100:00:00,400 –> 00:00:07,900Perhaps you are a person who believes in the risen Lord Jesus Christ but the truth200:00:07,900 –> 00:00:13,540is that your life is dominated by fear. There is no witness that is coming from300:00:13,540 –> 00:00:20,100you, there is no power that has yet changed your life. It is a belief.400:00:20,120 –> 00:00:24,900Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick. I’m glad you500:00:24,900 –> 00:00:28,799could be with us today. And Colin perhaps if we could ask our listeners for a show600:00:28,799 –> 00:00:33,840of hands. Many would say that yes I am a Christian but I still have to deal with700:00:33,840 –> 00:00:37,119fear. Yeah and isn’t it encouraging to know that800:00:37,119 –> 00:00:41,299these women who discovered the empty tomb, they’re people who really loved900:00:41,299 –> 00:00:47,020Christ and the Bible tells us they were absolutely terrified and as you’re1000:00:47,020 –> 00:00:52,599listening today that may just describe your situation- you are afraid, you may1100:00:52,599 –> 00:00:57,240not even know quite fully what you’re afraid of but you’re bewildered, you’re1200:00:57,240 –> 00:01:01,680perplexed and you just wonder what life is going to throw at you next, well1300:01:01,680 –> 00:01:07,639these women were exactly where you are and the Word of God is going to speak1400:01:07,639 –> 00:01:14,040into exactly your situation today. So let’s jump right into Mark and chapter1500:01:14,040 –> 00:01:19,87916. Join us in your Bible if you can as we continue the message, Jesus offers1600:01:19,879 –> 00:01:24,320life to his people. Here’s Colin. I want us to see this morning1700:01:24,320 –> 00:01:30,480that God has something to say to us about the Resurrection, from this gospel1800:01:30,480 –> 00:01:36,559that is distinct from what we find in the other three. God after all wonderfully1900:01:36,559 –> 00:01:43,620has given us four Gospels and each one gives us a distinct witness to our Lord2000:01:43,620 –> 00:01:47,879Jesus Christ and there is something that God wants us to know from the ending of2100:01:47,879 –> 00:01:53,720this Gospel, that you will not find in the others, and that is what I want us to2200:01:53,959 –> 00:02:00,500grasp together today. Now we’re going to focus on three things. The first is the2300:02:00,500 –> 00:02:05,959explanation that the angel gives to the women with regard to the resurrection of2400:02:05,959 –> 00:02:10,759Jesus Christ. Will you focus with me on verses five and six?2500:02:10,759 –> 00:02:17,839Mark says that the woman who came to the tomb saw a young man dressed in a white2600:02:17,919 –> 00:02:24,679robe, verse five. Now Matthew tells us in chapter 28 and verse five that they saw2700:02:24,679 –> 00:02:31,220an angel. So what we have here is Mark describing the appearance, the one who2800:02:31,220 –> 00:02:36,399was there looked like a young man dressed in a white robe. Matthew is2900:02:36,399 –> 00:02:42,440describing the identity. Clearly this was an angel who appeared in the tomb and3000:02:42,440 –> 00:02:48,679the angel said, verse six, don’t be alarmed you are looking for Jesus the3100:02:48,679 –> 00:02:58,139Nazarene who was crucified. He has risen. He is not here, see the place where they3200:02:58,139 –> 00:03:06,699laid him. I want you to notice that it is an angel from heaven who tells the3300:03:06,699 –> 00:03:10,759women that Jesus has risen. Have you noticed that before?3400:03:10,940 –> 00:03:17,539It was not that Mary got into the tomb, saw that it was empty, turned round to3500:03:17,539 –> 00:03:23,639Siloam and said, you know Siloam, he must have risen from the dead. That thought3600:03:23,639 –> 00:03:34,639did not even occur to the women, it was the angel who told them. Now listen, the3700:03:34,639 –> 00:03:42,619resurrection was not the women’s interpretation. The resurrection is not3800:03:42,619 –> 00:03:51,860a believer’s interpretation. The resurrection is God’s revelation3900:03:51,860 –> 00:03:59,279through an angel sent from heaven to explain what the women otherwise would4000:03:59,279 –> 00:04:06,119not have guessed nor comprehended. See Christian faith does not hang on4100:04:06,119 –> 00:04:15,559personal interpretations. Christian faith hangs on God’s explanation of what God4200:04:15,559 –> 00:04:21,959has