100:00:00,000 –> 00:00:18,299But the word of our God will stand forever.200:00:18,299 –> 00:00:21,000Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.300:00:21,000 –> 00:00:23,100I’m David Pick and Colin sounds like400:00:23,100 –> 00:00:26,299we have a message of hope and encouragement today500:00:26,299 –> 00:00:28,900as we make a stand on the word of God.600:00:29,100 –> 00:00:31,700We live in a world where people are all the time700:00:31,700 –> 00:00:33,799asking the question what’s true for you,800:00:33,799 –> 00:00:37,900you know as if truth could be kind of individually900:00:37,900 –> 00:00:40,599invented if that was the case then truth1000:00:40,599 –> 00:00:41,700for me would die with me,1100:00:41,700 –> 00:00:42,900and that’s no good.1200:00:42,900 –> 00:00:45,799I need something that I can stand on in life1300:00:45,799 –> 00:00:47,599and death and forever.1400:00:47,799 –> 00:00:50,900And the word of the Lord was true before I ever was1500:00:50,900 –> 00:00:53,599and it will be true long after I’ve departed1600:00:53,599 –> 00:00:54,799the scene of this world.1700:00:54,799 –> 00:00:56,299That’s true for all of us.1800:00:56,400 –> 00:00:59,500that is why we are able to stand on the living1900:00:59,500 –> 00:01:01,200and enduring word of God.2000:01:01,400 –> 00:01:04,800We come and we go but the word of God stands forever.2100:01:05,199 –> 00:01:08,300So join us if you can in Isaiah chapter 402200:01:08,300 –> 00:01:10,199as we continue the message2300:01:10,400 –> 00:01:11,300the word of God.2400:01:11,300 –> 00:01:12,300Here’s Colin.2500:01:12,500 –> 00:01:18,199God is in control of your death as well as your life.2600:01:18,199 –> 00:01:20,400This is something very important for the church2700:01:20,400 –> 00:01:23,839to say and to speak that God is in control2800:01:23,839 –> 00:01:26,540as much of your death as of your life2900:01:26,839 –> 00:01:29,139and notice how he says this in verse 7.3000:01:29,639 –> 00:01:31,639The grass withers3100:01:32,440 –> 00:01:35,639the flower fades now3200:01:35,639 –> 00:01:36,940when does the flower fade?3300:01:36,940 –> 00:01:38,739Notice the clear statement here3400:01:38,940 –> 00:01:42,440the flower fades when3500:01:43,040 –> 00:01:48,040the breath of the Lord blows on3600:01:48,139 –> 00:01:48,839it.3700:01:50,639 –> 00:01:52,239So why does the grass wither?3800:01:52,239 –> 00:01:53,739Why does the flower fade?3900:01:53,940 –> 00:01:58,239Because the breath of the Lord4000:01:59,739 –> 00:02:02,440blows on it.4100:02:03,639 –> 00:02:06,440Now this is very important to understand4200:02:07,339 –> 00:02:09,940to know ourselves and to understand our life.4300:02:10,639 –> 00:02:14,740According to the Bible human life both begins4400:02:14,839 –> 00:02:20,339and continues and ends by the breath of God.4500:02:21,339 –> 00:02:23,039You remember from the Book of Genesis4600:02:23,039 –> 00:02:24,339right back in the beginning4700:02:24,839 –> 00:02:27,639Genesis 2.7 tells us that the Lord God4800:02:27,639 –> 00:02:30,339formed the man from the dust of the ground4900:02:30,639 –> 00:02:33,440and then breathed into his nostrils5000:02:33,639 –> 00:02:35,339the breath of life5100:02:35,639 –> 00:02:38,240and the man became a living creature5200:02:38,240 –> 00:02:40,539Genesis chapter 2 and verse 7.5300:02:41,440 –> 00:02:42,940So God forms5400:02:43,339 –> 00:02:45,740what must have been essentially a corpse5500:02:46,039 –> 00:02:49,440forms this body from the dust of the ground5600:02:49,539 –> 00:02:52,139in other words you could do a chemical analysis5700:02:52,139 –> 00:02:54,139of the human body and you would5800:02:54,139 –> 00:02:55,740you would find all these elements5900:02:55,740 –> 00:02:57,440from the periodic table and it could be6000:02:57,440 –> 00:02:59,339divided and even people have put a value6100:02:59,339 –> 00:03:02,440on the various components of a human body6200:03:02,440 –> 00:03:04,039what are they worth6300:03:04,039 –> 00:03:05,039But this is just a corpse6400:03:05,039 –> 00:03:06,139and it’s lying on a ground6500:03:06,139 –> 00:03:08,139and God has made it from the dust6600:03:08,440 –> 00:03:10,539chemically analyzable6700:03:10,539 –> 00:03:11,539that wasn’t a word6800:03:12,139 –> 00:03:13,240there we go6900:03:13,699 –> 00:03:15,139But what does God do?7000:03:15,639 –> 00:03:17,639He breathes7100:03:17,940 –> 00:03:18,940the breath of life7200:03:18,940 –> 00:03:20,940and suddenly! Can you imagine this?7300:03:21,839 –> 00:03:23,339Adam becomes conscious7400:03:24,240 –> 00:03:25,240aware of himself7500:03:25,539 –> 00:03:26,039He lives7600:03:26,039 –> 00:03:26,740He’s a living being7700:03:26,740 –> 00:03:27,740he gets up7800:03:27,740 –> 00:03:29,539and his first view is the face of God7900:03:30,740 –> 00:03:32,139revealed to him8000:03:33,539 –> 00:03:35,639That’s how human life began8100:03:35,839 –> 00:03:37,839that is how your life began8200:03:37,839 –> 00:03:39,940God breathed life into you8300:03:39,940 –> 00:03:40,440and8400:03:40,839 –> 00:03:42,440and your life today is sustained8500:03:42,440 –> 00:03:43,240by the fact8600:03:43,240 –> 00:03:45,740that he is breathing life into you8700:03:45,740 –> 00:03:46,740it is in him8800:03:46,839 –> 00:03:49,440the apostle says that we live8900:03:49,440 –> 00:03:50,339and move9000:03:50,339 –> 00:03:52,240and have our being9100:03:52,240 –> 00:03:54,240so life begins by the breath of God9200:03:54,240 –> 00:03:55,240that’s what it is9300:03:55,240 –> 00:03:57,839that’s why breath and life are interchangeable words9400:03:57,839 –> 00:03:59,839in the way that they’re translated in the Bible9500:04:01,339 –> 00:04:02,339and one day9600:04:02,339 –> 00:04:04,539God will breathe on you again9700:04:06,039 –> 00:04:07,039and9800:04:07,440 –> 00:04:08,440that will be the time9900:04:08,440 –> 00:04:10,639when your life in this world will end10000:04:10,639 –> 00:04:11,440the grass withers10100:04:11,440 –> 00:04:12,839the flower fades10200:04:13,039 –> 00:04:14,039when10300:04:14,539 –> 00:04:16,839the breath of the Lord10400:04:17,040 –> 00:04:18,040blows10500:04:18,339 –> 00:04:19,640on it10600:04:20,140 –> 00:04:22,339and this is stated in other places in the Bible10700:04:22,339 –> 00:04:25,140psalm 104 in verse 2910800:04:25,739 –> 00:04:26,540David says10900:04:26,540 –> 00:04:28,040when you11000:04:28,040 –> 00:04:29,440take their breath away11100:04:30,440 –> 00:04:31,640they die and return11200:04:31,640 –> 00:04:32,640to the dust11300:04:33,339 –> 00:04:33,940so you11400:04:33,940 –> 00:04:35,540notice the you11500:04:35,839 –> 00:04:36,640life11600:04:36,640 –> 00:04:38,839the beginning of your life was not a matter of11700:04:39,640 –> 00:04:40,540random chance11800:04:40,540 –> 00:04:41,839the fact that your you11900:04:41,839 –> 00:04:42,640as opposed to12000:04:43,239 –> 00:04:46,540millions of other people who may have come to be through your father and your mother12100:04:46,540 –> 00:04:48,839the fact that your you is because God created you12200:04:48,839 –> 00:04:50,339he breathed life into you12300:04:50,739 –> 00:04:53,040he was in control of the beginning of your life12400:04:53,440 –> 00:04:56,140and the timing of the ending of your life12500:04:56,140 –> 00:04:58,040is as much in his hands12600:04:58,339 –> 00:05:00,140when you take away their breath they die12700:05:00,339 –> 00:05:01,739not before not after12800:05:01,839 –> 00:05:02,940it’s in your hand12900:05:02,940 –> 00:05:04,940God that’s when they return to the dust13000:05:04,940 –> 00:05:05,239and13100:05:05,440 –> 00:05:07,440and of course Job said the same thing13200:05:08,140 –> 00:05:10,239and you know this verse very very well13300:05:11,040 –> 00:05:12,540The Lord gives13400:05:13,739 –> 00:05:16,540and the Lord has taken away13500:05:17,540 –> 00:05:19,940so blessed be the name13600:05:20,440 –> 00:05:21,140of13700:05:21,940 –> 00:05:22,940the Lord13800:05:23,640 –> 00:05:24,839thinking about this13900:05:25,040 –> 00:05:27,339blowing and particularly God blowin14000:05:28,640 –> 00:05:29,739I’m thinking about this14100:05:29,940 –> 00:05:32,540marvelous thing when we celebrate birthdays14200:05:33,640 –> 00:05:34,940we have this great tradition14300:05:34,940 –> 00:05:37,140that seems to go widely around the world14400:05:37,140 –> 00:05:38,839and what a marvelous tradition it is14500:05:38,839 –> 00:05:40,739we have a birthday cake14600:05:42,040 –> 00:05:43,540and we bring in the birthday