Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted, Part 1 (Momentum)

Matthew 5:11

Today Pastor Colin invites us to explore the challenging yet enriching path of the Beatitudes, particularly focusing on the often unexpected outcome of living a godly life—persecution.

Diving into Matthew 5, Pastor Colin unpacks the virtues that Christ calls us to pursue: humility, forgiveness, peace-making, and purity. These elements, however, culminate in a surprising promise—persecution. Pastor Colin explains why those who seek to embody these traits may face opposition rather than worldly praise, and how Jesus prepares us for this reality without burying the cost in small print.

100:00:01,000 –> 00:00:06,000This is what a godly life looks like.200:00:06,000 –> 00:00:09,000This is the path of progress of sanctification.300:00:09,000 –> 00:00:12,000If you like, these are the things that I am to cultivate.400:00:12,000 –> 00:00:14,000These are the things that Jesus Christ says.500:00:14,000 –> 00:00:20,000I’m going to go after what will be the outcome of pursuing such a life.600:00:20,000 –> 00:00:23,000If I go down this path, where does it lead?700:00:23,000 –> 00:00:26,000Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith?800:00:26,000 –> 00:00:29,000I decided to join us today.900:00:29,000 –> 00:00:34,000Colin, that path we’re talking about here is what today’s message is all about.1000:00:34,000 –> 00:00:37,000It’s from Matthew 5, The Beatitude,1100:00:37,000 –> 00:00:41,000where Jesus talks about humility, forgiveness, being a peacemaker,1200:00:41,000 –> 00:00:43,000and pursuing purity.1300:00:43,000 –> 00:00:46,000Where does this path lead?1400:00:46,000 –> 00:00:49,000And this is the absolutely astonishing thing about the end of the beatitudes1500:00:49,000 –> 00:00:52,000that the end of it is persecution.1600:00:52,000 –> 00:00:53,000That’s a surprise.1700:00:53,000 –> 00:00:55,000It’s not what you expect, you know.1800:00:55,000 –> 00:00:58,000If I’m a peacemaker and I’m pursuing purity of heart1900:00:58,000 –> 00:01:01,000and I’m forgiving others, then other people are going to love me.2000:01:01,000 –> 00:01:03,000They’re going to say, isn’t that a great fellow?2100:01:03,000 –> 00:01:08,000And what Jesus says is, if you pursue these things, expect to be persecuted.2200:01:08,000 –> 00:01:11,000The world will hate you, not love you for this.2300:01:11,000 –> 00:01:13,000That does seem counterintuitive.2400:01:13,000 –> 00:01:17,000So some people might say if that leads to persecution,2500:01:17,000 –> 00:01:18,000I don’t want to do that.2600:01:18,000 –> 00:01:21,000Because I’m following Jesus.2700:01:21,000 –> 00:01:24,000Jesus did all these things, and look where it led him.2800:01:24,000 –> 00:01:25,000To the cross.2900:01:25,000 –> 00:01:26,000And then look at where he is now.3000:01:26,000 –> 00:01:29,000He’s at the right hand of the Father in glory, which is where we want to be.3100:01:29,000 –> 00:01:35,000So this really is charting the path of an authentic Christian life.3200:01:35,000 –> 00:01:37,000And Jesus doesn’t hide the cost in the small print.3300:01:37,000 –> 00:01:40,000That’s a good thing for us to be aware of.3400:01:40,000 –> 00:01:44,000So let’s dig into Matthew chapter 5 as we begin a message called3500:01:44,000 –> 00:01:46,000Blessed are those who are persecuted.3600:01:46,000 –> 00:01:47,000Here is Pastor Collyn.3700:01:47,000 –> 00:01:51,000We come to the last of these Beatitudes.3800:01:51,000 –> 00:01:55,000Many of you have spoken about how the Lord has been using3900:01:55,000 –> 00:01:57,000these Scriptures in your life.4000:01:57,000 –> 00:02:03,000I also have been greatly stretched searched by these words of Jesus.4100:02:03,000 –> 00:02:09,000And never more so than in this last beatitude that we come to today.4200:02:09,000 –> 00:02:16,000In these Beatitudes we’ve seen that Jesus Christ gives us a 7-fold description4300:02:16,000 –> 00:02:18,000of the character of a godly person.4400:02:18,000 –> 00:02:20,000What does a true Christian look like?4500:02:20,000 –> 00:02:25,000Well, you have it in the 7-fold description—a person who is poor in spirit.4600:02:25,000 –> 00:02:31,000Recognizing that before God I do not have what it takes and therefore I have to seek that good4700:02:31,000 –> 00:02:36,000not in myself but in another in Jesus Christ my Savior and my Lord.4800:02:36,000 –> 00:02:38,000What does a true Christian look like?4900:02:38,000 –> 00:02:42,000One who mourns over his or her sins.5000:02:42,000 –> 00:02:43,000That’s more than being sorry.5100:02:43,000 –> 00:02:47,000That’s looking at the cost to me and to others and to Christ5200:02:47,000 –> 00:02:52,000long enough and straight enough and hard enough until I come to the conclusion5300:02:52,000 –> 00:02:56,000that I must actually change and therefore do so.5400:02:56,000 –> 00:02:59,000What does it mean to be a true Christian?5500:02:59,000 –> 00:03:07,000It is to meekly submit to the Will of God, however difficult that may at times become.5600:03:07,000 –> 00:03:13,000And we saw that these three, the first three Beatitudes are indeed the roots of a godly life.5700:03:13,000 –> 00:03:15,000There is no true Christianity without them.5800:03:15,000 –> 00:03:20,000But where these roots are established in the soil of a human life,5900:03:20,000 –> 00:03:23,000out of them comes a life.6000:03:23,000 –> 00:03:24,000And what is that life?6100:03:24,000 –> 00:03:26,000It is described by Jesus this way.6200:03:26,000 –> 00:03:28,000Hungering and thirsting after righteousness.6300:03:28,000 –> 