100:00:00,740 –> 00:00:03,740The Pan-Democratic Sermon200:00:03,780 –> 00:00:06,480You don’t know when the next great crisis of your life is coming.300:00:06,500 –> 00:00:08,740I don’t know. It could be today.400:00:08,800 –> 00:00:10,640Could be this week. Could be next year.500:00:10,680 –> 00:00:12,000I don’t know.600:00:12,040 –> 00:00:16,440But we need to be building our life in Christ,700:00:16,500 –> 00:00:19,840being rooted in Christ because this life isn’t easy800:00:19,879 –> 00:00:22,360and you are going to be called to confess Christ900:00:22,400 –> 00:00:24,160in difficult circumstances.1000:00:24,219 –> 00:00:26,840Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.1100:00:26,959 –> 00:00:28,000I’m David Pick.1200:00:28,059 –> 00:00:29,360Glad you could join us today.1300:00:29,600 –> 00:00:31,420Colin, I’m glad we’re talking about the fact1400:00:31,459 –> 00:00:34,520that the Christian life often isn’t easy.1500:00:34,660 –> 00:00:37,060It’s in those actual difficulties1600:00:37,099 –> 00:00:38,720that our testimony can shine.1700:00:39,060 –> 00:00:39,919Yes, right.1800:00:39,959 –> 00:00:41,820When you say that what comes to my mind1900:00:41,860 –> 00:00:44,720are folks in the congregation here2000:00:44,779 –> 00:00:48,480who really have suffered incredible loss2100:00:48,520 –> 00:00:52,099and have maintained a good confession2200:00:52,139 –> 00:00:53,900of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.2300:00:53,939 –> 00:00:56,900I think of a dear lady in our congregation2400:00:57,000 –> 00:00:58,860whose husband and son2500:00:59,119 –> 00:01:02,599were shot and killed in Afghanistan2600:01:02,639 –> 00:01:05,699and the indescribable pain and loss2700:01:05,739 –> 00:01:08,199that this dear lady has endured,2800:01:08,260 –> 00:01:11,139and yet how wonderfully she has witnessed2900:01:11,180 –> 00:01:12,580a good confession,3000:01:12,620 –> 00:01:15,540putting her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,3100:01:15,580 –> 00:01:17,040confessing Christ,3200:01:17,080 –> 00:01:20,220speaking to others of Jesus being sufficient3300:01:20,260 –> 00:01:21,699even for this.3400:01:21,760 –> 00:01:24,199You know, it’s in the hardest things of life3500:01:24,540 –> 00:01:26,540that our greatest testimonies are born.3600:01:26,540 –> 00:01:29,360When was Job’s greatest confession3700:01:29,419 –> 00:01:30,739of his faith in the Lord?3800:01:30,760 –> 00:01:32,139It was when he lost everything.3900:01:32,180 –> 00:01:33,820Now, not everything is going well.4000:01:33,919 –> 00:01:35,900So there’s gonna be someone listening today4100:01:35,940 –> 00:01:37,940and it’s the tough time in your life.4200:01:37,980 –> 00:01:39,419This is the moment4300:01:39,459 –> 00:01:41,160when you are being called4400:01:41,199 –> 00:01:43,199to witness a good confession4500:01:43,239 –> 00:01:45,339of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ4600:01:45,360 –> 00:01:47,680and it will shine in light4700:01:47,739 –> 00:01:49,080into the lives of others.4800:01:49,099 –> 00:01:51,139This may be the greatest moment4900:01:51,180 –> 00:01:54,300of your testimony and of your impact5000:01:54,320 –> 00:01:56,480and God will use it in the lives of others.5100:01:56,500 –> 00:01:58,500That’s a great way to begin the program,5200:01:58,519 –> 00:01:59,900a message of encouragement,5300:01:59,919 –> 00:02:01,839so I hope you’ll join us in Matthew 10.5400:02:01,860 –> 00:02:03,879As we continue the message,5500:02:03,900 –> 00:02:06,500Jesus will confess you before the Father.5600:02:06,519 –> 00:02:07,660Here is Colin.5700:02:07,699 –> 00:02:10,759What does it mean5800:02:10,800 –> 00:02:12,720for us5900:02:12,740 –> 00:02:15,179to confess Jesus Christ6000:02:15,199 –> 00:02:17,199in America?6100:02:17,220 –> 00:02:19,479and I want to answer that question6200:02:19,520 –> 00:02:21,740by suggesting to you seven ways6300:02:22,119 –> 00:02:25,839in which we can confess Jesus Christ.6400:02:26,759 –> 00:02:28,339The first one really is the easiest.6500:02:28,380 –> 00:02:32,419Perhaps they’re in ascending order of difficulty.6600:02:32,440 –> 00:02:36,380You can confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ in baptism.6700:02:37,500 –> 00:02:38,899Second,6800:02:38,919 –> 00:02:41,259you can confess the glory of Christ6900:02:41,279 –> 00:02:43,559in costly obedience.7000:02:44,460 –> 00:02:46,839Now I want to encourage us as a congregation this morning7100:02:46,860 –> 00:02:50,399because in all of these ways of confession,7200:02:50,419 –> 