cake14700:05:43,540 –> 00:05:44,839and on the top of the birthday cake14800:05:44,839 –> 00:05:45,540what do we have14900:05:45,540 –> 00:05:46,839we have candles15000:05:47,839 –> 00:05:49,739and we put one candle15100:05:50,839 –> 00:05:52,540for every year15200:05:53,140 –> 00:05:54,440that the person15300:05:54,739 –> 00:05:56,140we are celebrating15400:05:56,640 –> 00:05:57,540has lived15500:05:58,239 –> 00:06:00,140and we light the candles15600:06:01,040 –> 00:06:02,140seven candles15700:06:02,239 –> 00:06:03,339ten candles15800:06:03,339 –> 00:06:04,940twenty one candles15900:06:06,239 –> 00:06:08,339Then the cake gets brought in16000:06:09,239 –> 00:06:10,440and everyone sings16100:06:10,440 –> 00:06:11,640happy birthday to you16200:06:11,640 –> 00:06:12,839happy birthday to you16300:06:12,839 –> 00:06:14,339and then what do we do16400:06:15,739 –> 00:06:17,040We say to the person16500:06:17,640 –> 00:06:19,540whose life we are celebrating16600:06:22,339 –> 00:06:23,940We now want you16700:06:24,839 –> 00:06:27,940to blow all these candles out16800:06:30,540 –> 00:06:31,239I said to Karin16900:06:31,239 –> 00:06:32,839Why in the world do we do that17000:06:32,839 –> 00:06:34,140and she gave me the wisest answer17100:06:34,140 –> 00:06:35,440I couldn’t think why we did that17200:06:35,440 –> 00:06:36,339She said it’s because17300:06:36,339 –> 00:06:38,739these are the years that are done17400:06:39,839 –> 00:06:40,839Of course17500:06:42,040 –> 00:06:43,839So we had this year17600:06:43,839 –> 00:06:45,239for our oldest granddaughter17700:06:45,239 –> 00:06:46,440that’s twice I’ve got that in17800:06:46,440 –> 00:06:49,040and so that’s a little bit of an indulgence17900:06:49,140 –> 00:06:51,040her first18000:06:51,040 –> 00:06:52,239birthday18100:06:52,239 –> 00:06:53,440We bring in this cake18200:06:53,440 –> 00:06:55,739with one candle on it18300:06:55,739 –> 00:06:56,839We all sing happy birthday18400:06:58,040 –> 00:06:59,540and then we say to little Jimmie18500:06:59,540 –> 00:07:00,540gotta blow this out18600:07:00,540 –> 00:07:01,640she need a little bit of help18700:07:01,640 –> 00:07:02,839and there’s this one candle18800:07:05,839 –> 00:07:07,839one year of her life18900:07:08,839 –> 00:07:10,940is gone19000:07:11,040 –> 00:07:14,040her first year is done19100:07:14,040 –> 00:07:16,640It will never be lived again19200:07:16,739 –> 00:07:19,940and next year she’ll blow out two19300:07:20,040 –> 00:07:22,040because two are done19400:07:22,040 –> 00:07:25,440she’ll be into her third year19500:07:25,440 –> 00:07:27,440and these too will never19600:07:27,440 –> 00:07:29,440occur again19700:07:30,839 –> 00:07:32,839and then it’s ten candles19800:07:33,839 –> 00:07:36,839and then it’s twenty one candles19900:07:37,839 –> 00:07:39,940and then people stop putting the20000:07:39,940 –> 00:07:41,940number of candles on their cake20100:07:43,940 –> 00:07:46,440and then you see a little further down the line20200:07:46,440 –> 00:07:48,440if you dare put that number of candles20300:07:48,440 –> 00:07:50,440on my cake I’m gonna be very very unhappy20400:07:50,440 –> 00:07:52,440and I don’t have that amount of breath20500:07:52,440 –> 00:07:54,440to blow out sixty candles20600:07:57,440 –> 00:07:59,440and I don’t know how many candles will be on my cake20700:07:59,440 –> 00:08:01,739you don’t know how many candles will be on your cake20800:08:01,839 –> 00:08:04,239but what we’re being told here to take up the picture20900:08:04,640 –> 00:08:06,640is that one day21000:08:06,640 –> 00:08:08,640god will blow out the last candle21100:08:09,140 –> 00:08:11,140and I’ll tell you this I’m so glad that it’s21200:08:11,140 –> 00:08:13,140God who’s doing the blowing21300:08:13,140 –> 00:08:15,140and that that timing is in his hand21400:08:15,140 –> 00:08:17,140that its not a matter of random chance21500:08:17,140 –> 00:08:19,140that as someone who21600:08:19,140 –> 00:08:21,140belongs to my loving heavenly father21700:08:21,140 –> 00:08:23,140who gives me life and sustains21800:08:23,140 –> 00:08:25,140life for me right now, he’s the one who21900:08:25,140 –> 00:08:27,140knows the time when they say22000:08:27,140 –> 00:08:29,140it’s time for you to come home22100:08:29,140 –> 