100:00:00,860 –> 00:00:02,860I200:00:03,180 –> 00:00:05,800Didn’t come to tell you a sentimental story300:00:07,140 –> 00:00:09,840that’s not what Christmas is I400:00:11,180 –> 00:00:15,320Came to give you an account of what happened I500:00:16,580 –> 00:00:20,719Came to tell you that God stepped into human history600:00:21,520 –> 00:00:23,520through Jesus Christ700:00:23,660 –> 00:00:28,100And that in doing that he’s reaching out to you800:00:28,559 –> 00:00:31,280Welcome to open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith900:00:31,280 –> 00:00:36,320I’m David pick glad you could be with us today and Colin we can get so caught up in the whole Christmas experience1000:00:37,020 –> 00:00:43,639Shopping spending time with family and friends. We can forget that Christmas is really all about God reaching out to us1100:00:44,000 –> 00:00:50,840Yeah in the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ and you know, I’ve been a Christian now nearly 50 years1200:00:50,860 –> 00:00:55,860and the more I think about this miracle the more marvelous it gets it is1300:00:55,860 –> 00:01:03,200unfathomable for God to become man in Jesus Christ for the divine to assume our1400:01:03,540 –> 00:01:06,800flesh in order that we may be taken up into1500:01:08,160 –> 00:01:14,940Participation in the divine nature is the way that Peter puts it in the Bible. That is a miracle that just is mind-blowing1600:01:15,059 –> 00:01:19,680We’ll spend eternity trying to get to the end of that one and in today’s message1700:01:19,680 –> 00:01:22,459We’re going to hear from Joseph as he talks about what he saw1800:01:22,480 –> 00:01:27,360He had a ringside seat for the greatest event in the history of the world1900:01:27,459 –> 00:01:32,800So I hope you’ll join us if you can in Matthew chapter 1 as we hear Joseph story2000:01:32,919 –> 00:01:36,800Here’s Colin. I’m here to tell you that an angel of the Lord2100:01:37,440 –> 00:01:39,580appeared to me in a dream and2200:01:40,120 –> 00:01:42,120This is what he said2300:01:42,919 –> 00:01:44,919Joseph son of David2400:01:45,980 –> 00:01:49,400Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife2500:01:50,260 –> 00:01:56,160Because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit2600:01:57,779 –> 00:02:04,339She will give birth to a son and you he said that to me you are to give him the name2700:02:05,379 –> 00:02:07,379Jesus I2800:02:07,879 –> 00:02:09,880Woke up in a cold sweat2900:02:10,460 –> 00:02:17,199This was unlike any other dream. I had ever experienced before. I knew beyond all shadow of doubt that God3000:02:18,139 –> 00:02:20,139Had spoken to me3100:02:20,979 –> 00:02:23,320Well the following morning I knew what I had to do. I3200:02:24,339 –> 00:02:29,279Headed straight south for Judea. I don’t think I had ever traveled 70 miles so fast3300:02:29,279 –> 00:02:33,479I could not wait to take her in my arms and to tell her what had happened3400:02:34,899 –> 00:02:39,759The more I thought about it over that journey the more staggering3500:02:40,020 –> 00:02:45,300it became to me our little lives have been caught up in the sweep of3600:02:45,479 –> 00:02:49,660God’s saving purpose for the whole of the human race our little home3700:02:50,179 –> 00:02:56,380Was going to be the place where the child promised to the world would be born and the calling of my life3800:02:56,899 –> 00:03:01,240Was to be the guardian of the Son of God3900:03:04,639 –> 00:03:09,460Mary had spent three months with Elizabeth and by the time we returned4000:03:10,800 –> 00:03:12,800She was beginning to show4100:03:13,720 –> 00:03:16,500That was the beginning of our married life together4200:03:18,139 –> 00:03:24,339Though we both agreed that we would not consummate our marriage until after the child was born4300:03:26,240 –> 00:03:31,279Well, we were beginning to settle into a new life together in Nazareth when a herald4400:03:31,839 –> 00:03:38,759Arrived in town with a proclamation from Rome that the new government had an initiative4500:03:38,820 –> 