done. What that means for us is this, that Christian faith does not rest on4300:04:21,959 –> 00:04:27,679our feelings. It doesn’t rest on our insights. It doesn’t rest on our4400:04:27,720 –> 00:04:36,760interpretations. Christian faith rests on God’s explanation of his own actions4500:04:36,760 –> 00:04:46,600revealed to us and recorded for us in the scriptures. He has risen. Who says so?4600:04:46,859 –> 00:04:57,380God says so. And you can stake your life and your eternity on that. Not our4700:04:57,380 –> 00:05:06,079interpretation—God’s explanation—his word on which you can stake your life and4800:05:06,079 –> 00:05:11,359your eternity. That’s the first thing. Here’s the second. Mark gives us a4900:05:12,299 –> 00:05:19,700It’s a fascinating description of what happened next. Well, if we freeze-framed Mark’s gospel5000:05:19,700 –> 00:05:25,899after the announcement of the angel, what would you think would happen next? Verse eight5100:05:25,899 –> 00:05:32,700takes us completely by surprise I think. Look at what it says. They’re told about the resurrection,5200:05:32,700 –> 00:05:38,859they’re instructed to go and see Peter and to pass on the message, and Mark says,5300:05:38,859 –> 00:05:46,519trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing5400:05:46,519 –> 00:05:54,720to anyone because they were afraid. Now, the other gospels make it clear of course that5500:05:54,720 –> 00:06:00,739the women did tell the disciples about the resurrection later, but Mark wants us to know5600:06:01,160 –> 00:06:08,540that at first they were silent. That is his distinctive witness and only Mark tells us5700:06:08,540 –> 00:06:13,160this. Now let’s take it seriously.5800:06:13,160 –> 00:06:24,559What do we have here? Christ is risen and the people to whom that message is entrusted5900:06:24,679 –> 00:06:35,500are afraid, bewildered and silent. You have if I can paint the picture, a risen6000:06:35,500 –> 00:06:48,299Christ and a church, that is the people to whom the message is entrusted, with no witness,6100:06:48,299 –> 00:06:57,920no power, only fear. That is the distinctive witness of Mark’s Gospel, and I think that6200:06:57,920 –> 00:07:03,779God intended it to be so, because it says something very very powerful. Matthew the6300:07:03,779 –> 00:07:13,700Great Commission, Luke the power of the Holy Spirit, John the call to discipleship, Mark6400:07:13,700 –> 00:07:24,959the Silent Church. The church entrusted with the message, but without words, and without6500:07:24,959 –> 00:07:38,399power, inward looking, gripped by fear. And that’s why I say that there is a distinctive6600:07:38,399 –> 00:07:43,000contribution that the ending of Mark’s Gospel, surprising though it is, makes to the total6700:07:43,000 –> 00:07:49,760picture of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because did not God intend the ending of this Gospel6800:07:49,760 –> 00:08:01,420to be the most profound challenge to the church? It is possible for the Church to be evangelical6900:08:01,420 –> 00:08:07,239in doctrine, to believe in the incarnation and the substitutionary atonement of the Lord7000:08:07,660 –> 00:08:15,839Christ and the bodily resurrection, and yet to have no effective witness in the world,7100:08:15,839 –> 00:08:26,779no confidence to pursue our God-given calling, and instead to be gripped by fear. You study7200:08:26,779 –> 00:08:32,059the history of the Church and you’ll see how often that has been the reality. Remember7300:08:32,539 –> 00:08:39,619riding to Christians in Rome, and that was exactly the danger that they faced.7400:08:39,619 –> 00:08:48,659You read the ending of Mark’s Gospel. People entrusted with the greatest good7500:08:48,659 –> 00:08:54,239news that has ever been heard, and they’re going through life bewildered and they’re7600:08:54,239 –> 00:08:58,119gripped by fear. That can’t be where it ends.7700:08:58,460 –> 00:09:04,700But it begins precisely.7800:09:04,700 –> 00:09:14,260A Risen Christ, and those trusted with the news without witness and without power…7900:09:14,260 –> 00:09:19,559That is not the kind of church we want to be, is it?8000:09:19,559 –> 00:09:23,539That is not the kind of Christianity you want for yourself, is it?8100:09:24,340 –> 00:09:32,599That is not the kind of Christianity that we want for our children, is