00:08:31,140That’s marvellous22200:08:31,140 –> 00:08:33,140come home22300:08:34,039 –> 00:08:36,039Your death is as22400:08:36,039 –> 00:08:38,039every bit as much in the22500:08:38,039 –> 00:08:40,039control of God as22600:08:40,039 –> 00:08:42,039your life is. Now here’s what I want you to understand22700:08:42,039 –> 00:08:44,039this is true of every person22800:08:44,039 –> 00:08:46,039the good and the bad. The religious22900:08:46,039 –> 00:08:48,039and the secular. The Christian. The Muslim23000:08:48,039 –> 00:08:50,039the old and the young. The Rich23100:08:50,039 –> 00:08:52,039and the poor. This is not something that’s23200:08:52,039 –> 00:08:54,039just true of human believers. This is something23300:08:54,039 –> 00:08:56,039that is true of human life23400:08:56,039 –> 00:08:58,039This is true as much23500:08:58,039 –> 00:09:00,039as god’s enemies. As it23600:09:00,039 –> 00:09:02,039is of his friends23700:09:02,039 –> 00:09:04,039the bible speaks about anti23800:09:04,039 –> 00:09:06,039Christ. 2 Thessalonians23900:09:06,039 –> 00:09:08,039in childhood 224000:09:08,039 –> 00:09:10,039who in the last time will embody24100:09:10,039 –> 00:09:12,039evil, hatred24200:09:12,039 –> 00:09:14,039and everything that is24300:09:14,039 –> 00:09:16,039antithetical to Jesus24400:09:16,039 –> 00:09:18,039Christ. And how will Christ24500:09:18,039 –> 00:09:20,039destroy him? 2 Thessalonians24600:09:20,039 –> 00:09:22,039chapter 2 8. Christ24700:09:22,039 –> 00:09:24,039will destroy him. How?24800:09:24,039 –> 00:09:26,039By the breath of24900:09:26,039 –> 00:09:28,039his mouth25000:09:28,039 –> 00:09:30,039Here’s anti Christ25100:09:30,039 –> 00:09:32,039who establishes himself25200:09:32,039 –> 00:09:34,039in the very throne25300:09:34,039 –> 00:09:36,039of God, seeking to take the place of25400:09:36,039 –> 00:09:38,039God, in the temple of God, I should say25500:09:40,039 –> 00:09:42,039And when Christ decides that25600:09:42,039 –> 00:09:44,039time has come, here’s what Christ does25700:09:44,039 –> 00:09:46,039in the glory of his return25800:09:46,039 –> 00:09:48,039You are gone, that’s25900:09:48,039 –> 00:09:50,039it! That’s26000:09:50,039 –> 00:09:52,039sovereign power, that’s the control26100:09:52,039 –> 00:09:54,039of the moment of death of his26200:09:54,039 –> 00:09:56,039most antithetical26300:09:56,039 –> 00:09:58,039enemy as26400:09:58,039 –> 00:10:00,039his closest and26500:10:00,039 –> 00:10:02,039his dearest friend26600:10:02,039 –> 00:10:04,039Life and death my friend26700:10:04,039 –> 00:10:06,039are never a matter of random chance26800:10:06,039 –> 00:10:08,039Whether you are God’s enemy, whether you are God’s friend26900:10:08,039 –> 00:10:10,039God blows life into you27000:10:10,039 –> 00:10:12,039God will blow life out of you27100:10:12,039 –> 00:10:14,039Your life begins and ends with the breath of27200:10:14,039 –> 00:10:16,039God, it continues right now27300:10:16,039 –> 00:10:18,039by the breath of God and the timing of it27400:10:18,039 –> 00:10:20,039ending, is in his hands27500:10:20,039 –> 00:10:22,039And again27600:10:22,039 –> 00:10:24,039for the person who loves Christ27700:10:24,039 –> 00:10:26,039this is the most comforting27800:10:26,039 –> 00:10:28,039comfort, my people. This is the most wonderful27900:10:28,039 –> 00:10:30,039truth28000:10:30,039 –> 00:10:32,039The timing of my death is in the hand of God28100:10:32,039 –> 00:10:34,039that is why George Whitfield said you know what28200:10:34,039 –> 00:10:36,039And he went through many dangers28300:10:36,039 –> 00:10:38,039He said here’s how I have peace. I am28400:10:38,039 –> 00:10:40,039immortal until my life’s work is done28500:10:40,039 –> 00:10:42,039That’s was not a formula for stupidity28600:10:42,039 –> 00:10:44,039but what he said was, was28700:10:44,039 –> 00:10:46,039this. I have great confidence that the timing28800:10:46,039 –> 00:10:48,039of my departure will28900:10:48,039 –> 00:10:50,039only be when God’s work for me is29000:10:50,039 –> 00:10:52,039finished and until then there is work29100:10:52,039 –> 00:10:54,039for me to do because29200:10:54,039 –> 00:10:56,039I’m still here, all the days29300:10:56,039 –> 00:10:58,039that were written for me were in29400:10:58,039 –> 