100:00:01,000 –> 00:00:06,620There are some wonderful things that will happen200:00:06,620 –> 00:00:09,740in our lives as we grow in hope,300:00:09,740 –> 00:00:13,360and I called this hope surprising outcomes400:00:13,360 –> 00:00:17,840because really the range of what comes out of growing500:00:17,840 –> 00:00:20,920in the hope is quite spectacular.600:00:20,920 –> 00:00:23,799Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.700:00:23,799 –> 00:00:24,680I’m David Pick.800:00:24,680 –> 00:00:26,840I’m glad you could join us on the program today.900:00:26,840 –> 00:00:28,360And Colin, I know there’s much more1000:00:28,459 –> 00:00:29,500to come in today’s message,1100:00:29,500 –> 00:00:32,939but as we think about some surprising results1200:00:32,939 –> 00:00:36,660in growing in hope, which one surprised you the most?1300:00:36,660 –> 00:00:38,020Well, probably the first one1400:00:38,020 –> 00:00:39,880that we’re going to look at today, actually,1500:00:39,880 –> 00:00:44,400that as we grow in hope, we will become a better witness.1600:00:44,400 –> 00:00:46,439That wouldn’t be the first thing that comes to my mind,1700:00:46,439 –> 00:00:49,840but it’s very clear in what the apostle Peter says1800:00:49,840 –> 00:00:54,840that it’s giving a reason for the hope that is in you1900:00:55,240 –> 00:00:58,080that were to do with gentleness and respect.2000:00:58,080 –> 00:01:00,639That’s how we point to the Lord Jesus Christ.2100:01:00,639 –> 00:01:02,580We’re not going to be effective witnesses2200:01:02,580 –> 00:01:04,180if we’re not people of hope,2300:01:04,180 –> 00:01:06,419and the danger is for Christian believers2400:01:06,419 –> 00:01:09,699to become so discouraged by the state of the world2500:01:09,699 –> 00:01:12,800that we become people marked by despair,2600:01:12,800 –> 00:01:15,059whereas, actually, what we’re called to2700:01:15,059 –> 00:01:16,879is to be people who are so confident2800:01:16,879 –> 00:01:19,660in the ultimate triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ2900:01:19,660 –> 00:01:23,779that we’re different from the gloom and doom3000:01:23,779 –> 00:01:26,940that is around us with people on all sides,3100:01:26,980 –> 00:01:29,959because we’ve got our eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ3200:01:29,959 –> 00:01:31,860and the living hope that he brings,3300:01:31,860 –> 00:01:33,260and there’s something compelling3400:01:33,260 –> 00:01:35,540and wonderfully attractive about that.3500:01:35,540 –> 00:01:38,339But that’s just the first of the surprising outcomes3600:01:38,339 –> 00:01:40,760and we’re going to look today and next time3700:01:40,760 –> 00:01:43,099at another three in addition, as well.3800:01:43,099 –> 00:01:47,400Let’s look at that, starting in Romans 8, verse 18 today,3900:01:47,400 –> 00:01:50,580as we begin the message Hope’s Surprising Outcomes.4000:01:50,580 –> 00:01:52,739Here is Pastor Colin.4100:01:52,739 –> 00:01:54,300Now over these last weeks,4200:01:54,300 –> 00:01:56,379we’ve been asking the question,4300:01:56,379 –> 00:02:00,120how can I grow in hope?4400:02:00,120 –> 00:02:02,419And we’ve identified over these weeks4500:02:02,419 –> 00:02:05,94010 distinct strategies from the scriptures4600:02:05,940 –> 00:02:07,139that we’ve looked at.4700:02:07,139 –> 00:02:11,600From David, we learned that hope comes from God,4800:02:11,600 –> 00:02:15,899and we saw from his example that if we’re to grow in hope,4900:02:15,899 –> 00:02:18,820we must speak honestly to God,5000:02:18,820 –> 00:02:20,759we must challenge ourselves,5100:02:20,759 –> 00:02:24,020especially in relation to our darkest thoughts,5200:02:24,020 –> 00:02:27,300we must affirm what we know to be true,5300:02:27,300 –> 00:02:32,059and we must wait expectantly on God.5400:02:32,059 –> 00:02:34,539Then we learned from the apostle Paul5500:02:34,539 –> 00:02:36,580that hope comes not only from God,5600:02:36,580 –> 00:02:39,600but it comes through the Lord Jesus Christ.5700:02:39,600 –> 00:02:43,759Christ in