100:00:00,160 –> 00:00:06,960Jesus speaks to us about heaven.200:00:06,960 –> 00:00:11,840And he came into the world so that people could go there.300:00:11,840 –> 00:00:13,520Always keep this in mind.400:00:13,520 –> 00:00:19,200Jesus Christ did not come into the world to keep people out of heaven.500:00:19,200 –> 00:00:23,100He came into the world to get people in.600:00:23,100 –> 00:00:25,600Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.700:00:25,600 –> 00:00:28,299I’m David Pick, glad you can be with us today.800:00:28,360 –> 00:00:32,400Colin, if that’s true that Jesus came so that people could get into heaven,900:00:32,400 –> 00:00:35,619how can I know that I can get into heaven?1000:00:36,119 –> 00:00:39,939Well I think the best answer to that question’s in the story of the thief on the cross1100:00:39,939 –> 00:00:41,599that we’re going to look at today.1200:00:41,599 –> 00:00:44,360And just three words get to it.1300:00:44,360 –> 00:00:46,380He turned to Jesus.1400:00:46,380 –> 00:00:48,200He asked of Jesus.1500:00:48,200 –> 00:00:50,080And he trusted in Jesus.1600:00:50,080 –> 00:00:52,880We’re going to focus on the first of these in the program today.1700:00:53,840 –> 00:00:57,419It’s very striking to me that this guy really changed.1800:00:57,599 –> 00:01:02,480He was angry towards Jesus, you know, hurling abuse at the Lord Jesus.1900:01:02,480 –> 00:01:07,120And listening to the program today, if you are angry with God,2000:01:07,120 –> 00:01:11,779my hope and prayer is that in these next moments God would use his word2100:01:11,779 –> 00:01:15,800to change your position and that you would turn to him2200:01:15,800 –> 00:01:19,120because that’s the beginning of the salvation that we’re going to look at today.2300:01:19,120 –> 00:01:24,260So join us today, if you can, in Luke chapter 23 as we begin the message2400:01:24,779 –> 00:01:27,000How can I be sure of heaven?2500:01:27,000 –> 00:01:28,419Here is Pastor Colin.2600:01:28,419 –> 00:01:33,800Now the series that we begin today is entitled simply, Heaven.2700:01:33,800 –> 00:01:36,279We’re going to look at four themes2800:01:36,279 –> 00:01:43,260and all of them arise directly from the words that Jesus spoke to the thief on the cross.2900:01:43,260 –> 00:01:45,279Jesus said to the thief,3000:01:45,279 –> 00:01:49,760Today you will be with me in paradise, today!3100:01:50,059 –> 00:01:54,339Now next week we’re going to look at the theme of immediacy.3200:01:54,339 –> 00:01:58,180What happens when a believer dies?3300:01:58,180 –> 00:02:02,099What is the experience of believers who are with the Lord now?3400:02:02,099 –> 00:02:05,099Loved ones who have died in Christ.3500:02:05,099 –> 00:02:07,580What are they actually experiencing now?3600:02:07,580 –> 00:02:10,119We will look at that theme next week.3700:02:10,119 –> 00:02:12,500Then the following week, we’ll think of this.3800:02:12,500 –> 00:02:17,539Jesus said today you will be with me in paradise.3900:02:17,539 –> 00:02:19,539There’s relationship there.4000:02:19,539 –> 00:02:23,380Relationship with Jesus Christ and because of that4100:02:23,380 –> 00:02:26,100relationship with his people.4200:02:26,100 –> 00:02:29,440Folks sometimes ask will we know one another in heaven?4300:02:29,440 –> 00:02:32,240We’ll look at that question and the wonderful answer4400:02:32,240 –> 00:02:34,820to it in a couple of weeks time.4500:02:34,820 –> 00:02:39,460And then Jesus said today you will be with me in paradise.4600:02:39,460 –> 00:02:41,779And we know that Jesus was referring to the4700:02:41,779 –> 00:02:44,139joyful presence of the father4800:02:44,139 –> 00:02:48,699because Jesus said father into your hand I commit my spirit.4900:02:48,740 –> 00:02:50,639So when he died he went immediately5000:02:50,639 –> 00:02:53,399into the presence of the father5100:02:53,399 –> 00:02:55,839and the thief was with him you will be with me5200:02:55,839 –> 00:02:57,240and paradise is the place5300:02:57,240 –> 00:03:00,000where God’s people enjoy his presence.5400:03:00,000 –> 00:03:03,320And so we will ask the question what will I enjoy in heaven?5500:03:03,320 –> 00:03:06,399What will be the great blessings of life5600:03:06,399 –> 00:03:10,179and future for all the people of God in heaven?5700:03:10,179 –> 00:03:11,839Now all of that lies