1
00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:07,820
Our world is becoming more angry, more hostile, more divided.
2
00:00:07,820 –> 00:00:16,600
And the natural response to increasing division and hostility and anger in the world
3
00:00:16,600 –> 00:00:24,080
is an increasing hostility and division also in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
4
00:00:24,520 –> 00:00:30,260
But you know that the Lord Jesus calls us to be different.
5
00:00:30,260 –> 00:00:33,080
Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.
6
00:00:33,080 –> 00:00:35,900
I’m David Pick, I’m glad you could join us today.
7
00:00:35,900 –> 00:00:39,220
And Colin, it sounds like this is such a relevant message
8
00:00:39,220 –> 00:00:42,040
considering what we see going on in the world today.
9
00:00:42,040 –> 00:00:45,900
Well, we’re looking at growing in faith and hope and love,
10
00:00:45,900 –> 00:00:50,480
and the Apostle tells us that these are the three things that remain.
11
00:00:50,480 –> 00:00:52,820
Everything else is going to pass away.
12
00:00:52,820 –> 00:00:54,939
But these three things will remain,
13
00:00:54,939 –> 00:00:57,520
and then he tells us that of faith, hope and love,
14
00:00:57,520 –> 00:01:00,099
the greatest of these is love.
15
00:01:00,099 –> 00:01:04,300
This is our distinct calling as Christian believers.
16
00:01:04,300 –> 00:01:07,360
It is the way in which we are to be recognised
17
00:01:07,360 –> 00:01:10,139
as the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
18
00:01:10,139 –> 00:01:13,220
And so we’re going to be looking today and in these next days
19
00:01:13,220 –> 00:01:16,519
at what it means to grow in love.
20
00:01:16,519 –> 00:01:20,320
I can’t think of anything that is more important or more urgent.
21
00:01:20,480 –> 00:01:22,040
Well, no great surprise then,
22
00:01:22,040 –> 00:01:26,260
that we’re going to be looking at 1 Corinthians and chapter 13.
23
00:01:26,260 –> 00:01:30,260
As we begin our message, love is our distinct calling.
24
00:01:30,260 –> 00:01:31,519
Here’s Colin.
25
00:01:32,099 –> 00:01:37,199
I’ve been thinking a great deal about these questions over these last weeks,
26
00:01:37,199 –> 00:01:41,080
and as I have done this and sought the Lord,
27
00:01:41,080 –> 00:01:47,000
there’s one word that has pressed into my mind and into my heart,
28
00:01:47,000 –> 00:01:51,059
and that word is the single word, love.
29
00:01:51,059 –> 00:01:54,959
Love is to be the distinguishing mark
30
00:01:54,959 –> 00:01:57,559
of the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
31
00:01:57,559 –> 00:01:59,099
And this is not an option.
32
00:01:59,099 –> 00:02:01,260
Notice, it’s a commandment.
33
00:02:01,519 –> 00:02:05,220
A new commandment I give to you, the Lord Jesus says.
34
00:02:05,220 –> 00:02:09,199
I command you that you are to love one another,
35
00:02:09,199 –> 00:02:10,500
that’s what he is saying,
36
00:02:10,639 –> 00:02:15,139
so that by this, everyone, all people will know
37
00:02:15,139 –> 00:02:19,259
that you really are my disciples.
38
00:02:20,500 –> 00:02:24,639
Now as the world becomes harsher and more divided,
39
00:02:24,639 –> 00:02:29,259
our calling will make us more distinct.
40
00:02:29,259 –> 00:02:32,399
Where else could you ever hope to find
41
00:02:32,399 –> 00:02:34,240
a community of people
42
00:02:34,240 –> 00:02:37,460
who will really love one another
43
00:02:37,500 –> 00:02:39,860
across all the many differences
44
00:02:39,860 –> 00:02:42,699
that divide people so deeply?
45
00:02:43,699 –> 00:02:46,259
Now I expect that as we come to this subject today,
46
00:02:46,259 –> 00:02:50,160
most of us will feel that we need to grow in love,
47
00:02:50,160 –> 00:02:53,000
especially when it comes to those
48
00:02:53,000 –> 00:02:55,979
with whom we deeply disagree.
49
00:02:55,979 –> 00:03:00,520
And the good news is that love can be learned.
50
00:03:00,520 –> 00:03:04,860
It is possible to grow in love.
51
00:03:05,020 –> 00:03:10,020
And the Holy Spirit is given to us for this very purpose.
52
00:03:10,800 –> 00:03:12,880
So please open your Bible with me
53
00:03:12,880 –> 00:03:15,619
at 1 Corinthians chapter 13,
54
00:03:15,619 –> 00:03:18,860
this marvelous passage that has been read to us
55
00:03:18,860 –> 00:03:21,520
on the subject of love.
