100:00:00,480 –> 00:00:03,520David Pick’s Journey into Christ200:00:03,600 –> 00:00:07,520We desperately need a healthy dose of realism300:00:07,600 –> 00:00:10,280about the Christians’ life on earth.400:00:10,360 –> 00:00:12,040Here’s why.500:00:12,120 –> 00:00:14,560If you start out thinking600:00:14,640 –> 00:00:18,000that the Christian life is going to be like heaven on earth,700:00:18,080 –> 00:00:20,639you will not follow Jesus Christ for long.800:00:20,719 –> 00:00:23,360Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.900:00:23,440 –> 00:00:26,040I’m David Pick, and Colin today we’re starting1000:00:26,120 –> 00:00:29,280a new series entitled Don’t Lose Heart.1100:00:29,360 –> 00:00:31,879Yes, and with everything that’s going on in the world,1200:00:31,959 –> 00:00:33,919it is very, very easy to lose heart.1300:00:34,000 –> 00:00:35,279You look at your own life,1400:00:35,360 –> 00:00:37,200and the pressures you’re experiencing,1500:00:37,279 –> 00:00:38,880in one way or another,1600:00:38,959 –> 00:00:40,759It’s very easy to lose heart.1700:00:40,840 –> 00:00:43,840We’re going to look at a marvelous chapter of the Bible,1800:00:43,919 –> 00:00:46,4392 Corinthians, chapter 5.1900:00:46,520 –> 00:00:48,560And it’s the answer2000:00:48,639 –> 00:00:50,959to a great statement of the Apostle Paul2100:00:51,040 –> 00:00:52,480in chapter 4 and verse 16,2200:00:52,560 –> 00:00:55,279where he says, we do not lose heart.2300:00:55,360 –> 00:00:58,560How? I want to know, how do I not lose heart?2400:00:58,560 –> 00:01:01,599And that’s what 2 Corinthians, chapter 5 is all about.2500:01:01,680 –> 00:01:04,480So, we’re going to look at this whole area for our encouragement.2600:01:04,559 –> 00:01:05,720So, we’ll start today2700:01:05,800 –> 00:01:09,720with the first five verses of 2 Corinthians, chapter 5,2800:01:09,800 –> 00:01:13,680as we begin a message called Prepare for Something Better.2900:01:13,760 –> 00:01:14,720Here’s Colin.3000:01:14,800 –> 00:01:16,559As we gather for worship today3100:01:16,639 –> 00:01:22,320the world is torn with increasingly ominous conflicts.3200:01:22,400 –> 00:01:26,000We watch the news we wonder, what will happen next?3300:01:26,000 –> 00:01:30,120It is easy to lose heart.3400:01:30,199 –> 00:01:33,559There’s a huge moral shift that is taking place in our culture3500:01:33,639 –> 00:01:36,519from a basis in God and his Word3600:01:36,599 –> 00:01:39,400to a basis in us and our desires.3700:01:39,480 –> 00:01:45,519And as we see it happening so quickly, it is easy to lose heart.3800:01:45,599 –> 00:01:48,320There’s a growing drift in many churches3900:01:48,400 –> 00:01:51,480becoming more about us than about God.4000:01:51,559 –> 00:01:55,480More about gathering the crowd than honoring the lord.4100:01:55,559 –> 00:02:00,400And it is easy, as we see that, to lose heart.4200:02:00,480 –> 00:02:02,400And on top of all of that,4300:02:02,480 –> 00:02:07,480there are the personal burdens that many of us bear and carry,4400:02:07,559 –> 00:02:10,679long struggles over health.4500:02:10,759 –> 00:02:15,479The endless round of treatments and the draining effects4600:02:15,559 –> 00:02:20,600and the wondering if you are ever going to get better.4700:02:20,679 –> 00:02:24,119For others, the distress over loved ones,4800:02:24,160 –> 00:02:27,039life at home has been soured perhaps4900:02:27,119 –> 00:02:29,000by some member of the family.5000:02:29,080 –> 00:02:30,759You don’t rest.5100:02:30,839 –> 00:02:33,240The place that was once a place of refreshment5200:02:33,320 –> 00:02:35,479and recuperation and restoration5300:02:35,559 –> 00:02:39,119is no longer a place of peace.5400:02:39,199 –> 00:02:41,080And some of you would say today,5500:02:41,160 –> 00:02:44,240my life is not what I want it to be.5600:02:44,320 –> 00:02:48,199This is not what I signed up for at this stage of my life.5700:02:48,279 –> 00:02:51,639I never thought that I would find myself here.5800:02:51,759 –> 00:02:56,440and it is easy to lose heart.5900:02:56,520 –> 00:02:58,479Now, if you have the Bible open in front of you,6000:02:58,559 –> 00:03:01,160you will notice that the title for our series6100:03:01,240 –> 00:03:06,039is taken directly from 2nd Corinthians 4 16,6200:03:06,119 –> 00:03:07,440where Paul says,6300:03:07,520 –> 00:03:11,600so, we do not lose heart.6400:03:12,240 –> 00:03:13,800And if you’re like me,6500:03:13,880 –> 00:03:16,199you