100:00:00,040 –> 00:00:01,800WELCOME KIP And DAVID200:00:03,480 –> 00:00:05,080No Christian can say,300:00:05,080 –> 00:00:08,280I have the Word so I don’t need the Spirit.400:00:08,280 –> 00:00:09,680No Christian can say,500:00:09,680 –> 00:00:13,840I have the Spirit so I don’t need the Word.600:00:13,840 –> 00:00:17,320But if you have the Bible in your hand700:00:17,320 –> 00:00:19,719and the Spirit in your heart,800:00:19,719 –> 00:00:21,440you will have all the wisdom you need900:00:21,440 –> 00:00:23,400for everything you will ever face.1000:00:23,400 –> 00:00:24,680Welcome to Open The Bible1100:00:24,719 –> 00:00:25,959with Pastor Colin Smith.1200:00:25,959 –> 00:00:27,280I’m David Pick,1300:00:27,360 –> 00:00:28,959glad you could join us today,1400:00:28,959 –> 00:00:31,000Colin, I can imagine someone saying,1500:00:31,000 –> 00:00:33,200Now that we have the whole Bible,1600:00:33,200 –> 00:00:36,080we have God’s Word right there in black and white.1700:00:36,080 –> 00:00:37,959So why do I need the Holy Spirit?1800:00:37,959 –> 00:00:40,080COLIN Well let’s just think about1900:00:40,080 –> 00:00:42,040the position of the person2000:00:42,040 –> 00:00:44,279who has a Bible in their hand2100:00:44,279 –> 00:00:47,360but does not have any work2200:00:47,360 –> 00:00:49,959or assistance from the Holy Spirit.2300:00:49,959 –> 00:00:51,439First question,2400:00:51,439 –> 00:00:52,880how are you going to understand2500:00:52,880 –> 00:00:54,799the Bible that’s in your hand?2600:00:54,799 –> 00:00:57,400I mean, we need the light of the Holy Spirit,2700:00:57,959 –> 00:00:59,439the help of the Holy Spirit2800:00:59,439 –> 00:01:02,000to understand the word of truth2900:01:02,000 –> 00:01:03,000that God has revealed.3000:01:03,000 –> 00:01:05,160That’s why a Christian will pray,3100:01:05,199 –> 00:01:06,639open my eyes3200:01:06,639 –> 00:01:07,959that I may behold3300:01:07,959 –> 00:01:10,320wonderful things in your word.3400:01:10,320 –> 00:01:13,160I mean, what use is the Bible going to be3500:01:13,160 –> 00:01:15,360if I’m not capable of seeing3600:01:15,360 –> 00:01:17,239and discerning the glory of Jesus3700:01:17,239 –> 00:01:18,839that is unveiled there?3800:01:18,839 –> 00:01:20,440And then beyond understanding,3900:01:20,440 –> 00:01:22,239I mean, even if you were able4000:01:22,239 –> 00:01:23,760to understand it,4100:01:23,760 –> 00:01:26,680by what power are you going to be able to obey it?4200:01:26,680 –> 00:01:28,239I mean, without the Holy Spirit,4300:01:28,239 –> 00:01:29,800this is simply going to be a book4400:01:29,800 –> 00:01:32,400that shows you a life that God calls you to4500:01:32,400 –> 00:01:35,160and leaves you unable to pursue it4600:01:35,160 –> 00:01:37,199because you don’t have the capacity within you.4700:01:37,199 –> 00:01:38,639So, we need the word4800:01:38,639 –> 00:01:40,120and the Spirit together.4900:01:40,120 –> 00:01:42,120It’s the Spirit who has given us the word.5000:01:42,120 –> 00:01:43,440It’s the Spirit who opens5100:01:43,440 –> 00:01:45,400our minds and our hearts to the word.5200:01:45,400 –> 00:01:46,519And it’s the Spirit who5300:01:46,519 –> 00:01:48,599empowers us to obey the word.5400:01:48,599 –> 00:01:50,320And that would just be for starters.5500:01:50,320 –> 00:01:51,760We need God’s Word5600:01:51,760 –> 00:01:53,120and we need God’s Spirit.5700:01:53,120 –> 00:01:55,160We’re going to continue to look at this.5800:01:55,360 –> 00:01:56,879So, join us if you can5900:01:56,879 –> 00:01:59,919in the first book of John, chapter 26000:01:59,919 –> 00:02:01,320as we continue the message6100:02:01,320 –> 00:02:03,040Assurance grows as you listen6200:02:03,040 –> 00:02:04,839to the witness of the spirit.6300:02:04,839 –> 00:02:05,639Here’s Colin.6400:02:05,639 –> 00:02:08,440Now, I want to make seven observations6500:02:08,440 –> 00:02:11,440about the ministry of the Holy Spirit6600:02:11,440 –> 00:02:14,080from this wonderful first letter of John6700:02:14,080 –> 00:02:16,679so that we can take in the wonder6800:02:16,679 –> 00:02:18,440or at least something of it,6900:02:18,960 –> 00:02:21,880of the ministry of the Holy Spirit7000:02:22,399 –> 00:02:25,440in the life of a Christian believer.7100:02:25,960 –> 00:02:28,000First, John makes it very clear7200:02:28,000 –> 00:02:31,880that the Holy Spirit is sent by Jesus.7300:02:32,600 –> 00:02:34,039Chapter two, in verse 20,7400:02:34,039 –> 00:02:38,679you have been anointed by the Holy One.7500:02:39,199 –> 00:02:41,160That’s the first thing John affirms here.7600:02:42,399 –> 00:02:45,679Second is to whom does he send the Holy Spirit?7700:02:45,679 –> 00:02:50,360The Holy Spirit is given to all who are in Christ.7800:02:50,759 –> 00:02:53,600Writing to these believers, he says,7900:02:53,600 –> 00:02:58,759you have been anointed by the Holy One.8000:02:58,759 –> 00:03:02,600So Jesus sends the Holy Spirit.8100:03:02,600 –> 00:03:05,240And John refers to the gift8200:03:05,240 –> 00:03:09,160of the Holy Spirit here as an anointing.8300:03:11,119 –> 00:03:13,000Third observation,8400:03:13,000 –> 00:03:17,199the Holy Spirit remains in all who believe.8500:03:17,320 –> 00:03:20,559So it’s Jesus who gives the gift of the Holy Spirit.8600:03:20,559 –> 00:03:22,360He gives the gift of the Holy Spirit8700:03:22,360 –> 00:03:25,240to all who are truly in him.8800:03:25,240 –> 00:03:27,419And this gift is a gift that remains,8900:03:27,419 –> 00:03:30,720chapter two and verse 27,9000:03:30,720 –> 00:03:36,080but the anointing that you received from him abides in you.9100:03:39,880 –> 00:03:41,880And then there’s wonderful truth9200:03:41,880 –> 00:03:46,279that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual sight.9300:03:46,279 –> 00:03:48,320Now, notice this comes twice in the verses9400:03:48,320 –> 00:03:49,600that were read for us.9500:03:50,539 –> 00:03:54,539But you have been anointed by the Holy One9600:03:55,619 –> 00:03:58,559and you all have knowledge.9700:03:58,559 –> 00:04:02,119So the first effect that John identifies here9800:04:02,119 –> 00:04:03,100is you have knowledge.9900:04:03,100 –> 00:04:07,860That’s the effect of the Holy Spirit anointing you.10000:04:07,860 –> 00:04:10,000And he says the same in verse 27,10100:04:10,000 –> 00:04:12,399but the anointing that you have received from him10200:04:12,399 –> 00:04:14,139abides in you10300:04:15,139 –> 00:04:18,359and you have no need that anyone should teach you.10400:04:19,980 –> 00:04:23,179Now, let’s think clearly and carefully here10500:04:23,179 –> 00:04:26,600as we understand what John is saying.10600:04:27,820 –> 00:04:29,579This cannot possibly mean10700:04:29,579 –> 00:04:32,220that all believers know everything.10800:04:32,220 –> 00:04:34,459Plainly that is not the case.10900:04:34,459 –> 00:04:36,940There are vast realms of knowledge11000:04:36,940 –> 00:04:38,540that are beyond any of us here.11100:04:39,899 –> 00:04:41,619It plainly does not mean11200:04:41,839 –> 00:04:46,339that true believers can never be deceived in any respect.11300:04:46,339 –> 00:04:48,059I mean, it is plainly the case11400:04:48,059 –> 00:04:52,200that Christians commit many sins11500:04:52,200 –> 00:04:55,799and Christians make many foolish mistakes.11600:04:56,640 –> 00:04:59,160So John is not saying11700:04:59,160 –> 00:05:00,640that because we have the Holy Spirit,11800:05:00,640 –> 00:05:02,100we don’t need to learn11900:05:02,100 –> 00:05:04,179or that because we have the Holy Spirit,12000:05:04,179 –> 00:05:05,380we don’t need to be taught12100:05:05,380 –> 00:05:07,220or that we don’t need wise teachers.12200:05:07,220 –> 00:05:08,059I mean, the very fact12300:05:08,059 –> 00:05:10,519that John’s writing this letter as an apostle12400:05:10,519 –> 00:05:12,760indicates quite clearly12500:05:12,760 –> 00:05:14,059that at least these people12600:05:14,059 –> 00:05:15,940need to be taught about assurance12700:05:15,940 –> 00:05:18,320and much else that is in this wonderful letter.12800:05:19,339 –> 00:05:20,600So what’s he saying?12900:05:21,859 –> 00:05:23,779The point here,13000:05:23,779 –> 00:05:24,940and this is why it’s important13100:05:24,940 –> 00:05:27,959to read a verse in its context,13200:05:27,959 –> 00:05:31,000the point here is that the people13300:05:31,000 –> 00:05:32,480who had left the Church13400:05:32,480 –> 00:05:36,160had been deceived in one particular respect13500:05:36,160 –> 00:05:38,440and that was in relation to the person13600:05:38,559 –> 00:05:41,720and work of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.13700:05:42,920 –> 