100:00:00,320 –> 00:00:02,860What is David Pick200:00:03,460 –> 00:00:06,580We are in process over many things.300:00:07,440 –> 00:00:09,720We are in process over repentance.400:00:09,800 –> 00:00:13,120We are in process over holiness We are in process over spiritual growth.500:00:13,120 –> 00:00:14,800We are in process over prayer.600:00:14,800 –> 00:00:22,080We are in process in overcoming temptation… but we are not in process over who Jesus is.700:00:22,080 –> 00:00:25,160Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.800:00:25,160 –> 00:00:26,160I’m David Pick.900:00:26,320 –> 00:00:28,879Glad you could join us today for the program.1000:00:29,000 –> 00:00:32,939Colin, you’ve acknowledged that the Christian life is a life of growth1100:00:32,939 –> 00:00:36,139and we continue to grow in our relationship with Christ1200:00:36,139 –> 00:00:38,560but we don’t need to actually question who Jesus is.1300:00:38,560 –> 00:00:41,240That’s not a work in progress.1400:00:41,240 –> 00:00:44,680That’s exactly right and a Christian is a person who has1500:00:44,680 –> 00:00:48,840come to a settled conclusion about the Lord Jesus Christ.1600:00:48,840 –> 00:00:52,939Confesses faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.1700:00:52,939 –> 00:00:56,919You may have all kinds of unanswered questions.1800:00:56,919 –> 00:00:58,900There may be so many questions that1900:00:58,900 –> 00:01:00,700you never answer in this life.2000:01:00,700 –> 00:01:05,239We know in part that God hasn’t revealed everything to us2100:01:05,239 –> 00:01:07,440but the gospels are given to us.2200:01:07,440 –> 00:01:09,800The four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John2300:01:09,800 –> 00:01:14,779are given to us so that you can come to a settled conclusion2400:01:14,779 –> 00:01:17,220about who Jesus is.2500:01:17,220 –> 00:01:20,720And the marvellous promise is given to us in Scripture2600:01:20,720 –> 00:01:25,459that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord2700:01:25,540 –> 00:01:29,620and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead2800:01:29,620 –> 00:01:31,660you will be saved.2900:01:31,660 –> 00:01:33,320That’s about as clear a statement3000:01:33,320 –> 00:01:35,339as anyone could ever hope to read.3100:01:35,339 –> 00:01:39,260So we’ll hear about that today from 1 Timothy chapter 63200:01:39,260 –> 00:01:41,980as we continue the message Gospel Hope.3300:01:41,980 –> 00:01:43,519Here is Pastor Colin.3400:01:43,519 –> 00:01:46,099Anyone who says or thinks that Christian faith3500:01:46,099 –> 00:01:49,120is a private matter has not read the New Testament.3600:01:50,660 –> 00:01:55,260This is a public confession before witnesses.3700:01:56,120 –> 00:01:57,519That’s the point that Paul is making here.3800:01:58,900 –> 00:02:01,820And the role of course of witnesses3900:02:03,080 –> 00:02:04,699is to remind a person4000:02:04,699 –> 00:02:07,339of the confession that they have made.4100:02:08,259 –> 00:02:09,559This is true in a wedding.4200:02:11,479 –> 00:02:13,860Why do we have all these bridesmaids in wedding?4300:02:15,139 –> 00:02:16,580And all these groomsmen.4400:02:17,899 –> 00:02:20,360You know what the purpose of witnesses is?4500:02:21,559 –> 00:02:23,380Is to remind the bride and groom4600:02:23,380 –> 00:02:25,740of the vows that they took in future years4700:02:25,740 –> 00:02:27,339when times may become difficult4800:02:28,279 –> 00:02:30,500and surround them with that strength.4900:02:30,500 –> 00:02:31,979That’s what you’re there for.5000:02:33,119 –> 00:02:34,240And Paul says to Timothy,5100:02:34,240 –> 00:02:36,300you see, it’s the same in the church.5200:02:36,300 –> 00:02:38,720That’s why when the church family gathers for a baptism,5300:02:38,720 –> 00:02:39,960what a wonderful thing that is5400:02:39,960 –> 00:02:42,039to witness people within the body of Christ5500:02:42,039 –> 00:02:44,820confessing Jesus as Lord in baptism.5600:02:46,220 –> 00:02:47,460And the purpose of the witnesses5700:02:47,460 –> 00:02:51,339is that we should remind one another in difficult times.5800:02:51,339 –> 00:02:52,399You’re not your own.5900:02:53,220 –> 00:02:54,759You’re bought with a price.6000:02:55,820 –> 00:02:57,699You’re not aimless and lost in this world.6100:02:57,699 –> 00:03:00,100You belong to Jesus Christ.6200:03:00,100 –> 00:03:02,220You have made