100:00:00,340 –> 00:00:06,140He cannot do what Jesus has just asked him to do because200:00:06,140 –> 00:00:08,640his love for himself is way too strong and his love for300:00:08,640 –> 00:00:11,600God and for others is way too weak.400:00:11,600 –> 00:00:15,900And he just doesn’t have it in him to be good like God.500:00:15,900 –> 00:00:18,059Whether do you.600:00:18,059 –> 00:00:19,200Neither do I.700:00:19,200 –> 00:00:22,660Welcome to Open the Bible with pastor Colin Smith.800:00:22,660 –> 00:00:23,639I’m David Pick.900:00:23,639 –> 00:00:25,000Glad you could be with us today.1000:00:25,000 –> 00:00:28,139And Colin, the he, that we just heard about, of course, is1100:00:28,580 –> 00:00:31,940the rich, young ruler in Mark chapter 10, and he just1200:00:31,940 –> 00:00:35,980asked Jesus, what must I do to inherit eternal life?1300:00:35,980 –> 00:00:36,540Yeah.1400:00:36,540 –> 00:00:39,279And we got last time in the message to the point where it1500:00:39,279 –> 00:00:43,419becomes very, very clear that this guy cannot accomplish1600:00:43,419 –> 00:00:45,020what Christ is calling him to.1700:00:45,020 –> 00:00:49,180He just does not have the ability to be good like God.1800:00:49,180 –> 00:00:53,320And therefore he has to move on this I can do it and just1900:00:53,320 –> 00:00:56,139tell me what I gotta do and I can deliver whatever God’s2000:00:56,139 –> 00:00:57,860asking of me to say, you know,2100:00:57,900 –> 00:00:58,279what?2200:00:58,279 –> 00:00:59,340I can’t.2300:00:59,759 –> 00:01:02,419And I am, therefore, a person who needs a savior.2400:01:02,419 –> 00:01:06,839I’m going to have to look to God to do for me what I cannot2500:01:06,839 –> 00:01:08,019do for myself.2600:01:08,279 –> 00:01:11,599And for God by his Holy Spirit to bring a change within me2700:01:11,779 –> 00:01:14,860that I just don’t have the capacity in and of myself to2800:01:14,860 –> 00:01:15,139bring.2900:01:15,300 –> 00:01:16,300Now that’s faith.3000:01:16,419 –> 00:01:19,139It’s looking for God to do for us what we cannot do for3100:01:19,139 –> 00:01:19,680ourselves.3200:01:19,839 –> 00:01:22,239It’s a marvelous story that gets to the heart of what it3300:01:22,239 –> 00:01:24,059really means to be a Christian.3400:01:24,139 –> 00:01:26,279So let’s continue our message from Mark,3500:01:26,279 –> 00:01:27,000chapter 10.3600:01:27,220 –> 00:01:29,779Jesus lays claim to all our possessions.3700:01:30,000 –> 00:01:30,820Here’s Colin.3800:01:31,139 –> 00:01:32,639Let’s review what we have learned.3900:01:33,739 –> 00:01:35,779To enter heaven you must be good, like God.4000:01:36,940 –> 00:01:40,099Salvation involves a real change in which a person becomes good,4100:01:40,099 –> 00:01:40,940like God.4200:01:41,739 –> 00:01:45,500And this change is impossible with men.4300:01:46,500 –> 00:01:50,480It’s the teaching of Jesus, but we can’t stop there because4400:01:50,480 –> 00:01:51,459Jesus continues.4500:01:51,500 –> 00:01:56,120This change is impossible with man but not with God, he says.4600:01:56,360 –> 00:01:57,580Verse 27,4700:01:57,779 –> 00:02:00,180With men this is impossible but not with God.4800:02:00,559 –> 00:02:03,919All things are possible with God.4900:02:05,220 –> 00:02:08,500So the good news is that while you do not have the power to5000:02:08,500 –> 00:02:11,160change the selfishness that would keep you out of heaven,5100:02:11,880 –> 00:02:15,399God does have the power to change the selfishness that5200:02:15,419 –> 00:02:16,860would keep you out of heaven.5300:02:16,860 –> 00:02:19,839And the obvious answer a question then is one of how does5400:02:19,839 –> 00:02:20,460God do that.5500:02:20,539 –> 00:02:21,520How would God do that.5600:02:22,100 –> 00:02:24,940And Jesus does not give us the answer here, but of course,5700:02:24,940 –> 00:02:27,119the rest of the New Testament does.5800:02:28,360 –> 00:02:31,839And I want to give you this kind of condensed summary so that5900:02:31,839 –> 00:02:33,820it is cleared in our minds.6000:02:34,600 –> 00:02:35,940And to frame it this way.6100:02:37,539 –> 00:02:44,119Being good, like God is possible through Christ’s life for you6200:02:44,839 –> 00:02:47,279and Christ’s spirit in you.6300:02:48,119 –> 00:02:52,100I’ll try to take that in and then we’ll just ponder6400:02:52,100 –> 00:02:53,020these two things for a moment.6500:02:54,360 –> 00:02:55,940Being good, like God, is possible.6600:02:56,839 –> 00:02:58,399Not possible through you,6700:02:58,880 –> 00:03:00,000but it is possible through God.6800:03:00,479 –> 00:03:06,479And He does it through Christ’s life for you and