100:00:00,660 –> 00:00:02,900pees200:00:02,920 –> 00:00:09,300As long as you are in this life you will never there for be a perfect Christian300:00:10,260 –> 00:00:15,260You will never get to the place not even in a single day where you can say I did it I400:00:16,980 –> 00:00:22,879Lived this life that God has called me to live and thank God that you will never get there for this reason because if you500:00:22,879 –> 00:00:25,920Got that even once she would completely lose sight of your need of a savior600:00:26,639 –> 00:00:30,799Welcome to open the Bible with pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick and Colin700:00:30,799 –> 00:00:34,299I’m getting the feeling that today we might have a message for perfectionists800:00:35,200 –> 00:00:40,619Yeah, I’m glad you mentioned perfectionists because if you’re a perfectionist you’ve tuned in at the right time900:00:40,619 –> 00:00:44,320And if you live in the world of defeat, you’ve tuned in at the right time today as well1000:00:44,340 –> 00:00:48,799we’re in Romans and chapter 7 that really deals with two really1100:00:49,459 –> 00:00:51,540important themes in the Christian life1200:00:51,540 –> 00:00:53,619one is the power of Jesus Christ in1300:00:53,799 –> 00:00:55,820The life of a believer and the other1400:00:55,820 –> 00:01:00,700Is the presence of sin in the life of a believer and here’s the problem for the perfectionists1500:01:00,700 –> 00:01:05,820So all of you perfectionists listening to the program today and you know that you struggle with this1600:01:05,820 –> 00:01:10,260Here’s your issue. You take seriously the presence of the power of Jesus1700:01:11,000 –> 00:01:16,639You say well Christ is with me. So why can’t I get it? Absolutely right every time every day and1800:01:17,239 –> 00:01:18,160Here’s what you’re missing1900:01:18,160 –> 00:01:24,660You’re not taking seriously the ongoing presence of sin in the life of a believer and that’s the battle for the perfection2000:01:24,940 –> 00:01:30,820Absolutely, and if you look at the other side of that you might say if I can’t be perfect, or why even try2100:01:30,820 –> 00:01:36,080I’ll just give up. Yeah. Well, there’s the defeatist and there’s the person who says well, you know2200:01:36,160 –> 00:01:40,000I’ve battled against this sin for a long time and I never get over it now2300:01:40,000 –> 00:01:41,400I’ve tried as hard as I can2400:01:41,400 –> 00:01:45,440And so what’s the problem there for the person who’s wallowing in defeat?2500:01:45,440 –> 00:01:48,900It’s that you’re taking the presence of sin seriously2600:01:49,000 –> 00:01:50,699Well, you see that very clearly2700:01:51,019 –> 00:01:55,519But you’re not taking seriously the power of the Lord Jesus Christ2800:01:55,519 –> 00:02:01,120Who’s present with you in this battle if you’re indeed a Christian believer2900:02:01,120 –> 00:02:05,099So, these two themes rightly understood from Romans chapter 73000:02:05,099 –> 00:02:08,619they really help us in two of the most critical areas3100:02:08,619 –> 00:02:11,279The area of perfectionism, the area of defeatism3200:02:11,279 –> 00:02:15,039and they put us on a path to really grow and follow Jesus Christ3300:02:15,279 –> 00:02:20,339So, join us today if you can in Romans at the end of chapter 7 and going into chapter 83400:02:20,339 –> 00:02:23,440As we continue the message, Life in Jesus3500:02:25,020 –> 00:02:28,059Please try and get this cleared and settled in your mind3600:02:28,059 –> 00:02:31,339When Paul speaks about living in the flesh3700:02:31,339 –> 00:02:34,720Romans chapter 7 and verse 5 he’s talking about what we were3800:02:34,800 –> 00:02:38,580He’s talking about what was true of us once but is true of us no longer3900:02:39,699 –> 00:02:41,419While we were living in the flesh4000:02:41,899 –> 00:02:44,500But now we died and rose with Jesus Christ4100:02:44,500 –> 00:02:47,940Now, having died to that which has held us captive4200:02:47,940 –> 00:02:50,740We are in this new and second marriage, this living union4300:02:50,740 –> 00:02:57,139With Jesus Christ so we may be able to bear fruit for God4400:02:58,100 –> 00:03:01,139So, Romans chapter 7 and indeed Romans chapter 84500:03:01,139 –> 00:03:04,100Is not about Christians at our best and at our worst4600:03:04,100 –> 00:03:06,860It’s about the difference between the life we are Born with4700:03:06,860 –> 00:03:09,660And the life that we have now in Jesus Christ4800:03:10,059 –> 00:03:13,419It’s about the difference, between the first marriage4900:03:13,419 –> 00:03:15,259And the second marriage5000:03:15,259 –> 00:03:18,059It’s about the difference between life when you are5100:03:18,059 –> 00:03:21,020Bound to the law and life when you are bound to Christ5200:03:21,020 –> 00:03:24,139It’s about the difference between life simply in the flesh5300:03:24,139 –> 00:03:26,940And life in, the Spirit5400:03:28,059 –> 00:03:31,339And the Bible everywhere makes clear that there are5500:03:31,339 –> 00:03:33,020Two kinds of people in the