Jesus Cleanses the Hearts of His People, Part 1

Mark 7:1-30

Today, we explore stewardship and heartfelt decisions through the biblical lens, focusing on the often-overlooked topic of how much we ‘tie up’ rather than how much we give. Pastor Colin sheds light on the practice of ‘corban’, an ancient way of tying up resources, which Jesus addressed with the Pharisees. This concept holds an important lesson for us today, as we consider our own economic decisions and how they affect our ability to give and support those in need.

Join us as we delve into Mark chapter 7, where Jesus not only challenges our perceptions of stewardship but also offers a comprehensive understanding of forgiveness and cleansing. Pastor Colin brings his insightful perspective to this session, encouraging us to align our financial commitments with wise stewardship, echoing Christ’s teachings.

100:00:00,380 –> 00:00:12,200The biggest stewardship decisions of your life are not the decisions about how much you will give.200:00:12,220 –> 00:00:21,480The biggest stewardship decisions of your life will be the decisions you make about how much you tie up300:00:21,480 –> 00:00:24,280so that you cannot give it.400:00:24,340 –> 00:00:27,959Welcome to OPEN THE BIBLE, with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick.500:00:27,959 –> 00:00:29,719I’m glad you could be with us today.600:00:29,719 –> 00:00:37,220And Colin, I know most of us don’t enjoy sermons about giving because we’re just thinking so how much do I have to give?700:00:37,220 –> 00:00:40,020But it’s great to hear that reframed.800:00:40,040 –> 00:00:44,759It’s not how much money you’re going to give, it’s how much are you going to tie up.900:00:45,439 –> 00:00:50,299And it comes right out of the scripture, because one of the issues that Jesus raises with the Pharisees1000:00:50,299 –> 00:00:55,599was about an obscure idea in those times called corban1100:00:55,599 –> 00:00:58,419which meant that you could tie some resources up1200:00:58,459 –> 00:01:01,680and then you said well, they’re tied up, so they’re not available for any other use1300:01:01,980 –> 00:01:05,059and therefore it was a form of selfishness.1400:01:05,059 –> 00:01:08,680But you know, this goes right to the heart of some of the economic issues1500:01:08,680 –> 00:01:13,940that are afflicting millions of people’s lives in our country today.1600:01:13,940 –> 00:01:21,379The decision to overreach so that money is tied up and pressures are brought on life1700:01:21,379 –> 00:01:23,959that are very, very difficult to get out of.1800:01:24,300 –> 00:01:29,580What if, decisions were made that the commitments I make1900:01:29,580 –> 00:01:34,500are to be within the range of what Christ has trusted to me2000:01:34,500 –> 00:01:38,000so that I’m a wise steward of everything that He has given2100:01:38,000 –> 00:01:43,519and not someone who puts myself in a position where I’m always going to be behind2200:01:43,519 –> 00:01:46,440because I’ve made commitments I should never have taken on.2300:01:46,440 –> 00:01:50,040It’s amazing how the Bible speaks so practically into these issues2400:01:50,040 –> 00:01:53,000and this is one place, an often neglected place in the Bible2500:01:53,220 –> 00:01:55,459that speaks very practically2600:01:55,459 –> 00:01:57,879into not just the issues of how much we give2700:01:57,879 –> 00:02:01,739but the issues of how much we tie up so that we’re no longer able to give.2800:02:01,959 –> 00:02:06,320So let’s get right into that today where in Mark chapter 72900:02:06,320 –> 00:02:10,380as we begin the message, Jesus cleanses the hearts of His people.3000:02:10,380 –> 00:02:11,259Here’s Colin.3100:02:11,899 –> 00:02:14,559Today we’re going to see something else very wonderful indeed3200:02:14,559 –> 00:02:21,259and it’s right there in our title that Jesus cleanses the hearts of His people.3300:02:21,580 –> 00:02:26,000We’re going to see why we need to be cleansed3400:02:26,000 –> 00:02:31,160and how it is that Jesus Christ can do that for us.3500:02:31,740 –> 00:02:36,119Now, it’s worth just remembering that the Bible uses two very important words3600:02:36,119 –> 00:02:37,940and they have some distinction in their meaning.3700:02:37,940 –> 00:02:44,000The Bible talks about forgiveness but it also talks about cleansing.3800:02:44,479 –> 00:02:49,300We need to be forgiven so that we can be at peace with God.3900:02:49,559 –> 00:02:54,080We need to be cleansed so that we