00:03:32,000That’s the soul of a godly life.6400:03:32,000 –> 00:03:37,000A deep longing that is the distinctive, distinguishing, unfakeable mark of a Christian believer6500:03:37,000 –> 00:03:44,000that in all circumstances I want to do what is right in order to honor my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.6600:03:44,000 –> 00:03:48,000And we saw that out of that life that grows from the roots,6700:03:48,000 –> 00:03:53,000there is a threefold and very, very wonderful fruit, beautiful fruit.6800:03:53,000 –> 00:03:56,000Out of this life will come a tenderness of heart,6900:03:56,000 –> 00:04:02,000compassion, mercy, patience, forgiveness.7000:04:02,000 –> 00:04:05,000Out of this life will come not only tenderness of heart,7100:04:05,000 –> 00:04:08,000but a purity of heart.7200:04:08,000 –> 00:04:10,000To will one thing.7300:04:10,000 –> 00:04:13,000Not only this spiritual stagnation that always comes with7400:04:13,000 –> 00:04:17,000double mindedness that half holds the world and half holds to Jesus Christ.7500:04:17,000 –> 00:04:21,000No, to will one thing, that’s what purity of heart is.7600:04:21,000 –> 00:04:26,000And it comes out of this life that is rooted in the first three beatitudes7700:04:26,000 –> 00:04:30,000and then we saw last time out of this life will come a peaceable spirit.7800:04:30,000 –> 00:04:32,000Beautiful fruit.7900:04:32,000 –> 00:04:36,000Mercy, purity, peace,8000:04:36,000 –> 00:04:39,000peace in your own heart so that you are able to bring with you8100:04:39,000 –> 00:04:42,000even to others, as a peacemaker,8200:04:42,000 –> 00:04:45,000something of what God is working and growing in you.8300:04:45,000 –> 00:04:50,000Now here then is the seven fold description of a true Christian.8400:04:50,000 –> 00:04:53,000This is what a godly life looks like,8500:04:53,000 –> 00:04:57,000this is the path of progress, of sanctification.8600:04:57,000 –> 00:05:00,000If you like, these are the things that I am to cultivate.8700:05:00,000 –> 00:05:03,000These are the things that Jesus Christ says I am to go after.8800:05:04,000 –> 00:05:06,000Now that leads to an obvious question.8900:05:06,000 –> 00:05:08,000If I go after these things,9000:05:08,000 –> 00:05:11,000in our hearts I think there has been stirred a sense9100:05:11,000 –> 00:05:14,000that we must pursue these things with all that we have,9200:05:14,000 –> 00:05:17,000what will be the outcome of pursuing such a life?9300:05:18,000 –> 00:05:20,000If I go down this path where does it lead?9400:05:22,000 –> 00:05:26,000And our Lord Jesus gives two very clear answers to that question.9500:05:27,000 –> 00:05:30,000One is He says you will be blessed by God,9600:05:30,000 –> 00:05:32,000blessed, blessed, blessed.9700:05:32,000 –> 00:05:34,000That runs all the way through the Beatitudes.9800:05:35,000 –> 00:05:41,000And the other is He says you will be persecuted by the world.9900:05:42,000 –> 00:05:43,000Look at what He says, verse 10.10000:05:43,000 –> 00:05:48,000Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake,10100:05:48,000 –> 00:05:50,000for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.10200:05:51,000 –> 00:05:52,000He continues, He stays with it,10300:05:52,000 –> 00:05:57,000blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you,10400:05:57,000 –> 00:05:58,000notice that word again,10500:05:58,000 –> 00:06:02,000and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.10600:06:02,000 –> 00:06:06,000Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven,10700:06:06,000 –> 00:06:12,000for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.10800:06:13,000 –> 00:06:15,000So three times in three verses10900:06:15,000 –> 00:06:17,000at the climax of the Beatitudes,11000:06:17,000 –> 00:06:19,000our Lord Jesus uses this word persecuted,11100:06:20,000 –> 00:06:21,000the word of course means harassed,11200:06:21,000 –> 00:06:27,000or opposed, or ill-treated and our Lord Jesus11300:06:27,000 –> 00:06:30,000says to us, this is what will happen to you.11400:06:30,000 –> 00:06:34,000It will happen to you, and you should expect it.11500:06:36,000 –> 00:06:39,000The world will not thank you for being a Christian,11600:06:39,000 –> 00:06:41,000the world will not love the church, don’t expect that,11700:06:41,000 –> 00:06:45,000the world will tolerate the church with suspicion at best,11800:06:45,000 –> 00:06:49,000and will be openly hostile towards the church at worst,11900:06:49,000 –> 00:06:53,000and Jesus explains this in another place in John chapter three in verse twenty12000:06:54,000 –> 00:06:58,000He says everyone who does wicked hates the light.12100:06:58,000 –> 00:07:01,000If you want to do wicked things, what you have to do is12200:07:01,000 –> 00:07:05,000you have to suppress the light that is in your own conscience12300:07:05,000 –> 00:07:07,000that God has given you by nature.12400:07:08,000 –> 00:07:12,000When wicked people manage to suppress the light that is in their own conscience,12500:07:12,000 –> 00:07:17,000they do not like seeing that light which they have just suppressed in themselves12600:07:17,000 –> 00:07:20,000shining into them, because they see it in you,12700:07:20,000 –> 00:07:24,000and you’re working next to that person, or you’re living close to that person.12800:07:24,000 –> 00:07:26,000or that person is in your family12900:07:26,000 –> 00:07:30,000So you see, if you pursue this life that Jesus is describing,13000:07:30,000 –> 00:07:33,000the light of Jesus Christ is going to be in you,13100:07:33,000 –> 00:07:36,000it is going to shine from you, it’s going