100:00:00,580 –> 00:00:03,580Second verse200:00:04,580 –> 00:00:05,580Jesus said of a whole community in his day,300:00:05,580 –> 00:00:06,580These people praise me with their lips400:00:06,580 –> 00:00:11,580but their hearts are far from me!500:00:11,580 –> 00:00:13,280And that of course is the natural condition600:00:13,280 –> 00:00:14,400of religious people.700:00:14,400 –> 00:00:19,100Unless God changes your heart,800:00:19,120 –> 00:00:21,840you will remain a confessing rebel.900:00:22,160 –> 00:00:25,379Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.1000:00:25,379 –> 00:00:26,299I’m David Pick.1100:00:26,299 –> 00:00:26,920And Colin,1200:00:26,920 –> 00:00:29,200that phrase seems like an oxymoron,1300:00:29,340 –> 00:00:30,459a confessing rebel?1400:00:31,020 –> 00:00:32,680Well there’s good basis for that phrase1500:00:32,680 –> 00:00:34,299because you know who were the first to confess1600:00:34,299 –> 00:00:36,500that Jesus is the son of God in the gospel?1700:00:36,520 –> 00:00:37,720They were the evil spirits,1800:00:38,180 –> 00:00:39,959confessing rebels.1900:00:40,599 –> 00:00:42,060They’re utterly in rebellion against God2000:00:42,060 –> 00:00:44,439and yet they cannot resist ultimately the truth2100:00:44,439 –> 00:00:45,820that Jesus is the son of God.2200:00:45,820 –> 00:00:47,200And when he casts them out,2300:00:47,200 –> 00:00:49,240they say now what have you got to do with us,2400:00:49,259 –> 00:00:50,139Jesus, son of God?2500:00:50,139 –> 00:00:51,700There’s the first confession2600:00:51,740 –> 00:00:53,020and it comes from hell itself.2700:00:53,020 –> 00:00:54,180It’s very striking.2800:00:54,180 –> 00:00:55,880And, of course, James speaks about this2900:00:55,880 –> 00:00:57,480later in the New Testament.3000:00:57,599 –> 00:00:59,599You know, you say that you believe in God.3100:01:00,060 –> 00:01:01,759Here is your great confession.3200:01:01,759 –> 00:01:03,020Well now the devil,3300:01:03,040 –> 00:01:05,019the devil knows that there is God.3400:01:05,040 –> 00:01:06,040He confesses.3500:01:06,059 –> 00:01:07,720He’s a confessing rebel.3600:01:07,739 –> 00:01:08,839Well that’s not a position3700:01:08,860 –> 00:01:10,000that anyone wants to be in.3800:01:10,000 –> 00:01:11,379And the issue is not simply3900:01:11,400 –> 00:01:13,800do I sign off on a few Christian beliefs.4000:01:13,800 –> 00:01:14,800The question is,4100:01:14,800 –> 00:01:17,860has my heart been fundamentally changed4200:01:17,860 –> 00:01:19,419by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ?4300:01:19,660 –> 00:01:20,599And if it has been,4400:01:20,620 –> 00:01:22,519we see that in obedience.4500:01:22,540 –> 00:01:23,320Yes, that’s right.4600:01:23,320 –> 00:01:25,779Yeah, well then it’s a confessing follower,4700:01:25,800 –> 00:01:27,320confessing disciple,4800:01:27,379 –> 00:01:29,160and that’s an entirely different thing.4900:01:29,199 –> 00:01:31,599That’s why real faith in Jesus Christ5000:01:31,620 –> 00:01:33,239always brings life change,5100:01:33,260 –> 00:01:34,059it has to,5200:01:34,080 –> 00:01:35,660otherwise it isn’t the real thing.5300:01:35,680 –> 00:01:37,879That’s what today’s message is all about.5400:01:37,940 –> 00:01:40,699Jesus calls his people to obedience.5500:01:40,739 –> 00:01:42,260We’re in Mark chapter 35600:01:42,300 –> 00:01:43,019so I hope you’ll be able5700:01:43,019 –> 00:01:44,459to join us in your bible.5800:01:44,540 –> 00:01:45,639Here’s Colin.5900:01:46,900 –> 00:01:48,019Just last week,6000:01:48,040 –> 00:01:50,160Karin and I went into Home Depot,6100:01:50,160 –> 00:01:51,959knew exactly what we were after,6200:01:51,980 –> 00:01:53,940track lighting,6300:01:53,940 –> 00:01:55,220went straight to the shelf,6400:01:55,220 –> 00:01:55,820picked it up,6500:01:55,839 –> 00:01:56,820went to the checkout,6600:01:56,839 –> 00:01:58,180and as we were standing in line6700:01:58,199 –> 00:02:01,440I began to read what it says on the box.6800:02:02,220 –> 00:02:04,120Expandable6900:02:04,139 –> 00:02:05,779Halogen7000:02:05,800 –> 00:02:08,380Track Lighting Kit.7100:02:09,479 –> 00:02:11,399Satisfaction guaranteed.7200:02:11,399 –> 00:02:12,660That’s good.7300:02:13,699 –> 00:02:17,9193 MR16 Pinhole Cylinders7400:02:18,619 –> 00:02:21,679Includes one 44-inch track7500:02:21,699 –> 00:02:24,839and one floating power feed.7600:02:25,839 –> 00:02:31,179Used with MR16, 50 watt maximum bulb,7700:02:31,580 –> 00:02:34,800tiniest print, brackets,7800:02:34,820 –> 00:02:37,559sold separately.7900:02:37,580 –> 00:02:39,759I sat in a car and as we’re standing in line,8000:02:39,779 –> 00:02:43,880this thing is completely useless.8100:02:43,919 –> 