can live in the presence of God.4000:02:55,259 –> 00:02:59,559Forgiveness, if I can just put it for those who like to have a sort of theological frame in4100:02:59,559 –> 00:03:03,559their minds, just a couple of sentences here, forgiveness really properly belongs4200:03:03,559 –> 00:03:08,520to the realm of justification, that is coming to be at peace with God.4300:03:08,940 –> 00:03:15,679There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, that’s where forgiveness belongs.4400:03:16,399 –> 00:03:19,619But cleansing belongs to the realm of sanctification.4500:03:19,619 –> 00:03:24,080The Bible also says without holiness no one can see the Lord.4600:03:24,179 –> 00:03:29,279So think of it this way, forgiveness is essentially about restoring your relationship with God.4700:03:29,279 –> 00:03:33,860Cleansing is about restoring your life before God.4800:03:33,860 –> 00:03:36,839And these are the two great promises of the Gospel.4900:03:37,160 –> 00:03:40,300They are ours in Jesus Christ, never the one without the other.5000:03:40,339 –> 00:03:43,199Now of course, we hear a great deal about forgiveness.5100:03:44,000 –> 00:03:47,320But not so much, I think, about cleansing.5200:03:47,339 –> 00:03:51,679Therefore this is a very important subject that is before us today.5300:03:52,899 –> 00:03:55,539I hope you won’t find it to be too much information.5400:03:56,460 –> 00:04:01,300But the truth is I was just thinking about this as one does sometimes in the shower one5500:04:01,300 –> 00:04:02,740morning earlier this week.5600:04:02,740 –> 00:04:06,520I didn’t do all of the sermon preparation in the shower just so that you know that.5700:04:06,520 –> 00:04:09,699And while I was there I picked up this shampoo bottle.5800:04:09,699 –> 00:04:12,500I didn’t say whose it was, I just picked it up.5900:04:12,740 –> 00:04:13,940And this is what it says.6000:04:13,940 –> 00:04:17,040Herbal essences and they’ve coined a new word.6100:04:17,799 –> 00:04:19,140And I like this word.6200:04:20,000 –> 00:04:21,579De-gunkify.6300:04:23,519 –> 00:04:28,640You turn it around and just ahead of the instructions on how to use this particular substance.6400:04:28,640 –> 00:04:32,600Which I always find very helpful that they put that on the back of the bottle.6500:04:32,600 –> 00:04:35,399It explains the meaning of this new word that they have coined.6600:04:35,959 –> 00:04:36,959De-gunkify.6700:04:37,519 –> 00:04:46,420Lose the leftover gunk and ick of gels and of sprays.6800:04:46,420 –> 00:04:47,820Now I don’t know about you.6900:04:47,839 –> 00:04:51,440But when I get up in the morning and kind of staggered out of bed.7000:04:51,440 –> 00:04:54,000And kind of bleary eyed head towards the shower.7100:04:54,000 –> 00:04:57,299I know that I need to be de-gunkified.7200:04:57,299 –> 00:05:06,420That is exactly how I feel and apparently this stuff will de-gunkify your hair.7300:05:06,459 –> 00:05:11,420But the question before us this morning is what will de-gunkify your heart?7400:05:12,059 –> 00:05:15,399That’s the question.7500:05:15,399 –> 00:05:22,119What will de-gunkify your life?7600:05:22,119 –> 00:05:25,640And I hope you have the Bible open in front of you because we are going to see three things7700:05:25,640 –> 00:05:30,660from Mark’s gospel and Chapter 7.7800:05:30,660 –> 00:05:38,480And the first of them is simply this, that if your heart, if your life is to be cleansed,7900:05:38,920 –> 00:05:49,859de-gunkified then you need to begin by measuring your life by the right standard.8000:05:49,859 –> 00:05:53,160And that really seems to me to be the main theme of Verses 1-13.8100:05:53,160 –> 00:05:55,600And I hope you have the Bible open so that we can look at it together.8200:05:56,059 –> 00:06:03,980You’re gonna start if you’re to find cleansing of heart by measuring your life by the right standard.8300:06:03,980 –> 00:06:05,320Now let’s jump in at Verse 1.8400:06:05,359 –> 00:06:10,500The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem.8500:06:10,739 –> 00:06:12,459We’ve met these characters before.8600:06:12,899 –> 00:06:15,140They gathered around Jesus.8700:06:15,779 –> 00:06:20,179Now straightaway we know that these folks had already rejected the Lord Jesus.8800:06:20,899 –> 00:06:23,859Remember from Mark in chapter 3 in Verse 6.8900:06:24,200 –> 00:06:29,220We saw that the Pharisees were plotting how to kill Jesus.9000:06:30,140 –> 00:06:31,739That’s a pretty clear rejection.9100:06:31,739 –> 