100:00:00,380 –> 00:00:03,320Dicor Mensation200:00:03,480 –> 00:00:07,880What in all the world are you holding on to in your life right now that is so good300:00:07,880 –> 00:00:12,440that holding on to this would be a worthwhile trade for what…400:00:12,440 –> 00:00:17,000… Jesus Christ holds in his hands and even now offers to you…?500:00:17,480 –> 00:00:21,480Welcome to Open the Bible With Pastor Colin Smith. I am David Pick.600:00:21,719 –> 00:00:23,340I am so glad you could join us today…700:00:23,340 –> 00:00:24,100… and Colin…800:00:24,219 –> 00:00:26,700… that’s a really challenging question because…900:00:26,740 –> 00:00:33,240… we’ve been hearing about heaven and using a simple mathematical equation to add, subtract and multiply.1000:00:33,360 –> 00:00:34,599We’re really thinking about1100:00:34,599 –> 00:00:37,860how do you set your mind on things that are above.1200:00:37,860 –> 00:00:39,799That’s what the Bible calls us to do!1300:00:39,799 –> 00:00:43,680And these four ways that come right out of the world of mathematics.1400:00:43,680 –> 00:00:47,000You have to add because there’s a new heaven and a new earth coming1500:00:47,000 –> 00:00:50,799which means that it’s more than the present heaven and earth.1600:00:51,000 –> 00:00:54,560You have to subtract because there are painful things that God will take away.1700:00:55,320 –> 00:01:00,860No more grieving, no more tears, no more sorrow, every tear wiped out from our eyes1800:01:00,860 –> 00:01:03,139and today we’re going to look at two other things1900:01:03,139 –> 00:01:05,620the great division that will take place2000:01:05,620 –> 00:01:07,400there will be a separation2100:01:07,400 –> 00:01:09,040between the righteous and the wicked2200:01:09,040 –> 00:01:12,660those who are in Christ and those who are rebelling against Christ2300:01:12,680 –> 00:01:14,559and then there’s going to be a multiplication2400:01:14,559 –> 00:01:18,040a multiplication of the highest joys we can know in this world2500:01:18,040 –> 00:01:21,320so that the best thing you know in your life2600:01:21,480 –> 00:01:23,099It’s just a small foretaste2700:01:23,099 –> 00:01:24,599of that which is yet to come2800:01:24,599 –> 00:01:26,320So today we’ll concentrate on2900:01:26,320 –> 00:01:28,519that multiply and divide as we look into3000:01:28,519 –> 00:01:32,199revelation chapter 21 and continue our message3100:01:32,199 –> 00:01:34,080How Much Will I Enjoy Heaven?3200:01:34,080 –> 00:01:35,320Here is Pastor Colin3300:01:35,320 –> 00:01:40,040God will wipe away every tear from your eyes3400:01:40,040 –> 00:01:42,559and that means that you will not spend eternity3500:01:42,559 –> 00:01:46,620carrying painful baggage from difficult relationships3600:01:46,620 –> 00:01:48,980with other believers3700:01:49,660 –> 00:01:52,919You see, even at our best3800:01:52,919 –> 00:01:55,239we as Christians fall short of3900:01:55,239 –> 00:01:58,239what we one day will be4000:01:58,239 –> 00:01:59,839And so it is sometimes hard for us4100:01:59,839 –> 00:02:01,400when we think about Heaven4200:02:01,400 –> 00:02:03,500to imagine broken relationships4300:02:03,500 –> 00:02:06,559completely restored4400:02:06,559 –> 00:02:11,600Deep wounds completely healed4500:02:11,600 –> 00:02:13,179We spoke the other week about4600:02:13,179 –> 00:02:14,559knowing one another in Heaven4700:02:14,559 –> 00:02:15,919I had a whole lotta questions4800:02:15,919 –> 00:02:18,279and they all came from one source4900:02:18,320 –> 00:02:19,880One fundamental question5000:02:19,880 –> 00:02:21,940How is God gonna deal with all the baggage5100:02:21,940 –> 00:02:24,839of the difficulties we’ve had in relationships here5200:02:26,419 –> 00:02:29,119And the answer to that is that5300:02:29,119 –> 00:02:31,759God is able to do more than we ask5400:02:31,759 –> 00:02:35,240and he is able to do more than we imagine5500:02:36,320 –> 00:02:39,360And remember this, that in Heaven5600:02:39,360 –> 00:02:43,580every Christian will be made perfect in repentance5700:02:43,580 –> 00:02:46,199made perfect in forgiveness5800:02:46,199 –> 00:02:50,600made perfect in humility and made perfect in love5900:02:51,960 –> 00:02:54,660Perfect in repentance means that all of us6000:02:54,660 –> 00:02:57,500will have complete ownership of all that is ours6100:02:57,500 –> 00:02:59,300including the things that we did not see6200:02:59,300 –> 00:03:00,820or own in this life6300:03:00,820 –> 00:03:05,820No longer will we be limited in our knowledge of ourselves6400:03:06,580 –> 00:03:08,960we shall know even as God knows us6500:03:08,960 –> 00:03:10,660even as we are known6600:03:11,660 –> 00:03:14,639There’ll be no evasions when repentance is complete6700:03:14,679 –> 00:03:18,860in the heart of a believer made fully like Christ6800:03:19,860 –> 00:03:21,679And at the same time in heaven6900:03:21,679 –> 00:03:24,020every Christian believer will be made7000:03:24,020 –> 00:03:25,300perfect in forgiveness7100:03:25,300 –> 00:03:27,119So there’ll be no grudges7200:03:27,119 –> 00:03:28,339There will be no reluctance7300:03:28,339 –> 00:03:29,880There’ll be no withholding7400:03:31,580 –> 00:03:33,220Now here’s the question to ponder7500:03:33,220 –> 00:03:34,419and it’s very helpful7600:03:36,100 –> 00:03:38,300How long do you think it would take7700:03:39,600 –> 00:03:43,960for a person who has been made perfect in forgiveness7800:03:44,960 –> 00:03:46,860to reconcile with another person7900:03:46,860 –> 00:03:50,839who has been made perfect in repentance8000:03:50,839 –> 00:03:52,639when both of them know8100:03:52,639 –> 00:03:55,919that their joy in the presence of the Lord8200:03:55,919 –> 00:03:58,860is entirely due to the grace of the Saviour8300:03:58,860 –> 00:04:00,860who is standing immediately before them8400:04:00,860 –> 00:04:02,300How long do you think it would take?8500:04:02,300 –> 00:04:03,860I’m going to go for this answer8600:04:03,860 –> 00:04:08,660In a moment in the twinkling of an eye8700:04:08,660 –> 00:04:11,360So a grid for thinking about that which is to come8800:04:11,360 –> 00:04:12,179Add8900:04:12,179 –> 00:04:13,619It’s not other it’s more9000:04:15,160 –> 00:04:15,779Subtract9100:04:15,779 –> 00:04:17,540Look at what will be no more9200:04:17,540 –> 00:04:21,160No more death, pain, crying9300:04:21,160 –> 00:04:22,480Number three9400:04:22,480 –> 00:04:23,940Divide9500:04:23,940 –> 00:04:25,820Verses seven and eight9600:04:25,820 –> 00:04:29,959But as for the cowardly, the faithless9700:04:29,959 –> 00:04:31,899the detestable9800:04:31,899 –> 00:04:35,140as for murderers, the sexually immoral9900:04:35,140 –> 00:04:37,679sorcerers, idolaters and all liars10000:04:39,040 –> 00:04:44,160Their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur10100:04:44,239 –> 00:04:49,239which is, the second death10200:04:49,239 –> 00:04:51,839Now what we’re being told here very clearly10300:04:51,839 –> 00:04:53,679and the reason I use the word divide10400:04:53,679 –> 00:04:56,720is that God will separate10500:04:56,720 –> 00:04:59,359all that is evil10600:04:59,359 –> 00:05:01,720both from His people10700:05:01,720 –> 00:05:05,440and from His creation10800:05:05,440 –> 00:05:08,760The cowardly, the faithless, the detestable10900:05:08,839 –> 00:05:10,160the murderers,11000:05:10,160 –> 00:05:12,239the sexually immoral,11100:05:12,239 –> 00:05:14,200sorcerers, idolaters,11200:05:14,200 –> 00:05:19,200and all liars11300:05:19,200 –> 00:05:20,559This does not mean11400:05:20,559 –> 00:05:24,440that all who have been guilty of these sins11500:05:24,440 –> 00:05:27,359will be excluded from heaven11600:05:27,359 –> 00:05:29,640I say that for this reason11700:05:29,640 –> 00:05:32,000that in 1 Corinthians 611800:05:32,000 –> 00:05:36,119there is a similar list of sins11900:05:36,480 –> 00:05:38,760Consistent with Revelation in chapter 2112000:05:38,760 –> 00:05:41,239Paul says that the unrighteous12100:05:41,239 –> 00:05:44,799will not inherit the Kingdom of God12200:05:44,799 –> 00:05:46,160He gives a list12300:05:46,160 –> 00:05:48,720of acts of unrighteousness12400:05:48,720 –> 00:05:50,559He says do not be deceived12500:05:50,559 –> 00:05:52,279I’m quoting from 1 Corinthians 612600:05:52,279 –> 00:05:54,700verses 9 and 1012700:05:54,700 –> 00:05:55,720Do not be deceived12800:05:55,720 –> 00:05:57,760neither the sexually immoral12900:05:57,760 –> 00:05:59,519nor idolaters13000:05:59,519 –> 00:06:00,880nor adulterers13100:06:00,880 –> 00:06:03,959nor men who practice homosexuality13200:06:03,959 –> 00:06:05,320nor thieves13300:06:06,160 –> 00:06:07,040nor drunkards13400:06:07,040 –> 00:06:08,760nor revilers13500:06:08,760 –> 00:06:10,279nor swindlers13600:06:10,279 –> 00:06:12,239will inherit the Kingdom of God13700:06:12,239 –> 00:06:16,480That’s 1 Corinthians 6 verses 9 and 1013800:06:17,640 –> 00:06:19,100But then we read these words13900:06:19,100 –> 00:06:22,640Paul is writing to Christian believers14000:06:22,640 –> 00:06:24,519in this church in Corinth14100:06:24,519 –> 00:06:25,559and he says this14200:06:25,559 –> 00:06:27,119after that list14300:06:32,779 –> 00:06:33,440In other words he says14400:06:33,579 –> 00:06:35,480There are people in the congregation14500:06:35,640 –> 00:06:39,380who have been guilty of each of these categories of sins14600:06:39,380 –> 00:06:40,579That’s what you were14700:06:40,579 –> 00:06:42,019But14800:06:42,019 –> 00:06:44,779You were washed14900:06:44,779 –> 00:06:47,940You were sanctified15000:06:47,940 –> 00:06:52,839You were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ15100:06:52,839 –> 00:06:55,920and by the Spirit of our God15200:06:56,899 –> 00:06:59,579Now what that is saying to us is this15300:06:59,579 –> 00:07:02,019and it’s the very heart of the Gospel15400:07:02,679 –> 00:07:05,079that there is grace and there is forgiveness15500:07:05,079 –> 00:07:08,600for every imaginable sin15600:07:09,399 –> 00:07:12,500That Jesus Christ has purchased this forgiveness15700:07:12,500 –> 00:07:17,079on the cross through the shedding of his blood15800:07:17,079 –> 00:07:19,519That he holds it in his hand15900:07:19,519 –> 00:07:23,600and that he offers it freely to every repentant sinner16000:07:23,600 –> 00:07:28,079who will bow before him and put their trust in him16100:07:28,640 –> 00:07:31,920But there are men and there are women16200:07:32,160 –> 00:07:36,239who do not come in repentance towards God16300:07:36,239 –> 00:07:40,019who do not look to Christ for forgiveness and cleansing16400:07:40,019 –> 00:07:42,339who do not see the need of repentance16500:07:42,339 –> 00:07:44,899and do not see the need of a savior16600:07:45,760 –> 00:07:51,279and in the words of Jesus such die in their sins16700:07:51,279 –> 00:07:53,679that’s John chapter 8 and verse 2416800:07:53,679 –> 00:07:56,679which means that the root of sin remains in them16900:07:56,720 –> 00:07:58,399that they have tied themselves to it17000:07:58,399 –> 00:08:01,040and it has tied itself to them.17100:08:03,000 –> 00:08:04,500Now if they were allowed to17200:08:04,500 –> 00:08:06,019enter into the new earth17300:08:06,019 –> 00:08:07,799what would happen the new earth would very quickly17400:08:07,799 –> 00:08:11,619become like the old earth all over again17500:08:11,619 –> 00:08:14,279and we know this from the history of the Bible17600:08:14,279 –> 00:08:18,239you remember that in the early history of the world17700:08:18,239 –> 00:08:20,720that sin had escalated to such a degree17800:08:20,720 –> 00:08:24,600that men’s thoughts were only evil all the time17900:08:24,600 –> 00:08:27,440violence and murder had escalated18000:08:27,440 –> 00:08:30,440and God stepped in to cut it back18100:08:30,440 –> 00:08:34,840through a dramatic judgment in the flood.18200:08:34,840 –> 00:08:38,039The population was cut back to just one family18300:08:38,039 –> 00:08:39,640we start again as it were18400:08:39,640 –> 00:08:41,200a new start to world history18500:08:41,200 –> 00:08:43,320a new world coming out of the Ark18600:08:43,320 –> 00:08:44,599The family of Noah18700:08:44,599 –> 00:08:46,719one family, well we get it right this time18800:08:46,719 –> 00:08:50,200except, that even the family of Noah18900:08:50,200 –> 00:08:52,340carry the root of sin within them19000:08:52,380 –> 00:08:53,400and if you read the story19100:08:53,400 –> 00:08:54,780they’re hurling out the Ark19200:08:54,780 –> 00:08:56,460before this dysfunctions beginning19300:08:56,460 –> 00:08:59,260to manifest itself all over again19400:08:59,260 –> 00:09:02,659in the one family that begins that new world19500:09:04,020 –> 00:09:06,619starting again is not enough19600:09:08,280 –> 00:09:11,500so you know we have these songs about19700:09:11,500 –> 00:09:13,619gonna get back to the garden19800:09:14,640 –> 00:09:17,659well getting back to the garden won’t do it19900:09:18,619 –> 00:09:20,219God is not in the business20000:09:20,219 –> 00:09:22,979of simply putting us back in the garden20100:09:22,979 –> 00:09:24,900and saying now don’t mess up this time20200:09:26,460 –> 00:09:28,320because of course the reality is20300:09:28,320 –> 00:09:30,419that