100:00:00,400 –> 00:00:08,280He is trying to lead us on this narrow path between acquiescing200:00:08,420 –> 00:00:12,140in sin on the one hand and despairing over sin on the other.300:00:12,580 –> 00:00:18,680And that path on which he leads us is found in the two verses400:00:19,219 –> 00:00:20,760that are before us today.500:00:21,219 –> 00:00:23,719Welcome to open the Bible with pastor Colin Smith.600:00:23,760 –> 00:00:24,520I’m David Pick.700:00:24,719 –> 00:00:27,940So glad you could be with us today and call in those two verses800:00:28,080 –> 00:00:31,100on the first letter of John Chapter two and verses one and900:00:31,100 –> 00:00:32,700two as we look at these verses.1000:00:33,000 –> 00:00:34,939How do they help us grow in assurance?1100:00:35,439 –> 00:00:39,040Well, you got these marvelous statements that must always be kept together.1200:00:39,080 –> 00:00:44,139John says, I am writing these things to use so that you me not sin.1300:00:44,720 –> 00:00:45,200Now.1400:00:45,200 –> 00:00:48,680I need to hear that every Christian needs to hear that.1500:00:49,220 –> 00:00:55,080God calls us to a life that reflects his holiness and his righteousness,1600:00:55,919 –> 00:00:58,099his holiness, and his righteousness.1700:00:58,500 –> 00:01:00,419I have no business.1800:01:00,500 –> 00:01:03,240Acquiescing in known sin.1900:01:03,619 –> 00:01:06,279That’s a word of God that we need to hear, and we’re going to2000:01:06,279 –> 00:01:07,940hear it in the program today.2100:01:08,279 –> 00:01:11,620But there’s something else that we need to hear at the same time.2200:01:11,680 –> 00:01:15,519But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father,2300:01:15,519 –> 00:01:17,180Jesus Christ, the righteous.2400:01:17,180 –> 00:01:20,800I mean, thank God for that, that there’s a place to go.2500:01:20,800 –> 00:01:25,959There is a saveur to whom we can come with all that is wrong in our2600:01:25,959 –> 00:01:28,440lives, and there’s cleansing to be found.2700:01:28,800 –> 00:01:31,839So, there’s both a warning here that we need to hear, and to2800:01:31,839 –> 00:01:35,940heed, and there’s a promise that we need to embrace, and they’re2900:01:35,940 –> 00:01:39,279brought together beautifully in these verses in 1 John that we’re3000:01:39,279 –> 00:01:40,480looking at together today.3100:01:40,519 –> 00:01:43,860So those verses, again, are in the 1st Letter of John, chapter3200:01:43,860 –> 00:01:48,2792, verses 1 and 2, and that is today’s message, which is called3300:01:48,360 –> 00:01:51,400assurance grows as you trust in Jesus.3400:01:51,500 –> 00:01:51,940Here’s Colin.3500:01:52,680 –> 00:01:56,879We’ve seen that this wonderful letter was written to answer the3600:01:56,879 –> 00:02:00,919question, how can I be sure.3700:02:00,919 –> 00:02:04,199Chapter 5 and verse 13 John says, I write these things to3800:02:04,199 –> 00:02:08,600you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may3900:02:08,600 –> 00:02:14,119know, that you may know that you have eternal life.4000:02:14,119 –> 00:02:17,740Want you to be settled, confident about it.4100:02:17,740 –> 00:02:22,979Want you to be sure in regards to this marvelous gift of4200:02:23,039 –> 00:02:23,940eternal life.4300:02:23,940 –> 00:02:30,419And we’ve seen that assurance is really a cord that is woven4400:02:30,419 –> 00:02:32,460from several strands.4500:02:32,940 –> 00:02:36,179And the first of these strands is what we’ve been focused on4600:02:36,179 –> 00:02:37,720in 1st John and chapter 1.4700:02:38,059 –> 00:02:40,899And that is that we gain gospel clarity.4800:02:40,960 –> 00:02:47,339This is where John begins as he lays out for us how we can be4900:02:47,339 –> 00:02:51,619sure and we’ve seen over these last weeks that John wants us to5000:02:51,699 –> 00:02:55,779have gospel clarity, particularly in relationship to5100:02:55,899 –> 00:02:57,300fellowship with God.5200:02:57,919 –> 00:03:00,339Verse 5 and verse 6 of chapter 1.5300:03:00,380 –> 00:03:03,979This is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to5400:03:03,979 –> 00:03:09,740you that God is light and in him is no darkness at all.5500:03:10,259 –> 00:03:15,220And then John says if we say we have fellowship with him, there5600:03:15,220 –> 00:03:16,839it is fellowship with God.5700:03:17,639 –> 00:03:20,139We say that we have fellowship with God while we walk in5800:03:20,139 –> 00:03:20,660darkness.5900:03:20,699 –> 00:03:24,220We lie and do not practice the