might read these words and say,6600:03:16,279 –> 00:03:17,919really we don’t lose heart?6700:03:18,000 –> 00:03:20,080Well, please tell me how that is possible.6800:03:20,119 –> 00:03:22,199How am I supposed to live in a world like this6900:03:22,279 –> 00:03:23,479and not lose heart?7000:03:23,559 –> 00:03:26,160How am I supposed to face the pressures7100:03:26,240 –> 00:03:27,679that are around me7200:03:27,759 –> 00:03:30,600that sometimes seem to overwhelm me with discouragement?7300:03:30,679 –> 00:03:35,759How am I to carry that without losing heart?7400:03:35,839 –> 00:03:37,759Well, the answer to these questions7500:03:37,839 –> 00:03:43,759is in the verses that follow 2 Corinthians 4 16.7600:03:43,839 –> 00:03:46,600Verse 16 to 18, the end of Chapter 4,7700:03:46,759 –> 00:03:51,199really gives us the headline on how we do not lose heart7800:03:51,279 –> 00:03:53,320and why we do not lose heart.7900:03:53,399 –> 00:03:56,399And then the answer is delivered in full8000:03:56,479 –> 00:03:59,039in 2 Corinthians chapter five,8100:03:59,119 –> 00:04:01,479which is going to be our focus.8200:04:01,559 –> 00:04:03,919So let me just draw your attention very briefly8300:04:04,000 –> 00:04:07,520to the headline which is in three contrasts8400:04:07,600 –> 00:04:09,679at the end of Chapter 4.8500:04:09,759 –> 00:04:13,479Verse 16, Paul speaks about our outer self8600:04:13,559 –> 00:04:16,200and then our inner self.8700:04:16,200 –> 00:04:21,079Though our outer self, the body is wasting away.8800:04:21,160 –> 00:04:26,160Our inner self is being renewed day-by-day.8900:04:26,239 –> 00:04:28,839Verse 17 he has a second contrast9000:04:28,920 –> 00:04:31,959between what he calls our present affliction9100:04:32,040 –> 00:04:34,679and then our eternal glory.9200:04:34,760 –> 00:04:37,640This light momentary affliction9300:04:37,720 –> 00:04:41,600is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory9400:04:41,679 –> 00:04:44,000beyond all comparison.9500:04:44,040 –> 00:04:46,480And then in verse 18 the third contrast9600:04:46,559 –> 00:04:49,119is between what is seen and passing9700:04:49,200 –> 00:04:52,239and what is unseen that last forever.9800:04:52,320 –> 00:04:55,000We look not to the things that are seen9900:04:55,079 –> 00:04:57,519but to the things that are unseen10000:04:57,600 –> 00:05:00,040for the things that are seen are transient.10100:05:00,119 –> 00:05:01,679That is, they’re going away10200:05:01,760 –> 00:05:05,480but the things that are unseen are eternal.10300:05:06,160 –> 00:05:07,600So here’s the headline.10400:05:08,359 –> 00:05:11,040We’re dealing with the outer self,10500:05:11,119 –> 00:05:12,920that is all the pressures and stressors10600:05:13,119 –> 00:05:15,720that are part of life in the body.10700:05:15,799 –> 00:05:18,480We’re enduring this present affliction10800:05:18,559 –> 00:05:21,320that is all of the circumstances of life10900:05:21,399 –> 00:05:24,320that may bring pressure to bear upon you11000:05:24,399 –> 00:05:26,239and we face the raw discouragement11100:05:26,320 –> 00:05:27,920of what is seen,11200:05:28,000 –> 00:05:30,200that is the world so often in conflict11300:05:30,279 –> 00:05:33,239and the church so often in compromise.11400:05:33,320 –> 00:05:35,320Put all of this together11500:05:35,399 –> 00:05:38,799and it is very easy to get discouraged11600:05:38,880 –> 00:05:40,399but Paul says, verse 16,11700:05:40,519 –> 00:05:43,920we do not lose heart, why?11800:05:44,000 –> 00:05:45,320How?11900:05:45,399 –> 00:05:48,760Well, because our inner self is being renewed,12000:05:48,839 –> 00:05:51,000because there is an eternal weight of glory12100:05:51,079 –> 00:05:53,359that far outweighs all of the afflictions12200:05:53,440 –> 00:05:54,440that are around us12300:05:54,519 –> 00:05:56,640and because we fix our eyes12400:05:56,720 –> 00:05:58,440on what is unseen,12500:05:58,519 –> 00:06:01,200not what is seen.12600:06:01,279 –> 00:06:03,399Now, that’s the headline12700:06:03,480 –> 00:06:06,880and any good headline in a newspaper12800:06:06,959 –> 00:06:08,119or in a magazine12900:06:08,119 –> 00:06:09,720will make you want to read13000:06:09,799 –> 00:06:12,559the article that is underneath it.13100:06:12,640 –> 00:06:14,679And 2 Corinthians, chapter four,13200:06:14,760 –> 00:06:16,480verse 16 through 18,13300:06:16,559 –> 00:06:18,239with these three contrasts13400:06:18,320 –> 00:06:19,880is the