00:03:42,740I was skeptical when the government has a new initiative. It’s still the same is it?4600:03:43,380 –> 00:03:47,600Well, we were too and sure enough. It was bad news for us the entire population4700:03:48,720 –> 00:03:55,880Had been ordered to return to the town of family origin to reger for a census4800:03:56,399 –> 00:03:58,720That they decided they wanted to take? Can you imagine?4900:04:00,059 –> 00:04:02,860It seemed that everybody was on the Move5000:04:04,119 –> 00:04:05,500road5100:04:05,619 –> 00:04:08,679absolute chaos families with carts and5200:04:09,020 –> 00:04:12,699animals moving all that they owned in every5300:04:13,220 –> 00:04:15,220conceivable Direction, I5400:04:15,960 –> 00:04:17,959Could hardly believe it5500:04:19,100 –> 00:04:21,100Mary was nearly due5600:04:22,579 –> 00:04:28,160But when the Romans gave orders there were no exceptions, so I saddled up the donkey in5700:04:28,799 –> 00:04:31,100The two of us headed south on5800:04:32,140 –> 00:04:34,679The road to Bethlehem my hometown5900:04:36,179 –> 00:04:38,179Another 70 miles6000:04:39,119 –> 00:04:41,559Of course you get all sentimental about the donkey6100:04:43,220 –> 00:04:45,220You should try a rating on a donkey6200:04:46,359 –> 00:04:48,380Then imagine doing it for 70 miles6300:04:49,720 –> 00:04:54,440Then try and imagine doing it at the advanced stage of carrying a child. I6400:04:55,359 –> 00:04:57,359Don’t know how she managed it6500:04:57,700 –> 00:04:59,700As she did6600:05:00,600 –> 00:05:04,959Was on the journey that it dawned on me that even this6700:05:05,940 –> 00:05:07,940Was part of the plan of God6800:05:08,519 –> 00:05:14,980You know hundreds of years before the prophet Micah had spoken of a ruler who would come out of6900:05:16,399 –> 00:05:21,059Bethlehem not Nazareth where we’d been living but Bethlehem my town of family origin7000:05:22,059 –> 00:05:23,200I7100:05:23,200 –> 00:05:25,420Was years since I’d been in Bethlehem7200:05:25,420 –> 00:05:31,079And I would never have dreamt of going there if it had not been for the decree think about this7300:05:31,380 –> 00:05:32,820God7400:05:32,820 –> 00:05:37,119Put it into the mind of a European dictator7500:05:38,359 –> 00:05:41,279Who neither knew him nor believed in him?7600:05:41,839 –> 00:05:46,119To issue a decree that resulted in us going back to my hometown7700:05:46,660 –> 00:05:51,739What a prophet 700 years before said that this child would be born is amazing7800:05:54,579 –> 00:05:56,579Bethlehem is a tiny place of course7900:05:58,140 –> 00:06:06,579When Luke says that there was no room at the inn, it’s what he means. There was no room at the in and8000:06:07,820 –> 00:06:13,940All that was left for us was the shelter of a cave and that was where he was born8100:06:16,739 –> 00:06:19,380I cannot describe the joy of that moment to you8200:06:21,459 –> 00:06:27,239Some of you have been present at the birth of a child, and you know what it is like8300:06:29,220 –> 00:06:33,880I was the first to hold him in my arms8400:06:36,359 –> 00:06:40,700My hands brought him into the world8500:06:40,779 –> 00:06:42,799I8600:06:42,799 –> 00:06:49,079Was the first one to touch the gift of God8700:06:52,059 –> 00:06:55,380It was the strangest thing being in the cave just the three of us8800:06:57,420 –> 00:06:59,459The child who had been born8900:07:01,700 –> 00:07:07,059Promise to the world since the beginning of time and just the three of us knowing about it9000:07:08,059 –> 00:07:13,980At least that’s what it seemed until a group of shepherds arrived saying that they had seen9100:07:14,579 –> 00:07:16,579that very night a9200:07:16,899 –> 00:07:22,299Company of angels in the sky praising God and telling them that a savior was born in Bethlehem9300:07:25,600 –> 00:07:27,600Now that he was born I9400:07:28,239 –> 00:07:33,320began to see the importance of the rule that God had given to me as9500:07:34,220 –> 00:07:36,220his guardian9600:07:36,720 –> 00:07:40,500Of course my first responsibility was to find some proper