56
00:03:21,520 –> 00:03:26,000
Why should we seek to grow in love?
57
00:03:26,000 –> 00:03:28,539
Why is this so important?
58
00:03:28,539 –> 00:03:33,440
Well, this chapter gives us three powerful answers.
59
00:03:33,460 –> 00:03:35,199
We’re going to to look at the first answer
60
00:03:35,199 –> 00:03:37,240
just in the first three verses today,
61
00:03:37,240 –> 00:03:39,520
and then God willing we’ll look at the second
62
00:03:39,520 –> 00:03:43,960
and the third answers from this same chapter next week.
63
00:03:43,960 –> 00:03:46,199
Why should we grow in love?
64
00:03:46,199 –> 00:03:49,080
Well, the first answer that Paul gives to us here
65
00:03:49,080 –> 00:03:53,119
is that love will enable us
66
00:03:53,119 –> 00:03:57,039
to use our gifts effectively.
67
00:03:57,039 –> 00:04:01,899
And Paul lists six highly valued gifts,
68
00:04:01,919 –> 00:04:05,199
each of them a gift that comes from the hand of God himself,
69
00:04:05,199 –> 00:04:09,720
each of them a gift that is obviously of value
70
00:04:09,720 –> 00:04:12,820
to the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
71
00:04:12,820 –> 00:04:16,519
And the first of these gifts that Paul identifies
72
00:04:16,519 –> 00:04:19,600
is the gift of eloquent speech.
73
00:04:20,880 –> 00:04:25,880
”If I speak in the tongues of men,’
74
00:04:26,660 –> 00:04:28,220
now let’s pause there for a moment,
75
00:04:28,220 –> 00:04:29,820
we’ll come to the rest later.
76
00:04:30,779 –> 00:04:34,480
He’s talking here about the gift
77
00:04:34,480 –> 00:04:38,320
of clear and compelling communication.
78
00:04:39,399 –> 00:04:42,579
And the ability to communicate clearly
79
00:04:42,579 –> 00:04:45,220
is a marvelous gift from God.
80
00:04:46,119 –> 00:04:49,619
If you’re a student in middle school, high school,
81
00:04:49,619 –> 00:04:53,320
or in college, do all that you can
82
00:04:53,320 –> 00:04:55,579
to develop this gift.
83
00:04:56,459 –> 00:04:58,140
Remember that the Bible tells us,
84
00:04:58,160 –> 00:05:00,920
in the beginning was the Word
85
00:05:02,640 –> 00:05:05,660
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
86
00:05:06,640 –> 00:05:08,299
God speaks.
87
00:05:09,779 –> 00:05:14,679
So do all that you can to become articulate.
88
00:05:14,679 –> 00:05:19,679
Work hard at learning to express yourself in words.
89
00:05:19,679 –> 00:05:21,959
Learn the meaning of words.
90
00:05:21,959 –> 00:05:25,440
Develop and expand your vocabulary.
91
00:05:25,440 –> 00:05:28,019
Write sentences
92
00:05:28,019 –> 00:05:32,100
and learn to speak in sentences.
93
00:05:32,100 –> 00:05:35,500
Gifts of speech were very highly prized
94
00:05:35,500 –> 00:05:37,579
in the ancient world,
95
00:05:37,579 –> 00:05:42,579
and we are wise if we place a high value on them today.
96
00:05:44,380 –> 00:05:48,299
But you know, every gift brings its own temptation,
97
00:05:48,299 –> 00:05:50,940
and this verse reminds us that it is possible
98
00:05:50,940 –> 00:05:54,420
to speak well without love.
99
00:05:55,079 –> 00:05:57,779
The big temptation, of course,
100
00:05:57,779 –> 00:06:00,579
for the person who is able to articulate
101
00:06:00,579 –> 00:06:05,320
a persuasive argument is to bully,
102
00:06:05,320 –> 00:06:10,320
it’s to oppress, it’s to intimidate,
103
00:06:10,339 –> 00:06:13,359
it’s to shout the other person down.
104
00:06:13,359 –> 00:06:18,359
It’s to be self-opinionated and overbearing.
105
00:06:20,140 –> 00:06:22,019
Now, you don’t need me to tell you
106
00:06:22,019 –> 00:06:25,660
that we live at a time in which discourse,
107
00:06:25,660 –> 00:06:30,579
conversation is becoming increasingly angry and divisive.
108
00:06:31,500 –> 00:06:35,959
People have discovered that if you use outrageous
109
00:06:36,899 –> 00:06:40,820
and inflammatory language, you get more attention
110
00:06:40,820 –> 00:06:43,660
from people who agree with you.