truth.6000:03:24,779 –> 00:03:29,660And we saw that to walk in darkness is to stay in darkness.6100:03:30,119 –> 00:03:34,580And John says that if you want to have fellowship with God you6200:03:34,580 –> 00:03:36,440cannot stay in the darkness.6300:03:37,279 –> 00:03:39,500You have to come out of the darkness.6400:03:39,759 –> 00:03:43,119You have to walk in the light.6500:03:44,259 –> 00:03:47,600And then John wants us to have gospel clarity not only on6600:03:47,600 –> 00:03:52,039fellowship with God but also on forgiveness and cleansing.6700:03:52,279 –> 00:03:56,520And last time we saw that though we really do have fellowship6800:03:56,520 –> 00:04:00,580with God through the Lord Jesus Christ and though the Holy6900:04:00,580 –> 00:04:04,720spirit truly lives within us and though the blood of Jesus7000:04:04,759 –> 00:04:11,179Christ truly cleanses us from all sin yet the impulse to sin7100:04:11,399 –> 00:04:13,580remains within us all.7200:04:13,759 –> 00:04:16,179And John is very clear about this verse eight.7300:04:16,720 –> 00:04:21,760If we see that we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the7400:04:21,760 –> 00:04:24,079truth is not in us.7500:04:24,559 –> 00:04:27,959And what we saw last time is that however disciplined you7600:04:27,959 –> 00:04:31,839may be in the pursuit of a holy life and some of us I’m sure7700:04:32,279 –> 00:04:36,440very disciplined indeed, but however disciplined you are in7800:04:36,440 –> 00:04:39,519the pursuit of a holy life it will never go so well with you7900:04:39,519 –> 00:04:42,600that you are holy free from all sin.8000:04:42,820 –> 00:04:46,679Sin hides in our hearts and it shows up in our lives.8100:04:47,000 –> 00:04:50,359And actually the clearest evidence that a person really is8200:04:50,359 –> 00:04:54,559walking in the light is there precisely because you are8300:04:54,559 –> 00:04:57,679walking in the light you become more aware of your own sins8400:04:57,899 –> 00:05:04,140rather than less so and you have a deep desire to overcome them8500:05:04,959 –> 00:05:07,980And so John gives us this marvelous promise that we looked8600:05:07,980 –> 00:05:12,739at last time in verse nine, if we confess our sins, he is8700:05:12,739 –> 00:05:18,220faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from8800:05:18,220 –> 00:05:20,600all unrighteousness.8900:05:21,540 –> 00:05:25,380So John has presented us with twin truths.9000:05:26,339 –> 00:05:32,299Think of them as the tracks on which the railway train will run9100:05:33,260 –> 00:05:39,640There in parallel together John presents these truths to us side9200:05:39,640 –> 00:05:42,859by side because the belong together.9300:05:42,880 –> 00:05:45,940You take away one of the rails you’re you’re heading for a9400:05:45,940 –> 00:05:48,000train disaster or a train wreck.9500:05:48,059 –> 00:05:52,980The train needs both of these rails and here are two very9600:05:53,040 –> 00:05:56,579important truths that John has presented to us.9700:05:56,600 –> 00:06:00,899One is that sin remains in us and the other is that God9800:06:00,940 –> 00:06:04,059forgives our sins.9900:06:04,660 –> 00:06:09,579Now how are we to respond to these truths?10000:06:10,260 –> 00:06:13,059There are two very obvious dangers.10100:06:13,480 –> 00:06:20,619The first danger is that we acquiesce over our sin.10200:06:21,619 –> 00:06:23,779That is, we say to ourselves,10300:06:23,799 –> 00:06:24,959Okay I’ve got it now.10400:06:25,859 –> 00:06:27,260Sin remains.10500:06:28,519 –> 00:06:36,779Everybody sins and God knows me and he loves me as I am and10600:06:36,820 –> 00:06:39,640it’s very clear here that God forgieves the sins of those who10700:06:39,679 –> 00:06:44,799believe in Jesus and the danger then is that we hear this truth10800:06:44,820 –> 00:06:49,299that God forgives and that it leads us somehow to acquiesce10900:06:50,119 –> 00:06:54,440in our sin to become comfortable with remaining sin to make11000:06:54,679 –> 00:06:59,279peace with certain sins in our lives.11100:07:00,420 –> 00:07:04,059That’s the first danger that you hear that God forgives and11200:07:04,079 –> 00:07:06,339it leads you to acquiesce in your sin.11300:07:07,820 –> 00:07:10,320The second danger of course is the opposite.11400:07:10,920 –> 00:07:15,299That is that you hear that sin remains and that quickly leads11500:07:15,320 –> 00:07:16,399you to despair.11600:07:17,299 –> 00:07:19,480And some of you will know what this is like.11700:07:20,160 –> 00:07:23,079To