100:00:00,380 –> 00:00:11,300if your passion is not about Jesus Christ if Jesus Christ is not front and200:00:11,300 –> 00:00:17,240centre of the passion of your life you will in all likelihood become a divisive300:00:17,240 –> 00:00:19,000person within the church.400:00:19,000 –> 00:00:22,480Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith500:00:22,480 –> 00:00:25,660I’m David Pick, glad you could join us today. Colin one of the questions we’ll600:00:26,299 –> 00:00:32,000be looking at in today’s message is what am I truly excited about? Just why is700:00:32,000 –> 00:00:34,040that question so important?800:00:34,040 –> 00:00:35,700Well it’s important for this reason that900:00:35,700 –> 00:00:41,380it is very easy for us as Christians to sign off on saying I believe in the Lord1000:00:41,380 –> 00:00:46,459Jesus Christ I believe in the gospel but then the things that we’re really1100:00:46,459 –> 00:00:50,540excited about the things that we talk about turn out actually to be quite1200:00:50,540 –> 00:00:55,240different and so what happens then is it’s very easy for christians having1300:00:55,240 –> 00:01:00,040signed off on the gospel in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to move a whole bunch1400:01:00,040 –> 00:01:05,959of other issues that we are really passionate about to the front and center1500:01:05,959 –> 00:01:11,500and that’s how divisiveness in the church begins that people become1600:01:11,500 –> 00:01:17,239passionate about things other than the thing that holds us together and the1700:01:17,239 –> 00:01:22,199more that happens the more churches begin to feel the tension that pulls1800:01:22,199 –> 00:01:24,160people apart1900:01:24,160 –> 00:01:28,419So what we’re looking at in Paul’s first letter to Timothy is really the2000:01:28,419 –> 00:01:34,160centrality of the Lord Jesus Christ and how that is critical to the unity of2100:01:34,160 –> 00:01:38,919Christian churches and it’s a really important issue for all of us today2200:01:38,919 –> 00:01:43,459Let’s look at that together we’re in the first book of Timothy chapter 1 and2300:01:43,459 –> 00:01:47,639verses 1 to 7 as we continue the message gospel faith2400:01:47,639 –> 00:01:51,400Here is Pastor Colin. So let’s jump into this together, shall we, and I hope you2500:01:51,480 –> 00:01:56,839your Bible open at 1 Timothy and chapter 1. There were some pretty difficult2600:01:56,839 –> 00:02:00,540people in the church at Ephesus and there must have been times when Timothy2700:02:00,540 –> 00:02:05,199felt that he wanted to go somewhere else and Paul says, stay because there is a2800:02:05,199 –> 00:02:13,399great work for you Timothy to do. Now what is he to do as he stays? Well the2900:02:13,399 –> 00:02:16,759whole letter answers that question but it begins right here3000:02:17,580 –> 00:02:25,020Stay in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines3100:02:25,020 –> 00:02:31,020Now when Paul speaks about false doctrines it immediately tells you that3200:02:31,020 –> 00:02:35,880even at this earliest stage of the church there were certain doctrines3300:02:35,880 –> 00:02:41,960taught by the Apostles and received by the churches as true and the Bible3400:02:41,960 –> 00:02:47,000speaks about this it describes the body of truth that was taught by the3500:02:47,000 –> 00:02:51,740Apostles and received by the church is in different ways. It describes it as the3600:02:51,740 –> 00:02:58,600faith once delivered to the Saints, Jude 3. The pattern of sound teaching, the3700:02:58,600 –> 00:03:05,479good deposit that was entrusted to you. If you want this in one word or maybe3800:03:05,479 –> 00:03:10,660it’s two words it would be the gospel, the gospel that’s that’s what it is when3900:03:10,679 –> 00:03:15,699you talk about the gospel, the deposit, the faith, the apostolic doctrine, the4000:03:15,699 –> 00:03:20,639pattern of sound teaching, that which has been entrusted, and Timothy here’s what4100:03:20,639 –> 00:03:27,139you need to do as the pastor of this church. Guard the gospel, keep it front4200:03:27,139 –> 00:03:31,539and center of the church preach the gospel, live the gospel, advance the4300:03:31,539 –> 00:03:34,339gospel if necessary die for the gospel4400:03:34,339 –> 00:03:38,500Timothy because that is the trust that is given to you and to the elders of the4500:03:38,919 –> 00:03:44,699and