100:00:01,000 –> 00:00:06,700Maybe you are wondering today if you actually have the capacity to love another person.200:00:06,700 –> 00:00:13,400Let this be a wonderful encouragement for you. The more that you give your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ,300:00:13,400 –> 00:00:19,000the more that your capacity to love another person will increase.400:00:19,000 –> 00:00:23,000Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I am David Pick500:00:23,000 –> 00:00:25,799Colin, you are saying that we can actually increase the capacity to love another person,600:00:25,900 –> 00:00:28,600and Colin, you’re saying that we can actually increase700:00:28,600 –> 00:00:31,500the capacity to love of our hearts.800:00:31,500 –> 00:00:34,200Oh, yeah, that is wonderfully true.900:00:34,200 –> 00:00:37,500And you know how many times I’ve had a conversation with someone who1000:00:37,500 –> 00:00:40,799is really saying, I’m wanting to be loved.1100:00:40,799 –> 00:00:44,000I want someone to really love me1200:00:44,000 –> 00:00:48,799and one response to that is, you know, focus your energy1300:00:48,799 –> 00:00:54,200and your attention on growing in your own ability to love other people1400:00:54,200 –> 00:00:56,599because you can grow in that and today1500:00:56,599 –> 00:01:02,099we’re going to look at how you can grow in expanding your own capacity to love.1600:01:02,099 –> 00:01:03,200That can happen.1700:01:03,200 –> 00:01:06,000And the better you are able to love,1800:01:06,000 –> 00:01:09,400the more you’re going to experience of being loved1900:01:09,400 –> 00:01:12,000and that’s one of the wonderful gifts of God in life.2000:01:12,000 –> 00:01:14,300And today there’s something very practical2100:01:14,300 –> 00:01:18,900and something very hopeful about growing in the capacity to love.2200:01:18,900 –> 00:01:22,400So join us today if you can in Proverbs 23.2300:01:22,800 –> 00:01:26,199As we continue the message, The Heart Set Right.2400:01:26,199 –> 00:01:27,900Here is Pastor Colin.2500:01:27,900 –> 00:01:30,800Let me give you this simple definition of the fear of the Lord2600:01:30,800 –> 00:01:31,800that we’ve used before.2700:01:31,800 –> 00:01:33,000I find it very helpful.2800:01:33,000 –> 00:01:37,900The fear of the Lord is so to love God2900:01:37,900 –> 00:01:41,800that his frown would be your greatest dread3000:01:41,800 –> 00:01:45,099and his smile would be your greatest delight.3100:01:45,099 –> 00:01:50,300That’s what it’s like when you have given your heart,3200:01:50,300 –> 00:01:52,199to the Lord!3300:01:52,199 –> 00:01:54,900You live in the fear of the Lord,3400:01:54,900 –> 00:01:56,800his frown your greatest dread,3500:01:56,800 –> 00:01:58,400and his smile your greatest delight,3600:01:58,400 –> 00:02:01,199and you do it all the day—3700:02:01,199 –> 00:02:04,099Proverbs, chapter 23, and verse 17.3800:02:04,099 –> 00:02:06,099In other words, what I’m saying to you is this,3900:02:06,099 –> 00:02:08,199very simply,4000:02:08,199 –> 00:02:10,399that giving your heart to the Lord,4100:02:10,399 –> 00:02:13,100what we’re being asked to do and called to do today,4200:02:13,100 –> 00:02:17,899is your very best defense against sin.4300:02:17,899 –> 00:02:20,800It’s your best defense.4400:02:20,800 –> 00:02:23,600So let me try and bring this down and earth it a little bit.4500:02:23,600 –> 00:02:26,699Christian young person,4600:02:26,699 –> 00:02:28,699seriously,4700:02:28,699 –> 00:02:32,199what do you think will keep you4800:02:32,199 –> 00:02:36,000from sliding into4900:02:36,000 –> 00:02:39,300the drugs culture,5000:02:39,300 –> 00:02:42,699the drink culture,5100:02:42,699 –> 00:02:46,000the experimentation in all kinds of ways with sex5200:02:46,000 –> 00:02:48,800that may be all around you amongst hundreds of people5300:02:48,800 –> 00:02:50,100on a college campus?5400:02:50,100 –> 00:02:54,300What is your best defence against being sucked into that?5500:02:54,300 –> 00:02:55,899What do you think your best defence is?5600:02:57,899 –> 00:03:00,500And I’m telling you5700:03:00,500 –> 00:03:05,199your best defence against sin is5800:03:05,199 –> 00:03:11,300to give your heart to the Lord.5900:03:11,300 –> 00:03:13,600Or let me put it another way,6000:03:13,600 –> 