The Power of Example, Part 2

2 Timothy 3:14

Join us on this episode of “Open the Bible” with Pastor Colin Smith, as we delve into the incredible role of parents in reflecting God’s love and guidance in their children’s lives. This insightful discussion challenges parents to exemplify God’s unwavering support even amidst their children’s struggles. How do we balance support without enabling? How do we nurture a vision for our children that aligns with Christian values? Colin addresses these questions, focusing on the significant influence of parental and communal involvement in spiritual upbringing.

100:00:01,000 –> 00:00:06,600You’re calling as a parent is to represent Christ in the life of your200:00:06,600 –> 00:00:10,960child and there is never a greater opportunity than when he or she is in300:00:10,960 –> 00:00:17,959trouble. Help them! As you’re modeling that there is a Father in heaven whose400:00:17,959 –> 00:00:24,240strong hand reaches out in time of trouble to be a help. Welcome to Open the500:00:24,240 –> 00:00:28,320Bible with Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick. Glad you could be with us today.600:00:28,780 –> 00:00:32,279Colin, that’s a great word of encouragement for many parents but there700:00:32,279 –> 00:00:36,560may be some parents who struggle as they raise their kids to know how much to800:00:36,560 –> 00:00:41,919help. For example, what is help and what is enablement? Yeah and I think900:00:41,919 –> 00:00:47,560that’s where the imitation of the father is so very, very helpful to us. The role1000:00:47,560 –> 00:00:53,000that a father, that a mother has is, is to represent the character, the presence1100:00:53,000 –> 00:00:57,639the person of God himself in the life of the child and therefore, for me1200:00:57,779 –> 00:01:03,720constantly to be asking this question. How does the father act in relation to1300:01:03,720 –> 00:01:10,680his children? And for that to be the grid that gives me my template for knowing1400:01:10,680 –> 00:01:16,080how to act in relation to my children. When my children are in need, I do not1500:01:16,080 –> 00:01:21,080want to be standing back aloof because God the Father does not. And when my1600:01:21,080 –> 00:01:25,940children are in rebellion I do not want to indulge them because God the Father1700:01:26,139 –> 00:01:30,160never does that towards his children. So there’s a distinction but it’s where it1800:01:30,160 –> 00:01:33,800comes from that’s the important thing. That’s an important truth we find in1900:01:33,800 –> 00:01:39,320today’s programme. So join us if you can in 2 Timothy chapter 3 as we continue2000:01:39,320 –> 00:01:43,220the message, the power of example. Here is Colin. What’s your vision for your2100:01:43,220 –> 00:01:48,459children? I want to commend to you a vision of children and young people who2200:01:48,459 –> 00:01:52,540grow to love Christ to belong to his body and to offer themselves without2300:01:52,680 –> 00:01:57,699reservation to him. In other words not just decisions but disciples, not2400:01:57,699 –> 00:02:03,099isolation but participation, not self-fulfillment as the goal but2500:02:03,099 –> 00:02:07,400self-sacrifice for Christ and his kingdom which is the ultimate purpose of life as2600:02:07,400 –> 00:02:12,699it is given to each and to every one of us. Now if that’s the vision, the question2700:02:12,699 –> 00:02:17,360of course is how should we pursue it and here I want to focus in on 2 Timothy2800:02:17,360 –> 00:02:22,0203 in verse 14. Just this one verse today and it’s such a marvelous2900:02:22,059 –> 00:02:28,860and important statement for us. 2 Timothy chapter 3 and verse 14. As3000:02:28,860 –> 00:02:35,779for you, Paul writes to Timothy, continue in what you have learned and have become3100:02:35,779 –> 00:02:45,300convinced of because you know those from whom you learned it. This is a very3200:02:45,300 –> 00:02:51,740fascinating statement and I trust that God will impress it upon our minds today.3300:02:51,899 –> 00:02:56,619That the reason that Paul gives Timothy for continuing in the Christian life is3400:02:56,619 –> 00:03:06,320not so much what he learned but who he learned it from. Continue in what you3500:03:06,320 –> 00:03:17,720have learned. Why? Because you know from whom you have learned it. I want us to3600:03:18,240 –> 00:03:25,119Then on the teachers. Then briefly on the teaching and then3700:03:25,119 –> 00:03:33,339finally on the example. First of all the teachers you know those from whom you3800:03:33,339 –> 00:03:42,139learned it. Now from whom did Timothy learn the Gospel? Well if you turn back3900:03:42,139 –> 00:03:45,639just one page here in 2nd Timothy to the beginning of the letter you see it’s4000:03:46,139 –> 00:03:48,399quite clearly stated there 2nd Timothy chapter 1 in verse 5.4100:03:48,399 –> 00:03:53,679Paul’s writing to this young man Timothy encouraging him to4200:03:53,679 –> 00:03:59,179press forward in the Christian life and in ministry. And he says4300:03:59,179 –> 00:04:03,199You know from whom you