100:00:00,080 –> 00:00:05,720As Jesus Christ looks into your heart200:00:05,720 –> 00:00:08,240what does he find today?300:00:08,640 –> 00:00:12,400Does he find in your heart, as you have come here400:00:12,680 –> 00:00:18,440Adoration, Worship, Thanksgiving and Praise500:00:18,840 –> 00:00:23,639or would he find in your heart a long list of complaints and challenges600:00:23,639 –> 00:00:27,520and struggles in relation to his authority?700:00:27,840 –> 00:00:31,360Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick800:00:31,360 –> 00:00:33,200I’m glad you could join us today900:00:33,200 –> 00:00:36,919and Colin, we’re in a series called The Gospel According to Jesus1000:00:36,919 –> 00:00:40,919and today we come to Mark chapters 11 and 121100:00:40,919 –> 00:00:43,240and we find Jesus at thetemple1200:00:43,240 –> 00:00:45,560and he finds himself not welcomed at the Temple1300:00:45,560 –> 00:00:48,400but actually confronted by questions1400:00:48,400 –> 00:00:49,560Yeah, it is extraordinary isn’t it?1500:00:49,560 –> 00:00:53,000The Son of God comes to God’s Temple1600:00:53,000 –> 00:00:54,680you would think he would be welcomed1700:00:54,680 –> 00:00:57,040but he gets all this hostile questioning1800:00:57,320 –> 00:01:03,680and masterfully our Saviour responds to some pretty tough questioning1900:01:03,680 –> 00:01:07,480I think this is a marvellous place for us to learn2000:01:07,480 –> 00:01:11,800about how to be winsome witnesses to Jesus Christ2100:01:11,800 –> 00:01:14,839Just looking at how the Master handles questions2200:01:14,839 –> 00:01:17,040how he’s not intimidated2300:01:17,040 –> 00:01:20,040how he manages to move from a question2400:01:20,040 –> 00:01:24,680to what really advances the cause of the gospel2500:01:24,680 –> 00:01:26,680It’s just marvellous to look at it2600:01:27,320 –> 00:01:29,199Now I want to learn to do that2700:01:29,199 –> 00:01:31,279and to be a more useful witness2800:01:31,279 –> 00:01:34,320We’re going to get some real insights2900:01:34,320 –> 00:01:36,959into how to be a winsome witness for Jesus Christ3000:01:36,959 –> 00:01:38,959out of the example of Jesus3100:01:38,959 –> 00:01:41,279facing some pretty tough questions today3200:01:41,279 –> 00:01:45,599So join us if you can today in Mark 11 and 123300:01:45,599 –> 00:01:47,279as we begin a message3400:01:47,279 –> 00:01:50,400Jesus has the answer to his people’s questions3500:01:50,400 –> 00:01:52,400Here is Pastor Colin3600:01:52,400 –> 00:01:56,440We’ve come to the Tuesday of what we call Holy Week3700:01:56,680 –> 00:01:59,300and again our Lord Jesus Christ3800:01:59,300 –> 00:02:01,400chapter 11 and verse 273900:02:01,400 –> 00:02:03,400comes to the temple4000:02:03,400 –> 00:02:06,279And what follows from chapter 11 and verse 274100:02:06,279 –> 00:02:08,779through to the end of chapter 124200:02:08,779 –> 00:02:10,279in Mark’s gospel4300:02:10,279 –> 00:02:13,899is a series of questions, challenges4400:02:13,899 –> 00:02:16,619that were brought to our Lord Jesus Christ4500:02:16,619 –> 00:02:20,139and Mark records the answers that our Lord gave4600:02:21,100 –> 00:02:24,440Now we’re going to see four questions4700:02:24,460 –> 00:02:26,779that were asked of Jesus4800:02:26,779 –> 00:02:28,699We’re going to try and learn from the questions4900:02:28,699 –> 00:02:30,899and then we’ll come back and seek to learn5000:02:30,899 –> 00:02:32,899from Jesus’ answers5100:02:33,460 –> 00:02:34,960Now the first question5200:02:34,960 –> 00:02:38,279and it’s recorded from Mark chapter 11 verse 275300:02:38,320 –> 00:02:41,600right through to chapter 12 and verse 125400:02:41,600 –> 00:02:44,000You’ll find at Mark 11, 275500:02:44,000 –> 00:02:47,020they ask Jesus, by what authority5600:02:47,059 –> 00:02:48,679are you doing these things5700:02:48,679 –> 00:02:52,440and who gave you authority to do this5800:02:53,259 –> 00:02:55,259Now this question was asked by the5900:02:55,259 –> 00:02:57,380chief priests, the teachers of the law6000:02:57,380 –> 00:02:59,199and the elders, verse 276100:02:59,199 –> 00:03:01,539This was an official delegation6200:03:01,539 –> 00:03:03,839Remember that on the previous day6300:03:03,839 –> 00:03:06,880Jesus had cleared the money changers6400:03:06,880 –> 00:03:08,559and those who were selling doves6500:03:08,559 –> 00:03:09,399out of the temple6600:03:09,399 –> 00:03:10,740they over turned their tables6700:03:10,740 –> 00:03:12,679and he had driven them out6800:03:12,679 –> 00:03:14,699And this is a sort of breach of the peace6900:03:14,699 –> 00:03:17,020and so we bring in the lawyers7000:03:17,020 –> 00:03:18,160you see, that’s what happens7100:03:18,160 –> 00:03:20,419and so the teachers of the law come7200:03:20,419 –> 00:03:22,160the scribes were the legal experts7300:03:22,339 –> 00:03:24,199so