100:00:00,240 –> 00:00:10,340What you saw in Thessalonica was real people living in tough circumstances200:00:10,340 –> 00:00:17,420whose faith did not buckle under pressure. And I think that’s the kind of300:00:17,420 –> 00:00:24,400faith that is desperately needed, even in Chuch world today. Welcome to Open the400:00:24,400 –> 00:00:29,280Bible with pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick. Glad you joined us today and Colin500:00:29,420 –> 00:00:33,480And I think most Christians listening today would say that’s the kind of faith I600:00:33,480 –> 00:00:37,900want, one that doesn’t buckle under pressure. Yes that’s exactly right and700:00:37,900 –> 00:00:42,900that’s what we find in Thessalonians where you have these new believers who800:00:42,900 –> 00:00:47,639immediately faced the most extraordinary persecution. They faced violence, they900:00:47,639 –> 00:00:53,740were harassed, legal action. And Paul had to escape from the city and then write1000:00:53,740 –> 00:00:57,619to them a short time afterwards. You think if new believers are going to1100:00:57,700 –> 00:01:02,139experience pressure like this how are they gonna stand? And so I’m very1200:01:02,139 –> 00:01:05,519conscious that there are going to be folks listening to the broadcast today1300:01:05,519 –> 00:01:10,099and you are a relatively new Christian, you’re a young believer and now you’re1400:01:10,099 –> 00:01:14,339finding yourself already under all kinds of pressure and how are you going to1500:01:14,339 –> 00:01:19,559stand? Well here’s the answer. It’s God’s Grace and God’s Spirit that are at work1600:01:19,559 –> 00:01:23,919in your life. And when a work of God has begun in your life, you know what? You’re1700:01:23,940 –> 00:01:27,739gonna stand to no matter what the pressure that comes to you. And we’ve got1800:01:27,739 –> 00:01:31,519a marvelous example of that in this letter in the Bible and I think that’s1900:01:31,519 –> 00:01:35,459one of the reasons it’s given to us. So join us today if you can in 12000:01:35,459 –> 00:01:40,419Thessalonians chapter one as we continue the message the urgency of multiplying2100:01:40,419 –> 00:01:45,599ministry here is Pastor Colin. Now I want to suggest to you the deep conviction2200:01:45,599 –> 00:01:52,400doesn’t fit well with our culture today. See the prevailing spirit of our2300:01:52,400 –> 00:01:59,279generation is one of uncertainty. We have more questions than answers. I2400:01:59,279 –> 00:02:02,720almost feel like I want to break out into song but I promise I will not do2500:02:02,720 –> 00:02:10,160that more questions than answers. And any person who speaks with any degree2600:02:10,160 –> 00:02:15,919of certainty these days is quickly accused of being arrogant and frankly2700:02:15,919 –> 00:02:19,320none of us wants to be accused of or thought to be proud2800:02:19,759 –> 00:02:25,520so it has become fashionable in church worlds to reshape the gospel in terms2900:02:25,520 –> 00:02:30,320of our questions, our searching. And the invitation comes to others to come3000:02:30,320 –> 00:02:36,360alongside us and join us in our search. You have your questions, I have my3100:02:36,360 –> 00:02:40,639questions. Let us take this journey together. I want you to notice how far3200:02:40,639 –> 00:02:46,160that is from the spirit of the New Testament. Our gospel came to you verse3300:02:46,160 –> 00:02:52,779five not simply with words, but with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with3400:02:52,779 –> 00:03:03,479deep conviction. The weight of Paul’s message came across in the conviction3500:03:03,479 –> 00:03:12,240that it carried in his own life. For God’s plan for the evangelism of the3600:03:12,720 –> 00:03:16,880world is not essentially the distribution of books, but the sending of3700:03:16,880 –> 00:03:23,279persons, people who are convinced and therefore by the work of the3800:03:23,279 –> 00:03:27,679Holy Spirit that has brought them to conviction, communicate that conviction3900:03:27,679 –> 00:03:31,320as they share the message, so that it carries weight into the life of a4000:03:31,320 –> 00:03:38,800person who does not yet believe. James Denny, who writes very helpfully4100:03:38,800 –> 00:03:41,820on this letter of Thessalonians, I guess we will quote him a number4200:03:41,820 –> 00:03:50,059of times in this series, he warns Christians, and especially pastors,4300:03:50,059 –> 00:03:57,139of what he calls, the worst kind of atheism, and he says,4400:03:57,139 –> 00:04:03,820the worst kind of atheism is that which is forever handling holy things4500:04:03,880 –> 00:04:09,979without feeling them. So, you see, you’re so used to church4600:04:09,979 –> 00:04:18,959world, I’m so used to ministry, that the temptation that Denny is speaking4700:04:18,959 –> 00:04:22,500about is that we begin to speak of Jesus, and gospel, and death,4800:04:22,500 –> 00:04:28,760and resurrection. It trips off our tongue and no longer carries weight,4900:04:28,760 –> 00:04:32,200or brings awe.5000:04:33,019 –> 00:04:37,059That is the worst kind of atheism.5100:04:37,059 –> 00:04:44,100Let us be very careful that we do not speak or act in a way that makes5200:04:44,100 –> 00:04:51,640other people think of the gospel as a small thing. See, if someone goes5300:04:51,640 –> 00:04:56,980away from one of our services, or from your Sunday School class or5400:04:56,980 –> 00:04:59,320your small group, or a conversation in which you5500:04:59,480 –> 00:05:04,239opportunity to speak to them about Christ, if they’ve heard5600:05:04,239 –> 00:05:10,100what we say and they’re go away saying, is that it? Then we have5700:05:10,100 –> 00:05:15,540misrepresented the gospel. We really have. And you see, that’s5800:05:15,540 –> 00:05:19,040the great danger of this kind of, well you just say this prayer,5900:05:19,040 –> 00:05:24,179and you just have to believe this. But we express ourselves in such6000:05:24,179 –> 00:05:27,859a way that we’ve taken this great thing that God has trusted to us,6100:05:27,899 –> 00:05:31,040this awesome eternal thing that Christ has done for us, this6200:05:31,160 –> 00:05:37,600life changing Gospel, and we trivialized it to a formula. Now6300:05:37,600 –> 00:05:40,220we all have different styles and it’s a wonderful thing, and God6400:05:40,220 –> 00:05:45,220communicates through so many different wonderful styles. Thank6500:05:45,220 –> 00:05:51,820God for that. But remember this, whatever your personal style, we6600:05:51,820 –> 00:05:55,140must communicate the gospel in a way that fits the scale of the6700:05:55,140 –> 00:05:59,359message we are proclaiming. I have just tried to think about6800:05:59,359 –> 00:06:04,579this by way of an analogy. Think about a man proposing marriage6900:06:04,700 –> 00:06:08,820to a woman. Now all of us married guys and those who plan7000:06:08,820 –> 00:06:12,079to be married guys have thought about this. And we have memories7100:06:12,079 –> 00:06:14,899or plans about how we’re going to do this, and so forth, and so7200:06:15,899 –> 00:06:20,179on. I want you to imagine for a moment a man making a proposal7300:06:20,179 –> 00:06:22,019of marriage and he does it by voicemail.7400:06:22,820 –> 00:06:27,619And he calls her up and he says, Hi there. Just wanted you to7500:06:27,700 –> 00:06:30,980know that I love you very much and wanted to ask you if you7600:06:31,019 –> 00:06:31,619would marry me.7700:06:31,619 –> 00:06:34,040Get back to me when you have time. I hope this is something7800:06:34,040 –> 00:06:39,320that you want to do. Now you usually laugh. Why do you love7900:06:40,500 –> 00:06:45,820you love? Because the communication is inappropriate8000:06:46,880 –> 00:06:51,720to the scale of what is being asked and what is being prayed8100:06:51,720 –> 00:06:57,320is being offered when a man makes a proposal of marriage he8200:06:57,320 –> 00:06:59,959knows that he is proposing something that we’ll cost him8300:06:59,959 –> 00:07:00,619everything.8400:07:03,059 –> 00:07:08,459He laughed at that too and he knows that what he’s asking of8500:07:08,459 –> 00:07:13,119her will cost her everything, right? It will redirect the8600:07:13,119 –> 00:07:17,279whole of life will change