100:00:00,000 –> 00:00:09,480I want to offer today three observations that I hope will help us to see why the Resurrection matters200:00:09,500 –> 00:00:15,020and how believing in the Resurrection will shape how we live.300:00:15,040 –> 00:00:19,520And I promise you if you truly believe in the Resurrection, it will shape how you live,400:00:19,540 –> 00:00:24,860and if you do not believe in the Resurrection, it will also shape how you live.500:00:24,879 –> 00:00:27,879Welcome to Open the Bible with pastor Colin Smith.600:00:28,000 –> 00:00:33,700I’m David Pick. Glad you could be with us today, and Colin, what you seem to be saying there is that700:00:33,720 –> 00:00:40,419what we believe about the Resurrection is one of the most important beliefs that influence the course of our lives.800:00:40,439 –> 00:00:41,860That’s exactly right.900:00:41,880 –> 00:00:48,720And I mean, picture being in a boat and this boat has a little rudder at the back,1000:00:48,980 –> 00:00:52,919but the direction of the rudder is going to shape the direction of the boat.1100:00:52,919 –> 00:00:59,480And believing that there is a Resurrection in which I’m going to see the Lord,1200:00:59,480 –> 00:01:03,220I’m going to stand before Him, I’m going to give an account to Him,1300:01:03,240 –> 00:01:08,459believing these things, believing that I have a glorious future that’s mine in Christ –1400:01:08,480 –> 00:01:12,080that’s life-shaping in a particular direction.1500:01:12,099 –> 00:01:14,699It’s going to lead to a life of pursuing God.1600:01:15,080 –> 00:01:19,559But the opposite is also the case if a person were to believe that, you know,1700:01:19,779 –> 00:01:20,860I’m gone, I’m gone …1800:01:20,860 –> 00:01:26,879Well, that’s going to have a very practical shaping influence on how a person actually lives.1900:01:26,879 –> 00:01:29,760So, what we’re looking at in 1 Corinthians, in chapter 15,2000:01:29,760 –> 00:01:32,639where we’re told about the glorious resurrection,2100:01:32,639 –> 00:01:34,580could hardly be more practical.2200:01:34,580 –> 00:01:41,980So join us today – in your Bible if you can, in 1 Corinthians 15, today in verses 12 to 34 –2300:01:41,980 –> 00:01:44,839as we continue the message, Hope for Us.2400:01:44,839 –> 00:01:45,699Here’s Colin.2500:01:45,739 –> 00:01:49,239This is how we know that our sins have been dealt with.2600:01:49,239 –> 00:01:54,699After six hours on the cross, the Lord Jesus Christ shouted out in triumph,2700:01:54,699 –> 00:01:58,599”It is finished!’ and he laid down his life.2800:01:58,599 –> 00:02:01,279And the confirmation of that2900:02:01,279 –> 00:02:06,199was that on the third day, the Father raised him from the dead,3000:02:06,199 –> 00:02:08,960echoing that great It is finished!3100:02:08,960 –> 00:02:12,139and demonstrating that indeed it was.3200:02:12,160 –> 00:02:15,360Living, he loved me.3300:02:15,360 –> 00:02:18,080Dying, he saved me.3400:02:18,080 –> 00:02:21,679Buried, he carried my sins far away.3500:02:21,679 –> 00:02:26,339And rising, he justified freely forever.3600:02:26,339 –> 00:02:35,320One day he’s coming, o glorious day!’3700:02:35,440 –> 00:02:42,160I want it to be clear and settled in our minds that our sins have been dealt with3800:02:42,160 –> 00:02:51,720through the death burial and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.3900:02:51,720 –> 00:02:57,779He’s making the point that a this-life-only brand of faith may sound4000:02:57,779 –> 00:03:01,979spiritual but actually it will leave a person who goes down that road4100:03:01,979 –> 00:03:08,380absolutely without hope because ultimately faith in a dead man is futile.4200:03:08,380 –> 00:03:13,619It will leave a person without hope because apart from the resurrection we’d still4300:03:13,619 –> 00:03:18,320be in our sins and he’s not done yet without the resurrection. He says pressing4400:03:18,320 –> 00:03:24,320it even further your believing loved