1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:07,000 Welcome to this special edition of Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. 2 00:00:07,320 –> 00:00:10,940 And Colin, today we’re going to hear the final chapter 3 00:00:10,940 –> 00:00:15,020 in the book. The audiobook Heaven How I Got Here. The story of the thef on the Cross. 4 00:00:15,020 –> 00:00:19,879 But before we do, I want to back up and take a little bit of a look 5 00:00:19,879 –> 00:00:24,540 at what we’ve been focusing on all this week. The story about how the thief 6 00:00:24,540 –> 00:00:28,840 ended up on the cross next to Jesus, absolutely 7 00:00:28,879 –> 00:00:33,099 hating God. Yeah, you know, the scripture makes very clear that at the beginning 8 00:00:33,099 –> 00:00:37,480 both of the robbers, there was one either side of Jesus and both of them were 9 00:00:37,480 –> 00:00:38,799 hurling abuse 10 00:00:38,799 –> 00:00:43,720 at Jesus. Both of them pouring out this hatred towards Christ. And so 11 00:00:43,720 –> 00:00:47,560 at the beginning of these hours on the cross, the thief 12 00:00:47,560 –> 00:00:52,299 who eventually trusted Jesus was about as far from God as it would be possible 13 00:00:52,299 –> 00:00:53,380 for a person to be. 14 00:00:53,380 –> 00:00:57,400 But yet something began to happen in the life for that thief, 15 00:00:57,599 –> 00:00:59,860 in his soul. There was a moment in time 16 00:00:59,860 –> 00:01:03,480 where he began to turn. Talk a little bit, if you would, 17 00:01:03,480 –> 00:01:07,339 about that, I guess, progression he was beginning to make in 18 00:01:07,339 –> 00:01:10,459 coming to Jesus. There was a remarkable change 19 00:01:10,459 –> 00:01:14,000 in his whole attitude to Jesus. We’re not told in the Bible how this 20 00:01:14,000 –> 00:01:14,940 came about 21 00:01:14,940 –> 00:01:18,959 but he surely was right on the very brink of eternity. I mean, what is the 22 00:01:18,959 –> 00:01:23,400 point in going into eternity with your fists shaking towards Almighty God? 23 00:01:23,500 –> 00:01:26,160 It’s as if a stillness came over him, 24 00:01:26,160 –> 00:01:29,400 a sense of awe and 25 00:01:29,400 –> 00:01:33,220 he would have heard Jesus say, Father forgive them 26 00:01:33,220 –> 00:01:37,419 to those who had nailed him. I wonder if he thought to himself, you 27 00:01:37,419 –> 00:01:40,639 know, if he’d forgive them maybe he would forgive me as well. 28 00:01:40,639 –> 00:01:44,699 It seems that he had picked up on Jesus being a king with authority because he 29 00:01:44,699 –> 00:01:45,820 said, remember me 30 00:01:45,820 –> 00:01:50,320 when you come into your Kingdom. But whatever the factors were, he came to a 31 00:01:50,320 –> 00:01:52,260 place where instead of 32 00:01:52,260 –> 00:01:56,779 pouring out this hatred towards Jesus, he asked Jesus to help him. 33 00:01:56,779 –> 00:02:00,180 Will you remember me when you come into your Kingdom and Jesus gives him this 34 00:02:00,180 –> 00:02:01,379 marvelous answer. 35 00:02:01,379 –> 00:02:05,000 Amen, I say to you, today 36 00:02:05,000 –> 00:02:08,880 you will be with me in paradise. And what a relief that must have been to the 37 00:02:08,880 –> 00:02:10,899 thief to hear those words 38 00:02:10,899 –> 00:02:15,059 but yet there was still something that the thief was doing the carefully on the cross. 39 00:02:15,059 –> 00:02:16,020 There was a moment of 40 00:02:16,020 –> 00:02:19,619 hearing those words but there was a moment of accepting those believing that 41 00:02:19,619 –> 00:02:20,059 truth. 42 00:02:20,059 –> 00:02:23,399 He puts his trust in Jesus and Jesus gives him that 43 00:02:23,399 –> 00:02:27,160 promise, that assurance. This is how one comes to 44 00:02:27,160 –> 00:02:31,179 faith in Christ. This is what it looks like. You believe in the promise of 45 00:02:31,179 –> 00:02:33,139 Christ. You ask him to help you. 46 00:02:33,139 –> 00:02:36,380 He says, now whoever comes to me I’ll never turn you away. 47 00:02:36,380 –> 00:02:39,559 So you come to him, you ask of him and 48 00:02:39,559 –> 00:02:43,779 he gives his promise that there is forgiveness and there is grace and there 49 00:02:43,779 –> 00:02:44,639 is mercy 50 00:02:44,639 –> 00:02:48,179 and you believe that and it is yours. 