the legal crowd come in7400:03:24,199 –> 00:03:25,259the lawyers show up7500:03:25,259 –> 00:03:26,320along with the chief priests7600:03:26,320 –> 00:03:27,440and the elders7700:03:27,440 –> 00:03:28,539and they’re having7800:03:28,539 –> 00:03:31,000what really is kind of an official7900:03:31,000 –> 00:03:32,300deposition I suppose8000:03:32,300 –> 00:03:33,880They’re saying to the Lord Jesus8100:03:33,880 –> 00:03:35,080we’ve got some questions8200:03:35,080 –> 00:03:35,979we need to know8300:03:35,979 –> 00:03:37,020by what right did you do this8400:03:37,020 –> 00:03:38,899and who gave you authority8500:03:38,899 –> 00:03:39,960to do what you did8600:03:39,960 –> 00:03:41,600right here yesterday8700:03:42,779 –> 00:03:43,699and the answer of course8800:03:43,699 –> 00:03:45,419is that Jesus cleared the temple8900:03:45,419 –> 00:03:46,699on the basis of his own9000:03:46,699 –> 00:03:47,820divine authority9100:03:47,820 –> 00:03:49,179as the son of God9200:03:49,720 –> 00:03:51,580God’s son has supreme authority9300:03:51,639 –> 00:03:53,279over God’s house9400:03:53,279 –> 00:03:54,699as he does over all9500:03:54,699 –> 00:03:56,339of God’s world9600:03:56,500 –> 00:03:57,300but clearly these men9700:03:57,300 –> 00:03:58,639do not recognize that9800:03:58,639 –> 00:04:00,039nor do they accept it9900:04:00,039 –> 00:04:01,399as indeed millions10000:04:01,399 –> 00:04:03,000do not recognize the authority10100:04:03,000 –> 00:04:04,899of Jesus or accept it today10200:04:05,600 –> 00:04:07,039It is extraordinary, isn’t it?10300:04:07,039 –> 00:04:09,440in the story of the Gospel10400:04:09,440 –> 00:04:11,080we have seen the authority10500:04:11,080 –> 00:04:12,399of Jesus over nature10600:04:12,399 –> 00:04:14,240the stilling of the storm10700:04:14,240 –> 00:04:15,580over demons10800:04:15,580 –> 00:04:17,119delivering fraught10900:04:17,119 –> 00:04:19,260and demented people11000:04:19,299 –> 00:04:20,500over sickness11100:04:20,500 –> 00:04:21,380and over death11200:04:21,579 –> 00:04:22,660we have seen the authority11300:04:22,679 –> 00:04:23,940of Jesus demonstrated11400:04:23,980 –> 00:04:25,459but when he comes to the temple11500:04:25,459 –> 00:04:26,859it’s hey not in my house11600:04:26,859 –> 00:04:28,859not in our house11700:04:28,880 –> 00:04:30,500we are in charge here11800:04:30,500 –> 00:04:32,000you don’t tell us11900:04:32,040 –> 00:04:33,859what to do12000:04:34,299 –> 00:04:35,619and so the first thing12100:04:35,619 –> 00:04:37,420that we learn about ourselves12200:04:37,420 –> 00:04:39,619here is that by nature12300:04:39,619 –> 00:04:41,619we are rebels12400:04:41,619 –> 00:04:43,660against God’s authority12500:04:43,660 –> 00:04:45,619Human nature has never changed12600:04:45,619 –> 00:04:46,899it is our nature12700:04:46,899 –> 00:04:48,299to resist God’s truth12800:04:48,299 –> 00:04:50,579and to reject God’s son12900:04:50,880 –> 00:04:52,880Our natural choice left to ourselves13000:04:52,880 –> 00:04:54,880would always be to be our own God13100:04:54,880 –> 00:04:56,220to choose our own religion13200:04:56,220 –> 00:04:57,459to run our own lives13300:04:57,480 –> 00:04:59,579and to be in charge of our own house13400:04:59,619 –> 00:05:03,079we are rebels by nature13500:05:03,959 –> 00:05:05,679now as we go through these questions13600:05:05,679 –> 00:05:07,679I want us to pick up13700:05:07,679 –> 00:05:09,679some insights from the way that13800:05:09,679 –> 00:05:13,100Jesus handles questions and answers13900:05:13,540 –> 00:05:15,640now as we think about being more proactive14000:05:15,640 –> 00:05:18,559in sharing the gospel with unbelievers14100:05:18,859 –> 00:05:20,179it’s good for us to learn14200:05:20,179 –> 00:05:21,940from the example of Jesus14300:05:21,940 –> 00:05:23,600as to how he handled14400:05:23,600 –> 00:05:25,940some of these difficult conversations14500:05:25,940 –> 00:05:28,660especially when people were antagonistic14600:05:28,660 –> 00:05:29,700and so we’re gonna pick up14700:05:29,700 –> 00:05:31,000some evangelistic insight14800:05:31,000 –> 00:05:33,000from each of these interactions14900:05:33,000 –> 00:05:35,399And the first one from this discussion15000:05:35,399 –> 00:05:37,279is simply this15100:05:37,279 –> 00:05:38,459don’t be intimidated15200:05:38,459 –> 00:05:40,459when you’re sharing the gospel15300:05:40,459 –> 00:05:43,600rather take the initiative15400:05:43,600 –> 00:05:44,480I want you to notice15500:05:44,480 –> 00:05:46,480that Jesus does not answer15600:05:46,480 –> 00:05:48,480the hostile question directly15700:05:49,100 –> 00:05:50,679so you don’t need to answer15800:05:50,679 –> 00:05:52,480every question that’s ever asked of you15900:05:52,480 –> 00:05:53,600especially if it comes16000:05:53,600 –> 00:05:55,540in a hostile kind of way16100:05:55,540 –> 00:05:57,200Jesus pattern was that he spoke16200:05:57,200 –> 00:05:58,220openly to those16300:05:58,220 –> 00:05:59,920whose hearts were open16400:05:59,920 –> 00:06:02,299and he spoke indirectly16500:06:02,299 –> 00:06:05,239to those whose hearts were closed16600:06:05,239 –> 00:06:07,700and to these hostile men16700:06:07,700 –> 00:06:10,179Jesus answers with a parable16800:06:10,179 –> 00:06:11,239that comes at the beginning16900:06:11,239 –> 00:06:12,799of chapter twelve17000:06:12,799 –> 00:06:13,779it’s a story about a man17100:06:13,779 –> 00:06:15,339who owned his vineyard17200:06:15,339 –> 00:06:17,119he rented it to tenants17300:06:17,119 –> 00:06:19,980he sent servants to the tenants17400:06:19,980 –> 00:06:22,160and they killed the servants17500:06:22,160 –> 00:06:24,059he sent his son to the tenants17600:06:24,059 –> 00:06:26,559and they killed the son17700:06:26,559 –> 00:06:27,660and then Jesus says17800:06:27,660 –> 00:06:29,019at the conclusion of his story17900:06:29,019 –> 00:06:29,859which is all in answer18000:06:29,859 –> 00:06:30,739to their question18100:06:30,739 –> 00:06:32,559verse nine of chapter twelve18200:06:32,559 –> 00:06:35,559what will the owner of the vineyard do18300:06:35,559 –> 00:06:37,459he will come and kill those tenants18400:06:37,459 –> 00:06:39,779and give the vineyard to others18500:06:39,779 –> 00:06:42,359and see what Jesus is doing18600:06:42,359 –> 00:06:44,559he moves the discussion18700:06:44,559 –> 00:06:46,519from a theoretical question18800:06:46,559 –> 00:06:48,880about his authority18900:06:48,880 –> 00:06:50,940to a personal question19000:06:50,940 –> 00:06:53,000about the response that these men19100:06:53,000 –> 00:06:56,540are making to him as God’s son19200:06:56,540 –> 00:06:58,440he takes the initiative19300:06:58,440 –> 00:07:01,359to move it away from a theoretical discussion19400:07:01,359 –> 00:07:04,079to a personal discussion19500:07:04,079 –> 00:07:06,440about the response of these individual men19600:07:06,440 –> 00:07:09,579and their responsibility towards God19700:07:09,579 –> 00:07:10,859and he lays out quite clearly19800:07:10,859 –> 00:07:13,040the consequences of rejecting19900:07:13,040 –> 00:07:14,980the son God has sent into the world20000:07:14,980 –> 00:07:16,019and it must have got through20100:07:16,079 –> 00:07:18,420because chapter 12 and verse 1220200:07:18,420 –> 00:07:19,200it says that20300:07:19,200 –> 00:07:21,200they looked for a way to arrest Jesus20400:07:21,200 –> 00:07:23,079because they knew20500:07:23,079 –> 00:07:29,279that he had spoken this parable against them20600:07:29,279 –> 00:07:30,640So here’s the first question20700:07:30,640 –> 00:07:32,160its an official question20800:07:32,160 –> 00:07:33,899about the issue of authority20900:07:33,899 –> 00:07:35,380from it we learn something21000:07:35,380 –> 00:07:36,760about ourselves and our world21100:07:36,760 –> 00:07:38,000that by nature21200:07:38,000 –> 00:07:39,640we are rebels against God21300:07:39,640 –> 00:07:41,440we resist his authority21400:07:41,440 –> 00:07:42,700and this insight21500:07:42,700 –> 00:07:44,679from the way Jesus handles the discussion21600:07:44,679 –> 00:07:46,220don’t be intimidated21700:07:46,220 –> 00:07:48,859rather take the initiative21800:07:48,859 –> 00:07:51,299Let’s move on to the second question21900:07:51,299 –> 00:07:53,459which is a political question22000:07:53,459 –> 00:07:54,619about money22100:07:54,619 –> 00:07:56,000which runs from chapter 1222200:07:56,000 –> 00:07:57,980verse 13 through 1722300:07:57,980 –> 00:08:00,420paying taxes to Caesar22400:08:00,420 –> 00:08:01,619Verse 1522500:08:01,619 –> 00:08:04,899is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?22600:08:04,899 –> 00:08:08,019Should we pay or shouldn’t we?22700:08:08,019 –> 00:08:11,260Now again Mark tells us that22800:08:11,380 –> 00:08:15,220This question was asked by the Pharisees22900:08:15,220 –> 00:08:16,720and by the Herodians23000:08:16,720 –> 00:08:17,839we know that these two groups23100:08:17,839 –> 00:08:20,100have already rejected Jesus23200:08:20,100 –> 00:08:21,980but they tried to flatter him23300:08:21,980 –> 00:08:24,079as they tried to catch him in his words23400:08:24,079 –> 00:08:25,480verse 1323500:08:25,480 –> 00:08:28,739and they come up with this very smooth talk23600:08:28,739 –> 00:08:29,579Verse 1423700:08:29,579 –> 00:08:32,359Teacher we that you are a man of integrity23800:08:32,359 –> 00:08:33,820You aren’t swayed by men23900:08:33,820 –> 00:08:34,700because you pay no attention24000:08:34,700 –> 00:08:35,880to who they are24100:08:35,880 –> 00:08:37,219but you teach the way of God24200:08:37,219 –> 00:08:38,179in accordance with the truth24300:08:38,179 –> 00:08:39,299Now they are trying to24400:08:40,179 –> 00:08:43,440as