to be seen through you,13200:07:36,000 –> 00:07:41,000and those who pursue wickedness will not like it,13300:07:41,000 –> 00:07:45,000they will hate you for it, they hate the light,13400:07:45,000 –> 00:07:47,000and so they’ll hate you as they hated Jesus.13500:07:47,000 –> 00:07:54,000So, don’t expect to be thanked for living a godly life in business,13600:07:55,000 –> 00:07:57,000in industry,13700:07:58,000 –> 00:08:00,000in school, in education.13800:08:02,000 –> 00:08:05,000Sinners will be suspicious of you at best,13900:08:05,000 –> 00:08:09,000and they will be openly hostile towards you at worst.14000:08:09,000 –> 00:08:10,000That is what Jesus says.14100:08:10,000 –> 00:08:13,000Now today, the pattern of persecution.14200:08:13,000 –> 00:08:16,000I want you simply to see this from the Scriptures,14300:08:17,000 –> 00:08:23,000that opposition is a normal experience of the Christian and I should expect it.14400:08:23,000 –> 00:08:24,000So it runs all the way through the Bible.14500:08:24,000 –> 00:08:26,500What was the first example of persecution?14600:08:26,500 –> 00:08:29,000It happened in the first family.14700:08:30,000 –> 00:08:31,000Remember Adam and Eve?14800:08:31,000 –> 00:08:32,000They have this little boy.14900:08:32,000 –> 00:08:33,000Oh, Cain!15000:08:33,000 –> 00:08:34,000What a lovely fellow.15100:08:34,000 –> 00:08:37,000What a ray of sunshine he’s gonna be to us, you know.15200:08:37,000 –> 00:08:40,000Lovely little innocent fellow.15300:08:40,000 –> 00:08:42,000They must have thought…15400:08:42,000 –> 00:08:44,000And then he has a brother called Abel.15500:08:44,000 –> 00:08:45,500And what happens?15600:08:45,500 –> 00:08:47,000Cain murders Abel.15700:08:47,000 –> 00:08:50,000And why did Cain murder Abel?15800:08:50,000 –> 00:08:51,000Well, the Bible tells us quite clearly15900:08:51,000 –> 00:08:53,000because Cain’s deeds were evil16000:08:53,000 –> 00:08:56,000and his brothers were righteous.16100:08:57,000 –> 00:09:00,000So, right there, the second person born into the world16200:09:00,000 –> 00:09:01,000was the first martyr.16300:09:01,000 –> 00:09:06,000He was persecuted for righteousness sake.16400:09:07,000 –> 00:09:10,000And the pattern of opposition, harassment, and suffering16500:09:10,000 –> 00:09:13,000runs right throughout the history of the Bible16600:09:13,000 –> 00:09:14,000and, of course, beyond.16700:09:14,000 –> 00:09:15,000Think about it.16800:09:15,000 –> 00:09:18,000Joseph was persecuted by his brothers in Egypt.16900:09:18,000 –> 00:09:19,500He gets put into prison.17000:09:19,500 –> 00:09:21,500Why? For righteousness sake.17100:09:21,500 –> 00:09:25,500Moses is reviled— to use Jesus’ words here17200:09:25,500 –> 00:09:27,500—insulted again and again and again.17300:09:27,500 –> 00:09:29,500Samuel is rejected.17400:09:29,500 –> 00:09:32,500Elijah is despised and persecuted.17500:09:32,500 –> 00:09:35,500Nehemiah is oppressed and he is defamed.17600:09:35,500 –> 00:09:38,500Stephen, in the New Testament, is stoned.17700:09:38,500 –> 00:09:40,500Peter and John are cast into prison.17800:09:40,500 –> 00:09:42,500James is beheaded.17900:09:42,500 –> 00:09:46,500The life of the Apostle Paul is one long saga18000:09:46,500 –> 00:09:52,500of one persecution and event of suffering after another.18100:09:52,500 –> 00:09:54,500Think not only of the people of the Bible,18200:09:54,500 –> 00:09:56,500think about the churches in the New Testament.18300:09:56,500 –> 00:10:00,500Philippi, Philippians 1 in verse 29.18400:10:00,500 –> 00:10:02,500Paul says to the church there,18500:10:02,500 –> 00:10:05,500it has been granted to you for the sake of Christ18600:10:05,500 –> 00:10:08,500that you should not only believe in Him but also suffer.18700:10:08,500 –> 00:10:11,500It’s been given to you to suffer.18800:10:11,500 –> 00:10:13,500This new church in Philippi18900:10:13,500 –> 00:10:16,500of course Paul was in prison when he wrote these words himself19000:10:16,500 –> 00:10:17,500in Thessalonica.19100:10:17,500 –> 00:10:21,500We ourselves boast about you in the churches19200:10:21,500 –> 00:10:24,500for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecution19300:10:24,500 –> 00:10:27,500that church was birthed in persecution19400:10:27,500 –> 00:10:30,000in the town of Thessalonica.19500:10:30,000 –> 00:10:32,500Peter writes to dispersed believers19600:10:32,500 –> 00:10:34,500over a wide area in Pontus, Galatia,19700:10:34,500 –> 00:10:37,500Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia19800:10:37,500 –> 00:10:39,500and he says to them do not be surprised19900:10:39,500 –> 00:10:41,500at the fiery trial20000:10:41,500 –> 00:10:43,500when it comes on you20100:10:43,500 –> 00:10:45,500to test you as though something strange20200:10:45,500 –> 00:10:46,500were happening to you.20300:10:46,500 –> 00:10:47,900He says now it’s going to happen20400:10:47,900 –> 00:10:49,500it’s going to be all over the place20500:10:49,500 –> 00:10:51,500whenever you’ve been dispersed20600:10:51,500 –> 00:10:53,500there’s going to be this persecution20700:10:53,500 –> 00:10:55,500and don’t be surprised when it comes20800:10:55,500 –> 00:10:57,500this fiery trial.20900:10:57,500 –> 00:10:58,500It is not a strange thing21000:10:58,500 –> 00:11:00,500you should not say why is this happening to me21100:11:00,500 –> 00:11:02,500you should not say that21200:11:02,500 –> 00:11:04,500because it is happening21300:11:04,500 –> 00:11:06,500to your brothers and your sisters21400:11:06,500 –> 00:11:08,500around the world21500:11:08,500 –> 00:11:09,500Paul says to Timothy21600:11:09,500 –> 00:11:10,500putting it most succinctly21700:11:10,500 –> 00:11:12,5001 Timothy chapter 3 and verse 1221800:11:12,500 –> 00:11:14,500All who desire21900:11:14,500 –> 00:11:16,500to live a godly life in Christ Jesus22000:11:16,500 –> 00:11:18,500will be persecuted. Period!22100:11:20,500 –> 00:11:22,500A godly life in Christ Jesus22200:11:22,500 –> 00:11:23,500what’s that?22300:11:23,500 –> 00:11:25,500The Beatitudes.22400:11:25,500 –> 00:11:27,500You pursue the path of the Beatitudes22500:11:27,500 –> 00:11:29,500and Jesus is saying it right here22600:11:29,500 –> 00:11:31,460here’s what to expect22700:11:31,460 –> 00:11:33,500blessed by God and at the same time22800:11:33,500 –> 00:11:38,500persecuted by the world22900:11:38,500 –> 00:11:39,919and this is what we could call23000:11:39,919 –> 00:11:43,500the normal Christian life23100:11:43,500 –> 00:11:45,500Why? Because the sinful nature23200:11:45,500 –> 00:11:47,500is hostile to God and if it were23300:11:47,500 –> 00:11:48,500not already clear to us23400:11:48,500 –> 00:11:49,500what are we doing at the climax23500:11:49,500 –> 00:11:50,500of this service?23600:11:50,500 –> 00:11:52,500We’re coming to the communion service23700:11:52,500 –> 00:11:54,500And what does that point us to?23800:11:54,500 –> 00:11:55,500It points us to this23900:11:55,500 –> 00:11:59,500that the one who was the Beatitudes incarnate24000:12:00,500 –> 00:12:02,500the one who was this life24100:12:02,500 –> 00:12:04,500to the full24200:12:04,500 –> 00:12:06,500the one who knew the blessing24300:12:06,500 –> 00:12:08,500as God, as no one else24400:12:10,500 –> 00:12:12,500look what the world did24500:12:12,500 –> 00:12:14,500to him24600:12:14,500 –> 00:12:16,500And he says to us24700:12:16,500 –> 00:12:18,500John Chapter fifteen and verse twenty24800:12:18,500 –> 00:12:20,500A servant is not greater than his master24900:12:20,500 –> 00:12:22,500if they persecuted me25000:12:22,500 –> 00:12:24,500and they did25100:12:24,500 –> 00:12:30,500they will also persecute you25200:12:31,500 –> 00:12:33,500And so the eighth beatitude folks25300:12:33,500 –> 00:12:34,500very simply25400:12:34,500 –> 00:12:36,500leads us to25500:12:37,500 –> 00:12:39,500an expectation25600:12:40,500 –> 00:12:42,500of the normal Christian life25700:12:42,500 –> 00:12:44,500which for all of us who have been blessed25800:12:44,500 –> 00:12:45,500in so many ways25900:12:45,500 –> 00:12:46,500in this wonderful country26000:12:46,500 –> 00:12:48,500means a26100:12:48,500 –> 00:12:50,500shifting26200:12:50,500 –> 00:12:53,500of the default mindset26300:12:54,500 –> 00:12:55,500about our expectations26400:12:55,500 –> 00:12:57,500of what a Christian life26500:12:58,500 –> 00:12:59,500should actually look like26600:13:01,500 –> 00:13:02,500A really powerful message today26700:13:02,500 –> 00:13:03,500from Pastor Colin Smith26800:13:03,500 –> 00:13:04,500looking at persecution26900:13:04,500 –> 00:13:05,500and we’ve been looking at the27000:13:06,500 –> 00:13:07,500pattern of persecution27100:13:07,500 –> 00:13:09,500and when we come back in a moment27200:13:09,500 –> 00:13:11,500we’ll look at the forms of persecution27300:13:11,500 –> 00:13:13,500so do stay with us27400:13:14,500 –> 00:13:14,50027500:13:14,500 –> 00:13:16,500Blessed are those who are persecuted27600:13:17,500 –> 00:13:19,500It was originally from a series called27700:13:19,500 –> 00:13:20,500Momentum27800:13:20,500 –> 00:13:22,500how to make progress in the Christian life27900:13:22,500 –> 00:13:24,500It has been one of the most requested28000:13:24,500 –> 00:13:25,500and downloaded programmes28100:13:25,500 –> 00:13:27,500of the last twelve months28200:13:27,500 –> 00:13:28,500so we’ve included it28300:13:28,500 –> 00:13:29,500in our Listener’s Favourites28400:13:29,500 –> 00:13:31,5002026 series28500:13:31,500 –> 00:13:33,500If you’ve missed any of the series28600:13:33,500 –> 00:13:34,500you can catch up28700:13:34,500 –> 00:13:35,500or go back and listen again28800:13:35,500 –> 00:13:37,500by coming online to our website28900:13:40,500 –> 00:13:41,500Openthebible.org.uk29000:13:41,500 –> 00:13:42,500also available on all29100:13:42,500 –> 00:13:43,500the podcast sites29200:13:43,500 –> 00:13:44,500by searching for29300:13:44,500 –> 00:13:45,500OpenTheBibleUK29400:13:45,500 –> 00:13:47,500or by following a link29500:13:47,500 –> 00:13:48,500from the website29600:13:48,500 –> 00:13:49,500Back to the message now29700:13:49,500 –> 00:13:50,500Here again is29800:13:50,500 –> 00:13:51,500Pastor Colin29900:13:51,500 –> 00:13:53,500Second, the forms30000:13:53,500 –> 00:13:55,500of persecution30100:13:55,500 –> 00:13:56,500Do you notice that30200:13:56,500 –> 00:13:57,500in what Jesus says here30300:13:57,500 –> 00:13:59,500he identifies30400:13:59,500 –> 00:14:00,500quite clearly30500:14:00,500 –> 00:14:02,500two forms30600:14:02,500 –> 00:14:03,500of persecution30700:14:03,500 –> 00:14:04,500It comes in two different ways30800:14:04,500 –> 00:14:05,500and Thomas Watson30900:14:05,500 –> 00:14:06,500who has helped us so often31000:14:06,500 –> 00:14:08,500describes them well31100:14:08,500 –> 00:14:09,500he says there are two forms31200:14:09,500 –> 00:14:10,500of persecution31300:14:10,500 –> 00:14:12,500are persecution of the hand31400:14:12,500 –> 00:14:14,500and persecution31500:14:14,500 –> 00:14:15,500of the tongue31600:14:16,500 –> 00:14:18,500Persecution of the hand31700:14:18,500 –> 00:14:19,500of course we understand31800:14:19,500 –> 00:14:20,500what that is31900:14:20,500 –> 00:14:22,500Persecution of the Hand32000:14:22,500 –> 00:14:24,500is physical violence32100:14:24,500 –> 00:14:25,500It includes32200:14:26,500 –> 00:14:28,500imprisonment32300:14:28,500 –> 00:14:30,500even martyrdom32400:14:31,500 –> 00:14:32,500and this is not so far32500:14:32,500 –> 00:14:33,500from us as we think32600:14:33,500 –> 00:14:34,500Just last week32700:14:34,500 –> 00:14:36,500at the end of the32800:14:36,500 –> 00:14:37,500saturday night service32900:14:37,500 –> 00:14:38,500a student from Trinity33000:14:38,500 –> 00:14:40,500comes from India33100:14:40,500 –> 00:14:41,500visiting the church33200:14:41,500 –> 00:14:42,500for the first time33300:14:42,500 –> 00:14:44,500came, chatted with him33400:14:44,500 –> 00:14:45,500got to know him a little bit33500:14:45,500 –> 00:14:46,500we exchanged stories33600:14:46,500 –> 00:14:47,500about India33700:14:47,500 –> 00:14:48,500I wanted to know33800:14:48,500 –> 00:14:49,500what part of India33900:14:49,500 –> 00:14:50,500he was from34000:14:50,500 –> 00:14:51,500and as we got into34100:14:51,500 –> 00:14:52,500conversation34200:14:52,500 –> 00:14:53,500the student from Trinity34300:14:53,500 –> 00:14:54,500said to me34400:14:54,500 –> 00:14:56,500my dear my home town34500:14:56,500 –> 00:14:58,500he said because last week34600:14:58,500 –> 00:15:00,500a mob came34700:15:00,500 –> 00:15:01,500and broke the arms34800:15:01,500 –> 00:15:02,500and the legs34900:15:02,500 –> 00:15:03,500of the missionaries35000:15:03,500 –> 00:15:04,500who were preaching35100:15:05,500 –> 00:15:06,500Broke the arms and the legs35200:15:08,500 –> 00:15:09,500of the missionaries35300:15:09,500 –> 00:15:11,500who were preaching35400:15:12,500 –> 00:15:13,500It is very difficult35500:15:13,500 –> 00:15:15,500to get accurate numbers35600:15:15,500 –> 00:15:16,500of Christians35700:15:16,500 –> 00:15:17,500who have been35800:15:17,500 –> 00:15:18,500or are being killed35900:15:19,500 –> 00:15:21,500for openly professing36000:15:21,500 –> 00:15:23,500faith in the lord Jesus Christ36100:15:23,500 –> 00:15:24,500and we have looked36200:15:24,500 –> 00:15:25,500at many numbers36300:15:25,500 –> 00:15:26,500and they all fall36400:15:26,500 –> 00:15:27,500within a range36500:15:28,500 –> 00:15:29,500that gives us36600:15:29,500 –> 00:15:31,500at least some sense of it36700:15:31,500 –> 00:15:32,500and that range is between36800:15:32,500 –> 00:15:33,500100,00036900:15:33,500 –> 00:15:34,500at the low end37000:15:34,500 –> 00:15:36,500of estimate37100:15:36,500 –> 00:15:38,500and 150,00037200:15:38,500 –> 00:15:40,500at the higher end37300:15:40,500 –> 00:15:41,500of Christians37400:15:41,500 –> 00:15:42,500who are37500:15:42,500 –> 00:15:43,500killed37600:15:43,500 –> 00:15:44,500who lay down their lives37700:15:44,500 –> 00:15:45,500for the sake of the37800:15:45,500 –> 00:15:46,500lord Jesus Christ37900:15:46,500 –> 00:15:48,500because of their faith38000:15:48,500 –> 00:15:49,500every year38100:15:49,500 –> 00:15:50,500somewhere around38200:15:50,500 –> 00:15:52,500the globe38300:15:52,500 –> 00:15:54,500low end estimate38400:15:54,500 –> 00:15:56,500low end is 100,00038500:15:56,500 –> 00:15:58,500the church of England newspaper38600:15:58,500 –> 00:15:59,500estimated this is for38700:15:59,500 –> 00:16:01,500201138800:16:01,500 –> 00:16:04,500105,00038900:16:04,500 –> 00:16:05,500believers killed39000:16:05,500 –> 00:16:06,500for their faith39100:16:06,500 –> 00:16:07,500somewhere in the world39200:16:07,500 –> 00:16:09,500in 201139300:16:09,500 –> 00:16:10,500that is low end39400:16:10,500 –> 00:16:11,500of the estimate39500:16:11,500 –> 00:16:14,500what does that mean39600:16:14,500 –> 00:16:15,500that is 28839700:16:15,500 –> 00:16:16,500believers killed39800:16:16,500 –> 00:16:17,500every day39900:16:17,500 –> 00:16:18,500friends40000:16:18,500 –> 00:16:20,500that is 1240100:16:20,500 –> 00:16:21,500every one40200:16:21,500 –> 00:16:22,500hour40300:16:22,500 –> 00:16:23,500that is one40400:16:23,500 –> 00:16:26,500every five minutes40500:16:26,500 –> 00:16:27,500one of your brothers40600:16:27,500 –> 00:16:28,500and sisters40700:16:28,500 –> 00:16:31,500in Christ40800:16:31,500 –> 00:16:34,500one of our family40900:16:34,500 –> 00:16:35,500is laying down his41000:16:35,500 –> 00:16:37,500or her life41100:16:37,500 –> 00:16:38,500for Christ41200:16:38,500 –> 00:16:40,500somewhere in the world41300:16:40,500 –> 00:16:43,500every five minutes41400:16:43,500 –> 00:16:45,500every five minutes41500:16:45,500 –> 00:16:49,500today41600:16:49,500 –> 00:16:51,500day, night41700:16:51,500 –> 00:16:55,50024 hours41800:16:55,500 –> 00:16:59,500and I will say this to you41900:16:59,500 –> 00:17:03,500I do not think, at least as far as I’m aware42000:17:03,500 –> 00:17:05,500I do not think that our church42100:17:05,500 –> 00:17:07,500has yet had42200:17:07,500 –> 00:17:10,500a Missionary Martyr42300:17:10,500 –> 00:17:13,500but if we truly press42400:17:13,500 –> 00:17:15,500forward with the work of42500:17:15,500 –> 00:17:17,500Gospel proclamation42600:17:17,500 –> 00:17:19,500around the world42700:17:19,500 –> 00:17:22,500we should not be surprised42800:17:22,500 –> 00:17:24,500if that costly honour42900:17:24,500 –> 00:17:27,500is given to one of us43000:17:27,500 –> 00:17:31,500We should not be surprised43100:17:31,500 –> 00:17:33,500Do not be surprised43200:17:33,500 –> 00:17:36,500if that costly honour43300:17:36,500 –> 00:17:39,500is given to one of us43400:17:39,500 –> 00:17:42,500Persecution of the hand43500:17:43,500 –> 00:17:46,500Then Jesus also speaks43600:17:46,500 –> 00:17:47,500here in verse 1143700:17:47,500 –> 00:17:48,500Do you see it there43800:17:48,500 –> 00:17:50,500About persecution of the tongue43900:17:50,500 –> 00:17:51,500He said first44000:17:51,500 –> 00:17:52,500Blessed are those who are44100:17:52,500 –> 00:17:54,500persecuted for righteousness sake44200:17:54,500 –> 00:17:55,500Verse 1044300:17:55,500 –> 00:17:56,500That’s physical violence44400:17:56,500 –> 00:17:58,500that’s in view there44500:17:58,500 –> 00:17:59,500But then verse 1144600:17:59,500 –> 00:18:00,500he says something else44700:18:00,500 –> 00:18:01,500Blessed are you44800:18:01,500 –> 00:18:04,500when others revile you44900:18:04,500 –> 00:18:06,500and persecute you45000:18:06,500 –> 00:18:07,500Now what does that mean45100:18:07,500 –> 00:18:08,500To revile45200:18:08,500 –> 00:18:10,500To revile is to insult45300:18:10,500 –> 00:18:12,500It is to slander45400:18:12,500 –> 00:18:14,500It is to mock45500:18:14,500 –> 00:18:16,500It is to ridicule45600:18:16,500 –> 00:18:18,500It is to intimidate45700:18:18,500 –> 00:18:20,500It is to torment45800:18:20,500 –> 00:18:25,500Persecution with the tongue45900:18:25,500 –> 00:18:27,500And here is where I want to speak46000:18:27,500 –> 00:18:28,500Especially to all of our46100:18:28,500 –> 00:18:30,500high school students46200:18:30,500 –> 00:18:31,500Across the congregations46300:18:31,500 –> 00:18:33,500this weekend46400:18:33,500 –> 00:18:35,500and our middle school46500:18:35,500 –> 00:18:38,500students too46600:18:38,500 –> 00:18:40,500and of course46700:18:40,500 –> 00:18:44,500their parents and their grandparents46800:18:44,500 –> 00:18:46,500if someone…46900:18:46,500 –> 00:18:47,500if you were known to be a Christian47000:18:47,500 –> 00:18:49,500in high school today47100:18:49,500 –> 00:18:51,500you are going to get47200:18:51,500 –> 00:18:53,500some opposition47300:18:53,500 –> 00:18:55,500Apart from anything else47400:18:55,500 –> 00:18:57,500Satan has his eye on you47500:18:57,500 –> 00:18:59,500and there’s never47600:18:59,500 –> 00:19:01,500a situation in which somehow47700:19:01,500 –> 00:19:02,500He gives a break to you47800:19:02,500 –> 00:19:03,500until you’re 2147900:19:03,500 –> 00:19:04,500you know, no trouble48000:19:04,500 –> 00:19:06,500until you’re old enough48100:19:06,500 –> 00:19:09,500you can’t Drive a car or whatever48200:19:09,500 –> 00:19:11,500it starts earlier than that48300:19:11,500 –> 00:19:12,500different people of course48400:19:12,500 –> 00:19:13,500have different experiences48500:19:13,500 –> 00:19:16,500but here is what you should expect48600:19:16,500 –> 00:19:17,500that’s what we’ve learned48700:19:17,500 –> 00:19:18,500from the first point here48800:19:19,500 –> 00:19:20,500if people know you are a Christian48900:19:20,500 –> 00:19:22,500even though you are young49000:19:22,500 –> 00:19:24,500expect to be mocked49100:19:24,500 –> 00:19:26,500for believing in Christ49200:19:26,500 –> 00:19:27,500expect everybody is going to say49300:19:28,500 –> 00:19:29,500You actually believe that God created the world?49400:19:29,500 –> 00:19:32,500You must be a fool!49500:19:32,500 –> 00:19:35,500How could you possibly think that?49600:19:35,500 –> 00:19:38,500and certainly you should expect49700:19:38,500 –> 00:19:41,500to be mocked and perhaps ridiculed49800:19:41,500 –> 00:19:44,500for obeying Christ49900:19:44,500 –> 00:19:46,500and particularly50000:19:46,500 –> 00:19:47,500I’m thinking here that50100:19:47,500 –> 00:19:49,500if you are committed50200:19:49,500 –> 00:19:52,500to the path of sexual purity50300:19:52,500 –> 00:19:55,500and if you therefore hold back50400:19:55,500 –> 00:19:58,500from the increasingly relentless50500:19:58,500 –> 00:19:59,500sexual experimentation50600:20:01,500 –> 00:20:03,500that is becoming more and more part50700:20:03,500 –> 00:20:04,500so tragically50800:20:04,500 –> 00:20:06,500in High School culture50900:20:07,500 –> 00:20:09,500then people are going to think you’re strange51000:20:10,500 –> 00:20:12,500they’re going to make fun of you51100:20:12,500 –> 00:20:13,500because of it51200:20:14,500 –> 00:20:15,500there are gonna be some groups51300:20:15,500 –> 00:20:17,500you might like to belong to51400:20:17,500 –> 00:20:19,500but because they are acting in a certain way51500:20:19,500 –> 00:20:20,500and you’re not51600:20:20,500 –> 00:20:22,500you find yourself outside51700:20:22,500 –> 00:20:24,500you feel yourself to be sort of outcast51800:20:24,500 –> 00:20:26,500or socially ostracised51900:20:28,500 –> 00:20:30,500and when other students52000:20:30,500 –> 00:20:32,500know that you are a Christian52100:20:32,500 –> 00:20:34,500and sometimes teachers too52200:20:35,500 –> 00:20:36,500they may make your life hard52300:20:36,500 –> 00:20:37,500this is what Jesus says52400:20:37,500 –> 00:20:39,500you see verse 1152500:20:39,500 –> 00:20:41,500Jesus knows about what you’re experiencing in high school52600:20:41,500 –> 00:20:43,500He’s speaking about it right here52700:20:43,500 –> 00:20:47,500they will utter all kinds of evil against you52800:20:48,500 –> 00:20:50,500so many of our students52900:20:50,500 –> 00:20:52,500are actually experiencing, in High School today53000:20:52,500 –> 00:20:54,500it’s exactly what Jesus says53100:20:54,500 –> 00:20:56,500because if the Bible speaking to your life53200:20:56,500 –> 00:20:58,500and Jesus knows what is going on53300:20:58,500 –> 00:20:59,500and you need to understand53400:20:59,500 –> 00:21:01,500why this is going on53500:21:01,500 –> 00:21:03,500because people who are behaving in a way53600:21:03,500 –> 00:21:05,500that is displeasing to