100:00:00,760 –> 00:00:05,380My prayer for you today is that you would get a bigger view200:00:05,380 –> 00:00:08,800of God’s love that you would go home today saying,300:00:08,800 –> 00:00:12,840I always knew that God loved me,400:00:12,840 –> 00:00:18,200but I never knew he loved me like that.500:00:19,139 –> 00:00:21,639Welcome to Open the Bible with pastor Colin Smith,600:00:21,639 –> 00:00:24,320I’m David Pick, glad you could be with us today700:00:24,320 –> 00:00:27,080and Colin all of us have heard the phrase,800:00:27,180 –> 00:00:30,340All of us have heard the phrase Jesus loves you,900:00:30,340 –> 00:00:34,480but I think we don’t really grasp the depth of his love1000:00:34,480 –> 00:00:35,580and it sounds like that’s what1100:00:35,580 –> 00:00:37,200we’re gonna hear about today.1200:00:37,200 –> 00:00:39,000Oh, yeah and from a marvelous scripture1300:00:39,000 –> 00:00:42,160from John chapter six and verse 37.1400:00:45,880 –> 00:00:46,759Jesus says1500:00:46,759 –> 00:00:52,000so a believer is the gift of God, the Father to God, the Son1600:00:52,000 –> 00:00:54,200so think of this that the father1700:00:54,200 –> 00:00:56,299says to the son and given Colin Smith1800:00:56,419 –> 00:00:59,720to put your name in that as we listen to this promise today1900:00:59,720 –> 00:01:02,259Jesus speaks of believers2000:01:02,259 –> 00:01:05,779as the gift of the father given to him2100:01:05,779 –> 00:01:07,680and that’s a very very special love2200:01:07,680 –> 00:01:09,580because it’s a personal love2300:01:09,580 –> 00:01:11,440and I really want you to get a bigger view2400:01:11,440 –> 00:01:13,820of God’s love through the program today.2500:01:13,820 –> 00:01:18,260So join us if you can in John chapter six verse 372600:01:18,260 –> 00:01:21,980as we continue the messenger Jesus will welcome you.2700:01:21,980 –> 00:01:23,139Here is Colin.2800:01:23,139 –> 00:01:25,820Who ever comes to me Jesus says2900:01:26,239 –> 00:01:30,239these are marvelous words I will never drive away.3000:01:32,680 –> 00:01:35,440Now how good it is for us just to take these words in.3100:01:35,440 –> 00:01:38,500When you come to Jesus Christ he is there for you.3200:01:39,400 –> 00:01:42,900When you draw near to him he is ready to receive you3300:01:42,900 –> 00:01:47,900and he gives you his word I won’t ever drive you away.3400:01:51,559 –> 00:01:53,519It’s interesting and I think it’s significant3500:01:53,540 –> 00:01:58,120that the word comes here is in the present continuous tense.3600:01:58,120 –> 00:02:03,120Is coming, whoever is coming I will not drive away.3700:02:03,760 –> 00:02:06,800Whoever’s in the process of coming we might say.3800:02:06,800 –> 00:02:10,679Whoever’s on his way to me or on her way to me3900:02:10,679 –> 00:02:12,460I will never cast them out.4000:02:12,460 –> 00:02:14,720Think in your mind’s eye of the prodigal son4100:02:14,720 –> 00:02:16,320on his way home.4200:02:16,320 –> 00:02:18,300He has started the journey away from the pigs4300:02:18,300 –> 00:02:21,000where he’s been he’s not yet back to the father4400:02:21,000 –> 00:02:22,880but he’s on the way home.4500:02:22,899 –> 00:02:24,580That’s what Jesus is talking about.4600:02:24,580 –> 00:02:27,600He hasn’t arrived yet whoever is coming to me4700:02:27,600 –> 00:02:30,339I will never drive them away.4800:02:30,339 –> 00:02:32,119Bunyan has this marvelous comment.4900:02:32,119 –> 00:02:35,039He says, Jesus Christ has his eye upon5000:02:35,039 –> 00:02:38,559and he takes notice of the first moving of the heart5100:02:38,559 –> 00:02:40,479of a sinner after himself.5200:02:41,979 –> 00:02:45,020So if you have the first stirring5300:02:46,279 –> 00:02:49,580of being drawn to Jesus Christ,5400:02:49,580 –> 00:02:52,820the first sense that you’re not content5500:02:52,820 –> 00:02:56,300to live with your life as it is being about yourself.5600:02:56,300 –> 00:02:59,059The first inkling that you want to move away5700:02:59,059 –> 00:03:00,520from your sins.5800:03:03,139 –> 00:03:05,979The son of God sees you coming.5900:03:07,339 –> 00:03:11,220The son of God has his arms as it were stretched out.6000:03:11,220 –> 00:03:15,080He sees the first movement of your heart.6100:03:15,080 –> 00:03:17,800He already knows who the Father has given to him.6200:03:17,800 –> 00:03:20,500So he’s watching to see this movement6300:03:20,500 –> 00:03:22,179and doing so with joy.6400:03:23,880 –> 00:03:25,460So I want to encourage you,6500:03:25,460 –> 00:03:29,119if you see the faintest stirring within your own heart6600:03:29,119 –> 00:03:31,460towards the Lord, Jesus Christ today,6700:03:31,460 –> 00:03:34,699you have every reason for hope in him.6800:03:34,699 –> 00:03:37,740So use this as an incentive6900:03:38,899 –> 00:03:43,899to speed your path to Jesus Christ today.7000:03:45,460 –> 00:03:47,339See, think about the prodigal son.7100:03:47,979 –> 00:03:49,279Remember Jesus’ famous story7200:03:49,279 –> 00:03:50,960about the guy who leaves the