100:00:00,940 –> 00:00:02,940a200:00:03,480 –> 00:00:05,480voice says300:00:05,720 –> 00:00:07,700cry and400:00:07,700 –> 00:00:09,700I said500:00:09,980 –> 00:00:14,320What shall I cry if I have already spoken Lord?600:00:14,640 –> 00:00:21,760about peace being established and pardon being secured and the price being paid through the person of the Lord Jesus Christ if I’ve already700:00:21,860 –> 00:00:23,860Said that what more is there to say?800:00:24,580 –> 00:00:30,480Welcome to open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick. So Colin you’re saying here900:00:30,480 –> 00:00:33,520There’s more for us to share than simply the gospel1000:00:33,560 –> 00:00:38,279Well, yes how to respond to the gospel and the need to respond to the gospel1100:00:38,759 –> 00:00:44,799So, I mean, it’s one thing and it’s a wonderful thing to present to a person what is offered in Jesus Christ1200:00:45,160 –> 00:00:50,840But what is offered has to be received so I I want to press that in the program today here1300:00:50,840 –> 00:00:52,540We are coming near to Christmas1400:00:52,980 –> 00:00:58,419Celebrating all that Jesus Christ came into the world to do and to give and to offer1500:00:58,820 –> 00:01:02,880But what he offers must be received to as many as received him1600:01:02,939 –> 00:01:05,779He gave the right to become the children of God1700:01:05,779 –> 00:01:12,099and so we’re in Isaiah 40 we’re looking at what God says is to be spoken about his Son and1800:01:12,699 –> 00:01:16,800the wonderful truth of the peace that he brings but the great need for1900:01:17,099 –> 00:01:20,860Every person while we have life to respond to Jesus Christ2000:01:20,940 –> 00:01:24,599So as Colin just said we’re in Isaiah chapter 402100:01:24,599 –> 00:01:29,980So join us there if you can as we begin the message the word of God. Here is Colin2200:01:29,980 –> 00:01:34,919I want to focus today on an aspect of Christmas that is always with us2300:01:35,459 –> 00:01:40,860But it is sometimes forgotten or even ignored and that is that there are some people2400:01:41,360 –> 00:01:44,599who will be greatly missed and2500:01:45,000 –> 00:01:49,580And just thinking around the congregation. This will be true for many of us again this year a2600:01:50,080 –> 00:01:55,860Father her mother or grandfather grandmother a close friend has died and when Christmas comes2700:01:56,160 –> 00:02:00,360We really missed them. We missed them every day every week, but in2800:02:01,260 –> 00:02:05,440this season it is especially poignant perhaps there was a2900:02:06,120 –> 00:02:13,460chair for a grandma always sat and now it feels like there’s an empty chair and nobody else can quite fill it or3000:02:13,580 –> 00:02:18,160something that was done or something that a family member always said and3100:02:18,399 –> 00:02:25,779Memories come back and we are reminded of how rich our lives have been because of those God has placed in them3200:02:26,440 –> 00:02:29,000The Bible really is a wonderful book3300:02:29,020 –> 00:02:33,740It speaks into the reality of our lives and because it is the Word of God3400:02:33,740 –> 00:02:37,860It always brings to us strength and hope for every circumstance3500:02:38,139 –> 00:02:44,300And I’ve been praying that that will be true in a special way for many of us today3600:02:45,119 –> 00:02:51,860we’ve been looking at Isaiah and chapter 40 a remarkable chapter that begins with comfort and3700:02:52,740 –> 00:02:58,639Ends with renewing our strength that in itself ought to make this chapter a special focus of interest3800:02:58,639 –> 00:03:06,339And the reason that it begins with comfort and that it ends with the renewing of strength is that it is packed full of3900:03:07,039 –> 00:03:09,039anticipations of4000:03:09,039 –> 00:03:10,039Jesus Christ4100:03:10,039 –> 00:03:11,020and4200:03:11,020 –> 00:03:15,440We saw last time that God is calling his people here to speak4300:03:15,960 –> 00:03:19,440tenderly verse 2 into a broken world4400:03:20,639 –> 00:03:22,179speak4500:03:22,179 –> 00:03:23,380tenderly4600:03:23,380 –> 00:03:25,380to Jerusalem and4700:03:25,539 –> 00:03:32,500That gives you the tone in which God is speaking throughout this chapter and therefore the tone in which I4800:03:32,960 –> 00:03:34,600Particularly want to speak today4900:03:34,619 –> 00:03:36,740We are to speak tenderly5000:03:37,979 –> 00:03:39,979into a broken world5100:03:42,039 –> 00:03:43,800But then what are we to save?5200:03:43,800 –> 00:03:50,199Well, that’s the question that’s answered in in this chapter and we looked at the first part of the answer last week5300:03:50,479 –> 00:03:54,940we are to say this that peace is established and pardon secured and a5400:03:55,419 –> 00:03:59,080Payment has been made through the person of Jesus Christ5500:03:59,440 –> 00:04:01,880We saw that marvelous summary of the gospel5600:04:02,440 –> 00:04:09,339Really in the inverse to speak tenderly to Jerusalem. And here’s what you’re to tell her peace is established5700:04:09,679 –> 00:04:12,839Notice first to her warfare is ended. That’s peace5800:04:14,039 –> 00:04:17,579Pardon is secured verse 2. Her iniquity is5900:04:18,100 –> 00:04:21,000Pardoned and a payment has been made6000:04:21,000 –> 00:04:27,720We saw that in the phrase that she has received the double literally translated the duplicate from the Lord’s Hand6100:04:28,579 –> 00:04:30,119all that is6200:04:30,119 –> 00:04:36,940Brought to account with regards to our sins is is paid for the payment has been made and and how will all this happen?6300:04:37,820 –> 00:04:42,000And the answer is a voice cries in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord6400:04:42,380 –> 00:04:45,720God himself is going to come to do these things6500:04:45,760 –> 00:04:50,299It will happen through a person and this is what Christmas is all about6600:04:50,500 –> 00:04:57,119God with us God acting for us God in Christ coming to pay the price and to6700:04:57,619 –> 00:05:02,339Secure the pardon and to establish the peace say this speak it tenderly6800:05:02,739 –> 00:05:07,859into a broken world God says to the prophet Isaiah and6900:05:09,019 –> 00:05:11,019God has done this7000:05:11,500 –> 00:05:15,380This is what has been accomplished in Jesus Christ who came into the world7100:05:15,380 –> 00:05:22,540These are the priceless gifts that he holds in his hand and that he offers to all who will come to him even7200:05:23,140 –> 00:05:24,160today7300:05:24,160 –> 00:05:25,260speak7400:05:25,380 –> 00:05:27,380tenderly to Jerusalem7500:05:28,200 –> 00:05:31,220Speak into a broken world with great compassion7600:05:31,739 –> 00:05:36,320About what God has done in christ. This is the message of comfort7700:05:37,019 –> 00:05:39,980that is trusted to the church and7800:05:40,980 –> 00:05:42,980Our commission is to7900:05:43,179 –> 00:05:49,260Take it to the world and that begins with all those that God has placed around each and every one of us in8000:05:49,779 –> 00:05:51,779our daily lives8100:05:52,579 –> 00:05:56,940Now that’s where we got last week and I want you to notice that the message that has been8200:05:57,200 –> 00:06:02,500entrusted to the church does not end there and so we take it up in verse 6.8300:06:03,279 –> 00:06:05,279A voice says8400:06:05,459 –> 00:06:07,459Cry and I8500:06:08,100 –> 00:06:09,779said8600:06:09,779 –> 00:06:15,799What shall I cry now you get the sense of this after the first five verses that we’ve just reviewed there8700:06:15,880 –> 00:06:18,359If I have already spoken