100:00:00,000 –> 00:00:07,440I want to say to all of the widows in the church today,200:00:07,440 –> 00:00:13,440and I want to include along with all who have been widowed,300:00:13,440 –> 00:00:20,020all the godly women who struggle with the unique pressures400:00:20,020 –> 00:00:23,500that come with being a single mother,500:00:23,500 –> 00:00:29,059you have a special place in the heart of God.600:00:29,059 –> 00:00:31,360Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.700:00:31,360 –> 00:00:32,340I’m David Pick.800:00:32,340 –> 00:00:33,779Glad you could join us today,900:00:33,779 –> 00:00:35,980and we’re continuing in our series,1000:00:35,980 –> 00:00:39,299Ten Distinctives of a Gospel-Centred Church, Colin.1100:00:39,299 –> 00:00:41,580Yes, we’re in the First Letter of Timothy1200:00:41,580 –> 00:00:43,820and that’s really what it’s all about.1300:00:43,820 –> 00:00:45,540This is a marvellous letter1400:00:45,540 –> 00:00:49,820in which God lays out his priorities1500:00:49,820 –> 00:00:51,540for the local church.1600:00:51,540 –> 00:00:54,299And that comes through the writing of the Apostle Paul1700:00:54,299 –> 00:00:55,340to Timothy.1800:00:55,340 –> 00:00:58,160Now, we often find ourselves asking the question,1900:00:58,160 –> 00:00:58,820you know,2000:00:59,040 –> 00:00:59,720what matters in a church?2100:00:59,720 –> 00:01:00,680What’s important?2200:01:00,680 –> 00:01:03,000What’s important to you in a church?2300:01:03,000 –> 00:01:04,639Well, of course, the bigger question2400:01:04,639 –> 00:01:07,519is what really matters to God in a church?2500:01:07,519 –> 00:01:09,680What does he call us to do?2600:01:09,680 –> 00:01:13,160And today, very wonderfully in 1 Timothy in chapter five,2700:01:13,160 –> 00:01:16,320we’re going to see that compassion matters to God.2800:01:16,320 –> 00:01:19,519Caring for those who are in need and vulnerable2900:01:19,519 –> 00:01:22,739is something that God calls us to3000:01:22,739 –> 00:01:24,919as the body of Christ3100:01:24,919 –> 00:01:27,599doing his work and his ministry in the world.3200:01:27,599 –> 00:01:28,680So, join us today3300:01:29,540 –> 00:01:32,099if you can in the first book of Timothy, chapter five,3400:01:32,099 –> 00:01:35,000as we begin a message, Gospel Compassion.3500:01:35,000 –> 00:01:36,699Here is Pastor Colin.3600:01:36,699 –> 00:01:38,540Well, we’re continuing today our series3700:01:38,540 –> 00:01:41,62010 Distinctives of a Gospel-Centered Church.3800:01:41,620 –> 00:01:44,919And today, believe it or not, is week number seven3900:01:44,919 –> 00:01:47,160and we’re looking at this great subject4000:01:47,160 –> 00:01:49,480of gospel compassion.4100:01:49,480 –> 00:01:52,559I hope you’re getting the flow of this letter.4200:01:52,559 –> 00:01:54,860We’ve been seeing from chapter two onwards4300:01:54,860 –> 00:01:56,820that Christ has called the church4400:01:56,940 –> 00:02:01,180to a global ministry of the word and of prayer.4500:02:01,180 –> 00:02:02,980We’ve asked the question, what kind of people4600:02:02,980 –> 00:02:04,959are going to get this job done?4700:02:04,959 –> 00:02:06,879And we’ve looked at the kind of character4800:02:06,879 –> 00:02:08,880and competence that we need in order4900:02:08,880 –> 00:02:11,880to maximize our effectiveness for5000:02:11,880 –> 00:02:14,720the advance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.5100:02:14,720 –> 00:02:16,080And then we’ve asked the question,5200:02:16,080 –> 00:02:19,000how are we going to develop that character?5300:02:19,000 –> 00:02:22,639How can I grow in a godly life?5400:02:22,639 –> 00:02:25,960And we’ve seen together that the answer is not a program,5500:02:25,960 –> 00:02:28,660but it is, thank God, a person.5600:02:28,660 –> 00:02:33,440Jesus Christ is the mystery of godliness.5700:02:33,440 –> 00:02:37,039And it’s Christ in you, that is the hope of glory.5800:02:37,039 –> 00:02:40,000Jesus Christ in your life is the hope of you5900:02:40,000 –> 00:02:44,220living the life that God is calling you to live.6000:02:44,220 –> 00:02:46,460Now if the life of Jesus Christ is in us,6100:02:46,460 –> 00:02:49,080and that was what we were looking at last time,6200:02:49,080 –> 00:02:51,580it stands to reason that the character6300:02:51,580 –> 00:02:54,960of the Lord Jesus Christ will be seen through us.6400:02:54,979 –> 00:02:58,240And so the last two chapters of 1 Timothy6500:02:58,240 –> 