Davy pick900:00:32,099 –> 00:00:36,299Glad you could be with us today and Colin we can get so caught up in the whole Christmas experience1000:00:36,840 –> 00:00:43,639Shopping spending time with family and friends we can forget that Christmas is really all about God reaching out to us1100:00:44,220 –> 00:00:51,160in the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, and you know, I’ve been a Christian now nearly 50 years and1200:00:51,619 –> 00:00:55,700The more I think about this miracle the more marvelous it gets it is1300:00:56,740 –> 00:01:03,380unfathomable for God to become man in Jesus Christ for the divine to assume our1400:01:03,540 –> 00:01:06,760flesh in order that we may be taken up into1500:01:08,379 –> 00:01:15,279Participation in the divine nature is the way that Peter puts it in the Bible that is a miracle that just is mind-blowing1600:01:15,279 –> 00:01:19,660We’ll spend eternity trying to get to the end of that one. And in today’s message1700:01:19,660 –> 00:01:22,779We’re going to hear from Joseph as he talks about what he saw1800:01:23,019 –> 00:01:27,400He had a ringside seat for the greatest event in the history of the world1900:01:27,500 –> 00:01:33,860So I hope you’ll join us if you can in Matthew chapter one as we hear Joseph’s story. Yes Colin2000:01:34,260 –> 00:01:36,660I’m here to tell you that an angel of the Lord2100:01:37,419 –> 00:01:41,320Appeared to me in a dream and this is what he said2200:01:42,940 –> 00:01:44,940Joseph son of David2300:01:45,940 –> 00:01:49,360Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife2400:01:50,559 –> 00:01:56,540Because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit2500:01:57,760 –> 00:01:59,879she will give birth to a son and2600:02:00,480 –> 00:02:04,160You he said that to me you are to give him the name2700:02:05,419 –> 00:02:07,419Jesus I2800:02:07,879 –> 00:02:09,880Woke up in a cold sweat2900:02:10,440 –> 00:02:17,220This was unlike any other dream I had ever experienced before I knew beyond all shadow of doubt that God3000:02:18,419 –> 00:02:20,419It spoke unto me3100:02:20,940 –> 00:02:23,339Well the following morning, I knew what I had to do I3200:02:24,380 –> 00:02:29,320Headed straight south for Judea. I don’t think I had ever traveled 70 miles so fast3300:02:29,320 –> 00:02:33,740I could not wait to take her in my arms and to tell her what had happened3400:02:34,899 –> 00:02:36,559the more I3500:02:36,559 –> 00:02:41,240Thought about it over that journey the more staggering it became to me3600:02:41,240 –> 00:02:49,059Our little lives had been caught up in the sweep of God’s saving purpose for the whole of the human race our little3700:02:49,139 –> 00:02:50,179home3800:02:50,179 –> 00:02:56,660Was going to be the place where the child promised to the world would be born and the calling of my life3900:02:56,880 –> 00:03:00,880Was to be the guardian of the Son of God4000:03:00,919 –> 00:03:02,919God4100:03:04,639 –> 00:03:09,460Mary had spent three months with Elizabeth and by the time we returned4200:03:10,759 –> 00:03:12,759She was beginning to show4300:03:13,740 –> 00:03:16,740That was the beginning of our married life together4400:03:18,139 –> 00:03:24,300Though we both agreed that we would not consummate our marriage until after the child was born4500:03:26,279 –> 00:03:30,600Well, we were beginning to settle into a new life together in Nazareth when4600:03:31,100 –> 00:03:38,039held arrived in town with a proclamation from Rome that the new government had an4700:03:38,259 –> 00:03:42,800Initiative, you’re always skeptical when the government has a new initiative. It’s still the same is it4800:03:43,460 –> 00:03:47,339Well, we were too and sure enough it was bad news for us the entire population4900:03:48,759 –> 00:03:55,919Had been ordered to return to the town of family origin to render for a census5000:03:56,440 –> 00:03:59,020That they decided they wanted to take can you imagine?5100:03:59,979 –> 00:04:02,919It seemed that everybody was on the move5200:04:04,139 –> 00:04:05,500roads5300:04:05,500 –> 00:04:11,880Absolute chaos families with carts and animals moving all that they own in5400:04:12,240 –> 00:04:14,520every conceivable direction I5500:04:15,899 –> 00:04:17,899Could hardly believe it5600:04:19,059 –> 00:04:21,059Mary was nearly do5700:04:22,480 –> 00:04:28,140But when the Romans gave orders there were no exceptions, so I saddled up the donkey and5800:04:29,059 –> 00:04:31,140the two of us headed south on5900:04:32,200 –> 00:04:34,700The road to Bethlehem my home town6000:04:36,220 –> 00:04:38,220another 70 miles6100:04:39,079 –> 00:04:41,559Of course you get all sentimental about the donkey6200:04:43,200 –> 00:04:45,200You should try riding on a donkey6300:04:46,480 –> 00:04:48,480And then imagine doing it for 70 miles6400:04:49,760 –> 00:04:54,399Then try and imagine doing it at the advanced stage of carrying a child I6500:04:55,359 –> 00:04:57,359Don’t know how she managed it6600:04:57,660 –> 00:04:59,660as she did6700:05:00,940 –> 00:05:04,899Was on the journey that it dawned on me that even this6800:05:05,899 –> 00:05:07,899Was part of the plan of God6900:05:08,519 –> 00:05:14,980You know hundreds of years before the prophet Micah had spoken of a ruler who would come out of7000:05:16,380 –> 00:05:21,140Bethlehem not Nazareth where we’d been living, but Bethlehem my town of family origin7100:05:21,320 –> 00:05:23,359It was years since I’d been in Bethlehem7200:05:23,359 –> 00:05:30,619And I would never have dreamt of going there if it had not been for the decree think about this God7300:05:31,540 –> 00:05:33,799put it into the mind of a7400:05:34,440 –> 00:05:36,440European dictator7500:05:37,279 –> 00:05:40,279Who neither knew him nor believed in him7600:05:41,140 –> 00:05:45,239To issue a decree that resulted in us going back to my hometown7700:05:45,600 –> 00:05:51,799Home where a prophet 700 years before said that this child would be born. It’s amazing7800:05:54,720 –> 00:05:56,720Bethlehem is a tiny place of course7900:05:58,160 –> 00:06:06,579when Luke says that there was no room at the inn is what he means there was no room at the inn and8000:06:07,839 –> 00:06:11,600all that was left for us was the shelter of a cave and8100:06:12,839 –> 00:06:14,839That was where he was born8200:06:16,160 –> 00:06:19,359I cannot describe the joy of that moment to you8300:06:21,440 –> 00:06:27,100Some of you have been present at the birth of a child, and you know what it is like I8400:06:29,480 –> 00:06:33,959Was the first to hold him in my arms8500:06:36,320 –> 00:06:40,739My hands brought him into the world I8600:06:42,760 –> 00:06:44,920Was the first one8700:06:45,359 –> 00:06:46,920to touch8800:06:46,920 –> 00:06:49,079the gift of God8900:06:52,019 –> 00:06:55,399It was the strangest thing being in the cave just the three of us9000:06:57,399 –> 00:06:59,399The child who had been born9100:07:01,679 –> 00:07:07,000Promised to the world since the beginning of time and just the three of us knowing about it9200:07:09,079 –> 00:07:13,920At least that’s what it seemed until a group of Shepherds arrived saying that they had seen9300:07:14,559 –> 00:07:16,359That very night a a9400:07:16,359 –> 00:07:22,040Company of angels in the sky praising God and telling them that a Savior was born in Bethlehem9500:07:25,600 –> 00:07:27,600Now that he was born I9600:07:28,239 –> 00:07:33,239began to see the importance of the role that God had given to me as9700:07:34,200 –> 00:07:36,200his guardian9800:07:36,880 –> 00:07:40,480Of course my first responsibility was to find some proper accommodation9900:07:41,040 –> 00:07:44,459We decided to stay in Bethlehem for a while10000:07:44,459 –> 00:07:52,399And it was there on the eighth day that I had the immense privilege of naming him10100:07:53,299 –> 00:07:58,399There was no discussion about this the angel had already made it clear in that original