father7300:03:50,960 –> 00:03:52,740and wastes all his resources7400:03:52,740 –> 00:03:54,360and eventually comes to the end of himself7500:03:54,360 –> 00:03:55,839and begins the long journey home.7600:03:55,839 –> 00:03:59,199How fast do you think he walked?7700:04:00,759 –> 00:04:02,660I don’t think he walked very fast.7800:04:04,500 –> 00:04:09,500I expected in his mind he was anticipating a long lecture7900:04:10,960 –> 00:04:14,399about wasted money, wasted gifts and wasted years.8000:04:15,300 –> 00:04:19,079Maybe that is one reason why he stayed away so long.8100:04:21,420 –> 00:04:23,200But now he is so desperate8200:04:23,200 –> 00:04:25,279he thinks he has no other alternative8300:04:25,279 –> 00:04:28,760and so he begins this long weary trudge home8400:04:29,799 –> 00:04:30,980and he’s on the way.8500:04:32,600 –> 00:04:34,459Put yourself in his shoes.8600:04:35,559 –> 00:04:39,359You expect to be hauled over the coals8700:04:39,359 –> 00:04:42,739and then as you’re trudging your way forward what happens?8800:04:43,739 –> 00:04:46,260You hear a voice, it’s a familiar voice8900:04:46,260 –> 00:04:48,540and it’s calling your name and you look up9000:04:49,739 –> 00:04:51,040and it’s Father.9100:04:52,179 –> 00:04:54,179And he’s running towards you.9200:04:55,660 –> 00:04:57,100And as he gets nearer,9300:04:57,859 –> 00:05:01,959he’s robes up around his knees, running as best he can.9400:05:03,179 –> 00:05:05,660His arms are outstretched and as he gets nearer,9500:05:05,660 –> 00:05:09,160still you see there are tears running down his face.9600:05:10,140 –> 00:05:15,140Do you walk towards him quicker or slower9700:05:16,500 –> 00:05:17,500when you see that?9800:05:19,160 –> 00:05:23,399You see, it is the knowledge of the love of Christ,9900:05:23,399 –> 00:05:24,859the welcome of Christ.10000:05:24,859 –> 00:05:26,440When you see that,10100:05:27,380 –> 00:05:32,299it will hasten your progress to faith in him.10200:05:33,839 –> 00:05:36,279That is why in every presentation of the gospel10300:05:36,399 –> 00:05:40,859we must always make clear the love of Jesus Christ,10400:05:41,760 –> 00:05:45,339the eye of Jesus Christ and the heart of Jesus Christ10500:05:45,339 –> 00:05:47,420towards every person who will come to him.10600:05:47,420 –> 00:05:48,540Listen to what he says.10700:05:48,540 –> 00:05:53,480Whoever comes to me, I will not ever drive away.10800:05:55,100 –> 00:05:58,359So use this as an incentive to come to him.10900:05:58,359 –> 00:06:00,519As you come to Jesus Christ,11000:06:00,519 –> 00:06:02,880you lift up your eyes as it were and look forward11100:06:02,880 –> 00:06:05,339and take in this picture of Jesus Christ11200:06:05,339 –> 00:06:06,399ready to welcome you.11300:06:06,399 –> 00:06:09,519They’re for you already knowing that you’re coming11400:06:09,519 –> 00:06:12,359because he knows who the father has given11500:06:12,359 –> 00:06:14,619and full of joy in his heart to receive you.11600:06:15,899 –> 00:06:19,679And when you have come to him, when you have come to him,11700:06:19,679 –> 00:06:23,700you will be able to look back and behind you,11800:06:24,600 –> 00:06:27,399you will see the giving of the father11900:06:28,480 –> 00:06:32,299and the drawing of the father, and your heart will be full.12000:06:32,779 –> 00:06:34,679Now that is the marvelous teaching12100:06:34,679 –> 00:06:38,700of this word of Jesus Christ.12200:06:38,700 –> 00:06:42,980I want to take just a few minutes now to apply it to us12300:06:42,980 –> 00:06:44,779because we have learned what Jesus says.12400:06:44,779 –> 00:06:45,600It’s very clear.12500:06:45,600 –> 00:06:48,079It’s not difficult to understand.12600:06:48,079 –> 00:06:52,200I want us to see how we are to use12700:06:52,200 –> 00:06:56,779what Jesus says here in our Christian lives.12800:06:58,040 –> 00:07:00,160Let me suggest three ways.12900:07:00,160 –> 00:07:01,959Focus on the first two.13000:07:02,779 –> 00:07:06,179Use this truth that we’re learning today.13100:07:06,179 –> 00:07:10,959Will you use this truth to strengthen your grasp13200:07:10,959 –> 00:07:12,600of God’s love for you?13300:07:13,700 –> 00:07:15,899And I’ll tell you, this has been my biggest prayer13400:07:15,899 –> 00:07:18,079for today, or at least one of them,13500:07:19,019 –> 00:07:23,220that God will give to many of us today13600:07:25,380 –> 00:07:29,799a bigger, stronger grasp13700:07:29,799 –> 00:07:34,799of the dimensions of his love for you in Jesus Christ.13800:07:36,839 –> 00:07:38,279Now, this is a big issue.13900:07:39,119 –> 00:07:42,720In Ephesians, where Paul is praying for Christians,14000:07:43,760 –> 00:07:47,779he says this, here’s what I’m praying for you.14100:07:48,959 –> 00:07:53,220What I’m praying for you, Paul says in Ephesians three is,14200:07:53,220 –> 00:07:57,519that you will know the breadth, and length,14300:07:57,519 –> 00:08:00,959and depth, and height of the love of Christ.14400:08:01,980 –> 00:08:04,320In other words, Paul