00:02:52,679I have to tell you my own heart is moved7300:02:52,699 –> 00:02:55,820and my own faith is greatly strengthened7400:02:55,860 –> 00:02:59,479by seeing examples of this happening among us7500:02:59,500 –> 00:03:01,619in this very congregation.7600:03:02,279 –> 00:03:05,059Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven7700:03:05,080 –> 00:03:07,660is like treasure hidden in a field.7800:03:07,699 –> 00:03:09,800When a man finds it, he hides it again,7900:03:09,820 –> 00:03:12,119and then with joy, he sells everything he has8000:03:12,139 –> 00:03:14,419in order to buy the field.8100:03:14,440 –> 00:03:15,839In other words, Jesus says,8200:03:15,860 –> 00:03:18,119when you see something of supreme value,8300:03:18,179 –> 00:03:21,619you go after it irrespective of cost.8400:03:22,279 –> 00:03:25,880And I see that happening in costly obedience8500:03:25,899 –> 00:03:28,639widely among us as a congregation.8600:03:29,080 –> 00:03:32,240Some of us are stretching ourselves out8700:03:32,259 –> 00:03:35,460in serving Jesus Christ as never before.8800:03:36,899 –> 00:03:39,740Some of us are stretching ourselves out8900:03:39,759 –> 00:03:43,800in giving to Jesus Christ as never before.9000:03:43,820 –> 00:03:46,380Costly acts9100:03:46,380 –> 00:03:49,199are proclaiming, confessing9200:03:49,220 –> 00:03:52,500the glory of Jesus Christ.9300:03:53,820 –> 00:03:56,020Third, let me speak to those of us9400:03:56,059 –> 00:03:58,500who have experienced loneliness,9500:03:58,520 –> 00:04:01,380let downs, disappointment.9600:04:01,399 –> 00:04:03,520You’ve felt that someone, that other people9700:04:03,539 –> 00:04:05,800didn’t care about you as they should9800:04:05,820 –> 00:04:09,100and you have felt let down by other believers.9900:04:09,119 –> 00:04:12,259I want to suggest that you can use this10000:04:12,279 –> 00:04:16,040as a unique opportunity to confess Jesus Christ.10100:04:16,200 –> 00:04:20,260You confess the presence of Christ in loneliness,10200:04:20,279 –> 00:04:23,279and I take that from 2nd Timothy 4,10300:04:23,299 –> 00:04:26,220when Paul was particularly lonely he was in prison,10400:04:26,239 –> 00:04:27,899in fact he was in a dungeon,10500:04:27,920 –> 00:04:30,140and Luke was the only one around in the area,10600:04:30,160 –> 00:04:31,899it seems, who was able to offer him10700:04:31,920 –> 00:04:33,500any fellowship or support,10800:04:33,519 –> 00:04:35,420and he talks about folks who have left.10900:04:35,440 –> 00:04:37,179Demas has deserted me, he says,11000:04:37,200 –> 00:04:39,739and then Crescens and has gone to Galatia.11100:04:39,760 –> 00:04:42,019Titus to Domashia. Only Luke is with me.11200:04:42,260 –> 00:04:44,779He talks about Alexander the metal worker,11300:04:44,779 –> 00:04:46,640a man who professed to be a Christian,11400:04:46,660 –> 00:04:49,160but Paul says he did?me all kinds of harm,11500:04:49,179 –> 00:04:52,160and so Paul has a catalogue of discouragement,11600:04:53,739 –> 00:04:55,320and when that happens in your life,11700:04:55,339 –> 00:04:57,000when you feel other people are letting you down,11800:04:57,019 –> 00:04:59,019when people are not there for you,11900:05:00,820 –> 00:05:02,640you can kind of turn in on yourself,12000:05:02,660 –> 00:05:04,440say, ah, that’s Christians for you,12100:05:04,459 –> 00:05:06,459but Paul didn’t do that.12200:05:07,540 –> 00:05:10,260He seized his loneliness12300:05:11,179 –> 00:05:14,179as an opportunity to confess Christ.12400:05:14,859 –> 00:05:16,420Here’s how he did it.12500:05:16,899 –> 00:05:18,959Second Timothy chapter four, in verse 16,12600:05:18,980 –> 00:05:21,299he says, at my first defence12700:05:21,339 –> 00:05:23,220– that’s the first time he was in court –12800:05:23,260 –> 00:05:25,000nobody came to my defence.12900:05:25,019 –> 00:05:26,519Nobody came.13000:05:26,540 –> 00:05:28,279Nobody came to my support.13100:05:28,299 –> 00:05:29,799Everyone deserted me, he says.13200:05:29,820 –> 00:05:31,640May it not be held against them.13300:05:31,660 –> 00:05:33,160And then he says this,13400:05:33,179 –> 00:05:36,820but the Lord stood at my side13500:05:37,420 –> 00:05:39,220and gave me strength.13600:05:39,940 –> 00:05:43,359Boy, that is confessing the presence of Christ13700:05:43,359 –> 00:05:44,799in loneliness.13800:05:45,480 –> 00:05:46,980You can do that in a situation13900:05:47,000 –> 00:05:48,660where you feel very let down.14000:05:48,679 –> 00:05:50,019You could seize this.14100:05:50,040 –> 00:05:51,579Instead of turning in on yourself,14200:05:51,600 –> 00:05:54,100you could seize this as an opportunity14300:05:54,119 –> 00:05:59,000to confess what the presence of Jesus means to you.14400:06:00,239 –> 00:06:03,600That will be an inspiration to others,14500:06:03,640 –> 00:06:06,720and it will bring glory to Jesus Christ.14600:06:08,559 –> 00:06:09,760Fourth example.14700:06:10,160 –> 00:06:11,899This is for everyone who hasn’t got14800:06:11,940 –> 00:06:13,720enough money at the moment.14900:06:13,899 –> 00:06:15,739Okay, I won’t ask for a show of hands.15000:06:16,260 –> 00:06:17,559Everyone who feels15100:06:17,579 –> 00:06:19,399under financial pressure,15200:06:19,420 –> 00:06:20,720and especially those of us15300:06:20,739 –> 00:06:22,140who have lost jobs,15400:06:22,940 –> 00:06:24,899I want you to see that this15500:06:25,619 –> 00:06:26,839is an opportunity15600:06:26,859 –> 00:06:30,119for you to confess Jesus Christ.15700:06:30,140 –> 00:06:31,160And there are many among us15800:06:31,179 –> 00:06:33,459who are really doing this in a powerful way.15900:06:34,500 –> 00:06:35,619Let me explain how.16000:06:35,940 –> 00:06:39,459You can confess contentment in Christ16100:06:39,940 –> 00:06:42,760under financial pressure.16200:06:43,660 –> 00:06:44,820Now, Paul speaks about this16300:06:44,839 –> 00:06:46,079in Philippians 4.16400:06:46,500 –> 00:06:48,040He knew widely different16500:06:48,059 –> 00:06:50,440financial circumstances in his life.16600:06:51,500 –> 00:06:54,420He says, I know what it is to have plenty.16700:06:54,859 –> 00:06:56,440And then he says in Philippians 4,16800:06:56,459 –> 00:06:58,899I even know what it is to be hungry.16900:06:59,220 –> 00:07:01,540Now, that’s pretty extreme difference.17000:07:02,299 –> 00:07:05,019Remember that, Paul, brilliant mind,17100:07:05,660 –> 00:07:07,279high-flying career,17200:07:07,299 –> 00:07:08,799school of Gamelial,17300:07:09,160 –> 00:07:12,579fast-promoted in his role as a Pharisee, and so forth.17400:07:13,079 –> 00:07:15,399I mean, he was in a big bucks position.17500:07:16,380 –> 00:07:18,519He knew what it was to have the big money.17600:07:19,880 –> 00:07:21,260But when he’s converted to Christ,17700:07:21,279 –> 00:07:23,519he becomes an apostle and then he’s living off support,17800:07:23,559 –> 00:07:25,260and that sometimes came through17900:07:25,279 –> 00:07:26,899and it sometimes didn’t come through.18000:07:26,920 –> 00:07:29,660And he says, I also know what it is to have not known18100:07:29,679 –> 00:07:31,799where my next meal was coming from.18200:07:33,079 –> 00:07:35,820Now, these are hugely different financial circumstances18300:07:35,839 –> 00:07:37,200in the course of one life.18400:07:39,279 –> 00:07:43,019Now, when he was feeling financial pressure,18500:07:43,040 –> 00:07:45,399not knowing where the next meal is coming from,18600:07:46,320 –> 00:07:49,079he could have said, where is God in all of this?18700:07:50,519 –> 00:07:53,700But what he does is he seizes the opportunity18800:07:53,720 –> 00:07:57,179to confess his contentment in Christ.18900:07:57,200 –> 00:07:58,320It’s powerful.19000:07:59,799 –> 00:08:02,440He says, I’ve learnt, I know what it is to have plenty,19100:08:02,440 –> 00:08:04,540and I know what it is to be in great need.19200:08:04,559 –> 00:08:06,440He says I have learned the secret19300:08:06,440 –> 00:08:08,380of being content in every situation19400:08:08,380 –> 00:08:10,200and whether well-fed or hungry,19500:08:10,220 –> 00:08:14,480I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.19600:08:15,640 –> 00:08:18,519Now, folks, my heart has been moved19700:08:18,540 –> 00:08:20,880by hearing some of you testify19800:08:20,899 –> 00:08:23,140to the way in which you are doing this.19900:08:24,679 –> 00:08:29,980Guy says to me, Pastor, I lost my job this week,20000:08:30,000 –> 00:08:31,760but I want you to know20100:08:31,760 –> 00:08:33,679I’m trusting Christ.20200:08:33,679 –> 00:08:36,140That is a fantastic confession.20300:08:36,820 –> 00:08:39,640This is one of the places in life20400:08:40,780 –> 00:08:43,599where you can bear witness to what Jesus Christ20500:08:43,619 –> 00:08:45,700means to you and your confidence20600:08:45,700 –> 00:08:47,960and your trust in him.20700:08:47,979 –> 00:08:51,039It may be one of your finest moments of confession.20800:08:51,059 –> 00:08:52,239So don’t miss it.20900:08:52,260 –> 00:08:54,539Don’t miss it.21000:08:54,559 –> 00:08:57,580Confessing your contentment in Christ21100:08:58,619 –> 00:09:03,440under financial pressure is another