100:00:00,160 –> 00:00:07,140The great truth that the Father gives certain people to200:00:07,500 –> 00:00:14,700the Son never excludes a person who wants to come to Christ-never excludes.300:00:14,700 –> 00:00:19,760If you have an interest in coming to Jesus Christ today, you can take that as a sure400:00:19,760 –> 00:00:23,500sign that the Father is already working in your heart.500:00:23,500 –> 00:00:28,340Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick, and Colin, today,600:00:28,400 –> 00:00:33,900we’re continuing the message Jesus will welcome you which is based on John chapter700:00:33,900 –> 00:00:39,6606 and verse 37 that’s a wonderful verse all that the Father gives me will come to800:00:39,660 –> 00:00:43,660me and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.900:00:43,660 –> 00:00:48,080I was one of my favourite promises of the Lord, Jesus and brings together two marvellous1000:00:48,080 –> 00:00:54,020truths in the Bible that our friends not enemies the great truth of God’s work in saving us1100:00:54,020 –> 00:00:57,759Jesus all that the Father gives me will come to me Jesus says.1200:00:57,759 –> 00:01:03,740So there’s a work of the Father that’s involved in our salvation and then Jesus says but whoever1300:01:03,740 –> 00:01:07,199comes to me I will never drive away, and so there’s the whoever.1400:01:07,199 –> 00:01:12,919This open invitation any person who wants to come to Jesus Christ is welcome to come1500:01:12,919 –> 00:01:14,459and to do that.1600:01:14,459 –> 00:01:19,500And I love the fact that there’s two great truths that our friends are put together by1700:01:19,639 –> 00:01:24,620Our Lord Jesus in one single verse, so glad that we have the opportunity of delving into1800:01:24,620 –> 00:01:26,540this great promise in the programme today.1900:01:26,540 –> 00:01:30,900It is such a powerful truth to understand so we’re really glad that you’re listening2000:01:30,900 –> 00:01:32,000today.2100:01:32,000 –> 00:01:34,000How do I know that Jesus will accept me?2200:01:34,000 –> 00:01:36,860Well it’s right there in John chapter 6.2300:01:36,860 –> 00:01:39,000So join us if you can.2400:01:39,000 –> 00:01:42,019Starting at verse 37, here is Colin.2500:01:42,019 –> 00:01:47,739Now one of the joys of watching football on television is that you see far more on television2600:01:47,739 –> 00:01:50,580than you would if you actually went to the game.2700:01:50,580 –> 00:01:54,620And it’s much, much, much, much, much warmer, right?2800:01:54,620 –> 00:02:03,099When the Bears score a touchdown, the replays show you the complexity of what was going2900:02:03,099 –> 00:02:07,540on in the play from different angles.3000:02:07,540 –> 00:02:11,720So as you look at the replays on the television you know, you see the play.3100:02:11,720 –> 00:02:16,039Then you see something more of what was going on when you get the reverse angle.3200:02:16,059 –> 00:02:20,699Then you get the camera that’s down the touchline, and so forth and so on.3300:02:20,699 –> 00:02:28,380You are looking at the same event, but the different camera angles give you a much more3400:02:28,380 –> 00:02:33,479fully armed picture, a much fuller picture than you would have if you only saw it from3500:02:33,479 –> 00:02:36,000one point of view.3600:02:36,000 –> 00:02:41,919Putting the angles of the cameras together, and seeing them, the one after the other,3700:02:41,919 –> 00:02:47,960gives to you what you would have missed if you had only seen one particular shot.3800:02:47,960 –> 00:02:53,520Now, I’ve found that a helpful way to think about the verse that is before us today, because3900:02:53,520 –> 00:02:59,419what this verse does is it really gives to us three camera angles, as it were, on the4000:02:59,419 –> 00:03:02,139one event of our salvation.4100:03:02,139 –> 00:03:06,419The first camera is trained on God the Father.4200:03:06,419 –> 00:03:09,300All that the Father gives me.4300:03:09,580 –> 00:03:14,259Here’s the snapshot of what the Father is doing.4400:03:14,259 –> 00:03:20,220Second camera is trained and focused on the sinner coming to Jesus Christ.4500:03:20,220 –> 00:03:22,779Whoever comes to me.4600:03:22,779 –> 00:03:27,779So