00:06:33,660That’s chapter 3 in verse 6, the Pharisees.9200:06:33,899 –> 00:06:37,559And the other group here are the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem.9300:06:37,779 –> 00:06:40,059Now, we’ve met these characters before as well, haven’t we?9400:06:40,059 –> 00:06:44,380Remember, in chapter 3 and in verse 22.9500:06:44,720 –> 00:06:45,920They were the ones who came down.9600:06:45,920 –> 00:06:50,040We pictured them with the clipboards making an official assessment of the Ministry of Jesus.9700:06:50,200 –> 00:06:53,359And their official report was that he’s doing the work of the devil.9800:06:53,760 –> 00:06:55,600That’s chapter 3 in verse 22.9900:06:55,600 –> 00:06:58,600Now, these are pretty clear expressions of rejection.10000:06:58,839 –> 00:07:04,220What I want you to notice is that those who had rejected God’s son were incredibly religious.10100:07:05,500 –> 00:07:08,420And you see that in verse 3 and in verse 4.10200:07:09,000 –> 00:07:17,000They were scrupalous these folks who had so clearly rejected Jesus, about ceremonial washing.10300:07:17,559 –> 00:07:23,899Of their hands in verse 3, and of cups, and of pitchers, and of kettles in verse 4.10400:07:24,760 –> 00:07:29,320And that, you know if you have an opportunity to travel around the world, just watch for this.10500:07:29,320 –> 00:07:34,540This is a universal phenomenon. It goes across every continent, it skips across cultures.10600:07:35,320 –> 00:07:39,839This rights of pouring water over different parts of the body.10700:07:39,839 –> 00:07:44,679Pouring water over things that you use, cups and dishes and utensils, and so forth.10800:07:45,239 –> 00:07:51,739As a kind of ritual washing, and the Pharisees were scrupulous, the teachers of the law, scrupulous about doing these things.10900:07:52,279 –> 00:08:02,720Because they felt that these ritual washings of hands and feet, and cups and kettles would in some way preserve purity before God.11000:08:02,880 –> 00:08:05,739And so they were scrupulous about these things.11100:08:06,459 –> 00:08:10,820Now I want you to notice what Jesus says to these folks in verse 8.11200:08:10,859 –> 00:08:13,440It is absolutely astonishing.11300:08:13,880 –> 00:08:15,440Jesus says to them,11400:08:26,839 –> 00:08:32,659Now it’s honestly hard for us really to feel the shock value of these words.11500:08:33,440 –> 00:08:38,539These folks were the custodians of values within the community at the time.11600:08:38,679 –> 00:08:40,940They were the role models of moral behavior.11700:08:40,940 –> 00:08:44,299If you were a parent with younger children you would point to the Pharisees and say11800:08:44,299 –> 00:08:46,840these are the kind of guys you want to be like.11900:08:46,840 –> 00:08:51,719That’s how people thought of those who were moral leaders within the community.12000:08:51,719 –> 00:08:54,700And Jesus comes to these exemplary characters,12100:08:54,700 –> 00:08:56,440as they were perceived to be,12200:08:56,559 –> 00:08:57,840and Jesus says to them,12300:09:03,000 –> 00:09:04,599Kind of speechless!12400:09:05,460 –> 00:09:10,760Now I want you to notice that Jesus gives us a specific example.12500:09:10,760 –> 00:09:16,400God is absolutely just, He never gives vague general indictments against people.12600:09:16,400 –> 00:09:21,880On the last day when God brings charges against all men and women they will be very specific,12700:09:21,880 –> 00:09:25,900no one will ever be in hell and not know why.12800:09:25,900 –> 00:09:29,219And Jesus here gives an example of that, he says, let’s get specific,12900:09:29,219 –> 00:09:33,679let’s give an example of how you have let go of the commandments of God13000:09:33,719 –> 00:09:38,119and chooses just one example, though you I want you to notice in verse 1313100:09:38,119 –> 00:09:41,119that he says this is just one of many possible examples.13200:09:41,119 –> 00:09:46,700He says, you do many things like this.13300:09:46,700 –> 00:09:49,140Let’s look at the example then, one of many.13400:09:49,140 –> 00:09:53,380Verse 10, Jesus quotes the fifth commandment,13500:09:53,380 –> 00:09:58,299Moses said, honour your father and your mother,13600:09:58,299 –> 00:10:02,940but our lord says, verse 11, you say that if a man says13700:10:02,960 –> 00:10:07,500to his father and mother, whatever help you might have received from me is Corban,13800:10:07,500 –> 00:10:11,080that is, a gift devoted to God,13900:10:11,080 –> 00:10:17,140then you no