accommodation9700:07:41,779 –> 00:07:44,420We decided to stay in Bethlehem for a while9800:07:44,420 –> 00:07:50,760And it was there on the eighth day that I had the immense privilege of9900:07:51,239 –> 00:07:53,239naming him10000:07:53,279 –> 00:07:58,359There was no discussion about this the angel had already made it clear in that original dream10100:07:58,359 –> 00:08:00,739He had said you are to give him the name Jesus10200:08:00,739 –> 00:08:02,739Jesus10300:08:02,799 –> 00:08:08,559Because he will save his people from their sins. And so I named him. I10400:08:09,500 –> 00:08:11,119named him10500:08:11,119 –> 00:08:13,119Jesus10600:08:13,540 –> 00:08:19,959Because I really had very little idea that point as to what all this meant he will save his people from their sins10700:08:20,679 –> 00:08:22,839Though I see the glory of it now10800:08:25,359 –> 00:08:29,739But even then it seemed to be a name full of hope and of meaning10900:08:31,140 –> 00:08:33,140and there was absolutely11000:08:33,619 –> 00:08:36,219No doubt about why he had come into the world11100:08:36,219 –> 00:08:40,359He had come to save his people from their sins11200:08:40,539 –> 00:08:44,580whatever that meant and whatever that would involve11300:08:46,619 –> 00:08:52,359A month later it was time for us to take him to the temple in Jerusalem11400:08:53,140 –> 00:08:55,460More traveling for his mother and me11500:08:55,460 –> 00:09:01,340though this time it was just six miles into the city from Bethlehem to Jerusalem11600:09:02,080 –> 00:09:03,619Moses had given us a law11700:09:03,619 –> 00:09:07,539that we should offer a sacrifice of two pigeons11800:09:07,539 –> 00:09:11,359and that this was to be done just over a month after the birth of a child11900:09:11,380 –> 00:09:13,419So that’s what we did12000:09:13,719 –> 00:09:17,239We were just about through with the ceremony12100:09:17,619 –> 00:09:20,380when an old man came rushing up to us12200:09:20,780 –> 00:09:23,380Never seen him before, never seen him since12300:09:24,299 –> 00:09:26,559But the old man asked if he could hold the child12400:09:26,559 –> 00:09:28,479and Mary gave the child to him12500:09:28,479 –> 00:09:32,979and as he held the child, words began to flow from him12600:09:34,320 –> 00:09:37,400My eyes have seen your salvation he said12700:09:38,460 –> 00:09:40,500Which you have prepared in the sight of all people12800:09:40,500 –> 00:09:44,799a light to the Gentiles and a glory to your people Israel12900:09:45,900 –> 00:09:47,960I looked at Mary, she looked at me13000:09:47,960 –> 00:09:50,140Who is this old fella13100:09:50,900 –> 00:09:53,119We marveled at what he was saying13200:09:55,479 –> 00:09:59,299The same God who had spoken to Mary through the angel13300:09:59,299 –> 00:10:01,599and to me through an angel in the dream13400:10:01,799 –> 00:10:05,280and had revealed himself through angels to the shepherds13500:10:05,960 –> 00:10:09,159and had put it into the heart of an unbelieving dictator13600:10:09,159 –> 00:10:10,760to call a census13700:10:11,619 –> 00:10:14,479this same God had answered the prayer of an old man13800:10:15,820 –> 00:10:18,700who had evidently been praying for years13900:10:19,380 –> 00:10:22,500that he would live to see the birth14000:10:23,000 –> 00:10:24,739of the saviour14100:10:26,080 –> 00:10:28,080Well, after that great day14200:10:28,400 –> 00:10:31,380we settled back into a regular routine at Bethlehem14300:10:32,820 –> 00:10:35,080We’d been there for some time when14400:10:35,080 –> 00:10:36,979one night there was14500:10:37,059 –> 00:10:40,280the most extraordinary commotion outside of our house14600:10:42,000 –> 00:10:47,280Three very distinguished and regal looking gentlemen14700:10:48,119 –> 00:10:51,119arrived outside our little place14800:10:51,880 –> 00:10:54,440complete with their entourage14900:10:54,679 –> 00:10:56,880They had come to see Jesus15000:10:58,119 –> 00:11:02,460God had made him known to prophets like the old man15100:11:03,140 –> 00:11:07,760To priests like Zechariah, a