here’s another picture now of a sinner coming to Jesus Christ.4700:03:27,779 –> 00:03:33,419Third camera is focused on the Lord Jesus Christ himself receiving the sinner who comes4800:03:33,419 –> 00:03:37,380to him and who the Father has given to him.4900:03:37,979 –> 00:03:42,880I Will Never Turn Away.5000:03:42,880 –> 00:03:49,160And so you really have the full picture of what is going on in your salvation.5100:03:49,160 –> 00:03:51,059Right here in this one verse.5200:03:51,059 –> 00:03:52,119What is happening?5300:03:52,119 –> 00:03:54,979The Father gives.5400:03:54,979 –> 00:03:57,860The sinner comes.5500:03:57,860 –> 00:04:01,220The Saviour receives.5600:04:01,220 –> 00:04:05,580These are the three great movements of your salvation.5700:04:05,580 –> 00:04:07,160You may have seen one of them.5800:04:07,160 –> 00:04:14,259When you see all of them, you see the full glory of all that is involved in your salvation5900:04:14,259 –> 00:04:15,839in Jesus Christ.6000:04:15,839 –> 00:04:18,260And that’s what I want us to see today.6100:04:18,260 –> 00:04:25,299And then I want us to grasp how this can make a difference in every one of our lives.6200:04:25,299 –> 00:04:30,279So I hope you have the Scripture open in front of you and that this will become part of us6300:04:30,279 –> 00:04:31,940as we think about it today.6400:04:32,660 –> 00:04:36,880Let’s look first then at the first camera angle, the Father gives.6500:04:36,880 –> 00:04:37,720Jesus says,6600:04:37,720 –> 00:04:42,820All that the Father gives me will come to me.6700:04:42,820 –> 00:04:46,760Now this is making very clear that the Father gives the gift6800:04:46,760 –> 00:04:50,480of people to his son.6900:04:50,480 –> 00:04:53,720All that the Father gives me.7000:04:54,359 –> 00:04:58,040Jesus speaks not only here but in other places too7100:04:58,040 –> 00:05:03,040about people as the Father’s gift to him.7200:05:03,940 –> 00:05:05,739For example, John chapter 17,7300:05:05,739 –> 00:05:07,779when Jesus prays to the Father7400:05:07,779 –> 00:05:09,799just before he goes to the cross.7500:05:09,799 –> 00:05:10,940In that prayer he says,7600:05:10,940 –> 00:05:12,399John 17 6,7700:05:12,399 –> 00:05:14,660I have revealed you, he says,7800:05:14,660 –> 00:05:19,660to those whom you have given me out of the world.7900:05:19,899 –> 00:05:23,640They were yours but you gave them to me.8000:05:24,380 –> 00:05:27,480And then Jesus prays in John 17 in verse 9,8100:05:27,480 –> 00:05:29,000I’m praying for them, he says,8200:05:29,000 –> 00:05:30,820I’m not praying for the world8300:05:30,820 –> 00:05:33,260but for those you have given me,8400:05:33,260 –> 00:05:34,500because they are yours.8500:05:34,500 –> 00:05:36,839And here Jesus uses the same language,8600:05:36,839 –> 00:05:39,700all that the Father gives me.8700:05:39,700 –> 00:05:42,100So this is a characteristic way8800:05:42,100 –> 00:05:45,200of Jesus speaking about believers.8900:05:45,200 –> 00:05:47,040How does Jesus speak about believers?9000:05:47,040 –> 00:05:52,040He describes us as those that the Father has given to him.9100:05:53,820 –> 00:05:58,000Second obvious thing from this as statement of Jesus9200:05:58,000 –> 00:06:00,980is that the people who are given to Christ,9300:06:00,980 –> 00:06:02,059come to him.9400:06:02,059 –> 00:06:05,779Jesus says all that the Father gives me,9500:06:05,779 –> 00:06:07,779will come to me.9600:06:07,779 –> 00:06:11,179So who are these people that the Father gives to the son?9700:06:11,179 –> 00:06:14,500The answer is that they are the ones who come to him.9800:06:14,500 –> 00:06:18,660They come to him because they have been given to him.9900:06:18,660 –> 00:06:20,679And how do they come?10000:06:20,679 –> 00:06:23,579Well, Jesus says in verse 44,10100:06:23,619 –> 00:06:26,459no one can come to me unless the Father10200:06:26,459 –> 00:06:28,839who sent me draws him.10300:06:29,980 –> 00:06:31,700So we’re filling out the picture here.10400:06:31,700 –> 00:06:35,980The Father gives certain people to the son.10500:06:35,980 –> 00:06:39,760The Father draws these people to his son10600:06:39,760 –> 00:06:44,339and these people come to his son.10700:06:45,279 –> 00:06:48,100Thirds