Christ’s6900:03:06,479 –> 00:03:08,720spirit in you.7000:03:10,320 –> 00:03:12,360Now let’s think first about Christ’s life for you.7100:03:12,440 –> 00:03:13,240What does that mean?7200:03:13,580 –> 00:03:16,360When Jesus said to this man in verse 18,7300:03:16,520 –> 00:03:17,800why do you call me good?7400:03:17,800 –> 00:03:19,259No one is good except God alone.7500:03:20,919 –> 00:03:23,960We know something that the rich young ruler obviously didn’t7600:03:23,960 –> 00:03:25,119realize at that time.7700:03:25,320 –> 00:03:27,279We know it from our journey through Mark already,7800:03:27,279 –> 00:03:30,800that at that moment, this man was looking into the face of God7900:03:30,800 –> 00:03:31,539in the flesh.8000:03:33,720 –> 00:03:35,080Jesus is the Son of God.8100:03:35,080 –> 00:03:36,600Jesus is God with us.8200:03:36,860 –> 00:03:41,860Jesus is God for us.8300:03:41,860 –> 00:03:45,039And Jesus Christ lived a life of perfect goodness.8400:03:45,800 –> 00:03:48,940He was good like God because he is God.8500:03:49,759 –> 00:03:52,039God for us and God with us.8600:03:53,520 –> 00:03:57,740And having lived that life of perfect goodness that you have8700:03:57,740 –> 00:04:01,000not lived, that you are not living, that you will not live8800:04:01,000 –> 00:04:05,119and that you cannot live, he laid down that life as an8900:04:05,119 –> 00:04:06,440offering on your behalf.9000:04:07,960 –> 00:04:10,220Jesus Christ is our substitute.9100:04:11,360 –> 00:04:13,960He not only died the death that you should have died,9200:04:14,720 –> 00:04:17,839he lived the life that you should have lived.9300:04:17,839 –> 00:04:20,760And God counts both the life of Jesus9400:04:20,760 –> 00:04:24,100and the death of Jesus as if they were yours9500:04:24,100 –> 00:04:27,600when you come to faith in Jesus Christ.9600:04:27,600 –> 00:04:30,959Paul states this particularly clearly in 2 Corinthians9700:04:30,959 –> 00:04:33,200chapter 5 and verse 21.9800:04:33,200 –> 00:04:37,779That God made him who had no sin to be sin for us9900:04:37,779 –> 00:04:41,500so that in him, we might become the righteousness of God.10000:04:41,720 –> 00:04:45,720And Paul puts it this way in Philippians chapter 310100:04:45,720 –> 00:04:50,100and verse 9 he says when he’s thinking about the last day10200:04:50,100 –> 00:04:52,019when you stand in the presence of God,10300:04:52,019 –> 00:04:54,660he says, I want to be found in Christ,10400:04:54,660 –> 00:04:58,079not having a righteousness of my own10500:04:58,079 –> 00:04:59,799which comes from the law.10600:05:00,760 –> 00:05:03,940Because of course, that would be a very imperfect thing.10700:05:03,940 –> 00:05:05,920But he says, I want to be in Christ10800:05:07,059 –> 00:05:08,619and to have that righteousness10900:05:08,619 –> 00:05:10,519which is through faith in Christ,11000:05:10,519 –> 00:05:14,559the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith,11100:05:14,559 –> 00:05:16,920that’s Philippians chapter 3 and verse nine.11200:05:18,480 –> 00:05:21,059So this righteousness is achieved11300:05:21,059 –> 00:05:24,160by the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ,11400:05:24,160 –> 00:05:27,119the perfect life of Jesus Christ lived for you11500:05:27,119 –> 00:05:32,119and faith is the means by which it becomes yours.11600:05:32,679 –> 00:05:35,720Being good like God is possible through Christ’s life11700:05:35,720 –> 00:05:38,959for you and on the last day you will stand11800:05:39,079 –> 00:05:42,720before God in his perfect righteousness,11900:05:42,720 –> 00:05:44,920counted by God as if it was yours,12000:05:44,920 –> 00:05:46,880counted as if you had lived the life12100:05:46,880 –> 00:05:49,899that he lived on your behalf.12200:05:51,940 –> 00:05:54,239When you come to faith in Jesus Christ,12300:05:54,239 –> 00:05:59,179you receive forgiveness through his death for you,12400:06:00,399 –> 00:06:03,640but you also receive righteousness12500:06:03,640 –> 00:06:06,239through his life for you,12600:06:06,239 –> 00:06:10,600that’s how it’s possible to enter into heaven12700:06:11,519 –> 00:06:15,140where only those who are good like God can be.12800:06:17,239 –> 00:06:18,820But then there is one more thing12900:06:18,820 –> 00:06:21,799that the New Testament makes plain to us.13000:06:23,160 –> 00:06:26,239When you come to faith in Jesus Christ,13100:06:26,239 –> 00:06:29,160you not only receive forgiveness through his death for you13200:06:29,160 –> 00:06:32,519and righteousness, goodness through his life for you,13300:06:33,760 –> 00:06:34,760but there is one more thing13400:06:34,779 –> 00:06:39,440and that is you receive his Holy Spirit.13500:06:41,119 –> 00:06:43,100There is no such thing in the New Testament13600:06:43,100 –> 00:06:45,899as a Christian who does not have the Holy Spirit of God.13700:06:46,980 –> 00:06:49,200Those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ13800:06:49,200 –> 00:06:52,899receive not only forgiveness and righteousness from Christ,13900:06:52,899 –> 00:06:55,480but receive the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ.14000:06:55,480 –> 00:06:58,119Paul says, if you do not have the spirit of Christ,14100:06:58,119 –> 00:06:59,600you do not belong to Christ.14200:06:59,600 –> 00:07:03,440It’s that essential to what it means to be a Christian.14300:07:05,559 –> 00:07:08,799His death in the place of your death,14400:07:08,799 –> 00:07:10,380his life in the place of your life,14500:07:10,380 –> 00:07:14,440and his spirit to live in your heart.14600:07:14,440 –> 00:07:16,119That’s what it means to become a Christian.14700:07:16,119 –> 00:07:18,399And if we separate what God has joined together,14800:07:18,399 –> 00:07:21,440we distort the gospel,14900:07:21,440 –> 00:07:25,019which happens way too often in our time.15000:07:26,619 –> 00:07:28,440Now, keeping together what God has put together,15100:07:28,440 –> 00:07:29,739let’s ask this question.15200:07:31,179 –> 00:07:32,380What would it look like15300:07:33,380 –> 00:07:35,920for the spirit of Jesus15400:07:37,720 –> 00:07:40,579to live in the life of a person today?15500:07:42,619 –> 00:07:45,420Well, we’ve been singing a lot15600:07:45,420 –> 00:07:48,279about what the spirit of Jesus15700:07:48,279 –> 00:07:51,600was like in his earthly life.15800:07:52,760 –> 00:07:55,0592 Corinthians chapter eight and verse nine.15900:07:56,540 –> 00:07:58,160He was rich.16000:07:59,140 –> 00:08:00,260He was rich.16100:08:00,260 –> 00:08:02,220He was rich.16200:08:02,619 –> 00:08:07,399And for our sakes, he became what?16300:08:07,399 –> 00:08:08,940Poor.16400:08:08,940 –> 00:08:12,679So that we through his poverty might become rich.16500:08:12,679 –> 00:08:15,640That’s what Jesus did.16600:08:15,640 –> 00:08:17,519In other words, Jesus did precisely16700:08:17,519 –> 00:08:20,559what he was asking the rich young ruler to do.16800:08:20,559 –> 00:08:23,500We’ve been singing about it over Christmas, haven’t we?16900:08:23,500 –> 00:08:26,059Thou who was rich beyond all splendor,17000:08:26,059 –> 00:08:28,220all for love’s sake became as poor.17100:08:28,220 –> 00:08:30,640So what would the spirit of this Jesus17200:08:30,720 –> 00:08:33,000look like in your life today?17300:08:34,919 –> 00:08:36,460Here’s what it would look like.17400:08:37,780 –> 00:08:39,780Radical generosity.17500:08:41,419 –> 00:08:43,280That’s the spirit of Jesus, isn’t it?17600:08:44,200 –> 00:08:46,140Who was rich beyond all splendor,17700:08:46,140 –> 00:08:48,080and all for love’s sake became as poor.17800:08:49,659 –> 00:08:51,799Extreme self-giving.17900:08:54,679 –> 00:08:56,580Unusual sacrifice.18000:08:56,580 –> 00:08:58,820That’s what the spirit of Jesus would look like18100:08:58,840 –> 00:09:00,960in me or in you today, isn’t it?18200:09:03,320 –> 00:09:06,979And that’s what becoming good like God looks like.18300:09:08,219 –> 00:09:10,539That’s where the Holy Spirit will take you18400:09:10,539 –> 00:09:14,820in increasing measure as you follow after Jesus Christ,18500:09:14,820 –> 00:09:16,219if that’s what you’re doing.18600:09:18,500 –> 00:09:20,080And if Christ’s spirit lives within you,18700:09:20,080 –> 00:09:22,179you will probably find a strong desire,18800:09:22,179 –> 00:09:25,059even now growing within you,18900:09:25,059 –> 00:09:28,580to say, that’s the kind of life I wanna pursue.19000:09:29,820 –> 00:09:32,020A life of radical generosity19100:09:33,419 –> 00:09:38,380and of extreme self-giving and of unusual sacrifice.19200:09:38,380 –> 00:09:41,820And of course, your flesh will shout and fight against that,19300:09:41,820 –> 00:09:42,979but the Spirit within you19400:09:42,979 –> 00:09:45,000is greater than the power of your flesh19500:09:45,000 –> 00:09:47,000and all things are possible with God.19600:09:48,559 –> 00:09:51,099That’s what an authentic Christian life looks like.19700:09:53,059 –> 00:09:54,979The beginning of goodness like God19800:09:54,979 –> 00:09:56,859being worked out in reality19900:09:56,859 –> 00:09:58,479and increasingly into one day20000:09:58,840 –> 00:10:02,719that’s completed in the presence of Jesus Christ in glory.20100:10:02,719 –> 00:10:03,859Real Christianity.20200:10:05,599 –> 00:10:09,520Of