100:00:01,000 –> 00:00:05,400The message of the gospel is not200:00:05,400 –> 00:00:09,440get your heart right so that you can come to God.300:00:09,440 –> 00:00:13,480The message of the gospel is come to God400:00:13,480 –> 00:00:20,480in order that you may get your heart right. You do not come to Jesus Christ500:00:20,480 –> 00:00:22,559because you have a right heart.600:00:22,559 –> 00:00:27,240You come to Jesus Christ because you need a right heart and you know today700:00:27,240 –> 00:00:28,639that you don’t have it.800:00:29,200 –> 00:00:31,920Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.900:00:31,920 –> 00:00:34,480I’m David Pick, glad you could join us today1000:00:34,480 –> 00:00:37,959and Colin, there may be some listening today who would say,1100:00:37,959 –> 00:00:42,560well, I know I don’t have a right heart – what would you say to them?1200:00:42,560 –> 00:00:46,240I’d say, well that’s precisely why Jesus Christ came into the world1300:00:46,240 –> 00:00:49,200and thank God that He has not said to us,1400:00:49,200 –> 00:00:52,000hey, get yourself right and then come to me,1500:00:52,000 –> 00:00:55,040He said, come to me and I will put you right.1600:00:55,040 –> 00:00:56,880I will give you a new heart.1700:00:56,880 –> 00:00:59,000That’s the promise of the gospel.1800:00:59,000 –> 00:01:02,439Well, today we’re going to look at all the ways in which the heart goes wrong.1900:01:02,439 –> 00:01:04,879How does a person veer onto the wrong track?2000:01:04,879 –> 00:01:06,320Where does it actually begin?2100:01:06,320 –> 00:01:10,120What’s at the root of actually moving away from2200:01:10,120 –> 00:01:13,120God and his purpose and His will for our lives?2300:01:13,120 –> 00:01:16,360And once we’ve discovered what makes the heart wrong,2400:01:16,360 –> 00:01:19,279the bigger thing is how Jesus Christ puts it right.2500:01:19,279 –> 00:01:23,879There’s a message of great hope today about how Jesus changes the heart.2600:01:23,879 –> 00:01:25,519Well, let’s get started with that.2700:01:25,519 –> 00:01:27,599We’re in Proverbs 23 today.2800:01:27,599 –> 00:01:30,959As we continue the message A Heart Gone Wrong.2900:01:30,959 –> 00:01:32,480Here is Pastor Colin.3000:01:32,480 –> 00:01:37,879I want to suggest to you three places where the heart most often goes wrong.3100:01:37,879 –> 00:01:42,000I suspect these were the things, because Solomon says them here,3200:01:42,000 –> 00:01:46,879that he was seeing emerging in the heart of his own son.3300:01:46,879 –> 00:01:52,839The first is that the heart goes wrong with regards to who you admire.3400:01:52,879 –> 00:01:54,400Verse 17.3500:02:07,720 –> 00:02:11,759Now we have every reason to believe that Rehoboam in his early years3600:02:11,759 –> 00:02:16,360conformed to the faith of his grandfather, David,3700:02:16,360 –> 00:02:18,279and of his father Solomon,3800:02:18,279 –> 00:02:20,199the faith that had been passed on,3900:02:20,240 –> 00:02:22,039the faith with which he was raised.4000:02:23,479 –> 00:02:26,520But it seems from this that when Rehoboam looked at4100:02:26,520 –> 00:02:30,600Godless people, people who live without God in their lives,4200:02:32,000 –> 00:02:35,320it seems he found their life, their model, their example4300:02:35,320 –> 00:02:36,279to be attractive.4400:02:36,279 –> 00:02:37,839That’s the significance, surely, of4500:02:41,979 –> 00:02:43,759And so, here’s Solomon’s fear.4600:02:44,960 –> 00:02:48,440He has a son who professes faith.4700:02:48,479 –> 00:02:52,559He professes to believe the faith that was handed4800:02:52,559 –> 00:02:54,240down from his grandfather, David,4900:02:54,240 –> 00:02:56,279and now his father, Solomon.5000:02:58,080 –> 00:03:03,080But there seems to be in this son a secret longing.5100:03:04,300 –> 00:03:07,979An attraction of his heart, a drawing of his heart5200:03:07,979 –> 00:03:10,820to move in a different direction.5300:03:12,720 –> 00:03:14,639Solomon says, verse 24,5400:03:14,639 –> 00:03:19,639he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.5500:03:20,940 –> 00:03:23,160But at this point, you see, Solomon’s not sure5600:03:23,160 –> 00:03:24,839if he’s got a wise son or