recognized that among the Christians14500:08:04,320 –> 00:08:05,519in that church in Ephesus,14600:08:05,519 –> 00:08:07,559and this is true of Christians in every church,14700:08:07,559 –> 00:08:10,720it’s true of us today, we find it very difficult14800:08:10,720 –> 00:08:13,799to take in how much Jesus Christ loves us.14900:08:13,799 –> 00:08:16,640So he says, as an apostle I’m praying15000:08:16,640 –> 00:08:20,239that the congregation will get a bigger view,15100:08:20,239 –> 00:08:23,700a stronger grasp, a clearer glimpse of the love15200:08:23,700 –> 00:08:26,179of God in Jesus Christ for every person here.15300:08:27,040 –> 00:08:28,200I want that for you.15400:08:29,559 –> 00:08:31,179I’ve been praying that for today.15500:08:32,760 –> 00:08:35,299First, because however much you have grasped15600:08:35,299 –> 00:08:38,179of the love of God, you’ve only grasped a tiny bit of it,15700:08:39,239 –> 00:08:42,460and second, because many, many Christians15800:08:42,460 –> 00:08:46,260have only a faint impression of the love of Christ,15900:08:46,260 –> 00:08:49,659many Christians find it difficult to believe16000:08:50,900 –> 00:08:53,580that God really loves you.16100:08:53,799 –> 00:08:57,619You really do, you find that very difficult to get.16200:08:59,739 –> 00:09:03,219Now I’m saying I want you to use this truth16300:09:03,219 –> 00:09:05,979that we’re learning today in this one verse,16400:09:05,979 –> 00:09:08,099so it’s easy for you to get hold of.16500:09:08,099 –> 00:09:10,440I want you to use this truth to strengthen16600:09:10,440 –> 00:09:13,979your grasp of Christ’s love for you.16700:09:13,979 –> 00:09:14,820Think about it.16800:09:16,219 –> 00:09:20,760The Father knew everything about you before you were born.16900:09:21,739 –> 00:09:26,380He knew all that you are, all that is in you,17000:09:26,380 –> 00:09:28,219He knew everything you would ever do.17100:09:29,359 –> 00:09:31,419And knowing everything about you,17200:09:31,419 –> 00:09:33,940here’s what He chose to do.17300:09:35,340 –> 00:09:40,340He gave you to His son.17400:09:44,039 –> 00:09:46,719And here’s something just as remarkable.17500:09:46,719 –> 00:09:49,960The son received the gift,17600:09:51,640 –> 00:09:55,359the love of God is more personal by far17700:09:55,359 –> 00:09:57,599than many Christians think.17800:09:58,760 –> 00:10:01,000God loves the world, we rejoice in that.17900:10:01,000 –> 00:10:02,799The Bible states it clearly.18000:10:04,619 –> 00:10:06,000But there is more than that.18100:10:07,919 –> 00:10:11,520To His own people the Bible repeatedly makes clear18200:10:11,520 –> 00:10:14,719that God in a very special way loves you.18300:10:16,479 –> 00:10:17,960He has set His heart upon you.18400:10:18,739 –> 00:10:21,479Paul puts it this way in Galatians 2.20.18500:10:21,479 –> 00:10:24,080And this is something you can say as a Christian.18600:10:25,580 –> 00:10:28,580The son of God loved me18700:10:30,320 –> 00:10:33,260and gave himself for me.18800:10:35,239 –> 00:10:38,599Behind Christ’s death on the cross for you18900:10:39,380 –> 00:10:43,739and behind the story of how you have come to faith in Him19000:10:43,760 –> 00:10:45,739and faith in Him,19100:10:45,739 –> 00:10:50,739stands the father giving you to the son19200:10:52,000 –> 00:10:57,000and son receiving you as the father’s gift to him.19300:11:01,340 –> 00:11:03,559And I don’t know if you can begin to picture this.19400:11:03,559 –> 00:11:06,059It staggers my mind even to think about it19500:11:06,059 –> 00:11:08,400but to meditate on great truths19600:11:08,400 –> 00:11:10,219I think, is profoundly helpful.19700:11:11,099 –> 00:11:13,380Picture this, the father says,19800:11:13,380 –> 00:11:18,380son, I have a great gift for you.19900:11:20,539 –> 00:11:22,440I’m going to give you20000:11:22,440 –> 00:11:27,440and he says, John and Jim and Mary and Melissa20100:11:28,739 –> 00:11:32,080and on he goes, thousands upon thousands20200:11:32,080 –> 00:11:37,080and millions of names of people from every continent,20300:11:37,919 –> 00:11:41,859every language, every nation, every generation20400:11:41,859 –> 00:11:44,260in the entire history of the planet20500:11:44,260 –> 00:11:48,799and as you try to take in the magnificence of this scene,20600:11:48,799 –> 00:11:53,059there comes a moment where you hear your name,20700:11:55,059 –> 00:11:58,239I give, put your name in there, to you, son.20800:12:00,320 –> 00:12:02,739The father does not read these names20900:12:02,739 –> 00:12:05,820though they are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life,21000:12:05,859 –> 00:12:08,840he does not need to read them because he knows them,21100:12:08,840 –> 00:12:11,520the father says I give them to you,21200:12:12,719 –> 00:12:15,080the son says I will redeem them.21300:12:16,119 –> 00:12:18,000The father says I will draw them21400:12:19,159 –> 00:12:21,000and the son says I will receive them,21500:12:21,000 –> 00:12:25,299I will never, never, never