100:00:00,000 –> 00:00:07,900May we by God’s grace and mercy grow in200:00:07,900 –> 00:00:13,240hope. As we do, we will be a better300:00:13,240 –> 00:00:17,379witness. As we do, we will lead purer400:00:17,379 –> 00:00:21,360lives. As we do, we will experience a500:00:21,360 –> 00:00:25,600deeper comfort. And as we do, we will600:00:26,160 –> 00:00:28,760enjoy greater strength.700:00:30,139 –> 00:00:32,720Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.800:00:32,779 –> 00:00:35,599I am David Pick. I’m glad you could join us today.900:00:35,599 –> 00:00:38,759And Colin, last time we began a message called1000:00:38,759 –> 00:00:40,040Hope’s Surprising Outcomes.1100:00:40,320 –> 00:00:43,040And you just there highlighted four of those surprising1200:00:43,040 –> 00:00:46,119outcomes. For those who missed it, we heard about1300:00:46,119 –> 00:00:48,680the first two last week and we’ve got two more in1400:00:48,680 –> 00:00:49,400store today.1500:00:50,000 –> 00:00:53,720Yes. And the way in which hope makes a difference1600:00:53,820 –> 00:00:55,160to our grieving.1700:00:55,180 –> 00:00:58,020It brings us comfort in our sorrow is the first1800:00:58,020 –> 00:00:58,520of these.1900:00:59,080 –> 00:01:03,000Paul speaks very wonderfully of we do not grieve2000:01:03,180 –> 00:01:04,800like those who have no hope.2100:01:04,900 –> 00:01:06,639He’s not saying we don’t grieve at all.2200:01:06,639 –> 00:01:09,519He’s saying that hope makes a difference to the2300:01:09,519 –> 00:01:10,879nature of how we grieve.2400:01:10,900 –> 00:01:13,040We’re going to look at how hope brings comfort.2500:01:13,440 –> 00:01:15,839And we’re going to look today at how hope brings2600:01:15,839 –> 00:01:16,480strength.2700:01:16,739 –> 00:01:21,180The apostle says that we toil and strive because2800:01:21,180 –> 00:01:23,559we have our hope set on the living God.2900:01:23,720 –> 00:01:25,360In other words, you won’t have energy to keep3000:01:25,360 –> 00:01:27,839doing the work that God calls you to do unless3100:01:28,040 –> 00:01:30,059you have hope set on the living God.3200:01:30,320 –> 00:01:34,180That’s what energizes us and sustains us in the3300:01:34,180 –> 00:01:35,559work that God calls us to do.3400:01:35,800 –> 00:01:38,800So these are wonderfully practical things, comfort3500:01:38,800 –> 00:01:39,680and strength.3600:01:39,800 –> 00:01:41,279Who doesn’t need these two things?3700:01:41,599 –> 00:01:43,839Well, these are the things that hope brings.3800:01:43,940 –> 00:01:46,919So join us today, if you can, in Romans Chapter3900:01:46,919 –> 00:01:50,300Eight, as we continue the message Hope’s Surprising4000:01:50,300 –> 00:01:50,839Outcomes.4100:01:50,839 –> 00:01:52,199Here is Pastor Colin.4200:01:52,739 –> 00:01:56,320When you look at the suffering of your own life4300:01:56,580 –> 00:01:59,260or the suffering that is in the life of another4400:01:59,260 –> 00:02:02,879Christian believer, remember that you are not4500:02:02,879 –> 00:02:04,360seeing the full picture.4600:02:05,860 –> 00:02:07,620Well, you say, what is the full picture?4700:02:07,660 –> 00:02:15,119Well, John tells us, When he appears, then we shall4800:02:15,119 –> 00:02:15,839be like him.4900:02:16,740 –> 00:02:22,639When he appears, our risen and ascended Lord Jesus5000:02:22,639 –> 00:02:27,660Christ will return in power and in glory.5100:02:27,679 –> 00:02:28,619He will appear.5200:02:29,679 –> 00:02:35,139And when he appears, we will be like him.5300:02:37,559 –> 00:02:41,720Now, there are some ways in which we are like the Lord5400:02:41,720 –> 00:02:43,399Jesus Christ already.5500:02:43,559 –> 00:02:47,080Remember that the Lord Jesus Christ became like us.5600:02:48,220 –> 