course, Peter immediately tweaks to what Jesus is saying20300:10:09,520 –> 00:10:11,679and so he wants to give a little gentle reminder here.20400:10:11,679 –> 00:10:14,880He says to Jesus, verse 28,20500:10:14,880 –> 00:10:16,979we have left everything to follow you20600:10:18,159 –> 00:10:19,880and you know, Jesus knows that20700:10:19,880 –> 00:10:22,659and He never forgets any sacrifice,20800:10:22,659 –> 00:10:25,739any extending of self that is done20900:10:25,739 –> 00:10:27,640in the cause of Christ and in the gospel21000:10:27,859 –> 00:10:31,039and look at what he says in verse 29 and verse 3021100:10:31,039 –> 00:10:33,260and so many of us in this congregation21200:10:33,260 –> 00:10:36,280have proved through the years that this is true.21300:10:36,280 –> 00:10:39,159Jesus says, verse 29, I tell you the truth,21400:10:40,440 –> 00:10:45,500no one who has left home or brothers or sisters21500:10:45,500 –> 00:10:49,700or mother or father or children or fields21600:10:49,700 –> 00:10:51,640for me and for the gospel,21700:10:53,020 –> 00:10:57,219you’ve extended yourself, you’ve made great sacrifice,21800:10:57,239 –> 00:11:00,099radical generosity, extreme self-giving21900:11:00,099 –> 00:11:01,419for me and for the gospel.22000:11:01,419 –> 00:11:03,260No one who’s done that will fail to receive22100:11:03,260 –> 00:11:05,919a hundred times as much in this present age.22200:11:07,940 –> 00:11:10,340Homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields22300:11:10,340 –> 00:11:12,140a hundred times as much now.22400:11:14,919 –> 00:11:18,200The blessing of God poured out into the lives22500:11:18,200 –> 00:11:23,200of those who extend themselves in self-giving22600:11:24,140 –> 00:11:25,739for the sake of the gospel.22700:11:27,219 –> 00:11:31,659Reflected in all that you need to live, as homes,22800:11:33,179 –> 00:11:36,080the gift of wonderful relationships you will find22900:11:36,080 –> 00:11:38,820increasingly you enjoy as you give yourself23000:11:38,820 –> 00:11:40,539in the service of Jesus Christ.23100:11:42,460 –> 00:11:45,460And, fruitfulness in ministry, which is what I take23200:11:45,460 –> 00:11:46,820the meaning of children to be here,23300:11:46,820 –> 00:11:49,219if you’ve left children and you’ll have children.23400:11:49,219 –> 00:11:51,739He must be referring to spiritual children,23500:11:51,739 –> 00:11:54,299the abundance of fruit of ministry23600:11:54,340 –> 00:11:57,780where God’s people extend themselves.23700:11:57,780 –> 00:11:59,299And then he says just so that we don’t get23800:11:59,299 –> 00:12:01,640too carried away here, verse 30,23900:12:01,640 –> 00:12:04,940and with them you’ll have some persecutions as well.24000:12:04,940 –> 00:12:07,359In other words, your experience in this life will be mixed.24100:12:07,359 –> 00:12:09,039There will be suffering, there will be setbacks,24200:12:09,039 –> 00:12:10,859there will be pain, there will be disappointments24300:12:10,859 –> 00:12:12,260in with the blessing.24400:12:12,260 –> 00:12:14,460And in the age to come Jesus says24500:12:14,460 –> 00:12:18,799that we’ll still ahead of you be eternal life.24600:12:19,419 –> 00:12:23,599And there are scores in this congregation24700:12:25,599 –> 00:12:27,659who know that for every sacrifice24800:12:27,659 –> 00:12:29,599and all the sacrifice put together24900:12:29,599 –> 00:12:33,340that you have made for Christ and for the Gospel,25000:12:34,659 –> 00:12:38,760you have received far, far, far, far more25100:12:38,760 –> 00:12:41,200than you ever have given or ever could give.25200:12:42,700 –> 00:12:45,700And you find yourself with a sense of wonder thanking God25300:12:46,700 –> 00:12:50,599for the richness of His blessing in your life.25400:12:52,059 –> 00:12:57,059Radical generosity, unusual self-giving,25500:12:58,859 –> 00:13:03,239extreme sacrifice for Christ and for the Gospel25600:13:05,039 –> 00:13:10,039and blessing just multiplied now and for all eternity.25700:13:11,000 –> 00:13:12,599That’s what he says.25800:13:12,739 –> 00:13:15,419That’s what a spirit filled life looks like.25900:13:15,419 –> 00:13:20,419That’s what the Spirit of Jesus in us today looks like.26000:13:20,900 –> 00:13:22,320That’s where he takes us.26100:13:23,719 –> 00:13:25,080You’re listening to Open the Bible26200:13:25,080 –> 00:13:27,419with Pastor Colin Smith and a message26300:13:27,419 –> 00:13:30,880Jesus lays claim to all our possessions.26400:13:30,880 –> 00:13:33,960It’s part of our series, The Gospel According to Jesus26500:13:33,960 –> 00:13:35,419based on the Book of Mark26600:13:35,419 –> 00:13:37,460and if you’ve missed any of the series26700:13:37,460 –> 00:13:39,280by then click away just now.26800:13:39,640 –> 00:13:43,440and if you’ve missed any of the series26900:13:43,440 –> 00:13:45,599so far or if you’d like to go back and listen again27000:13:45,599 –> 00:13:48,479you can do that by coming to our website27100:13:51,479 –> 00:13:53,960There you’ll find all of the messages27200:13:53,960 –> 00:13:55,919that have previously gone out on air.27300:13:55,919 –> 00:13:58,159Pastor Colin’s teachings are available27400:13:58,159 –> 00:14:00,460on all the major podcast sites.27500:14:00,460 –> 00:14:02,520You can follow a link on our website27600:14:02,520 –> 00:14:05,500or go directly to your favorite podcast site27700:14:05,500 –> 00:14:07,419search for Open the Bible UK27800:14:07,500 –> 00:14:10,539and subscribe to receive regular updates27900:14:10,539 –> 00:14:13,820Open the Bible is supported entirely by our listeners28000:14:13,820 –> 00:14:15,799and if that’s something you’re considering doing28100:14:15,799 –> 00:14:18,140you might be interested to hear about our special offer28200:14:18,140 –> 00:14:19,400this month28300:14:19,400 –> 00:14:21,239if you’re able to set up a new28400:14:21,239 –> 00:14:23,640direct debit to the work of Open the Bible28500:14:23,640 –> 00:14:26,440in the amount of 5 pounds per month or more28600:14:26,440 –> 00:14:28,739or a one-off gift of 50 pounds28700:14:28,739 –> 00:14:32,159we’d love to send you a copy of R.C. Sproul’s book28800:14:32,159 –> 00:14:33,599The Advent of Glory28900:14:33,599 –> 00:14:36,02024 Devotions for Christmas29000:14:36,020 –> 00:14:37,140i’ll be talking to Colin29100:14:37,140 –> 00:14:39,700about that offer later on in the program29200:14:39,700 –> 00:14:41,400so stay with us29300:14:41,400 –> 00:14:42,739back to the message now29400:14:42,739 –> 00:14:44,239here’s Colin29500:14:44,239 –> 00:14:45,500so a quick summary29600:14:45,500 –> 00:14:48,739and then just one final thing29700:14:48,739 –> 00:14:51,780to enter Heaven you must be good like God29800:14:51,780 –> 00:14:53,900salvation involves a real change29900:14:53,900 –> 00:14:57,119in which a person becomes good like God30000:14:57,119 –> 00:15:00,380this is impossible with man30100:15:00,380 –> 00:15:02,239but all things are possible with God30200:15:02,239 –> 00:15:03,859and becoming good like God30300:15:03,859 –> 00:15:05,140is possible for you30400:15:05,859 –> 00:15:07,679through Christ’s life for you30500:15:07,679 –> 00:15:11,340and through Christ’s spirit in you30600:15:11,340 –> 00:15:12,799and we must never separate30700:15:12,799 –> 00:15:14,880what God has joined together30800:15:14,880 –> 00:15:18,460or we will distort the beauty of the Gospel30900:15:18,460 –> 00:15:20,320and we will turn it into something ugly31000:15:20,320 –> 00:15:24,039that will be understandably despised31100:15:24,039 –> 00:15:25,580in the world31200:15:25,580 –> 00:15:27,340now here’s the last thing31300:15:27,340 –> 00:15:31,659and it’s simply an application31400:15:31,659 –> 00:15:34,260Christians are people who count on God31500:15:34,320 –> 00:15:35,859to do what we can’t31600:15:35,859 –> 00:15:37,280this is a wonderful truth31700:15:37,280 –> 00:15:41,619That directly comes from the teaching of Jesus here31800:15:41,619 –> 00:15:45,919Christians count on God doing what we can’t31900:15:45,919 –> 00:15:48,320let’s just take in one more time32000:15:48,320 –> 00:15:49,260verse 2732100:15:49,260 –> 00:15:50,919With man this is impossible32200:15:50,919 –> 00:15:51,840But not with God32300:15:51,840 –> 00:15:56,520All things are possible with God32400:15:56,520 –> 00:15:57,820so christians are folks32500:15:57,820 –> 00:15:59,940who count on God doing what we can’t32600:15:59,940 –> 00:16:02,960that’s good news32700:16:02,979 –> 00:16:04,200perhaps you have a son32800:16:04,200 –> 00:16:04,799a daughter32900:16:04,799 –> 00:16:06,039someone you’re really concerned about33000:16:06,039 –> 00:16:07,960who’s far from being good like God33100:16:07,960 –> 00:16:09,320no interest in the things of God33200:16:09,320 –> 00:16:10,700or of eternity33300:16:10,700 –> 00:16:12,859you can’t imagine them changing33400:16:12,859 –> 00:16:14,960And Jesus would say to you today33500:16:14,960 –> 00:16:16,520Yes, with man it is impossible33600:16:16,520 –> 00:16:19,419but all things are possible with God33700:16:19,419 –> 00:16:21,179Don’t forget that33800:16:21,179 –> 00:16:22,359When you’re struggling in a marriage33900:16:22,359 –> 00:16:24,080or some other difficult situation34000:16:24,080 –> 00:16:25,080the