100:00:00,180 –> 00:00:03,180Proof200:00:03,820 –> 00:00:08,060There is a self-righteous kind of perversion of Christianity300:00:08,100 –> 00:00:10,820out there that speaks something like this400:00:11,540 –> 00:00:16,020sin is in these people out there but it’s not in us in here500:00:17,459 –> 00:00:21,780and a person who thinks like that has really never600:00:21,780 –> 00:00:25,340come to terms with what we’re learning from the bible about sin700:00:25,340 –> 00:00:29,980Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith800:00:29,980 –> 00:00:32,860I’m David Picke. Glad you could join us today900:00:32,939 –> 00:00:35,580Colin, today we come to a huge topic1000:00:35,700 –> 00:00:36,980the problem of sin1100:00:37,259 –> 00:00:40,459Yeah and the question today is really why is it that sin1200:00:40,459 –> 00:00:42,900is a problem. And there are lots of answers to that1300:00:42,900 –> 00:00:44,180it’s a problem because of1400:00:44,340 –> 00:00:46,619the conflict that I experience in myself1500:00:46,619 –> 00:00:49,619it’s a problem because of the difficulties that come into relationships1600:00:50,060 –> 00:00:53,500And all the ways in which the world is not as we would want it to be1700:00:53,779 –> 00:00:58,740But none of these get to the real ultimate big reason1800:00:59,099 –> 00:01:01,820why sin is a massive problem1900:01:02,299 –> 00:01:05,139and that reason is the wrath of God2000:01:05,139 –> 00:01:06,779that being sinners2100:01:07,019 –> 00:01:09,580and being part of this sinful world2200:01:09,860 –> 00:01:12,419places us by nature2300:01:12,980 –> 00:01:16,260under the wrath and the condemnation of God2400:01:16,300 –> 00:01:19,739Now, it’s very popular, especially in our day2500:01:20,220 –> 00:01:23,900to say, now there’s no condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ2600:01:23,900 –> 00:01:26,980that’s wonderfully true and that’s where we’re going to get in this message2700:01:27,339 –> 00:01:31,260But it’s only meaningful to say, there’s no condemnation for those who are in Christ2800:01:31,260 –> 00:01:32,379because2900:01:32,739 –> 00:01:34,820the condemnation that once was3000:01:35,139 –> 00:01:36,500has been removed3100:01:36,900 –> 00:01:38,860And we’ve got to take seriously the fact3200:01:38,860 –> 00:01:43,139that the Bible speaks about our liability to the wrath of God3300:01:43,139 –> 00:01:44,779We’re going to look at what that means3400:01:45,059 –> 00:01:46,300And here’s the amazing thing3500:01:46,339 –> 00:01:49,180although this is an unattractive subject3600:01:49,739 –> 00:01:51,300It might be that someone would say3700:01:51,300 –> 00:01:53,419Hey, why would I spend this time3800:01:53,419 –> 00:01:55,099listening to this program right now3900:01:55,099 –> 00:01:55,940Here’s why4000:01:56,500 –> 00:02:01,300Because when you grasp what it is that you have been saved from4100:02:01,540 –> 00:02:04,660You will love Jesus Christ more than ever before4200:02:04,820 –> 00:02:07,419You’ll say, I always thought it was great to be a Christian4300:02:07,419 –> 00:02:10,179but I never realized you saved me from this4400:02:10,899 –> 00:02:12,860And that’s what the gospel does4500:02:12,860 –> 00:02:15,539It gets us to the heart of the deliverance4600:02:16,139 –> 00:02:18,300And today we’re going to try and amp up the depths of it4700:02:18,300 –> 00:02:19,619so that we can see the height4800:02:29,139 –> 00:02:32,179We’re looking at the inside story of human life4900:02:36,419 –> 00:02:39,660We read there that God made Adam upright5000:02:39,660 –> 00:02:43,339But men have gone in search of many schemes5100:02:43,380 –> 00:02:47,500So Adam fell and his children were born in the likeness5200:02:47,500 –> 00:02:48,860of their fallen father5300:02:49,660 –> 00:02:52,820And from that foundation we turn to Ephesians chapter 25400:02:52,860 –> 00:02:54,940which I hope will open your Bible there now5500:02:55,500 –> 00:02:58,259where God speaks in verse 3 about the cravings5600:02:58,259 –> 00:03:00,899of the sinful heart or the sinful nature5700:03:01,339 –> 00:03:03,419cravings that find expression5800:03:03,419 –> 00:03:05,940in our thoughts and in our desires5900:03:06,460 –> 00:03:07,779And as we looked at that6000:03:07,779 –> 00:03:10,259here’s what we discovered it means for Christians6100:03:11,100 –> 00:03:13,100When God’s grace enters the heart6200:03:13,100 –> 00:03:17,419sin is forgiven, but sin is not expelled6300:03:18,179 –> 00:03:20,460Christians may be called saints6400:03:20,699 –> 00:03:22,660as some folks like to point out6500:03:23,380 –> 00:03:26,860but we do not cease to be sinners6600:03:28,179 –> 00:03:30,339We are always therefore dependent6700:03:30,339 –> 00:03:33,139upon the righteousness of Jesus Christ6800:03:33,380 –> 00:03:37,820that is ours only by relationship with Him through faith6900:03:37,820 –> 00:03:39,860Now, that’s very important to