longer let him do anything for his father and his mother.14000:10:18,280 –> 00:10:22,080Now, very simply, the Pharisees had this program14100:10:22,080 –> 00:10:28,760in which you could declare money or possessions to be Corban.14200:10:28,760 –> 00:10:32,840And what that meant was that if you declared something to be Corban,14300:10:32,840 –> 00:10:36,280it meant that that possession, house or whatever,14400:10:36,280 –> 00:10:40,440or these particular funds were restricted14500:10:40,440 –> 00:10:43,619and could not be used for certain purposes.14600:10:43,619 –> 00:10:48,859In other words, this program was a way of tying up money14700:10:48,859 –> 00:10:52,859so that it was not available for other use.14800:10:52,859 –> 00:10:55,820Now, I mean, there are many ways in which we do that today.14900:10:55,820 –> 00:10:58,799I mean, a good example would be like a pension fund.15000:10:58,799 –> 00:11:01,960You have a designated use for this particular fund.15100:11:02,059 –> 00:11:04,520It is still your money, and at some point15200:11:04,520 –> 00:11:07,599you will use and access that money,15300:11:07,599 –> 00:11:09,900but it is set aside for particular use.15400:11:09,900 –> 00:11:11,960You don’t touch it through most of your life,15500:11:11,960 –> 00:11:13,559or at least there are penalties15600:11:13,559 –> 00:11:16,640that will be incurred if you do.15700:11:17,799 –> 00:11:22,140Now, you see how this program worked.15800:11:22,140 –> 00:11:25,840If you had declared assets to be Korban,15900:11:25,840 –> 00:11:29,219and then someone in your family16000:11:29,679 –> 00:11:32,400came along with a particular need,16100:11:32,400 –> 00:11:34,080then you could honestly say,16200:11:34,080 –> 00:11:36,400you know I’d love to be able to help you,16300:11:36,400 –> 00:11:39,880but I just don’t have the resources available to do it.16400:11:39,880 –> 00:11:42,799And your father and mother might say,16500:11:42,799 –> 00:11:45,239well, wait a minute, you’re a millionaire son, aren’t you?16600:11:45,239 –> 00:11:46,219And then you would say,16700:11:46,219 –> 00:11:47,760oh yeah, yeah, but all of that is Korban.16800:11:47,760 –> 00:11:50,700You see, it’s all in restricted access,16900:11:50,700 –> 00:11:52,039it’s for particular use,17000:11:52,039 –> 00:11:54,119and it’s not available therefore17100:11:54,119 –> 00:11:56,559for this particular purpose of helping you.17200:11:56,580 –> 00:11:59,419That’s basically how the program worked.17300:11:59,419 –> 00:12:01,340And in the Korban program,17400:12:01,340 –> 00:12:04,859you could choose what the restrictions were.17500:12:04,859 –> 00:12:06,919So for example, if someone was saying,17600:12:06,919 –> 00:12:09,099you know I can see that my mother and father17700:12:09,099 –> 00:12:12,799are going to have extensive financial needs17800:12:12,799 –> 00:12:14,179and the last thing I want17900:12:14,179 –> 00:12:15,900is for it to come out of my pocket,18000:12:15,900 –> 00:12:16,900what you did you see18100:12:16,900 –> 00:12:19,820was you declared assets Korban against them.18200:12:19,820 –> 00:12:22,260So there was a restriction whatever else it could be used18300:12:22,260 –> 00:12:24,799for it couldn’t be used in relation to them.18400:12:24,859 –> 00:12:27,000And in that way the money was protected18500:12:27,000 –> 00:12:29,679from being drained and so forth and so on.18600:12:29,679 –> 00:12:33,140That’s basically how the system worked.18700:12:33,140 –> 00:12:35,979And so in verse 11 Jesus describes this situation18800:12:35,979 –> 00:12:38,059in which let’s suppose a man declares18900:12:38,059 –> 00:12:41,000his property Korban to his parents.19000:12:41,000 –> 00:12:42,640And you could imagine how this might happen19100:12:42,640 –> 00:12:44,840perhaps there was a big argument in the family19200:12:44,840 –> 00:12:46,739and the son has fallen out with the father19300:12:46,739 –> 00:12:49,739and he says well I’m not gonna use a penny19400:12:49,739 –> 00:12:51,659of my money to help him.19500:12:51,659 –> 00:12:55,979And so he declares his assets Korban to his father19600:12:55,979 –> 00:12:59,719but then let’s suppose one day there’s a change of heart19700:12:59,719 –> 00:13:01,460and there’s a wonderful reconciliation,19800:13:01,460 –> 00:13:03,820son is reconciled to the father19900:13:03,820 –> 00:13:05,219and he really feels because his father20000:13:05,219 –> 00:13:07,059is in quite a desperate situation20100:13:07,059 –> 00:13:09,840that