you, the hope of glory,5800:02:43,759 –> 00:02:46,860and we saw there that to grow in hope,5900:02:46,860 –> 00:02:50,580we need to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,6000:02:50,580 –> 00:02:53,720we need to enjoy what He has already given,6100:02:53,720 –> 00:02:55,759and we need to anticipate6200:02:55,759 –> 00:02:58,759what he has promised for the future.6300:02:58,759 –> 00:03:01,199And then last week, we saw that hope comes6400:03:01,199 –> 00:03:03,600not only from God and through Christ,6500:03:03,600 –> 00:03:06,240but it comes by grace.6600:03:06,240 –> 00:03:08,619And we saw that if we would grow in hope,6700:03:08,619 –> 00:03:12,839we must think often about the love of God,6800:03:12,839 –> 00:03:15,960we must stop counting the good that we have done,6900:03:15,960 –> 00:03:20,960and we must receive what God gives by faith.7000:03:21,919 –> 00:03:26,919Now, today I want us to see the outcome of growing in hope.7100:03:27,600 –> 00:03:30,360What happens if we pursue these strategies?7200:03:30,360 –> 00:03:33,160There are some wonderful things that will happen7300:03:33,160 –> 00:03:36,300in our lives as we grow in hope.7400:03:36,300 –> 00:03:39,860And I’ve called this hope surprising outcomes7500:03:39,860 –> 00:03:43,520because really the range of what comes out7600:03:43,520 –> 00:03:47,779of growing in hope is quite spectacular.7700:03:48,300 –> 00:03:52,779We’re going to look today at four distinct blessings7800:03:52,779 –> 00:03:55,979that we will enjoy in increasing measure7900:03:55,979 –> 00:03:58,919as we grow in hope.8000:03:58,919 –> 00:04:03,740Grow in hope and you will be a better witness.8100:04:03,740 –> 00:04:08,740Grow in hope and you will lead a purer life.8200:04:08,860 –> 00:04:13,539Grow in hope and you will enjoy a deeper comfort.8300:04:13,539 –> 00:04:18,540Grow in hope and you will experience greater strength.8400:04:19,420 –> 00:04:20,940Now we’re going to look at these four things8500:04:20,940 –> 00:04:23,940from four distinct passages of scripture here8600:04:23,940 –> 00:04:28,940and I want us to begin in 1 Peter 3 and verse 15.8700:04:29,500 –> 00:04:32,720Growing hope and you will be a better witness.8800:04:32,720 –> 00:04:34,739Look at what Peter says.8900:04:34,739 –> 00:04:39,739Always being prepared to make a defence9000:04:40,339 –> 00:04:44,720to anyone who asks you for a reason9100:04:44,720 –> 00:04:47,760for the hope that is in you.9200:04:48,700 –> 00:04:52,980Yet do this with gentleness and respect.9300:04:54,579 –> 00:04:58,059Now hope is only surprising9400:04:58,059 –> 00:05:00,579when it looks like you’re losing.9500:05:00,579 –> 00:05:04,299I mean if your team is five goals down9600:05:04,299 –> 00:05:06,200with seven minutes to play,9700:05:06,200 –> 00:05:08,779well the fans are more likely to be heading for the exits9800:05:08,779 –> 00:05:12,239than to be singing songs of hope and of joy.9900:05:13,540 –> 00:05:16,660No one would be surprised10000:05:16,660 –> 00:05:18,320if a person was full of hope10100:05:18,320 –> 00:05:22,100on the day that they began a new job10200:05:22,100 –> 00:05:24,040but if a person was full of hope10300:05:24,040 –> 00:05:25,859on the day that their company let them go,10400:05:25,859 –> 00:05:28,399well that would be quite surprising.10500:05:29,579 –> 00:05:34,500No one would be surprised if a person is full of hope10600:05:34,500 –> 00:05:36,000if the doctor tells them10700:05:36,000 –> 00:05:37,980that they are going to make a full recovery10800:05:38,019 –> 00:05:39,500from the particular illness10900:05:39,500 –> 00:05:41,179that they have suffered.11000:05:42,100 –> 00:05:45,279But what would be very surprising11100:05:45,279 –> 00:05:49,799would be a person who was full of hope11200:05:49,799 –> 00:05:51,260when the doctor told them11300:05:51,260 –> 00:05:52,980that there was no more treatment11400:05:52,980 –> 00:05:56,019that he or she could give.11500:05:57,440 –> 00:05:59,899Now, I want you to think about11600:05:59,899 –> 