headline13500:06:19,959 –> 00:06:22,559that whets our appetite13600:06:22,640 –> 00:06:25,399for the full explanation13700:06:25,480 –> 00:06:27,079of why as Christians,13800:06:27,160 –> 00:06:29,160we do not lose heart,13900:06:29,239 –> 00:06:30,320which is given to us14000:06:30,399 –> 00:06:33,760in 2 Corinthians and chapter five.14100:06:33,839 –> 00:06:35,839And that is why we are going to camp out14200:06:35,920 –> 00:06:36,920in this chapter,14300:06:36,920 –> 00:06:39,0792 Corinthians and chapter five14400:06:39,160 –> 00:06:41,079for the next seven weeks,14500:06:41,160 –> 00:06:43,359because 2 Corinthians, chapter five14600:06:43,440 –> 00:06:46,119is the extended answer14700:06:46,200 –> 00:06:48,399to 2 Corinthians, chapter four,14800:06:48,480 –> 00:06:49,679and verse 16,14900:06:49,760 –> 00:06:50,399in other words,15000:06:50,480 –> 00:06:54,799it tells us how not to lose heart.15100:06:55,200 –> 00:06:56,920Now I have two headings today15200:06:57,000 –> 00:06:58,239as we take the first step15300:06:58,320 –> 00:06:59,880in this new series15400:06:59,959 –> 00:07:01,279that will frame the first part15500:07:01,359 –> 00:07:02,640of our answer15600:07:02,720 –> 00:07:05,760as to why we do not lose heart.15700:07:05,880 –> 00:07:07,320And here’s the first.15800:07:07,399 –> 00:07:09,119What we have in the first verses15900:07:09,200 –> 00:07:10,720of this chapter16000:07:10,799 –> 00:07:14,440is a healthy dose of realism16100:07:14,519 –> 00:07:17,679about the Christians’ life on Earth.16200:07:18,160 –> 00:07:20,640A healthy dose of realism16300:07:20,720 –> 00:07:24,559about the Christians’ life on Earth.16400:07:25,320 –> 00:07:27,200For we know, verse one,16500:07:27,279 –> 00:07:29,799that if the tent16600:07:29,880 –> 00:07:33,519that is our earthly home is destroyed,16700:07:33,640 –> 00:07:38,079we have a building from God.16800:07:39,559 –> 00:07:41,839Now, earlier this year we had a whole series16900:07:41,920 –> 00:07:45,079in which we were thinking about the soul.17000:07:45,160 –> 00:07:48,679This series begins with the body.17100:07:48,760 –> 00:07:51,359Always remember that God has given you life17200:07:51,440 –> 00:07:54,359through the union of your soul and your body.17300:07:54,440 –> 00:07:55,959He knit them together17400:07:56,040 –> 00:07:58,279in your mother’s womb.17500:07:58,720 –> 00:08:02,200And here God speaks about the body17600:08:02,200 –> 00:08:05,480of house for the soul.17700:08:05,559 –> 00:08:09,720The body is our earthly home, verse 1.17800:08:09,799 –> 00:08:12,399In other words, the body is pictured here17900:08:12,480 –> 00:08:17,200as the house in which your soul lives.18000:08:18,480 –> 00:08:20,000Now, the obvious question then is18100:08:20,079 –> 00:08:25,239what kind of house is the body for the soul?18200:08:25,760 –> 00:08:30,399And the answer is, we live in a tent.18300:08:31,399 –> 00:08:37,000This tent that is our earthly home, verse 1.18400:08:37,799 –> 00:08:38,960Now think about this,18500:08:39,039 –> 00:08:42,559God does not say that your body is a fort,18600:08:43,440 –> 00:08:48,000He does not say that your body is an impregnable castle.18700:08:48,280 –> 00:08:51,320He says the very nature of your body18800:08:51,400 –> 00:08:56,400in which your soul dwells is that it is like a tent.18900:08:56,400 –> 00:09:03,239That is, it is to be compared with canvas, ropes and pegs.19000:09:04,200 –> 00:09:09,400A fragile structure, inadequate housing for the time being,19100:09:09,479 –> 00:09:13,640but never intended to be your final home.19200:09:14,280 –> 00:09:18,200Now think of this tent that is your body,19300:09:19,080 –> 00:09:22,400it is made of tough canvas, it has strong ropes.19400:09:22,559 –> 00:09:24,640It can endure some heavy weather,19500:09:24,719 –> 00:09:28,159even gale-force storms.19600:09:28,840 –> 00:09:34,200But it is only canvas and the ropes can fray19700:09:34,960 –> 00:09:37,840and they do have a breaking point.19800:09:39,080 –> 00:09:43,719Think of your nerves as being like these ropes.19900:09:44,039 –> 00:09:47,640There are limits to what your body can take.20000:09:48,599 –> 00:09:53,440There is a delicate chemical balance in your brain20100:09:53,440 –> 00:09:57,400that is rather like canvas that can tear.20200:09:58,080 –> 00:10:03,039Your central nervous system can carry a certain load,20300:10:03,119 –> 00:10:08,200but it also, like the ropes, has a breaking