100:00:00,980 –> 00:00:05,480Made in the image of God,200:00:05,480 –> 00:00:10,480but born in the likeness of Adam.300:00:10,480 –> 00:00:13,680You need to know this double truth about yourself.400:00:13,680 –> 00:00:15,680This is where self knowledge begins.500:00:15,680 –> 00:00:18,400You need to know this is who you are.600:00:18,400 –> 00:00:21,040Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.700:00:21,040 –> 00:00:23,520I’m David Pick, glad you joined us today.800:00:23,520 –> 00:00:26,120And Colin, many of us grew up with Christian teaching900:00:26,120 –> 00:00:29,400and we were told we were made in the image of God.1000:00:29,559 –> 00:00:33,220What does it mean to be born in the likeness of Adam?1100:00:33,220 –> 00:00:34,740Well, it means that we’re like Adam1200:00:34,740 –> 00:00:37,259after sin got into his system.1300:00:37,259 –> 00:00:39,180It would be very nice if we could be born1400:00:39,180 –> 00:00:42,500in the likeness of Adam before he had anything to do1500:00:42,500 –> 00:00:45,820with sin and before sin had anything to do with him,1600:00:45,820 –> 00:00:47,639but that’s not the case.1700:00:47,639 –> 00:00:51,119We have this enigma of the double image.1800:00:51,119 –> 00:00:54,119I find these two truths about myself1900:00:54,119 –> 00:00:57,439and these two things are true of every other person2000:00:57,480 –> 00:00:59,400made in the image of God.2100:00:59,400 –> 00:01:02,540That gives life dignity and it gives life worth.2200:01:02,540 –> 00:01:05,599And yet at the same time born in the likeness of Adam,2300:01:05,599 –> 00:01:07,139I am born a sinner.2400:01:07,139 –> 00:01:11,580Every human person is born with sin in them.2500:01:11,580 –> 00:01:14,320There’s no such thing as a baby born in innocence.2600:01:14,320 –> 00:01:17,860Sin is in us all by nature,2700:01:17,860 –> 00:01:19,760so this is why there’s such a conflict2800:01:19,760 –> 00:01:22,040within human life and in human experience,2900:01:22,040 –> 00:01:24,260and that’s what we’re going to get to the heart of today.3000:01:24,260 –> 00:01:26,760I believe you originally preached this message3100:01:26,839 –> 00:01:29,400on the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks,3200:01:29,400 –> 00:01:33,620and in that event we can see both sides of human nature,3300:01:33,620 –> 00:01:35,519the evil in the acts themselves,3400:01:35,519 –> 00:01:37,959but also then people running into burning buildings3500:01:37,959 –> 00:01:41,599to pull people out, to rescue people caught up in it.3600:01:41,599 –> 00:01:42,559And that’s the question.3700:01:42,559 –> 00:01:45,480How do you make sense of these two extremities,3800:01:45,480 –> 00:01:48,680the rampant evil and at the same time3900:01:48,680 –> 00:01:50,839the wonderful, heroic good?4000:01:50,839 –> 00:01:53,580And it is the enigma of the double image.4100:01:53,580 –> 00:01:54,680The Bible explains it.4200:01:54,680 –> 00:01:55,779It’s one of the great questions4300:01:55,779 –> 00:01:58,540we should be asking people who do not believe the Bible.4400:01:58,540 –> 00:02:00,620What is your explanation of evil?4500:02:00,620 –> 00:02:02,279What is your explanation of evil?4600:02:02,279 –> 00:02:04,160Where does this come from?4700:02:04,160 –> 00:02:06,139Well, the Bible tells us where it comes from,4800:02:06,139 –> 00:02:08,660and the Bible tells us where the answer to it lies.4900:02:08,660 –> 00:02:12,460So join us today, if you can, in Genesis chapter 55000:02:12,460 –> 00:02:15,960as we begin a message, the enigma of the double image.5100:02:15,960 –> 00:02:17,960Here is Pastor Colin.5200:02:17,960 –> 00:02:19,520If you would turn to the Book of Genesis,5300:02:19,520 –> 00:02:21,300we’re going to look at several references5400:02:21,300 –> 00:02:24,460in the Bible there today because Genesis tells us5500:02:24,539 –> 00:02:27,139the story not only of sin’s origin,5600:02:27,139 –> 00:02:30,440but also of its development.5700:02:30,440 –> 00:02:32,820After Adam and Eve were expelled5800:02:32,820 –> 00:02:37,820from the garden paradise of God, sin grew in the world.5900:02:38,479 –> 00:02:40,979And if you open it Genesis in chapter 4,6000:02:40,979 –> 00:02:42,580you will find you can read it later6100:02:42,580 –> 00:02:46,259that the story that is recorded there is the sad story6200:02:46,259 –> 00:02:50,679of how the first family fractured through fratricide.6300:02:51,679 –> 00:02:54,279Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel.6400:02:54,520 –> 00:02:56,460You can read their story in that chapter.6500:02:56,460 –> 00:03:00,220Cain