be saying to yourself in your mind and in your heart,11800:07:23,079 –> 00:07:26,559you know what, after all that I’ve learned from God’s Word11900:07:27,239 –> 00:07:31,119and all that I’ve seen of God’s goodness in my life and all12000:07:31,140 –> 00:07:34,899that I’ve received from his hand, why is it that I am not12100:07:34,920 –> 00:07:37,339more godly than I am?12200:07:37,619 –> 00:07:42,500Sin remains in me and when I see it I sometimes wonder if I’m12300:07:42,540 –> 00:07:44,739really a Christian at all.12400:07:46,540 –> 00:07:49,820So do you see there are two very obvious dangers here as John12500:07:49,820 –> 00:07:52,299presents these vital truths to us?12600:07:53,100 –> 00:07:56,700One is that God’s gracious forgiveness should lead us to12700:07:56,700 –> 00:07:59,339acquiesce with remaining sin.12800:07:59,619 –> 00:08:03,820And the other is that remaining sin should lead us to despair.12900:08:04,519 –> 00:08:09,899And John wants to guard us against both of these dangers.13000:08:10,940 –> 00:08:14,179So now let me give you a picture that I hope will be helpful.13100:08:14,519 –> 00:08:20,160I want you to imagine yourself walking across a very narrow13200:08:20,160 –> 00:08:25,160ridge that goes over the top of a windswept mountain.13300:08:26,119 –> 00:08:29,679And as you make your way across this narrow ridge, there are13400:08:29,679 –> 00:08:34,559cliffs very close on either side.13500:08:35,320 –> 00:08:40,119And as the wind is blowing in different directions, you could13600:08:40,179 –> 00:08:45,200very easily be blown right off the mountain on one side or on13700:08:45,200 –> 00:08:45,840the other.13800:08:46,880 –> 00:08:52,159Now John here is leading us over this narrow ridge as it13900:08:52,159 –> 00:08:56,239were and he wants to guard us against falling off the cliffs14000:08:56,239 –> 00:08:58,640that are so close by on either side.14100:08:58,979 –> 00:09:04,719So he tells us God forgives and then he says but don’t let that14200:09:04,719 –> 00:09:10,039truth lead you any place close to the cliff edge of acquiescing14300:09:10,039 –> 00:09:10,640in your sin.14400:09:13,460 –> 00:09:19,760And then he tells us that sin remains but then he says to us14500:09:19,760 –> 00:09:24,679and don’t let that truth lead you any place close to the cliff14600:09:24,700 –> 00:09:28,840edge of despairing over your sin.14700:09:29,000 –> 00:09:35,000He’s trying to lead us on this narrow ridge, a narrow path14800:09:35,000 –> 00:09:40,340between acquiescing in sin on the one hand and despairing over14900:09:40,340 –> 00:09:46,780sin on the other and that path on which he leads us is found in15000:09:46,780 –> 00:09:50,080the two verses that are before us today.15100:09:51,219 –> 00:09:53,760You’re listening to Open the Bible with pastor Colin Smith15200:09:53,799 –> 00:09:57,539and a message called Assurance Grows As You Trust in Jesus.15300:09:57,979 –> 00:09:58,979Part of our series.15400:09:59,119 –> 00:10:00,260How Can I Be Sure?15500:10:00,539 –> 00:10:04,500all about how to have assurance of salvation in Christ Jesus.15600:10:05,099 –> 00:10:08,000If you miss any of our series or if you ever want to go back and15700:10:08,000 –> 00:10:11,440listen again you can do that by coming online to our web site15800:10:11,700 –> 00:10:16,659openthebible.org.uk or you can find Pastor Colin’s messages as15900:10:16,659 –> 00:10:19,760a podcast and those are on all the main podcast sites.16000:10:20,039 –> 00:10:21,840Search for Open the Bible UK.16100:10:22,780 –> 00:10:24,799Or follow the link from our website.16200:10:25,799 –> 00:10:29,000Open the Bible is supported by our listeners and we’re very16300:10:29,000 –> 00:10:31,880grateful for the financial support that many of you give16400:10:31,880 –> 00:10:32,599us.16500:10:32,659 –> 00:10:35,719If you’ve been thinking about doing that in the future stay16600:10:35,719 –> 00:10:38,780tuned because later on in the program you’ll hear about a16700:10:38,780 –> 00:10:42,020special offer that we have for you this month if you’re able to16800:10:42,020 –> 00:10:46,000set up a new direct debit to the work of Open the Bible or16900:10:46,000 –> 00:10:47,239indeed a one off gift.17000:10:47,659 –> 00:10:50,280So I’ll be talking to Pastor Colin about that later in the17100:10:50,280 –> 00:10:51,840program so stay with us!17200:10:52,359 –> 00:10:53,599Back to the message now.17300:10:53,780 –> 00:10:56,520We’re in the first letter of John chapter 2 verses 