relative by marriage15200:11:08,619 –> 00:11:10,580And now, to kings15300:11:11,260 –> 00:11:13,320And the strange thing was that15400:11:13,320 –> 00:11:16,020it wasn’t the king from our country who came15500:11:16,260 –> 00:11:18,400These kings were from the east15600:11:20,400 –> 00:11:23,640I remember what the old man had said in the temple15700:11:23,640 –> 00:11:25,840Mine eyes have now seen your salvation15800:11:25,840 –> 00:11:28,739which will be for all people15900:11:29,159 –> 00:11:32,000A light to the Gentiles16000:11:33,700 –> 00:11:38,080Those kings had come from way outside of our culture16100:11:38,080 –> 00:11:40,039This saviour was to be16200:11:40,039 –> 00:11:43,539the saviour for people from every culture16300:11:44,020 –> 00:11:46,940as well as every generation16400:11:48,580 –> 00:11:52,140The kings brought gifts that reflected their wealth16500:11:52,960 –> 00:11:54,619It was extraordinary really16600:11:54,619 –> 00:11:57,039I mean here were we, hardly able to come up with the money16700:11:57,039 –> 00:11:59,659for two pigeons to offer in the temple16800:11:59,659 –> 00:12:02,340And they arrived with gold16900:12:02,340 –> 00:12:04,280and incense17000:12:04,280 –> 00:12:05,780and myrrh17100:12:06,979 –> 00:12:10,500Of course I laugh with them often, when we talk about it up there17200:12:10,500 –> 00:12:13,000They had so much17300:12:13,780 –> 00:12:16,359We had so little17400:12:18,119 –> 00:12:20,500and you know the funny thing is this17500:12:20,500 –> 00:12:22,799It hasn’t made a scrap of difference either to them17600:12:22,799 –> 00:12:25,900or to us for 2000 years17700:12:27,000 –> 00:12:31,340All that mattered was that they worshiped Jesus17800:12:32,739 –> 00:12:34,020And so did they17900:12:34,020 –> 00:12:37,659You’re listening to Open The Bible with pastor Colin Smith18000:12:37,659 –> 00:12:40,020and a message called Joseph’s story18100:12:40,020 –> 00:12:42,659and we’ll be back to The Message very shortly18200:12:42,859 –> 00:12:45,419In this part of our series called Christmas Stories18300:12:45,419 –> 00:12:49,219and those are based on the Christmas story being told18400:12:49,219 –> 00:12:52,859from the viewpoint of the characters who were there at the time18500:12:52,859 –> 00:12:59,320People like Joseph, John, Simeon, King Herod and even the angel Gabriel18600:12:59,859 –> 00:13:01,619If you’ve missed any of the series so far18700:13:01,619 –> 00:13:03,080or if you want to listen again18800:13:03,080 –> 00:13:05,700you can always do that by coming online to our website18900:13:05,700 –> 00:13:08,200openthebible.org.uk19000:13:08,200 –> 00:13:12,020or find us as a podcast and those are on all the main podcast sites19100:13:12,140 –> 00:13:14,520search for Open the Bible UK19200:13:14,679 –> 00:13:16,260Back to the message now19300:13:16,260 –> 00:13:18,599We’re in Matthew chapter 119400:13:18,599 –> 00:13:19,679Here’s Colin19500:13:19,679 –> 00:13:21,820Well that night after they had gone19600:13:21,820 –> 00:13:25,880an angel of the Lord spoke to me again in a dream19700:13:26,159 –> 00:13:27,840It was the second time it happened19800:13:27,840 –> 00:13:29,299There were 4 altogether19900:13:29,299 –> 00:13:31,320This was the 2nd20000:13:31,320 –> 00:13:33,739The words were very simple20100:13:33,739 –> 00:13:35,340Get up he said20200:13:35,960 –> 00:13:37,960Not what you want to hear in the middle of the night20300:13:37,960 –> 00:13:39,299I’m telling you what he said20400:13:39,299 –> 00:13:40,760Get up20500:13:40,919 –> 00:13:45,380Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt20600:13:45,380 –> 00:13:50,340For Herod is going to search for the child and kill him20700:13:50,340 –> 00:13:53,380So that’s what we did20800:13:53,380 –> 00:13:54,840We packed up what we could20900:13:54,840 –> 00:13:56,179We left the house21000:13:56,179 –> 00:14:00,140We slipped out of Bethlehem under the cover of darkness21100:14:01,460 –> 00:14:05,719Now you can’t begin to imagine what this journey was like21200:14:06,219 –> 00:14:11,599This was