observation from this statement of Jesus,10800:06:48,100 –> 00:06:52,440nothing can stop the people who are given to Christ10900:06:52,440 –> 00:06:55,260from coming to Christ.11000:06:55,260 –> 00:06:58,640How many of the people who the Father gives to the son11100:06:58,640 –> 00:06:59,959actually come to him.11200:06:59,959 –> 00:07:02,519I’m asking you a question, how many from this verse,11300:07:02,519 –> 00:07:05,000first word, how many of the people that the Father11400:07:05,000 –> 00:07:07,559gives to the son actually come to him?11500:07:07,559 –> 00:07:09,279All of them.11600:07:09,279 –> 00:07:10,119All of them.11700:07:11,500 –> 00:07:14,959So that on the last day when the Son of God11800:07:14,959 –> 00:07:17,000stands in the presence of the Father11900:07:17,000 –> 00:07:20,200and we’re told in Hebrews 2 in verse 1312000:07:20,200 –> 00:07:23,200that the Son of God will say to the Father12100:07:23,200 –> 00:07:28,200here am I and the children you have given me.12200:07:28,559 –> 00:07:30,140It’s a wonderful statement.12300:07:31,220 –> 00:07:32,859He’s not saying on the last day,12400:07:32,859 –> 00:07:35,760Father, I got some of them,12500:07:35,760 –> 00:07:40,239He’s saying on the last day, Father, I’ve got all of them.12600:07:41,100 –> 00:07:46,100Here I am and the children that you have given to me.12700:07:46,779 –> 00:07:49,399And this emphasis is very clear in what Jesus says12800:07:49,640 –> 00:07:51,739right here in John six if you just read on.12900:07:51,739 –> 00:07:55,200Verse 37, all that the Father gives me will come to me13000:07:55,200 –> 00:07:57,859and whoever comes to me I will never drive away13100:07:57,859 –> 00:08:01,140for I have come down from heaven not to do my will13200:08:01,140 –> 00:08:02,859but to do the will of him who sent me13300:08:02,859 –> 00:08:04,399and what’s the will of him who sent me13400:08:04,399 –> 00:08:07,799verse 40 that I shall lose none13500:08:08,820 –> 00:08:10,880of all that he has given to me13600:08:10,880 –> 00:08:12,980but I shall raise them up on the last day.13700:08:14,579 –> 00:08:16,660So if you have come to Jesus Christ13800:08:16,660 –> 00:08:19,540you can have total confidence in him.13900:08:20,839 –> 00:08:24,279He says I shall lose none14000:08:24,279 –> 00:08:27,640of those the Father has given to me.14100:08:27,640 –> 00:08:28,619I won’t lose one.14200:08:30,619 –> 00:08:32,859So all of the people who are given14300:08:32,859 –> 00:08:37,679by the Father actually come to the son.14400:08:37,679 –> 00:08:40,219This is the first great movement of the Gospel14500:08:40,219 –> 00:08:42,739it is magnificent the camera as it were14600:08:42,739 –> 00:08:45,059that is trained on the activity of the Father14700:08:45,099 –> 00:08:46,219what is the father doing?14800:08:46,219 –> 00:08:47,659Is he standing by passively14900:08:47,659 –> 00:08:49,359just waiting to see what the world is going to do15000:08:49,359 –> 00:08:54,359about Jesus no he gives people to his son.15100:08:55,679 –> 00:08:57,020You’re listening To Open The Bible15200:08:57,020 –> 00:08:58,400with Pastor Colin Smith15300:08:58,400 –> 00:09:02,059and a message called Jesus will welcome you.15400:09:02,059 –> 00:09:03,739If you ever miss one of the messages15500:09:03,739 –> 00:09:05,859or you want to go back and listen again15600:09:05,859 –> 00:09:07,539you can do that by coming online15700:09:07,539 –> 00:09:09,140to our website openthebible.org.UK15800:09:11,539 –> 00:09:13,580or find us as a podcast15900:09:13,580 –> 00:09:15,119on all the main podcast sites,16000:09:15,119 –> 00:09:17,340search for open the Bible UK16100:09:17,340 –> 00:09:20,140or follow the link from our website.16200:09:20,140 –> 00:09:23,219Back to the message now here again is Colin.16300:09:23,219 –> 00:09:24,219Second camera16400:09:25,460 –> 00:09:29,440Is focused on the sinner coming to Jesus.16500:09:29,440 –> 00:09:34,299The father gives the sinner comes.16600:09:34,299 –> 00:09:36,419Notice what Jesus says,16700:09:36,419 –> 00:09:39,780all that the father gives me will come to me16800:09:39,780 –> 00:09:44,780and whoever comes to me,16900:09:46,559 –> 00:09:49,440I will never drive away.17000:09:50,919 –> 00:09:52,520Now notice from this statement,17100:09:52,520 –> 00:09:57,520the very obvious fact that Jesus invites all people17200:09:58,299 –> 00:09:59,960to come to him,17300:10:01,340 –> 00:10:04,440whoever comes to me,17400:10:04,440 –> 00:10:06,000they can’t get more inclusive than that,17500:10:06,020 –> 00:10:11,020whoever, whoever includes, whoever certainly includes you.17600:10:12,940 –> 00:10:17,940The Lord Jesus Christ in his word here clearly17700:10:17,979 –> 00:10:22,219invites all people to come to him.17800:10:23,280 –> 00:10:24,940Now it’s very interesting to me,17900:10:24,940 –> 00:10:27,900that God himself has put these two lines18000:10:27,900 –> 00:10:29,700right next to each other in the scripture.18100:10:29,700 –> 00:10:32,159Don’t you think that’s significant?18200:10:32,159 –> 00:10:34,099Isn’t that telling us something important18300:10:34,099 –> 00:10:35,859that the great truth18400:10:36,700 –> 00:10:39,340that the father gives certain people to the son18500:10:39,340 –> 00:10:43,260never excludes a person who wants to come to Christ,18600:10:43,260 –> 00:10:44,340never excludes.18700:10:45,359 –> 00:10:49,099If you have an interest in coming to Jesus Christ today,18800:10:49,099 –> 00:10:50,979you can take that as a sure sign18900:10:50,979 –> 00:10:53,380that the father is already working in your heart.19000:10:54,859 –> 00:10:56,299I had a wonderful conversation19100:10:56,299 –> 00:11:00,340with one of our high school students a number of weeks ago.19200:11:00,340 –> 00:11:01,940Very thoughtful lad.19300:11:01,940 –> 00:11:04,679He is a senior in high school this year.19400:11:06,340 –> 00:11:08,080And he said to me Colin,19500:11:08,940 –> 00:11:11,260for a number of years,19600:11:12,140 –> 00:11:16,559I really struggled with the question19700:11:16,559 –> 00:11:20,840of whether or not I’m one of the elect.19800:11:20,840 –> 00:11:23,119He’s a very thoughtful guy.19900:11:23,119 –> 00:11:23,960And I suppose,20000:11:23,960 –> 00:11:25,419there are scores of high school students20100:11:25,419 –> 00:11:27,200who are worrying about this question.20200:11:27,200 –> 00:11:29,979But for some years, he had been thinking very seriously.20300:11:29,979 –> 00:11:31,760What if I’m not one of the elect?20400:11:32,719 –> 00:11:34,979And then he said to me,20500:11:34,979 –> 00:11:38,020then one day I realized,20600:11:38,020 –> 00:11:41,919if I never came to Christ, I’d never know.20700:11:42,979 –> 00:11:45,359He said, so I came to Christ.20800:11:47,000 –> 00:11:48,780And he said, since then,20900:11:48,780 –> 00:11:51,719what used to worry me has become to me a great joy.21000:11:53,479 –> 00:11:55,479Now I want to say to you today,21100:11:56,239 –> 00:12:01,239do not worry about whether you are among the elect.21200:12:01,979 –> 00:12:03,400If that question plagues you21300:12:03,400 –> 00:12:04,979or bothers you in any kind of way,21400:12:04,979 –> 00:12:06,919I simply want to say to you21500:12:06,919 –> 00:12:08,960that that high schooler had great wisdom.21600:12:08,960 –> 00:12:12,919Here’s what you must do, you look to Jesus Christ.21700:12:12,919 –> 00:12:16,440You come to him, you trust in him.21800:12:16,440 –> 00:12:17,919You take hold of this,21900:12:17,919 –> 00:12:20,719the Son of God never slams the door22000:12:20,719 –> 00:12:23,159in the face of anyone who wants to come to him.22100:12:23,159 –> 00:12:26,280No, not ever, whoever comes to me.22200:12:26,280 –> 00:12:28,280I will never drive away, that’s what he says.22300:12:28,280 –> 00:12:29,780That’s what he says to you.22400:12:30,780 –> 00:12:31,960So you must come to him,22500:12:31,960 –> 00:12:34,700and when you come to him, he will welcome you.22600:12:34,700 –> 00:12:39,119And when you come to him, you will know with joy22700:12:39,119 –> 00:12:42,559that the Father gave you to his Son.22800:12:44,539 –> 00:12:46,659Then I want us to make another observation22900:12:46,659 –> 00:12:49,179on this second camera angle23000:12:49,179 –> 00:12:52,020of the sinner coming to Jesus Christ.23100:12:53,299 –> 00:12:57,219That those who come to Christ23200:12:57,219 –> 00:13:01,780see something great in Jesus Christ.23300:13:02,840 –> 00:13:05,979You see, we’ve looked at Jesus’ words23400:13:05,979 –> 00:13:08,619about the Father drawing people to Christ,23500:13:08,619 –> 00:13:12,039but from the second camera and goal,23600:13:12,039 –> 00:13:13,739where we’re looking now at the sinner23700:13:13,739 –> 00:13:17,099from the experience of the person coming to Christ.23800:13:17,099 –> 00:13:20,099When I’m coming to Christ, why do I come to Christ?23900:13:20,099 –> 00:13:23,640I come to Christ because I see something great24000:13:23,640 –> 00:13:25,380in Jesus Christ.24100:13:26,340 –> 00:13:28,500That is the experience of every Christian.24200:13:29,799 –> 00:13:32,520There’s no such thing as a Christian24300:13:32,520 –> 00:13:36,460who doesn’t see something great in Jesus Christ.24400:13:38,320 –> 00:13:41,299John Bunyan, you know who wrote Pilgrim’s Progress?24500:13:41,299 –> 00:13:42,479That’s his most famous book.24600:13:42,479 –> 00:13:46,059He actually wrote a whole book on this one verse.24700:13:46,059 –> 00:13:48,039It’s a wonderful book,24800:13:48,039 –> 00:13:51,739and in it he asks this question for Christians.24900:13:51,739 –> 00:13:56,739Christians, what have you found in Jesus Christ?25000:13:57,880 –> 00:13:59,500Now that’s a very good question.25100:14:00,119 –> 00:14:02,919What have you found in Jesus Christ25200:14:02,919 –> 00:14:05,000that is life-changing to you?25300:14:05,000 –> 00:14:06,859What difference has it made?25400:14:07,979 –> 00:14:10,380His point is very simple.25500:14:10,380 –> 00:14:11,900Those who come to Christ25600:14:11,900 –> 00:14:14,419see something compelling in Jesus Christ.25700:14:14,419 –> 00:14:16,179So you say you have come to Christ.25800:14:16,179 –> 00:14:20,260What is it in Jesus Christ that is life-changing for you?25900:14:20,260 –> 00:14:23,140What is it in Jesus Christ that is compelling to you?26000:14:23,140 –> 00:14:25,760What is it in Jesus Christ that is changing you,26100:14:25,760 –> 00:14:28,760that is changing the way that you live?26200:14:29,900 –> 00:14:31,820And he goes on to make the point this way.26300:14:31,820 –> 00:14:36,200He says Abraham saw in Christ26400:14:37,080 –> 00:14:42,039something big enough to make him leave his own country26500:14:43,219 –> 00:14:45,020for a place that God would lead him.26600:14:46,039 –> 00:14:47,619You see something big enough in Christ26700:14:47,619 –> 00:14:49,260to make you do a thing like that?26800:14:51,099 –> 00:14:56,099Moses saw something great enough in Him, in Christ,26900:14:58,900 –> 00:15:03,659to give up the comfort of life in a palace in Egypt27000:15:05,059 –> 00:15:06,619in order to live in the desert27100:15:06,619 –> 00:15:08,580with the people of God criticizing Him.27200:15:10,000 –> 00:15:11,640Do you see enough in Jesus Christ27300:15:11,640 –> 00:15:13,599to put up with that kind of discomfort27400:15:15,140 –> 00:15:16,200and to choose it?27500:15:16,979 –> 00:15:20,619Daniel saw enough in Jesus Christ27600:15:20,619 –> 00:15:23,039to enable him to live with integrity27700:15:24,599 –> 00:15:27,859in an aggressively secular world,27800:15:29,659 –> 00:15:32,419even when it meant him being thrown in a den of lions,27900:15:33,919 –> 00:15:36,460saw enough in Jesus Christ to enable him to do that.28000:15:37,520 –> 00:15:40,580So Bunyan asks, what have you found in Jesus Christ?28100:15:42,580 –> 00:15:43,679What do you see in Him?28200:15:44,280 –> 00:15:45,599What do you see in Him?28300:15:45,599 –> 00:15:47,799Because coming to Jesus Christ, by definition,28400:15:47,799 –> 00:15:51,099involves seeing something in Him that draws you,28500:15:51,099 –> 00:15:56,099a love that compels you, a purity that attracts you,28600:15:57,140 –> 00:15:59,380a glory that lifts you.28700:16:00,979 –> 00:16:04,020What you see in Jesus Christ is the thing28800:16:04,020 –> 00:16:06,719that will wean you away from your sins,28900:16:06,719 –> 00:16:09,739so if you don’t see much in Him, you won’t change much.29000:16:10,739 –> 00:16:14,020But when you see something of the love29100:16:14,020 –> 00:16:17,719and the compelling glory of Jesus Christ,29200:16:17,719 –> 00:16:20,320you will find something within you29300:16:20,320 –> 00:16:23,700that begins to say, I want to change.29400:16:23,700 –> 00:16:26,400I want to be holy, I want to be forgiven.29500:16:26,400 –> 00:16:27,880I want to be at peace with God,29600:16:27,880 –> 00:16:30,299I’m tired of living for myself.29700:16:31,739 –> 00:16:34,119I want to live for Christ.29800:16:34,119 –> 00:16:37,059That is the experience of every Christian.29900:16:38,059 –> 00:16:41,479That, by the way, is why a ministry30000:16:41,479 –> 00:16:43,320that leads to life’s changing30100:16:43,320 –> 00:16:45,440must have Jesus Christ at the center,30200:16:45,440 –> 00:16:48,039because what happens when he is lifted up,30300:16:48,039 –> 00:16:48,859what does he do?30400:16:48,859 –> 00:16:52,080He says, I will draw people to myself.30500:16:54,400 –> 00:16:55,919It’s where life change begins.30600:16:57,419 –> 00:17:01,219In you seeing something great in Jesus Christ.30700:17:03,239 –> 00:17:05,339So, two camera angles.30800:17:05,400 –> 00:17:10,400The father gives, the sinner comes.30900:17:10,660 –> 00:17:13,500Here’s the third, the son, the son of God,31000:17:13,500 –> 00:17:16,839the savior receives, whoever comes to me,31100:17:16,839 –> 00:17:19,400Jesus says, these are marvelous words,31200:17:19,400 –> 00:17:23,219I will never drive away.31300:17:24,520 –> 00:17:27,239Now how good it is for us just to take these words in.31400:17:27,239 –> 00:17:30,339When you come to Jesus Christ, he is there for you.31500:17:31,199 –> 00:17:34,699When you draw near to him, he is ready to receive you31600:17:34,719 –> 00:17:39,719and he gives you his word, I won’t ever drive you away.31700:17:43,359 –> 00:17:45,359It’s interesting and I think it’s significant31800:17:45,359 –> 00:17:49,160that the word comes here31900:17:49,160 –> 00:17:51,760is in the present continuous tense, is coming.32000:17:51,760 –> 00:17:55,520Whoever is coming, I will not drive away.32100:17:55,520 –> 00:17:58,579Whoever’s in the process of coming, we might say,32200:17:58,579 –> 00:18:02,459whoever’s on his way to me or on her way to me,32300:18:02,459 –> 00:18:04,239I will never cast them out.32400:18:04,479 –> 00:18:06,500Think in your mind’s eye of the prodigal son32500:18:06,500 –> 00:18:09,199on his way home, he started the journey32600:18:09,199 –> 00:18:10,939away from the pigs where he’s been,32700:18:10,939 –> 00:18:12,760he’s not yet back to the father32800:18:12,760 –> 00:18:14,640but he’s on the way home,32900:18:14,640 –> 00:18:16,359that’s what Jesus is talking about.33000:18:16,359 –> 00:18:19,339He hasn’t arrived yet, whoever is coming to me,33100:18:19,339 –> 00:18:22,099I will never drive them away.33200:18:22,099 –> 00:18:23,880Bunyan has this marvelous comment.33300:18:23,880 –> 00:18:26,800He says, Jesus Christ has his eye upon33400:18:26,800 –> 00:18:30,319and he takes notice of the first moving of the heart33500:18:30,319 –> 00:18:32,319of a sinner after himself.33600:18:33,319 –> 00:18:36,880So if you have the first stirring33700:18:36,880 –> 00:18:39,479of being drawn to Jesus Christ,33800:18:40,880 –> 00:18:43,979the first sense that you’re not content33900:18:43,979 –> 00:18:46,400to live with your life as it is,34000:18:46,400 –> 00:18:49,160being about yourself, the first inkling34100:18:49,160 –> 00:18:52,579that you want to move away from your sins,34200:18:54,300 –> 00:18:56,959the Son of God sees you coming.34300:18:58,199 –> 00:19:00,140The Son of God has his arms, as it were,34400:19:00,380 –> 00:19:04,439stretched out, he sees the first movement of your heart.34500:19:06,119 –> 00:19:08,819He already knows who the Father has given to him,34600:19:08,819 –> 00:19:11,540so he is watching to see this movement,34700:19:11,540 –> 00:19:13,239and doing so with joy.34800:19:14,900 –> 00:19:16,500So I want to encourage you,34900:19:16,500 –> 00:19:18,800if you see the faintest stirring35000:19:18,800 –> 00:19:20,739within your own heart towards35100:19:20,739 –> 00:19:22,500the Lord Jesus Christ today,35200:19:22,500 –> 00:19:25,699you have every reason for hope in him.35300:19:25,699 –> 00:19:28,739So use this as an incentive35400:19:29,540 –> 00:19:34,540to speed your path to Jesus Christ today.35500:19:36,520 –> 