00:11:00,039God’s book before one of them29500:11:00,039 –> 00:11:02,039came to be. That’s what David says29600:11:02,039 –> 00:11:04,039in Psalm 13929700:11:04,039 –> 00:11:06,039But listen29800:11:06,039 –> 00:11:08,039for the person who is resisting29900:11:08,039 –> 00:11:10,039God30000:11:10,039 –> 00:11:12,039for the person here this morning30100:11:12,039 –> 00:11:14,039and you’re still holding out on30200:11:14,039 –> 00:11:16,039his claim over your life. This is the30300:11:16,039 –> 00:11:18,039most sobering truth and I am praying that30400:11:18,039 –> 00:11:20,039today, this will be the truth that30500:11:20,039 –> 00:11:22,039wakens you up30600:11:22,039 –> 00:11:24,039God can blow on you30700:11:24,039 –> 00:11:26,039at any time30800:11:26,039 –> 00:11:28,039and when he does, you’ll be gone30900:11:30,039 –> 00:11:32,039and his spirit does not31000:11:32,039 –> 00:11:34,039strive with a person forever31100:11:36,039 –> 00:11:38,039God is giving you life and breath31200:11:38,039 –> 00:11:40,039even now while you’re holding him off31300:11:40,039 –> 00:11:42,039that’s grace that is31400:11:42,039 –> 00:11:44,039extending more time to you right now31500:11:46,039 –> 00:11:48,039the question is, how will you respond to that grace31600:11:48,039 –> 00:11:50,039even31700:11:50,039 –> 00:11:52,039today31800:11:52,039 –> 00:11:54,039here’s how i’m31900:11:54,039 –> 00:11:56,039to think of my life, brother, sister32000:11:56,039 –> 00:11:58,039here’s how you’re to think of my life32100:11:58,039 –> 00:12:00,039i’m like a candle32200:12:00,039 –> 00:12:02,039i am lit to burn32300:12:02,039 –> 00:12:04,039for God’s glory for a short time32400:12:04,039 –> 00:12:06,039until he blows on this candle32500:12:06,039 –> 00:12:08,039and then the flame32600:12:08,039 –> 00:12:10,039goes out and i will be32700:12:10,039 –> 00:12:12,039in another and in a better world32800:12:12,039 –> 00:12:14,039and what then is the best32900:12:14,039 –> 00:12:16,039thing that this candle can do33000:12:16,039 –> 00:12:18,039what is the best thing that i can do33100:12:18,039 –> 00:12:20,039with this short life that he is giving to me33200:12:20,380 –> 00:12:22,380it is surely to give myself33300:12:22,380 –> 00:12:24,380holy and without reserve33400:12:24,380 –> 00:12:26,380to whatever God has for me to do33500:12:26,380 –> 00:12:28,380in this life33600:12:28,380 –> 00:12:30,380that he is giving to me33700:12:30,380 –> 00:12:32,380to offer this life back33800:12:32,380 –> 00:12:34,380to hand it into the hands33900:12:34,380 –> 00:12:36,380of the one who is sustaining it34000:12:36,380 –> 00:12:38,380in me even now as i speak34100:12:38,380 –> 00:12:40,380oh God i’m yours34200:12:40,380 –> 00:12:42,380that’s what i want my life to be34300:12:42,380 –> 00:12:44,380you’re listening to open the bible34400:12:44,380 –> 00:12:46,380with pastor colin smith34500:12:46,380 –> 00:12:48,380in a message called the word of god34600:12:48,380 –> 00:12:50,380a series waiting for the Lord34700:12:50,380 –> 00:12:52,380and if you have missed any of the series to34800:12:52,380 –> 00:12:54,380date or if you want to go back and listen again34900:12:54,380 –> 00:12:56,380you can do that by coming on line35000:12:56,380 –> 00:13:00,520to our website openthebible.org.uk35100:13:00,520 –> 00:13:02,739or you can also find the messages35200:13:02,739 –> 00:13:04,739as a podcast and those are on all the main35300:13:04,739 –> 00:13:06,739podcast sites searchs for35400:13:06,739 –> 00:13:08,739opennessbibleuk or follow35500:13:08,739 –> 00:13:10,739the link from our website35600:13:10,739 –> 00:13:12,739opennessbible.org is able to stay35700:13:12,739 –> 00:13:14,739on this station and also on the internet35800:13:14,739 –> 00:13:16,739as a result of the generous35900:13:16,739 –> 00:13:18,739giving by our listeners and36000:13:18,739 –> 00:13:20,739if you already give to support the work36100:13:20,739 –> 00:13:22,739of Open The Bible we36200:13:22,739 –> 00:13:24,739want to say a big thank you. If that’s36300:13:24,739 –> 00:13:26,739something your considering doing, later on36400:13:26,739 –> 00:13:28,739in the programme I will be talking to Pastor36500:13:28,739 –> 00:13:30,739Colin about a special offer that we