Christ53700:21:05,500 –> 00:21:07,500and destructive to themselves53800:21:07,500 –> 00:21:09,500they’re already suppressing53900:21:09,500 –> 00:21:11,500the light of their own conscience54000:21:11,500 –> 00:21:13,500and now they’re seeing that light in you54100:21:13,500 –> 00:21:14,500and they don’t like it54200:21:14,500 –> 00:21:16,500They hate it54300:21:17,500 –> 00:21:18,500You’ve been listening54400:21:18,500 –> 00:21:19,500to Pastor Colin Smith54500:21:19,500 –> 00:21:20,500on Open the Bible54600:21:20,500 –> 00:21:21,500and a message called54700:21:21,500 –> 00:21:23,500Blessed are those who are persecuted54800:21:23,500 –> 00:21:25,500this message was originally54900:21:25,500 –> 00:21:26,500from a series called, Momentum55000:21:26,500 –> 00:21:28,500how to make progress55100:21:28,500 –> 00:21:29,500in the Christian life55200:21:29,500 –> 00:21:30,500but we’ve included it55300:21:30,500 –> 00:21:31,500in our series55400:21:31,500 –> 00:21:32,500based on the most55500:21:32,500 –> 00:21:33,500popular and downloaded55600:21:33,500 –> 00:21:35,500messages in the last55700:21:35,500 –> 00:21:36,500twelve months55800:21:36,500 –> 00:21:37,500which we’ve called55900:21:37,500 –> 00:21:38,500Listener Favorites56000:21:38,500 –> 00:21:40,500202656100:21:40,500 –> 00:21:41,500if you want to listen56200:21:41,500 –> 00:21:42,500to any of the messages56300:21:42,500 –> 00:21:43,500again56400:21:43,500 –> 00:21:44,500you can do that56500:21:44,500 –> 00:21:45,500by coming to our Website56600:21:45,500 –> 00:21:46,500that’s at56700:21:46,500 –> 00:21:48,500openthebible.org.uk56800:21:49,500 –> 00:21:50,500also available56900:21:50,500 –> 00:21:51,500on all the podcast sites57000:21:51,500 –> 00:21:52,500by searching for57100:21:52,500 –> 00:21:53,500openthebible.uk57200:21:54,500 –> 00:21:55,500just a reminder57300:21:55,500 –> 00:21:56,500that we love hearing57400:21:56,500 –> 00:21:57,500from our listeners57500:21:57,500 –> 00:21:58,500so if you’d like57600:21:58,500 –> 00:21:59,500to get in touch57700:21:59,500 –> 00:22:00,500this is how you57800:22:00,500 –> 00:22:01,500can do it57900:22:01,500 –> 00:22:02,500you can write to us58000:22:02,500 –> 00:22:03,500at58100:22:03,500 –> 00:22:04,500openthebible58200:22:04,500 –> 00:22:05,500PO Box58300:22:05,500 –> 00:22:06,500142058400:22:06,500 –> 00:22:07,500Cheltenham58500:22:07,500 –> 00:22:08,500GL 5058600:22:08,500 –> 00:22:09,5009PG58700:22:09,500 –> 00:22:10,500again58800:22:10,500 –> 00:22:11,500that Address is58900:22:11,500 –> 00:22:12,500openthebible59000:22:13,500 –> 00:22:14,500Po Box59100:22:14,500 –> 00:22:15,500142059200:22:15,500 –> 00:22:16,500Cheltneham59300:22:16,500 –> 00:22:17,500GL 5059400:22:18,500 –> 00:22:19,5009PG59500:22:20,500 –> 00:22:21,500what if you could59600:22:21,500 –> 00:22:22,500go on a hike59700:22:22,500 –> 00:22:24,500with Pastor Colin59800:22:24,500 –> 00:22:25,500through the Bible story59900:22:25,500 –> 00:22:26,500see how it all fits together60000:22:27,500 –> 00:22:28,500and how it60100:22:28,500 –> 00:22:29,500all points to Jesus60200:22:29,500 –> 00:22:31,500well now you can60300:22:31,500 –> 00:22:32,500with the new podcast60400:22:32,500 –> 00:22:33,500hike through60500:22:33,500 –> 00:22:34,500the Bible60600:22:34,500 –> 00:22:35,500yeah and60700:22:35,500 –> 00:22:36,500this is for everyone60800:22:36,500 –> 00:22:37,500who wants to60900:22:37,500 –> 00:22:38,500understand the Bible61000:22:38,500 –> 00:22:39,500better and for61100:22:39,500 –> 00:22:40,500everyone61200:22:40,500 –> 00:22:41,500who wants to61300:22:41,500 –> 00:22:42,500love Jesus61400:22:42,500 –> 00:22:43,500more61500:22:43,500 –> 00:22:44,500in each episode61600:22:44,500 –> 00:22:45,500I’ll read a chapter61700:22:45,500 –> 00:22:46,500from my book61800:22:46,500 –> 00:22:47,500hike through the Bible61900:22:47,500 –> 00:22:48,500and then I’ll discuss62000:22:48,500 –> 00:22:49,500it with some friends62100:22:49,500 –> 00:22:50,500a new episode62200:22:50,500 –> 00:22:51,500releases every62300:22:51,500 –> 00:22:52,500week and so62400:22:52,500 –> 00:22:53,500you can take this62500:22:53,500 –> 00:22:54,500hike at a gentle62600:22:54,500 –> 00:22:55,500pace62700:22:55,500 –> 00:22:56,500and you’ll have62800:22:56,500 –> 00:22:57,500covered62900:22:57,500 –> 00:22:58,500the entire Bible63000:22:58,500 –> 00:22:59,500story I really63100:22:59,500 –> 00:23:00,500hope that you’ll63200:23:00,500 –> 00:23:01,500join me63300:23:01,500 –> 00:23:02,500on this journey63400:23:02,500 –> 00:23:03,500and it’s not too63500:23:03,500 –> 00:23:04,500late to get63600:23:04,500 –> 00:23:05,500started now63700:23:05,500 –> 00:23:06,500well you can63800:23:06,500 –> 00:23:07,500subscribe to63900:23:07,500 –> 00:23:08,500hike through the64000:23:08,500 –> 00:23:09,500Bible podcast64100:23:09,500 –> 00:23:10,500wherever you get64200:23:10,500 –> 00:23:11,500your podcasts64300:23:11,500 –> 00:23:12,500and you can find64400:23:12,500 –> 00:23:13,500out more information64500:23:13,500 –> 00:23:14,500on our website64600:23:14,500 –> 00:23:15,500open the Bible64700:23:15,500 –> 00:23:16,500dot org64800:23:16,500 –> 00:23:17,500UK64900:23:17,500 –> 00:23:18,500well as65000:23:18,500 –> 00:23:19,500regular listeners65100:23:19,500 –> 00:23:20,500will know65200:23:20,500 –> 00:23:21,500Open the Bible65300:23:21,500 –> 00:23:22,500is supported by65400:23:22,500 –> 00:23:23,500our listeners65500:23:23,500 –> 00:23:24,500financially if65600:23:25,500 –> 00:23:26,500you are65700:23:26,500 –> 00:23:26,50065800:23:26,500 –> 00:23:27,500beginning to65900:23:27,500 –> 