by nature that’s exactly what we would do20400:09:30,419 –> 00:09:31,859again and again and again20500:09:33,820 –> 00:09:36,000now what God is in the business of doing20600:09:36,000 –> 00:09:39,179is redeeming a people for himself20700:09:40,700 –> 00:09:43,840creating a people who will love Him freely20800:09:45,119 –> 00:09:46,520people who have a new heart20900:09:46,520 –> 00:09:49,659people in whom he will put his holy spirit21000:09:49,659 –> 00:09:53,320people who are in Christ21100:09:53,320 –> 00:09:56,359and for whom Jesus Christ21200:09:56,359 –> 00:09:59,739in the end will remove the last trace21300:10:00,719 –> 00:10:02,479and vestige of the root of sin21400:10:02,479 –> 00:10:05,640he’ll get it out of us by the root21500:10:06,979 –> 00:10:09,580and what a glorious thing that is going to be21600:10:11,700 –> 00:10:15,559and that is why John says I saw a holy city21700:10:16,460 –> 00:10:17,640coming down from heaven21800:10:18,440 –> 00:10:20,599this is why at last the dwelling of God21900:10:20,599 –> 00:10:23,460who is holy, holy, holy is with people22000:10:23,460 –> 00:10:25,979because these people in the new heaven and the new earth22100:10:25,979 –> 00:10:30,520really and truly have been made holy through and through22200:10:32,200 –> 00:10:35,679and it has happened in Jesus Christ22300:10:35,679 –> 00:10:37,260who not only has forgiven them22400:10:37,260 –> 00:10:39,320but now in these glorified bodies22500:10:39,320 –> 00:10:41,200has taken the last remnant22600:10:41,200 –> 00:10:44,359of the root of sin out from them22700:10:45,280 –> 00:10:48,840so that the new earth becomes a holy place22800:10:49,840 –> 00:10:53,140and it is for people who have been made holy.22900:10:53,140 –> 00:10:55,400Bishop Ryle says most men hope to go to heaven23000:10:55,400 –> 00:10:59,179when they die but few it may be feared23100:10:59,179 –> 00:11:01,559take trouble to consider whether they would enjoy heaven23200:11:01,559 –> 00:11:03,280if they got there.23300:11:03,280 –> 00:11:05,520Heaven is essentially a holy place,23400:11:05,520 –> 00:11:07,320its inhabitants are all holy,23500:11:07,320 –> 00:11:09,580its occupations are all holy,23600:11:09,580 –> 00:11:12,119what would an unholy man do in heaven23700:11:12,119 –> 00:11:15,760if by chance he got there?23800:11:18,359 –> 00:11:20,159See, here’s the thing,23900:11:20,159 –> 00:11:22,000Jonathan Edwards puts it this way.24000:11:23,280 –> 00:11:26,359Unholy persons cannot enjoy God24100:11:27,760 –> 00:11:30,780and God would not be a reward to them.24200:11:32,299 –> 00:11:34,640The whole point about the redeeming people of God24300:11:34,640 –> 00:11:36,739is that they’ve come to love God24400:11:36,739 –> 00:11:39,880and what has been begun in this life imperfectly24500:11:39,919 –> 00:11:43,760is made complete and beautifully new,24600:11:43,760 –> 00:11:46,640renovated for all of the life to came24700:11:47,840 –> 00:11:49,140and the new heaven and the new earth24800:11:49,140 –> 00:11:52,440are the home of righteousness, says the apostle Peter.24900:11:52,440 –> 00:11:54,599At last verse of Revelation 21,25000:11:54,599 –> 00:11:56,859nothing unclean shall ever enter it.25100:11:59,000 –> 00:12:00,679So if it’s the home of righteousness25200:12:00,679 –> 00:12:02,440and nothing unclean will ever enter it,25300:12:02,440 –> 00:12:04,700how in the world can I enter into it25400:12:04,700 –> 00:12:08,719only by the cleansing of the blood of Jesus Christ?25500:12:10,359 –> 00:12:11,280So if you want to be in heaven25600:12:11,280 –> 00:12:14,039you have to put your trust in Jesus Christ25700:12:14,039 –> 00:12:15,640who alone is able to cleanse you25800:12:15,640 –> 00:12:19,200and you have to set your heart on holiness25900:12:20,239 –> 00:12:25,239because this is a prepared place for a prepared people.26000:12:27,539 –> 00:12:28,799You’re listening to Open the Bible26100:12:28,799 –> 00:12:29,979with Pastor Colin Smith26200:12:29,979 –> 00:12:32,119and we’ve got to pause the message briefly there26300:12:32,119 –> 00:12:34,440but we’ll be back very shortly.26400:12:34,440 –> 00:12:37,159The message is called How Much Will I Enjoy Heaven?26500:12:37,159 –> 00:12:39,760And it’s part of the series all about heaven.26600:12:39,799 –> 00:12:41,580And if you ever miss one of the series26700:12:41,580 –> 00:12:42,760you can easily catch up26800:12:42,760 –> 00:12:45,000or go back and listen again online26900:12:45,000 –> 00:12:48,960at our website, openthebible.org.uk27000:12:48,960 –> 00:12:51,000or you can find us as a podcast27100:12:51,000 –> 00:12:52,500on all the main podcast sites27200:12:52,500 –> 00:12:55,080by searching for Open the Bible UK27300:12:55,080 –> 00:12:57,679or by following a link from our website.27400:12:57,679 –> 00:12:58,900Back to the message now.27500:12:58,900 –> 00:13:00,799Here again is Pastor Colin.27600:13:00,799 –> 00:13:02,340Add,27700:13:02,340 –> 00:13:04,280subtract,27800:13:04,280 –> 00:13:05,739divide,27900:13:05,739 –> 00:13:06,799here’s the last,28000:13:07,960 –> 00:13:09,219multiply.28100:13:09,239 –> 00:13:11,719I’m looking at verse two,28200:13:11,719 –> 00:13:14,500and I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem,28300:13:14,500 –> 00:13:17,299coming down out of heaven from God28400:13:17,299 –> 00:13:20,640prepared as a bride28500:13:21,559 –> 00:13:25,520adorned for her husband.28600:13:27,700 –> 00:13:29,979Now Jesus quite clearly stated28700:13:29,979 –> 00:13:32,799that there will be no marriage in heaven.28800:13:32,799 –> 00:13:35,780That’s Matthew chapter 22 and verse 30.28900:13:35,780 –> 00:13:38,799That is, no marriage as we know it.29000:13:38,799 –> 00:13:40,580We will still be male and female29100:13:40,580 –> 00:13:44,080because that is how God has created us.29200:13:44,080 –> 00:13:46,340But the gift of marriage was given29300:13:46,340 –> 00:13:48,039to point to something greater29400:13:48,039 –> 00:13:51,640that God has prepared for those who love him.29500:13:51,640 –> 00:13:53,260And what we’re told here is29600:13:53,260 –> 00:13:58,260that there will be one great marriage in heaven.29700:13:59,520 –> 00:14:01,359That is Christ is the bridegroom29800:14:01,359 –> 00:14:03,460and his people are his bride.29900:14:03,520 –> 00:14:08,520The great union will be between Christ30000:14:09,380 –> 00:14:11,099and all of his people.30100:14:11,099 –> 00:14:13,099And that will be the very center of his joy30200:14:13,099 –> 00:14:15,880and it will be the center of ours.30300:14:15,880 –> 00:14:19,280And why is it described as a marriage?30400:14:20,239 –> 00:14:21,500Well here’s the answer.30500:14:22,559 –> 00:14:26,200Because marriage at its best in this world30600:14:26,200 –> 00:14:27,760is like the taster.30700:14:27,760 –> 00:14:31,820It is a taster of the joy30800:14:32,219 –> 00:14:35,619that all of God’s people will find in Jesus Christ30900:14:35,619 –> 00:14:38,599and that Jesus Christ will find in all of his people31000:14:38,599 –> 00:14:40,119forever and forever.31100:14:40,119 –> 00:14:42,020Christ is the bridegroom31200:14:42,020 –> 00:14:47,020and he brings his people into a glorious union with himself.31300:14:48,979 –> 00:14:53,979We are made by him and we are made for him.31400:14:55,119 –> 00:14:58,460And the highest joys that are possible therefore31500:14:58,460 –> 00:15:01,739for a redeemed man or woman31600:15:01,739 –> 00:15:05,099are in this shared life with Jesus Christ31700:15:05,099 –> 00:15:08,900that is of the very essence of what lies ahead of us.31800:15:08,900 –> 00:15:11,400Nothing less could satisfy31900:15:11,400 –> 00:15:14,020and nothing more could be desired.32000:15:14,020 –> 00:15:17,659That’s why, at the very center of this vision,32100:15:17,659 –> 00:15:20,460it’s the presence of God with his people.32200:15:20,460 –> 00:15:23,820It’s the union of Christ with his people32300:15:23,820 –> 00:15:26,820like the bridegroom with the bride.32400:15:26,820 –> 00:15:28,940So, if you have a good marriage,32500:15:28,940 –> 00:15:31,020if your marriage is so good that you tend to say,32600:15:31,059 –> 00:15:33,260oh it’s such a shame that there’s no marriage in heaven32700:15:33,260 –> 00:15:34,919because this is a really, really good thing.32800:15:34,919 –> 00:15:39,599If you have a good marriage, then at its very best32900:15:39,599 –> 00:15:42,719the joys of that are just a pointer33000:15:42,719 –> 00:15:44,599that God has given to you to give you33100:15:44,599 –> 00:15:47,320a little glimpse of what lies ahead33200:15:47,320 –> 00:15:50,059in the joys of the union of Christ and his people.33300:15:50,059 –> 00:15:51,700Just a little sample.33400:15:51,700 –> 00:15:54,140If this is this good, how much better33500:15:54,140 –> 