ones would be lost if Jesus was not4500:03:24,320 –> 00:03:28,259raised. Then also verse 18 those who have4600:03:29,199 –> 00:03:41,460in Christ have perished. You see if Jesus did not rise then by definition death4700:03:41,460 –> 00:03:47,399still holds him and if death still holds him then death still holds everybody4800:03:47,399 –> 00:03:52,979else including those who believe in him and worse than that if Jesus was4900:03:52,979 –> 00:03:59,360unsuccessful in taking away our sins then Jesus was unsuccessful in taking5000:03:59,360 –> 00:04:02,800away the sins of our believing loved ones and if that was the case they died5100:04:02,800 –> 00:04:08,139in their sins and that could only mean that they would perish. You see what he’s5200:04:08,139 –> 00:04:14,240saying, without the resurrection there would be no hope for them and without5300:04:14,399 –> 00:04:22,920the resurrection there would be no hope for us. If Jesus did not rise all would5400:04:22,920 –> 00:04:32,519perish including those who believe in him that’s what he’s saying but God so5500:04:32,519 –> 00:04:41,119loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him5600:04:41,119 –> 00:04:50,500should not perish but have everlasting life so thank God for the resurrection5700:04:50,500 –> 00:04:59,119of Jesus because he rose we have a living Savior because he rose our5800:04:59,119 –> 00:05:06,519believing loved ones are safe in his presence he is the one and the only one5900:05:06,519 –> 00:05:15,579who is able to say my sheep hear my voice they follow me I know them and I6000:05:15,579 –> 00:05:22,799give them eternal life they will never perish and no one will ever be able to6100:05:22,799 –> 00:05:30,899snatch them out of my hands so a faith for this life only may sound very6200:05:30,920 –> 00:05:41,799spiritual but it leaves a person absolutely without hope and then Paul6300:05:41,799 –> 00:05:50,799presses further a faith for this life only may sound relevant but actually it6400:05:50,880 –> 00:05:59,880cannot deliver every generation wants to make the world6500:05:59,880 –> 00:06:06,760a better place and we can truly thank God for so many ways in which progress has been6600:06:06,760 –> 00:06:13,760made throughout the centuries think god for progress in medicine thank god for progress6700:06:14,480 –> 00:06:21,480in science, technology thank god for progress in education, in justice, in human rights6800:06:26,040 –> 00:06:33,040but there is surely a profound sense in which he world never changes we can all see that6900:06:33,720 –> 00:06:40,720every new human innovation brings new human challenges and the envy’s of greed and7000:06:41,540 –> 00:06:48,540violence and of hatred and of corruption remain as deeply rooted in our century as in any7100:06:51,040 –> 00:06:58,040century in the past. So yes we can thank God for all the ways in which evils are cut back7200:06:59,399 –> 00:07:05,600and held in check but we have to take this on board that at no point in human history7300:07:06,359 –> 00:07:13,359have these evils ever been removed. No generation however earnest has ever been able to overcome7400:07:14,380 –> 00:07:21,380them. So a thoughtful person might reasonably ask how will we ever get to the place where7500:07:27,799 –> 00:07:34,799righteousness and peace will flourish. How will we ever get there? And the Apostle Paul7600:07:35,959 –> 00:07:42,959has the answer right here. Look at it in verse 24. Then comes the end when he delivers the7700:07:44,160 –> 00:07:49,980kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and every power7800:07:49,980 –> 00:07:56,980for he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.7900:07:57,640 –> 00:08:04,640Now notice that the focus here is not on us and what we will do. The focus here is on8000:08:10,239 –> 00:08:17,239Jesus and what he will do. Christ will destroy every rule and authority and power. Christ8100:08:17,320 –> 00:08:24,320will