00:02:47,899I mean honestly, what in all the world is the use of8200:02:47,899 –> 00:02:51,380one 44-inch track,8300:02:51,399 –> 00:02:54,600one free floating power feed8400:02:54,759 –> 00:02:58,139and three pinhole cylinders8500:02:58,160 –> 00:03:01,539if we do not have any bulbs?8600:03:03,220 –> 00:03:05,520This thing is useless8700:03:05,559 –> 00:03:10,419because something essential to its function8800:03:10,440 –> 00:03:12,960is missing.8900:03:12,979 –> 00:03:15,119And it strikes me, you know, that a lot of folks9000:03:15,139 –> 00:03:17,679have a form of Christianity just like that.9100:03:17,699 –> 00:03:19,960The New Testament describes it this way,9200:03:19,960 –> 00:03:25,500it is a form of godliness but denying the power.9300:03:25,520 –> 00:03:27,820In other words, it’s useless.9400:03:27,839 –> 00:03:31,720It’s a kind of faith, a kind of religion9500:03:31,740 –> 00:03:34,820that does not bring any real light.9600:03:34,860 –> 00:03:37,880It’s like a bulbs not included track system9700:03:37,899 –> 00:03:43,179or a batteries not included kind of a toy9800:03:43,220 –> 00:03:45,800and Jesus Christ did not come into the world9900:03:45,800 –> 00:03:50,259to give us that kind of faith.10000:03:50,300 –> 00:03:52,160Now our title today is10100:03:52,199 –> 00:03:55,279Jesus calls his people to obedience.10200:03:55,300 –> 00:03:57,339And if you have your Bible open you’ll see the theme10300:03:57,380 –> 00:03:59,300most clearly in the last verse,10400:03:59,339 –> 00:04:02,020verse thirty five of mark chapter three10500:04:02,039 –> 00:04:03,339where Jesus says,10600:04:03,380 –> 00:04:06,679whoever does God’s will.10700:04:06,720 –> 00:04:08,320Whoever does God’s will10800:04:08,360 –> 00:04:14,580is my brother and sister and mother.10900:04:14,740 –> 00:04:17,579He’s talking about an authentic relationship11000:04:17,600 –> 00:04:21,019with Jesus, my brother, my sister, my mother.11100:04:21,040 –> 00:04:23,540And what is the mark of a person11200:04:23,579 –> 00:04:25,619who has an authentic relationship11300:04:25,660 –> 00:04:26,920with Jesus Christ?11400:04:26,959 –> 00:04:28,660The answer is it’s very simple.11500:04:28,679 –> 00:04:31,480They do God’s will.11600:04:31,519 –> 00:04:34,200They pursue in other words a life11700:04:34,220 –> 00:04:36,559of obedience.11800:04:36,600 –> 00:04:38,660Now this theme runs throughout11900:04:38,700 –> 00:04:40,760the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.12000:04:40,799 –> 00:04:42,200You see it everywhere especially12100:04:42,260 –> 00:04:44,559once your eyes are open to it.12200:04:44,600 –> 00:04:45,839Let me give you some examples.12300:04:45,859 –> 00:04:48,119John Chapter Fifteen in verse Fourteen.12400:04:48,160 –> 00:04:50,160You are my friends, Jesus says,12500:04:50,200 –> 00:04:53,000if you do what I command you.12600:04:53,040 –> 00:04:54,940Or John Chapter Fourteen Verse Fifteen12700:04:54,980 –> 00:04:56,179the other way around.12800:04:56,200 –> 00:04:58,239If you love me, Jesus says,12900:04:58,279 –> 00:05:01,040you will obey what I command.13000:05:01,079 –> 00:05:02,540Remember in the Sermon on the Mount13100:05:02,579 –> 00:05:04,540Matthew Chapter 7, Jesus says not13200:05:04,579 –> 00:05:06,320everybody who says to me Lord, Lord,13300:05:06,339 –> 00:05:10,220not everyone who sings the hymns13400:05:10,299 –> 00:05:12,899will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.13500:05:12,920 –> 00:05:16,739But only the person who does the will13600:05:16,760 –> 00:05:20,559of my Father who is in Heaven.13700:05:20,600 –> 00:05:22,359And right here in our passage this morning13800:05:22,399 –> 00:05:24,440Mark Chapter 3 in verse 35,13900:05:24,480 –> 00:05:28,480whoever does God’s will is my brother14000:05:28,500 –> 00:05:32,220and my sister and my mother.14100:05:32,239 –> 00:05:33,239So when you open the Gospels14200:05:33,279 –> 00:05:35,279you very quickly discover that14300:05:35,320 –> 00:05:37,320Christian faith cannot be reduced14400:05:37,359 –> 00:05:40,160to believing certain things.14500:05:40,200 –> 00:05:42,359Becoming a true follower of Jesus Christ14600:05:42,399 –> 00:05:47,540makes an observable difference in a person’s life.14700:05:47,559 –> 00:05:50,160I have to say to you that many Christians today14800:05:50,200 –> 00:05:54,299are resistant to this teaching of Jesus.14900:05:54,339 –> 00:05:58,200They prefer to reduce faith to a formula15000:05:58,239 –> 00:06:02,279or to an event or to a prayer15100:06:02,320 –> 00:06:04,119when what Jesus Christ is calling us to15200:06:04,140 –> 00:06:09,820is a life that is marked by obedience.15300:06:09,880 –> 00:06:12,880God saves you