a genuine seekers after truth24500:08:43,440 –> 00:08:44,859as some people will do24600:08:46,080 –> 00:08:47,820but Jesus sees right through them24700:08:47,820 –> 00:08:48,640verse 1524800:08:48,640 –> 00:08:49,500Jesus knew24900:08:51,140 –> 00:08:53,820strong word that Jesus uses25000:08:53,820 –> 00:08:55,799He knew their hypocrisy25100:08:57,020 –> 00:08:59,960they talk as if they are real followers of Jesus25200:08:59,960 –> 00:09:02,059genuine seekers after truth25300:09:02,059 –> 00:09:04,539but Jesus knew that the reality of their hearts25400:09:04,539 –> 00:09:07,140was that they did not do what they said25500:09:07,140 –> 00:09:08,299that’s hypocrisy25600:09:09,739 –> 00:09:13,559The second thing that we learn about our own human nature25700:09:14,640 –> 00:09:18,880is that we are not only rebels who resist God’s authority25800:09:18,880 –> 00:09:21,460but we are by nature hypocrites25900:09:21,460 –> 00:09:23,739who avoid God’s command26000:09:23,739 –> 00:09:26,260it is in our fallen human nature26100:09:26,260 –> 00:09:29,380to talk better than we act26200:09:29,380 –> 00:09:32,359to present ourselves as being more spiritual26300:09:32,359 –> 00:09:34,479than we really are26400:09:34,479 –> 00:09:37,840to kind of hide behind a presentation of self26500:09:37,859 –> 00:09:40,520as being supportive of good26600:09:40,520 –> 00:09:42,679and religious and spiritual things26700:09:42,679 –> 00:09:44,760while actually we hold ourselves back26800:09:44,760 –> 00:09:46,919from full devotion to Jesus Christ26900:09:46,919 –> 00:09:47,880that’s our nature.27000:09:50,280 –> 00:09:51,640Now again an insight27100:09:51,640 –> 00:09:54,080from the way Jesus handles this discussion27200:09:55,719 –> 00:09:58,059when you’re sharing the gospel27300:09:58,059 –> 00:10:00,260don’t be distracted27400:10:01,159 –> 00:10:03,820but stay focused.27500:10:03,820 –> 00:10:05,719I say that because what’s going on27600:10:05,719 –> 00:10:07,080in the second question27700:10:07,440 –> 00:10:09,940is very significant for us27800:10:09,940 –> 00:10:13,640is that the Pharisees and the Herodians27900:10:13,640 –> 00:10:16,039are trying to get Jesus involved28000:10:16,039 –> 00:10:20,739in the great political issue of their day28100:10:20,739 –> 00:10:22,479which was of course28200:10:22,479 –> 00:10:26,539how should we respond to the Roman occupation.28300:10:26,539 –> 00:10:30,020That was the great political hot potato28400:10:30,020 –> 00:10:31,359of the time of Jesus28500:10:31,359 –> 00:10:32,440and people were divided28600:10:32,440 –> 00:10:35,619as to how the Jews should respond.28700:10:36,419 –> 00:10:40,059Now if Jesus had taken a position on this issue28800:10:40,059 –> 00:10:43,380as clearly they were asking him to do here28900:10:43,380 –> 00:10:47,119it could only have compromised his mission29000:10:47,119 –> 00:10:49,179because if he had aligned himself29100:10:49,200 –> 00:10:51,919with people on one side29200:10:51,940 –> 00:10:55,820he would have alienated the people on the other side29300:10:55,859 –> 00:10:58,799from the message of the gospel.29400:10:58,799 –> 00:10:59,780And what we find here29500:10:59,780 –> 00:11:02,739it’s a very important example for us29600:11:02,760 –> 00:11:06,820is that Jesus refuses to be distracted29700:11:06,820 –> 00:11:10,859from the work of the gospel by a political agenda.29800:11:10,880 –> 00:11:16,520He is resolute in being focused on his own mission.29900:11:16,539 –> 00:11:19,440Now I see that that is an important model30000:11:19,460 –> 00:11:23,580and example for us as a church.30100:11:23,580 –> 00:11:25,979Let me be clear.30200:11:25,979 –> 00:11:30,000It is a good thing for Christians30300:11:30,039 –> 00:11:36,260to be involved in political life as Christian citizens.30400:11:36,260 –> 00:11:39,419Many members of our congregation30500:11:39,419 –> 00:11:42,460are actively involved politically,30600:11:42,479 –> 00:11:45,239engaged in political parties,30700:11:45,239 –> 00:11:48,059serving on governing committees,30800:11:48,059 –> 00:11:51,419active in particular campaigns.30900:11:51,419 –> 00:11:55,359And I thank God for that.31000:11:55,359 –> 00:11:58,739It is a good thing, a right thing31100:11:58,739 –> 00:12:01,960for us to do as Christian citizens31200:12:01,960 –> 00:12:07,679but it is not the business of the church.31300:12:08,880 –> 00:12:10,599And Jesus makes this very clear31400:12:10,599 –> 00:12:13,260in his own focus on mission here31500:12:13,260 –> 00:12:15,460that the mission of Jesus31600:12:15,460 –> 00:12:18,460was not to reform an old community31700:12:18,460 –> 00:12:21,320but rather to build a new community.31800:12:21,320 –> 00:12:23,900The strategy of Jesus31900:12:23,919 –> 00:12:26,580was not to change the law of the land32000:12:26,599 –> 00:12:29,760but