00:15:57,419multiplied will the union of Christ and his people be?33600:15:57,419 –> 00:15:59,179And if you have a bad marriage33700:15:59,380 –> 00:16:01,320or if you longed that you had marriage33800:16:01,320 –> 00:16:04,260and you have not been given that particular gift33900:16:04,260 –> 00:16:07,479in this life, you have some notion within your mind34000:16:07,479 –> 00:16:10,000of what it could be, some notion within your mind34100:16:10,000 –> 00:16:13,440of what it should be, and even that notion34200:16:13,440 –> 00:16:16,179is a little pointer that God has put in your mind34300:16:16,179 –> 00:16:19,880to give you an anticipation of what multiplied up34400:16:19,880 –> 00:16:24,440the joys of God’s people in union with their Savior34500:16:24,440 –> 00:16:28,159who loved us and gave himself for us will actually be.34600:16:29,099 –> 00:16:34,099And this joy, because it is a relational joy34700:16:34,640 –> 00:16:38,419will go on increasing as our knowledge34800:16:38,419 –> 00:16:42,520of our infinite Savior grows to all eternity.34900:16:43,539 –> 00:16:46,119Think about it, even in this life,35000:16:46,119 –> 00:16:50,359as you have multiple good experiences,35100:16:50,359 –> 00:16:53,580you are able to draw from your memory35200:16:53,580 –> 00:16:57,020of the good things that have happened over increasing years35300:16:57,080 –> 00:16:59,280and therefore you have a growing fund35400:16:59,280 –> 00:17:01,460of what is a joy to you now35500:17:01,460 –> 00:17:02,619and what has been a joy to you35600:17:02,619 –> 00:17:04,219and even in this recollection,35700:17:04,219 –> 00:17:06,719it continues to be a joy to you.35800:17:07,760 –> 00:17:09,060And Jonathan Edwards argues35900:17:09,060 –> 00:17:10,939that it will be the same in eternity.36000:17:11,979 –> 00:17:14,619The joys of heaven, he says, will accumulate.36100:17:15,939 –> 00:17:18,199So think, he says, what that will be like36200:17:18,199 –> 00:17:22,020when you have been in heaven for a million,36300:17:22,020 –> 00:17:24,420million ages.36400:17:25,380 –> 00:17:28,939One blessing on top of another.36500:17:30,260 –> 00:17:33,739And he says, the more we see of his beauty,36600:17:33,739 –> 00:17:35,420the more we will love him.36700:17:36,339 –> 00:17:37,819And the more that we love him,36800:17:37,819 –> 00:17:39,500the more we will delight in him36900:17:39,500 –> 00:17:41,140and the more we delight in him,37000:17:41,140 –> 00:17:43,900the more happiness we will have in him.37100:17:43,900 –> 00:17:48,859He’s describing a life of exponentially increasing joy,37200:17:48,859 –> 00:17:50,619ever-increasing joy.37300:17:51,739 –> 00:17:54,060And I think that’s why it says that Jesus Christ,37400:17:54,060 –> 00:17:55,939the lame will be our shepherd37500:17:55,939 –> 00:18:00,140and he will lead us into springs of living water.37600:18:00,140 –> 00:18:01,819What springs of living water, saying,37700:18:01,819 –> 00:18:06,579is unexhaustibly, inexhaustibly fresh,37800:18:06,579 –> 00:18:10,900glorious, ever-new discoveries37900:18:10,900 –> 00:18:15,900of the richness of life in the presence of God.38000:18:18,459 –> 00:18:20,459Two applications and then we’re through.38100:18:21,459 –> 00:18:24,920So first is to the person who may be holding back38200:18:24,920 –> 00:18:27,199from making a full commitment to Jesus Christ.38300:18:27,199 –> 00:18:29,359I know that I will be talking right now38400:18:29,359 –> 00:18:32,839to someone who’s really thinking about committing to Jesus,38500:18:32,839 –> 00:18:36,420but it’s hard for you to come to Him in repentance.38600:18:37,420 –> 00:18:39,760It’s hard for you to come to Him in faith38700:18:39,760 –> 00:18:41,640and if you confess Him as Lord,38800:18:41,640 –> 00:18:43,760for some folks who are thinking this through,38900:18:43,760 –> 00:18:45,920it may be very costly indeed39000:18:45,920 –> 00:18:49,979for you to confess Jesus as your Lord.39100:18:49,979 –> 00:18:51,420And I want to say to you,39200:18:51,420 –> 00:18:54,819however costly it may be for you,39300:18:54,819 –> 00:18:57,239you cannot ultimately lose.39400:18:58,300 –> 00:19:00,719Nobody in heaven regrets following Him,39500:19:00,719 –> 00:19:04,760not even those for whom it costs them their lives.39600:19:05,979 –> 00:19:08,119What in all the world are you holding onto39700:19:08,119 –> 00:19:10,660in your life right now