100:00:00,000 –> 00:00:06,800Assurance grows through the witness of the Holy Spirit,200:00:06,800 –> 00:00:12,120so learn to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.300:00:12,120 –> 00:00:15,040Remember that you are a work in progress,400:00:15,040 –> 00:00:20,680and don’t dismiss what God is doing in your life simply because it is not yet complete.500:00:20,680 –> 00:00:24,360Welcome to, Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick,600:00:24,440 –> 00:00:29,719And Colin, it seems like we’ve been looking at this issue of assurance for many days now.700:00:29,719 –> 00:00:33,639Does there ever come a point in the Christian life when we can say,800:00:33,639 –> 00:00:37,639that’s it, now I have complete assurance in my faith?900:00:38,040 –> 00:00:41,360Yes, I think there is and that’s when you arrive in heaven.1000:00:41,360 –> 00:00:47,080Until then, we’re always going to experience making progress,1100:00:47,080 –> 00:00:50,919work going on while there’s some degree of chaos around us.1200:00:50,919 –> 00:00:53,240I mean, I’m just thinking about images of this,1300:00:53,480 –> 00:00:56,360you know, you’re driving in the car and you’re going through roadworks,1400:00:56,360 –> 00:00:59,959the interstates being ploughed up, they’re adding new lanes.1500:01:00,439 –> 00:01:06,760There is work that’s going on in this chaos and with the delays that come with it.1600:01:06,760 –> 00:01:09,800You think of a home renovation or you think about going to an airport,1700:01:09,800 –> 00:01:12,199there are flights that are coming in and out,1800:01:12,199 –> 00:01:15,160but the whole thing’s a little bit chaotic because it’s in the middle1900:01:15,160 –> 00:01:18,919of a major kind of a transformation that’s going on.2000:01:18,919 –> 00:01:20,839That’s what the Christian life looks like.2100:01:21,320 –> 00:01:26,360There is work going on and actually the chaos is part of the effect2200:01:26,360 –> 00:01:29,720and the sign of the reality that that’s really happening.2300:01:29,720 –> 00:01:33,800So I think for the person that wants everything in life to be in place2400:01:33,800 –> 00:01:39,239and perfect and I just want to be in a position of living this ideal Christian life.2500:01:39,239 –> 00:01:41,639Well, you’re never going to get there this side of heaven,2600:01:41,639 –> 00:01:46,120there’s always going to be stuff that’s in the process of being dealt with.2700:01:46,120 –> 00:01:51,160The good news is that there really is progress, that work is going on,2800:01:51,160 –> 00:01:54,599the Holy Spirit is at work within you and therefore,2900:01:54,599 –> 00:01:57,160though there’s a degree of chaos that may alarm you,3000:01:57,160 –> 00:02:01,239be encouraged God’s spirit really is at work in you.3100:02:01,239 –> 00:02:02,839So we’re going to look at that now,3200:02:02,839 –> 00:02:07,160as we begin a message, assurance grows as you look to the work of the son,3300:02:07,160 –> 00:02:12,199we are in 1 John chapter 3 and verses 1 to 3 today,3400:02:12,199 –> 00:02:13,800so join us if you can.3500:02:13,800 –> 00:02:15,080Here is Colin…3600:02:15,080 –> 00:02:18,119this is the last message in our series from 1 John,3700:02:18,119 –> 00:02:20,919entitled How Can I Be Sure,3800:02:20,919 –> 00:02:23,160and we’ve seen that this first letter of John,3900:02:23,160 –> 00:02:25,960was written to answer that question,4000:02:25,960 –> 00:02:28,440chapter 5 and verse 13,4100:02:28,440 –> 00:02:33,160I write these things to you who believe in the name of the son of God,4200:02:33,720 –> 00:02:38,279that you may know that you have eternal life,4300:02:38,279 –> 00:02:40,279that’s the purpose of this letter—4400:02:40,279 –> 00:02:45,320and this letter is full of what God wants His children to know,4500:02:45,880 –> 00:02:49,160I just looked through the letter as a whole again this week,4600:02:49,160 –> 00:02:53,399and jotted down all the times that there is a distinct reference4700:02:53,399 –> 00:02:55,479to what God wants us to know—4800:02:55,479 –> 00:02:59,000God wants you to know that you know Him,4900:02:59,000 –> 00:03:00,520that’s chapter 2 in verse 3,5000:03:01,399 –> 00:03:05,080God wants you to know that you are in Christ,5100:03:05,080 –> 00:03:06,759that’s chapter 2 in verse 5,5200:03:07,559 –> 00:03:09,880he wants you to know that you have5300:03:09,880 –> 00:03:13,960eternal life, that’s chapter 5 in verse 13,5400:03:14,839 –> 00:03:17,000God wants you to know what love is,5500:03:17,639 –> 00:03:19,559that’s chapter 3 in verse 16,5600:03:20,360 –> 00:03:23,000he wants you to know that you are of the truth5700:03:23,559 –> 00:03:25,080chapter 3 in verse 19,5800:03:26,039 –> 00:03:31,399he wants you to know that you have passed from death to life,5900:03:31,399 –> 00:03:32,839isn’t that good news,6000:03:32,839 –> 00:03:34,759that’s chapter 3 in verse 14,6100:03:35,720 –> 00:03:39,240he wants you to know that his Son has given you understanding,6200:03:39,240 –> 00:03:41,160that’s chapter 5 in verse 20,6300:03:41,960 –> 00:03:44,440he wants you to know his Holy Spirit,6400:03:45,080 –> 00:03:46,839that’s chapter 4 in verse 2,6500:03:47,639 –> 00:03:51,240he wants you to know that he abides in you6600:03:52,039 –> 00:03:54,600and that you abide in him,6700:03:54,600 –> 00:03:56,440that’s chapter 4 in verse 136800:03:56,440 –> 00:03:58,039and then look at our verse today,6900:03:58,039 –> 00:04:02,919God wants you to know that you are his dearly loved child,7000:04:02,919 –> 00:04:03,880look at it,7100:04:03,880 –> 00:04:07,960see what kind of love the Father has given to us,7200:04:08,279 –> 00:04:12,199that we should be called children of God7300:04:12,199 –> 00:04:13,080and so we are,7400:04:13,800 –> 00:04:18,760beloved we are God’s children now.7500:04:19,799 –> 00:04:21,559Brothers, sisters in Christ,7600:04:21,559 –> 00:04:25,880you will never be more a child of God than you are right now.7700:04:26,679 –> 00:04:27,399Think about it,7800:04:28,200 –> 00:04:31,720in heaven you will be holier than you are right now,7900:04:31,720 –> 00:04:32,600thank God for that,8000:04:33,399 –> 00:04:37,000in heaven you’ll be happier than you are right now,8100:04:37,000 –> 00:04:39,399every tear will be wiped away from your eyes8200:04:39,399 –> 00:04:43,399but even in heaven you will not and indeed cannot8300:04:43,399 –> 00:04:46,760be more of a child of God than you are right now.8400:04:46,760 –> 00:04:48,920This is what we are John says.8500:04:48,920 –> 00:04:51,399We are God’s children now,8600:04:53,000 –> 00:04:57,720so I am the son of George and Violet Smith.8700:04:58,519 –> 00:05:01,480This is not something that I grew into as I matured.8800:05:02,359 –> 00:05:05,000This is not something that I will ever grow out of,8900:05:05,000 –> 00:05:06,600it’s who I am9000:05:06,600 –> 00:05:09,239and it’s irrespective of how I feel9100:05:09,239 –> 00:05:11,959and it’s who I am irrespective of what’s going on in my life.9200:05:13,720 –> 00:05:17,640Now in Christ you are a child of God,9300:05:17,640 –> 00:05:20,040that’s what John is telling us here9400:05:20,040 –> 00:05:24,600and you are as much a child of God on your worst day9500:05:24,600 –> 00:05:27,959as you are a child of God on your best day.9600:05:29,079 –> 00:05:32,920Well now this letter then is full of these marvelous gifts9700:05:33,559 –> 00:05:35,559that are ours in Christ.9800:05:35,559 –> 00:05:38,279Things that God wants us to know9900:05:38,279 –> 00:05:40,359and the question that we’ve been focused on,10000:05:40,359 –> 00:05:42,679the question that this letter is focused on10100:05:43,320 –> 00:05:45,320is how can we know with assurance10200:05:45,320 –> 00:05:47,720that these gifts really are ours?10300:05:48,440 –> 00:05:50,440And over the weeks of this series10400:05:50,440 –> 00:05:53,640we’ve seen two broad answers to that question10500:05:53,640 –> 00:05:56,679that assurance is a goal to pursue10600:05:57,399 –> 00:06:00,679and assurance is a gift to enjoy.10700:06:01,399 –> 00:06:03,799We’ve seen that assurance is a goal to pursue10800:06:03,799 –> 00:06:05,239as John has laid out10900:06:05,239 –> 00:06:09,799three distinguishing marks of a genuine Christian.11000:06:10,679 –> 00:06:12,839Genuine Christian believes in God’s son,11100:06:13,480 –> 00:06:17,320loves God’s people and seeks to obey God’s command.11200:06:18,200 –> 00:06:21,799And we saw that no Christian does these things perfectly11300:06:22,519 –> 00:06:26,119but in every Christian there is a true beginning11400:06:26,119 –> 00:06:29,559of faith and of love and of obedience11500:06:30,200 –> 00:06:33,399and so John exhorts us throughout this letter11600:06:34,200 –> 00:06:37,320now go on believing in God’s son,11700:06:38,519 –> 00:06:40,839keep on loving God’s people,11800:06:41,720 –> 00:06:44,839press on in obeying God’s