one.21200:09:03,440 –> 00:09:07,900Let me speak now to all of us here who have ill health.21300:09:09,280 –> 00:09:11,780Everyone who’s undergoing a course of treatment,21400:09:11,799 –> 00:09:13,179everyone who has a sickness,21500:09:13,200 –> 00:09:16,679everyone who even now is in physical pain,21600:09:17,799 –> 00:09:22,320you can use this as an opportunity21700:09:22,359 –> 00:09:24,960to confess Christ.21800:09:24,979 –> 00:09:26,260Here’s how.21900:09:26,280 –> 00:09:28,380Again, I take the example of the Apostle Paul,22000:09:28,400 –> 00:09:31,140this time two Corinthians and chapter 12.22100:09:31,159 –> 00:09:33,219You remember that there Paul tells us22200:09:33,219 –> 00:09:35,559about a particular affliction22300:09:35,580 –> 00:09:37,280that he describes22400:09:37,299 –> 00:09:40,359as a thorn in the flesh?22500:09:40,820 –> 00:09:42,520It seems most likely22600:09:42,539 –> 00:09:44,359that this was some kind of illness22700:09:44,380 –> 00:09:46,280or some kind of disability.22800:09:46,619 –> 00:09:48,039And three times Paul says,22900:09:48,059 –> 00:09:50,359I pleaded with the Lord23000:09:50,380 –> 00:09:52,599that he would take it away.23100:09:53,380 –> 00:09:55,479Now some of you know about this.23200:09:55,500 –> 00:09:57,200God gives you good health.23300:09:57,900 –> 00:09:59,239But then,23400:09:59,979 –> 00:10:02,760suddenly you find that you have a condition23500:10:02,760 –> 00:10:05,539and you’re not able to do things you were able to do before.23600:10:05,559 –> 00:10:07,940You’re plunged into a different world23700:10:07,960 –> 00:10:11,340and your experience of life is entirely different.23800:10:11,359 –> 00:10:12,739And you will do what Paul did.23900:10:12,760 –> 00:10:15,200You will pled with the Lord to take it away.24000:10:15,239 –> 00:10:16,940And Paul did this three times.24100:10:17,479 –> 00:10:18,940And you might well have said,24200:10:18,979 –> 00:10:22,059what a wonderful testimony I would have if God healed me of this.24300:10:22,099 –> 00:10:23,260And that is true.24400:10:23,280 –> 00:10:26,580And there are wonderful testimonies to God’s healing power.24500:10:26,919 –> 00:10:28,780But Paul’s testimony in this situation24600:10:28,919 –> 00:10:32,739was that God did not take this particular affliction away,24700:10:32,760 –> 00:10:36,059but rather what God Christ said to him was this,24800:10:36,080 –> 00:10:39,460my grace is sufficient for you,24900:10:39,479 –> 00:10:43,820my power is made perfect in your weakness.25000:10:43,840 –> 00:10:44,979And so Paul says,25100:10:45,020 –> 00:10:47,419therefore I’m going to boast about my weakness25200:10:47,440 –> 00:10:50,940so that Christ’s power may rest on me.25300:10:52,299 –> 00:10:57,700Some of us are going through sickness,25400:10:57,820 –> 00:10:59,520pain,25500:10:59,539 –> 00:11:03,700and we’re confessing the sufficiency of Christ in it.25600:11:03,739 –> 00:11:06,840Jesus is with me in it,25700:11:06,859 –> 00:11:12,000and Jesus is enough for me in this.25800:11:12,020 –> 00:11:15,479Folks, that is an extraordinary confession of Christ.25900:11:15,500 –> 00:11:19,880It may be one of the most challenging and difficult things in your life,26000:11:19,900 –> 00:11:21,919but oh, how you glorify Christ26100:11:21,919 –> 00:11:29,280by confessing his sufficiency in sickness and in pain.26200:11:30,520 –> 00:11:32,099Number six.26300:11:32,719 –> 00:11:37,219And here I want to speak to folks who may have good health,26400:11:37,239 –> 00:11:39,260but, boy, the circumstances of your life26500:11:39,280 –> 00:11:44,539have just hit you with one wave after another of difficulty.26600:11:45,039 –> 00:11:47,979You know, as a pastor, I think of conversations26700:11:48,000 –> 00:11:50,419with folks among us about one thing has happened,26800:11:50,500 –> 00:11:53,960then something else in the family, then something else in work26900:11:53,979 –> 00:11:56,679and you think, oh, not one more thing for them.27000:11:56,700 –> 00:11:58,500Not one more thing for them.27100:11:59,580 –> 00:12:01,400If that’s your situation today,27200:12:01,419 –> 00:12:07,619you can confess the comfort of Christ in crushing trials.27300:12:08,219 –> 00:12:11,539And Paul speaks about this in 2 Corinthians in chapter 1.27400:12:12,099 –> 00:12:16,080He talks about when, on a particular visit to a part of Asia,27500:12:16,099 –> 00:12:18,159he says, we were put under great pressure27600:12:18,159 –> 00:12:20,340far beyond our ability to endure.27700:12:20,359 –> 00:12:22,359We even despaired of life