it?8200:09:32,599 –> 00:09:40,280Some of us have been brought up believing that Jesus was born, and Jesus died, and Jesus8300:09:40,280 –> 00:09:41,280was raised.8400:09:41,280 –> 00:09:47,179We have always accepted these things.8500:09:47,179 –> 00:09:51,280But if you’re honest, you may say on this Easter morning, they have not really made8600:09:51,280 –> 00:09:56,119very much difference to my life.8700:09:56,119 –> 00:09:59,919And that’s precisely the challenge and the question I think, that the ending of Mark’s8800:09:59,919 –> 00:10:03,919Gospel raises for us, and I think that we need to face it honestly.8900:10:03,919 –> 00:10:10,859I think God speaks to us, powerfully, through the ending of Mark’s Gospel.9000:10:10,859 –> 00:10:16,599Maybe you are a person who believes in the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, that is why you9100:10:17,479 –> 00:10:22,820singing the hymns today, but the truth is that your life is dominated by fear.9200:10:22,820 –> 00:10:29,679There is no witness that is coming from you, there is no power that has yet changed your9300:10:29,679 –> 00:10:31,419life.9400:10:31,419 –> 00:10:33,200It is a belief.9500:10:33,200 –> 00:10:35,640And it kind of sits there.9600:10:35,640 –> 00:10:40,520But it has not yet brought change, it has not brought a new dynamic, it has not moved9700:10:40,520 –> 00:10:48,020you in a direction as a real follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.9800:10:48,020 –> 00:10:55,940And I think as you look into Mark 16 and verse 8, you are just looking into the mirror, aren9900:10:55,940 –> 00:10:57,039t you?10000:10:57,039 –> 00:11:01,859And I think all of us, seeing what is here would say, look, this isn t where we want10100:11:01,859 –> 00:11:06,500to be, it s not where we want to be as a church, it s not what any of us wants to be as individuals,10200:11:06,500 –> 00:11:10,380this is not where we want to be this is unfinished there is something wrong, we need to move10300:11:10,700 –> 00:11:13,700from this.10400:11:13,700 –> 00:11:16,940We can t end here.10500:11:16,940 –> 00:11:22,799You re listening to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith and the final message in our series10600:11:22,799 –> 00:11:27,619The Gospel According to Jesus, the message is called Jesus Offers Life to His People,10700:11:27,619 –> 00:11:33,039and if you’ve missed any part of this message or any of the previous messages in the series10800:11:33,039 –> 00:11:37,619, don t forget you can always catch up or go back and listen again online at our website10900:11:37,880 –> 00:11:41,440www.openthebible.org.uk11000:11:41,440 –> 00:11:45,539All this month we’ve been talking about a book which was specially picked out by Pastor11100:11:45,539 –> 00:11:51,820Colin called The Advent of Glory by R. C. Sproul and that book is a gift we’d like to11200:11:51,820 –> 00:11:57,080give you if you were able to set up a new, regular donation to the work of Open The Bible11300:11:57,080 –> 00:12:02,200in the form of a direct debit of at least 5 pounds per month or more, or a one-off gift11400:12:02,320 –> 00:12:08,520to 50 pounds. More details online at our website www.openthebible.org.uk11500:12:08,520 –> 00:12:13,359and I’ll be talking to Colin later in the program about that book. Back to the message11600:12:13,359 –> 00:12:15,239now, here’s Colin….11700:12:15,239 –> 00:12:21,119So I want you to see in verse 7 where Mark points us. It’s very wonderful and very significant,11800:12:21,119 –> 00:12:26,520because not only does Mark give us the explanation of the angel, a description of what happened11900:12:26,599 –> 00:12:33,599next, but he gives to us an open ended invitation that is wonderfully expressed in verse 7.12000:12:35,460 –> 00:12:42,460Angel says to the women, go and tell his disciples in Peter, he is going ahead of you into Galilee,12100:12:43,739 –> 00:12:50,739and there you will see him, just as he has told you. Now, this is a great invitation.12200:12:50,900 –> 00:12:57,900But the women are to pass on to the disciples in the first case, the risen Lord Jesus Christ12300:13:01,080 –> 00:13:06,280wants to meet you. That’s the message. They’re to say to the disciples, the risen Lord Jesus12400:13:06,280 –> 00:13:12,679wants to meet you, he has gone ahead of you. You will