Lord8800:06:18,559 –> 00:06:24,660About peace being established and pardon being secured and the price being paid through the person of the Lord Jesus Christ8900:06:24,739 –> 00:06:29,420If I’ve already said that what more is there to say and then the voice of God is saying?9000:06:29,420 –> 00:06:34,279No, there’s something else. I want you to say a voice says cry. What shall I cry? What else can I say? Oh God?9100:06:36,140 –> 00:06:38,140Clearly there is more to say and9200:06:38,859 –> 00:06:41,399So today we come to the second answer9300:06:42,279 –> 00:06:43,559Just before we come to it9400:06:43,559 –> 00:06:47,279let me just pause with this little note because I do think it’s significant and9500:06:47,799 –> 00:06:53,000I know that this is something that goes to the root of our church and that we value very very greatly9600:06:53,000 –> 00:06:55,500it’s at the very foundation of my own life a9700:06:56,839 –> 00:06:58,959voice says cry and9800:07:00,579 –> 00:07:02,579I said9900:07:02,980 –> 00:07:04,980What shall I cry?10000:07:05,559 –> 00:07:06,559it10100:07:06,559 –> 00:07:09,559Is not for pastors and teachers10200:07:10,299 –> 00:07:15,679To craft a message that they think the people will want to hear10300:07:16,579 –> 00:07:18,839the message is given and10400:07:19,640 –> 00:07:23,059The message is given in the word of God10500:07:24,420 –> 00:07:26,700so faithful pastors and10600:07:27,540 –> 00:07:34,380Faithful teachers Sunday School teachers life group leaders people who want to have influence in the life of others10700:07:34,380 –> 00:07:40,200Faithful speakers are those who open the Bible and10800:07:41,200 –> 00:07:48,760then come before God in prayer and with an open Bible they say what shall I cry and10900:07:50,000 –> 00:07:51,959then with the help of the Holy Spirit of God11000:07:51,959 –> 00:07:54,779They look at what is in front of them, and that is what they see11100:07:55,799 –> 00:07:58,500That’s a whole philosophy of ministry right there11200:07:59,399 –> 00:08:06,380And it goes to the very root of what we most deeply believe about the centrality of the Word of God in the life of the church11300:08:07,839 –> 00:08:13,079Now what is it that God gives to his people to declare to the world11400:08:13,440 –> 00:08:17,380here in the second strand of the answer that is being unfolded?11500:08:17,540 –> 00:08:22,779We’re being given the the ministry the message that we are to bring to the world right here in this chapter11600:08:22,839 –> 00:08:27,059That will bring renewal of strength and is going to be the very means of comfort11700:08:27,239 –> 00:08:30,200Notice what God says and it’s really here in three parts11800:08:30,579 –> 00:08:34,900Here’s what you’re to say God says and I summarize it this way number one11900:08:35,440 –> 00:08:37,440You’re to tell people this12000:08:37,780 –> 00:08:39,780your life is12100:08:41,000 –> 00:08:43,000beautiful and12200:08:43,400 –> 00:08:45,039it is12300:08:45,039 –> 00:08:46,440fragile12400:08:46,440 –> 00:08:48,440Now notice that in verse six12500:08:48,760 –> 00:08:50,080All12600:08:50,080 –> 00:08:51,599flesh is12700:08:51,599 –> 00:08:53,599grass and12800:08:54,340 –> 00:08:55,619All its12900:08:55,619 –> 00:09:01,440Beauty notice that word is like the flower of the field13000:09:02,960 –> 00:09:08,200So God says you’re to speak about this. you’re to speak about the beauty of human life13100:09:10,039 –> 00:09:13,820This is part of the message that is trusted to the church13200:09:15,119 –> 00:09:21,039God is the creator and he has made everything beautiful in its time13300:09:21,640 –> 00:09:26,159Human life is a miracle. It is a gift of God’s grace13400:09:27,900 –> 00:09:33,159Our second granddaughter was born this year and throughout many many