drive them away.21600:12:26,539 –> 00:12:28,880So my prayer for you today is21700:12:30,039 –> 00:12:33,099that you would get a bigger view of God’s love.21800:12:33,099 –> 00:12:35,320That you would go home today saying21900:12:36,440 –> 00:12:39,479I always knew that God loved me22000:12:40,960 –> 00:12:45,599but I never knew He loved me like that.22100:12:47,640 –> 00:12:48,840Use this truth22200:12:50,719 –> 00:12:54,640to strengthen and personalize your grasp22300:12:55,859 –> 00:13:00,859of the love of God for you in Jesus Christ.22400:13:01,739 –> 00:13:03,340We’re gonna pause here briefly22500:13:03,340 –> 00:13:05,119but you are listening to Open the Bible22600:13:05,119 –> 00:13:06,919with Pastor Colin Smith22700:13:06,919 –> 00:13:09,479and a message called Jesus will welcome you22800:13:09,479 –> 00:13:11,900part of our series, RockSolid22900:13:11,900 –> 00:13:14,979Seven Promises Christ Makes to You.23000:13:14,979 –> 00:13:17,179Don’t forget if you ever miss one of the series23100:13:17,179 –> 00:13:18,479or if you ever want to go back23200:13:18,479 –> 00:13:20,159and listen to previous series23300:13:20,159 –> 00:13:21,760they’re all available online23400:13:21,760 –> 00:13:25,799at our website, openthebible.org.uk23500:13:25,799 –> 00:13:27,859Also available as a podcast23600:13:27,859 –> 00:13:30,299look for them on your favorite podcast site23700:13:30,479 –> 00:13:34,020and by searching for Open the Bible UK23800:13:34,020 –> 00:13:35,859back to the message now23900:13:35,859 –> 00:13:37,859here again is Colin24000:13:37,859 –> 00:13:41,700The father says I give them to you24100:13:41,700 –> 00:13:45,080the son says I will redeem them24200:13:45,080 –> 00:13:48,119the father says I will draw them24300:13:48,119 –> 00:13:50,000and the son says I will receive them24400:13:50,000 –> 00:13:55,739I will never, never, never drive them away24500:13:55,739 –> 00:13:58,080and here’s just one more thing24600:13:58,080 –> 00:13:59,440that’s of great importance here24700:13:59,479 –> 00:14:02,659maybe if we just touch on it more briefly24800:14:02,659 –> 00:14:07,400use this truth to sustain your commitment24900:14:07,400 –> 00:14:10,320to gospel ministry25000:14:10,320 –> 00:14:13,020let me explain why I say that25100:14:13,020 –> 00:14:15,320this verse and these words of Jesus25200:14:15,320 –> 00:14:17,500come at a time that really was not very encouraging25300:14:17,500 –> 00:14:20,539in the Ministry of Jesus25400:14:20,539 –> 00:14:25,380He had just fed the 5,000 multiplying loaves and fishes25500:14:25,380 –> 00:14:28,219and if you look back to verse 1525600:14:28,260 –> 00:14:32,020the crowd wanted to make Jesus king by force25700:14:32,020 –> 00:14:35,299they wanted to politicize Jesus, in other words25800:14:35,299 –> 00:14:37,280Jesus knew that this is what they wanted to do25900:14:37,280 –> 00:14:38,539so he slips away from the crowd26000:14:38,539 –> 00:14:40,200he goes the other side of the lake26100:14:40,200 –> 00:14:41,400the crowd come round the lake26200:14:41,400 –> 00:14:42,840they find him again26300:14:42,840 –> 00:14:43,919and then there is this discussion26400:14:43,919 –> 00:14:46,340which is the passage that we read26500:14:46,340 –> 00:14:47,119and Jesus says verse 2626600:14:47,119 –> 00:14:48,219you’re looking for me26700:14:48,219 –> 00:14:49,719because you ate the loaves26800:14:49,719 –> 00:14:52,140and you had your fill26900:14:52,140 –> 00:14:55,039He begins to speak to them about eternal life27000:14:55,039 –> 00:14:56,059in verse 2727100:14:56,539 –> 00:14:59,460he speaks to them about faith in verse 2927200:14:59,460 –> 00:15:01,900he speaks to them about spiritual things27300:15:01,900 –> 00:15:03,940I am the bread of life, verse 3527400:15:05,900 –> 00:15:09,539so Christ now is giving the most glorious presentation27500:15:09,539 –> 00:15:11,340of the most glorious truth27600:15:11,340 –> 00:15:14,400the Lord Jesus Christ is talking about faith27700:15:14,400 –> 00:15:16,059and about eternity27800:15:16,059 –> 00:15:17,440and about life27900:15:17,440 –> 00:15:19,299and you know how much interest28000:15:19,299 –> 00:15:20,919these people have in these things28100:15:20,919 –> 00:15:23,280zip. None.28200:15:23,280 –> 00:15:25,500No spiritual interest28300:15:26,359 –> 00:15:28,080verse 36 Jesus says28400:15:28,080 –> 00:15:31,219you have seen me28500:15:31,219 –> 00:15:34,000and still you do not believe28600:15:35,659 –> 00:15:36,960now folks, where do you go from there28700:15:36,960 –> 00:15:39,419if we’re involved in ministry28800:15:39,419 –> 00:15:41,580if we’re trying to reach others for the gospel28900:15:41,580 –> 00:15:43,280and we begin to speak about faith29000:15:43,280 –> 00:15:45,099and about Jesus, the bread of life29100:15:45,099 –> 00:15:47,539and we begin to speak about eternal life29200:15:47,539 –> 00:15:49,979and the level of spiritual interest29300:15:49,979 –> 00:15:51,700among people around us29400:15:51,700 –> 00:15:54,020seems