00:03:16,800Christian in business,6100:03:16,800 –> 00:03:20,000what is going to keep you faithful6200:03:20,000 –> 00:03:24,300as you move from city to city and hotel to hotel6300:03:24,300 –> 00:03:29,699like Joseph, anonymous and often lonely?6400:03:29,699 –> 00:03:31,100What will keep you faithful?6500:03:31,100 –> 00:03:34,600Do you think it’s going to be common sense?6600:03:34,600 –> 00:03:38,000Do you think it’s going to be will power?6700:03:38,000 –> 00:03:40,500Do you think it’s enlighten self-interest6800:03:40,500 –> 00:03:43,699that’s going to keep you from the power of temptation?6900:03:43,699 –> 00:03:47,600I’m telling you today, here’s your best defence7000:03:47,600 –> 00:03:50,699as you move from city to city and hotel to hotel7100:03:50,699 –> 00:03:53,000against all the temptations that beset you,7200:03:53,000 –> 00:03:56,199your best defence is to give your heart7300:03:56,199 –> 00:03:57,899to the Lord Jesus Christ.7400:03:57,899 –> 00:04:01,000My son, give me your heart.7500:04:02,100 –> 00:04:05,100Well let me turn it again and put it this way, another example.7600:04:05,100 –> 00:04:08,899Let me speak to the Christian who has been wounded.7700:04:08,899 –> 00:04:10,800Now great injustice has been done to you.7800:04:10,800 –> 00:04:12,300You’ve been terribly disappointed.7900:04:12,300 –> 00:04:15,000You have been let down.8000:04:15,800 –> 00:04:19,100Now I’m asking you today,8100:04:19,100 –> 00:04:25,000what is going to keep you from descending into bitterness8200:04:25,000 –> 00:04:27,600and into self pity8300:04:28,299 –> 00:04:30,600and ultimately into hardness of heart?8400:04:30,600 –> 00:04:33,100What will keep you from these temptations8500:04:33,100 –> 00:04:36,600that assail you in the particular circumstances8600:04:36,600 –> 00:04:38,299in which you find yourself today?8700:04:38,299 –> 00:04:39,399What’s going to keep you?8800:04:39,399 –> 00:04:41,200Do you think it’s going to be self discipline8900:04:41,200 –> 00:04:44,500that will keep you from sliding into self pity?9000:04:45,200 –> 00:04:47,100Do you think it’s going to be a sense of duty?9100:04:47,100 –> 00:04:50,500Do you think it’s going to be working harder?9200:04:52,399 –> 00:04:54,000And I’ll tell you what you’re best defence9300:04:54,000 –> 00:04:57,100against the sins of self pity and hardness of heart9400:04:57,100 –> 00:04:59,399and bitterness encroaching into you,9500:04:59,399 –> 00:05:02,200I tell you what your best defence is against these,9600:05:02,200 –> 00:05:06,000you give your heart to the Lord.9700:05:06,000 –> 00:05:10,500My daughter, my son gave me your heart!9800:05:11,399 –> 00:05:14,519See, giving your heart to the Lord9900:05:14,519 –> 00:05:18,000is ultimately the only way to guard against10000:05:18,000 –> 00:05:22,399the reckless life that breaks all the boundaries10100:05:22,399 –> 00:05:25,100and then leaves you with the miserable fruit10200:05:25,100 –> 00:05:28,100of impurity and indulgence.10300:05:29,500 –> 00:05:31,600And equally, giving your heart to the Lord10400:05:31,600 –> 00:05:34,799is ultimately the only way that will guard you10500:05:34,799 –> 00:05:38,799from a shriveled life that lives within the boundaries10600:05:38,899 –> 00:05:43,299and leaves you miserable because you stayed there10700:05:43,299 –> 00:05:47,100only out of fear and out of caution.10800:05:47,100 –> 00:05:49,000The first, of course, is the prodigal son,10900:05:49,000 –> 00:05:51,799and the second is the elder brother.11000:05:51,799 –> 00:05:54,399And what both need is to hear the father say,11100:05:54,399 –> 00:05:56,600son, give me your heart.11200:05:58,600 –> 00:06:02,299Where will your sinful heart lead you this week11300:06:02,299 –> 00:06:05,600if you do not give it to Jesus Christ today?11400:06:06,600 –> 00:06:11,600The only safe place for your heart, for your affections,11500:06:13,899 –> 00:06:16,399is in the hand of the savior who loved you11600:06:17,899 –> 00:06:19,299and gave Himself for you.11700:06:19,299 –> 00:06:24,200My son, my daughter, give me your heart.11800:06:26,700 –> 00:06:28,600Here’s the third thing.11900:06:28,600 –> 00:06:31,600The first, an established relationship, my son.12000:06:31,600 –> 00:06:36,899The second, an essential priority, your heart.12100:06:38,700 –> 00:06:41,500And third, I want you to notice that there’s an action12200:06:41,500 –> 00:06:43,299that’s called for in this verse.12300:06:43,299 –> 00:06:45,299It’s an intentional response,12400:06:45,299 –> 00:06:49,600my son, give me your heart, give.12500:06:51,500 –> 00:06:53,399Now, we saw last time that the heart12600:06:53,399 –> 00:06:56,000is the command and control center of the life.12700:06:57,299 –> 00:07:00,700In other words, the inclination of any heart12800:07:00,700 –> 00:07:05,299will set the trajectory of that life.12900:07:06,700 –> 00:07:10,000So where your heart is today is an indicator13000:07:10,000 –> 00:07:12,799of where your life will be tomorrow.13100:07:14,799 –> 00:07:18,200Now, Woody Allen summed up13200:07:18,200 –> 00:07:21,899where the culture today goes with this13300:07:21,899 –> 00:07:24,200when he said famously on one occasion13400:07:24,200 –> 00:07:29,299as a justification for an extraordinary unfaithfulness,13500:07:29,299 –> 00:07:33,100he said, the heart wants what it wants.13600:07:34,700 –> 00:07:36,100The heart wants what it wants.13700:07:38,200 –> 00:07:42,200In other words, the heart controls the life13800:07:43,700 –> 00:07:45,700and there’s nothing you can do about it.13900:07:47,700 –> 00:07:51,500Now that’s where the world goes with this truth14000:07:51,500 –> 00:07:55,200about the heart being the controlling center of the life.14100:07:57,000 –> 00:07:59,100But what I want you to see in the Bible today14200:07:59,100 –> 00:08:01,000is something very different.14300:08:02,600 –> 00:08:07,600God says to his children, give me your heart.14400:08:09,700 –> 00:08:11,600If you look back at verse 19,14500:08:11,600 –> 00:08:13,899you will say that God says there,14600:08:13,899 –> 00:08:18,299direct your heart in the way.14700:08:19,299 –> 00:08:22,399Both of these phrases indicate some responsibility14800:08:22,399 –> 00:08:25,600that is given in regards to your own heart,14900:08:25,600 –> 00:08:28,100direct your heart in the way.15000:08:28,100 –> 00:08:30,799If here’s what you are to do with regards to your heart,15100:08:30,799 –> 00:08:31,899and here’s what you’re to do,15200:08:31,899 –> 00:08:36,099not only direct it in the way, but give it to me.15300:08:36,099 –> 00:08:39,299Now, please notice this very important difference.15400:08:39,299 –> 00:08:42,599It is key to understanding at this point,15500:08:42,599 –> 00:08:44,900the big difference, the vast difference15600:08:44,900 –> 00:08:46,500between what our culture is saying15700:08:46,500 –> 00:08:49,400and what God is saying to us in Jesus Christ.15800:08:49,400 –> 00:08:52,900The world says the heart controls the life15900:08:52,900 –> 00:08:55,500and there is nothing you can do about it.16000:08:55,500 –> 00:08:57,099The heart wants what it wants,16100:08:57,099 –> 00:08:58,500the heart goes where it goes16200:08:58,500 –> 00:08:59,700and you have to go with the flow16300:08:59,700 –> 00:09:01,400of whatever you find in your own heart.16400:09:01,400 –> 00:09:04,500That’s what the world says.16500:09:04,500 –> 00:09:08,799But God says, the heart controls the life16600:09:08,799 –> 00:09:10,299so give it to me.16700:09:12,200 –> 00:09:14,700Not so there’s nothing you can do about it,16800:09:14,700 –> 00:09:18,799but the heart controls the life so give it to me.16900:09:21,400 –> 00:09:23,200And, you know, if you’re a child of God,17000:09:23,200 –> 00:09:24,599you have the ability to do this17100:09:24,599 –> 00:09:27,500then this is exactly what you will do.17200:09:27,500 –> 00:09:32,400My son, give me your heart.17300:09:32,400 –> 00:09:34,000Now what will God do with your heart17400:09:34,000 –> 00:09:35,000when you give it to him?17500:09:35,000 –> 00:09:36,400The answer, of course, in the Bible17600:09:36,400 –> 00:09:39,799is very wonderfully, he will fill it.17700:09:39,799 –> 00:09:41,099He will fill it with peace.17800:09:41,099 –> 00:09:42,500He will fill it with love17900:09:42,500 –> 00:09:45,500and he will fill it with joy.18000:09:45,500 –> 00:09:48,599Romans chapter five being justified by faith,18100:09:48,599 –> 00:09:51,200we have peace with God.18200:09:51,299 –> 00:09:56,099Fills with peace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.18300:09:56,099 –> 00:09:58,099You look to Jesus Christ in faith18400:09:58,099 –> 00:10:01,599and he will go on giving you peace.18500:10:01,599 –> 00:10:02,400And not only that,18600:10:02,400 –> 00:10:05,099we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.18700:10:05,099 –> 00:10:06,400You’re in Christ.18800:10:06,400 –> 00:10:08,400He will go on renewing your joy,18900:10:08,400 –> 00:10:11,000especially as you look at all that he is19000:10:11,000 –> 00:10:15,000and all that he has in store for you.19100:10:15,000 –> 00:10:16,900And he will fill your heart with love.19200:10:16,900 –> 00:10:20,900God’s love is poured out into our hearts.19300:10:20,900 –> 00:10:23,900The apostle says by his Holy Spirit19400:10:23,900 –> 00:10:29,599who he has given to us.19500:10:29,599 –> 00:10:31,299But most of all,19600:10:31,299 –> 00:10:36,200God will fill us with himself.19700:10:36,200 –> 00:10:38,000You give your heart to the Lord,19800:10:38,000 –> 00:10:38,900what does he do with it?19900:10:38,900 –> 00:10:43,400He fills it with himself.20000:10:43,400 –> 00:10:45,099And this is the most wonderful thing20100:10:45,099 –> 00:10:47,799that Paul prays for in Ephesians in chapter three,20200:10:47,799 –> 00:10:51,299you remember that you may be strengthened with power20300:10:51,299 –> 00:10:53,900through God spirit in your inner being20400:10:53,900 –> 00:10:58,400that Christ may dwell in your hearts20500:10:58,400 –> 00:11:01,799and that you may be filled to the measure20600:11:01,799 –> 00:11:04,900of all the fullness of God.20700:11:04,900 –> 00:11:06,700So here is something very very wonderful20800:11:06,700 –> 00:11:09,099God says, now give me your heart20900:11:09,099 –> 00:11:12,299and here is what I’ll do I’ll fill it.21000:11:12,299 –> 00:11:16,599I will come and make myself present in your heart.21100:11:16,700 –> 00:11:19,299I’ll fill you with my very self.21200:11:20,299 –> 00:11:22,700And as much as the heart is given over to me21300:11:22,700 –> 00:11:25,500it will be filled and the more it is given over to me21400:11:25,500 –> 00:11:26,799the more it will be filled,21500:11:26,799 –> 00:11:28,900as it is freshly given over today21600:11:28,900 –> 00:11:30,599it will be freshly filled.21700:11:30,599 –> 00:11:32,799I will come and I will bring with me21800:11:32,799 –> 00:11:34,799these wonderful gifts of peace21900:11:34,799 –> 00:11:37,000and of love and of joy.22000:11:38,900 –> 00:11:40,400Now friends here we come to something22100:11:40,400 –> 00:11:43,299very important and very practical indeed.22200:11:44,299 –> 00:11:47,000Someone may be saying as you are hearing these words22300:11:47,000 –> 00:11:50,099now here’s the Lord and he says give me your heart22400:11:50,099 –> 00:11:51,400and you may say well wait a minute22500:11:51,400 –> 00:11:53,000my heart’s already been given.22600:11:54,799 –> 00:11:56,700I’ve given my heart to my wife.22700:11:57,599 –> 00:11:59,200My husband.22800:12:00,500 –> 00:12:01,599My children.22900:12:02,900 –> 00:12:04,299Well.23000:12:05,799 –> 00:12:08,500Think about this, if you are going to love23100:12:08,500 –> 00:12:11,200another person really well23200:12:12,200 –> 00:12:14,700over the long term23300:12:15,599 –> 00:12:20,200your heart itself is going to need to be filled23400:12:21,200 –> 00:12:22,900so who’s going to fill it?23500:12:24,900 –> 00:12:27,700Well you may say well the person I love is23600:12:27,700 –> 00:12:31,599going to fill it, but here’s where that leaves you23700:12:31,599 –> 00:12:33,700it leaves you in a place of saying well now23800:12:33,700 –> 00:12:36,200I will love you and I’ll be able to do that23900:12:36,200 –> 00:12:38,140as long as you go on loving me.24000:12:39,140 –> 00:12:41,539But if you’re no longer able to fill me up24100:12:41,539 –> 00:12:43,340then I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to go on24200:12:43,340 –> 00:12:46,140filling you up, and friends that, of course24300:12:46,140 –> 00:12:49,239is the fastest route to marital and relational disaster24400:12:49,239 –> 00:12:50,340isn’t it?24500:12:51,739 –> 00:12:53,640There ain’t any stability in that!24600:12:55,640 –> 00:12:58,640So I’m saying to you today the best way for24700:12:58,640 –> 00:13:00,640you to be in the position where you