00:02:51,919From all eternity, he shared the life and glory5700:02:51,940 –> 00:02:53,440of God the Father.5800:02:53,479 –> 00:02:56,380He has always been at the Father’s side.5900:02:56,600 –> 00:03:02,220But when he came into the world, he had to walk by faith,6000:03:03,059 –> 00:03:04,179not by sight.6100:03:05,360 –> 00:03:06,559He needed to pray.6200:03:07,660 –> 00:03:11,139He knew what it was to be hungry, to weep,6300:03:11,139 –> 00:03:13,220to fall asleep exhausted.6400:03:14,119 –> 00:03:16,639He knew what it was to wrestle with the cost6500:03:16,660 –> 00:03:18,940of commitment to God’s own will.6600:03:19,699 –> 00:03:24,699He carried a cross, and he went right into the valley6700:03:24,759 –> 00:03:27,100of the shadow of death.6800:03:28,759 –> 00:03:33,259The Lord Jesus Christ became like us in the pain6900:03:33,279 –> 00:03:35,820and suffering of his incarnation,7000:03:36,220 –> 00:03:39,520so that we might become like Him7100:03:39,539 –> 00:03:41,679in the glory of His resurrection.7200:03:42,720 –> 00:03:44,119And that’s our living hope.7300:03:45,259 –> 00:03:48,139And the Apostle Paul speaks of it in 2 Corinthians7400:03:48,160 –> 00:03:51,660in chapter four, where he speaks about how7500:03:51,679 –> 00:03:53,660as part of our Christian experience,7600:03:53,679 –> 00:03:58,039we find ourselves afflicted, and perplexed,7700:03:58,039 –> 00:04:01,639and persecuted, and struck down.7800:04:02,320 –> 00:04:03,720And struck down.7900:04:05,199 –> 00:04:06,860So then the question is, well then,8000:04:06,880 –> 00:04:08,559why are we not crushed?8100:04:08,559 –> 00:04:10,839Why are we not driven to despair?8200:04:10,839 –> 00:04:12,419Why are we not destroyed?8300:04:12,419 –> 00:04:14,320And the answer he gives us is this.8400:04:14,320 –> 00:04:18,779We know that he who raised the Lord Jesus8500:04:18,779 –> 00:04:21,600will also raise us with Jesus8600:04:21,600 –> 00:04:24,299and bring us into His presence.8700:04:24,299 –> 00:04:25,959We have this living hope.8800:04:26,980 –> 00:04:29,700And your faith will stand8900:04:29,720 –> 00:04:32,440as you look to the glorious return9000:04:32,440 –> 00:04:34,140of the Lord Jesus Christ9100:04:34,140 –> 00:04:36,820and find hope in what you will be9200:04:37,799 –> 00:04:42,799when he appears, we shall be like him.9300:04:45,940 –> 00:04:50,339Now, how do we know that this is so?9400:04:52,140 –> 00:04:55,799Well, John tells us we shall be like him9500:04:55,799 –> 00:05:00,799because we shall see him as he is.9600:05:04,559 –> 00:05:07,980And friends, this is an amazing statement.9700:05:09,779 –> 00:05:12,119God said to Moses,9800:05:12,119 –> 00:05:17,119no one can see the Lord and live.9900:05:17,399 –> 00:05:20,359No one, why?10000:05:20,359 –> 00:05:22,839Well, because as our Lord Jesus made clear,10100:05:22,839 –> 00:05:27,359only the pure in heart can see God.10200:05:29,200 –> 00:05:33,200If you were not completely and utterly pure,10300:05:34,519 –> 00:05:36,600the immediate presence of God10400:05:36,600 –> 00:05:39,420would consume you in just a moment.10500:05:41,839 –> 00:05:44,959When God’s people sinned in the desert10600:05:44,959 –> 00:05:46,119after the commandments10700:05:46,119 –> 00:05:48,519had been given the first time at Mount Sinai,10800:05:49,040 –> 00:05:54,079God said to Moses that he would send an angel10900:05:54,079 –> 00:05:56,799to lead the people into the promised land,11000:05:56,799 –> 00:05:58,119but then God said this,11100:05:58,119 –> 00:06:03,119I will not go up among you lest I consume you.11200:06:04,679 –> 00:06:05,959And then God said,11300:06:07,160 –> 00:06:09,920if, for a single moment,11400:06:11,059 –> 00:06:13,720I should go up among