00:03:00,940that we’re going to look at over these next weeks6600:03:00,940 –> 00:03:05,940really spell out what a life that is motivated6700:03:06,339 –> 00:03:10,779by the presence of Jesus Christ really looks like.6800:03:10,779 –> 00:03:14,020And so today we’re going to look at gospel compassion6900:03:14,020 –> 00:03:16,520at the first part of chapter 5,7000:03:16,520 –> 00:03:19,000a gospel centered church7100:03:19,000 –> 00:03:24,000will show the compassion of Jesus Christ.7200:03:24,419 –> 00:03:27,500Now the Bible is full of this marvelous theme7300:03:27,500 –> 00:03:30,160of the compassion of God.7400:03:30,160 –> 00:03:32,619How God cares for His children.7500:03:32,619 –> 00:03:35,020How God especially has a heart7600:03:35,020 –> 00:03:37,520for those who do not have other people7700:03:37,520 –> 00:03:40,300who are able to care for them.7800:03:40,300 –> 00:03:42,660Listen to the testimony of Moses for example7900:03:42,660 –> 00:03:45,539in Deuteronomy chapter 10, in verse 18,8000:03:45,539 –> 00:03:46,740he says about God,8100:03:46,740 –> 00:03:51,740he defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow.8200:03:52,059 –> 00:03:57,059He loves the alien and gives to the alien food and clothing.8300:03:58,580 –> 00:04:01,100That’s what Moses says about God.8400:04:01,100 –> 00:04:03,520King David puts it the same way in the Psalms.8500:04:03,520 –> 00:04:06,000He says, sing to God a song of praise.8600:04:06,000 –> 00:04:08,720Here is something really to be celebrated.8700:04:08,720 –> 00:04:12,419That God is a father to the fatherless, he says,8800:04:12,419 –> 00:04:16,059and a defender of widows.8900:04:16,059 –> 00:04:17,380Have you ever thought about the fact9000:04:17,380 –> 00:04:20,260that an entire book of the Bible9100:04:20,260 –> 00:04:23,339is given to the story of three widows,9200:04:24,200 –> 00:04:28,920Ruth and Orpah and Naomi,9300:04:28,920 –> 00:04:32,619and how God cared in his sovereign power9400:04:32,619 –> 00:04:34,140over the whole universe,9500:04:34,140 –> 00:04:37,540God cared for these three women9600:04:37,540 –> 00:04:40,940and gave them hope and gave them a future.9700:04:41,779 –> 00:04:44,019Of course, we see the compassion of God9800:04:44,019 –> 00:04:48,179most clearly in our Lord Jesus Christ.9900:04:48,179 –> 00:04:49,980Luke tells us in chapter seven10000:04:49,980 –> 00:04:54,600about a time when Jesus went to a town called Nain.10100:04:54,600 –> 00:04:55,640Can you picture this?10200:04:55,640 –> 00:04:59,299As he comes with his disciples to the town gate,10300:04:59,299 –> 00:05:02,339he sees a large crowd and they’re coming out of the town10400:05:02,339 –> 00:05:04,279and there’s a widow.10500:05:04,279 –> 00:05:08,519And she is overwhelmed with sorrow.10600:05:08,519 –> 00:05:10,940Not only has her husband obviously died,10700:05:10,940 –> 00:05:13,260but now her only son has died10800:05:13,260 –> 00:05:16,880and the crowd is there to support her in the funeral.10900:05:17,880 –> 00:05:22,880Luke tells us that Jesus had compassion on her.11000:05:23,540 –> 00:05:25,760That one word in English hardly gets it.11100:05:26,660 –> 00:05:28,959The original word means something like this.11200:05:28,959 –> 00:05:33,959Jesus was moved to the core of his being when he saw this11300:05:35,739 –> 00:05:39,880and in his divine power he touches the corpse11400:05:39,880 –> 00:05:41,559and raises this boy to life11500:05:41,559 –> 00:05:46,019and gives them back to his mother.11600:05:47,880 –> 00:05:49,940It’s not surprising when you think11700:05:49,940 –> 00:05:54,880of how full the whole bible is of the compassion of God11800:05:54,880 –> 00:05:56,779and especially the compassion11900:05:56,779 –> 00:05:59,679of our Lord Jesus Christ in the gospels12000:05:59,679 –> 00:06:02,179that when you come towards the end of the new testament12100:06:02,179 –> 00:06:06,059what you find is that ministries of compassion12200:06:06,059 –> 00:06:10,059are a distinctive mark of faithful churches.12300:06:10,059 –> 00:06:13,420You find it right from the beginning in Acts in chapter six12400:06:13,420 –> 00:06:16,600where we read about a daily distribution of food12500:06:16,600 –> 00:06:21,600organized by the church for widows within the congregation.12600:06:22,040 –> 00:06:24,279And then we come to First Timothy and chapter five12700:06:24,279 –> 00:06:27,359that I hope you have open in front of you