dream10200:07:58,399 –> 00:08:00,779He had said you are to give him the name Jesus10300:08:02,720 –> 00:08:08,500Because he will save his people from their sins and so I named him I10400:08:09,399 –> 00:08:11,399Named him Jesus10500:08:13,519 –> 00:08:19,940Because I really had very little idea at that point as to what all this meant he will save his people from their sins10600:08:20,660 –> 00:08:22,679Though I see the glory of it now10700:08:25,359 –> 00:08:29,859But even then it seemed to be a name full of hope and of meaning and10800:08:31,239 –> 00:08:33,239There was absolutely10900:08:33,619 –> 00:08:36,080No doubt about why he had come into the world11000:08:36,119 –> 00:08:40,320He had come to save his people from their sins11100:08:40,539 –> 00:08:44,179Whatever that meant and whatever that would involve11200:08:46,299 –> 00:08:52,359A month later it was time for us to take him to the temple in Jerusalem11300:08:53,179 –> 00:09:00,440More traveling for his mother and me though this time. It was just six miles into the city from Bethlehem to Jerusalem11400:09:01,260 –> 00:09:06,760Moses had given us a law that we should offer a sacrifice of two pigeons11500:09:06,760 –> 00:09:12,500And that this was to be done just over a month after the birth of a child. So that’s what we did11600:09:13,280 –> 00:09:16,000We were just about through with the ceremony11700:09:17,320 –> 00:09:22,080When an old man came rushing up to us never seen him before never seen him since11800:09:23,500 –> 00:09:27,580But the old man asked if he could hold the child and mary gave the child to him11900:09:28,020 –> 00:09:32,460And as he held the child words began to flow from him12000:09:34,059 –> 00:09:36,840My eyes have seen your salvation he said12100:09:38,140 –> 00:09:44,239Would you have prepared in the sight of all peoples alike to the Gentiles and a glory to your people Israel?12200:09:45,919 –> 00:09:49,099I looked at Mary and she looked at me who is this old fella12300:09:50,619 –> 00:09:52,739We marveled at what he was saying12400:09:52,739 –> 00:09:54,739the12500:09:55,479 –> 00:10:01,219Same God who had spoken to Mary through the angel and to me through an angel in the dream12600:10:01,320 –> 00:10:05,000And had revealed himself through angels to the shepherds12700:10:05,739 –> 00:10:10,280And had put it into the heart of an unbelieving dictator to call Onesences12800:10:11,260 –> 00:10:14,119The same God had answered the prayer of an old man12900:10:15,520 –> 00:10:18,059Who had evidently been praying for years13000:10:19,359 –> 00:10:21,679That he would live to see the birth13100:10:22,799 –> 00:10:24,799Of a saviour13200:10:26,039 –> 00:10:31,260Well after that great day we settled back into a regular routine at Bethlehem13300:10:32,659 –> 00:10:40,039We’d been there for some time when one night there was the most extraordinary commotion outside of our house13400:10:42,080 –> 00:10:47,020Three very distinguished and regal looking gentlemen13500:10:48,299 –> 00:10:50,520Arrived outside our little place13600:10:50,520 –> 00:10:53,119Complete with their entourage13700:10:54,359 –> 00:10:56,359They had come to see Jesus13800:10:58,000 –> 00:11:01,820God had made him known to prophets like the old man13900:11:02,940 –> 00:11:05,039to priests like zachariah14000:11:05,940 –> 00:11:07,940relative by marriage14100:11:08,479 –> 00:11:10,479now two kings and14200:11:11,340 –> 00:11:17,780The strange thing was that it wasn’t the king from our country who came these kings were from the east14300:11:18,659 –> 00:11:20,380I14400:11:20,380 –> 00:11:26,739Remember what the old man had said in the temple mine eyes have now seen your salvation, which will be for all14500:11:27,679 –> 00:11:29,099people14600:11:29,099 –> 00:11:31,099alight to the Gentiles14700:11:33,340 –> 00:11:37,799Well, these Kings had come from way outside of our culture14800:11:37,820 –> 00:11:43,280this Savior was to be the Savior for people from every culture