learned this? and it’s right there in chapter 1 and verse 5.4400:04:03,199 –> 00:04:08,360I’ve been reminded he says of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother4500:04:08,360 –> 00:04:17,179Lois and then in your mother Eunice. And I am persuaded now that it lives in you.4600:04:17,179 –> 00:04:25,480So where did he learn his faith? Answer? From the parents. You learned it4700:04:25,480 –> 00:04:30,380from your mother. You learned it from your grandmother.4800:04:31,619 –> 00:04:36,859We get a little more background to this family from Acts and chapter sixteen4900:04:37,179 –> 00:04:42,980verse one where we’re told that Timothy’s mother, Eunice, was a Jewess who believed5000:04:42,980 –> 00:04:48,940in Christ. We also know that Timothy’s father was Greek, we’re told that there5100:04:48,940 –> 00:04:54,299and therefore this was a rationally mixed marriage. Some commentators think5200:04:54,299 –> 00:04:59,700that Timothy’s father died when he was still quite young. I myself am convinced5300:04:59,700 –> 00:05:04,859that that was indeed the case. In which case, what we have here, is a word of5400:05:04,920 –> 00:05:12,739tremendous encouragement for single parents. If you are a single parent, a5500:05:12,739 –> 00:05:18,739single mother, single father today, I hope you feel the love and the support5600:05:18,739 –> 00:05:26,579of this fellowship, and I hope that you will be encouraged by Eunice who5700:05:26,579 –> 00:05:32,559single-handedly raised a son who became one of the heroes of the early church,5800:05:32,880 –> 00:05:41,859Timothy. And grandparent’s never under estimate the importance of your role.5900:05:41,859 –> 00:05:49,200Remember Lois, don’t forget the significance of your continuing6000:05:49,200 –> 00:05:57,059influence as a model and example of faith in the lives of your grandchildren.6100:05:57,820 –> 00:05:59,660You know from whom you learned it.6200:05:59,660 –> 00:06:00,820Who did you learn it from?6300:06:00,820 –> 00:06:03,119From the parents.6400:06:03,119 –> 00:06:06,100But not only from the parents.6500:06:06,100 –> 00:06:08,940I want to suggest secondly from the partners.6600:06:08,940 –> 00:06:09,899And the partner here,6700:06:09,899 –> 00:06:11,179the most obvious partner,6800:06:11,179 –> 00:06:13,720was of course the apostle Paul himself.6900:06:13,720 –> 00:06:14,899Paul, as many of you will know,7000:06:14,899 –> 00:06:16,820took Timothy under his wing.7100:06:16,820 –> 00:06:18,779He became a mentor to this lad,7200:06:18,779 –> 00:06:19,619and in the end,7300:06:19,619 –> 00:06:25,220Timothy became an apprentice to Paul at traveling with him on his journeys.7400:06:25,500 –> 00:06:27,059And I think what we have here therefore7500:06:27,059 –> 00:06:30,359is a beautiful example of how the family7600:06:30,359 –> 00:06:32,940and the wider church fellowship7700:06:32,940 –> 00:06:36,119contribute together in the training7800:06:36,119 –> 00:06:38,420and the teaching of a child.7900:06:39,660 –> 00:06:40,540I had to tell you,8000:06:40,540 –> 00:06:44,059I thank God from the bottom of my heart8100:06:44,940 –> 00:06:47,640for the partners who have played a role8200:06:47,640 –> 00:06:51,019in the lives of our two boys over the last 10 years.8300:06:52,359 –> 00:06:54,399Our lives network together.8400:06:54,399 –> 00:06:57,279Our parents, partners together8500:06:57,279 –> 00:06:59,540shaping the lives of our kids.8600:07:01,859 –> 00:07:05,000And if your eyes are open,8700:07:05,000 –> 00:07:06,160there will be some way in which8800:07:06,160 –> 00:07:08,519you can contribute to the life of a younger person8900:07:08,519 –> 00:07:09,779in the body of Christ.9000:07:12,760 –> 00:07:14,880Not only the teachers, the parents and the partners,9100:07:14,880 –> 00:07:16,920but let’s look at the teaching for just a moment.9200:07:16,920 –> 00:07:18,799Look at this verse again, verse 14,9300:07:18,799 –> 00:07:22,899but as for you, continue in what you have learned.9400:07:24,519 –> 00:07:25,720Well, what did he learn?9500:07:27,279 –> 00:07:30,940Between the age of zip and 18, what did he learn?9600:07:32,920 –> 00:07:34,779What do you want your kids to learn9700:07:34,779 –> 00:07:36,940by the time they leave for college?9800:07:38,880 –> 00:07:42,059What do we as a church have as learning outcomes9900:07:42,059 –> 00:07:45,760in our thinking about what we want them to learn10000:07:45,760 –> 00:07:46,739by the age of 18?10100:07:49,459 –> 00:07:50,359Well, I want to suggest to you10200:07:50,359 –> 00:07:51,880right from this passage of scripture,10300:07:51,880 –> 00:07:55,600two clear learning outcomes that will never fail us.10400:07:55,600 –> 00:07:56,420Look at it right here.10500:07:56,420 –> 00:07:57,260Verse 15.10600:07:58,679 –> 00:08:00,059To know the scriptures.10700:08:00,959 –> 00:08:05,959How from infancy you have known the holy scriptures.10800:08:08,279 –> 00:08:11,059I would suggest that that is a learning outcome10900:08:11,059 –> 00:08:12,799that should be in the mind of every parent11000:08:12,799 –> 