to everyone who bears the name of Jesus Christ. And notice what Timothy is4600:03:44,699 –> 00:03:48,440to protect the church from not only those who will deny the truth but4700:03:48,440 –> 00:03:56,139secondly those who will distract from the truth. Certain men, verse three, devote4800:03:56,139 –> 00:04:05,220themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Now the word myths simply4900:04:05,220 –> 00:04:15,419means stories and Paul is describing here men within the church who just love5000:04:15,419 –> 00:04:22,200to tell stories. They want to tell stories that will make people cry. They5100:04:22,200 –> 00:04:25,660want to tell stories that’ll make people laugh. They want to give the5200:04:25,660 –> 00:04:34,839congregation chicken soup for the soul. And Paul says there will always be folks5300:04:34,920 –> 00:04:38,420within the church and that is what they’ve been brought up on. That’s what5400:04:38,420 –> 00:04:41,720they have an appetite for. That’s what they think is the best thing in all the5500:04:41,720 –> 00:04:48,579world. That’s what they love. And Timothy, don’t let the church go there because no5600:04:48,579 –> 00:04:55,100one will become deeply rooted in Christ that way. Then there’ll be others who5700:04:55,100 –> 00:05:00,339have a different turn of mind. They’re into — notice the phrase, endless5800:05:01,059 –> 00:05:06,839genealogies. Evidently, there was great interest in what line you came from5900:05:06,839 –> 00:05:10,399among some folks in the church in Ephesus and I suppose you can see why6000:05:10,399 –> 00:05:14,640that would be of interest, especially to Jewish believers so early in the church.6100:05:14,640 –> 00:05:20,339You know, how do I get back to Abraham? And if I’ve got a more direct line back6200:05:20,339 –> 00:05:24,079to Abraham than you have, then I got more cloud in the church than you have,6300:05:24,899 –> 00:05:31,660By the way, the New Testament begins with a genealogy, Matthew chapter 1.6400:05:31,660 –> 00:05:39,380And the genealogy brings us to Jesus. What’s being talked about here is6500:05:39,380 –> 00:05:46,000endless genealogies and an endless genealogy never gets you to Jesus.6600:05:46,000 –> 00:05:52,540So, here are folks who are just caught up in pursuit of fascination of Bible trivia6700:05:53,459 –> 00:05:59,079if you like and they never get to Christ.’6800:05:59,079 –> 00:06:00,140And Paul says,6900:06:00,140 –> 00:06:05,000Timothy you have got to protect the church from that kind of stuff because7000:06:05,000 –> 00:06:08,339there will always be people and some will rise up even from within the church7100:06:08,339 –> 00:06:13,720who will want to get involved in all kinds of stuff that does not have7200:06:13,720 –> 00:06:19,299Jesus Christ at the center. You’ve got to protect the church from that.7300:06:19,540 –> 00:06:26,720Now I heard Don Carson make a comment recently that really resonated7400:06:26,720 –> 00:06:29,519with me.7500:06:29,519 –> 00:06:34,279He has taught as most of you know for many years in a distinguished way and7600:06:34,279 –> 00:06:40,540still does at Trinity International University and he said this,7700:06:40,619 –> 00:06:48,820I found over the years that my students don’t learn what I teach,7800:06:48,820 –> 00:06:54,299they learn what I’m excited about.7900:06:54,299 –> 00:06:56,179That’s very perceptive.8000:06:56,179 –> 00:07:01,820Parents your kids will not learn what you teach,8100:07:01,820 –> 00:07:05,339they will learn what you’re excited about.8200:07:05,339 –> 00:07:09,059Folks who come into this church this year and in the next ten years,8300:07:09,899 –> 00:07:11,940will not learn what we teach,8400:07:11,940 –> 00:07:16,179they will pick up what we are excited about.8500:07:16,179 –> 00:07:22,980And the reality is that there are folks all over the place,8600:07:22,980 –> 00:07:27,260in our country who believe in Jesus,8700:07:27,260 –> 00:07:30,100but are quietly bored with their faith,8800:07:30,100 –> 00:07:33,299and are looking for some other cause to jump on idea,8900:07:33,299 –> 00:07:36,179to get into, project to engage in,9000:07:36,220 –> 00:07:39,220that’s the thing they’re going to get excited about.9100:07:39,220 –> 00:07:43,820And I want you to notice the effect of that.9200:07:43,820 –> 00:07:47,339Verse 4, these, that is, when you get excited9300:07:47,339 –> 00:07:50,420about