deliver the Kingdom to God the Father. Christ will reign until he has put all enemies8200:08:27,820 –> 00:08:34,580under his feet. Every generation in human history has longed for a world of perfect8300:08:34,580 –> 00:08:41,580justice and peace and love and no generation has ever been able to bring it about but one8400:08:41,919 –> 00:08:48,919person can and he will. Hope has a name and his name is Jesus that is what the apostle8500:08:56,440 –> 00:09:02,099Paul is saying here and you know this may be something that you could introduce into8600:09:02,099 –> 00:09:08,780your conversation with unbelieving people. You may be able to say at some point, you8700:09:08,919 –> 00:09:18,919know, you’re seeking a world of peace and love and joy, but the powers that resist it8800:09:18,919 –> 00:09:25,900are so strong that no generation in human history has ever been able to overcome them.8900:09:25,900 –> 00:09:30,460The world you seek will only come about if there is someone who has the power to bring9000:09:31,419 –> 00:09:42,059Jesus Christ has that power. Jesus Christ is more powerful than greed. Jesus Christ is9100:09:42,059 –> 00:09:51,159more powerful than violence. Jesus Christ is more powerful than hatred. Jesus Christ9200:09:51,159 –> 00:09:57,960is more powerful than corruption. He is more powerful than death itself.9300:09:57,960 –> 00:10:06,099The reason there really is hope for this world is that He rose, and He reigns, and He will9400:10:06,099 –> 00:10:09,900put all His enemies under His feet.9500:10:10,719 –> 00:10:15,359You’re listening to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith, and a message called,9600:10:15,359 –> 00:10:21,280Hope For Us. Part of our series, Hope is a Name, and if you’ve missed any of the series9700:10:21,280 –> 00:10:25,840so far or if you ever want to go back and listen again you can do that by coming online9800:10:25,840 –> 00:10:31,760to our website openthebible.org.uk and there you’ll find all the messages which have already9900:10:31,760 –> 00:10:36,340gone out on air. You’ll also find them as a podcast if that’s an easier way for you10000:10:36,340 –> 00:10:40,940to keep up with Pastor Colin’s teaching, and those are on all the main podcast sites. You10100:10:40,940 –> 00:10:46,559can find them by searching for Open the Bible UK, and you can also follow a link from our10200:10:46,559 –> 00:10:49,900website to those podcasts.10300:10:49,900 –> 00:10:53,880Open the Bible is supported by our listeners and later on in the programme I’ll be talking10400:10:53,919 –> 00:10:59,659to Colin about our gift this month, if you’re able to begin a new direct debit to the work10500:10:59,659 –> 00:11:04,640of Open the Bible this month. So I hope you’ll stay with us for that. Back to the message10600:11:04,640 –> 00:11:06,179now. Here’s Colin.10700:11:06,179 –> 00:11:12,119So the Apostle Paul is wanting to make clear why the resurrection is of central importance10800:11:12,119 –> 00:11:19,119and how it will shape our lives. A faith that’s for this life only may sound spiritual, but10900:11:19,119 –> 00:11:25,440it will leave you without hope. A faith that is for this life only may sound relevant,11000:11:25,440 –> 00:11:32,640but it cannot possibly deliver. And here’s the last thing. A faith for this life only11100:11:32,640 –> 00:11:41,000may sound liberating, but actually it leads to indulgence. It leads to indulgence. Look11200:11:41,080 –> 00:11:51,960at verse 32, if the dead are not raised, quote, let us eat and drink for tomorrow, we die.11300:11:53,239 –> 00:11:58,200Now these words let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die are in quotation marks, because11400:11:58,200 –> 00:12:03,799the apostle Paul is quoting a very popular proverb. A proverb that you may still hear today.11500:12:04,359 –> 00:12:10,359It’s actually a proverb that is so old, that it was quoted by the prophet Isaiah in the old11600:12:10,359 –> 00:12:16,440Testament. That’s Isaiah chapter 22 verse 13. This is the wisdom of this world, always has been,11700:12:16,440 –> 00:12:25,960and it’s continued down through the ages. Now friends, obviously there are good examples11800:12:27,239 –> 00:12:35,880of unbelieving people who live sacrificial lives. Clearly Christians, are not the only people who11900:12:35,880 –> 00:12:43,000do good in the world. And the apostle Paul is not suggesting that here. But the point that he’s12000:12:43,000 –> 00:12:52,280making is surely an observable reality. That across the mass of humanity, when people come12100:12:52,280 –> 00:13:00,919to believe that this life, this world, is all that there is, what they do is that they pour themselves12200:13:00,919 –> 00:13:06,679into gaining as much of this world as they possibly can, seeking as many experiences in12300:13:06,679 –> 00:13:13,159this world as they possibly can, and pursuing as many pleasures in this world as they possibly can.12400:13:14,919 –> 00:13:23,799Simply an observable reality. That is why in verse 34, the apostle Paul says,12500:13:23,799 –> 00:13:32,200wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. Evidently,12600:13:32,200 –> 00:13:36,520there were some people who’d bought into the this life only idea in Corinth,12700:13:37,640 –> 00:13:39,880and their lifestyles were already reflecting it.12800:13:42,679 –> 00:13:47,640You might think that if people come to believe that this world is all that there is,12900:13:47,640 –> 00:13:51,719they’ll focus all their energy and doing all that they can to make this world a better place.13000:13:51,719 –> 00:13:55,799The reality, the Apostle Paul says, is, when people come to believe13100:13:55,799 –> 00:14:01,320that this life is all that there is, they become increasingly self-indulgent.13200:14:03,080 –> 00:14:03,880That’s the effect.13300:14:06,440 –> 00:14:07,719And frankly, who can blame them?13400:14:09,479 –> 00:14:10,359Because really,13500:14:12,280 –> 00:14:16,520if this life is all you have, you’d better get all you can and keep all you’ve got.13600:14:16,599 –> 00:14:17,239No, they’ve gone.13700:14:19,960 –> 00:14:24,119If we have hope in this life only, the Apostle Paul says,13800:14:24,119 –> 00:14:27,799we are of all people most to be pitied.13900:14:29,080 –> 00:14:29,640Pitied.14000:14:33,159 –> 00:14:39,000But friends, Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead, verse 20,14100:14:39,000 –> 00:14:43,159the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.14200:14:43,159 –> 00:14:45,719In other words, because he rose,14300:14:47,239 –> 00:14:51,960we too will enter into and enjoy a glorious new life.14400:14:53,799 –> 00:14:56,599And if you really believe that it will affect how you live in this world.14500:14:59,080 –> 00:15:01,640And you know, this is why friends,14600:15:01,640 –> 00:15:03,880when you look at the good14700:15:04,520 –> 00:15:07,719that has been done in this world over the centuries,14800:15:07,719 –> 00:15:10,280you will find that a very large part of it14900:15:11,239 –> 00:15:13,960has been done by those who believe in the resurrection.15000:15:15,559 –> 00:15:19,320Look at the names on hospitals that have been built through the centuries,15100:15:19,320 –> 00:15:20,760schools that have been opened.15200:15:20,760 –> 00:15:22,679Think of children who have been fostered,15300:15:22,679 –> 00:15:26,119and organizations opened to feed the hungry15400:15:26,119 –> 00:15:27,960and to help the most afflicted.15500:15:29,559 –> 00:15:31,559People who believe in the resurrection15600:15:31,559 –> 00:15:34,840have been at the forefront again and again and again.15700:15:35,080 –> 00:15:39,400And, do you know dear friends,15800:15:41,080 –> 00:15:45,479that is why it is really important15900:15:47,320 –> 00:15:50,679that we as his people give some evidence16000:15:52,679 –> 00:15:54,840that Jesus is more