world5600:03:33,660 –> 00:03:36,139And here the apostle is laying it out for us5700:03:36,139 –> 00:03:38,300There are people who are simply living in the flesh5800:03:38,300 –> 00:03:40,539And there are people who are living in the spirit5900:03:41,339 –> 00:03:43,740All of us are either one or the other6000:03:43,740 –> 00:03:45,820None of us is both at the same time6100:03:46,860 –> 00:03:49,419We do not move backwards and forwards between the two6200:03:50,059 –> 00:03:52,059There is a movement in one direction6300:03:52,059 –> 00:03:53,979And it happens by dying and rising6400:03:53,979 –> 00:04:01,100Which is through the bond of faith that unites us to Jesus Christ6500:04:01,100 –> 00:04:03,580And to the Christian believer therefore Paul says6600:04:03,580 –> 00:04:05,500Summing it all up, Romans 8 and verse 96700:04:05,580 –> 00:04:07,979You are not in the flesh6800:04:09,500 –> 00:04:13,020You are in the spirit6900:04:14,380 –> 00:04:17,100Now friends this isn’t easy to get hold of7000:04:17,100 –> 00:04:21,100But it is important because it takes us to the heart7100:04:22,299 –> 00:04:25,019Of what it really means to be a Christian7200:04:26,380 –> 00:04:29,019A Christian is a person who is no longer in the flesh7300:04:29,019 –> 00:04:30,859No longer living the life that you were born with7400:04:30,859 –> 00:04:32,540That which is born of flesh is flesh7500:04:33,019 –> 00:04:35,420But a Christian is a person who is in the spirit7600:04:36,779 –> 00:04:39,500A Christian is a person who is no longer bound to the law7700:04:39,500 –> 00:04:41,660But a person who is bound to Jesus Christ7800:04:41,660 –> 00:04:45,179A Christian is a person who no longer bears fruit for death7900:04:45,820 –> 00:04:50,779But a Christian is a person who serves in the new way of the spirit8000:04:51,500 –> 00:04:55,980That is the little understood and critical truth8100:04:56,140 –> 00:04:57,179Critical truth8200:04:58,220 –> 00:05:04,299That is taught to us both in Romans chapter 7 and Romans chapter 88300:05:05,260 –> 00:05:07,100Now it’s time to come to some applications8400:05:07,980 –> 00:05:09,579And I want to give simply three8500:05:09,579 –> 00:05:10,380Here’s the first8600:05:11,100 –> 00:05:12,700Why do we need Romans chapter 7?8700:05:12,700 –> 00:05:14,140Why would we have spent three8800:05:14,700 –> 00:05:17,579weeks in an area of truth that isn’t the easiest…8900:05:17,579 –> 00:05:18,540Not the most obvious9000:05:18,540 –> 00:05:19,500Why is it important?9100:05:19,500 –> 00:05:20,299Why does it matter?9200:05:21,500 –> 00:05:23,739Number one, we need the truth of Romans 79300:05:24,459 –> 00:05:29,579Because here we find the cure for perfectionism9400:05:29,579 –> 00:05:31,019The cure for perfectionism9500:05:32,859 –> 00:05:38,940Now some of you live under a crushing burden in this regard9600:05:40,140 –> 00:05:43,579And let me try and describe what it is like to you9700:05:44,380 –> 00:05:47,380And then show you how what we’re learning here in Romans9800:05:47,380 –> 00:05:51,660And chapter 7, will be the truth that will set you free9900:05:52,299 –> 00:05:56,140From the crushing burden of perfectionism10000:05:56,140 –> 00:05:57,100Now here’s what it’s like10100:05:58,140 –> 00:05:59,260You say to yourself10200:06:00,619 –> 00:06:03,179Now I’m a new creation in Jesus Christ10300:06:04,299 –> 00:06:06,700And I died and I rose with him10400:06:07,660 –> 00:06:10,140And I have a new life in Jesus Christ10500:06:10,140 –> 00:06:12,220And the Holy Spirit of God lives within me10600:06:12,220 –> 00:06:17,500Therefore, I should be able to live a truly holy life10700:06:18,940 –> 00:06:20,859And so you set your mind to this task10800:06:21,820 –> 00:06:26,940You say I’m going to get it right as a wife and as a mother10900:06:27,899 –> 00:06:31,500I’m going to get it right as a husband and as a father11000:06:32,459 –> 00:06:37,019I’m going to live as Jesus Christ calls me to live11100:06:37,019 –> 00:06:39,980And as the Holy Spirit empowers me to live11200:06:39,980 –> 00:06:41,660I’m going to get it right11300:06:41,660 –> 00:06:43,019And somehow, you never do11400:06:44,380 –> 00:06:45,019You never do11500:06:46,459 –> 00:06:49,100You never get to that place where you say I’ve got it, I’ve done it11600:06:50,059 –> 00:06:53,899And what actually happens is that you find a great11700:06:53,899 –> 00:06:57,019you spend a great deal of time worrying when you should be trusting11800:06:57,019 –> 00:06:59,820and you’re constantly frustrated11900:07:01,179 –> 00:07:05,899by yourself for not being a better Christian12000:07:05,899 –> 00:07:07,899Why am I not a better Christian?!12100:07:07,899 –> 00:07:09,579And the longer your Christian life goes on12200:07:09,579 –> 00:07:12,619the more you beat yourself up over this12300:07:12,619 –> 00:07:16,140Now, all over this congregation12400:07:16,700 –> 00:07:19,260there are women and men12500:07:19,980 –> 00:07:22,140who recognize this description12600:07:23,899 –> 00:07:26,540And the problem for the