other things beside Christ.9400:07:50,420 –> 00:07:53,059What happens in the church is that it promotes controversies9500:07:53,059 –> 00:07:55,859rather than God’s work which is by faith.9600:07:55,859 –> 00:07:59,519So Paul is taking us right to the very heart now9700:07:59,519 –> 00:08:03,220of what causes strife and division in churches.9800:08:03,220 –> 00:08:04,619Here’s how it happens.9900:08:04,859 –> 00:08:08,200When people have a particular passion,10000:08:08,200 –> 00:08:10,100they want the whole church to embrace their passion10100:08:10,100 –> 00:08:13,420and for it to become about their passion10200:08:13,420 –> 00:08:15,820and that always leads to division.10300:08:15,820 –> 00:08:16,880I have to say to you,10400:08:19,739 –> 00:08:24,739if your passion is not about Jesus Christ,10500:08:25,140 –> 00:08:28,220if Jesus Christ is not front and center10600:08:28,220 –> 00:08:30,040of the passion of your life,10700:08:31,299 –> 00:08:33,859you will in all likelihood become a divisive person10800:08:33,960 –> 00:08:37,280within the church because what is your passion,10900:08:37,280 –> 00:08:38,640what you’re really excited about11000:08:38,640 –> 00:08:40,299will be the thing that moves you.11100:08:42,140 –> 00:08:45,179Now, you see why Paul says, even in relation to himself,11200:08:45,179 –> 00:08:47,859because we all have to watch our own hearts on this,11300:08:47,859 –> 00:08:52,859Paul says, may I never boast about anything11400:08:52,979 –> 00:08:56,140except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.11500:08:56,140 –> 00:08:57,359Why does he say that?11600:08:57,359 –> 00:08:59,820Because if I get onto being really excited11700:08:59,820 –> 00:09:03,260about anything other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified,11800:09:03,260 –> 00:09:04,599then that’s gonna be divisive11900:09:04,599 –> 00:09:06,020and destructive for the church.12000:09:06,020 –> 00:09:09,280Jesus Christ and Him crucified is front and center.12100:09:09,280 –> 00:09:11,440That is the center of our passion.12200:09:11,440 –> 00:09:15,239That is the point around which we are united together.12300:09:15,239 –> 00:09:18,440May this church never be about anything12400:09:18,440 –> 00:09:22,000except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.12500:09:22,979 –> 00:09:26,020Brothers and sisters, we are not here for ourselves.12600:09:26,020 –> 00:09:28,340We are not here to advance our own cause,12700:09:28,340 –> 00:09:30,659our own ministry, our own passion.12800:09:30,659 –> 00:09:32,099We are here for Christ.12900:09:32,099 –> 00:09:33,799We are here for the gospel.13000:09:33,799 –> 00:09:37,200Timothy, don’t let anyone ever move13100:09:37,200 –> 00:09:39,960the church away from that, never.13200:09:42,239 –> 00:09:45,299So it seems to me, as I’ve pondered this,13300:09:45,299 –> 00:09:48,440that a church that is rooted in the truth,13400:09:48,440 –> 00:09:51,479neither denying it nor becoming distracted from it,13500:09:53,539 –> 00:09:55,719is what God is looking for among us.13600:09:55,719 –> 00:09:57,000You’re listening to Open the Bible13700:09:57,000 –> 00:09:58,840with Pastor Colin Smith and a message13800:09:58,840 –> 00:10:00,840called Gospel Faith.13900:10:01,200 –> 00:10:03,599It’s part of our series 10 Distinctives14000:10:03,599 –> 00:10:05,119of a Gospel-Centered Church.14100:10:05,119 –> 00:10:06,820If you ever miss one of our messages,14200:10:06,820 –> 00:10:09,960you can easily catch up or go back and listen again online14300:10:09,960 –> 00:10:13,919at our website openthebible.org.uk14400:10:13,919 –> 00:10:17,200or find us as a podcast on all the main podcast sites.14500:10:17,200 –> 00:10:19,140Search for Open The Bible UK14600:10:19,140 –> 00:10:21,739or follow the link from our website.14700:10:21,739 –> 00:10:24,080Back to the message now, here again is Colin.14800:10:25,679 –> 00:10:29,640I want you to notice something else here in verse five14900:10:30,640 –> 00:10:32,280is love.15000:10:32,960 –> 00:10:36,159The goal of the church being rooted in the truth15100:10:36,159 –> 00:10:39,919and centered in Jesus Christ is love.15200:10:41,020 –> 00:10:44,119The reason that you are to fulfill this command,15300:10:44,119 –> 00:10:45,500verse three that is to tell people15400:10:45,500 –> 00:10:48,599not to teach false doctrines and myths and so