he wants to be able to use these resources20200:13:09,840 –> 00:13:12,159to help his dad.20300:13:12,159 –> 00:13:15,099So he comes to the Pharisees20400:13:15,099 –> 00:13:19,679and he wants to release the restriction, see?20500:13:19,679 –> 00:13:21,559It’s kind of like although this is the other way20600:13:21,799 –> 00:13:24,979it’s kind of like what happens with a will, isn’t it?20700:13:24,979 –> 00:13:27,799You know, father and son have a great argument20800:13:27,799 –> 00:13:32,539and father says well he’s not gonna get his filthy hands20900:13:32,539 –> 00:13:33,840on one penny of my money21000:13:33,840 –> 00:13:35,099so off he goes to the lawyer21100:13:35,099 –> 00:13:38,179and cuts the boy out the will, you see.21200:13:38,179 –> 00:13:39,419And then in the goodness of God21300:13:39,419 –> 00:13:42,580five years later there’s a wonderful reconciliation21400:13:42,580 –> 00:13:46,260and the two hearts are softened towards each other21500:13:47,260 –> 00:13:51,039and the dad says, you know I wanna change my will,21600:13:51,059 –> 00:13:52,520I’m gonna put him back in.21700:13:52,520 –> 00:13:55,159I’m so thankful for the change that’s taken place21800:13:55,159 –> 00:13:56,960so what does he do, goes off to the lawyer21900:13:56,960 –> 00:13:58,219and changes the will.22000:13:58,219 –> 00:14:00,400You see it’s kind of like that situation.22100:14:00,400 –> 00:14:01,539Here it’s the other way around.22200:14:01,539 –> 00:14:04,380The son has declared things Korban against his parents22300:14:04,380 –> 00:14:06,580he now goes back to the Pharisees22400:14:06,580 –> 00:14:09,479and says that he wants to be able to use these resources22500:14:09,479 –> 00:14:12,400to be able to help his parents22600:14:12,400 –> 00:14:13,700and here’s the problem.22700:14:13,700 –> 00:14:15,760The Pharisees didn’t allow you to do that.22800:14:15,760 –> 00:14:19,880Once you had declared an asset Korban22900:14:20,400 –> 00:14:22,799it could not be changed.23000:14:24,039 –> 00:14:25,479Now of course if you think about it23100:14:25,479 –> 00:14:27,359in the way that systems work23200:14:27,359 –> 00:14:30,679some people probably found that very useful23300:14:30,679 –> 00:14:32,799because the fact that the Pharisees protected23400:14:32,799 –> 00:14:35,760that Korban vow could never be changed23500:14:35,760 –> 00:14:38,039kind of took the pressure off anyone23600:14:38,039 –> 00:14:39,919feeling that perhaps they ought to change it.23700:14:39,919 –> 00:14:41,979That’s how systems work isn’t it?23800:14:43,239 –> 00:14:45,679By the way this is a good example23900:14:46,619 –> 00:14:50,099of Christ holding accountable24000:14:50,099 –> 00:14:55,099men and women who create and uphold systems24100:14:55,200 –> 00:14:57,640that are fundamentally unjust.24200:14:57,640 –> 00:14:59,419This was the Pharisee’s program24300:15:00,460 –> 00:15:05,460and it mitigated, it contradicted hearts of compassion24400:15:08,239 –> 00:15:10,440and Jesus holds them accountable24500:15:10,440 –> 00:15:13,840for what they had created and for the effects of it.24600:15:15,859 –> 00:15:19,440Now very simply then, the Korban program24700:15:19,440 –> 00:15:22,739was a way of tying up money24800:15:22,739 –> 00:15:24,559so that it was no longer available24900:15:24,559 –> 00:15:28,840to meet a particular or even an obvious need.25000:15:28,840 –> 00:15:31,539Money that could have been used25100:15:31,539 –> 00:15:35,799to assist someone God had placed very close25200:15:35,799 –> 00:15:38,140to a person was restricted25300:15:38,140 –> 00:15:41,380and because it was restricted it was thereby protected25400:15:41,380 –> 00:15:43,780so that it could not be released25500:15:43,780 –> 00:15:45,619and a son could say to his father,25600:15:45,619 –> 00:15:48,780I’d really love to help you but I really can’t25700:15:48,780 –> 00:15:54,619because you see it’s all tied up.25800:15:55,880 –> 00:15:57,960That was then, what about now?25900:15:57,979 –> 00:16:00,979We’ll come back in just a moment and find out.26000:16:00,979 –> 00:16:02,380You’re listening to Open The Bible26100:16:02,380 –> 00:16:04,159with Pastor Colin Smith26200:16:04,159 –> 00:16:05,799and a message called26300:16:05,799 –> 00:16:09,059Jesus Cleanses The Hearts Of His People26400:16:09,059 –> 00:16:11,299If you’ve missed any of the messages26500:16:11,299 –> 00:16:13,299in this series which is called26600:16:13,299 –> 00:16:15,099The Gospel According To