100:00:00,000 –> 00:00:06,800We’re going to look at the special ministry200:00:06,800 –> 00:00:12,140of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian believer.300:00:13,000 –> 00:00:15,420The ministry of the Holy Spirit in particular400:00:15,860 –> 00:00:20,600to assure us that we are children of God.500:00:20,600 –> 00:00:23,200Welcome to open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.600:00:23,200 –> 00:00:24,680I’m David Pick.700:00:24,680 –> 00:00:26,320It’s good that you could be with us today.800:00:26,320 –> 00:00:29,020And and Colin I expect you’ve heard people saying things like900:00:29,660 –> 00:00:33,220that they have a pretty good idea of God, the Father and God,1000:00:33,220 –> 00:00:36,040the Son, Jesus Christ, and what he does.1100:00:36,340 –> 00:00:37,820But the Holy Spirit. Hmm.1200:00:37,820 –> 00:00:39,959I’m not so sure about him.1300:00:39,959 –> 00:00:42,419Yeah, I’ve heard that often, as you have.1400:00:42,419 –> 00:00:46,619And and yet the work of the Holy Spirit1500:00:47,139 –> 00:00:50,240is at the very heart of Christian experience.1600:00:50,240 –> 00:00:53,060I mean, there really is no Christian experience1700:00:53,060 –> 00:00:55,560apart from the work of the Holy Spirit.1800:00:55,639 –> 00:00:59,160And so we’re going to look from the first letter of John1900:00:59,480 –> 00:01:03,919today and next time at an overview of the2000:01:03,919 –> 00:01:07,360work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian believer.2100:01:07,660 –> 00:01:11,680But at the very heart of John’s message is this wonderful2200:01:11,680 –> 00:01:15,300truth that the Holy Spirit himself gives us2300:01:15,300 –> 00:01:18,300assurance that we are God’s children.2400:01:18,300 –> 00:01:21,919This is stated so wonderfully in Romans Chapter eight2500:01:21,919 –> 00:01:25,440in verse sixteen, the spirit himself bears witness2600:01:25,440 –> 00:01:28,580with our spirit that we are children of God.2700:01:28,720 –> 00:01:31,879What a wonderful thing that is that not only would2800:01:31,879 –> 00:01:34,279I have assurance because I read the Bible2900:01:34,279 –> 00:01:37,839and believe God’s promises, but that God’s holy3000:01:37,839 –> 00:01:42,559spirit actually strengthens assurance in the life3100:01:42,559 –> 00:01:45,559of a believer. He tells us, he confirms to us3200:01:45,800 –> 00:01:48,540that we really do belong to God and that we are3300:01:48,540 –> 00:01:49,260His children.3400:01:49,260 –> 00:01:51,760It’s a wonderful truth that we’re looking at today.3500:01:51,940 –> 00:01:54,980That’s right at the center of peace and joy3600:01:54,980 –> 00:01:57,139and hope in the Christian life.3700:01:57,199 –> 00:02:00,019Well, join us today, if you can, in the first3800:02:00,019 –> 00:02:01,500book of John, chapter two.3900:02:01,820 –> 00:02:04,720As we begin a message, assurance grows as you4000:02:04,720 –> 00:02:06,360listen to the witness of the Spirit.4100:02:06,699 –> 00:02:07,580Here is Colin.4200:02:08,139 –> 00:02:12,080We’re saying that God wants you to have peace4300:02:12,100 –> 00:02:15,119and to have joy in believing.4400:02:15,380 –> 00:02:18,179He wants you to know that, you know, Him wants4500:02:18,179 –> 00:02:21,460you to know that you are in Christ, wants you4600:02:21,460 –> 00:02:24,820to know that you have eternal life.4700:02:25,539 –> 00:02:28,059And the question that we’re looking at from this4800:02:28,059 –> 00:02:30,919first letter of John is how can we have confidence4900:02:30,940 –> 00:02:33,759and assurance, this wonderful assurance that5000:02:33,759 –> 00:02:35,619God wants us to enjoy?5100:02:36,399 –> 00:02:38,460And we’ve seen together from this letter that5200:02:38,460 –> 00:02:41,880God calls us to believe in His son, to love His5300:02:41,880 –> 00:02:44,880people and to obey His commands, and that5400:02:44,880 –> 00:02:49,080assurance will grow as we pursue these things.5500:02:49,080 –> 00:02:54,759So assurance very clearly is a goal for us to5600:02:54,759 –> 00:02:55,479pursue.5700:02:56,500 –> 00:02:59,240But in these last Sundays of this series, we’re5800:02:59,240 –> 00:03:01,979seeing that it is also a wonderful gift for us5900:03:01,979 –> 00:03:06,039to enjoy and it is a gift that comes to us6000:03:06,039 –> 00:03:09,160through the ministry of