forth,15500:10:48,599 –> 00:10:51,359the reason you have to take that difficult action15600:10:51,359 –> 00:10:54,599is that the reason is love.15700:10:55,900 –> 00:10:56,919In other words, Timothy, the only way15800:10:56,919 –> 00:10:58,919that you will have real unity among God’s people15900:10:59,039 –> 00:11:01,940is by keeping Jesus Christ and his gospel front and center.16000:11:01,940 –> 00:11:04,919As soon as anything else takes central stage,16100:11:04,919 –> 00:11:07,359you will have controversy and division.16200:11:07,359 –> 00:11:08,400That’s what he says.16300:11:10,440 –> 00:11:13,159Now folks, let me tell you this candidly and with joy.16400:11:14,640 –> 00:11:19,640Next Sunday, I will God willing begin16500:11:20,440 –> 00:11:23,960the 30th year of being a pastor.16600:11:23,960 –> 00:11:26,979I can’t get over the privilege that has been16700:11:27,080 –> 00:11:30,320and continues to be mine serving two churches16800:11:31,380 –> 00:11:34,580in two continents of the world still amazes me.16900:11:35,780 –> 00:11:40,780One for 16 years in London and then for the last 13 years17000:11:40,859 –> 00:11:42,659and continuing to be my privilege now17100:11:42,659 –> 00:11:44,760to serve as your senior pastor.17200:11:46,260 –> 00:11:49,140And as I’m about to begin my 30th year as a pastor,17300:11:50,419 –> 00:11:52,520I can honestly say to you today17400:11:53,500 –> 00:11:57,419that I have never in 30 years17500:11:58,380 –> 00:12:02,419experienced a pastoral stuff so united,17600:12:02,419 –> 00:12:04,979a church board so focused,17700:12:05,859 –> 00:12:10,359a congregation so unified17800:12:10,359 –> 00:12:12,039around a common vision17900:12:13,260 –> 00:12:16,419as I see in The Orchard today,18000:12:16,419 –> 00:12:19,260and I say that to the praise and to the glory of God18100:12:19,280 –> 00:12:23,400and with the deepest thankfulness of heart.18200:12:24,299 –> 00:12:25,700Now, you may say well, if that’s the case,18300:12:25,700 –> 00:12:28,260why are you talking about all this stuff then?18400:12:28,260 –> 00:12:29,099Here’s why,18500:12:30,380 –> 00:12:33,739because folks, we need to know what a gift that is18600:12:33,739 –> 00:12:37,020and we need to know how to protect it,18700:12:37,020 –> 00:12:39,900how to guard it, how to keep it,18800:12:39,900 –> 00:12:42,299how to feed it, how to extend it.18900:12:42,299 –> 00:12:45,940We need to know what a treasure that is.19000:12:45,940 –> 00:12:48,179We need to know what could destroy it.19100:12:48,179 –> 00:12:50,380We need to be wide awake19200:12:50,380 –> 00:12:52,559so that as God calls us forward19300:12:52,559 –> 00:12:55,840in a unique moment of privilege and opportunity,19400:12:55,840 –> 00:12:57,700we may be in Jesus’ words19500:12:57,700 –> 00:13:00,380as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves.19600:13:01,340 –> 00:13:02,719That’s why God speaks to us.19700:13:04,880 –> 00:13:08,099I think right here is what we want to be about.19800:13:09,900 –> 00:13:11,419We guard the unity of the church19900:13:11,419 –> 00:13:15,419by keeping Jesus Christ front and center.20000:13:15,419 –> 00:13:17,340That’s what we want to do.20100:13:17,340 –> 00:13:19,659We want to be people who are putting down deep roots20200:13:19,659 –> 00:13:21,159into the Word of God,20300:13:22,099 –> 00:13:24,299to be growing in our life in Jesus Christ,20400:13:24,299 –> 00:13:25,260and to be bearing fruit20500:13:25,260 –> 00:13:27,239wherever he places us around the Word.20600:13:27,239 –> 00:13:28,820So here to fill out20700:13:28,820 –> 00:13:32,099is the first distinctive then of a gospel-centered church.20800:13:32,099 –> 00:13:34,080A gospel-centered church is rooted20900:13:34,080 –> 00:13:36,140in truth and growing in love,21000:13:36,140 –> 00:13:37,979and you can never separate these two.21100:13:39,419 –> 00:13:43,000Rooted in Christ’s truth and growing in Christ’s love,21200:13:43,979 –> 00:13:46,119we want to be about God, our Savior,21300:13:46,119 –> 00:13:47,840and about Jesus Christ, our hope,21400:13:47,840 –> 00:13:51,479nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else.21500:13:52,479 –> 00:13:54,760Now in these last moments, let me ask this question,21600:13:54,760 –> 00:13:57,460what’s it going to take then to keep us21700:13:57,460 –> 00:14:00,960rooted in truth and growing in love?21800:14:00,960 –> 