command11900:06:44,839 –> 00:06:49,640and assurance will grow as you pursue these things.12000:06:49,640 –> 00:06:52,200So assurance is a goal for us to pursue12100:06:53,559 –> 00:06:57,640but in these last weeks we’ve seen that it is also a gift12200:06:57,720 –> 00:07:03,079for us to enjoy and our focus has been in these last weeks12300:07:03,079 –> 00:07:06,279on how the gift of assurance comes to us12400:07:07,079 –> 00:07:08,760through the ministry of God the Father,12500:07:09,399 –> 00:07:13,000God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.12600:07:14,040 –> 00:07:16,119We’ve seen very clearly in this letter12700:07:16,119 –> 00:07:20,119that assurance grows through the word of God the Father.12800:07:20,760 –> 00:07:22,279Chapter 3 in verse 20,12900:07:22,839 –> 00:07:25,000whenever our heart condemns us,13000:07:25,720 –> 00:07:29,559God is greater than our heart.13100:07:30,359 –> 00:07:34,040We saw that God the Father justifies13200:07:34,600 –> 00:07:37,880all who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.13300:07:38,679 –> 00:07:44,440It is God who justifies and since it is God who justifies,13400:07:44,440 –> 00:07:47,480who in the world then can possibly condemn.13500:07:48,359 –> 00:07:51,160When God has spoken to justify you,13600:07:52,119 –> 00:07:55,959no one in heaven, on earth, or even in hell itself13700:07:55,959 –> 00:08:00,359could ever overrule what God has declared about you.13800:08:01,239 –> 00:08:03,559So when your heart condemns you13900:08:04,119 –> 00:08:08,040remember that God is greater than your heart.14000:08:08,920 –> 00:08:12,119Why listen to your condemning heart14100:08:12,679 –> 00:08:15,799when God has cleared you of all charges?14200:08:16,600 –> 00:08:18,760So assurance grows as we lean14300:08:19,480 –> 00:08:21,640on the Word of God, the Father.14400:08:22,359 –> 00:08:26,359And then last week we looked at the ministry of the Holy Spirit14500:08:26,359 –> 00:08:27,720in the life of a believer14600:08:27,720 –> 00:08:29,720and we saw that assurance grows14700:08:29,720 –> 00:08:32,679through the witness of God, the Spirit.14800:08:32,679 –> 00:08:34,5991 John chapter 2 in verse 2014900:08:35,239 –> 00:08:39,400you have been anointed by the Holy One.15000:08:39,400 –> 00:08:45,880Verse 27, the anointing that you received from Him abides in you.15100:08:46,599 –> 00:08:48,440And we saw this very wonderful truth15200:08:48,440 –> 00:08:53,320that the Holy Spirit has given you spiritual sight.15300:08:54,440 –> 00:08:57,000And millions of people15400:08:57,799 –> 00:09:01,640simply do not see the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ,15500:09:01,640 –> 00:09:03,320bypass all of this completely,15600:09:03,320 –> 00:09:06,119miss it, have no understanding of the greatness15700:09:06,119 –> 00:09:09,000and the glory of the Son of God coming into the world,15800:09:09,000 –> 00:09:11,400but you see the glory of Jesus.15900:09:12,840 –> 00:09:15,640And you have come to see your need of Jesus.16000:09:16,440 –> 00:09:19,479And you have come to find hope in Jesus.16100:09:19,479 –> 00:09:21,799Other people don’t see what you see.16200:09:23,320 –> 00:09:25,400So why is it that you see these things?16300:09:26,760 –> 00:09:28,679Well of course, it’s not that you’re smarter16400:09:28,679 –> 00:09:29,479than other people.16500:09:30,039 –> 00:09:32,039Well, you might be smarter than other people,16600:09:32,039 –> 00:09:34,679but that’s not the reason that you see these things.16700:09:34,679 –> 00:09:36,039John is very clear.16800:09:37,320 –> 00:09:39,559The reason that you see these things16900:09:39,559 –> 00:09:41,159that other people do not see,17000:09:41,159 –> 00:09:43,239is down to one thing and that is the work17100:09:43,239 –> 00:09:45,559of the Holy Spirit to open your eyes17200:09:45,559 –> 00:09:47,719and give you spiritual sight.17300:09:49,239 –> 00:09:51,320It’s the work of the Holy Spirit within you17400:09:51,320 –> 00:09:52,919that’s brought you to this site.17500:09:53,559 –> 00:09:54,840And that you see in itself17600:09:54,840 –> 00:09:57,080should be a reason for assurance.17700:09:59,000 –> 00:10:00,440Now some people in John’s day,17800:10:00,440 –> 00:10:01,559we saw last time,17900:10:01,559 –> 00:10:03,000had abandoned the faith18000:10:03,000 –> 00:10:04,520that they had once professed.18100:10:04,520 –> 00:10:05,640But you see, John’s point,18200:10:05,640 –> 00:10:07,880he’s writing to those who’ve stayed faithful.18300:10:09,000 –> 00:10:10,760And he’s quite clear18400:10:10,760 –> 00:10:12,840as to the reason why18500:10:13,719 –> 00:10:15,880you have been anointed by the holy one.18600:10:15,880 –> 00:10:17,239That’s why you’ve stayed faithful.18700:10:17,239 –> 00:10:19,640That’s why when others have gone away,18800:10:19,640 –> 00:10:21,479you have not, you have stayed.18900:10:21,479 –> 00:10:23,640The reason you have stayed faithful19000:10:24,440 –> 00:10:25,640through all the pressures19100:10:25,640 –> 00:10:26,679that you have experienced,19200:10:26,679 –> 00:10:28,359all the trials that you have endured,19300:10:28,359 –> 00:10:30,679all the discouragements that you have faced.19400:10:30,679 –> 00:10:32,919The reason that you still love and trust19500:10:32,919 –> 00:10:35,239and serve the Lord Jesus Christ today19600:10:35,239 –> 00:10:37,559is the presence and power19700:10:37,559 –> 00:10:40,679of the Holy Spirit at work in your life.19800:10:40,679 –> 00:10:44,760Now, let that be a cause of assurance for you.19900:10:45,400 –> 00:10:46,760You’re listening to Open The Bible20000:10:46,760 –> 00:10:48,119with Pastor Colin Smith,20100:10:48,119 –> 00:10:49,479and we’ve been hearing how20200:10:49,479 –> 00:10:52,520assurance grows through the word of God the Father20300:10:52,520 –> 00:10:54,919and through the witness of God the Spirit.20400:10:55,799 –> 00:10:57,559Message is called Assurance grows20500:10:57,559 –> 00:10:59,239as you look to the work of the Son,20600:10:59,239 –> 00:11:00,599and it’s part of our series20700:11:00,599 –> 00:11:02,200How Can I be Sure?20800:11:02,200 –> 00:11:04,679all about assurance of salvation.20900:11:04,679 –> 00:11:06,359And if you’ve missed any of the series21000:11:06,359 –> 00:11:07,640or if you ever want to go back21100:11:07,640 –> 00:11:08,679and listen again,21200:11:08,679 –> 00:11:11,400it’s all available online at our website21300:11:11,400 –> 00:11:13,880openthebible.org.uk21400:11:13,880 –> 00:11:15,559and also as a podcast21500:11:15,559 –> 00:11:17,880on all the main podcast site search for21600:11:17,880 –> 00:11:20,200openthebible.uk21700:11:20,200 –> 00:11:21,640Back to the message now,21800:11:21,640 –> 00:11:22,679here again is Colin.21900:11:23,880 –> 00:11:26,359Learn to recognize22000:11:27,400 –> 00:11:29,880the work of the Holy Spirit22100:11:29,880 –> 00:11:31,559in your life.22200:11:31,559 –> 00:11:34,440This will be a means by which you grow22300:11:35,080 –> 00:11:37,000in assurance.22400:11:38,039 –> 00:11:39,080Before we move on today,22500:11:39,080 –> 00:11:39,960let me just pause here22600:11:39,960 –> 00:11:41,799and try and press this point home.22700:11:41,799 –> 00:11:44,359You know, it seems to me that sometimes22800:11:45,239 –> 00:11:47,320we fail to recognise22900:11:47,320 –> 00:11:49,559the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives23000:11:50,359 –> 00:11:52,039because his work in us23100:11:52,039 –> 00:11:53,559is not yet complete.23200:11:55,479 –> 00:11:57,159So let me give you this picture.23300:11:58,280 –> 00:11:59,640Suppose for a moment23400:12:00,599 –> 00:12:02,919that you have a good friend23500:12:02,919 –> 00:12:04,919who is a master craftsmen23600:12:06,119 –> 00:12:07,479and your friend says23700:12:07,479 –> 00:12:09,719that he wants to give you the gift23800:12:10,520 –> 00:12:11,479of a beautiful,23900:12:12,679 –> 00:12:15,000new designer kitchen.24000:12:17,239 –> 00:12:19,159Your old kitchen’s an absolute mess.24100:12:20,039 –> 00:12:20,919You know, it’s cold,24200:12:21,640 –> 00:12:23,080there’s very little storage,24300:12:23,640 –> 00:12:25,239the plumbing’s in the wrong place24400:12:25,880 –> 00:12:27,559and the walls are painted24500:12:27,559 –> 00:12:30,359a hideous shade of mustard24600:12:31,320 –> 00:12:33,320and nothing about your kitchen24700:12:33,320 –> 00:12:34,679is as you would want it to be24800:12:36,039 –> 00:12:37,400and you’ve always dreamed24900:12:37,400 –> 00:12:40,599that one day you would have a designer,25000:12:40,599 –> 00:12:43,479state-of-the-art new kitchen25100:12:43,479 –> 00:12:46,520and there’s no one that you would trust25200:12:46,520 –> 00:12:49,080more to do this than your friend25300:12:49,080 –> 00:12:51,080because your friend, you know,25400:12:51,080 –> 00:12:54,119is a master craftsman,25500:12:54,119 –> 