God the Father, God the6100:03:09,160 –> 00:03:12,179Son and God the Holy Spirit.6200:03:12,860 –> 00:03:17,179And John wants us to see and grasp the distinct6300:03:17,179 –> 00:03:21,960ministry of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit6400:03:22,160 –> 00:03:26,179to bring assurance in the life of a Christian6500:03:26,220 –> 00:03:26,820believer.6600:03:27,440 –> 00:03:31,279Last week we looked at the ministry of God the6700:03:31,279 –> 00:03:33,139Father in this regard.6800:03:33,139 –> 00:03:36,419We saw from chapter 3 in verse 21, that the6900:03:36,419 –> 00:03:40,279normal experience of a Christian believer is to7000:03:40,279 –> 00:03:42,399have confidence before God.7100:03:42,699 –> 00:03:47,139Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we7200:03:47,179 –> 00:03:48,940have confidence before God.7300:03:48,979 –> 00:03:52,399There’s the normal experience of a Christian7400:03:52,399 –> 00:03:53,899believer. We have peace with God.7500:03:53,919 –> 00:03:55,839We have confidence before Him.7600:03:56,119 –> 00:03:58,839The normal experiences that our hearts do not7700:03:58,839 –> 00:03:59,539condemn us.7800:03:59,779 –> 00:04:02,020But John makes very clear that there will be7900:04:02,059 –> 00:04:04,460times when our hearts do condemn us.8000:04:05,479 –> 00:04:09,059And when these times come what we are to grasp8100:04:09,059 –> 00:04:12,380and where we find help is in this wonderful truth8200:04:12,419 –> 00:04:15,600that God is greater than our hearts.8300:04:16,279 –> 00:04:20,399By this, Chapter 3 and verse 19, we reassure our8400:04:20,399 –> 00:04:24,859hearts before Him whenever our heart condemns us.8500:04:25,239 –> 00:04:28,640God is greater than our hearts.8600:04:29,720 –> 00:04:32,239The good news when your heart condemns you is8700:04:32,239 –> 00:04:33,820that God is greater than your heart.8800:04:33,839 –> 00:04:37,600God justifies those who have faith in Jesus.8900:04:37,600 –> 00:04:41,320He pronounces you not guilty as you believe9000:04:41,320 –> 00:04:44,160in His son Jesus Christ and God’s judgment9100:04:44,160 –> 00:04:47,220overrides any other judgment even that your9200:04:47,220 –> 00:04:51,559own heart may make against you, no power in9300:04:51,559 –> 00:04:55,019heaven, no power on the earth, no power even in9400:04:55,019 –> 00:04:59,839hell itself can overrule the word of Almighty9500:04:59,839 –> 00:05:03,040God, and it is God who justifies.9600:05:03,040 –> 00:05:05,339So, the Apostle Paul says in the book of Romans,9700:05:05,339 –> 00:05:06,899Who then is to condemn?9800:05:07,279 –> 00:05:08,600This is how, why?9900:05:08,600 –> 00:05:11,739There is no condemnation for those who are in10000:05:11,739 –> 00:05:13,119Christ Jesus.10100:05:13,420 –> 00:05:17,220We are justified by faith and we have peace with10200:05:17,220 –> 00:05:20,760God through Jesus Christ our Lord.10300:05:20,799 –> 00:05:23,079That’s where we were last week, the distinct10400:05:23,079 –> 00:05:27,839ministry of God the father in justifying us,10500:05:28,440 –> 00:05:32,700giving us peace and assurance when our hearts10600:05:33,200 –> 00:05:35,000otherwise condemn us.10700:05:35,799 –> 00:05:39,200Now, today we’re going to look at the special10800:05:39,200 –> 00:05:43,920ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of a10900:05:43,920 –> 00:05:45,459Christian believer.11000:05:46,239 –> 00:05:49,359The ministry of the Holy Spirit in particular to11100:05:49,359 –> 00:05:53,260assure us that we are children of God.11200:05:54,000 –> 00:05:56,359And John speaks about this wonderful work of the11300:05:56,359 –> 00:06:00,200Holy Spirit repeatedly in this letter, chapter three11400:06:00,200 –> 00:06:01,519in verse 24.11500:06:02,040 –> 00:06:09,940By this we know that he abides in us by the Spirit11600:06:10,820 –> 00:06:12,880whom he has given us.11700:06:13,700 –> 00:06:15,899Or chapter four and verse 13.11800:06:16,179 –> 00:06:20,239By this we know that we abide in him.11900:06:20,980 –> 00:06:25,700And by this we know that he abides in us because he12000:06:25,700 –> 00:06:29,320has given us of his spirit.12100:06:29,839 –> 00:06:33,399Or chapter five and verse six where we read that the Spirit12200:06:33,399 –> 00:06:38,279is the one who testifies because the Spirit is the