by grace15400:06:12,920 –> 00:06:18,760and his grace is received by faith alone15500:06:18,779 –> 00:06:21,959but the evidence that you have received this grace15600:06:22,000 –> 00:06:26,119is seen in your pursuits of obedience.15700:06:26,160 –> 00:06:28,940John Calvin I think put it very helpful and memorably15800:06:28,959 –> 00:06:33,600when he said we are justified by faith alone15900:06:33,640 –> 00:06:37,339but the faith that justifies is never alone.16000:06:37,399 –> 00:06:40,799You never find it in isolation in a person’s life16100:06:40,839 –> 00:06:46,200because it leads to the fruit of obedience.16200:06:46,239 –> 00:06:47,739Now if you want to see this put16300:06:47,779 –> 00:06:49,640in one simple phrase in the New Testament16400:06:49,679 –> 00:06:51,640and this will be our one cross reference this morning16500:06:51,679 –> 00:06:52,880so it’s worth turning to.16600:06:52,920 –> 00:06:56,380You might like to look to Romans 1 in verse 5.16700:06:56,420 –> 00:06:59,119Romans 1 and verse 5.16800:06:59,160 –> 00:07:01,820If you just turn to that for a moment16900:07:01,859 –> 00:07:07,220with me because Paul really sets out his mission statement17000:07:07,220 –> 00:07:12,019right at the beginning of Romans and chapter 1.17100:07:12,040 –> 00:07:14,880You’ll see there in verse 5 that he describes17200:07:14,920 –> 00:07:17,160what the grace given to him17300:07:17,179 –> 00:07:19,859and his apostleship is all about.17400:07:19,880 –> 00:07:22,399He says we’ve received, Romans 1, 5,17500:07:22,420 –> 00:07:24,859grace and apostleship for what purpose?17600:07:24,899 –> 00:07:30,100To call people from all the gentiles to what?17700:07:30,940 –> 00:07:35,940To the obedience that comes from Christ.17800:07:37,220 –> 00:07:40,679That comes from faith.17900:07:40,720 –> 00:07:42,079Now you see the apostle Paul,18000:07:42,119 –> 00:07:43,880reflecting the teaching of Jesus18100:07:43,920 –> 00:07:45,720that we have already seen from the gospels18200:07:45,760 –> 00:07:47,679is saying exactly the same thing.18300:07:47,720 –> 00:07:50,859He is not interested in professions of faith18400:07:50,899 –> 00:07:54,739that make no difference to a person’s life.18500:07:54,760 –> 00:07:56,820If someone said to Paul18600:07:56,859 –> 00:07:58,940you really should give an invitation18700:07:58,959 –> 00:08:02,640to people to trust Christ at the end of your sermons.18800:08:02,660 –> 00:08:05,179You know what I think Paul would say?18900:08:06,079 –> 00:08:10,220Yes, but I want to do more than that.19000:08:11,920 –> 00:08:15,040See, I don’t just want to call people to faith.19100:08:16,059 –> 00:08:18,079I want to call, that’s what he says here,19200:08:18,119 –> 00:08:20,519Romans 1.5, I want to call people19300:08:20,559 –> 00:08:23,519to the obedience that comes from faith.19400:08:24,859 –> 00:08:27,119I don’t just want to call people to a decision,19500:08:27,160 –> 00:08:29,040I want to call people to a life.19600:08:30,739 –> 00:08:34,260And there’s all the difference in the world19700:08:34,380 –> 00:08:37,080between these two things.19800:08:38,500 –> 00:08:40,599And you know, it is too easy for Christians19900:08:40,619 –> 00:08:42,419to want other people to be challenged,20000:08:42,460 –> 00:08:46,200and not ourselves, but properly understood20100:08:46,239 –> 00:08:50,000the gospel of Jesus Christ cuts across all of our lives20200:08:50,039 –> 00:08:53,140every time we hear it and every time we meet.20300:08:55,080 –> 00:08:57,599If you are not a Christian today,20400:08:57,640 –> 00:09:02,239God calls you to the obedience of faith.20500:09:03,200 –> 00:09:06,840If you are a Christian today,20600:09:06,859 –> 00:09:11,299God calls you to the obedience20700:09:11,340 –> 00:09:13,840that comes from faith.20800:09:15,140 –> 00:09:16,320You’re listening to Open The Bible20900:09:16,340 –> 00:09:17,719with Pastor Colin Smith,21000:09:17,739 –> 00:09:18,780and we have to pause21100:09:18,820 –> 00:09:20,340the message there briefly.21200:09:20,380 –> 00:09:21,580The message is called21300:09:21,619 –> 00:09:23,219Jesus Stirs Up Conflict,21400:09:23,260 –> 00:09:24,460and it’s part of the series21500:09:24,479 –> 00:09:26,520The Gospel According To Jesus.21600:09:26,559 –> 00:09:28,520If you’ve missed any of the series so far,21700:09:28,559 –> 00:09:30,400or if you want to go back and listen again,21800:09:30,799 –> 00:09:31,900you can do that by21900:09:31,919 –> 00:09:33,299coming online to our website,22000:09:35,799 –> 00:09:37,960or by finding us as a podcast.22100:09:38,000 –> 00:09:40,340And those are on all the major podcast sites.22200:09:40,359 –> 00:09:42,159Search for Open The