100:00:01,000 –> 00:00:10,760He’s like a great rock on which you either take your stand and are firm or else be on200:00:10,760 –> 00:00:18,940which you stumble and fall. Which is he for you, the rising of your life, the falling300:00:18,940 –> 00:00:22,200of your life? He’s always one or the other.400:00:22,200 –> 00:00:26,139Welcome to Open the Bible With Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick. Glad you could be500:00:26,360 –> 00:00:30,500with us today. And today, we’re continuing Simeon’s story Colin.600:00:30,500 –> 00:00:35,459Yes, and one of the things that Simeon says to Mary, the mother of Jesus, is that this700:00:35,459 –> 00:00:41,500child is destined to cause the falling and the rising of many in Israel. Very interesting.800:00:41,500 –> 00:00:45,160Not just the rising but also the following- two effects of the coming of Jesus into the900:00:45,160 –> 00:00:47,880world. And there are two responses we can have to1000:00:47,880 –> 00:00:52,360Jesus this Christmas. Yes, and the response that a person has to1100:00:53,340 –> 00:00:58,759actually is a huge indication of their spiritual state. To those who are perishing- the Bible1200:00:58,759 –> 00:01:03,200says, Jesus Christ is just foolishness and his cross, and his coming, are foolishness.1300:01:03,200 –> 00:01:08,639But to us who are being saved, Christ is the very power and the very wisdom of God. And1400:01:08,639 –> 00:01:14,760so it’s a wonderful thing to see what God is doing in Jesus Christ, and to see the glory1500:01:14,760 –> 00:01:20,239of Christ. And my prayer for the program today is that our eyes will be very open to who1600:01:20,239 –> 00:01:22,699he is and what God is doing in him.1700:01:22,699 –> 00:01:27,820We hope your eyes will be open. So if you can, join us in your Bibles in Luke, Chapter1800:01:27,820 –> 00:01:31,6202, as we continue with Simeon’s story. Here’s Colin.1900:01:31,620 –> 00:01:39,559One day something quite extraordinary happened. All I can tell you is that it was revealed2000:01:39,559 –> 00:01:48,220to me that the Christ would come before I died. Now don’t ask me to explain that. God2100:01:48,400 –> 00:01:54,459didn’t see fit to tell us in the Scriptures and I’m not going to go into it right now.2200:01:54,459 –> 00:02:01,459All I can tell you is that it was revealed to me. I knew beyond any shadow of a doubt2300:02:01,739 –> 00:02:08,259that I would not die until I had seen the deliverer for whom the whole world had been2400:02:08,259 –> 00:02:14,899waiting. I sometimes wondered of course how I would know him when I saw him but somehow2500:02:14,960 –> 00:02:21,960deep down inside I just knew that I would know. Well let me tell you how it happened.2600:02:22,179 –> 00:02:28,460It seemed like the whole of my life was a preparation for that day. Strange thing was2700:02:28,460 –> 00:02:33,619it was a day like any other. I was going about my usual business when I felt this inner2800:02:33,619 –> 00:02:40,020compulsion that I had to go to the temple. God did not usually speak to me in this way2900:02:40,020 –> 00:02:44,820but on this occasion it was just like a voice in my head. Go to the temple Simeon! Go to3000:02:44,839 –> 00:02:50,740the temple. Go right now! I knew I had to go. I thought Lord I can go when I have finished3100:02:50,740 –> 00:02:57,339my work but I knew that would be disobedience I had to go right there and then. And I am3200:02:57,339 –> 00:03:05,059so glad I did. I arrived in the temple and of course crowds of people as there always3300:03:05,220 –> 00:03:12,119were that place was a constant hive of activity. Just like your church really except you do3400:03:12,179 –> 00:03:19,820you do not have the animals, people were making offerings and children were being circumcised3500:03:19,940 –> 00:03:26,399people asking priest for prayers, confessing sins, others just looking around at the building.3600:03:26,399 –> 00:03:36,199I got there just as a young couple were standing before the priest with their baby. They handed3700:03:36,259 –> 00:03:43,000over an offering of two young pigeons. Priest circumcised the baby, must have done that3800:03:43,000 –> 00:03:50,000a hundred times. Went through the whole routine like nothing really mattered. But as I watched3900:03:51,160 –> 00:04:02,279I knew that this was the one. Don’t ask me how I knew. I cannot tell you except to say4000:04:02,720 –> 00:04:09,279that the holy spirit of God revealed it to me. God led me to make the identification.4100:04:09,279 –> 00:04:14,479I was never more sure of anything in all my life. He was the one that the whole world4200:04:14,479 –> 00:04:21,480had been waiting for. I don’t know if you have ever noticed that as you read the story,4300:04:21,519 –> 00:04:28,519nobody worked it out on their own. The angels had to tell the shepherds. The wise men had4400:04:28,839 –> 00:04:34,880to be led by the star. Even John the Baptist said I wouldn’t have known him except that4500:04:34,880 –> 00:04:41,880the dove came down upon him when he was baptized. Peter said, you are the Christ and Jesus said4600:04:43,380 –> 00:04:49,260you didn’t work that out on your own. He said, blessed are you, Peter, because the father4700:04:49,260 –> 00:04:54,799in heaven has revealed this to you. The woman went and found the tomb empty. Didn’t have4800:04:54,799 –> 00:04:59,260the faintest idea what it meant, it was God who had to tell them through the angel. He4900:04:59,260 –> 00:05:06,260is risen. Oh you see the evidence for Jesus is there for anyone to examine, and you should.5000:05:09,440 –> 00:05:16,440But it is God that opens your eyes to the truth. And if you know who Jesus Christ is5100:05:16,959 –> 00:05:23,959today, you give thanks to God because he has opened your eyes. Well anyway, like I said,5200:05:25,559 –> 00:05:32,559I walked up to the family, and just a little crowd that were gathered round them for the5300:05:32,720 –> 00:05:39,720ceremony and when the priest was finished he passed the baby back to Joseph. That was5400:05:40,579 –> 00:05:46,540when it happened. I knew that God was giving me words that had to be spoken at that moment,5500:05:46,540 –> 00:05:52,959so I just tapped Joseph on the arm, I told him I felt God had some words he wanted me5600:05:52,980 –> 00:06:01,399to say, and I asked if I could hold the baby. He seemed rather surprised! I mean, me? A5700:06:01,399 –> 00:06:08,399stranger? A man in Jerusalem? Not even a priest? But he agreed and I found myself, think of5800:06:08,519 –> 00:06:21,459it looking into the eyes of this child. And then the words came. I was speaking, but the5900:06:21,660 –> 00:06:28,260words I spoke were given. This had never happened to me before, but I knew instinctively that6000:06:28,260 –> 00:06:35,260this was what happened when prophets spoke. God was giving me words.6100:06:37,299 –> 00:06:42,779By the way, I had a bit of a discussion with Peter about this up there, and he described6200:06:42,779 –> 00:06:49,779it rather well. He said to me, Simeon, men spoke from God when they were carried along6300:06:53,799 –> 00:06:59,040by the Holy Spirit. Then he laughed, and he said, I know that’s definitely right because6400:06:59,040 –> 00:07:02,440these are the very words that God gave me to describe it, and I wrote them down in the6500:07:02,440 –> 00:07:04,920second letter in the New Testament.6600:07:04,920 –> 00:07:11,079Well, that’s exactly what happened to me. They were not my words. I can only say that6700:07:11,079 –> 00:07:18,079I spoke from God as I was carried along by the Holy Spirit. I held him in my arms, and6800:07:19,459 –> 00:07:26,459then I said, Sovereign Lord, my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared6900:07:27,779 –> 00:07:34,779in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory for your people,7000:07:35,779 –> 00:07:42,779Israel.’ Well, of course, Mary and Joseph were absolutely amazed at this. What surprised7100:07:43,859 –> 00:07:48,239them was not that I should make these great statements about their child, they already7200:07:48,239 –> 00:07:55,239knew his greatness. What surprised them was that a complete stranger, a layman should7300:07:56,119 –> 00:08:02,380walk into the temple, ask for permission to hold their baby in his arms and then prophecy7400:08:02,440 –> 00:08:09,380the very words of God over him. Because I’ve enjoyed talking with Mary about it up there7500:08:09,380 –> 00:08:16,380too. She told me, I wondered who on earth you were, but we knew that God was speaking7600:08:17,140 –> 