00:05:45,739People who John describes as anti-Christ,13800:05:47,059 –> 00:05:51,200people who were opposed to the Lord Jesus Christ13900:05:51,200 –> 00:05:53,079had come along and in some way14000:05:53,079 –> 00:05:55,920had infiltrated the lives14100:05:55,920 –> 00:05:58,920of those who ultimately left the church14200:05:58,920 –> 00:06:01,320and these people, chapter 2 in verse 22,14300:06:01,320 –> 00:06:05,119denied that Jesus is the Christ14400:06:05,119 –> 00:06:06,679and those who left the church,14500:06:06,679 –> 00:06:10,820well they were deceived by these anti-Christs.14600:06:12,000 –> 00:06:14,440Now remember John is not writing to those who left,14700:06:14,440 –> 00:06:15,679he makes that quite clear,14800:06:15,679 –> 00:06:17,480he’s writing to those who remain14900:06:17,480 –> 00:06:19,000and he says to them this,15000:06:19,000 –> 00:06:20,600I write this to you,15100:06:20,600 –> 00:06:22,799not because you do not know the truth15200:06:22,799 –> 00:06:25,040but because you know it15300:06:25,040 –> 00:06:27,799and because no lie is of the truth.15400:06:27,799 –> 00:06:28,640You see what he is saying,15500:06:28,640 –> 00:06:32,660you know the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ15600:06:33,480 –> 00:06:37,579and you know the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ15700:06:37,579 –> 00:06:40,619because of the presence and the power15800:06:40,619 –> 00:06:43,279of the Holy Spirit in your life.15900:06:43,279 –> 00:06:48,279You have not been deceived in this respect16000:06:48,820 –> 00:06:51,760and in this respect you have no need16100:06:51,760 –> 00:06:54,920that anyone should teach you.16200:06:54,920 –> 00:06:56,760You already know,16300:06:56,760 –> 00:06:58,579the Spirit has convinced you16400:06:58,579 –> 00:07:00,619of who Jesus is, what he has done,16500:07:00,619 –> 00:07:05,519your need of Him and that you indeed are His.16600:07:05,519 –> 00:07:08,619And so he comes back to it again in verse 27,16700:07:08,619 –> 00:07:12,239the anointing that you received from him abides in you16800:07:12,239 –> 00:07:16,500and you have no need that anyone should teach you.16900:07:18,119 –> 00:07:20,899Now, would you take in for a moment17000:07:20,899 –> 00:07:22,179this very wonderful truth?17100:07:22,179 –> 00:07:24,179I don’t want us to pass over it.17200:07:25,459 –> 00:07:27,200Others have been deceived17300:07:27,200 –> 00:07:29,779in regards to the Lord Jesus Christ, not you.17400:07:31,179 –> 00:07:33,500You have been given spiritual sight17500:07:33,500 –> 00:07:35,200and the reason you have spiritual sight17600:07:35,200 –> 00:07:40,200is that the Holy Spirit has opened your eyes.17700:07:41,779 –> 00:07:43,260That’s why we can’t, by the way,17800:07:43,260 –> 00:07:45,619look down our noses at those who don’t believe17900:07:46,480 –> 00:07:48,200as if they were merely foolish.18000:07:49,959 –> 00:07:52,380It’s God who opened your eyes18100:07:53,980 –> 00:07:56,339to what you otherwise would not have seen.18200:07:56,339 –> 00:07:57,700Just like millions of other people18300:07:57,700 –> 00:08:01,540don’t see the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.18400:08:03,420 –> 00:08:04,359Paul puts it this way.18500:08:04,359 –> 00:08:08,500The natural person does not accept18600:08:08,500 –> 00:08:10,500the things that the Spirit of God,18700:08:11,519 –> 00:08:13,059their folly to him18800:08:14,579 –> 00:08:17,279for he is not able to understand them.18900:08:17,279 –> 00:08:18,839Not able to understand them19000:08:20,380 –> 00:08:22,119because they’re spiritually discerned.19100:08:22,119 –> 00:08:25,899But you see, you have been given spiritual sight.19200:08:25,940 –> 00:08:27,279You’ve been given light.19300:08:28,459 –> 00:08:30,600The spirit of God has given this to you.19400:08:32,659 –> 00:08:33,979You all have knowledge.19500:08:36,820 –> 00:08:38,359Your eyes have been opened.19600:08:40,799 –> 00:08:42,659Some of us would say, honestly, wouldn’t we?19700:08:42,659 –> 00:08:45,179Well, I know I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed.19800:08:47,619 –> 00:08:49,479But the spirit of God19900:08:51,039 –> 00:08:54,340has opened your eyes to the things that matter most.20000:08:55,260 –> 00:08:56,900This is why David says in