111
00:06:43,660 –> 00:06:45,420
But I want you to notice what Paul says
112
00:06:45,420 –> 00:06:46,679
in the Scripture here,
113
00:06:47,679 –> 00:06:52,679
”If I speak with the tongue of men and of angels,
114
00:06:52,940 –> 00:06:57,739
but have not love, I am a noisy gong
115
00:06:59,679 –> 00:07:01,660
and a clanging cymbal.’
116
00:07:03,579 –> 00:07:08,519
Eloquent speech without love is a cacophony of noise.
117
00:07:11,079 –> 00:07:12,980
People can put up with it for a time
118
00:07:13,980 –> 00:07:17,100
but eventually the noise, like a cymbal
119
00:07:17,100 –> 00:07:21,019
that just keeps reverberating and never stops,
120
00:07:21,019 –> 00:07:24,920
it becomes unrelenting and unbearable,
121
00:07:25,899 –> 00:07:29,179
and people feel then that they need to get away from it.
122
00:07:31,059 –> 00:07:36,059
Always remember that it is possible to win an argument
123
00:07:37,000 –> 00:07:41,220
and lose a friend, and that’s never a good deal.
124
00:07:43,200 –> 00:07:46,760
What is the value of prevailing in an argument
125
00:07:46,760 –> 00:07:50,100
if you lose the person you were trying to win?
126
00:07:52,380 –> 00:07:57,380
Without love, eloquent speaking will be worse than useless
127
00:07:59,019 –> 00:08:01,820
because instead of winning people,
128
00:08:03,059 –> 00:08:06,079
you actually end up driving people away.
129
00:08:07,679 –> 00:08:11,700
But if you grow in love,
130
00:08:12,579 –> 00:08:16,859
you will be able to use your God given gift
131
00:08:18,140 –> 00:08:19,820
of speaking effectively.
132
00:08:22,380 –> 00:08:25,720
Now, the second gift that Paul identifies here
133
00:08:25,720 –> 00:08:29,320
is the gift of spiritual experiences.
134
00:08:29,320 –> 00:08:31,000
Notice what he says,
135
00:08:31,000 –> 00:08:35,380
If I speak in the tongues of angels.
136
00:08:35,380 –> 00:08:37,099
Now, what’s he referring to here?
137
00:08:38,080 –> 00:08:41,539
Well, in the chapter before and the chapter after,
138
00:08:42,099 –> 00:08:44,419
1 Corinthians 12 and 14,
139
00:08:44,419 –> 00:08:48,539
Paul speaks repeatedly about the gift of tongues,
140
00:08:48,539 –> 00:08:52,020
and the apostle himself tells us that he experienced
141
00:08:52,020 –> 00:08:54,419
and use this gift.
142
00:08:54,419 –> 00:08:59,419
It was a kind of ecstatic speech that bypasses the mind,
143
00:09:00,539 –> 00:09:05,539
giving a believer freedom in prayer and in worship.
144
00:09:06,739 –> 00:09:09,820
And it’s clear from these chapters
145
00:09:09,840 –> 00:09:14,059
that this particular gift was highly valued,
146
00:09:14,059 –> 00:09:17,400
at least among some of the believers in Corinth.
147
00:09:17,400 –> 00:09:21,739
And again, Paul himself affirms the value of this gift.
148
00:09:21,739 –> 00:09:24,359
He says in chapter 14 in verse 18,
149
00:09:24,359 –> 00:09:28,479
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
150
00:09:30,440 –> 00:09:35,440
Now, some of you have had remarkable spiritual experiences.
151
00:09:37,460 –> 00:09:38,460
You really have.
152
00:09:39,280 –> 00:09:41,400
Some of you have seen a vision.
153
00:09:42,739 –> 00:09:45,460
Some of you have experienced a miracle.
154
00:09:47,119 –> 00:09:51,440
Some of you have had intense and wonderful experiences
155
00:09:51,440 –> 00:09:55,200
of the love of God, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
156
00:09:55,200 –> 00:09:58,119
And all of these experiences
157
00:09:59,000 –> 00:10:02,880
are gifts from the gracious hand of God.
158
00:10:04,659 –> 00:10:06,460
But what we’re learning from these verses
159
00:10:06,500 –> 00:10:11,039
is that every gift brings its own temptation.
160
00:10:11,940 –> 00:10:14,380
And the temptation that comes
161
00:10:14,380 –> 00:10:19,380
with spiritual experience is the temptation to withdraw.
162
00:10:20,799 –> 00:10:24,020
I have to tell you, I know this temptation in my own life.
163
00:10:25,119 –> 00:10:28,380
There’s a part of me that would be very happy
164
00:10:28,380 –> 00:10:31,559
to retire into a private world
165
00:10:31,559 –> 00:10:34,039
where I could just spend unlimited time
166
00:10:34,080 –> 00:10:38,520
with my books, pondering the scripture,
167
00:10:38,520 –> 00:10:41,679
sitting in a chair, enjoying the thrill
168
00:10:41,679 –> 00:10:44,900
of seeing something I had never seen before
169
00:10:44,900 –> 00:10:47,320
with no pressure and no deadline.