your good confession.6300:03:03,160 –> 00:03:04,039You are His.6400:03:05,160 –> 00:03:09,179And we are to encourage one another in this way.6500:03:09,179 –> 00:03:10,339Now, you see, that is exactly6600:03:10,339 –> 00:03:12,699what Paul is doing for Timothy here.6700:03:12,699 –> 00:03:14,500You are God’s man.6800:03:14,500 –> 00:03:16,259And you know, here’s the marvelous thing.6900:03:16,259 –> 00:03:19,080If you are God’s man, if you are God’s woman,7000:03:19,080 –> 00:03:21,539if you have nailed your colors to the mast,7100:03:21,539 –> 00:03:24,800if you have truly been crucified with Christ7200:03:24,800 –> 00:03:26,839and raised to new life in Him,7300:03:26,839 –> 00:03:30,080you don’t begin each new day wondering who you are7400:03:30,080 –> 00:03:32,500and why you’re here and to whom you belong.7500:03:32,500 –> 00:03:33,800You’re Christ’s.7600:03:33,800 –> 00:03:37,360You are united to Him in His death and resurrection forever.7700:03:37,360 –> 00:03:39,139You have made a confession.7800:03:40,960 –> 00:03:42,520And from now on, it is no longer7900:03:42,520 –> 00:03:44,160for you to live for yourself,8000:03:44,160 –> 00:03:49,080but for him who died for you and was raised to life.8100:03:49,740 –> 00:03:51,520And just before we move on here,8200:03:51,580 –> 00:03:53,919I want you to notice that this confession8300:03:53,919 –> 00:03:57,179is never something that the Christian makes up.8400:03:57,179 –> 00:03:58,020Do you notice that,8500:03:58,020 –> 00:04:00,580having spoken about Timothy’s confession,8600:04:00,580 –> 00:04:01,860Paul goes on immediately8700:04:01,860 –> 00:04:05,100to speak about Christ’s confession?8800:04:05,100 –> 00:04:05,940Verse 13,8900:04:05,940 –> 00:04:07,779Christ Jesus who while testifying9000:04:07,779 –> 00:04:12,460before Pontius Pilate made the good confession.9100:04:13,759 –> 00:04:15,759Remember that Pilate asked Jesus,9200:04:15,759 –> 00:04:18,239are you the King of the Jews?9300:04:18,239 –> 00:04:19,540And Jesus said,9400:04:19,540 –> 00:04:22,799it is as you say.9500:04:25,359 –> 00:04:26,980So when we make our confession9600:04:26,980 –> 00:04:28,079that Jesus is Lord,9700:04:28,079 –> 00:04:31,940we are agreeing with Christ’s confession.9800:04:32,779 –> 00:04:35,260And that is why Paul says in verse 12 Timothy,9900:04:35,260 –> 00:04:37,600it’s a good confession.10000:04:38,480 –> 00:04:39,940If you have confessed Christ10100:04:39,940 –> 00:04:41,339as your savior and your Lord,10200:04:41,339 –> 00:04:43,260you have made the best confession10300:04:43,260 –> 00:04:46,299that a person in this world can ever make.10400:04:46,440 –> 00:04:48,359For you have identified yourself10500:04:48,359 –> 00:04:49,799with the Lord Jesus Christ10600:04:49,799 –> 00:04:51,700who died bearing your sin10700:04:51,700 –> 00:04:53,500and rose to bring you10800:04:53,500 –> 00:04:55,540into everlasting life.10900:04:55,540 –> 00:04:56,859You belong to him11000:04:56,859 –> 00:04:59,700and you are God’s man!11100:04:59,700 –> 00:05:01,440God’s woman.11200:05:01,760 –> 00:05:03,500What a privilege.11300:05:03,500 –> 00:05:05,940Have you made that confession?11400:05:06,739 –> 00:05:08,980If you have, remember who you are.11500:05:08,980 –> 00:05:11,600God’s man, God’s woman.11600:05:11,920 –> 00:05:14,739If not,11700:05:15,220 –> 00:05:17,640I invite you to talk with Pastor Greg,11800:05:17,640 –> 00:05:19,880one of the other pastors.11900:05:20,079 –> 00:05:21,619We’re preparing for a baptism12000:05:21,619 –> 00:05:24,100service in the new year,12100:05:24,440 –> 00:05:25,239And this would be12200:05:25,239 –> 00:05:27,260a wonderful opportunity12300:05:27,260 –> 00:05:29,820for you to move your faith12400:05:29,820 –> 00:05:33,619from the realm of private opinion12500:05:33,619 –> 00:05:36,559into the realm of public confession12600:05:36,559 –> 00:05:38,940before many witnesses.12700:05:38,940 –> 00:05:39,940And it would be our joy12800:05:39,940 –> 00:05:42,059to share your joy12900:05:42,059 –> 00:05:44,679in confessing Christ.13000:05:45,100 –> 00:05:47,440You’ve made a confession, Timothy.13100:05:47,880 –> 00:05:50,959Second, you have embraced13200:05:50,959 –> 00:05:54,380a calling verses 13 and 14.13300:05:54,380 –> 00:05:55,600And here, Timothy,13400:05:55,600 –> 00:05:57,880is being given a great charge13500:05:57,880 –> 00:05:59,100in the sight