grasp7000:03:39,860 –> 00:03:42,139because you folks know that there is7100:03:42,139 –> 00:03:44,940a self-righteous kind of perversion7200:03:44,940 –> 00:03:46,860of Christianity out there7300:03:47,139 –> 00:03:48,899that speaks something like this7400:03:48,899 –> 00:03:51,179that the perversion of Christianity says7500:03:51,179 –> 00:03:54,419well now, sin is in these people out there7600:03:54,419 –> 00:03:56,539but it’s not in us in here7700:03:58,220 –> 00:04:00,619and a person who thinks like that7800:04:01,100 –> 00:04:03,380has really never come to terms7900:04:03,380 –> 00:04:06,259with what we are learning from the Bible about sin8000:04:07,100 –> 00:04:08,539And by the way you can be sure8100:04:08,539 –> 00:04:10,300that where that is the case8200:04:10,300 –> 00:04:12,539such a person will not know much8300:04:12,539 –> 00:04:14,020about the love of God either8400:04:14,020 –> 00:04:15,179because these two things8500:04:15,179 –> 00:04:16,739as we’re going to see today8600:04:16,739 –> 00:04:18,739always go together8700:04:19,579 –> 00:04:21,179So we’re learning in this series then8800:04:21,179 –> 00:04:23,220that the problem of sin runs deep8900:04:23,220 –> 00:04:24,179in all of us9000:04:24,619 –> 00:04:27,380that as Christians we are forgiven sinners9100:04:27,380 –> 00:04:29,100but we are still in the process9200:04:29,100 –> 00:04:30,059of being redeemed9300:04:30,420 –> 00:04:33,140To be in Christ means that your sins are forgiven9400:04:33,140 –> 00:04:34,899that your condemnation is removed9500:04:35,220 –> 00:04:36,420but none of us are yet9600:04:36,420 –> 00:04:37,899what we one day will be9700:04:38,380 –> 00:04:39,779God’s work of restoration9800:04:39,779 –> 00:04:41,100in us has begun9900:04:41,100 –> 00:04:43,579but it is not yet complete10000:04:43,579 –> 00:04:44,739and that is why the nature10100:04:44,739 –> 00:04:46,779of the Christian life is a daily battle10200:04:47,220 –> 00:04:48,260We are always in conflict10300:04:48,260 –> 00:04:50,260against the allurements of the world10400:04:50,260 –> 00:04:51,619the lusts of the flesh10500:04:51,820 –> 00:04:53,899and the snares of the devil10600:04:53,899 –> 00:04:55,820The impulse of sin10700:04:55,820 –> 00:04:56,739you have discovered this10800:04:56,739 –> 00:04:57,739as I do10900:04:57,739 –> 00:04:59,980it erupts from our flesh11000:04:59,980 –> 00:05:01,339in all kinds of surprising11100:05:01,339 –> 00:05:04,660and unexpected sorts of ways11200:05:05,540 –> 00:05:06,940so that none of us11300:05:06,940 –> 00:05:07,839ever gets to a place11400:05:07,839 –> 00:05:08,839where we could say11500:05:08,839 –> 00:05:11,480well now I will offer my Christian life11600:05:11,480 –> 00:05:13,000to God as a kind of reason11700:05:13,000 –> 00:05:14,760why I should enter into heaven11800:05:14,760 –> 00:05:17,600No we always stand only11900:05:17,600 –> 00:05:19,399on the mercy of God12000:05:19,399 –> 00:05:22,200which is ours in Jesus Christ12100:05:22,200 –> 00:05:23,200Now that’s what we have got12200:05:23,200 –> 00:05:24,200in this series12300:05:24,200 –> 00:05:25,179and I hope you are now12400:05:25,179 –> 00:05:26,179in your Bible12500:05:26,179 –> 00:05:27,480at Ephesians Chapter 212600:05:27,480 –> 00:05:28,799and Verse 312700:05:28,799 –> 00:05:30,600and here is where we have come to12800:05:30,600 –> 00:05:32,119Like the rest12900:05:32,119 –> 00:05:33,839the scripture says13000:05:34,160 –> 00:05:36,920we were by nature13100:05:37,200 –> 00:05:38,260objects13200:05:38,260 –> 00:05:39,880or literally the word there13300:05:39,880 –> 00:05:40,880is children13400:05:40,880 –> 00:05:42,980Your version may say children13500:05:42,980 –> 00:05:44,459we were by nature13600:05:44,459 –> 00:05:48,359children of wrath13700:05:49,600 –> 00:05:50,739Now this may be one of the most13800:05:50,739 –> 00:05:51,739disturbing verses13900:05:51,739 –> 00:05:54,079in all of the Bible14000:05:54,079 –> 00:05:56,959But it’s meaning is surely clear14100:05:56,959 –> 00:05:58,640The default position14200:05:58,640 –> 00:06:01,059of every human life14300:06:01,059 –> 00:06:02,320is that we are under14400:06:02,320 –> 00:06:04,579the wrath of God14500:06:04,959 –> 00:06:05,980We were all born sinners14600:06:06,100 –> 00:06:07,359that was what we were14700:06:07,359 –> 00:06:09,320learning last time14800:06:09,320 –> 00:06:11,239The impulse to sin14900:06:11,239 –> 00:06:12,799runs in the bloodlines15000:06:12,799 –> 00:06:15,559of every race15100:06:15,559 –> 00:06:16,920every person15200:06:16,920 –> 00:06:19,579every generation15300:06:19,579 –> 00:06:20,760and if you have come to believe15400:06:20,760 –> 00:06:21,920what we saw last time15500:06:21,920 –> 00:06:22,899with regards to the15600:06:22,899 –> 00:06:24,380Bible’s teaching about sin15700:06:24,380 –> 00:06:25,880it really should not surprise you15800:06:25,880 –> 00:06:26,899to read what