point.20400:10:09,320 –> 00:10:12,000So when you see this, and it is very important to20500:10:12,000 –> 00:10:13,919grasp it in the Word of God,20600:10:14,080 –> 00:10:18,080I live in this body which is a tent-like structure,20700:10:18,080 –> 00:10:21,039not a fort, not a castle.20800:10:21,239 –> 00:10:24,320When you see this, it will not surprise you20900:10:25,159 –> 00:10:29,640if the children of godly parents21000:10:29,760 –> 00:10:33,919sometimes struggle with conditions and disorders21100:10:33,919 –> 00:10:38,719that are hard to bear and even harder to diagnose.21200:10:39,200 –> 00:10:42,799Their bodies are only tents.21300:10:44,080 –> 00:10:46,559When you see this, it will not surprise you21400:10:46,559 –> 00:10:49,159if you were to find out that a missionary21500:10:49,159 –> 00:10:52,559who is serving God and is pursuing godliness21600:10:52,559 –> 00:10:55,440is also on antidepressants.21700:10:55,599 –> 00:10:57,080You see, you hear these two things,21800:10:57,080 –> 00:10:58,880you think, well, how are these two things possible?21900:10:58,880 –> 00:11:00,479If you think it’s not possible22000:11:00,479 –> 00:11:01,960to hold these two things together,22100:11:01,960 –> 00:11:03,599it’s because you’ve not understood22200:11:03,599 –> 00:11:06,239that the body in which we live is like a tent,22300:11:06,239 –> 00:11:10,320it’s a fragile structure, for the best.22400:11:11,200 –> 00:11:13,200It will not surprise you if someone22500:11:13,200 –> 00:11:15,320who was respected in Christian ministry22600:11:15,320 –> 00:11:18,039has to step back because of particular pressures22700:11:18,039 –> 00:11:22,000that have come to bear, perhaps in relation to family life.22800:11:22,000 –> 00:11:25,200The bodies are only tents.22900:11:26,599 –> 00:11:32,239So I am calling this a healthy dose of Biblical realism23000:11:32,239 –> 00:11:35,400about the Christian’s life on Earth.23100:11:35,880 –> 00:11:39,320And some of us have got into difficulties and confusion23200:11:39,320 –> 00:11:43,239and found it difficult to make any sense of our own experience23300:11:43,239 –> 00:11:45,919because we have got the idea that somehow these bodies23400:11:45,919 –> 00:11:49,159are like forts, or they’re like battleships.23500:11:49,159 –> 00:11:51,159But God says, that is not the case.23600:11:51,159 –> 00:11:55,840Your body is like a tent.23700:11:56,440 –> 00:11:59,159You are listening to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith23800:11:59,159 –> 00:12:02,119and a message called Prepare for Something Better.23900:12:02,119 –> 00:12:04,919It’s part of our series, Don’t Lose Heart.24000:12:04,919 –> 00:12:07,159And if you ever miss one of our broadcasts,24100:12:07,359 –> 00:12:09,919it’s very easy to catch up or go back and listen again24200:12:09,919 –> 00:12:11,400by coming online.24300:12:11,400 –> 00:12:15,080Come to our website openthemyble.org.uk24400:12:15,080 –> 00:12:16,760and there you’ll find all the messages24500:12:16,760 –> 00:12:18,760which have already been broadcast on air.24600:12:19,400 –> 00:12:21,880You can also find Pastor Colin as a podcaster24700:12:21,880 –> 00:12:24,359and those are on all the main podcast sites.24800:12:24,359 –> 00:12:26,679Search for openthebible.uk24900:12:26,679 –> 00:12:29,280or follow the link from our website.25000:12:29,280 –> 00:12:32,280Open The Bible is supported financially by our listeners25100:12:32,280 –> 00:12:34,840and we’re extremely grateful for your support.25200:12:34,919 –> 00:12:37,280If that’s something you’d like to begin to do,25300:12:37,280 –> 00:12:39,200we have a special offer this month25400:12:39,200 –> 00:12:40,799and later on in the programme,25500:12:40,799 –> 00:12:42,559Open The Bible’s Amanda Cunningham25600:12:42,559 –> 00:12:44,559will be along to tell us all about it.25700:12:44,559 –> 00:12:46,200Back to the message now,25800:12:46,200 –> 00:12:48,400we’re in 2 Corinthians, chapter 5,25900:12:48,400 –> 00:12:49,799here again is Colin.26000:12:49,799 –> 00:12:53,719Your body is like a tent.26100:12:54,679 –> 00:12:56,679Second…26200:12:56,679 –> 00:12:58,679in this tent,26300:12:58,679 –> 00:13:00,760which we live, this body…26400:13:00,760 –> 00:13:03,000Paul says we groan.26500:13:03,000 –> 00:13:04,000Look at verse two…26600:13:04,039 –> 00:13:07,880In this tent we groan.26700:13:07,880 –> 00:13:09,760Verse four he says it again…26800:13:09,760 –> 00:13:13,000For