families13500:09:33,159 –> 00:09:39,359There’s been a birth this year and we felt as many again have felt a sense of13600:09:39,799 –> 00:09:46,400Renewed awe and wonder at the sheer beauty of the gift of human life13700:09:47,119 –> 00:09:54,320And here is the amazing thing that we are told in scripture that we are made in the image and the likeness of God13800:09:56,080 –> 00:10:01,080Some eight says about man about women that he has set13900:10:01,599 –> 00:10:05,460Humankind, God has set humankind over all creation14000:10:05,479 –> 00:10:12,859There is nothing else in the created order that comes close in its value to a human life14100:10:13,059 –> 00:10:15,059only14200:10:15,260 –> 00:10:20,559This life is made in the image and the likeness of God and he is there for crowned14300:10:20,960 –> 00:10:27,159Humankind with glory and with honor and in some aid God says and put everything under his feet14400:10:28,580 –> 00:10:32,239Think of this we were made in the image and likeness of God14500:10:33,099 –> 00:10:35,059enough likeness14600:10:35,219 –> 00:10:42,179That we could be tempted to think that we are God and to try and to take his place14700:10:43,200 –> 00:10:48,219Satan seized on the likeness and said that’s just where I’ll tempt them14800:10:50,479 –> 00:10:53,400Think about this what makes a human life valuable14900:10:55,159 –> 00:10:57,159Why do you matter15000:10:58,000 –> 00:11:03,500If you come into an opportunity to speak to someone who’s despairing of life15100:11:03,599 –> 00:11:05,940How why will you tell them that they matter15200:11:06,760 –> 00:11:09,000What kind of reason purpose?15300:11:09,000 –> 00:11:15,119Will you give to a person who feels a sense of despair and feels that their life is worth nothing and it’s not significant15400:11:15,119 –> 00:11:18,280What answer will you give will you say that what gives life?15500:11:18,760 –> 00:11:20,760significance’s that a person is loved15600:11:22,359 –> 00:11:25,260Well then what will you say to the person who nobody loves15700:11:26,380 –> 00:11:30,859The person who feels forgotten the person who has been passed over. What will you say to them?15800:11:31,000 –> 00:11:34,419I always remember a poignant conversation with a15900:11:34,780 –> 00:11:39,840Godly man whose wife had died in the course of the year, and it was getting near Christmas16000:11:39,859 –> 00:11:45,640We were having breakfast together and just talking about his experience, and he said you know people are so kind16100:11:46,099 –> 00:11:51,619And I have all kinds of invitations, and I have many wonderful friends, and my family are marvelous16200:11:51,619 –> 00:11:57,059He said but here’s the thing I’m not first in anybody’s life anymore16300:11:57,500 –> 00:12:01,979You know my son my daughter they have someone else who’s first in there like that kind to me16400:12:03,039 –> 00:12:07,859But I was first in my wife’s life and I’m not first in anybody’s life16500:12:09,059 –> 00:12:11,059Anymore it was so real16600:12:11,900 –> 00:12:13,900What are you just say?16700:12:15,340 –> 00:12:17,299Then of course there are some people who say well16800:12:17,299 –> 00:12:24,619You know the contribution that a person makes that’s the thing that gives life great great significance work. You know being productive16900:12:24,700 –> 00:12:25,820productive17000:12:25,820 –> 00:12:28,080contributing to the common good you know your17100:12:29,260 –> 00:12:33,500But if you go down that line what are you going to say to the person who cannot find work?17200:12:33,500 –> 00:12:39,799What are you going to save more poignantly to the person who is suffering a long-term illness and?17300:12:40,520 –> 00:12:47,340Has come increasingly as they languish there perhaps in in some hospital or some Center