Bible UK22300:09:42,200 –> 00:09:45,580and subscribe to receive regular updates.22400:09:45,599 –> 00:09:48,280Maybe you’ve looked at the claims of Jesus,22500:09:48,299 –> 00:09:49,880and you haven’t rejected them,22600:09:49,900 –> 00:09:51,080but you haven’t exactly22700:09:51,119 –> 00:09:52,940embraced them either.22800:09:52,979 –> 00:09:54,419You’re somewhere in between,22900:09:54,440 –> 00:09:55,780a bit skeptical.23000:09:55,820 –> 00:09:57,159You have some hard questions23100:09:57,179 –> 00:09:58,979you want answers for.23200:09:59,020 –> 00:10:00,159The good news is23300:10:00,179 –> 00:10:02,479Jesus had time for sceptics.23400:10:02,520 –> 00:10:03,760He talked with them,23500:10:03,780 –> 00:10:05,380He answered their questions,23600:10:05,419 –> 00:10:08,359and He offered them a pathway to faith.23700:10:08,380 –> 00:10:10,419That’s what Colin’s new booklet23800:10:10,460 –> 00:10:11,359is all about.23900:10:11,400 –> 00:10:12,119It’s called24000:10:12,159 –> 00:10:14,520What Jesus Says to Sceptics.24100:10:14,559 –> 00:10:15,900And we’re offering this month24200:10:15,940 –> 00:10:17,200to send you five copies24300:10:17,239 –> 00:10:17,940of this booklet.24400:10:17,960 –> 00:10:19,599That’s one for you to read24500:10:19,640 –> 00:10:21,979and five to give away to your friends.24600:10:22,000 –> 00:10:22,900It’s all about24700:10:22,940 –> 00:10:25,140what Jesus says to sceptics.24800:10:25,179 –> 00:10:26,599This offer is open to24900:10:26,640 –> 00:10:28,280anyone who wants to begin25000:10:28,299 –> 00:10:30,799supporting Open The Bible financially.25100:10:30,820 –> 00:10:32,080If you’ve been thinking about25200:10:32,099 –> 00:10:33,179doing that and you’re able25300:10:33,200 –> 00:10:35,000to set up a new direct debit25400:10:35,039 –> 00:10:36,539in the amount of five pounds25500:10:36,580 –> 00:10:37,940per month or more25600:10:37,979 –> 00:10:39,840or a one off gift of fifty pounds25700:10:39,880 –> 00:10:41,539we would love to say thank you25800:10:41,580 –> 00:10:43,359by sending you five copies25900:10:43,380 –> 00:10:44,419of this booklet.26000:10:44,460 –> 00:10:45,919Full details and terms26100:10:45,960 –> 00:10:47,820and conditions on our website26200:10:47,859 –> 00:10:50,820openthebible.org.uk26300:10:50,859 –> 00:10:52,099Back to the message now.26400:10:52,119 –> 00:10:54,239We’re in Mark in chapter 3.26500:10:54,260 –> 00:10:55,440Here’s Colin.26600:10:55,460 –> 00:10:57,000Now I want us to look today26700:10:57,280 –> 00:10:58,719in Mark in chapter 326800:10:58,760 –> 00:11:00,799at three responses to Jesus26900:11:00,820 –> 00:11:02,260all of which fall27000:11:02,299 –> 00:11:05,059short of obedience27100:11:05,099 –> 00:11:06,900and I think as we look at them27200:11:06,940 –> 00:11:09,000we’ll see evidence of27300:11:09,039 –> 00:11:11,739one or other in our own hearts27400:11:11,780 –> 00:11:13,840and we’ll be able to identify27500:11:13,880 –> 00:11:15,599I think at least with one of them27600:11:15,640 –> 00:11:17,039and then27700:11:17,080 –> 00:11:18,440as we do that27800:11:18,479 –> 00:11:19,940we’re going to come at the end27900:11:19,979 –> 00:11:22,239to ask God for his help28000:11:22,280 –> 00:11:24,020that we may28100:11:24,059 –> 00:11:25,520whatever our position right now28200:11:25,580 –> 00:11:27,719that we may pursue28300:11:27,739 –> 00:11:30,280a life of obedience28400:11:30,320 –> 00:11:31,780that comes from faith28500:11:31,820 –> 00:11:35,659because God calls His people28600:11:35,679 –> 00:11:36,880to obedience28700:11:36,919 –> 00:11:38,059so I hope you’re back at Mark28800:11:38,080 –> 00:11:39,619in chapter 328900:11:39,659 –> 00:11:41,859and let’s launch into this29000:11:41,900 –> 00:11:43,760wonderful scripture29100:11:43,799 –> 00:11:45,400together29200:11:45,419 –> 00:11:46,700Now the first response that I want us29300:11:46,719 –> 00:11:47,599to look at today is29400:11:47,619 –> 00:11:49,200the response of the demons29500:11:49,239 –> 00:11:50,340to Jesus29600:11:50,359 –> 00:11:52,739which we find in chapter 329700:11:52,760 –> 00:11:54,659and verse 1129800:11:54,739 –> 00:11:56,539We’ve noticed this verse before29900:11:57,440 –> 00:12:01,080Whenever the evil spirits saw Jesus30000:12:01,119 –> 00:12:02,960they fell down before him30100:12:02,979 –> 00:12:04,559and they cried out30200:12:04,580 –> 00:12:08,460You are the Son of God30300:12:09,679 –> 00:12:11,520When the demons make this confession30400:12:11,559 –> 00:12:13,799and Mark makes it clear to us30500:12:13,820 –> 00:12:15,400that this was the regular thing30600:12:15,440 –> 00:12:17,200whenever Jesus confronted the demon30700:12:17,219 –> 00:12:18,539they