follows15900:06:26,899 –> 00:06:28,200that we were by nature16000:06:28,200 –> 00:06:30,239children then16100:06:30,239 –> 00:06:33,140of wrath16200:06:33,140 –> 00:06:34,059Now to help us grasp16300:06:34,059 –> 00:06:35,739the importance of this truth today16400:06:35,899 –> 00:06:37,459I want to tell you a story16500:06:37,459 –> 00:06:38,380I called it16600:06:38,380 –> 00:06:39,839The Parable16700:06:39,839 –> 00:06:42,299of the Biggest Problem16800:06:42,299 –> 00:06:43,179The Parable16900:06:43,179 –> 00:06:44,899of the Biggest Problem17000:06:44,899 –> 00:06:45,760So come with me17100:06:45,760 –> 00:06:47,019in your imagination17200:06:47,019 –> 00:06:47,739for a few moments17300:06:47,739 –> 00:06:49,700I want you to picture17400:06:49,700 –> 00:06:51,980an ancient church17500:06:51,980 –> 00:06:53,220in the centre17600:06:53,220 –> 00:06:54,799of the city of London17700:06:54,799 –> 00:06:56,980The building goes back17800:06:56,980 –> 00:06:59,500to the 15th century17900:06:59,500 –> 00:07:01,299Visitors come18000:07:01,299 –> 00:07:03,260into this old church18100:07:03,260 –> 00:07:05,059and they view the stained glass18200:07:05,480 –> 00:07:06,480and they look18300:07:06,480 –> 00:07:08,140at the ancient walls18400:07:08,140 –> 00:07:10,140and below the area18500:07:10,140 –> 00:07:11,980where the people gather18600:07:11,980 –> 00:07:13,899there is a crypt18700:07:13,899 –> 00:07:15,100a kind of basement18800:07:15,100 –> 00:07:16,500where great men and women18900:07:16,500 –> 00:07:17,500from the past19000:07:17,500 –> 00:07:19,339lie buried beneath the stones19100:07:19,339 –> 00:07:21,940You got the picture?19200:07:21,940 –> 00:07:23,299Pastor John19300:07:23,299 –> 00:07:24,899walks through the church19400:07:24,899 –> 00:07:27,459a kindly and a godly man19500:07:27,459 –> 00:07:28,619he has served there19600:07:28,619 –> 00:07:31,339for 30 years and more19700:07:31,339 –> 00:07:32,859and wearing his long gown19800:07:33,140 –> 00:07:34,540is often a means19900:07:34,540 –> 00:07:36,459of help and comfort20000:07:36,459 –> 00:07:39,179to people in need20100:07:39,179 –> 00:07:40,179He is supported20200:07:40,179 –> 00:07:41,739by his tireless assitant20300:07:41,739 –> 00:07:42,940and the elderly20400:07:42,940 –> 00:07:45,299church caretaker20500:07:45,299 –> 00:07:46,940A wise and kindly man20600:07:46,940 –> 00:07:48,380John is the sort of person20700:07:48,380 –> 00:07:50,339you feel you could talk to20800:07:50,339 –> 00:07:51,500the kind of pastor20900:07:51,500 –> 00:07:52,500you would feel21000:07:52,500 –> 00:07:53,420you would want to21100:07:53,420 –> 00:07:54,420talk to when you know21200:07:54,420 –> 00:07:55,420you’re getting into trouble21300:07:55,420 –> 00:07:57,619Well, one day21400:07:57,619 –> 00:07:59,779a man came into the church21500:07:59,779 –> 00:08:02,000looking for Pastor John21600:08:02,000 –> 00:08:04,179Ben was troubled21700:08:04,179 –> 00:08:05,239He needed to talk21800:08:05,239 –> 00:08:08,200How can I help you Ben?21900:08:08,200 –> 00:08:09,440Asked Pastor John22000:08:09,440 –> 00:08:10,440as they sat down22100:08:10,440 –> 00:08:13,079in his office22200:08:13,079 –> 00:08:14,079Ben looked at the floor22300:08:14,079 –> 00:08:16,959for a long time22400:08:16,959 –> 00:08:19,179And then he said22500:08:19,179 –> 00:08:21,540Pastor John22600:08:21,540 –> 00:08:23,500how can I become22700:08:23,500 –> 00:08:26,140a more generous person?22800:08:26,140 –> 00:08:28,839Well, Pastor John smiled22900:08:29,519 –> 00:08:32,500That’s a great question Ben23000:08:32,500 –> 00:08:35,559Why do you ask that?23100:08:35,559 –> 00:08:36,599I don’t know, said Ben23200:08:36,599 –> 00:08:38,979I’ve made some23300:08:38,979 –> 00:08:40,320bad investments23400:08:40,320 –> 00:08:42,679I don’t have peace23500:08:42,679 –> 00:08:43,919with what I’m doing23600:08:43,919 –> 00:08:45,919with my money23700:08:45,919 –> 00:08:46,919Maybe it’s that23800:08:46,919 –> 00:08:50,479I need to give more23900:08:50,479 –> 00:08:52,440Pastor John was a wise pastor24000:08:52,440 –> 00:08:53,700and he sensed24100:08:53,700 –> 00:08:54,700that Ben wasn’t getting24200:08:54,700 –> 00:08:55,880to the point24300:08:55,900 –> 00:08:59,479he needed to talk about24400:08:59,479 –> 00:09:01,359Is there something else24500:09:01,359 –> 00:09:04,320you want to tell me Ben?24600:09:04,320 –> 00:09:05,559There was a long silence24700:09:05,559 –> 00:09:11,679Ben, where did you get24800:09:11,679 –> 00:09:13,840the money24900:09:13,840 –> 00:09:16,059that you regret spending?25000:09:16,059 –> 00:09:18,739Oh, it came from25100:09:18,739 –> 00:09:19,880the Pension Fund25200:09:19,880 –> 00:09:22,320said Ben25300:09:22,320 –> 00:09:23,320You’ve taken money25400:09:23,320 –> 00:09:24,320out of your25500:09:24,320 –> 00:09:26,179Pension Fund?25600:09:26,179 –> 00:09:29,520No, I’ve taken it out of25700:09:29,520 –> 