to change the hearts of the people.32100:12:29,760 –> 00:12:31,799And so when these Pharisees and Herodians32200:12:31,799 –> 00:12:34,880try to suck him into the current political debate32300:12:34,880 –> 00:12:36,299that’s what they’re doing here,32400:12:36,299 –> 00:12:37,559they sort of throw him32500:12:37,559 –> 00:12:40,419the political hot potato of the day.32600:12:40,419 –> 00:12:42,260How do we respond to the Roman Occupation32700:12:42,260 –> 00:12:44,919what’s your position on paying taxes to Caesar.32800:12:44,919 –> 00:12:48,700Jesus simply refuses to go there.32900:12:48,700 –> 00:12:49,599And what does he do?33000:12:49,599 –> 00:12:51,799He brings the conversation right back33100:12:51,880 –> 00:12:56,760to the issue of how we must respond to God,33200:12:57,799 –> 00:13:01,820for this reason he came into the world.33300:13:01,820 –> 00:13:04,200So there’s some very important things for us here33400:13:04,200 –> 00:13:05,739especially at this time.33500:13:05,739 –> 00:13:07,979The political question is raised33600:13:07,979 –> 00:13:09,479with our Lord Jesus Christ.33700:13:09,479 –> 00:13:11,539It’s primarily focused on money.33800:13:11,539 –> 00:13:12,919Jesus draws out33900:13:12,919 –> 00:13:14,979this fundamental human problem34000:13:14,979 –> 00:13:18,039that we are by nature hypocritical.34100:13:18,039 –> 00:13:19,960We talk better than we are34200:13:20,000 –> 00:13:24,599and we sound more spiritual than we actually act34300:13:24,599 –> 00:13:26,080and we get this great insight34400:13:26,080 –> 00:13:28,960that in the cut and thrust of debates34500:13:28,960 –> 00:13:32,440where people will try to move the agenda of the church34600:13:32,440 –> 00:13:36,460and move the agenda that you have in sharing the gospel,34700:13:37,619 –> 00:13:40,559don’t be distracted, don’t be distracted.34800:13:40,559 –> 00:13:45,059Let us not be distracted, rather stay focused.34900:13:45,960 –> 00:13:47,219You’re listening to Open The Bible35000:13:47,219 –> 00:13:48,400with Pastor Colin Smith35100:13:48,440 –> 00:13:49,559and a message called35200:13:49,559 –> 00:13:52,780Jesus Has The Answer To His People’s Questions.35300:13:52,780 –> 00:13:55,960We’ve just looked at a political question about money.35400:13:55,960 –> 00:13:57,299When we come back in a moment,35500:13:57,299 –> 00:14:00,820we’ll look at a theological question about the resurrection,35600:14:00,820 –> 00:14:03,140so I do hope you’ll stay with us.35700:14:03,140 –> 00:14:05,380This guest message was originally part of a series35800:14:05,380 –> 00:14:07,119called The Gospel According to Jesus35900:14:07,119 –> 00:14:12,119and it’s included in our series Dissener Favorites 2026.36000:14:12,700 –> 00:14:15,780That’s a series made up of the most often downloaded36100:14:15,840 –> 00:14:19,299and requested programs of the last 12 months.36200:14:19,299 –> 00:14:21,659If you ever miss one of the messages in the series,36300:14:21,659 –> 00:14:24,299you can easily catch up or go back and listen again36400:14:24,299 –> 00:14:26,460by coming online to our website.36500:14:26,460 –> 00:14:29,760That’s at openthebible.org.uk36600:14:29,760 –> 00:14:31,739all go to your favorite podcast site,36700:14:31,739 –> 00:14:34,059search there for Open The Bible UK36800:14:34,059 –> 00:14:37,520and subscribe if you want to receive regular reminders.36900:14:37,520 –> 00:14:40,780Back to the message now, here again, is Pastor Colin.37000:14:40,780 –> 00:14:44,679Now a third question, the third question is theological37100:14:44,719 –> 00:14:47,799and it relates to the issue of the resurrection.37200:14:47,799 –> 00:14:51,799This comes in Mark chapter 12, verses 18 to 27.37300:14:51,799 –> 00:14:55,820The Sadducees who say that there is no resurrection.37400:14:55,820 –> 00:14:58,380I was told when I was a kid this is how you remember37500:14:58,380 –> 00:15:01,320the Sadducees, they didn’t believe in the resurrection37600:15:01,320 –> 00:15:03,919and that was how they were sad, you see,37700:15:03,919 –> 00:15:05,440because you will be sad if you don’t believe37800:15:05,440 –> 00:15:08,539in the resurrection, an absolutely miserable position37900:15:08,539 –> 00:15:11,080to take, but they didn’t believe in the resurrection.38000:15:11,080 –> 00:15:13,400They thought that the idea of resurrected bodies38100:15:13,419 –> 00:15:17,000beyond this life was laughable and ridiculous.38200:15:17,000 –> 00:15:20,140And so being good comedians, they developed this story38300:15:20,140 –> 00:15:22,919about a woman with, well suppose that a woman38400:15:22,919 –> 00:15:25,840marries seven different men and then they’re all resurrected38500:15:25,840 –> 00:15:29,919that Jesus, can you tell us, in the resurrection who is,38600:15:29,919 –> 00:15:33,159to whom will she belong, which