became angry towards his brother, Abel,6600:03:00,220 –> 00:03:04,339and eventually murdered his own brother.6700:03:04,339 –> 00:03:06,979Very interesting, by the way, think about this.6800:03:06,979 –> 00:03:10,679The man who declined to offer a blood sacrifice6900:03:10,679 –> 00:03:13,779ended up shedding the blood of his own brother.7000:03:13,779 –> 00:03:16,100There’s a significant connection there.7100:03:17,139 –> 00:03:21,259It was an early sign of devastation and destruction7200:03:21,279 –> 00:03:23,660that sin would bring to the human family.7300:03:25,080 –> 00:03:27,800Adam and Eve had other sons and daughters7400:03:27,800 –> 00:03:30,039and God’s grace allowed the growth7500:03:30,039 –> 00:03:33,960and the development of the human race7600:03:33,960 –> 00:03:35,600and Genesis 1 in chapter five,7700:03:35,600 –> 00:03:37,559if you have that open in front of you,7800:03:37,559 –> 00:03:39,919gives to us an account of the generations7900:03:39,919 –> 00:03:41,380that came from Adam.8000:03:42,339 –> 00:03:44,360Then in chapter six and verse five,8100:03:44,360 –> 00:03:47,559we have an extraordinary statement.8200:03:47,559 –> 00:03:50,800By any standards this is an extraordinary statement8300:03:50,839 –> 00:03:55,360of how sin multiplied, how it intensified8400:03:55,360 –> 00:03:58,559as the early human family grew.8500:03:58,559 –> 00:04:01,179Genesis chapter six in verse five.8600:04:01,179 –> 00:04:04,779The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on earth8700:04:04,779 –> 00:04:07,899had become, so this is about development,8800:04:07,899 –> 00:04:09,960the growth, the progress of sin,8900:04:10,899 –> 00:04:14,240and how every inclination of the thoughts9000:04:14,240 –> 00:04:17,299of his heart was only evil9100:04:17,299 –> 00:04:18,160all the time.9200:04:18,160 –> 00:04:20,600Is that not an extraordinary statement?9300:04:21,399 –> 00:04:24,420Every inclination of the thoughts of his heart,9400:04:24,420 –> 00:04:27,799only evil all the time, it’s a kind of triple whammy,9500:04:27,799 –> 00:04:29,640isn’t it?9600:04:29,640 –> 00:04:33,959Sin was going everywhere within the human personality,9700:04:33,959 –> 00:04:36,519it was always being pervasive,9800:04:36,519 –> 00:04:39,559and it was being wholly pervasive all the time.9900:04:40,940 –> 00:04:43,619It is an extraordinary statement about how10000:04:43,619 –> 00:04:46,519in the time of Noah, evil had really taken10100:04:46,519 –> 00:04:49,140over the whole world, that is what we are being told here.10200:04:49,160 –> 00:04:53,019Now, Genesis chapter six and verse five is not telling us10300:04:53,019 –> 00:04:55,760that the world is always as bad as this,10400:04:56,940 –> 00:04:59,940this world is not heaven, but it’s not hell either,10500:05:00,940 –> 00:05:02,920but in the time of Noah, it was heading10600:05:02,920 –> 00:05:04,579in that latter direction.10700:05:05,720 –> 00:05:09,140At that time in the time of Noah, the world became so dark10800:05:09,140 –> 00:05:11,619that the Lord saw that every inclination10900:05:11,619 –> 00:05:15,799of people’s hearts was only evil all the time.11000:05:16,440 –> 00:05:19,059Now you read an extraordinary statement like that,11100:05:19,059 –> 00:05:22,179you say, how in the world did the human race get there?11200:05:23,480 –> 00:05:27,299How do we move from one sin that Adam and Eve committed11300:05:27,299 –> 00:05:32,299within the garden to the devastation of a dark world11400:05:34,079 –> 00:05:37,299in which sin and evil have become so pervasive11500:05:37,299 –> 00:05:40,799that all the inclinations of men’s thoughts11600:05:40,799 –> 00:05:45,700and of their hearts were only evil all the time?11700:05:47,380 –> 00:05:49,459And that’s the story we’re going to follow today.11800:05:49,459 –> 00:05:52,760We’re going to look at the inside story of the human race,11900:05:52,760 –> 00:05:54,700and I want to begin by drawing your attention12000:05:54,700 –> 00:05:58,440to two verses in the early chapters of Genesis.12100:05:58,440 –> 00:06:01,839The first one is back in Genesis chapter one in verse 26.12200:06:01,839 –> 00:06:05,760If you turn back just two pages, you’ll find that there.12300:06:05,760 –> 00:06:09,040Remember last week and we’re building in this series12400:06:09,040 –> 00:06:12,619that God made Adam upright.12500:06:12,619 –> 00:06:16,579That’s Ecclesiastes in chapter seven in verse 29.12600:06:16,579 –> 00:06:19,820Now, here in Genesis, we’re learning the same truth.12700:06:19,820 –> 00:06:23,279In Genesis chapter one in verse 26,12800:06:23,279 –> 00:06:28,279God said, let us make man in our image and in our likeness.12900:06:32,420 –> 00:06:33,779By the way, isn’t that interesting13000:06:33,779 –> 00:06:37,640that the plural is used by God,13100:06:38,579 –> 00:06:43,260an early foreshadowing of the later revelation13200:06:43,260 –> 00:06:46,100of the three persons of the one living God,13300:06:46,100 –> 00:06:49,459let God said, God singular said,13400:06:49,459 –> 00:06:54,459let us make man in our image and in our likeness.13500:06:56,600 –> 00:07:01,559So, verse 26, God created man in His own image,13600:07:02,420 –> 00:07:04,720in the image of God He created him.13700:07:05,559 –> 00:07:09,079Male and female, so male and female together13800:07:09,079 –> 00:07:11,119are created in the image of God.13900:07:11,119 –> 00:07:16,059The man, the woman, Adam and Eve, God made Adam upright.14000:07:17,980 –> 00:07:20,640Adam and Eve are made in the image14100:07:20,640 –> 00:07:24,279and in the likeness of God period.14200:07:25,519 –> 00:07:28,459God made Adam upright.14300:07:29,739 –> 00:07:31,899Now, turn over in your Bible just a couple of pages,14400:07:31,899 –> 00:07:33,320please, back to chapter five.14500:07:33,339 –> 00:07:35,880And I want you to see the contrast here.14600:07:35,880 –> 00:07:37,500By this time in the Bible’s story14700:07:37,500 –> 00:07:39,540Adam and Eve have listened to the tempter,14800:07:39,540 –> 00:07:41,260they have sinned, they have set their hearts14900:07:41,260 –> 00:07:42,420on being their own God.15000:07:42,420 –> 00:07:44,660Remember the tempter said, well you can be his God.15100:07:44,660 –> 00:07:46,339You can take the place of God.15200:07:46,339 –> 00:07:48,179And Adam and Eve have been drawn to that.15300:07:48,179 –> 00:07:49,619They have committed the first sin.15400:07:49,619 –> 00:07:51,420They have been excluded from paradise.15500:07:51,420 –> 00:07:54,220And now outside of paradise, they have children.15600:07:55,260 –> 00:07:58,320Look at what it says in Genesis, chapter five and verse three.15700:07:59,279 –> 00:08:03,940When Adam had lived 130 years,15800:08:03,940 –> 00:08:07,799he had a son, notice the next phrase,15900:08:07,799 –> 00:08:10,100in his own likeness.16000:08:10,100 –> 00:08:12,559In his own image.16100:08:12,559 –> 00:08:15,540And he named him Seth.16200:08:16,600 –> 00:08:18,079Now do you see the striking difference?16300:08:18,079 –> 00:08:19,579It is very important.16400:08:19,579 –> 00:08:23,799Adam is created in the image of God,16500:08:24,359 –> 00:08:27,019but Adam’s son, Seth,16600:08:27,019 –> 00:08:31,339bears the image of his father, who is a sinner.16700:08:32,280 –> 00:08:35,039God made Adam upright,16800:08:35,039 –> 00:08:36,960but men have gone in search of many schemes.16900:08:36,960 –> 00:08:38,340That is what we learned last time.17000:08:38,340 –> 00:08:41,679Adam became a sinner and the son of Adam17100:08:41,679 –> 00:08:43,960is born in the father’s likeness.17200:08:45,280 –> 00:08:47,559Now of course, that will raise the question in your mind.17300:08:47,559 –> 00:08:50,719And theologians have debated this over the centuries.17400:08:50,719 –> 00:08:55,320Is Seth then also made in the image of God?17500:08:55,320 –> 00:08:58,840And my answer to that is yes.17600:08:58,840 –> 00:09:01,640And my reason for giving a positive answer to that question17700:09:01,640 –> 00:09:03,840is one more page over in the Bible story17800:09:03,840 –> 00:09:07,020in Genesis chapter nine and verse six.17900:09:07,020 –> 00:09:08,840Because you notice the statement there,18000:09:08,840 –> 00:09:10,820which is made now well and truly18100:09:10,820 –> 00:09:13,599after sin has got going within the world,18200:09:13,599 –> 00:09:16,960and now God is speaking about fallen humanity.18300:09:16,960 –> 00:09:18,760And he gives this law,18400:09:18,760 –> 00:09:20,599whoever sheds the blood of man18500:09:20,599 –> 00:09:23,039by man shall his blood be shed.18600:09:23,039 –> 00:09:28,039For in the image of God has God made man.18700:09:28,400 –> 00:09:31,599So that is a reference not simply to Adam,18800:09:31,599 –> 00:09:35,700but it is a reference to Adam’s fallen children.18900:09:36,640 –> 00:09:37,799That is the explanation19000:09:37,799 –> 00:09:40,919for the title of the message this week.19100:09:40,919 –> 00:09:43,239The sons and daughters of Adam19200:09:43,239 –> 00:09:47,599live with the enigma of a double image.19300:09:48,440 –> 00:09:50,460Made in the image of God19400:09:50,799 –> 00:09:54,200but born in the likeness of Adam.19500:09:55,940 –> 