everything.8700:07:17,380 –> 00:07:24,339And you see, as we ask in the proposal of marriage nothing8800:07:24,339 –> 00:07:29,519less and offer nothing less than exclusive love and devotion and8900:07:29,519 –> 00:07:33,500loyalty for a lifetime, this is precisely how Jesus Christ9000:07:33,500 –> 00:07:34,459approaches us.9100:07:35,519 –> 00:07:40,480The Bride of Christ offering Himself in all that he is.9200:07:43,420 –> 00:07:47,079We must communicate the gospel in a way that is appropriate to9300:07:47,100 –> 00:07:53,320the scale of the message, otherwise you know what happens?9400:07:54,040 –> 00:07:56,980You get people who think, they’re Christian because they’ve9500:07:56,980 –> 00:08:02,899made some profession and it remains for the next 40, 50, 609600:08:02,899 –> 00:08:06,019years at the margins of their life.9700:08:09,179 –> 00:08:16,459And Paul no doubt saw that in other places as we see that in9800:08:16,559 –> 00:08:19,859our culture today and he says, I want to see the sort of thing9900:08:19,859 –> 00:08:21,459that happened in Thessalonica.10000:08:21,640 –> 00:08:26,459The birthing of real life changing faith through the10100:08:26,459 –> 00:08:32,539gospel that came to you not only with words but it came with10200:08:32,539 –> 00:08:35,500power and with a holy spirit and deep conviction.10300:08:35,520 –> 00:08:38,099So we must communicate the gospel in a way that is10400:08:38,099 –> 00:08:39,340appropriate to the message.10500:08:39,739 –> 00:08:45,219That means that the approach of the high-pressure Salesforceman10600:08:45,900 –> 00:08:47,780is just not fitting.10700:08:48,799 –> 00:08:53,320And the approach of the guy in the fair offering a free candy10800:08:53,320 –> 00:08:57,219floss to kids is certainly not appropriate either.10900:08:58,859 –> 00:09:02,320Now think about those with whom you communicate, your children,11000:09:03,979 –> 00:09:08,880your grandchildren, your Sunday school class, your small group,11100:09:08,880 –> 00:09:10,460your neighbors, your colleagues,11200:09:10,460 –> 00:09:17,400your relatives what would they conclude about the importance11300:09:17,400 –> 00:09:22,539of the gospel from the way that you speak about Jesus Christ?11400:09:24,500 –> 00:09:27,619Paul says it came with great conviction, great conviction.11500:09:27,619 –> 00:09:29,859It bore great fruit.11600:09:32,219 –> 00:09:33,780Now notice by the way, it wasn’t just in his11700:09:33,780 –> 00:09:35,200words that there was this conviction,11800:09:35,200 –> 00:09:36,640it was backed up by how he lived,11900:09:36,640 –> 00:09:39,159verse five, it came through the Holy Spirit,12000:09:39,219 –> 00:09:40,880and not only in words but also with power,12100:09:40,880 –> 00:09:42,340holy spirit and deep conviction.12200:09:42,340 –> 00:09:46,200And you know how we lived among you for your sake.12300:09:46,200 –> 00:09:50,219The message that Paul brought about Christ12400:09:50,219 –> 00:09:53,260dying to save others, was made credible12500:09:53,260 –> 00:09:55,140because Paul was spending his life12600:09:55,140 –> 00:09:58,820in living to save others.12700:09:58,820 –> 00:10:01,460The message that Paul brought about12800:10:01,460 –> 00:10:03,919Christ bring hope was made credible12900:10:03,919 –> 00:10:08,219because when he suffered what seemed almost unbearably13000:10:08,359 –> 00:10:09,820and he endured and he continued.13100:10:09,820 –> 00:10:11,960So that doesn’t prove that Jesus rose13200:10:11,960 –> 00:10:12,820from the dead of course.13300:10:12,820 –> 00:10:15,159But at least it brings people to the position13400:10:15,159 –> 00:10:17,900of saying maybe he’s gotten onto something13500:10:17,900 –> 00:10:19,179that’s worth listening to.13600:10:19,179 –> 00:10:20,580He backed it up with his life.13700:10:20,580 –> 00:10:24,539And when the gospel is communicated13800:10:24,539 –> 00:10:25,940with clarity and conviction,13900:10:25,940 –> 00:10:28,799we can expect that the holy spirit will be at work14000:10:28,799 –> 00:10:30,780and the lives will be changed14100:10:30,780 –> 00:10:35,780and that is what happened in