1 & 2.17400:10:56,520 –> 00:10:58,840Here again is Colin.17500:11:27,119 –> 00:11:33,000God has provided For when we17600:11:33,099 –> 00:11:36,400sin. First God calls us not to17700:11:36,500 –> 00:11:38,840sin and want us to feel the17800:11:38,940 –> 00:11:43,200force off the first sentence in17900:11:43,299 –> 00:11:45,900first John chapter two. My18000:11:46,000 –> 00:11:50,080little children. I am writing18100:11:50,179 –> 00:11:54,059these things to you. So that18200:11:54,059 –> 00:12:00,859we feel a greater capacity of18300:12:00,960 –> 00:12:03,979sin. No. Remember that18400:12:04,080 –> 00:12:06,679John’s mind was filled with18500:12:06,780 –> 00:12:09,299memories. Of the life and the18600:12:09,400 –> 00:12:10,619ministry of the Lord Jesus is18700:12:10,719 –> 00:12:12,739one off the apostles. He had18800:12:12,840 –> 00:12:14,979been there and had seen the18900:12:15,080 –> 00:12:16,419remarkable works of the Lord19000:12:16,520 –> 00:12:17,880Jesus. And of course, he19100:12:17,979 –> 00:12:22,280recorded them in John’s gospel.19200:12:22,880 –> 00:12:25,320But John records his gospel.19300:12:25,419 –> 00:12:27,419He record how Jesus healed a19400:12:27,520 –> 00:12:29,880man who had been laying beside19500:12:29,979 –> 00:12:32,359a pool place called the pool of19600:12:32,460 –> 00:12:33,460Bethesda. And he had been19700:12:33,559 –> 00:12:37,520there paralyzed for 38 years.19800:12:37,619 –> 00:12:40,640And John was witness to this19900:12:40,739 –> 00:12:43,039and he records it, that Jesus20000:12:43,140 –> 00:12:46,359said to this man, take up your20100:12:46,460 –> 00:12:50,479bed and walk and John20200:12:50,479 –> 00:12:52,520record that the man was healed20300:12:52,619 –> 00:12:56,979instantly, he picked his mat20400:12:57,080 –> 00:12:59,979and he walked, and then John20500:13:00,080 –> 00:13:03,140tells us that afterward, Jesus20600:13:03,239 –> 00:13:04,919found this man in the temple20700:13:05,020 –> 00:13:07,760and said to him, see you are20800:13:07,859 –> 00:13:14,940well. Sin, no more.20900:13:15,039 –> 00:13:19,059John heard Jesus say that.21000:13:19,219 –> 00:13:24,020We know. More.21100:13:24,219 –> 00:13:25,400And then a little later on in21200:13:25,520 –> 00:13:26,739his gospel, he tells us about21300:13:26,840 –> 00:13:29,659another occasion when the21400:13:29,739 –> 00:13:31,299Pharisees came to Jesus with a21500:13:31,400 –> 00:13:32,840woman they had caught in the21600:13:32,940 –> 00:13:34,640very act of adultery. They had21700:13:34,739 –> 00:13:36,280wanted to see if Jesus would21800:13:36,380 –> 00:13:38,280enforce the Old Testament law21900:13:38,380 –> 00:13:40,440that called for a person who22000:13:40,539 –> 00:13:42,919had committed this sin to be22100:13:43,020 –> 00:13:44,460stoned and John again the22200:13:44,539 –> 00:13:47,179eyewitness of this remarkable22300:13:47,340 –> 00:13:49,119says then John records that22400:13:49,219 –> 00:13:51,719Jesus wrote something with his22500:13:51,820 –> 00:13:54,080finger in the sand and then he22600:13:54,179 –> 00:13:59,159said let him who is without sin22700:13:59,260 –> 00:14:03,359cast the first stone and John22800:14:03,460 –> 00:14:05,299says that one by one they all22900:14:05,400 –> 00:14:07,500went away and I just love the23000:14:07,599 –> 00:14:09,559date records the oldest were23100:14:09,659 –> 00:14:10,960the first to go and then the23200:14:11,059 –> 00:14:12,900younger ones see the older ones23300:14:13,140 –> 00:14:14,700knew they had more sins that23400:14:14,760 –> 00:14:16,640they were the first to realize23500:14:16,739 –> 00:14:18,859I’d better get out of here23600:14:19,140 –> 00:14:21,580and then John records that23700:14:21,679 –> 00:14:23,599Jesus turns to this woman and23800:14:24,099 –> 00:14:25,840said to her Has no one condemned23900:14:25,940 –> 00:14:31,539you and she said No one Lord and24000:14:31,640 –> 00:14:34,619then Jesus said neither do I24100:14:34,719 –> 00:14:39,159condemn you goal and remember24200:14:39,260 –> 00:14:42,760what he said Sing no more24300:14:43,659 –> 00:14:48,260sin no more John had heard the24400:14:48,359 –> 00:14:50,159Lord Jesus Christ Himself twice24500:14:50,260 –> 00:14:53,239saying that at least now he24600:14:53,340 –> 00:14:55,840says I am writing these things24700:14:55,940 –> 00:14:58,239to you little children so that24800:14:58,340 –> 00:15:02,880you may know seen and he puts24900:15:02,979 –> 00:15:05,020it right next to what we were25000:15:05,119 –> 00:15:07,219looking at from verse nine of25100:15:07,320 –> 00:15:09,119chapter one last week what is25200:15:09,219 –> 00:15:12,059saying to us is when you hear25300:15:12,059 –> 00:15:16,099that God forgives when you hear25400:15:16,200 –> 00:15:17,859this wonderful truth that Jesus25500:15:17,960 –> 00:15:21,659Christ cleanses I don’t want25600:15:21,760 –> 00:15:23,659you to take that as an indicator25700:15:23,760 –> 00:15:25,359that you can become comfortable25800:15:25,460 –> 00:15:26,859in remaining sin that you can25900:15:26,960 –> 00:15:28,580acquiesce in your sin that you26000:15:28,679 –> 00:15:30,500can make peace with it I am26100:15:30,599 –> 00:15:32,099writing to you not that you will26200:15:32,200 –> 00:15:33,539send more but that you will send26300:15:33,640 –> 00:15:36,719that I am writing that you may26400:15:36,820 –> 00:15:41,659not sin friends let’s take this26500:15:41,659 –> 00:15:45,919in and feel the weight of it as26600:15:46,020 –> 00:15:47,599we ought to feel the weight of26700:15:47,700 –> 00:15:50,460it today that Jesus Christ did26800:15:50,559 –> 00:15:52,359not die on the cross so that we26900:15:52,460 –> 00:15:56,059could remain in our sins Peter27000:15:56,179 –> 00:15:57,679says this very clearly he27100:15:57,780 –> 00:16:00,940himself bore our sins in his27200:16:01,039 –> 00:16:03,440body on the tree that’s what he27300:16:03,539 –> 00:16:06,580did why did he do it well Peter27400:16:06,679 –> 00:16:09,280says that we might die to sin27500:16:10,219 –> 00:16:12,080and live to righteousness that27600:16:12,179 –> 00:16:13,380we might be brought into new27700:16:13,479 –> 00:16:15,479and different lives that’s why27800:16:15,580 –> 00:16:18,580Jesus died on the cross if also27900:16:18,679 –> 00:16:20,219Paul puts it like this he says28000:16:20,320 –> 00:16:22,520he died for all that those who28100:16:22,619 –> 00:16:24,760live might no longer live for28200:16:24,859 –> 00:16:27,520themselves be done with the28300:16:27,619 –> 00:16:29,599self life be done with going28400:16:29,700 –> 00:16:31,200with the flow of the impulses28500:16:31,299 –> 00:16:33,159of the flesh but instead live28600:16:33,260 –> 00:16:37,099for him who for their sake died28700:16:38,000 –> 00:16:41,940and was raised so friends it28800:16:42,039 –> 00:16:44,460really is a distortion of the28900:16:44,559 –> 00:16:46,739gospel to say that the only29000:16:46,840 –> 00:16:47,900difference between a believer29100:16:48,000 –> 00:16:49,080and an unbeliever as the29200:16:49,179 –> 00:16:50,539believers are forgiven that is29300:16:50,640 –> 00:16:52,580a misrepresentation of the29400:16:52,679 –> 00:16:54,840gospel if anyone is in Christ29500:16:55,239 –> 00:16:58,340here she is a new creation the29600:16:58,460 –> 00:17:00,820oldest gone the new has come29700:17:01,059 –> 00:17:02,460our lives have been brought29800:17:02,559 –> 00:17:04,719under the authority of the Lord29900:17:04,719 –> 00:17:07,660Jesus Christ and He calls us to30000:17:07,760 –> 00:17:10,260pursue wholly lives lives that30100:17:10,359 –> 00:17:12,760are shaped after the pattern30200:17:12,859 –> 00:17:18,760that he has laid out for us now30300:17:18,859 –> 00:17:20,699there’s a principle here again30400:17:20,800 –> 00:17:23,239think about these tracks for30500:17:23,339 –> 00:17:25,640the train that belong together30600:17:26,439 –> 00:17:29,900there side by side you take30700:17:30,000 –> 00:17:31,280away one of them there’s going30800:17:31,280 –> 00:17:35,079to be a train disaster the30900:17:35,180 –> 00:17:37,680train needs both of the rails31000:17:38,979 –> 00:17:40,020and I want you to think about31100:17:40,119 –> 00:17:43,280this that every truth is open31200:17:43,380 –> 00:17:46,780to abuse and the easiest way to31300:17:46,880 –> 00:17:48,859abuse a truth is to isolate it31400:17:48,959 –> 00:17:50,260from other truths that belong31500:17:50,359 –> 00:17:53,699beside it every truth is open31600:17:53,800 –> 00:17:56,640to abuse and the easiest way to31700:17:56,739 –> 00:18:00,000abuse a truth is to isolate it31800:18:00,400 –> 00:18:02,800from other truths that belong31900:18:02,900 –> 00:18:06,459beside it and our enemy The32000:18:06,560 –> 00:18:09,739devil is highly skilled in32100:18:09,839 –> 00:18:12,540abusing truth you remember that32200:18:12,640 –> 00:18:14,800he had the audacity to attempt32300:18:14,900 –> 00:18:17,140the Lord Jesus Christ by32400:18:17,219 –> 00:18:22,239quoting scripture