1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:07,460 Welcome to Open The Bible With Colin Smith. We are continuing our series 2 00:00:07,460 –> 00:00:08,520 Heaven How I Got Here 3 00:00:08,520 –> 00:00:11,360 The story of the thief on the cross. You have been listening to the 4 00:00:11,360 –> 00:00:13,780 dramatic audio reading of Pastor Colin’s book. 5 00:00:13,780 –> 00:00:16,180 By that title Heaven How I Got Here 6 00:00:16,180 –> 00:00:20,240 is read by actor Steven Baldwin. Maybe you missed some of the previous 7 00:00:20,240 –> 00:00:23,320 broadcast in this series, some of the earlier chapters of this book. 8 00:00:23,320 –> 00:00:27,260 I would encourage you to go back and listen. You can do that at our website 9 00:00:27,320 –> 00:00:28,280 www.OpenTheBible.org 10 00:00:28,280 –> 00:00:31,940 That’s also place you can find a way to get a copy of this audio book 11 00:00:31,940 –> 00:00:33,700 so you can listen to it at your convenience 12 00:00:33,700 –> 00:00:35,900 again, our website address is 13 00:00:35,900 –> 00:00:38,099 www.OpenTheBible.org 14 00:00:38,099 –> 00:00:39,439 Colin, we started 15 00:00:39,439 –> 00:00:44,540 looking at the hatred of the thief, the hatred he had toward God 16 00:00:44,540 –> 00:00:48,820 Then, he ended up putting his faith in Jesus and he experiences that love of 17 00:00:48,820 –> 00:00:49,840 Jesus, but 18 00:00:49,840 –> 00:00:51,680 his suffering wasn’t done. 19 00:00:51,680 –> 00:00:56,740 No, and in fact for anyone who was crucified, pain actually got worse as 20 00:00:57,000 –> 00:00:59,560 time went on 21 00:00:59,560 –> 00:01:04,339 and so here, this man would’ve been in excruciating pain, a great agony 22 00:01:04,339 –> 00:01:06,480 of body and of soul 23 00:01:06,480 –> 00:01:10,839 as someone who trusted in Jesus and I think that speaks to us very powerfully 24 00:01:10,839 –> 00:01:13,879 you know, you may be listening today 25 00:01:13,879 –> 00:01:16,980 and say, I couldn’t possibly have faith because I have pain, I have 26 00:01:16,980 –> 00:01:19,180 disappointment, I have hurt in my life, well 27 00:01:19,180 –> 00:01:22,199 Jesus Christ is a savior for people who suffer 28 00:01:22,199 –> 00:01:24,199 and that’s what we’re going to look at today 29 00:01:25,180 –> 00:01:28,279 so we see that in chapter seven of Heaven How I Got Here 30 00:01:28,279 –> 00:01:29,900 simply entitled, Agony 31 00:01:29,900 –> 00:01:31,919 here is Stephen Baldwin 32 00:01:31,919 –> 00:01:35,099 chapter 7 33 00:01:35,099 –> 00:01:40,519 agony, two fifty nine pm 34 00:01:40,519 –> 00:01:42,860 trusting Jesus is never a passport to a 35 00:01:42,860 –> 00:01:45,480 pain free life 36 00:01:45,480 –> 00:01:48,360 that’s not his promise 37 00:01:48,360 –> 00:01:50,120 heaven is 38 00:01:50,120 –> 00:01:52,519 forgiveness is 39 00:01:52,559 –> 00:01:56,360 strength to bear up under all that you suffer 40 00:01:56,360 –> 00:01:59,699 is what he promises and what he gives 41 00:01:59,699 –> 00:02:01,699 some folks have the idea 42 00:02:01,699 –> 00:02:03,720 that if you trust in Jesus 43 00:02:03,720 –> 00:02:06,739 he will take the pain out of your life 44 00:02:06,739 –> 00:02:10,179 he certainly didn’t do that for me 45 00:02:10,179 –> 00:02:13,139 pain shot through the nerves of my body 46 00:02:13,139 –> 00:02:18,720 as much after i trusted in Jesus as it did before 47 00:02:18,720 –> 00:02:20,960 with every hour that passed, my 48 00:02:20,960 –> 00:02:22,440 pain increased 49 00:02:22,440 –> 00:02:25,619 and as the wounds from my nails, my hands and my feet 50 00:02:25,619 –> 00:02:28,960 widened under the weight of my body 51 00:02:28,960 –> 00:02:30,820 fever raged 52 00:02:30,820 –> 00:02:33,479 dehydration followed 53 00:02:33,479 –> 00:02:36,399 my whole body was burning up 54 00:02:36,399 –> 00:02:38,679 it was the same for Jesus 55 00:02:38,679 –> 00:02:40,880 and that is why he cried out 56 00:02:40,880 –> 00:02:42,880 I thirst 57 00:02:53,139 –> 00:03:00,679 The Roman Soldiers 58 00:03:00,679 –> 00:03:03,039 Despite their barbarity 59 00:03:03,039 –> 00:03:06,559 the Roman soldiers sometimes offered a mild sedative 60 00:03:06,559 –> 00:03:09,759 to their victims before crucifixion 61 00:03:09,759 –> 00:03:10,839 