Thessalonica.14200:10:36,539 –> 00:10:38,320Our gospel came to you.14300:10:38,320 –> 00:10:40,039It wasn’t just words,14400:10:40,039 –> 00:10:42,840but it came with power and with the holy spirit14500:10:42,840 –> 00:10:45,820and with deep conviction.14600:10:45,820 –> 00:10:47,419You’re listening to open the Bible14700:10:47,419 –> 00:10:48,780with Pastor Colin Smith14800:10:48,780 –> 00:10:52,659and a message called the urgency of multiplying ministry.14900:10:52,659 –> 00:10:53,900It’s part of our series,15000:10:53,900 –> 00:10:56,059living like there’s no tomorrow15100:10:56,059 –> 00:10:58,260based on one Thessalonians.15200:10:58,260 –> 00:11:00,419If you joined us late or have to leave early15300:11:00,419 –> 00:11:02,700or if you’ve missed any of the series,15400:11:02,700 –> 00:11:05,380it’s easy to catch up or go back and listen again15500:11:05,400 –> 00:11:06,780when you come to our website15600:11:06,780 –> 00:11:10,299that’s at openthebible.org.UK.15700:11:10,299 –> 00:11:12,299Alternatively, if you prefer go to15800:11:12,299 –> 00:11:14,080your favorite podcast site,15900:11:14,080 –> 00:11:16,840search there for open the Bible UK16000:11:16,840 –> 00:11:19,320or follow the link from our websites.16100:11:19,320 –> 00:11:20,520Back to the message now,16200:11:20,520 –> 00:11:22,580here again is pastor Colin.16300:11:22,580 –> 00:11:26,679Let’s look now at those who heard more briefly16400:11:26,679 –> 00:11:29,280and remember that just as God works through believers16500:11:29,280 –> 00:11:30,919as we communicate the gospel16600:11:30,919 –> 00:11:34,400so he works in the hearts of unbelievers16700:11:34,400 –> 00:11:36,659as they hear the message16800:11:36,659 –> 00:11:40,020and then imitate our way of life.16900:11:40,020 –> 00:11:41,739Notice verse six.17000:11:41,739 –> 00:11:46,739You became imitators of us and of the Lord,17100:11:46,940 –> 00:11:48,260in spite of severe suffering,17200:11:48,260 –> 00:11:49,760you welcomed the message17300:11:49,760 –> 00:11:54,340with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.17400:11:56,179 –> 00:11:57,520Now, think about this,17500:11:57,520 –> 00:11:59,960you became imitators of us.17600:12:00,960 –> 00:12:05,960The kind of Christians17700:12:06,599 –> 00:12:10,119who will be the fruit of your ministry17800:12:11,700 –> 00:12:14,780will be a reflection of the kind of Christian17900:12:14,780 –> 00:12:17,059that you already are.18000:12:18,239 –> 00:12:19,299That’s what we’re learning here.18100:12:19,299 –> 00:12:21,659Paul says, you became imitators of us.18200:12:21,659 –> 00:12:26,219The kind of Christians this church reproduces18300:12:26,219 –> 00:12:29,400will essentially be the kind of Christians we are18400:12:29,419 –> 00:12:31,419or the kind of Christians we become.18500:12:32,799 –> 00:12:34,479That’s quite a sobering thought.18600:12:37,039 –> 00:12:41,780Cold churches produce cold Christians.18700:12:44,020 –> 00:12:46,760Churches hooked on entertainment18800:12:46,760 –> 00:12:49,340produce Christians hooked on entertainment.18900:12:50,679 –> 00:12:53,280You become imitators of us.19000:12:54,880 –> 00:12:59,059Churches forged in the convictions of the gospel19100:12:59,059 –> 00:13:03,359produce Christians forged in the convictions of the gospel.19200:13:03,359 –> 00:13:05,299Churches committed to reaching the world19300:13:05,299 –> 00:13:06,979produce Christians that reach the world.19400:13:06,979 –> 00:13:08,840Churches that look inward19500:13:08,840 –> 00:13:10,859produce Christians that look inward.19600:13:12,919 –> 00:13:15,320You became imitators of us.19700:13:17,900 –> 00:13:19,340Now that is why you see,19800:13:19,340 –> 00:13:22,940the kind of ministry we offer19900:13:22,940 –> 00:13:25,659will shape the kind of Christians we become20000:13:26,460 –> 00:13:29,559and the kind of Christians we become20100:13:29,559 –> 00:13:31,820will shape the kind of Christians we reproduce.20200:13:31,820 –> 00:13:33,940I think that’s an awesome thought20300:13:33,940 –> 00:13:36,739and a great responsibility.20400:13:36,739 –> 00:13:40,299You became imitators