ahead5800:03:11,839 –> 00:03:14,000in the series over these next weeks5900:03:14,000 –> 00:03:15,199but I want to begin today6000:03:15,199 –> 00:03:17,720with the most important question of all6100:03:18,839 –> 00:03:22,240which clearly is how can I be sure of heaven?6200:03:23,619 –> 00:03:27,600Whatever the joys of heaven they are of little help6300:03:27,600 –> 00:03:30,660to a person who does not end up being there6400:03:30,660 –> 00:03:35,520and Jesus said today you will be with me in paradise.6500:03:35,520 –> 00:03:38,759You will be there’s clarity there,6600:03:38,759 –> 00:03:41,199there’s certainty there,6700:03:41,199 –> 00:03:42,800there’s confidence there.6800:03:42,800 –> 00:03:47,800The word of Jesus you will be with me in paradise.6900:03:48,479 –> 00:03:50,940He does not say to the thief well we’ll need7000:03:50,940 –> 00:03:52,759to wait and see.7100:03:52,759 –> 00:03:54,520He doesn’t say well I’ll put your name on a list7200:03:54,520 –> 00:03:56,619and we’ll see if a spot opens up soon.7300:03:57,639 –> 00:03:59,880He doesn’t say well you know you’ve only just begun7400:03:59,880 –> 00:04:02,160to believe we’ll need to see how your faith grows7500:04:02,160 –> 00:04:04,300and how it develops.7600:04:04,300 –> 00:04:09,300No he says today you will be with me in paradise.7700:04:10,880 –> 00:04:12,279Now the obvious question then7800:04:12,479 –> 00:04:15,220is to whom is that promise given?7900:04:16,100 –> 00:04:18,279How can you know, how can I know8000:04:18,279 –> 00:04:20,880that this promise is for us?8100:04:22,000 –> 00:04:24,339So today our title is confidence?8200:04:24,339 –> 00:04:29,059How can I be sure of heaven?8300:04:29,059 –> 00:04:31,059And it is really hard to imagine8400:04:31,059 –> 00:04:33,559a more important question than this.8500:04:35,279 –> 00:04:40,279Sooner or later your last day on earth will come.8600:04:42,299 –> 00:04:45,140You may not know it when that day dawns.8700:04:45,140 –> 00:04:48,239You may not know it to be your last day as the thief did.8800:04:48,239 –> 00:04:50,260Of course he woke up in the cell that morning,8900:04:50,260 –> 00:04:53,079he knew he would be dead by sundown.9000:04:53,079 –> 00:04:55,519Knew he had a dreadful day of pain ahead of him.9100:04:55,519 –> 00:04:57,519He could say, you know, this is it,9200:04:57,519 –> 00:04:59,200this is the day that I die.9300:05:00,679 –> 00:05:02,940And for someone here, that may be this week.9400:05:04,519 –> 00:05:06,899Someone in the congregation passes to be with the lord9500:05:06,899 –> 00:05:08,179pretty much every week,9600:05:08,239 –> 00:05:09,739this week.9700:05:09,739 –> 00:05:12,220Maybe this month, maybe this year.9800:05:13,260 –> 00:05:15,980For others, it may be a long way off.9900:05:17,380 –> 00:05:19,640But the one thing that is absolutely certain10000:05:19,640 –> 00:05:23,519is that for every one of us that day will come.10100:05:25,079 –> 00:05:26,940And on that day when you wake up,10200:05:26,940 –> 00:05:28,859whether you realize it or not,10300:05:28,859 –> 00:05:30,339it will be your last day.10400:05:30,339 –> 00:05:34,260And the question is, what will happen then10500:05:35,359 –> 00:05:38,140after your last day of life on this earth?10600:05:38,679 –> 00:05:43,679Now, Jesus speaks to us about heaven.10700:05:43,799 –> 00:05:48,799And he came into the world so that people could go there.10800:05:48,959 –> 00:05:50,679Always keep this in mind,10900:05:50,679 –> 00:05:53,579Jesus Christ did not come into the world11000:05:53,579 –> 00:05:55,940to keep people out of heaven.11100:05:55,940 –> 00:05:59,619He came into the world to get people in.11200:05:59,619 –> 00:06:03,220That is why his coming is such good news11300:06:03,220 –> 00:06:06,399and nothing matters more11400:06:06,399 –> 00:06:11,000than that you should get in to heaven.11500:06:11,000 –> 00:06:13,119This matters more than all the things11600:06:13,119 –> 00:06:15,000that may be pressing in on you right now11700:06:15,000 –> 00:06:16,480in regards to your life.11800:06:16,480 –> 00:06:18,760Pressures with regards to life and work11900:06:18,760 –> 00:06:21,380and business and money and all the rest of it.12000:06:22,399 –> 00:06:24,760Jesus said on one occasion,12100:06:24,760 –> 00:06:27,339a person’s life does not consist12200:06:27,339 –> 