meet him if you go to Galilee, you12500:13:12,679 –> 00:13:14,400will see him there.12600:13:15,200 –> 00:13:20,739Now, notice the significance here. The disciples must go to Galilee. There is something that12700:13:20,739 –> 00:13:28,659the disciples must do. There is an initiative that the disciples must take if they are to12800:13:28,659 –> 00:13:36,200encounter, meet, the risen Lord Jesus Christ.12900:13:36,200 –> 00:13:40,619Now if you want to know what happens in Galilee, you can read the end of John’s Gospel, because13000:13:40,760 –> 00:13:45,179John tells us about what happened when the disciples went to Galilee, because they did13100:13:45,179 –> 00:13:50,000follow through on the message they eventually got from the women, and that was where Peter13200:13:50,000 –> 00:13:56,739was wonderfully restored, wonderfully forgiven, and wonderfully recommissioned by our risen13300:13:56,739 –> 00:14:05,859Lord Jesus Christ. But Mark leaves us hanging. Mark doesn’t tell us that story. And again,13400:14:05,859 –> 00:14:18,380I’m convinced that that is what God intended. Mark simply leaves the invitation open. Because13500:14:18,380 –> 00:14:23,159you see, it’s not simply an invitation for the disciples. It is also an invitation for13600:14:23,159 –> 00:14:33,260us not to go to Galilee because he is not there now, but to draw near to him where he13700:14:33,460 –> 00:14:39,619is now, which is, the Bible says, seated at the right hand of the Father. But I want you13800:14:39,619 –> 00:14:44,859to think with me for just a moment about the issues the disciples must have faced in pondering13900:14:44,859 –> 00:14:49,820this question, should we go to Galilee? Of course there were other resurrection appearances14000:14:49,820 –> 00:14:54,140recorded in the other Gospels, but I want us to think about the distinctive witness14100:14:55,020 –> 00:14:59,219this morning. Put yourself in the shoes14200:14:59,219 –> 00:15:06,219of Peter. Do I go to Galilee? Is he there? Do I really believe he’s there? A several14300:15:11,000 –> 00:15:16,820days journey on foot to Galilee. If you’re going to go to Galilee, you’ve got to believe14400:15:16,820 –> 00:15:23,020he’s there. And then there’s another question. I think that if you put yourself in Peter’s14500:15:23,419 –> 00:15:30,419shoes, do I really want to meet him? I mean, he knows everything about me and he certainly14600:15:30,679 –> 00:15:36,580heard me cursing and denying that I ever knew him. I feel kind of wretched about some of14700:15:36,580 –> 00:15:41,739the things I’ve done. I’m not sure I really belong very close to this Jesus. Do I really14800:15:41,739 –> 00:15:46,940want to meet him anyway? Do you know, these are exactly the same issues14900:15:47,200 –> 00:15:54,200you will face as you ponder the great invitation to come in faith and in repentance15000:15:55,659 –> 00:16:02,659to the risen Lord Jesus Christ today. The only way that you can come to him is to come15100:16:03,000 –> 00:16:10,000in faith which is what it took Peter to launch out on that journey to Galilee.15200:16:10,820 –> 00:16:15,119And the only way that you can come to him is to come to him in repentance15300:16:15,200 –> 00:16:20,080that is knowing that you have not lived the life that he called you to live15400:16:22,039 –> 00:16:26,520but realizing that it is far better to come in to receive his mercy and grace15500:16:26,520 –> 00:16:31,080then simply to remain at a distance from him because you lack the courage15600:16:31,080 –> 00:16:38,080to come. So Mark gives to us this very very distinctive ending and I think it speaks15700:16:39,000 –> 00:16:44,840to us very very powerfully today Christian faith isn’t a matter of15800:16:44,840 –> 00:16:50,299personal interpretation. It rests on God’s revelation, Jesus is risen, who says15900:16:50,299 –> 00:16:56,280so? God says so. There are many people who have heard this message who have never16000:16:56,280 –> 00:17:03,520been changed by it. They somehow have gone through life still gripped by fear16100:17:03,840 –> 00:17:08,119and still somewhat bewildered about what life is all about16200:17:08,119 –> 00:17:14,760and none of us wants to stay there. But then Mark makes it clear there’s this16300:17:14,760 –> 00:17:21,939great invitation, Christ wants to meet with those who will