51 00:02:48,300 –> 00:02:51,580 Now the promise that he did not give the thief, is that his suffering would be 52 00:02:51,600 –> 00:02:55,300 over. Just because he began this relationship with Jesus didn’t mean that 53 00:02:55,300 –> 00:02:56,660 he was now going to have 54 00:02:56,660 –> 00:03:01,080 a pain-free last couple of hours. In fact even more than the pain that he 55 00:03:01,080 –> 00:03:02,059 experienced, 56 00:03:02,059 –> 00:03:06,100 he was plunged into darkness. We know that after he trusted Jesus 57 00:03:06,100 –> 00:03:10,100 darkness came over the whole land and that lasted for hours 58 00:03:10,100 –> 00:03:11,320 and he heard this Jesus, 59 00:03:11,320 –> 00:03:15,940 who he had just trusted say my God my God why have you forsaken me 60 00:03:16,039 –> 00:03:20,199 If you put your trust in Jesus there will still be times when you experience 61 00:03:20,220 –> 00:03:23,679 darkness. When you may be asking the question why. 62 00:03:23,679 –> 00:03:27,380 Being a Christian doesn’t mean you got the answer to every question or that you 63 00:03:27,380 –> 00:03:28,240 live in sunny 64 00:03:28,240 –> 00:03:31,660 light all of the time. This guy was in pain 65 00:03:31,660 –> 00:03:35,300 but he trusted Jesus in the pain and he trusted Jesus 66 00:03:35,300 –> 00:03:38,860 in the darkness. And that’s what real faith actually does. 67 00:03:38,860 –> 00:03:42,820 Today we actually take a look at what the thief was 68 00:03:43,380 –> 00:03:46,679 into. How he began that eternal 69 00:03:46,679 –> 00:03:51,080 relationship with Jesus in heaven. We continue 70 00:03:51,080 –> 00:03:55,039 with chapter nine of heaven How I Got Here. it’s entitled Safety 71 00:03:55,039 –> 00:03:58,399 as read by Stephen Baldwin. Chapter 9 72 00:03:58,399 –> 00:04:04,199 Safety 538 p.m. 73 00:04:04,199 –> 00:04:07,820 life of body of Jesus was still hanging on the cross side 74 00:04:07,820 –> 00:04:08,979 me 75 00:04:09,660 –> 00:04:13,500 the other victim had exhausted himself and was still 76 00:04:13,500 –> 00:04:17,839 breating had become largely silent 77 00:04:17,839 –> 00:04:21,320 where had Jesus gone 78 00:04:21,320 –> 00:04:24,440 he told me today you will be with 79 00:04:24,440 –> 00:04:28,359 me in paradise 80 00:04:28,359 –> 00:04:31,779 today meant before sundown and he said 81 00:04:31,779 –> 00:04:35,700 with me so he would be there too 82 00:04:35,700 –> 00:04:38,920 I believed him 83 00:04:39,000 –> 00:04:41,880 So there was no doubt in my mind that jesus was in heaven already 84 00:04:42,200 –> 00:04:45,820 he had gone there ahead of me. When Jesus died he said 85 00:04:45,820 –> 00:04:49,760 father into your hands I commit my spirit 86 00:04:49,760 –> 00:04:53,100 he had no doubt about my where he was going 87 00:04:53,100 –> 00:04:57,480 his body remained on the cross until it was taken down and laid in the tomb 88 00:04:57,480 –> 00:05:02,019 but his spirit if went immediately in to the presence of his father in heaven 89 00:05:02,019 –> 00:05:06,160 at the moment of his death, Jesus was translated from 90 00:05:06,359 –> 00:05:10,279 from the agony of suffering in the body to the conscious 91 00:05:10,279 –> 00:05:14,260 enjoyment of life in heaven 92 00:05:14,260 –> 00:05:21,260 and he had promised the same to me 93 00:05:25,880 –> 00:05:28,220 time seemed to stretch on forever 94 00:05:28,220 –> 00:05:32,480 then suddenly there is movement someone had come out 95 00:05:32,480 –> 00:05:36,000 from the cities soldiers immediately stood attention 96 00:05:36,279 –> 00:05:38,679 new instructions were given 97 00:05:38,679 –> 00:05:42,559 killed the criminals, bury the bodies, take down the crosses 98 00:05:42,559 –> 00:05:47,779 so the soldiers turned and walked purposefully toward me 99 00:05:47,779 –> 00:05:49,619 armed with their clubs 100 00:05:49,619 –> 00:05:52,839 one swing to the head with one of those kills a man 101 00:05:52,839 –> 00:05:56,459 and if there was any interest in relieving my pain 102 00:05:56,459 –> 00:05:59,640 they could end of my life in an instant 103 00:05:59,640 –> 00:06:02,399 but that was not what they had in mind 104 00:06:02,399 –> 00:06:06,260 my legs were their target 105 00:06:06,260 –> 00:06:08,239 I screamed out as the first 106 00:06:08,239 –> 00:06:11,980 blow slammed into my knees, then the second 107 00:06:11,980 –> 00:06:14,339 then the third 108 00:06:14,339 –> 00:06:16,179 my body sagged, suspended 109 00:06:16,179 –> 00:06:19,820 but no longer supported 110 00:06:19,820 –> 00:06:21,619 unbearable pain 111 00:06:21,619 –> 00:06:26,019 seared through my aching hands 112 00:06:26,100 –> 00:06:28,059 without the support of my legs 113 00:06:28,059 –> 00:06:30,779 I no longer had the strength to lift my body 114 00:06:30,779 –> 00:06:33,220 and to breathe 115 00:06:33,220 –> 00:06:38,480 only a few minutes longer 116 00:06:38,480 –> 00:06:42,739 they moved to the victim on the other side of jesus and broke his legs to 117 00:06:42,739 –> 00:06:44,579 now this one 118 00:06:44,579 –> 00:06:47,679 said one of the soldiers as they came to jesus 119 00:06:47,679 –> 00:06:50,079 he’s already dead 120 00:06:50,079 –> 00:06:51,899 make sure 121 00:06:51,899 –> 00:06:54,980 we don’t want any doubt 122 00:06:54,980 –> 00:06:59,559 soldier pulled back with his spear and with full force 123 00:06:59,559 –> 00:07:01,700 rammed into the side of Jesus’ body 124 00:07:01,700 –> 00:07:08,700 ripping it open with a huge gash from which his bloods spilled out onto the ground 125 00:07:11,239 –> 00:07:13,839 that, was the last thing i saw 126 00:07:13,839 –> 00:07:20,839 on earth 127 00:07:22,739 –> 00:07:24,559 sometimes wondered 128 00:07:24,559 –> 00:07:29,019 what the journey of my soul leaving my body would be like 129 00:07:29,179 –> 00:07:34,799 being launched out like a shivering ghost lost and alone in the unknown 130 00:07:34,799 –> 00:07:37,600 vastness of space 131 00:07:37,600 –> 00:07:41,619 the thought was terrifying me 132 00:07:41,619 –> 00:07:42,980 but the reality was 133 00:07:42,980 –> 00:07:45,119 very different 134 00:07:45,119 –> 00:07:47,000 it felt for me like 135 00:07:47,000 –> 00:07:50,040 moving to a tunnel at lightning speed 136 00:07:50,040 –> 00:07:51,359 the release 137 00:07:51,359 –> 00:07:53,820 was sweet 138 00:07:53,820 –> 00:08:00,820 hours of pain. I closed my eyes and was set free 139 00:08:01,059 –> 00:08:03,440 when the moment came 140 00:08:03,440 –> 00:08:05,600 I knew I was not alone 141 00:08:05,600 –> 00:08:08,380 I was accompanied 142 00:08:08,380 –> 00:08:12,140 I was carried. I was taken up 143 00:08:12,140 –> 00:08:13,500 and I was welcomed 144 00:08:13,500 –> 00:08:18,940 by Jesus himself 145 00:08:18,940 –> 00:08:21,059 Death is a dark place 146 00:08:21,059 –> 00:08:23,359 but Jesus had already been through it 147 00:08:23,359 –> 00:08:28,600 and he had made it a safe place for me 148 00:08:28,600 –> 00:08:31,519 and watching now from the other side 149 00:08:31,519 –> 00:08:36,640 I’ve seen millions of people come through safely 150 00:08:36,640 –> 00:08:40,119 because of Him 151 00:08:40,119 –> 00:08:42,640 if you want to know more about heaven 152 00:08:42,640 –> 00:08:46,280 you have to wait till you get here yourself 153 00:08:46,280 –> 00:08:52,820 all I can say is that this is a place of greater joy than you have ever tasted 154 00:08:52,820 –> 00:08:59,340 think of your happiest moment on earth, and then multiply that happiness a million times 155 00:08:59,340 –> 00:09:01,700 and make it last forever 156 00:09:01,700 –> 00:09:04,500 Heaven is better than you can imagine 157 00:09:04,500 –> 00:09:07,299 so that’s my story 158 00:09:07,299 –> 00:09:09,780 how i got here 159 00:09:09,780 –> 00:09:11,320 I’m telling it 160 00:09:11,320 –> 00:09:14,080 so you will get here too 161 00:09:14,080 –> 00:09:17,479 no one gets in automaticly 162 00:09:17,479 –> 00:09:20,440 it’s jesus who gets you here 163 00:09:20,440 –> 00:09:22,659 heaven is his home 164 00:09:22,719 –> 00:09:25,000 he holds the key 165 00:09:25,000 –> 00:09:26,700 he opens the door 166 00:09:26,700 –> 00:09:30,239 and if you become his, heaven will be yours 167 00:09:30,239 –> 00:09:32,000 my story proves that 168 00:09:32,000 –> 00:09:36,919 getting in to heaven depends on jesus and on jesus alone 169 00:09:36,919 –> 00:09:39,780 it’s jesus who gets you in 170 00:09:39,780 –> 00:09:45,820 he opens the door for people who believe his word and trust themselves to him 171 00:09:45,820 –> 00:09:47,400 that’s what i did 172 00:09:47,400 –> 00:09:49,239 and you can do that too 173 00:09:49,239 –> 00:09:50,799 think about what i did 174 00:09:50,799 –> 00:09:53,039 i confessed to jesus 175 00:09:53,039 –> 00:09:56,599 i face the fact that my sins were many 176 00:09:56,599 –> 00:10:02,039 and that if death took me to the outer darkness of hell 177 00:10:02,039 –> 00:10:04,700 i was in no position to complain 178 00:10:04,700 –> 00:10:09,440 now you might be thinking, i’m not as bad as the thief on the cross, and that 179 00:10:09,440 –> 00:10:11,320 may be true 180 00:10:11,320 –> 00:10:13,059 but you’re need 181 00:10:13,059 –> 00:10:14,979 is as great as mine 182 00:10:14,979 –> 00:10:17,659 so don’t push away what i’m saying 183 00:10:17,659 –> 00:10:19,099 because you are better than me 184 00:10:19,260 –> 00:10:20,280 god does not 185 00:10:20,280 –> 00:10:22,099 great honored courage 186 00:10:22,099 –> 00:10:23,500 and at the end of the day 187 00:10:23,500 –> 00:10:26,320 we are all in the same position 188 00:10:26,320 –> 00:10:33,580 we come up short of his high calling 189 00:10:33,580 –> 00:10:38,400 tell him your sins are many, tell him you have been trying to make your own way in life apart from him 190 00:10:38,400 –> 00:10:43,299 tell him that you’ve been trying to make your own way to heaven apart from him 191 00:10:43,299 –> 00:10:45,340 tell them you are done with that 192 00:10:45,340 –> 00:10:47,859 tell them you are ready to follow him 193 00:10:47,960 –> 00:10:49,880 obey him 194 00:10:49,880 –> 00:10:54,539 trust him, love and serve him 195 00:10:54,539 –> 00:10:55,179 as HE gives you strength 196 00:10:55,179 –> 00:10:55,979 then ask him to save you 197 00:10:55,979 –> 00:11:01,219 that’s what