00:06:30,200in the abundance of his possessions.12300:06:31,140 –> 00:06:33,160And then he went on to tell this story12400:06:33,160 –> 00:06:36,940about a man who had become all wrapped up in his work.12500:06:36,940 –> 00:06:39,320Very, very easy for that to happen12600:06:39,320 –> 00:06:41,760as work presents so many opportunities12700:06:41,760 –> 00:06:44,940and also places so many demands.12800:06:44,940 –> 00:06:47,959And for this particular man in Jesus’ story,12900:06:47,959 –> 00:06:51,899the pressures were great because his business was booming.13000:06:51,899 –> 00:06:56,220He was working a plan for expansion and things were going.13100:06:57,200 –> 00:06:59,119And his plan was a very simple one.13200:06:59,119 –> 00:07:02,140He says now with the expansion that’s going on here,13300:07:02,140 –> 00:07:05,760I’m gonna tear down my barns, I’m gonna build larger ones.13400:07:05,760 –> 00:07:08,040Nothing wrong with expanding your business.13500:07:08,040 –> 00:07:10,980If God blesses your business, marvelous.13600:07:10,980 –> 00:07:13,119But this man says something very interesting.13700:07:13,119 –> 00:07:16,179He says I’ll tear down my barns, I’ll build larger ones.13800:07:16,179 –> 00:07:21,179And there, I will store all my grain and all my goods.13900:07:22,600 –> 00:07:26,000So he was a wise man in the sense he was a planner.14000:07:27,059 –> 00:07:30,040He was focused on preparing for the future.14100:07:30,040 –> 00:07:31,760I’m putting things in store.14200:07:31,760 –> 00:07:34,000I’m getting ready for the future.14300:07:35,559 –> 00:07:40,200But God said about this man that he was a fool14400:07:40,200 –> 00:07:42,579because in preparing for the future,14500:07:42,579 –> 00:07:45,000he missed the bigger part.14600:07:47,059 –> 00:07:51,040Every time you look at your 401k,14700:07:51,040 –> 00:07:53,859or your IRA, or whatever it is,14800:07:53,859 –> 00:07:57,320your investments, your positioning of yourself14900:07:57,320 –> 00:08:00,260for the future, ask yourself this question.15000:08:00,279 –> 00:08:04,619How well am I prepared for what lies beyond this?15100:08:05,459 –> 00:08:07,299Because that’s the bigger part.15200:08:08,179 –> 00:08:10,019That’s the thing that really matters.15300:08:11,000 –> 00:08:14,299And if you think about it, we put in relentless effort15400:08:14,299 –> 00:08:17,299in all that we’re doing and establishing our position15500:08:17,299 –> 00:08:21,540over years for a future that may last 10, 20, 30 years15600:08:21,540 –> 00:08:24,179after you retire, maybe even a little bit more.15700:08:24,179 –> 00:08:25,299But what then?15800:08:26,279 –> 00:08:28,640To plan or to prepare for the few years15900:08:28,679 –> 00:08:31,500that you have in this world is good and it is wise.16000:08:31,500 –> 00:08:35,679But to neglect the eternity that lies beyond,16100:08:35,679 –> 00:08:38,960well, that would be the greatest folly.16200:08:40,159 –> 00:08:44,479One day you will leave this world and when you do16300:08:44,479 –> 00:08:46,640all that you have, you will leave behind,16400:08:46,640 –> 00:08:48,880you brought nothing in and we all know16500:08:48,880 –> 00:08:51,619that we will take nothing out.16600:08:51,619 –> 00:08:53,960And it is extraordinary that so many people16700:08:53,960 –> 00:08:56,640spend so much of their lives avoiding thinking16800:08:56,640 –> 00:08:59,200about the greatest question that ultimately16900:08:59,200 –> 00:09:02,500confronts every one of us.17000:09:03,719 –> 00:09:06,080How can I be sure of heaven?17100:09:06,080 –> 00:09:07,859How can I be sure of heaven?17200:09:09,059 –> 00:09:10,359You are listening to Open the Bible17300:09:10,359 –> 00:09:12,659with pastor Colin Smith and a message called17400:09:12,659 –> 00:09:14,619how can I be sure of heaven?17500:09:14,619 –> 00:09:17,700And in a moment we’ll go back to Luke 2317600:09:17,700 –> 00:09:18,859and answer that question.17700:09:18,859 –> 00:09:22,260How can you be sure that you can get to heaven?17800:09:22,260 –> 00:09:24,179If you have missed the beginning of the program17900:09:24,179 –> 00:09:26,179or if you ever miss any of our programs,18000:09:26,219 –> 00:09:29,640it’s very easy to catch up or go back and listen again18100:09:29,640 –> 00:09:31,859by coming online to our website,18200:09:31,859 –> 