come to him and you16400:17:21,939 –> 00:17:26,119can come to him today. If you’re gonna do that you’re gonna have to believe16500:17:26,119 –> 00:17:31,359that he’s there as you draw near to him in faith and in prayer. You’re gonna have16600:17:31,359 –> 00:17:35,400to gather the courage to draw near to him knowing that you have not lived a16700:17:35,400 –> 00:17:40,180life that is pleasing or honoring to him. That is what it’s like for all of us to16800:17:40,180 –> 00:17:48,640draw near to him. To trust him for grace and mercy, forgiveness, power, a new16900:17:48,640 –> 00:17:57,540life which is what comes as his gift to all who draw near to him. One17000:17:57,839 –> 00:18:02,260illustration and then we’re through. I want you to imagine with me for a17100:18:02,260 –> 00:18:10,979moment, a family living in abject poverty. And picture it, they sleep in17200:18:10,979 –> 00:18:17,819a rough shelter where the roof leaks, they have no money, they scavenge for17300:18:17,819 –> 00:18:27,339food and the kids’ clothes are in tatters. A distant uncle dies and leaves them17400:18:27,359 –> 00:18:39,09910 million dollars. That is good news. But the 10 million dollars will not change17500:18:39,099 –> 00:18:49,239their lives. Think about it, it is what the 10 million dollars can do that will17600:18:49,239 –> 00:18:55,780change their lives. The 10 million dollars can buy them a home with central17700:18:55,780 –> 00:19:00,219heating and air conditioning and a bedroom for each of the kids.17800:19:00,219 –> 00:19:03,939The 10 million dollars can buy a new wardrobe for each of the children.17900:19:03,939 –> 00:19:09,079The 10 million dollars can give them a lifetime supply of the finest pizza18000:19:09,079 –> 00:19:15,739or whatever else they chose to eat. But suppose the 10 million dollars18100:19:15,739 –> 00:19:25,319remained in the bank and was never used, never drawn. If that should happen,18200:19:25,319 –> 00:19:31,160the kids would be in the same clothes, the family under the same leaking roof,18300:19:31,160 –> 00:19:37,739and with 10 million dollars unused in the bank, that could have changed their lives.18400:19:37,739 –> 00:19:43,180That would be tragic, wouldn’t it? Be tragic.18500:19:43,619 –> 00:19:51,219The man who hears the good news about the 10 million dollars must go to the bank.18600:19:52,119 –> 00:19:57,479He must draw on what has been given to him.18700:19:57,479 –> 00:20:04,859He must realize the value of this priceless gift that has been accomplished and has been given,18800:20:04,859 –> 00:20:09,880and he must use it. He must use it for the purpose for which it has been given,18900:20:09,880 –> 00:20:13,719which is to change his life and the lives of others,19000:20:13,719 –> 00:20:19,619because there is enough here not only for one family, but for many.19100:20:19,760 –> 00:20:23,280Jesus Christ has come into the world.19200:20:23,280 –> 00:20:26,000He died for our sins.19300:20:26,000 –> 00:20:28,920He rose to bring us to everlasting life.19400:20:28,920 –> 00:20:34,719He offers forgiveness and new life by the power of his Holy Spirit.19500:20:35,560 –> 00:20:43,619And many of us have heard this, but the truth is it has not yet changed your life.19600:20:43,619 –> 00:20:49,359Today I want just to end with this invitation that really is the point at the end of Mark’s Gospel.19700:20:49,500 –> 00:20:52,020This risen Christ wants you to come to him.19800:20:52,020 –> 00:20:53,060He has come to you.19900:20:53,060 –> 00:20:56,099Now, you must come to him.20000:20:57,540 –> 00:21:03,420You must draw on all that he has accomplished for you and all that he offers to you.20100:21:04,300 –> 00:21:07,300You come to him in faith.20200:21:07,300 –> 00:21:10,040You come to him in repentance.20300:21:10,859 –> 00:21:16,959And then you receive to the full all the grace, and mercy, and life, and strength, and power20400:21:17,119 –> 00:21:23,479that flows to you from Christ crucified and risen for you.20500:21:25,599 –> 00:21:29,640Mark’s gospel is an unfinished story.20600:21:29,640 –> 00:21:36,000The ending of it will be written in your life.20700:21:37,119 –> 00:21:41,959You’ve been listening to Pastor Colin Smith, here on Open the Bible, and the last message20800:22:11,959 –> 00:22:14,319for Open the Bible UK.20900:22:14,319 –> 