00:09:30,520other people’s25800:09:30,520 –> 00:09:32,559pension fund25900:09:32,559 –> 00:09:34,200It’s my job26000:09:34,200 –> 00:09:35,200to manage the26100:09:35,200 –> 00:09:36,200Pension Fund26200:09:36,200 –> 00:09:37,200for my company26300:09:37,200 –> 00:09:39,700says Ben26400:09:39,700 –> 00:09:40,840Pastor John26500:09:40,840 –> 00:09:44,559strokes his chin26600:09:44,559 –> 00:09:45,559Ben has been26700:09:45,559 –> 00:09:46,559talking about26800:09:46,559 –> 00:09:47,559becoming a more26900:09:47,559 –> 00:09:48,880generous person27000:09:48,880 –> 00:09:49,880Now there is27100:09:49,880 –> 00:09:52,840a bigger problem27200:09:52,840 –> 00:09:53,840Ben was guilty27300:09:53,960 –> 00:09:54,960of a crime27400:09:54,960 –> 00:09:55,960that could see him27500:09:55,960 –> 00:09:56,960behind bars27600:09:56,960 –> 00:09:57,960for the next27700:09:57,960 –> 00:10:00,96020 years27800:10:00,960 –> 00:10:01,960Pastor John27900:10:01,960 –> 00:10:02,960took a deep breath28000:10:02,960 –> 00:10:03,960as he prepared28100:10:03,960 –> 00:10:05,219to tell Ben28200:10:05,219 –> 00:10:06,219what he must do28300:10:06,219 –> 00:10:07,219and then to try28400:10:07,219 –> 00:10:08,340and help this28500:10:08,340 –> 00:10:09,340man find the28600:10:09,340 –> 00:10:11,679courage to do it28700:10:11,679 –> 00:10:12,679He was just about28800:10:12,679 –> 00:10:13,679to speak28900:10:13,679 –> 00:10:14,679when the two29000:10:14,679 –> 00:10:15,679of them29100:10:15,679 –> 00:10:16,679heard the most29200:10:16,679 –> 00:10:17,679awful shouting29300:10:17,679 –> 00:10:18,679Pastor John29400:10:18,679 –> 00:10:19,679knew the voice29500:10:19,679 –> 00:10:20,679It was29600:10:20,679 –> 00:10:21,679it was the old29700:10:21,679 –> 00:10:22,679caretaker29800:10:22,679 –> 00:10:23,679The office door29900:10:24,520 –> 00:10:25,520I’m talking about30000:10:25,520 –> 00:10:26,520Pastor John30100:10:26,520 –> 00:10:27,520there’s a30200:10:27,520 –> 00:10:28,520bomb in the30300:10:28,520 –> 00:10:29,520crypt30400:10:29,520 –> 00:10:30,520It’s about30500:10:30,520 –> 00:10:31,520to go off30600:10:31,520 –> 00:10:32,520we have to30700:10:32,520 –> 00:10:33,520get out30800:10:33,520 –> 00:10:36,520now30900:10:36,520 –> 00:10:37,520What’s the31000:10:37,520 –> 00:10:39,900biggest problem?31100:10:39,900 –> 00:10:40,900Ben31200:10:40,900 –> 00:10:41,900wants to be31300:10:41,900 –> 00:10:42,900a more generous31400:10:42,900 –> 00:10:44,559person31500:10:44,559 –> 00:10:45,559but there’s31600:10:45,559 –> 00:10:46,559the bigger31700:10:46,559 –> 00:10:47,559problem31800:10:47,559 –> 00:10:48,559that he’s31900:10:48,559 –> 00:10:49,559stolen32000:10:49,559 –> 00:10:50,559$2,000,00032100:10:50,559 –> 00:10:51,559from the32200:10:51,559 –> 00:10:52,559company’s32300:10:52,559 –> 00:10:53,559pension fund32400:10:53,559 –> 00:10:54,559and he’s32500:10:54,559 –> 00:10:56,000in jail32600:10:56,000 –> 00:10:58,679but even that32700:10:58,679 –> 00:10:59,679takes a32800:10:59,679 –> 00:11:00,679secondary place32900:11:00,679 –> 00:11:01,679to the33000:11:01,679 –> 00:11:02,679biggest problem33100:11:02,679 –> 00:11:03,679which actually33200:11:03,679 –> 00:11:04,679neither Ben33300:11:04,679 –> 00:11:05,679nor Pastor John33400:11:05,679 –> 00:11:06,679had even33500:11:06,679 –> 00:11:07,679been aware of33600:11:07,679 –> 00:11:08,679until the33700:11:08,679 –> 00:11:09,679caretaker33800:11:09,679 –> 00:11:10,679burst through33900:11:10,679 –> 00:11:11,679the door34000:11:11,679 –> 00:11:12,679There’s a34100:11:12,679 –> 00:11:13,679bomb in the34200:11:13,679 –> 00:11:14,679building34300:11:14,679 –> 00:11:15,679and if they34400:11:15,679 –> 00:11:16,679do not get34500:11:16,679 –> 00:11:17,679out in the34600:11:17,679 –> 00:11:19,239next minute34700:11:19,239 –> 00:11:20,239all of34800:11:20,239 –> 00:11:21,239Pastor John’s34900:11:21,239 –> 00:11:22,239wisdom about35000:11:22,239 –> 00:11:23,239becoming a35100:11:23,239 –> 00:11:24,239better person35200:11:24,239 –> 00:11:25,260includes35300:11:25,260 –> 00:11:26,260fearing35400:11:26,260 –> 00:11:27,260that35500:11:27,260 –> 00:11:28,260if35600:11:28,260 –> 00:11:29,260maybe35700:11:29,260 –> 00:11:30,260nothing35800:11:30,260 –> 00:11:31,260is35900:11:31,260 –> 00:11:32,260going36000:11:32,260 –> 00:11:33,260to36100:11:33,260 –> 00:11:34,260go36200:11:34,260 –> 00:11:35,280well36300:11:35,280 –> 00:11:36,280it36400:11:36,280 –> 00:11:37,280may36500:11:37,280 –> 00:11:38,179turn36600:11:38,179 –> 00:11:39,179into36700:11:39,179 –> 00:11:39,979something36800:11:41,700 –> 00:11:43,820more36900:11:43,820 –> 00:11:45,039fulfilling37000:11:45,039 –> 00:11:45,780and37100:11:45,780 –> 00:11:47,099fact37200:11:47,099 –> 00:11:47,859,37300:11:47,859 –> 00:11:49,039but37400:11:49,039 –> 00:11:51,140how37500:11:51,140 –> 00:11:52,000at37600:11:52,419 –> 00:11:55,119but towering over all the stuff that you may need to