truth.12300:06:39,000 –> 00:06:43,000Now John is telling us in these and in other verses12400:06:43,000 –> 00:06:46,279what the Apostle Paul tells us very clearly in12500:06:46,279 –> 00:06:48,359Romans and chapter eight.12600:06:48,579 –> 00:06:52,760That the Spirit, that is the Holy Spirit himself12700:06:52,760 –> 00:07:00,320bears witness with our Spirit that we are the children of God.12800:07:00,799 –> 00:07:03,880Now I want to focus especially today12900:07:03,880 –> 00:07:07,559on what John says about the ministry of the Holy Spirit13000:07:07,559 –> 00:07:12,600in the life of a Christian believer in chapter two that was read to us.13100:07:12,600 –> 00:07:15,640Now I want you to notice that John here is13200:07:15,640 –> 00:07:19,959addressing a particular problem that he identifies13300:07:20,119 –> 00:07:22,279in verse 19.13400:07:22,279 –> 00:07:28,519They went out from us but they were not off us13500:07:28,559 –> 00:07:35,380for if they had been of us they would have continued with us13600:07:35,380 –> 00:07:37,359but they went out . . .13700:07:37,679 –> 00:07:44,519that it might become plain that they all are not of us.13800:07:45,239 –> 00:07:49,239Now here then were people who had once professed13900:07:49,239 –> 00:07:56,119Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and then had abandoned the Faith that they once professed.14000:07:56,519 –> 00:07:58,820They’d left the church.14100:07:59,079 –> 00:08:03,339They had gone out from us.14200:08:03,959 –> 00:08:07,000And John states very clearly14300:08:07,000 –> 00:08:12,279that the action of these particular people in abandoning the Faith they had14400:08:12,279 –> 00:08:17,940once professed was evidence that they never were true Christians.14500:08:18,040 –> 00:08:19,160That’s what he’s saying.14600:08:19,160 –> 00:08:24,459They went out from us but they were not off us.14700:08:24,459 –> 00:08:29,519For if they had been off us, they would have continued with us.14800:08:30,100 –> 00:08:32,760Now you see the point today’s making.14900:08:32,760 –> 00:08:36,840True Faith perseveres,15000:08:36,840 –> 00:08:41,940and continuing in the Faith is the clearest evidence15100:08:41,940 –> 00:08:45,219that you really are a Christian.15200:08:45,520 –> 00:08:46,900It is the Lord Jesus said15300:08:46,979 –> 00:08:49,619is the person who endures to the end15400:08:49,619 –> 00:08:51,679who will be saved.15500:08:51,679 –> 00:08:54,640Or in Hebrews chapter three and verse 14,15600:08:54,640 –> 00:08:56,260it’s stated very clearly.15700:08:56,260 –> 00:09:01,260We have come to share in Christ if,15800:09:01,919 –> 00:09:04,280okay, how do you know that you really have come15900:09:04,280 –> 00:09:06,880to share in Christ, that you really are a Christian?16000:09:06,880 –> 00:09:11,020If indeed we hold our original confidence16100:09:11,020 –> 00:09:14,380firm to the end.16200:09:14,380 –> 00:09:18,280That’s the distinguishing mark of a true Christian,16300:09:18,280 –> 00:09:23,239persevering in faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ.16400:09:24,760 –> 00:09:29,039Now the New Testament gives us many examples16500:09:29,039 –> 00:09:32,559of people who once made a profession of faith16600:09:32,559 –> 00:09:36,039and then abandoned the faith that they had professed.16700:09:36,039 –> 00:09:38,640Let me just give you one or two examples16800:09:38,640 –> 00:09:40,119from the ministry of Jesus.16900:09:40,119 –> 00:09:43,919John tells us of many people who believed,17000:09:43,919 –> 00:09:45,599that’s the word that’s used,17100:09:45,599 –> 00:09:49,400after Jesus had overturned the tables in the temple.17200:09:49,400 –> 00:09:52,039Remember, he drove the traders out of the temple.17300:09:52,039 –> 00:09:54,320John records this in chapter two.17400:09:54,320 –> 00:09:58,679And after that, He says, many believed in His name17500:09:58,679 –> 00:10:00,760when they saw the signs that He was doing.17600:10:00,760 –> 00:10:02,320They saw these remarkable events.17700:10:02,320 –> 00:10:04,359They thought, we wanna be a part of this.17800:10:05,479 –> 00:10:09,599But Jesus on His part did not entrust Himself to them17900:10:09,599 –> 00:10:11,280because He knew all people18000:10:11,280 –> 00:10:13,840and He needed no one to be amidst this about man,18100:10:13,840 –> 00:10:16,440for