powerful than greed,16100:15:56,359 –> 00:15:58,599that Jesus is more powerful than violence,16200:16:00,039 –> 00:16:02,840that Jesus is more powerful than hatred,16300:16:03,799 –> 00:16:08,919and that Jesus is more powerful than corruption?16400:16:10,599 –> 00:16:15,159Believing in the resurrection will shape how you live.16500:16:17,320 –> 00:16:21,239And the Apostle Paul here gives us just a little glimpse16600:16:22,599 –> 00:16:26,039into how believing in the resurrection affected his life.16700:16:26,039 –> 00:16:27,880How he lived look at verse 30.16800:16:28,679 –> 00:16:30,919He speaks about being in danger every hour.16900:16:31,719 –> 00:16:40,119Verse 31, he says, I die every day.17000:16:40,119 –> 00:16:41,500I die every day.17100:16:41,500 –> 00:16:46,000I faced death every day living in constant danger17200:16:46,000 –> 00:16:47,239under constant threat.17300:16:49,799 –> 00:16:54,140I’ve heard people say, even if there’s17400:16:54,140 –> 00:16:57,640no heaven, Christianity is still the best way to live.17500:16:57,640 –> 00:17:00,880Have you heard people say that?17600:17:01,460 –> 00:17:09,479Paul would say, not for me, not for me.17700:17:09,479 –> 00:17:13,400I mean, this man gave up a comfortable life17800:17:13,400 –> 00:17:17,239in a respected profession with a secure and no doubt quite17900:17:17,239 –> 00:17:21,079large salary to take the Gospel to unbelieving people who18000:17:21,079 –> 00:17:23,119were often hostile and sometimes violent.18100:17:23,219 –> 00:17:30,359He gave himself for years to serving18200:17:30,359 –> 00:17:33,660people who were often ungrateful, unfaithful,18300:17:33,660 –> 00:17:34,800and unresponsive.18400:17:35,000 –> 00:17:42,000He chose to live under the intense pressure of a calling18500:17:42,000 –> 00:17:48,719that demanded everything of him, and he stuck to it even when it18600:17:48,719 –> 00:17:52,199meant days without food and nights without sleep18700:17:52,199 –> 00:17:56,119and exposure at length to risk and to danger.18800:17:56,119 –> 00:17:58,400What would motivate a man to live like that18900:17:58,400 –> 00:18:00,099when he could live a comfortable life?19000:18:03,239 –> 00:18:05,359Only the knowledge that God is preparing us19100:18:05,359 –> 00:18:08,400for a glorious life that is yet to come.19200:18:08,400 –> 00:18:14,319And you see, that is the point of his question in verse 32.19300:18:14,319 –> 00:18:17,040He describes in verse 30 and verse 3119400:18:17,040 –> 00:18:19,680what his life’s actually like.19500:18:20,260 –> 00:18:22,239And then he says in verse 32,19600:18:22,239 –> 00:18:25,800if there’s no resurrection, what do I gain?19700:18:27,199 –> 00:18:29,160You see what he’s saying.19800:18:29,160 –> 00:18:32,880I wouldn’t dream of living like this19900:18:32,880 –> 00:18:34,680if there was not a resurrection.20000:18:36,000 –> 00:18:38,160The reason that I do what I do,20100:18:38,160 –> 00:18:40,859the reason that I live as I live20200:18:40,859 –> 00:18:42,959is that Christ has been raised20300:18:42,959 –> 00:18:45,439and that means that I too will rise20400:18:45,439 –> 00:18:49,280and that ahead of me there is a world of joy.20500:18:50,479 –> 00:18:55,479So friends, here is what we learn from these verses.20600:18:59,239 –> 00:19:03,040As long as a person feels in their heart of hearts20700:19:03,040 –> 00:19:06,060that this life is all that there is,20800:19:06,060 –> 00:19:08,420they will feel that they have to hold onto it20900:19:08,420 –> 00:19:10,819and preserve it for themselves.21000:19:10,819 –> 00:19:14,760But if you truly come to believe21100:19:14,760 –> 00:19:16,439in the resurrection,21200:19:17,400 –> 00:19:21,000you will feel that you can spend your life21300:19:21,000 –> 00:19:24,099and if need be even laid down your life21400:19:25,000 –> 00:19:27,199in serving God by serving others.21500:19:28,699 –> 00:19:31,380And so I end by asking you these