00:12:56,280everything he does is just beautiful.25600:12:57,799 –> 00:12:58,919Well, he says to you,25700:12:59,239 –> 00:13:00,760It’s going to be a lot of work25800:13:01,719 –> 00:13:03,479and it is going to take a long time25900:13:05,080 –> 00:13:06,599but trust me he says,26000:13:07,479 –> 00:13:10,840you will love it when it’s done.26100:13:12,599 –> 00:13:13,719Well, you move out26200:13:13,719 –> 00:13:16,119while all of this work is going on26300:13:16,119 –> 00:13:18,280but at one point, you decide26400:13:18,280 –> 00:13:19,719I’m going to slip back in26500:13:19,719 –> 00:13:21,239and just take a look.26600:13:22,119 –> 00:13:26,440Now remember, your friend is a master craftsman,26700:13:26,440 –> 00:13:28,039everything he does is just perfect26800:13:29,159 –> 00:13:31,239so when you go to take a look,26900:13:31,239 –> 00:13:33,960your expectations are sky high27000:13:35,239 –> 00:13:37,559and what you see in your kitchen27100:13:38,919 –> 00:13:40,840leads you to be really disappointed27200:13:40,840 –> 00:13:43,799because when you look at27300:13:43,799 –> 00:13:47,400where the electrical outlets should be27400:13:48,359 –> 00:13:50,200all you see is wires hanging out the wall27500:13:51,640 –> 00:13:54,919and when you look under the sink27600:13:54,919 –> 00:13:56,119at least there’s a sink there27700:13:56,119 –> 00:13:57,159but you look underneath it27800:13:57,159 –> 00:13:58,679the plumbing isn’t even attached27900:14:00,359 –> 00:14:02,039and the cabinets are in place28000:14:02,039 –> 00:14:02,840well that’s good28100:14:02,840 –> 00:14:04,840but there isn’t any worktop28200:14:04,840 –> 00:14:07,400and the walls are still that28300:14:07,400 –> 00:14:09,880hideous shade of mustard28400:14:12,119 –> 00:14:14,200so you look at the kitchen28500:14:14,200 –> 00:14:16,119and you shake your head28600:14:16,119 –> 00:14:19,880and you say, nothing here is as it should be28700:14:21,320 –> 00:14:23,159and so now you’re really perplexed28800:14:23,159 –> 00:14:24,919because your friend after all28900:14:25,400 –> 00:14:27,400is a master craftsman29000:14:27,400 –> 00:14:29,159his work is always perfect29100:14:29,159 –> 00:14:30,280and you’re looking at a kitchen29200:14:30,280 –> 00:14:31,159and it’s still a mess29300:14:33,799 –> 00:14:35,080and so you begin to wonder29400:14:36,280 –> 00:14:38,200well maybe this isn’t his work at all29500:14:40,280 –> 00:14:41,799maybe he’s never even been here29600:14:43,159 –> 00:14:44,359maybe this is someone else29700:14:44,359 –> 00:14:45,640who’s just messed the whole thing up29800:14:47,799 –> 00:14:50,280so you send a text to your friend29900:14:50,760 –> 00:14:54,039but your friend looked at kitchen today30000:14:55,479 –> 00:14:56,760very disappointed30100:14:57,880 –> 00:15:00,119is this really your work30200:15:01,960 –> 00:15:03,080and he sends a text back to you30300:15:05,400 –> 00:15:06,440all my work30400:15:07,960 –> 00:15:08,919all of it good30500:15:10,520 –> 00:15:12,440none of it yet complete30600:15:14,280 –> 00:15:15,159now friends you may think30700:15:15,159 –> 00:15:16,840this is a very foolish illustration30800:15:16,840 –> 00:15:18,840because surely anyone looking at a kitchen30900:15:18,919 –> 00:15:19,559would realize31000:15:19,559 –> 00:15:20,280that they’re looking at31100:15:20,280 –> 00:15:21,239a work in progress31200:15:21,239 –> 00:15:22,359and it’s not yet complete31300:15:22,359 –> 00:15:23,400and who in their right mind31400:15:23,400 –> 00:15:24,919would question the quality of the work31500:15:24,919 –> 00:15:26,280that had actually been done31600:15:26,280 –> 00:15:27,239simply on the basis31700:15:27,239 –> 00:15:28,520that there’s more still to do31800:15:30,280 –> 00:15:32,520but isn’t that precisely31900:15:32,520 –> 00:15:33,559the problem we have32000:15:34,599 –> 00:15:36,200when we look at the work32100:15:36,200 –> 00:15:37,239of the Holy Spirit32200:15:37,239 –> 00:15:38,520in our own lives32300:15:38,520 –> 00:15:40,039John says well now32400:15:40,039 –> 00:15:41,320if you’re truly a Christian32500:15:41,320 –> 00:15:43,080you believe and you love32600:15:43,080 –> 00:15:44,200and you obey32700:15:44,200 –> 00:15:45,000and then some of us32800:15:45,000 –> 00:15:45,719respond to that32900:15:45,719 –> 00:15:47,320perhaps even during this series33000:15:47,320 –> 00:15:48,760by saying ah yes33100:15:48,760 –> 00:15:50,119but you see my faith33200:15:50,119 –> 00:15:51,559is not as strong as it should be33300:15:53,640 –> 00:15:54,840I have so many questions33400:15:54,840 –> 00:15:55,640doubts and fears33500:15:55,640 –> 00:15:56,520so that makes me wonder33600:15:56,520 –> 00:15:57,320if it’s the real thing33700:15:58,760 –> 00:16:00,440My love is not as as deep33800:16:00,440 –> 00:16:01,000as it should be33900:16:01,000 –> 00:16:02,599my heart’s very often cold34000:16:02,599 –> 00:16:03,799so it just makes me wonder34100:16:03,799 –> 00:16:04,679am I a real thing?34200:16:06,359 –> 00:16:07,880my obedience isn’t as full34300:16:07,880 –> 00:16:08,760as it should be34400:16:08,760 –> 00:16:10,840you know I am so far from being34500:16:10,840 –> 00:16:13,159the person that God calls me to be34600:16:13,159 –> 00:16:15,000yes all of that is true34700:16:16,840 –> 00:16:18,039but you see the reason34800:16:18,039 –> 00:16:19,000that it is true34900:16:19,000 –> 00:16:21,400is because you are a work35000:16:21,400 –> 00:16:22,520in progress35100:16:25,080 –> 00:16:27,320so draw assurance from this35200:16:29,000 –> 00:16:30,599the work in progress35300:16:30,919 –> 00:16:34,679is truly the work of the Holy Spirit35400:16:35,880 –> 00:16:36,840it is all good35500:16:38,039 –> 00:16:39,880though none of it is yet35600:16:41,159 –> 00:16:41,719complete35700:16:43,080 –> 00:16:44,119He is at work in you35800:16:45,239 –> 00:16:46,919learn to recognize the work35900:16:47,479 –> 00:16:49,000of the Holy Spirit in your life36000:16:49,000 –> 00:16:51,400so this is where we’ve been over these last weeks36100:16:51,400 –> 00:16:53,559how does assurance come to us36200:16:53,559 –> 00:16:55,000It’s not only a goal to pursue36300:16:55,000 –> 00:16:56,039it’s a gift to enjoy36400:16:56,840 –> 00:16:59,000how does it come to us36500:16:59,000 –> 00:17:02,520it grows through the Word of God the Father36600:17:02,520 –> 00:17:04,359so listen to the Word of Grace36700:17:04,359 –> 00:17:06,599that God speaks to you in Jesus Christ36800:17:06,599 –> 00:17:08,280lean on His promise36900:17:08,280 –> 00:17:10,520Remember that He justifies37000:17:10,520 –> 00:17:12,439those who have faith in Jesus37100:17:12,439 –> 00:17:14,359and that God is greater37200:17:14,359 –> 00:17:15,959than your condemning heart37300:17:17,239 –> 00:17:18,760and assurance grows through37400:17:18,760 –> 00:17:20,839the witness of the Holy Spirit37500:17:20,839 –> 00:17:23,000so learn to recognize37600:17:23,719 –> 00:17:27,000the work of the Holy Spirit in your life37700:17:27,000 –> 00:17:29,719remember that you are a work in progress37800:17:29,719 –> 00:17:30,599and don’t dismiss37900:17:31,400 –> 00:17:33,400what God is doing in your life38000:17:33,400 –> 00:17:35,319simply because it is not yet complete38100:17:37,479 –> 00:17:40,040And then the last leg of our journey today38200:17:40,040 –> 00:17:41,880assurance grows through38300:17:41,880 –> 00:17:44,439the work of God the Son38400:17:45,400 –> 00:17:49,640and John keeps coming back to this38500:17:49,640 –> 00:17:50,680throughout his letter38600:17:50,680 –> 00:17:53,160and that’s why we keep coming back to this38700:17:53,800 –> 00:17:55,319throughout the series38800:17:55,880 –> 00:17:58,280The Ministry of God the Son38900:17:59,400 –> 00:18:01,479Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ39000:18:01,479 –> 00:18:04,359In this letter we see wondrously clearly39100:18:05,239 –> 00:18:06,839who Jesus is39200:18:08,119 –> 00:18:09,719what Jesus has done39300:18:10,920 –> 00:18:13,400what Jesus is doing now39400:18:14,680 –> 00:18:17,239and what Jesus will do39500:18:18,439 –> 00:18:21,479Who Jesus is, John makes so clear39600:18:21,479 –> 00:18:24,760Jesus is the Son of God39700:18:26,439 –> 00:18:27,959Chapter 4 and verse 939800:18:27,959 –> 00:18:31,479God sent his only Son into the world39900:18:32,599 –> 00:18:36,040so that we might live through him40000:18:37,079 –> 00:18:38,680On chapter 4 and verse 1440100:18:39,400 –> 00:18:41,400the father has sent his son40200:18:42,439 –> 00:18:44,280to be the Saviour of the world40300:18:45,319 –> 00:18:47,079On chapter 4 and verse 1540400:18:47,079 –> 00:18:51,079whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God40500:18:51,959 –> 00:18:53,640God abides in him40600:18:55,079 –> 00:18:57,400and he in God40700:18:59,160 –> 00:19:02,520I will never forget John Nyquist40800:19:02,520 –> 00:19:05,000who’s a member of