He Himself knew what was in man.18200:10:18,159 –> 00:10:21,900You get something similar in John chapter six18300:10:21,900 –> 00:10:24,320where Jesus fed the 5,000.18400:10:24,320 –> 00:10:28,200That’s the first story in that remarkable chapter.18500:10:28,200 –> 00:10:30,640And these people were so wowed,18600:10:30,640 –> 00:10:32,179as you could well understand,18700:10:32,179 –> 00:10:34,520by what Jesus did multiplying the loaves18800:10:34,520 –> 00:10:36,440and the fish in His hand18900:10:36,440 –> 00:10:38,840that they tried, after that event,19000:10:38,840 –> 00:10:42,539to take Him by force and to make Him their king.19100:10:43,479 –> 00:10:45,659But Jesus had not come into the world19200:10:45,659 –> 00:10:48,260to promote their agenda,19300:10:48,260 –> 00:10:50,159and so He slipped away from them.19400:10:51,260 –> 00:10:53,260And the next day, they heard that Jesus19500:10:53,260 –> 00:10:55,260was over the other side of the lake.19600:10:55,260 –> 00:10:57,359So, I mean, all credit to them.19700:10:57,359 –> 00:10:59,559They were so determined to go after Him.19800:10:59,559 –> 00:11:01,539They went all the way around the lake,19900:11:01,539 –> 00:11:04,580on foot, in order to catch up with Jesus.20000:11:04,580 –> 00:11:07,179And He then began speaking to them20100:11:07,179 –> 00:11:10,140about eternal life, about Himself,20200:11:10,140 –> 00:11:11,979and about their own spiritual need.20300:11:12,159 –> 00:11:13,299And when He spoke to them about20400:11:13,299 –> 00:11:15,219these three things, they took offense.20500:11:15,219 –> 00:11:18,419And John records in chapter six in verse 64.20600:11:18,419 –> 00:11:20,000Jesus knew from the beginning20700:11:20,000 –> 00:11:22,780who those were who did not believe20800:11:22,780 –> 00:11:24,760and who it was who would betray Him.20900:11:24,760 –> 00:11:27,500And He said, this is why I told you21000:11:27,500 –> 00:11:29,780that no one can come to me21100:11:29,780 –> 00:11:32,659unless it is granted him by the Father.21200:11:32,659 –> 00:11:36,260And after this, many of his disciples turned back.21300:11:37,659 –> 00:11:39,739Any of his disciples turned back.21400:11:40,640 –> 00:11:43,200And no longer walked with him.21500:11:43,200 –> 00:11:46,400And then of course Jesus turned to the 1221600:11:46,400 –> 00:11:48,000and said, what about you?21700:11:48,000 –> 00:11:49,619You gonna go as well?21800:11:49,619 –> 00:11:52,039And you remember Peter’s marvelous answer.21900:11:52,039 –> 00:11:53,619Lord to whom shall we go?22000:11:53,619 –> 00:11:58,340Only you have the words of eternal life.22100:11:59,299 –> 00:12:02,260So you see the distinction between those who go22200:12:03,500 –> 00:12:05,119and those who remain.22300:12:05,979 –> 00:12:10,059And the apostle Paul gives us another example22400:12:10,059 –> 00:12:11,799in 1 Timothy and Chapter 1.22500:12:11,799 –> 00:12:13,780He speaks about certain people22600:12:13,780 –> 00:12:17,219who have made shipwreck of the faith.22700:12:17,219 –> 00:12:21,239He says to Timothy, exhorting Timothy is a true believer.22800:12:21,239 –> 00:12:23,119Now wage the good warfare,22900:12:23,119 –> 00:12:25,880holding faith and a good conscience.23000:12:25,880 –> 00:12:29,719By rejecting this some have made shipwreck of their faith.23100:12:30,140 –> 00:12:35,000Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander23200:12:38,159 –> 00:12:40,000whom I have handed over to Satan23300:12:40,000 –> 00:12:43,239that they may learn not to blaspheme, tragic story.23400:12:43,239 –> 00:12:46,719And now here, the apostle John23500:12:47,719 –> 00:12:52,239writing about people who went out from us23600:12:52,239 –> 00:12:54,679because they were not off us23700:12:54,679 –> 00:12:57,039for if they had been off us,23800:12:57,080 –> 00:13:00,919they would have continued with us.23900:13:00,919 –> 00:13:03,400Continuing in the faith being the mark24000:13:03,400 –> 00:13:06,719of a true and authentic believer.24100:13:08,599 –> 00:13:11,479So just letting that settle in our minds and our hearts.24200:13:11,479 –> 00:13:16,479No Christian should ever be surprised24300:13:16,679 –> 00:13:19,039when someone who wants professed faith24400:13:19,039 –> 00:13:21,760abandons the faith they once professed.24500:13:24,799 –> 00:13:26,820But having