to be zero29500:15:54,020 –> 00:15:54,900where do you go from there?29600:15:54,919 –> 00:15:57,859where do you go from there?29700:15:57,859 –> 00:16:00,599you see after a while you get discouraged29800:16:00,599 –> 00:16:01,739maybe you should pack it in29900:16:01,739 –> 00:16:02,479is it really worth it?30000:16:02,479 –> 00:16:03,780or the biggest pressure of all30100:16:03,780 –> 00:16:05,140is this30200:16:05,539 –> 00:16:07,020well people really aren’t interested30300:16:07,020 –> 00:16:08,179in the words of Jesus30400:16:08,179 –> 00:16:09,239people aren’t really interested30500:16:09,239 –> 00:16:10,799in spiritual things30600:16:10,799 –> 00:16:11,859let’s find some other way30700:16:11,859 –> 00:16:13,619in which we can help them30800:16:14,539 –> 00:16:16,479so how do you keep going30900:16:17,080 –> 00:16:19,059see, think of where Jesus is here31000:16:19,059 –> 00:16:20,840there’s a group of people over here31100:16:20,840 –> 00:16:22,539who want to politicize him31200:16:22,539 –> 00:16:24,539and there’s a much larger group of people31300:16:24,539 –> 00:16:25,179over here31400:16:25,179 –> 00:16:26,280who have absolutely31500:16:26,280 –> 00:16:27,419no interest whatsoever31600:16:27,419 –> 00:16:28,760in spiritual things31700:16:28,760 –> 00:16:30,679so how do you sustain gospel ministry31800:16:30,679 –> 00:16:31,619in that environment31900:16:31,619 –> 00:16:32,919answer32000:16:32,919 –> 00:16:34,219Jesus says32100:16:34,219 –> 00:16:37,619all who the father gives me32200:16:37,619 –> 00:16:39,179will come to me32300:16:41,640 –> 00:16:42,520God sends his people32400:16:42,520 –> 00:16:44,520into tough places32500:16:45,599 –> 00:16:47,440if we are to take the gospel32600:16:47,440 –> 00:16:48,580to the world32700:16:48,580 –> 00:16:50,719that will mean32800:16:50,719 –> 00:16:51,880taking the gospel32900:16:51,880 –> 00:16:54,219to some highly resistant33000:16:54,700 –> 00:16:55,619unresponsive33100:16:55,619 –> 00:16:56,700groups33200:16:56,700 –> 00:16:57,260of people33300:16:57,260 –> 00:17:01,119here and around the world33400:17:01,119 –> 00:17:02,619Paul did that on many occasions33500:17:02,619 –> 00:17:03,719one of them was in Acts33600:17:03,719 –> 00:17:05,020in chapter 1833700:17:05,020 –> 00:17:07,939it’s a fascinating story33800:17:07,939 –> 00:17:09,560he goes to a place called Corinth33900:17:09,560 –> 00:17:11,739which was the last Vegas34000:17:11,739 –> 00:17:13,560of the early world34100:17:13,560 –> 00:17:16,140and in Acts 18 in verse 534200:17:16,140 –> 00:17:17,119Luke tells us that he34300:17:17,119 –> 00:17:18,500gave himself exclusively34400:17:18,500 –> 00:17:19,719to preaching to Jews34500:17:19,719 –> 00:17:21,939and testifying about Jesus Christ34600:17:21,939 –> 00:17:23,599Acts chapter 18 in verse 634700:17:23,599 –> 00:17:24,959says that they opposed Paul34800:17:24,959 –> 00:17:26,380and they became abusive34900:17:26,380 –> 00:17:28,780towards him35000:17:28,780 –> 00:17:29,880so Paul goes into the last Vegas35100:17:29,880 –> 00:17:31,540of the early world35200:17:31,540 –> 00:17:32,719what does he get?35300:17:32,719 –> 00:17:34,180spiritual response35400:17:34,180 –> 00:17:35,920ZIP35500:17:35,920 –> 00:17:38,640so where’d you go from there?35600:17:38,640 –> 00:17:39,800Well he went next door35700:17:39,800 –> 00:17:41,219and set up in the home35800:17:41,219 –> 00:17:42,760of someone else35900:17:42,760 –> 00:17:43,839and what happened was36000:17:43,839 –> 00:17:44,319that in fact36100:17:44,319 –> 00:17:45,579the leader of the synagogue36200:17:45,579 –> 00:17:47,040came and professed36300:17:47,040 –> 00:17:48,119Faith in Jesus Christ36400:17:48,119 –> 00:17:49,000along with his family36500:17:49,000 –> 00:17:50,140and then a number of other people36600:17:50,140 –> 00:17:51,119did as well36700:17:51,119 –> 00:17:53,420here’s the point36800:17:53,439 –> 00:17:54,319while Paul was there36900:17:54,319 –> 00:17:55,599in that city of Corinth37000:17:55,599 –> 00:17:56,540Jesus Christ37100:17:56,540 –> 00:17:57,060the son of God37200:17:57,060 –> 00:17:58,660spoke to him in a dream37300:17:58,660 –> 00:18:00,020and he said this37400:18:00,020 –> 00:18:01,040don’t be afraid37500:18:01,040 –> 00:18:02,459keep on speaking37600:18:02,459 –> 00:18:03,780I am with you37700:18:03,780 –> 00:18:05,140the son of God said37800:18:05,140 –> 00:18:07,459for I have many people37900:18:07,459 –> 00:18:12,060in this city38000:18:12,060 –> 00:18:12,859there are many people38100:18:12,859 –> 00:18:13,540in this city38200:18:13,540 –> 00:18:14,540who the father has given38300:18:14,540 –> 00:18:15,380to the son38400:18:15,380 –> 00:18:17,099they haven’t come to the son yet38500:18:17,099 –> 00:18:17,699but because the father38600:18:17,699 –> 00:18:18,800has given them to the son38700:18:18,800 –> 00:18:20,000they will come to the son38800:18:20,000 –> 00:18:20,900so Paul just38900:18:20,900 –> 00:18:22,119you keep on doing39000:18:22,119 –> 00:18:22,979what