more than 400 miles21300:14:11,599 –> 00:14:13,940We were on the road for well over a month21400:14:13,940 –> 00:14:18,400So those of you who have young children and complain about it when you’re doing it in a van21500:14:18,400 –> 00:14:24,520You just think about what it was like for us trying to do it with a few animals and a cart21600:14:24,520 –> 00:14:27,900Mary’s still nursing the child21700:14:28,619 –> 00:14:31,900Later we heard that Herod had21800:14:31,900 –> 00:14:39,820killed all the male children under the age of two in Bethlehem21900:14:39,820 –> 00:14:43,820It was a terrible atrocity22000:14:43,820 –> 00:14:51,140and a reminder to us of the appalling evil that this world needs to be saved from22100:14:51,140 –> 00:14:55,239I don’t know how many children died22200:14:55,239 –> 00:14:58,239but probably not as many as is sometimes imagined22300:14:58,239 –> 00:15:03,599a very small town, perhaps ten perhaps twenty22400:15:03,599 –> 00:15:09,520but a terrible tragedy for every child and every family22500:15:09,520 –> 00:15:18,479Their lives were taken on account of him22600:15:18,479 –> 00:15:24,239Later his life would be given on account of them22700:15:25,080 –> 00:15:31,960and on account of you on account of us all22800:15:31,960 –> 00:15:35,599So we lived in Egypt22900:15:35,599 –> 00:15:38,520Well I was a carpenter23000:15:38,520 –> 00:15:41,400because always work for a chippy you know23100:15:41,400 –> 00:15:43,960and that skill was part of God’s provision for us23200:15:43,960 –> 00:15:47,440in all of our movements23300:15:47,440 –> 00:15:50,440Sometime later Herod died23400:15:50,440 –> 00:15:52,039and that was when God spoke to me23500:15:52,159 –> 00:15:55,239A third time it through a dream23600:15:55,239 –> 00:15:58,640God spoke of course at this time in this way23700:15:58,640 –> 00:16:00,559because there was no other way in which we could have known23800:16:00,559 –> 00:16:04,640I mean you have CNN23900:16:04,640 –> 00:16:06,359You have local newspapers24000:16:06,359 –> 00:16:09,440I mean how do you think we would have known in Egypt24100:16:09,440 –> 00:16:10,840if a king had died in Israel24200:16:10,840 –> 00:16:15,840I mean it’s just not the kind of thing that gets reported24300:16:15,840 –> 00:16:19,640Now the angel came in a dream and said to me24400:16:20,640 –> 00:16:23,640and take the child and its mother to Israel24500:16:23,640 –> 00:16:28,640for those who were trying to kill the child are dead24600:16:28,640 –> 00:16:30,640I love that line by the way24700:16:30,640 –> 00:16:34,640those who were trying to take the child’s wow24800:16:34,640 –> 00:16:36,440life are dead24900:16:38,440 –> 00:16:40,640You see they try to bring death to him25000:16:40,640 –> 00:16:44,440But death finally overtook them25100:16:44,440 –> 00:16:47,640It’s worth thinking about that25200:16:47,640 –> 00:16:50,440over 2,000 years since that time25300:16:50,440 –> 00:16:52,440There have been some people who have loved him25400:16:52,440 –> 00:16:54,440There have been some people who have hated him25500:16:54,440 –> 00:16:56,440There have been some people who have ignored him25600:16:56,440 –> 00:16:58,440There have been some people who have never heard of him25700:16:58,440 –> 00:17:01,440Sooner or later they all die25800:17:03,440 –> 00:17:05,439and when they die25900:17:05,439 –> 00:17:09,439they give an account to him26000:17:10,439 –> 00:17:14,439Those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead26100:17:15,239 –> 00:17:19,439They’ve been trying to do away with him for years26200:17:21,439 –> 00:17:23,439but they never will26300:17:25,439 –> 00:17:27,439Well it was back on the road again26400:17:27,439 –> 00:17:28,439Another month of travel26500:17:28,439 –> 00:17:31,439Another 400 miles back to Israel26600:17:31,439 –> 00:17:34,439Y’know, you folks just jump in your26700:17:34,439 –> 00:17:38,439vans and drive off to Florida26800:17:38,439 –> 00:17:42,439I mean, for us we had to carry everything we owned with us26900:17:43,439 –> 00:17:45,439Once we