as14900:11:44,659 –> 00:11:46,659well as every generation15000:11:48,460 –> 00:11:51,400The Kings brought gifts that reflected their wealth15100:11:52,520 –> 00:11:54,340Who’s extraordinary really?15200:11:54,340 –> 00:11:59,020I mean here were we Harley able to come up with the money for two pigeons to offer in the temple15300:11:59,619 –> 00:12:01,619And they arrived with gold15400:12:02,099 –> 00:12:04,099and incense and15500:12:04,419 –> 00:12:06,419mirror15600:12:06,619 –> 00:12:09,559Of course I laugh with them often when we talk about it up there15700:12:10,479 –> 00:12:12,479They had so much15800:12:13,500 –> 00:12:15,500We had so little15900:12:16,020 –> 00:12:17,799And16000:12:17,799 –> 00:12:19,799You know the funny thing is this16100:12:20,179 –> 00:12:24,700It hasn’t made a scrap of difference either to them or to us for 2,000 years16200:12:26,340 –> 00:12:31,200All that mattered was that they worshipped Jesus and16300:12:32,619 –> 00:12:34,119so did16400:12:34,119 –> 00:12:38,359You’re listening to open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith and a message called16500:12:38,739 –> 00:12:41,419Joseph story and we’ll be back to the message very shortly16600:12:42,099 –> 00:12:45,140It’s part of our series called Christmas stories16700:12:45,140 –> 00:12:51,760And those are based on the Christmas story being told from the viewpoint of the characters who were there at the time16800:12:52,400 –> 00:12:53,780people like16900:12:53,780 –> 00:12:55,340Joseph John17000:12:55,340 –> 00:12:58,520Simeon King Herod and even the angel Gabriel17100:12:58,659 –> 00:13:02,460If you’ve missed any of the series so far or if you want to listen again17200:13:02,580 –> 00:13:08,020you can always do that by coming on line to our website open the Bible talk dot UK or17300:13:08,260 –> 00:13:10,659Find us as a podcast and those are on all the main17400:13:10,820 –> 00:13:13,840Podcast sites search for open the Bible UK17500:13:14,320 –> 00:13:18,940Back to the message now. We’re in Matthew chapter 1. Here’s Colin17600:13:19,239 –> 00:13:25,059Well that night after they had gone an angel of the Lord spoke to me again in a dream17700:13:25,619 –> 00:13:30,020This was the second time it happened there were four altogether. This was the second17800:13:30,859 –> 00:13:32,859The words were very simple17900:13:33,340 –> 00:13:35,340get up he said18000:13:35,580 –> 00:13:39,059Not what you want to hear in the middle of the night, but them telling you what he said get up18100:13:40,020 –> 00:13:43,820Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt18200:13:44,979 –> 00:13:48,619For Herod is going to search for the child and kill him18300:13:50,299 –> 00:13:52,299So that’s what we did18400:13:52,940 –> 00:13:58,940We packed up what we could we left the house we slipped out of Bethlehem under the cover of darkness18500:14:00,780 –> 00:14:04,820Now you can’t begin to imagine what this journey was like18600:14:05,900 –> 00:14:07,900this was more than18700:14:08,020 –> 00:14:09,53940018800:14:09,539 –> 00:14:11,539miles18900:14:11,780 –> 00:14:13,859We were on the road for well over a month19000:14:13,859 –> 00:14:19,479So those of you who have young children and complain about it when you’re doing it in a van you just think about what it19100:14:19,479 –> 00:14:22,559Was like for us trying to do it with a few animals in a car19200:14:24,419 –> 00:14:26,419Mary’s still nursing the child19300:14:28,299 –> 00:14:30,520Later we heard that Herod had19400:14:31,679 –> 00:14:33,679Killed all the male19500:14:34,479 –> 00:14:37,280Children under the age of two in Bethlehem19600:14:38,619 –> 00:14:41,380It was a terrible atrocity19700:14:43,440 –> 00:14:49,140The reminder to us of the appalling evil that this world needs to be saved from I19800:14:51,380 –> 00:14:53,380Don’t know how many children died19900:14:55,159 –> 00:15:02,140Probably not as many as is sometimes imagined a very small town perhaps ten