00:08:14,299and every church leader.11100:08:16,579 –> 00:08:18,440From infancy, you’ve known the holy scriptures,11200:08:18,440 –> 00:08:20,040to know the holy scriptures.11300:08:20,679 –> 00:08:25,040Now Timothy’s mother, of course, did a terrific job here.11400:08:25,040 –> 00:08:26,839She started early.11500:08:27,559 –> 00:08:32,559From infancy, from infancy,11600:08:32,659 –> 00:08:35,059you have known the holy scriptures.11700:08:36,700 –> 00:08:40,380Now, let me encourage you,11800:08:40,380 –> 00:08:42,559knowing the holy scriptures doesn’t mean11900:08:42,559 –> 00:08:44,159being able to pass a test on12000:08:44,159 –> 00:08:46,320who was the wife of Hilkiah, the high priest,12100:08:46,320 –> 00:08:47,159or whatever it is.12200:08:47,159 –> 00:08:49,020I mean, that might be valuable,12300:08:49,500 –> 00:08:51,700but that’s not what we’re talking about here.12400:08:53,500 –> 00:08:55,739But surely, it is a reasonable expectation12500:08:55,739 –> 00:08:57,520that by the age of 18,12600:08:58,479 –> 00:09:01,799a child who is raised in a Christian home12700:09:03,059 –> 00:09:07,640and part of the total program of an evangelical church12800:09:08,700 –> 00:09:10,780should be familiar with the parables12900:09:10,780 –> 00:09:13,400and the miracles of Jesus and the sermon on the mount13000:09:13,400 –> 00:09:15,479and the main teachings of the New Testament13100:09:15,479 –> 00:09:17,739and the big picture of the bible story13200:09:17,900 –> 00:09:19,820and the story of Adam and Noah and Abraham and Moses13300:09:19,820 –> 00:09:22,679and David and Solomon and Ahamai and so forth and so on.13400:09:24,460 –> 00:09:28,979Now, the good news is that this is much easier13500:09:29,900 –> 00:09:31,119than you might think.13600:09:32,719 –> 00:09:34,619Start early.13700:09:34,619 –> 00:09:36,940Remember, from infancy.13800:09:36,940 –> 00:09:39,099So as soon as they’re really able to read,13900:09:39,099 –> 00:09:41,479you want to be thinking about this particularly,14000:09:41,479 –> 00:09:43,020though before that you’ll have been telling14100:09:43,020 –> 00:09:44,760many stories yourself.14200:09:45,760 –> 00:09:47,840But as your child is able to read,14300:09:47,840 –> 00:09:52,460make sure your child has his or her own Bible,14400:09:54,260 –> 00:09:58,539and then help them to use it as much as possible.14500:09:59,599 –> 00:10:00,880Every time the Bible’s used,14600:10:00,880 –> 00:10:02,559make sure that they have their own Bible,14700:10:02,559 –> 00:10:04,679the same Bible, so that they begin14800:10:04,679 –> 00:10:07,280to get a sense of knowing their Bible.14900:10:08,219 –> 00:10:09,239It’s very practical.15000:10:11,520 –> 00:10:13,659Get them to bring their Bible to church.15100:10:15,520 –> 00:10:18,179Open it, read it, mark it, use it.15200:10:18,179 –> 00:10:21,520I have to tell you, I have great joy15300:10:22,919 –> 00:10:26,520when kids have come up to me and shown me15400:10:26,520 –> 00:10:28,719verses that are marked all the way15500:10:28,719 –> 00:10:30,440through the book of Micah.15600:10:30,440 –> 00:10:31,260Why?15700:10:31,260 –> 00:10:33,320Because we did Micah in the services last fall.15800:10:34,520 –> 00:10:35,919And there are kids who’ve marked a verse15900:10:35,919 –> 00:10:37,520in just about every chapter in Micah.16000:10:37,520 –> 00:10:39,280This was the one that they thought was their favorite,16100:10:39,280 –> 00:10:40,179so they marked it.16200:10:41,400 –> 00:10:42,760They know a bit about Micah.16300:10:43,359 –> 00:10:45,380You do that in the services.16400:10:47,340 –> 00:10:49,000You do that in the Sunday school.16500:10:51,020 –> 00:10:52,719You do that in the Youth Ministry.16600:10:54,719 –> 00:10:57,039You do that because you get your Bible out16700:10:57,039 –> 00:11:00,119in times that you share as a family,16800:11:00,119 –> 00:11:04,880and you will be amazed how quickly your child16900:11:04,880 –> 00:11:08,059begins to feel that he or she is learning17000:11:08,059 –> 00:11:10,599her or his Bible.17100:11:11,500 –> 00:11:13,039You’ve got to start early.17200:11:14,580 –> 00:11:15,919You’ve got to start early.17300:11:16,320 –> 00:11:17,619You’re listening to Open The Bible17400:11:17,619 –> 00:11:19,260with Pastor Colin Smith17500:11:19,260 –> 00:11:22,119and a message called The Power of Example,17600:11:22,119 –> 00:11:25,719it’s from our series Unless the Lord Builds the House,17700:11:25,719 –> 00:11:28,039and if you’ve missed any of the series so far17800:11:28,039 –> 00:11:30,359or if you want to go back and listen again,17900:11:30,359 –> 00:11:33,039you can do that by coming online to our website18000:11:33,039 –> 00:11:36,140openthebible.org.uk,18100:11:36,140 –> 00:11:37,840and there you’ll find all the messages18200:11:37,840 –> 00:11:39,940which have already been broadcast.18300:11:40,700 –> 00:11:42,479You’ll also find them as a podcast18400:11:42,479 –> 00:11:45,020and those are on all the main podcast sites,18500:11:45,020 –> 00:11:46,979search for Open the Bible UK18600:11:46,979 –> 