one of the Psalms,20100:08:56,900 –> 00:08:58,700I am wiser than all my teachers.20200:08:58,700 –> 00:09:01,700He didn’t mean any smarter or bigger intellectual capacity.20300:09:01,700 –> 00:09:04,239He means that God has opened his eyes20400:09:04,239 –> 00:09:05,820to the things that matter most,20500:09:05,820 –> 00:09:08,580that other people are quite brilliant haven’t even seen.20600:09:11,479 –> 00:09:12,739You have all knowledge20700:09:14,539 –> 00:09:18,219because the Holy Spirit has opened your eyes20800:09:19,380 –> 00:09:23,219and revealed to you the glory of Christ.20900:09:24,099 –> 00:09:28,260Aren’t you glad that is true for us if we follow Jesus.21000:09:28,260 –> 00:09:30,979You’re listening to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith21100:09:30,979 –> 00:09:32,099and a message called,21200:09:32,099 –> 00:09:35,859Assurance Grows, as you listen to the witness of the Spirit.21300:09:35,859 –> 00:09:37,020It’s part of our series,21400:09:37,020 –> 00:09:38,140How Can I Be Sure?21500:09:38,140 –> 00:09:40,419All about assurance of salvation.21600:09:40,419 –> 00:09:41,900And if you’ve missed any of the series21700:09:41,900 –> 00:09:44,080or if you ever want to go back and listen again,21800:09:44,080 –> 00:09:46,479you can do that by coming online to our website21900:09:46,479 –> 00:09:49,580openthebible.org.uk22000:09:50,020 –> 00:09:53,280Or by finding Pastor Colin as a podcast22100:09:53,280 –> 00:09:55,380and there’s all the main podcast sites,22200:09:55,380 –> 00:09:59,359you can find them by searching for Open the Bible UK.22300:09:59,359 –> 00:10:00,780Back to the message now.22400:10:00,780 –> 00:10:02,080Here again is Colin.22500:10:03,020 –> 00:10:04,979So we’re learning about the special ministry22600:10:04,979 –> 00:10:07,619of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.22700:10:07,619 –> 00:10:09,799He is sent by Jesus.22800:10:09,799 –> 00:10:11,820He’s given to all who are in Christ,22900:10:11,820 –> 00:10:16,280He remains in the life of a believer.23000:10:16,280 –> 00:10:18,700He gives spiritual sight.23100:10:18,700 –> 00:10:20,840And then this very important truth23200:10:20,840 –> 00:10:23,419that John underlines for us23300:10:23,419 –> 00:10:28,419the Holy Spirit bears witness to the Word.23400:10:28,719 –> 00:10:33,520And I want you to notice how John weaves together23500:10:33,520 –> 00:10:36,479the work of the Spirit of God23600:10:36,479 –> 00:10:39,700and the work of the Word of God23700:10:39,700 –> 00:10:41,880in these verses that we’re looking at23800:10:41,880 –> 00:10:45,099in first John and chapter two.23900:10:45,099 –> 00:10:47,460You see, two things are needed24000:10:47,460 –> 00:10:49,299if a person is to see.24100:10:49,299 –> 00:10:50,679Think about this.24200:10:52,080 –> 00:10:54,179If a person is to see, two things are needed.24300:10:54,179 –> 00:10:56,460One is the gift of sight,24400:10:56,460 –> 00:10:57,900what we’ve just been speaking about,24500:10:57,900 –> 00:11:01,260but the other is the gift of light.24600:11:02,239 –> 00:11:05,780I mean, a person can have the gift of sight,24700:11:05,780 –> 00:11:10,000but if everything is dark, nothing is seen.24800:11:10,000 –> 00:11:13,260And this is why God gives to us together24900:11:13,260 –> 00:11:17,140His Word, light, and His Spirit25000:11:17,140 –> 00:11:21,140who brings sight, and the Spirit of God25100:11:21,140 –> 00:11:24,419works with the Word of God,25200:11:24,419 –> 00:11:27,380and in the Word and in the Spirit we have25300:11:27,380 –> 00:11:30,099the double defense against the power25400:11:30,099 –> 00:11:32,760of lies and of deception.25500:11:33,700 –> 00:11:35,619And you notice how John brings these together25600:11:35,619 –> 00:11:36,799in these verses.25700:11:36,799 –> 00:11:39,359In verse 24 he says,25800:11:39,359 –> 00:11:42,700let what you have heard from the beginning25900:11:42,700 –> 00:11:44,760abide in you.26000:11:44,760 –> 00:11:46,559If what you have heard from the beginning26100:11:46,559 –> 00:11:49,900abides in you, then you too will abide26200:11:49,900 –> 00:11:51,960in the Son and in the Father.26300:11:51,960 –> 00:11:53,419What you have heard from the beginning,26400:11:53,419 –> 00:11:54,859of course, is the Word of God.26500:11:54,859 –> 00:11:57,080It’s the apostolic Word.26600:11:57,080 –> 00:11:59,239It’s the Gospel.26700:12:00,780 –> 00:12:05,179You have heard the Word, he says in verse 24.26800:12:05,179 –> 00:12:10,039You have received the Spirit, he says in verse 27.26900:12:11,760 –> 00:12:14,039Think about it, the New Testament describes27000:12:14,159 –> 00:12:18,520our new birth as having come about in two ways27100:12:18,520 –> 00:12:20,640that of course are entirely complementary.27200:12:20,640 –> 00:12:22,280In John in chapter three, we’re told27300:12:22,280 –> 00:12:25,500that we are born again of the Spirit.27400:12:26,479 –> 00:12:28,820In 1st Peter 1 in verse 23, we’re told27500:12:28,820 –> 00:12:32,039that we are born again of the living seed27600:12:32,039 –> 00:12:35,599of the Word of God.27700:12:35,599 –> 00:12:37,719This is how you came to new birth.27800:12:37,719 –> 00:12:41,119This is how you came to spiritual sight.27900:12:41,140 –> 00:12:44,400The Holy Spirit caused the living seed28000:12:44,400 –> 00:12:47,599of the Word of God to bring new life28100:12:47,599 –> 00:12:49,859into you.28200:12:51,159 –> 00:12:53,039The Holy Spirit is our teacher.28300:12:53,039 –> 00:12:56,919What he does is he opens our eyes28400:12:56,919 –> 00:13:00,679to the light of God’s Word.28500:13:00,679 –> 00:13:03,039This is why whenever we open the Bible,28600:13:03,039 –> 00:13:04,840you do that, whenever you do that,28700:13:04,840 –> 00:13:07,780the morning, the evening, you open the Bible,28800:13:07,859 –> 00:13:11,859ask God the Holy Spirit to open your eyes28900:13:11,859 –> 00:13:13,580to what is in the Bible.29000:13:13,580 –> 00:13:16,440Keep these two things always together.29100:13:16,440 –> 00:13:19,539David says in Psalm 119 in verse 18,29200:13:19,539 –> 00:13:22,479open my eyes that I may behold29300:13:22,479 –> 00:13:24,739wonderful things in your Word.29400:13:26,900 –> 00:13:31,260I find that to be my daily need.29500:13:31,260 –> 00:13:34,020I sit down, I open the Bible.29600:13:35,020 –> 00:13:39,460Lord, give me the sight by your Holy Spirit29700:13:39,460 –> 00:13:42,400to see what it is that you’re saying here,29800:13:42,400 –> 00:13:45,539lest there be light that I do not see.29900:13:47,099 –> 00:13:49,700What a tragedy that you would be given spiritual sight30000:13:49,700 –> 00:13:51,960and never open your Bible to see what is there30100:13:51,960 –> 00:13:53,539that God has revealed to you.30200:13:54,900 –> 00:13:56,460No Christian can say30300:13:56,460 –> 00:13:58,919I have the word so I don’t need the spirit.30400:14:00,080 –> 00:14:03,460No Christian can say I have the spirit30500:14:03,500 –> 00:14:05,219so I don’t need the word.30600:14:06,559 –> 00:14:10,140But if you have the Bible in your hand30700:14:10,140 –> 00:14:12,260and the spirit in your heart,30800:14:12,260 –> 00:14:13,900you will have all the wisdom you need30900:14:13,900 –> 00:14:15,539for everything you will ever face.31000:14:17,179 –> 00:14:19,239The Holy Spirit bears witness to the word.31100:14:20,460 –> 00:14:21,299Two more.31200:14:22,200 –> 00:14:26,479The Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus.31300:14:26,479 –> 00:14:28,859Chapter five and verse six.31400:14:29,380 –> 00:14:34,380This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ,31500:14:35,000 –> 00:14:39,419not by the water only, but by the water and the blood.31600:14:39,419 –> 00:14:44,059And the spirit is the one who testifies31700:14:45,000 –> 00:14:48,659because the spirit is the truth.31800:14:50,140 –> 00:14:51,780Now, we saw earlier in the series31900:14:51,780 –> 00:14:53,159that the water is most likely32000:14:53,159 –> 00:14:55,140a reference to the baptism of Jesus32100:14:55,159 –> 00:14:59,500when God testified in an audible voice,32200:14:59,500 –> 00:15:02,099this is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased.32300:15:03,000 –> 00:15:04,820And the blood, of course, is a reference32400:15:04,820 –> 00:15:07,700to the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross32500:15:07,700 –> 00:15:09,960when his blood was shed for us32600:15:09,960 –> 00:15:14,299and God testified that the crucified Jesus32700:15:14,299 –> 00:15:18,840is His son by raising Him from the dead.32800:15:19,659 –> 00:15:22,719And then John