of us.20500:13:40,299 –> 00:13:42,479Now remember Jesus makes this principle20600:13:42,479 –> 00:13:43,640very, very clear.20700:13:43,640 –> 00:13:45,840Luke chapter six and verse 40.20800:13:45,840 –> 00:13:47,900A student, Jesus said,20900:13:47,900 –> 00:13:50,219is not above his teacher.21000:13:51,479 –> 00:13:54,140But everyone who is fully trained21100:13:54,159 –> 00:13:56,440will be like his teacher.21200:13:58,239 –> 00:14:00,700So think about the life that you’re living21300:14:00,700 –> 00:14:03,940in relation to those who you are influencing.21400:14:03,940 –> 00:14:07,239Every student will become like his teacher21500:14:07,239 –> 00:14:08,640when he’s fully trained.21600:14:11,219 –> 00:14:13,820And see how the spirit of Paul is reproduced21700:14:13,820 –> 00:14:16,359by the power of the Holy Spirit in Thessalonica.21800:14:16,359 –> 00:14:18,299You welcomed the message21900:14:18,299 –> 00:14:20,440in spite of severe suffering.22000:14:20,440 –> 00:14:23,460You see there are Christians just like Paul.22100:14:24,880 –> 00:14:27,320For the same Holy Spirit who was working in Paul22200:14:27,320 –> 00:14:31,619as he spoke is also at work in the Thessalonians22300:14:31,619 –> 00:14:33,359as they receive his message22400:14:33,359 –> 00:14:37,799and become imitators of his way of life.22500:14:38,760 –> 00:14:42,239Now, what we have here are really the distinguishing marks22600:14:42,239 –> 00:14:44,000of an authentic work of God.22700:14:44,000 –> 00:14:46,039And it is a wonderful thing.22800:14:46,039 –> 00:14:48,679And I hope it’s creating within you already22900:14:48,679 –> 00:14:50,659a sense of this is what we want.23000:14:50,659 –> 00:14:53,880This is what we’re looking for God to be doing among us23100:14:54,099 –> 00:14:55,539in increasing measure.23200:14:55,539 –> 00:14:57,080And look at the fruit of it.23300:14:58,020 –> 00:14:58,859Verse two.23400:14:58,859 –> 00:15:02,280We always thank God for all of you mentioning you23500:15:02,280 –> 00:15:04,880in our prayers we continually remember23600:15:04,880 –> 00:15:06,500before our God and father.23700:15:06,500 –> 00:15:07,380Here’s the fruit.23800:15:07,380 –> 00:15:09,979Your work produced by faith,23900:15:09,979 –> 00:15:12,159your labor prompted by love,24000:15:13,320 –> 00:15:17,359your endurance inspired by hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.24100:15:18,460 –> 00:15:20,919And giving these almost as headings24200:15:20,919 –> 00:15:22,200at the beginning of the chapter24300:15:22,280 –> 00:15:26,340he spells them out more fully in verses nine and 10.24400:15:26,340 –> 00:15:29,520He says we’re thanking God for your work produced by faith.24500:15:29,520 –> 00:15:31,340What is their work produced by faith?24600:15:31,340 –> 00:15:34,380It was verse nine to turn to God from idols.24700:15:35,280 –> 00:15:38,520See faith isn’t just saying you believe in Jesus,24800:15:39,479 –> 00:15:42,760faith affects a change24900:15:42,760 –> 00:15:45,840in the center of gravity of your life.25000:15:45,840 –> 00:15:50,080It leads to turning from worthless things25100:15:50,080 –> 00:15:51,880that were at the center of my life25200:15:51,960 –> 00:15:55,080and pursuing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord,25300:15:55,080 –> 00:15:58,260recovering a new sense of mission and purpose for my life,25400:15:58,260 –> 00:16:00,239faith affects that change.25500:16:01,559 –> 00:16:03,460And it leads into service and ministry.25600:16:03,460 –> 00:16:05,320What was their labor prompted by love?25700:16:05,320 –> 00:16:08,020It was to serve the living and true God,25800:16:08,020 –> 00:16:10,119not like independent contractors who say25900:16:10,119 –> 00:16:12,440well I’ll do this job and then when I’m finished, I’m done,26000:16:12,440 –> 00:16:15,940no to offer myself as a servant, a slave of Jesus Christ26100:16:15,940 –> 00:16:19,080and to say here’s my life now you take it and you use it26200:16:19,119 –> 00:16:21,919and you direct me into what you want me to do.26300:16:21,919 –> 00:16:24,559And what was there endurance inspired by