00:08:24,140through you. I was about to hand the baby back to Mary, and then more words came, like7700:08:24,700 –> 00:08:31,700wind blowing into your body on a cold day, you folks should know what that’s like. Words7800:08:35,099 –> 00:08:42,099forcing themselves on me and I knew that there was more that that God had for me to speak.7900:08:44,000 –> 00:08:51,000Still holding the baby and standing right next to his mother, I said, this child is8000:08:51,799 –> 00:08:58,799destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel. The words seemed strange8100:09:01,599 –> 00:09:08,599to me. Rising I understood. But why falling? The words kept coming. And to be a sign that8200:09:11,840 –> 00:09:18,840is spoken against so that the thoughts of the hearts of many will be revealed. I couldn’t8300:09:19,840 –> 00:09:25,099hardly believe the words I was speaking now. How could this child be a light to the Gentiles8400:09:25,099 –> 00:09:30,960and the glory of Israel and then be spoken against?8500:09:30,960 –> 00:09:37,960I looked at Mary at that moment. There was a beauty in her eyes that spoke of the depth8600:09:39,719 –> 00:09:46,719of her soul. And as I looked at her, still holding the child, these words came. And I8700:09:49,320 –> 00:09:56,320prayed, and a sword will pierce your soul too. We all stood rooted to the spot. We understood8800:10:01,039 –> 00:10:07,659every word that had been spoken. We could not begin to fathom what they meant.8900:10:07,659 –> 00:10:14,659Just at that moment, an old lady arrived. Just as I had spoken these words to Mary,9000:10:15,059 –> 00:10:20,260her name was Anna. And anyone who was regularly around in the temple knew her well, she was9100:10:20,260 –> 00:10:28,299from the tribe of Asher. Now by the way, Asher was one of the so-called lost tribes.9200:10:28,299 –> 00:10:34,619You know, the ten tribes in the North that were scattered when the King of Assyria invaded9300:10:34,619 –> 00:10:40,859and they were referred, for years after that as being the ten lost tribes.9400:10:40,859 –> 00:10:50,020Lost tribes. Well, Anna was from the tribe of Asher and she was a reminder that they9500:10:50,020 –> 00:11:00,940were not totally lost. God knows his own people, you see. And he does not lose any who have9600:11:00,940 –> 00:11:03,020faith in him.9700:11:03,020 –> 00:11:06,979You’re listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith in a message called Simeon’s9800:11:06,979 –> 00:11:07,979Story.9900:11:08,099 –> 00:11:12,440This part of our series, Christmas Stories, with the Christmas story being told through10000:11:12,440 –> 00:11:17,080the viewpoint of some of the people who were there at the time.10100:11:17,080 –> 00:11:20,539If you miss any of the series or if you want to go back and listen again you can do that10200:11:20,539 –> 00:11:27,419by coming online to our website, openthebible.org.uk or by finding us as a podcast, and those are10300:11:27,419 –> 00:11:33,020on all the main podcast sites, search for Open The Bible UK or follow the link from10400:11:33,020 –> 00:11:34,159our website.10500:11:34,159 –> 00:11:36,359Back to the message now, here’s Colin…10600:11:36,739 –> 00:11:40,080Well, Anna was known as a woman of prayer.10700:11:40,080 –> 00:11:45,359She gave herself to worship and fasting and she went into the temple.10800:11:45,359 –> 00:11:47,840You knew that you could count on finding her there.10900:11:47,840 –> 00:11:49,119A wonderful lady.11000:11:49,119 –> 00:11:55,099Never underestimate the prayers of older people.11100:11:55,099 –> 00:11:59,700She was a prophetess, which is interesting because of course a true prophet could only11200:11:59,700 –> 00:12:02,400speak words that came from God.11300:12:02,419 –> 00:12:08,080The fascinating thing is that there had not been a true prophet for 400 years.11400:12:09,419 –> 00:12:11,780Well, here we are standing, the group of us.11500:12:11,780 –> 00:12:18,599I’ve just been given these extraordinary words about a sword piercing Mary’s own soul.11600:12:18,599 –> 00:12:24,320We’re all rooted to the spot wondering what on earth this could mean and up comes11700:12:24,320 –> 00:12:27,119Old Anna.11800:12:27,119 –> 00:12:34,700And as she approaches us she begins speaking out words of praise