00:11:49,739or follow the link from our website.18700:11:50,580 –> 00:11:53,080Open the Bible is supported by our listeners,18800:11:53,080 –> 00:11:55,039here’s Open The Bible’s Amandaунningham18900:11:55,039 –> 00:11:57,039to talk about this month’s offer19000:11:57,039 –> 00:11:59,340for anyone who’s able to begin supporting19100:11:59,340 –> 00:12:01,359Open the Bible financially.19200:12:01,359 –> 00:12:02,919Thanks, David!19300:12:02,919 –> 00:12:05,799Yes, this month we are delighted to offer you19400:12:05,799 –> 00:12:10,500two free copies of Christmas Stories by Colin Smith19500:12:10,500 –> 00:12:13,159a beautifully illustrated book19600:12:13,159 –> 00:12:17,320that tells a Christmas story through 5 key characters19700:12:17,320 –> 00:12:20,780including Mary, Joseph and the Angel Gabriel.19800:12:20,780 –> 00:12:24,020You’ll also receive 5 exclusive Christmas cards19900:12:24,020 –> 00:12:26,059featuring artwork from the book20000:12:26,059 –> 00:12:29,840perfect for sharing the true meaning of Christmas.20100:12:30,380 –> 00:12:32,000It’s our free thank you gift20200:12:32,000 –> 00:12:34,299when you donate £50 or more20300:12:34,419 –> 00:12:38,159or set up a new direct debit of just £5 a month20400:12:38,159 –> 00:12:40,700but please don’t forget to leave your address20500:12:40,700 –> 00:12:43,099so that we can post your gift.20600:12:43,099 –> 00:12:44,219Thanks Amanda20700:12:44,219 –> 00:12:45,500we’re very grateful to God20800:12:45,500 –> 00:12:47,659for the many Open the Bible listeners20900:12:47,659 –> 00:12:49,340who support the work21000:12:49,340 –> 00:12:50,799if you’d like to join them21100:12:50,799 –> 00:12:52,580head over to our website21200:12:52,580 –> 00:12:55,340openthebible.org.uk21300:12:55,340 –> 00:12:56,840where you can give online21400:12:56,840 –> 00:12:58,859and find full terms and conditions21500:12:58,859 –> 00:13:00,659for our offer this month.21600:13:00,659 –> 00:13:01,900Back to the message now21700:13:01,900 –> 00:13:03,500Here again is Colin21800:13:03,500 –> 00:13:05,700Catch the enthusiasm21900:13:05,700 –> 00:13:09,479to learn, to read and to discover22000:13:09,479 –> 00:13:11,739the Word of God22100:13:11,739 –> 00:13:13,640it’s a living seed22200:13:13,640 –> 00:13:15,719so plant it22300:13:15,719 –> 00:13:17,780use it22400:13:17,780 –> 00:13:20,900and trust God to make it grow.22500:13:20,900 –> 00:13:22,400Objective number one22600:13:22,400 –> 00:13:23,299in our teaching22700:13:23,299 –> 00:13:24,460that they’ll know the Scriptures22800:13:24,460 –> 00:13:26,000pretty straightforward22900:13:26,000 –> 00:13:27,340objective number two23000:13:27,340 –> 00:13:29,840that they will become wise for salvation23100:13:29,840 –> 00:13:30,780look at this23200:13:30,919 –> 00:13:32,020from infancy verse fifteen23300:13:32,020 –> 00:13:33,599you have known the Holy Scriptures23400:13:33,599 –> 00:13:35,039that’s the first outcome23500:13:35,039 –> 00:13:36,539which are able to make you23600:13:36,539 –> 00:13:39,440second wise for salvation23700:13:39,440 –> 00:13:41,979through faith in Jesus Christ23800:13:41,979 –> 00:13:43,200now He’s not saying23900:13:43,200 –> 00:13:44,440that you can save your kids24000:13:44,440 –> 00:13:45,460through Christian education24100:13:45,460 –> 00:13:46,840obviously that’s not the case24200:13:46,840 –> 00:13:47,700and we’ll talk about that24300:13:47,700 –> 00:13:51,280particularly in two weeks time24400:13:51,280 –> 00:13:52,320but through the Scriptures24500:13:52,320 –> 00:13:54,200your children can become wise24600:13:54,200 –> 00:13:55,559for salvation24700:13:55,559 –> 00:13:56,599what does that mean24800:13:56,599 –> 00:13:58,239to be wise for salvation24900:13:58,239 –> 00:13:59,239means you need to grasp25000:13:59,359 –> 00:14:02,299three very simple things25100:14:02,299 –> 00:14:07,239first is that you need a saviour25200:14:07,239 –> 00:14:09,500now there are two strategic opportunities25300:14:09,500 –> 00:14:13,020for you to teach your kids25400:14:13,020 –> 00:14:15,659that they need a saviour25500:14:15,659 –> 00:14:17,599for you to model this25600:14:17,599 –> 00:14:20,640to get it into their mindset25700:14:20,640 –> 00:14:22,460to get it is a category25800:14:22,460 –> 00:14:24,880in their thinking25900:14:24,880 –> 00:14:26,640the first is very simply26000:14:26,640 –> 00:14:28,859discipline26100:14:28,900 –> 00:14:32,799in those times when discipline is necessary26200:14:32,799 –> 00:14:34,799and it will in every child’s experience26300:14:34,799 –> 00:14:38,659be sometimes when it is so26400:14:38,659 –> 00:14:40,619use that as an opportunity for your child26500:14:40,619 –> 00:14:42,179to see more clearly26600:14:42,179 –> 00:14:43,900that he or she is a sinner26700:14:43,900 –> 00:14:46,219who needs a saviour26800:14:48,219 –> 00:14:52,320if your children are never disciplined26900:14:52,320 –> 00:14:54,380but constantly fed a diet27000:14:54,380 –> 00:14:56,179on how wonderful27100:14:56,179 –> 00:14:57,679beautiful and smart they are27200:14:58,539 –> 