hope,26400:16:24,559 –> 00:16:28,320it was to wait verse 10 for God’s Son from Heaven.26500:16:29,299 –> 00:16:34,340Never underestimate the power of your enduring26600:16:34,780 –> 00:16:38,419great pain as a follower of Jesus Christ26700:16:38,419 –> 00:16:42,960because the world wants to dismiss your faith as psychology26800:16:42,960 –> 00:16:47,780and when you endure pain and still love Jesus,26900:16:48,700 –> 00:16:51,880the world doesn’t know what to make of that.27000:16:55,140 –> 00:17:00,140Well the distinguishing marks of this authentic work of God27100:17:02,260 –> 00:17:06,180are the basis of Paul’s confidence27200:17:06,180 –> 00:17:11,180that these Thessalonians really are true believers.27300:17:13,380 –> 00:17:15,739Church of Jesus Christ is always a bit of a mixture,27400:17:16,040 –> 00:17:16,880isn’t it?27500:17:18,140 –> 00:17:20,479We gather together, hundreds of people,27600:17:21,979 –> 00:17:25,359vast majority of whom would say that we believe27700:17:25,359 –> 00:17:29,599and regard ourselves as in some sense Christian,27800:17:31,640 –> 00:17:34,099but Paul is able to identify the marks27900:17:34,099 –> 00:17:37,140of an authentic work of God28000:17:37,140 –> 00:17:40,939and it is his basis for solid confidence28100:17:40,939 –> 00:17:45,540that these folks really belong to Jesus Christ.28200:17:45,579 –> 00:17:47,479They’ve got the real deal28300:17:49,140 –> 00:17:50,979and just in these last moments I want you to see28400:17:50,979 –> 00:17:52,900that in verse four.28500:17:52,900 –> 00:17:57,699He says, We know, brothers, loved by God28600:17:59,339 –> 00:18:03,160that he has chosen you, chosen.28700:18:05,780 –> 00:18:09,619Now you know, the Bible speaks many times28800:18:09,619 –> 00:18:14,619about God choosing, electing, predestining28900:18:15,780 –> 00:18:17,920certain people.29000:18:19,819 –> 00:18:23,719And it sends chills down lots of people’s spines.29100:18:24,660 –> 00:18:26,420In fact, people get very very anxious29200:18:26,420 –> 00:18:28,180and the church goes very very quite29300:18:28,180 –> 00:18:31,800even when the pastor says it despite the fact29400:18:31,800 –> 00:18:34,680that it’s repeated so often in the Bible.29500:18:34,680 –> 00:18:37,339The reason for that is quite understandable,29600:18:37,339 –> 00:18:40,500it gives us all kinds of scary questions29700:18:40,500 –> 00:18:44,560because we say, well then, how do I know if I am elect?29800:18:46,400 –> 00:18:48,979And what could I do about it if I wasn’t.29900:18:50,400 –> 00:18:52,619And if you have ever been anxious30000:18:52,619 –> 00:18:55,020about questions to do with this theme,30100:18:55,020 –> 00:18:58,880I think that you will find great help right here30200:18:58,880 –> 00:19:00,800in these last moments of this message30300:19:00,800 –> 00:19:04,400in 1 Thessalonians chapter one and verse four30400:19:04,400 –> 00:19:06,160because I want you to notice two things.30500:19:06,160 –> 00:19:09,359The first is that Paul is sure30600:19:09,359 –> 00:19:12,280that these Thessalonian Christians were chosen by God.30700:19:12,280 –> 00:19:14,959In other words, it is possible to be confident30800:19:15,000 –> 00:19:18,000and to know that you belong to Jesus Christ.30900:19:18,000 –> 00:19:19,880This is not something that remains hidden31000:19:19,880 –> 00:19:22,180throughout the life of a Christian believer.31100:19:22,180 –> 00:19:26,260Paul says, we know brothers that he has chosen you,31200:19:26,260 –> 00:19:29,760we know it, we know it.31300:19:29,760 –> 00:19:31,000You say, what, how could he know it?31400:19:31,000 –> 00:19:33,319Ah, there’s the question.31500:19:33,319 –> 00:19:34,640Well, let’s read on.31600:19:35,599 –> 00:19:40,040We know brothers that he has chosen you because,31700:19:41,000 –> 00:19:42,880so we’re gonna get an answer now.31800:19:42,880 –> 00:19:44,000How do we know?31900:19:44,959 –> 00:19:48,060Because our gospel came to you not simply with words,32000:19:48,060 –> 00:19:50,920but also with power of the Holy Spirit in deep conviction,32100:19:50,920 –> 00:19:53,199and you became imitators of