earlier in the morning 62 00:03:10,839 –> 00:03:12,839 they had done this for Jesus 63 00:03:12,839 –> 00:03:16,399 offering him wine mixed with gall 64 00:03:16,399 –> 00:03:19,080 Jesus refused the sedative 65 00:03:19,080 –> 00:03:21,880 any com-passionate person would say to him 66 00:03:21,880 –> 00:03:23,300 take the sedative 67 00:03:23,300 –> 00:03:28,479 dull your senses to the horrors you are about to endure 68 00:03:28,479 –> 00:03:33,220 but he did not take it 69 00:03:33,220 –> 00:03:34,419 why? 70 00:03:34,419 –> 00:03:35,339 at the time 71 00:03:35,339 –> 00:03:36,600 I despised him for this 72 00:03:36,600 –> 00:03:39,179 and counted him a fool 73 00:03:39,179 –> 00:03:41,820 but when I asked him to remember me 74 00:03:41,820 –> 00:03:45,440 I was so glad that his senses were not dulled 75 00:03:45,440 –> 00:03:48,419 drugged or drowsy 76 00:03:48,419 –> 00:03:51,020 Christ was fully conscious 77 00:03:51,039 –> 00:03:54,639 that meant he was ready and able to save me 78 00:03:54,639 –> 00:03:56,639 to pray for his enemies 79 00:03:56,639 –> 00:03:59,800 and reach out in love to his mother 80 00:03:59,800 –> 00:04:01,119 becoming a man 81 00:04:01,119 –> 00:04:03,479 meant that Jesus’ body 82 00:04:03,479 –> 00:04:07,039 had a central nervous system just like yours and mine 83 00:04:07,039 –> 00:04:08,199 so the physical 84 00:04:08,199 –> 00:04:09,979 agony of crucifixion 85 00:04:09,979 –> 00:04:11,759 was the same for Jesus 86 00:04:11,759 –> 00:04:13,740 as it was for me 87 00:04:13,740 –> 00:04:16,339 but there was more to his pain 88 00:04:16,339 –> 00:04:18,660 than the physical agony 89 00:04:18,940 –> 00:04:25,940 What Jesus endured went far beyond what I experienced that day 90 00:04:26,200 –> 00:04:30,260 when Christ became our sin-bearer 91 00:04:30,260 –> 00:04:33,540 He was alone in the darkness 92 00:04:33,540 –> 00:04:38,820 the guilt and stench of our sin was on Him 93 00:04:38,820 –> 00:04:40,559 as He bore the judgment 94 00:04:40,559 –> 00:04:43,359 that we deserved 95 00:04:43,359 –> 00:04:46,260 Jesus had always enjoyed the love of His Father 96 00:04:46,260 –> 00:04:49,660 Now that blessing had been taken away 97 00:04:49,660 –> 00:04:52,519 He couldn’t feel the Father’s approval 98 00:04:52,519 –> 00:04:55,140 He couldn’t reach his comfort 99 00:04:55,140 –> 00:04:57,880 At his hour of greatest need 100 00:04:57,880 –> 00:05:01,019 Jesus was alone 101 00:05:01,019 –> 00:05:04,179 Separated from His Father 102 00:05:04,179 –> 00:05:07,459 Rejected by His own people 103 00:05:07,459 –> 00:05:11,119 Abandoned by His disciples 104 00:05:11,119 –> 00:05:14,420 He was stretched out on a pole, suspended 105 00:05:14,420 –> 00:05:17,579 between Heaven and Earth 106 00:05:17,579 –> 00:05:22,420 and rejected by both 107 00:05:22,420 –> 00:05:24,760 From the deepest darkness 108 00:05:24,760 –> 00:05:29,239 Jesus cried out, in a loud voice 109 00:05:29,239 –> 00:05:33,559 My God! 110 00:05:33,559 –> 00:05:37,279 Why have You forsaken me? 111 00:05:37,279 –> 00:05:40,559 Nothing that I had endured came close to what it meant 112 00:05:40,559 –> 00:05:43,640 for Him to be forsaken by His Father 113 00:05:43,660 –> 00:05:46,279 and there’s more 114 00:05:46,279 –> 00:05:51,540 Jesus experienced HELL on the cross 115 00:05:51,540 –> 00:05:54,440 Some people think that Hell is a myth 116 00:05:54,440 –> 00:05:58,480 but I tell you that Hell is as real as the cross 117 00:05:58,480 –> 00:06:05,119 and it’s more than just a way of describing something really bad 118 00:06:05,119 –> 00:06:07,500 HELL has six dimensions 119 00:06:07,500 –> 00:06:09,239 and Jesus experienced 120 00:06:09,239 –> 00:06:13,359 all of them on the cross 121 00:06:13,359 –> 00:06:17,380 He was in conscious suffering 122 00:06:17,380 –> 00:06:21,619 He was in blackest darkness 123 00:06:21,619 –> 00:06:23,540 He was surrounded by 124 00:06:23,540 –> 00:06:26,399 demonic powers 125 00:06:26,399 –> 00:06:28,660 He was bearing sin 126 00:06:28,660 –> 00:06:30,980 He was under judgment 127 00:06:30,980 –> 00:06:33,480 He was separated from the knowledge 128 00:06:33,480 –> 00:06:36,880 of the love of God 129 00:06:36,880 –> 00:06:40,899 That is HELL 130 00:06:41,000 –> 00:06:45,859 I