Perfectionist12700:07:27,820 –> 00:07:30,299is that she takes seriously12800:07:31,019 –> 00:07:33,100the power of Jesus Christ12900:07:34,140 –> 00:07:36,779but does not adequately consider13000:07:37,579 –> 00:07:39,980the ongoing presence of sin13100:07:41,579 –> 00:07:45,260sin that remains in the life of a Christian believer13200:07:46,140 –> 00:07:49,339and the truth of Romans 7 that is13300:07:49,339 –> 00:07:51,820so important therefore in regards to13400:07:51,820 –> 00:07:53,579this problem of Perfectionism13500:07:53,579 –> 00:07:56,779is that there is more to sin than wrong actions13600:07:56,779 –> 00:07:59,019that you can put behind you when you’ve confessed them13700:07:59,019 –> 00:08:00,540and been forgiven by the Lord13800:08:02,220 –> 00:08:04,700We are learning from Romans in chapter 713900:08:04,700 –> 00:08:06,140that sin is a power14000:08:06,140 –> 00:08:09,179it is an impulse that resides in you14100:08:09,179 –> 00:08:12,140and even though you are a Christian14200:08:12,140 –> 00:08:13,980it remains in you and will remain in you14300:08:13,980 –> 00:08:15,100as long as you are in this world14400:08:15,100 –> 00:08:16,700you’ll only be freed from it14500:08:16,700 –> 00:08:17,820when you are finally brought14600:08:17,820 –> 00:08:19,739into the presence of Jesus himself14700:08:21,739 –> 00:08:24,540as long as you are in this life14800:08:24,540 –> 00:08:27,500you will never therefore be a perfect christian14900:08:29,100 –> 00:08:30,700you will never get to the place15000:08:30,700 –> 00:08:31,820not even in a single day15100:08:31,820 –> 00:08:33,580where you can say, I did it15200:08:35,580 –> 00:08:37,020I lived this life15300:08:37,020 –> 00:08:38,460that God has called me to live15400:08:38,460 –> 00:08:39,739and thank God that you will15500:08:39,739 –> 00:08:41,179never get there for this reason15600:08:41,179 –> 00:08:42,539because if you got there even once15700:08:42,539 –> 00:08:43,900you would completely lose sight15800:08:43,900 –> 00:08:45,020of your need of a savior15900:08:45,419 –> 00:08:46,840you never would16000:08:47,419 –> 00:08:49,179however far you progress16100:08:49,179 –> 00:08:50,380in the christian life16200:08:50,380 –> 00:08:54,059you will be till your last breath16300:08:54,059 –> 00:08:54,859in this life16400:08:55,419 –> 00:08:56,140a sinner16500:08:57,340 –> 00:08:59,500who depends wholly16600:08:59,500 –> 00:09:02,700on the grace of the lord Jesus Christ16700:09:02,700 –> 00:09:03,659to save you16800:09:05,099 –> 00:09:08,619and you need him on your best day16900:09:08,619 –> 00:09:10,299as a christian17000:09:10,299 –> 00:09:12,460as much as you need him17100:09:12,619 –> 00:09:14,700on your worst day17200:09:14,700 –> 00:09:16,219as a christian17300:09:17,020 –> 00:09:17,739and you know what17400:09:17,739 –> 00:09:18,700when you see that17500:09:19,820 –> 00:09:21,900and when you start to believe it17600:09:23,500 –> 00:09:25,580you will be delivered17700:09:26,780 –> 00:09:28,619from the crushing burden17800:09:29,659 –> 00:09:30,619of perfectionism17900:09:30,619 –> 00:09:32,380this is the truth that sets you free18000:09:32,380 –> 00:09:34,299Jesus says the truth sets you free18100:09:34,299 –> 00:09:36,859you need to know what part of the truth18200:09:36,859 –> 00:09:37,659sets you free18300:09:37,659 –> 00:09:39,260from particular afflictions18400:09:39,260 –> 00:09:41,020and this is the truth that will set you free18500:09:41,979 –> 00:09:44,059from the crushing and oppressive burden18600:09:45,580 –> 00:09:46,539of perfectionism18700:09:48,059 –> 00:09:48,460Second18800:09:50,140 –> 00:09:52,700we need this truth of Romans in chapter 718900:09:52,700 –> 00:09:54,700because it is also19000:09:55,260 –> 00:09:57,500the answer to the opposite problem19100:09:57,500 –> 00:09:59,179which is a kind of inverse of it19200:09:59,179 –> 00:10:01,419which is I’m going to call it Defeatism19300:10:01,419 –> 00:10:03,099and again let me try and describe19400:10:03,099 –> 00:10:05,659this opposite problem19500:10:05,659 –> 00:10:07,900and again to try and show you19600:10:07,900 –> 00:10:10,219how what we’re learning from Romans in chapter 719700:10:10,219 –> 00:10:11,179is the truth19800:10:11,179 –> 00:10:12,859that will set you free19900:10:14,299 –> 00:10:15,500You say to yourself20000:10:18,140 –> 00:10:20,140I am profoundly aware20100:10:20,140 –> 00:10:21,419of the power of sin20200:10:22,219 –> 00:10:22,940within me20300:10:24,619 –> 00:10:26,460I sure know what it is20400:10:26,460 –> 00:10:27,500to be drawn20500:10:27,500 –> 00:10:28,619back again20600:10:28,619 –> 00:10:29,979to the same sin20700:10:29,979 –> 00:10:31,659that made me miserable before20800:10:33,580 –> 00:10:35,179I know only too well20900:10:35,179 –> 00:10:36,460this impulse of sin21000:10:36,460 –> 00:10:37,979that seems to be sometimes21100:10:37,979 –> 00:10:40,059so so strong in me21200:10:40,059 –> 00:10:41,179I’ve lost count21300:10:41,179 –> 00:10:42,780of the times I’ve fallen into21400:10:42,780 –> 00:10:43,659this