00:09:57,219You’re listening to Open the Bible19600:09:57,219 –> 00:09:58,500with Pastor Colin Smith19700:09:58,500 –> 00:09:59,820and a message called19800:09:59,820 –> 00:10:02,099The Enigma of The Double Image.19900:10:02,099 –> 00:10:03,059Part of our series,20000:10:03,059 –> 00:10:05,859The Inside Story of Human Life.20100:10:05,859 –> 00:10:07,580We’ll be back to the message very shortly.20200:10:07,580 –> 00:10:09,059So do stay with us.20300:10:09,059 –> 00:10:11,179If you’ve missed any of the message today20400:10:11,179 –> 00:10:12,739or in previous days,20500:10:12,739 –> 00:10:15,239you can easily catch up and go back and listen again20600:10:15,239 –> 00:10:16,739by coming to our website.20700:10:16,739 –> 00:10:20,419That’s it openthebible.org.uk.20800:10:20,479 –> 00:10:23,500Open the Bible is supported by our many listeners.20900:10:23,500 –> 00:10:24,859And if you’re one of them,21000:10:24,859 –> 00:10:26,739thank you so much.21100:10:26,739 –> 00:10:29,179It’s not just the radio programme,21200:10:29,179 –> 00:10:32,219the website and podcast that you’re supporting.21300:10:32,219 –> 00:10:35,520Here’s Open the Bible’s Executive Director John Martin.21400:10:35,520 –> 00:10:36,359Well David,21500:10:36,359 –> 00:10:37,380it’s great to be with you21600:10:37,380 –> 00:10:40,299and share more about Open the Bible’s impact21700:10:40,299 –> 00:10:41,460across the UK.21800:10:41,460 –> 00:10:44,099The ministry across the UK continues to grow.21900:10:44,099 –> 00:10:46,179Since the beginning of 2026,22000:10:46,179 –> 00:10:48,500our online reach has doubled.22100:10:48,500 –> 00:10:50,179We’ve also enjoyed Pastor Colin22200:10:50,179 –> 00:10:52,260speaking at significant events22300:10:52,260 –> 00:10:54,580and we’ve expanded our ministry with prisons22400:10:54,580 –> 00:10:56,219and other marginalised groups.22500:10:56,219 –> 00:10:57,559It’s very exciting.22600:10:59,119 –> 00:11:02,179Let me tell you a story from England.22700:11:02,179 –> 00:11:03,820We have this one hour film22800:11:03,820 –> 00:11:05,580of the story of the thief on the cross22900:11:05,580 –> 00:11:06,500based on Colin’s book,23000:11:06,500 –> 00:11:08,299”Heaven How I Got Here.’23100:11:08,299 –> 00:11:09,659We promoted the film23200:11:09,659 –> 00:11:12,099to churches across the UK earlier this year23300:11:12,099 –> 00:11:15,760encouraging them to show it as an Easter outreach event.23400:11:15,760 –> 00:11:18,119Hundreds of churches accessed the film23500:11:18,119 –> 00:11:20,119and our free promotional resources23600:11:20,119 –> 00:11:23,320and one church had the courage to book a cinema23700:11:23,320 –> 00:11:25,840and invite guests to me showing.23800:11:25,840 –> 00:11:29,960Brian Craven of Life Church, St. Helen said,23900:11:29,960 –> 00:11:33,280”It’s a truly excellent reproduction on the big screen.24000:11:33,280 –> 00:11:36,260”Ours is a tale of just how much can be achieved24100:11:36,260 –> 00:11:39,099”by simply stepping out, doing what we can,24200:11:39,099 –> 00:11:40,679”then watching as father God24300:11:40,679 –> 00:11:43,260”brings everything else into line.24400:11:43,260 –> 00:11:45,039”We really are so grateful24500:11:45,080 –> 00:11:47,280”for the connection we have made with Open the Bible24600:11:47,280 –> 00:11:50,520”and for all the efforts made to support and encourage us.24700:11:50,520 –> 00:11:53,059”My hope and prayer is that Open the Bible24800:11:53,059 –> 00:11:55,960”will now be able to promote many more cinema screenings24900:11:55,960 –> 00:11:58,179”in the years to come.”25000:11:58,179 –> 00:11:59,359So David, if there are listeners25100:11:59,359 –> 00:12:01,320that are interested in showing that film25200:12:01,320 –> 00:12:02,840at Easter or any other time,25300:12:02,840 –> 00:12:04,979either in their churches or even being like25400:12:04,979 –> 00:12:06,400Life Church, St. Helen’s,25500:12:06,400 –> 00:12:07,719and booking a cinema screening,25600:12:07,719 –> 00:12:09,640then they should get in touch with Open the Bible25700:12:09,640 –> 00:12:11,739and we’ll do all we can to help them.25800:12:11,739 –> 00:12:14,840You can get involved in supporting Open the Bible’s work25900:12:14,840 –> 00:12:19,140by coming to our website openthebible.org.uk.26000:12:19,140 –> 00:12:21,119You’ll find lots more information,26100:12:21,119 –> 00:12:24,559terms and conditions and you can give online.26200:12:24,559 –> 00:12:25,719Back to the Message now.26300:12:25,719 –> 00:12:27,200We’re in Genesis 5.26400:12:27,200 –> 00:12:29,039Here again is Pastor Colin.26500:12:29,039 –> 00:12:31,359The sons and daughters of Adam26600:12:31,359 –> 00:12:35,599live with the enigma of a double image26700:12:36,539 –> 00:12:38,820made in the image of God26800:12:38,820 –> 00:12:42,559but born in the likeness of Adam.26900:12:43,479 –> 00:12:47,059You need to know this double truth about yourself.27000:12:47,059 –> 00:12:49,059This is where self knowledge begins.27100:12:49,059 –> 00:12:50,880You need to know, this is who you are27200:12:50,880 –> 00:12:54,099as I need to know that this is who I am,27300:12:54,099 –> 00:12:56,000made in the image of God27400:12:56,000 –> 00:12:57,940born in the likeness of Adam.27500:12:57,940 –> 00:12:59,539You are made in the image of God27600:12:59,539 –> 00:13:01,159and that gives your life today27700:13:01,159 –> 00:13:04,119meaning, significance, value, dignity and worth.27800:13:05,119 –> 00:13:07,239That’s why it’s worth living27900:13:07,239 –> 00:13:09,659because you are made in the image of God.28000:13:10,659 –> 00:13:14,640But you are also born in the likeness of Adam28100:13:14,640 –> 00:13:18,340which means that you are a sinner by nature.28200:13:18,340 –> 00:13:20,580We are all born that way.28300:13:20,580 –> 00:13:22,979Now, C.S. Lewis has a wonderful phrase28400:13:22,979 –> 00:13:27,099in which he captures in a picture as it were28500:13:27,099 –> 00:13:29,419the enigma of this double image28600:13:29,419 –> 00:13:32,580with which we are all born into the world.28700:13:32,580 –> 00:13:35,739He says, to come from Lord Adam28800:13:35,739 –> 00:13:38,219and to come from Lady Eve28900:13:38,219 –> 00:13:43,219is both honor enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar29000:13:43,619 –> 00:13:46,059and shame enough to bow the shoulders29100:13:46,059 –> 00:13:47,760of the greatest emperor on earth.29200:13:48,820 –> 00:13:50,739That’s C.S. Lewis.29300:13:50,739 –> 00:13:52,380If you know the truth about yourself29400:13:52,380 –> 00:13:54,159you will have reason to lift up your head29500:13:54,159 –> 00:13:55,640in thankfulness to God.29600:13:55,640 –> 00:13:57,179Your life has dignity and worth.29700:13:57,179 –> 00:13:58,799You are made in his image.29800:13:59,780 –> 00:14:02,200If you know yourself you’ll also find reason29900:14:02,200 –> 00:14:04,140to get on your knees before God30000:14:05,039 –> 00:14:08,840because you are born in the likeness30100:14:08,840 –> 00:14:13,840of your father Adam who is a sinner.30200:14:14,159 –> 00:14:16,039Now this doctrine of the double image,30300:14:16,039 –> 00:14:17,679is of huge importance,30400:14:17,679 –> 00:14:20,700it is foundational to the Christian faith30500:14:20,700 –> 00:14:22,400and it is of massive importance30600:14:22,400 –> 00:14:25,119in terms of understanding our world today30700:14:25,119 –> 00:14:27,919and of presenting the gospel to secularist30800:14:27,919 –> 00:14:30,619who do not believe that there is such a thing as evil.30900:14:31,460 –> 00:14:33,359So I ask you to consider this question.31000:14:34,900 –> 00:14:39,900Why is it wrong to fly a plane into the Twin Towers31100:14:40,820 –> 00:14:42,919and take the lives of thousands of people?31200:14:44,260 –> 00:14:45,979You say well you don’t know the answer to that,31300:14:45,979 –> 00:14:48,979you shouldn’t be standing on a Christian platform.31400:14:48,979 –> 00:14:51,299But I’m asking you the question.31500:14:51,299 –> 00:14:52,500Why is that wrong?31600:14:53,580 –> 00:14:55,140See, think about it.31700:14:55,140 –> 00:14:58,880If we are only developed animals,31800:14:58,880 –> 00:15:02,039who evolve by the survival of the fittest,31900:15:02,960 –> 00:15:06,599how is that different from snuffing out of a hornet’s nest?32000:15:07,979 –> 00:15:11,460And the answer is because men and women are not hornets.32100:15:12,460 –> 00:15:15,299We are made in the image of God32200:15:15,299 –> 00:15:17,599and that is what gives every human life32300:15:17,599 –> 00:15:19,900supreme dignity, value, and worth.32400:15:21,440 –> 00:15:22,539Second question.32500:15:23,679 –> 00:15:26,940Why then in this wonderful world created by God32600:15:26,940 –> 00:15:29,440do men who are made in the image of God32700:15:29,440 –> 00:15:32,359perpetrate such extraordinary deeds of evil?32800:15:34,419 –> 00:15:36,599And the answer is because we are32900:15:36,599 –> 00:15:38,539born in the likeness of Adam33000:15:38,539 –> 00:15:41,280and we are sinners by nature and by practice.33100:15:41,280 –> 00:15:43,919We live in a dark and a dangerous world33200:15:43,919 –> 00:15:46,260and nothing in this world,33300:15:46,260 –> 00:15:48,059no work, no family, no church,33400:15:48,059 –> 00:15:50,299nothing in this world, no nation,33500:15:50,299 –> 00:15:54,400is as it should be and ever will be the sight of Heaven.33600:15:56,280 –> 00:15:59,039So here is the first thing that we need to learn today33700:15:59,059 –> 00:16:01,179and this is really important.33800:16:01,179 –> 00:16:03,739It is foundational for Christian faith.33900:16:03,739 –> 00:16:07,940Sin is in us by nature34000:16:07,940 –> 00:16:09,419and I take that from Genesis34100:16:09,419 –> 00:16:11,460in Chapter 5 in verse three.34200:16:11,460 –> 00:16:12,380Think of it.34300:16:12,380 –> 00:16:16,219Adam came out of the hand of God as it were upright34400:16:17,099 –> 00:16:21,539but Seth came out of the womb as you and I did.34500:16:21,539 –> 00:16:23,700He was born in the likeness of his father34600:16:23,700 –> 00:16:26,460and of his mother a sinner.34700:16:26,479 –> 00:16:27,659Poor Seth.34800:16:27,659 –> 00:16:29,460Don’t you feel sorry for him?34900:16:29,460 –> 00:16:32,340And we’re in exactly the same position as he was.35000:16:33,260 –> 00:16:36,840Sin was in his father and his mother by their own choice35100:16:37,859 –> 00:16:39,900but for Seth sin was in him35200:16:39,900 –> 00:16:42,419by birth even before he started.35300:16:42,419 –> 00:16:45,340He got it from his dad and from his mom.35400:16:45,340 –> 00:16:46,900He was made and born in the likeness35500:16:46,900 –> 00:16:50,960of his father a sinner and not only was sin in him35600:16:50,960 –> 00:16:53,900but when he was born, he was born into a fallen world.35700:16:53,900 –> 00:16:55,520Sin was all around him.35800:16:56,320 –> 00:16:58,840Whereas God had placed his father in the creation35900:16:58,840 –> 00:17:02,500in this garden paradise, Seth was born outside paradise36000:17:02,500 –> 00:17:04,599as we are born outside of paradise36100:17:04,599 –> 00:17:06,760in a world under the curse of sin,36200:17:06,760 –> 00:17:08,579a world that would experience pain36300:17:08,579 –> 00:17:10,800and would experience suffering36400:17:10,800 –> 00:17:13,160because even the very creation itself36500:17:13,160 –> 00:17:15,439since the entrance of sin into the world36600:17:15,439 –> 00:17:18,439is groaning in frustration, Paul says36700:17:18,439 –> 00:17:20,400longing for the full redemption36800:17:20,400 –> 00:17:22,079that will only come at the time of the return36900:17:22,079 –> 00:17:23,280of Jesus Christ37000:17:24,239 –> 00:17:27,959And can you imagine little Seth growing up37100:17:28,839 –> 00:17:32,800trying to come to terms with the world in which he lives37200:17:32,800 –> 00:17:34,479the world in which he’s been born37300:17:34,479 –> 00:17:37,400trying to come to terms with what is in him37400:17:38,839 –> 00:17:40,959And one day, his dad makes a little fire37500:17:40,959 –> 00:17:42,520and they sit outside the tent37600:17:42,520 –> 00:17:46,719and Adam puts his arm around his son shoulders37700:17:46,719 –> 00:17:48,119as dads sometimes do37800:17:48,119 –> 00:17:50,640and he says, hey Seth,37900:17:50,640 –> 00:17:52,079it’s time we have a little talk38000:17:53,920 –> 00:17:55,680and Adam says to him, Seth38100:17:57,079 –> 00:17:59,920you ought to know son that you have two brothers38200:18:01,479 –> 00:18:04,199Really, where are they?38300:18:05,760 –> 00:18:07,079Well, one of them is dead38400:18:08,880 –> 00:18:11,920Oh, how did he die?38500:18:13,640 –> 00:18:15,079Your other brother killed him38600:18:16,640 –> 00:18:18,760Your mother and I haven’t seen him since that day38700:18:18,760 –> 00:18:21,560he’s become a restless wanderer on the earth your brother38800:18:23,520 –> 00:18:28,959friends, sin is in us and sin is all around us38900:18:31,439 –> 00:18:35,239And sin is in even the best of us39000:18:36,560 –> 00:18:38,400See, this was true even of King David39100:18:38,400 –> 00:18:42,479I’m trying to think of the best hero I can imagine in the Old Testament39200:18:42,479 –> 00:18:43,959and I’m going for King David39300:18:43,959 –> 00:18:48,319because he was described as the man after God’s own heart39400:18:48,619 –> 00:18:54,699And listen to what the man after God’s own heart says about himself39500:18:54,699 –> 00:18:55,500He says this39600:18:55,500 –> 00:18:58,540Surely I was sinful at birth39700:19:01,959 –> 00:19:06,420Sinful from the time my mother conceived me39800:19:06,420 –> 00:19:12,859Now, understand David is not saying here that his mother conceived him through a sinful act39900:19:12,859 –> 00:19:15,319What David is saying is that40000:19:16,319 –> 00:19:18,979The life that was conceived by the union of his father and his mother40100:19:18,979 –> 00:19:21,160His life is the life of a sinner40200:19:21,160 –> 00:19:26,660That is how every person born into the world since the fall of Adam and Eve is40300:19:27,780 –> 00:19:29,880And so I put it to you this way40400:19:29,880 –> 00:19:33,520Sin runs in the blood40500:19:33,520 –> 00:19:35,300Grace does not40600:19:35,300 –> 00:19:40,380Sin runs from one generation to another in the human family40700:19:40,380 –> 00:19:45,180We are all born alienated from God40800:19:45,359 –> 00:19:50,800Now this could be a unique moment right now for some of us40900:19:50,800 –> 00:19:56,040And I have prayed much over this moment in the message41000:19:56,040 –> 00:20:01,000I have often had a conversation that has gone something like this41100:20:01,000 –> 00:20:03,020I’ve said to a person41200:20:03,020 –> 00:20:06,339Tell me, how did you become a Christian?41300:20:06,339 –> 00:20:11,719When I’ve asked that question, I have too often heard this answer41400:20:12,160 –> 00:20:15,500I was born that way41500:20:15,500 –> 00:20:18,300Now I want to say to you, if you’ve ever said that or thought that41600:20:18,300 –> 00:20:20,920And I’m sure that there are folks among us here41700:20:20,920 –> 00:20:24,760You come from a Christian family and so forth, and a good family background41800:20:24,760 –> 00:20:27,219And you say, I was just born this way41900:20:27,219 –> 00:20:31,380Hear me, that is not possible42000:20:31,380 –> 00:20:33,420Friend, you can be born a Jew42100:20:33,420 –> 00:20:35,099You can be born a Muslim42200:20:35,099 –> 00:20:37,099You can be born a Hindu42300:20:37,099 –> 00:20:40,920You cannot be born a Christian, it is impossible42400:20:40,959 –> 00:20:45,699Christianity does not run in the blood, sin does42500:20:45,699 –> 00:20:50,160The only thing that we can be born, as it were, as a sinner42600:20:50,160 –> 00:20:53,619That’s what we’re learning from Genesis chapter 3 in verse 342700:20:53,619 –> 00:20:57,160Which is why Jesus said, think about what Jesus is saying42800:20:57,160 –> 00:20:59,400Flesh gives birth to what?42900:20:59,400 –> 00:21:01,500Flesh43000:21:01,500 –> 00:21:05,000Only the Spirit and he’s referring to God the Holy Spirit43100:21:05,000 –> 00:21:06,699Can give birth to spirit43200:21:06,699 –> 00:21:10,339So Jesus says, you should not be surprised at me saying to you43300:21:10,479 –> 00:21:13,819You must be born again43400:21:14,479 –> 00:21:16,839Cause nobody is a Christian by birth43500:21:16,839 –> 00:21:19,579It is impossible43600:21:19,579 –> 00:21:21,540You may say, well wait a minute, you don’t understand43700:21:21,540 –> 00:21:24,520Pastor, I come from a good family I was born to Christian parents43800:21:24,520 –> 00:21:27,339Friends, that’s my story43900:21:27,339 –> 00:21:29,420I come from a good family44000:21:29,420 –> 00:21:31,619I was born to Christian parents44100:21:32,680 –> 00:21:35,219But that did not make me a Christian44200:21:35,219 –> 00:21:37,540Nor can it make anyone a Christian44300:21:37,540 –> 00:21:40,020I was born a sinner and so were you44400:21:40,060 –> 00:21:42,160However good your family44500:21:42,859 –> 00:21:45,000Sin runs in the blood, grace does not44600:21:45,000 –> 00:21:48,000Actually if you think about it for one moment that is good news44700:21:48,000 –> 00:21:51,319If grace ran in the blood44800:21:52,219 –> 00:21:56,719What hope would there ever be for all who were born into faithless families44900:21:57,819 –> 00:21:59,760But the truth is grace does not run in the blood45000:21:59,760 –> 00:22:01,000Sin runs in the blood45100:22:01,000 –> 00:22:03,560But that means that sin is the great level45200:22:03,560 –> 00:22:06,660Or we are all on as it were a level playing field45300:22:06,660 –> 00:22:09,660All in exactly the same position before God45400:22:09,660 –> 00:22:11,160We all stand before God45500:22:12,160 –> 00:22:13,520However privileged our background, however wretched our background45600:22:13,520 –> 00:22:17,319We all stand before God in exactly the same position45700:22:17,959 –> 00:22:18,920Sinners45800:22:19,260 –> 00:22:24,560To whom God offers his grace in Jesus Christ45900:22:25,560 –> 00:22:29,060Well Colin there may be some listening today Who have no experience46000:22:29,060 –> 00:22:32,060Personal experience of Christianity46100:22:32,060 –> 00:22:34,420They have no Christian friends or family members46200:22:34,420 –> 00:22:37,260And they’re thinking, is Christianity really for me46300:22:37,959 –> 