deal37700:11:55,119 –> 00:11:57,119with in your life,37800:11:57,119 –> 00:11:58,119towering over37900:11:58,119 –> 00:12:01,119all the growth that we may want to see in our lives in the38000:12:01,119 –> 00:12:03,119coming years, there is a problem of38100:12:03,119 –> 00:12:06,119altogether different proportion38200:12:07,200 –> 00:12:10,219a problem of which most people are not even38300:12:10,219 –> 00:12:11,219aware38400:12:11,460 –> 00:12:13,679and it’s right here in this verse38500:12:14,599 –> 00:12:16,460like the rest38600:12:17,159 –> 00:12:18,159we38700:12:18,159 –> 00:12:19,159were38800:12:19,159 –> 00:12:20,159children38900:12:20,280 –> 00:12:21,280of39000:12:21,760 –> 00:12:22,760wrath39100:12:23,559 –> 00:12:26,559well we have to pause the message briefly there, but we’ll be back very shortly39200:12:26,559 –> 00:12:28,559so please stay with us39300:12:28,559 –> 00:12:31,559you’re listening to Open The Bible with pastor Colin Smith39400:12:31,559 –> 00:12:32,559and a message called39500:12:32,559 –> 00:12:33,280children of wrath39600:12:35,039 –> 00:12:38,039Open The Bible is supported by our many listeners39700:12:38,039 –> 00:12:41,039and if you’re one of them, thank you so much39800:12:41,039 –> 00:12:44,039it’s not just the radio program, the website39900:12:44,039 –> 00:12:47,039and podcast that you’re supporting40000:12:47,039 –> 00:12:50,039here’s Open The Bible’s Executive Director John Martin40100:12:50,039 –> 00:12:51,039David, let me tell you40200:12:51,039 –> 00:12:54,039about some stories in northern Ireland40300:12:54,039 –> 00:12:57,039we are delighted at a growing network of churches40400:12:57,039 –> 00:12:59,880taking interest in Open The Bible resources40500:13:00,039 –> 00:13:03,039with pastor Colin having been invited to speak at Christian conferences40600:13:03,039 –> 00:13:05,039for a number of years in a row40700:13:05,039 –> 00:13:09,039this year, pastor Colin taught Fly through the Bible40800:13:09,039 –> 00:13:10,039based on his short book40900:13:10,039 –> 00:13:14,039and he did this in an evening at Hamilton Road Baptist Church41000:13:14,039 –> 00:13:16,039in Bangor, Northern Ireland41100:13:16,039 –> 00:13:18,039it was a packed auditorium41200:13:18,039 –> 00:13:20,039members from around 20 churches came41300:13:20,039 –> 00:13:22,039some bringing guests41400:13:22,039 –> 00:13:26,039pastor Sam Castles from Liesnerbreen Presbyterian Church said41500:13:26,039 –> 00:13:28,039what I really have enjoyed41600:13:28,039 –> 00:13:30,039and found tremendously useful41700:13:30,039 –> 00:13:34,039Is that pastor Colin is able to give a good overview of the Bible41800:13:34,039 –> 00:13:35,039with rich theology41900:13:35,039 –> 00:13:39,039in a very clear, concise and very understandable42000:13:39,039 –> 00:13:41,039applicable way42100:13:41,039 –> 00:13:43,039following this event in Bangor42200:13:43,039 –> 00:13:45,039a number of churches are helping us trial42300:13:45,039 –> 00:13:48,039a three session version of Fly through the Bible42400:13:48,039 –> 00:13:51,039as a video based, inquirers course42500:13:51,039 –> 00:13:53,039one church had over 60 attending42600:13:53,039 –> 00:13:56,039including many exploring the Christian faith42700:13:56,039 –> 00:14:01,039their pastor Keith McIlwain from Hamilton road Baptist church said this42800:14:01,039 –> 00:14:05,039We’ve never had an evangelistic course night like it42900:14:05,039 –> 00:14:07,539We had Catholics, Atheists Buddhist43000:14:07,539 –> 00:14:10,039All here tonight and a good number43100:14:10,039 –> 00:14:13,039of newcomers from our church43200:14:14,039 –> 00:14:17,039Unbelieving husbands, brothers, children and parents43300:14:17,039 –> 00:14:18,039were all in the room43400:14:18,039 –> 00:14:21,039We are very thankful for the inquirers course43500:14:21,039 –> 00:14:24,039and the people God brought along43600:14:24,539 –> 00:14:27,039So David if any listeners out there43700:14:27,039 –> 00:14:30,039are interested in looking at the inquirers course43800:14:30,039 –> 00:14:31,039based on fly through the bible43900:14:31,039 –> 00:14:32,039They can go to our website44000:14:32,039 –> 00:14:34,039and look for the course fly through the bible44100:14:34,039 –> 00:14:37,039and click to access the free resources44200:14:38,039 –> 00:14:40,039you can get involved in supporting Open the Bible’s work44300:14:40,039 –> 00:14:42,039by coming to our website44400:14:42,039 –> 00:14:44,039openthebible.org.uk44500:14:45,039 –> 00:14:46,039you’ll find lots more information44600:14:46,039 –> 00:14:47,039terms and conditions44700:14:47,039 –> 00:14:49,039and you can give online44800:14:50,039 –> 00:14:51,039Back to the message now44900:14:51,039 –> 00:14:53,039here again is Pastor Colin45000:14:54,039 –> 00:14:55,039There are 3 things friends45100:14:55,039 –> 00:14:57,039that all of us need to know about45200:14:57,039 –> 00:14:58,039the