00:14:04,200If this is what God is calling us to in the Scriptures,21900:14:04,200 –> 00:14:07,640how are we going to keep pursuing it with passion?22000:14:08,919 –> 00:14:10,340Now it’s an important question22100:14:10,340 –> 00:14:11,739because if you look at verse six,22200:14:11,739 –> 00:14:13,599Paul makes it very clear that some people22300:14:13,599 –> 00:14:15,799will be distracted.22400:14:15,799 –> 00:14:20,419Some folks will wander away and turn to meaningless talk.22500:14:21,320 –> 00:14:23,299By the way, notice the word wander,22600:14:23,299 –> 00:14:25,520it’s very rarely that someone in church22700:14:25,520 –> 00:14:28,559just suddenly outright denies the truth.22800:14:28,559 –> 00:14:32,080What happens is that over time, people wander.22900:14:33,119 –> 00:14:38,119And, they lose their moorings, they drift from the truth.23000:14:39,219 –> 00:14:41,520Now you don’t want to be that kind of person,23100:14:41,520 –> 00:14:43,260I don’t want to be that kind of person,23200:14:43,340 –> 00:14:45,280so we need to be alert to the danger.23300:14:46,580 –> 00:14:48,559I think that there are four23400:14:48,559 –> 00:14:52,119warning signs for wanderers right here,23500:14:52,119 –> 00:14:54,859and I put them to you in the form of questions23600:14:54,859 –> 00:14:58,059that I find really useful to ask freshly to myself23700:14:58,059 –> 00:14:59,380in this last week.23800:15:00,500 –> 00:15:03,679Number one, am I always looking for something new?23900:15:05,299 –> 00:15:08,219If that’s you, you’re in danger of wandering from the truth.24000:15:08,219 –> 00:15:09,320That’s what got people into24100:15:09,320 –> 00:15:11,619the endless genealogies in the myths, you see.24200:15:12,580 –> 00:15:15,140They were not satisfied in Christ,24300:15:16,940 –> 00:15:17,979and you know what?24400:15:17,979 –> 00:15:20,020People who put down a deep root in Christ24500:15:20,020 –> 00:15:22,080are infinitely satisfied in him,24600:15:23,500 –> 00:15:25,320and if you’re always looking for something new,24700:15:25,320 –> 00:15:27,219it almost certainly means that your root24800:15:27,219 –> 00:15:28,820is not deep in Christ,24900:15:28,820 –> 00:15:31,619because otherwise you would be finding satisfaction in him,25000:15:31,619 –> 00:15:32,880as millions around the world,25100:15:32,880 –> 00:15:35,179today and throughout history have done and do.25200:15:36,219 –> 00:15:37,539Am I always looking for something new?25300:15:37,539 –> 00:15:38,380That’s a warning.25400:15:38,380 –> 00:15:39,840You could easily wander away.25500:15:40,599 –> 00:15:45,599Second, do I like to talk while avoiding action?25600:15:46,700 –> 00:15:47,760Notice, he says, verse six,25700:15:47,760 –> 00:15:50,599they’ve turned to meaningless talk or empty talk.25800:15:51,840 –> 00:15:54,039So here are folks who love to pontificate,25900:15:54,039 –> 00:15:55,799especially amongst other Christians,26000:15:55,799 –> 00:15:58,460and they’re always going on about oh, we should be this,26100:15:58,460 –> 00:15:59,919and we ought to be that,26200:15:59,919 –> 00:16:03,080and we should be doing the other and so forth and so on,26300:16:03,080 –> 00:16:04,119and you know what?26400:16:04,119 –> 00:16:08,000It’s a mask over an unholy life,26500:16:08,640 –> 00:16:11,039and Paul says that some folks like that26600:16:11,039 –> 00:16:12,239in the church in Ephesus,26700:16:12,239 –> 00:16:13,859you don’t want to be that person.26800:16:14,719 –> 00:16:16,520Fool of pious talk,26900:16:16,520 –> 00:16:19,719seeing the Bible as a bunch of ideas to be discussed27000:16:19,719 –> 00:16:22,099rather than God’s Word to be obeyed.27100:16:22,099 –> 00:16:23,039If that’s you,27200:16:23,039 –> 00:16:25,299you’re in danger of wandering from the truth.27300:16:26,640 –> 00:16:27,679Third question,27400:16:27,679 –> 00:16:31,919do I want to teach more than I want to learn?27500:16:33,080 –> 00:16:34,039Notice it says here,27600:16:34,039 –> 00:16:36,260they want to be teachers, verse seven.27700:16:37,260 –> 00:16:39,859There are folks who want a position within the church27800:16:39,859 –> 00:16:42,020and they’re more interested in teaching others27900:16:42,020 –> 00:16:43,919than learning themselves,28000:16:45,039 –> 00:16:48,679so if you love to teach but you don’t love to learn,28100:16:48,679 –> 00:16:51,280you are in danger of wandering away from the