one would be her husband38700:15:33,159 –> 00:15:35,080in the resurrection?38800:15:35,080 –> 00:15:37,080Now to their minds, you see, this story that38900:15:37,080 –> 00:15:40,739they’ve concocted showed that the whole idea39000:15:40,780 –> 00:15:43,820of the resurrection was absurd and laughable39100:15:43,820 –> 00:15:46,580and ridiculous, and so there is a great deal39200:15:46,580 –> 00:15:50,599of cynicism quite clearly in this question.39300:15:50,599 –> 00:15:51,640Now I want you to notice how Jesus39400:15:51,640 –> 00:15:53,960traces cynicism to its root.39500:15:55,200 –> 00:15:58,179He says, here’s your problem, verse 24,39600:15:58,179 –> 00:16:01,799you don’t know the Bible, you don’t know the scriptures39700:16:01,799 –> 00:16:04,799and you do not know the power of God.39800:16:06,320 –> 00:16:10,200So here’s a third dimension of our fallen condition.39900:16:10,460 –> 00:16:13,320Not only are we rebels who resist God’s authority,40000:16:13,320 –> 00:16:16,719not only are we hypocrites who avoid God’s command,40100:16:16,719 –> 00:16:20,880but by nature we are cynics who disregard God’s power.40200:16:24,119 –> 00:16:28,159So here’s another little insight that might just help us40300:16:28,159 –> 00:16:30,820and encourage us as we share the gospel.40400:16:30,820 –> 00:16:33,460Number three, don’t be ashamed but be confident.40500:16:33,460 –> 00:16:35,400Some people are very cynical40600:16:35,400 –> 00:16:37,039and they will try and embarrass you40700:16:37,039 –> 00:16:38,419and they will look down their noses40800:16:38,479 –> 00:16:39,900as if you must be intellectually40900:16:39,900 –> 00:16:44,440very lightweight to believe the Bible at all.41000:16:44,440 –> 00:16:46,020How can you seriously believe41100:16:46,020 –> 00:16:50,780in a man born with no father and going up into the sky?41200:16:50,780 –> 00:16:51,679It’s incredible.41300:16:51,679 –> 00:16:53,580And don’t be ashamed.41400:16:54,659 –> 00:16:56,119You be confident.41500:16:57,099 –> 00:16:59,140Remember that cynicism grows41600:16:59,140 –> 00:17:01,419when a person does not know the power of God41700:17:01,419 –> 00:17:05,859and therefore is not even able to grasp the scriptures.41800:17:05,859 –> 00:17:08,260And you see, once you know the power of God,41900:17:08,280 –> 00:17:09,439that changes everything.42000:17:09,439 –> 00:17:12,239Once you come to know the power of God,42100:17:13,500 –> 00:17:16,359then what seemed perhaps in your previous world view42200:17:16,359 –> 00:17:18,420fantastic and impossible,42300:17:19,619 –> 00:17:23,579suddenly doesn’t seem so strange after all.42400:17:25,099 –> 00:17:28,000So an official question about authority,42500:17:28,000 –> 00:17:30,099a political question about money,42600:17:30,099 –> 00:17:34,680a theological question about the resurrection.42700:17:34,680 –> 00:17:39,619Fourthly, a genuine question about love,42800:17:39,619 –> 00:17:43,119Mark chapter 12 verses 28 to 34.42900:17:43,119 –> 00:17:44,640A man comes to Jesus and says,43000:17:44,640 –> 00:17:49,079Lord of all the commandments which is the most important?43100:17:49,079 –> 00:17:52,000And Jesus points him to the answer43200:17:52,000 –> 00:17:53,979that it is the commandment to love.’43300:17:55,339 –> 00:17:57,420Now, this question came from a teacher of the law,43400:17:57,420 –> 00:17:59,800verse 28, who evidently was impressed43500:17:59,800 –> 00:18:01,459with the teaching of Jesus43600:18:01,459 –> 00:18:04,199and seemed to be genuinely supportive43700:18:04,760 –> 00:18:06,060of what Jesus was saying.43800:18:06,060 –> 00:18:08,959There’s quite a different tone from this man.43900:18:08,959 –> 00:18:12,900There’s nothing of the cynicism or the antagonism44000:18:12,900 –> 00:18:17,339or the hypocrisy that we’ve seen in the earlier questions.44100:18:17,339 –> 00:18:20,699This is a man who sincerely wants to live a life44200:18:20,699 –> 00:18:21,920that is pleasing to God.44300:18:21,920 –> 00:18:26,540And he says, now, what’s the thing I should really focus on44400:18:26,540 –> 00:18:28,579if I’m trying to do this?44500:18:29,579 –> 00:18:32,380The man agrees with the answer that Jesus gives,44600:18:33,300 –> 00:18:35,920and Jesus even commends the man, verse 34,44700:18:35,920 –> 00:18:38,400saying that the man had spoken wisely.44800:18:39,579 –> 00:18:42,699And then after this little interaction,44900:18:42,699 –> 00:18:47,239Jesus says something that is absolutely astonishing45000:18:47,239 –> 00:18:49,099in verse 34.45100:18:49,099 –> 00:18:50,380Please look at it with me.45200:18:51,380 –> 00:18:55,060When Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely,45300:18:55,060 –> 00:18:56,380Jesus said to him,45400:18:57,280 –> 00:18:59,719you are not far45500:18:59,719 –> 00:19:02,520from the kingdom of