said, it shouldn’t be surprising24600:13:27,299 –> 00:13:28,780and that’s because it’s always happened.24700:13:30,020 –> 00:13:32,239It is profoundly disturbing, isn’t it?24800:13:33,500 –> 00:13:35,979It is profoundly unsettling.24900:13:37,440 –> 00:13:40,580And it’s profoundly unsettling for at least two reasons.25000:13:42,400 –> 00:13:45,960One is, of course, that you grieve25100:13:47,340 –> 00:13:51,059for a person who walks away from faith in the Son of God.25200:13:51,059 –> 00:13:54,440Someone you love, someone in your family circle,25300:13:54,440 –> 00:13:56,559your son, your daughter, once professed faith,25400:13:57,059 –> 00:13:58,940that walks away from the whole thing.25500:13:58,940 –> 00:14:00,780And you grieve because you’re saying to yourself25600:14:00,780 –> 00:14:02,380and perhaps even to them,25700:14:02,380 –> 00:14:04,500why would you walk away from faith25800:14:04,500 –> 00:14:06,080in the Son of God who loves you25900:14:06,080 –> 00:14:08,219and offers you everlasting life?26000:14:09,859 –> 00:14:11,340Why would you do that?26100:14:14,539 –> 00:14:17,599And it’s profoundly disturbing for another reason26200:14:18,919 –> 00:14:20,859because it raises the question26300:14:22,440 –> 00:14:24,099what if that happens to me?26400:14:25,039 –> 00:14:27,419Now you see that’s precisely the position26500:14:27,419 –> 00:14:28,460that these people were in.26600:14:28,460 –> 00:14:30,539There’s all these folks who had once professed faith26700:14:30,539 –> 00:14:31,700that were walking away.26800:14:34,080 –> 00:14:35,640And there won’t be a single person26900:14:35,640 –> 00:14:37,080here in this congregation today27000:14:37,080 –> 00:14:38,340who doesn’t know at least someone27100:14:38,340 –> 00:14:39,940who has walked away from faith.27200:14:40,760 –> 00:14:41,840And you may well have wondered,27300:14:41,840 –> 00:14:42,880well if that happened to them,27400:14:42,880 –> 00:14:44,219might that happen to me?27500:14:45,919 –> 00:14:48,859And that’s what John’s dealing with right here.27600:14:50,260 –> 00:14:52,299Now the way he answers this27700:14:53,179 –> 00:14:56,960very real and very profound question27800:14:58,000 –> 00:15:00,539is by pointing to the fact27900:15:01,460 –> 00:15:03,619that the people he’s writing to here28000:15:03,619 –> 00:15:06,099have not abandoned the faith.28100:15:07,020 –> 00:15:08,580Now that’s the first and very obvious thing.28200:15:08,580 –> 00:15:10,299Look, they went out.28300:15:11,659 –> 00:15:12,500You didn’t.28400:15:14,460 –> 00:15:15,739You’re here.28500:15:17,340 –> 00:15:18,179So why?28600:15:19,500 –> 00:15:20,679What’s the difference?28700:15:21,520 –> 00:15:25,500Why did they go out and why did you stay?28800:15:25,500 –> 00:15:26,679That’s the question.28900:15:28,280 –> 00:15:29,119How come?29000:15:30,440 –> 00:15:33,000Why is it that you have stayed faithful29100:15:34,159 –> 00:15:36,039when other people have walked away?29200:15:38,960 –> 00:15:41,119And the answer John gives dear friends is29300:15:42,719 –> 00:15:43,799the Holy Spirit.29400:15:44,960 –> 00:15:45,799The Holy Spirit.29500:15:46,000 –> 00:15:47,099The Holy Spirit.29600:15:48,159 –> 00:15:49,320You’re listening to Open the Bible29700:15:49,320 –> 00:15:50,719with Pastor Colin Smitt,29800:15:50,719 –> 00:15:53,320and we’re gonna pause the message just briefly there.29900:15:53,320 –> 00:15:54,359The message is called,30000:15:54,359 –> 00:15:57,880Assurance Grows As You Listen to the Witness of the Spirit.30100:15:57,880 –> 00:16:00,580And it’s part of our series How Can I Be Sure?30200:16:00,580 –> 00:16:03,340all about understanding how we can have assurance30300:16:03,340 –> 00:16:05,419of salvation as Christians.30400:16:05,419 –> 00:16:07,419If you’ve missed any messages in the series30500:16:07,419 –> 00:16:09,479or if you want to go back and listen again,30600:16:09,479 –> 00:16:12,119you can easily do that by coming to our website,30700:16:12,119 –> 00:16:14,859openthebible.org UK,30800:16:14,900 –> 00:16:18,700or by finding is as a podcast on all the main podcast sites,30900:16:18,700 –> 00:16:21,419search for Open The Bible UK.31000:16:21,419 –> 00:16:22,820Back to the message now.31100:16:22,820 –> 00:16:24,580Here again is Colin.31200:16:24,580 –> 00:16:27,760The reason you have stayed