endured the pains of Crucifixion 131 00:06:45,859 –> 00:06:47,160 but I did not 132 00:06:47,160 –> 00:06:51,739 experience the agonies of Hell 133 00:06:51,739 –> 00:06:55,480 Jesus endured them for me 134 00:06:55,480 –> 00:07:01,079 so that i would never have to know what they are like 135 00:07:01,079 –> 00:07:04,579 The more i think about this 136 00:07:04,579 –> 00:07:07,920 the more staggering it gets 137 00:07:26,779 –> 00:07:32,119 seeing what Jesus suffered and hearing him cry out in agony 138 00:07:32,899 –> 00:07:33,899 that had profound effect on me 139 00:07:36,619 –> 00:07:39,920 From childhood, I had been told that God’s law was given to show us our sins 140 00:07:43,600 –> 00:07:45,799 That’s true, but I have to tell you 141 00:07:46,260 –> 00:07:46,820 that the clearest view I ever got of the ugliness of my sin 142 00:07:52,359 –> 00:07:52,899 was not in reading the Ten Commandments 143 00:07:55,600 –> 00:07:58,600 but in being near to Jesus in that awful darkness on the cross 144 00:08:00,720 –> 00:08:01,619 I began to see that if my sins 145 00:08:02,420 –> 00:08:04,440 contained so much suffering 146 00:08:04,640 –> 00:08:07,519 they must be very great indeed 147 00:08:07,760 –> 00:08:10,339 I learned to hate my sins at the cross 148 00:08:12,239 –> 00:08:14,980 The rebellion that once tasted sweet 149 00:08:16,200 –> 00:08:19,220 the covetous heart that once drove me forward 150 00:08:20,339 –> 00:08:25,720 my hatred and unbelief towards God 151 00:08:25,760 –> 00:08:28,320 and my self-willed desire 152 00:08:28,359 –> 00:08:31,119 all seemed ugly and repulsive to me 153 00:08:31,160 –> 00:08:31,720 as I saw what they had done to me 154 00:08:32,679 –> 00:08:36,700 His cry of anguish tore me apart 155 00:08:36,739 –> 00:08:39,200 if He was given up for my sins 156 00:08:39,239 –> 00:08:43,960 what sin would I not give up for Him? 157 00:08:44,119 –> 00:08:45,479 That took hold of me 158 00:08:46,840 –> 00:08:49,520 My greatest desire was to be done 159 00:08:49,559 –> 00:08:51,359 with any and every sin 160 00:08:51,380 –> 00:08:54,000 that had ever gained a foothold in my life 161 00:08:55,119 –> 00:08:57,539 I found myself longing to be holy 162 00:08:57,539 –> 00:09:01,659 to be filled with love that I had seen in Jesus’ eyes 163 00:09:02,280 –> 00:09:04,859 and to live a life that would please Him 164 00:09:06,599 –> 00:09:09,000 I only had a few hours left for that 165 00:09:11,599 –> 00:09:13,880 I hope you have much longer 166 00:09:16,200 –> 00:09:18,840 What a statement from the thief on the cross 167 00:09:18,840 –> 00:09:21,320 A compelling look at the agony 168 00:09:21,320 –> 00:09:24,460 the suffering that he experienced on the cross 169 00:09:25,159 –> 00:09:27,979 Yeah, and I want to say to the person today 170 00:09:27,979 –> 00:09:30,460 who experiences pain 171 00:09:30,460 –> 00:09:32,159 You’ve been through loss 172 00:09:32,159 –> 00:09:34,940 You find yourself in great darkness 173 00:09:34,940 –> 00:09:36,960 You know, Jesus Christ 174 00:09:36,960 –> 00:09:39,460 the Saviour who suffered on the cross 175 00:09:39,460 –> 00:09:41,539 really is the Saviour for you 176 00:09:41,679 –> 00:09:44,239 He knows what it is to suffer 177 00:09:44,239 –> 00:09:48,020 and a suffering world needs a suffering Saviour 178 00:09:48,020 –> 00:09:50,880 and the Saviour who has come into the world 179 00:09:50,880 –> 00:09:53,859 is the person who is able to come alongside you 180 00:09:54,000 –> 00:09:56,039 in the pain that you experience 181 00:09:56,059 –> 00:09:59,080 and is able to help you stand up under it 182 00:09:59,260 –> 00:10:01,400 Steve, this is what the thief experienced 183 00:10:01,400 –> 00:10:04,080 It was not a passport to a pain-free life 184 00:10:04,080 –> 00:10:04,979 Right 185 00:10:04,979 –> 00:10:06,140 He was in agony 186 00:10:06,140 –> 00:10:09,559 but he was trusting Jesus Christ in that agony 187 00:10:09,559 –> 00:10:12,859 and I think that’s the path for every person who suffers 188 00:10:12,960 –> 00:10:15,400 We want to walk it with the suffering Saviour 189 00:10:15,400 –> 00:10:17,200 Colin, thank you. That is a good word 190 00:10:17,200 –> 00:10:19,140 He was in agony, but then 191 00:10:19,140 –> 00:10:20,640 