and17400:12:47,780 –> 00:12:49,580They’re feeling increasingly17500:12:49,580 –> 00:12:56,859I am only a drain and a demand on the resources of others and everybody else’s life would be much easier17600:12:56,859 –> 00:12:58,859If I wasn’t here and17700:12:59,500 –> 00:13:02,760That question is really coming to roost in our Society17800:13:04,099 –> 00:13:07,960What the value of a life if a person’s no longer able to contribute?17900:13:10,039 –> 00:13:13,119Work is what makes life worthwhile, what are you going to say?18000:13:13,119 –> 00:13:15,099so18100:13:15,099 –> 00:13:20,460This is a huge question. What makes human life valuable. Why do you matter? Why are you significance?18200:13:20,460 –> 00:13:23,640And here’s what you say. Here’s why you matter18300:13:23,719 –> 00:13:25,299here’s what gives18400:13:25,299 –> 00:13:30,039dignity and worth to your life in every season and in every18500:13:30,340 –> 00:13:34,359Circumstance you were made in the image and the likeness of18600:13:35,080 –> 00:13:40,979almighty God and the very fact that he is giving you breath now means that he wants you here and18700:13:41,960 –> 00:13:43,960And in his great kindness18800:13:44,039 –> 00:13:50,320There is a purpose in everything that he does and you can rest the significance of your18900:13:50,599 –> 00:13:54,820Place in this world on that marvelous marvelous fact19000:13:55,799 –> 00:13:59,099Your life is a gift19100:14:00,000 –> 00:14:00,900from19200:14:00,900 –> 00:14:03,020almighty God in whose19300:14:03,820 –> 00:14:05,340image and19400:14:05,340 –> 00:14:06,859likeness19500:14:06,900 –> 00:14:09,919You have been me to tell people that19600:14:10,679 –> 00:14:15,979You’re listening to open the Bible with pastor Colin Smith. We’ve got to pause the message very briefly19700:14:15,979 –> 00:14:20,239Then the message is called the word of God and it’s part of our series19800:14:20,580 –> 00:14:23,440waiting for the Lord if you ever miss one of the19900:14:23,760 –> 00:14:25,539messages in the series or if you20000:14:25,539 –> 00:14:28,320Tuned in late or if you ever want to go back and listen again20100:14:28,479 –> 00:14:31,640You can always do that by coming to our website20200:14:31,640 –> 00:14:37,559That’s openTheBible.org.uk or by going to your favorite podcast site20300:14:37,559 –> 00:14:42,760And they’re searching for open the Bible UK or follow the link from our website20400:14:43,119 –> 00:14:49,640All of the messages which have already been broadcast are freely available both on our website and as a podcast20500:14:49,760 –> 00:14:51,760So I hope you’ll check that out20600:14:52,020 –> 00:14:57,500Back to the message now here again is Colin. Your life is not only beautiful20700:14:57,659 –> 00:15:00,960Is also fragile these are the two things you need to know the20800:15:01,260 –> 00:15:04,520Dignity and worth that you have of being made in the image of God20900:15:04,580 –> 00:15:09,260but also the fragility of your life as a created being21000:15:09,979 –> 00:15:11,979You see that here21100:15:12,539 –> 00:15:18,320Try this all flesh is grass and all beauty is like the flower of the field and21200:15:19,479 –> 00:15:21,479the grass withers and21300:15:22,500 –> 00:15:24,679This beautiful flowers what happens21400:15:25,619 –> 00:15:27,619It fades21500:15:28,239 –> 00:15:31,020So speak not only about the beauty21600:15:31,020 –> 00:15:36,840But also about the fragility of human life in other words to live well21700:15:38,500 –> 00:15:44,299We need to know both the beauty and the fragility of our own lives21800:15:45,780 –> 00:15:49,440Now the Bible of course speaks often about the fragility of our lives21900:15:50,020 –> 00:15:56,140Perhaps never more clearly and powerfully than in James in Chapter 4 a passage that