faithful31300:16:29,179 –> 00:16:31,640through all the pressures that you have endured,31400:16:31,640 –> 00:16:33,619all the discouragements you have faced,31500:16:33,619 –> 00:16:36,020all the trials that have come in your life,31600:16:36,020 –> 00:16:37,700all the tests of your faith,31700:16:37,700 –> 00:16:42,059the reason that you still love and serve Jesus today31800:16:42,059 –> 00:16:47,059is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in your life.31900:16:47,299 –> 00:16:49,260That’s the distinguishing factor.32000:16:49,260 –> 00:16:52,119There is no other higher explanation.32100:16:53,059 –> 00:16:55,619And he says it so clearly in verse 20.32200:16:55,619 –> 00:16:58,140Having spoken about these folks who’ve gone out,32300:16:58,140 –> 00:17:00,239he draws the contrast, verse 20.32400:17:00,239 –> 00:17:04,560You have been anointed32500:17:04,560 –> 00:17:07,719by the Holy One.32600:17:09,579 –> 00:17:11,280That’s your assurance.32700:17:12,260 –> 00:17:17,260The Holy Spirit is at work in you.32800:17:18,520 –> 00:17:21,260And that is why you are staying faithful today32900:17:21,260 –> 00:17:25,359when others have packed up and gone home.33000:17:27,140 –> 00:17:30,060Now I wanted to make seven observations33100:17:30,060 –> 00:17:33,060about the ministry of the Holy Spirit33200:17:33,060 –> 00:17:35,699from this wonderful first letter of John33300:17:35,699 –> 00:17:38,339so that we can take in the wonder,33400:17:38,500 –> 00:17:40,599or at least something of it,33500:17:40,599 –> 00:17:43,880of the ministry of the Holy Spirit33600:17:43,880 –> 00:17:47,819in the life of a Christian believer.33700:17:47,819 –> 00:17:49,780First, John makes it very clear33800:17:49,780 –> 00:17:54,079that the Holy Spirit is sent by Jesus.33900:17:54,079 –> 00:17:55,660Chapter 2 and verse 20,34000:17:55,660 –> 00:18:00,540you have been anointed by the Holy One.34100:18:01,400 –> 00:18:06,400So Christians are anointed with the Holy Spirit34200:18:06,719 –> 00:18:11,560and the Holy One who sends this anointing34300:18:11,560 –> 00:18:13,359is the Lord Jesus Christ.34400:18:13,359 –> 00:18:14,959Again and again in scripture,34500:18:14,959 –> 00:18:16,199it’s the Lord Jesus,34600:18:16,199 –> 00:18:17,079it’s the Redeemer,34700:18:17,079 –> 00:18:18,140it’s the Messiah,34800:18:18,140 –> 00:18:20,520who is referred to as the Holy One,34900:18:20,520 –> 00:18:21,959the Holy One of God,35000:18:21,959 –> 00:18:23,520and John says here35100:18:23,520 –> 00:18:27,040that he sends the Holy Spirit.35200:18:27,040 –> 00:18:27,859Jesus said,35300:18:27,859 –> 00:18:32,719when the helper comes whom I will send to you,35400:18:32,719 –> 00:18:34,640he will bear witness about me.35500:18:34,760 –> 00:18:35,660He said again,35600:18:35,660 –> 00:18:38,099If I do not go away the helper,35700:18:38,099 –> 00:18:40,319a way that he referred to the Holy Spirit35800:18:40,319 –> 00:18:41,380will not come to you,35900:18:41,380 –> 00:18:42,280but if I go,36000:18:42,280 –> 00:18:45,839I will send him to you.36100:18:45,839 –> 00:18:49,619Jesus is the Holy One of God36200:18:51,000 –> 00:18:55,280and he sends the Holy Spirit.36300:18:55,280 –> 00:18:57,479That’s the first thing that John affirms here.36400:18:58,439 –> 00:19:01,640Secondly is to whom does he send the Holy Spirit?36500:19:01,640 –> 00:19:03,520The Holy Spirit is given36600:19:03,540 –> 00:19:06,599to all who are in Christ.36700:19:06,599 –> 00:19:09,579Writing to these believers, he says,36800:19:09,579 –> 00:19:14,579you have been anointed by the Holy One.36900:19:14,680 –> 00:19:18,500So Jesus sends the Holy Spirit37000:19:18,500 –> 00:19:21,180and John refers to the gift37100:19:21,180 –> 00:19:25,560of the Holy Spirit here as an anointing.37200:19:25,560 –> 00:19:29,040That’s a very significant word in the Bible.37300:19:29,040 –> 00:19:30,739In the Old Testament, of course,37400:19:30,760 –> 00:19:35,719prophets and priests and kings were anointed with oil37500:19:35,719 –> 00:19:37,760for service to God.37600:19:37,760 –> 00:19:41,680You remember perhaps that Samuel poured out oil37700:19:41,680 –> 00:19:45,040over the head of David when he was anointed37800:19:45,040 –> 00:19:48,359for the service to which God had called him as the king.37900:19:48,359 –> 00:19:51,239And it says in