have36600:13:30,739 –> 00:13:32,739this month if you are able to begin36700:13:32,739 –> 00:13:34,739a new direct debit to the work of36800:13:34,739 –> 00:13:36,739Open The Bible in the amount of £536900:13:36,739 –> 00:13:38,580per month or more, or a one37000:13:38,580 –> 00:13:40,580off gift of £50 or more, so I hope37100:13:40,580 –> 00:13:42,580that you will stay tuned for that message.37200:13:42,580 –> 00:13:44,580Back to the message now37300:13:44,580 –> 00:13:46,580here is Colin.37400:13:46,580 –> 00:13:48,580Life is beautiful and it is fragile37500:13:49,580 –> 00:13:51,580God is in control37600:13:51,580 –> 00:13:53,580of your death, thank God for this37700:13:53,580 –> 00:13:55,580as much as your life37800:13:55,580 –> 00:13:57,580that’s one of the great answers to fear37900:13:57,580 –> 00:13:59,580your life is in the hand of God38000:13:59,580 –> 00:14:01,580the moment of your calling home is in the hand of38100:14:01,580 –> 00:14:03,580God and here’s38200:14:03,580 –> 00:14:05,580the third and the last thing38300:14:05,580 –> 00:14:07,580you can trust38400:14:07,580 –> 00:14:09,580God’s Word38500:14:09,580 –> 00:14:11,580completely38600:14:11,580 –> 00:14:13,580Verse 838700:14:13,580 –> 00:14:15,580the grass withers38800:14:15,580 –> 00:14:17,580and the flower fades38900:14:17,580 –> 00:14:19,580notice that’s the second time39000:14:19,580 –> 00:14:21,580he’s said that, in 2 verses, double39100:14:21,580 –> 00:14:23,580underlined39200:14:23,580 –> 00:14:25,580but39300:14:25,580 –> 00:14:27,580but39400:14:27,580 –> 00:14:29,580the word of our39500:14:29,580 –> 00:14:31,580God will39600:14:31,580 –> 00:14:33,580stand39700:14:33,580 –> 00:14:35,580forever39800:14:35,580 –> 00:14:37,580feel how solid that is39900:14:37,580 –> 00:14:39,580and you see the40000:14:39,580 –> 00:14:41,580contrast, human lives come40100:14:41,580 –> 00:14:43,580and go, a little mist vanishing, a flower40200:14:43,580 –> 00:14:45,580fades, God just blows on it and it is gone40300:14:45,580 –> 00:14:47,580but God’s word40400:14:47,580 –> 00:14:49,580it40500:14:49,580 –> 00:14:51,580stands forever40600:14:53,580 –> 00:14:55,580and as this whole chapter40700:14:55,580 –> 00:14:57,580is anticipating Christ in multiple40800:14:57,580 –> 00:14:59,580ways, we look at that40900:14:59,580 –> 00:15:01,580God’s word stands forever, yes41000:15:01,580 –> 00:15:03,580and this word that stands41100:15:03,580 –> 00:15:05,580forever has41200:15:05,580 –> 00:15:07,580become flesh41300:15:07,580 –> 00:15:09,580he dwelt among us41400:15:09,580 –> 00:15:11,580and his name is Jesus41500:15:11,580 –> 00:15:13,580Christ41600:15:13,580 –> 00:15:15,580oh yes, children grow41700:15:15,580 –> 00:15:17,580and people mature and we move through adult life41800:15:17,580 –> 00:15:19,580and then we become aware of memory failing41900:15:19,580 –> 00:15:21,580and all the rest of it, powers of the body and the mind42000:15:21,580 –> 00:15:23,580begin to fade, eventually we die42100:15:23,580 –> 00:15:25,580One generation gives way to another42200:15:25,580 –> 00:15:27,580and on and on and on and on it42300:15:27,580 –> 00:15:29,580goes but now Jesus Christ comes42400:15:29,580 –> 00:15:31,580into the world and this one42500:15:31,580 –> 00:15:33,580human life is different42600:15:33,580 –> 00:15:35,580from all others for this reason42700:15:35,580 –> 00:15:37,580John Chapter Five42800:15:37,580 –> 00:15:39,580and Verse Twenty Six42900:15:39,580 –> 00:15:41,580As the Father43000:15:41,580 –> 00:15:43,580has life in Himself43100:15:43,580 –> 00:15:45,580says Jesus43200:15:45,580 –> 00:15:47,580so He has43300:15:47,580 –> 00:15:49,580granted the Son43400:15:49,580 –> 00:15:51,580also to have43500:15:51,580 –> 00:15:53,580life in Himself43600:15:55,580 –> 00:15:57,580Friends, that’s the difference between Jesus43700:15:57,580 –> 00:15:59,580and us, life is given43800:15:59,580 –> 00:16:01,580to us43900:16:01,580 –> 00:16:03,580and life will be taken from us44000:16:03,580 –> 00:16:05,580but Jesus has life44100:16:05,580 –> 00:16:07,580in Himself44200:16:07,580 –> 00:16:09,580He has it44300:16:09,580 –> 00:16:11,580and that’s why He’s able to give it44400:16:11,580 –> 00:16:13,580it’s in the Christmas Reading in John 