you’re doing39100:18:23,199 –> 00:18:24,180this truth39200:18:24,180 –> 00:18:25,300is the greatest truth39300:18:25,300 –> 00:18:27,099I know in my own experience39400:18:27,099 –> 00:18:30,300in sustaining gospel ministry39500:18:30,300 –> 00:18:32,099I think I would have39600:18:32,099 –> 00:18:34,520given up by now39700:18:34,520 –> 00:18:36,859if it was not for this truth39800:18:36,859 –> 00:18:37,699this truth to me39900:18:37,699 –> 00:18:39,520is the greatest incentive40000:18:39,520 –> 00:18:40,920I know40100:18:40,920 –> 00:18:43,680for the work of evangelism40200:18:43,680 –> 00:18:45,920it really is40300:18:45,920 –> 00:18:47,540the father has given people40400:18:47,540 –> 00:18:48,680in this city40500:18:48,680 –> 00:18:49,300to the son40600:18:49,300 –> 00:18:52,339they don’t know it yet40700:18:52,479 –> 00:18:55,079but they will come40800:18:55,079 –> 00:18:57,560and they will come through40900:18:57,560 –> 00:18:59,280the sharing of the gospel41000:18:59,280 –> 00:19:00,459perhaps through your sharing41100:19:00,459 –> 00:19:01,260of the gospel41200:19:01,260 –> 00:19:04,079our sharing of the gospel41300:19:04,079 –> 00:19:04,819they will come41400:19:04,819 –> 00:19:06,699because the father will draw them41500:19:06,699 –> 00:19:08,859and nothing can stop that41600:19:08,859 –> 00:19:11,660from happening41700:19:11,660 –> 00:19:12,900their unbelief at this moment41800:19:12,900 –> 00:19:14,180can’t stop it from happening41900:19:14,180 –> 00:19:15,560satan can’t stop them42000:19:15,560 –> 00:19:16,839sin can’t stop them42100:19:16,839 –> 00:19:20,140the culture can’t stop them42200:19:20,140 –> 00:19:22,359what if you believe this?42300:19:22,359 –> 00:19:24,180persecution can’t stop them42400:19:24,180 –> 00:19:25,099jesus says42500:19:25,099 –> 00:19:25,939get it into your mind42600:19:25,939 –> 00:19:28,239this will sustain a life of ministry42700:19:28,239 –> 00:19:30,079all that the father gives me42800:19:30,079 –> 00:19:31,099will come to me42900:19:31,099 –> 00:19:34,280folks, that is our guarantee43000:19:34,280 –> 00:19:35,900of the progress of the gospel43100:19:35,900 –> 00:19:36,920that’s it43200:19:36,920 –> 00:19:39,640right there43300:19:39,640 –> 00:19:41,239so use this43400:19:41,239 –> 00:19:44,739use this to strengthen your grasp43500:19:44,739 –> 00:19:46,160of the love of God43600:19:46,160 –> 00:19:49,119and use this truth43700:19:49,119 –> 00:19:55,819to sustain your commitment to gospel ministry43800:19:55,819 –> 00:19:59,380and just very briefly at the end43900:19:59,380 –> 00:20:01,439use this to deepen your confidence44000:20:01,439 –> 00:20:06,099and your joy in the Lord Jesus Christ44100:20:06,099 –> 00:20:07,439whoever comes to me44200:20:07,439 –> 00:20:10,839I will never drive away44300:20:10,839 –> 00:20:12,420notice he doesn’t say44400:20:12,420 –> 00:20:13,239whoever comes to me44500:20:13,239 –> 00:20:14,040I’ll not drive away44600:20:14,040 –> 00:20:14,760that’s true44700:20:14,760 –> 00:20:16,160but it’s stronger than that44800:20:16,160 –> 00:20:17,339I’ll never drive away44900:20:17,339 –> 00:20:18,020in fact45000:20:18,060 –> 00:20:19,339in the words that Jesus used45100:20:19,339 –> 00:20:20,119in the original45200:20:20,119 –> 00:20:21,420there, there’s45300:20:21,420 –> 00:20:22,400it’s doubly strong45400:20:22,400 –> 00:20:22,920it’s like45500:20:22,920 –> 00:20:24,260no not ever ever45600:20:24,260 –> 00:20:25,800that’s the kind of sense of it45700:20:25,800 –> 00:20:27,599no, never45800:20:27,599 –> 00:20:30,199this in other words,45900:20:30,199 –> 00:20:30,979is a wonderful46000:20:30,979 –> 00:20:32,660not only a wonderful incentive46100:20:32,660 –> 00:20:34,479for sinners coming to Christ46200:20:34,479 –> 00:20:35,719I’ll never drive you away46300:20:35,719 –> 00:20:37,819it is the most marvelous assurance46400:20:37,819 –> 00:20:38,719for all of us46500:20:38,719 –> 00:20:39,640who are believers46600:20:39,640 –> 00:20:40,939in Jesus Christ46700:20:40,939 –> 00:20:41,560he’s saying46800:20:41,560 –> 00:20:42,920I’ll never drive you away46900:20:42,920 –> 00:20:43,619not now47000:20:43,619 –> 00:20:44,619not in the future47100:20:44,619 –> 00:20:45,280not ever47200:20:45,280 –> 00:20:47,579no not ever ever47300:20:48,479 –> 00:20:50,079so do you ever wonder47400:20:50,079 –> 00:20:53,000if Christ will tire of you47500:20:53,000 –> 00:20:53,800when he sees47600:20:53,800 –> 00:20:55,619how weak your faith is47700:20:55,619 –> 00:20:57,400answer from this text47800:20:57,400 –> 00:21:00,000no, never47900:21:01,119 –> 00:21:02,060do you ever wonder48000:21:02,060 –> 00:21:03,260if Jesus Christ48100:21:03,260 –> 00:21:06,479will somehow lose interest in you48200:21:06,479 –> 00:21:08,300because you have been slow48300:21:08,300 –> 00:21:09,020to change48400:21:09,020 –> 00:21:10,380and to grow as a Christian48500:21:10,380 –> 00:21:11,719answer from this text48600:21:11,719 –> 00:21:13,619no, never48700:21:14,900 –> 00:21:16,640when