end of one year34100:16:25,080 –> 00:16:27,080the dawning of another soon34200:16:27,080 –> 00:16:28,960and you think how long can I go on34300:16:28,960 –> 00:16:30,900and you’re so discouraged34400:16:30,900 –> 00:16:32,440And change seems impossible34500:16:32,440 –> 00:16:33,539And Jesus would say to you34600:16:33,539 –> 00:16:35,659Yes, it’s impossible with man34700:16:35,659 –> 00:16:41,599but all things are possible with God34800:16:41,599 –> 00:16:44,260Christians are folks who believe that34900:16:44,260 –> 00:16:45,659Christians are folks who count on35000:16:45,659 –> 00:16:47,419God doing what we can’t35100:16:47,419 –> 00:16:49,359That’s what we’re learning here35200:16:49,359 –> 00:16:50,460And if you’re a Christian35300:16:50,460 –> 00:16:52,039you have staked your eternity on that35400:16:52,039 –> 00:16:55,320that is what you stake your soul on35500:16:55,320 –> 00:16:56,960I cannot be good like God35600:16:56,960 –> 00:16:58,039It is beyond my power35700:16:58,039 –> 00:17:00,820So I hang on the good and righteous life35800:17:00,820 –> 00:17:02,380of Jesus Christ lived for me35900:17:02,539 –> 00:17:04,319I depend on the gracious work36000:17:04,319 –> 00:17:07,199and power of His Spirit within me36100:17:07,199 –> 00:17:09,780That’s our position36200:17:09,780 –> 00:17:12,599That’s where you stand as a Christian36300:17:12,599 –> 00:17:14,479in relation to eternity36400:17:14,479 –> 00:17:15,859and in relation to your soul36500:17:15,859 –> 00:17:16,859it’s that big36600:17:16,859 –> 00:17:20,040Now here’s the question36700:17:20,040 –> 00:17:22,400What would it be like36800:17:22,400 –> 00:17:25,680to be part of a group of people36900:17:25,680 –> 00:17:29,479who approach ministry in the same way37000:17:29,479 –> 00:17:33,619as we believe for salvation?37100:17:33,619 –> 00:17:36,219What if we were consistent37200:17:36,219 –> 00:17:38,160between what we say from the scripture37300:17:38,160 –> 00:17:40,599about salvation37400:17:40,599 –> 00:17:46,020and what we do in relation to ministry?37500:17:46,020 –> 00:17:49,420Suppose that instead of having discussions37600:17:49,420 –> 00:17:50,420about ministry37700:17:50,420 –> 00:17:51,979that keep coming back to things like37800:17:51,979 –> 00:17:55,239what we think we can do37900:17:55,260 –> 00:17:57,079which is not how the kingdom of God advances38000:17:57,119 –> 00:18:00,520according to Jesus here.38100:18:00,520 –> 00:18:03,579Suppose we decided together38200:18:03,579 –> 00:18:04,880that we would count on God38300:18:04,880 –> 00:18:09,180doing what we can’t.38400:18:09,180 –> 00:18:13,579I say this with feeling38500:18:13,579 –> 00:18:16,479because one of the biggest dangers38600:18:16,479 –> 00:18:19,099that a church, as blessed as we are,38700:18:19,099 –> 00:18:22,760falls into38800:18:22,760 –> 00:18:24,780is that we think of ministry38900:18:24,880 –> 00:18:27,500in terms of what we can do39000:18:27,500 –> 00:18:28,859in terms of our forecasts39100:18:28,859 –> 00:18:32,020of what we think we can resource.39200:18:32,020 –> 00:18:35,060We evaluate everything39300:18:35,060 –> 00:18:41,060by what is possible with man.39400:18:41,060 –> 00:18:42,199And that is not the way39500:18:42,199 –> 00:18:44,359in which God’s kingdom extends39600:18:44,359 –> 00:18:45,380according to the teaching39700:18:45,380 –> 00:18:48,000of Jesus here.39800:18:48,000 –> 00:18:49,660Christ’s kingdom advances39900:18:49,660 –> 00:18:51,760through what is impossible with man,40000:18:51,859 –> 00:18:56,619and he says, but possible with God.40100:18:56,619 –> 00:18:59,459So in November,40200:18:59,459 –> 00:19:00,619our congregational meeting40300:19:00,619 –> 00:19:04,380adopted a statement of our mission,40400:19:04,380 –> 00:19:05,420which says, that we seek40500:19:05,420 –> 00:19:09,800to glorify God by multiplying.40600:19:09,800 –> 00:19:12,020God-centered, Christ-exalting,40700:19:12,020 –> 00:19:14,400world-transforming believers40800:19:14,400 –> 00:19:17,619through the gospel40900:19:17,619 –> 00:19:20,660in the Greater Chicago area41000:19:21,459 –> 00:19:24,339and around the world.41100:19:24,339 –> 00:19:28,160You say, how can we do that?41200:19:28,160 –> 00:19:30,699It’s impossible.41300:19:30,699 –> 00:19:34,040We can’t do that.41400:19:34,040 –> 00:19:36,959All things are possible with God41500:19:36,959 –> 00:19:39,260and Christians are those41600:19:39,260 –> 00:19:43,699who count on God to do what we can’t.41700:19:43,699 –> 00:19:47,319You’d stake your own soul on that for eternity.41800:19:47,319 –> 00:19:48,160The question is41900:19:48,160 –> 00:19:53,219will we stake our ministry on that now?42000:19:53,219 –> 00:19:55,079Or will we be the kind of people42100:19:55,079 –> 00:19:56,979who simply look at things in terms of42200:19:56,979 –> 00:19:59,239what we reckon on our own evaluation42300:19:59,239 –> 00:20:01,280we are able to do on the basis of the past42400:20:01,280 –> 00:20:04,680and we project the future?42500:20:04,680 –> 00:20:06,319In the gospel,42600:20:06,319 –> 00:20:09,579God calls us to live on the impossible42700:20:09,579 –> 00:20:12,900not only individually but together,42800:20:12,900 –> 00:20:16,640on Christ’s doing for us, in us and then through us42900:20:16,719 –> 00:20:21,319which is what we cannot do for ourselves43000:20:21,319 –> 00:20:24,979I’m excited about us as a congregation43100:20:24,979 –> 00:20:27,959growing in what it means43200:20:27,959 –> 00:20:32,339to count on God to do what we can’t43300:20:32,339 –> 00:20:34,560to start actually asking God for some things43400:20:34,560 –> 00:20:36,739that are not within the realm of what43500:20:36,739 –> 00:20:38,699we’re confident we can do43600:20:38,699 –> 00:20:40,439but to start asking God for some things43700:20:40,439 –> 00:20:44,739that are beyond what we’re confident we can do43800:20:45,219 –> 00:20:47,300because the way that the kingdom moves forward43900:20:47,300 –> 00:20:49,520in this world is not through what’s possible with man44000:20:49,520 –> 00:20:52,420but through what’s impossible with man44100:20:52,420 –> 00:20:54,859but what is possible with God44200:20:54,859 –> 00:20:58,380this is the time for us to get ready spiritually44300:20:59,459 –> 00:21:01,520for that kind of faith44400:21:02,300 –> 00:21:04,640that kind of venture44500:21:05,599 –> 00:21:09,300See that’s what a hundred and twenty people we’re doing44600:21:09,300 –> 00:21:13,699in an upper room 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus44700:21:14,260 –> 00:21:15,660a hundred and twenty people44800:21:15,660 –> 00:21:18,380and this is all that Jesus had asked them to do44900:21:20,020 –> 00:21:22,060Make disciples of all nations45000:21:23,140 –> 00:21:25,859go into all the world and preach the gospel45100:21:25,859 –> 00:21:30,020How in all the world do a hundred and twenty people45200:21:30,020 –> 00:21:32,119in an upstairs room do that?45300:21:32,119 –> 00:21:36,359How do a hundred and twenty people change the Roman Empire?45400:21:36,359 –> 00:21:38,979It’s impossible with man45500:21:39,699 –> 00:21:45,020But all things are possible with God45600:21:45,020 –> 00:21:47,420And this is what we believe45700:21:47,420 –> 00:21:50,140This is what we have staked our own souls45800:21:50,140 –> 00:21:52,260and our own eternity on45900:21:54,660 –> 00:21:56,339And if we believe it for our souls46000:21:56,339 –> 00:21:58,859we should believe it for our church46100:21:58,859 –> 00:22:00,660for our ministry46200:22:02,339 –> 00:22:04,160And if this is truly what we believe46300:22:04,160 –> 00:22:06,780then we should pray46400:22:07,500 –> 00:22:09,359we should plan46500:22:09,359 –> 00:22:11,959and we should act46600:22:11,959 –> 00:22:13,900in the light of it46700:22:13,900 –> 00:22:16,900So God invites us to take on the impossible46800:22:16,900 –> 00:22:20,079because for Him all things are possible46900:22:20,079 –> 00:22:22,119You’re listening to Open The Bible47000:22:22,119 –> 00:22:23,579with Pastor Colin Smith47100:22:23,579 –> 00:22:25,199in a message called47200:22:25,199 –> 00:22:28,180Jesus lays claim to all our possessions47300:22:28,180 –> 00:22:29,680It’s part of our series47400:22:29,680 –> 00:22:31,099The Gospel according to Jesus47500:22:31,099 –> 00:22:32,760based on the book of Mark47600:22:32,760 –> 00:22:34,640and if you’ve missed any of the series47700:22:34,640 –> 00:22:36,579or you want to go back and listen again47800:22:36,579 –> 00:22:39,000you can do that by coming online to our website47900:22:39,000 –> 00:22:42,079openthebible.org.uk48000:22:42,079 –> 00:22:43,920or find us as a podcast48100:22:43,920 –> 00:22:45,199and those are available48200:22:45,199 –> 00:22:46,920on all the major podcast sites48300:22:46,920 –> 00:22:49,640by searching for Open The Bible UK48400:22:49,640 –> 00:22:51,020Also on our website48500:22:51,020 –> 00:22:52,520and available as a podcast48600:22:52,520 –> 00:22:54,780you can find Open the Bible Daily48700:22:54,780 –> 00:22:56,780and that’s a series of short48800:22:56,780 –> 00:22:59,099two to three minute daily reflections48900:22:59,099 –> 00:23:01,060based on Pastor Colin’s teaching49000:23:01,060 –> 00:23:03,300and read