170
00:10:47,320 –> 00:10:48,440
You’ll be able to come up
171
00:10:48,440 –> 00:10:52,719
with a parallel to that in your world as well.
172
00:10:53,960 –> 00:10:56,679
But you see, this verse is telling me
173
00:10:56,679 –> 00:11:01,320
that if I did that, I would gain nothing,
174
00:11:02,520 –> 00:11:03,359
nothing.
175
00:11:04,640 –> 00:11:08,479
Now, again, this speaks very powerfully to our world today.
176
00:11:08,479 –> 00:11:12,700
We live at a time where believers are tempted to withdraw.
177
00:11:14,520 –> 00:11:16,520
Why bother with coming to church
178
00:11:16,520 –> 00:11:18,780
when you can see the service online?
179
00:11:20,200 –> 00:11:23,280
And you can see any service from any church online.
180
00:11:24,859 –> 00:11:28,000
All that matters is that I nourish
181
00:11:28,000 –> 00:11:30,400
my own relationship with Jesus.
182
00:11:30,719 –> 00:11:33,559
But you see, your distinct calling
183
00:11:34,419 –> 00:11:37,580
as a person who belongs to Jesus
184
00:11:38,520 –> 00:11:42,479
is to love and you cannot possibly
185
00:11:42,479 –> 00:11:44,559
do that on your own.
186
00:11:45,919 –> 00:11:48,140
Isolation is the death of love.
187
00:11:49,000 –> 00:11:50,320
You are listening to Open the Bible
188
00:11:50,320 –> 00:11:51,859
with Pastor Colin Smith.
189
00:11:51,859 –> 00:11:53,559
And we’ve got to pause the message there
190
00:11:53,559 –> 00:11:55,080
for just a few moments.
191
00:11:55,080 –> 00:11:56,320
Message is called,
192
00:11:56,320 –> 00:11:58,799
Love is our distinct calling.
193
00:11:59,520 –> 00:12:01,799
And it’s part of our series,
194
00:12:01,799 –> 00:12:04,059
Growing in Faith, Hope and Love.
195
00:12:04,059 –> 00:12:05,840
And if you’ve missed any of the series
196
00:12:05,840 –> 00:12:07,880
or if you want to go back and listen again,
197
00:12:07,880 –> 00:12:09,460
you can do that by coming online
198
00:12:09,460 –> 00:12:10,440
to our website,
199
00:12:10,440 –> 00:12:13,539
openthebible.org.uk.
200
00:12:13,539 –> 00:12:14,619
There you can find all of
201
00:12:14,619 –> 00:12:16,840
the previously broadcast messages.
202
00:12:18,140 –> 00:12:20,099
Open the Bible is supported entirely
203
00:12:20,099 –> 00:12:21,739
by our listeners and this month
204
00:12:21,739 –> 00:12:22,859
we have an offer for you
205
00:12:22,859 –> 00:12:24,659
if you are able to begin
206
00:12:24,659 –> 00:12:26,820
for the first time a donation,
207
00:12:26,859 –> 00:12:28,419
a regular monthly donation
208
00:12:28,419 –> 00:12:30,299
to the work of Open the Bible
209
00:12:30,299 –> 00:12:33,380
in the amount of five pounds per month or more.
210
00:12:33,380 –> 00:12:34,979
To say thank you we’d love to send
211
00:12:34,979 –> 00:12:38,179
you a copy of the book called Respectable Sins.
212
00:12:38,179 –> 00:12:39,340
And I’ll be talking to Colin
213
00:12:39,340 –> 00:12:41,760
about that book later.
214
00:12:41,760 –> 00:12:42,960
Back to the message now,
215
00:12:42,960 –> 00:12:45,460
we’re in 1 Corinthians 13.
216
00:12:45,460 –> 00:12:46,280
Here’s Colin.
217
00:12:47,179 –> 00:12:48,619
Withdrawing into the world
218
00:12:48,619 –> 00:12:51,580
of your own private experience
219
00:12:51,580 –> 00:12:53,280
will be of no value to you
220
00:12:53,280 –> 00:12:56,500
and it will be of no value to anyone else
221
00:12:56,500 –> 00:12:59,179
but growing in love,
222
00:12:59,179 –> 00:13:00,619
oh, if you grow in love,
223
00:13:00,619 –> 00:13:03,780
it will keep you from spiritual isolation
224
00:13:03,780 –> 00:13:05,539
and here’s what growing in love will do.
225
00:13:05,539 –> 00:13:08,640
It will move you towards other believers.
226
00:13:11,979 –> 00:13:16,299
The third gift that Paul identifies
227
00:13:16,299 –> 00:13:19,859
is the gift of a brilliant mind.