temptation21500:10:43,659 –> 00:10:45,020or that temptation21600:10:45,020 –> 00:10:45,979I live therefore21700:10:45,979 –> 00:10:47,979with a constant sense of21800:10:47,979 –> 00:10:50,780frustration and of defeat21900:10:52,940 –> 00:10:54,380And again22000:10:55,580 –> 00:10:57,580all over this congregation22100:10:59,179 –> 00:11:00,140there are men22200:11:00,940 –> 00:11:01,979and women22300:11:01,979 –> 00:11:03,979who recognize this description22400:11:03,979 –> 00:11:04,780And the problem22500:11:04,780 –> 00:11:05,820for the defeatist22600:11:05,820 –> 00:11:07,099you see it’s the flip side22700:11:07,099 –> 00:11:08,780of the perfectionist22800:11:08,780 –> 00:11:10,380He takes seriously22900:11:10,380 –> 00:11:11,419the power of sin23000:11:13,179 –> 00:11:14,299but he does not23100:11:14,299 –> 00:11:15,659adequately consider23200:11:15,659 –> 00:11:16,859the ongoing presence23300:11:17,419 –> 00:11:18,619of Jesus Christ23400:11:20,380 –> 00:11:21,820So sure it is true23500:11:21,820 –> 00:11:23,020as you know brother,23600:11:23,020 –> 00:11:24,219sister, that23700:11:24,219 –> 00:11:25,500the battle with23800:11:25,500 –> 00:11:26,859the impulse to sin23900:11:26,859 –> 00:11:28,219will continue as long24000:11:28,219 –> 00:11:28,940as you live24100:11:28,940 –> 00:11:30,380And sure it is true24200:11:30,380 –> 00:11:31,099that you will fall24300:11:31,099 –> 00:11:32,780many times in the battle24400:11:32,780 –> 00:11:34,140We all fall and24500:11:34,140 –> 00:11:36,619fail in many, many ways24600:11:36,619 –> 00:11:37,419But24700:11:39,020 –> 00:11:42,859Jesus Christ lives in you24800:11:43,979 –> 00:11:45,260That’s the great truth24900:11:45,260 –> 00:11:46,299that you need to take25000:11:46,299 –> 00:11:47,179into your heart25100:11:47,179 –> 00:11:48,539and into your mind25200:11:48,539 –> 00:11:49,739You’re in the second marriage25300:11:49,739 –> 00:11:50,539You have union25400:11:50,539 –> 00:11:52,299with Jesus Christ25500:11:52,299 –> 00:11:53,099His power25600:11:53,099 –> 00:11:54,219His presence25700:11:54,219 –> 00:11:55,659His Holy Spirit25800:11:55,659 –> 00:11:56,859Sure, sin is always25900:11:56,859 –> 00:11:57,419your enemy26000:11:57,419 –> 00:11:58,539And sure it inflicts26100:11:58,539 –> 00:11:59,580defeat on you26200:12:00,140 –> 00:12:00,880But26300:12:00,880 –> 00:12:02,700it is no longer your master26400:12:03,820 –> 00:12:04,940and your battle26500:12:04,940 –> 00:12:06,140will not end26600:12:06,140 –> 00:12:06,780in defeat26700:12:06,780 –> 00:12:07,340It cannot26800:12:07,340 –> 00:12:08,780When Christ is in you26900:12:08,780 –> 00:12:10,219by the grace of God27000:12:10,219 –> 00:12:11,020you can27100:12:11,020 –> 00:12:11,900and you will27200:12:11,900 –> 00:12:12,780make progress27300:12:12,780 –> 00:12:14,460There’s hope for you27400:12:14,460 –> 00:12:15,739in Jesus Christ27500:12:15,739 –> 00:12:17,260because He is present27600:12:17,820 –> 00:12:19,020in the life27700:12:19,020 –> 00:12:19,979of a27800:12:20,539 –> 00:12:20,679Christian27900:12:20,679 –> 00:12:23,179believer28000:12:23,179 –> 00:12:24,059However often28100:12:24,059 –> 00:12:24,859you have fallen28200:12:24,859 –> 00:12:25,580into sin28300:12:25,580 –> 00:12:26,700However recently28400:12:28,460 –> 00:12:29,020you have28500:12:29,020 –> 00:12:30,219and you always have28600:12:30,219 –> 00:12:31,099a Savior28700:12:31,099 –> 00:12:32,380Who stands28800:12:32,380 –> 00:12:32,940with you28900:12:33,900 –> 00:12:34,859Who binds29000:12:34,859 –> 00:12:35,820Himself to you29100:12:35,820 –> 00:12:37,020Whose Spirit29200:12:37,020 –> 00:12:37,820is able29300:12:37,820 –> 00:12:38,940to help you29400:12:38,940 –> 00:12:40,140and when you see that29500:12:40,140 –> 00:12:41,500You’re going to be delivered29600:12:41,500 –> 00:12:42,299when you see it29700:12:42,299 –> 00:12:43,500and when you believe it29800:12:43,500 –> 00:12:45,260Christ is with me29900:12:45,260 –> 00:12:47,020Christ’s spirit lives in me30000:12:47,020 –> 00:12:48,059When you see that30100:12:48,059 –> 00:12:49,020and when you believe it30200:12:49,020 –> 00:12:50,380when you give weight to it30300:12:50,380 –> 00:12:51,260You are going to be30400:12:51,260 –> 00:12:51,900delivered30500:12:51,900 –> 00:12:52,539from the30600:12:52,539 –> 00:12:53,500oppression30700:12:54,539 –> 00:12:55,900and the hopelessness30800:12:57,179 –> 00:12:57,900that comes with30900:12:57,900 –> 00:12:59,340this overwhelming31000:12:59,340 –> 00:13:00,140sense of defeat31100:13:00,140 –> 00:13:00,859This is the truth31200:13:00,859 –> 00:13:01,820that will set you free31300:13:01,820 –> 00:13:02,859You need to know31400:13:03,260 –> 00:13:04,219the particular31500:13:04,219 –> 00:13:05,659truth to apply31600:13:05,659 –> 00:13:06,820to this affliction31700:13:06,820 –> 00:13:07,340a feeling that31800:13:07,340 –> 00:13:08,700there’s no hope for you31900:13:10,380 –> 00:13:11,340and it’s this wonderful32000:13:11,340 –> 00:13:12,059truth of union32100:13:12,059 –> 00:13:13,020with