not.5700:03:26,020 –> 00:03:30,880He fears that his son’s heart may be somewhere else.5800:03:30,880 –> 00:03:33,039He admires the wrong people.5900:03:34,399 –> 00:03:37,520He envies sinners.6000:03:37,520 –> 00:03:40,880He looks up to the example of people6100:03:40,880 –> 00:03:42,119who live without God.6200:03:42,119 –> 00:03:44,020They’re the role models for him6300:03:45,520 –> 00:03:47,559and they’re the ones he wants to be like.6400:03:51,320 –> 00:03:52,880Now I want to speak from the heart6500:03:52,880 –> 00:03:55,800to every son and daughter of whatever age6600:03:56,720 –> 00:03:58,559who’s been raised in a Christian home.6700:03:58,559 –> 00:04:01,199You have Christian parents or Christian grandparents.6800:04:02,600 –> 00:04:04,600And here’s the burden of my heart today.6900:04:06,860 –> 00:04:11,000I can think of no greater tragedy7000:04:11,960 –> 00:04:15,000than that while people who had7100:04:15,000 –> 00:04:17,279no knowledge of the truth in their early years7200:04:17,279 –> 00:04:21,040and were exposed to all kinds of evils,7300:04:22,679 –> 00:04:26,519while so many of them are pressing their way7400:04:26,519 –> 00:04:29,739into finding peace and joy in Jesus Christ,7500:04:29,739 –> 00:04:34,739you who have had more blessings than you may ever realize,7600:04:37,019 –> 00:04:40,019some of you seem ready to throw it all up.7700:04:41,700 –> 00:04:43,260That’s a tragedy.7800:04:44,940 –> 00:04:47,899That others who had none of the blessings you have enjoyed7900:04:47,899 –> 00:04:50,700should end up pressing into the knowledge of Christ8000:04:50,700 –> 00:04:53,779and all the good that comes from that forever and forever,8100:04:53,779 –> 00:04:56,200and that you, who had all the opportunity,8200:04:56,200 –> 00:05:00,299should sit with your heart envying the wicked8300:05:00,299 –> 00:05:04,220and end up throwing it all away.8400:05:06,540 –> 00:05:07,820And do you know what the first sign8500:05:07,820 –> 00:05:09,820of being ready to throw it all away is?8600:05:11,480 –> 00:05:13,500You start envying sinners.8700:05:15,100 –> 00:05:18,279You start looking at people who live without God8800:05:18,279 –> 00:05:19,959and you say, that’s what I want to be like.8900:05:19,959 –> 00:05:21,299I want to be like Her.9000:05:22,660 –> 00:05:23,899I want to be like Him.9100:05:25,320 –> 00:05:27,619I see how they live and that’s how I want to live9200:05:29,279 –> 00:05:31,760and when I get the chance, that’s what I’m gonna do.9300:05:32,899 –> 00:05:33,980And here you are in church9400:05:33,980 –> 00:05:36,119and that’s where some of you are right now.9500:05:37,820 –> 00:05:39,480Second place the heart goes wrong9600:05:39,519 –> 00:05:41,980and it’s not simply in who you admire9700:05:41,980 –> 00:05:44,299but it’s in how you decide.9800:05:45,720 –> 00:05:48,040Look at verse 18, here’s something else9900:05:48,040 –> 00:05:50,480that surely Solomon discerned in his son.10000:05:50,480 –> 00:05:54,160He says to him, surely there is a future10100:05:56,059 –> 00:05:59,200and your hope will not be cut off.10200:06:00,739 –> 00:06:04,359Now, I think that this shows to us10300:06:04,359 –> 00:06:08,079that Solomon saw in his son a growing tendency10400:06:08,079 –> 00:06:10,040to live only in the present10500:06:10,040 –> 00:06:12,559and to lose sight of the future.10600:06:13,880 –> 00:06:16,579In other words, Solomon is seeing that his son10700:06:16,579 –> 00:06:19,079is going more and more with what he thinks10800:06:19,079 –> 00:06:21,760and feels at any given point in time10900:06:22,799 –> 00:06:25,359and so what Solomon says to him in this verse is,11000:06:25,359 –> 00:06:28,779look, son, surely there is a future.11100:06:30,119 –> 00:06:34,660In other words, don’t make your decisions in life11200:06:34,660 –> 00:06:37,540on the basis of short-term comfort.11300:06:37,540 –> 00:06:39,320Son, there’s a future.11400:06:39,320 –> 00:06:41,200You make your decisions in life11500:06:41,200 –> 00:06:45,040on the basis of long-term outcomes.11600:06:46,440 –> 00:06:48,040Surely there is a future.11700:06:49,720 –> 00:06:51,980Now friends, this is obviously a huge importance11800:06:51,980 –> 00:06:55,839for