00:19:38,979See, think about the prodigal son.35600:19:38,979 –> 00:19:40,339Remember Jesus’ famous story35700:19:40,339 –> 00:19:42,020about the guy who leaves the father35800:19:42,020 –> 00:19:43,780and wastes all his resources35900:19:43,780 –> 00:19:44,900and eventually comes to the end36000:19:44,900 –> 00:19:46,880of himself and begins the long journey home.36100:19:46,880 –> 00:19:50,280How fast do you think he walked?36200:19:51,819 –> 00:19:53,680I don’t think he walked very fast.36300:19:54,680 –> 00:19:57,020I expect that in his mind,36400:19:57,020 –> 00:20:00,719he was anticipating a long lecture36500:20:02,000 –> 00:20:03,099about wasted money,36600:20:03,099 –> 00:20:05,479wasted gifts and wasted years.36700:20:06,760 –> 00:20:10,260Maybe that is one reason why he stayed away so long.36800:20:12,439 –> 00:20:14,219But now he is so desperate,36900:20:14,219 –> 00:20:16,280he thinks he has no other alternative37000:20:16,280 –> 00:20:19,920and so he begins this long, weary trudge home37100:20:19,920 –> 00:20:22,079and he’s on the way,37200:20:22,959 –> 00:20:24,739put yourself in his shoes.37300:20:25,979 –> 00:20:29,800You expect to be hauled over the coals37400:20:29,800 –> 00:20:32,140and then as you’re trudging your way forward,37500:20:32,140 –> 00:20:33,160what happens?37600:20:34,239 –> 00:20:35,599You hear a voice,37700:20:35,599 –> 00:20:38,079it’s a familiar voice and it’s calling your name37800:20:38,079 –> 00:20:39,040and you look up37900:20:40,199 –> 00:20:41,400and it’s Father38000:20:42,680 –> 00:20:44,680and he’s running towards you.38100:20:46,319 –> 00:20:48,540And as he gets nearer,38200:20:48,540 –> 00:20:50,880there’s robes up around his knees38300:20:51,400 –> 00:20:53,079running as best he can.38400:20:54,280 –> 00:20:57,219His arms are outstretched and as he gets nearer still,38500:20:57,219 –> 00:21:00,219you see there are tears running down his face.38600:21:02,599 –> 00:21:05,119Do you walk towards him quicker38700:21:06,199 –> 00:21:08,579or slower when you see that?38800:21:10,260 –> 00:21:14,459You see, it is the knowledge of the love of Christ,38900:21:14,459 –> 00:21:15,939the welcome of Christ.39000:21:15,939 –> 00:21:17,500When you see that,39100:21:18,459 –> 00:21:23,359it will hasten your progress to faith in him.39200:21:24,939 –> 00:21:27,359That is why in every presentation of the gospel,39300:21:27,359 –> 00:21:31,959we must always make clear the love of Jesus Christ.39400:21:32,819 –> 00:21:36,380The eye of Jesus Christ and the heart of Jesus Christ39500:21:36,380 –> 00:21:38,500towards every person who will come to him,39600:21:38,500 –> 00:21:39,579listen to what he says,39700:21:39,579 –> 00:21:44,579whoever comes to me I will not ever drive away.39800:21:45,160 –> 00:21:49,459So use this as an incentive to come to him.39900:21:49,459 –> 00:21:51,599As you come to Jesus Christ,40000:21:51,599 –> 00:21:54,000you lift up your eyes as at when you are looking forward40100:21:54,000 –> 00:21:56,380and take in this picture of Jesus Christ40200:21:56,380 –> 00:21:59,199ready to welcome you, therefore you,40300:21:59,199 –> 00:22:00,579already knowing that you’re coming40400:22:00,579 –> 00:22:02,619because he knows who the father has given40500:22:03,459 –> 00:22:06,400and full of joy in his heart to receive.40600:22:06,400 –> 00:22:07,459Well, I don’t know about you,40700:22:07,459 –> 00:22:12,099but I found it so helpful to look at John 6 verse 3740800:22:12,099 –> 00:22:14,040and to be reminded of that great truth40900:22:14,579 –> 00:22:16,020that when we come to Jesus Christ,41000:22:16,020 –> 00:22:20,119he will welcome us and he will never cast us out.41100:22:20,119 –> 00:22:22,020The series is called Rock Solid,41200:22:22,020 –> 00:22:24,599seven promises Christ makes to you41300:22:24,599 –> 00:22:26,599and it’s all about the promises of Jesus41400:22:26,599 –> 00:22:29,420that we can absolutely count on.41500:22:29,420 –> 00:22:31,640Don’t forget if you ever miss one of the series,41600:22:31,640 –> 00:22:33,800you can catch up or go back and listen again41700:22:33,800 –> 00:22:38,800by coming online to our website openthebible.org.uk41800:22:38,880 –> 00:22:41,579or find