wrath of God45300:14:58,039 –> 00:15:02,039Let me state them as simply as I possibly can45400:15:03,039 –> 00:15:05,039Here’s the first thing you need to know45500:15:05,039 –> 00:15:06,039about the wrath of God45600:15:06,039 –> 00:15:08,039the world needs it45700:15:08,039 –> 00:15:12,039this world needs it45800:15:14,039 –> 00:15:15,039I have to say tonight that45900:15:17,039 –> 00:15:18,039the greatest problem in my mind46000:15:18,039 –> 00:15:20,039with evolutionary theory46100:15:21,039 –> 00:15:24,039is that if it were true46200:15:24,039 –> 00:15:27,039this world should be a better place by now46300:15:27,039 –> 00:15:28,039right?46400:15:29,039 –> 00:15:30,039If it were really true46500:15:30,039 –> 00:15:31,039that we’re all getting better46600:15:32,039 –> 00:15:33,039and we’re all getting better46700:15:33,039 –> 00:15:35,039surely by now war should have ends46800:15:35,039 –> 00:15:40,039surely by now, after all these centuries of human history46900:15:40,039 –> 00:15:41,039if this was true47000:15:41,039 –> 00:15:43,039we should be beyond murder47100:15:43,039 –> 00:15:45,039we should be beyond hatred47200:15:45,039 –> 00:15:48,039surely by now we should live in a world47300:15:48,039 –> 00:15:49,039where children are safe47400:15:49,039 –> 00:15:51,039and women should be treated with dignity and respect47500:15:51,039 –> 00:15:52,039surely by now47600:15:52,039 –> 00:15:54,039we should have achieved world peace47700:15:54,039 –> 00:15:56,039and wise government47800:15:56,039 –> 00:15:58,039and freedom and justice47900:15:58,039 –> 00:16:00,039for all48000:16:01,039 –> 00:16:02,039why can’t we get there?48100:16:03,039 –> 00:16:05,039why can’t we get there ever?48200:16:08,039 –> 00:16:10,039why is it that every generation48300:16:10,039 –> 00:16:12,039whether you’re looking back in the 1960s48400:16:12,039 –> 00:16:14,039whether you’re looking at the rising generation now48500:16:14,039 –> 00:16:16,039look at any generation of human history48600:16:16,039 –> 00:16:18,039it is always the same48700:16:18,039 –> 00:16:20,039the young generation rises up and says48800:16:20,039 –> 00:16:21,039why is the world like this?48900:16:21,039 –> 00:16:22,039it shouldn’t be like this49000:16:22,039 –> 00:16:23,039has to change49100:16:26,039 –> 00:16:27,039and then dies with the world49200:16:27,039 –> 00:16:29,039pretty much as it was when they were young49300:16:29,039 –> 00:16:33,039see the history of the world shows us49400:16:33,039 –> 00:16:38,039that sin is a problem to which there is no human solution49500:16:38,039 –> 00:16:41,039sin is a monster49600:16:41,039 –> 00:16:48,039and our only hope of the life that every human heart longs for49700:16:48,039 –> 00:16:50,039is if it should be defeated49800:16:50,039 –> 00:16:53,039and destroyed utterly and completely49900:16:53,039 –> 00:16:56,039and that is why you will find throughout the scriptures50000:16:56,039 –> 00:16:58,039this great longing that rises from within50100:16:59,039 –> 00:17:03,039the hearts of those who are inspired by the Holy Spirit50200:17:03,039 –> 00:17:06,040to long for a day when sin and evil and wickedness50300:17:06,040 –> 00:17:07,040will be no more50400:17:07,040 –> 00:17:11,040let me quote to you for example from Psalm 5550500:17:11,040 –> 00:17:13,040the prayer begins50600:17:13,040 –> 00:17:16,040listen to my prayer oh God don’t ignore my plea50700:17:16,040 –> 00:17:17,040hear me and answer me50800:17:18,040 –> 00:17:21,040and then the Psalmist goes on to speak in Psalm 5550900:17:21,040 –> 00:17:24,040about about his own fear51000:17:24,040 –> 00:17:25,040about the oppression51100:17:25,040 –> 00:17:27,040about the darkness that’s out there51200:17:27,040 –> 00:17:29,040threats on his own life51300:17:30,040 –> 00:17:32,040in Psalm 55, Verse 9 he says51400:17:32,040 –> 00:17:34,040so confused the wicked O Lord confound their speech51500:17:34,040 –> 00:17:38,040because I see violence and strife in the city51600:17:38,040 –> 00:17:41,040day and night the wicked prowl on its walls51700:17:41,040 –> 00:17:45,040malice and abuse are within it51800:17:45,040 –> 00:17:48,040destructive forces are at work in the city51900:17:48,040 –> 00:17:51,040threats and lies never leave its streets52000:17:52,040 –> 00:17:55,040man that was written 3000 years ago52100:17:55,040 –> 00:17:58,040nothing is written yesterday52200:17:58,040 –> 00:18:00,040nothing is changed52300:18:00,040 –> 00:18:03,040and so here’s where Psalm 55 ends52400:18:03,040 –> 00:18:06,040and there are so many other Psalms that are on the same theme52500:18:06,040 –> 00:18:08,040I’m only picking one52600:18:08,040 –> 00:18:13,040you O God says the Psalmist will bring down the wicked52700:18:13,040 –> 00:18:16,040you will bring the wicked down into the pit of corruption52800:18:16,040 –> 00:18:19,040that’s the hope the Psalmist sees52900:18:19,040 –> 00:18:21,040he does not see