tells us, and this is our focus here,32900:15:22,719 –> 00:15:25,679the Spirit testifies to the same truth,33000:15:25,679 –> 00:15:29,780that is the Spirit testifies to Jesus.33100:15:29,780 –> 00:15:32,900Jesus said, when the helper comes,33200:15:32,900 –> 00:15:35,880whom I will send to you from the Father,33300:15:35,880 –> 00:15:36,760the Spirit of truth33400:15:36,760 –> 00:15:38,340who proceeds from the Father,33500:15:38,340 –> 00:15:43,340He will bear witness about me.33600:15:44,760 –> 00:15:47,760And the Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus33700:15:48,799 –> 00:15:51,000by showing us how much we need Him33800:15:51,559 –> 00:15:53,479when He comes, Jesus said,33900:15:53,479 –> 00:15:55,719He will convince the world concerning sin34000:15:55,719 –> 00:15:57,239and righteousness and judgment.34100:15:59,419 –> 00:16:01,479Most of you will know the name of John Newton,34200:16:01,479 –> 00:16:05,520that’s the one who wrote the hymn amazing grace.34300:16:07,039 –> 00:16:10,500And you will know some of the great evils34400:16:10,500 –> 00:16:14,080that he perpetrated and seemed able to continue34500:16:15,299 –> 00:16:18,840for much of his life until he was converted34600:16:18,840 –> 00:16:20,900and discovered the amazing grace of God.34700:16:21,820 –> 00:16:26,580This is what John Newton said in regards to his conversion.34800:16:28,000 –> 00:16:33,000No man ever did or ever will feel himself34900:16:35,239 –> 00:16:38,559to be a lost, miserable, and hateful sinner35000:16:38,559 –> 00:16:42,059unless he be powerfully and supernaturally35100:16:42,059 –> 00:16:44,099convinced by the Spirit of God.35200:16:46,320 –> 00:16:47,659You know what he’s saying?35300:16:48,640 –> 00:16:51,820By nature, we all think by nature35400:16:51,820 –> 00:16:54,380that we’re the greatest thing since sliced bread.35500:16:55,460 –> 00:16:56,880We do.35600:16:56,880 –> 00:16:58,159We always think we’re right35700:16:59,960 –> 00:17:03,479unless and until we are powerfully35800:17:04,660 –> 00:17:08,760and supernaturally convinced35900:17:09,979 –> 00:17:11,579by the Spirit of God,36000:17:13,180 –> 00:17:14,319and you see the point.36100:17:15,280 –> 00:17:17,319That’s precisely what’s happened to you.36200:17:19,839 –> 00:17:21,020Because if you’re a Christian today,36300:17:21,020 –> 00:17:22,199you’re not here saying hey,36400:17:22,199 –> 00:17:24,140I’m the greatest person around here.36500:17:26,000 –> 00:17:29,219You’re knowing from deep within you36600:17:29,219 –> 00:17:32,099that you are a profoundly flawed and guilty sinner36700:17:33,079 –> 00:17:36,079in the process of being redeemed36800:17:36,079 –> 00:17:40,079by the marvelous grace of the Lord Jesus Christ36900:17:40,079 –> 00:17:42,839without which you wouldn’t have a single hope at all.37000:17:44,479 –> 00:17:46,119That’s what you believe37100:17:46,119 –> 00:17:47,719about yourself if you’re a Christian.37200:17:47,719 –> 00:17:49,160How did you come to that?37300:17:51,079 –> 00:17:54,560Powerfully, supernaturally convinced37400:17:55,780 –> 00:17:57,239by the Spirit of God.37500:17:58,560 –> 00:18:02,079And the Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus37600:18:02,079 –> 00:18:05,359not only by convincing us of our need of him37700:18:05,359 –> 00:18:08,119but by actually drawing us to him37800:18:08,119 –> 00:18:10,079and this is what has happened to you.37900:18:10,079 –> 00:18:15,079You became aware of your need of a savior38000:18:15,479 –> 00:18:17,359and that led you to come to him.38100:18:18,959 –> 00:18:21,959You humbled yourself, you said, Jesus, I need you.38200:18:24,160 –> 00:18:25,719You have come to believe in him,38300:18:25,719 –> 00:18:28,560you’ve come to love him, you’ve come to follow him38400:18:28,560 –> 00:18:30,660and that is the clearest possible evidence38500:18:30,660 –> 00:18:34,219of the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.38600:18:36,599 –> 00:18:38,119You see where John’s going with all of this,38700:18:38,300 –> 00:18:41,800this is the work of the Holy Spirit in regards to assurance.38800:18:41,800 –> 00:18:44,880This is how you know that you are in Christ.38900:18:44,880 –> 00:18:48,199The Holy Spirit is sent by Jesus to all who are in Christ,39000:18:48,199 –> 00:18:51,579remains