he was in triumph 192 00:10:20,640 –> 00:10:21,599 That’s the title of chapter 8 193 00:10:21,599 –> 00:10:24,159 We’ll take a listen to that after this 194 00:10:24,159 –> 00:10:25,859 Many of us struggle with the question 195 00:10:25,859 –> 00:10:28,539 how can I be absolutely sure, I will go to Heaven 196 00:10:28,859 –> 00:10:30,440 We may have been raised in a church setting 197 00:10:30,479 –> 00:10:32,479 and yet, we still doubt 198 00:10:32,479 –> 00:10:33,239 We try to do the right things 199 00:10:33,239 –> 00:10:34,940 but when we inevitably fail 200 00:10:34,940 –> 00:10:36,119 we wonder 201 00:10:36,119 –> 00:10:38,059 We may even despair 202 00:10:38,059 –> 00:10:39,780 Trying to earn our way into Heaven 203 00:10:39,780 –> 00:10:41,140 is an unwinnable battle 204 00:10:41,140 –> 00:10:43,719 The power of the story of the thief on the Cross 205 00:10:43,719 –> 00:10:46,039 lies in its crystal clear message 206 00:10:46,039 –> 00:10:48,260 We get to Heaven, not because of what we do 207 00:10:48,260 –> 00:10:50,799 but only because of what Jesus did 208 00:10:50,799 –> 00:10:52,479 In a brand new film called 209 00:10:52,479 –> 00:10:53,640 Heaven, How I Got Here 210 00:10:53,640 –> 00:10:55,580 a Night with the Thief on the Cross 211 00:10:55,580 –> 00:10:58,500 actor Steven Baldwin delivers the impact of this story 212 00:10:58,500 –> 00:10:59,859 and brings its message to life 213 00:10:59,859 –> 00:11:01,580 in a visually gripping way 214 00:11:01,580 –> 00:11:03,820 The beautifully filmed one man play 215 00:11:03,820 –> 00:11:05,820 will captivate you, challenge you 216 00:11:05,820 –> 00:11:07,679 and help lead you or someone you know 217 00:11:07,679 –> 00:11:08,960 to the same conclusion 218 00:11:08,960 –> 00:11:10,820 the thief ultimately arrived at 219 00:11:10,820 –> 00:11:12,700 Putting faith in Jesus Christ 220 00:11:12,700 –> 00:11:13,840 and what he did on the Cross 221 00:11:13,840 –> 00:11:15,659 is the only ticket to Heaven 222 00:11:15,659 –> 00:11:17,739 This is a film you need to see 223 00:11:17,739 –> 00:11:19,320 You need to invite someone to see 224 00:11:19,320 –> 00:11:20,400 Come and see the film 225 00:11:20,400 –> 00:11:22,000 at www.openthebible.org 226 00:11:23,880 –> 00:11:25,619 You’re listening to a special edition 227 00:11:25,619 –> 00:11:26,520 of Open the Bible 228 00:11:26,520 –> 00:11:27,780 with Pastor Colin Smith 229 00:11:27,780 –> 00:11:29,219 in the dramatic audio reading 230 00:11:29,219 –> 00:11:30,299 of Pastor Colin’s book 231 00:11:30,299 –> 00:11:31,799 Heaven and How I Got Here 232 00:11:31,799 –> 00:11:33,640 the story of the thief on the cross 233 00:11:33,640 –> 00:11:35,559 and you can go back and listen online 234 00:11:35,559 –> 00:11:37,380 to any broadcast you missed in this series 235 00:11:37,380 –> 00:11:38,380 at our website 236 00:11:38,380 –> 00:11:39,960 www.openthebible.org 237 00:11:39,960 –> 00:11:41,280 You’ll also find an opportunity 238 00:11:41,280 –> 00:11:43,559 to order a copy of the audio book there 239 00:11:43,559 –> 00:11:46,780 again that’s at openedhebible.org 240 00:11:46,780 –> 00:11:48,159 Let’s get back to Chapter 8 241 00:11:48,159 –> 00:11:49,280 with Stephen Baldwin 242 00:11:49,280 –> 00:11:51,099 Here is Triumph 243 00:11:51,099 –> 00:11:57,400 Chapter 8 244 00:11:57,400 –> 00:11:58,640 Triumph 245 00:11:58,640 –> 00:12:06,979 Three P.M. 246 00:12:06,979 –> 00:12:08,539 His voice pierced the silence 247 00:12:08,539 –> 00:12:12,979 like the blast of a trumpet 248 00:12:12,979 –> 00:12:14,260 It is finished 249 00:12:14,260 –> 00:12:16,760 Father, into Your hands 250 00:12:16,760 –> 00:12:20,719 I commit my spirit 251 00:12:20,960 –> 00:12:25,359 No one ever died like this 252 00:12:25,359 –> 00:12:26,619 Have you ever heard of someone 253 00:12:26,619 –> 00:12:29,219 whose last words were spoken 254 00:12:29,219 –> 00:12:33,020 with a loud voice? 