228
00:13:19,859 –> 00:13:23,299
I thank God for those who’ve been given this gift.
229
00:13:24,179 –> 00:13:28,580
If I have prophetic powers
230
00:13:28,580 –> 00:13:36,500
and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,
231
00:13:36,500 –> 00:13:42,539
some people have been blessed with brilliant minds
232
00:13:42,539 –> 00:13:48,179
and over time they acquire vast sums of knowledge.
233
00:13:48,179 –> 00:13:52,539
Some people are blessed with profound insight
234
00:13:52,539 –> 00:13:57,659
into what is mysterious and perplexing to others
235
00:13:57,659 –> 00:14:00,460
so that they are able to help the rest of us
236
00:14:00,460 –> 00:14:05,099
when we find ourselves uncertain and confused.
237
00:14:05,099 –> 00:14:10,140
A brilliant mind is a marvelous gift.
238
00:14:10,140 –> 00:14:14,059
And if God has given that gift to you,
239
00:14:14,059 –> 00:14:17,260
develop it to the full.
240
00:14:17,260 –> 00:14:21,260
Use it to bring blessing and help to others
241
00:14:21,260 –> 00:14:26,780
in every way that you possibly can.
242
00:14:26,780 –> 00:14:29,900
But what the Apostle is making clear to us in these verses
243
00:14:29,900 –> 00:14:35,380
is that every gift brings its own temptation.
244
00:14:35,380 –> 00:14:41,179
And the big temptation that comes with a brilliant mind
245
00:14:41,179 –> 00:14:45,340
is to become wise in your own eyes,
246
00:14:45,340 –> 00:14:49,460
to look down on other people who did not have the ability
247
00:14:49,460 –> 00:14:53,419
or perhaps the education that you have been privileged to have
248
00:14:53,419 –> 00:14:57,539
to become increasingly remote
249
00:14:57,539 –> 00:15:05,659
from the needs, life and ministry of the Church.
250
00:15:05,659 –> 00:15:10,380
Growing in love will be what enables you
251
00:15:10,380 –> 00:15:14,539
to use your brilliant mind effectively.
252
00:15:14,780 –> 00:15:19,659
And growing in love will make the Christian scholar
253
00:15:20,380 –> 00:15:24,500
a servant of ordinary believers.
254
00:15:25,460 –> 00:15:29,979
And when that happens, it is a beautiful thing.
255
00:15:32,059 –> 00:15:37,419
Then some people have been gifted fourthly
256
00:15:37,440 –> 00:15:39,979
with outstanding achievements.
257
00:15:39,979 –> 00:15:42,479
Look at what Paul says next.
258
00:15:42,520 –> 00:15:49,000
And if I have all faith so as to remove mountains,
259
00:15:50,880 –> 00:15:53,739
to move a mountain, well, that’s really something.
260
00:15:54,880 –> 00:15:57,760
I’ve been reading the story of William Wilberforce,
261
00:15:57,760 –> 00:16:00,039
a member of the British Parliament,
262
00:16:00,039 –> 00:16:02,619
in the 18th and early 19th century.
263
00:16:02,799 –> 00:16:07,219
who proposed legislation to abolish slavery.
264
00:16:08,059 –> 00:16:15,400
He was defeated 11 times over a period of 20 years.
265
00:16:16,520 –> 00:16:22,099
But by God’s grace, he overcame that mountain of opposition
266
00:16:22,559 –> 00:16:26,260
and was finally blessed with wonderful success.
267
00:16:27,960 –> 00:16:31,619
Wilberforce had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
268
00:16:32,099 –> 00:16:36,619
and God used him to move a mountain.
269
00:16:38,159 –> 00:16:44,559
Now, some people like Wilberforce are drawn to the hardest tasks,
270
00:16:44,559 –> 00:16:48,359
and if that’s you, it’s a very wonderful gift, indeed.
271
00:16:48,900 –> 00:16:52,400
Some people have a special kind of faith
272
00:16:52,400 –> 00:16:57,400
that enables them to believe that a mountain can be overcome.
273
00:16:57,500 –> 00:17:00,419
And if God has given you that kind of gift,
274
00:17:00,419 –> 00:17:01,900
I want to encourage you,
275
00:17:01,900 –> 00:17:05,319
find the mountain that he is calling you to move
276
00:17:05,760 –> 00:17:09,619
and then give yourself to moving it by faith,
277
00:17:09,619 –> 00:17:14,060
even if it takes the whole of your life to see it happen.
278
00:17:15,300 –> 00:17:17,400
But remember this,
279
00:17:17,400 –> 00:17:23,239
that every gift brings its own unique temptation.