00:09:34,479openthebible.org.uk,18300:09:34,479 –> 00:09:36,260there you’ll find all the messages18400:09:36,260 –> 00:09:38,200which have already gone out on air.18500:09:38,200 –> 00:09:41,619Back to the message now here again is pastor Colin.18600:09:41,619 –> 00:09:43,159How can I be sure of heaven?18700:09:44,859 –> 00:09:47,880Now the story of the thief on the cross18800:09:47,880 –> 00:09:50,760really gives to us I believe the clearest answer18900:09:50,760 –> 00:09:53,099to this question and so I’m inviting you19000:09:53,099 –> 00:09:58,099to turn to Luke 23 today where we find this story19100:09:58,599 –> 00:10:00,340and it is a familiar one.19200:10:00,340 –> 00:10:03,059We read in verse 32 that two others19300:10:03,059 –> 00:10:05,440who were criminals were led away19400:10:05,440 –> 00:10:08,539to be put to death with Jesus.19500:10:08,539 –> 00:10:10,940Verse 33, when they came to the place19600:10:10,940 –> 00:10:13,159that is called the skull,19700:10:13,159 –> 00:10:17,320there, they crucified Jesus and the criminals,19800:10:17,320 –> 00:10:22,320one on his right and one on his left.19900:10:23,900 –> 00:10:25,179Then we are told when we get20000:10:25,179 –> 00:10:28,640to the heart of the story in verse 4220100:10:28,640 –> 00:10:31,239that one of these thieves, one of the criminals,20200:10:31,239 –> 00:10:36,239said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.20300:10:38,159 –> 00:10:41,500And Jesus said to him, truly,20400:10:41,500 –> 00:10:46,500I say to you today you will be with me in paradise.20500:10:48,659 –> 00:10:51,260Now, I want us to see from this story20600:10:51,260 –> 00:10:53,580what it was that the thief did20700:10:55,219 –> 00:11:00,219that caused Jesus to give this wonderful promise20800:11:00,780 –> 00:11:02,479and this wonderful assurance to him20900:11:02,479 –> 00:11:04,640so that we may walk in the same path21000:11:04,640 –> 00:11:07,739and we may follow his very, very good example.21100:11:08,719 –> 00:11:09,719But before we get to that,21200:11:09,719 –> 00:11:11,679I want you just to notice this one thing,21300:11:11,679 –> 00:11:14,599that the story of the thief blows away21400:11:14,599 –> 00:11:17,159one of the most commonly held myths21500:11:17,159 –> 00:11:19,799about how people get to heaven.21600:11:19,960 –> 00:11:23,299And that is many people have the idea21700:11:23,299 –> 00:11:25,859that a person will get to heaven21800:11:25,859 –> 00:11:28,260by living a good enough life.21900:11:29,400 –> 00:11:31,479If you think about it, the story of the thief22000:11:31,479 –> 00:11:35,640clearly just blows that myth out of the water.22100:11:35,640 –> 00:11:39,880This man clearly had not lived a good life.22200:11:39,880 –> 00:11:41,840He was a criminal.22300:11:41,840 –> 00:11:46,780Mark and Matthew both specify that he was a robber,22400:11:47,000 –> 00:11:49,840hence the thief on the cross.22500:11:49,840 –> 00:11:51,400And because he was experiencing22600:11:51,400 –> 00:11:54,239capital punishment and crucifixion22700:11:54,239 –> 00:11:56,979under the Roman justice system,22800:11:56,979 –> 00:11:59,820it is likely that his thievery was aggravated,22900:11:59,820 –> 00:12:03,219may have involved violence and perhaps even murder.23000:12:04,320 –> 00:12:06,159The scale of his crimes was such23100:12:06,159 –> 00:12:09,000that the thief did not dispute23200:12:09,000 –> 00:12:11,940that what he was receiving in this awful agony23300:12:11,940 –> 00:12:13,700was in fact a just sentence.23400:12:13,739 –> 00:12:15,260He says in verse 41,23500:12:15,260 –> 00:12:18,460we are getting what our deeds deserve.23600:12:19,500 –> 00:12:24,260So quite clearly this man had not lived a good life.23700:12:25,179 –> 00:12:27,460Very very far from it.23800:12:28,299 –> 00:12:29,940And even more striking,23900:12:29,940 –> 00:12:32,739he was not in the position to start living a good life.24000:12:32,739 –> 00:12:34,460I mean, this guy is out of time,24100:12:34,460 –> 00:12:36,380he cannot turn over a new leaf,24200:12:36,380 –> 00:12:37,859he can’t go and do some new works24300:12:37,859 –> 00:12:41,700or good works when his hands are tied to the cross24400:12:41,739 –> 00:12:44,739and yet Jesus says to this man,24500:12:44,739 –> 00:12:48,700to this man today you will be with me in paradise.24600:12:48,700 –> 00:12:51,539Now if Jesus can say this to this man,24700:12:52,700 –> 00:12:56,020then clearly heaven is open24800:12:56,020 –> 00:13:01,020to any person who follows the path that this man did.24900:13:01,739 –> 00:13:04,179And that is why it is so helpful for us25000:13:04,179 –> 00:13:06,780to focus on what exactly happened25100:13:06,780 –> 00:13:10,080in the transaction between this man and Jesus25200:13:10,080 –> 00:13:13,320that would cause this most unlikely person25300:13:14,460 –> 00:13:17,640to hear the words of Jesus.25400:13:17,640 –> 00:13:21,320Today you will be with me in paradise.25500:13:21,320 –> 00:13:24,299Now I want to put this in the simplest language25600:13:24,299 –> 00:13:27,239that I possibly can today25700:13:27,239 –> 00:13:30,679and to give you the answer to this question25800:13:30,679 –> 00:13:32,119in just three words.25900:13:32,119 –> 00:13:35,140One answer, three words.26000:13:35,140 –> 00:13:37,780What did the thief do?26100:13:37,799 –> 00:13:42,799The answer is, turn, ask, and trust.26200:13:44,239 –> 00:13:47,840Turn, ask, and trust.26300:13:47,840 –> 00:13:49,479That’s what he did,26400:13:49,479 –> 00:13:52,320and to the person who turns to Jesus,26500:13:52,320 –> 00:13:55,359asks of Jesus, and trusts in Jesus,26600:13:55,359 –> 00:14:00,080Jesus says you will be with me in paradise.26700:14:00,080 –> 00:14:04,919You will be, you will be to such a person.26800:14:04,919 –> 00:14:06,799Now let’s look at this from the story together.26900:14:06,799 –> 00:14:08,880First word, turn.27000:14:09,919 –> 00:14:14,380The thief was on the cross for more than six hours.27100:14:14,380 –> 00:14:18,200We know this because Jesus was on the cross for six hours,27200:14:18,200 –> 00:14:19,880crucified at nine in the morning,27300:14:19,880 –> 00:14:22,559died at three in the afternoon,27400:14:22,559 –> 00:14:25,400six hours of agony.27500:14:25,400 –> 00:14:28,479And we know that the thief on the cross died after Jesus27600:14:28,479 –> 00:14:30,000because when the soldiers came27700:14:30,000 –> 00:14:31,900to break the legs of the criminals,27800:14:31,900 –> 00:14:34,299our Lord had already trusted his spirit27900:14:34,299 –> 00:14:36,640into the hand of the Father.28000:14:38,380 –> 00:14:43,380So the thief on the cross was there for more than six hours28100:14:45,239 –> 00:14:48,039and during that period of time,28200:14:48,039 –> 00:14:51,119there was a remarkable change28300:14:51,119 –> 00:14:54,239in his attitude towards Jesus.28400:14:55,159 –> 00:14:59,099Matthew and Mark make very clear that at first28500:14:59,099 –> 00:15:03,919both of the criminals hurled abuse at Jesus.28600:15:03,940 –> 00:15:08,940Matthew 27, 44, and the robbers, plural,28700:15:09,380 –> 00:15:11,320who were crucified with him28800:15:11,320 –> 00:15:14,380also reviled him in the same way.28900:15:14,380 –> 00:15:16,960Similarly Mark 15 in verse 32,29000:15:16,960 –> 00:15:21,960those, plural, who were crucified with him also reviled him.29100:15:23,280 –> 00:15:25,119It’s very clear from Matthew and Mark,29200:15:25,119 –> 00:15:26,880here is our Lord Jesus.29300:15:26,880 –> 00:15:29,799And on either side, there are these two criminals.29400:15:29,799 –> 00:15:34,799And at first, both of them are hurling abuse29500:15:35,320 –> 00:15:37,239towards Jesus, the Son of God29600:15:37,239 –> 00:15:40,200there on that center cross.29700:15:41,380 –> 00:15:45,280But then a great change comes over one of them.29800:15:46,760 –> 00:15:51,219The Bible calls this turning repentance.29900:15:51,219 –> 00:15:53,500That’s the Bible word for it.30000:15:54,400 –> 00:15:57,080And one writer has described repentance30100:15:57,099 –> 00:15:58,979in this very helpful way,30200:15:58,979 –> 00:16:02,140that repentance is turning30300:16:02,140 –> 00:16:06,299with as much as you know of yourself30400:16:06,299 –> 00:16:09,780from as much as you know of sin30500:16:09,780 –> 00:16:12,900to as much as you know of God.30600:16:14,039 –> 00:16:16,559And quite clearly therefore it gets deeper30700:16:16,559 –> 00:16:19,539as a believers life advances.30800:16:19,539 –> 00:16:22,159The more you learn about who God is30900:16:22,159 –> 00:16:24,700and what He calls you to,31000:16:24,700 –> 00:16:26,919and the more you learn about yourself31100:16:27,440 –> 