God.45600:19:04,020 –> 00:19:06,060Now I think when the teacher of the law45700:19:06,060 –> 00:19:08,260who was having such a warm conversation with Jesus45800:19:08,260 –> 00:19:10,479heard him say this, he must’ve stepped back.45900:19:12,160 –> 00:19:13,719Not far?46000:19:14,719 –> 00:19:16,739What do you mean, not far?46100:19:18,920 –> 00:19:22,500I mean, here’s this man who is committed46200:19:22,500 –> 00:19:24,579to loving God with all his heart, soul,46300:19:24,579 –> 00:19:25,400mind and strength.46400:19:25,400 –> 00:19:26,239That’s what I’m trying to do,46500:19:26,239 –> 00:19:27,839he says, and love his neighbor as himself.46600:19:27,839 –> 00:19:29,479And Jesus says, you’re not far46700:19:29,479 –> 00:19:30,459from the kingdom of God.46800:19:30,459 –> 00:19:32,040Not far?46900:19:33,199 –> 00:19:35,619What do I have to do to get in?47000:19:35,619 –> 00:19:37,000Well you see what Jesus says.47100:19:37,000 –> 00:19:39,319You’re not far from the kingdom of God.47200:19:39,319 –> 00:19:42,020But not far means not in.47300:19:43,920 –> 00:19:45,479So here’s the fourth thing that we learn47400:19:45,479 –> 00:19:47,719about our natural human condition.47500:19:47,719 –> 00:19:50,640And it is that we are strangers47600:19:50,640 –> 00:19:54,280outside of God’s kingdom.47700:19:54,319 –> 00:19:55,839And with all our sincerity47800:19:55,839 –> 00:19:59,079and our best efforts at living a life of love,47900:20:00,119 –> 00:20:03,300we may be not far, but that doesn’t get us in.48000:20:05,319 –> 00:20:08,459Living a life of love may get you near,48100:20:09,439 –> 00:20:10,660but according to Jesus,48200:20:10,660 –> 00:20:12,839living a life of love won’t get you in.48300:20:12,839 –> 00:20:14,140That makes you think.48400:20:15,359 –> 00:20:16,900It must’ve made this man think.48500:20:18,839 –> 00:20:21,199So here’s evangelism insight number four.48600:20:22,160 –> 00:20:24,219As we share the Gospel,48700:20:24,219 –> 00:20:26,280let’s be sure that we don’t get confused,48800:20:26,280 –> 00:20:27,839but rather keep it clear.48900:20:29,319 –> 00:20:31,719See some people that we speak with49000:20:32,640 –> 00:20:36,239are living genuinely good lives.49100:20:36,239 –> 00:20:38,800They’re lovely people, sincere.49200:20:39,800 –> 00:20:43,359They come to church, they read the Bible,49300:20:43,359 –> 00:20:46,520they pray, they agree with what you say,49400:20:46,520 –> 00:20:48,479they compliment your ministry.49500:20:48,839 –> 00:20:52,520They’re so sincere that you might think that49600:20:52,520 –> 00:20:54,239you might be in danger of forgetting49700:20:54,239 –> 00:20:55,939that they are really lost.49800:20:57,520 –> 00:21:02,520Being a good person won’t save you or anybody else.49900:21:03,199 –> 00:21:05,560So when someone says to you, and, you know,50000:21:05,560 –> 00:21:07,599honestly, this happens even in interviews50100:21:07,599 –> 00:21:09,500within the context of the congregation,50200:21:12,099 –> 00:21:13,439when someone says to you, you know,50300:21:13,439 –> 00:21:17,420I love God and I really try to love my ministry50400:21:17,420 –> 00:21:19,640and I really try to love my neighbor as myself50500:21:19,640 –> 00:21:21,180and to live a good life,50600:21:22,260 –> 00:21:25,020that may mean that they are near to the kingdom.50700:21:26,339 –> 00:21:30,099It does not indicate in itself that they are in the kingdom50800:21:30,099 –> 00:21:33,579according to what Jesus says here.50900:21:33,579 –> 00:21:35,780So don’t get confused.51000:21:35,780 –> 00:21:37,339Because it would be a terrible thing51100:21:37,339 –> 00:21:39,140to be like this teacher of the law51200:21:39,140 –> 00:21:41,180who is clearly a sincere and religious51300:21:41,180 –> 00:21:43,339and, in many ways, a godly kind of man,51400:21:44,119 –> 00:21:48,180but simply to live your life not far from the kingdom,51500:21:48,180 –> 00:21:50,680but not actually in the kingdom.51600:21:52,619 –> 00:21:54,079We’ve got to pause the message there,51700:21:54,079 –> 00:21:56,640but we’ll be back with the second half of this broadcast51800:21:56,640 –> 00:21:57,819in our next program.51900:21:57,819 –> 00:21:59,560So I hope you’ll join us for that.52000:21:59,560 –> 00:22:01,219You’ve been listening to Open The Bible52100:22:01,219 –> 00:22:03,699with Pastor Colin Smith and the message called52200:22:03,699 –> 00:22:07,500Jesus Has The Answer to His People’s Questions.52300:22:07,500 –> 00:22:09,339It was originally part of a series52400:22:09,339 –> 00:22:11,660called The Gospel According to Jesus52500:22:11,660 –> 00:22:14,500based on Mark 11 and 12.52600:22:14,500 –> 00:22:17,140It’s a very popular program that’s been downloaded52700:22:17,140 –> 00:22:18,859many times in the last 12 months,52800:22:18,859 –> 00:22:21,060so we included