255 00:12:33,020 –> 00:12:36,859 When a man dies, his voice becomes weaker 256 00:12:36,859 –> 00:12:39,299 and weaker 257 00:12:39,299 –> 00:12:42,799 until it is no more than a whisper 258 00:12:42,799 –> 00:12:45,640 And then he is gone 259 00:12:45,640 –> 00:12:49,299 Nobody shouts at the moment of his own death 260 00:12:49,380 –> 00:12:51,859 Jesus did 261 00:12:51,859 –> 00:12:55,200 Christ entered into death not in defeat 262 00:12:55,200 –> 00:12:57,340 but in triumph 263 00:12:57,340 –> 00:13:00,020 He was in complete control 264 00:13:00,020 –> 00:13:01,539 He accomplished everything 265 00:13:01,539 –> 00:13:05,020 He had come to do and gave Himself 266 00:13:05,020 –> 00:13:08,440 into death 267 00:13:08,440 –> 00:13:11,940 Then all hell broke loose 268 00:13:11,940 –> 00:13:14,000 The earth beneath me shook 269 00:13:14,000 –> 00:13:16,440 causing the beam on which I was suspended 270 00:13:16,440 –> 00:13:19,159 to lurch violently 271 00:13:19,179 –> 00:13:22,159 The shock was agonizing 272 00:13:22,159 –> 00:13:26,640 The crowd whose jeering had been quieted by the darkness 273 00:13:26,640 –> 00:13:30,859 now erupted in panic and confusion 274 00:13:30,859 –> 00:13:34,020 People screamed as the tremors ripped through the city 275 00:13:34,020 –> 00:13:38,219 Cracks began to open in the ground 276 00:13:38,219 –> 00:13:41,099 … Was this the end? 277 00:13:41,099 –> 00:13:44,020 I knew my time had almost run out 278 00:13:44,020 –> 00:13:47,719 but had humanity’s time run out too? 279 00:13:47,719 –> 00:13:52,880 We had just crucified God’s Son 280 00:13:52,880 –> 00:13:57,500 God’s Justice had to fall 281 00:13:57,500 –> 00:13:59,559 I closed my eyes and I held my breath 282 00:13:59,559 –> 00:14:05,020 bracing myself against whatever came next 283 00:14:05,020 –> 00:14:09,080 The commander who was responsible for overseeing our executions 284 00:14:09,080 –> 00:14:12,280 looked up at Jesus’ lifeless body and said 285 00:14:12,340 –> 00:14:15,340 Surely this was the Son of God 286 00:14:15,340 –> 00:14:20,539 The soldiers who a few hours before had cast lots for Jesus’ robe 287 00:14:20,539 –> 00:14:24,200 now looked at each other in fear and terror 288 00:14:24,200 –> 00:14:26,599 What have we done? 289 00:14:26,599 –> 00:14:30,400 For me, there was a strange comfort 290 00:14:30,400 –> 00:14:33,299 The men who had carried out my execution now 291 00:14:33,299 –> 00:14:35,520 shared my faith 292 00:14:35,520 –> 00:14:38,479 In those surreal moments after the quake, 293 00:14:38,479 –> 00:14:41,559 the crowd dispersed into the shadows 294 00:14:41,559 –> 00:14:43,280 They were frightened 295 00:14:43,280 –> 00:14:45,979 They were confused, as to what just happened 296 00:14:45,979 –> 00:14:52,979 Then, as suddenly, as the darkness had descended on us hours before, 297 00:14:53,659 –> 00:15:00,659 it lifted 298 00:15:06,280 –> 00:15:08,659 The lifeless body of Jesus 299 00:15:08,659 –> 00:15:12,340 hung in silence a few feet away from me 300 00:15:12,340 –> 00:15:19,679 and having staked everything on him 301 00:15:19,679 –> 00:15:24,299 I now felt completely alone 302 00:15:24,299 –> 00:15:26,979 i thought i would be the first to die 303 00:15:26,979 –> 00:15:30,099 and that he would send me ahead of him 304 00:15:30,099 –> 00:15:34,780 It’d never occurred to me that he would die first 305 00:15:34,780 –> 00:15:37,780 Right before Jesus died, He said, 306 00:15:37,940 –> 00:15:43,700 The workING IS FINISHED 307 00:15:43,700 –> 00:15:47,400 When was I ever able to say that? 308 00:15:47,400 –> 00:15:53,820 My life was a tangle of loose ends. Nothing was complete 309 00:15:53,820 –> 00:15:58,940 My mother poured all her energy into the pursuit of a godly life 310 00:15:58,940 –> 00:16:01,940 But for all of her relentless effort 311 00:16:01,940 –> 00:16:04,020 the feeling of incompleteness 312 00:16:04,020 –> 00:16:06,539 haunted her 313 00:16:06,539 –> 00:16:09,659 She found it hard to rest because she always felt there was more to do 314 00:16:09,659 –> 00:16:12,460 more that was required 315 00:16:12,460 –> 00:16:15,059 Nothing was ever enough 316 00:16:15,059 –> 00:16:20,140 She was right in saying that there is no rest for the wicked 317 00:16:20,140 –> 00:16:21,299 I knew that to be true 318 00:16:21,299 –> 00:16:24,179 but as far as I could see 319 00:16:24,179 –> 00:16:31,179 there isn’t much rest for people who try to be righteous either 320 00:16:31,179 –> 00:16:32,179 It is finished 321 00:16:32,659 –> 00:16:39,619 Now there is something that neither I nor my mother could ever have said 322 00:16:39,619 –> 00:16:42,900 but Jesus said it with a shout of triumph 323 00:16:42,900 –> 00:16:49,900 The reason his voice was so strong at the moment of his death 324 00:16:49,900 –> 00:16:53,719 was that Jesus did not slide into death as a victim 325 00:16:53,719 –> 00:17:00,080 He marched into death as a conquering warrior 326 00:17:00,359 –> 00:17:02,919 all that he had come to do, was done 327 00:17:02,919 –> 00:17:05,780 but what was finished? 