in all who believe giving us spiritual sight,39100:18:51,579 –> 00:18:54,660bearing witness to the word, bearing witness to Jesus39200:18:54,660 –> 00:18:58,439and lastly therefore bearing witness even to us.39300:18:58,439 –> 00:19:00,920By this chapter 4 and verse 13,39400:19:00,920 –> 00:19:05,380we know that we abide in him and he in us39500:19:05,380 –> 00:19:10,380because he has given us of his Spirit.39600:19:13,619 –> 00:19:15,540What an amazing gift this is.39700:19:17,780 –> 00:19:18,819You think about this.39800:19:21,579 –> 00:19:23,979God could have posted an angel39900:19:23,979 –> 00:19:27,099outside the home of every believer40000:19:28,699 –> 00:19:30,979so that every time in the winter40100:19:30,979 –> 00:19:32,540you opened your garage door,40200:19:32,540 –> 00:19:34,319backed out your car there’d just be a little knock40300:19:34,400 –> 00:19:36,479on the window, you’d pull your window down40400:19:36,479 –> 00:19:38,719and the angel would say to you,40500:19:38,719 –> 00:19:41,040whatever happens today remember,40600:19:41,040 –> 00:19:44,239you abide in him and he abides in you.40700:19:44,239 –> 00:19:46,040Wouldn’t that be lovely?40800:19:46,040 –> 00:19:48,280You’re reminded that by an angel everyday,40900:19:49,420 –> 00:19:54,420an angel outside the door of your home everyday.41000:19:57,160 –> 00:19:59,800And God says, that’s no good enough for my children.41100:20:01,839 –> 00:20:04,000Now God chose instead41200:20:04,479 –> 00:20:07,540that his own spirit41300:20:08,939 –> 00:20:12,640should dwell in you.41400:20:12,640 –> 00:20:13,939How amazing is that.41500:20:15,839 –> 00:20:17,339In the heart of every believer.41600:20:18,979 –> 00:20:23,979God really did come into the world in his son Jesus.41700:20:26,959 –> 00:20:30,680And here we’re seeing that God really has come41800:20:30,680 –> 00:20:33,500into your heart41900:20:34,959 –> 00:20:37,180by his Holy Spirit.42000:20:38,560 –> 00:20:42,239God in other words wants you to have assurance42100:20:42,239 –> 00:20:44,040not by an angel telling you,42200:20:45,520 –> 00:20:49,319but by God telling you himself.42300:20:50,400 –> 00:20:53,119That’s why Paul says the spirit himself42400:20:54,040 –> 00:20:55,579bears witness with our spirit42500:20:56,640 –> 00:21:01,339that we are children of God.42600:21:02,719 –> 00:21:04,319And it’s the most wonderful thing.42700:21:05,160 –> 00:21:07,819Some believers of course have great struggles42800:21:07,819 –> 00:21:09,880with uncertainty.42900:21:09,880 –> 00:21:11,000A Christian friend says,43000:21:11,000 –> 00:21:14,560Well, you know, I see a reflection of Jesus in you43100:21:14,560 –> 00:21:17,060and well I don’t really see that.43200:21:17,060 –> 00:21:19,839A pastor points to various scriptures about assurance43300:21:19,839 –> 00:21:20,839and the person says,43400:21:20,839 –> 00:21:21,680I don’t know,43500:21:21,680 –> 00:21:24,140I just can’t really get settled over this.43600:21:25,760 –> 00:21:27,599A man by the name of Octavius Winslow,43700:21:27,599 –> 00:21:31,680a fine pastor from an earlier century says this.43800:21:32,640 –> 00:21:36,439Your minister, your friend cannot assure your spirit43900:21:36,439 –> 00:21:38,239that you are born of God.44000:21:39,180 –> 00:21:43,920God, the eternal spirit alone can do this.44100:21:45,099 –> 00:21:46,439He alone is competent,44200:21:46,439 –> 00:21:48,900he alone can fathom the deep things of God,44300:21:48,900 –> 00:21:51,619he alone can rightly discern between his own work44400:21:51,619 –> 00:21:52,800and it’s counterfeit44500:21:52,800 –> 00:21:55,560and he alone can make known the secret of the Lord44600:21:55,560 –> 00:21:58,339to those who have feared him.44700:21:59,219 –> 00:22:04,219Assurance grows as you listen to the witness of the spirit.44800:22:06,760 –> 00:22:11,760So believe God, love God and obey God,44900:22:14,359 –> 00:22:19,359trust the Holy Spirit to bring you peace and assurance45000:22:21,300 –> 00:22:26,300and recognize the reality of the work of the Holy Spirit.45100:22:28,619 –> 00:22:29,660In your own life.45200:22:31,280 –> 00:22:32,920You’ve been listening to Pastor Colin Smith45300:22:32,920 –> 00:22:35,920on Open the Bible and the message called Assurance Grows45400:22:35,920 –> 00:22:38,599as