this congregation for many years40900:19:05,640 –> 00:19:09,239and served as professor of evangelism and discipleship41000:19:09,239 –> 00:19:10,599at our seminary41100:19:10,599 –> 00:19:12,520Trinity Evangelical Divinity School41200:19:13,319 –> 00:19:15,560He told me once over a meal41300:19:16,520 –> 00:19:21,319that he had once led someone to faith in Christ41400:19:21,319 –> 00:19:25,239using a knife and a fork and a spoon41500:19:26,199 –> 00:19:28,920I said, you got to tell me about that41600:19:30,040 –> 00:19:32,199And he told me that on one occasion41700:19:32,199 –> 00:19:35,800he was sitting at a table with a young lad41800:19:35,800 –> 00:19:39,400who had a very limited capacity for understanding41900:19:40,040 –> 00:19:45,959and in front of him there was a knife and a fork and a spoon42000:19:47,400 –> 00:19:50,760So he picked up the knife and the fork42100:19:50,760 –> 00:19:52,920one in each hand and he said42200:19:53,959 –> 00:19:57,640Now this one loves this one42300:19:59,560 –> 00:20:02,760and this one loves this one42400:20:04,199 –> 00:20:06,199then he put the knife and the fork in the same hand42500:20:06,199 –> 00:20:07,400and picked up the spoon42600:20:07,400 –> 00:20:12,359And he said, and these two, they really love this one42700:20:13,959 –> 00:20:17,239He put them down and he pushed the spoon42800:20:17,239 –> 00:20:19,959away over to the other side of the table42900:20:21,640 –> 00:20:23,160and he picked up the knife43000:20:24,439 –> 00:20:26,040and pointing to the spoon he said43100:20:26,040 –> 00:20:28,520Now if this one slips away43200:20:29,719 –> 00:20:32,760what do you think this one will do?43300:20:33,800 –> 00:20:36,040and the boy, immediately picked up the fork43400:20:36,040 –> 00:20:38,359and he said he’ll send this one43500:20:38,359 –> 00:20:41,560to go and bring him back43600:20:41,560 –> 00:20:42,359He’d got it43700:20:44,040 –> 00:20:47,160he’d understood the very heart of the gospel43800:20:47,160 –> 00:20:48,839and of the Christmas story43900:20:50,040 –> 00:20:51,719the father loves the son44000:20:52,920 –> 00:20:54,520and the son loves the father44100:20:55,880 –> 00:20:59,560and the father and the son really love you44200:21:00,920 –> 00:21:03,959and when you slipped away and were lost44300:21:03,959 –> 00:21:06,839the father sent the son to save you44400:21:07,719 –> 00:21:08,680to bring you back44500:21:09,479 –> 00:21:10,760that’s a Christmas story44600:21:11,400 –> 00:21:13,719and you see it’s exactly what john says44700:21:13,719 –> 00:21:16,119in the simplest and the plainest language here44800:21:16,119 –> 00:21:19,160god sent his only son into the world44900:21:19,160 –> 00:21:21,160that we might live through him45000:21:21,160 –> 00:21:23,479the father has sent his son45100:21:23,479 –> 00:21:26,199to be the saviour of the world45200:21:26,199 –> 00:21:27,479and john makes it clear45300:21:27,479 –> 00:21:30,119if you will believe in him45400:21:30,119 –> 00:21:32,439then god will abide in you45500:21:32,439 –> 00:21:34,119and you will abide in him45600:21:34,119 –> 00:21:37,560whoever confesses that Jesus is the son of God45700:21:37,560 –> 00:21:39,319god abides in him45800:21:39,319 –> 00:21:41,880and he in God45900:21:41,880 –> 00:21:43,079That’s who Jesus is46000:21:43,959 –> 00:21:45,319he’s the son of God46100:21:46,199 –> 00:21:48,040who came into the world46200:21:48,040 –> 00:21:49,400to bring us back46300:21:50,599 –> 00:21:51,400to the father46400:21:52,280 –> 00:21:53,719You’ve been listening to Open the Bible46500:21:53,719 –> 00:21:55,160with Pastor Colin Smith46600:21:55,160 –> 00:21:56,839and the first part of our message46700:21:56,839 –> 00:21:59,800Assurance grows as you look to the work of the son46800:22:00,280 –> 00:22:01,560It’s part of our series46900:22:01,560 –> 00:22:02,680How Can I be Sure?47000:22:02,680 –> 00:22:04,839All about assurance of salvation47100:22:05,319 –> 00:22:06,920If you’ve missed one of the series47200:22:06,920 –> 00:22:09,880or if you want to go back and listen to the whole series again47300:22:09,880 –> 00:22:12,119you can do that by going to our website47400:22:12,119 –> 00:22:12,839openthebible.org.uk47500:22:15,479 –> 00:22:19,560And don’t forget you’ll also find Pastor Colin’s messages as a podcast47600:22:19,560 –> 00:22:22,119and those are on all the main podcast sites47700:22:22,119 –> 00:22:25,640You can find them by searching