you,11500:06:13,720 –> 00:06:16,839I would consume you,11600:06:18,600 –> 00:06:23,600the presence of the glory of the infinitely holy God,11700:06:26,239 –> 00:06:30,079his immediate presence with sinners11800:06:30,079 –> 00:06:32,519would consume us in a moment.11900:06:32,519 –> 00:06:35,519And so God says, well, I can’t go with you12000:06:36,660 –> 00:06:40,420because no one can see the Lord and live.12100:06:42,239 –> 00:06:44,339That is why the prophet Malachi12200:06:44,339 –> 00:06:47,459at the end of the old testament says,12300:06:47,459 –> 00:06:52,260who can endure the day of his coming?12400:06:52,260 –> 00:06:55,540And who can stand when he appears?12500:06:56,320 –> 00:07:00,140For he is like a refiner’s fire.12600:07:02,079 –> 00:07:04,260And yet right here,12700:07:04,260 –> 00:07:07,220John tells us Christian believers12800:07:08,679 –> 00:07:12,019that we shall see God.12900:07:13,920 –> 00:07:16,079Now do you see what that means?13000:07:17,000 –> 00:07:22,000Only the pure in heart can ever see God.13100:07:23,619 –> 00:07:25,220So if you were to see God,13200:07:25,220 –> 00:07:28,459then every vestige of sin13300:07:28,459 –> 00:07:31,440would need to be removed from you completely.13400:07:31,440 –> 00:07:34,059And John says, that’s how it’s gonna be.13500:07:35,200 –> 00:07:39,339We shall see him as he is.13600:07:41,579 –> 00:07:44,679Now notice the direction of the argument.13700:07:45,100 –> 00:07:46,500This is very important.13800:07:47,399 –> 00:07:50,679The fact that we will see him13900:07:50,679 –> 00:07:53,899is the proof that we will be like him14000:07:54,880 –> 00:07:58,839because only spirits made perfect,14100:07:58,839 –> 00:08:02,260only glorious resurrected bodies,14200:08:02,260 –> 00:08:04,679perfect spirits in glorious bodies14300:08:04,679 –> 00:08:07,940could ever hope to see God.14400:08:07,940 –> 00:08:12,140And what John is saying is see him we will.14500:08:13,040 –> 00:08:17,420And that wonderful truth that you will see him14600:08:17,420 –> 00:08:22,019tells you that you will, indeed, be like him.14700:08:22,019 –> 00:08:24,420See, the question that he’s dealing with is14800:08:24,420 –> 00:08:28,239how do we know that we will be like him?14900:08:28,239 –> 00:08:30,119And the answer that he gives is15000:08:30,119 –> 00:08:32,619we know that we will be like him15100:08:32,619 –> 00:08:35,539because we will see him as he is.15200:08:37,640 –> 00:08:41,200So just to be clear, he is not saying15300:08:41,200 –> 00:08:42,520you had better become like him15400:08:42,520 –> 00:08:44,799if you’re gonna have any hope of seeing him.15500:08:45,679 –> 00:08:49,700That would be to leave the impossible task15600:08:49,700 –> 00:08:53,679on us of trying to earn our own final salvation.15700:08:53,679 –> 00:08:55,679Have I lived a life that is pure enough15800:08:55,679 –> 00:08:57,039to get me into heaven?15900:08:57,039 –> 00:08:58,900That is not what he is saying.16000:08:58,900 –> 00:09:01,500The argument is entirely the other way around.16100:09:02,479 –> 00:09:05,159He’s saying to those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ16200:09:05,159 –> 00:09:06,940this is your glorious hope.16300:09:06,940 –> 00:09:09,859You will see him.16400:09:10,440 –> 00:09:15,440And when you see him, you will be completely free16500:09:15,659 –> 00:09:19,859from sin and from all of its ugly effects.16600:09:19,859 –> 00:09:21,619You will be holy.16700:09:22,599 –> 00:09:25,880Your heart will be completely pure.16800:09:26,859 –> 00:09:30,299You will love God with all your heart and soul16900:09:30,299 –> 00:09:31,780and mind and strength,17000:09:31,780 –> 00:09:35,619and you will love your neighbor as yourself.17100:09:35,619 –> 00:09:38,340I shall behold his face.17200:09:39,260 –> 00:09:41,500I shall his power adore17300:09:42,440 –> 00:09:46,500and sing the wonders of his grace forevermore.17400:09:49,099 –> 00:09:51,700Now that is your glorious future.17500:09:51,700 –> 00:09:55,419In Christ, that is your hope.17600:09:55,419 –> 00:10:00,020And when that hope burns brightly in you,17700:10:00,020 –> 00:10:04,859it will have a transforming effect on your life.17800:10:06,020 –> 00:10:08,299Look at what John says.17900:10:08,299 –> 00:10:13,299Everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself18000:10:15,780 –> 00:10:19,539as he, the Lord Jesus Christ, is pure.18100:10:20,460 –> 00:10:24,020Now notice here that John is making a statement of fact.18200:10:25,140 –> 00:10:27,940He doesn’t say, if you have this hope,18300:10:27,940 –> 00:10:30,419well, you ought to purify yourself.18400:10:30,419 –> 00:10:32,099What he says is you will.18500:10:33,099 –> 00:10:33,940You will.18600:10:35,140 –> 00:10:37,619See, we all move in the direction18700:10:37,659 –> 00:10:40,219of the thing we really hope for.18800:10:40,219 –> 00:10:43,559What we hope for shapes what we do.18900:10:44,700 –> 00:10:49,659A man hopes to marry a woman he loves.19000:10:49,659 –> 00:10:53,840His hope is to spend his whole life with her.19100:10:53,840 –> 00:10:55,940So how does that hope shape his behavior?19200:10:55,940 –> 00:10:57,940Well, he moves in the direction of his hope.19300:10:57,940 –> 00:11:01,859He spends as much time with her as he possibly can.19400:11:01,859 –> 00:11:03,640Hope drives his behavior,19500:11:03,640 –> 00:11:07,059and if he wasn’t interested in spending time with her,19600:11:07,059 –> 00:11:08,780well, no one would really believe19700:11:08,780 –> 00:11:11,460that he was actually had his heart set19800:11:11,460 –> 00:11:12,859on spending his life with her.19900:11:12,859 –> 00:11:15,140Clearly his heart’s somewhere else.20000:11:17,619 –> 00:11:22,380Now our great hope is to be with Christ.20100:11:22,380 –> 00:11:24,239And it’s to be like Christ.20200:11:25,460 –> 00:11:27,080Hope drives behavior.20300:11:28,440 –> 00:11:31,299And this hope will shape what we do,20400:11:31,299 –> 00:11:35,219everyone who has this hope in him,20500:11:35,940 –> 00:11:39,299purifies himself.20600:11:40,340 –> 00:11:42,260The brighter your hope20700:11:44,119 –> 00:11:47,280of being like Jesus in glory,20800:11:48,539 –> 00:11:52,340the purer your life will become right now.20900:11:54,000 –> 00:11:57,219You’ll pursue what you hope for,21000:11:58,780 –> 00:12:02,200grow in hope, and you will live21100:12:03,260 –> 00:12:04,739a purer life.21200:12:05,719 –> 00:12:08,260You’re listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smyth21300:12:08,260 –> 00:12:11,400and a message called Hope’s Surprising Outcomes,21400:12:11,400 –> 00:12:14,020part of our series, Growing in Hope.21500:12:14,020 –> 00:12:16,780We’ve got to pause briefly but we’ll be back very shortly.21600:12:16,780 –> 00:12:19,020So please do stay with us.21700:12:19,020 –> 00:12:22,059If you’ve tuned in late or if you have to go before the end,21800:12:22,059 –> 00:12:25,260it’s always possible to catch up or go back and listen again21900:12:25,260 –> 00:12:28,340to any of the messages which have already been broadcast.22000:12:28,340 –> 00:12:32,799They’re available on our website, openthebible.org.uk,22100:12:32,859 –> 00:12:34,799Also on all the major podcast sites,22200:12:34,799 –> 00:12:36,599you can find those by searching22300:12:36,599 –> 00:12:39,260for Open the Bible UK.22400:12:39,260 –> 00:12:42,359Back to the message now, we’re in Romans chapter 8.22500:12:42,359 –> 00:12:44,359Here again