many of you will know. Well22000:15:56,760 –> 00:16:02,280This is where James the Apostle speaks directly to the big-time planners and strategists22100:16:02,280 –> 00:16:06,940And he says this now come now you who say today or tomorrow?22200:16:07,020 –> 00:16:09,859we’re going to go to such-and-such a town and22300:16:10,320 –> 00:16:12,320We’re going to spend a year there22400:16:13,000 –> 00:16:15,000and we’re gonna trade and22500:16:15,340 –> 00:16:17,340We’re going to make a profit22600:16:17,719 –> 00:16:20,059So here’s strategic planning you see22700:16:20,059 –> 00:16:26,239and that’s a good thing to do and here are people who are saying now we got this we got this marketing strategy and22800:16:26,960 –> 00:16:28,960we’re gonna go to this town and22900:16:29,400 –> 00:16:31,760We’re gonna have big impact. We’re gonna spend a year23000:16:31,760 –> 00:16:34,219We’re gonna focus and we’re gonna do this we’re gonna do that23100:16:34,440 –> 00:16:37,479we’re gonna make a profit and here’s what it’s going to be and23200:16:37,900 –> 00:16:40,159All of us know what this world is like23300:16:40,159 –> 00:16:45,880he’s talking right into the world in which we are living through the week in the world of business and23400:16:46,880 –> 00:16:50,859Then he says this with all this planning and all that you’re gonna do and all that you’re23500:16:50,919 –> 00:16:55,559Preparing for for ten years down the line and all the rest of it. You do not know what tomorrow will bring23600:16:56,919 –> 00:17:00,559And then James says what is your life23700:17:02,039 –> 00:17:04,040You are amiss23800:17:04,719 –> 00:17:07,680that appears for a little time and23900:17:09,060 –> 00:17:11,060then vanishes24000:17:11,680 –> 00:17:14,280What a description of your whole life in mine24100:17:16,599 –> 00:17:18,599Calling you’re like a mist24200:17:19,060 –> 00:17:22,359it appears for a little time and24300:17:23,180 –> 00:17:25,180Then you’re gone24400:17:25,219 –> 00:17:27,060Never forget24500:17:27,060 –> 00:17:29,060Never forget24600:17:29,780 –> 00:17:33,199So here’s what you out to be saying. You ought to be saying if the Lord wills24700:17:33,199 –> 00:17:36,260We will live and we’ll do this or that and as it is24800:17:36,359 –> 00:17:43,560Here’s what you do. You boast about your arrogance and all such boasting is evil. Wow, that’s a powerful statement24900:17:44,380 –> 00:17:47,920Now you see what he’s saying to live well to live wisely25000:17:48,359 –> 00:17:51,640And this is what people need to hear this is what you’re to cry25100:17:53,219 –> 00:17:58,060You need to know both the beauty and the fragility of your life25200:17:59,219 –> 00:18:00,859and25300:18:00,859 –> 00:18:07,579That if we learn these things, well, they will produce this twin response. I learned the beauty of the gift of life25400:18:07,579 –> 00:18:10,160I made in the image of God that’s going to make me25500:18:10,300 –> 00:18:15,939Make me grateful before God thankful before God joyful before God25600:18:17,300 –> 00:18:21,699And I learned the fragility of my own life. Well, it’s going to make me humble25700:18:22,699 –> 00:18:24,439before25800:18:24,439 –> 00:18:26,439God25900:18:26,579 –> 00:18:28,020So here’s what you to say26000:18:28,020 –> 00:18:34,819Here’s what the world needs to hear and what we need to grasp number one. Your life is beautiful and it is fragile26100:18:35,920 –> 00:18:37,920number two26200:18:38,420 –> 00:18:44,739What am I to cry well say this and I summarise it again here that God is in control of26300:18:45,400 –> 00:18:47,260your death as26400:18:47,260 –> 00:18:48,420Well as your life26500:18:48,420 –> 00:18:52,060This is something very important for the church to say and to speak26600:18:52,400 –> 00:18:57,000that God is in