I did 198 00:11:01,219 –> 00:11:03,140 I asked 199 00:11:03,140 –> 00:11:06,099 Jesus, I said 200 00:11:06,099 –> 00:11:07,900 remember me 201 00:11:07,900 –> 00:11:11,979 when you come into your kingdom 202 00:11:11,979 –> 00:11:14,919 you can have confidence in asking 203 00:11:15,080 –> 00:11:20,200 that God’s love for you is so strong that he gave his son 204 00:11:20,200 –> 00:11:24,580 you can be sure that when you come to Jesus ask him to forgive you and save you 205 00:11:24,580 –> 00:11:27,080 he will not turn you away 206 00:11:27,080 –> 00:11:28,760 not now 207 00:11:28,760 –> 00:11:29,900 not ever 208 00:11:29,900 –> 00:11:31,340 so ask him 209 00:11:31,340 –> 00:11:34,200 to be the lord and savior of your life right now 210 00:11:34,200 –> 00:11:35,979 ask him to forgive you 211 00:11:35,979 –> 00:11:37,979 ask him to forgive your sins 212 00:11:37,979 –> 00:11:40,260 ask him to give you peace with God 213 00:11:40,260 –> 00:11:43,960 ask him to give you strength by his spirit 214 00:11:44,020 –> 00:11:47,919 and to live in the way that is pleasing to him 215 00:11:47,919 –> 00:11:50,239 And when you ask 216 00:11:50,239 –> 00:11:53,659 you must believe 217 00:11:53,659 –> 00:12:00,380 asking arises from faith in who Jesus is and in what he promises 218 00:12:00,380 –> 00:12:01,979 believing in Jesus 219 00:12:01,979 –> 00:12:06,479 you ask him for what he has promised and trust him 220 00:12:06,479 –> 00:12:09,020 that it will be yours 221 00:12:09,020 –> 00:12:12,219 I asked on the last day of my life 222 00:12:12,280 –> 00:12:15,719 Jesus opened the door of heaven for me 223 00:12:15,719 –> 00:12:17,460 don’t say it’s too late for you 224 00:12:17,460 –> 00:12:18,659 because it’s not 225 00:12:18,659 –> 00:12:22,200 You can believe in Jesus and ask him to save you today 226 00:12:22,200 –> 00:12:24,900 please don’t wait until the last day of your life 227 00:12:24,900 –> 00:12:26,679 God is speaking to you now 228 00:12:26,679 –> 00:12:27,799 right now 229 00:12:27,799 –> 00:12:31,739 he is reaching out to you in love and mercy 230 00:12:31,739 –> 00:12:33,640 he is ready to save you 231 00:12:33,640 –> 00:12:35,099 your asking 232 00:12:35,099 –> 00:12:39,919 will be the beginning of a new adventure in trusting in Jesus 233 00:12:39,979 –> 00:12:42,780 It only lasted a few hours for me 234 00:12:42,780 –> 00:12:47,700 But whether it be hours, days, months, years or decades 235 00:12:47,700 –> 00:12:49,320 trusting Christ 236 00:12:49,320 –> 00:12:52,859 will be the new dynamic of your life 237 00:12:52,859 –> 00:12:54,760 don’t expect it to be easy 238 00:12:54,760 –> 00:12:57,159 your faith will be tested as mine was 239 00:12:57,159 –> 00:13:00,380 your may experience days of great darkness 240 00:13:00,380 –> 00:13:04,000 your may go through times when you feel that God is far from you 241 00:13:04,000 –> 00:13:07,179 you may experience great pain in your body as I did 242 00:13:07,179 –> 00:13:09,419 or great pain in your soul 243 00:13:09,460 –> 00:13:11,479 His presence is with you 244 00:13:11,479 –> 00:13:15,679 and the strength He gives will get you through 245 00:13:15,679 –> 00:13:19,679 my faith was tested from the time I trusted Jesus right up to the end 246 00:13:19,700 –> 00:13:22,700 when the moment of my death drew near 247 00:13:22,700 –> 00:13:26,780 it seemed as if all the worst things I had ever done 248 00:13:26,780 –> 00:13:29,419 flashed across my dulling mind 249 00:13:29,419 –> 00:13:33,099 my sins were real, alive, fresh and present 250 00:13:33,099 –> 00:13:34,539 And they were many 251 00:13:35,500 –> 00:13:38,000 It felt as if I would drown in them 252 00:13:38,359 –> 00:13:41,799 that my sins would overwhelm me and damn me forever 253 00:13:41,799 –> 00:13:45,640 All I could do was trust the promise of Jesus 254 00:13:45,640 –> 00:13:51,239 Today, you will be in Paradise 255 00:13:51,239 –> 00:13:53,080 He had given His word 256 00:13:53,320 –> 00:13:57,080 and I found hope in believing that His commitment 257 00:13:57,080 –> 00:13:59,159 to bring me into heaven 258 00:13:59,159 –> 00:14:02,260 would be stronger than everything that would 259 00:14:02,260 –> 00:14:04,520 conspire to keep me out 260 00:14:05,440 –> 00:14:08,559 Trusting in Jesus begins with a decision 261 00:14:08,559 –> 00:14:11,080 a commitment, and a prayer 262 00:14:12,280 –> 00:14:13,679 But it’s more than that 263 00:14:13,679 –> 00:14:16,520 trusting Jesus as a way of life 264 00:14:16,840 –> 00:14:20,280 Looking back, I see that I wasted my years on earth 265 00:14:20,280 –> 00:14:22,440 I lived for myself 266 00:14:22,440 –> 00:14:24,719 I failed to love God 267 00:14:24,719 –> 00:14:26,440 but that changed 268 00:14:26,440 –> 00:14:28,840 when I met Jesus Christ 269 00:14:29,679 –> 00:14:32,880 The King captured my mind 270 00:14:33,000 –> 