questions21600:19:31,380 –> 00:19:33,020that I’ve asked of myself.21700:19:34,839 –> 00:19:39,060Who will be ready to endure hardship21800:19:39,900 –> 00:19:41,800so that the gospel will be taken21900:19:41,800 –> 00:19:44,560to the ends of the earth in this generation?22000:19:45,420 –> 00:19:47,640Who’s gonna be ready to do that?22100:19:49,699 –> 00:19:51,660Who’s gonna give up comfort22200:19:53,439 –> 00:19:57,339in order to embrace hardship and sometimes ingratitude22300:19:59,099 –> 00:20:01,560so that the gospel reaches the ends of the earth?22400:20:04,380 –> 00:20:06,199Only those who really believe22500:20:06,199 –> 00:20:07,839that there will be a resurrection22600:20:10,780 –> 00:20:13,239and who will see the wealth22700:20:13,300 –> 00:20:17,520that they acquire as a trust22800:20:18,579 –> 00:20:22,939to be stewarded for the advance of the gospel22900:20:23,859 –> 00:20:25,579and for the good of others.23000:20:28,540 –> 00:20:33,040You see, if you only believe in life in this world,23100:20:33,040 –> 00:20:36,160then you will lay up all the treasure you can on earth23200:20:36,160 –> 00:20:37,000and that’ll be it.23300:20:37,000 –> 00:20:39,119Then you’ll say, I’ll just have to pass it on.23400:20:41,140 –> 00:20:42,780But you see, if you really believe23500:20:42,819 –> 00:20:44,739that the whole point of your life in this world23600:20:44,739 –> 00:20:47,339is that you’re preparing for life in another world,23700:20:48,640 –> 00:20:49,880then you’ll be looking for all the ways23800:20:49,880 –> 00:20:52,020that you can to lay up treasure in heaven.23900:20:54,199 –> 00:20:56,219Who is going to steward their wealth24000:20:56,219 –> 00:20:58,719in a way that honors the Lord Jesus Christ,24100:20:58,719 –> 00:21:01,020the answer, those who believe24200:21:01,020 –> 00:21:03,640that there really will be a resurrection.24300:21:07,140 –> 00:21:09,859Who’s gonna waken up?24400:21:09,859 –> 00:21:12,699Waken up from what Paul describes in verse 3424500:21:12,699 –> 00:21:13,959as their stupor.24600:21:15,280 –> 00:21:17,099That is people who are in church,24700:21:17,099 –> 00:21:19,959but just acquiescing in sin.24800:21:22,060 –> 00:21:24,739Who’s gonna come to the place of singing,24900:21:24,739 –> 00:21:29,739enough is enough, repentance must begin this morning.25000:21:33,219 –> 00:21:35,199The person who says that will be the person25100:21:35,199 –> 00:21:36,900who has come to really believe25200:21:37,859 –> 00:21:39,900that there will be a resurrection.25300:21:42,359 –> 00:21:47,359Who is going to bring grace and forgiveness?25400:21:50,020 –> 00:21:52,939Who is going to pursue peace25500:21:52,939 –> 00:21:56,359in this increasingly hostile world25600:21:56,359 –> 00:21:59,380in which we find ourselves, answer,25700:21:59,380 –> 00:22:04,380those who truly believe that there will be a resurrection.25800:22:07,819 –> 00:22:10,479Dear friends, that believing25900:22:10,479 –> 00:22:15,479in the resurrection will shape how you live.26000:22:17,199 –> 00:22:20,800So are you living in a way that defeats a person26100:22:20,800 –> 00:22:22,439who believes in the resurrection?26200:22:24,880 –> 00:22:27,660If someone really was to examine your life,26300:22:27,660 –> 00:22:31,079your calendar, your priorities, your bank accounts,26400:22:31,079 –> 00:22:34,459would they conclude that you are living for this life only?26500:22:34,459 –> 00:22:36,439Or would there be compelling evidence26600:22:36,439 –> 00:22:38,500that you are living as someone who’s preparing26700:22:38,500 –> 00:22:40,599for the resurrection to everlasting life?26800:22:42,920 –> 00:22:46,719Believing in the resurrection will shape how you live,26900:22:48,219 –> 00:22:53,219and how you live will reveal what you believe27000:22:53,400 –> 00:22:54,719about the resurrection.27100:22:55,920 –> 00:22:56,900You’ve been listening to Open the Bible27200:22:56,900 –> 00:22:58,959with Pastor Colin