perhaps twenty20000:15:03,659 –> 00:15:07,059But a terrible tragedy for every child20100:15:08,119 –> 00:15:10,119every family20200:15:10,640 –> 00:15:13,599Their lives were taken on20300:15:15,020 –> 00:15:17,020Account of him20400:15:17,900 –> 00:15:23,320Later his life would be given on account of them and20500:15:24,859 –> 00:15:28,840On account of you on account of us all20600:15:31,659 –> 00:15:33,659So we lived in Egypt20700:15:35,179 –> 00:15:37,179This as well I was a carpenter20800:15:38,380 –> 00:15:40,380There’s always work for a chippie, you know20900:15:41,260 –> 00:15:45,179And that skill was part of god’s provision for us in all of our movements21000:15:47,739 –> 00:15:49,739Sometime later herod died and21100:15:50,460 –> 00:15:54,219That was when god spoke to me a third time through a dream21200:15:55,419 –> 00:16:00,299God spoke of course at this time in this way because there was no other way in which we could have known21300:16:00,299 –> 00:16:02,299I mean you have cnn21400:16:03,020 –> 00:16:04,299understand21500:16:04,299 –> 00:16:10,460You have local newspapers, I mean, how do you think you would have known in egypt if a king had died in israel?21600:16:10,539 –> 00:16:12,559I mean, it’s just not the kind of thing that gets reported21700:16:15,260 –> 00:16:18,219No the angel came in a dream and said to me21800:16:19,340 –> 00:16:20,940Get up21900:16:20,940 –> 00:16:25,340And take the child and its mother to israel for those who are22000:16:25,900 –> 00:16:28,460Trying to kill the child are dead22100:16:29,179 –> 00:16:31,179I love that line by the way22200:16:31,979 –> 00:16:35,900Those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead22300:16:38,380 –> 00:16:40,380You see they tried to bring death to him22400:16:41,659 –> 00:16:46,059But death finally overtook them it’s worth thinking about that22500:16:47,659 –> 00:16:51,900You see over 2000 years since that time there have been some people who’ve loved him22600:16:52,140 –> 00:16:55,900There have been some people who’ve hated him. There have been some people who’ve ignored him22700:16:56,059 –> 00:17:00,460There have been some people who’ve never heard of him, but sooner and later they all22800:17:01,020 –> 00:17:03,020die22900:17:03,099 –> 00:17:05,099And when they die23000:17:05,819 –> 00:17:08,540they give an account to him23100:17:10,699 –> 00:17:13,979Those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead23200:17:16,219 –> 00:17:19,020They’ve been trying to do away with him for years23300:17:21,339 –> 00:17:23,339But they never will23400:17:23,880 –> 00:17:24,880Nine months later23500:17:25,099 –> 00:17:33,339Well, it was back on the road again another month of travel another 400 miles back to israel, you know, you folks just jump in your23600:17:34,540 –> 00:17:37,119vans and drive off to florida23700:17:39,020 –> 00:17:41,819I mean for us we had to carry everything we owned with us23800:17:44,060 –> 00:17:45,739Once we got the board to the border23900:17:45,739 –> 00:17:53,579we discovered that the country had actually been divided since the death of herod into four different regions and that a man by the24000:17:53,579 –> 00:17:54,479name of24100:17:54,479 –> 00:17:58,380Achilleus was ruling in judea where bethlehem was24200:17:59,500 –> 00:18:04,540That was bad news because he was as notorious as his father. Herod, in fact24300:18:05,900 –> 00:18:07,900after a few years24400:18:08,140 –> 00:18:13,920Community leaders complained about him because he was so bad. And so the romans removed24500:18:14,300 –> 00:18:18,339Achilleus and replaced him with a roman governor24600:18:19,839 –> 00:18:26,400Who was the first of a number who came in succession to that area one of whose name you’ll know24700:18:28,060 –> 00:18:30,060Pontius pilate24800:18:32,000 –> 00:18:35,760This was when god spoke to me for the fourth time through a dream24900:18:37,359 –> 00:18:40,719And after we had crossed the border into our homeland