us today because our culture is bombarding us11900:06:55,839 –> 00:07:00,160with a philosophy that says live in the moment.12000:07:01,600 –> 00:07:05,459It seems to be a new phrase but it’s around us everywhere.12100:07:06,399 –> 00:07:09,619If it means that we are to be fully present12200:07:09,619 –> 00:07:12,420and fully engaged in whatever we are doing12300:07:12,420 –> 00:07:14,760at any given time rather than have our mind12400:07:14,760 –> 00:07:16,899distracted off at a dozen other places12500:07:16,899 –> 00:07:18,959trying to do multiple things at the same time,12600:07:18,959 –> 00:07:22,480then that would be a very good thing, live in the moment.12700:07:22,480 –> 00:07:26,320But, I have noticed often enough12800:07:26,320 –> 00:07:28,760to want to comment on this today,12900:07:28,760 –> 00:07:33,260I have noticed the phrase live in the moment13000:07:33,260 –> 00:07:35,220being used too often.13100:07:36,299 –> 00:07:39,100By people who are very clearly moving away13200:07:39,100 –> 00:07:40,420from Christian faith.13300:07:41,920 –> 00:07:45,720I’m trying to live in the moment pastor.13400:07:47,140 –> 00:07:49,239And if I understand that correctly,13500:07:49,239 –> 00:07:51,660I think what is being said here is this.13600:07:52,779 –> 00:07:55,660I’m going with what I feel13700:07:56,859 –> 00:08:00,399and sometimes I feel I want to know God13800:08:00,399 –> 00:08:02,619and sometimes I don’t.13900:08:03,540 –> 00:08:05,299And I live in the moment.14000:08:07,179 –> 00:08:10,399Now in a world that it’s constantly saying to you,14100:08:10,399 –> 00:08:11,540live in the moment.14200:08:12,500 –> 00:08:15,940I want you to hear the word of our Father in heaven14300:08:15,940 –> 00:08:18,619who says to you surely there is a future.14400:08:19,779 –> 00:08:20,980I want you to hear that.14500:08:22,779 –> 00:08:24,779Always remember this friend.14600:08:26,100 –> 00:08:28,980Your life, the life that God gives to you14700:08:28,980 –> 00:08:32,200comes in two very unequal parts.14800:08:33,580 –> 00:08:37,799You have a very very short life in time14900:08:37,799 –> 00:08:41,859and you have a very very long life in eternity.15000:08:41,859 –> 00:08:44,479That’s the life that God has given to you.15100:08:45,619 –> 00:08:49,159How short is your life in this world?15200:08:50,179 –> 00:08:51,840Listen to how God describes it.15300:08:51,840 –> 00:08:54,239He uses pictures so that we’ll get it.15400:08:55,580 –> 00:08:58,979All flesh is grass.15500:08:59,979 –> 00:09:03,539The grass withers when15600:09:03,539 –> 00:09:08,140the breath of the Lord blows on it.15700:09:08,140 –> 00:09:12,159How long does grass live?15800:09:13,520 –> 00:09:14,919About a week.15900:09:16,940 –> 00:09:21,679Then you cut it and it’s blown and it is gone.16000:09:22,919 –> 00:09:24,520If you don’t cut your grass for three weeks,16100:09:24,520 –> 00:09:26,799hey there you are, time to do it, right?16200:09:27,739 –> 00:09:28,780About a week.16300:09:30,500 –> 00:09:35,500That’s the image that God, our Father, gives to us.16400:09:35,960 –> 00:09:39,719If you want to think rightly about your life,16500:09:39,719 –> 00:09:42,280you have to think of the proportion of what you have16600:09:42,280 –> 00:09:45,080in this world in relation to what you have in eternity.16700:09:45,080 –> 00:09:48,320Let me put it in a picture for you, it’s like grass.16800:09:49,700 –> 00:09:50,640That’s your whole life.16900:09:50,640 –> 00:09:52,659If you lived about 100 years and more,17000:09:52,659 –> 00:09:54,159that’s what your life in this world17100:09:54,159 –> 00:09:55,900is like in relation to eternity.17200:09:57,739 –> 00:09:59,080You haven’t got much time.17300:10:00,039 –> 00:10:01,239See, here’s one of the pressures,17400:10:01,239 –> 00:10:02,940especially on younger people, today.17500:10:02,940 –> 00:10:04,960We hear all the time this phrase, don’t we?17600:10:04,960 –> 00:10:08,679We want to be on the right side of history.17700:10:08,679 –> 00:10:10,640Here’s our answer to that friends.17800:10:10,640 –> 00:10:14,960We need to be on the right side of eternity.17900:10:15,840 –> 00:10:17,140You’re listening to Open the Bible18000:10:17,140 –> 00:10:19,820with Pastor Colin Smith and a message called18100:10:19,820 –> 00:10:20,739The Heart Gone Wrong18200:10:20,739 –> 00:10:21,880and I hope you’ll stay with us18300:10:21,880 –> 00:10:25,919because, in a moment, we’ll hear how the heart gets right.18400:10:25,919 –> 00:10:28,080A message was originally part of a series18500:10:28,080 –> 00:10:29,799called A Father’s Wisdom18600:10:29,799 –> 00:10:31,659and it was one of the most requested18700:10:31,659 –> 00:10:34,840and downloaded programs of the past 12 months.18800:10:34,840 –> 00:10:37,679So we’ve bundled it up with all the other best loved18900:10:37,679 –> 00:10:39,640and most requested programs19000:10:39,640 –> 00:10:43,799into a series we’re calling Listener Favorites 2026.19100:10:43,799 –> 00:10:45,400If you missed any of the series19200:10:45,400 –> 00:10:47,760or if you want to go back and listen to them again,19300:10:47,760 –> 00:10:49,760it’s easy to do that by coming online19400:10:49,760 –> 00:10:53,000to Openthebible.org.uk.19500:10:53,000 –> 00:10:55,119Also, on your favorite podcast site,19600:10:55,159 –> 00:10:57,320search there for Openthebible.uk19700:10:57,320 –> 00:10:59,119and subscribe if you want to receive19800:10:59,119 –> 00:11:01,700regular reminders of the podcast.19900:11:01,700 –> 00:11:04,440Back to the message now, we’re in Proverbs 23.20000:11:04,440 –> 00:11:06,719Here again is Pastor Colin.20100:11:06,719 –> 00:11:08,080Where the heart goes wrong,20200:11:10,200 –> 00:11:13,359who you admire,20300:11:13,359 –> 00:11:17,840how you choose and thirdly, where you invest.20400:11:19,080 –> 00:11:20,020Look at verse 23,20500:11:21,979 –> 00:11:23,859where Solomon says to his son this,20600:11:23,859 –> 00:11:28,859”Buy truth and do not sell it20700:11:31,099 –> 00:11:35,619”by wisdom, instruction and understanding.’20800:11:35,619 –> 00:11:38,460Buy truth, invest20900:11:39,500 –> 00:11:40,340truth.21000:11:42,500 –> 00:11:45,219I wonder since Solomon says that21100:11:45,219 –> 00:11:48,039as he speaks with his candor to his son.21200:11:48,039 –> 00:11:51,340I wonder if that indicates that Solomon’s son21300:11:51,340 –> 00:11:53,380was losing interest in the truth.21400:11:54,840 –> 00:11:58,299They would have had the five books of Moses,21500:11:58,299 –> 00:11:59,140the Pentateuch.21600:12:00,739 –> 00:12:02,640And they would have read21700:12:02,640 –> 00:12:05,059from that part of the scripture that they had21800:12:05,059 –> 00:12:09,659I wonder if one of the Old Testament books of Moses21900:12:09,659 –> 00:12:11,239were brought out when they were read22000:12:11,239 –> 00:12:14,020I wonder if Solomon saw his son’s eyes22100:12:14,020 –> 00:12:16,299rolling in the corner of the room.22200:12:17,919 –> 00:12:20,500I wonder if when they went to worship22300:12:20,500 –> 00:12:23,780in Solomon’s great temple22400:12:24,059 –> 00:12:26,320whether Solomon noticed that his son22500:12:26,320 –> 00:12:28,299looked as if he had absolutely22600:12:28,299 –> 00:12:30,320not the faintest bit of interest22700:12:30,320 –> 00:12:32,679in what was going on in all of the world.22800:12:34,020 –> 00:12:35,840And he thinks to himself22900:12:35,840 –> 00:12:38,159my son’s heart’s in another place23000:12:40,059 –> 00:12:41,479and he’s anxious.23100:12:42,780 –> 00:12:45,119The son once was learning the truth23200:12:45,119 –> 00:12:46,619and showed some interest in truth23300:12:46,619 –> 00:12:48,580but now there seems to be no interest23400:12:48,580 –> 00:12:50,979in it at all and he says this23500:12:50,979 –> 00:12:52,659by the truth23600:12:54,099 –> 00:12:57,219notice that there is such a thing as the truth23700:12:57,219 –> 00:13:01,179and that it is worth23800:13:01,179 –> 00:13:04,739whatever it costs you to get it.23900:13:06,539 –> 00:13:08,500Solomon doesn’t tell his son24000:13:08,500 –> 00:13:11,659what it will cost him to stand for the truth24100:13:11,659 –> 00:13:14,080he doesn’t know, there isn’t one of us here24200:13:14,080 –> 00:13:15,859who knows what it will cost our children24300:13:15,859 –> 00:13:16,960to stand for the truth24400:13:16,960 –> 00:13:19,780or our grandchildren to stand for the truth.24500:13:19,780 –> 00:13:22,460Not a single one of us,24600:13:22,460 –> 00:13:23,380none of us knows.24700:13:23,380 –> 00:13:24,960It might cost friends24800:13:25,919 –> 00:13:29,179for you to embrace by the truth,24900:13:29,179 –> 00:13:31,859it might cost opportunities in your life,25000:13:31,859 –> 00:13:33,659it might cost your life,25100:13:35,780 –> 00:13:38,059But you see what Solomon is saying to his son here,25200:13:38,059 –> 00:13:42,119he’s saying, buy the truth at any price.25300:13:43,859 –> 00:13:45,500Now those of you who are investors25400:13:45,500 –> 00:13:47,739know you wouldn’t do that with anything else.25500:13:48,859 –> 00:13:50,380With any other investment25600:13:50,380 –> 00:13:51,539that you’d look at the price25700:13:51,539 –> 00:13:53,460and then you’d look at the options.25800:13:54,960 –> 00:13:56,820But what Solomon says to his son is,25900:13:56,820 –> 00:13:59,400look, son, when it comes to the truth,26000:13:59,400 –> 00:14:02,619it’s in a whole different category26100:14:02,619 –> 00:14:06,400because the price is never too high for the truth26200:14:06,400 –> 00:14:10,859because the truth has a value that is supreme26300:14:10,859 –> 00:14:14,179because it has a value that is eternal.26400:14:15,260 –> 00:14:17,640And your life in this world is very short,26500:14:18,500 –> 00:14:22,719but your life in eternity is very, very long indeed.26600:14:22,719 –> 00:14:25,359So buy the truth, whatever it costs you.26700:14:26,419 –> 00:14:31,020You bind the truth like a belt around your waist26800:14:31,020 –> 00:14:33,400and do not sell it.26900:14:34,419 –> 00:14:39,419Judas sold the truth, but he’s not an example for you.27000:14:42,179 –> 00:14:43,539No, says this wise father,27100:14:43,539 –> 00:14:45,460the truth is worth more than anything27200:14:45,479 –> 00:14:48,820that you could ever, ever gain by giving it up.27300:14:48,820 –> 00:14:50,940Whatever you think you will gain in life27400:14:50,940 –> 00:14:54,500by giving up the truth, the truth is worth more27500:14:55,419 –> 00:15:00,419than anything you will ever gain by giving up the truth.27600:15:01,099 –> 00:15:04,440So buy the truth and do not sell it.27700:15:06,460 –> 00:15:09,760But very obviously, this raises the question for all of us,27800:15:09,760 –> 00:15:12,840men, women, fathers, sons, mothers, daughters,27900:15:13,700 –> 00:15:16,119where is your heart today?28000:15:18,000 –> 00:15:20,900When Jesus was asked what is the very first commandment,28100:15:20,900 –> 00:15:22,039what is the very first thing28200:15:22,039 –> 00:15:24,580that God requires of every one of us?28300:15:26,000 –> 00:15:29,239He said, love the Lord your God with all your heart.28400:15:29,239 –> 00:15:32,419Where do you stand in relation to that first calling28500:15:32,419 –> 00:15:34,239of God upon your life today,28600:15:34,239 –> 00:15:39,239to love the Lord with all your heart.28700:15:40,200 –> 00:15:41,659And you had better guard your heart28800:15:41,659 –> 00:15:45,840because from it flow the springs of your life.28900:15:48,780 –> 00:15:53,780I pondered, do we go to the outcome of this story today29000:15:53,780 –> 00:15:55,739or do we hold it for next week?29100:15:55,739 –> 00:15:57,760Big, big preachers decision.29200:15:58,799 –> 00:16:00,940So I did the only wise thing to do.29300:16:02,280 –> 00:16:04,119I asked my wife.29400:16:04,119 –> 00:16:07,760And she said,29500:16:07,760 –> 00:16:10,219You better tell them the end of the story today.29600:16:11,719 –> 00:16:13,780And here’s why I hesitated29700:16:13,780 –> 00:16:18,520because the outcome of the story isn’t good.29800:16:20,659 –> 00:16:21,979But I’ve taken her advice29900:16:21,979 –> 00:16:26,140and I think it’s right to follow the story30000:16:26,140 –> 00:16:27,059to its conclusion30100:16:27,059 –> 00:16:29,099because today we’re looking at the heart gone wrong.30200:16:29,099 –> 00:16:31,880Next week, we’re going to look at the heart getting right.30300:16:32,979 –> 00:16:34,659If you want the conclusion of the story,30400:16:34,659 –> 00:16:37,739you’ll find it in Second Chronicles chapter 1230500:16:37,739 –> 00:16:39,299in verses 13 and 14.30600:16:39,919 –> 00:16:41,159And the words that are used there30700:16:41,159 –> 00:16:43,880are very, very striking, indeed.30800:16:43,880 –> 00:16:47,440So, King Rehoboam grew strong in Jerusalem30900:16:47,440 –> 00:16:48,599and he reigned.31000:16:48,599 –> 00:16:50,479So, this is the son.31100:16:50,479 –> 00:16:52,239Solomon has now died.31200:16:52,239 –> 00:16:56,159Rehoboam is 41 years old when he began to reign31300:16:56,159 –> 00:17:01,159and he reigned for 17 years in Jerusalem.31400:17:01,760 –> 00:17:03,419And then notice what the scripture says.31500:17:03,419 –> 00:17:06,459And he did evil.31600:17:07,160 –> 00:17:09,520Why did he do evil?31700:17:09,520 –> 00:17:10,599Notice what it says.31800:17:10,599 –> 00:17:15,599For he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.31900:17:20,599 –> 00:17:25,040He did not listen to his father’s wisdom.32000:17:27,660 –> 00:17:28,859You know, think about this.32100:17:28,859 –> 00:17:30,739And I see this for the father32200:17:30,739 –> 00:17:34,979and for the mother who wrestles with a rebel son32300:17:35,119 –> 00:17:37,640or a daughter and so often you go over and over32400:17:37,640 –> 00:17:40,140what might we have done different and all of that.32500:17:42,420 –> 00:17:45,699The wisest father who ever lived had a rebel son.32600:17:47,979 –> 00:17:50,959In fact, if you have a rebel son or a rebel daughter32700:17:50,959 –> 00:17:53,380or if you are anxious about a grandchild,32800:17:54,859 –> 00:17:57,239you will want to have made a very clear note32900:17:57,239 –> 00:17:59,540of Isaiah chapter one and verse two,33000:17:59,540 –> 00:18:01,719where God says this,33100:18:01,780 –> 00:18:06,780I raised children and they rebelled against me.33200:18:06,880 –> 00:18:08,500Can you take that in?33300:18:08,500 –> 00:18:11,680God says, I raised children.33400:18:11,680 –> 00:18:13,420He’s referring to Israel of course.33500:18:14,979 –> 00:18:16,380And they rebelled against me.33600:18:19,060 –> 00:18:20,219Well, you cannot have a better33700:18:20,219 –> 00:18:22,180or a wiser father than God.33800:18:24,060 –> 00:18:27,020Rehoboam, I think, is one of the saddest characters33900:18:27,020 –> 00:18:30,300in all of the Bible because he was so privileged34000:18:30,920 –> 00:18:32,099and gave it all away.34100:18:34,119 –> 00:18:37,219Think of this, the Scripture is very precise34200:18:37,219 –> 00:18:41,199in its language and it tells us about David34300:18:41,199 –> 00:18:46,060who was Rehoboam’s grandfather,34400:18:46,060 –> 00:18:50,859that his heart was wholly true to the Lord.34500:18:52,180 –> 00:18:54,000We then read, later in the story,34600:18:54,000 –> 00:18:56,900that Rehoboam had a grandson,34700:18:56,900 –> 00:19:01,380and the same words, precisely the same words34800:19:01,380 –> 00:19:03,660are used of him, his name was Esau34900:19:03,660 –> 00:19:06,780and it is said of Esau that his heart35000:19:06,780 –> 00:19:09,260was wholly true to the Lord.35100:19:09,260 –> 00:19:11,359So, here’s Rehoboam standing in the middle,35200:19:11,359 –> 00:19:14,339he’s got a grandfather wholly true to the Lord,35300:19:14,339 –> 00:19:17,339he’s got a grandson wholly true to the Lord35400:19:17,339 –> 00:19:20,839and he’s in the middle and he’s given it all away35500:19:22,579 –> 00:19:25,180because he did not set his heart35600:19:25,859 –> 00:19:29,060to seek the Lord.35700:19:30,680 –> 00:19:34,939We’re gonna look throughout the message next week35800:19:34,939 –> 00:19:39,180at what it means to get the heart right35900:19:39,180 –> 00:19:41,939but let me just leave you with this in just two minutes,36000:19:43,739 –> 00:19:47,260I think there are two prayers that Rehoboam’s granddad36100:19:48,939 –> 00:19:51,619prayed that would’ve greatly helped him36200:19:51,619 –> 00:19:54,040and would be of great help to any36300:19:54,180 –> 00:19:57,140who find ourselves with a heart that is astray today.36400:19:59,739 –> 00:20:01,800One of the reasons that David had a heart36500:20:01,800 –> 00:20:03,199that was wholly true to the Lord36600:20:03,199 –> 00:20:04,979was that he learned to pray like this.36700:20:04,979 –> 00:20:06,719He asked God to search his