the scriptures 1 Samuel chapter 1638000:19:51,239 –> 00:19:55,020in verse 13 that when the oil was poured upon him,38100:19:55,020 –> 00:19:59,780when David was anointed, the Holy Spirit rushes upon him.38200:20:00,839 –> 00:20:02,280And so what is being conveyed here38300:20:02,280 –> 00:20:05,459is this very wonderful truth38400:20:05,459 –> 00:20:10,459that the Holy Spirit will give to the one who is called38500:20:11,640 –> 00:20:16,020all the gifts and all the wisdom and all the power38600:20:16,020 –> 00:20:19,859for the work that that person is called to do.38700:20:20,780 –> 00:20:23,180That’s the significance of the anointing.38800:20:23,180 –> 00:20:28,180And John says here, you, you have been anointed.38900:20:31,239 –> 00:20:34,979And so he’s pointing to this wonderful reality39000:20:34,979 –> 00:20:38,439that is God has called you to this Christian life.39100:20:39,459 –> 00:20:42,319You have been anointed for it.39200:20:42,319 –> 00:20:46,459You have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit39300:20:46,459 –> 00:20:49,619who will give you all that you need to do39400:20:49,619 –> 00:20:51,339all that God calls you to do.39500:20:51,339 –> 00:20:52,560You are equipped.39600:20:53,780 –> 00:20:56,119And that is why you will be able to persevere.39700:20:56,119 –> 00:20:57,819You’re not doing this alone.39800:20:58,800 –> 00:21:01,599Third observation.39900:21:01,599 –> 00:21:05,800The Holy Spirit remains in all who believe.40000:21:05,800 –> 00:21:09,079So it’s Jesus who gives the gift of the Holy Spirit.40100:21:09,079 –> 00:21:10,859He gives the gift of the Holy Spirit40200:21:10,859 –> 00:21:13,699to all who are truly in Him.40300:21:13,699 –> 00:21:15,900And this gift is a gift that remains.40400:21:15,900 –> 00:21:19,239Chapter Two and verse 27,40500:21:19,239 –> 00:21:24,000but the anointing that you receive from him40600:21:24,000 –> 00:21:26,859abides in you.40700:21:28,800 –> 00:21:31,859Christian brother, sister,40800:21:31,859 –> 00:21:35,619you do not need to worry40900:21:35,619 –> 00:21:38,339about the Holy Spirit being taken away from you,41000:21:38,339 –> 00:21:41,140isn’t that good news?41100:21:41,140 –> 00:21:46,359The Holy Spirit is given to all of Christ’s people41200:21:46,359 –> 00:21:51,140and John says here the Holy Spirit remains41300:21:51,140 –> 00:21:53,979in all of Christ’s people.41400:21:53,979 –> 00:21:56,099I don’t need to worry about whether41500:21:56,219 –> 00:21:59,300the Holy Spirit will be with me next wednesday41600:21:59,300 –> 00:22:01,560just to pick a day.41700:22:01,560 –> 00:22:03,939You know, what day or what event41800:22:03,939 –> 00:22:06,180most worries you in the future?41900:22:06,180 –> 00:22:08,180How am I going to face this when it comes?42000:22:08,180 –> 00:22:09,859Well, the Holy Spirit remains with you.42100:22:09,859 –> 00:22:11,900He is going to be with you on that day42200:22:11,900 –> 00:22:13,479when you face that as well.42300:22:13,479 –> 00:22:14,719You will have all that you need42400:22:14,719 –> 00:22:15,819for everything that you face42500:22:15,819 –> 00:22:19,020because He is going to remain with you.42600:22:19,020 –> 00:22:21,280He will remain with you.42700:22:21,280 –> 00:22:22,439That is good news.42800:22:22,439 –> 00:22:25,219The Holy Spirit remains with us.42900:22:25,219 –> 00:22:26,599You have been listening to Open the Bible43000:22:26,599 –> 00:22:27,979with Pastor Colin Smith43100:22:27,979 –> 00:22:29,099and a message called43200:22:29,099 –> 00:22:30,339Assurance Grows43300:22:30,339 –> 00:22:32,760as You Listen to the Witness of the Spirit.43400:22:32,760 –> 00:22:33,939It’s part of our series43500:22:33,939 –> 00:22:35,140How Can I Be Sure43600:22:35,140 –> 00:22:38,939all about how to have assurance of salvation.43700:22:38,939 –> 00:22:40,479If you have missed any of the messages43800:22:40,479 –> 00:22:42,699don’t forget it’s easy to come online43900:22:42,699 –> 00:22:45,140to catch up or go back and listen again44000:22:45,140 –> 00:22:49,000at our website openthebible.org.uk44100:22:49,000 –> 00:22:52,180Or as a podcast on all of the main podcast sites44200:22:52,219 –> 00:22:54,920search for Open the Bible UK.44300:22:54,920 –> 00:22:57,339Open the Bible is supported by our listeners44400:22:57,339 –> 00:22:58,839and if