in the UK by Sue McLeish49100:23:03,300 –> 00:23:05,079There’s a new one every day49200:23:05,079 –> 00:23:07,000and many Christians find it’s a great way49300:23:07,000 –> 00:23:09,479to start the day49400:23:09,479 –> 00:23:11,420Open The Bible is able to stay49500:23:11,420 –> 00:23:13,880on this station and on the internet49600:23:13,880 –> 00:23:15,459because of the financial support49700:23:15,459 –> 00:23:16,479of our listeners49800:23:16,479 –> 00:23:17,920so if you already give49900:23:17,920 –> 00:23:19,660thank you for you support50000:23:19,660 –> 00:23:20,900if you don’t already give50100:23:20,900 –> 00:23:21,719but that something50200:23:21,719 –> 00:23:23,280you’re thinking about doing50300:23:23,280 –> 00:23:24,380then this month50400:23:24,380 –> 00:23:26,599we have a special offer for you50500:23:26,599 –> 00:23:27,819If you are able to set up50600:23:27,819 –> 00:23:28,900a direct debit50700:23:28,900 –> 00:23:32,280in the amount of £5 per month or more50800:23:32,280 –> 00:23:33,760to make a one off donation50900:23:33,760 –> 00:23:35,560of £50 or more51000:23:35,560 –> 00:23:37,239to the work of Open the Bible51100:23:37,239 –> 00:23:38,939This month we can offer you51200:23:38,939 –> 00:23:41,040a book by R.C. Sproul51300:23:41,040 –> 00:23:43,540called The Advent of Glory51400:23:43,540 –> 00:23:44,880It’s 24 devotions51500:23:44,880 –> 00:23:46,760for Christmas51600:23:46,760 –> 00:23:48,540Colin, what makes this book51700:23:48,540 –> 00:23:49,900so special?51800:23:49,900 –> 00:23:51,280Well first that it is51900:23:51,280 –> 00:23:53,060telling the story of Christmas52000:23:53,060 –> 00:23:54,780the son of God coming into the world52100:23:54,780 –> 00:23:57,060what could be more wonderful than that52200:23:57,060 –> 00:23:59,780and second it’s by R.C Sproul52300:23:59,780 –> 00:24:01,219you know the most important thing52400:24:01,219 –> 00:24:02,219about any book52500:24:02,219 –> 00:24:03,479is who wrote it52600:24:03,479 –> 00:24:05,900and here is a godly man52700:24:05,900 –> 00:24:08,079with a wonderful mind52800:24:08,079 –> 00:24:09,780and a warm heart52900:24:09,780 –> 00:24:11,280and great insight53000:24:11,280 –> 00:24:12,540He’s with the Lord now53100:24:12,540 –> 00:24:14,760but the writings that R.C Sproul53200:24:14,760 –> 00:24:15,920have left behind53300:24:15,920 –> 00:24:17,719really are a treasure53400:24:17,719 –> 00:24:19,300and this one’s just out53500:24:19,300 –> 00:24:21,439it’s a new devotional53600:24:21,439 –> 00:24:22,660for Advent53700:24:22,660 –> 00:24:24,38024 words53800:24:24,380 –> 00:24:25,439that are at the heart53900:24:25,439 –> 00:24:26,300of the Christmas story54000:24:26,300 –> 00:24:27,660it’s just about 4 pages54100:24:27,660 –> 00:24:28,920for each day54200:24:28,920 –> 00:24:30,760very easy to read54300:24:30,760 –> 00:24:31,979full of insight54400:24:32,140 –> 00:24:33,260I’m very excited54500:24:33,260 –> 00:24:34,020about it54600:24:34,020 –> 00:24:36,339The Advent of Glory54700:24:36,339 –> 00:24:38,35924 devotionals for Christmas54800:24:38,359 –> 00:24:39,500by R.C Sproul54900:24:39,500 –> 00:24:40,719Well we’d love to send you55000:24:40,719 –> 00:24:42,739a copy of R.C Sproul’s book55100:24:42,739 –> 00:24:44,140The Advent of Glory55200:24:44,140 –> 00:24:46,07924 Devotions for Christmas55300:24:46,079 –> 00:24:47,439as a way of saying thank you55400:24:47,439 –> 00:24:48,439for setting up55500:24:48,439 –> 00:24:49,739a new, direct debit55600:24:49,739 –> 00:24:51,459to the work of Open the Bible55700:24:51,459 –> 00:24:53,339in the amount of £5 per month55800:24:53,339 –> 00:24:54,239or more55900:24:54,239 –> 00:24:55,660or a one-off gift of56000:24:55,660 –> 00:24:57,079£5056100:24:57,079 –> 00:24:57,900further information56200:24:57,900 –> 00:24:59,560and full terms and conditions56300:24:59,560 –> 00:25:01,540are available on our website56400:25:01,540 –> 00:25:02,040that’s at56500:25:02,040 –> 00:25:04,780openthebible.org.uk56600:25:05,479 –> 00:25:06,400For Open the Bible56700:25:06,400 –> 00:25:07,760and Pastor Colin Smith56800:25:07,760 –> 00:25:09,000I’m David Pick56900:25:09,000 –> 00:25:10,420and I hope you’ll join us again57000:25:10,420 –> 00:25:11,000next time57100:25:17,199 –> 00:25:20,339Why did Jesus come into the world?57200:25:20,339 –> 00:25:21,560Some people think it was57300:25:21,560 –> 00:25:22,959to condemn us57400:25:22,959 –> 00:25:23,959others57500:25:23,959 –> 00:25:26,520that it was to recruit workers57600:25:26,520 –> 00:25:28,060Find out the real reason57700:25:28,060 –> 00:25:29,859next time on Open the Bible