control as much of your death as of your life and26700:18:57,339 –> 00:19:01,540Notice how he says this in verse 7 the grass withers26800:19:02,540 –> 00:19:04,540the flower fades26900:19:05,520 –> 00:19:10,780Now when does the flower fade notice the clear statement here the flower fades?27000:19:11,579 –> 00:19:13,180when27100:19:13,180 –> 00:19:15,640the breath of the Lord27200:19:16,540 –> 00:19:17,819blows27300:19:17,819 –> 00:19:19,819on it27400:19:20,180 –> 00:19:23,979So why does the grass weather? Why does the flower fade because27500:19:25,380 –> 00:19:27,540the breath of the Lord27600:19:29,420 –> 00:19:31,859Blows on it27700:19:32,500 –> 00:19:35,660Now this is very important to understand27800:19:36,839 –> 00:19:39,380to know ourselves and to understand our life27900:19:40,560 –> 00:19:44,420according to the Bible human life both begins and28000:19:45,060 –> 00:19:48,939Continues and ends by the breath of God28100:19:50,719 –> 00:19:53,719You remember from the book of genesis right back in the beginning28200:19:54,339 –> 00:20:00,800How genesis 2 7 tells us that the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and then?28300:20:00,819 –> 00:20:02,819breathed into his nostrils28400:20:03,079 –> 00:20:10,239The breath of life and the man became a living creature genesis chapter 2 and verse 728500:20:10,839 –> 00:20:12,239so God28600:20:12,239 –> 00:20:15,260Forms what must have been essentially a corpse28700:20:15,680 –> 00:20:20,180forms this body from the dust off the ground in other words you could do a28800:20:20,599 –> 00:20:23,219Chemical analysis of the human body28900:20:23,219 –> 00:20:29,319and you would you would find all these elements from the periodic table and it could be divided and even people have put a value on29000:20:29,420 –> 00:20:32,099What are the various components of a human body?29100:20:32,099 –> 00:20:37,260What what what are they worth, but this is just a corpse, and it’s lying on the ground it God’s made it from the dust29200:20:38,380 –> 00:20:39,800chemically29300:20:39,800 –> 00:20:41,800Analyzable that wasn’t a word29400:20:42,060 –> 00:20:44,579There we go, but what does God do?29500:20:45,459 –> 00:20:47,459He breathes29600:20:47,599 –> 00:20:50,420the breath of life and suddenly can you imagine this29700:20:51,699 –> 00:20:53,699Adam becomes conscious29800:20:54,040 –> 00:20:59,579Aware of himself. He lives. He’s a living being gets up, and his first view is the face of God29900:21:00,420 –> 00:21:02,420revealed to him30000:21:02,680 –> 00:21:05,099That’s how human life began30100:21:05,099 –> 00:21:11,619that is how your life began God breathed life into you and and your life today is30200:21:11,619 –> 00:21:15,180Sustained by the fact that he is breathing life into you30300:21:15,180 –> 00:21:21,160It is in him the Apostle says that we live and move and have our being30400:21:21,280 –> 00:21:24,380So life begins by the breath of God. That’s what it is30500:21:24,380 –> 00:21:31,199That’s why breath and life are interchangeable words in the way that they’re translated in the Bible and one day30600:21:31,540 –> 00:21:34,020God will breathe on you again and30700:21:36,239 –> 00:21:42,300That will be the time when your life in this world will end the grass withers the flower fades when30800:21:43,199 –> 00:21:45,239the breath of the Lord30900:21:45,819 –> 00:21:47,819glows on it31000:21:48,579 –> 00:21:55,300Well, we’ve got to pause the message there and next time we’ll see why we can trust the Word of God completely31100:21:56,180 –> 00:22:01,859You’ve been listening to pastor Colin Smith on open the Bible and a message called the Word of God31200:22:02,579 –> 00:22:08,640It’s part of the series waiting for the Lord and its based on Isaiah chapter 4031300:22:09,060 –> 