is Pastor Colin.22600:12:44,359 –> 00:12:46,200So we’ve seen two things,22700:12:46,200 –> 00:12:48,919grow in hope and you’ll be a better witness.22800:12:48,919 –> 00:12:53,400Grow in hope and you will lead a purer life.22900:12:53,400 –> 00:12:56,479Here’s a third marvellous and glorious thing,23000:12:57,400 –> 00:13:01,400grow in hope and you will experience23100:13:01,440 –> 00:13:04,039deeper comfort.23200:13:04,039 –> 00:13:07,679First Thessalonians chapter four, verses 13 and 14.23300:13:08,599 –> 00:13:12,080We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers,23400:13:12,080 –> 00:13:13,719about those who are asleep23500:13:14,760 –> 00:13:19,299that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.23600:13:20,280 –> 00:13:23,919For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again,23700:13:23,919 –> 00:13:26,880even so through Jesus,23800:13:26,880 –> 00:13:31,760God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.23900:13:33,400 –> 00:13:36,400Now at the apostle Paul is not suggesting here24000:13:36,400 –> 00:13:38,280that Christians don’t grieve.24100:13:39,159 –> 00:13:42,000The more a person loves,24200:13:42,000 –> 00:13:45,780the deeper they will grieve the loss of a loved one.24300:13:47,219 –> 00:13:49,799Paul is not saying that Christians don’t grieve.24400:13:50,659 –> 00:13:52,020What he is saying,24500:13:52,020 –> 00:13:56,419is that our grief is different from the world’s grief,24600:13:56,440 –> 00:14:00,760because it is shot through with living hope.24700:14:01,700 –> 00:14:05,419And Paul then describes our hope,24800:14:05,419 –> 00:14:10,239the glorious day in which every single one of us24900:14:10,239 –> 00:14:12,039as believers will participate.25000:14:12,039 –> 00:14:14,820No believer will miss out on this.25100:14:14,820 –> 00:14:16,039One way or another,25200:14:16,039 –> 00:14:21,039we will all share in the joy of this glorious day.25300:14:22,119 –> 00:14:24,780And in the verses that follow,25400:14:24,780 –> 00:14:28,900the apostle makes five glorious affirmations.25500:14:28,900 –> 00:14:33,900First, the Lord himself will descend from heaven.25600:14:36,059 –> 00:14:39,599Jesus Christ is coming again.25700:14:40,900 –> 00:14:44,179Second, God will bring with him25800:14:44,179 –> 00:14:46,239those who have fallen asleep.25900:14:47,580 –> 00:14:49,460Now, some of you will be thinking right now26000:14:49,460 –> 00:14:52,900of the names and the faces of dear loved ones26100:14:53,080 –> 00:14:55,179of those who have died and you miss them.26200:14:56,440 –> 00:14:59,159But you are going to see them again.26300:15:01,020 –> 00:15:06,020They are with Jesus and he will bring them with him26400:15:07,299 –> 00:15:08,479when he comes.26500:15:09,940 –> 00:15:13,539Then the apostle makes a third affirmation.26600:15:13,539 –> 00:15:17,900The dead in Christ will rise first.26700:15:18,859 –> 00:15:24,039The souls of believers are with the Lord Jesus,26800:15:24,039 –> 00:15:27,500already perfect in his presence.26900:15:28,400 –> 00:15:32,200These souls are away from the body27000:15:32,200 –> 00:15:35,320and they are at home with the Lord.27100:15:35,320 –> 00:15:38,359But when the Lord Jesus Christ comes again,27200:15:38,359 –> 00:15:41,179the souls of believers who have died27300:15:41,179 –> 00:15:44,919and are already with Jesus will be clothed27400:15:44,919 –> 00:15:47,500with resurrected bodies.27500:15:47,979 –> 00:15:50,820Bodies adapted for eternal life.27600:15:52,260 –> 00:15:56,380This is stated very beautifully, clearly and wonderfully27700:15:56,380 –> 00:15:58,859in the Shorter Catechism.27800:15:58,859 –> 00:16:03,659It’s a document that was written in 167427900:16:03,659 –> 