280
00:17:23,560 –> 00:17:30,199
And the obvious temptation to those who accomplish great things
281
00:17:30,199 –> 00:17:33,040
is the temptation to pride,
282
00:17:33,180 –> 00:17:37,339
the feeling that what has been accomplished
283
00:17:37,339 –> 00:17:41,579
was the result of your own power.
284
00:17:42,680 –> 00:17:48,239
James Denny gives this warning to pastors
285
00:17:48,239 –> 00:17:52,599
as well as to those who are successful in business.
286
00:17:52,599 –> 00:17:54,439
Let me quote what he says,
287
00:17:55,280 –> 00:17:59,599
the sense may steal upon a man’s mind
288
00:18:00,560 –> 00:18:03,699
that his commanding personality
289
00:18:04,660 –> 00:18:08,160
is that to which circumstances yield.
290
00:18:09,599 –> 00:18:14,540
His practical capacity is that which transmits force
291
00:18:14,540 –> 00:18:16,699
and sees that work is done.
292
00:18:17,900 –> 00:18:21,000
And when that happens, Denny says,
293
00:18:21,000 –> 00:18:23,560
all is lost.
294
00:18:23,880 –> 00:18:28,880
Now, if you think that the moving of a mountain
295
00:18:29,839 –> 00:18:34,839
was ultimately your personality, your force, your power,
296
00:18:37,400 –> 00:18:40,000
rather than that God in his marvelous grace
297
00:18:40,000 –> 00:18:43,959
used you to do it, you’ve lost everything.
298
00:18:45,479 –> 00:18:46,900
That’s what Denny is saying.
299
00:18:47,839 –> 00:18:50,260
And that’s what the apostle Paul is saying here.
300
00:18:51,219 –> 00:18:56,160
If I have all faith so as to remove mountains
301
00:18:58,060 –> 00:19:03,060
but have not love, I am nothing, nothing.
302
00:19:09,599 –> 00:19:14,599
Love is what enables a person to achieve great things
303
00:19:14,880 –> 00:19:17,400
and then still to serve with humility.
304
00:19:18,140 –> 00:19:23,140
Love reminds a believer that his calling
305
00:19:25,219 –> 00:19:27,979
to move one mountain
306
00:19:27,979 –> 00:19:30,359
may not be the calling of another believer
307
00:19:30,359 –> 00:19:33,439
who may be called to move another mountain
308
00:19:33,439 –> 00:19:36,540
and love will enable you to find joy
309
00:19:36,540 –> 00:19:38,540
in the achievements of others
310
00:19:38,540 –> 00:19:42,979
as much as you find joy in the achievements of your own.
311
00:19:43,800 –> 00:19:48,040
And then fifthly Paul identifies
312
00:19:48,040 –> 00:19:52,280
this gift of unusual generosity.
313
00:19:52,280 –> 00:19:53,160
Look at what he says.
314
00:19:53,160 –> 00:19:57,800
If I give, verse three, all I have.
315
00:19:57,800 –> 00:20:01,579
Not 1 0th, not even half,
316
00:20:01,579 –> 00:20:03,719
if I give everything.
317
00:20:03,719 –> 00:20:05,000
All that I have.
318
00:20:05,000 –> 00:20:08,119
This is what Jesus called the rich young ruler to do.
319
00:20:08,119 –> 00:20:10,000
And he couldn’t do it.
320
00:20:10,020 –> 00:20:11,359
He couldn’t bring himself to do it
321
00:20:11,359 –> 00:20:12,819
because he didn’t have love.
322
00:20:14,859 –> 00:20:19,859
Paul says if I give all that I have.
323
00:20:23,079 –> 00:20:27,060
Now, God calls all of us to be generous,
324
00:20:27,060 –> 00:20:30,800
but some people have a special calling
325
00:20:30,800 –> 00:20:34,780
and a special ability in this regard.
326
00:20:34,780 –> 00:20:39,359
And if God has put it into your heart to be generous,
327
00:20:39,359 –> 00:20:42,819
be as generous as you possibly can.
328
00:20:44,400 –> 00:20:48,079
But remember that every gift carries
329
00:20:48,079 –> 00:20:49,920
its own hidden temptation.
330
00:20:50,719 –> 00:20:54,680
And the temptation to those who give generously
331
00:20:55,880 –> 00:20:59,619
is that it is possible to give simply as a matter of duty.
332
00:21:00,839 –> 00:21:04,739
It’s possible to give in order to make an impression.
333
00:21:05,619 –> 00:21:09,859
It’s possible to give as a means of exercise and control.
334
00:21:10,859 –> 00:21:14,000
You can give without love.
335
00:21:14,900 –> 00:21:15,739
And Paul says,
336
00:21:15,739 –> 00:21:18,660
if I give all that I have
337
00:21:18,660 –> 00:21:19,859
and have not love,
338
00:21:21,099 –> 00:21:23,479
I gain nothing.