144500:16:13,580 –> 00:16:15,580in Him was44600:16:15,580 –> 00:16:17,580life, that’s different from you and me44700:16:17,580 –> 00:16:19,580and that life44800:16:19,580 –> 00:16:21,580was the light of men, that life44900:16:21,580 –> 00:16:23,580that’s why Jesus alone in all45000:16:23,580 –> 00:16:25,580of human history, no one else ever could have said45100:16:25,580 –> 00:16:27,580this, or anything like it, He says45200:16:27,580 –> 00:16:29,580nobody takes my life45300:16:29,580 –> 00:16:31,580from me, because I have45400:16:31,580 –> 00:16:33,580the power to lay it down45500:16:33,580 –> 00:16:35,580and45600:16:35,580 –> 00:16:37,580I have the power to45700:16:37,580 –> 00:16:39,580take it up again. Nobody45800:16:39,580 –> 00:16:41,580else in all human history has ever45900:16:41,580 –> 00:16:43,580been able to say that or to do it46000:16:43,580 –> 00:16:45,580but Jesus said it and Jesus did it46100:16:45,580 –> 00:16:47,580He lay46200:16:47,580 –> 00:16:49,580down His life, when He died on the cross46300:16:49,580 –> 00:16:51,580as the sacrifice for our sins46400:16:51,580 –> 00:16:53,580and then He took it up again46500:16:53,580 –> 00:16:55,580in His own marvellous resurrection46600:16:55,580 –> 00:16:57,580and He is the Son of God46700:16:57,580 –> 00:16:59,580and He is the Word of God46800:16:59,580 –> 00:17:01,580and He stands forever, the Word of46900:17:01,580 –> 00:17:03,580God stands forever47000:17:03,580 –> 00:17:05,579the grass withers47100:17:05,579 –> 00:17:07,579that’s us the flower fades47200:17:07,579 –> 00:17:09,579but the Word of God stands forever47300:17:09,579 –> 00:17:11,579you can trust this Christ47400:17:11,579 –> 00:17:13,579you can trust this Saviour47500:17:13,579 –> 00:17:15,579see what He’s saying? He’s laid out the Gospel47600:17:15,579 –> 00:17:17,579and now He’s saying and tell people this47700:17:17,579 –> 00:17:19,579You need it47800:17:19,579 –> 00:17:21,579because of the very nature of your life47900:17:21,579 –> 00:17:23,579It’s beautiful, it’s valuable, but it’s fragile48000:17:23,579 –> 00:17:25,579and one day it’s going to end, the candle’s going to blow48100:17:25,579 –> 00:17:27,579out and you cannot trust yourself48200:17:27,579 –> 00:17:29,579you cannot live on yourself48300:17:29,579 –> 00:17:31,579because you do not have life in yourself48400:17:31,579 –> 00:17:33,579but you can trust the Word of God48500:17:33,579 –> 00:17:35,579and this Word of God48600:17:35,579 –> 00:17:37,579has become flesh in Jesus Christ48700:17:37,579 –> 00:17:39,579you can put your trust in Him48800:17:41,579 –> 00:17:43,579Many of you know the beautiful hymn48900:17:43,579 –> 00:17:45,579Praise My Soul the King of Heaven49000:17:45,579 –> 00:17:47,579to His feet thy tribute bring49100:17:47,579 –> 00:17:49,579ransomed, healed!49200:17:49,579 –> 00:17:51,579restored, forgiven!49300:17:51,579 –> 00:17:53,579Who like Thee His Praise should sing49400:17:53,579 –> 00:17:55,579there’s a beautiful verse49500:17:55,579 –> 00:17:57,579in that hymn and it’s based on49600:17:57,579 –> 00:17:59,579this passage of Scripture49700:17:59,579 –> 00:18:01,579it’s like this, I wonder if you remember this one49800:18:03,579 –> 00:18:05,579Frail as summer’s flower49900:18:05,579 –> 00:18:07,579we flourish50000:18:07,579 –> 00:18:09,579Blows the wind50100:18:09,579 –> 00:18:11,579and it is gone50200:18:11,579 –> 00:18:13,579but while50300:18:13,579 –> 00:18:15,579mortals rise and perish50400:18:15,579 –> 00:18:17,579God50500:18:17,579 –> 00:18:19,579endures50600:18:19,579 –> 00:18:21,579unchanging on50700:18:21,579 –> 00:18:23,579and you see the point here50800:18:23,579 –> 00:18:25,579trusting yourself therefore50900:18:25,579 –> 00:18:27,579you’re here today, gone tomorrow51000:18:27,579 –> 00:18:29,579thrusting ourself is futile51100:18:29,579 –> 00:18:31,579your life beautiful gift from God51200:18:31,579 –> 00:18:33,579though it is very fragile51300:18:33,579 –> 00:18:35,579frail51400:18:35,579 –> 00:18:37,579seizing the wheel therefore51500:18:37,579 –> 00:18:39,579and trying to pilot your own life51600:18:39,579 –> 00:18:41,579is the surest way to disaster51700:18:43,579 –> 00:18:45,579looking at teachings and philosophies51800:18:45,579 –> 00:18:47,579that