of God,13600:05:59,100 –> 00:06:01,399who gives life to everything.13700:06:01,399 –> 00:06:03,899Verse 13 and of Jesus Christ.13800:06:04,380 –> 00:06:06,279Paul says I charge you13900:06:06,279 –> 00:06:07,799to keep this command14000:06:07,799 –> 00:06:11,100without spot or blame.14100:06:11,600 –> 00:06:12,600Now, what is the command14200:06:12,600 –> 00:06:13,399he’s referring to?14300:06:13,459 –> 00:06:14,399It seems that the command14400:06:14,399 –> 00:06:16,920is in verse 11 and 12,14500:06:16,920 –> 00:06:17,920that there’s a character14600:06:17,920 –> 00:06:19,220for Timothy to pursue.14700:06:19,220 –> 00:06:21,079A battle for Timothy to fight14800:06:21,079 –> 00:06:23,619and a life for Timothy to gain.14900:06:23,619 –> 00:06:24,720Notice verse 11,15000:06:24,720 –> 00:06:26,920the character that he’s to pursue.15100:06:27,119 –> 00:06:28,940But you, man of God,15200:06:28,940 –> 00:06:30,540pursue righteousness,15300:06:30,540 –> 00:06:31,799and godliness, and faith,15400:06:31,799 –> 00:06:33,859and love, and endurance,15500:06:33,859 –> 00:06:35,959and gentleness.15600:06:36,320 –> 00:06:37,839Timothy, you’ve made this confession15700:06:37,839 –> 00:06:40,200that you’re God’s man,15800:06:40,200 –> 00:06:42,100now you go after the life15900:06:42,119 –> 00:06:44,600that God’s man pursues.16000:06:44,600 –> 00:06:45,339That’s how you’re to live.16100:06:45,339 –> 00:06:46,279I give you this charge,16200:06:46,279 –> 00:06:48,179go after it.16300:06:48,179 –> 00:06:49,059Realize, Timothy,16400:06:49,059 –> 00:06:49,579that there will be16500:06:49,579 –> 00:06:51,399a battle to fight, verse 12.16600:06:51,399 –> 00:06:54,320Fight the good fight of the faith.16700:06:54,320 –> 00:06:55,239He’s speaking to Timothy16800:06:55,239 –> 00:06:56,899about all that’s involved16900:06:56,899 –> 00:06:59,980in nailing your colors to the mast,17000:06:59,980 –> 00:07:01,679standing with Jesus Christ17100:07:01,679 –> 00:07:03,339in a Christ-rejecting world.17200:07:03,339 –> 00:07:04,339You will always find17300:07:04,339 –> 00:07:06,019yourself in conflict17400:07:06,019 –> 00:07:07,820with the currents of the culture17500:07:07,820 –> 00:07:09,079when you take your stand17600:07:09,079 –> 00:07:11,500with the Lord Jesus Christ.17700:07:11,500 –> 00:07:13,619Fight the good fight of the faith.17800:07:13,619 –> 00:07:14,899And then, Timothy verse 12,17900:07:14,899 –> 00:07:16,320take hold of the eternal life18000:07:16,320 –> 00:07:17,679to which you were called18100:07:17,679 –> 00:07:19,019when you made your good confession18200:07:19,019 –> 00:07:22,079in the presence of many witnesses.18300:07:22,079 –> 00:07:23,299Now, notice the language,18400:07:23,299 –> 00:07:25,279pursue, fight, take hold.18500:07:25,279 –> 00:07:29,540It’s all active.18600:07:29,540 –> 00:07:30,859And I guess the question,18700:07:30,859 –> 00:07:31,679when you think18800:07:31,679 –> 00:07:33,299of all the load that is on Timothy18900:07:33,299 –> 00:07:34,119and the question19000:07:34,119 –> 00:07:35,260that surely comes to us19100:07:35,260 –> 00:07:36,100many times,19200:07:36,100 –> 00:07:36,920is where do you find19300:07:36,920 –> 00:07:39,299the energy for this life?19400:07:39,299 –> 00:07:40,140You know, you’ve been a Christian19500:07:40,140 –> 00:07:41,000for many years19600:07:41,320 –> 00:07:42,359and the word of God19700:07:42,359 –> 00:07:43,200says to you,19800:07:43,200 –> 00:07:45,579pursue and fight and lay hold.19900:07:45,579 –> 00:07:49,980Oh man, I’m so tired.20000:07:49,980 –> 00:07:51,660So, I think it’s very significant20100:07:51,660 –> 00:07:52,619to see that Paul20200:07:52,619 –> 00:07:56,299when he gives this charge,20300:07:56,299 –> 00:07:57,799he says in verse 13,20400:07:57,799 –> 00:08:00,959in the sight of God,20500:08:00,959 –> 00:08:03,279who gives life to everything,20600:08:03,279 –> 00:08:06,320I give you this charge.20700:08:06,320 –> 00:08:07,079You see what he’s saying?20800:08:07,079 –> 00:08:10,579Timothy, this is really tough20900:08:10,579 –> 00:08:13,660to keep pursuing godly character,21000:08:13,660 –> 00:08:16,799to keep engaging in the fight of faith,21100:08:16,799 –> 00:08:18,440to keep laying hold of the life21200:08:18,440 –> 00:08:20,500to which you were called.21300:08:20,500 –> 00:08:22,500It’s relentless.21400:08:22,500 –> 00:08:24,619It’s