328 00:17:05,780 –> 00:17:09,099 What had he accomplished? 329 00:17:09,099 –> 00:17:13,300 Clearly Jesus is life on earth was finished. As soon as he had said these 330 00:17:13,300 –> 00:17:14,959 words 331 00:17:14,959 –> 00:17:20,020 Jesus gave his spirit into the hands of the father 332 00:17:20,020 –> 00:17:23,859 and he died 333 00:17:23,859 –> 00:17:25,140 That his life 334 00:17:25,140 –> 00:17:27,160 had been a good one 335 00:17:27,160 –> 00:17:29,680 was obvious to me 336 00:17:29,680 –> 00:17:34,599 even back then on the cross I knew that he was a righteous man 337 00:17:34,599 –> 00:17:36,719 and that he was suffering unjustly 338 00:17:36,719 –> 00:17:38,020 that was what I said 339 00:17:38,020 –> 00:17:43,260 this man has done nothing wrong 340 00:17:43,260 –> 00:17:45,619 being with him in heaven 341 00:17:45,619 –> 00:17:52,319 I now see that Jesus did everything that God calls you and me to do on earth 342 00:17:52,319 –> 00:17:55,640 and kept all of the commandments 343 00:17:55,640 –> 00:17:57,560 he loved God 344 00:17:57,560 –> 00:18:01,579 with all his heart and loved his neighbor as himself 345 00:18:01,579 –> 00:18:04,079 he did this completely 346 00:18:04,079 –> 00:18:06,119 consistently 347 00:18:06,119 –> 00:18:07,599 and without even a 348 00:18:07,599 –> 00:18:11,060 shadow of compromise 349 00:18:11,060 –> 00:18:17,680 his life was an unbroken stream of love and faithfulness joyfully offered 350 00:18:17,680 –> 00:18:21,680 to God 351 00:18:21,680 –> 00:18:25,140 I was nowhere near that target 352 00:18:25,140 –> 00:18:29,119 thieves love themselves more than their neighbors 353 00:18:29,119 –> 00:18:32,020 that is why they break in a steal 354 00:18:32,020 –> 00:18:34,339 and as for loving God 355 00:18:34,339 –> 00:18:38,739 I didn’t know the first thing about love 356 00:18:38,739 –> 00:18:41,900 that’s why on the last day of my life I began 357 00:18:41,900 –> 00:18:43,800 to fear God 358 00:18:43,800 –> 00:18:47,060 I knew that I had not kept his commandments 359 00:18:47,060 –> 00:18:51,599 I knew that I was not righteous not even close 360 00:18:51,619 –> 00:18:54,079 where do you go from there? 361 00:18:55,819 –> 00:18:58,859 you haven’t done what God calls you to do 362 00:18:58,859 –> 00:19:01,920 your best efforts have come up short 363 00:19:01,920 –> 00:19:05,239 you have failed to keep his Ten Commandments 364 00:19:05,239 –> 00:19:06,239 and you can’t 365 00:19:06,239 –> 00:19:09,199 relive the past 366 00:19:09,199 –> 00:19:11,000 this was painfully obvious to me 367 00:19:11,000 –> 00:19:13,479 as I hung on the Cross 368 00:19:13,479 –> 00:19:17,060 with every hour that passed I was being pressed ever closer 369 00:19:17,060 –> 00:19:20,260 to my exit from this world 370 00:19:20,280 –> 00:19:23,339 and i had no way of pulling back 371 00:19:27,339 –> 00:19:29,000 but here’s what I discovered 372 00:19:31,079 –> 00:19:33,000 to my great joy 373 00:19:33,000 –> 00:19:35,800 the Son of God became a man 374 00:19:36,800 –> 00:19:41,060 to live the life that I had failed to live 375 00:19:41,060 –> 00:19:43,719 He finished when I had barely started 376 00:19:43,719 –> 00:19:47,819 Jesus was and is everything 377 00:19:48,780 –> 00:19:51,500 that God had called me to be 378 00:19:54,760 –> 00:19:57,079 When I trusted Jesus 379 00:19:57,079 –> 00:20:00,420 God made me one with him 380 00:20:00,420 –> 00:20:02,060 All that was mine 381 00:20:02,060 –> 00:20:03,819 God counted as his 382 00:20:03,819 –> 00:20:05,000 and all that was His 383 00:20:05,000 –> 00:20:10,300 God counted as mine 384 00:20:10,300 –> 00:20:14,199 It was as if my sin-spattered soul 385 00:20:14,380 –> 00:20:19,040 draped in the purity of the perfect life of Jesus 386 00:20:19,040 –> 00:20:23,819 