Jesus Christ32200:13:13,020 –> 00:13:13,739that is true of32300:13:13,739 –> 00:13:15,099every Christian believer32400:13:15,900 –> 00:13:17,260So don’t go Christian32500:13:17,260 –> 00:13:17,900through life32600:13:17,900 –> 00:13:18,780saying oh wretched32700:13:18,780 –> 00:13:20,059man that I am32800:13:20,059 –> 00:13:21,500From Romans 7 2432900:13:22,460 –> 00:13:23,260when you feel your33000:13:23,260 –> 00:13:23,900wretchedness33100:13:23,900 –> 00:13:25,179do what Paul does33200:13:25,179 –> 00:13:26,380in verse 2533300:13:26,380 –> 00:13:28,140You say thanks be to God33400:13:29,340 –> 00:13:30,859through Jesus Christ33500:13:30,859 –> 00:13:31,419my Lord33600:13:31,419 –> 00:13:31,919He’s my33700:13:32,000 –> 00:13:32,640I know who33800:13:32,640 –> 00:13:34,239my deliverer is33900:13:34,239 –> 00:13:34,960and I know where34000:13:34,960 –> 00:13:35,760my hope is34100:13:36,880 –> 00:13:37,440and that’s34200:13:38,239 –> 00:13:39,039one of the great34300:13:39,039 –> 00:13:40,239blessings of34400:13:40,239 –> 00:13:41,520being in Christ34500:13:42,159 –> 00:13:42,799and of being34600:13:43,679 –> 00:13:44,880a Christian believer34700:13:44,880 –> 00:13:45,919so these34800:13:45,919 –> 00:13:46,719truths in34900:13:46,719 –> 00:13:48,479Romans 735000:13:48,479 –> 00:13:49,039that we’ve been35100:13:49,039 –> 00:13:49,440learning35200:13:49,440 –> 00:13:50,320they’re the answer35300:13:50,320 –> 00:13:51,280to two of the35400:13:51,280 –> 00:13:52,159most common35500:13:52,159 –> 00:13:52,960problems that35600:13:52,960 –> 00:13:54,000stalk Christian35700:13:54,000 –> 00:13:54,559believers35800:13:55,359 –> 00:13:56,080perfectionism35900:13:56,080 –> 00:13:56,799defeatism36000:13:57,919 –> 00:13:58,559and actually36100:13:58,559 –> 00:13:59,440if you think about it36200:13:59,440 –> 00:14:00,080they’re actually36300:14:00,080 –> 00:14:01,119very close together36400:14:01,119 –> 00:14:01,599although they’re36500:14:02,000 –> 00:14:02,559opposite36600:14:02,559 –> 00:14:03,280because both36700:14:03,280 –> 00:14:03,840of them at the36800:14:03,840 –> 00:14:04,559end of the day36900:14:05,280 –> 00:14:05,679are an37000:14:05,679 –> 00:14:06,159effect37100:14:06,159 –> 00:14:06,719of in our37200:14:06,719 –> 00:14:07,520minds and hearts37300:14:07,520 –> 00:14:08,159going back37400:14:09,200 –> 00:14:09,840to measuring37500:14:09,840 –> 00:14:10,559ourselves by the37600:14:10,559 –> 00:14:12,000law and37700:14:12,000 –> 00:14:12,400forgetting37800:14:12,400 –> 00:14:12,559that the37900:14:12,559 –> 00:14:13,280fundamental38000:14:13,280 –> 00:14:13,840reality of38100:14:13,840 –> 00:14:14,640being a Christian38200:14:14,640 –> 00:14:14,799is38300:14:15,440 –> 00:14:16,239I am now38400:14:16,719 –> 00:14:17,039in38500:14:17,679 –> 00:14:18,239Jesus38600:14:19,200 –> 00:14:19,679Christ38700:14:20,719 –> 00:14:21,599Jerry Bridges38800:14:22,320 –> 00:14:23,039captures this38900:14:23,039 –> 00:14:23,520wonderful39000:14:23,520 –> 00:14:23,919truth that39100:14:23,919 –> 00:14:24,400we’ve been39200:14:24,400 –> 00:14:24,719learning39300:14:25,280 –> 00:14:25,760with such39400:14:25,760 –> 00:14:26,080great39500:14:26,080 –> 00:14:26,719clarity39600:14:27,760 –> 00:14:28,559he says39700:14:28,559 –> 00:14:29,200your worst39800:14:29,200 –> 00:14:29,760days are39900:14:29,760 –> 00:14:30,320never so40000:14:30,320 –> 00:14:30,640bad40100:14:31,599 –> 00:14:32,159that you are40200:14:32,159 –> 00:14:32,719beyond the40300:14:32,719 –> 00:14:33,280reach40400:14:33,280 –> 00:14:33,599of40500:14:33,599 –> 00:14:34,239God’s40600:14:34,239 –> 00:14:34,799grace40700:14:34,799 –> 00:14:35,119There’s40800:14:35,679 –> 00:14:36,400the word for40900:14:36,400 –> 00:14:36,559the41000:14:36,559 –> 00:14:37,599defeatist41100:14:37,599 –> 00:14:38,159the person41200:14:38,159 –> 00:14:38,559who says41300:14:38,559 –> 00:14:39,039ah41400:14:39,039 –> 00:14:39,280there’s41500:14:39,280 –> 00:14:39,440no41600:14:39,440 –> 00:14:39,679hope41700:14:39,679 –> 00:14:39,840for41800:14:39,840 –> 00:14:40,239me41900:14:40,239 –> 00:14:40,559your42000:14:40,559 –> 00:14:40,880worst42100:14:40,880 –> 00:14:41,359days42200:14:41,359 –> 00:14:41,599are42300:14:41,599 –> 00:14:42,000never42400:14:42,000 –> 00:14:42,559so bad42500:14:43,599 –> 00:14:44,000that you42600:14:44,000 –> 00:14:44,159are42700:14:44,159 –> 00:14:44,719beyond42800:14:44,719 –> 00:14:45,200the reach42900:14:45,200 –> 00:14:45,359of43000:14:45,359 –> 00:14:45,679God’s43100:14:45,679 –> 00:14:46,320grace43200:14:46,320 –> 00:14:46,719and here’s43300:14:46,719 –> 00:14:47,039the word43400:14:47,039 –> 00:14:47,200for43500:14:47,200 –> 00:14:47,280the43600:14:47,280 –> 00:14:48,080perfectionist43700:14:48,080 –> 00:14:48,320your43800:14:48,320 –> 00:14:48,640best43900:14:48,640 –> 00:14:48,960days44000:14:49,599 –> 00:14:49,760are44100:14:49,760 –> 00:14:50,080never44200:14:50,080 –> 00:14:50,559so good44300:14:51,520 –> 00:14:51,840that you44400:14:51,840 –> 00:14:52,000are44500:14:52,000 –> 