itself.27800:12:22,400 –> 00:12:23,539This wasn’t an illness.27900:12:24,000 –> 00:12:26,840This was just a series of circumstances28000:12:26,840 –> 00:12:29,140and events that led Paul to say,28100:12:29,239 –> 00:12:33,080I felt utterly, unbearably crushed.28200:12:35,000 –> 00:12:37,599And there are some among us here who know what that is like,28300:12:37,599 –> 00:12:38,400and we’re right there.28400:12:38,679 –> 00:12:42,840Now I feel utterly unbearably crushed.28500:12:43,520 –> 00:12:47,179And here’s how Paul confesses Christ in that.28600:12:48,440 –> 00:12:50,619He discovers, you can read it that in second28700:12:50,619 –> 00:12:52,320Corinthians one, the comfort of God.28800:12:53,840 –> 00:12:57,039And he says, I thank God, the God of all comfort,28900:12:57,039 –> 00:12:59,159because here’s what God is doing in me,29000:12:59,159 –> 00:13:01,580where I’m utterly, unbearably crushed.29100:13:02,659 –> 00:13:06,119He is producing in me not only an experience of his comfort,29200:13:07,140 –> 00:13:08,960but he’s making it possible for me29300:13:08,960 –> 00:13:11,559to minister comfort to others.29400:13:12,020 –> 00:13:14,020In a way that I could never do otherwise.29500:13:15,700 –> 00:13:19,719That is an extraordinary confession of Jesus Christ.29600:13:20,599 –> 00:13:21,840The confession that you could make,29700:13:21,840 –> 00:13:26,840a confession that many among us are making,29800:13:26,979 –> 00:13:28,900under extraordinary pressure,29900:13:30,260 –> 00:13:32,520to the praise and glory of God.30000:13:32,520 –> 00:13:33,780You’re listening to Open the Bible30100:13:33,780 –> 00:13:34,880with pastor Colin Smith,30200:13:34,880 –> 00:13:37,960in a message called Jesus Will Confess You30300:13:37,960 –> 00:13:39,219Before the Father.30400:13:39,219 –> 00:13:40,380And we’ll come back to the message30500:13:41,059 –> 00:13:42,599very shortly.30600:13:42,599 –> 00:13:45,880It’s part of our series Rock Solid 7 Promises30700:13:45,880 –> 00:13:47,440Christ Makes to You.30800:13:47,440 –> 00:13:49,340And if you’ve missed any of the series,30900:13:49,340 –> 00:13:51,140it’s easy to catch up or go back31000:13:51,140 –> 00:13:52,599and listen again online,31100:13:52,599 –> 00:13:56,940at our website, openthebible.org.uk.31200:13:56,940 –> 00:13:58,080Back to the message now,31300:13:58,080 –> 00:13:59,599we’re in Matthew chapter 10.31400:13:59,599 –> 00:14:01,380Here again is Colin.31500:14:01,380 –> 00:14:02,799And here’s the seventh31600:14:02,799 –> 00:14:04,359and perhaps the hardest of all.31700:14:05,799 –> 00:14:08,179I want to speak here to everyone31800:14:08,179 –> 00:14:09,640who has been bereaved.31900:14:11,239 –> 00:14:14,659Especially to those who have lost a child,32000:14:16,679 –> 00:14:19,039I want you to speak to you in this moment32100:14:19,039 –> 00:14:24,039about the power of your confession of Jesus Christ.32200:14:24,719 –> 00:14:25,960And there are many among us32300:14:25,960 –> 00:14:29,859who have gone through indescribable loss.32400:14:31,559 –> 00:14:35,880And in this place there are among us32500:14:35,880 –> 00:14:39,080many who have made the most extraordinary confession,32600:14:39,119 –> 00:14:42,559the confession of the sovereignty of Christ32700:14:42,559 –> 00:14:45,960in sorrow and in loss.32800:14:45,960 –> 00:14:48,299And I take this of course from the story of Job.32900:14:48,299 –> 00:14:49,900You know the story well.33000:14:49,900 –> 00:14:52,679Here’s this man who’s prospering in every way,33100:14:52,679 –> 00:14:55,659has this marvelous family with all these children.33200:14:55,659 –> 00:14:59,760And in one day his whole world implodes,33300:14:59,760 –> 00:15:04,440enemies ransack his holdings33400:15:04,440 –> 00:15:09,039and his wealth is plundered and on the same day33500:15:09,039 –> 00:15:11,020all of his children are gathered in one house,33600:15:11,020 –> 00:15:14,520they’re having a party and the house implodes33700:15:14,520 –> 00:15:17,119and every one of his children are dead.33800:15:18,039 –> 00:15:21,820It is an unspeakable sorrow and loss.33900:15:23,080 –> 00:15:27,880And Job’s wife comes to him and you remember she says,34000:15:27,880 –> 00:15:32,880Job why don’t you just curse God and die.34100:15:33,200 –> 00:15:34,020Why?34200:15:36,039 –> 00:15:41,039And Job says, God gave and God has taken away34300:15:45,840 –> 00:15:50,760may the name of the Lord be praised.34400:15:52,599 –> 00:15:55,679And the Book of Job makes it very clear34500:15:55,679 –> 00:16:00,679that that confession in the