us,32200:19:53,199 –> 00:19:55,800and of the Lord in spite of severe suffering.32300:19:55,800 –> 00:19:57,400You welcomed the message with the joy32400:19:57,400 –> 00:19:59,479given by the Holy Spirit.32500:19:59,479 –> 00:20:01,280How do we know that God has chosen you?32600:20:01,280 –> 00:20:06,280Because of the effect of the gospel in your life.32700:20:08,459 –> 00:20:10,780Warren Weirsbe puts this very, very beautifully,32800:20:10,780 –> 00:20:14,040and I think simply, I find this very, very helpful.32900:20:14,040 –> 00:20:16,579He says, remember, that all three persons33000:20:16,579 –> 00:20:18,079in the Trinity are involved33100:20:18,079 –> 00:20:20,020in the salvation of every Christian.33200:20:21,280 –> 00:20:23,619The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.33300:20:24,579 –> 00:20:28,780As far as the Father is concerned,33400:20:28,780 –> 00:20:32,540I was saved before the foundation of the world.33500:20:33,959 –> 00:20:37,199As far as the Son is concerned,33600:20:37,199 –> 00:20:40,880I was saved the day he died on the cross.33700:20:41,859 –> 00:20:46,020As far as the Holy Spirit is concerned,33800:20:46,020 –> 00:20:50,939I was saved in 1945, when I asked Christ into my heart.33900:20:50,939 –> 00:20:52,199I wanna make it very clear.34000:20:52,199 –> 00:20:53,780I’m quoting Warren Weirsby.34100:20:53,780 –> 00:20:55,939I was not saved in 1945,34200:20:55,939 –> 00:20:58,680just in case you are working that out.34300:20:58,680 –> 00:21:02,459I was saved in May of 1964,34400:21:03,359 –> 00:21:06,199when I bow before the claim of Jesus Christ34500:21:06,199 –> 00:21:09,280and God’s Spirit came into my heart.34600:21:09,319 –> 00:21:12,000The salvation of God is one34700:21:13,079 –> 00:21:17,800as the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are one.34800:21:17,800 –> 00:21:20,140Praise be to his Holy Name.34900:21:20,140 –> 00:21:24,560How do you know that you belong to Christ?35000:21:24,560 –> 00:21:26,599That you are truly one of God’s people?35100:21:26,599 –> 00:21:28,579By gazing into some secret mystery?35200:21:28,579 –> 00:21:33,579No, by the effect of the gospel in your life.35300:21:35,739 –> 00:21:37,219And if you are not yet a person35400:21:37,400 –> 00:21:39,140that truly belongs to Jesus Christ,35500:21:40,380 –> 00:21:42,380and God is speaking to you right now,35600:21:42,380 –> 00:21:43,739and you know it in your heart,35700:21:43,739 –> 00:21:45,020he’s drawing you now,35800:21:45,020 –> 00:21:47,000now you need to respond to this gospel.35900:21:47,000 –> 00:21:49,839You need to put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.36000:21:49,839 –> 00:21:51,800As God is doing his work in your heart36100:21:51,800 –> 00:21:54,579you must submit to this and embrace this36200:21:54,579 –> 00:21:56,339and trust this Jesus Christ.36300:21:56,339 –> 00:22:00,079And to him and make him your Savior and your Lord.36400:22:01,839 –> 00:22:02,959And you will thank God for that36500:22:02,959 –> 00:22:04,920throughout the rest of your life,36600:22:04,979 –> 00:22:08,060in time, and in eternity.36700:22:09,459 –> 00:22:11,119And if you’re a Christian believer36800:22:11,979 –> 00:22:14,859you will be able to say with me today,36900:22:14,859 –> 00:22:19,300thank God that through the gospel37000:22:20,199 –> 00:22:22,319I have come to faith in Jesus37100:22:22,319 –> 00:22:24,180God’s Son who came from heaven.37200:22:25,180 –> 00:22:27,619I have come to love the Savior37300:22:27,619 –> 00:22:29,359who gave himself on the cross37400:22:29,359 –> 00:22:31,619to rescue me from the coming wrath.37500:22:32,660 –> 00:22:34,660And I’ve found hope in the King37600:22:35,099 –> 00:22:36,339who has risen in power and glory37700:22:36,339 –> 00:22:38,939and is coming one day to take me37800:22:38,939 –> 00:22:40,680into his presence and until then37900:22:40,680 –> 00:22:43,199is with me by his Spirit.38000:22:43,199 –> 00:22:46,260And if you ask me how I came to this faith38100:22:46,260 –> 00:22:48,219when others I know and love38200:22:48,219 –> 00:22:49,660know nothing of it and think38300:22:49,660 –> 00:22:52,540nothing great or good about Jesus Christ38400:22:53,660 –> 00:22:54,780then I have to tell you38500:22:54,780 –> 00:22:56,420that I cannot explain that38600:22:57,359 –> 00:22:59,719except to say that the mercy38700:22:59,719 –> 00:23:02,560of God has come to me in the gospel.38800:23:03,420 –> 00:23:06,739And as others have brought that gospel to me38900:23:08,199 –> 00:23:10,859so I must now bring that gospel39000:23:11,939 –> 00:23:12,959to others.39100:23:14,540 –> 00:23:17,560What a challenging way to wrap up today’s message.39200:23:17,560 –> 00:23:19,079You’ve been listening to Open the Bible39300:23:19,079 –> 00:23:20,500with Pastor Colin Smith39400:23:20,500 –> 00:23:21,680and a message called39500:23:21,680 –> 00:23:24,060The Urgency of Multiplying Ministry,39600:23:24,060 –> 00:23:26,939part of our series living like there’s no tomorrow39700:23:26,939 –> 00:23:29,719based on One Thessalonians.39800:23:29,719 –> 00:23:31,880Don’t forget if you ever miss one of our messages39900:23:32,000 –> 00:23:34,819it’s easy to catch up if you come to our website40000:23:34,819 –> 00:23:37,439openthebible.org.uk40100:23:37,439 –> 00:23:39,900or your favourite podcast site,40200:23:39,900 –> 00:23:41,859search there for openthebible.uk40300:23:41,859 –> 00:23:44,819or follow the link from our website.40400:23:44,819 –> 00:23:46,859While you’re there don’t forget to check out40500:23:46,859 –> 00:23:48,280Open the Bible Daily,40600:23:48,280 –> 00:23:49,939that’s our series of short40700:23:49,939 –> 00:23:52,339two to three minute daily reflections40800:23:52,339 –> 00:23:54,959based on Pastor Colin Smith’s teaching40900:23:54,959 –> 00:23:58,099and read this month by Sally Workman,41000:23:58,099 –> 00:24:00,260that’s Open the Bible Daily.41100:24:00,300 –> 00:24:01,920Regular listeners will know that41200:24:01,920 –> 00:24:05,680Open the Bible is supported by our listeners41300:24:05,680 –> 00:24:08,000and if you already give to support our work,41400:24:08,000 –> 00:24:09,640thank you so much.41500:24:09,640 –> 00:24:11,739If you’d like to become one of our supporters41600:24:11,739 –> 00:24:14,260here’s Open the Bible’s Amanda Cunningham41700:24:14,260 –> 00:24:16,319to tell you about a special offer.41800:24:16,319 –> 00:24:17,319Thanks David,41900:24:17,319 –> 00:24:19,459our book of the month for October is42000:24:19,459 –> 00:24:22,719Hallelujah by Dave and Sally Gobert,42100:24:22,719 –> 00:24:24,739a beautiful Christmas devotional42200:24:24,739 –> 00:24:26,640inspired by Handel’s Messiah42300:24:26,640 –> 00:24:28,780and the words of scripture.42400:24:28,780 –> 00:24:31,660I read this devotional last Advent with my family42500:24:31,660 –> 00:24:33,739and found it a real blessing.42600:24:33,739 –> 00:24:35,859Each day combines a short reflection42700:24:35,859 –> 00:24:39,119with a piece of the Hallelujah Chorus to listen to.42800:24:39,119 –> 00:24:40,760You can receive your free copy42900:24:40,760 –> 00:24:44,219when you donate a one-off gift of at least £6043000:24:44,219 –> 00:24:47,640or set up a new direct debit of £5 or more.43100:24:47,640 –> 00:24:49,939Thank you so much for supporting the work43200:24:49,939 –> 00:24:51,619of Open the Bible UK43300:24:51,619 –> 00:24:54,939and please do remember to leave your name and address43400:24:54,939 –> 00:24:55,979when you donate43500:24:56,400 –> 00:24:58,420so that we know where to send your free book.43600:24:58,420 –> 00:24:59,400Thanks Amanda.43700:24:59,400 –> 00:25:04,040So our website address again is openthebible.org.uk43800:25:04,040 –> 00:25:06,599and there you’ll find full terms and conditions43900:25:06,619 –> 00:25:08,939and all the details about this offer.44000:25:08,939 –> 00:25:12,680For Open the Bible and pastor Colin Smith I’m David Pick44100:25:12,680 –> 00:25:14,180I’m glad you joined us today44200:25:14,180 –> 00:25:17,020and I hope to see you again next time on Open the Bible.44300:25:17,020 –> 00:25:24,260music44400:25:24,260 –> 00:25:26,839How does God measure success?44500:25:26,839 –> 00:25:29,859find out next time on Open the Bible