00:06:02,420the position of these early believers11700:06:02,420 –> 00:06:07,040and how striking and even surprising it is11800:06:07,040 –> 00:06:09,380that they should have been marked11900:06:09,380 –> 00:06:11,160by this marvelous hope.12000:06:12,119 –> 00:06:15,160These early believers lived in times12100:06:15,160 –> 00:06:18,000much worse than ours.12200:06:18,880 –> 00:06:21,399Some of them suffered the confiscation12300:06:21,399 –> 00:06:23,540of their property.12400:06:23,540 –> 00:06:27,079Some would be thrown to lions12500:06:27,079 –> 00:06:30,519for the amusement of vast crowds in great arenas.12600:06:31,440 –> 00:06:35,100They lived in a sick culture,12700:06:35,160 –> 00:06:37,760in terminal decline12800:06:37,760 –> 00:06:41,540and yet what they were known for12900:06:41,540 –> 00:06:43,700was their irrepressible hope.13000:06:44,880 –> 00:06:48,600Secular people simply could not understand it.13100:06:49,519 –> 00:06:52,079Nothing in the world is going your way.13200:06:53,220 –> 00:06:56,279All the forces of business and education13300:06:56,279 –> 00:06:58,320and entertainment and politics,13400:06:58,320 –> 00:06:59,799they’re all against you.13500:06:59,799 –> 00:07:02,679You’re a tiny oppressed minority13600:07:02,679 –> 00:07:04,279and yet you are full of hope.13700:07:04,299 –> 00:07:05,440How come?13800:07:06,640 –> 00:07:11,119How can you be so full of hope in a world like this?13900:07:11,980 –> 00:07:16,980And Peter says you’d better be ready to give an answer.14000:07:17,500 –> 00:07:22,500You better be ready to explain that your hope is in God14100:07:22,820 –> 00:07:27,459and it’s through Christ and it’s by grace.14200:07:28,899 –> 00:07:33,420Hope was the distinctive mark of the early Christians.14300:07:33,440 –> 00:07:36,339It was actually the first thing that people saw.14400:07:36,339 –> 00:07:40,359It was very striking because it was so surprising.14500:07:40,359 –> 00:07:43,380There was a quiet confidence about them.14600:07:43,380 –> 00:07:48,380A strength, a resilience, a sense of looking forward.14700:07:51,600 –> 00:07:54,940When people saw it, they didn’t know what to make of it,14800:07:55,839 –> 00:07:57,420couldn’t understand it.14900:07:57,420 –> 00:08:02,420And because hope is so clearly such a good15000:08:02,500 –> 00:08:07,359and desirable thing, people’s interest was aroused.15100:08:07,359 –> 00:08:08,440People wanted to know,15200:08:08,440 –> 00:08:12,640what is it that makes these people so hopeful?15300:08:12,640 –> 00:08:14,519That’s the point of this verse.15400:08:16,720 –> 00:08:19,839Now, it seems to me that growing in hope, therefore,15500:08:19,839 –> 00:08:23,739is vital for our Christian witness.15600:08:23,739 –> 00:08:26,399For us to shine like lights in the world15700:08:26,399 –> 00:08:28,660we must grow in hope.15800:08:29,619 –> 00:08:32,979We should never assume the people will have15900:08:32,979 –> 00:08:35,900an immediate interest in our church,16000:08:35,900 –> 00:08:38,960our doctrine or our way of life.16100:08:40,020 –> 00:08:43,719Interest has to be stimulated.16200:08:43,719 –> 00:08:48,020And the best way to arouse interest16300:08:48,020 –> 00:08:52,359is the obvious attraction of living hope.16400:08:53,539 –> 00:08:56,580And this is why we must have our minds fixed16500:08:56,580 –> 00:08:58,619on the glorious future16600:08:58,619 –> 00:09:01,159that lies ahead of every Christian believer.16700:09:01,159 –> 00:09:04,820Christ in you, the hope of glory.16800:09:05,739 –> 00:09:09,659If we lose sight of our glorious future,16900:09:09,659 –> 00:09:14,460well, we would lose our distinctive mark of hope.17000:09:14,460 –> 00:09:17,780We’d become as miserable and as embattled17100:09:17,780 –> 00:09:20,419does everyone else seems to be.17200:09:22,000 –> 00:09:25,059And we’d no longer have an effective witness17300:09:25,099 –> 00:09:27,719that’s distinctively different17400:09:27,719 –> 00:09:30,119that points to our Lord Jesus Christ.17500:09:31,299 –> 00:09:35,260Now, that