deepest place of pain34600:16:03,239 –> 00:16:08,239reverberates through heaven and thunders through hell.34700:16:11,520 –> 00:16:15,299And I have to tell you that the testimony34800:16:15,299 –> 00:16:18,460that some of you have borne and are bearing34900:16:18,460 –> 00:16:20,619in that kind of loss35000:16:23,020 –> 00:16:25,559is more glorifying to Christ35100:16:26,419 –> 00:16:30,000and more strengthening to your brothers and sisters35200:16:30,080 –> 00:16:32,320that are present around you35300:16:32,320 –> 00:16:34,719than you will know in this life,35400:16:34,719 –> 00:16:37,119though God may allow you to know it in eternity.35500:16:40,799 –> 00:16:45,179You’re loving Christ still,35600:16:46,760 –> 00:16:51,760the greatest confession of Jesus Christ in your life.35700:16:55,159 –> 00:16:56,520Now, folks, haven’t we come a long way?35800:16:56,520 –> 00:16:58,679You know, if we started out with this verse35900:16:59,359 –> 00:17:01,299just over half an hour ago saying,36000:17:01,299 –> 00:17:03,559you know, hey this is easy, whoever confesses me,36100:17:03,559 –> 00:17:04,959oh, we just have to confess Jesus.36200:17:04,959 –> 00:17:06,680We have to say we believe in Jesus.36300:17:07,839 –> 00:17:10,780We’ve come a long way because what we’re seeing is36400:17:10,780 –> 00:17:13,239that the confession Jesus is talking about36500:17:14,520 –> 00:17:18,640comes from the realities of life36600:17:20,819 –> 00:17:22,719that are most difficult for us.36700:17:24,359 –> 00:17:26,520And he’s saying to us, now look,36800:17:26,520 –> 00:17:31,180you seize every opportunity to confess me36900:17:31,180 –> 00:17:32,979and the hardest things in your life37000:17:32,979 –> 00:17:35,140will be the greatest opportunities you have.37100:17:36,140 –> 00:17:37,500And it will reverberate through hell,37200:17:37,500 –> 00:17:39,479through heaven, around the people of God.37300:17:40,439 –> 00:17:41,280It really will.37400:17:43,880 –> 00:17:46,459Now, when we see that, I guess there’s just one more thing37500:17:46,459 –> 00:17:48,959that will come to our minds in these last moments37600:17:48,959 –> 00:17:51,239and it’s this, it certainly comes to my mind.37700:17:51,239 –> 00:17:54,219I look at this and I say, Lord, how can I do this?37800:17:55,219 –> 00:17:57,760I look at what others are doing,37900:17:57,760 –> 00:18:01,079I admire the strength of the faith of others,38000:18:01,079 –> 00:18:03,560I feel terribly weak in my own faith,38100:18:03,560 –> 00:18:08,160not sure I can do what is being described here.38200:18:08,160 –> 00:18:09,699How can I do this?38300:18:09,699 –> 00:18:11,459Let me just say three things very briefly38400:18:11,459 –> 00:18:12,839in these last moments.38500:18:13,699 –> 00:18:17,199The first is simply this, get ready.38600:18:18,380 –> 00:18:19,359Get ready.38700:18:19,359 –> 00:18:24,359My older boy Andrew is planning on doing the Ironman38800:18:25,380 –> 00:18:28,920in Wisconsin in the summer.38900:18:28,920 –> 00:18:30,160You know what the Ironman is?39000:18:30,160 –> 00:18:32,760I know some of the rest of you do this business.39100:18:32,760 –> 00:18:36,079Two mile swim, then jump on a bike39200:18:36,079 –> 00:18:37,920and ride over a hundred miles,39300:18:37,920 –> 00:18:39,920and then just to polish off the afternoon,39400:18:39,920 –> 00:18:42,43926 mile marathon run around.39500:18:42,439 –> 00:18:44,680It makes me tired to think about it.39600:18:44,680 –> 00:18:47,859You imagine doing all these things consecutively.39700:18:48,699 –> 00:18:51,520He’s gonna be training all year.39800:18:53,619 –> 00:18:56,699Now, if we are going to be confessors of Christ39900:18:56,699 –> 00:19:00,099in the hardest circumstances of life,40000:19:00,099 –> 00:19:02,699we will want to be getting ready and training,40100:19:02,699 –> 00:19:04,339building spiritual muscle.40200:19:04,339 –> 00:19:06,619We’ll not be the kind of people who’s another Sunday40300:19:06,619 –> 00:19:08,760at church, sing a few songs, here’s a message,40400:19:08,760 –> 00:19:09,760go home and so forth.40500:19:09,760 –> 00:19:12,800We will be intentional about saying I need to put down40600:19:12,800 –> 00:19:16,780deep roots into Jesus Christ, to grow strong in him.40700:19:17,239 –> 00:19:18,939To make that true every day of my life,40800:19:18,939 –> 00:19:21,520because honestly, you don’t when the next great crisis40900:19:21,520 –> 00:19:22,500of your life is coming.41000:19:22,500 –> 00:19:24,380I don’t know, it could be today.41100:19:25,160 –> 00:19:26,660Could