and of thanksgiving.11900:12:34,700 –> 00:12:37,280And it’s so obvious that she’s prophesying.12000:12:37,280 –> 00:12:43,599These words again are coming from God and they’re welling up in her soul and being expressed12100:12:43,599 –> 00:12:47,520to his praise and his glory.12200:12:47,619 –> 00:12:58,380And I’m thinking to myself, God has just given me words that indicate a sword will pierce12300:12:58,380 –> 00:13:02,179Mary’s soul.12400:13:02,179 –> 00:13:07,880And now God’s giving her words that are words of praise and of thanksgiving.12500:13:07,880 –> 00:13:14,140And I can’t hold these two things together in my mind.12600:13:14,140 –> 00:13:20,140How can it be that this child who’s a light and the glory of Israel will be spoken against?12700:13:20,140 –> 00:13:27,159And that a sword will pierce Mary’s soul?12800:13:27,159 –> 00:13:35,840And yet that this can be an occasion of praise and of thanksgiving at the same time?12900:13:35,840 –> 00:13:43,080You know, I think Anna knew then what I understand now.13000:13:43,179 –> 00:13:49,039I knew that the Lord’s Christ had come to deliver us.13100:13:49,039 –> 00:13:56,799But now I know that he delivered us through his suffering.13200:13:56,799 –> 00:14:02,239He was despised and rejected.13300:14:02,239 –> 00:14:10,520He became a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.13400:14:10,520 –> 00:14:19,340We thought that God would punish him, but he was wounded for our transgressions.13500:14:19,340 –> 00:14:23,780He was bruised for our iniquities.13600:14:23,780 –> 00:14:29,219And the punishment that would bring us peace fell on him.13700:14:29,219 –> 00:14:39,460It would be by his wounds, terrible wounds, that we would be healed.13800:14:39,460 –> 00:14:44,520David reminds me of the last thing I want to tell you this morning.13900:14:44,520 –> 00:14:55,880When I held him in my arms, I knew that I could die in peace.14000:14:55,880 –> 00:14:59,820People had all kinds of hopes and dreams about what the Lord’s Christ would do for them,14100:14:59,820 –> 00:15:08,359but I knew that to bring me through death itself was the biggest of all.14200:15:08,539 –> 00:15:12,559He made death safe for all his people.14300:15:12,559 –> 00:15:16,919I don’t say he made it painless, I don’t say he made it desirable.14400:15:16,919 –> 00:15:24,059It’s still our enemy but he has made death safe.14500:15:24,059 –> 00:15:29,239That’s why when I held him in my arms, the very first words I said were,14600:15:30,179 –> 00:15:38,760Now let your servant depart in peace.14700:15:38,760 –> 00:15:43,760I knew that my death would be like a loosing from this old body I’ve been14800:15:43,760 –> 00:15:48,219dragged back into to speak to you today.14900:15:48,219 –> 00:15:50,280And of course that’s what happened a short time later,15000:15:50,280 –> 00:15:51,859it all seems a long time15100:15:51,859 –> 00:15:54,380ago now.15200:15:54,440 –> 00:16:02,219Won’t be like this for you but when I died I went to a place of waiting.15300:16:02,219 –> 00:16:05,059It was like being drowsy.15400:16:05,059 –> 00:16:08,280Like being barely awake.15500:16:08,280 –> 00:16:10,940I don’t know how long I was there.15600:16:10,940 –> 00:16:15,979Time isn’t the same on the other side, you understand.15700:16:15,979 –> 00:16:17,700But I know when it ended.15800:16:17,700 –> 00:16:21,260Oh what a day that was.15900:16:21,419 –> 00:16:23,859We didn’t know what was happening of course.16000:16:23,859 –> 00:16:31,380Seeming barely conscious we suddenly, were as it were, awakened, everything shook, and16100:16:31,380 –> 00:16:34,140then we saw Jesus.16200:16:34,140 –> 00:16:41,700And suddenly we found ourselves entering into his presence, the presence of God without16300:16:41,700 –> 00:16:44,380fear.16400:16:44,380 –> 00:16:45,799It was overwhelming joy.16500:16:45,799 –> 00:16:49,260I wish I could tell you more.16600:16:49,260 –> 00:16:52,200But there’s nothing in this world that even comes close.16700:16:52,200 –> 00:16:57,320I’ve been there for two thousand years now though nobody is counting.16800:16:57,320 –> 00:17:01,039Of course now I know how my prophecy was fulfilled.16900:17:01,039 –> 00:17:08,660I spoke with Peter and John and they told me what happened on that day when everything17000:17:08,660 –> 00:17:14,439shook even in the world of the dead.17100:17:14,439 –> 00:17:23,520He began his ministry this Christ at the age of thirty and they did speak against him.17200:17:23,520 –> 00:17:35,900And they plotted his death and took him to a cross and nails pierced his hands.17300:17:35,900 –> 00:17:39,939And Mary was there.17400:17:40,079 –> 00:17:46,199That’s when the words I spoke came true that the sword would pierce her soul.17500:17:46,199 –> 00:17:55,660The life that I held in my arms was laid down.17600:17:55,660 –> 00:17:57,939He entered death.17700:17:57,939 –> 00:18:06,439And when he entered death he opened the gates of life.17800:18:06,439 –> 00:18:10,699No wonder Anna was praising God!17900:18:10,699 –> 00:18:14,359So his coming has been for the falling and for the rising of many.18000:18:14,359 –> 00:18:21,060There is a sense in which every person who has ever lived will either fall or rise on18100:18:21,060 –> 00:18:22,060him.18200:18:22,060 –> 00:18:30,380He is like a great rock, on which you either take your stand and are firm or else on which18300:18:30,380 –> 00:18:34,119you stumble and fall.18400:18:34,119 –> 00:18:38,359Which is he for you, the rising of your life?18500:18:38,359 –> 00:18:40,959The falling of your life?18600:18:40,959 –> 00:18:47,959He’s always one or the other for every person who has ever lived.18700:18:47,959 –> 00:18:50,900Well, that’s my story.18800:18:50,900 –> 00:18:53,859By the way, I’m determined to finish on time.18900:18:53,859 –> 00:19:03,339This morning I’ve heard the guy you normally have never does.19000:19:03,819 –> 00:19:08,339Let me just tell you this in closing.19100:19:08,339 –> 00:19:12,319I have one chance to speak to you today.19200:19:12,319 –> 00:19:20,459Let me make it as crystal clear as I possibly can as to how you should respond to him.19300:19:20,459 –> 00:19:27,699Number one, become a believer.19400:19:27,699 –> 00:19:31,119I saw God’s salvation.19500:19:31,260 –> 00:19:36,119Jesus is God’s salvation.19600:19:36,119 –> 00:19:39,439He will save everyone who believes.19700:19:39,439 –> 00:19:41,380Paul told me how he put it.19800:19:41,380 –> 00:19:47,060Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.19900:19:47,060 –> 00:19:51,739He will save everyone who believes.20000:19:51,739 –> 00:19:55,739Don’t let him be the stumbling block on which you fall.20100:19:56,500 –> 00:20:02,020Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and take your stand, as it were, putting your trust20200:20:02,020 –> 00:20:03,160in him.20300:20:03,160 –> 00:20:05,719Become a believer.20400:20:05,719 –> 00:20:11,459Second, become a follower.20500:20:11,459 –> 00:20:15,859He’s the light to the Gentiles.20600:20:15,859 –> 00:20:18,079It’s all of you.20700:20:18,079 –> 00:20:24,619You got nothing without him, and neither have we Jews.20800:20:24,660 –> 00:20:29,699Become a follower because he is the light.20900:20:29,699 –> 00:20:35,140And here we are, trying to find our way through life in this world, not really knowing what21000:20:35,140 –> 00:20:37,739it’s about, why we’re here.21100:20:37,739 –> 00:20:39,680We’re kind of stumbling around in darkness.21200:20:39,680 –> 00:20:44,819That’s what Isaiah said, people who walked in darkness.21300:20:44,819 –> 00:20:47,180And now God has lit a light.21400:20:47,180 –> 00:20:49,359That’s who Jesus Christ is.21500:20:49,560 –> 00:20:56,000So come into that light and follow the light.21600:20:56,000 –> 00:20:59,099Become a believer.21700:20:59,099 –> 00:21:00,099Become a follower.21800:21:00,099 –> 00:21:04,739Live in the light of his teaching, of his instruction, of his direction.21900:21:04,739 –> 00:21:10,359Let him be the one who shapes and molds and leads and guides your life.22000:21:10,359 –> 00:21:11,660Follow him.22100:21:11,660 –> 00:21:16,160And here’s the last thing.22200:21:16,160 –> 00:21:18,760Become a worshiper.22300:21:18,760 –> 00:21:23,560It’s the glory of Israel.22400:21:23,560 –> 00:21:34,640When you have seen his glory, you will fall before him in worship.22500:21:34,640 –> 00:21:39,160You’ve been listening to Pastor Colin Smith on Open The Bible with a message called22600:21:39,160 –> 00:21:40,859Simeon’s Story.22700:21:40,859 –> 00:21:43,479It’s part of our series, Christmas