00:14:52,320beyond44600:14:52,320 –> 00:14:52,799the need44700:14:54,080 –> 00:14:54,320of44800:14:54,320 –> 00:14:54,799God’s44900:14:55,840 –> 00:14:56,320grace45000:14:57,039 –> 00:14:57,440We’ve got45100:14:57,440 –> 00:14:57,520to45200:14:57,520 –> 00:14:57,919pause45300:14:57,919 –> 00:14:58,400briefly45400:14:58,400 –> 00:14:58,640there45500:14:58,640 –> 00:14:58,799but45600:14:58,799 –> 00:14:58,960we’ll45700:14:58,960 –> 00:14:59,599be back45800:14:59,599 –> 00:14:59,760to45900:14:59,840 –> 00:15:00,400message46000:15:00,400 –> 00:15:01,200shortly46100:15:01,200 –> 00:15:01,599message46200:15:01,599 –> 00:15:02,400is called46300:15:02,400 –> 00:15:02,880Life in46400:15:02,880 –> 00:15:28,239Jesus46500:15:30,239 –> 00:15:33,440they are the source of a Christian’s freedom46600:15:34,080 –> 00:15:34,799and joy46700:15:45,760 –> 00:15:48,880that I have had in planning46800:15:48,880 –> 00:15:50,400and preparing this series46900:15:51,760 –> 00:15:54,159has been that all of us who are in Christ47000:15:54,159 –> 00:15:55,039will taste47100:15:56,080 –> 00:15:57,599more of the freedom47200:15:57,599 –> 00:15:58,719and of the joy47300:15:59,440 –> 00:16:02,000that comes from being in a living union47400:16:02,000 –> 00:16:04,559with this wonderful saviour47500:16:04,559 –> 00:16:05,440who is ours47600:16:06,719 –> 00:16:09,200now we are released from the law47700:16:10,159 –> 00:16:13,039and having died to that which held us captive47800:16:13,039 –> 00:16:17,440we serve in the new way of the spirit47900:16:18,479 –> 00:16:19,599there’s peace here48000:16:19,599 –> 00:16:20,799there’s joy here48100:16:20,799 –> 00:16:22,239there’s life here48200:16:23,039 –> 00:16:24,159and we are to48300:16:24,719 –> 00:16:26,479savour the freedom48400:16:26,479 –> 00:16:30,880and the joy of this new marriage to Jesus Christ48500:16:30,880 –> 00:16:33,760this living union with the Lord Jesus Christ48600:16:33,760 –> 00:16:38,400that is this great gift of God to every Christian believer48700:16:38,400 –> 00:16:41,119and the reason why I’ve been praying this so much48800:16:41,119 –> 00:16:42,119for this series48900:16:42,119 –> 00:16:47,599is that there is a diminished version of Christianity49000:16:47,599 –> 00:16:49,119that is really quite common49100:16:50,239 –> 00:16:51,679especially among people49200:16:51,679 –> 00:16:53,840who have not grasped this wonderful truth49300:16:53,840 –> 00:16:55,119of union with Christ49400:16:56,479 –> 00:16:58,799and it’s a diminished version of Christianity49500:16:58,799 –> 00:17:01,359that many of us will have been brought up with49600:17:02,159 –> 00:17:03,440and you might recognise it49700:17:04,719 –> 00:17:06,079it goes something like this49800:17:07,359 –> 00:17:08,959that Jesus forgives you49900:17:09,760 –> 00:17:11,040when you mess up50000:17:12,079 –> 00:17:14,479so that you will then be a good person50100:17:15,359 –> 00:17:17,199who keeps the law50200:17:18,400 –> 00:17:20,880and I think many in our congregation50300:17:20,880 –> 00:17:22,000were actually brought up with this50400:17:22,000 –> 00:17:23,439so what does Jesus do for me?50500:17:23,439 –> 00:17:24,719forgives me when I mess up50600:17:25,520 –> 00:17:26,800and what I’ve got to do then50700:17:26,800 –> 00:17:29,680is knuckle down and be a better person50800:17:30,239 –> 00:17:31,199as a result50900:17:31,199 –> 00:17:33,280I kind of owe him that51000:17:34,239 –> 00:17:37,119and what that produces, friends51100:17:37,119 –> 00:17:40,319is a kind of wooden, joyless51200:17:41,439 –> 00:17:43,439attempt at discipleship51300:17:44,640 –> 00:17:46,079of saying my prayers51400:17:46,079 –> 00:17:47,359and going to church51500:17:47,359 –> 00:17:49,439and offering service in some way51600:17:50,160 –> 00:17:53,199without any real sense51700:17:53,199 –> 00:17:55,040of intimacy with God51800:17:56,319 –> 00:17:58,160and the freedom and joy51900:17:59,520 –> 00:18:00,400that comes with it52000:18:02,400 –> 00:18:03,359and all the time52100:18:04,560 –> 00:18:06,800in this diminished version of Christianity52200:18:06,800 –> 00:18:08,160that really is a long way52300:18:08,160 –> 00:18:09,439from the true gospel52400:18:10,719 –> 00:18:11,680you live with the sense52500:18:11,680 –> 00:18:13,439that if I don’t get it right52600:18:14,479 –> 00:18:16,000that God has it in for me52700:18:17,040 –> 00:18:18,719and that He’ll get me in52800:18:20,079 –> 00:18:20,640the end52900:18:22,239 –> 00:18:24,239so it’s always humbling for a pastor53000:18:24,239 –> 00:18:26,160when you preach for 40 minutes53100:18:26,160 –> 00:18:27,839and then someone on the media team53200:18:27,839 –> 00:18:28,959says in one sentence53300:18:28,959 –> 00:18:30,479better than all your best efforts53400:18:31,439 –> 00:18:32,640and that happened last night53500:18:32,640 –> 00:18:34,079a guy in the media team said to me53600:18:35,280 –> 00:18:38,400Colin I used to come to church53700:18:39,520 –> 00:18:41,040because I thought it was something53800:18:41,760 –> 00:18:42,719I needed to