can24800:13:00,640 –> 00:13:03,039really love another person is to give your heart24900:13:03,039 –> 00:13:04,340to the Lord25000:13:05,340 –> 00:13:08,340So, that the Lord will fill your heart with25100:13:08,340 –> 00:13:10,940his love and his peace and his joy25200:13:10,940 –> 00:13:12,940so that you will then have something to give25300:13:12,940 –> 00:13:15,239to someone else, and be able to give it25400:13:15,239 –> 00:13:17,940even when you’re not getting very much back in return.25500:13:19,940 –> 00:13:22,440And maybe you’re wondering today if you actually25600:13:22,440 –> 00:13:26,039have the capacity to love another person well!25700:13:26,840 –> 00:13:28,840You look at your own life25800:13:28,840 –> 00:13:31,840and you say, well, I, I’m wanting to be loved25900:13:31,940 –> 00:13:34,440but at the back of my mind26000:13:34,440 –> 00:13:36,940I do have this question, do I actually have26100:13:36,940 –> 00:13:42,940a deep well that’s able to love26200:13:42,940 –> 00:13:45,940another person deeply?26300:13:45,940 –> 00:13:48,940What actually is the capacity26400:13:48,940 –> 00:13:50,940of what I have to give and what26500:13:50,940 –> 00:13:52,940I have to offer?26600:13:52,940 –> 00:13:55,440Well, I’m saying to you this26700:13:55,440 –> 00:13:57,440and let this be a wonderful encouragement to you26800:13:58,039 –> 00:14:00,039The more you give your heart26900:14:00,039 –> 00:14:02,039to the Lord Jesus Christ27000:14:02,039 –> 00:14:04,039the more your capacity27100:14:04,039 –> 00:14:06,039to love another person27200:14:06,039 –> 00:14:08,039well will increase27300:14:08,039 –> 00:14:10,039You are listening to Open the Bible27400:14:10,039 –> 00:14:12,039with Pastor Colin Smith27500:14:12,039 –> 00:14:14,039and a message called The Heart Set Right27600:14:14,039 –> 00:14:16,039based on Proverbs 2327700:14:16,039 –> 00:14:18,039As part of a series27800:14:18,039 –> 00:14:20,039called A Father’s Wisdom27900:14:20,039 –> 00:14:22,039and if you ever miss one of the series28000:14:22,039 –> 00:14:24,039it’s very easy to catch up or go back28100:14:24,039 –> 00:14:26,039and listen again by coming online28200:14:26,039 –> 00:14:28,039to our website OpenTheBible.org.uk28300:14:28,039 –> 00:14:30,039and you can also find28400:14:30,039 –> 00:14:32,039Pastor Colin’s messages28500:14:32,039 –> 00:14:34,039as a podcast28600:14:34,039 –> 00:14:36,039Those are on all the main podcast sites28700:14:36,039 –> 00:14:38,039search for Open The Bible UK28800:14:38,039 –> 00:14:40,039or follow the link from our Web site28900:14:40,039 –> 00:14:42,039I know many of you listen to podcasts29000:14:42,039 –> 00:14:44,039and we’re excited to tell you29100:14:44,039 –> 00:14:46,039about a new podcast for Open The Bible29200:14:46,039 –> 00:14:48,039It’s a companion to29300:14:48,039 –> 00:14:50,039Pastor Colin’s book29400:14:50,039 –> 00:14:52,039Hike Through The Bible29500:14:52,039 –> 00:14:54,039Yeah, and each week I’ll read a chapter from the book29600:14:54,039 –> 00:14:56,599And then I get to discuss it with some friends29700:14:56,599 –> 00:14:58,599So if you join us on the podcast29800:14:58,599 –> 00:15:00,599in 50 weeks29900:15:00,599 –> 00:15:02,599we’ll cover 50 chapters of the Bible30000:15:02,599 –> 00:15:04,599together and in a year30100:15:04,599 –> 00:15:06,599you’ll have hiked through the entire30200:15:06,599 –> 00:15:08,599Bible story. Now if you think30300:15:08,599 –> 00:15:10,599hiking sounds like hard work30400:15:10,599 –> 00:15:12,599don’t worry, I promise you30500:15:12,599 –> 00:15:14,599this hike will be an easy gentle pace30600:15:14,599 –> 00:15:16,599There’s a link to the podcast30700:15:16,599 –> 00:15:18,599and lots more information30800:15:18,599 –> 00:15:20,599on our web site30900:15:20,599 –> 00:15:22,599at OpenTheBible.org.uk31000:15:23,080 –> 00:15:25,080Back to the message now31100:15:25,080 –> 00:15:27,080Here again is Pastor Colin31200:15:27,080 –> 00:15:29,080Then here’s the last thing31300:15:29,080 –> 00:15:31,080and I simply called it31400:15:31,080 –> 00:15:33,080a glorious invitation, cause I wanted31500:15:33,080 –> 00:15:35,080just to draw your attention to who it is31600:15:35,080 –> 00:15:37,080that’s making this invitation31700:15:37,080 –> 00:15:39,080My son