us on your favorite podcast site41900:22:41,599 –> 00:22:43,880by searching for Open the Bible UK42000:22:43,880 –> 00:22:46,380or follow the link from our website.42100:22:46,380 –> 00:22:48,479Open the Bible is able to stay on the air42200:22:48,479 –> 00:22:51,319and on the internet because of the very generous42300:22:51,319 –> 00:22:54,500financial support that we receive from our listeners.42400:22:54,500 –> 00:22:57,280So if you already give to support Open the Bible42500:22:57,280 –> 00:22:59,579in that way, thank you so much.42600:22:59,579 –> 00:23:02,119If that’s something you’d like to begin to do,42700:23:02,119 –> 00:23:03,880this month we have an offer.42800:23:03,880 –> 00:23:06,479If you’re able to begin a new Direct Debit42900:23:06,479 –> 00:23:08,219to the work of Open the Bible43000:23:08,219 –> 00:23:10,579for 5 pounds per month or more43100:23:10,579 –> 00:23:13,699or a one off gift of 50 pounds or more,43200:23:13,699 –> 00:23:15,900we’d love to say thank you by sending you43300:23:15,900 –> 00:23:19,819two copies of Pastor Colin’s book Christmas Stories43400:23:19,819 –> 00:23:22,680and also five beautiful Christmas cards43500:23:22,680 –> 00:23:25,219based on the illustrations from the book.43600:23:25,219 –> 00:23:28,339Christmas Stories is a retelling of the Christmas Story43700:23:28,339 –> 00:23:31,500from the point of view of various biblical characters43800:23:31,500 –> 00:23:35,780including Adam, Joseph, even King Herod43900:23:35,780 –> 00:23:37,859and the Angel Gabriel.44000:23:37,859 –> 00:23:40,459Colin, this book will make a great Christmas gift,44100:23:40,459 –> 00:23:41,660don’t you think?44200:23:41,660 –> 00:23:45,780It’s beautifully produced and it’s just designed44300:23:45,780 –> 00:23:50,140to be read with some friends, with family at Christmas time44400:23:50,140 –> 00:23:52,780so picture yourself in your home44500:23:52,780 –> 00:23:55,380or wherever you’re gathering with some friends44600:23:55,380 –> 00:24:00,319and someone says, let’s read one of the Christmas Stories44700:24:00,319 –> 00:24:02,859and here you’ve got the Christmas Story44800:24:02,859 –> 00:24:04,760through the eyes of the Angel Gabriel,44900:24:04,760 –> 00:24:06,939through the eyes of Mary, Joseph, Simeon45000:24:07,040 –> 00:24:09,339and even King Herod, and each of them45100:24:09,339 –> 00:24:12,339could be read quite easily in maybe just 10 minutes45200:24:12,339 –> 00:24:15,479but the heart of the gospel is in all of them45300:24:15,479 –> 00:24:17,280and that’s what we wanted to encourage45400:24:17,280 –> 00:24:20,020that families and friends would have45500:24:20,020 –> 00:24:21,939a new Christmas tradition.45600:24:21,939 –> 00:24:26,239Take a few minutes to read part of the Christmas Story45700:24:26,239 –> 00:24:28,219and here’s a beautiful gift book45800:24:28,219 –> 00:24:31,020that would enable you to do this with your family45900:24:31,020 –> 00:24:32,479or with your friends.46000:24:32,479 –> 00:24:35,319Well, we’d love to send you two copies of this book,46100:24:36,020 –> 00:24:37,439by Pastor Colin Smith,46200:24:37,439 –> 00:24:40,119and five lovely Christmas Cards.46300:24:40,119 –> 00:24:42,619If you’re able to set up a new direct debit46400:24:42,619 –> 00:24:44,280to the work of Open the Bible46500:24:44,280 –> 00:24:46,520for £5 per month or more,46600:24:46,520 –> 00:24:49,439or a one-off gift of £50 or more.46700:24:49,439 –> 00:24:51,780Full terms and conditions on our website46800:24:51,780 –> 00:24:54,479and please don’t give anonymously46900:24:54,479 –> 00:24:57,859and include your full name and address.47000:24:57,859 –> 00:24:59,540Our website address is47100:25:02,540 –> 00:25:05,280For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,47200:25:05,359 –> 00:25:06,520I’m David Pick.47300:25:06,520 –> 00:25:08,060Thanks for joining us today47400:25:08,060 –> 00:25:10,099and I hope we’ll see you again soon.47500:25:17,479 –> 00:25:18,400If you’re a Christian,47600:25:18,400 –> 00:25:22,079do you ever worry that Christ will get tired of you?47700:25:22,079 –> 00:25:24,680You can be sure that will never happen.47800:25:24,680 –> 00:25:27,619Find out why next time on Open the Bible.