be this week, could be next year.41200:19:26,660 –> 00:19:27,579I don’t know.41300:19:29,099 –> 00:19:33,680But we need to be building our life in Christ,41400:19:33,680 –> 00:19:36,959being rooted in Christ because this life isn’t easy41500:19:36,959 –> 00:19:39,579and you are going to be called to confess Christ41600:19:39,579 –> 00:19:41,420in difficult circumstances.41700:19:42,420 –> 00:19:44,099You’re not there now, you will be.41800:19:45,040 –> 00:19:47,300So use this opportunity to get ready41900:19:49,099 –> 00:19:50,199and then some of you are saying,42000:19:50,199 –> 00:19:52,359yeah, would be nice if I thought about that42100:19:52,359 –> 00:19:54,459a few years ago, but I’m right in the middle of it now,42200:19:54,459 –> 00:19:56,000here’s the second thing.42300:19:56,000 –> 00:19:59,020Rely on the Holy Spirit.42400:19:59,020 –> 00:20:00,660Rely on the Holy Spirit.42500:20:00,660 –> 00:20:05,359Remember, you are not in this alone.42600:20:05,359 –> 00:20:08,520Paul says in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 in verse two,42700:20:08,520 –> 00:20:10,339wonderful statement, 1 Corinthians 12,42800:20:10,939 –> 00:20:15,880no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.42900:20:15,880 –> 00:20:18,119He’s telling us now how to confess.43000:20:18,979 –> 00:20:22,599Obviously, anyone can say the words Jesus is Lord.43100:20:22,599 –> 00:20:23,780But what he’s really saying is43200:20:23,780 –> 00:20:25,939in the hard circumstances of life,43300:20:25,939 –> 00:20:28,500no one can make this confession.43400:20:28,500 –> 00:20:30,699No one can do what we’ve been talking about here43500:20:30,699 –> 00:20:34,540except by the Holy Spirit and friends,43600:20:34,540 –> 00:20:37,119the Holy Spirit is given to you43700:20:37,119 –> 00:20:38,920for this very purpose43800:20:38,920 –> 00:20:41,619so that in the hardest circumstance of your life43900:20:41,619 –> 00:20:44,500you will be able to stand and confess him.44000:20:45,819 –> 00:20:48,920Thank God for that, thank God for that.44100:20:48,920 –> 00:20:51,560I remember a time some years ago44200:20:51,560 –> 00:20:54,680when I was feeling just overwhelmed in my own life44300:20:54,680 –> 00:20:57,420and I heard a message in a very small church in Scotland44400:20:57,420 –> 00:20:59,260and the pastor said these words,44500:20:59,260 –> 00:21:01,540they’ll be with me forever, God used them.44600:21:01,540 –> 00:21:06,540He said, think what Spirit lives in you.44700:21:08,079 –> 00:21:11,939The Spirit of God lives in you.44800:21:12,959 –> 00:21:16,000Now if you can grasp hold of that in what you’re facing,44900:21:16,000 –> 00:21:17,459you will find yourself saying,45000:21:17,459 –> 00:21:21,140Lord, I can’t do this on my own,45100:21:21,140 –> 00:21:24,520but your Spirit lives in me.45200:21:24,520 –> 00:21:27,300So by your grace and through your strength,45300:21:27,300 –> 00:21:29,500I can, and I will,45400:21:29,500 –> 00:21:33,339I can do all things through Christ45500:21:33,339 –> 00:21:35,719who strengthens me.45600:21:35,959 –> 00:21:38,040And as the very last and most obvious thing,45700:21:38,040 –> 00:21:41,400anticipate the outcome of your faith.45800:21:41,400 –> 00:21:42,599What is that?45900:21:42,599 –> 00:21:45,219I confess Christ, what is he saying to me?46000:21:45,219 –> 00:21:49,439On the last day he will confess me before the Father.46100:21:49,439 –> 00:21:51,079You keep your eye on that.46200:21:52,060 –> 00:21:54,680Why does Jesus say this to the disciples now?46300:21:54,680 –> 00:21:57,199Because he’s sending them out46400:21:57,199 –> 00:22:01,140into situations that will be indescribably tough.46500:22:01,140 –> 00:22:02,880It’s gonna be very costly.46600:22:02,880 –> 00:22:04,859It’s gonna be the hardest thing in their lives46700:22:04,859 –> 00:22:06,640as it is the hardest thing in your life46800:22:06,640 –> 00:22:10,619to truly confess Christ in the most difficult situations.46900:22:10,619 –> 00:22:13,180And Jesus is saying, now, you just remember this.47000:22:13,180 –> 00:22:14,680You keep your eye on this.47100:22:15,859 –> 00:22:17,260That as you confess me,47200:22:18,160 –> 00:22:22,540as you confess me in the hardest things of your life here,47300:22:22,540 –> 00:22:25,400the day is coming when you will stand in my presence47400:22:25,400 –> 00:22:30,400and I will confess you to the glory of God the Father.47500:22:30,719 –> 00:22:31,619Of God the Father.47600:22:33,079 –> 00:22:33,959A helpful look today47700:22:33,959 –> 00:22:37,160at not only