00:15:01,099to have any sense of needing a saviour at all27300:15:01,820 –> 00:15:02,599right?27400:15:02,599 –> 00:15:06,000the category won’t exist in their minds27500:15:07,580 –> 00:15:10,239C.J. Maheny, who’s teaching on this27600:15:10,239 –> 00:15:12,840and I find to be particularly insightful and helpful27700:15:12,840 –> 00:15:14,979talks about how he tried to do this27800:15:14,979 –> 00:15:16,239with his own children27900:15:16,239 –> 00:15:18,859that when there was a situation of discipline28000:15:18,859 –> 00:15:20,460of course this should not be all the time28100:15:20,460 –> 00:15:23,059but when there was such a situation28200:15:23,059 –> 00:15:25,599he made a point every time afterwards28300:15:25,599 –> 00:15:29,200of sitting down with his son or with his daughter28400:15:29,200 –> 00:15:31,380and asking this question28500:15:31,380 –> 00:15:35,219what bible truth does this confirm?28600:15:36,799 –> 00:15:38,919See, I am a sinner28700:15:39,320 –> 00:15:40,820who needs a saviour28800:15:40,820 –> 00:15:42,099to which he would always say28900:15:42,099 –> 00:15:45,559yes son, and your dad is too29000:15:47,359 –> 00:15:49,440and that takes me to the second thing29100:15:49,440 –> 00:15:51,539if the first opportunity is the situations29200:15:51,539 –> 00:15:54,299that arise in life where discipline is called for29300:15:54,400 –> 00:15:56,859the second is through your own repentance29400:15:56,859 –> 00:15:58,119the situations in life29500:15:58,119 –> 00:16:00,000where you blow it and you need to say sorry29600:16:01,440 –> 00:16:04,080When you admit that you were wrong29700:16:05,219 –> 00:16:06,760When you say to your kids29800:16:06,760 –> 00:16:09,539I’m sorry about that29900:16:10,559 –> 00:16:13,340you admit and can make it very clear30000:16:13,340 –> 00:16:15,039that you too are a sinner30100:16:15,659 –> 00:16:16,719who needs a saviour30200:16:19,239 –> 00:16:20,760my kids have heard me say30300:16:20,760 –> 00:16:23,419I’m sorry many times30400:16:25,299 –> 00:16:27,320I was wrong30500:16:31,179 –> 00:16:35,260and through their observation of our repentance30600:16:37,119 –> 00:16:38,919they will gain the category30700:16:40,539 –> 00:16:42,799of what it means to be a sinner who needs a saviour30800:16:42,799 –> 00:16:44,359Your kids heard you say sorry?30900:16:46,380 –> 00:16:48,140They see your repentance?31000:16:49,020 –> 00:16:50,179Or would they think of you31100:16:50,179 –> 00:16:52,059as someone who has nothing to repent of?31200:16:54,299 –> 00:16:59,640to be wise to salvation you need to know that you need a saviour31300:16:59,640 –> 00:17:01,880second you need to know that there is a saviour31400:17:03,260 –> 00:17:06,000and two strategic opportunities for modeling that truth31500:17:06,000 –> 00:17:08,079would be first by bringing help31600:17:08,900 –> 00:17:11,239God is our refuge and help31700:17:11,239 –> 00:17:13,439an ever present help in time of trouble31800:17:13,439 –> 00:17:17,420your calling as a parent is to flag Christ in the life of your child31900:17:17,420 –> 00:17:19,880and there is never a greater opportunity32000:17:19,880 –> 00:17:21,719than when he or she is in trouble32100:17:21,739 –> 00:17:24,939and you will help them32200:17:24,939 –> 00:17:27,060because you are modeling32300:17:27,060 –> 00:17:28,719that there is a father in heaven32400:17:28,719 –> 00:17:30,859whose strong hand reaches out32500:17:30,859 –> 00:17:31,859in time of trouble32600:17:32,119 –> 00:17:33,880to be a help32700:17:37,239 –> 00:17:39,699and bring hope32800:17:39,699 –> 00:17:42,719that there’s a saviour who loves you32900:17:42,719 –> 00:17:44,859and will not abandon you when you do wrong33000:17:44,859 –> 00:17:47,020he is always at work to redeem33100:17:47,020 –> 00:17:49,060and you know there’s never a better opportunity33200:17:49,060 –> 00:17:49,900for you or me33300:17:50,219 –> 00:17:52,300model that than when something becomes terribly wrong33400:17:52,300 –> 00:17:53,859in the life of your child33500:17:53,859 –> 00:17:55,219and there’s a chance to sit down33600:17:55,219 –> 00:17:57,099and to recognize the wrong33700:17:57,859 –> 00:17:58,760and then to say33800:17:58,760 –> 00:18:00,380now how are we going to turn this around33900:18:00,380 –> 00:18:02,180how can this be redeemed34000:18:02,180 –> 00:18:06,319and to show therefore that there is a redeemer34100:18:06,319 –> 00:18:07,020there really is34200:18:07,020 –> 00:18:08,579there is a saviour34300:18:10,020 –> 00:18:10,640so34400:18:10,640 –> 00:18:12,579the teachers34500:18:12,579 –> 00:18:14,020parents and partners34600:18:14,780 –> 00:18:16,780together34700:18:16,780 –> 00:18:17,739the teaching34800:18:17,739 –> 00:18:18,819to know the scriptures34900:18:18,859 –> 00:18:21,040and to be wise for salvation35000:18:21,040 –> 00:18:22,579which involves grasping35100:18:22,579 –> 00:18:23,900that you need a saviour35200:18:23,900 –> 00:18:25,699and that there is a saviour35300:18:25,699 –> 00:18:28,880these categories need to be impressed on the mind35400:18:28,880 –> 00:18:32,280and they’re impressed through life itself35500:18:34,099 –> 00:18:35,140the last thing finally35600:18:35,140 –> 00:18:35,979and very briefly35700:18:35,979 –> 00:18:37,979is just the power of example35800:18:37,979 –> 00:18:39,420which is our title35900:18:39,420 –> 00:18:40,359itself36000:18:40,359 –> 00:18:41,540the teachers36100:18:41,540 –> 00:18:42,599the teaching36200:18:42,599 –> 00:18:43,420the example36300:18:43,420 –> 00:18:44,199as for you36400:18:44,199 –> 00:18:45,060verse 1436500:18:45,060 –> 00:18:46,880continue36600:18:46,880 –> 00:18:48,219in what you have learnt36700:18:48,260 –> 00:18:49,520and become convinced of36800:18:49,520 –> 00:18:50,459because36900:18:50,459 –> 00:18:51,260you37000:18:51,260 –> 00:18:52,219know37100:18:52,219 –> 00:18:52,760those37200:18:52,760 –> 00:18:53,520from whom37300:18:53,520 –> 00:18:54,099you have37400:18:54,099 –> 00:18:56,099learnt it37500:18:57,880 –> 00:18:58,380Timothy37600:19:00,239 –> 00:19:01,140Continue37700:19:01,140 –> 00:19:01,640through37800:19:01,640 –> 00:19:02,619the difficulties37900:19:02,619 –> 00:19:03,459that you’re facing38000:19:03,459 –> 00:19:04,079in your life38100:19:04,079 –> 00:19:04,560continue38200:19:04,560 –> 00:19:05,239in the gospel38300:19:05,239 –> 00:19:06,079why?38400:19:07,599 –> 00:19:08,099because38500:19:08,099 –> 00:19:08,660you know38600:19:08,660 –> 00:19:09,160those38700:19:09,160 –> 00:19:09,660from whom38800:19:09,660 –> 00:19:10,199you have38900:19:10,199 –> 00:19:11,079learned it39000:19:12,079 –> 00:19:12,599do you see39100:19:12,599 –> 00:19:13,699the power of this?39200:19:14,780 –> 00:19:15,280why39300:19:15,280 –> 00:19:15,880should39400:19:15,880 –> 00:19:16,599a person39500:19:16,599 –> 00:19:17,140continue39600:19:17,140 –> 00:19:18,000in the gospel?39700:19:18,000 –> 00:19:18,520why should39800:19:18,520 –> 00:19:19,020you continue39900:19:19,020 –> 00:19:19,959in the gospel?40000:19:21,660 –> 00:19:22,199because you’ve seen40100:19:22,199 –> 00:19:22,979that it works40200:19:23,920 –> 00:19:24,420in the life40300:19:24,420 –> 00:19:24,839of your40400:19:24,839 –> 00:19:25,560mother40500:19:26,099 –> 00:19:26,599in the life40600:19:26,599 –> 00:19:27,079of your40700:19:27,079 –> 00:19:27,680grandmother40800:19:27,760 –> 00:19:28,260and you have40900:19:28,260 –> 00:19:28,819seen41000:19:28,819 –> 00:19:29,439that it works41100:19:29,439 –> 00:19:29,880in41200:19:29,880 –> 00:19:30,619me41300:19:32,119 –> 00:19:32,619Timothy41400:19:32,619 –> 00:19:33,140you have41500:19:33,140 –> 00:19:33,640been41600:19:33,640 –> 00:19:34,140surrounded41700:19:34,140 –> 00:19:34,640by41800:19:34,640 –> 00:19:35,140people41900:19:35,140 –> 00:19:35,640who are42000:19:35,640 –> 00:19:36,140living42100:19:36,140 –> 00:19:36,640examples42200:19:36,640 –> 00:19:37,140of the42300:19:37,140 –> 00:19:37,640fact that42400:19:37,640 –> 00:19:38,140this gospel42500:19:38,140 –> 00:19:38,640works42600:19:38,640 –> 00:19:39,140you cannot42700:19:39,140 –> 00:19:39,640deny42800:19:39,640 –> 00:19:40,260its power42900:19:40,260 –> 00:19:40,760you have43000:19:40,760 –> 00:19:41,260seen43100:19:41,260 –> 00:19:41,760it in43200:19:41,760 –> 00:19:42,260your own43300:19:42,260 –> 00:19:42,760flesh and43400:19:42,760 –> 00:19:45,760blood43500:20:16,699 –> 00:20:19,119believe43600:20:19,119 –> 00:20:19,560the gospel43700:20:20,660 –> 00:20:21,160continue43800:20:21,160 –> 00:20:21,660in the43900:20:21,660 –> 00:20:22,660gospel44000:20:24,479 –> 00:20:24,979because44100:20:24,979 –> 00:20:25,780you are44200:20:25,780 –> 00:20:26,280surrounded44300:20:26,280 –> 00:20:26,819by44400:20:26,819 –> 00:20:27,319overwhelming44500:20:27,319 –> 00:20:27,819evidence44600:20:27,819 –> 00:20:28,319you’ve seen44700:20:28,319 –> 00:20:28,819it in44800:20:28,819 –> 00:20:29,319me44900:20:32,140 –> 00:20:32,640you’ve45000:20:32,640 –> 00:20:33,140seen it45100:20:33,140 –> 00:20:33,640in your45200:20:33,640 –> 00:20:34,140mother45300:20:36,719 –> 00:20:37,280you are45400:20:37,280 –> 00:20:37,760surrounded45500:20:37,760 –> 00:20:38,260by45600:20:38,260 –> 00:20:38,760overwhelming45700:20:38,760 –> 00:20:39,260evidence45800:20:39,420 –> 00:20:39,920of the45900:20:39,920 –> 00:20:40,459transforming46000:20:40,459 –> 00:20:40,959power46100:20:40,959 –> 00:20:41,459of this46200:20:41,459 –> 00:20:41,959gospel46300:20:41,959 –> 00:20:42,459that’s why46400:20:42,459 –> 00:20:42,959you should46500:20:42,959 –> 00:20:43,459believe it46600:20:44,020 –> 00:20:44,520that’s46700:20:44,520 –> 00:20:45,020why you46800:20:45,660 –> 00:20:46,160should46900:20:46,160 –> 00:20:46,660continue47000:20:46,660 –> 00:20:47,160in it47100:20:52,099 –> 00:20:52,599can you say47200:20:52,599 –> 00:20:53,099that to your47300:20:53,099 –> 00:20:53,599son or47400:20:53,599 –> 00:20:54,099your daughter47500:20:59,619 –> 00:21:00,119if not47600:21:00,119 –> 00:21:00,619i want to47700:21:00,619 –> 00:21:01,119challenge47800:21:01,119 –> 00:21:01,619you47900:21:01,619 –> 00:21:02,119to make48000:21:02,119 –> 