00:22:40,060Yeah well the way to look at that is to say46400:22:40,060 –> 00:22:43,060I am the first Christian in my family46500:22:43,060 –> 00:22:45,560And two things to take from that46600:22:45,560 –> 00:22:46,959If that’s your position46700:22:46,959 –> 00:22:50,760Thank God today for his amazing grace46800:22:50,760 –> 00:22:53,959How is it that you have come to faith in Jesus Christ46900:22:53,959 –> 00:22:56,060It can only be the grace of God47000:22:56,060 –> 00:22:57,959You didn’t get it from your family47100:22:57,959 –> 00:23:00,560Nobody gets it from their family47200:23:00,560 –> 00:23:03,060It is the grace of God that brings spiritual life47300:23:03,060 –> 00:23:04,660And if that has happened to you47400:23:05,359 –> 00:23:07,060Then thank God for it47500:23:07,060 –> 00:23:10,660And then begin to pray with expectation47600:23:10,660 –> 00:23:14,260God has put one light in your family circle47700:23:14,260 –> 00:23:16,060And you are that light47800:23:16,060 –> 00:23:17,459He has begun a work47900:23:17,459 –> 00:23:20,459Who knows who else within your circle48000:23:20,459 –> 00:23:23,060Will also come to faith in Christ48100:23:23,060 –> 00:23:26,260Who know what extended purposes God has48200:23:26,260 –> 00:23:28,260And how you will be part of them48300:23:28,260 –> 00:23:32,459I think it’s one of the hardest things to be the only Christian in the family48400:23:32,459 –> 00:23:34,660It’s the most wonderful thing to be the first48500:23:34,660 –> 00:23:36,859And to say what will God do next48600:23:36,859 –> 00:23:40,260What about someone who’s not the first in their family to be a Christian48700:23:40,260 –> 00:23:43,260But intrigued by what you say today48800:23:43,260 –> 00:23:45,660And he’s wondering if Christianity is for them48900:23:45,660 –> 00:23:48,260And then I would want to say to you49000:23:48,260 –> 00:23:49,660That is wonderful49100:23:49,660 –> 00:23:51,859Who is it that’s got you thinking49200:23:51,859 –> 00:23:55,060Why is it that you now are drawn to Christ49300:23:55,060 –> 00:23:56,660The Bible makes it very clear49400:23:56,660 –> 00:23:57,859This is what God does49500:23:57,859 –> 00:23:58,859This is how he works49600:23:58,859 –> 00:24:01,459He draws people to Jesus Christ49700:24:01,459 –> 00:24:03,660And what’s happening for you right now49800:24:03,660 –> 00:24:07,260Is that you are being awakened to the greatness of Christ49900:24:07,260 –> 00:24:08,859Your own need of Him50000:24:08,859 –> 00:24:11,260And I want to encourage you not to leave off there50100:24:11,260 –> 00:24:13,660But to press all the way forward50200:24:13,660 –> 00:24:16,260To be a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ50300:24:16,260 –> 00:24:18,859And to embrace all that’s in him50400:24:18,859 –> 00:24:19,859For those who believe50500:24:20,260 –> 00:24:22,859Maybe as you’ve been listening to the message today50600:24:22,859 –> 00:24:27,459You’ve heard God calling you into a relationship with Jesus Christ50700:24:27,459 –> 00:24:30,660You’d like to know more about how to enter into that relationship50800:24:30,859 –> 00:24:32,060You know why…50900:24:32,060 –> 00:24:33,260The saving grace of God51000:24:33,260 –> 00:24:37,060And if so I hope you’ll seek out a trusted Christian friend or family member51100:24:37,060 –> 00:24:38,660Or maybe go along to a Christian church fellowship51200:24:39,660 –> 00:24:42,060Take time to speak with the folk there51300:24:42,060 –> 00:24:45,260The pastor or simply members of that fellowship51400:24:45,260 –> 00:24:48,060Tell them about your journey to discover faith for yourself51500:24:48,060 –> 00:24:51,260You’ll find they’ll be ready to pray with you51600:24:51,260 –> 00:24:53,260To help you make that step51700:24:53,260 –> 00:24:54,739Or, if you’re not yet ready to make that step51800:24:54,739 –> 00:24:56,160And still have questions51900:24:56,160 –> 00:24:58,260And we all have questions52000:24:58,260 –> 00:25:01,060There may well be a Bible study course or a home group52100:25:01,060 –> 00:25:04,060Or an alpha program that you can join52200:25:04,060 –> 00:25:06,060Thanks for tuning in today52300:25:06,060 –> 00:25:07,060I’m David Pick52400:25:07,060 –> 00:25:10,060And for me and past Colin Smith52500:25:10,060 –> 00:25:12,060And Open the Bible52600:25:12,060 –> 00:25:14,459I hope you’ll join us again next time52700:25:19,760 –> 00:25:23,859Many people think of sin as a list of things that they’ve done wrong52800:25:23,859 –> 00:25:26,859Find out why it’s so much more than that52900:25:26,859 –> 00:25:28,359Next time on Open the Bible