you’re thinking about doing that44500:22:58,839 –> 00:23:00,699for the first time this month44600:23:00,699 –> 00:23:03,500we would like to offer you something in return.44700:23:03,500 –> 00:23:06,020If you’re able to set up a new direct debit44800:23:06,020 –> 00:23:08,479of £5 per month or more44900:23:08,479 –> 00:23:11,339or a one-off gift of £50 or more45000:23:11,339 –> 00:23:14,300we’ll send you a copy of Pastor Colin Smith’s book45100:23:14,300 –> 00:23:17,040The Ten Greatest Struggles of your Life45200:23:17,040 –> 00:23:19,420Finding Freedom in God’s Commands45300:23:19,500 –> 00:23:23,660along with five beautiful Psalm 23 note cards.45400:23:23,660 –> 00:23:26,839Colin, this is a book about the Ten Commandments,45500:23:26,839 –> 00:23:29,339can you share something which really encouraged you45600:23:29,339 –> 00:23:32,060when you studied these familiar commands?45700:23:32,060 –> 00:23:34,260Well, I think the big AHA moment for me45800:23:34,260 –> 00:23:35,719in studying the Ten Commandments45900:23:35,719 –> 00:23:38,579was the realisation that God actually speaks46000:23:38,579 –> 00:23:42,380directly to the greatest struggles of our lives46100:23:42,380 –> 00:23:44,619and you know, that makes sense.46200:23:44,619 –> 00:23:45,979I mean, every parent knows46300:23:45,979 –> 00:23:48,180you don’t have to give a command to your children46400:23:48,180 –> 00:23:49,979to say, eat your dessert.46500:23:49,979 –> 00:23:52,420What you do have to say is eat your vegetables46600:23:52,420 –> 00:23:54,140because that’s the thing that they struggle with,46700:23:54,140 –> 00:23:57,459that’s the thing that they’re not immediately inclined to do.46800:23:57,459 –> 00:23:59,180Now, if you ask the question,46900:23:59,180 –> 00:24:00,819you just went out and did interviews47000:24:00,819 –> 00:24:02,219with people in the street,47100:24:02,219 –> 00:24:04,660what are the greatest struggles of your life?47200:24:04,660 –> 00:24:05,920You know, I think you’d find people47300:24:05,920 –> 00:24:07,819talking about struggles to have peace,47400:24:07,819 –> 00:24:10,500struggles to have purity, struggles to have contentment,47500:24:10,500 –> 00:24:13,020struggles with time, struggles with money47600:24:13,020 –> 00:24:15,619and so forth and so on, and guess what?47700:24:15,660 –> 00:24:18,540All of these are directly addressed in the 10 Commandments47800:24:18,540 –> 00:24:20,660because God knows us, he made us.47900:24:20,660 –> 00:24:22,439He knows what we’re made of48000:24:22,439 –> 00:24:26,380and he speaks, therefore, directly to the issues48100:24:26,380 –> 00:24:28,859that are right front and center of our lives.48200:24:28,859 –> 00:24:30,859That just opened up the 10 Commandments48300:24:30,859 –> 00:24:32,900in an entirely new way.48400:24:32,900 –> 00:24:34,819The 10 Commandments are so far48500:24:34,819 –> 00:24:36,839from being a relic of the past,48600:24:36,839 –> 00:24:40,020they speak right into the very center of our lives today.48700:24:40,020 –> 00:24:42,979So that’s our gift to you this month of September.48800:24:42,979 –> 00:24:45,319If you were able to set up a new direct debit48900:24:46,280 –> 00:24:47,520of five pounds per month or more49000:24:47,520 –> 00:24:50,140or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more49100:24:50,140 –> 00:24:51,560to the work of Open The Bible.49200:24:51,560 –> 00:24:54,479Full terms and conditions on our website.49300:24:54,479 –> 00:24:57,719That’s at openthebible.org.uk49400:24:57,719 –> 00:24:59,300and you can give online.49500:24:59,300 –> 00:25:01,319If you’d like us to send you this gift,49600:25:01,319 –> 00:25:03,199please don’t give anonymously49700:25:03,199 –> 00:25:04,920and remember to include your address49800:25:04,920 –> 00:25:07,300so that we can send you your gift.49900:25:07,300 –> 00:25:09,880For Open The Bible and Pastor Colin Smyth,50000:25:09,880 –> 00:25:10,880I’m David Pick.50100:25:10,880 –> 00:25:14,260And I hope you’ll join us again next time on Open The Bible.50200:25:15,219 –> 00:25:16,060Boo.50300:25:20,020 –> 00:25:21,660Most of us will know someone50400:25:21,660 –> 00:25:24,020who has walked away from the faith50500:25:24,020 –> 00:25:26,540and it can be deeply disturbing.50600:25:26,540 –> 00:25:29,520Find out why next time on Open The Bible.