got the Boris to the border27000:17:45,439 –> 00:17:47,439we discovered that the country27100:17:47,439 –> 00:17:50,439had actually been divided since the death of Herod27200:17:50,439 –> 00:17:52,439into 4 different regions27300:17:52,439 –> 00:17:55,439and that a man by the name of Achilleus27400:17:55,439 –> 00:17:58,439was ruling in Judea, where Bethlehem was27500:17:58,439 –> 00:18:01,439That was bad news because he was as notorious27600:18:01,439 –> 00:18:03,439as his father Herod27700:18:03,439 –> 00:18:07,439In fact, after a few years27800:18:07,439 –> 00:18:10,439community leaders complained about him27900:18:10,439 –> 00:18:12,439because he was so bad28000:18:12,439 –> 00:18:15,439so the Romans removed Achilleus28100:18:15,439 –> 00:18:18,439and replaced him with a Roman governor28200:18:19,439 –> 00:18:21,439Who was the first of a number28300:18:21,439 –> 00:18:24,439who came in succession to that area28400:18:24,439 –> 00:18:26,439One of whose name you’ll know28500:18:28,439 –> 00:18:30,439Pontius Pilate28600:18:31,439 –> 00:18:33,439This was when God spoke to me28700:18:33,439 –> 00:18:36,439for the fourth time through a dream28800:18:36,439 –> 00:18:38,439And after we had crossed the border28900:18:38,439 –> 00:18:40,439into our homeland of Israel29000:18:41,439 –> 00:18:43,439being warned in this dream29100:18:43,439 –> 00:18:44,439we diverted route29200:18:44,439 –> 00:18:46,439and instead of going to Bethlehem29300:18:46,439 –> 00:18:50,439we went back to Nazareth29400:18:50,439 –> 00:18:52,439Where it all began29500:18:52,439 –> 00:18:54,439Another 70 miles29600:18:55,439 –> 00:18:57,439on top of the 40029700:18:58,439 –> 00:19:00,439well there’s so much more29800:19:02,439 –> 00:19:04,439but I got to stop otherwise I’ll get in29900:19:04,439 –> 00:19:05,439trouble with your pastor30000:19:05,439 –> 00:19:07,439if he hears30100:19:10,439 –> 00:19:12,439I’ve told you my story30200:19:13,439 –> 00:19:15,439if you find it hard30300:19:15,439 –> 00:19:17,439to believe in the virgin birth30400:19:17,439 –> 00:19:19,439I want to tell you30500:19:19,439 –> 00:19:21,439I’m your witness30600:19:21,439 –> 00:19:23,439nobody found it harder to believe30700:19:23,439 –> 00:19:25,439than me30800:19:26,439 –> 00:19:28,439And I came here to tell you30900:19:28,439 –> 00:19:30,439today he was31000:19:30,439 –> 00:19:32,439born of a virgin31100:19:33,439 –> 00:19:35,439The obvious question of31200:19:35,439 –> 00:19:37,439course, is that, ok even if you31300:19:37,439 –> 00:19:39,439believe that, as I31400:19:39,439 –> 00:19:41,439trust you will today31500:19:41,439 –> 00:19:43,439you might ask this question, well, ok31600:19:43,439 –> 00:19:45,439he was born of a virgin31700:19:45,439 –> 00:19:47,439what’s that got to do with me? Now listen31800:19:47,439 –> 00:19:49,439You’re all sensible31900:19:49,439 –> 00:19:51,439people32000:19:51,439 –> 00:19:53,439so you think about32100:19:53,439 –> 00:19:55,439this with me32200:19:56,439 –> 00:19:58,439If he was really32300:19:58,439 –> 00:20:00,439born of a virgin, he is32400:20:00,439 –> 00:20:02,439unlike any other person who has32500:20:02,439 –> 00:20:04,439ever lived32600:20:04,439 –> 00:20:06,439and if he is unlike32700:20:06,439 –> 00:20:08,439any other person who has ever lived32800:20:08,439 –> 00:20:10,439it’s at least possible, that he’s able32900:20:10,439 –> 00:20:12,439to do for you what nobody33000:20:12,439 –> 00:20:14,439else who has ever lived can do33100:20:14,439 –> 00:20:16,439and33200:20:16,439 –> 00:20:18,439if he’s able to do for33300:20:18,439 –> 00:20:20,439you, what nobody else33400:20:20,439 –> 00:20:22,439who has ever lived can do33500:20:22,439 –> 00:20:24,439then nothing in your life is33600:20:24,439 –> 00:20:26,439more important then how you33700:20:26,439 –> 00:20:28,239respond to him33800:20:30,439 –> 00:20:32,439I didn’t come to tell you a33900:20:32,439 –> 00:20:34,439sentimental story34000:20:34,439 –> 00:20:36,439that’s not34100:20:36,439 –> 00:20:38,439what Christmas is34200:20:38,439 –> 