00:16:06,000by believers who wanted to frame28000:16:06,000 –> 00:16:08,659in as clear a way as possible28100:16:08,659 –> 00:16:10,739the heart of the Christian faith.28200:16:10,739 –> 00:16:13,179And they did it, a catechism does this28300:16:13,179 –> 00:16:16,059in the form of questions and answers.28400:16:16,059 –> 00:16:19,440It was a kind of tool for teaching the Christian faith.28500:16:19,440 –> 00:16:22,380And so there’s this question,28600:16:22,380 –> 00:16:27,380what benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?28700:16:28,919 –> 00:16:30,940And the answer is this.28800:16:30,940 –> 00:16:35,179The souls of believers are at their death28900:16:35,179 –> 00:16:38,099made perfect in holiness29000:16:39,039 –> 00:16:43,700and do immediately pass into glory.29100:16:44,700 –> 00:16:49,500And their bodies still being united to Christ29200:16:49,500 –> 00:16:54,500do rest in their graves till the resurrection.29300:16:56,700 –> 00:16:59,919Christ will bring with him the souls29400:16:59,919 –> 00:17:01,940of believers who have died29500:17:01,940 –> 00:17:06,640and they will be clothed with resurrected bodies.29600:17:07,599 –> 00:17:09,859Then the apostle says,29700:17:09,900 –> 00:17:14,880we who are alive, who are left29800:17:15,140 –> 00:17:19,819will be caught up together with them in the clouds29900:17:19,819 –> 00:17:22,420to meet the Lord in the air.30000:17:23,500 –> 00:17:25,959Now, you read a statement like that30100:17:25,959 –> 00:17:29,180and you say now how can this possibly be?30200:17:29,180 –> 00:17:34,180How could these bodies rise to meet the Lord in the air?30300:17:34,280 –> 00:17:37,300I mean, even Michael Jordan could only jump30400:17:37,300 –> 00:17:41,459to a staggering height of around four feet.30500:17:42,739 –> 00:17:46,260Well, the point of course is that on this glorious day30600:17:46,260 –> 00:17:50,339we will be given resurrected bodies30700:17:50,339 –> 00:17:52,479and we will be given resurrected bodies30800:17:52,479 –> 00:17:57,319at the same time as our departed loved ones.30900:17:57,319 –> 00:17:58,859This is what the Apostle Paul says31000:17:58,859 –> 00:18:01,339in Firth Corinthians in chapter 15,31100:18:01,339 –> 00:18:04,020we shall not all sleep,31200:18:04,020 –> 00:18:08,800but we shall all be changed in a moment31300:18:08,800 –> 00:18:12,260in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet.31400:18:12,260 –> 00:18:14,699The trumpet will sound31500:18:14,699 –> 00:18:17,680and the dead will be raised imperishable31600:18:17,680 –> 00:18:21,020and we shall be changed.31700:18:22,680 –> 00:18:24,439And then he says,31800:18:24,439 –> 00:18:29,439and so we will always be with the Lord.31900:18:29,439 –> 00:18:33,859So, encourage each other.32000:18:33,859 –> 00:18:39,560Comfort each other with these words.32100:18:42,020 –> 00:18:44,560Take this in brother, sister.32200:18:44,560 –> 00:18:46,640Believe it.32300:18:46,640 –> 00:18:48,439Grow in hope32400:18:48,439 –> 00:18:54,079and you will experience a deeper comfort.32500:18:54,079 –> 00:18:56,380So we’ve seen three things,32600:18:57,300 –> 00:18:59,040So we’ve seen three things,32700:18:59,040 –> 00:19:03,520grow in hope and you’ll be a better witness,32800:19:03,520 –> 00:19:07,699grow in hope and you’re going to lead a purer life,32900:19:07,699 –> 00:19:12,300grow in hope and you will experience a deeper comfort,33000:19:12,300 –> 00:19:14,380and very briefly, and lastly,33100:19:14,380 –> 00:19:20,780grow in hope and you will enjoy greater strength.33200:19:20,780 –> 00:19:21,959Listen to this from33300:19:21,959 –> 00:19:25,6601 Timothy chapter 4 and verse 10.33400:19:25,739 –> 00:19:27,780Toil and strive33500:19:28,500 –> 00:19:33,420because we have our hope33600:19:33,420 –> 00:19:36,640set on the living God.33700:19:36,739 –> 00:19:41,380Now what a wonderful verse that is to end with this morning.33800:19:41,380 –> 00:19:48,420Is there anyone here who feels tired, jaded, exhausted?33900:19:48,939 –> 00:19:53,939Anyone here who feels a need for greater strength?34000:19:54,339 –> 00:19:58,099Maybe you can identify with the discouraged old man who said,34100:19:58,099 –> 00:20:01,540my back is all sore, my knees are all bent,34200:20:01,540 –> 00:20:06,439my get up and go has got up and went.34300:20:07,540 –> 00:20:13,180Well grow in hope and your strength will be renewed.34400:20:13,180 –> 00:20:15,939You will be able to continue in the battle.34500:20:15,939 –> 00:20:19,520You’ll be able to toil and to strive34600:20:20,040 –> 00:20:24,099In as much as your hope is set on the living God.34700:20:24,099 –> 00:20:29,099Grow in hope and your strength and energy will be renewed.34800:20:29,199 –> 00:20:32,400Toiling, striving takes energy.34900:20:32,400 –> 00:20:36,859Losing hope is the fastest way to run out of steam.35000:20:37,719 –> 00:20:40,520But if your hope is set on the living God,35100:20:40,520 –> 00:20:43,640your strength will be renewed.35200:20:45,339 –> 00:20:48,760Now, every single one of us needs this.35300:20:48,780 –> 00:20:53,780Isaiah says, even youths faint and become weary35400:20:55,660 –> 00:21:00,359and young men shall fall exhausted.35500:21:00,359 –> 00:21:02,819You know, my older son has competed35600:21:02,819 –> 00:21:05,239on a number of occasions in the Iron Man.35700:21:05,239 –> 00:21:08,319What an extraordinary competition that is.35800:21:09,300 –> 00:21:13,400The fitness of athletes who can swim35900:21:13,400 –> 00:21:16,400more than two miles and then cycle36000:21:16,400 –> 00:21:17,900for more than 100 miles36100:21:17,900 –> 00:21:21,359and then run 26 miles as a kind of a warm down.36200:21:21,359 –> 00:21:23,939I mean, it is absolutely astonishing,36300:21:23,939 –> 00:21:26,939but you only need to stand at the finish line36400:21:26,939 –> 00:21:29,900and see the truth of what Isaiah is saying.36500:21:29,900 –> 00:21:34,239There are limits to all human endurance.36600:21:34,239 –> 00:21:36,859Even youths shall faint and be weary36700:21:36,859 –> 00:21:40,119and young men shall fall exhausted.36800:21:41,219 –> 00:21:46,219But then Isaiah says, but those who hope in the Lord36900:21:48,739 –> 00:21:51,219shall renew their strength.37000:21:52,579 –> 00:21:56,000This is how you stay the course37100:21:56,000 –> 00:21:59,920when you’re feeling really tired of the battle.37200:21:59,920 –> 00:22:04,920Grow in hope and your strength will be renewed.37300:22:06,479 –> 00:22:11,479So may we, by God’s grace and mercy, grow in hope.37400:22:12,439 –> 00:22:17,219As we do, we will be a better witness.37500:22:17,219 –> 00:22:21,500As we do, we will lead purer lives.37600:22:21,500 –> 00:22:26,439As we do, we will experience a deeper comfort37700:22:26,439 –> 00:22:31,439and as we do we will enjoy greater strength.37800:22:32,060 –> 00:22:34,560Pastor Colin Smith, wrapping up our message,37900:22:34,560 –> 00:22:36,760Hope’s Surprising Outcomes.38000:22:36,760 –> 00:22:39,099Part of our series Growing in Hope38100:22:39,560 –> 00:22:41,260And if you’ve missed any of the series so far38200:22:41,260 –> 00:22:44,339or if you want to go back and listen again,38300:22:44,339 –> 00:22:47,160you can do that by coming online to our website38400:22:47,160 –> 00:22:49,540openthebible.org.uk38500:22:49,540 –> 00:22:52,180or by going to your favourite podcast site38600:22:52,180 –> 00:22:55,260and there searching for Open the Bible UK.38700:22:56,219 –> 00:22:58,439Open the Bible is supported by our listeners,38800:22:58,439 –> 00:23:01,099we’re able to bring you Pastor Colin’s teaching38900:23:01,099 –> 00:23:04,219on the radio, internet and podcasts39000:23:04,219 –> 00:23:07,520as a result of the generosity of listeners like you.39100:23:07,520 –> 00:23:10,119So if you already give to support our work,39200:23:10,119 –> 00:23:13,260thank you so much, we do appreciate it.39300:23:13,260 –> 00:23:15,640This month, when you begin to support Open the Bible39400:23:15,640 –> 00:23:18,180for the first time, we’d love to say thank you39500:23:18,180 –> 00:23:20,219by sending you a copy of Pastor Colin’s39600:23:20,219 –> 00:23:22,479brand new book, Grow in Faith.39700:23:22,479 –> 00:23:25,439This devotional book is not yet available in the UK39800:23:25,439 –> 00:23:28,219so our offer is very exclusive.39900:23:28,219 –> 00:23:30,479Colin, what is the one thing you want people40000:23:30,479 –> 00:23:32,119to take away from this book?40100:23:32,119 –> 00:23:34,900Well, this is a book for ordinary Christians.40200:23:34,900 –> 00:23:37,439You talk about growing faith, someone might think40300:23:38,099 –> 00:23:41,500I’m no giant of the faith so that’s probably not for me.40400:23:41,500 –> 00:23:45,300Well, you know, Jesus spoke on five occasions40500:23:45,300 –> 00:23:47,420about people with little faith.40600:23:47,420 –> 00:23:49,760Oh you of little faith.40700:23:49,760 –> 00:23:52,579And that’s where we start in this book,40800:23:52,579 –> 00:23:53,780Grow in Faith.40900:23:53,780 –> 00:23:56,219If you feel that your faith is small,41000:23:56,219 –> 00:23:58,719this is exactly for you.41100:23:58,719 –> 00:24:01,719It’s a place from which you can begin to grow.41200:24:01,719 –> 00:24:03,800And you know, there are two wonderful things41300:24:03,800 –> 00:24:05,760about little faith.41400:24:05,760 –> 00:24:10,439One is that little faith is saving faith41500:24:10,439 –> 00:24:13,239if it is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.41600:24:13,239 –> 00:24:15,420And the other is, that little faith,41700:24:15,420 –> 00:24:17,439because faith is a living thing,41800:24:17,439 –> 00:24:19,000is faith that really can grow.41900:24:19,000 –> 00:24:21,819And I think that this book will help people42000:24:21,819 –> 00:24:24,780to grow in faith, that’s our hope and our prayer42100:24:24,780 –> 00:24:27,319as we’ve been working on it and preparing it42200:24:27,319 –> 00:24:30,500and I hope that it’s gonna be a real blessing to you.42300:24:30,500 –> 00:24:32,800Well, Pastor Colin’s book, Growing Faith,42400:24:32,800 –> 00:24:35,420is our special offer to you this month42500:24:35,420 –> 00:24:37,540when you support Open the Bible financially42600:24:37,540 –> 00:24:41,520for the first time with a one-off gift of £60 or more42700:24:41,520 –> 00:24:46,439or a monthly direct debit of £5 per month or more.42800:24:46,439 –> 00:24:49,060Full terms and conditions are on our website,42900:24:49,060 –> 00:24:52,339that’s at openthebible.org.uk,43000:24:52,339 –> 00:24:53,920and you can give online.43100:24:53,920 –> 00:24:57,000Please do remember to leave your full name and address43200:24:57,000 –> 00:24:58,319when you set up your payment43300:24:58,319 –> 00:25:01,219so we can send you your free gift.43400:25:01,219 –> 00:25:03,540For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,43500:25:03,599 –> 00:25:06,520I’m David Pick and I look forward to you joining us again43600:25:06,520 –> 00:25:08,800next time on Open the Bible.43700:25:20,979 –> 00:25:25,180You’d like to use your spiritual gift more effectively.43800:25:25,180 –> 00:25:28,260Find out how, next time on Open the Bible.