demanding.21500:08:24,619 –> 00:08:26,140But I’m giving you this charge21600:08:26,140 –> 00:08:29,820in the sight of God who gives life.21700:08:29,820 –> 00:08:30,779And that means not only21800:08:30,779 –> 00:08:31,940that he’s your creator,21900:08:31,940 –> 00:08:35,500but he’s the one who sustains your life22000:08:35,500 –> 00:08:36,539or to put it another way22100:08:36,539 –> 00:08:40,719the God who will give you energy for this life.22200:08:40,719 –> 00:08:43,080As you pursue this calling,22300:08:43,080 –> 00:08:44,659you pursue this calling in22400:08:44,659 –> 00:08:48,000the sight of God who gives life.22500:08:48,000 –> 00:08:49,700And as your days are,22600:08:49,700 –> 00:08:53,200so will your strength be.22700:08:53,200 –> 00:08:54,900So Timothy, remember who you are.22800:08:54,900 –> 00:08:56,940You’re God’s man.22900:08:56,940 –> 00:08:59,440And God gives life to his people23000:08:59,440 –> 00:09:01,780for the pursuit of everything23100:09:01,780 –> 00:09:04,159that he calls us to do.23200:09:04,440 –> 00:09:05,760You’re listening to Open the Bible23300:09:05,760 –> 00:09:07,059with Pastor Colin Smith23400:09:07,059 –> 00:09:09,159and a message called Gospel Hope.23500:09:09,159 –> 00:09:10,520We’ve got to pause briefly,23600:09:10,520 –> 00:09:12,159but we’ll be back very shortly,23700:09:12,159 –> 00:09:13,960so I hope you’ll stay with us.23800:09:13,960 –> 00:09:15,520The message is part of a series23900:09:15,520 –> 00:09:19,159called 10 distintives of a Gospel Centred Church.24000:09:19,159 –> 00:09:21,320And if you’ve missed any of the series,24100:09:21,320 –> 00:09:23,020you can always catch up or go back24200:09:23,020 –> 00:09:24,840and listen again by coming online24300:09:24,840 –> 00:09:28,880to our website, OpentheBible.org.UK24400:09:28,880 –> 00:09:30,719There you’ll find this message24500:09:30,719 –> 00:09:32,500and all the other messages24600:09:32,539 –> 00:09:34,580which have already been broadcast.24700:09:34,580 –> 00:09:36,179You can also find Pastor Colin’s24800:09:36,179 –> 00:09:37,960messages as podcasts,24900:09:37,960 –> 00:09:40,280and those are on all the main podcast sites.25000:09:40,280 –> 00:09:43,599Find them by searching for Open the Bible UK25100:09:43,599 –> 00:09:46,099or follow the link from our website.25200:09:46,099 –> 00:09:47,419Back to the message now,25300:09:47,419 –> 00:09:49,359here again is Pastor Colin.25400:09:50,359 –> 00:09:53,960So, Timothy, you’ve made this good confession.25500:09:53,960 –> 00:09:55,619And Timothy, you have embraced25600:09:55,619 –> 00:09:57,099this great calling.25700:09:58,460 –> 00:10:00,739And now here’s the third distinguishing mark25800:10:00,739 –> 00:10:02,820of God’s man or God’s woman,25900:10:02,820 –> 00:10:07,739and it’s this anticipation of Christ’s glorious return,26000:10:07,739 –> 00:10:09,380which is the note on which we end.26100:10:09,380 –> 00:10:11,020Verse 14.26200:10:11,020 –> 00:10:16,020Keep this command without spot or blame26300:10:18,059 –> 00:10:23,059until the appearing of our Lord, Jesus Christ.26400:10:24,059 –> 00:10:27,419of our Lord, Jesus Christ.26500:10:29,140 –> 00:10:31,780Now let’s pause to try and take this in.26600:10:33,780 –> 00:10:35,179The appearing.26700:10:36,580 –> 00:10:41,580You’re going to see the Lord Jesus Christ.26800:10:44,760 –> 00:10:47,039God will bring about this day,26900:10:47,039 –> 00:10:49,299Paul says here, in his own time,27000:10:51,099 –> 00:10:52,679but you can be certain of this,27100:10:52,679 –> 00:10:57,219that the day will come when your faith27200:10:57,219 –> 00:10:59,799will be turned to sight.27300:11:01,719 –> 00:11:05,440Now, this is an amazing promise.27400:11:06,940 –> 00:11:09,580And I want us to grasp why.27500:11:11,520 –> 00:11:14,299Because right here in verse 16,27600:11:15,400 –> 00:11:17,760where Paul, in his doxology,27700:11:17,760 –> 00:11:20,580his expression of praise to God27800:11:20,580 –> 00:11:22,299is speaking of the greatness27900:11:22,340 –> 00:11:23,760and the glory of God,28000:11:23,760 –> 00:11:26,640do you notice that in verse 16 he speaks28100:11:26,640 –> 00:11:31,640of how God lives in unapproachable light?28200:11:34,159 –> 00:11:36,039Unapproachable light.28300:11:37,960 –> 00:11:39,940That’s a very important statement.28400:11:41,380 –> 00:11:46,380God is not obscured in unapproachable