what it means to confess Jesus Christ,47800:22:37,160 –> 00:22:41,260but what it means for him to confess us before the Father.47900:22:41,260 –> 00:22:42,760You’re listening to Open The Bible48000:22:42,760 –> 00:22:44,099with Pastor Colin Smith,48100:22:44,099 –> 00:22:45,280and a message called,48200:22:45,280 –> 00:22:48,079Jesus Will Confess You Before The Father.48300:22:48,079 –> 00:22:50,439It’s part of our series, Rock Solid,48400:22:50,439 –> 00:22:53,0797 Promises Christ Makes To You.48500:22:53,079 –> 00:22:54,680And if you’ve missed any of the series,48600:22:54,680 –> 00:22:56,359you can always catch up48700:22:56,359 –> 00:22:59,959or go back and listen again online at our website,48800:23:00,339 –> 00:23:02,739openthebible.org.uk.48900:23:03,699 –> 00:23:05,760Open The Bible is able to stay on this station49000:23:05,760 –> 00:23:06,920and on the internet49100:23:06,920 –> 00:23:08,959because of the generous financial support49200:23:08,959 –> 00:23:10,140of our listeners.49300:23:10,140 –> 00:23:12,079Here’s Open The Bible’s Amanda Cunningham49400:23:12,079 –> 00:23:14,060to talk about this month’s offer49500:23:14,060 –> 00:23:15,719for anyone who’s able to begin49600:23:15,719 –> 00:23:18,300supporting Open The Bible financially.49700:23:18,300 –> 00:23:19,760Thanks David.49800:23:19,760 –> 00:23:21,400Yes, this month,49900:23:21,400 –> 00:23:25,660we are really excited here at Open The Bible UK50000:23:25,660 –> 00:23:29,000to offer you a very special gift,50100:23:29,180 –> 00:23:31,800two copies of our new book,50200:23:31,800 –> 00:23:35,099Christmas stories by Colin Smith.50300:23:35,099 –> 00:23:37,520This beautifully illustrated book50400:23:37,520 –> 00:23:40,140brings the Christmas story to life50500:23:40,140 –> 00:23:42,859through the eyes of five key characters50600:23:42,859 –> 00:23:45,180from the early years with Jesus,50700:23:45,180 –> 00:23:46,699The Angel Gabriel,50800:23:46,699 –> 00:23:47,540Mary,50900:23:47,540 –> 00:23:48,380Joseph,51000:23:48,380 –> 00:23:49,199Simeon51100:23:49,199 –> 00:23:50,979and even King Herod.51200:23:50,979 –> 00:23:54,540Each short chapter is based on key Bible events51300:23:54,540 –> 00:23:57,060with scripture woven throughout,51400:23:57,060 –> 00:24:01,699offering a fresh and powerful presentation of the gospel.51500:24:01,699 –> 00:24:04,699It’s a perfect read for all ages51600:24:04,699 –> 00:24:07,280and ideal for sharing with friends,51700:24:07,280 –> 00:24:10,099neighbors or loved ones this Christmas.51800:24:10,099 –> 00:24:13,260Why not pop a copy in with that box of chocolates51900:24:13,260 –> 00:24:15,180or the annual pair of socks52000:24:15,180 –> 00:24:19,180and give a book that tells about the best gift of all?52100:24:20,099 –> 00:24:21,339Along with the two books,52200:24:21,339 –> 00:24:24,979you’ll also receive five exclusive Christmas cards52300:24:24,979 –> 00:24:28,619featuring the same stunning illustrations from the book,52400:24:28,619 –> 00:24:32,500perfect for sharing the message of hope this season.52500:24:32,500 –> 00:24:35,660This thank you gift is yours completely free52600:24:35,660 –> 00:24:39,660when you give a one-off donation of 50 pounds or more52700:24:39,660 –> 00:24:41,619or when you set up a new direct debit52800:24:41,619 –> 00:24:43,900of just five pounds a month.52900:24:43,900 –> 00:24:46,540But please do remember to include your address53000:24:46,540 –> 00:24:49,699when you donate so that we can send you your gift53100:24:49,699 –> 00:24:50,939in the post.53200:24:50,939 –> 00:24:51,920Thanks, Amanda.53300:24:51,920 –> 00:24:53,420We’re very grateful to God53400:24:53,459 –> 00:24:55,400for the many Open the Bible listeners53500:24:55,400 –> 00:24:57,239who support the work.53600:24:57,239 –> 00:24:58,479If you’d like to join them,53700:24:58,479 –> 00:25:03,260head over to our website openthebible.org.uk53800:25:03,260 –> 00:25:04,739where you can give online53900:25:04,739 –> 00:25:06,640and find full terms and conditions54000:25:06,640 –> 00:25:09,000for our offer this month.54100:25:09,000 –> 00:25:11,180For Open The Bible, Pastor Colin Ñmyth.54200:25:11,180 –> 00:25:12,459I’m David Pick54300:25:12,459 –> 00:25:14,400and I hope you’ll join us again soon.54400:25:14,400 –> 00:25:15,520Thank you very much.54500:25:16,520 –> 00:25:23,260Some forms of Christianity54600:25:23,260 –> 00:25:26,160may not depend on Jesus keeping His promises.54700:25:26,160 –> 00:25:28,319Find out why that’s a problem54800:25:28,319 –> 00:25:30,319next time on Open The Bible.