Jesus26700:16:15,119 –> 00:16:18,479You can always catch up or go back and listen again online26800:16:18,479 –> 00:16:22,159come to our web site www.openthebible.org.uk26900:16:22,159 –> 00:16:24,580and either listen to the programs online27000:16:24,580 –> 00:16:26,940or follow the link to a podcast version27100:16:26,940 –> 00:16:28,700of Pastor Colin’s messages27200:16:28,700 –> 00:16:31,000Those are on all the major podcast sites27300:16:31,000 –> 00:16:32,960and you can easily find them by following27400:16:32,960 –> 00:16:34,659the link on our website27500:16:34,659 –> 00:16:37,719Maybe you consider yourself a sceptic27600:16:37,719 –> 00:16:39,979you haven’t exactly accepted Jesus27700:16:39,979 –> 00:16:41,979but you haven’t rejected him either27800:16:41,979 –> 00:16:43,780you have questions27900:16:43,780 –> 00:16:45,900what would Jesus say to you?28000:16:45,900 –> 00:16:48,260Well, we can find out in the Bible28100:16:48,260 –> 00:16:50,859Jesus took time to talk to sceptics28200:16:50,859 –> 00:16:52,080and even better28300:16:52,080 –> 00:16:53,960he offered them a route to faith28400:16:53,960 –> 00:16:56,960That’s the subject of Pastor Colin’s new booklet28500:16:56,960 –> 00:16:59,419What Jesus Says to Sceptics28600:16:59,419 –> 00:17:00,900This month we’re offering28700:17:00,900 –> 00:17:02,700five copies of that booklet28800:17:02,700 –> 00:17:04,819to anyone who’s able to begin a new28900:17:04,819 –> 00:17:07,500direct debit to the work of Open the Bible29000:17:07,500 –> 00:17:10,280in the amount of £5 per month or more29100:17:10,280 –> 00:17:13,319or a one-time gift of £5029200:17:13,359 –> 00:17:15,880More details later on in the broadcast29300:17:15,880 –> 00:17:17,339so I hope you’ll stay with us29400:17:17,339 –> 00:17:18,880Back to the message now29500:17:18,880 –> 00:17:20,160Here’s Colin29600:17:20,300 –> 00:17:21,819Now you know in first glance29700:17:21,819 –> 00:17:23,239you read through Mark chapter 729800:17:23,239 –> 00:17:24,979you think this is a you know29900:17:24,979 –> 00:17:26,900light years away from where we are today30000:17:26,900 –> 00:17:27,900The more I’ve looked at it30100:17:27,900 –> 00:17:30,479the more I’ve become absolutely convicted that30200:17:30,479 –> 00:17:34,079it raises some really important questions for us30300:17:34,079 –> 00:17:35,239and they’re issues that30400:17:35,239 –> 00:17:39,060everyone of us in this century faces30500:17:39,880 –> 00:17:45,239The biggest stewardship decisions of your life30600:17:45,239 –> 00:17:50,619are not the decisions about how much you will give30700:17:50,619 –> 00:17:54,560The biggest stewardship decisions of your life30800:17:54,560 –> 00:17:57,140will be the decisions you make about30900:17:57,140 –> 00:17:59,319how much you tie up31000:17:59,319 –> 00:18:03,560so that you cannot give it31100:18:03,560 –> 00:18:05,400and these are questions honestly31200:18:05,400 –> 00:18:06,680that all of us face31300:18:06,680 –> 00:18:10,160and on which we have to make judgements31400:18:10,160 –> 00:18:12,219How much of what you have31500:18:12,219 –> 00:18:18,500should you tie up in a house?31600:18:18,500 –> 00:18:25,140How much should you tie up in your pension?31700:18:25,140 –> 00:18:30,780How much should you tie up in a venture?31800:18:30,780 –> 00:18:32,839Or in travel?31900:18:32,839 –> 00:18:33,979Or in sports?32000:18:33,979 –> 00:18:35,040Or in interests?32100:18:35,599 –> 00:18:38,579Or in pleasures?32200:18:38,579 –> 00:18:43,439These are discipleship decisions32300:18:43,439 –> 00:18:48,660because what you tie up you cannot release32400:18:48,660 –> 00:18:51,160so the great decisions we’re making32500:18:51,160 –> 00:18:53,280are not kind of belated decisions32600:18:53,280 –> 00:18:55,420about you know, should I give this or this32700:18:55,420 –> 00:18:57,699The real decisions are being made32800:18:57,699 –> 00:19:00,439when we are determining what we tie up32900:19:00,520 –> 00:19:05,699When we tie up we cannot release33000:19:05,699 –> 00:19:08,300And as you move through life33100:19:08,300 –> 00:19:10,439if having money is more important to you33200:19:10,439 –> 00:19:11,939than meeting needs33300:19:11,939 –> 00:19:13,280This is what will happen33400:19:13,280 –> 00:19:16,739you will find ways of tying up33500:19:16,739 –> 00:19:17,880more and more money33600:19:17,880 –> 00:19:21,020so that you have less available33700:19:21,020 –> 00:19:22,880to meet the needs of the very