today.12800:06:27,359 –> 00:06:30,239And I want you to notice I actually counted up the verses.12900:06:30,239 –> 00:06:33,519About a sixth, one sixth,13000:06:33,519 –> 00:06:36,519of this entire New Testament letter13100:06:36,519 –> 00:06:39,579is devoted to the single subject13200:06:39,579 –> 00:06:42,519of the church’s care for widows.13300:06:42,540 –> 00:06:45,220That should tell us13400:06:45,220 –> 00:06:50,220the importance of compassion in the heart of God.13500:06:50,480 –> 00:06:55,140And I want to say to all of the widows in the church today,13600:06:55,140 –> 00:06:59,040and I want to include, along with all who have been widowed,13700:07:00,320 –> 00:07:05,320all the godly women who struggle with the unique pressures13800:07:07,279 –> 00:07:09,220that come with being a single mother,13900:07:09,980 –> 00:07:14,980you have a special place in the heart of God.14000:07:17,500 –> 00:07:20,679And this passage of scripture that’s open before us today14100:07:20,679 –> 00:07:24,519is just one of many, many places14200:07:24,519 –> 00:07:27,380where the heart of God towards you14300:07:27,380 –> 00:07:31,679is made very clear indeed.14400:07:31,679 –> 00:07:33,359Now what Paul is doing here14500:07:33,359 –> 00:07:38,359is he is urging the church to cultivate a culture14600:07:39,200 –> 00:07:42,980of caring and of serving.14700:07:42,980 –> 00:07:46,559And we want to take that seriously in the replenishment14800:07:46,559 –> 00:07:49,859because of our commitment to the gospel.14900:07:49,859 –> 00:07:53,380It is a distinctive of a gospel-centered church15000:07:53,380 –> 00:07:55,119that reflecting the heart of God15100:07:55,119 –> 00:07:57,179as seen in our Lord Jesus Christ,15200:07:57,179 –> 00:08:00,980it will be a caring church, a compassionate church.15300:08:00,980 –> 00:08:03,380A church where people learn what it is15400:08:03,380 –> 00:08:07,700to serve one another in the body of Christ.15500:08:07,700 –> 00:08:10,299And we’re gonna look at what that is in the New Testament,15600:08:10,299 –> 00:08:12,920I’m gonna give you a number of examples today15700:08:12,920 –> 00:08:15,480of that actually happening in our midst15800:08:15,480 –> 00:08:18,220for our encouragement that we would pursue15900:08:18,220 –> 00:08:22,399this kind of ministry as a distinctive16000:08:22,399 –> 00:08:25,720of a gospel-centered church.16100:08:25,720 –> 00:08:27,760So cultivating a culture of caring,16200:08:27,760 –> 00:08:30,559cultivating a culture of serving.16300:08:30,559 –> 00:08:32,039We’re gonna focus most on caring,16400:08:32,039 –> 00:08:35,340which is in verses one to eight.16500:08:36,140 –> 00:08:38,500Now the first thing I want you to notice here today16600:08:38,500 –> 00:08:42,400is that there will be genuine need in the church.16700:08:43,500 –> 00:08:47,419Three times, the Apostle Paul makes this clear,16800:08:47,419 –> 00:08:48,599verse 3,16900:08:48,599 –> 00:08:51,020give proper attention to those widows17000:08:51,020 –> 00:08:53,599who are really in need.17100:08:53,599 –> 00:08:54,640So he’s making it clear,17200:08:54,640 –> 00:08:58,900there will be real needs in the Church of Jesus Christ.17300:08:58,900 –> 00:09:00,479God allows it to be so,17400:09:00,479 –> 00:09:04,059so that we may learn to minister to one another.17500:09:04,059 –> 00:09:05,099Verse five,17600:09:05,119 –> 00:09:08,799the widow who is really in need, real need,17700:09:08,799 –> 00:09:09,859she’s left all alone17800:09:09,859 –> 00:09:12,000and she puts her hope in God.17900:09:13,000 –> 00:09:14,440Or verse 1618000:09:14,440 –> 00:09:16,080where Paul speaks about18100:09:16,080 –> 00:09:18,599the responsibility of the family first,18200:09:18,599 –> 00:09:20,039but then at the end of the verse,18300:09:20,039 –> 00:09:22,119he says that the church can help18400:09:22,119 –> 00:09:24,479those widows who are really in need.18500:09:24,479 –> 00:09:26,159So three times,18600:09:26,159 –> 00:09:27,039that one phrase18700:09:27,039 –> 00:09:28,000really in need,18800:09:28,000 –> 00:09:29,119really in need,18900:09:29,119 –> 00:09:30,599really in need.19000:09:30,599 –> 00:09:32,239He’s making it very clear19100:09:32,239 –> 00:09:34,400that in a local church,19200:09:34,400 –> 00:09:37,400there will be real needs19300:09:37,400 –> 00:09:40,179among the people of God.19400:09:40,179 –> 00:09:41,780And what that means for us therefore19500:09:41,780 –> 00:09:43,979is