truth.28200:16:53,219 –> 00:16:54,940That includes pastors, by the way.28300:16:56,539 –> 00:17:00,400Fourth, does my confidence exceed my knowledge?28400:17:01,880 –> 00:17:04,979Verse seven, they want to be teachers of the law28500:17:04,979 –> 00:17:07,760but they do not know what they are talking about.28600:17:08,599 –> 00:17:09,959That’s a very forceful language.28700:17:09,959 –> 00:17:12,000Paul speaks about men within the church28800:17:13,719 –> 00:17:16,939who may be very forceful and very confident,28900:17:19,000 –> 00:17:21,739but he says they don’t know what they’re talking about.29000:17:23,219 –> 00:17:26,239Folks, I have seen this many times,29100:17:27,880 –> 00:17:31,000a man or a woman who has a shallow root in the truth29200:17:31,000 –> 00:17:33,359reads a book, goes to a seminar,29300:17:35,060 –> 00:17:38,699hears a talk, and suddenly they get excited29400:17:38,699 –> 00:17:41,500about that one thing that they’ve heard or got hold of.29500:17:42,380 –> 00:17:44,859And suddenly, this person with a very shallow root29600:17:44,859 –> 00:17:47,060in the truth who’s got excited feels29700:17:47,060 –> 00:17:50,140that he or she knows more than his or her teachers.29800:17:51,579 –> 00:17:54,140They now know what the church needs29900:17:54,140 –> 00:17:56,180and what it should be doing.30000:17:56,180 –> 00:17:57,719This person feels that he or she30100:17:57,719 –> 00:18:00,099should be now given a platform30200:18:00,099 –> 00:18:02,099for what they have discovered,30300:18:02,099 –> 00:18:03,819and when other believers don’t buy30400:18:03,819 –> 00:18:06,699what they have discovered, they become dogmatic30500:18:06,699 –> 00:18:08,420and angry and belligerent.30600:18:08,420 –> 00:18:12,800This person feels that he is the only one30700:18:12,800 –> 00:18:14,500who really sees the truth,30800:18:16,180 –> 00:18:18,260and what he doesn’t see is that he30900:18:18,260 –> 00:18:20,920is quietly wandering away from the truth.31000:18:23,359 –> 00:18:24,319It’s a warning sign.31100:18:25,739 –> 00:18:27,880Does my confidence exceed my knowledge?31200:18:30,199 –> 00:18:32,859So we want to stay rooted in the truth,31300:18:32,859 –> 00:18:36,280growing in love, we don’t want to be those who wander away,31400:18:36,280 –> 00:18:38,780so how can we stay there?31500:18:38,780 –> 00:18:39,780How can we get back?31600:18:39,780 –> 00:18:42,439If you’re in danger of wandering, how do you get back?31700:18:43,660 –> 00:18:46,560Well notice one more time in these last moments, verse 5,31800:18:47,959 –> 00:18:51,479”The goal of this command is love.’31900:18:51,479 –> 00:18:54,500We’re being rooted in truth and growing in love,32000:18:54,500 –> 00:18:56,199and where does the love come from?32100:18:57,739 –> 00:18:59,000What a great statement this is.32200:18:59,000 –> 00:19:00,739He tells us where love comes from.32300:19:00,739 –> 00:19:02,359You want to love more?32400:19:03,719 –> 00:19:06,280You want more love in your home, in your marriage?32500:19:08,119 –> 00:19:09,219Where does love come from?32600:19:09,219 –> 00:19:10,900It’s right here in verse 5.32700:19:10,900 –> 00:19:12,420”The goal of this command is love.’32800:19:12,420 –> 00:19:14,400Which comes from’, where?32900:19:15,939 –> 00:19:18,560”It comes from a pure heart33000:19:20,219 –> 00:19:22,739and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”33100:19:22,739 –> 00:19:25,300How can you become a more loving person33200:19:25,300 –> 00:19:28,319and be very sure that you will not be a divisive person?33300:19:30,180 –> 00:19:31,979How can you be someone who contributes33400:19:32,040 –> 00:19:34,160to the advance of the unity of the Church33500:19:34,160 –> 00:19:36,619and does not hinder the unity of the Church?33600:19:37,599 –> 00:19:39,280How can you be a more loving husband,33700:19:39,280 –> 00:19:41,680a more loving father, a more loving wife,33800:19:41,680 –> 00:19:43,020a more loving mother?33900:19:44,760 –> 00:19:47,640How could you love your enemy?34000:19:50,579 –> 00:19:53,520And Paul says here’s where it comes from, a pure heart.34100:19:53,520 –> 00:19:55,739Literally that means an undivided heart.34200:19:57,640 –> 00:20:00,959The double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.34300:20:02,459 –> 00:20:06,500And maybe this morning a response to this message34400:20:06,500 –> 00:20:07,780would