and perhaps32500:18:22,339 –> 00:18:24,219you can see something of the32600:18:24,319 –> 00:18:27,459logic well the son of God knows32700:18:27,560 –> 00:18:29,119and believes that every word of32800:18:29,140 –> 00:18:31,040scripture is true so if I’m32900:18:31,140 –> 00:18:32,719going attempt him I’ll tempt him33000:18:32,819 –> 00:18:35,900by coding from the Bible.33100:18:36,079 –> 00:18:37,660And so he comes to Jesus and in33200:18:37,719 –> 00:18:38,920fact what he’s saying is33300:18:39,020 –> 00:18:41,099something like this.33400:18:41,300 –> 00:18:44,959It says in the Bible.33500:18:45,199 –> 00:18:47,560The God will command his angels33600:18:47,660 –> 00:18:50,040concerning you to guard you on33700:18:50,140 –> 00:18:52,040their hands they will bear you33800:18:52,239 –> 00:18:52,800up.33900:18:52,979 –> 00:18:54,400That’s what it says in the34000:18:54,500 –> 00:18:57,199Bible.34100:18:57,380 –> 00:18:59,040And so then he says to Jesus34200:18:59,140 –> 00:19:02,119remember Jesus Christ.34300:19:02,219 –> 00:19:03,619So you can throw yourself off34400:19:03,760 –> 00:19:05,079the pinnacle of the temple34500:19:05,180 –> 00:19:06,560you’ll just float down no harm34600:19:06,660 –> 00:19:07,579will come to you because it34700:19:07,660 –> 00:19:10,420says in the Bible that God will34800:19:10,520 –> 00:19:11,660guard you.34900:19:11,900 –> 00:19:14,119It says in the Bible that the35000:19:14,199 –> 00:19:17,439angels will hold you up.35100:19:17,619 –> 00:19:21,839Now you see the devils strategy35200:19:21,900 –> 00:19:24,239here.35300:19:24,479 –> 00:19:27,280And remember how Jesus counters35400:19:27,280 –> 00:19:31,439the devilish attack.35500:19:31,520 –> 00:19:35,140He brings alongside the35600:19:35,319 –> 00:19:36,520truth of scripture that35700:19:36,640 –> 00:19:39,939belongs with what the enemy35800:19:40,119 –> 00:19:41,079has just quoted.35900:19:41,219 –> 00:19:44,239He says, you shall not put the36000:19:44,380 –> 00:19:49,839Lord your God to test Satan.36100:19:50,000 –> 00:19:53,819You are twisting scripture.36200:19:53,979 –> 00:19:56,239You are giving it a meaning36300:19:56,239 –> 00:19:57,739and an application that God36400:19:57,780 –> 00:19:59,599never intended it to have.36500:19:59,599 –> 00:20:01,599The wonderful truth that God36600:20:01,780 –> 00:20:03,180really does guard his36700:20:03,339 –> 00:20:05,040children should never be36800:20:05,079 –> 00:20:07,579used as a pretext for36900:20:07,699 –> 00:20:08,839putting yourself in the37000:20:09,140 –> 00:20:11,000way of reckless danger.37100:20:11,160 –> 00:20:13,800Now, do you see that37200:20:13,880 –> 00:20:14,880something like this is37300:20:14,939 –> 00:20:16,599actually what’s going on37400:20:16,680 –> 00:20:18,000in the first letter of37500:20:18,040 –> 00:20:18,739John?37600:20:18,800 –> 00:20:19,800John has told us this37700:20:19,839 –> 00:20:20,900wonderful, wonderful37800:20:20,959 –> 00:20:22,560truth that if we confess37900:20:22,599 –> 00:20:23,400our sins God is faithful38000:20:23,540 –> 00:20:24,540and just to forgive us38100:20:24,599 –> 00:20:25,859our sins and to clergy38200:20:25,859 –> 00:20:26,959and to cleanse us from38300:20:26,979 –> 00:20:28,500all unrighteousness and38400:20:28,560 –> 00:20:30,219now he’s saying to us38500:20:30,339 –> 00:20:31,420but don’t ever use38600:20:31,420 –> 00:20:35,020that as an excuse for38700:20:35,079 –> 00:20:36,760acquiescing in your own38800:20:36,760 –> 00:20:38,239sins.38900:20:38,420 –> 00:20:39,579Because to do that would39000:20:39,640 –> 00:20:41,280be to walk in darkness39100:20:41,780 –> 00:20:43,560and you can’t have39200:20:43,560 –> 00:20:44,420fellowship with God.39300:20:44,479 –> 00:20:46,459And so I’m writing39400:20:46,459 –> 00:20:48,819to you, little children.39500:20:48,979 –> 00:20:51,780So that you may not sin.39600:20:52,560 –> 00:20:53,619Get the flow of what39700:20:53,660 –> 00:20:55,119John is saying.39800:20:55,839 –> 00:20:56,660The only way to have39900:20:56,660 –> 00:20:57,540fellowship with God40000:20:57,540 –> 00:20:59,699is to walk in the light.40100:21:00,439 –> 00:21:01,300When you walk in the40200:21:01,300 –> 00:21:01,660light.40300:21:01,660 –> 00:21:02,560You’re going to see40400:21:02,560 –> 00:21:03,579more of your sins40500:21:03,579 –> 00:21:06,359than you ever saw before.40600:21:06,359 –> 00:21:07,520As you see your sins40700:21:07,520 –> 00:21:08,400what you must do is40800:21:08,400 –> 00:21:09,599you must