any other hope in the world53000:18:21,040 –> 00:18:24,040except that God will destroy the wicked53100:18:24,040 –> 00:18:27,040that’s why I say the world needs this53200:18:28,040 –> 00:18:30,040a god who cannot destroy evil53300:18:30,040 –> 00:18:34,040or who does not have the model will to do so53400:18:34,040 –> 00:18:38,040is absolutely of no help in this world53500:18:38,040 –> 00:18:40,040in which we live today53600:18:40,040 –> 00:18:41,040period53700:18:41,040 –> 00:18:44,040And the good news of the gospel is that53800:18:44,040 –> 00:18:46,040David’s prayer will be answered53900:18:46,040 –> 00:18:49,040God will54000:18:49,040 –> 00:18:52,040bring the wicked down54100:18:52,040 –> 00:18:55,040to the pit of corruption54200:18:55,040 –> 00:18:58,040He will create, the Bible says54300:18:58,040 –> 00:19:02,040a new heaven and a new earth54400:19:02,040 –> 00:19:06,040sin will be no more54500:19:06,040 –> 00:19:09,040and this heaven and earth54600:19:09,040 –> 00:19:11,040and this new heaven and this new earth54700:19:11,040 –> 00:19:14,040will be the home of righteousness54800:19:14,040 –> 00:19:17,040This is our hope54900:19:17,040 –> 00:19:20,040And if it will not true55000:19:20,040 –> 00:19:24,040folks there will never come a time55100:19:24,040 –> 00:19:27,040no matter how long human history would extend55200:19:27,040 –> 00:19:29,040there would never come a time55300:19:29,040 –> 00:19:31,040when there would be a world with peace55400:19:31,040 –> 00:19:34,040and freedom and prosperity55500:19:34,040 –> 00:19:37,040and justice and joy for all55600:19:37,040 –> 00:19:40,040So the first thing that you need to know55700:19:40,040 –> 00:19:42,040about the wrath of God is this55800:19:42,040 –> 00:19:44,040And never forget it55900:19:44,040 –> 00:19:46,040The world needs it56000:19:46,040 –> 00:19:49,040The second thing you need to know56100:19:49,040 –> 00:19:52,040and i’m going to put this more personally56200:19:52,040 –> 00:19:55,040I deserve it56300:19:55,040 –> 00:19:58,040And I’m putting this in the first person56400:19:58,040 –> 00:20:01,040and in the singular, not only because it is true56500:20:01,040 –> 00:20:05,040but frankly because it is easier for me to speak this way56600:20:05,040 –> 00:20:08,040it is easier for me to speak about56700:20:08,040 –> 00:20:10,040my deserving it56800:20:10,040 –> 00:20:11,040then you’re deserving it56900:20:11,040 –> 00:20:14,040So as you have the Bible open57000:20:14,040 –> 00:20:16,040you will want to include yourself with me57100:20:16,040 –> 00:20:18,040I’m sure57200:20:19,040 –> 00:20:25,040like the rest, we were by nature57300:20:25,040 –> 00:20:30,040children of wrath57400:20:30,040 –> 00:20:31,040now notice what he’s saying57500:20:31,040 –> 00:20:33,040This is very important to grasp57600:20:33,040 –> 00:20:36,040he is not saying that if I do certain bad things57700:20:36,040 –> 00:20:39,040the wrath of God will come on me57800:20:39,040 –> 00:20:43,040he is saying that we are children of wrath57900:20:43,040 –> 00:20:46,040by nature58000:20:46,040 –> 00:20:47,040in other words, this directly follows58100:20:47,040 –> 00:20:49,040from everything that we learned last time58200:20:49,040 –> 00:20:52,040by nature I’m absorbed with self58300:20:52,040 –> 00:20:55,040by nature I am drawn to sin58400:20:55,040 –> 00:20:57,040by nature I want to be my own God58500:20:57,040 –> 00:21:00,040just as Adam and Eve did in the Garden58600:21:00,040 –> 00:21:05,040by nature I therefore am under the wrath of God58700:21:05,040 –> 00:21:08,040period58800:21:08,040 –> 00:21:10,040did you notice when we read from John chapter 358900:21:10,040 –> 00:21:13,040a few moments ago59000:21:13,040 –> 00:21:19,040these marvelous words that whoever believes in the Son of God59100:21:19,040 –> 00:21:22,040has eternal life59200:21:22,040 –> 00:21:25,040but whoever rejects the Son will not see life59300:21:25,040 –> 00:21:28,040and then notice why59400:21:28,040 –> 00:21:35,040for God’s wrath remains on Him59500:21:35,040 –> 00:21:37,040John does not say if you reject Jesus59600:21:37,040 –> 00:21:40,040God’s wrath will come on you59700:21:40,040 –> 00:21:42,040that is a big mistake59800:21:42,040 –> 00:21:44,040he says I can’t believe in this God59900:21:44,040 –> 00:21:48,040who pours out wrath just because people didn’t believe the right things about Him60000:21:48,040 –> 00:21:51,040that is not what the Bible is saying60100:21:51,040 –> 00:21:54,040it’s not saying that if you reject Jesus60200:21:54,040 –> 00:21:56,040God’s wrath will come on you60300:21:56,239 –> 00:21:58,040it’s saying that if you reject Jesus60400:21:58,040 –> 00:22:01,040God’s wrath will remain on you60500:22:02,040 –> 00:22:03,040see it’s already there60600:22:03,040 –> 00:22:05,040it’s like a cloud that is hanging over us60700:22:05,040 –> 00:22:06,040and it’s not taken away apart from Jesus60800:22:08,040 –> 