people33800:19:22,880 –> 00:19:25,579that God has placed around you33900:19:25,579 –> 00:19:28,400because it’s all protected34000:19:28,400 –> 00:19:31,199and restricted34100:19:31,199 –> 00:19:33,900and corbanned34200:19:33,900 –> 00:19:38,599and tied up34300:19:38,599 –> 00:19:40,699Now nothing to do with a message today34400:19:40,699 –> 00:19:43,599but I just so happened to have a conversation34500:19:43,599 –> 00:19:47,300this week with someone in the congregation here34600:19:47,300 –> 00:19:50,040and we’re talking about whether he would apply34700:19:50,040 –> 00:19:51,400for another job and so forth34800:19:51,400 –> 00:19:53,000and so on and the various issues34900:19:53,000 –> 00:19:56,000and then we got on to talk about35000:19:56,000 –> 00:19:59,199where he was living and he said35100:19:59,199 –> 00:20:00,699you know35200:20:00,699 –> 00:20:03,800we are at the stage where the natural thing35300:20:03,800 –> 00:20:06,199for my wife, for our kids, would be35400:20:06,199 –> 00:20:11,400for us to move up to a larger house35500:20:11,400 –> 00:20:13,500but he said honestly35600:20:13,500 –> 00:20:15,900we don’t need to do that35700:20:15,900 –> 00:20:17,099and we’ve talked about it35800:20:17,099 –> 00:20:20,800and we’ve decided that we’re not going to do that35900:20:20,800 –> 00:20:23,000and for him36000:20:23,099 –> 00:20:27,400this was a discipleship decision36100:20:27,400 –> 00:20:30,099that was motivated by the desire to use36200:20:30,099 –> 00:20:32,800the larger amounts of money that were now becoming available36300:20:32,800 –> 00:20:36,099as he was getting well-well down in paying off his mortgage36400:20:36,099 –> 00:20:39,300a desire to use what was becoming available36500:20:39,300 –> 00:20:40,900for ministry36600:20:40,900 –> 00:20:44,300rather than tying up more and more and more36700:20:44,300 –> 00:20:48,800as the years move forward in his life36800:20:48,800 –> 00:20:50,199now let me say this very clearly36900:20:50,400 –> 00:20:53,900we must be very careful37000:20:53,900 –> 00:20:56,500that we do not judge our brother37100:20:56,500 –> 00:20:58,199or our sister in this matter37200:20:58,199 –> 00:21:00,800and if you’re immediately thinking about37300:21:00,800 –> 00:21:03,400someone else who you think has tied up too much37400:21:03,400 –> 00:21:06,699then you’re seeing a speck of sawdust in someone else’s life37500:21:06,699 –> 00:21:08,599there’s very probably in Jesus’ words37600:21:08,599 –> 00:21:11,099a plank of wood in your own37700:21:11,099 –> 00:21:12,199Okay37800:21:14,699 –> 00:21:18,400but we must be rigorous37900:21:18,400 –> 00:21:21,000in examining ourselves38000:21:21,000 –> 00:21:24,699on the really big stewardship decisions38100:21:24,699 –> 00:21:28,599which are the decisions about how much you tie up38200:21:28,599 –> 00:21:29,900because38300:21:29,900 –> 00:21:32,000what you tie up38400:21:32,000 –> 00:21:37,900you cannot release38500:21:37,900 –> 00:21:39,900By the way38600:21:39,900 –> 00:21:40,760this is38700:21:40,760 –> 00:21:44,599one of the biggest reasons and motivations38800:21:44,599 –> 00:21:48,199for getting out of debt38900:21:48,400 –> 00:21:53,599the last thing in the world you want in your life39000:21:53,599 –> 00:21:59,500is for your resources to be core banned on a credit card39100:21:59,500 –> 00:22:00,699right?39200:22:02,400 –> 00:22:04,800And you honor God39300:22:04,800 –> 00:22:06,699if you’re in that position39400:22:07,199 –> 00:22:12,000by getting out of that as quickly as you possibly can39500:22:12,800 –> 00:22:18,900and you honor God by staying out of that as vigorously39600:22:18,900 –> 00:22:20,699as you possibly can39700:22:22,199 –> 00:22:28,099So that what God has trusted to you may be wisely stewarded39800:22:28,099 –> 00:22:31,699and you may be in a position to use39900:22:31,699 –> 00:22:33,500what has been trusted to you40000:22:34,599 –> 00:22:38,300as expressions of loving God with all your heart40100:22:38,300 –> 00:22:40,900and loving your neighbor40200:22:41,800 –> 00:22:44,800as much as you love yourself40300:22:45,300 –> 00:22:47,500A great reminder there from Pastor Colin40400:22:47,500 –> 00:22:49,599that if your heart is going to be cleansed40500:22:49,599 –> 00:22:52,500you must measure it by the right standard40600:22:52,500 –> 00:22:53,400Our message is40700:22:53,400 –> 00:22:56,400Jesus cleanses the hearts of his people40800:22:56,400 –> 00:22:58,900It’s from a wider series called40900:22:58,900 –> 00:23:00,599The Gospel according to Jesus41000:23:00,599 –> 00:23:03,099and if you’ve ever missed any of the series41100:23:03,099 –> 00:23:04,199don’t forget, you can41200:23:04,199 –> 00:23:05,900catch up or go back and listen again41300:23:05,900 –> 00:23:07,699online at our website41400:23:07,699 –> 00:23:10,599OpenTheBible.org.uk41500:23:11,099 –> 00:23:14,099Also on our website and available as a podcast41600:23:14,099 –> 00:23:16,099is open the Bible daily41700:23:16,099 –> 00:23:17,900That’s our series of short41800:23:17,900 –> 00:23:20,300two to three minute daily reflections41900:23:20,300 –> 00:23:22,199based on Pastor Colin’s teaching42000:23:22,199 –> 00:23:25,199and read in the UK by Sue MacLeish42100:23:25,300 –> 00:23:27,400Open the Bible is supported by our listeners42200:23:27,400 –> 00:23:29,400and it’s your financial support42300:23:29,400 –> 00:23:32,000that keeps Pastor Colin’s teaching on the air42400:23:32,000 –> 00:23:34,000So thank you if you already give42500:23:34,000 –> 00:23:36,199to support Open the Bible42600:23:36,199 –> 00:23:37,699If you don’t already give42700:23:37,699 –> 00:23:39,599but that’s something you’d like to do42800:23:39,599 –> 00:23:41,300this month we have an offer for you42900:23:41,300 –> 00:23:43,699If you’re able to set up a new direct debit43000:23:43,699 –> 00:23:46,199to the work of Open the Bible this month43100:23:46,199 –> 00:23:48,800in the amount of £5 per month or more43200:23:48,800 –> 00:23:51,900or a one off gift of £50 or more43300:23:51,900 –> 00:23:53,300we’d love to say thank you43400:23:53,300 –> 00:23:55,000by sending you five copies43500:23:55,000 –> 00:23:56,300of Pastor Colin’s new booklet43600:23:56,300 –> 00:23:58,400What Jesus says to skeptics43700:23:58,400 –> 00:24:00,099that’s one copy for you to read43800:24:00,099 –> 00:24:03,500and 4 to give away to your friends and family43900:24:03,500 –> 00:24:05,800Colin, there may be someone who is listening today44000:24:05,800 –> 00:24:08,500who is a skeptic when it comes to the Christian faith44100:24:09,099 –> 00:24:11,500How would this booklet be helpful to them?44200:24:11,500 –> 00:24:13,300Well I think the first thing is44300:24:13,300 –> 00:24:14,800that a skeptic might think44400:24:14,800 –> 00:24:18,199Well, because I don’t yet believe44500:24:18,199 –> 00:24:20,300Jesus Christ is not going to have very much time for me44600:24:20,300 –> 00:24:22,400But what we find in the gospels44700:24:22,400 –> 00:24:26,199is that Jesus cared very very deeply about skeptics44800:24:26,199 –> 00:24:30,000He spent time with people who had honest questions44900:24:30,000 –> 00:24:33,099and engaged with them at a very deep level45000:24:33,099 –> 00:24:36,199and He offered them a pathway to faith45100:24:36,300 –> 00:24:39,500So if you or someone you know is a skeptic45200:24:39,500 –> 00:24:41,500this is an opportunity for you45300:24:41,500 –> 00:24:44,000to hear what Jesus has to say to you45400:24:44,000 –> 00:24:47,400We’d love to send you five copies of Pastor Colin’s booklet45500:24:47,400 –> 00:24:49,500What Jesus says to skeptics45600:24:49,500 –> 00:24:52,800as our way to say thank you for your financial support45700:24:52,800 –> 00:24:55,900You can find out more including full terms and conditions45800:24:55,900 –> 00:25:00,699and give online at openthebible.org.uk45900:25:00,699 –> 00:25:03,099For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith46000:25:03,099 –> 00:25:04,099I am David Pick46100:25:04,099 –> 00:25:07,160And I hope you’ll be able to join us again next time46200:25:11,959 –> 00:25:16,160What are the greatest challenges to Christians living a holy life?46300:25:16,160 –> 00:25:19,760Find out why it’s not Hollywood or the Internet46400:25:19,760 –> 00:25:22,359That’s next time on Open the Bible

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Colin Smith

Trustee / Founder and Teaching Pastor

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near – So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on X formerly Twitter.

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Sermons on Mark’s Gospel This series takes you on a journey through The Gospel of Mark, where you will encounter Jesus Christ the Son of God. Discovering who Jesus is, and what He has accomplished, you will find yourself drawn to follow Him along with His first disciples. See also: • The Gospel According to

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