00:22:14,540Don’t forget if you’ve ever missed one of our messages in the series or if you ever want to go back and listen again31400:22:14,579 –> 00:22:19,359It’s easy to do that by coming online to our website open the Bible dota31500:22:20,140 –> 00:22:25,939U.k. Or go to your favorite podcast site search therefore Open the Bible UK and31600:22:26,520 –> 00:22:32,939Subscribe if you want to receive regular updates, there’s also a link to the podcast if you go to our website31700:22:34,540 –> 00:22:38,380Open the Bible is able to stay on this station and the Internet and31800:22:38,760 –> 00:22:43,000Available as a podcast because of the generous financial support of our listeners31900:22:43,000 –> 00:22:47,300That’s people like you and if you already give to support the work32000:22:47,439 –> 00:22:49,020Thank you so much32100:22:49,020 –> 00:22:55,300If supporting Open the Bible is something you’d like to start doing this month, we’re delighted to offer a free gift32200:22:55,819 –> 00:23:01,439Here’s Open the Bibles Amanda Cunningham to tell us about it. Thanks David. Yes this month32300:23:01,459 –> 00:23:09,140We are really excited to be giving away Colin Smith’s newest book and the final book in the fly and drive32400:23:09,180 –> 00:23:11,079through the Bible series32500:23:11,119 –> 00:23:13,199Hike Through the Bible32600:23:13,339 –> 00:23:19,319This book takes you on a guided 50 session journey through the whole story line of Scripture32700:23:19,400 –> 00:23:24,599It’s a little bit like taking a steady hike with a trusted pastor by your side32800:23:25,199 –> 00:23:28,359Colin helps you navigate the rugged terrain of the Old Testament32900:23:29,160 –> 00:23:36,800Pause at places of grace and promise and then climb the peaks where the glory of Jesus shines most clearly33000:23:37,199 –> 00:23:43,979Each chapter is short and accessible, with simple reflection questions to help you apply what you’re learning33100:23:44,219 –> 00:23:47,140whether you read it on your own or with a small group33200:23:47,500 –> 00:23:53,359I also particularly like the fact that at the end of each chapter there is a short verse to memorize33300:23:53,439 –> 00:23:57,439If you’ve enjoyed Fly Through the Bible or Drive Through the Bible33400:23:57,579 –> 00:24:05,260This final instalment completes the journey, helping you see how all of Scripture fits together as one great story33500:24:05,339 –> 00:24:10,119and we would love to send you a copy for free this month33600:24:10,280 –> 00:24:17,800when you set up a new direct debit of at least £5 or, give a one-off gift of at least £5033700:24:17,959 –> 00:24:20,780to support the ministry of OPEN the Bible U.K.33800:24:20,880 –> 00:24:25,880and with Christmas just around the corner, I think it would be a lovely treat33900:24:26,140 –> 00:24:30,640and a really encouraging way to begin the New Year in God’s Word34000:24:31,380 –> 00:24:35,739Just don’t forget to leave your address when you donate, so we can make sure we can post your gift34100:24:35,819 –> 00:24:41,020Well we’d love to send you Colin’s new book when you set up a new direct debit of34200:24:41,180 –> 00:24:46,819£5 per month or more or, a one-off gift of £50 or more this month34300:24:47,079 –> 00:24:52,859Full terms and conditions online at our website, openthebible.org.uk34400:24:52,859 –> 00:24:55,079and you can give online34500:24:55,280 –> 00:24:59,239Don’t forget to leave your name and address, so we can send you your gift34600:24:59,680 –> 00:25:06,239For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick and I look forward to being with you again next time34700:25:14,099 –> 00:25:18,680What do you think is the difference between Jesus and us?34800:25:18,680 –> 00:25:21,280Find out next time on, Open the Bible