while we are still in this tent,26900:13:13,000 –> 00:13:14,520long as we’re in the tent,27000:13:14,520 –> 00:13:19,799we groan being burdened.27100:13:20,919 –> 00:13:24,559Now I know that some of you are enthusiastic campers,27200:13:24,559 –> 00:13:27,400I mean canvas just sounds wonderful to you,27300:13:27,400 –> 00:13:30,760you’re the kind of folks that say forget your fancy hotel,27400:13:30,760 –> 00:13:33,679I’m not even interested in renting an RV,27500:13:33,679 –> 00:13:36,159I like the canvas and the ropes and the pegs27600:13:36,159 –> 00:13:37,840and I like my fire right out there27700:13:37,840 –> 00:13:40,219and cooking my bacon and doing my s’mores27800:13:40,219 –> 00:13:42,840and all this kind of thing and all the rest of it.27900:13:42,840 –> 00:13:46,239Well I expect Paul thought very well of tents too28000:13:46,239 –> 00:13:49,940because you remember that he was a tent maker.28100:13:49,940 –> 00:13:52,679But listen none of you are such enthusiastic campers28200:13:52,679 –> 00:13:55,200are doing it year round right.28300:13:55,200 –> 00:13:56,919And if you were,28400:13:56,919 –> 00:14:00,440you would soon be groaning,28500:14:00,440 –> 00:14:02,859groaning because of the difficulties28600:14:02,859 –> 00:14:04,299of life and the body28700:14:04,299 –> 00:14:06,500is part of the Christian life28800:14:06,500 –> 00:14:08,859and here’s what I want you to get today,28900:14:08,859 –> 00:14:12,419being more godly doesn’t change this.29000:14:14,140 –> 00:14:18,299You see some of you know what it is to groan29100:14:18,299 –> 00:14:22,200because of a particular fragility29200:14:22,200 –> 00:14:26,080of your body or of your mind.29300:14:27,500 –> 00:14:28,739But here’s what happens,29400:14:28,739 –> 00:14:30,299you say oh if I preyed more29500:14:30,299 –> 00:14:31,820I wouldn’t be like this.29600:14:32,780 –> 00:14:34,419Oh if I was a better Christian29700:14:34,419 –> 00:14:36,940I wouldn’t be in this condition.29800:14:37,859 –> 00:14:39,979Oh, if I had more faith29900:14:39,979 –> 00:14:41,219I wouldn’t be struggling30000:14:41,219 –> 00:14:43,559in the way that I am right now.30100:14:45,140 –> 00:14:47,020Well let me submit this to you,30200:14:47,880 –> 00:14:50,200I don’t think many people30300:14:50,200 –> 00:14:52,559have ever prayed more or been more godly30400:14:52,559 –> 00:14:55,260or had more faith than the Apostle Paul.30500:14:56,739 –> 00:14:59,159And if he groaned in his tent30600:14:59,179 –> 00:15:01,479then none of us should be surprised30700:15:01,479 –> 00:15:04,239when we find ourselves groaning in ours.30800:15:05,299 –> 00:15:09,400All Christians grow under some frailty30900:15:09,400 –> 00:15:11,039that arises from the body.31000:15:11,039 –> 00:15:12,799This is part of the nature31100:15:12,799 –> 00:15:15,919of the Christian life on earth.31200:15:15,919 –> 00:15:17,400And becoming more godly31300:15:17,400 –> 00:15:20,000does not make this experience less.31400:15:20,000 –> 00:15:21,500It doesn’t take it away.31500:15:21,500 –> 00:15:23,539We carry that burden, we do.31600:15:23,539 –> 00:15:24,599Paul says that.31700:15:25,179 –> 00:15:28,099Now, as if this wasn’t humbling enough,31800:15:28,099 –> 00:15:30,460that our body is compared to something as lowly31900:15:30,460 –> 00:15:32,059and as fragile as a tent32000:15:32,059 –> 00:15:34,919and that we’re reminded here by the apostle,32100:15:34,919 –> 00:15:36,559this great spiritual leader32200:15:36,559 –> 00:15:38,640that the best of us at our most godly32300:15:38,640 –> 00:15:41,320are going to experience groaning in the tent.32400:15:41,320 –> 00:15:43,559Here’s another dose of healthy medicine32500:15:43,559 –> 00:15:45,280that the tent itself32600:15:45,280 –> 00:15:47,880will eventually be taken down.32700:15:48,760 –> 00:15:50,719We know, verse one,32800:15:50,880 –> 00:15:51,960verse one,32900:15:51,960 –> 00:15:55,200that if the tent that is our earthly home33000:15:56,400 –> 00:15:57,479is destroyed,33100:15:59,919 –> 00:16:01,679literally taken down.33200:16:03,760 –> 00:16:08,239Now, friends, think how easy it is to take down a tent.33300:16:08,239 –> 00:16:09,979If you want to take down a house,33400:16:09,979 –> 00:16:11,520you have to bring a bulldozer33500:16:11,520 –> 00:16:14,599and it’ll take a bit of time.33600:16:14,599 –> 00:16:15,760But to take down a tent,33700:16:15,760 –> 00:16:20,119all you need to do is you just