of israel25000:18:41,680 –> 00:18:47,040Being warned in this dream we diverted route and instead of going to bethlehem we25100:18:48,000 –> 00:18:50,000Went back to nazareth25200:18:50,979 –> 00:18:54,400Where it all began another 70 miles25300:18:55,599 –> 00:18:57,599On top of the 40025400:18:59,119 –> 00:19:01,119Well, there’s so much more25500:19:02,479 –> 00:19:07,439But I gotta stop otherwise I get in trouble with your pastor if he hears25600:19:10,719 –> 00:19:12,719I’ve told you my story25700:19:14,400 –> 00:19:20,479If you find it hard to believe in the virgin birth I want to tell you i’m your witness25800:19:22,479 –> 00:19:24,959Nobody found it harder to believe than me25900:19:26,880 –> 00:19:31,680And I came here to tell you today he was born of a virgin26000:19:32,479 –> 00:19:34,479You26100:19:34,719 –> 00:19:38,319The obvious question of course, is that okay, even if you believe that26200:19:39,199 –> 00:19:41,199As I trust you will today26300:19:41,599 –> 00:19:46,000You might ask this question. Well, okay, he was born of a virgin. What’s that got to do with me?26400:19:46,560 –> 00:19:48,560Now listen26500:19:48,800 –> 00:19:50,800You’re all sensible people26600:19:52,079 –> 00:19:54,560So you think about this with me26700:19:54,959 –> 00:20:02,180If he was really born of a virgin, he is unlike any other person who has ever lived26800:20:03,979 –> 00:20:07,619And if he is unlike any other person who has ever lived it’s at least26900:20:08,040 –> 00:20:13,199Possible that he’s able to do for you what nobody else. Who’s ever lived can do27000:20:14,479 –> 00:20:15,680and27100:20:15,680 –> 00:20:17,640If he’s able to do for you27200:20:17,640 –> 00:20:22,079What nobody else who has ever lived can do then nothing in your life27300:20:22,079 –> 00:20:26,459Is more important than how you respond to him27400:20:28,719 –> 00:20:31,719I didn’t come to tell you a sentimental story27500:20:33,640 –> 00:20:36,140That’s not what Christmas is27600:20:38,439 –> 00:20:43,079I came to give you an account of what happened27700:20:43,579 –> 00:20:45,579I27800:20:46,420 –> 00:20:50,500Came to tell you that God stepped into human history27900:20:51,359 –> 00:20:53,839through Jesus Christ and28000:20:54,439 –> 00:20:59,439That in doing that he’s reaching out to you to all people.28100:21:01,119 –> 00:21:08,560I came to tell you today that heaven is as real, more real, than your life here on earth and much more permanent28200:21:09,339 –> 00:21:12,719And I came to tell you that God wants you28300:21:13,800 –> 00:21:14,939there and28400:21:14,939 –> 00:21:22,199That he has opened the way through his son Jesus Christ for all who will believe in him and28500:21:23,219 –> 00:21:25,219bow before him28600:21:25,339 –> 00:21:27,339Do you believe him?28700:21:27,699 –> 00:21:29,699Will you obey him?28800:21:30,500 –> 00:21:33,400Will you trust him as your Saviour?28900:21:34,780 –> 00:21:36,780Will you crown him29000:21:37,260 –> 00:21:39,260as your Lord?29100:21:39,699 –> 00:21:42,780You’ve been listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith29200:21:42,780 –> 00:21:47,859And I’ll message Joseph story it’s part of our series Christmas stories29300:21:48,060 –> 00:21:54,180Based on the idea of seeing the Christmas story through the eyes of the characters who were there at the time29400:21:54,599 –> 00:21:58,880if you’ve missed any of the series so far or if you want to go back and listen again you29500:21:59,099 –> 00:22:04,760Can always do that by coming online to our website OpenTheBible.org.uk29600:22:04,920 –> 00:22:07,540there You’ll find all the messages that have already gone out on air29700:22:07,819 –> 00:22:13,560You can also find pastor collins messages as a podcast and those are on all the main podcast sites29800:22:14,020 –> 00:22:21,300Find them by following a link from our website or by searching on your favorite podcast site for open the Bible UK29900:22:22,180 –> 00:22:26,800Also