Smith,27300:22:58,959 –> 00:23:01,900ending a message there called Hope For Us.27400:23:01,900 –> 00:23:04,780It’s part of our series, Hope is a Name,27500:23:04,780 –> 00:23:07,959and it’s based on the first book of Corinthians,27600:23:07,959 –> 00:23:11,680chapter 15, and if you ever miss one of our messages,27700:23:11,680 –> 00:23:14,880you can always catch up or go back and listen again online.27800:23:14,880 –> 00:23:19,459Come to our website, openthebible.org.uk.27900:23:19,459 –> 00:23:22,319Open the Bible is supported entirely by our listeners.28000:23:22,319 –> 00:23:24,119That’s people just like you.28100:23:24,119 –> 00:23:26,319And if that’s something you’ve been considering doing,28200:23:26,319 –> 00:23:29,199and you want to start a new direct debit this month28300:23:29,199 –> 00:23:32,239in the amount of five pounds per month or more,28400:23:32,280 –> 00:23:34,920or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more,28500:23:34,920 –> 00:23:38,040we have a brilliant offer for you this month.28600:23:38,040 –> 00:23:41,040We’ll send you a copy of Lee Strobel’s book,28700:23:41,040 –> 00:23:42,520the Case for Easter.28800:23:42,520 –> 00:23:45,239Along with Pastor Colin Smith’s booklet28900:23:45,239 –> 00:23:47,439Six Days That Changed the World,29000:23:47,439 –> 00:23:50,540as well as a lovely Open the Bible tote bag,29100:23:50,540 –> 00:23:52,599pen and bookmark.29200:23:52,599 –> 00:23:54,640Colin, what is the book about?29300:23:54,640 –> 00:23:58,140Well, Christian Faith is not a blind leap in the dark.29400:23:58,140 –> 00:24:00,160And the compelling evidence on which29500:24:00,160 –> 00:24:02,800we can take a reasoned step of faith in Jesus29600:24:02,800 –> 00:24:05,219is placed before us in the Gospels.29700:24:05,219 –> 00:24:06,760But I think there are many, many people29800:24:06,760 –> 00:24:10,300who’ve never really carefully considered the evidence.29900:24:10,300 –> 00:24:14,000And the Case for Easter is about the evidence30000:24:14,000 –> 00:24:16,619for the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.30100:24:16,619 –> 00:24:20,199The author Lee Strobel examines the medical evidence30200:24:20,199 –> 00:24:22,760that Jesus did indeed die,30300:24:22,760 –> 00:24:25,660the evidence of Jesus missing body from the tomb30400:24:25,660 –> 00:24:26,500and, of course,30500:24:26,500 –> 00:24:29,140the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection appearances.30600:24:29,979 –> 00:24:32,260It really is a wonderful, clear book30700:24:32,260 –> 00:24:34,579that will help Christian believers know30800:24:34,579 –> 00:24:36,819why we believe in the resurrection.30900:24:36,819 –> 00:24:38,260And it will help those who are beginning31000:24:38,260 –> 00:24:40,060to explore Christian faith31100:24:40,060 –> 00:24:42,819to find a pathway to faith in the risen Lord.31200:24:42,819 –> 00:24:45,060We’d love to send you a copy of that book31300:24:45,060 –> 00:24:47,619if you’re able to set up a new direct debit31400:24:47,619 –> 00:24:49,260to the work of Open The Bible31500:24:49,260 –> 00:24:51,680in the amount of £5 per month or more31600:24:51,680 –> 00:24:54,739or a one-off gift of £50 or more.31700:24:54,739 –> 00:24:58,300Full details, terms and conditions are on our website,31800:24:58,300 –> 00:25:01,719Open The Bible, dot org, dot UK.31900:25:01,719 –> 00:25:04,540For Open The Bible, and Pastor Colin Smith,32000:25:04,540 –> 00:25:05,699I’m David Pick,32100:25:05,699 –> 00:25:07,459and I hope you’ll be able to join us again32200:25:07,459 –> 00:25:09,319next time on Open The Bible.32300:25:16,140 –> 00:25:18,180Some sceptics in the early Church32400:25:18,180 –> 00:25:21,099were asking, how are the dead raised?32500:25:21,099 –> 00:25:23,660And what kind of body will they have?32600:25:23,660 –> 00:25:26,579Find out how the apostle Paul answered them32700:25:26,579 –> 00:25:28,400next time on Open The Bible.