give me31800:15:39,080 –> 00:15:41,080your heart31900:15:41,080 –> 00:15:43,080This loving father32000:15:43,080 –> 00:15:45,080this glorious king32100:15:45,080 –> 00:15:47,080this sovereign lord32200:15:47,080 –> 00:15:49,080wants your heart32300:15:49,080 –> 00:15:51,080and lays claim to it32400:15:52,059 –> 00:15:54,059now every heart is given32500:15:54,059 –> 00:15:56,059somewhere, if you don’t give32600:15:56,059 –> 00:15:58,059your heart to God, you will give your heart32700:15:58,059 –> 00:16:00,059to something or someone else32800:16:00,059 –> 00:16:02,059so the question32900:16:02,059 –> 00:16:04,059that is posed for us today is33000:16:04,059 –> 00:16:06,059Who will receive the gift33100:16:06,059 –> 00:16:08,059of your heart, on whom will you33200:16:08,059 –> 00:16:10,059lavish your affection33300:16:10,059 –> 00:16:12,059you may give your heart33400:16:12,059 –> 00:16:14,059to your work, you may give your heart to your33500:16:14,059 –> 00:16:16,059family, you may give your heart33600:16:16,059 –> 00:16:18,059to some cause, you may give your heart to yourself33700:16:19,059 –> 00:16:21,059but every heart33800:16:21,059 –> 00:16:23,059is given somewhere33900:16:23,059 –> 00:16:25,059and wherever you give your heart34000:16:25,059 –> 00:16:27,059that will have growing importance34100:16:27,059 –> 00:16:29,059in all of your life34200:16:32,059 –> 00:16:34,059you know people who don’t34300:16:34,059 –> 00:16:36,059give their heart34400:16:36,059 –> 00:16:38,059actually turn in34500:16:38,059 –> 00:16:40,059on themselves34600:16:40,059 –> 00:16:42,059so that’s actually where their heart is given34700:16:43,059 –> 00:16:45,059and sometimes34800:16:45,059 –> 00:16:47,059end up giving their hearts34900:16:47,059 –> 00:16:49,059to despair35000:16:49,059 –> 00:16:51,059That’s a bible phrase by the way35100:16:51,059 –> 00:16:53,059and it is extraordinary35200:16:53,059 –> 00:16:55,059it comes in ecclesiastes35300:16:55,059 –> 00:16:57,0592-2035400:16:59,059 –> 00:17:01,059I turned about35500:17:01,059 –> 00:17:03,059And gave my heart up35600:17:03,059 –> 00:17:05,060to despair35700:17:05,060 –> 00:17:07,060Every heart is given somewhere35800:17:07,060 –> 00:17:09,060and if it is not given somewhere35900:17:09,060 –> 00:17:11,060else, it’s probably gonna be36000:17:11,060 –> 00:17:13,060given here, it’s given up to despair36100:17:13,060 –> 00:17:15,060and the person who says this36200:17:15,060 –> 00:17:17,060over all the toils36300:17:17,060 –> 00:17:19,060of my labors under the sun36400:17:19,060 –> 00:17:21,060in other words he is a person who is36500:17:21,060 –> 00:17:23,060miserable, they look at their life36600:17:23,060 –> 00:17:25,060they’re not happy, they look at their work36700:17:25,060 –> 00:17:27,060and it’s not fulfilling, I look at my toil36800:17:27,060 –> 00:17:29,060at my life, I say what’s the point36900:17:29,060 –> 00:17:31,060And I give my heart up to despair37000:17:31,060 –> 00:17:33,060Every heart is given somewhere37100:17:33,060 –> 00:17:35,060every heart37200:17:39,060 –> 00:17:41,060if you’re in a place37300:17:41,060 –> 00:17:43,060where you37400:17:43,060 –> 00:17:45,060easily give your heart up to despair37500:17:45,060 –> 00:17:47,060I want to say to you today don’t give you heart37600:17:47,060 –> 00:17:49,060to despair, give your heart to Jesus Christ37700:17:51,060 –> 00:17:53,060that’s where your gonna find hope37800:17:53,060 –> 00:17:55,060that’s where you re gonna find peace and love and joy37900:17:57,060 –> 00:17:59,060And the Lord says to you38000:17:59,060 –> 00:18:01,060in your discouragement38100:18:01,060 –> 00:18:03,060and in your gloom, give me your heart38200:18:03,060 –> 00:18:05,060give it to me,38300:18:05,060 –> 00:18:07,060I can do something with it38400:18:09,060 –> 00:18:11,060what would compel you then in these last moments38500:18:11,060 –> 00:18:13,060to38600:18:13,060 –> 00:18:15,060give you heart38700:18:15,060 –> 00:18:17,060fully, freely, joyfully38800:18:17,060 –> 00:18:19,060to Jesus Christ today38900:18:19,060 –> 00:18:21,060now I have39000:18:21,060 –> 00:18:23,060given you some practical reasons39100:18:23,060 –> 00:18:25,060it’s your best defence against sin39200:18:27,060 –> 00:18:29,060giving your heart to the Lord39300:18:29,060 –> 00:18:31,060is going to be the way that increases your39400:18:31,060 –> 00:18:33,060capacity to love other people well39500:18:33,060 –> 00:18:35,060these are wonderfully practical reasons39600:18:35,060 –> 00:18:37,060but they are not of course the supreme reason39700:18:37,060 –> 00:18:39,060I want to end with this39800:18:43,060 –> 00:18:45,060he says give me your heart39900:18:45,060 –> 00:18:47,060the supreme reason for giving your heart40000:18:47,060 –> 00:18:49,060to the Lord is the Lord himself40100:18:51,060 –> 00:18:53,060we love him because40200:18:55,060 –> 00:18:57,060he first loved us40300:18:59,060 –> 00:19:01,060and this is the loving father40400:19:01,060 –> 00:19:03,060who is calling out40500:19:03,060 –> 00:19:05,060my son40600:19:05,060 –> 00:19:07,060give me your heart40700:19:09,060 –> 00:19:11,060its knowing the love of the Lord40800:19:11,060 –> 00:19:13,060and who he is and how much he loves you40900:19:15,060 –> 00:19:17,060that will lead you to place your heart41000:19:17,060 –> 00:19:19,060freely and fully and freshly41100:19:19,060 –> 00:19:21,060into the hands Jesus Christ41200:19:21,060 –> 00:19:23,060today41300:19:23,060 –> 00:19:25,060now I’m telling you41400:19:25,060 –> 00:19:27,060that if you carry within you41500:19:27,060 –> 00:19:29,060and I think this is true of a lot of christians actually41600:19:29,060 –> 00:19:31,060if you carry within you41700:19:31,060 –> 00:19:33,060this lurking suspicion41800:19:33,060 –> 00:19:35,060that God has it in for you41900:19:35,060 –> 00:19:37,060in the end42000:19:37,060 –> 00:19:39,060you will hold back from really giving42100:19:39,060 –> 00:19:41,060your heart to him42200:19:41,060 –> 00:19:43,060because you’ll be afraid of what he might do with it42300:19:45,060 –> 00:19:47,060And here’s your thinking42400:19:47,060 –> 00:19:49,060You’re saying Gods just42500:19:49,060 –> 00:19:51,060I know that god is just, and that means he’s got a punished sin42600:19:51,060 –> 00:19:53,060and I know that even42700:19:53,060 –> 00:19:55,060at my christian best42800:19:55,060 –> 00:19:57,060I am still a sinner42900:19:57,060 –> 00:19:59,060and if that’s the way that you’re reasoning43000:19:59,060 –> 00:20:01,060the conclusion has to be43100:20:01,060 –> 00:20:03,060stay safe at a43200:20:03,060 –> 00:20:05,060certain distance from him43300:20:05,060 –> 00:20:07,060loyal, yes43400:20:07,060 –> 00:20:09,060but you never get to my son43500:20:09,060 –> 00:20:11,060give me your heart43600:20:11,060 –> 00:20:13,060from there43700:20:13,060 –> 00:20:15,060But here is why, you can43800:20:15,060 –> 00:20:17,060feel completely43900:20:17,060 –> 00:20:19,060safe44000:20:19,060 –> 00:20:21,060in giving your heart into the hands44100:20:21,060 –> 00:20:23,060of this father44200:20:23,060 –> 00:20:25,060god, who loves you44300:20:25,060 –> 00:20:27,060He has44400:20:27,060 –> 00:20:29,060already dealt with all44500:20:29,060 –> 00:20:31,060of your sin at the cross44600:20:33,060 –> 00:20:35,060justice has been satisfied44700:20:35,060 –> 00:20:37,060done44800:20:37,060 –> 00:20:39,060as far as you are concerned44900:20:39,060 –> 00:20:41,060in Jesus Christ45000:20:41,060 –> 00:20:43,060so that now the father is45100:20:43,060 –> 00:20:45,060free45200:20:45,060 –> 00:20:47,060to lavish his45300:20:47,060 –> 00:20:49,060love45400:20:49,060 –> 00:20:51,060over you45500:20:51,060 –> 00:20:53,060and today45600:20:53,060 –> 00:20:55,060he says to you45700:20:55,060 –> 00:20:57,060my son45800:20:57,060 –> 00:20:59,060my daughter45900:20:59,060 –> 00:21:01,060give me46000:21:01,060 –> 00:21:03,060your heart46100:21:05,060 –> 00:21:07,060oh to grace46200:21:07,060 –> 00:21:09,060how great a debtor46300:21:09,060 –> 00:21:11,060daily I’m46400:21:11,060 –> 00:21:13,060constrained to be46500:21:13,060 –> 00:21:15,060let that grace46600:21:15,060 –> 00:21:17,060lord, like a fetter46700:21:17,060 –> 00:21:19,060bind my wandering heart46800:21:19,060 –> 00:21:21,060to thee46900:21:21,060 –> 00:21:23,060prone to wander47000:21:23,060 –> 00:21:25,060lord, I feel it47100:21:25,060 –> 00:21:27,060prone to47200:21:27,060 –> 00:21:29,060leave the god I love47300:21:29,060 –> 00:21:31,060so take this heart47400:21:31,060 –> 00:21:33,060god, take and47500:21:33,060 –> 00:21:35,060seal it47600:21:35,060 –> 00:21:37,060seal it for your47700:21:37,060 –> 00:21:39,060courts47800:21:39,060 –> 00:21:41,060above47900:21:55,060 –> 00:21:57,060so take this heart48000:21:57,060 –> 00:21:59,060god, take and48100:21:59,060 –> 00:22:01,060seal it48200:22:01,060 –> 00:22:03,060for your48300:22:03,060 –> 00:22:05,060courts48400:22:05,060 –> 00:22:07,060above48500:22:07,060 –> 00:22:09,060Seal it48600:22:09,060 –> 00:22:11,060Sealed48700:22:11,060 –> 00:22:13,060Seal it48800:22:13,060 –> 00:22:15,060Seal it48900:22:15,060 –> 00:22:17,060Sealed49000:22:17,060 –> 00:22:19,060Sealed49100:22:19,060 –> 00:22:21,060Seal it49200:22:21,060 –> 00:22:23,060Sealed49300:22:23,060 –> 00:22:25,060Seal it49400:22:25,060 –> 00:22:27,060Sealed49500:22:27,060 –> 00:22:29,060Sealed49600:22:29,060 –> 00:22:31,060Sealed49700:22:31,060 –> 00:22:33,060Sealed49800:22:33,060 –> 00:22:35,060Sealed49900:22:35,060 –> 00:22:37,060Sealed50000:22:37,060 –> 00:22:39,060Sealed50100:22:39,060 –> 00:22:41,060Sealed50200:22:41,060 –> 00:22:43,060Sealed50300:22:45,060 –> 00:22:47,060Sealed50400:22:47,060 –> 00:22:49,060Sealed50500:22:49,060 –> 00:22:51,060Sealed50600:22:51,060 –> 00:22:53,060Sealed50700:22:55,060 –> 00:22:57,060Sealed50800:23:01,060 –> 00:23:03,060Sealed50900:23:03,060 –> 00:23:05,060Sealed51000:23:05,060 –> 00:23:07,060Sealed51100:23:07,060 –> 00:23:09,060Sealed51200:23:09,060 –> 00:23:11,060Sealed51300:23:11,060 –> 00:23:13,060Sealed51400:23:13,060 –> 00:23:15,060Sealed51500:23:15,060 –> 00:23:17,060Sealed51600:23:17,060 –> 00:23:19,060Sealed51700:23:19,060 –> 00:23:21,060Sealed51800:23:21,060 –> 00:23:23,060Sealed51900:23:23,060 –> 00:23:25,060Sealed52000:23:25,060 –> 00:23:27,060Sealed52100:23:27,060 –> 00:23:29,060Sealed52200:23:29,060 –> 00:23:31,060Sealed52300:23:31,060 –> 00:23:33,060Sealed52400:23:33,060 –> 00:23:35,060Sealed52500:23:35,060 –> 00:23:37,060Sealed52600:23:37,060 –> 00:23:39,060Sealed52700:23:39,060 –> 00:23:41,060Sealed52800:23:41,060 –> 00:23:43,060Sealed52900:23:43,060 –> 00:23:45,060Sealed53000:23:45,060 –> 00:23:47,060Sealed53100:23:47,060 –> 00:23:49,060That’s gospel stories by Andrew Wilson53200:23:49,060 –> 00:23:51,060and it’s our free gift to you53300:23:51,060 –> 00:23:53,060when you begin supporting53400:23:53,060 –> 00:23:55,060Open The Bible with a direct debit53500:23:55,060 –> 00:23:57,060or a one-off gift53600:23:57,060 –> 00:23:59,060Full terms and conditions are on our website53700:23:59,060 –> 00:24:01,060OpenTheBible.org.uk53800:24:01,060 –> 00:24:03,060and you can give online53900:24:03,060 –> 00:24:05,060For any54000:24:05,060 –> 00:24:07,060listeners in Northern Ireland54100:24:07,060 –> 00:24:09,060there’s an opportunity to see54200:24:09,060 –> 00:24:11,060Pastor Colin Smith in person54300:24:11,060 –> 00:24:13,060when he teaches his54400:24:13,060 –> 00:24:15,060Fly Through The Bible54500:24:15,060 –> 00:24:17,060That’s Wednesday the 25th of March54600:24:17,060 –> 00:24:19,0602026 at54700:24:19,060 –> 00:24:21,060Hamilton Road Baptist Church54800:24:21,060 –> 00:24:23,060Bangor, Northern Ireland54900:24:23,060 –> 00:24:25,060It’s a rare opportunity to see and meet55000:24:25,060 –> 00:24:27,060Pastor Colin Smith55100:24:27,060 –> 00:24:29,060in the UK so if you are in Northern Ireland55200:24:29,060 –> 00:24:31,060I hope you’ll take the opportunity55300:24:31,060 –> 00:24:33,060of going along to that meeting55400:24:33,060 –> 00:24:35,060It’s sure to be a tremendous occasion55500:24:35,060 –> 00:24:37,060Again that’s on Wednesday the 25th of March55600:24:37,060 –> 00:24:39,0602026 at55700:24:39,060 –> 00:24:41,060Hamilton Road Baptist Church55800:24:41,060 –> 00:24:43,060Bangor, Northern Ireland55900:24:43,060 –> 00:24:45,060You’ve been listening to Open The Bible56000:24:45,060 –> 00:24:47,060with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick56100:24:47,060 –> 00:24:49,060and I hope you’ll join us next time56200:24:49,060 –> 00:24:51,060on Open The Bible56300:25:04,959 –> 00:25:06,959If you’ve ever wondered what can56400:25:06,959 –> 00:25:08,959Jesus do for me56500:25:08,959 –> 00:25:10,959The Story of the Thief on the Cross56600:25:10,959 –> 00:25:12,959is for you. That’s next time56700:25:12,959 –> 00:25:14,959on Open The Bible