loosen a few ropes33800:16:20,119 –> 00:16:22,200and you pull up the pegs.33900:16:23,280 –> 00:16:24,960And there it is,34000:16:24,960 –> 00:16:27,460lying in a heap on the ground.34100:16:30,280 –> 00:16:33,719One day, the tent of your body34200:16:33,719 –> 00:16:35,179will be taken down34300:16:35,179 –> 00:16:38,419and this is a very apt picture.34400:16:38,419 –> 00:16:42,080God himself will slacken the ropes.34500:16:42,080 –> 00:16:44,580God will pull up the tent pegs34600:16:44,760 –> 00:16:49,539and there will be the tent that is your body34700:16:49,539 –> 00:16:51,520and it will be, as it were,34800:16:51,520 –> 00:16:54,719there in a heap on the ground.34900:16:55,820 –> 00:16:57,979Now, Thomas Boston says,35000:16:57,979 –> 00:17:00,059I think rather beautifully,35100:17:00,059 –> 00:17:01,619he says, always remember,35200:17:01,619 –> 00:17:04,280you have no security in this house.35300:17:04,280 –> 00:17:06,859One day, you’re going to be moved out of it.35400:17:06,859 –> 00:17:09,640One day, the tent is going to be taken down35500:17:09,640 –> 00:17:12,540and you’re going to be forced out of doors.35600:17:12,819 –> 00:17:16,060Now, I want you just to notice before we move on here35700:17:16,060 –> 00:17:18,859that Paul says, if the tent35800:17:18,859 –> 00:17:21,640that is our earthly home is destroyed.35900:17:22,520 –> 00:17:25,540And I think that he says, if,36000:17:25,540 –> 00:17:28,719because another possibility36100:17:28,719 –> 00:17:31,619was always in the mind of the Apostle.36200:17:32,540 –> 00:17:35,380And that was that the Lord Jesus Himself36300:17:35,380 –> 00:17:37,920might return in glory36400:17:37,920 –> 00:17:40,579while He was still alive.36500:17:41,540 –> 00:17:44,979And, indeed, Jesus Christ may come36600:17:44,979 –> 00:17:48,459before your tent is taken down.36700:17:48,459 –> 00:17:49,920That’s a wonderful thought.36800:17:50,859 –> 00:17:54,880But that does not keep Paul from facing the reality36900:17:54,880 –> 00:17:57,719that has been the experience of every Christian37000:17:57,719 –> 00:18:00,260for more than 2,000 years,37100:18:00,260 –> 00:18:05,260at some point, the tent gets taken down.37200:18:07,300 –> 00:18:09,300I’ll pause there for a moment.37300:18:09,300 –> 00:18:11,819I wonder how you’re getting along with this37400:18:11,819 –> 00:18:16,819wonderfully inspiring and uplifting message37500:18:17,619 –> 00:18:20,500that we are sharing here together today.37600:18:20,500 –> 00:18:23,859Actually, it is really important.37700:18:23,859 –> 00:18:26,140Really important.37800:18:26,140 –> 00:18:30,300We desperately need a healthy dose of realism37900:18:30,300 –> 00:18:32,979about the Christians’ life on earth.38000:18:32,979 –> 00:18:33,880And here’s why.38100:18:34,739 –> 00:18:38,459If you start out thinking that the Christian life38200:18:38,500 –> 00:18:40,660is going to be like heaven on earth,38300:18:40,660 –> 00:18:43,780you will not follow Jesus Christ for long.38400:18:43,780 –> 00:18:45,380You won’t.38500:18:45,380 –> 00:18:47,060You’ll become the kind of person38600:18:47,060 –> 00:18:48,380who often hangs out in church38700:18:48,380 –> 00:18:50,180who spends years and years going round,38800:18:50,180 –> 00:18:51,900and round, and round in circles,38900:18:51,900 –> 00:18:54,699saying, why am I suffering?39000:18:54,699 –> 00:18:57,459Why is there so much evil in the world?39100:18:57,459 –> 00:19:00,260Why is my life so hard?39200:19:00,260 –> 00:19:02,380You will become like the rocky ground39300:19:02,380 –> 00:19:04,260that does receive the seed,39400:19:04,260 –> 00:19:06,300but the soil is very, very shallow,39500:19:06,300 –> 00:19:08,400and so when the seed grows up39600:19:08,400 –> 00:19:10,839and then the sun begins to beat down on it,39700:19:10,839 –> 00:19:12,839what has grown becomes scorched,39800:19:12,839 –> 00:19:15,040it doesn’t last,39900:19:15,040 –> 00:19:17,680because it does not have an adequate root.40000:19:17,680 –> 00:19:20,300Listen to how Jesus describes40100:19:20,300 –> 00:19:22,180the Christian life on earth.40200:19:23,479 –> 00:19:26,119If anyone would come after me, he says,40300:19:27,020 –> 00:19:30,800let him deny himself,40400:19:30,800 –> 00:19:34,199and take up his cross, and follow me.40500:19:35,400 –> 00:19:37,199Deny yourself, you’re not going to get40600:19:37,199 –> 00:19:40,079everything that you want here on earth,40700:19:40,079 –> 