00:16:29,919and what actually goes on inside31200:16:29,919 –> 00:16:32,739your own mind and your own heart.31300:16:32,739 –> 00:16:35,739And the more you learn about what sin is31400:16:35,739 –> 00:16:39,239in its various subtle dimensions.31500:16:39,239 –> 00:16:40,960The more you learn each of these things,31600:16:40,960 –> 00:16:43,239the deeper repentance goes.31700:16:43,239 –> 00:16:45,179The further it advances31800:16:45,179 –> 00:16:47,159throughout the life of a Christian.31900:16:47,159 –> 00:16:50,760So repentance, this turning is an ongoing process32000:16:50,760 –> 00:16:52,280in the Christian life32100:16:52,280 –> 00:16:55,559as we learn more of God and of ourselves and of sin.32200:16:55,559 –> 00:16:58,460But every process has a beginning.32300:16:59,559 –> 00:17:01,659And the story of the thief shows32400:17:01,659 –> 00:17:06,079where this process of turning actually begins.32500:17:06,079 –> 00:17:09,359Now I want you to notice two things from the story.32600:17:09,359 –> 00:17:12,760That this turning to Jesus begins32700:17:12,760 –> 00:17:16,599when a person comes to fear God.32800:17:16,599 –> 00:17:19,579And you have that in verse 40.32900:17:19,579 –> 00:17:21,439One of the criminals who were hanged,33000:17:21,439 –> 00:17:24,339grayled at Him saying are you not the Christ,33100:17:24,339 –> 00:17:27,060save yourself, and us?33200:17:27,060 –> 00:17:29,000But the other rebuked him saying,33300:17:29,000 –> 00:17:32,280do you not fear God,33400:17:32,280 –> 00:17:35,780since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?33500:17:37,560 –> 00:17:39,400There is a great God in heaven33600:17:41,119 –> 00:17:43,140and He knows all things.33700:17:44,040 –> 00:17:47,880And before Him every heart is absolutely open.33800:17:47,880 –> 00:17:51,239Every thought, before a word is on my tongue,33900:17:51,239 –> 00:17:53,020you know it completely, oh God,34000:17:53,020 –> 00:17:55,520you know me from the inside out.34100:17:55,520 –> 00:17:58,400And from this God there isn’t a single secret34200:17:58,400 –> 00:18:02,819in the congregation today that could possibly be hidden.34300:18:04,119 –> 00:18:06,239And the thief on the cross would have known this.34400:18:06,239 –> 00:18:08,839He would have been Jewish in all probability34500:18:08,839 –> 00:18:11,680and given that background in the Scriptures.34600:18:11,680 –> 00:18:15,060But like so many he had pushed this knowledge34700:18:15,060 –> 00:18:17,839that there is a God before whom we must one day stand.34800:18:17,839 –> 00:18:19,400He pushed it to the back of His mind.34900:18:19,400 –> 00:18:20,680He’d not given it weight.35000:18:20,719 –> 00:18:23,140If he had he’d never have become a thief.35100:18:23,140 –> 00:18:25,920But he’s been pressing on in his own way.35200:18:25,920 –> 00:18:28,599He really hasn’t given that much thought to God.35300:18:28,599 –> 00:18:30,760But now here he is on the brink of eternity35400:18:30,760 –> 00:18:34,680and his conscience begins to be activated in a new way.35500:18:34,680 –> 00:18:38,239And he has an awareness, I’m going to stand before God,35600:18:38,239 –> 00:18:41,520before this God who knows everything about me.35700:18:41,520 –> 00:18:43,160And here I am in the situation35800:18:43,160 –> 00:18:45,459facing these difficulties right now.35900:18:45,459 –> 00:18:49,719What will it be when I’m standing before Almighty God?36000:18:51,500 –> 00:18:56,199Fearing God means you quit pushing him36100:18:56,199 –> 00:19:00,040to the outside recesses of your life36200:19:00,040 –> 00:19:03,839and you start giving weight to him at the very center.36300:19:04,880 –> 00:19:09,060Fearing God means that what he says in his word36400:19:09,060 –> 00:19:11,199carries more weight for you36500:19:11,199 –> 00:19:13,619than what anyone else says into your life.36600:19:15,760 –> 00:19:19,479Fearing God means that what pleases him36700:19:19,500 –> 00:19:23,660matters more to you than what pleases you36800:19:23,660 –> 00:19:25,800or what pleases other people.36900:19:26,880 –> 00:19:28,760And this man hadn’t lived that way,37000:19:28,760 –> 00:19:30,040but there’s a turn and he says,37100:19:30,040 –> 00:19:32,060don’t you fear God?37200:19:34,040 –> 00:19:37,040Second part of this turn is seen in this,37300:19:37,040 –> 00:19:39,359that