you fall into temptation48800:21:17,079 –> 00:21:19,239and you fail in some big kind of way48900:21:19,239 –> 00:21:20,680and satan says to you49000:21:20,680 –> 00:21:22,520well, there is not much future for you now49100:21:22,800 –> 00:21:25,020Jesus Christ isn’t gonna be able49200:21:25,020 –> 00:21:26,800to use you very much now49300:21:27,739 –> 00:21:31,920Lord Jesus Christ would say to you this49400:21:31,920 –> 00:21:34,619I will never drive you away49500:21:34,800 –> 00:21:36,339no matter what failure49600:21:36,339 –> 00:21:37,560there is in your life49700:21:37,560 –> 00:21:41,160as one who comes to Christ49800:21:41,160 –> 00:21:42,979you will never hear49900:21:42,979 –> 00:21:44,599the son of God say50000:21:44,599 –> 00:21:45,880I am done with you50100:21:46,199 –> 00:21:49,520never no not ever50200:21:49,520 –> 00:21:52,040so come to Him50300:21:52,040 –> 00:21:53,400how great to be reminded that50400:21:53,400 –> 00:21:55,060when Jesus makes a promise50500:21:55,060 –> 00:21:57,680you can be sure he will keep it50600:21:57,680 –> 00:21:59,319we’re hearing about how we50700:21:59,319 –> 00:22:00,699can be completely confident50800:22:00,699 –> 00:22:02,119that he will hold us up50900:22:02,119 –> 00:22:04,500when we place our lives in his hands51000:22:04,900 –> 00:22:05,939you’ve been listening to51100:22:05,939 –> 00:22:07,060Open The Bible with51200:22:07,060 –> 00:22:08,439Pastor Colin Smith51300:22:08,439 –> 00:22:10,119and a message called51400:22:10,119 –> 00:22:11,260Jesus Will Welcome You51500:22:11,260 –> 00:22:12,500one of the seven promises51600:22:12,500 –> 00:22:13,719Christ makes to you51700:22:13,880 –> 00:22:16,839in our series Rock Solid51800:22:16,839 –> 00:22:17,920if you miss any of the series51900:22:17,920 –> 00:22:18,920it’s very easy52000:22:18,920 –> 00:22:19,959to catch up or go back52100:22:19,959 –> 00:22:21,520and listen again online52200:22:21,520 –> 00:22:22,520at our website52300:22:22,520 –> 00:22:25,579openthebible.org.co.uk52400:22:25,579 –> 00:22:26,660and also you’ll find them52500:22:26,660 –> 00:22:27,920as a podcast52600:22:27,920 –> 00:22:29,979on all the main podcast sites52700:22:29,979 –> 00:22:31,739search for OpenTheBibleUK52800:22:31,739 –> 00:22:33,420and subscribe if you want52900:22:33,420 –> 00:22:35,680to receive regular reminders53000:22:35,680 –> 00:22:36,680Open The Bible53100:22:36,680 –> 00:22:39,239is supported by our listeners financially53200:22:39,239 –> 00:22:40,359and if that’s something53300:22:40,359 –> 00:22:42,199you’ve been considering doing53400:22:42,319 –> 00:22:44,380this month, we have an offer for you53500:22:44,380 –> 00:22:45,660if you were able to set up53600:22:45,660 –> 00:22:47,319a new direct debit53700:22:47,319 –> 00:22:48,859in the amount of five pounds53800:22:48,859 –> 00:22:50,079per month or more53900:22:50,079 –> 00:22:51,280or a one off gift54000:22:51,280 –> 00:22:53,000of fifty pounds or more54100:22:53,000 –> 00:22:53,699this month54200:22:53,699 –> 00:22:54,920we’ll send you54300:22:54,920 –> 00:22:56,400two copies of the book54400:22:56,400 –> 00:22:57,339Christmas Stories54500:22:57,339 –> 00:22:58,780by Colin Smith54600:22:58,780 –> 00:22:59,619and also54700:22:59,619 –> 00:23:01,699five beautiful Christmas cards54800:23:01,699 –> 00:23:04,660with illustrations from the book54900:23:04,660 –> 00:23:05,780Christmas Stories55000:23:05,780 –> 00:23:06,699is a retelling55100:23:06,699 –> 00:23:07,979of the Christmas Story55200:23:07,979 –> 00:23:09,000from the point of view55300:23:09,000 –> 00:23:11,439of several biblical characters55400:23:11,439 –> 00:23:14,619like Adam, Joseph, Herod55500:23:14,619 –> 00:23:16,359Mary’s Cousin Elizabeth55600:23:16,359 –> 00:23:17,180and even55700:23:17,180 –> 00:23:18,920the angel Gabriel55800:23:18,920 –> 00:23:20,780You know I have really55900:23:20,780 –> 00:23:21,880enjoyed56000:23:21,880 –> 00:23:23,199telling the Christmas Story56100:23:23,199 –> 00:23:24,260from the perspective56200:23:24,260 –> 00:23:25,380of different characters56300:23:25,380 –> 00:23:26,400who were involved56400:23:26,439 –> 00:23:27,619and the one exception56500:23:27,619 –> 00:23:28,660to that is Herod56600:23:28,660 –> 00:23:30,380I can’t say I enjoyed that56700:23:30,380 –> 00:23:31,020because of course56800:23:31,020 –> 00:23:32,400he was on the wrong side56900:23:32,400 –> 00:23:33,859of the Christmas Story57000:23:33,859 –> 00:23:35,560I absolutely opposed57100:23:35,560 –> 00:23:36,199the coming of57200:23:36,199 –> 00:23:37,280The Lord Jesus Christ57300:23:37,280 –> 00:23:38,699into the world57400:23:38,699 –> 00:23:39,599and when I was57500:23:39,599 –> 00:23:40,699telling the story57600:23:40,699 –> 00:23:42,780from Mary and Joseph’s perspective57700:23:42,780 –> 00:23:44,239or Simeon’s perspective57800:23:44,239 –> 00:23:45,780You know, you’re able57900:23:45,780 –> 00:23:46,479to think about58000:23:46,479 –> 00:23:47,979well here’s a person58100:23:47,979 –> 