Stories.22800:21:43,479 –> 00:21:46,599Looking at the Christmas Story through the eyes of some22900:21:47,099 –> 00:21:49,500who were there at the time.23000:21:49,500 –> 00:21:53,099If you’ve missed any of the series or want to go back and listen again, you can do that23100:21:53,099 –> 00:21:58,079by coming online to our website openthebible.org.uk23200:21:58,079 –> 00:22:05,319or as a podcast, go to your favourite podcast site, search for Open The Bible UK and23300:22:05,319 –> 00:22:08,900subscribe to receive regular updates.23400:22:08,900 –> 00:22:12,099At Open the Bible we welcome contact with our listeners.23500:22:12,099 –> 00:22:15,660If you’ve been blessed by Pastor Colin Smith’s teaching and you’d like23600:22:16,420 –> 00:22:24,000to reach out to us, you can write to us at Open The Bible, P.O. Box 1420 Cheltenham,23700:22:24,000 –> 00:22:29,619GL50, 9PG That address, along with an email address23800:22:29,619 –> 00:22:35,640and a telephone number that you can use to contact us are all on our website23900:22:35,640 –> 00:22:38,380openthebible.org.uk24000:22:38,380 –> 00:22:43,920Open The Bible is able to stay on this station and the internet and is available as a podcast24100:22:44,119 –> 00:22:46,979Because of the generous financial support of our listeners24200:22:46,979 –> 00:22:51,540that’s people like you. And if you already give to support the work.24300:22:51,540 –> 00:22:53,239thank you so much.24400:22:53,239 –> 00:22:57,160If supporting Open The Bible is something you would like to start doing, this month24500:22:57,160 –> 00:23:02,199we’re delighted to offer a free gift. Here’s Open The Bible’s Amanda Cunningham to tell24600:23:02,199 –> 00:23:03,199us about it.24700:23:03,199 –> 00:23:09,119Thanks David, yes, this month we are really excited to be giving away Colin Smith’s24800:23:09,699 –> 00:23:17,420and the final book in the Fly and Drive Through The Bible series, Hike Through The Bible.24900:23:17,420 –> 00:23:22,959This book takes you on a guided 50-session journey through the whole storyline of scripture.25000:23:22,959 –> 00:23:28,660It’s a little bit like taking a steady hike with a trusted pastor by your side.25100:23:28,660 –> 00:23:34,660Colin helps you navigate the rugged terrain of the Old Testament, pause at places of grace25200:23:34,739 –> 00:23:40,579and promise, and then climb the peaks where the glory of Jesus shines most clearly.25300:23:40,579 –> 00:23:46,260Each chapter is short and accessible, with simple reflection questions to help you25400:23:46,260 –> 00:23:50,819apply what you’re learning, whether you read it on your own or with a small group.25500:23:50,819 –> 00:23:55,719I also particularly like the fact that at the end of each chapter, there is a short25600:23:55,719 –> 00:23:57,140verse to memorise.25700:23:57,140 –> 00:24:02,640If you’ve enjoyed Fly Through The Bible or Drive Through The Bible, this final instalment25800:24:03,500 –> 00:24:09,619journey, helping you see how all of scripture fits together as one great story.25900:24:09,619 –> 00:24:16,260And we would love to send you a copy for free, this month, when you setup a new Direct Debit26000:24:16,260 –> 00:24:23,359of at LEAST £5 or give a one-off gift of at LEAST £50 to support the ministry of Open26100:24:23,359 –> 00:24:24,520The Bible UK.26200:24:24,520 –> 00:24:30,540And, with Christmas just around the corner, I think it would be a lovely treat and a really26300:24:30,540 –> 00:24:36,640encouraging way to begin the New Year in Gods word, just don’t forget to leave your address26400:24:36,640 –> 00:24:39,760when you donate so that we can make sure we can post your gift.26500:24:39,760 –> 00:24:45,819Well, we’d love to send you Colin’s new book when you setup a new Direct Debit of £5 per26600:24:45,819 –> 00:24:50,420month or more, or a one-off gift of £50 or more, this month.26700:24:50,420 –> 00:24:59,040Full terms and conditions online at our website openthebible.org.uk and you can give online.26800:24:59,040 –> 00:25:03,859Don’t forget to leave your name and address so we can send you your gift.26900:25:03,859 –> 00:25:08,540For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick and I look forward to being27000:25:08,540 –> 00:25:27,140with you again, next time.