00:14:36,799 His love and care for me laid hold of my heart 271 00:14:36,799 –> 00:14:39,960 If I had been given a longer life on earth 272 00:14:39,960 –> 00:14:42,679 I would have lived it for Him 273 00:14:42,679 –> 00:14:44,159 No question 274 00:14:44,559 –> 00:14:47,080 That gift was not given to me 275 00:14:47,080 –> 00:14:50,679 But right now, it is being given to you 276 00:14:51,640 –> 00:14:54,159 So please cherish every day you have 277 00:14:54,159 –> 00:14:56,479 and live in a way that honours 278 00:14:56,479 –> 00:14:59,719 your lord and saviour, Jesus Christ 279 00:15:00,239 –> 00:15:04,000 Jesus gives all of us who trust Him 280 00:15:04,000 –> 00:15:07,520 a whole new purpose and desire 281 00:15:10,440 –> 00:15:14,440 It is not so much that you are living for some thing 282 00:15:14,440 –> 00:15:17,799 You are living for Someone 283 00:15:17,799 –> 00:15:21,799 The one who loved you and gave Himself for you 284 00:15:21,799 –> 00:15:23,640 The one that you are going to share 285 00:15:23,640 –> 00:15:28,280 the unending joys of heaven with 286 00:15:28,359 –> 00:15:33,119 The one, who one day will welcome you into heaven 287 00:15:33,960 –> 00:15:37,880 Jesus Christ, the Son of God 288 00:15:37,880 –> 00:15:41,039 You are listening to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith 289 00:15:41,039 –> 00:15:43,280 the dramatic reading of Heaven, How I Got Here 290 00:15:43,280 –> 00:15:44,960 the story of the thief on the cross 291 00:15:44,960 –> 00:15:47,559 what a great reminder from the thief today, Colon 292 00:15:47,559 –> 00:15:51,559 that we get to heaven, in only one way 293 00:15:51,559 –> 00:15:54,359 That’s right, and it’s very clear from his story 294 00:15:54,359 –> 00:15:57,479 he had not lived a life that was pleasing to God 295 00:15:58,000 –> 00:15:59,000 he’s right at the end of his life 296 00:15:59,000 –> 00:16:01,080 there’s no way that he’s gonna get into heaven 297 00:16:01,080 –> 00:16:04,919 except through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone 298 00:16:06,320 –> 00:16:07,640 that’s true for me as well 299 00:16:07,640 –> 00:16:10,520 I haven’t lived the life that God calls me to live 300 00:16:10,520 –> 00:16:11,520 none of us has 301 00:16:11,520 –> 00:16:15,520 all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God 302 00:16:15,520 –> 00:16:18,880 if we present our best efforts on our best day 303 00:16:18,880 –> 00:16:20,320 we’re not gonna make the cut 304 00:16:20,320 –> 00:16:21,640 it’s just not there 305 00:16:21,840 –> 00:16:26,559 and so every person is cast back upon a saviour 306 00:16:26,559 –> 00:16:29,039 and this is why Jesus Christ came into the world 307 00:16:29,039 –> 00:16:31,159 he did what we have not done 308 00:16:31,159 –> 00:16:34,919 he accomplished on the cross what we have not accomplished 309 00:16:34,919 –> 00:16:36,960 he fulfilled all of the law of God 310 00:16:36,960 –> 00:16:40,039 and then he laid down a perfect life as a sacrifice 311 00:16:40,039 –> 00:16:42,280 and we can put our trust in him 312 00:16:42,280 –> 00:16:43,479 he says it is finished 313 00:16:43,479 –> 00:16:44,960 well I can’t say that 314 00:16:44,960 –> 00:16:47,640 none of us can say that about what we’re called to do 315 00:16:47,640 –> 00:16:50,760 but he has finished everything that he was called to do 316 00:16:51,000 –> 00:16:53,000 and we can trust in him 317 00:16:53,000 –> 00:16:54,159 You know as you’ve been listening 318 00:16:54,159 –> 00:16:55,159 maybe all this week 319 00:16:55,159 –> 00:16:56,919 to this radio broadcast 320 00:16:56,919 –> 00:16:58,919 it stirred some questions in you 321 00:16:58,919 –> 00:17:01,820 about beginning this relationship with Jesus 322 00:17:01,820 –> 00:17:03,979 you’re ready to make that decision now 323 00:17:03,979 –> 00:17:05,459 I hope you’ll get ahold of us here at 324 00:17:05,459 –> 00:17:06,479 Open the Bible 325 00:17:06,479 –> 00:17:07,920 you can do that through our website 326 00:17:07,920 –> 00:17:08,959 OpenTheBible.org 327 00:17:08,959 –> 00:17:11,599 or call and talk to a staff member 328 00:17:11,599 –> 00:17:15,199 the number is 877-OPEN-365 329 00:17:15,199 –> 00:17:20,640 that’s 1-877-673-6365 330 00:17:21,420 –> 00:17:22,599 You know Colin, one of the things 331 00:17:22,599 –> 00:17:25,199 that the thief said just a few months ago 332 00:17:25,199 –> 00:17:27,280 is that heaven is so much better 333 00:17:27,280 –> 00:17:29,099 than you could ever imagine 334 00:17:29,099 –> 00:17:31,459 So let’s talk about that for just a moment 335 00:17:31,459 –> 00:17:32,979 what is heaven? 