darkness.28500:11:47,280 –> 00:11:52,280He is, the Bible says inaccessible in unapproachable light.28600:11:55,719 –> 00:11:58,000In other words, we are not alienated from God28700:11:58,000 –> 00:12:00,679because he is obscured in darkness.28800:12:00,679 –> 00:12:02,280We are alienated from God28900:12:02,280 –> 00:12:05,179because he is inaccessible to us in light.29000:12:07,159 –> 00:12:10,799Our problem is not that we can’t find God,29100:12:10,799 –> 00:12:12,340that he’s obscured in darkness.29200:12:12,340 –> 00:12:15,599Our problem is we couldn’t get near him if we did.29300:12:17,299 –> 00:12:19,799And you see, if you think about the Bible story,29400:12:19,799 –> 00:12:23,099all through the Bible what we find is this,29500:12:23,099 –> 00:12:27,440the best of men can’t stand up29600:12:28,280 –> 00:12:33,280in the sheer intensity of the glory of the son of God.29700:12:36,559 –> 00:12:39,599That’s true both in the Old Testament and the New Testament.29800:12:40,719 –> 00:12:43,119John Chapter 12 and verse 41,29900:12:43,820 –> 00:12:48,219John tells us that Isaiah in the Old Testament30000:12:48,219 –> 00:12:52,039saw Jesus’ glory, Jesus’ glory.30100:12:53,340 –> 00:12:55,140Now, he’s referring of course to the vision30200:12:55,140 –> 00:12:58,260that most of us know well in Isaiah Chapter 6.30300:12:58,260 –> 00:13:00,140When Isaiah sees the glory of the Lord,30400:13:00,140 –> 00:13:03,359John says what he was seeing was Jesus’ glory,30500:13:03,359 –> 00:13:04,700the glory you’re gonna see.30600:13:06,280 –> 00:13:10,419And what happened when Isaiah saw Jesus’ glory?30700:13:10,840 –> 00:13:13,559He sort of crumples up and he said what?30800:13:13,559 –> 00:13:17,840Woe is me because I am ruined.30900:13:19,320 –> 00:13:20,280That’s the Old Testament.31000:13:20,280 –> 00:13:21,179What about the New?31100:13:21,179 –> 00:13:22,679In the New Testament,31200:13:22,679 –> 00:13:27,200John the apostle who had sat right next to Jesus31300:13:27,200 –> 00:13:31,059at the Last Supper, eating and drinking with him.31400:13:32,580 –> 00:13:36,119John is given a vision of the glory of Jesus31500:13:36,119 –> 00:13:37,359in the book of Revelation,31600:13:37,359 –> 00:13:39,719and he sees Jesus in his glory,31700:13:39,840 –> 00:13:42,479and in Revelation 1 and verse 17,31800:13:42,479 –> 00:13:44,419John says, when he sees Jesus’ glory,31900:13:44,419 –> 00:13:49,340when I saw him, I fell at his feet as if dead.32000:13:51,119 –> 00:13:53,479You see, in the incarnation32100:13:53,479 –> 00:13:56,380the glory of the Lord Jesus was veiled,32200:13:57,979 –> 00:14:00,320which is why the disciples could walk around32300:14:00,320 –> 00:14:03,619in corn fields, eating with him and all that stuff,32400:14:05,280 –> 00:14:06,880but now that he has ascended,32500:14:06,880 –> 00:14:09,700the glorified Lord Jesus,32600:14:09,700 –> 00:14:13,140and you’re going to see him in his glory.32700:14:15,219 –> 00:14:17,440When Isaiah saw Jesus’ glory, he goes,32800:14:17,440 –> 00:14:19,039oh, is me, I’m ruined.32900:14:19,039 –> 00:14:22,840When John who sat by Jesus at the communion service33000:14:22,840 –> 00:14:26,359sees Jesus’ glory, he falls at his feet as though dead.33100:14:26,359 –> 00:14:28,840So how is it gonna be for you and for me33200:14:28,840 –> 00:14:32,280when the Son of God appears in all his glory33300:14:32,280 –> 00:14:34,479with all his holy angels with him?33400:14:37,000 –> 00:14:41,159And yet, Jesus says to us,33500:14:41,159 –> 00:14:44,559blessed are the pure in heart33600:14:44,559 –> 00:14:49,559for they shall see God,33700:14:51,020 –> 00:14:52,320see God.33800:14:54,119 –> 00:14:58,919And John, who fell at the feet of the glorified Christ33900:14:58,919 –> 00:15:03,280as if dead, says in his letter,34000:15:04,080 –> 00:15:09,080when he appears we shall see him as he is.34100:15:14,119 –> 00:15:15,520Now, if you really think about that,34200:15:15,520 –> 00:15:18,840you will be asking the question how is it possible34300:15:21,599 –> 00:15:25,000if Isaiah crumples and John falls34400:15:25,000 –> 00:15:26,979at his feet as though dead,34500:15:27,859 –> 00:15:32,859how will it be possible for me to stand with joy34600:15:34,380 –> 00:15:38,179in the glorious presence of the son of God when he appears.34700:15:40,619 –> 00:15:42,820There was a man by the name of Thomas Binney34800:15:44,099 –> 00:15:46,659who wrote a hymn that some of us may know.34900:15:46,659 –> 00:15:49,059I think it’s worth all of us being aware of.35000:15:50,260 –> 00:15:55,099A hymn that asks and answers exactly this question.35100:15:56,059 –> 00:16:00,140I don’t think I’ve found any more beautiful expression of it35200:16:00,140 –> 00:16:03,619in all the years outside of the scriptures themselves.35300:16:05,159 –> 00:16:07,979And so, I want to quote four stanzas35400:16:07,979 –> 00:16:09,679from Binney’s hymn for you.35500:16:11,299 –> 00:16:14,020And I do this because I feel absolutely certain35600:16:14,020 –> 00:16:16,640that Binney must have had this very passage35700:16:16,640 –> 00:16:19,640of scripture from 1 Timothy in chapter six35800:16:19,640 –> 00:16:21,419in his mind when he wrote this hymn.35900:16:21,580 –> 00:16:25,500God, in inaccessible light.36000:16:27,599 –> 00:16:29,739Binney’s hymn begins with these words.36100:16:30,780 –> 00:16:35,200Eternal light, eternal light,36200:16:36,460 –> 00:16:39,659how pure the soul must be36300:16:40,960 –> 00:16:44,859when placed within thy searching sight.36400:16:44,859 –> 00:16:49,260It shrinks not, but with calm delight36500:16:49,260 –> 00:16:51,419can live and look on thee.36600:16:53,099 –> 00:16:54,239You see, he’s saying,36700:16:55,340 –> 00:16:58,320to stand in the presence of God,36800:16:58,320 –> 00:17:01,000to even look on the holiness of the Son of God36900:17:01,000 –> 00:17:02,119in all His glory,37000:17:03,000 –> 00:17:06,160the soul would have to be absolutely pure.37100:17:07,680 –> 00:17:10,780Otherwise it’s going to shrivel up in the white heat37200:17:10,780 –> 00:17:12,900of the presence of the glory of the Lord.37300:17:12,900 –> 00:17:14,939Our God is a consuming fire,37400:17:14,939 –> 00:17:17,160so how is it possible for people like us37500:17:17,160 –> 00:17:19,140to look with calm delight,37600:17:19,880 –> 00:17:21,680with joy in the presence of Jesus?37700:17:22,959 –> 00:17:26,160He asks the question pointedly in the second verse.37800:17:27,520 –> 00:17:29,979Oh how can I,37900:17:29,979 –> 00:17:33,180whose native sphere is dark,38000:17:33,180 –> 00:17:34,319whose mind is dim,38100:17:34,319 –> 00:17:37,000I live in this darkened world.38200:17:37,000 –> 00:17:39,420How can I, whose native sphere is dark,38300:17:39,420 –> 00:17:40,959whose mind is dim,38400:17:40,959 –> 00:17:43,900before the ineffable appear,38500:17:44,819 –> 00:17:47,500and on my naked spirit38600:17:47,520 –> 00:17:50,079bear the uncreated beam?38700:17:50,079 –> 00:17:51,239By the way, I had to look up38800:17:51,239 –> 00:17:53,180the word ineffable in the dictionary.38900:17:54,780 –> 00:17:56,739Ineffable means,39000:17:56,739 –> 00:18:00,160too great for description in words,39100:18:00,160 –> 00:18:01,260that’s what it means.39200:18:02,380 –> 00:18:03,359Now you see his point,39300:18:03,359 –> 00:18:05,560God is light,39400:18:05,560 –> 00:18:07,520and in him is no darkness at all39500:18:07,520 –> 00:18:10,880and here I am living in this dark world,39600:18:10,880 –> 00:18:12,479and when I stand before God,39700:18:12,479 –> 00:18:15,599everything about me is going to be disposed,39800:18:15,599 –> 00:18:17,079I will stand as it were,39900:18:17,079 –> 00:18:18,099naked before him,40000:18:18,099 –> 00:18:19,160everything exposed.40100:18:19,160 –> 00:18:21,300How can my naked spirit40200:18:21,300 –> 00:18:24,319bear the intensity,40300:18:24,319 –> 00:18:26,579the laser light,40400:18:26,579 –> 00:18:27,599uncreated,40500:18:27,599 –> 00:18:29,300because God is uncreated,40600:18:29,300 –> 00:18:30,239he always has been,40700:18:30,239 –> 00:18:31,079always is,40800:18:31,079 –> 00:18:32,500and always will be.40900:18:33,420 –> 00:18:34,560How can I,41000:18:34,560 –> 00:18:36,079who live in this dark world,41100:18:36,079 –> 00:18:38,560stand in that kind of light41200:18:40,119 –> 00:18:42,479where I’m fully exposed,41300:18:43,180 –> 00:18:45,260and here’s the answer.41400:18:46,280 –> 00:18:47,020You ready for it?41500:18:49,520 –> 00:18:51,239There is a way41600:18:52,359 –> 00:18:55,160for a man to rise41700:18:56,079 –> 00:18:58,939to that sublime abode.41800:19:00,319 –> 00:19:01,439And here it is,41900:19:03,199 –> 00:19:07,739an offering and a sacrifice,42000:19:08,780 –> 00:19:11,939a holy spirit’s energies,42100:19:12,520 –> 00:19:15,719an advocate with God.42200:19:17,359 –> 00:19:22,380How can I live in the joy of God’s presence?42300:19:25,560 –> 00:19:30,219How can I live in the otherwise unapproachable light?42400:19:31,939 –> 00:19:33,680The answer,42500:19:33,680 –> 00:19:34,599an offering.42600:19:36,339 –> 00:19:37,760That is,42700:19:37,760 –> 00:19:41,099the son of God loved me and gave himself for me.42800:19:41,099 –> 00:19:42,099That’s the offering.42900:19:43,380 –> 00:19:46,219A sacrifice.43000:19:46,219 –> 00:19:50,479Christ bore our sins in his body on the tree.43100:19:52,180 –> 00:19:54,060A Holy Spirit’s energies,43200:19:54,060 –> 00:19:58,060the Holy Spirit uniting you to Jesus Christ in his death43300:19:58,060 –> 00:20:01,180and in his resurrection so that all that is his43400:20:01,180 –> 00:20:02,819becomes truly yours.43500:20:04,180 –> 00:20:07,339And the risen Lord Jesus Christ our Advocate43600:20:07,339 –> 00:20:10,099standing right now in the presence of the Father43700:20:10,099 –> 00:20:11,939on your behalf.43800:20:13,040 –> 00:20:15,859So that by him, the risen Lord,43900:20:17,099 –> 00:20:20,900you may be able to dwell with joy44000:20:22,060 –> 00:20:23,500in God’s eternal light.44100:20:25,199 –> 00:20:28,079And then Benny ends his song this way.44200:20:28,079 –> 00:20:31,219These, that’s the offering, the sacrifice,44300:20:31,219 –> 00:20:34,640the Holy Spirit’s energies and the Advocate with God.44400:20:34,640 –> 00:20:38,579These prepare us for the sight of holiness above.44500:20:39,579 –> 00:20:43,760The sons of ignorance and night44600:20:43,760 –> 00:20:47,300may dwell in the eternal light.44700:20:47,300 –> 00:20:51,640And here’s how, through the eternal love.44800:20:51,640 –> 00:20:53,439Isn’t that beautiful?44900:20:53,439 –> 00:20:57,040You can dwell in the eternal light of God45000:20:58,119 –> 00:21:01,079through the eternal love of God45100:21:02,400 –> 00:21:05,339poured out in the offering and the sacrifice45200:21:05,339 –> 00:21:08,140of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit45300:21:08,140 –> 00:21:10,219to bring you into union with him45400:21:10,219 –> 00:21:12,260and the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ,45500:21:12,260 –> 00:21:15,699standing now at the right hand of the Father45600:21:15,699 –> 00:21:19,280as your advocate with God.45700:21:21,599 –> 00:21:23,319So folks, this is the wonderful life45800:21:23,319 –> 00:21:25,739that we share together in the church.45900:21:25,739 –> 00:21:30,380We make the same confession that Jesus Christ is Lord,46000:21:30,380 –> 00:21:32,760we pursue the same calling in the energy46100:21:32,760 –> 00:21:35,619that God gives to us of a holy life,46200:21:35,619 –> 00:21:37,280fighting the good fight of faith46300:21:37,300 –> 00:21:40,780and laying hold of the life to which we have been called.46400:21:40,780 –> 00:21:43,000We live in the same anticipation46500:21:43,000 –> 00:21:45,380of Christ’s glorious appearing46600:21:45,380 –> 00:21:47,260which is not a dreadful thought to us46700:21:47,260 –> 00:21:50,219but a wonderful thought to us46800:21:50,219 –> 00:21:54,180because we are called into the blessing of life46900:21:54,180 –> 00:21:58,119under the rule of God with all its joys47000:21:58,119 –> 00:22:00,540for those who are given an entrance47100:22:00,540 –> 00:22:04,020into what otherwise would be inaccessible,47200:22:05,020 –> 00:22:07,420an entrance that comes through the offering,47300:22:07,420 –> 00:22:10,140the sacrifice of Jesus,47400:22:10,140 –> 00:22:11,479the work of the Spirit.47500:22:12,640 –> 00:22:14,459The Advocacy of the Son of God47600:22:14,459 –> 00:22:16,319in the presence of the Father.47700:22:17,540 –> 00:22:19,560What a blessing to be God’s man,47800:22:20,420 –> 00:22:21,459to be God’s woman.47900:22:23,300 –> 00:22:25,020You’ve been listening to Pastor Colin Smith48000:22:25,020 –> 00:22:27,619on Open the Bible, wrapping up our message,48100:22:27,619 –> 00:22:31,020Gospel Hope, and it’s the last part of the series,48200:22:31,020 –> 00:22:34,54010 Distinctives of a Gospel-Centered Church.48300:22:34,540 –> 00:22:36,020If you’ve missed any of the series48400:22:36,020 –> 00:22:37,540and want to go back and listen to them48500:22:37,540 –> 00:22:39,500or listen to them for a second time,48600:22:39,500 –> 00:22:41,800they’re all