it with lots of other programs52900:22:21,060 –> 00:22:25,180in our series Listener Favourites 2026.53000:22:25,180 –> 00:22:27,420If you ever missed one of the messages in the series,53100:22:27,420 –> 00:22:29,699it’s easy to catch up and go back,53200:22:29,699 –> 00:22:32,500and listen again online at our website.53300:22:32,500 –> 00:22:35,920That’s at openthebible.org.uk.53400:22:35,920 –> 00:22:37,760Or you can find us as a podcast53500:22:37,760 –> 00:22:39,660on all the main podcast sites.53600:22:39,660 –> 00:22:41,699Search for Open the Bible UK53700:22:41,699 –> 00:22:44,780or follow the link from our website.53800:22:44,780 –> 00:22:45,880While you’re on the website53900:22:45,880 –> 00:22:48,439or looking for a podcast to listen to,54000:22:48,439 –> 00:22:51,380don’t forget about Open the Bible Daily.54100:22:51,380 –> 00:22:53,420That’s our series of short,54200:22:53,420 –> 00:22:55,900two to three minute daily reflections54300:22:55,900 –> 00:22:57,459based on Pastor Colin’s teaching54400:22:57,459 –> 00:22:59,579and read specially in the UK.54500:22:59,579 –> 00:23:02,239There’s a fresh one every day in many Christians.54600:23:02,239 –> 00:23:05,380Begin their day with Open the Bible Daily.54700:23:05,380 –> 00:23:06,920If you listen to the program regularly,54800:23:06,920 –> 00:23:08,619you’ll know that Open the Bible54900:23:08,619 –> 00:23:10,599is supported by our listeners.55000:23:10,599 –> 00:23:13,540And if you already support Open the Bible financially55100:23:13,540 –> 00:23:15,119thank you so much.55200:23:15,119 –> 00:23:17,140If giving to support Open the Bible55300:23:17,140 –> 00:23:19,020is something you’re considering,55400:23:19,020 –> 00:23:21,400this month we have a great offer for you.55500:23:21,400 –> 00:23:23,520Here’s Open the Bible’s Amanda Cunningham55600:23:23,520 –> 00:23:25,239to tell us about it.55700:23:25,239 –> 00:23:27,719How do we become more loving people?55800:23:27,719 –> 00:23:30,000It’s something many of us long for,55900:23:30,000 –> 00:23:32,300but it’s not always easy.56000:23:32,300 –> 00:23:36,040The good news is that the more we experience God’s love,56100:23:36,300 –> 00:23:40,380The more we are changed to love Him and those around us.56200:23:40,380 –> 00:23:42,459Growing Love by Pastor Colin Smith56300:23:42,459 –> 00:23:44,459is a new 30-day devotional56400:23:44,459 –> 00:23:47,260that explores one of the defining marks56500:23:47,260 –> 00:23:48,780of the Christian life.56600:23:48,780 –> 00:23:50,540Through daily Bible readings,56700:23:50,540 –> 00:23:53,579thoughtful teaching and practical application,56800:23:53,579 –> 00:23:56,000Pastor Colin helps you discover56900:23:56,000 –> 00:23:58,660how God’s love can shape your heart,57000:23:58,660 –> 00:24:00,579strengthen your relationships57100:24:00,579 –> 00:24:03,939and overflow into the lives of others.57200:24:03,939 –> 00:24:05,780Whether you’re new to these devotionals57300:24:05,800 –> 00:24:08,839or you’ve already enjoyed Growing Faith and Growing Hope,57400:24:08,839 –> 00:24:11,040this final book stands on its own57500:24:11,040 –> 00:24:13,119while completing a wonderful journey57600:24:13,119 –> 00:24:18,280through the 3 enduring gifts of faith, hope and love.57700:24:18,280 –> 00:24:20,160This month, Open The Bible is offering57800:24:20,160 –> 00:24:22,239a FREE copy of Growing Love57900:24:22,239 –> 00:24:23,760when you give a one-off gift58000:24:23,760 –> 00:24:25,560of at least £6058100:24:25,560 –> 00:24:27,199or begin a new direct debit58200:24:27,199 –> 00:24:29,560of at least £5 a month.58300:24:29,560 –> 00:24:31,520To donate and get your free copy58400:24:31,520 –> 00:24:34,680visit openthebible.org.uk today58500:24:34,680 –> 00:24:37,479and don’t forget to leave your name and address.58600:24:37,479 –> 00:24:39,180Well, we’d love to send you a copy58700:24:39,180 –> 00:24:41,180of Colin’s book Growing Love58800:24:41,180 –> 00:24:43,520when you come on board with the many folks58900:24:43,520 –> 00:24:45,260who support Open The Bible.59000:24:45,260 –> 00:24:47,900Full terms and conditions are on our website59100:24:47,900 –> 00:24:50,959that’s at openthebible.org.uk59200:24:50,959 –> 00:24:52,520and you can give online.59300:24:52,520 –> 00:24:54,920For Open The Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,59400:24:54,920 –> 00:24:56,079I’m David Pick,59500:24:56,079 –> 00:24:57,459glad you joined us today59600:24:57,459 –> 00:24:59,079and I hope to see you again next time59700:24:59,079 –> 00:25:00,260on Open The Bible.59800:25:04,680 –> 00:25:17,000Open The Bible59900:25:18,439 –> 00:25:21,719What does it mean to become a true Christian?60000:25:21,719 –> 00:25:24,920Discover four marks of genuine conversion.60100:25:24,920 –> 00:25:26,939That’s next time on Open The Bible.