00:19:42,040and take up your cross, you are going to have40800:19:42,040 –> 00:19:43,560to carry some things that will be40900:19:43,560 –> 00:19:45,760very very difficult and that’s part41000:19:45,760 –> 00:19:47,800of what it’s like to follow me.41100:19:49,079 –> 00:19:50,839That does not sound to me like41200:19:50,839 –> 00:19:52,680the Lord Jesus Christ promising41300:19:52,680 –> 00:19:54,719a wonderful life on earth,41400:19:54,719 –> 00:19:56,640he is not saying follow me41500:19:56,640 –> 00:19:58,839and I’ll give you everything you ever wanted.41600:20:00,959 –> 00:20:04,640Here’s the problem that we are facing folks,41700:20:04,640 –> 00:20:08,400it is really hard to be a Christian41800:20:08,400 –> 00:20:11,520if you get following Jesus mixed up41900:20:11,520 –> 00:20:13,859with the American Dream.42000:20:13,859 –> 00:20:15,199And that is what has happened42100:20:15,199 –> 00:20:17,640so widely in our culture,42200:20:17,640 –> 00:20:20,400people have confused these two things.42300:20:20,400 –> 00:20:23,000And so when life does not work out42400:20:23,000 –> 00:20:26,239in the way that the dream has been cast,42500:20:26,239 –> 00:20:29,420you are perpetually disappointed.42600:20:29,420 –> 00:20:33,239And you are always losing heart.42700:20:33,239 –> 00:20:38,239So please take on board this word of biblical realism,42800:20:40,339 –> 00:20:43,079this healthy medicine that God gives to us42900:20:43,079 –> 00:20:46,079to enable us to endure in life in this world43000:20:46,079 –> 00:20:47,920so that we will not lose heart.43100:20:47,920 –> 00:20:50,939Please do not make the mistake of thinking43200:20:50,939 –> 00:20:53,119that following Jesus in this world43300:20:53,119 –> 00:20:55,699will be like life in a palace.43400:20:55,699 –> 00:20:58,579The life of a Christian in this world43500:20:58,579 –> 00:21:00,800is like life in a tent.43600:21:01,619 –> 00:21:03,780It’s a fragile structure43700:21:05,119 –> 00:21:07,680that will one day be taken down43800:21:08,579 –> 00:21:12,260and the experience of the Christian in it43900:21:12,260 –> 00:21:15,839includes a great deal of groaning.44000:21:17,180 –> 00:21:21,839Now I say to you that if you believe this,44100:21:21,839 –> 00:21:25,479what God is saying in 2 Corinthians 5 verse one.44200:21:25,479 –> 00:21:27,579If you believe this,44300:21:27,699 –> 00:21:31,280this healthy dose of biblical realism44400:21:31,280 –> 00:21:33,060will greatly help you44500:21:35,180 –> 00:21:37,339so that you do not lose heart.44600:21:37,339 –> 00:21:38,180We need it.44700:21:38,180 –> 00:21:40,339We need every part of the word of God44800:21:40,339 –> 00:21:42,739and we desperately need what is before us44900:21:42,739 –> 00:21:45,979in the scriptures today.45000:21:47,260 –> 00:21:49,260It’s good to be reminded that although45100:21:49,260 –> 00:21:52,099we probably don’t live in a palace right now,45200:21:52,099 –> 00:21:53,819we live in a fragile structure,45300:21:53,819 –> 00:21:55,560something like a tent,45400:21:55,719 –> 00:21:57,800and one day it will be torn down.45500:21:57,800 –> 00:21:59,479We need to be realistic45600:21:59,479 –> 00:22:01,199and that will help us not to lose heart45700:22:01,199 –> 00:22:03,239because we know that we’re being prepared45800:22:03,239 –> 00:22:04,939for something better.45900:22:04,939 –> 00:22:07,280And that’s the title of our message today,46000:22:07,280 –> 00:22:08,979Prepare for Something Better,46100:22:08,979 –> 00:22:12,280and it’s part of our series Don’t Lose Heart.46200:22:12,280 –> 00:22:13,800If you ever miss one of the series,46300:22:13,800 –> 00:22:14,959you can easily catch up46400:22:14,959 –> 00:22:18,359or go back and listen again online at our website,46500:22:18,359 –> 00:22:20,939openthebible.org.uk,46600:22:20,939 –> 00:22:24,000or find Pastor Colin’s messages as a podcast46700:22:24,000 –> 00:22:25,819on all the main podcast sites,46800:22:25,819 –> 00:22:28,140search for Open the Bible UK,46900:22:28,140 –> 00:22:30,819or follow the link from our website.47000:22:30,819 –> 00:22:32,079While you’re on the website47100:22:32,079 –> 00:22:33,859or looking at podcasts,47200:22:33,859 –> 00:22:36,500don’t forget about Open the Bible Daily.47300:22:36,500 –> 00:22:40,339That’s our series of two to three minute daily reflections.47400:22:40,339 –> 00:22:43,040So, they’re all based on Pastor Colin’s teaching47500:22:43,040 –> 00:22:45,760and