confess them40900:21:09,599 –> 00:21:10,280to God.41000:21:10,520 –> 00:21:11,459And the purpose of that41100:21:11,459 –> 00:21:12,680confession is not only41200:21:12,680 –> 00:21:13,420that you should be41300:21:13,420 –> 00:21:14,400forgiven but that you41400:21:14,400 –> 00:21:15,699should be cleansed.41500:21:15,819 –> 00:21:16,619That you should actually41600:21:16,619 –> 00:21:17,560be growing, that you41700:21:17,560 –> 00:21:18,280should be making41800:21:18,280 –> 00:21:19,239progress.41900:21:19,319 –> 00:21:20,280You can’t have42000:21:20,280 –> 00:21:21,359fellowship with God42100:21:21,359 –> 00:21:23,280while you are acquiescing42200:21:23,280 –> 00:21:24,079in sin.42300:21:24,280 –> 00:21:25,119And I am writing42400:21:25,119 –> 00:21:26,140these things to you42500:21:26,140 –> 00:21:27,219he says so that42600:21:27,219 –> 00:21:28,680you may not sin.42700:21:28,680 –> 00:21:30,619Stay away42800:21:30,619 –> 00:21:32,060whatever you do42900:21:32,520 –> 00:21:35,380from this cliff edge43000:21:35,680 –> 00:21:36,880of becoming comfortable43100:21:36,880 –> 00:21:38,020with your own sin43200:21:38,020 –> 00:21:39,239and making peace with it43300:21:39,239 –> 00:21:40,979and acquiescing43400:21:41,300 –> 00:21:42,339in it.43500:21:43,160 –> 00:21:43,839You’ve been listening43600:21:43,839 –> 00:21:44,939to Pastor Colin Smith43700:21:44,939 –> 00:21:46,199on Open the Bible43800:21:46,199 –> 00:21:47,079and a message called43900:21:47,079 –> 00:21:48,160Assurance Grows44000:21:48,160 –> 00:21:50,020as you trust in Jesus.44100:21:50,239 –> 00:21:51,160Part of our series44200:21:51,160 –> 00:21:52,579How Can I Be Sure44300:21:52,579 –> 00:21:53,359is all about44400:21:53,359 –> 00:21:55,239how you can be sure of salvation44500:21:55,239 –> 00:21:57,079in Jesus Christ.44600:21:57,079 –> 00:21:58,680If you’ve missed any of the series44700:21:58,680 –> 00:21:59,780don’t forget you can always44800:21:59,780 –> 00:22:01,660catch-up or go back and listen again44900:22:01,660 –> 00:22:03,439online at our website45000:22:03,439 –> 00:22:04,819openthebible.org.uz45100:22:04,819 –> 00:22:05,979dot UK45200:22:06,219 –> 00:22:07,239or as a podcast45300:22:07,239 –> 00:22:09,160on all the main podcast sites45400:22:09,160 –> 00:22:09,859just search for45500:22:09,859 –> 00:22:11,400open the Bible UK45600:22:11,640 –> 00:22:12,859or follow the link45700:22:12,859 –> 00:22:14,599from our website.45800:22:14,760 –> 00:22:16,459The Open the Bible website45900:22:16,459 –> 00:22:18,359contains a number of resources46000:22:18,359 –> 00:22:19,459which are designed for46100:22:19,459 –> 00:22:20,560Individual Christians46200:22:20,560 –> 00:22:22,459as well as Church Fellowships.46300:22:22,459 –> 00:22:23,479For example46400:22:23,479 –> 00:22:24,060go to46500:22:24,060 –> 00:22:26,959openthebible.org.uk46600:22:26,959 –> 00:22:27,920forward slash46700:22:27,920 –> 00:22:29,000articles46800:22:29,319 –> 00:22:30,800there you’ll find a number of46900:22:30,800 –> 00:22:32,099written articles47000:22:32,099 –> 00:22:34,219based on Pastor Colin Smith’s teaching47100:22:34,219 –> 00:22:35,500which are designed to help47200:22:35,500 –> 00:22:36,599Individual Christians47300:22:36,599 –> 00:22:39,099with particular issues in their lives47400:22:39,099 –> 00:22:40,099You’ll find articles47500:22:40,099 –> 00:22:41,800on subjects such as47600:22:41,800 –> 00:22:43,3197 virtues to pursue47700:22:43,319 –> 00:22:44,819for spiritual growth47800:22:44,819 –> 00:22:46,640how to overcome your fears47900:22:47,060 –> 00:22:48,199and what does48000:22:48,199 –> 00:22:50,859what your life and doctrine closely48100:22:50,859 –> 00:22:52,140actually mean48200:22:52,260 –> 00:22:53,640open the Bible is supported by48300:22:53,640 –> 00:22:54,739our listeners48400:22:54,739 –> 00:22:56,300and if you’re thinking about doing that48500:22:56,300 –> 00:22:58,020for the first time this month48600:22:58,020 –> 00:22:59,439we would like to offer you48700:22:59,439 –> 00:23:01,020something in return48800:23:01,020 –> 00:23:02,300if you’re able to set up48900:23:02,300 –> 00:23:03,579a new Direct Debit49000:23:03,579 –> 00:23:05,920of £5 per month or more49100:23:05,920 –> 00:23:08,819or a one-off gift of £50 or more49200:23:08,819 –> 00:23:10,020we’ll send you a copy of49300:23:10,020 –> 00:23:11,699Pastor Colin Smith’s book49400:23:11,699 –> 00:23:14,439The Ten Greatest Struggles of Your Life49500:23:14,439 –> 00:23:16,859Finding Freedom in God’s