So I could stand before God with the confidence to which Jesus himself 387 00:20:23,819 –> 00:20:28,400 would be entitled 388 00:20:28,400 –> 00:20:30,640 If it had not been for Jesus 389 00:20:30,640 –> 00:20:34,280 I would still be locked in an endless conflict with God 390 00:20:34,280 –> 00:20:36,359 I would still be angry with Him 391 00:20:36,359 –> 00:20:41,599 I would still feel that He owed me a better life and a better eternity 392 00:20:41,599 –> 00:20:43,839 My anger and rebellion against God 393 00:20:43,839 –> 00:20:47,680 would have grown stronger and more futile in eternity 394 00:20:47,680 –> 00:20:51,479 I would still be standing with my little sword 395 00:20:51,479 –> 00:20:54,800 trying to take on the almighty 396 00:20:54,800 –> 00:20:58,540 It’s a ridiculous picture, isn’t it? 397 00:20:58,540 –> 00:21:02,359 And it’s clearer to me than ever before that my fight with God 398 00:21:02,359 –> 00:21:06,680 is a fight that I could never win 399 00:21:06,680 –> 00:21:11,000 You don’t have to live one more minute of your life locked 400 00:21:11,000 –> 00:21:16,119 in conflict with God either 401 00:21:16,119 –> 00:21:19,359 You can put down your sword today 402 00:21:19,359 –> 00:21:23,219 You can rest from this battle 403 00:21:23,219 –> 00:21:27,479 This is a war you could never win 404 00:21:27,479 –> 00:21:29,640 Now you don’t have to 405 00:21:29,640 –> 00:21:32,020 Jesus laid down his life so 406 00:21:32,020 –> 00:21:35,959 you could know real peace with God 407 00:21:35,959 –> 00:21:42,699 In eternity 408 00:21:42,699 –> 00:21:45,439 You’re listening to a special edition of Open the Bible 409 00:21:45,439 –> 00:21:47,560 The dramatic reading of Heaven How I Got Here 410 00:21:47,560 –> 00:21:49,079 Is read by actress Stephen Baldwin 411 00:21:49,079 –> 00:21:51,459 And Collin, that is such a vivid picture 412 00:21:51,459 –> 00:21:52,680 A humorous one 413 00:21:52,680 –> 00:21:54,839 Of us trying to hold up our little swords 414 00:21:54,839 –> 00:21:56,239 Fighting against the almighty 415 00:21:56,239 –> 00:21:58,780 That is a fight that no one can ever win 416 00:21:58,780 –> 00:21:59,640 Yeah 417 00:21:59,640 –> 00:22:02,359 But what a marvelous thing when God is your friend 418 00:22:02,359 –> 00:22:03,859 When you’re at peace with Him 419 00:22:03,920 –> 00:22:06,300 And you’ve been reconciled to Him 420 00:22:06,300 –> 00:22:08,680 That’s what Jesus Christ came into the world 421 00:22:08,680 –> 00:22:09,780 To bring to us 422 00:22:09,780 –> 00:22:12,699 And because He has already conquered sin 423 00:22:12,699 –> 00:22:14,140 And conquered death 424 00:22:14,140 –> 00:22:16,079 There’s nothing more that we can do 425 00:22:16,079 –> 00:22:17,239 Well these words 426 00:22:17,239 –> 00:22:18,099 It is finished 427 00:22:18,099 –> 00:22:19,859 Must be the most marvellous words 428 00:22:19,859 –> 00:22:21,339 That have ever been spoken 429 00:22:21,339 –> 00:22:23,000 I mean what comes close to this 430 00:22:23,000 –> 00:22:25,420 He really has done everything 431 00:22:25,420 –> 00:22:26,300 That is needed 432 00:22:26,300 –> 00:22:28,400 To bring not only the thief into Heaven 433 00:22:28,400 –> 00:22:31,060 But everyone who will put their trust in Him 434 00:22:31,420 –> 00:22:33,739 You know who else could ever say 435 00:22:33,739 –> 00:22:34,859 At the end of their life 436 00:22:34,859 –> 00:22:35,680 Truly 437 00:22:35,680 –> 00:22:36,459 It is finished 438 00:22:36,459 –> 00:22:37,739 Who else could ever say 439 00:22:37,739 –> 00:22:39,540 I’ve completed everything 440 00:22:39,540 –> 00:22:41,359 That God the Father gave me to do 441 00:22:41,359 –> 00:22:42,459 We haven’t done that 442 00:22:42,459 –> 00:22:43,660 I haven’t done that 443 00:22:43,660 –> 00:22:45,719 I have to put my trust in a person 444 00:22:45,719 –> 00:22:46,819 Who has done that 445 00:22:46,819 –> 00:22:47,959 And there’s only one 446 00:22:47,959 –> 00:22:48,739 That’s Jesus 447 00:22:48,739 –> 00:22:50,699 He says it is finished 448 00:22:50,699 –> 00:22:51,859 He’s done everything 449 00:22:51,859 –> 00:22:52,979 That is needed 450 00:22:52,979 –> 00:22:56,239 He has fulfilled all of the commandments of God 451 00:22:56,239 –> 00:22:59,060 He has borne