00:21:02,619whatever48100:21:02,619 –> 00:21:03,119changes48200:21:03,119 –> 00:21:03,619are48300:21:03,619 –> 00:21:04,119necessary48400:21:06,020 –> 00:21:06,520to bring48500:21:06,520 –> 00:21:07,020you to48600:21:07,020 –> 00:21:07,520the place48700:21:07,520 –> 00:21:08,020where you48800:21:08,020 –> 00:21:08,520can48900:21:11,119 –> 00:21:11,619and that’s49000:21:11,619 –> 00:21:12,119the responsibility49100:21:12,119 –> 00:21:12,619not just49200:21:12,619 –> 00:21:13,119of the49300:21:13,119 –> 00:21:13,619parents49400:21:13,619 –> 00:21:14,119not just49500:21:14,119 –> 00:21:14,619of the49600:21:14,619 –> 00:21:15,719grandparents49700:21:15,719 –> 00:21:16,219but of the49800:21:16,219 –> 00:21:16,719whole family49900:21:16,719 –> 00:21:17,219of God50000:21:17,219 –> 00:21:17,719because50100:21:17,719 –> 00:21:18,219the kids50200:21:18,619 –> 00:21:19,119are growing50300:21:19,119 –> 00:21:19,619up in the50400:21:19,619 –> 00:21:20,040body of christ50500:21:26,719 –> 00:21:27,219so maybe50600:21:27,219 –> 00:21:27,719you need50700:21:27,719 –> 00:21:28,219to go50800:21:28,219 –> 00:21:28,719as a50900:21:28,719 –> 00:21:29,180an51000:21:29,180 –> 00:21:29,680action point51100:21:29,680 –> 00:21:30,180from today’s51200:21:30,180 –> 00:21:30,680message51300:21:32,020 –> 00:21:32,520to your51400:21:32,520 –> 00:21:33,020son51500:21:34,020 –> 00:21:34,520to your51600:21:34,520 –> 00:21:35,020daughter51700:21:35,020 –> 00:21:35,520to a51800:21:35,520 –> 00:21:36,020colleague51900:21:36,020 –> 00:21:36,520to someone52000:21:36,520 –> 00:21:37,020in your52100:21:37,020 –> 00:21:37,520small group52200:21:37,520 –> 00:21:38,040and say52300:21:38,040 –> 00:21:38,739something like52400:21:38,739 –> 00:21:39,239this52500:21:40,040 –> 00:21:40,540i want52600:21:40,540 –> 00:21:41,040you to know52700:21:41,040 –> 00:21:41,540that i have52800:21:41,540 –> 00:21:42,040not been52900:21:42,040 –> 00:21:42,619the example53000:21:42,619 –> 00:21:43,000that53100:21:43,000 –> 00:21:43,500Jesus Christ53200:21:43,500 –> 00:21:44,000calls me53300:21:44,000 –> 00:21:44,500to be53400:21:44,520 –> 00:21:45,020for you53500:21:47,020 –> 00:21:47,520and I want53600:21:47,520 –> 00:21:48,079you to know53700:21:48,079 –> 00:21:48,579I’m sorry53800:21:48,579 –> 00:21:49,079and I want53900:21:49,079 –> 00:21:49,579you to know54000:21:49,579 –> 00:21:50,380that I am54100:21:50,380 –> 00:21:50,959asking Jesus54200:21:50,959 –> 00:21:51,459Christ to54300:21:51,459 –> 00:21:51,959change me54400:21:51,959 –> 00:21:52,459as a man54500:21:56,459 –> 00:21:56,959as a husband54600:21:56,959 –> 00:21:59,959as a father54700:21:59,959 –> 00:22:01,959wife54800:22:01,959 –> 00:22:02,439woman54900:22:02,439 –> 00:22:04,439mother55000:22:05,640 –> 00:22:06,199because55100:22:06,199 –> 00:22:06,739I55200:22:06,739 –> 00:22:07,239want to55300:22:07,239 –> 00:22:07,739be able55400:22:08,300 –> 00:22:09,380to say55500:22:09,380 –> 00:22:10,280believe55600:22:10,280 –> 00:22:12,280the gospel55700:22:12,280 –> 00:22:15,280continue in the gospel55800:22:15,280 –> 00:22:18,780because you’ve seen it55900:22:18,780 –> 00:22:20,780in me56000:22:25,280 –> 00:22:27,280Do you think of the power of you56100:22:27,280 –> 00:22:29,280if you were able to say that56200:22:29,280 –> 00:22:31,280and you know just opening that56300:22:31,280 –> 00:22:32,280conversation56400:22:33,280 –> 00:22:35,280with someone who the Lord lays on your heart56500:22:35,280 –> 00:22:36,280now might just be the very moment56600:22:36,280 –> 00:22:37,780where for the first time56700:22:37,780 –> 00:22:39,280their eyes open56800:22:39,280 –> 00:22:40,780and they think56900:22:40,780 –> 00:22:42,780I’d be interested57000:22:42,780 –> 00:22:45,780in that kind57100:22:45,780 –> 00:22:46,780of gospel57200:22:47,780 –> 00:22:47,78057300:22:48,780 –> 00:22:50,780Pastor Colin Smith on Open The Bible57400:22:50,780 –> 00:22:51,780and a message called57500:22:51,780 –> 00:22:52,780The Power of Example57600:22:52,780 –> 00:22:54,780part of our series57700:22:54,780 –> 00:22:56,780Unless The Lord Builds A House57800:22:56,780 –> 00:22:58,780and if you miss any of the series57900:22:58,780 –> 00:23:00,280or want to go back and listen again58000:23:00,280 –> 00:23:01,780you can do that by coming online58100:23:01,780 –> 00:23:03,780to our website58200:23:03,780 –> 00:23:05,780openthebible.org.uk58300:23:05,780 –> 00:23:07,780or by checking out58400:23:07,780 –> 00:23:09,780your favorite podcast site58500:23:09,780 –> 00:23:10,780and search there for58600:23:10,780 –> 00:23:11,780Open the Bible UK58700:23:12,780 –> 00:23:14,040While you’re on our website58800:23:14,040 –> 00:23:15,780or checking out the podcast58900:23:15,780 –> 00:23:16,780have a look at59000:23:16,780 –> 00:23:17,780Open The Bible Daily59100:23:17,780 –> 00:23:19,780that’s our series of short59200:23:19,780 –> 00:23:21,7802-3 minute daily reflections59300:23:21,780 –> 00:23:23,780based on Pastor Colin’s teaching59400:23:23,780 –> 00:23:24,780and read in the UK59500:23:24,780 –> 00:23:26,780by Sue MacLeish59600:23:26,780 –> 00:23:27,780there’s a new one every day59700:23:27,780 –> 00:23:28,780and many Christians find59800:23:28,780 –> 00:23:30,780it’s a great way to start the day59900:23:32,280 –> 00:23:33,780Colin, in today’s message60000:23:33,780 –> 00:23:34,780you challenged us60100:23:34,780 –> 00:23:36,780to make whatever change is necessary60200:23:36,780 –> 00:23:37,780to bring us to the place60300:23:37,780 –> 00:23:38,780where we can say60400:23:38,780 –> 00:23:40,780to our son or daughter60500:23:40,780 –> 00:23:41,780Continue in the gospel60600:23:41,780 –> 00:23:42,780because you’ve seen60700:23:42,780 –> 00:23:43,780the power of the gospel60800:23:43,780 –> 00:23:44,780in me60900:23:45,780 –> 00:23:46,780that’s a wonderful thing61000:23:46,780 –> 00:23:47,780to be able to say61100:23:47,780 –> 00:23:49,780but I do want to emphasise61200:23:49,780 –> 00:23:51,780it is the power of the gospel61300:23:51,780 –> 00:23:52,780it’s not that we’re61400:23:52,780 –> 00:23:53,780trying to get to the place61500:23:53,780 –> 00:23:55,780as parents of saying61600:23:55,780 –> 00:23:56,780continue in perfection61700:23:56,780 –> 00:23:57,780because you’ve seen61800:23:57,780 –> 00:23:58,780perfection in me61900:23:58,780 –> 00:23:59,780but to come to the place62000:23:59,780 –> 00:24:00,780of saying continue in62100:24:00,780 –> 00:24:01,780the gospel62200:24:01,780 –> 00:24:02,780because you have62300:24:02,780 –> 00:24:03,780seen the power62400:24:03,780 –> 00:24:04,780of the gospel62500:24:04,780 –> 00:24:05,780in me62600:24:06,780 –> 00:24:07,780what that means is62700:24:07,780 –> 00:24:08,780you don’t need to be62800:24:08,780 –> 00:24:09,780a perfect parent62900:24:09,780 –> 00:24:10,780before you can say this63000:24:10,780 –> 00:24:11,780you just need to be63100:24:11,780 –> 00:24:12,780an authentic one63200:24:12,780 –> 00:24:13,780and that begins63300:24:13,780 –> 00:24:14,780with you coming63400:24:14,780 –> 00:24:15,780to Jesus Christ63500:24:16,780 –> 00:24:17,780in all of your need63600:24:17,780 –> 00:24:18,780with all that you63700:24:18,780 –> 00:24:19,780may have messed up63800:24:19,780 –> 00:24:20,780and saying63900:24:20,780 –> 00:24:21,780Lord Jesus64000:24:21,780 –> 00:24:22,780Saviour64100:24:22,780 –> 00:24:23,780be gracious to me64200:24:23,780 –> 00:24:24,780help me in my need64300:24:24,780 –> 00:24:25,780forgive me64400:24:25,780 –> 00:24:26,780for my many sins64500:24:26,780 –> 00:24:28,780look upon me64600:24:28,780 –> 00:24:29,780in grace64700:24:29,780 –> 00:24:30,780and in mercy64800:24:30,780 –> 00:24:31,780and reconcile me64900:24:31,780 –> 00:24:32,780to the Father65000:24:32,780 –> 00:24:33,780and then as you experience65100:24:33,780 –> 00:24:34,780the forgiveness65200:24:34,780 –> 00:24:35,780of Christ65300:24:35,780 –> 00:24:36,780and the grace of Christ65400:24:36,780 –> 00:24:38,780you are lifted by that65500:24:38,780 –> 00:24:39,780and that lifting65600:24:39,780 –> 00:24:40,780in itself65700:24:40,780 –> 00:24:41,780will be something65800:24:41,780 –> 00:24:42,780that you are able65900:24:42,780 –> 00:24:43,780to share66000:24:43,780 –> 00:24:44,780with your son66100:24:44,780 –> 00:24:45,780or with your daughter66200:24:45,780 –> 00:24:46,780because they are going66300:24:46,780 –> 00:24:47,780to see that66400:24:47,780 –> 00:24:48,780Mum has been helped66500:24:48,780 –> 00:24:49,780Dad has been helped66600:24:49,780 –> 00:24:50,780this old condemnation66700:24:50,780 –> 00:24:51,780has gone66800:24:51,780 –> 00:24:52,780there is a new life66900:24:52,780 –> 00:24:53,780there is a new freedom67000:24:53,780 –> 00:24:55,780there is a new peace67100:24:55,780 –> 00:24:56,780you know the power67200:24:56,780 –> 00:24:57,780of the gospel67300:24:57,780 –> 00:24:58,780in your life67400:24:58,780 –> 00:24:59,780may be67500:24:59,780 –> 00:25:00,780the very means67600:25:00,780 –> 00:25:01,780that God uses67700:25:01,780 –> 00:25:02,780to give an entrance67800:25:02,780 –> 00:25:03,780to the power67900:25:03,780 –> 00:25:04,780of the gospel68000:25:04,780 –> 00:25:05,780in the life68100:25:05,780 –> 00:25:07,780Thanks Colin68200:25:07,780 –> 00:25:08,780That was Pastor Colin Smith68300:25:08,780 –> 00:25:09,780on Open the Bible68400:25:09,780 –> 00:25:10,780I’m David Pick68500:25:10,780 –> 00:25:11,780And I look forward68600:25:11,780 –> 00:25:12,780to you joining us again68700:25:12,780 –> 00:25:13,780next time on68800:25:13,780 –> 00:25:14,780Open the Bible68900:25:14,780 –> 00:25:19,780069000:25:19,780 –> 00:25:20,780What do your children69100:25:20,780 –> 00:25:22,780know about you?69200:25:22,780 –> 00:25:24,780What do they need to know?69300:25:24,780 –> 00:25:25,780Find out next time69400:25:25,780 –> 00:25:27,780on Open the Bible

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Colin Smith

Trustee / Founder and Teaching Pastor

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near – So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on X formerly Twitter.

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