that we need to learn to discern19600:09:43,979 –> 00:09:47,280where the genuine needs are.19700:09:47,280 –> 00:09:49,280It’s always right in that situation19800:09:49,280 –> 00:09:53,039to ask what provision God has already made,19900:09:53,039 –> 00:09:58,039what can a person do for himself or for herself,20000:09:58,099 –> 00:10:01,559what means are already available?20100:10:01,599 –> 00:10:03,179But Paul is making it clear20200:10:03,179 –> 00:10:08,080that there will be genuine needs in the church.20300:10:08,080 –> 00:10:09,599And that the church, verse 3,20400:10:09,599 –> 00:10:12,219must give proper recognition20500:10:12,219 –> 00:10:15,859to those widows who are really in need.20600:10:15,859 –> 00:10:17,320And he says, verse 16,20700:10:17,320 –> 00:10:20,239the church should help, notice that word,20800:10:20,239 –> 00:10:22,119those widows.20900:10:23,200 –> 00:10:25,780Now, this gets to a very important question.21000:10:27,039 –> 00:10:30,200How do you know in life21100:10:30,239 –> 00:10:32,700who you should help21200:10:32,700 –> 00:10:35,619and who you should support?21300:10:35,619 –> 00:10:37,580An important question and we’ll come back21400:10:37,580 –> 00:10:39,119to answer that in just a moment,21500:10:39,119 –> 00:10:40,919so I hope you’ll stay with us.21600:10:40,919 –> 00:10:42,200You’re listening to Open the Bible21700:10:42,200 –> 00:10:43,500with Pastor Colin Smith21800:10:43,500 –> 00:10:46,400and a message called Gospel Compassion,21900:10:46,400 –> 00:10:47,520part of our series,22000:10:47,520 –> 00:10:50,88010 Distinctives of a Gospel-Centered Church.22100:10:50,880 –> 00:10:52,599If you ever miss one of our programs,22200:10:52,599 –> 00:10:54,059it’s very easy to catch up22300:10:54,059 –> 00:10:55,599or go back and listen again22400:10:55,599 –> 00:10:57,859by coming online to our website,22500:10:57,900 –> 00:11:00,520openthebible.org.uk.22600:11:00,520 –> 00:11:01,460Or if you prefer,22700:11:01,460 –> 00:11:05,280go and find it on your favorite podcast site22800:11:05,280 –> 00:11:07,380by searching for Open the Bible, UK,22900:11:07,380 –> 00:11:10,340or you can follow a link from our website.23000:11:10,340 –> 00:11:11,419Back to the message now,23100:11:11,419 –> 00:11:13,659we’re in 1 Timothy in chapter five.23200:11:13,659 –> 00:11:15,659Here again is Pastor Colin.23300:11:16,979 –> 00:11:19,419How do you know in life23400:11:20,340 –> 00:11:22,840who you should help23500:11:22,840 –> 00:11:25,739and who you should support?23600:11:25,859 –> 00:11:29,200And this is not simply a question for pastors23700:11:29,200 –> 00:11:32,799in seeking to discern how church money should be used.23800:11:32,799 –> 00:11:34,640It’s a question for all Christians23900:11:34,640 –> 00:11:37,760with regards to our generosity24000:11:37,760 –> 00:11:40,700and particularly for some of us,24100:11:40,700 –> 00:11:42,900these are very real questions24200:11:42,900 –> 00:11:45,859in relation to our own family circle.24300:11:46,900 –> 00:11:49,479How do you know when to help?24400:11:50,700 –> 00:11:54,599And how do you know when to stand back,24500:11:54,679 –> 00:11:58,099especially when money is involved?24600:11:59,520 –> 00:12:03,599Now folks, the Bible is a wonderfully practical book.24700:12:03,599 –> 00:12:06,919And right here in 1 Timothy in Chapter 5,24800:12:06,919 –> 00:12:09,799Paul shows us the path of wisdom24900:12:09,799 –> 00:12:13,559in two abiding principles.25000:12:13,559 –> 00:12:15,719The first is that God’s first provision25100:12:15,719 –> 00:12:17,580comes through the family.25200:12:17,580 –> 00:12:20,520I want you to see how clear that is in the scripture.25300:12:20,520 –> 00:12:22,039It comes again three times25400:12:22,039 –> 00:12:25,440in verse four, verse eight, and verse 16.25500:12:25,440 –> 00:12:27,179Three times, Paul makes it clear25600:12:27,179 –> 00:12:29,119that God’s first provision25700:12:29,119 –> 00:12:32,179is in the circle of the family.25800:12:32,179 –> 00:12:37,179Verse four, if a widow has children or grandchildren,25900:12:37,359 –> 00:12:40,039these should learn first of all26000:12:40,039 –> 00:12:41,940to put their religion into practice26100:12:41,940 –> 00:12:43,460by caring for their own family.26200:12:43,460 –> 00:12:45,880So the responsibility is first within the family.26300:12:45,880 –> 00:12:47,979He’s saying in verse four.26400:12:47,979 –> 00:12:49,780Verse 