339
00:21:24,839 –> 00:21:25,680
But you see,
340
00:21:25,680 –> 00:21:27,699
growing in love
341
00:21:27,699 –> 00:21:29,959
is what will enable you to give
342
00:21:29,959 –> 00:21:33,540
with freedom and with joy.
343
00:21:33,599 –> 00:21:36,280
And your reward will be very great.
344
00:21:36,280 –> 00:21:38,079
The apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians,
345
00:21:38,079 –> 00:21:40,380
the next letter in the New Testament
346
00:21:40,380 –> 00:21:42,839
whoever sows sparingly
347
00:21:42,839 –> 00:21:44,979
will reap sparingly
348
00:21:44,979 –> 00:21:48,319
and whoever sows bountifully
349
00:21:48,319 –> 00:21:51,060
will also reap bountifully.
350
00:21:51,060 –> 00:21:53,400
Sow bountifully
351
00:21:53,400 –> 00:21:57,839
because your heart is growing in love,
352
00:21:57,839 –> 00:21:59,719
grow in love
353
00:21:59,719 –> 00:22:02,400
and you will sow bountifully.
354
00:22:03,859 –> 00:22:05,420
You’ve been listening to Open the Bible
355
00:22:05,420 –> 00:22:06,959
with pastor Colin Smith
356
00:22:06,959 –> 00:22:08,420
and our message today
357
00:22:08,420 –> 00:22:10,959
Lock is our distinct calling,
358
00:22:10,959 –> 00:22:13,119
that was part of our series
359
00:22:13,119 –> 00:22:15,280
Growing in Faith, Hope, and Love
360
00:22:15,280 –> 00:22:16,920
and if you’ve missed any of the series
361
00:22:16,920 –> 00:22:19,500
or if you’d like to go back and listen again
362
00:22:19,500 –> 00:22:21,760
those are available on our website
363
00:22:21,760 –> 00:22:24,839
openthebible.org.uk
364
00:22:24,839 –> 00:22:26,819
They’re also available as a podcast
365
00:22:26,819 –> 00:22:27,760
and you can find those
366
00:22:27,760 –> 00:22:30,699
on any of your favourite podcast sites
367
00:22:30,699 –> 00:22:33,099
just search for openthebible.uk
368
00:22:33,300 –> 00:22:36,839
and subscribe to receive regular updates
369
00:22:36,839 –> 00:22:38,660
Also available on our website
370
00:22:38,660 –> 00:22:40,219
and as a podcast
371
00:22:40,219 –> 00:22:42,339
you can find Open the Bible Daily
372
00:22:42,339 –> 00:22:43,920
That’s a series of short
373
00:22:43,920 –> 00:22:46,359
2 to 3-minute daily reflections
374
00:22:46,359 –> 00:22:48,560
based on pastor Colin’s teaching
375
00:22:48,560 –> 00:22:51,180
and read in the UK by Sue MacLeish
376
00:22:51,180 –> 00:22:52,880
There’s a fresh one every day
377
00:22:52,880 –> 00:22:54,660
and if you tune in regularly
378
00:22:54,660 –> 00:22:57,500
you’ll find it’s a great way to start the day
379
00:22:57,500 –> 00:22:59,119
The Open the Bible website
380
00:22:59,119 –> 00:23:01,280
contains a number of resources
381
00:23:01,280 –> 00:23:02,380
which are designed for
382
00:23:02,380 –> 00:23:05,339
individual Christians and Church fellowships
383
00:23:05,339 –> 00:23:06,479
For example
384
00:23:06,479 –> 00:23:09,819
go to openthebible.org.uk
385
00:23:09,819 –> 00:23:10,800
forward slash
386
00:23:10,800 –> 00:23:12,239
Articles
387
00:23:12,239 –> 00:23:14,920
There you’ll find a number of written articles
388
00:23:14,920 –> 00:23:16,719
based on Pastor Colin Smith’s teaching
389
00:23:16,719 –> 00:23:18,319
which are designed to help
390
00:23:18,319 –> 00:23:19,719
individual Christians with
391
00:23:19,719 –> 00:23:22,900
particular issues in their lives
392
00:23:22,900 –> 00:23:24,319
if you’re a regular listener to
393
00:23:24,319 –> 00:23:25,319
Open the Bible
394
00:23:25,319 –> 00:23:26,579
you’ll know that we are supported
395
00:23:26,579 –> 00:23:29,119
financially by many of our listeners
396
00:23:29,119 –> 00:23:30,020
If you thought about helping
397
00:23:30,020 –> 00:23:31,939
the ministry in that way
398
00:23:31,939 –> 00:23:33,479
But you haven’t yet done it
399
00:23:33,479 –> 00:23:35,359
why not start this month
400
00:23:35,359 –> 00:23:37,619
If you’re able to set up a new
401
00:23:37,619 –> 00:23:40,760
direct debit of £5 per month, or more
402
00:23:40,760 –> 00:23:43,839
or give a one-off gift of £50 or more
403
00:23:43,839 –> 00:23:45,420
We’d love to say thank you
404
00:23:45,420 –> 00:23:46,660
by sending you a copy
405
00:23:46,660 –> 00:23:48,180
of Jerry Bridge’s book
406
00:23:48,180 –> 00:23:50,439
Respectable Sins
407
00:23:50,439 –> 00:23:51,160
Colin
408
00:23:51,160 –> 00:23:52,859
Who is this book for?