always found themselves30800:12:18,559 –> 00:12:20,239making this confession30900:12:20,260 –> 00:12:21,000it reminds us that31000:12:21,039 –> 00:12:24,000there is no confusion about Jesus in hell31100:12:24,640 –> 00:12:27,979Down there they all know who he is31200:12:28,880 –> 00:12:30,299The demons confess that31300:12:30,320 –> 00:12:32,159Jesus is the Son of God31400:12:33,460 –> 00:12:35,900So the demons will be in heaven right?31500:12:36,320 –> 00:12:37,580Wrong31600:12:38,099 –> 00:12:40,219I say now this is gonna make us think isn’t it?31700:12:41,700 –> 00:12:43,619Simply acknowledging that31800:12:43,659 –> 00:12:45,859Jesus is the Son of God won’t save you31900:12:45,880 –> 00:12:47,460the demons do that32000:12:48,679 –> 00:12:50,880and that should make us think again32100:12:50,900 –> 00:12:53,299about what saving faith in Jesus Christ32200:12:53,320 –> 00:12:54,739really looks like32300:12:56,780 –> 00:12:59,419Suppose an angel were to ask you on the last day32400:12:59,460 –> 00:13:00,919why you should be allowed into heaven32500:13:00,940 –> 00:13:01,760and you were to say32600:13:01,780 –> 00:13:03,940well I believe that Jesus is the Son of God32700:13:03,979 –> 00:13:05,539the obvious response from the angel32800:13:05,559 –> 00:13:07,400would be to say well so do the demons32900:13:07,419 –> 00:13:09,739so how is your faith different from theirs?33000:13:11,640 –> 00:13:14,400This is ofcourse the point that James makes33100:13:19,320 –> 00:13:21,739the empty claims of some people33200:13:21,760 –> 00:13:23,159who reckon they are Christians33300:13:23,159 –> 00:13:26,419even though they are living in open disobedience to god33400:13:26,940 –> 00:13:29,219which of course is what the demons are doing33500:13:30,380 –> 00:13:33,039You believe James says that there is one God?33600:13:33,059 –> 00:13:34,159Good!33700:13:34,840 –> 00:13:38,320Even the demons believe that and they shudder33800:13:40,359 –> 00:13:41,679Here’s something33900:13:42,539 –> 00:13:45,719that struck me for the first time this week34000:13:45,739 –> 00:13:47,940never noticed it before34100:13:48,200 –> 00:13:49,419I got to tell you honestly34200:13:49,440 –> 00:13:52,280writing the first draft of this morning’s message34300:13:52,460 –> 00:13:56,219I wrote down what seemed fairly obvious to my mind34400:13:56,780 –> 00:13:58,340The demons confess34500:13:58,919 –> 00:14:00,700but they do not obey34600:14:01,200 –> 00:14:03,640and looking at the scripture more closely34700:14:03,659 –> 00:14:04,799I had to throw that away34800:14:04,820 –> 00:14:07,059Because if you look at what Mark says here34900:14:07,080 –> 00:14:08,599he tells us precisely the opposite35000:14:08,619 –> 00:14:11,640he tells us they did obey the Lord Jesus Christ35100:14:11,659 –> 00:14:12,460because they had to35200:14:12,479 –> 00:14:13,640Look at verse 1235300:14:13,659 –> 00:14:15,320Whenever the evil spirits saw him35400:14:15,340 –> 00:14:16,340they fell down before him35500:14:16,380 –> 00:14:17,880They cried out, You’re the son of god35600:14:17,900 –> 00:14:20,440but Jesus gave them strict orders35700:14:20,460 –> 00:14:22,760not to tell who he was35800:14:22,780 –> 00:14:24,760Jesus silenced the demons35900:14:25,520 –> 00:14:27,119and they are obedient to him36000:14:29,520 –> 00:14:33,020You find exactly the same in chapter 1 verse 3436100:14:33,039 –> 00:14:34,580if you glance back36200:14:34,619 –> 00:14:36,200Jesus drove out many demons36300:14:36,219 –> 00:14:38,359we’re told their chapter 1 verse 3436400:14:38,400 –> 00:14:41,080but he would not let the demons speak36500:14:41,099 –> 00:14:42,960because they knew who he was36600:14:42,979 –> 00:14:45,320So they’re subject to the authority of Jesus36700:14:45,340 –> 00:14:46,299these demons36800:14:46,299 –> 00:14:47,640they’re under his authority36900:14:48,760 –> 00:14:50,039Actually37000:14:50,059 –> 00:14:52,239it’s fascinating to compare this37100:14:52,280 –> 00:14:53,739with the story the leper37200:14:53,760 –> 00:14:55,159that we looked at the other week37300:14:55,179 –> 00:14:57,359in chapter one in verse 4337400:14:57,380 –> 00:14:59,020because Jesus gives to the leper37500:14:59,039 –> 00:15:01,119a strict instruction37600:15:01,140 –> 00:15:02,859that he has not to tell other people37700:15:02,880 –> 00:15:05,000about what Jesus has done for him37800:15:05,020 –> 00:15:06,559because Jesus is trying at this point37900:15:06,580 –> 00:15:09,020not to cultivate a crowd seeking healing38000:15:09,059 –> 00:15:10,479but remember that Mark tells us38100:15:10,520 –> 00:15:13,179the leper didn’t pay any attention38200:15:13,200 –> 00:15:14,760to the instruction