do53900:18:43,280 –> 00:18:44,400to be a good person54000:18:45,920 –> 00:18:47,680and I said so why do you come to church now54100:18:47,680 –> 00:18:49,199he says because I love Jesus54200:18:49,920 –> 00:18:51,520and he says all the difference in the world54300:18:51,520 –> 00:18:52,400between these two things54400:18:52,400 –> 00:18:53,920the first was the first marriage54500:18:53,920 –> 00:18:55,280you know married to the law54600:18:55,280 –> 00:18:57,119this is what I need to do54700:18:57,119 –> 00:18:58,640in order to be a good person54800:18:58,640 –> 00:19:00,160I need to pray to be a good person54900:19:00,160 –> 00:19:02,000I need to tell the truth55000:19:02,000 –> 00:19:03,520to be a good person55100:19:03,520 –> 00:19:04,880that’s the first marriage isn’t it55200:19:06,160 –> 00:19:07,359why do you come to church now55300:19:07,359 –> 00:19:08,640why do you tell the truth now55400:19:08,640 –> 00:19:09,839why would you pray now55500:19:09,839 –> 00:19:11,439because I love Jesus55600:19:13,280 –> 00:19:15,119I’m in the second marriage55700:19:15,119 –> 00:19:16,400there’s love here55800:19:17,119 –> 00:19:18,079there’s life here55900:19:18,079 –> 00:19:19,280there’s freedom here56000:19:19,280 –> 00:19:19,839there’s joy56100:19:19,839 –> 00:19:22,479there’s all the difference in the world56200:19:24,719 –> 00:19:26,479Listen, Jesus Christ says56300:19:26,479 –> 00:19:28,640something better to you today56400:19:28,640 –> 00:19:30,160than I forgive you56500:19:30,160 –> 00:19:32,000now go do better next time56600:19:33,280 –> 00:19:34,319he says to you56700:19:34,319 –> 00:19:35,920I forgive you56800:19:35,920 –> 00:19:38,719and I bind myself to you56900:19:40,160 –> 00:19:41,839I will give you my spirit57000:19:41,839 –> 00:19:43,599and I will dwell with you57100:19:44,160 –> 00:19:47,359Listen, the law cannot love you57200:19:48,479 –> 00:19:50,400the law cannot give you strength57300:19:51,439 –> 00:19:53,520the law will never let you rest57400:19:53,520 –> 00:19:55,040because of its constant demands57500:19:55,040 –> 00:19:57,199therefore you cannot ever come to peace57600:19:58,160 –> 00:19:59,439perfection is defeated57700:19:59,439 –> 00:20:03,199so long as you are measuring yourself against the law57800:20:03,199 –> 00:20:05,280But in Jesus Christ there is strength57900:20:05,280 –> 00:20:06,239and there is joy58000:20:06,239 –> 00:20:07,119and there is life58100:20:07,119 –> 00:20:08,319and there is love58200:20:08,319 –> 00:20:09,520and there is peace58300:20:10,400 –> 00:20:12,239there is the difference in the world58400:20:12,319 –> 00:20:14,000between the miserable first marriage58500:20:14,000 –> 00:20:17,280and the joy and the freedom of the second marriage58600:20:17,280 –> 00:20:19,359union with Jesus Christ58700:20:19,359 –> 00:20:23,359the central truth that is so little grasped58800:20:23,359 –> 00:20:25,439even by Christian believers58900:20:27,119 –> 00:20:30,239So let me end with a quotation here from William Still59000:20:30,800 –> 00:20:31,920it was his writings59100:20:31,920 –> 00:20:34,479I was reading them right at the beginning of the year59200:20:34,479 –> 00:20:39,119and that first got me thinking about this series on Romans chapter 759300:20:39,119 –> 00:20:40,400and this is how he puts it59400:20:40,959 –> 00:20:47,280Christ puts himself in the place of the Law59500:20:48,239 –> 00:20:50,000He smiles at us59600:20:51,599 –> 00:20:52,959and he says, look59700:20:52,959 –> 00:20:55,520you will never be good59800:20:56,719 –> 00:21:00,640by following that finger that points to the Law59900:21:00,640 –> 00:21:01,599you’ll never be good60000:21:02,640 –> 00:21:06,079by following that finger that points to the Law60100:21:06,079 –> 00:21:08,079The first marriage will never get you there60200:21:08,079 –> 00:21:10,000only leaving you feeling more and more beaten up60300:21:11,920 –> 00:21:15,199But Christ says to you, look at me60400:21:17,199 –> 00:21:18,560smiling at you60500:21:20,400 –> 00:21:21,199loving you60600:21:23,040 –> 00:21:24,239caring for you60700:21:26,079 –> 00:21:27,199forgiving you60800:21:29,199 –> 00:21:29,920look at me60900:21:31,920 –> 00:21:33,760and I will save you61000:21:34,640 –> 00:21:35,199for I will love you61100:21:35,920 –> 00:21:39,280No wonder this Lord Jesus Christ says come to me61200:21:40,479 –> 00:21:41,920all you who are weary61300:21:42,880 –> 00:21:44,560all you who are heavy laden61400:21:45,680 –> 00:21:47,520all you who’ve been beating yourself up61500:21:47,520 –> 00:21:49,040trying to be a better person61600:21:49,040 –> 00:21:49,760come to me61700:21:51,359 –> 00:21:53,760and I will give you rest61800:21:53,760 –> 00:21:55,680Take my yoke upon you61900:21:55,680 –> 00:21:56,959see what that image is?62000:21:57,040 –> 00:21:58,239Bind yourself to me62100:21:58,239 –> 00:22:00,000I’ll bind myself to you62200:22:01,359 –> 00:22:04,479and you will find rest62300:22:06,079 –> 00:22:07,280for your soul62400:22:08,239 –> 00:22:10,160and this Christ offers himself62500:22:11,199 –> 00:22:12,479to each and every one of us62600:22:13,439 –> 00:22:13,920today62700:22:14,959 –> 00:22:16,880What a helpful reminder there that62800:22:16,880 –> 00:22:18,640freedom is not found in the law62900:22:18,640 –> 00:22:20,160and trying to keep to it63000:22:20,160 –> 00:22:22,079but it’s found in the life of Jesus63100:22:22,719 –> 00:22:24,239You’ve been listening to Open The Bible63200:22:24,239 –> 00:22:25,599with Pastor Colin Smith63300:22:25,599 –> 00:22:26,640and a message called63400:22:26,640 –> 00:22:27,520Life in Jesus63500:22:28,079 –> 00:22:29,199Part of our series63600:22:29,199 –> 00:22:30,959How you can flourish63700:22:30,959 –> 00:22:32,640And if you’ve missed any of the series63800:22:32,640 –> 00:22:34,640or you want to go back and listen again63900:22:34,640 –> 00:22:37,439you can do that by coming online to our website64000:22:37,439 –> 00:22:38,319openthebible.org.uk64100:22:39,920 –> 00:22:41,920or find us as a podcast64200:22:41,920 –> 00:22:44,160and those are on all the main podcast sites64300:22:44,160 –> 00:22:46,239search for Open The Bible UK64400:22:46,239 –> 00:22:49,199and subscribe if you want to receive regular updates64500:22:49,920 –> 00:22:52,560Don’t forget you can also find Pastor Colin’s teaching64600:22:52,560 –> 00:22:54,560in the form of a daily reflection64700:22:54,560 –> 00:22:57,359just two to three minutes long, every day64800:22:57,359 –> 00:22:59,839and read in the UK by Sue McLeish64900:22:59,839 –> 00:23:02,560Many Christians find it a great way to start the day65000:23:03,599 –> 00:23:07,439Open The Bible is supported by our listeners financially65100:23:07,439 –> 00:23:09,359We do depend on people like you65200:23:09,359 –> 00:23:13,599to keep Pastor Colin Smith’s messages on the radio and online65300:23:13,599 –> 00:23:15,920So if you already support us in that way65400:23:15,920 –> 00:23:16,959thank you very much65500:23:17,599 –> 00:23:20,959If that’s something you’re considering starting to do this month65600:23:21,040 –> 00:23:25,599If you’re able to set up a new direct debit of £5 per month or more65700:23:25,599 –> 00:23:28,479or a one off gift of £50 or more65800:23:28,479 –> 00:23:32,400we’d love to say thank you by sending you Pilgrim’s Progress65900:23:32,400 –> 00:23:36,160John Bunyan’s classic allegory about the Christian life66000:23:36,160 –> 00:23:39,680which so many have enjoyed and benefited greatly from reading66100:23:40,880 –> 00:23:43,599Along with the book we’ll send you a specially printed66200:23:43,599 –> 00:23:47,439Open The Bible bookmark and an Open The Bible pen66300:23:47,439 –> 00:23:50,160Colin I’ve heard that this is one of your favorite books66400:23:50,160 –> 00:23:51,439It absolutely is66500:23:52,079 –> 00:23:55,520In fact if I was stranded on a desert island66600:23:55,520 –> 00:23:59,199and I was only allowed to take one book apart from the Bible66700:23:59,199 –> 00:23:59,760of course66800:24:00,400 –> 00:24:06,000then my choice would definitely be John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress66900:24:06,000 –> 00:24:06,719Here’s why67000:24:06,719 –> 00:24:09,280If you’ve got one book besides The Bible67100:24:09,280 –> 00:24:12,079you would want to have something that was enjoyable67200:24:12,079 –> 00:24:13,040compelling67300:24:13,040 –> 00:24:15,680You’d want to have something that you would keep coming back to67400:24:15,680 –> 00:24:19,199and you’d want to have something that did you lasting good67500:24:19,839 –> 00:24:22,319and John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress67600:24:22,880 –> 00:24:25,839has fulfilled all of these things in my life67700:24:25,839 –> 00:24:28,079It really is a treasured book67800:24:28,079 –> 00:24:32,959and I’m absolutely delighted that we are able to offer this month67900:24:32,959 –> 00:24:35,359John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress68000:24:35,359 –> 00:24:38,079It is a book that you will treasure68100:24:38,079 –> 00:24:41,359and every Christian home ought to have a copy68200:24:41,359 –> 00:24:44,400So we’d love to send you a copy of Pilgrim’s Progress68300:24:44,400 –> 00:24:47,439to say thank you for setting up a new direct debit68400:24:47,439 –> 00:24:50,079in the amount of five pounds per month or more68500:24:50,079 –> 00:24:53,119or a one-off gift of fifty pounds or more68600:24:53,119 –> 00:24:56,079this month in support of Open The Bible68700:24:56,719 –> 00:24:58,959Full terms and conditions are on our website68800:24:58,959 –> 00:25:00,880that’s at openthebible.org.uk68900:25:02,959 –> 00:25:05,599For Open The Bible and for Pastor Colin Smith69000:25:05,599 –> 00:25:06,719I’m David Pick69100:25:06,719 –> 00:25:09,280and I hope you’ll be able to join us again very soon69200:25:10,000 –> 00:25:16,160If the old me has really gone69300:25:16,160 –> 00:25:18,719why am I still facing the same temptations?69400:25:19,439 –> 00:25:22,000Discover who you really are in Christ69500:25:22,000 –> 00:25:23,760next time on Open The Bible