336 00:17:32,979 –> 00:17:34,660 Yeah well the thief’s on sure ground 337 00:17:34,660 –> 00:17:37,119 saying that, you know the Apostle Paul 338 00:17:37,119 –> 00:17:40,699 says that heaven is better by far 339 00:17:40,699 –> 00:17:42,380 and you know it doesn’t matter 340 00:17:42,380 –> 00:17:44,880 how good a person’s experience 341 00:17:44,880 –> 00:17:46,420 in this life is 342 00:17:46,420 –> 00:17:48,619 Heaven is never less 343 00:17:48,619 –> 00:17:50,619 it is always more 344 00:17:50,800 –> 00:17:53,439 it is to be with Christ 345 00:17:53,439 –> 00:17:56,339 and it is to enter into the full and conscious enjoyment 346 00:17:56,339 –> 00:17:58,839 of all that is his at the right hand of the Father 347 00:17:58,839 –> 00:18:01,339 And that’s one of the things that 348 00:18:01,339 –> 00:18:03,900 I think we may not give a lot of thought to 349 00:18:03,900 –> 00:18:04,800 I’ve heard you say 350 00:18:04,800 –> 00:18:06,739 heaven’s not some sort of half-life 351 00:18:06,739 –> 00:18:09,000 No, it is better 352 00:18:09,000 –> 00:18:10,359 by far 353 00:18:10,359 –> 00:18:13,079 And so those of us who maybe have had 354 00:18:13,079 –> 00:18:13,719 a pretty good life 355 00:18:13,719 –> 00:18:14,619 we seem to think 356 00:18:14,619 –> 00:18:16,099 well I’m in no hurry to get to heaven 357 00:18:16,099 –> 00:18:17,260 because I don’t see how it´s going 358 00:18:17,260 –> 00:18:18,199 to be any better than this 359 00:18:18,199 –> 00:18:20,560 No, it is going to be so much better 360 00:18:20,619 –> 00:18:21,900 And it’s not only because 361 00:18:21,900 –> 00:18:23,959 we’re going to be removed from sin 362 00:18:23,959 –> 00:18:25,359 and we’re going to be removed from 363 00:18:25,359 –> 00:18:26,359 suffering 364 00:18:26,359 –> 00:18:28,420 and Christ will wipe every tear from our eyes 365 00:18:28,420 –> 00:18:31,760 we’re going to be actively engaged with Him 366 00:18:31,760 –> 00:18:32,599 But what does that mean? 367 00:18:32,599 –> 00:18:33,280 What are we going to be doing? 368 00:18:33,280 –> 00:18:34,319 Well yeah 369 00:18:34,319 –> 00:18:36,300 it’s hard to imagine that isn’t it Steve? 370 00:18:36,300 –> 00:18:38,500 because all of our experience of life 371 00:18:38,500 –> 00:18:40,239 is in the body 372 00:18:40,239 –> 00:18:42,359 and obviously when death comes 373 00:18:42,359 –> 00:18:45,680 death is the separation of the soul from the body 374 00:18:45,680 –> 00:18:49,319 And the soul goes into the presence of the Lord 375 00:18:49,479 –> 00:18:51,780 So I think one of the reasons why many folks 376 00:18:51,780 –> 00:18:53,739 really struggle to imagine 377 00:18:53,739 –> 00:18:55,680 how there can be any joy in heaven 378 00:18:55,680 –> 00:18:58,140 is that it’s just difficult to imagine 379 00:18:58,140 –> 00:19:00,760 life apart from the body 380 00:19:00,760 –> 00:19:01,760 But think about this 381 00:19:01,760 –> 00:19:05,160 we’re told in the scripture about angels 382 00:19:05,160 –> 00:19:06,380 and Angels are spirits 383 00:19:06,380 –> 00:19:08,140 they do not have bodies 384 00:19:08,140 –> 00:19:10,579 in the way that we have bodies 385 00:19:10,579 –> 00:19:12,319 and yet we read in the scriptures 386 00:19:12,319 –> 00:19:14,099 about angels speak 387 00:19:14,099 –> 00:19:15,839 angels see 388 00:19:15,839 –> 00:19:17,479 angels inquire 389 00:19:17,479 –> 00:19:18,119 the Bible says 390 00:19:18,540 –> 00:19:19,920 inquiring into these nel things 391 00:19:19,920 –> 00:19:20,920 angels worship 392 00:19:20,920 –> 00:19:23,880 they’re actively engaged in the life of Heaven 393 00:19:23,880 –> 00:19:26,119 and that will be true for believers 394 00:19:26,119 –> 00:19:28,140 immediately after death 395 00:19:28,140 –> 00:19:29,739 to be away from the body 396 00:19:29,739 –> 00:19:31,819 means to be at home with the Lord 397 00:19:31,819 –> 00:19:33,400 it’s to be with Christ 398 00:19:33,400 –> 00:19:36,619 and to be actively engaged with life in His presence 399 00:19:36,619 –> 00:19:38,160 well I hope that as you’ve been listening 400 00:19:38,160 –> 00:19:39,500 to today’s broadcast 401 00:19:39,500 –> 00:19:40,959 and the program all this week 402 00:19:40,959 –> 00:19:43,540 that you’ve been reminded of that truth 403 00:19:43,540 –> 00:19:46,020 and maybe if you don’t know Christ 404 00:19:46,020 –> 00:19:47,979 you’re ready to begin that relationship with Him 405 00:19:48,000 –> 00:19:50,979 to take that step that the thief did 406 00:19:50,979 –> 00:19:51,959 if that�s the case for you 407 00:19:51,959 –> 00:19:54,699 I hope you’ll contact us here at Open the Bible 408 00:19:54,699 –> 00:19:56,500 our website is openthebible.org 409 00:19:56,500 –> 00:19:59,020 or call us at 877-OPEN-365 410 00:19:59,020 –> 00:20:05,140 that’s 877-673-6365 411 00:20:05,140 –> 00:20:06,439 you also might want to consider 412 00:20:06,439 –> 00:20:08,699 picking up a copy of the book or audio book 413 00:20:08,699 –> 00:20:09,640 Heaven and Hell I Got Here 414 00:20:09,640 –> 00:20:10,599 the Story of the Thief on the Cross 415 00:20:10,599 –> 00:20:14,599 and