16 the same thing.26500:12:49,780 –> 00:12:51,520If any woman who is a believer26600:12:51,919 –> 00:12:53,119or has widows in her family,26700:12:53,119 –> 00:12:55,119she should help them,26800:12:55,119 –> 00:12:57,419and her responsibility comes26900:12:57,419 –> 00:13:01,020before the responsibility of the church.27000:13:01,020 –> 00:13:05,679The Bible says it is God who sets the solitary in families.27100:13:05,679 –> 00:13:08,260And where we have members of our own family,27200:13:08,260 –> 00:13:10,099what Paul is saying here,27300:13:10,099 –> 00:13:11,820is where there are needs,27400:13:11,820 –> 00:13:14,099we have a particular responsibility27500:13:14,099 –> 00:13:18,340to consider how we might help.27600:13:18,380 –> 00:13:23,380Verse 8, if anyone does not provide for his own relatives,27700:13:24,020 –> 00:13:27,380and especially for his immediate family,27800:13:27,380 –> 00:13:30,359he has denied the faith27900:13:30,359 –> 00:13:32,900and does worse than an unbeliever.28000:13:32,900 –> 00:13:35,419And you see the point that Paul is making here.28100:13:35,419 –> 00:13:37,299He’s saying, look, even pagans,28200:13:37,299 –> 00:13:40,119even unbelievers in many cases28300:13:40,119 –> 00:13:43,239know what it is to care for their own.28400:13:43,239 –> 00:13:48,260How much more we who know Jesus Christ?28500:13:48,380 –> 00:13:51,359Now, it’s worth thinking for a moment28600:13:51,359 –> 00:13:56,320about how financial support worked in the early world.28700:13:56,320 –> 00:13:59,299In those times, as in many other parts28800:13:59,299 –> 00:14:01,419of the world still today,28900:14:01,419 –> 00:14:05,679financial support for a woman and for her children29000:14:05,679 –> 00:14:09,619came in the form of a dowry.29100:14:09,619 –> 00:14:13,000That is money that followed a woman29200:14:13,000 –> 00:14:17,299into her marriage and was kept there.29300:14:17,299 –> 00:14:21,679The dowry was kept, and if the husband died,29400:14:21,679 –> 00:14:25,400the dowry became the means of financial support29500:14:25,400 –> 00:14:28,119for the widow, and indeed, if there were young children29600:14:28,119 –> 00:14:29,679for the family also.29700:14:30,679 –> 00:14:32,979But what if the dowry has been spent,29800:14:33,919 –> 00:14:37,580then a woman could be in genuine need.29900:14:39,280 –> 00:14:41,500Guys, I don’t know about you when you got married,30000:14:41,500 –> 00:14:44,679but my wife didn’t bring a dowry into the marriage.30100:14:44,859 –> 00:14:49,859But it is my responsibility, as a Christian husband,30200:14:52,859 –> 00:14:57,099to consider how my wife would be provided for30300:14:57,099 –> 00:15:00,020if God should call me home early,30400:15:00,020 –> 00:15:04,400and particularly, that has been my responsibility30500:15:04,400 –> 00:15:07,380during the years of our children growing up.30600:15:08,559 –> 00:15:11,080I found a great way to do this, by the way.30700:15:12,080 –> 00:15:16,799It’s called a life insurance policy,30800:15:16,799 –> 00:15:18,719and I want to tell you I’m receiving30900:15:18,719 –> 00:15:22,380no commissions whatsoever for saying this,31000:15:22,380 –> 00:15:25,239but I’ll tell you, every family should have one.31100:15:25,239 –> 00:15:27,099John Stоть, the great commentator,31200:15:27,099 –> 00:15:29,440says that precisely on this verse.31300:15:29,440 –> 00:15:31,919I was fascinated that he made this point in print.31400:15:31,919 –> 00:15:35,380He says of one, Timothy Chapter 5 in Verse 8,31500:15:35,380 –> 00:15:38,419this verse tells us that it is a fundamental31600:15:38,460 –> 00:15:41,760Christian duty to provide for our relatives.31700:15:42,780 –> 00:15:45,619This is plain biblical warrant, he says,31800:15:45,619 –> 00:15:47,419for a life insurance policy,31900:15:47,419 –> 00:15:49,840which is only a self-imposed savings plan32000:15:49,840 –> 00:15:52,340for the benefit of our dependents.32100:15:52,340 –> 00:15:53,239Christian wisdom,32200:15:55,700 –> 00:15:57,059but there will be some folks32300:15:57,059 –> 00:15:58,799who do not have this kind of provision.32400:15:58,799 –> 00:16:01,599Paul says, now, let’s exercise wisdom32500:16:01,599 –> 00:16:05,599while we have opportunity but let’s also exercise compassion32600:16:06,599 –> 00:16:09,380where such provision has not been made.32700:16:10,479 –> 00:16:13,780And if there is someone in need within your family circle,32800:16:13,780 –> 00:16:15,700then together with other relatives,32900:16:15,700 –> 00:16:18,099you will want to consider33000:16:18,099 –> 00:16:22,000what you might be able to do to help.33100:16:22,000 –> 00:16:23,239And I want you to notice33200:16:23,239 –> 00:16:25,479what Paul says about the motive here.33300:16:25,479 –> 00:16:26,599He gives us two.33400:16:26,599 –> 00:16:28,679He says in verse four,33500:16:28,679 –> 00:16:30,760when you’re caring for other members33600:16:30,760 –> 00:16:34,559within your own family circle and especially33700:16:34,559 –> 00:16:36,239if you are caring,33800:16:36,239 –> 00:16:37,719whether it’d be financially33900:16:37,719 –> 00:16:40,119or whether it be in other forms of support,34000:16:40,119 –> 00:16:43,219if you are caring for elderly parents34100:16:43,219 –> 00:16:48,219or if you are caring for grandparents in need34200:16:48,520 –> 00:16:49,700then you’re doing two things.34300:16:49,700 –> 00:16:51,760He says, verse four, number one,34400:16:51,760 –> 00:16:54,520you are repaying of the good things34500:16:54,520 –> 00:16:56,400that they have poured into your life.34600:16:57,520 –> 00:16:58,739And second, he says,34700:16:58,739 –> 00:17:02,380you are bringing pleasure to the heart of God.34800:17:02,380 –> 00:17:04,420He says, this is pleasing to God.34900:17:05,540 –> 00:17:07,819Don’t you think one of the most poignant35000:17:07,819 –> 00:17:10,040and beautiful moments in all of the suffering35100:17:10,040 –> 00:17:11,859and passion of the Lord Jesus35200:17:12,800 –> 00:17:15,060is when in his agony on the cross,35300:17:15,060 –> 00:17:17,579the Lord Jesus Christ looks down35400:17:17,579 –> 00:17:19,439and he sees John the disciple35500:17:19,439 –> 00:17:21,020and he sees Mary his mother.35600:17:22,400 –> 00:17:26,260Do you remember how John records these poignant words,35700:17:26,260 –> 00:17:28,199how the Lord Jesus said, dear woman,35800:17:28,199 –> 00:17:30,099here is your son.35900:17:30,099 –> 00:17:32,900And then said to John, his disciple, son,36000:17:32,900 –> 00:17:33,739here is your mother.36100:17:34,040 –> 00:17:36,020And John says, from that time,36200:17:36,020 –> 00:17:40,359this disciple took her, took Mary into his own home.36300:17:40,359 –> 00:17:41,619Do you see what’s happening?36400:17:41,619 –> 00:17:44,859That even in his agony on the cross,36500:17:46,319 –> 00:17:51,319the Lord Jesus Christ is providing for the care of his mother36600:17:53,939 –> 00:17:54,959that’s your God.36700:17:56,699 –> 00:17:58,060Though there may have been people in the world36800:17:58,060 –> 00:18:01,060who did not do that for you, but that’s your God.36900:18:02,060 –> 00:18:05,160And what he’s saying here is that,37000:18:05,160 –> 00:18:07,119first we are to take responsibility37100:18:07,119 –> 00:18:08,880within the context of our own family,37200:18:08,880 –> 00:18:11,839but second, as the family of God,37300:18:11,839 –> 00:18:14,760we are to be sensitive and compassionate37400:18:14,760 –> 00:18:19,520towards particular needs within the body of Christ.37500:18:21,219 –> 00:18:23,119Let me give this word of encouragement.37600:18:25,699 –> 00:18:28,280There are many in our congregation37700:18:28,800 –> 00:18:33,099who are doing an amazing job37800:18:33,099 –> 00:18:38,099caring for elderly parents, caring for grandparents.37900:18:39,319 –> 00:18:41,239I want you to hear this today.38000:18:41,239 –> 00:18:46,239Your ministry is a reflection of the heart of God.38100:18:47,380 –> 00:18:48,420It really is.38200:18:49,079 –> 00:18:53,760Paul says this is pleasing to God.38300:18:55,119 –> 00:18:57,599It is a ministry that brings a reflection38400:18:57,660 –> 00:19:02,660of Christ and a touch of the Holy Spirit.38500:19:04,359 –> 00:19:06,640God made a great promise in the Old Testament.38600:19:06,640 –> 00:19:10,400He said, even to your old age and to your gray hairs,38700:19:10,400 –> 00:19:13,199God said, I am he who will sustain you.38800:19:13,199 –> 00:19:17,739So if you are caring for an elderly person,38900:19:18,660 –> 00:19:23,660you are reflecting the promise and the heart of God.39000:19:23,719 –> 00:19:27,040of God, this is not a small thing.39100:19:28,560 –> 00:19:31,560Visitation care, help, compassion,39200:19:33,280 –> 00:19:37,979a reflection of the heart of Jesus Christ.39300:19:40,020 –> 00:19:42,959God’s first provision is through the family.39400:19:44,000 –> 00:19:48,339And then God’s first priority is a godly life.39500:19:48,339 –> 00:19:50,780I want you to see the second principle here.39600:19:50,780 –> 00:19:52,140It’s very important.39700:19:52,180 –> 00:19:54,020Look at verse five and six.39800:19:54,020 –> 00:19:57,619Paul describes here two kinds of widow,39900:19:57,619 –> 00:19:59,420and do you notice the contrast.40000:19:59,420 –> 00:20:02,560He talks about one who puts her hope in God,40100:20:02,560 –> 00:20:07,260and then he talks about another who lives for pleasure.40200:20:07,260 –> 00:20:10,000The widow who is really in need and left all alone40300:20:10,000 –> 00:20:12,979puts her hope in God and continues night and day40400:20:12,979 –> 00:20:15,219to pray and to ask God for help,40500:20:15,219 –> 00:20:18,859but the widow who lives for pleasure40600:20:18,859 –> 00:20:21,719is dead even while she lives.40700:20:21,760 –> 00:20:23,680Talk about spiritual death there.40800:20:24,939 –> 00:20:26,520Now, this introduces a second40900:20:26,520 –> 00:20:29,099and also very important consideration41000:20:29,099 –> 00:20:33,079in discerning how we should help a person in need.41100:20:34,599 –> 00:20:38,079The church should not give in a way that supports41200:20:38,079 –> 00:20:42,500or enables an ungodly lifestyle.41300:20:42,500 –> 00:20:44,520And so it’s right to ask a question41400:20:44,520 –> 00:20:46,020as we’re seeking to discern41500:20:46,020 –> 00:20:48,619what we should do in any situation.41600:20:48,619 –> 00:20:52,880Is this person committed to pursue a godly life?41700:20:53,900 –> 00:20:56,000So here are two very practical questions41800:20:56,000 –> 00:20:57,199that we should consider41900:20:57,199 –> 00:20:59,520when we’re faced with a situation of need.42000:20:59,520 –> 00:21:04,040What provision has God already made for this person?42100:21:04,040 –> 00:21:07,300And what commitment has this person already made42200:21:07,300 –> 00:21:09,420with regards to God?42300:21:10,640 –> 00:21:12,819And Paul is making it clear42400:21:12,819 –> 00:21:16,400that although the family responsibility comes first,42500:21:16,420 –> 00:21:21,260there will be times when God provides for His people42600:21:21,260 –> 00:21:24,520through the kindness that is expressed42700:21:24,520 –> 00:21:27,619within the body of the local church.42800:21:27,619 –> 00:21:29,339When the family is not there42900:21:29,339 –> 00:21:31,719or when the family isn’t interested,43000:21:32,560 –> 00:21:35,099there is the family of God43100:21:35,099 –> 00:21:38,099and we are God’s household.43200:21:39,979 –> 00:21:41,579And unfortunately we have to leave the message43300:21:41,579 –> 00:21:42,420there for today,43400:21:42,420 –> 00:21:43,380but we’ll be back again43500:21:43,380 –> 00:21:45,140with the second part of the message43600:21:45,180 –> 00:21:46,560in tomorrow’s broadcast,43700:21:46,560 –> 00:21:48,140so I hope you’ll join us for that.43800:21:48,140 –> 00:21:51,400The message is called Gospel Compassion43900:21:51,400 –> 00:21:53,079and it’s part of our series44000:21:53,079 –> 00:21:55,88010 Distinctives of a Gospel Centred Church44100:21:55,880 –> 00:21:58,079here on Open the Bible.44200:21:58,079 –> 00:22:00,800If you ever miss one of the messages in the series44300:22:00,800 –> 00:22:01,660you can catch up44400:22:01,660 –> 00:22:03,619and listen to the whole series again44500:22:03,619 –> 00:22:05,380online at our website44600:22:05,380 –> 00:22:08,239openthebible.org.uk44700:22:08,239 –> 00:22:10,439or on your favorite podcast site44800:22:10,439 –> 00:22:13,079search therefore openthebibleuk44900:22:13,140 –> 00:22:15,339or follow the link from our website.45000:22:15,339 –> 00:22:16,319At Open the Bible45100:22:16,319 –> 00:22:18,540we welcome contact with our listeners45200:22:18,540 –> 00:22:19,739you can email us by45300:22:19,739 –> 00:22:22,339using the contact form on our website45400:22:22,339 –> 00:22:24,839openthebible.org.uk45500:22:24,839 –> 00:22:27,300forward slash contact45600:22:27,300 –> 00:22:28,520you can write to us45700:22:28,520 –> 00:22:29,859at Open the Bible45800:22:29,859 –> 00:22:34,859P.O. Box 1420 Cheltenham GL 50 9P.G45900:22:37,020 –> 00:22:38,300or you can phone us46000:22:38,300 –> 00:22:40,140on 033046100:22:41,219 –> 00:22:42,83933546200:22:42,859 –> 00:22:45,000808946300:22:45,000 –> 00:22:47,199If we’re not available when you call46400:22:47,199 –> 00:22:48,300leave a message for us46500:22:48,300 –> 00:22:50,239and we’ll return your call.46600:22:50,239 –> 00:22:51,839All of these contact details46700:22:51,839 –> 00:22:53,579are available on our website46800:22:53,579 –> 00:22:56,939openthebible.org.uk46900:22:56,939 –> 00:22:57,780Open the Bible47000:22:57,780 –> 00:22:59,199is supported by our listeners47100:22:59,199 –> 00:23:00,780It’s people just like you47200:23:00,780 –> 00:23:02,959who enable us to stay on the radio47300:23:02,959 –> 00:23:04,199and on the internet47400:23:04,199 –> 00:23:05,599and we’re extremely grateful47500:23:05,599 –> 00:23:07,560for the support we received from you,47600:23:07,560 –> 00:23:09,699so if you already give to Open the Bible47700:23:09,699 –> 00:23:11,339thank you so much.47800:23:11,359 –> 00:23:13,479if you’re considering beginning to support47900:23:13,479 –> 00:23:15,280Open the Bible financially48000:23:15,280 –> 00:23:17,800this month we have a great offer for you.48100:23:17,800 –> 00:23:20,040If you’re able to begin a direct debit48200:23:20,040 –> 00:23:22,680of £5 per month or more48300:23:22,680 –> 00:23:25,859or a one off gift of £60 or more48400:23:25,859 –> 00:23:27,439we’d love to say thank you48500:23:27,439 –> 00:23:29,000by sending you a copy48600:23:29,000 –> 00:23:30,640of John Stott’s book48700:23:30,640 –> 00:23:32,739The Incomparable Christ.48800:23:32,739 –> 00:23:34,520Colin, what is the one thing48900:23:34,520 –> 00:23:37,199you want people to take away from this book?49000:23:37,199 –> 00:23:39,959Well Jesus once asked His disciples49100:23:39,959 –> 00:23:43,260Who do you say that I am?49200:23:43,260 –> 00:23:45,500That is the most important question49300:23:45,500 –> 00:23:48,619I think that any of us could ever answer.49400:23:48,619 –> 00:23:51,219When you settle in your mind and your heart49500:23:51,219 –> 00:23:52,500who Jesus is49600:23:52,500 –> 00:23:53,939you have really laid a foundation49700:23:53,939 –> 00:23:56,060for your life and for everything else.49800:23:56,060 –> 00:23:58,199You can rest the weight of your life49900:23:58,199 –> 00:24:01,020your death, and your eternity on Him.50000:24:01,020 –> 00:24:03,180And Peter’s answer to that question50100:24:03,180 –> 00:24:05,920When Jesus said Who do you say that I am?50200:24:05,920 –> 00:24:08,839Peter said, You are the Christ.50300:24:08,839 –> 00:24:09,839Now this book50400:24:09,839 –> 00:24:12,119The Incomparable Christ50500:24:12,119 –> 00:24:14,880really lifts up who Jesus is.50600:24:14,880 –> 00:24:18,000How He’s presented to us in the New Testament50700:24:18,000 –> 00:24:19,839How he has been understood50800:24:19,839 –> 00:24:21,400throughout the history of the church50900:24:21,400 –> 00:24:24,300How he’s inspired people through the centuries51000:24:24,300 –> 00:24:26,280And how he will be when we see Him51100:24:26,280 –> 00:24:28,839in His power and His glory when he returns.51200:24:28,839 –> 00:24:30,180It’s a marvellous book51300:24:30,180 –> 00:24:33,119I think it’s the best book you can read about Jesus51400:24:33,119 –> 00:24:35,319The Incomparable Christ51500:24:35,319 –> 00:24:36,839And I think that people will be51600:24:36,920 –> 00:24:38,880greatly blessed by this book51700:24:38,880 –> 00:24:40,439Well this book by John Stott51800:24:40,439 –> 00:24:41,880The Incomparable Christ51900:24:41,880 –> 00:24:43,199is out gift to you52000:24:43,199 –> 00:24:45,199When you begin a new direct debit52100:24:45,199 –> 00:24:46,959to the work of Open The Bible52200:24:46,959 –> 00:24:50,020in the amount of £5 per month or more52300:24:50,020 –> 00:24:54,239Or a one off gift of £60 or more this month52400:24:54,239 –> 00:24:56,500Full terms and conditions are on our website52500:24:56,500 –> 00:25:00,119that’s at openthebible.org.uk52600:25:00,119 –> 00:25:02,119and you can give online52700:25:02,119 –> 00:25:04,719don’t forget to leave your full name and address52800:25:04,719 –> 00:25:07,640so we can send you your free gift52900:25:07,640 –> 00:25:10,000For Open The Bible and Pastor Colin Smith53000:25:10,000 –> 00:25:11,180I’m David Pick53100:25:11,180 –> 00:25:12,939and I look forward to you joining us again53200:25:12,939 –> 00:25:14,040for our next program53300:25:22,459 –> 00:25:25,199When godly people ask God for help53400:25:25,199 –> 00:25:27,239how does he answer?53500:25:27,239 –> 00:25:29,260Find out next time on Open The Bible