is why growing in faith and hope and love17600:09:35,260 –> 00:09:39,460is at the center of the mission of our church.17700:09:40,460 –> 00:09:43,679Grow in faith, hope, and love,17800:09:45,299 –> 00:09:48,260and we will be shining lights in this dark world.17900:09:49,799 –> 00:09:51,960We will not be habitually angry,18000:09:53,099 –> 00:09:54,460we’ll not be afraid.18100:09:55,520 –> 00:10:00,520We’ll show courtesy and respect as Peter puts it here,18200:10:01,119 –> 00:10:04,900even to people who hate what we stand for.18300:10:06,919 –> 00:10:10,260And people who do not believe will wonder,18400:10:11,479 –> 00:10:13,219why are you like this?18500:10:15,219 –> 00:10:17,099Where does it come from?18600:10:18,580 –> 00:10:21,799What is the reason18700:10:21,799 –> 00:10:24,219for the hope that is in you?18800:10:24,239 –> 00:10:27,239That’s the point of this verse.18900:10:27,239 –> 00:10:29,239So, I want us to see and to take this in,19000:10:29,239 –> 00:10:31,840that growing in hope19100:10:31,840 –> 00:10:34,500is vital to our witness to the world.19200:10:34,500 –> 00:10:38,179That is why we need to build these 10 strategies19300:10:38,179 –> 00:10:39,940that we’ve been learning over these last weeks19400:10:39,940 –> 00:10:41,520into our lives.19500:10:41,520 –> 00:10:43,820We must speak honestly to God.19600:10:43,820 –> 00:10:45,559We must challenge ourselves,19700:10:45,559 –> 00:10:48,140especially in relation to our own darkest thoughts.19800:10:48,140 –> 00:10:50,979We must affirm what we know to be true.19900:10:50,979 –> 00:10:53,679We must wait expectantly on God.20000:10:53,679 –> 00:10:57,359We must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.20100:10:57,359 –> 00:11:00,200We must enjoy what He has given to us now.20200:11:00,200 –> 00:11:03,200We must anticipate what He has yet promised.20300:11:03,200 –> 00:11:07,260We must think often about the love of God.20400:11:07,260 –> 00:11:10,640We must stop counting the good we have done,20500:11:10,640 –> 00:11:15,179and we must receive what God gives by faith.20600:11:16,640 –> 00:11:19,599Now, if we grow in hope,20700:11:20,539 –> 00:11:25,539we will shine like light in the world.20800:11:25,840 –> 00:11:29,820And you know, the darker this world becomes,20900:11:29,820 –> 00:11:34,179the brighter the light of hope will shine.21000:11:35,239 –> 00:11:36,320You’re listening to Open the Bible21100:11:36,320 –> 00:11:37,880with Pastor Colin Smith,21200:11:37,880 –> 00:11:41,179and a message called Hope’s Surprising Outcomes.21300:11:41,179 –> 00:11:43,940We’ve been seeing how if you grow in hope21400:11:43,940 –> 00:11:45,520you will be a better witness.21500:11:45,520 –> 00:11:47,239And when we come back shortly,21600:11:47,239 –> 00:11:48,840we’ll hear how growing in hope21700:11:48,880 –> 00:11:50,659will help us live a purer life,21800:11:50,659 –> 00:11:52,880so do stay for that.21900:11:52,880 –> 00:11:55,440If you’ve ever missed one of the messages in the series22000:11:55,440 –> 00:11:57,640or if you want to listen to any of them again,22100:11:57,640 –> 00:11:59,320you can do that by coming online22200:11:59,320 –> 00:12:02,919to openthebible.org.uk.22300:12:02,919 –> 00:12:06,520Also, you’ll find us on all the main podcast sites22400:12:06,520 –> 00:12:08,239and those are easily found22500:12:08,239 –> 00:12:11,739by searching for Open the Bible UK.22600:12:11,739 –> 00:12:13,340Back to the message now,22700:12:13,340 –> 00:12:16,239we’re in Romans eight, verse 18.22800:12:16,239 –> 00:12:17,919Here again is Pastor Colin.22900:12:17,940 –> 00:12:22,320Grow in hope, and you will be a better witness.23000:12:23,320 –> 00:12:26,140That’s the first thing and here’s the second.23100:12:27,239 –> 00:12:32,239Grow in hope, and you will live a purer life.23200:12:33,880 –> 00:12:35,900Now, this is a wonderful outcome23300:12:35,900 –> 00:12:38,440and I want us to spend some time on it today.23400:12:39,599 –> 00:12:42,500First John chapter three verses two and three.23500:12:43,340 –> 00:12:48,340Beloved, we are God’s children now23600:12:49,280 –> 00:12:53,020and what we will be has not yet appeared.23700:12:54,159 –> 00:12:59,159But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him23800:13:01,619 –> 00:13:04,659because we shall see him as he is.23900:13:05,820 –> 00:13:10,820And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself24000:13:11,719 –> 00:13:15,820as he that is the Lord Jesus Christ is pure.24100:13:17,479 –> 00:13:21,080Now, these are surely among the most remarkable words24200:13:21,080 –> 00:13:22,979that have ever been written.24300:13:23,960 –> 00:13:27,479They describe our glorious hope.24400:13:28,440 –> 00:13:33,179They tell us how our glorious future24500:13:33,179 –> 00:13:37,679actually changes the way that we live right now.24600:13:37,679 –> 00:13:41,700Now, I want you to notice that John makes five distinct24700:13:41,700 –> 00:13:45,400and very wonderful affirmations.24800:13:45,400 –> 00:13:50,400First, we are God’s children now.24900:13:53,039 –> 00:13:58,039You become a child by birth, not by behavior.25000:13:58,760 –> 00:14:02,359And when you are born again of the Spirit of God,25100:14:02,359 –> 00:14:06,159you are as much a child of God as you will ever be.25200:14:06,799 –> 00:14:08,640You don’t become more a child of God25300:14:08,640 –> 00:14:10,780as you progress in the Christian life.25400:14:10,780 –> 00:14:12,760You are born into this25500:14:12,760 –> 00:14:17,039when you are born again of the Spirit of God.25600:14:17,039 –> 00:14:22,039That means that you are as much a child of God25700:14:22,320 –> 00:14:27,320on your worst day as you are on your best day.25800:14:27,719 –> 00:14:31,799It means that you are as much a child of God now25900:14:31,799 –> 00:14:34,400as you will be when you’re surrounded26000:14:34,400 –> 00:14:38,200by His glory in His immediate presence in heaven.26100:14:40,679 –> 00:14:43,020John makes this very clear in his gospel.26200:14:44,080 –> 00:14:47,219To those who receive Him,26300:14:48,359 –> 00:14:51,440to those who believe in Him,26400:14:52,859 –> 00:14:56,159they have the right to be called children of God26500:14:56,159 –> 00:15:00,780because they are born of God.26600:15:01,479 –> 00:15:05,039And to those who believe,26700:15:05,039 –> 00:15:10,039John says here we are God’s children now.26800:15:12,739 –> 00:15:14,039And then he says this,26900:15:15,280 –> 00:15:18,700what we will be has not yet appeared.27000:15:19,940 –> 00:15:21,340We’re God’s children,27100:15:22,419 –> 00:15:25,140but right now it doesn’t look like it.27200:15:26,380 –> 00:15:29,539It certainly doesn’t look like it when we suffer.27300:15:29,979 –> 00:15:32,580You know, you visit a believer in a hospital,27400:15:32,580 –> 00:15:35,380you sit with a believer who has a broken heart.27500:15:35,380 –> 00:15:37,979And the question that arises is27600:15:37,979 –> 00:15:40,619well if we’re really God’s children,27700:15:40,619 –> 00:15:44,280is God not able to do something better for us than this?27800:15:46,039 –> 00:15:49,880Yes, says John, we’re God’s children,27900:15:50,820 –> 00:15:52,000we’re God’s children now,28000:15:52,000 –> 00:15:54,119but it doesn’t look like it when we suffer,28100:15:54,119 –> 00:15:56,580certainly doesn’t look like it when we die.28200:15:56,979 –> 00:16:01,979I, we pass through the same dark valley as anyone else.28300:16:03,440 –> 00:16:07,419Strength seeps away from the body28400:16:07,419 –> 00:16:10,059until life itself is gone.28500:16:11,400 –> 00:16:13,580And so sometimes we find ourselves struggling28600:16:13,580 –> 00:16:15,460with some very profound questions.28700:16:15,460 –> 00:16:19,739Why does God sometimes seem to prosper his enemies28800:16:19,739 –> 00:16:21,940more than he blesses his friends?28900:16:23,239 –> 00:16:26,200If I’m really a child of God,29000:16:26,820 –> 00:16:28,619why does he allow this?29100:16:30,080 –> 00:16:33,340Now, you see, there is an incongruity here.29200:16:33,340 –> 00:16:35,799There