409
00:23:52,859 –> 00:23:54,579
Well this is a really helpful
410
00:23:54,579 –> 00:23:55,900
and practical book for
411
00:23:55,900 –> 00:23:57,260
any Christian believer
412
00:23:57,260 –> 00:23:58,839
no matter how long you have been
413
00:23:58,839 –> 00:24:01,119
following the Lord Jesus Christ
414
00:24:01,160 –> 00:24:03,119
As Christians we all recognize
415
00:24:03,119 –> 00:24:04,619
that we’re sinners
416
00:24:04,619 –> 00:24:06,040
We all confess that in general
417
00:24:06,040 –> 00:24:08,020
But what would you say
418
00:24:08,020 –> 00:24:09,520
if you were asked
419
00:24:09,520 –> 00:24:11,359
what are three sins
420
00:24:11,359 –> 00:24:13,680
that you need to be fighting against
421
00:24:13,680 –> 00:24:15,520
more strongly in your life?
422
00:24:15,520 –> 00:24:17,199
As Christians we’re committed
423
00:24:17,199 –> 00:24:18,479
to living good lives
424
00:24:18,479 –> 00:24:20,339
We’re not going to be murdering
425
00:24:20,339 –> 00:24:21,959
We’re committed to be loyal
426
00:24:21,959 –> 00:24:23,260
and faithful to our spouse
427
00:24:23,260 –> 00:24:24,959
We’re not going to be robbing a bank
428
00:24:24,959 –> 00:24:26,680
But the point of course is that
429
00:24:26,680 –> 00:24:28,560
there are more subtle sins
430
00:24:28,560 –> 00:24:30,680
alongside these obvious ones
431
00:24:30,680 –> 00:24:33,199
that may actually lurk in our hearts
432
00:24:33,199 –> 00:24:34,560
Sins like pride
433
00:24:34,560 –> 00:24:36,000
Sins like discontent
434
00:24:36,000 –> 00:24:37,739
Judgementalism
435
00:24:37,739 –> 00:24:40,160
And what this book does so helpfully
436
00:24:40,160 –> 00:24:44,180
is it identifies the respectable sins
437
00:24:44,180 –> 00:24:45,140
The ones that might
438
00:24:45,140 –> 00:24:46,719
just be accommodated
439
00:24:46,719 –> 00:24:48,239
in our lives
440
00:24:48,239 –> 00:24:49,959
And alerts us to how
441
00:24:49,959 –> 00:24:51,140
we need to engage
442
00:24:51,140 –> 00:24:53,140
in battle against them
443
00:24:53,300 –> 00:24:54,160
So this book
444
00:24:54,160 –> 00:24:55,079
Respectable Sins
445
00:24:55,079 –> 00:24:56,680
by Jerry Brygde
446
00:24:56,680 –> 00:24:57,939
is our gift to you
447
00:24:57,939 –> 00:24:59,160
if you are able to support
448
00:24:59,160 –> 00:25:00,619
the work of Open the Bible
449
00:25:00,619 –> 00:25:02,380
by setting up a direct debit
450
00:25:02,380 –> 00:25:03,839
in the amount of £5 pounds
451
00:25:03,839 –> 00:25:05,479
per month or more
452
00:25:05,479 –> 00:25:07,020
or a one off gift
453
00:25:07,020 –> 00:25:08,260
of £50
454
00:25:08,260 –> 00:25:08,859
or more
455
00:25:08,859 –> 00:25:10,219
this month
456
00:25:10,479 –> 00:25:11,859
For Pastor Colin Smith
457
00:25:11,859 –> 00:25:13,020
and Open the Bible
458
00:25:13,020 –> 00:25:13,979
I’m David Pick
459
00:25:13,979 –> 00:25:14,839
and I hope you’ll be able to
460
00:25:14,839 –> 00:25:16,199
join us again next time
461
00:25:21,439 –> 00:25:23,699
You’d like to use your spiritual gifts
462
00:25:23,699 –> 00:25:25,000
more effectively
463
00:25:25,000 –> 00:25:26,719
Find out how you can do that
464
00:25:26,719 –> 00:25:27,660
next time on
465
00:25:27,660 –> 00:25:28,660
Open the Bible