be for you to say,34500:20:07,780 –> 00:20:12,180Lord, I see my own half-heartedness right now.34600:20:13,319 –> 00:20:15,260I’m one of these people who sort of believes34700:20:15,260 –> 00:20:17,099and is quietly bored with my faith34800:20:17,099 –> 00:20:19,839and I’m looking for something else to get excited about.34900:20:19,839 –> 00:20:22,939And I ask today that you would give me a heart35000:20:22,939 –> 00:20:26,140that is filled with a new passion and love for Jesus Christ.35100:20:27,540 –> 00:20:30,040Can you see what a difference that would make to you?35200:20:31,000 –> 00:20:36,000And it comes from a clean conscience, a good conscience.35300:20:36,359 –> 00:20:38,920Which means a conscience that is at rest with God.35400:20:38,920 –> 00:20:41,739Is there a sin in your life?35500:20:41,739 –> 00:20:44,280And you’ve allowed it to remain?35600:20:44,280 –> 00:20:47,219And your conscience right now is not at rest35700:20:47,219 –> 00:20:50,599because in the presence of God your conscience is activated35800:20:50,599 –> 00:20:51,920and there’s an internal struggle35900:20:51,920 –> 00:20:53,560that’s going on in you right now.36000:20:55,859 –> 00:20:58,760Can you see what a blessing it would be for you today36100:20:58,760 –> 00:21:00,619to come clean with Jesus?36200:21:01,640 –> 00:21:05,040To repent of what you have held onto to this moment,36300:21:06,180 –> 00:21:08,380and to be washed by the precious blood36400:21:08,380 –> 00:21:10,400of Jesus Christ today?36500:21:11,819 –> 00:21:12,939That’s gonna change you36600:21:12,939 –> 00:21:15,739because instead of being this uptight person36700:21:15,739 –> 00:21:17,800and a lot of your anger and your discontent36800:21:17,800 –> 00:21:19,680actually may come from this,36900:21:21,199 –> 00:21:23,699you’re gonna be in a position to love.37000:21:25,040 –> 00:21:26,859And it comes from a sincere faith37100:21:26,859 –> 00:21:28,540which means you really trust Christ.37200:21:29,359 –> 00:21:32,380So you don’t just say I’m a believer, you trust Christ.37300:21:32,380 –> 00:21:34,439You trust him on the day that you lose your job37400:21:34,439 –> 00:21:37,500and you trust him on the day that you find another job.37500:21:37,500 –> 00:21:41,000You trust him at the wedding, you trust him at the funeral.37600:21:41,000 –> 00:21:45,079You trust Jesus Christ because he’s worthy of your trust.37700:21:45,079 –> 00:21:46,060He’s Christ.37800:21:48,140 –> 00:21:51,420And love comes from a sincere faith.37900:21:51,420 –> 00:21:53,300Now folks, the Lord Jesus Christ38000:21:53,300 –> 00:21:56,180is able to give you today a pure heart,38100:21:56,180 –> 00:21:58,859a clean conscience, a sincere faith.38200:21:58,859 –> 00:22:02,380That is why he died, that is why he’s alive,38300:22:02,380 –> 00:22:06,020and if you receive these gifts from him today,38400:22:06,020 –> 00:22:09,060you will be able to love.38500:22:10,060 –> 00:22:14,060You’ll be able to love your wife more deeply,38600:22:14,060 –> 00:22:16,260your husband, your children, your parents.38700:22:18,380 –> 00:22:21,579You will increasingly become someone38800:22:21,579 –> 00:22:24,260who contributes to the unity and harmony of others38900:22:24,260 –> 00:22:28,020rather than the division and distraction of others.39000:22:29,859 –> 00:22:31,219You receive these gifts,39100:22:31,219 –> 00:22:33,660you will increasingly love the church.39200:22:35,180 –> 00:22:37,140And most of all, you will love the son of God39300:22:37,140 –> 00:22:41,500who loved you and gave himself for you.39400:22:41,900 –> 00:22:43,500You’ve been listening to Open the Bible39500:22:43,500 –> 00:22:47,420with Pastor Colin Smith and a message called Gospel Faith.39600:22:47,420 –> 00:22:48,619It’s part of our series,39700:22:48,619 –> 00:22:51,30010 Distinctives of the Gospel-Centred Church,39800:22:51,300 –> 00:22:53,260and if you’ve missed any of the series,39900:22:53,300 –> 00:22:54,699don’t forget you can always catch up40000:22:54,699 –> 00:22:56,900or go back and listen again by coming online40100:22:56,900 –> 00:23:01,260to our website openthebible.org.uk.40200:23:01,260 –> 00:23:03,939Open the Bible is supported by our listeners40300:23:03,939 –> 00:23:06,260and if you already give to support our work,40400:23:06,260 –> 00:23:07,660thank you so much.40500:23:07,660 –> 00:23:09,219If you’re considering beginning