you listen to the witness of the Spirit.45500:22:38,599 –> 00:22:41,319It’s part of our series How Can I Be Sure45600:22:41,319 –> 00:22:43,400and if you’ve missed any of the series,45700:22:43,400 –> 00:22:44,959don’t forget you can always catch up45800:22:44,959 –> 00:22:47,000or go back and listen again online45900:22:47,000 –> 00:22:51,560at our website Openthebible.org.uk.46000:22:51,560 –> 00:22:55,319Open the Bible is supported financially by our listeners,46100:22:55,319 –> 00:22:57,640by many groups and individuals who make46200:22:57,719 –> 00:23:01,260generous donations regularly or just once.46300:23:01,260 –> 00:23:02,839If you’re considering becoming46400:23:02,839 –> 00:23:05,839one of our contributors, thank you so much.46500:23:05,839 –> 00:23:08,119You can give online at our website46600:23:08,119 –> 00:23:10,280which makes it easy to set up either46700:23:10,280 –> 00:23:13,400a one-off gift or a regular direct debit.46800:23:13,400 –> 00:23:15,260Just click on the donate button46900:23:15,260 –> 00:23:17,319at the top right of your computer screen47000:23:17,319 –> 00:23:20,800or at the bottom of the drop-down menu on your phone.47100:23:20,800 –> 00:23:23,119Here’s Open the Bible’s Amanda Cunningham47200:23:23,119 –> 00:23:25,520to talk about this month’s thank you gift.47300:23:25,520 –> 00:23:26,579Thanks David.47400:23:26,579 –> 00:23:30,079Well as I’ve been at home during the summer holidays47500:23:30,079 –> 00:23:33,260with three children, I think I’ve become aware47600:23:33,260 –> 00:23:36,020that we all face battles that seem47700:23:36,020 –> 00:23:38,819impossible to win at times.47800:23:38,819 –> 00:23:41,719And in the 10 greatest struggles of your life,47900:23:41,719 –> 00:23:44,819Colin Smith unpacks those real-life challenges48000:23:44,819 –> 00:23:48,099we all face like wrestling with God48100:23:48,099 –> 00:23:51,819or time or truth or contentment.48200:23:51,819 –> 00:23:54,939He then shows us how to connect to something deeper.48300:23:54,939 –> 00:23:58,599Our relationship with God and the 10 Commandments.48400:23:58,599 –> 00:24:00,560But this book isn’t about rules.48500:24:00,560 –> 00:24:01,800It’s about freedom.48600:24:01,800 –> 00:24:04,760Colin reveals how these age-old Commandments48700:24:04,760 –> 00:24:07,719are actually life-giving guidance48800:24:07,719 –> 00:24:10,079designed to lead you and me48900:24:10,079 –> 00:24:13,599into peace, purpose, and fulfillment.49000:24:13,599 –> 00:24:16,199And what I particularly love about this book49100:24:16,199 –> 00:24:18,859is the really helpful study guide at the back49200:24:18,859 –> 00:24:21,300which means it’s ideal for doing in a book group49300:24:21,300 –> 00:24:23,640with others or on your own.49400:24:23,660 –> 00:24:26,099We would love to send you a free copy49500:24:26,099 –> 00:24:29,640with five Psalm 23 note cards in September49600:24:29,640 –> 00:24:33,640when you donate a one-off gift of at least 50 pounds49700:24:33,640 –> 00:24:37,560or set up a new direct debit of at least five pounds.49800:24:37,560 –> 00:24:41,079But please do remember to give your address details49900:24:41,079 –> 00:24:42,280when you donate.50000:24:42,280 –> 00:24:44,920If you would like to receive this gift.50100:24:44,920 –> 00:24:46,979This offer is available all this month50200:24:46,979 –> 00:24:48,819when you set up a new direct debit50300:24:48,819 –> 00:24:50,599for five pounds or more50400:24:50,599 –> 00:24:53,520or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more50500:24:53,880 –> 00:24:55,959The full terms and conditions are on our website50600:24:55,959 –> 00:24:58,579openthebible.org.uk50700:24:58,579 –> 00:25:00,640and you can give directly online50800:25:00,640 –> 00:25:03,839please remember to include your full name and address50900:25:03,839 –> 00:25:06,560so that we can send you your free gift51000:25:06,560 –> 00:25:09,040for Open The Bible and Pastor Colin Smith51100:25:09,040 –> 00:25:11,540I’m David Pick and I hope you’ll join us again51200:25:11,540 –> 00:25:12,380next time51300:25:12,579 –> 00:25:19,280Music51400:25:21,780 –> 00:25:24,180Assurance is both a goal to pursue51500:25:24,180 –> 00:25:26,180and a gift to receive51600:25:26,520 –> 00:25:29,520Find out how, next time on Open The Bible