00:22:10,040why is it there?60900:22:10,040 –> 00:22:15,040because by nature we are children of wrath61000:22:17,040 –> 00:22:18,040now quite candidly61100:22:18,040 –> 00:22:21,040your reaction to this difficult truth in the Bible61200:22:21,040 –> 00:22:23,040will tell you61300:22:23,040 –> 00:22:25,040whether you have really embraced61400:22:25,040 –> 00:22:27,040the truth that we looked at last time61500:22:27,040 –> 00:22:29,040about our sinful nature61600:22:30,040 –> 00:22:31,040it’s very simple61700:22:31,040 –> 00:22:33,040the reason that all people are liable to the wrath of God61800:22:35,040 –> 00:22:37,040is that God must destroy sin61900:22:38,040 –> 00:22:44,040the future hope of the new Heaven and the new Earth depends on it62000:22:44,040 –> 00:22:46,040God must destroy sin62100:22:46,040 –> 00:22:49,040and sin is in us by nature62200:22:49,040 –> 00:22:50,040that’s the problem62300:22:50,040 –> 00:22:51,040that’s the issue62400:22:52,040 –> 00:22:53,040that’s the rub62500:22:55,040 –> 00:22:57,040so the first thing that we need to know about the Wrath of God62600:22:57,040 –> 00:22:59,040is that the world needs it62700:22:59,040 –> 00:23:00,040the second is that62800:23:01,040 –> 00:23:02,040I deserve it62900:23:03,040 –> 00:23:04,040I deserve it63000:23:04,040 –> 00:23:06,040you’ve been listening to Open the Bible63100:23:06,040 –> 00:23:07,040with pastor Colin Smith63200:23:07,040 –> 00:23:10,040in a message called Children of Wrath63300:23:10,040 –> 00:23:12,040and we’ve been hearing about the wrath of God63400:23:12,040 –> 00:23:13,040how we deserve it63500:23:13,040 –> 00:23:15,040why the world needs it63600:23:15,040 –> 00:23:17,040and next time we’ll see63700:23:17,040 –> 00:23:19,040how Christ bore it for us63800:23:19,040 –> 00:23:22,040Colin you were talking earlier about63900:23:22,040 –> 00:23:25,040why we can be thankful for the Wrath of God64000:23:25,040 –> 00:23:28,040yes I mean it seems a strange thing to say64100:23:28,040 –> 00:23:30,040but the reality is64200:23:30,040 –> 00:23:34,040that God will deal with evil64300:23:34,040 –> 00:23:36,040and that is the hope of the world64400:23:36,040 –> 00:23:38,040there will be a new heaven64500:23:38,040 –> 00:23:40,040there will be a new earth64600:23:40,040 –> 00:23:43,040the creation is not going to continue64700:23:43,040 –> 00:23:45,040under the curse of64800:23:45,040 –> 00:23:47,040human sinfulness and fallenness forever64900:23:47,040 –> 00:23:50,040that is the great hope of the gospel65000:23:50,040 –> 00:23:54,040this world will not be as it is forever65100:23:54,040 –> 00:23:57,040because God has determined to renew it65200:23:57,040 –> 00:23:58,040there is actually a great hope65300:23:58,040 –> 00:24:01,040that the problem that comes with that is65400:24:01,040 –> 00:24:03,040well if God is going to deal with evil65500:24:03,040 –> 00:24:05,040what then about the evil in me?65600:24:05,040 –> 00:24:08,040why would I not be swept away65700:24:08,040 –> 00:24:10,040because of the evil that is in me65800:24:10,040 –> 00:24:12,040if he sweeps away all evil Where does that leave me?65900:24:12,040 –> 00:24:14,040and that is why it is so wonderful to say66000:24:14,040 –> 00:24:17,040not only will God deal with evil66100:24:17,040 –> 00:24:19,040but in Jesus Christ66200:24:19,040 –> 00:24:21,040He has dealt with evil66300:24:21,040 –> 00:24:22,040and in The Redeemer66400:24:22,040 –> 00:24:26,040he is able to sweep sinful folks like us66500:24:26,040 –> 00:24:27,040into a salvation66600:24:27,040 –> 00:24:29,040that enables us not by right66700:24:29,040 –> 00:24:30,040but by His grace66800:24:30,040 –> 00:24:32,040to be redeemed sinners66900:24:32,040 –> 00:24:34,040who will be part of the new creation67000:24:34,040 –> 00:24:35,040the new Heaven and the new Earth67100:24:35,040 –> 00:24:38,040for His praise and for His glory forever67200:24:38,040 –> 00:24:40,040And telling people about67300:24:40,040 –> 00:24:41,040the love of God67400:24:41,040 –> 00:24:42,040demonstrated in the saving sacrifice67500:24:42,040 –> 00:24:44,040of Jesus Christ67600:24:44,040 –> 00:24:47,040is what Open the Bible is all about67700:24:47,040 –> 00:24:49,040so I hope you will continue to listen67800:24:49,040 –> 00:24:51,040into our message67900:24:51,040 –> 00:24:52,040Tell your friends and family about us68000:24:52,040 –> 00:24:53,040and support us68100:24:53,040 –> 00:24:55,040in any way you can68200:24:55,040 –> 00:24:57,040For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith68300:24:57,040 –> 00:24:59,040I’m David Pick68400:24:59,040 –> 00:25:00,040I very much look forward to you68500:25:00,040 –> 00:25:02,040joining us again next time68600:25:14,040 –> 00:25:17,040Why did Jesus die on the cross?68700:25:17,040 –> 00:25:19,040Why did it have to happen?68800:25:19,040 –> 00:25:21,040Find out next time on68900:25:21,040 –> 00:25:23,040Open the Bible