to support40600:23:09,219 –> 00:23:11,180Open the Bible financially,40700:23:11,180 –> 00:23:13,219this month we’d love to say thank you40800:23:13,219 –> 00:23:15,579by sending you John Stott’s book40900:23:15,579 –> 00:23:17,660The Incomparable Christ.41000:23:17,660 –> 00:23:19,540Here’s Open the Bible’s Amanda Cunningham41100:23:19,540 –> 00:23:20,699to tell us about it.41200:23:20,699 –> 00:23:23,219Hi David, that so much for having me.41300:23:23,219 –> 00:23:25,180This month we’re really pleased41400:23:25,180 –> 00:23:27,300to be giving away a wonderful book41500:23:27,300 –> 00:23:29,540called The Incomparable Christ41600:23:29,540 –> 00:23:31,459by John Stott.41700:23:31,459 –> 00:23:33,540Now whether someone realises it or not,41800:23:33,540 –> 00:23:36,500Jesus Christ has had an enormous impact41900:23:36,500 –> 00:23:37,660on the world.42000:23:37,660 –> 00:23:39,739In fact, for over 2,000 years42100:23:39,739 –> 00:23:41,380He has been the most influential42200:23:41,380 –> 00:23:43,699person in human history.42300:23:43,699 –> 00:23:45,619But the really important question42400:23:45,619 –> 00:23:46,619is this.42500:23:46,619 –> 00:23:48,819Who is Jesus?42600:23:48,819 –> 00:23:50,500In this book, Stott it takes us42700:23:50,500 –> 00:23:51,979on a fascinating journey42800:23:51,979 –> 00:23:53,780to explore that question.42900:23:53,780 –> 00:23:55,420He looks at how the New Testament43000:23:55,420 –> 00:23:56,780presents Jesus,43100:23:56,780 –> 00:23:58,780how the church has spoken about him43200:23:58,780 –> 00:24:00,140through the centuries43300:24:00,140 –> 00:24:01,099and how people’s lives43400:24:01,099 –> 00:24:02,459have been completely changed43500:24:02,459 –> 00:24:04,939through encountering Him.43600:24:04,939 –> 00:24:06,260What’s lovely about the book43700:24:06,260 –> 00:24:07,900is that it’s thoughtful and rich43800:24:07,900 –> 00:24:10,219but also very accessible.43900:24:10,219 –> 00:24:11,739Stott spent a lifetime44000:24:11,739 –> 00:24:12,739studying the Bible44100:24:12,739 –> 00:24:14,260and helping people understand44200:24:14,260 –> 00:24:16,020the person of Christ.44300:24:16,020 –> 00:24:18,140And this book really brings together44400:24:18,140 –> 00:24:21,020the fruit of that lifetime of reflection.44500:24:21,459 –> 00:24:23,060So during April44600:24:23,060 –> 00:24:24,180we’d love to send you44700:24:24,180 –> 00:24:26,699a copy of The Incomparable Christ44800:24:26,699 –> 00:24:28,619as our way of saying thank you44900:24:28,619 –> 00:24:30,140when you support the ministry45000:24:30,140 –> 00:24:32,260of Open the Bible UK.45100:24:32,260 –> 00:24:35,060If you give a one-off gift of £6045200:24:35,060 –> 00:24:36,099or you set-up a new45300:24:36,099 –> 00:24:38,459monthly gift of £545400:24:38,459 –> 00:24:40,619we’ll send the book to you45500:24:40,619 –> 00:24:41,939Your support helps us45600:24:41,939 –> 00:24:44,140continue sharing clear,45700:24:44,140 –> 00:24:45,459faithful Bible teaching45800:24:45,459 –> 00:24:47,540across the UK and beyond45900:24:47,540 –> 00:24:49,380and we are so grateful to you46000:24:49,380 –> 00:24:50,739for your partnership.46100:24:50,739 –> 00:24:52,500Well, the Incomparable Christ46200:24:52,500 –> 00:24:53,819is our gift to you46300:24:53,819 –> 00:24:54,979when you set-up a new46400:24:54,979 –> 00:24:57,380direct debit of £5 per month46500:24:57,380 –> 00:24:59,380or more or a one-off gift46600:24:59,380 –> 00:25:01,060of £60 or more46700:25:01,060 –> 00:25:02,140this month.46800:25:02,140 –> 00:25:03,459Full terms and conditions46900:25:03,459 –> 00:25:04,500are on our website47000:25:04,500 –> 00:25:06,939and you can give online.47100:25:06,939 –> 00:25:07,979For Open the Bible47200:25:07,979 –> 00:25:09,459and Pastor Colin Smith47300:25:09,459 –> 00:25:10,739I am David Pick47400:25:10,739 –> 00:25:11,660and I hope you’ll join us47500:25:11,660 –> 00:25:17,500again next time47600:25:17,500 –> 00:25:18,619Some people say that47700:25:18,619 –> 00:25:20,219Christians ought to follow47800:25:20,300 –> 00:25:22,140Old Testament law47900:25:22,140 –> 00:25:23,020while others say48000:25:23,020 –> 00:25:25,099we can just forget the law.48100:25:25,099 –> 00:25:26,380Discover the proper use48200:25:26,380 –> 00:25:26,979of the law48300:25:26,979 –> 00:25:27,900next time on48400:25:27,900 –> 00:25:34,060Open the Bible.