00:23:49,160whose in heaven58200:23:49,160 –> 00:23:49,979looking back58300:23:49,979 –> 00:23:50,680on this most58400:23:50,680 –> 00:23:51,560marvellous Good News58500:23:51,560 –> 00:23:52,979of the Birth of Jesus58600:23:52,979 –> 00:23:53,660into the world58700:23:54,420 –> 00:23:54,959Well Herod58800:23:54,959 –> 00:23:56,300it’s certainly not there58900:23:56,300 –> 00:23:57,780and the message59000:23:57,780 –> 00:23:58,699that comes from59100:23:58,699 –> 00:23:59,500his rejection59200:23:59,500 –> 00:24:00,359of Jesus is59300:24:00,359 –> 00:24:01,160it’s too late now59400:24:01,160 –> 00:24:01,660for him59500:24:01,660 –> 00:24:02,660to change direction59600:24:02,660 –> 00:24:03,699but it’s not59700:24:03,699 –> 00:24:04,199too late59800:24:04,199 –> 00:24:05,020for you59900:24:05,020 –> 00:24:05,959and what a60000:24:05,959 –> 00:24:06,979marvellous thing60100:24:06,979 –> 00:24:07,699it is that we are in60200:24:07,699 –> 00:24:08,199that we are in60300:24:08,199 –> 00:24:09,979the Day of God’s Grace60400:24:10,780 –> 00:24:11,859Where mercy60500:24:11,859 –> 00:24:12,359and love60600:24:12,359 –> 00:24:12,859are extended60700:24:12,859 –> 00:24:13,900towards every60800:24:13,900 –> 00:24:15,219person in Jesus Christ60900:24:15,819 –> 00:24:16,140and what a61000:24:16,140 –> 00:24:16,859marvellous thing61100:24:16,859 –> 00:24:17,359to be able61200:24:17,359 –> 00:24:17,859to invite61300:24:17,859 –> 00:24:18,520our friends61400:24:18,520 –> 00:24:19,599and our loved ones61500:24:19,599 –> 00:24:20,219to receive61600:24:20,219 –> 00:24:20,839that mercy61700:24:20,839 –> 00:24:21,459and that grace61800:24:22,000 –> 00:24:22,479I hope that61900:24:22,479 –> 00:24:22,959this book62000:24:22,959 –> 00:24:23,520will be a62100:24:23,520 –> 00:24:24,520real help62200:24:25,180 –> 00:24:26,180to many folks62300:24:26,680 –> 00:24:27,459in sharing62400:24:27,459 –> 00:24:28,040the Gospel62500:24:28,040 –> 00:24:28,599It would be a lovely62600:24:28,599 –> 00:24:28,979gift62700:24:28,979 –> 00:24:29,479just to give62800:24:29,479 –> 00:24:29,900to someone62900:24:29,900 –> 00:24:30,900it’s 24 pages63000:24:31,339 –> 00:24:32,339beautifully produced63100:24:32,680 –> 00:24:32,900and it63200:24:32,900 –> 00:24:33,640tells the Christmas63300:24:33,640 –> 00:24:34,060story63400:24:34,060 –> 00:24:34,479from these63500:24:34,479 –> 00:24:35,579different angles63600:24:36,020 –> 00:24:36,560in the first63700:24:36,560 –> 00:24:37,160person63800:24:37,520 –> 00:24:37,780through the63900:24:37,780 –> 00:24:38,540eyes of people64000:24:38,540 –> 00:24:38,959who were64100:24:38,959 –> 00:24:39,739actually involved64200:24:40,079 –> 00:24:40,420Well we’d love64300:24:40,420 –> 00:24:41,180to send you64400:24:41,180 –> 00:24:41,819two copies64500:24:41,819 –> 00:24:42,459of this book64600:24:42,819 –> 00:24:43,560and the five64700:24:43,560 –> 00:24:44,040beautiful64800:24:44,040 –> 00:24:45,040Christmas cards64900:24:45,040 –> 00:24:45,640If you65000:24:45,640 –> 00:24:46,140are able65100:24:46,140 –> 00:24:46,540to set up65200:24:46,540 –> 00:24:47,140a new65300:24:47,140 –> 00:24:47,739direct debit65400:24:47,739 –> 00:24:48,619of £565500:24:48,619 –> 00:24:49,439per month65600:24:49,439 –> 00:24:50,020or more65700:24:50,420 –> 00:24:51,219or a one off65800:24:51,219 –> 00:24:51,660gift65900:24:51,660 –> 00:24:52,219of £5066000:24:52,219 –> 00:24:52,719or more66100:24:52,719 –> 00:24:54,219this month66200:24:54,219 –> 00:24:54,719Full terms66300:24:54,719 –> 00:24:55,380and conditions66400:24:55,380 –> 00:24:55,760are on our66500:24:55,760 –> 00:24:56,420website66600:24:56,420 –> 00:24:59,560OpenTheBible.org.uk66700:24:59,560 –> 00:25:00,020and please66800:25:00,020 –> 00:25:00,420remember66900:25:00,420 –> 00:25:01,339if you67000:25:01,339 –> 00:25:01,800want to67100:25:01,800 –> 00:25:02,300take advantage67200:25:02,300 –> 00:25:02,560of this67300:25:02,560 –> 00:25:02,959offer67400:25:02,959 –> 00:25:03,920don’t give67500:25:03,920 –> 00:25:04,959anonymously67600:25:04,959 –> 00:25:06,160and67700:25:06,160 –> 00:25:06,640remember67800:25:06,640 –> 00:25:07,160to leave67900:25:07,160 –> 00:25:07,699your full68000:25:07,699 –> 00:25:08,079name68100:25:08,079 –> 00:25:08,619and address68200:25:08,619 –> 00:25:09,040so we can68300:25:09,040 –> 00:25:09,579send you68400:25:09,579 –> 00:25:09,920your free68500:25:09,939 –> 00:25:10,500gift68600:25:11,180 –> 00:25:12,140For Open The Bible68700:25:12,140 –> 00:25:13,800and Pastor Colin Smith68800:25:13,800 –> 00:25:14,839I’m David Pick68900:25:14,839 –> 00:25:15,280and I hope69000:25:15,280 –> 00:25:16,199you’ll join us again69100:25:16,199 –> 00:25:17,119next time on69200:25:17,119 –> 00:25:18,119Open The Bible69300:25:23,579 –> 00:25:24,619Jesus compared69400:25:24,619 –> 00:25:25,439ministry69500:25:25,439 –> 00:25:26,680with fishing69600:25:26,680 –> 00:25:27,819find out why69700:25:27,819 –> 00:25:28,660next time on69800:25:28,660 –> 00:25:29,540Open The Bible