of Jesus38300:15:14,840 –> 00:15:16,340He went out and began to talk38400:15:16,380 –> 00:15:18,059freely, spreading the news38500:15:18,080 –> 00:15:20,219so the demons were more obedient to Jesus38600:15:20,239 –> 00:15:22,320than the leper was38700:15:23,679 –> 00:15:25,640So it’s not right to say the demons confess38800:15:25,659 –> 00:15:27,140they do not obey38900:15:29,219 –> 00:15:30,659It would be better to say39000:15:30,679 –> 00:15:32,380the demons confess Jesus39100:15:32,400 –> 00:15:36,200and they have to obey Him39200:15:37,119 –> 00:15:41,599Now when you see that response39300:15:41,619 –> 00:15:43,380suddenly as so often you understand39400:15:43,400 –> 00:15:44,640what the Bible is really saying39500:15:44,659 –> 00:15:47,739it comes much closer to home39600:15:49,140 –> 00:15:53,099The demons confess and they have to obey39700:15:55,559 –> 00:15:58,059I’ve started reading this book39800:15:58,080 –> 00:16:00,359Family Driven Faith39900:16:00,979 –> 00:16:03,320by Wodye Bockum a pastor40000:16:03,340 –> 00:16:04,880who all of our pastors40100:16:04,900 –> 00:16:06,239heard at a conference last year40200:16:06,260 –> 00:16:08,340and were greatly impressed40300:16:08,380 –> 00:16:10,179by the power of his ministry40400:16:10,280 –> 00:16:12,140especially to young people40500:16:12,179 –> 00:16:14,880in universities in these days40600:16:15,580 –> 00:16:17,960But let me quote to you from this book40700:16:18,479 –> 00:16:20,059Wodye Bockum says40800:16:20,739 –> 00:16:22,739According to researchers40900:16:24,020 –> 00:16:29,020between 70 and 88% of christian teens41000:16:29,859 –> 00:16:31,239are leaving the church41100:16:31,280 –> 00:16:33,940by their second year in college41200:16:34,500 –> 00:16:36,520between 70 and 88%41300:16:37,479 –> 00:16:38,380He says and I’m quoting41400:16:38,400 –> 00:16:39,159that’s right41500:16:39,460 –> 00:16:42,320Modern American christianity has a failure rate41600:16:42,320 –> 00:16:45,320somewhere around 8 to almost 9 out of 1041700:16:45,539 –> 00:16:47,039when it comes to raising children41800:16:47,039 –> 00:16:48,840who continue in the faith41900:16:50,640 –> 00:16:51,359By the way42000:16:53,380 –> 00:16:55,260we should thank God42100:16:56,460 –> 00:16:59,200that in His mercy he is giving to us in this church42200:16:59,239 –> 00:17:01,760a far greater abundance of fruit42300:17:01,780 –> 00:17:03,780that last than that42400:17:04,939 –> 00:17:08,319We are wonderfully, in God’s mercy out of line42500:17:09,239 –> 00:17:11,839with what is happening across this country42600:17:13,160 –> 00:17:15,979and a large part of that is the mercy of God42700:17:16,719 –> 00:17:19,239through families and through ministry leaders42800:17:19,260 –> 00:17:21,140who are committed to substance42900:17:21,699 –> 00:17:23,199rather than entertainment43000:17:25,060 –> 00:17:27,660but to come back to what Voddie Bakkom is saying43100:17:27,680 –> 00:17:30,140and the research is all there if you want to follow it up43200:17:31,900 –> 00:17:35,140Why would 9 out of 10 young people43300:17:35,160 –> 00:17:36,939raised in churches in this country43400:17:36,939 –> 00:17:39,020should move off from the church43500:17:39,380 –> 00:17:41,900by their sophomore year in college?43600:17:44,239 –> 00:17:45,160I ask you43700:17:46,500 –> 00:17:47,400could it be43800:17:48,660 –> 00:17:52,219that 9 out of 10 who confess Christ43900:17:52,819 –> 00:17:54,780obey him because they have to44000:17:56,439 –> 00:18:00,260and when the constraints of family are taken away44100:18:01,520 –> 00:18:04,300the true state of their own heart44200:18:04,979 –> 00:18:05,939is revealed44300:18:07,920 –> 00:18:11,979you see, freedom revealing who you really are44400:18:14,040 –> 00:18:16,439and as your freedom in life grows44500:18:17,979 –> 00:18:20,219so that will become increasingly obvious44600:18:21,479 –> 00:18:23,900Jesus said of a whole community in his day44700:18:23,900 –> 00:18:25,520these people praise me with their lips44800:18:25,520 –> 00:18:26,699but their hearts44900:18:27,260 –> 00:18:28,439are far from me45000:18:30,079 –> 00:18:31,959And that of course is the natural condition45100:18:31,959 –> 00:18:33,099of religious people45200:18:33,099 –> 00:18:36,339unless God changes your heart45300:18:37,540 –> 00:18:40,819You will remain a confessing rebel45400:18:43,020 –> 00:18:45,560That is, someone who acknowledges Jesus with their lips45500:18:45,560 –> 00:18:46,800but remains45600:18:47,280 –> 00:18:50,380on a different agenda and a different path45700:18:50,380 –> 00:18:53,140in the secrecy of their own heart45800:18:54,400 –> 00:18:56,099A confessing rebel45900:18:57,800 –> 00:19:00,060conforming when you must46000:19:01,380 –> 00:19:04,319but indulging your rebellion when you can46100:19:05,140 –> 00:19:08,119which is just what the demons do46200:19:10,920 –> 00:19:12,459Now if you can see that46300:19:12,660 –> 00:19:15,579or any trace of it in your own heart at all46400:19:15,839 –> 00:19:17,500I think many of us will46500:19:18,819 –> 00:19:21,979You will feel that you want to come to Jesus Christ today46600:19:21,979 –> 00:19:25,040Say, save me from this46700:19:25,040 –> 00:19:26,300treason46800:19:26,579 –> 00:19:28,560within my own heart46900:19:29,560 –> 00:19:32,199subdue the rebel47000:19:32,199 –> 00:19:33,380in me47100:19:34,319 –> 00:19:37,760Don’t let me be like the demons47200:19:38,420 –> 00:19:40,000who confess you47300:19:40,599 –> 00:19:43,880but continue their rebellion47400:19:43,880 –> 00:19:45,260against you47500:19:46,420 –> 00:19:48,459Now you see that’s the first response that obviously47600:19:48,599 –> 00:19:51,839falls short of obedience47700:19:52,560 –> 00:19:55,599The response to Jesus from the demons47800:19:56,140 –> 00:19:57,739They confess him47900:19:58,719 –> 00:20:01,819and they have to obey him48000:20:02,540 –> 00:20:05,119That’s not saving faith48100:20:06,140 –> 00:20:08,819Here’s a second response and let’s see if we can trace48200:20:08,900 –> 00:20:11,520anything of it in our own hearts48300:20:12,000 –> 00:20:14,160The teachers, verses 10-2048400:20:14,780 –> 00:20:17,239I would summarise their position this way48500:20:17,439 –> 00:20:19,839That they study Jesus48600:20:19,839 –> 00:20:22,060but they refuse to obey him48700:20:22,160 –> 00:20:23,560Look at verse 2248800:20:23,619 –> 00:20:26,599The teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said48900:20:26,780 –> 00:20:29,180He is possessed by Beelzebub49000:20:29,319 –> 00:20:30,880by the prince of demons49100:20:31,079 –> 00:20:33,939he is driving out demons49200:20:35,260 –> 00:20:38,079Now, notice they came down from Jerusalem49300:20:38,079 –> 00:20:39,619verse 2249400:20:40,060 –> 00:20:43,000So this is not your local49500:20:43,000 –> 00:20:45,119country clergy in Galilee49600:20:46,099 –> 00:20:49,540This is the top brass national religious leaders49700:20:49,540 –> 00:20:53,599who are coming down from the capital city from the rural area of Galilee49800:20:53,599 –> 00:20:56,500and they are coming to make an investigation49900:20:56,780 –> 00:20:58,660Why did they bother to come?50000:21:00,060 –> 00:21:02,420Remember in chapter 3 in verse 650100:21:02,420 –> 00:21:04,760we’re told that the Pharisees and the Herodians50200:21:04,760 –> 00:21:06,920began to plot50300:21:07,119 –> 00:21:09,359how they might kill Jesus50400:21:09,800 –> 00:21:13,239and what do you do if you’re plotting to destroy someone?50500:21:14,260 –> 00:21:16,020Well if you’re plotting to destroy someone50600:21:16,020 –> 00:21:19,359what you might do is recruit other influential people50700:21:19,359 –> 00:21:20,920to get them on your side50800:21:21,900 –> 00:21:24,619and so it seems, at least to me, most likely50900:21:24,619 –> 00:21:26,540that this is what the Pharisees did51000:21:26,540 –> 00:21:28,500what did their plot actually involve?51100:21:28,920 –> 00:21:30,640Surely it would have involved this51200:21:30,640 –> 00:21:32,599sending word up to Jerusalem51300:21:32,599 –> 00:21:35,420to the top brass teachers of the law51400:21:35,420 –> 00:21:39,380and raising complaints or questions or stories about Jesus51500:21:39,380 –> 00:21:41,599and the result is that an official delegation51600:21:41,599 –> 00:21:44,780comes down from the capital to this country area51700:21:44,780 –> 00:21:46,319to make an evaluation51800:21:46,319 –> 00:21:48,260so can you picture them as it were51900:21:48,260 –> 00:21:49,719the teachers of the law52000:21:49,719 –> 00:21:51,560and they’re here with their clipboards52100:21:51,560 –> 00:21:53,579and they’ve come from the capital52200:21:53,579 –> 00:21:55,599to check Jesus out52300:21:56,160 –> 00:21:58,060and they evaluate his ministry52400:21:58,199 –> 00:22:00,479this is the official verdict we’re getting now52500:22:00,479 –> 00:22:03,760and they come to this strange conclusion52600:22:04,300 –> 00:22:05,699verse 2252700:22:05,699 –> 00:22:08,579he is possessed by Beelzebub52800:22:08,900 –> 00:22:10,939and by the prince of demons52900:22:11,160 –> 00:22:14,380he is driving out demons53000:22:15,479 –> 00:22:18,560that is an astonishing conclusion isn’t it53100:22:19,099 –> 00:22:21,760from trained religious people53200:22:22,300 –> 00:22:24,900and their conclusion after53300:22:25,359 –> 00:22:27,739evaluating and observing