for openthebibleuk47800:22:25,640 –> 00:22:27,640And if you want to receive regular reminders47900:22:27,640 –> 00:22:29,319subscribe to the podcast48000:22:29,800 –> 00:22:33,300While you’re on our website, don’t forget about Open the Bible Daily48100:22:33,300 –> 00:22:37,280That’s our series of short two to three minute daily reflections48200:22:37,280 –> 00:22:38,880based on Colin’s teaching48300:22:38,880 –> 00:22:42,079and read in the UK by Sue MacLeish48400:22:42,079 –> 00:22:44,599Open the Bible is supported by our listeners48500:22:44,599 –> 00:22:47,540and if you’re thinking about doing that for the first time this month48600:22:47,540 –> 00:22:50,920We would like to offer you something in return48700:22:50,920 –> 00:22:55,839If you’re able to set up a new direct debit of five pounds per month or more48800:22:55,839 –> 00:22:58,680or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more48900:22:58,800 –> 00:23:01,719We’ll send you a copy of Pastor Colin Smith’s book49000:23:01,719 –> 00:23:03,959The Ten Greatest Struggles of Your Life49100:23:04,380 –> 00:23:06,640Finding Freedom in God’s Commands49200:23:06,839 –> 00:23:10,560along with five beautiful psalm 23 note cards49300:23:11,199 –> 00:23:15,239Colin, what are you hoping that readers will take away from reading this book49400:23:15,339 –> 00:23:19,880Well, there are so many people who have only heard a message49500:23:19,880 –> 00:23:22,979that is basically, do this and don’t do that49600:23:22,979 –> 00:23:26,719and have become tired of it and may even have walked away from it49700:23:26,800 –> 00:23:28,839Folks who are listening to us right now49800:23:28,839 –> 00:23:30,640and that’s been your experience49900:23:30,640 –> 00:23:33,219Do this, do this, do this, don’t do that, don’t do that50000:23:33,219 –> 00:23:35,219and so forth and so on50100:23:35,219 –> 00:23:39,219And the wonderful thing that’s at the very heart of the Gospel50200:23:39,219 –> 00:23:42,219is that God gives what He commands50300:23:42,579 –> 00:23:45,000So, when we look at the Ten Commandments50400:23:45,000 –> 00:23:49,420we’re looking at what God actually offers to give to us50500:23:49,420 –> 00:23:51,880by the power of His Holy Spirit50600:23:51,880 –> 00:23:54,880when we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ50700:23:55,160 –> 00:23:57,459He’s able to give us a new life50800:23:57,459 –> 00:24:00,579in which it’s possible to pursue purity50900:24:00,579 –> 00:24:03,839in which it’s possible to find contentment51000:24:03,839 –> 00:24:08,180in which it’s possible for us to make wise and good use of our time51100:24:08,180 –> 00:24:11,219All of these issues are addressed in the Ten Commandments51200:24:11,219 –> 00:24:15,599and therefore, they point to a new life that is full of the most wonderful hope51300:24:15,599 –> 00:24:19,640If you’ve only heard a bunch of Dos and Don’ts51400:24:19,640 –> 00:24:24,640you haven’t yet discovered the Good News of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ51500:24:24,640 –> 00:24:26,160and so my hope and prayer for this book51600:24:26,160 –> 00:24:29,439is that it will help many people to have their eyes opened51700:24:29,439 –> 00:24:33,459to the new life that’s possible through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ51800:24:33,459 –> 00:24:36,199So, that’s our gift to you, this month of September51900:24:36,199 –> 00:24:40,719if you’re able to set up a new direct debit of £5 per month or more52000:24:40,719 –> 00:24:45,400or a one-off gift of £50 or more to the work of Open the Bible52100:24:45,400 –> 00:24:47,760Full terms and conditions on our website52200:24:47,760 –> 00:24:51,000that’s at openthebible.org.uk52300:24:51,000 –> 00:24:52,660and you can give online52400:24:52,660 –> 00:24:54,579If you’d like us to send you this gift52500:24:54,619 –> 00:24:56,420please don’t give anonymously52600:24:56,420 –> 00:24:58,119and remember to include your address52700:24:58,119 –> 00:25:00,560so that we can send you your gift52800:25:00,560 –> 00:25:03,119For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith52900:25:03,119 –> 00:25:04,119I’m David Pick53000:25:04,119 –> 00:25:06,199and I hope you’ll join us again next time53100:25:06,199 –> 00:25:07,199on Open the Bible53200:25:13,619 –> 00:25:17,420Assurance comes to us through the ministry of God the Son53300:25:17,420 –> 00:25:20,520Find out how, next time on Open the Bible