heart.36800:20:06,719 –> 00:20:09,260Search me, oh God, and know my heart.36900:20:09,260 –> 00:20:11,040Try me and know my thoughts37000:20:11,040 –> 00:20:13,920and see if there is any grievous way in me37100:20:13,920 –> 00:20:16,140and lead me in the way everlasting.37200:20:16,140 –> 00:20:18,479Oh, make that your prayer today.37300:20:20,359 –> 00:20:21,180It’s a great prayer.37400:20:21,180 –> 00:20:22,979Lord, show me where my heart is.37500:20:23,079 –> 00:20:25,300I don’t even understand my own heart,37600:20:25,300 –> 00:20:27,359but you do, you’re able to look into it37700:20:27,359 –> 00:20:30,140as no one else ever can and no one else ever will.37800:20:30,140 –> 00:20:33,479Now, will you reveal to me what you see in my heart today?37900:20:33,479 –> 00:20:35,959Show me when I’m grieving you right now.38000:20:37,880 –> 00:20:39,959Show me where I’m admiring the wrong people.38100:20:39,959 –> 00:20:42,439Show me what I’m making the wrong decisions38200:20:42,439 –> 00:20:46,400and show me when I’m investing myself in the wrong ways.38300:20:48,280 –> 00:20:50,239And then as you ask God to search your heart,38400:20:50,239 –> 00:20:52,760ask God to change your heart.38500:20:53,099 –> 00:20:55,680Oh, Rehoboam’s grandfather knew what it was38600:20:55,680 –> 00:20:56,660to pray like this,38700:20:56,660 –> 00:21:01,239create in me a clean heart, Oh God,38800:21:01,239 –> 00:21:04,900and renew a right spirit within me.38900:21:06,199 –> 00:21:07,540Friends, the message today,39000:21:07,540 –> 00:21:09,819the message of the gospel is not39100:21:09,819 –> 00:21:14,160get your heart right so that you can come to God.39200:21:14,160 –> 00:21:16,500The message of the gospel is39300:21:16,500 –> 00:21:20,979come to God in order that you may get your heart right.39400:21:21,859 –> 00:21:24,819You do not come to Jesus Christ39500:21:24,819 –> 00:21:26,599because you have a right heart.39600:21:26,599 –> 00:21:30,500You come to Jesus Christ because you need a right heart39700:21:30,500 –> 00:21:33,020and you know today that you don’t have it.39800:21:34,079 –> 00:21:36,219So you’ve come to the Lord Jesus Christ39900:21:36,219 –> 00:21:37,939in whom this great promise is ours.40000:21:37,939 –> 00:21:39,599I will give you a new heart40100:21:39,599 –> 00:21:42,180and I will put a new spirit within you.40200:21:42,180 –> 00:21:43,260And you say, Oh God,40300:21:43,260 –> 00:21:48,160give me a clean heart through Jesus Christ.40400:21:48,160 –> 00:21:49,079Change me.40500:21:49,920 –> 00:21:52,420And then God will indeed do that.40600:21:52,420 –> 00:21:56,680And he will say, son, daughter, give me your heart.40700:21:58,660 –> 00:22:00,900You’ve been listening to open the Bible40800:22:00,900 –> 00:22:02,219with Pastor Colin Smith40900:22:02,219 –> 00:22:04,540and a message called the Heart gone wrong.41000:22:04,540 –> 00:22:06,459We’ve been hearing about King Solomon41100:22:06,459 –> 00:22:08,699and his son, Rehoboam.41200:22:08,699 –> 00:22:12,520If you’ve missed any of the messages in our present series,41300:22:12,520 –> 00:22:15,680then it’s easy to catch up or go back and listen again.41400:22:15,680 –> 00:22:17,180When you come to our website,41500:22:17,180 –> 00:22:20,020that’s at openthebible.org.uk.41600:22:20,020 –> 00:22:22,540And you can also find them on all the main podcast sites41700:22:22,540 –> 00:22:25,540by searching for open the Bible UK.41800:22:26,719 –> 00:22:28,380What if you could go on a hike41900:22:28,380 –> 00:22:31,300with Pastor Colin through the Bible story?42000:22:31,300 –> 00:22:33,099See how it all fits together42100:22:33,099 –> 00:22:35,739and how it all points to Jesus.42200:22:35,739 –> 00:22:37,180Well, now you can42300:22:37,180 –> 00:22:40,300with the new podcast, Hike through the Bible.42400:22:40,300 –> 00:22:42,239Yeah. And this is for everyone42500:22:42,239 –> 00:22:44,520who wants to understand the Bible better42600:22:44,560 –> 00:22:47,800and for everyone who wants to love Jesus more.42700:22:47,800 –> 00:22:49,119In each episode42800:22:49,119 –> 00:22:52,040I’ll read a chapter from my book, Hike Through the Bible42900:22:52,040 –> 00:22:54,520and then I’ll discuss it with