00:22:19,119Maybe as you’ve been listening to the message today, you’ve heard God calling you into a21000:22:19,119 –> 00:22:21,780relationship with Jesus Christ.21100:22:21,780 –> 00:22:26,099You’d like to know more about how to enter into that relationship by the saving grace21200:22:26,099 –> 00:22:31,260of God, and if so, I hope you’ll seek out a trusted Christian friend or family member21300:22:31,260 –> 00:22:34,280or maybe go along to a Christian Church Fellowship.21400:22:34,280 –> 00:22:39,079Take time to speak with the folk there, the pastor, or simply members of that Fellowship,21500:22:39,079 –> 00:22:42,719tell them about your journey to discover faith for yourself.21600:22:42,719 –> 00:22:47,099You’ll find they’ll be ready to pray with you, to help you make that step.21700:22:47,099 –> 00:22:51,819Or if you are not yet ready to make that step, and still have questions, and we all have21800:22:51,819 –> 00:22:56,979questions, there may well be a Bible study course or a Home Group or an Alpha Program21900:22:56,979 –> 00:22:58,660that you can join.22000:22:58,660 –> 00:23:01,859At Open the Bible we welcome contact with our listeners.22100:23:01,859 –> 00:23:06,699If you’ve been blessed by Pastor Colin Smith’s teaching, and you’d like to reach out to us,22200:23:06,699 –> 00:23:08,619there are several ways you can do that.22300:23:08,640 –> 00:23:18,380You can write to us at Open the Bible Peobox 1420 Cheltenham GL50 9PG22400:23:18,380 –> 00:23:26,400or you can phone us on 0330 335 8089.22500:23:26,400 –> 00:23:31,239If we are not available when you call, leave a message for us, and we’ll return your call.22600:23:31,239 –> 00:23:38,020And you can find all those contact details on our website, openthebible.org.uk22700:23:38,020 –> 00:23:41,739Open the Bible is able to stay on this station and on the internet22800:23:41,739 –> 00:23:45,699as a result of the generous gifts made by our listeners.22900:23:45,699 –> 00:23:50,579If you’re able to begin supporting Open the Bible for the first time in this way,23000:23:50,579 –> 00:23:51,979we have an offer for you.23100:23:51,979 –> 00:23:56,540If you’re able to set up a new direct debit in the amount of 5 pounds per month23200:23:56,540 –> 00:23:58,900or a one off gift of 50 pounds,23300:23:58,900 –> 00:24:03,500we’d love to say thank you by sending you a copy of R. C. Sproul’s book23400:24:03,500 –> 00:24:05,500The Advent of Glory,23500:24:05,540 –> 00:24:08,660its 24 devotions for Christmas.23600:24:08,660 –> 00:24:11,819Colin some of us grew up without hearing much about Advent,23700:24:11,819 –> 00:24:13,780so what is Advent?23800:24:13,780 –> 00:24:17,380Well Advent very simply means coming or arrival23900:24:17,380 –> 00:24:21,380and so it can refer either to the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ24000:24:21,380 –> 00:24:23,660when He was born in the manger24100:24:23,660 –> 00:24:26,859or the glorious second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ24200:24:26,859 –> 00:24:29,819when He’s going to return in power and glory.24300:24:29,819 –> 00:24:32,979And this book by R. C. Sproul,24400:24:32,979 –> 00:24:37,020Advent of Glory, is just a marvelous devotional.24500:24:37,020 –> 00:24:41,380He’s picked out 24 words from the heart of the Christmas story24600:24:41,380 –> 00:24:45,459and about four pages on each, it’s a delight to read,24700:24:45,459 –> 00:24:48,500there’s a prayer that follows each of these devotions24800:24:48,500 –> 00:24:52,420and it’s a wonderful, wonderful way to prepare for Christmas.24900:24:52,420 –> 00:24:55,020Well R. C. Sproul’s book, The Advent of Glory,25000:24:55,020 –> 00:24:59,979is our gift to you for beginning to support Open The Bible financially this month.25100:24:59,979 –> 00:25:02,619Full details of this offer, terms and conditions25200:25:02,619 –> 00:25:08,060and to give on-line at our website openthebible.org.uk25300:25:08,060 –> 00:25:10,300For Open The Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,25400:25:10,300 –> 00:25:14,420I’m David Pick and I hope you’ll join us again next time.25500:25:19,579 –> 00:25:23,180You can fulfil the purpose for which God has made you25600:25:23,180 –> 00:25:26,420and live the life to which he is calling you.25700:25:26,420 –> 00:25:29,780Find out how next time on Open The Bible.