all of the penalty of sin 452 00:22:59,060 –> 00:23:00,979 We put our trust in Him 453 00:23:01,260 –> 00:23:03,560 And He’s the one who’s able to bring us into heaven 454 00:23:03,560 –> 00:23:05,000 Because he’s done what we’ve not 455 00:23:05,339 –> 00:23:07,060 You know, it’s an incredible promise 456 00:23:07,060 –> 00:23:10,780 That the thief really grasped at the very end of his life 457 00:23:10,780 –> 00:23:12,180 But as he was just saying 458 00:23:12,459 –> 00:23:14,400 And we don’t have to wait until the very end of our lives 459 00:23:14,400 –> 00:23:15,880 That this is something that maybe 460 00:23:16,300 –> 00:23:18,939 The Spirit of God is awakening in you today 461 00:23:18,939 –> 00:23:20,900 Man, now is the time to act 462 00:23:20,900 –> 00:23:22,479 Don’t wait for the last moment 463 00:23:22,479 –> 00:23:25,180 You got to trust Jesus Christ at the first opportunity 464 00:23:25,180 –> 00:23:26,859 Actually, that’s what the thief did 465 00:23:26,859 –> 00:23:28,859 Why should you not do that as well? 466 00:23:28,859 –> 00:23:31,439 Here’s good news that is offered to you 467 00:23:31,520 –> 00:23:34,780 Here is life, forgiveness, peace with God 468 00:23:34,780 –> 00:23:37,000 That Jesus Christ offers to all 469 00:23:37,000 –> 00:23:38,319 who will turn to Him 470 00:23:38,319 –> 00:23:41,359 In faith and repentance as the thief on the cross did 471 00:23:41,880 –> 00:23:43,979 Well we’ve just wrapped up chapter seven and eight 472 00:23:43,979 –> 00:23:46,119 On today’s broadcast of Open the Bible 473 00:23:46,119 –> 00:23:47,199 A special edition 474 00:23:47,199 –> 00:23:48,040 As we’re listening to 475 00:23:48,040 –> 00:23:49,219 Heaven How I Got Here 476 00:23:49,219 –> 00:23:50,780 The story of the thief on the cross 477 00:23:51,140 –> 00:23:52,880 As read by actor Stephen Baldwin 478 00:23:53,500 –> 00:23:55,760 Not only has Stephen read this as an Audiobook 479 00:23:55,760 –> 00:23:57,000 Which has been turned into 480 00:23:57,000 –> 00:23:58,819 Radio programs and specials 481 00:23:58,819 –> 00:24:01,400 But this was actually filmed a number of years ago 482 00:24:01,400 –> 00:24:05,119 And turned into a one man stage play and movie 483 00:24:05,119 –> 00:24:07,260 And you’re able to watch that for free 484 00:24:07,260 –> 00:24:08,319 When you come to our website 485 00:24:08,319 –> 00:24:09,859 OpenTheBible.org 486 00:24:09,859 –> 00:24:10,979 Slash heaven 487 00:24:11,260 –> 00:24:13,239 I’d invite you during this Easter week 488 00:24:13,239 –> 00:24:15,520 To invite people to watch that with you 489 00:24:15,520 –> 00:24:17,020 And use that as a way 490 00:24:17,020 –> 00:24:20,060 To talk about how someone can come to know Jesus 491 00:24:20,060 –> 00:24:22,219 And know that their eternities secure with Him 492 00:24:22,219 –> 00:24:23,619 It is a great evangelistic tool 493 00:24:23,619 –> 00:24:24,819 Again, you can watch 494 00:24:24,819 –> 00:24:26,060 Heaven, How I got here 495 00:24:26,180 –> 00:24:27,880 A night with a thief on the cross 496 00:24:28,000 –> 00:24:29,099 When you come to our website 497 00:24:29,099 –> 00:24:30,420 OpenTheBible.org 498 00:24:30,420 –> 00:24:31,619 Slash heaven 499 00:24:31,619 –> 00:24:32,760 And as you have been listening 500 00:24:32,760 –> 00:24:34,500 Maybe you realize that you are far from God 501 00:24:34,500 –> 00:24:35,739 And you would like to come to Him 502 00:24:35,739 –> 00:24:36,719 Like the thief did 503 00:24:36,719 –> 00:24:39,319 Again I hope you will go check out that website 504 00:24:39,319 –> 00:24:41,920 And see all the resources we have for you there 505 00:24:41,920 –> 00:24:43,660 That is openthebible.org 506 00:24:43,959 –> 00:24:45,020 Slash heaven 507 00:24:45,640 –> 00:24:46,660 For Pastor Colin Smith 508 00:24:46,660 –> 00:24:47,239 I am Steve Hiller 509 00:24:47,239 –> 00:24:48,079 Thank for listening 510 00:24:48,079 –> 00:24:49,859 And I hope you will join us next time 511 00:24:49,859 –> 00:24:51,099 As we wrap up our story 512 00:24:51,099 –> 00:24:52,359 On the thief on the cross 513 00:24:52,359 –> 00:24:53,900 With Chapter 9 514 00:24:54,140 –> 00:24:55,020 Safety 515 00:24:55,020 –> 00:24:59,660 This is a listener supported production of Open the Bible