some friends.43000:22:54,520 –> 00:22:56,880A new episode releases every week.43100:22:56,880 –> 00:23:00,280And so you can take this hike at a gentle pace.43200:23:00,280 –> 00:23:04,040In a year, you’ll have covered the entire Bible story.43300:23:04,040 –> 00:23:06,400I really hope that you’ll join me43400:23:06,400 –> 00:23:07,219on this journey43500:23:07,219 –> 00:23:09,680and it’s not too late to get started now.43600:23:09,680 –> 00:23:13,060Well, you can subscribe to Hike Through the Bible podcast43700:23:13,060 –> 00:23:15,000wherever you get your podcasts43800:23:15,000 –> 00:23:17,280and you can find out more information43900:23:17,280 –> 00:23:22,060on our website, open thebible.org.uk.44000:23:22,060 –> 00:23:24,459Open the Bible is able to be on this station44100:23:24,459 –> 00:23:27,219as well as our website and the podcasts44200:23:27,219 –> 00:23:29,900because listeners like you give generously44300:23:29,900 –> 00:23:31,459to support our work.44400:23:31,459 –> 00:23:32,819So if you’re already support44500:23:32,819 –> 00:23:35,939Open the Bible in this way, thank you so much.44600:23:35,939 –> 00:23:37,520If supporting Open the Bible44700:23:37,520 –> 00:23:40,099is something you want to start doing this month,44800:23:40,099 –> 00:23:41,420we’d love to say thank you44900:23:41,420 –> 00:23:44,140by sending you Pastor Colin’s brand new book,45000:23:44,140 –> 00:23:45,540Grow in Hope.45100:23:45,540 –> 00:23:48,160It’s a 30-day devotional study45200:23:48,160 –> 00:23:52,420drawing on scripture and years of Pastoral experience.45300:23:52,420 –> 00:23:54,939Colin, who is this book for?45400:23:54,939 –> 00:23:58,219Well this is for everybody who wants to have hope45500:23:58,219 –> 00:24:00,719and I think that’s absolutely every person,45600:24:00,719 –> 00:24:02,140we all need hope45700:24:02,140 –> 00:24:05,619and if you would like to have hope drip fed45800:24:05,619 –> 00:24:08,020into your life for 30 days45900:24:08,020 –> 00:24:10,900then Grow in Hope is a devotional46000:24:10,939 –> 00:24:11,979that will do just that.46100:24:11,979 –> 00:24:15,020It’s full of the promises of God.46200:24:15,020 –> 00:24:18,060It shows that hope comes from God,46300:24:18,060 –> 00:24:20,859it comes to us through the Lord Jesus Christ46400:24:20,859 –> 00:24:24,280and it comes to us by His marvelous grace.46500:24:24,280 –> 00:24:25,619So 30 days of hope,46600:24:25,619 –> 00:24:27,619I think that’s something that everyone can use46700:24:27,619 –> 00:24:28,979and I hope it’s going to be a blessing46800:24:28,979 –> 00:24:30,099to everyone who reads it.46900:24:30,099 –> 00:24:32,540So Pastor Colin’s book Grow in Hope47000:24:32,540 –> 00:24:33,640is our gift to you47100:24:33,640 –> 00:24:35,660when you set up a new direct debit47200:24:35,660 –> 00:24:38,219of five pounds per month or more47300:24:39,020 –> 00:24:40,420or a one-off gift of 60 pounds or more47400:24:40,420 –> 00:24:43,939to support the work of Open the Bible this month.47500:24:43,939 –> 00:24:46,280Full terms and conditions are on our website47600:24:46,280 –> 00:24:48,920at openthebible.org.uk47700:24:48,920 –> 00:24:50,920and you can give online.47800:24:50,920 –> 00:24:53,680Don’t forget though to leave your full name and address47900:24:53,680 –> 00:24:54,579when you donate,48000:24:54,579 –> 00:24:57,880so we’ll be able to send you your gift.48100:24:57,880 –> 00:25:00,020For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith48200:25:00,020 –> 00:25:01,339I am David Pick.48300:25:01,339 –> 00:25:02,780Thanks for being with us today48400:25:02,780 –> 00:25:04,199and we look forward to having you48500:25:04,199 –> 00:25:06,160join us again next time.48600:25:06,800 –> 00:25:07,920Welcome!48700:25:14,160 –> 00:25:15,500The mission of Open the Bible48800:25:15,500 –> 00:25:17,640is to create a movement of people48900:25:17,640 –> 00:25:19,959who love to open the Bible themselves49000:25:19,959 –> 00:25:23,280and are equipped to open the Bible with others.49100:25:23,280 –> 00:25:24,959Join us for a special interview49200:25:24,959 –> 00:25:26,719with Pastor Colin Smith.49300:25:26,719 –> 00:25:29,020That’s next time on Open the Bible.