is an apparent contradiction.29300:16:35,799 –> 00:16:37,820We are God’s children now,29400:16:37,820 –> 00:16:41,619but what we will be has not yet appeared.29500:16:41,619 –> 00:16:46,020How are you going to resolve this contradiction?29600:16:47,580 –> 00:16:51,539Well, you know, when you face the incongruity,29700:16:51,539 –> 00:16:55,099there are two paths that lie before you.29800:16:55,140 –> 00:16:58,299They both go in very different directions29900:16:58,299 –> 00:17:01,679and, therefore, lead to very, very different places.30000:17:02,739 –> 00:17:06,439One path is simply to doubt who you are.30100:17:07,300 –> 00:17:12,300Well, perhaps I’m not a child of God, after all,30200:17:13,699 –> 00:17:16,819and, of course, that is the path of unbelief,30300:17:17,780 –> 00:17:20,160and it leads into great darkness.30400:17:21,739 –> 00:17:23,380What John does for us here30500:17:23,380 –> 00:17:26,260is he points to a better path.30600:17:27,099 –> 00:17:30,420Instead of doubting who you are,30700:17:30,420 –> 00:17:33,300anticipate what you will be.30800:17:34,540 –> 00:17:35,579That’s what he says here.30900:17:35,579 –> 00:17:39,800What we will be has not yet appeared.31000:17:40,760 –> 00:17:44,619When you look at the suffering of your own life31100:17:44,619 –> 00:17:46,680or the suffering that is in the life31200:17:46,680 –> 00:17:49,380of another Christian believer,31300:17:49,380 –> 00:17:52,660remember that you are not seeing the full picture.31400:17:53,920 –> 00:17:55,699Well, you say, what is the full picture?31500:17:55,699 –> 00:17:57,640Well, John tells us,31600:17:58,660 –> 00:18:03,660when he appears then we shall be like him.31700:18:05,300 –> 00:18:06,640When he appears,31800:18:07,920 –> 00:18:12,760our risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ31900:18:12,760 –> 00:18:17,099will return in power and in glory he will appear.32000:18:18,060 –> 00:18:20,739And when he appears,32100:18:20,760 –> 00:18:23,819we will be like him.32200:18:26,020 –> 00:18:28,459Now, there are some ways32300:18:28,459 –> 00:18:32,660in which we are like the Lord Jesus Christ already.32400:18:32,660 –> 00:18:37,380Remember, that the Lord Jesus Christ became like us.32500:18:37,380 –> 00:18:39,979From all eternity, he shared the life32600:18:39,979 –> 00:18:42,500and glory of God the Father.32700:18:42,500 –> 00:18:45,660He has always been at the Father’s side,32800:18:45,660 –> 00:18:48,459but when he came into the world,32900:18:49,380 –> 00:18:53,260he had to walk by faith, not by sight.33000:18:54,380 –> 00:18:55,780He needed to pray.33100:18:56,699 –> 00:18:59,339He knew what it was to be hungry,33200:18:59,339 –> 00:19:00,900to weep,33300:19:00,900 –> 00:19:03,939to fall asleep exhausted.33400:19:03,939 –> 00:19:05,699He knew what it was to wrestle33500:19:05,699 –> 00:19:08,540with the cost of commitment to God’s own will.33600:19:09,479 –> 00:19:12,300The Lord Jesus Christ became like us.33700:19:13,380 –> 00:19:18,099He had to endure the taunts of unbelieving siblings.33800:19:19,140 –> 00:19:23,540He suffered physical pain, mental anguish.33900:19:24,819 –> 00:19:26,680He was betrayed by his friends.34000:19:26,680 –> 00:19:29,540He was falsely accused by his enemies.34100:19:30,660 –> 00:19:32,099He carried a cross34200:19:33,339 –> 00:19:37,859and he went right into the valley of the shadow of death.34300:19:39,900 –> 00:19:43,739The Lord Jesus Christ became like us34400:19:43,739 –> 00:19:46,719in the pain and suffering of his incarnation,34500:19:47,479 –> 00:19:50,520so that we might become like him34600:19:50,520 –> 00:19:52,760in the glory of his resurrection.34700:19:53,800 –> 00:19:55,319And that’s our living hope.34800:19:56,300 –> 00:19:58,040And the apostle Paul speaks of it34900:19:58,040 –> 00:20:00,900in 2 Corinthians chapter four,35000:20:00,900 –> 00:20:02,199where he speaks about35100:20:02,199 –> 00:20:04,819how as part of our Christian experience,35200:20:04,819 –> 00:20:09,479we find ourselves afflicted