available on our website,48700:22:41,800 –> 00:22:44,099openthebible.org.uk.48800:22:45,099 –> 00:22:48,000Also available on our website and as a podcast48900:22:48,000 –> 00:22:50,020is Open the Bible Daily,49000:22:50,020 –> 00:22:53,260our series of two to three-minute daily reflections49100:22:53,260 –> 00:22:55,640based on Pastor Colin Smith’s teaching.49200:22:56,540 –> 00:22:59,079Open the Bible is supported by our listeners.49300:22:59,079 –> 00:23:00,420It’s people just like you49400:23:00,719 –> 00:23:03,160who keep Open the Bible on this station49500:23:03,160 –> 00:23:06,479on the internet and on all the podcast sites.49600:23:06,479 –> 00:23:08,900So if you already give to support the work,49700:23:08,900 –> 00:23:10,900thank you so much.49800:23:10,900 –> 00:23:13,000If supporting Open the Bible financially49900:23:13,000 –> 00:23:15,359is something that you’d like to begin to do,50000:23:15,359 –> 00:23:17,319this month, we’d love to say thank you50100:23:17,319 –> 00:23:19,680by sending you a free gift.50200:23:19,680 –> 00:23:22,040If you’re able to begin a new direct debit50300:23:22,040 –> 00:23:24,680of five pounds per month or more50400:23:24,680 –> 00:23:27,420or a one-off gift of 60 pounds or more,50500:23:27,520 –> 00:23:31,199we’d love to send you a copy of Nancy Guthrie’s book,50600:23:31,199 –> 00:23:34,839I’m Praying for You, 40 Days of Praying the Bible50700:23:34,839 –> 00:23:36,760for Someone Who Is Suffering.50800:23:36,760 –> 00:23:39,599Colin, who would you say this book is for?50900:23:39,599 –> 00:23:42,959Well, it’s for anyone who has ever said to someone,51000:23:42,959 –> 00:23:46,959I’m praying for you, and that surely is every Christian.51100:23:46,959 –> 00:23:49,439We’ve all said to someone who’s in need51200:23:49,439 –> 00:23:51,640or perhaps a loved one in our family,51300:23:51,640 –> 00:23:54,500I’m praying for you, but here’s the challenge,51400:23:54,579 –> 00:23:57,579how do you keep your prayers fresh51500:23:57,579 –> 00:23:59,819when you’ve been praying for someone for some time,51600:23:59,819 –> 00:24:01,900perhaps even for many years?51700:24:01,900 –> 00:24:02,800I mean, what are you gonna do?51800:24:02,800 –> 00:24:05,380Just keep saying, God bless them, God bless them?51900:24:05,380 –> 00:24:08,140How do you keep your prayers fresh?52000:24:08,140 –> 00:24:11,660And Nancy Guthrie has done a wonderful job52100:24:11,660 –> 00:24:13,140in putting together a book52200:24:13,140 –> 00:24:15,780that draws deeply from Scripture52300:24:15,780 –> 00:24:20,060so that we are given 40 practical suggestions52400:24:20,060 –> 00:24:23,500as to how you can pray for a friend, a loved one,52500:24:23,540 –> 00:24:26,500or someone who’s going through a really difficult time.52600:24:26,500 –> 00:24:28,579It’s a marvelous resource.52700:24:28,579 –> 00:24:31,780And I think folks are gonna find it very, very helpful.52800:24:31,780 –> 00:24:34,459Well, we’d love to send you a copy of Nancy Guthrie’s book,52900:24:34,459 –> 00:24:35,959I’m Praying for You,53000:24:35,959 –> 00:24:37,839when you begin a new Direct Debit53100:24:37,839 –> 00:24:39,219to the work of Open The Bible53200:24:39,219 –> 00:24:41,579at five pounds per month or more,53300:24:41,579 –> 00:24:44,420or a one-off gift of 60 pounds or more.53400:24:44,420 –> 00:24:46,920You’ll find full terms and conditions online53500:24:46,920 –> 00:24:50,859at our website, openthebible.org.uk,53600:24:50,859 –> 00:24:53,260and you can also give online.53700:24:53,260 –> 00:24:55,819If you want us to send you this free gift,53800:24:55,819 –> 00:24:57,839please don’t give anonymously,53900:24:57,839 –> 00:24:59,900and don’t forget to leave your full name54000:24:59,900 –> 00:25:02,300and address so that we can send you your gift.54100:25:03,339 –> 00:25:05,819For Open the Bible and Pastor Collin Smith,54200:25:05,819 –> 00:25:06,939I’m David Pick.54300:25:06,939 –> 00:25:08,339Thanks for being with us today,54400:25:08,339 –> 00:25:10,500and I hope you’ll join us again next time.54500:25:16,780 –> 00:25:19,739All of us have times when our faith feels small,54600:25:19,739 –> 00:25:21,880but no believer needs to be content54700:25:21,880 –> 00:25:24,520with having just a little faith.54800:25:24,520 –> 00:25:26,680Our faith needs to grow.54900:25:26,680 –> 00:25:29,619Find out why next time on Open the Bible.