the ministry of Jesus53400:22:28,219 –> 00:22:31,760is that he is somehow in league with satan53500:22:32,099 –> 00:22:34,599and as Jesus points out in verse 2653600:22:34,599 –> 00:22:37,619well if my ministry is in league with satan53700:22:37,660 –> 00:22:40,119then evidently satan’s destroying himself53800:22:40,119 –> 00:22:41,619and his kingdom cannot stand53900:22:41,660 –> 00:22:44,280and his end has obviously come54000:22:45,079 –> 00:22:47,859how could Jesus be in league with satan54100:22:47,859 –> 00:22:51,459when he is obviously destroying satan’s power54200:22:52,459 –> 00:22:55,920it is extraordinary what those who do not want to believe54300:22:55,920 –> 00:22:57,400will come up with54400:22:57,520 –> 00:22:59,319as a rationale for their position54500:23:00,239 –> 00:23:01,640wasn’t that the truth54600:23:02,119 –> 00:23:05,020you’re listening to open the bible with pastor Colin smith54700:23:05,020 –> 00:23:06,420and our message today54800:23:06,420 –> 00:23:09,520Jesus calls his people to obedience54900:23:09,560 –> 00:23:11,739it’s part of our series called the gospel55000:23:11,739 –> 00:23:13,099according to jesus55100:23:13,099 –> 00:23:15,319and if you’ve missed any of the series so far55200:23:15,319 –> 00:23:17,439or if you’d like to go back and listen again55300:23:17,699 –> 00:23:20,180you can do that by coming online to our website55400:23:20,280 –> 00:23:22,979openthebible.org.uk55500:23:23,199 –> 00:23:25,560open the bible is supported entirely by our55600:23:26,079 –> 00:23:27,920listeners, that’s people just like you55700:23:28,199 –> 00:23:31,160and we’re very grateful for the support you give us55800:23:31,479 –> 00:23:34,859if you’re thinking about supporting Open The Bible in this way55900:23:34,859 –> 00:23:36,979we have an offer for you this month56000:23:37,640 –> 00:23:40,060if you’re able to set up a new direct debit56100:23:40,099 –> 00:23:42,819in the amount of five pounds per month or more56200:23:42,959 –> 00:23:45,920or give a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more56300:23:45,920 –> 00:23:47,180we’d love to say thank you56400:23:47,459 –> 00:23:51,040by sending you five copies of pastor Colin’s new booklet56500:23:51,199 –> 00:23:53,260What jesus says to skeptical56600:23:53,280 –> 00:23:54,839that’s one copy for you56700:23:55,140 –> 00:23:58,140and 4 copies to give away to your friends and family56800:23:58,140 –> 00:23:59,959Colin, who is this booklet for?56900:24:00,680 –> 00:24:04,619Well, people have always had very different reactions to Jesus57000:24:04,619 –> 00:24:08,520some are committed followers, others are hardcore opponents57100:24:08,959 –> 00:24:11,859but they’ll be many people who are listening to the program today57200:24:12,199 –> 00:24:14,099who would identify with neither of these things57300:24:14,099 –> 00:24:15,900you’re not particularly committed to Jesus57400:24:15,900 –> 00:24:17,500you haven’t rejected him either57500:24:17,800 –> 00:24:19,260you do have questions57600:24:19,719 –> 00:24:21,500and this booklet is for you57700:24:21,979 –> 00:24:23,719and for others listening57800:24:23,800 –> 00:24:26,000there will be a sceptic in your life57900:24:26,000 –> 00:24:28,420there’ll be someone you know and love58000:24:28,880 –> 00:24:30,180who has real questions58100:24:30,180 –> 00:24:32,079they’re not yet committed to Jesus58200:24:32,540 –> 00:24:35,599but this booklet really gives an opportunity58300:24:35,920 –> 00:24:39,219to listen to what Jesus has to say to sceptics58400:24:39,219 –> 00:24:42,060Well we’d love to send you five copies of this booklet58500:24:42,060 –> 00:24:44,199as our way of saying thank you for setting up58600:24:44,199 –> 00:24:46,339a new regular monthly direct debit58700:24:46,339 –> 00:24:48,699of five pounds per month or more58800:24:49,140 –> 00:24:52,339or a one-off gift of fifty pounds or more this month58900:24:53,040 –> 00:24:56,660If you value pastor Colin’s teaching on the radio and online59000:24:56,660 –> 00:24:58,339you’ll be helping to keep it here59100:24:58,339 –> 00:25:00,760and to support the work of Open the Bible59200:25:00,760 –> 00:25:03,439full terms and conditions about this offer59300:25:03,439 –> 00:25:07,719are on our website openthebible.org.uk59400:25:07,900 –> 00:25:10,380For Pastor Colin Smith and Open the Bible59500:25:10,380 –> 00:25:11,439I’m David Pigg59600:25:11,439 –> 00:25:13,520and I hope you’ll join us again next time59700:25:19,079 –> 00:25:22,140It’s possible to know and do all the right things59800:25:22,219 –> 00:25:25,239and still fall short of obedience to God59900:25:25,640 –> 00:25:29,020find out why next time on Open the Bible