not only you begin to fear God,37400:19:39,359 –> 00:19:43,359but you recognize Jesus Christ as King.37500:19:43,359 –> 00:19:45,680You recognize Christ as King.37600:19:45,680 –> 00:19:48,359Isn’t it interesting how the theme of King37700:19:48,359 –> 00:19:50,239is so strong in this story?37800:19:50,239 –> 00:19:53,040And Luke’s gospel, verse 37,37900:19:53,040 –> 00:19:54,819the soldiers mocked Him saying,38000:19:54,819 –> 00:19:59,119if you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.38100:19:59,119 –> 00:20:01,380Verse 38, there was an inscription over him.38200:20:01,380 –> 00:20:04,719This is the King of the Jews.38300:20:04,719 –> 00:20:06,979And then verse 42, the thief says,38400:20:06,979 –> 00:20:11,979Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,38500:20:11,979 –> 00:20:13,180your kingdom.38600:20:14,359 –> 00:20:18,239So turning means not only that you begin to fear God,38700:20:18,239 –> 00:20:22,520but that you submit yourself to Jesus Christ38800:20:22,520 –> 00:20:27,520as the King, the Lord, the Master of your life.38900:20:29,239 –> 00:20:32,920And you have that in what the thief is saying right here.39000:20:33,939 –> 00:20:38,439Jesus, I’m recognizing that you are a King,39100:20:38,439 –> 00:20:39,319you have a kingdom.39200:20:39,319 –> 00:20:40,959It’s not gonna be in this world,39300:20:40,959 –> 00:20:43,160but when you come into your kingdom,39400:20:43,160 –> 00:20:45,219that clearly is beyond this life,39500:20:45,219 –> 00:20:49,400I’m asking that you will remember me.39600:20:50,380 –> 00:20:52,579How can I be sure of heaven?39700:20:52,579 –> 00:20:53,920First part of the answer,39800:20:53,920 –> 00:20:55,500and it’s one answer in three words.39900:20:55,500 –> 00:20:59,420Part one, turn, fear God,40000:20:59,420 –> 00:21:03,119submit yourself to King Jesus.40100:21:03,119 –> 00:21:05,500Let his way become the way for you.40200:21:05,500 –> 00:21:08,699Let his truth become the truth for you.40300:21:08,699 –> 00:21:13,180Let his life become the life for you.40400:21:13,339 –> 00:21:17,900And to the person who turns to Jesus,40500:21:17,900 –> 00:21:18,839he says,40600:21:20,020 –> 00:21:23,420you will be40700:21:23,420 –> 00:21:27,459with me in paradise.40800:21:28,520 –> 00:21:29,520That’s what he says.40900:21:30,780 –> 00:21:33,300Pastor Colin Smith there on Open The Bible41000:21:33,300 –> 00:21:36,219with our message, How Can I be Sure of Heaven?41100:21:36,219 –> 00:21:38,819And the first part of the answer to that question,41200:21:38,819 –> 00:21:40,760to turn to Jesus.41300:21:40,760 –> 00:21:43,439Next time we’ll look at what it means to ask41400:21:43,439 –> 00:21:45,760and then after that to trust.41500:21:45,760 –> 00:21:47,520So, I hope you’ll join us for that.41600:21:48,520 –> 00:21:51,540The message is part of our series called Heaven41700:21:51,540 –> 00:21:53,280and if you ever miss one of the series,41800:21:53,280 –> 00:21:56,119it’s easy to catch up or go back and listen again41900:21:56,119 –> 00:22:00,800by coming online to our website openthebible.org.uk42000:22:00,800 –> 00:22:03,459and you can also find Pastor Colin’s messages42100:22:03,459 –> 00:22:05,280on all the main podcast sites42200:22:05,280 –> 00:22:08,160if that’s a better way for you to keep up with them.42300:22:08,160 –> 00:22:10,079You can find them on the podcast site42400:22:10,079 –> 00:22:13,280by searching for Open The Bible UK42500:22:13,280 –> 00:22:15,959or follow the link from our website.42600:22:15,959 –> 00:22:18,680Also on our website and available as a podcast42700:22:18,680 –> 00:22:20,719is Open the Bible Daily42800:22:20,719 –> 00:22:24,500and that’s a series of two to three minute daily reflections42900:22:24,500 –> 00:22:26,560based on Pastor Colin’s teaching43000:22:26,560 –> 00:22:29,180and read especially in the UK.43100:22:29,180 –> 00:22:30,540There’s a new one every day43200:22:30,540 –> 00:22:32,280and many Christians start their day43300:22:32,280 –> 00:22:34,660with Open the Bible Daily.43400:22:34,660 –> 00:22:36,979Again, you can find that on our website43500:22:36,979 –> 00:22:39,660openthebible.org.uk43600:22:39,660 –> 00:22:41,020Also as a podcast,43700:22:41,020 –> 00:22:43,680by searching for Open The Bible UK.43800:22:45,079 –> 00:22:47,479Open the Bible is supported by