on our website and available as a podcast is open the Bible daily30000:22:26,819 –> 00:22:35,339And that’s a series of short 2 to 3 minute daily reflections based on Pastor Collins teaching and read in the UK by Sue MacLeish30100:22:36,339 –> 00:22:40,400Open the Bible is able to stay on this station and the internet and30200:22:40,760 –> 00:22:45,000Available as a podcast because of the generous financial support of our listeners30300:22:45,020 –> 00:22:49,300That’s people like you and if you already give to support the work30400:22:49,420 –> 00:22:55,400Thank you. So much if supporting open the Bible is something you’d like to start doing this month30500:22:55,400 –> 00:22:57,400We’re delighted to offer a free gift30600:22:57,900 –> 00:22:59,439when you set up a new30700:22:59,439 –> 00:23:04,280Direct debt to the work of open the Bible in the amount of five pounds per month or more30800:23:04,520 –> 00:23:07,099Or a one-off gift of fifty pounds or more30900:23:07,339 –> 00:23:14,400We’d love to say thank you by sending you a free copy of Pastor Colin’s new book hike through the Bible31000:23:14,680 –> 00:23:17,520Colin, where did the idea for this book come from?31100:23:17,900 –> 00:23:21,699Well that goes back a long way actually 30 years to a conference31200:23:21,699 –> 00:23:24,319I attended in the UK and at lunch time31300:23:24,319 –> 00:23:24,780I just31400:23:24,800 –> 00:23:26,939Happened to sit next to a man31500:23:27,180 –> 00:23:34,380Who had given his life to serving as a pioneer missionary to an unreached tribal group in Northern Thailand31600:23:34,599 –> 00:23:36,599His story was absolutely31700:23:37,500 –> 00:23:40,839Fascinating he told me how he had met the tribal chief31800:23:40,859 –> 00:23:45,920I would built his own home having been invited to live among these people learned their language31900:23:45,939 –> 00:23:48,619I mean, I’m listening to his story. It was amazing32000:23:49,140 –> 00:23:51,880And then I asked him over lunch, Tony32100:23:51,880 –> 00:24:00,280I said where in the world. Would you begin in explaining the gospel to people who don’t even know who God is and32200:24:00,739 –> 00:24:04,560he said we tell them the Bible story and that32300:24:04,979 –> 00:24:08,739really started me on a journey that’s gone over many many years because32400:24:09,420 –> 00:24:13,199God has introduced his son to us through an32500:24:13,800 –> 00:24:20,020unfolding story that begins in Genesis and it ends in Revelation and actually if we follow the32600:24:20,219 –> 00:24:22,219contours of the Bible story32700:24:22,479 –> 00:24:24,479We have the best possible32800:24:24,579 –> 00:24:31,560Introduction to understanding who Jesus is why we need him what he’s able to accomplish what he’s done for us32900:24:31,560 –> 00:24:34,819and so hike through the Bible is very simply an33000:24:35,260 –> 00:24:40,579Introduction to the whole of the Bible story it shows how it’s all pointing towards the Lord33100:24:40,579 –> 00:24:41,339Jesus Christ33200:24:41,339 –> 00:24:45,060And I hope that it’s going to be helpful and encouraging for many many people33300:24:45,300 –> 00:24:52,380Well we’d love to send you Colin’s new book when you set up a new direct debit of five pounds per month or more33400:24:52,380 –> 00:24:55,939Or a one-off gift of fifty pounds or more this month33500:24:56,339 –> 00:25:01,500Full terms and conditions online at our website openthebible.org33600:25:01,500 –> 00:25:03,479UK and you can give online33700:25:04,219 –> 00:25:08,280Don’t forget to leave your name and address so we can send you your gift33800:25:09,000 –> 00:25:15,420For open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pig and I look forward to being with you again next time33900:25:18,599 –> 00:25:21,560Do you ever think about the legacy you’ll leave behind?34000:25:22,459 –> 00:25:29,599Find out how one man’s legacy was turned upside down in an instant. That’s next time on open the Bible