read in the UK by Sue MacLeish.47600:22:45,760 –> 00:22:48,020That’s Open the Bible Daily.47700:22:48,020 –> 00:22:49,900Just a reminder that we love hearing47800:22:49,900 –> 00:22:50,760from our listeners.47900:22:50,760 –> 00:22:52,660So, if you’d like to get in touch48000:22:52,660 –> 00:22:54,160this is how you can do it.48100:22:54,160 –> 00:22:55,400You can write to us48200:22:55,400 –> 00:22:59,140at openthebiblep.com 1420 Cheltenham GL50 9PG.48300:23:03,880 –> 00:23:06,500And you can also find our postal address48400:23:06,500 –> 00:23:07,439on our website.48500:23:07,439 –> 00:23:10,859That’s at openthebible.org.uk.48600:23:10,859 –> 00:23:12,859Here’s Open the Bible’s Amanda Cunningham48700:23:12,859 –> 00:23:14,819to talk about this month’s offer48800:23:14,819 –> 00:23:17,140for anyone who’s able to begin supporting48900:23:17,140 –> 00:23:19,119Open the Bible financially.49000:23:19,119 –> 00:23:20,520Thanks David!49100:23:20,599 –> 00:23:24,060Yes, this month we are really excited here49200:23:24,060 –> 00:23:26,219at Open the Bible UK49300:23:26,219 –> 00:23:29,160to offer you a very special gift.49400:23:29,160 –> 00:23:32,160Two copies of our new book49500:23:32,160 –> 00:23:34,800Christmas Stories by Colin Smith.49600:23:34,800 –> 00:23:38,020This beautifully illustrated book49700:23:38,020 –> 00:23:40,260brings the Christmas story to life49800:23:40,260 –> 00:23:43,400through the eyes of 5 key characters49900:23:43,400 –> 00:23:45,400from the early years of Jesus.50000:23:45,660 –> 00:23:48,839The angel Gabriel, Mary, Joseph,50100:23:48,920 –> 00:23:51,099Simeon and even King Herod.50200:23:51,719 –> 00:23:53,739Each short chapter is based on50300:23:53,739 –> 00:23:55,180key Bible events,50400:23:55,180 –> 00:23:57,479with scripture woven throughout,50500:23:57,699 –> 00:23:59,800offering a fresh and powerful50600:23:59,800 –> 00:24:01,800presentation of the Gospel.50700:24:02,359 –> 00:24:05,339It’s a perfect read for all ages50800:24:05,339 –> 00:24:07,819and ideal for sharing with friends,50900:24:07,819 –> 00:24:10,339neighbours or loved ones this Christmas.51000:24:10,739 –> 00:24:12,579Why not pop a copy in with that51100:24:12,579 –> 00:24:15,719box of chocolates or the annual pair of socks51200:24:15,719 –> 00:24:17,959and give a book that tells about51300:24:18,219 –> 00:24:20,160the best gift of all.51400:24:20,699 –> 00:24:22,160Along with the two books,51500:24:22,160 –> 00:24:23,739you’ll also receive 551600:24:23,739 –> 00:24:25,300exclusive Christmas cards51700:24:25,300 –> 00:24:27,319featuring the same stunning51800:24:27,319 –> 00:24:29,040illustrations from the book,51900:24:29,040 –> 00:24:31,160perfect for sharing the message52000:24:31,160 –> 00:24:32,500of hope this season.52100:24:33,140 –> 00:24:35,099This Thank You Gift is yours52200:24:35,099 –> 00:24:37,099completely free when you give52300:24:37,099 –> 00:24:40,060a one-off donation of £50 or more52400:24:40,060 –> 00:24:41,599or when you set up a new52500:24:41,599 –> 00:24:44,060direct debit of just £5 a month.52600:24:44,060 –> 00:24:45,859But please do remember52700:24:45,900 –> 00:24:47,199to include your address52800:24:47,199 –> 00:24:48,640when you donate so that52900:24:48,640 –> 00:24:50,260we can send you your gift53000:24:50,260 –> 00:24:51,140in the post.53100:24:51,140 –> 00:24:52,500Thanks Amanda.53200:24:52,500 –> 00:24:54,160We are very grateful to God53300:24:54,160 –> 00:24:55,560for the many Open the Bible53400:24:55,560 –> 00:24:57,459listeners who support the work.53500:24:57,459 –> 00:24:59,260If you’d like to join them,53600:24:59,260 –> 00:25:00,739head over to our website53700:25:00,739 –> 00:25:03,739openthebible.org.uk53800:25:03,739 –> 00:25:05,439where you can give online53900:25:05,439 –> 00:25:07,439and find full terms and conditions54000:25:07,439 –> 00:25:08,979for our offer this month.54100:25:09,579 –> 00:25:10,839For Open the Bible,54200:25:10,839 –> 00:25:11,839Pastor Colin Smith.54300:25:11,839 –> 00:25:13,020I’m David Pick54400:25:13,020 –> 00:25:15,040and I hope you’ll join us again soon.54500:25:16,640 –> 00:25:18,579Open the Bible54600:25:20,660 –> 00:25:22,160God didn’t need to tell us54700:25:22,160 –> 00:25:23,680anything about what lies54800:25:23,680 –> 00:25:24,880beyond death54900:25:24,880 –> 00:25:27,560so find out why He does tell us.55000:25:27,560 –> 00:25:29,819That’s next time on Open the Bible.