00:20:40,439I34300:20:40,439 –> 00:20:42,439came to give you an account34400:20:42,439 –> 00:20:44,439of what happened34500:20:44,439 –> 00:20:46,439I34600:20:46,439 –> 00:20:48,439came to tell you that god34700:20:48,439 –> 00:20:50,439stepped into human34800:20:50,439 –> 00:20:52,439history through Jesus34900:20:52,439 –> 00:20:54,439Christ35000:20:54,439 –> 00:20:56,439and in doing that he’s reaching35100:20:56,439 –> 00:20:58,439out to you35200:20:58,439 –> 00:21:00,439to all people35300:21:00,439 –> 00:21:02,439I came to tell you today35400:21:02,439 –> 00:21:04,439that heaven is as real35500:21:04,439 –> 00:21:06,439more real than your life here35600:21:06,439 –> 00:21:08,439on earth and much more permanent35700:21:08,439 –> 00:21:10,439and I35800:21:10,439 –> 00:21:12,439came to tell you that god wants35900:21:12,439 –> 00:21:14,439you there36000:21:14,439 –> 00:21:16,439and that he has opened36100:21:16,439 –> 00:21:18,439the way through his son Jesus36200:21:18,439 –> 00:21:20,439Christ for all who will36300:21:20,439 –> 00:21:22,439believe in him36400:21:22,439 –> 00:21:24,439and bow before him36500:21:24,439 –> 00:21:26,439do you believe in36600:21:26,439 –> 00:21:28,439him36700:21:28,439 –> 00:21:30,439will you obey him36800:21:30,439 –> 00:21:32,439will you trust him as36900:21:32,439 –> 00:21:34,439your saviour37000:21:34,439 –> 00:21:36,439will you crown him37100:21:36,439 –> 00:21:38,439as your lord37200:21:38,439 –> 00:21:40,439you’ve been listening37300:21:40,439 –> 00:21:42,439to open the bible with pastor Colin37400:21:42,439 –> 00:21:44,439smith, and our message37500:21:44,439 –> 00:21:46,439Joseph Story. It’s part of our37600:21:46,439 –> 00:21:48,439series Christmas Stories37700:21:48,439 –> 00:21:50,439based on the idea of seeing the37800:21:50,439 –> 00:21:52,439christmas story through the eyes of37900:21:52,439 –> 00:21:54,439the characters who were there at the time38000:21:54,439 –> 00:21:56,439if you missed any of the series38100:21:56,439 –> 00:21:58,439so far, or if you want to go back and listen38200:21:58,439 –> 00:22:00,439again, you can always do that by coming38300:22:00,439 –> 00:22:02,439online to our website38400:22:02,439 –> 00:22:04,439openthebible.org.uk38500:22:04,439 –> 00:22:06,439There you’ll find all the messages that have38600:22:06,439 –> 00:22:08,439already gone out on air38700:22:08,439 –> 00:22:10,439you can also find pastor Colin’s messages38800:22:10,439 –> 00:22:12,439as a podcast, and those are on all the38900:22:12,439 –> 00:22:14,439main podcast sites39000:22:14,439 –> 00:22:16,439Find them by following a link from our website39100:22:16,439 –> 00:22:18,439or by searching on your39200:22:18,439 –> 00:22:20,439favourite podcast site for39300:22:20,439 –> 00:22:22,439Open The Bible UK39400:22:22,439 –> 00:22:24,439Also on our website and available39500:22:24,439 –> 00:22:26,439as a podcast is Open the Bible39600:22:26,439 –> 00:22:28,439Daily. And that’s a series of39700:22:28,439 –> 00:22:30,439short 2-3 minute39800:22:30,439 –> 00:22:32,439daily reflections based on39900:22:32,439 –> 00:22:34,439pastor Colin’s teaching and read in the UK40000:22:34,439 –> 00:22:36,439by Sue McCleash. Open the Bible40100:22:36,439 –> 00:22:38,439is entirely funded by40200:22:38,439 –> 00:22:40,439our listeners and we’re very grateful40300:22:40,439 –> 00:22:42,439so if you already give to the work of Open the40400:22:42,439 –> 00:22:44,439Bible, thank you so much40500:22:44,439 –> 00:22:46,439If that’s something you’re considering40600:22:46,439 –> 00:22:48,439doing in the future, we have an offer40700:22:48,439 –> 00:22:50,439for you this month, which I hope you’ll be interested40800:22:50,439 –> 00:22:52,439in. During the month of December40900:22:52,439 –> 00:22:54,439if you are able to set up a new41000:22:54,439 –> 00:22:56,439direct debit to the work of Open the Bible41100:22:56,439 –> 00:22:58,439in the amount of £541200:22:58,439 –> 00:23:00,439per month or more or a41300:23:00,439 –> 00:23:02,439one off gift to Open the Bible41400:23:02,439 –> 00:23:04,439of £50 or more, we’d41500:23:04,439 –> 00:23:06,439love to say thank you by sending you41600:23:06,439 –> 00:23:08,439three copies of John’s41700:23:08,439 –> 00:23:10,439Gospel. You might want to keep41800:23:10,439 –> 00:23:12,439one for yourself and give two of them41900:23:12,439 –> 00:23:14,439away or you might want to give all of them away42000:23:14,439 –> 00:23:16,439I recently caught up with42100:23:16,439 –> 00:23:18,439Amanda Cunningham who is Open the Bible42200:23:18,439 –> 00:23:20,439UK’s Operations and42300:23:20,439 –> 00:23:22,439Communications Manager42400:23:22,439 –> 00:23:24,439and I asked her to tell me more about42500:23:24,439 –> 00:23:26,439this free gift. Thank you David42600:23:26,439 –> 00:23:28,439Yes, we are really excited42700:23:28,439 –> 00:23:30,439to be giving away, not just42800:23:30,439 –> 00:23:32,439one, but three of these42900:23:32,439 –> 00:23:34,439ESV Journaling Copies of John’s43000:23:34,439 –> 00:23:36,439Госpel. As well43100:23:36,439 –> 00:23:38,439as an Open the Bible Bookmark43200:23:38,439 –> 00:23:40,439with five questions to reflect43300:23:40,439 –> 00:23:42,439on as you open the Bible43400:23:42,439 –> 00:23:44,439Each page of text43500:23:44,439 –> 00:23:46,439is a blank page opposite on lovely43600:23:46,439 –> 00:23:48,439thick cream paper43700:23:48,439 –> 00:23:50,439which means they’re perfect for writing43800:23:50,439 –> 00:23:52,439notes, reflections or prayers43900:23:52,439 –> 00:23:54,439Or, if your giving it44000:23:54,439 –> 00:23:56,439to an enquiring friend44100:23:56,439 –> 00:23:58,439perhaps you could suggest that they write down44200:23:58,439 –> 00:24:00,439any questions that they want to ask you44300:24:00,439 –> 00:24:02,439or anything that they’re struck by44400:24:02,439 –> 00:24:04,439I also really love the44500:24:04,439 –> 00:24:06,439beautiful gold ink illustrations44600:24:06,439 –> 00:24:08,439in the book, and the unique44700:24:08,439 –> 00:24:10,439gold foil stamped cover44800:24:10,439 –> 00:24:12,439which gives it a feel of luxury44900:24:12,439 –> 00:24:14,439So, I definitely wouldn’t feel45000:24:14,439 –> 00:24:16,439embarrassed about giving this gospel45100:24:16,439 –> 00:24:18,439as a Christmas gift, but if you do feel45200:24:18,439 –> 00:24:20,439a little nervous about giving it to someone45300:24:20,439 –> 00:24:22,439why not bundle it in with the45400:24:22,439 –> 00:24:24,439box of chocolates or the pair of socks45500:24:24,439 –> 00:24:26,439that you’re already giving? After all45600:24:26,439 –> 00:24:28,439what could be a more precious45700:24:28,439 –> 00:24:30,439gift this Christmas than the45800:24:30,439 –> 00:24:32,439living word of God45900:24:32,439 –> 00:24:34,439and these beautiful illustrated46000:24:34,439 –> 00:24:36,439Gospels of John would be a perfect46100:24:36,439 –> 00:24:38,439way to give that gift46200:24:38,439 –> 00:24:40,439Thank you, Amanda. So those46300:24:40,439 –> 00:24:42,439three copies of John’s Gospel are46400:24:43,439 –> 00:24:45,439if you’re able to begin a new direct debit46500:24:45,439 –> 00:24:47,439to the Work of Open the Bible this month46600:24:47,439 –> 00:24:49,439in the amount of £5 per month46700:24:49,439 –> 00:24:51,439or more, or a one-off46800:24:51,439 –> 00:24:53,439gift of £5046900:24:53,439 –> 00:24:55,439Full details, terms and conditions47000:24:55,439 –> 00:24:57,439are on our website that’s at47100:24:57,439 –> 00:25:00,439Open the Bible.org.uk47200:25:00,439 –> 00:25:02,439For Pastor Colin Smith, and Open the Bible47300:25:02,439 –> 00:25:04,439I’m David pig and I hope you’ll join us47400:25:04,439 –> 00:25:07,439again next time on Open the Bible47500:25:07,439 –> 00:25:12,439Intro music47600:25:13,439 –> 00:25:15,439Do you ever think about the legacy47700:25:15,439 –> 00:25:17,439you’ll leave behind?47800:25:17,439 –> 00:25:19,439Find out how one man’s legacy47900:25:19,439 –> 00:25:22,439was turned upside down in an instant48000:25:22,439 –> 00:25:24,439That’s next time on Open the Bible