Colin, I think that these are two things 416 00:20:14,599 –> 00:20:17,699 that can be used really effectively in evangelism 417 00:20:17,800 –> 00:20:19,459 well it’s been wonderful to hear 418 00:20:19,459 –> 00:20:21,719 stories of folks who have taken the book 419 00:20:21,719 –> 00:20:23,020 and given it to a friend 420 00:20:23,020 –> 00:20:24,979 some folks have taken many copies of the book 421 00:20:24,979 –> 00:20:26,920 and given it to many friends 422 00:20:26,920 –> 00:20:27,900 and it’s been marvelous 423 00:20:27,900 –> 00:20:29,560 to hear of how the Lord has used 424 00:20:29,560 –> 00:20:31,939 the simple tool that presents 425 00:20:31,939 –> 00:20:33,680 the gospel of Jesus Christ 426 00:20:33,680 –> 00:20:36,140 through this clear and compelling story 427 00:20:36,140 –> 00:20:37,400 and its led to people putting 428 00:20:37,400 –> 00:20:40,839 their trust and their faith in Jesus Christ 429 00:20:40,839 –> 00:20:42,060 well if you want to find out more 430 00:20:42,060 –> 00:20:43,760 about the book heaven hell i got here 431 00:20:43,760 –> 00:20:45,180 the story of the thief on the cross 432 00:20:45,180 –> 00:20:46,959 the audio book which has been turned 433 00:20:46,979 –> 00:20:48,160 into this radio drama 434 00:20:48,160 –> 00:20:49,380 that you’ve been listening to this week 435 00:20:49,380 –> 00:20:51,300 I hope you’ll come check out our website 436 00:20:51,300 –> 00:20:53,180 one other thing while you’re there 437 00:20:53,180 –> 00:20:56,140 and this also can be a great evangelistic tool 438 00:20:56,140 –> 00:20:58,099 as well as something that you can use 439 00:20:58,099 –> 00:21:00,060 to just remind yourself of the power 440 00:21:00,060 –> 00:21:01,260 of the gospel this week 441 00:21:01,260 –> 00:21:03,119 and that is heaven how I got here 442 00:21:03,119 –> 00:21:05,040 a night with the thief on the cross 443 00:21:05,040 –> 00:21:07,239 Stephen Baldwin who we’re listening to this week 444 00:21:07,239 –> 00:21:10,079 also has performed this as one-man stage play 445 00:21:10,079 –> 00:21:12,060 that was recorded and turned into a film 446 00:21:12,060 –> 00:21:13,900 and you can watch that for free 447 00:21:13,900 –> 00:21:16,479 through Easter Sunday at our website 448 00:21:16,599 –> 00:21:19,180 OpenTheBible.org slash heaven 449 00:21:20,140 –> 00:21:23,520 Oh with just a few minutes left that we have here 450 00:21:23,520 –> 00:21:25,739 we really want to share a powerful 451 00:21:25,739 –> 00:21:27,400 and personal story 452 00:21:27,400 –> 00:21:30,300 from our executive director Jon Aiello 453 00:21:30,300 –> 00:21:31,760 Thank you, Steve 454 00:21:31,760 –> 00:21:33,479 You know when Pastor Collin completed the book 455 00:21:33,479 –> 00:21:34,599 heaven how I got here 456 00:21:34,599 –> 00:21:36,359 the story of the thief on the cross 457 00:21:36,359 –> 00:21:38,760 he dedicated it to John and Carla 458 00:21:38,760 –> 00:21:40,380 that’s me and my wife 459 00:21:40,380 –> 00:21:44,060 and to John Senior who also believed 460 00:21:44,060 –> 00:21:45,900 John Senior’s my dad 461 00:21:45,939 –> 00:21:47,520 who lost his battle with cancer 462 00:21:47,520 –> 00:21:49,719 and died in March 2012 463 00:21:50,160 –> 00:21:51,540 the sermon that Collin preached 464 00:21:51,540 –> 00:21:52,780 that gave rise to the book 465 00:21:52,780 –> 00:21:54,420 is what the Lord used to help me 466 00:21:54,420 –> 00:21:56,959 speak to my dad about grace 467 00:21:56,959 –> 00:21:59,319 and helped me be part of leading him to Christ 468 00:21:59,900 –> 00:22:01,640 there’s millions of people like my dad 469 00:22:01,640 –> 00:22:02,680 John Senior 470 00:22:02,680 –> 00:22:03,699 he was raised in church 471 00:22:03,699 –> 00:22:05,739 so thankfully he knew about Jesus 472 00:22:05,979 –> 00:22:08,239 but like so many of the people of all faiths 473 00:22:08,239 –> 00:22:10,739 my dad did not really understand grace 474 00:22:10,959 –> 00:22:12,300 my dad felt that living a good life 475 00:22:12,300 –> 00:22:13,540 was the path to heaven 476 00:22:13,540 –> 00:22:14,900 and at 74 years old 477 00:22:15,020 –> 00:22:16,040 facing his imminent death 478 00:22:16,040 –> 00:22:17,979 he reflected on his life 479 00:22:17,979 –> 00:22:19,020 and rightly concluded 480 00:22:19,020 –> 00:22:20,920 that he had not measured up 481 00:22:20,920 –> 00:22:22,020 exactly like the thief 482 00:22:22,020 –> 00:22:23,199 my dad knew that if his life 483 00:22:23,199 –> 00:22:24,939 were to be judged by God 484 00:22:24,939 –> 00:22:26,099 it was not going to turn out well 485 00:22:27,099 –> 00:22:28,300 when he heard the story of the thief 486 00:22:28,300 –> 00:22:29,300 it not only gave him hope 487 00:22:29,300 –> 00:22:30,900 but it gave him a clear direction 488 00:22:30,900 –> 00:22:32,819 a clear call to action 489 00:22:32,819 –> 00:22:34,079 like the thief my dad 490 00:22:34,079 –> 00:22:35,079 John Senior 491 00:22:35,079 –> 00:22:37,819 reached out and asked Jesus to remember him 492 00:22:37,819 –> 00:22:39,219 to forgive him 493 00:22:39,219 –> 00:22:40,900 and Jesus did 494 00:22:40,900 –> 00:22:42,219 my dad, John Senior 495 00:22:42,219 –> 00:22:43,300 came to faith in Christ 496 00:22:43,699 –> 00:22:45,219 in part, because of his upbringing 497 00:22:45,219 –> 00:22:47,160 which made him aware of Jesus 498 00:22:47,160 –> 00:22:48,540 but an even greater part 499 00:22:48,540 –> 00:22:50,260 because of the story of the thief on the cross 500 00:22:50,260 –> 00:22:53,060 that made him aware of what Jesus did for him 501 00:22:53,060 –> 00:22:54,939 praise the Lord for that 502 00:22:54,939 –> 00:22:56,420 folks, I want to just ask you 503 00:22:56,420 –> 00:22:59,780 who is the John Senior in YOUR life? 504 00:22:59,780 –> 00:23:02,819 someone in your church, your workplace, your family 505 00:23:02,819 –> 00:23:05,500 someone you see struggling to earn a ticket to heaven 506 00:23:05,500 –> 00:23:07,099 or someone you see in despair 507 00:23:07,099 –> 00:23:09,060 because they realize that they can’t 508 00:23:09,060 –> 00:23:12,459 your friend, sister, brother, your mom, your dad 509 00:23:12,459 –> 00:23:14,459 tell them it’s not about what they have or haven’t done 510 00:23:14,459 –> 00:23:16,719 tell them it’s not about if they go to church 511 00:23:16,719 –> 00:23:18,140 or where they go to church 512 00:23:18,140 –> 00:23:21,380 tell them it’s about what Jesus Christ did for them that matters 513 00:23:21,380 –> 00:23:23,859 and all they have to do is what the thief did 514 00:23:23,859 –> 00:23:25,280 he confessed to the Lord 515 00:23:25,280 –> 00:23:26,819 asked for forgiveness 516 00:23:26,819 –> 00:23:28,400 and believed with all his heart 517 00:23:28,400 –> 00:23:30,819 you know someone like the thief 518 00:23:30,819 –> 00:23:32,000 like my dad 519 00:23:32,000 –> 00:23:33,260 please don’t wait 520 00:23:33,260 –> 00:23:35,380 I’ve not stopped hurting from the loss of my dad 521 00:23:35,380 –> 00:23:36,859 but my tears of grief 522 00:23:36,859 –> 00:23:38,660 quickly turned to tears of joy 523 00:23:38,660 –> 00:23:40,300 knowing that just like the thief 524 00:23:40,859 –> 00:23:44,119 My dad was welcomed immediately into paradise 525 00:23:44,119 –> 00:23:46,540 by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ 526 00:23:46,619 –> 00:23:51,079 John, thank you for sharing such a personal and powerful story with us 527 00:23:51,079 –> 00:23:52,660 and a great reminder 528 00:23:52,660 –> 00:23:55,300 that God may use the message of The Thief and the Cross 529 00:23:55,300 –> 00:23:58,099 to bring people to that saving knowledge 530 00:23:58,099 –> 00:24:00,560 of His grace in their lives 531 00:24:01,219 –> 00:24:04,040 Well, as John has already challenged you with a question 532 00:24:04,040 –> 00:24:05,800 let me ask that again of you today 533 00:24:05,800 –> 00:24:07,900 who is the John Senior in your life 534 00:24:07,900 –> 00:24:10,199 who’s the person that you know 535 00:24:10,199 –> 00:24:12,199 who needs to understand 536 00:24:12,199 –> 00:24:14,760 the grace of God in their life 537 00:24:14,760 –> 00:24:17,239 Why not share the message of The Thief on the Cross with them 538 00:24:17,239 –> 00:24:19,020 There’s a few different ways you can do that 539 00:24:19,020 –> 00:24:20,339 You can pick up a copy of the book 540 00:24:20,339 –> 00:24:21,819 Heaven How I Got Here 541 00:24:21,819 –> 00:24:23,739 The Story of the Thief on the Cross 542 00:24:23,739 –> 00:24:25,459 if you think your friend or family member would 543 00:24:25,459 –> 00:24:26,500 rather listen to the story 544 00:24:26,660 –> 00:24:28,359 you can pick a copy of the audio book 545 00:24:28,359 –> 00:24:30,439 and for the next few days 546 00:24:30,439 –> 00:24:32,160 you can send them to our website 547 00:24:32,160 –> 00:24:34,380 OpenTheBible.org slash heaven 548 00:24:34,380 –> 00:24:36,979 and they, and you can watch the film 549 00:24:36,979 –> 00:24:38,400 Heaven How I Got Here 550 00:24:38,520 –> 00:24:39,819 A Knight With a Thief on the Cross 551 00:24:39,819 –> 00:24:41,060 featuring Steven Baldwin 552 00:24:41,060 –> 00:24:43,079 that’s free at our website 553 00:24:43,079 –> 00:24:44,280 through Easter Sunday 554 00:24:44,280 –> 00:24:46,699 you’ll find all the information about this and more 555 00:24:46,699 –> 00:24:49,760 when you come to OpenTheBible.org slash heaven 556 00:24:49,760 –> 00:24:52,040 For Pastor Colin Smith I’m Steve Hiller 557 00:24:52,040 –> 00:24:53,160 thanks for listening today 558 00:24:53,160 –> 00:24:54,819 and I hope you’ll join us next time 559 00:24:56,420 –> 00:25:00,260 This is a listener-supported production of Open the Bible