that is so good39800:19:10,660 –> 00:19:14,060that holding onto this would be a worthwhile trade39900:19:14,060 –> 00:19:17,660for what Jesus Christ holds in His hands40000:19:17,660 –> 00:19:19,479and even now offers to you?40100:19:20,359 –> 00:19:21,719The joy of His forgiveness,40200:19:21,719 –> 00:19:23,859the joy of Him becoming your Lord and Savior,40300:19:23,859 –> 00:19:26,300the joy of all that He holds in prospect40400:19:26,300 –> 00:19:28,420for His people forever and forever40500:19:28,420 –> 00:19:31,020in the new heaven and the new earth.40600:19:31,020 –> 00:19:32,579You can make no better decision,40700:19:32,579 –> 00:19:34,140however costly it may be,40800:19:34,140 –> 00:19:35,400however difficult,40900:19:35,400 –> 00:19:37,979than to bow before Jesus Christ as your Lord41000:19:37,979 –> 00:19:40,500and as your Savior and as your master41100:19:40,500 –> 00:19:42,760and to follow and trust in Him.41200:19:44,260 –> 00:19:45,260The last thing is this,41300:19:45,260 –> 00:19:47,839to the person who feels weighed down.41400:19:47,839 –> 00:19:48,680A Christian,41500:19:48,780 –> 00:19:51,280if you’re feeling the sheer pressure41600:19:51,280 –> 00:19:55,959of this difficult path in which God is calling you to walk41700:19:55,959 –> 00:19:58,280and it’s been getting to you41800:19:59,680 –> 00:20:01,119and you say oh, I don’t know how long41900:20:01,119 –> 00:20:02,699I can keep going on with this.42000:20:02,699 –> 00:20:06,280Listen, in the light of all that God has done for you,42100:20:06,280 –> 00:20:08,979in the light of all that lies ahead of you,42200:20:08,979 –> 00:20:11,459in the light of the fact that the Holy Spirit of God42300:20:11,459 –> 00:20:13,219is given to you right now,42400:20:13,219 –> 00:20:14,479you can endure.42500:20:16,119 –> 00:20:17,300You can endure42600:20:18,140 –> 00:20:20,660in his presence’s fullness of joy42700:20:20,660 –> 00:20:24,540and at his right hand are pleasures forevermore42800:20:24,540 –> 00:20:28,079and you are not far away from that.42900:20:28,079 –> 00:20:31,079You live a very short time in this world43000:20:31,079 –> 00:20:34,880and then after that, joy is forevermore.43100:20:34,880 –> 00:20:37,520John Newton told a story that I found in a piece43200:20:37,520 –> 00:20:39,020by John Piper.43300:20:39,020 –> 00:20:42,900He said imagine a man who was on his way to New York.43400:20:42,900 –> 00:20:46,479He’s in a carriage and it’s drawn by a horse43500:20:46,479 –> 00:20:48,920and the man is on his way to receive43600:20:48,920 –> 00:20:51,839an inheritance of a million dollars.43700:20:53,020 –> 00:20:55,060This was in the 18th century, John Newton43800:20:55,060 –> 00:20:56,380so I don’t know what a million dollars43900:20:56,380 –> 00:20:57,839in the 18th century would be now44000:20:57,839 –> 00:20:59,660but a massive fortune.44100:21:00,979 –> 00:21:04,060Now he says suppose this man, his horse drawn carriage.44200:21:04,060 –> 00:21:07,439The wheel comes off the carriage one mile44300:21:07,439 –> 00:21:09,020outside of New York44400:21:09,939 –> 00:21:13,520and so this man has to walk the last mile44500:21:13,699 –> 00:21:17,699to New York to receive this massive inheritance.44600:21:18,900 –> 00:21:22,560Newton said what would you think of that man44700:21:24,459 –> 00:21:27,020if every step of that last mile44800:21:28,540 –> 00:21:30,619he grumbled as he walked.44900:21:32,459 –> 00:21:34,180You imagine it.45000:21:34,180 –> 00:21:37,319Why does the wheel come off my carriage?45100:21:37,319 –> 00:21:39,979It always happens to me.45200:21:39,979 –> 00:21:42,099What would you think of a man who’s one mile away45300:21:42,260 –> 00:21:44,699from a massive inheritance?45400:21:44,699 –> 00:21:48,260How is he gonna walk even if the wheel’s off his carriage?45500:21:48,260 –> 00:21:49,579He’s gonna walk with joy.45600:21:49,579 –> 00:21:51,339He’s gonna walk with anticipation.45700:21:51,339 –> 00:21:53,339He’s gonna say I’m one mile from New York45800:21:53,339 –> 00:21:55,339and I’m gonna inherit $1,000,000.45900:21:57,939 –> 00:22:02,239Friend in Christ you are on the last mile of your journey46000:22:02,239 –> 00:22:04,839to inherit the new heaven and the new earth46100:22:06,119 –> 00:22:08,920and you will find strength for your journey46200:22:08,920 –> 00:22:12,459as you anticipate the joy that lies ahead.46300:22:14,560 –> 00:22:15,920You’re listening to Open The Bible46400:22:15,920 –> 00:22:18,359with Pastor Colin Smith and a message called46500:22:18,359 –> 00:22:20,680How Much Will I Enjoy Heaven.46600:22:20,680 –> 00:22:23,140It’s part of a series entitled heaven46700:22:23,140 –> 00:22:25,979and if you ever miss one of the messages in the series46800:22:25,979 –> 00:22:29,020you can easily catch up or go back and listen again46900:22:29,020 –> 00:22:33,099by coming online to our website OpenTheBible.org.uk47000:22:34,500 –> 00:22:37,560or find us as a podcast on all the main podcast sites47100:22:37,579 –> 00:22:40,739by searching for Open The Bible UK.47200:22:40,739 –> 00:22:44,380Open the Bible is supported by donations from our listeners47300:22:44,380 –> 00:22:46,760and we are very thankful for that.47400:22:46,760 –> 00:22:48,819If you’d like to be amongst our supporters47500:22:48,819 –> 00:22:51,339here’s Open The Bible’s Amanda Cunningham47600:22:51,339 –> 00:22:54,260to tell you about our free gift offer for this month.47700:22:54,260 –> 00:22:57,040Thanks David, as we move towards Easter47800:22:57,040 –> 00:23:01,219I’ve been thinking about how powerful this season can be47900:23:01,219 –> 00:23:02,520as an opportunity48000:23:02,520 –> 00:23:05,739to share the hope of the gospel with someone else.48100:23:05,739 –> 00:23:09,160That’s why this month at Open The Bible UK48200:23:09,160 –> 00:23:11,699we’re giving away an Easter bundle48300:23:11,699 –> 00:23:15,300designed to help you pass on the Good News.48400:23:15,300 –> 00:23:19,459It includes two copies of our brand new graphic novel48500:23:19,459 –> 00:23:21,459based on Heaven How I Got Here48600:23:21,459 –> 00:23:24,280the story of the thief on the cross.48700:23:24,280 –> 00:23:26,859Many of your listeners will know that story48800:23:26,859 –> 00:23:28,900a man at the very end of his life48900:23:28,900 –> 00:23:30,819who turns to Jesus and he is at49000:23:30,819 –> 00:23:32,900those extraordinary words49100:23:32,900 –> 00:23:35,020today you will be with me49200:23:36,020 –> 00:23:38,839Our new graphic novel tells that story49300:23:38,839 –> 00:23:40,300visually and accessibly49400:23:40,300 –> 00:23:43,319making it ideal for young people49500:23:43,319 –> 00:23:46,239or for anyone who prefers an engaging49600:23:46,239 –> 00:23:47,560illustrated format49700:23:47,560 –> 00:23:50,280Alongside that, we’re also including a copy49800:23:50,280 –> 00:23:52,640of the NIV Outreach Bible49900:23:52,640 –> 00:23:56,000A clear readable Bible that’s perfect to give50000:23:56,000 –> 00:23:59,400to an adult friend, neighbour or a family member50100:23:59,400 –> 00:24:01,420who may not have one of their own yet50200:24:02,339 –> 00:24:06,160Easter reminds us that no one is beyond grace50300:24:06,160 –> 00:24:09,119The Thief on the Cross had nothing to offer50400:24:09,119 –> 00:24:12,579and yet he found everything in Christ50500:24:12,579 –> 00:24:14,939And perhaps this year, you could be the one50600:24:14,939 –> 00:24:18,719who places that hope into someone else’s hands50700:24:18,719 –> 00:24:21,180Our Easter Bundle is a free thank you gift50800:24:21,180 –> 00:24:25,640when you give a one off donation of at least £5050900:24:25,640 –> 00:24:27,640or when you set up a new direct debit51000:24:27,640 –> 00:24:30,020of at least £5 a month51100:24:30,199 –> 00:24:33,699And as always, please do remember to include51200:24:33,699 –> 00:24:35,979your name and address when you give51300:24:35,979 –> 00:24:39,280so that we can know where to send your free gift51400:24:39,280 –> 00:24:40,319Thanks Amanda51500:24:40,859 –> 00:24:43,119And thank you for considering beginning to51600:24:43,119 –> 00:24:45,660support Open the Bible financially this month51700:24:46,560 –> 00:24:48,719Full details, terms and conditions51800:24:48,719 –> 00:24:50,099and you can give online51900:24:50,099 –> 00:24:54,719at our website openthebible.org.uk52000:24:54,719 –> 00:24:57,500For Open the Bible and for Pastor Colin Smith52100:24:57,500 –> 00:24:58,660I’m David Pike52200:24:58,660 –> 00:24:59,699Thanks for being with us52300:24:59,739 –> 00:25:01,520and we look forward to you joining us again52400:25:01,520 –> 00:25:03,579next time on Open the Bible52500:25:18,260 –> 00:25:20,819How important is your body?52600:25:21,219 –> 00:25:23,760Find out next time on Open the Bible