Commands49600:23:16,859 –> 00:23:18,560along with five beautiful49700:23:18,560 –> 00:23:21,020Psalm 23 note cards49800:23:21,040 –> 00:23:22,760Colin, this is a book about49900:23:22,760 –> 00:23:24,319the ten commandments50000:23:24,319 –> 00:23:25,459can you share something50100:23:25,459 –> 00:23:26,839which really encouraged you50200:23:26,839 –> 00:23:27,959when you studied these50300:23:27,959 –> 00:23:29,479familiar commands50400:23:29,479 –> 00:23:30,579Well I think the big50500:23:30,579 –> 00:23:31,739a-ha moment for me50600:23:31,739 –> 00:23:33,119in studying the ten commandments50700:23:33,119 –> 00:23:34,619was the realisation that50800:23:34,619 –> 00:23:37,280God actually speaks directly50900:23:37,280 –> 00:23:38,739to the greatest struggles51000:23:38,739 –> 00:23:39,719of our lives51100:23:39,719 –> 00:23:41,000and51200:23:41,000 –> 00:23:42,079you know, that makes sense51300:23:42,079 –> 00:23:43,359I mean every parent knows51400:23:43,359 –> 00:23:44,939you don’t have to give a command51500:23:44,939 –> 00:23:46,280to your children to say51600:23:46,280 –> 00:23:47,439eat your dessert51700:23:47,439 –> 00:23:48,660what you do have to say51800:23:48,660 –> 00:23:50,199is eat your vegetables51900:23:50,239 –> 00:23:51,439you’re right, that’s the thing52000:23:51,439 –> 00:23:52,239that they struggle with52100:23:52,239 –> 00:23:53,199that’s the thing that52200:23:53,199 –> 00:23:54,199they’re not immediately52300:23:54,199 –> 00:23:55,300inclined to do52400:23:55,300 –> 00:23:57,020and if you ask the question52500:23:57,020 –> 00:23:58,140you just went out52600:23:58,140 –> 00:23:58,939and did interviews52700:23:58,939 –> 00:24:00,140with people in the street52800:24:00,140 –> 00:24:01,119what are the greatest52900:24:01,119 –> 00:24:02,359struggles of your life53000:24:02,359 –> 00:24:03,280you know, I think53100:24:03,280 –> 00:24:04,680you find people talking about53200:24:04,680 –> 00:24:05,859struggles to have peace53300:24:05,859 –> 00:24:07,140struggles to have purity53400:24:07,140 –> 00:24:08,439struggles to have contentment53500:24:08,439 –> 00:24:09,739struggles with time53600:24:09,739 –> 00:24:11,000struggles with money53700:24:11,000 –> 00:24:12,439and so forth and so on53800:24:12,439 –> 00:24:13,380and guess what53900:24:13,380 –> 00:24:14,900all of these are directly54000:24:14,900 –> 00:24:16,599addressed in the ten commandments54100:24:16,599 –> 00:24:17,579because God knows us54200:24:17,579 –> 00:24:18,579he made us54300:24:18,760 –> 00:24:19,760what we’re made of54400:24:19,760 –> 00:24:21,459and he speaks therefore54500:24:21,459 –> 00:24:23,579directly to the issues54600:24:23,579 –> 00:24:24,660that are right front54700:24:24,660 –> 00:24:26,260and center of our lives54800:24:26,260 –> 00:24:27,339that just opened up54900:24:27,339 –> 00:24:28,380the ten commandments55000:24:28,380 –> 00:24:30,280in an entirely new way55100:24:30,280 –> 00:24:31,239the ten commandments55200:24:31,239 –> 00:24:32,880are so far from being55300:24:32,880 –> 00:24:34,400a relic of the past55400:24:34,400 –> 00:24:35,579they speak right into55500:24:35,579 –> 00:24:36,400the very center55600:24:36,400 –> 00:24:37,420of our lives today55700:24:37,420 –> 00:24:38,760so that’s our gift to you55800:24:38,760 –> 00:24:40,300this month of September55900:24:40,300 –> 00:24:41,119if you’re able to56000:24:41,119 –> 00:24:42,760set up a new direct debit56100:24:42,760 –> 00:24:44,900of £5 per month or more56200:24:44,900 –> 00:24:45,859for a one off gift56300:24:45,859 –> 00:24:47,540of £50 or more56400:24:47,939 –> 00:24:48,420to the work of56500:24:48,420 –> 00:24:49,780Open the Bible56600:24:49,780 –> 00:24:51,280full terms and conditions56700:24:51,280 –> 00:24:52,260on our website56800:24:52,260 –> 00:24:55,180that’s openthebible.org.uk56900:24:55,180 –> 00:24:56,920and you can give online57000:24:56,920 –> 00:24:57,839if you’d like us to57100:24:57,839 –> 00:24:58,939send you this gift57200:24:58,939 –> 00:25:00,880please don’t give anonymously57300:25:00,880 –> 00:25:01,859and remember to include57400:25:01,859 –> 00:25:02,819your address57500:25:02,819 –> 00:25:03,819so that we can send you57600:25:03,819 –> 00:25:04,979your gift57700:25:04,979 –> 00:25:06,099for Open the Bible57800:25:06,099 –> 00:25:07,260and Pastor Colin Smith57900:25:07,260 –> 00:25:08,459I’m David Pik58000:25:08,459 –> 00:25:09,859and I hope you’ll join us again58100:25:09,859 –> 00:25:11,219next time on Open the Bible