00:23:28,500support Open the66000:23:28,500 –> 00:23:29,500Bible in the66100:23:29,500 –> 00:23:30,500future this66200:23:30,500 –> 00:23:31,500month we’d love66300:23:31,500 –> 00:23:32,500to say thank you66400:23:32,500 –> 00:23:33,500by sending66500:23:33,500 –> 00:23:34,500you a copy of66600:23:34,500 –> 00:23:35,500Pastor Collins66700:23:35,500 –> 00:23:36,500brand new 3066800:23:36,500 –> 00:23:37,500day devotional66900:23:37,500 –> 00:23:38,500book67000:23:38,500 –> 00:23:39,500grow in love67100:23:39,500 –> 00:23:40,500Colin who is67200:23:40,500 –> 00:23:41,500this book for67300:23:41,500 –> 00:23:42,500well people have67400:23:42,500 –> 00:23:43,500very different67500:23:43,500 –> 00:23:44,500experiences of67600:23:44,500 –> 00:23:45,500love and67700:23:45,500 –> 00:23:46,500perhaps you67800:23:46,500 –> 00:23:47,500knew what it67900:23:47,500 –> 00:23:48,500was to grow68000:23:48,500 –> 00:23:49,500up with a68100:23:49,500 –> 00:23:50,500Godly68200:23:50,500 –> 00:23:51,500mother a68300:23:51,500 –> 00:23:52,500Godly father68400:23:52,500 –> 00:23:53,500who loved you68500:23:53,500 –> 00:23:54,180Father and68600:23:54,180 –> 00:23:54,979Mom and68700:23:54,979 –> 00:23:55,979all the benefits68800:23:55,979 –> 00:23:56,979to know how68900:23:56,979 –> 00:23:57,979to grow in69000:23:57,979 –> 00:23:58,979love yourself69100:23:58,979 –> 00:23:59,979but you still69200:23:59,979 –> 00:24:00,979find now you69300:24:00,979 –> 00:24:01,979come to adult69400:24:01,979 –> 00:24:02,979life and if69500:24:02,979 –> 00:24:03,979that is where69600:24:03,979 –> 00:24:04,979you are at this69700:24:04,979 –> 00:24:05,979book is for you69800:24:05,979 –> 00:24:06,979but other69900:24:06,979 –> 00:24:07,979folks who have70000:24:07,979 –> 00:24:08,979not had the70100:24:08,979 –> 00:24:09,979blessing of70200:24:09,979 –> 00:24:10,979being loved70300:24:10,979 –> 00:24:11,979well and if70400:24:11,979 –> 00:24:12,979that was your70500:24:12,979 –> 00:24:13,979experience you70600:24:13,979 –> 00:24:14,979might find you70700:24:14,979 –> 00:24:15,979struggle with70800:24:15,979 –> 00:24:16,979questions70900:24:16,979 –> 00:24:17,979what does it71000:24:17,979 –> 00:24:18,979mean to love71100:24:18,979 –> 00:24:19,979another person71200:24:19,979 –> 00:24:20,979what does71300:24:20,979 –> 00:24:21,979real love71400:24:21,979 –> 00:24:22,979actually look71500:24:23,099 –> 00:24:24,099like where are71600:24:24,099 –> 00:24:25,099you going to71700:24:25,099 –> 00:24:26,099find it well71800:24:26,099 –> 00:24:27,099you’re not sure71900:24:27,099 –> 00:24:28,099that you72000:24:28,099 –> 00:24:29,099know well72100:24:29,099 –> 00:24:30,099this book is for72200:24:30,099 –> 00:24:31,099you it’s going72300:24:31,099 –> 00:24:32,099to show you how72400:24:32,099 –> 00:24:33,099receiving love72500:24:33,099 –> 00:24:34,099from God72600:24:34,099 –> 00:24:35,099through Jesus72700:24:35,099 –> 00:24:36,099Christ can72800:24:36,099 –> 00:24:37,099put you in72900:24:37,099 –> 00:24:38,099the position where73000:24:38,099 –> 00:24:39,099you’re able to73100:24:39,099 –> 00:24:40,099give love and73200:24:40,099 –> 00:24:41,099receive love73300:24:41,099 –> 00:24:42,099from others73400:24:42,099 –> 00:24:43,099well well73500:24:43,099 –> 00:24:44,099we’d love to73600:24:44,099 –> 00:24:45,099send you a copy73700:24:45,099 –> 00:24:46,099of Pastor73800:24:46,099 –> 00:24:47,099Colleen’s book73900:24:47,099 –> 00:24:48,099grow in love74000:24:48,099 –> 00:24:49,099when you set74100:24:49,099 –> 00:24:50,099up a new74200:24:50,099 –> 00:24:51,660direct deb74300:24:51,660 –> 00:24:52,660it to the74400:24:52,739 –> 00:24:53,739fulfil Terms and74500:24:53,739 –> 00:24:54,739Conditions74600:24:54,739 –> 00:24:55,739and to give74700:24:55,739 –> 00:24:56,739online74800:24:56,739 –> 00:24:58,060come to74900:24:58,060 –> 00:24:59,060our website75000:24:59,060 –> 00:25:00,060open the75100:25:00,060 –> 00:25:01,060bible.org.uk75200:25:01,060 –> 00:25:02,060and don’t75300:25:02,060 –> 00:25:03,060forget to75400:25:03,060 –> 00:25:04,060leave your75500:25:04,060 –> 00:25:05,060full name &75600:25:05,060 –> 00:25:06,060address so we75700:25:06,060 –> 00:25:07,060can send75800:25:07,060 –> 00:25:08,060you your free75900:25:08,060 –> 00:25:09,060gift76000:25:09,060 –> 00:25:10,060for open the76100:25:10,060 –> 00:25:11,060bible & pastor76200:25:11,060 –> 00:25:12,060Colleen Smith76300:25:12,060 –> 00:25:13,060I’m David Pick76400:25:13,060 –> 00:25:14,060and I hope76500:25:14,060 –> 00:25:15,060you’ll join us76600:25:15,060 –> 00:25:15,819again next time76700:25:16,079 –> 00:25:21,459what happens when a76800:25:21,459 –> 00:25:22,459culture becomes more76900:25:22,459 –> 00:25:24,020hostile to Christians77000:25:24,020 –> 00:25:25,020than to the77100:25:25,020 –> 00:25:26,020Church?77200:25:26,020 –> 00:25:27,020find out next77300:25:27,020 –> 00:25:28,020time on77400:25:28,020 –> 00:25:30,020Open the Bible

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Colin Smith

Trustee / Founder and Teaching Pastor

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near – So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on X formerly Twitter.

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Sermons on the Beatitudes The Beatitudes are not telling you how to become a Christian – they tell you what a true Christian looks like. Everyone wants to be blessed. We want to be blessed in life, blessed in death, and blessed in eternity. In the Beatitudes, the Son of God tells us about the

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