our listeners43900:22:47,479 –> 00:22:48,900and we’re extremely grateful44000:22:48,900 –> 00:22:51,660for the financial support that you give us.44100:22:51,660 –> 00:22:52,599If that’s something44200:22:52,599 –> 00:22:55,140that you’ve been considering starting to do44300:22:55,140 –> 00:22:57,699this month, we have a wonderful offer for you.44400:22:57,699 –> 00:23:00,660It’s our Easter giveaway bundle.44500:23:00,660 –> 00:23:02,739The bundle consists of two copies44600:23:02,739 –> 00:23:04,359of the graphic novel version of44700:23:04,359 –> 00:23:06,000Heaven How I Got Here,44800:23:06,199 –> 00:23:08,180the story of the thief on the cross,44900:23:08,180 –> 00:23:10,780plus an NIV outreach edition45000:23:10,780 –> 00:23:12,260of The Bible.45100:23:12,260 –> 00:23:14,079These are ideal to give away45200:23:14,079 –> 00:23:16,660to friends and family this Easter.45300:23:16,660 –> 00:23:19,900Colin, who is this graphic novel for?45400:23:19,900 –> 00:23:23,219Well, I’m super-excited about this graphic novel.45500:23:23,219 –> 00:23:27,000It is a brilliantly illustrated 48-page story.45600:23:27,000 –> 00:23:29,780It’s got clear and compelling dialogue45700:23:29,780 –> 00:23:32,060and it’s designed to reach younger people45800:23:32,060 –> 00:23:34,780and for anyone who thinks of themselves45900:23:34,900 –> 00:23:36,939as being a visual learner.46000:23:36,939 –> 00:23:39,180And it tells the story of the thief on the cross,46100:23:39,180 –> 00:23:42,540which is really a story that I think everyone needs to know.46200:23:42,540 –> 00:23:46,060It teaches us that entrance into heaven46300:23:46,060 –> 00:23:48,619doesn’t depend on a person’s performance46400:23:48,619 –> 00:23:49,800in the Christian life46500:23:49,800 –> 00:23:52,859and I think that’s something that everybody needs to grasp,46600:23:52,859 –> 00:23:55,500but especially younger people46700:23:55,500 –> 00:23:57,339who have grown up in church46800:23:57,339 –> 00:24:00,180and yet may not have grasped the heart of the gospel46900:24:00,180 –> 00:24:03,020and may be tempted to turn away.47000:24:03,020 –> 00:24:04,079I hope that we can get it47100:24:04,079 –> 00:24:06,160into the hands of as many younger people47200:24:06,160 –> 00:24:08,219and visual learners as possible47300:24:08,219 –> 00:24:09,880so that people will understand47400:24:09,880 –> 00:24:13,060the marvellous news of God’s grace.47500:24:13,060 –> 00:24:16,160Jesus opened heaven for the thief on the cross.47600:24:16,160 –> 00:24:17,760If he could do that for the thief on the cross,47700:24:17,760 –> 00:24:19,760he could do that for any person.47800:24:19,760 –> 00:24:23,380There is hope for every person in Jesus Christ,47900:24:23,380 –> 00:24:25,439so who’s a young person in your life48000:24:25,439 –> 00:24:27,959who needs to understand the grace of God?48100:24:27,959 –> 00:24:30,219Would love for you to be the means48200:24:30,219 –> 00:24:33,839of getting the story of God’s grace into their hands48300:24:33,880 –> 00:24:36,560and who knows what God will do as a result.48400:24:36,560 –> 00:24:39,880Well, we’d love to send you our Easter giveaway bundle48500:24:39,880 –> 00:24:42,219if you were able to begin a new direct debit48600:24:42,219 –> 00:24:43,920to the work of Open the Bible48700:24:43,920 –> 00:24:47,000in the amount of five pounds per month or more48800:24:47,000 –> 00:24:50,839or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more.48900:24:50,839 –> 00:24:53,959For terms and conditions and to give online,49000:24:53,959 –> 00:24:55,380head for our website,49100:24:55,380 –> 00:24:58,680that’s at openthebible.org.uk49200:24:58,680 –> 00:24:59,900and if you give online,49300:24:59,900 –> 00:25:02,780don’t forget to leave your full name and address49400:25:02,819 –> 00:25:05,819so that we can send you our Easter giveaway bundle.49500:25:05,819 –> 00:25:08,540For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,49600:25:08,540 –> 00:25:09,619I’m David Pick49700:25:09,619 –> 00:25:12,979and I hope you’ll join us again next time on Open the Bible.49800:25:12,979 –> 00:25:22,319.49900:25:22,319 –> 00:25:24,719Have you ever tried to make a deal with God?50000:25:24,719 –> 00:25:27,859Find out what happens when you come to God that way50100:25:27,859 –> 00:25:29,959next time on Open the Bible.