and perplexed35300:20:09,479 –> 00:20:12,959and persecuted and struck down.35400:20:14,239 –> 00:20:15,660So then the question is,35500:20:16,239 –> 00:20:18,459well then why are we not crushed?35600:20:18,459 –> 00:20:20,719Why are we not driven to despair?35700:20:20,719 –> 00:20:22,300Why are we not destroyed?35800:20:22,300 –> 00:20:24,180And the answer he gives us this,35900:20:24,180 –> 00:20:28,660we know that he who raised the Lord Jesus36000:20:28,660 –> 00:20:31,459will also raise us with Jesus36100:20:31,459 –> 00:20:34,180and bring us into his presence.36200:20:34,180 –> 00:20:35,739We have this living hope36300:20:37,319 –> 00:20:40,219and that is why we press forward.36400:20:40,219 –> 00:20:42,880So, you see when you feel the tension,36500:20:42,880 –> 00:20:45,280when you feel the contradiction36600:20:45,280 –> 00:20:48,219of being a child of God on the one hand36700:20:48,219 –> 00:20:50,260and then the pain and suffering of life36800:20:50,260 –> 00:20:52,560in this world on the other hand,36900:20:52,560 –> 00:20:55,619don’t resolve it by denying who you are.37000:20:57,219 –> 00:21:02,140Resolve it by anticipating what you will be.37100:21:03,420 –> 00:21:06,219And your faith will stand37200:21:06,219 –> 00:21:08,939as you look to the glorious return37300:21:08,939 –> 00:21:10,640of the Lord, Jesus Christ37400:21:10,640 –> 00:21:13,260and find hope in what you will be37500:21:14,260 –> 00:21:16,959when he appears,37600:21:16,959 –> 00:21:20,420we shall be like him.37700:21:21,439 –> 00:21:22,880Master Colin Smith there37800:21:22,880 –> 00:21:25,359with our message Hope’s Surprising Outcomes37900:21:25,359 –> 00:21:27,959and we’ve been hearing how when you grow in hope38000:21:27,959 –> 00:21:29,859you will be both a better witness38100:21:29,859 –> 00:21:33,079and you’ll also live a purer life.38200:21:33,079 –> 00:21:35,699Two more surprising outcomes in our next broadcast38300:21:35,699 –> 00:21:38,160so do please join us for that.38400:21:38,160 –> 00:21:39,939A message Hope’s Surprising Outcomes38500:21:39,939 –> 00:21:42,140is part of the series Grow In Hope38600:21:42,180 –> 00:21:43,920and if you’ve missed any of the series38700:21:43,920 –> 00:21:46,099you can catch up or go back and listen again38800:21:46,099 –> 00:21:47,880by coming online to our website38900:21:47,880 –> 00:21:51,020openthebible.org.uk39000:21:51,020 –> 00:21:54,140or tune into your favorite podcast service39100:21:54,140 –> 00:21:56,380and search for Open The Bible UK39200:21:56,380 –> 00:21:59,959there you’ll also find all of Pastor Colin Smith’s messages39300:21:59,959 –> 00:22:02,520which have already gone out on air.39400:22:02,520 –> 00:22:05,420What if you could go on a hike with Pastor Colin39500:22:05,420 –> 00:22:07,060through the Bible story,39600:22:07,060 –> 00:22:08,920see how it all fits together39700:22:08,920 –> 00:22:11,500and how it all points to Jesus.39800:22:11,619 –> 00:22:14,540Well, now you can with the new podcast39900:22:14,540 –> 00:22:16,099Hike Through The Bible.40000:22:16,099 –> 00:22:17,959Yeah and this is for everyone40100:22:17,959 –> 00:22:20,300who wants to understand the Bible better40200:22:20,300 –> 00:22:23,219and for everyone who wants to love Jesus more.40300:22:23,219 –> 00:22:26,479In each episode I’ll read a chapter from my book40400:22:26,479 –> 00:22:27,800Hike Through The Bible40500:22:27,800 –> 00:22:30,099and then I’ll discuss it with some friends.40600:22:30,099 –> 00:22:32,640A new episode releases every week40700:22:32,640 –> 00:22:36,020and so you can take this hike at a gentle pace.40800:22:36,020 –> 00:22:39,819In a year you’ll have covered the entire bible story.40900:22:39,839 –> 00:22:42,939I really hope that you’ll join me on this journey41000:22:42,939 –> 00:22:45,439and it’s not too late to get started now.41100:22:45,439 –> 00:22:46,739Well, you can subscribe41200:22:46,739 –> 00:22:48,819to Hike Through The Bible podcast41300:22:48,819 –> 00:22:50,420wherever you get your podcasts41400:22:50,420 –> 00:22:53,020and you can find out more information41500:22:53,020 –> 00:22:54,339on our website41600:22:54,339 –> 00:22:57,560openthebible.org.uk41700:22:57,560 –> 00:23:00,140Open The Bible is supported by our listeners.41800:23:00,140 –> 00:23:02,739We’re able to bring you Pastor Collin’s teaching41900:23:02,739 –> 00:23:05,560on the radio, internet, and podcasts42000:23:05,560 –> 00:23:09,119as a result of the generosity of listeners like you.42100:23:09,140 –> 00:23:11,400If you already give to support our work,42200:23:11,400 –> 00:23:14,560thank you so much, we do appreciate it.42300:23:14,560 –> 00:23:16,280This month, when you begin to support42400:23:16,280 –> 00:23:18,040Open The Bible for the first time,42500:23:18,040 –> 00:23:19,479we’d love to say thank you42600:23:19,479 –> 00:23:21,520by sending you a copy of Pastor Collin’s42700:23:21,520 –> 00:23:23,760brand new book, Grow in Faith.42800:23:23,760 –> 00:23:26,760This devotional book is not yet available in the UK42900:23:26,760 –> 00:23:29,520so our offer is very exclusive.43000:23:29,520 –> 00:23:31,000Collin, what is the one thing43100:23:31,000 –> 00:23:33,439that you want people to take away from this book?43200:23:33,439 –> 00:23:36,000Well, this is a book for ordinary Christians.43300:23:36,000 –> 00:23:37,680You talk about growing in faith,43400:23:37,680 –> 00:23:39,400someone might think, well, you know,43500:23:39,400 –> 00:23:40,959I’m no giant of the faith,43600:23:40,959 –> 00:23:42,780so that’s probably not for me.43700:23:42,780 –> 00:23:46,599Well, you know Jesus spoke on five occasions43800:23:46,599 –> 00:23:48,859about people with little faith.43900:23:48,859 –> 00:23:51,060Oh you of little faith!44000:23:51,060 –> 00:23:55,119And that’s where we start in this book, Grow in Faith.44100:23:55,119 –> 00:23:57,520If you feel that your faith is small,44200:23:57,520 –> 00:24:00,020this is exactly for you.44300:24:00,020 –> 00:24:03,140It’s a place from which you can begin to grow.44400:24:03,140 –> 00:24:05,099And you know, there are two wonderful things44500:24:05,099 –> 00:24:07,079about little faith.44600:24:07,140 –> 00:24:11,780One is that little faith is saving faith44700:24:11,780 –> 00:24:14,599if it is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.44800:24:14,599 –> 00:24:16,780And the other is that little faith,44900:24:16,780 –> 00:24:18,780because faith is a living thing,45000:24:18,780 –> 00:24:20,380is faith that really can grow.45100:24:20,380 –> 00:24:23,180And I think that this book will help people45200:24:23,180 –> 00:24:26,140to grow in faith, that’s our hope and our prayer45300:24:26,140 –> 00:24:28,699as we’ve been working on it and preparing it,45400:24:28,699 –> 00:24:31,839and I hope that it’s going to be a real blessing to you.45500:24:31,839 –> 00:24:34,180Well, Pastor Collins’ book, Grow in Faith,45600:24:34,180 –> 00:24:36,739is a special offer to you this month45700:24:36,760 –> 00:24:38,880when you support Open the Bible financially45800:24:38,880 –> 00:24:40,140for the first time,45900:24:40,140 –> 00:24:42,859with a one-off gift of 0.60 or more,46000:24:42,859 –> 00:24:47,420or a monthly direct debit of 0.05 per month or more.46100:24:47,420 –> 00:24:50,380Full terms and conditions are on our website,46200:24:50,380 –> 00:24:55,260that’s at openthebible.org.uk and you can give online.46300:24:55,260 –> 00:24:58,280Please do remember to leave your full name and address46400:24:58,280 –> 00:24:59,640when you set up your payment46500:24:59,640 –> 00:25:02,560so we can send you your free gift.46600:25:02,560 –> 00:25:04,920For Open the Bible and Pastor Collin Smith,46700:25:04,920 –> 00:25:07,819I’m David Pig and I look forward to you joining us again46800:25:07,819 –> 00:25:10,040next time on Open the Bible.46900:25:21,180 –> 00:25:22,719There are some wonderful things47000:25:22,719 –> 00:25:26,020which will happen in your life as you grow in hope.47100:25:26,020 –> 00:25:29,459Find out what they are next time on Open the Bible.