are here today and gone tomorrow51900:18:47,579 –> 00:18:49,579people who themselves live52000:18:49,579 –> 00:18:51,579and die and trying to build your life52100:18:51,579 –> 00:18:53,579on the foundation of something you get from then52200:18:53,579 –> 00:18:55,579that makes no sense52300:18:55,579 –> 00:18:57,579trying to find the unchanging sure foundation52400:18:57,579 –> 00:18:59,579God endures unchanging on52500:18:59,579 –> 00:19:01,579the word of the Lord52600:19:01,579 –> 00:19:03,579stands forever and this word52700:19:03,579 –> 00:19:05,579has become flesh52800:19:05,579 –> 00:19:07,579and dwelt among us52900:19:07,579 –> 00:19:09,579here’s where you ground your life in Jesus Christ53000:19:09,579 –> 00:19:11,579here’s where you find your life53100:19:11,579 –> 00:19:13,579life is in him he has life in himself53200:19:13,579 –> 00:19:15,579and he is able to give that life to you53300:19:17,579 –> 00:19:19,579a voice says cry what shall I cry53400:19:19,579 –> 00:19:21,579what’s the message then53500:19:21,579 –> 00:19:23,579that the church is to bring into this broken world53600:19:23,579 –> 00:19:25,579what is the word of God that is coming53700:19:25,579 –> 00:19:27,579to us to you in particular53800:19:27,579 –> 00:19:29,579today53900:19:29,579 –> 00:19:31,579your life is beautiful but it is54000:19:31,579 –> 00:19:33,579also fragile54100:19:33,579 –> 00:19:35,579God is in control of54200:19:35,579 –> 00:19:37,579your life and also54300:19:37,579 –> 00:19:39,579of your death54400:19:39,579 –> 00:19:41,579you can trust God’s word54500:19:41,579 –> 00:19:43,579completely54600:19:43,579 –> 00:19:45,579and this word has become54700:19:45,579 –> 00:19:47,579flesh his name is Jesus there is a54800:19:47,579 –> 00:19:49,579savior for you and this Savior is54900:19:49,579 –> 00:19:51,579God this Savior has55000:19:51,579 –> 00:19:53,579life in himself and he is able55100:19:53,579 –> 00:19:55,579to blow new life into you55200:19:55,579 –> 00:19:57,579remember how John55300:19:57,579 –> 00:19:59,579puts it so beautifully55400:19:59,579 –> 00:20:01,579he says the wind55500:20:01,579 –> 00:20:03,579blows notice that word where55600:20:03,579 –> 00:20:05,579it wishes and55700:20:05,579 –> 00:20:07,579so it is with everyone55800:20:07,579 –> 00:20:09,579born of the spirit55900:20:09,579 –> 00:20:11,579born of the spirit56000:20:11,579 –> 00:20:13,579here’s what he’s56100:20:13,579 –> 00:20:15,579saying that God is able to56200:20:15,579 –> 00:20:17,579blow a new kind of life into56300:20:17,579 –> 00:20:19,579you he is able to blow56400:20:19,579 –> 00:20:21,579a new heart into you56500:20:21,579 –> 00:20:23,579he’s able to blow new energies into you56600:20:23,579 –> 00:20:25,579new affections into you56700:20:25,579 –> 00:20:27,579new desires into you56800:20:27,579 –> 00:20:29,579new love for him into you56900:20:29,579 –> 00:20:31,579new capacity to be able57000:20:31,579 –> 00:20:33,579to live for his glory into you57100:20:33,579 –> 00:20:35,579he’s able to blow57200:20:35,579 –> 00:20:37,579this new life into you and he57300:20:37,579 –> 00:20:39,579speaks tenderly to you today57400:20:39,579 –> 00:20:41,579he reaches out to you57500:20:41,579 –> 00:20:43,579today but he also speaks out to you with57600:20:43,579 –> 00:20:45,579urgency today remember57700:20:45,579 –> 00:20:47,579your life is fragile as well as beautiful57800:20:47,579 –> 00:20:49,579and so believe57900:20:49,579 –> 00:20:51,579in the lord Jesus Christ58000:20:51,579 –> 00:20:53,579trust in him submit to him58100:20:53,579 –> 00:20:55,579trust him, yield to him58200:20:55,579 –> 00:20:57,579follow him and you can rest58300:20:57,579 –> 00:20:59,579secure on his promise58400:20:59,579 –> 00:21:01,579that all58500:21:01,579 –> 00:21:03,579that he has accomplished58600:21:03,579 –> 00:21:05,579and all that he now offers58700:21:05,579 –> 00:21:07,579will truly58800:21:07,579 –> 00:21:09,579be yours58900:21:09,579 –> 00:21:11,579Master Colin59000:21:11,579 –> 00:21:13,579Smith there wrapping up our message59100:21:13,579 –> 00:21:15,579the word of god59200:21:15,579 –> 00:21:17,579is part of our series waiting for the lord59300:21:17,579 –> 00:21:19,579and if you’ve missed any of the series59400:21:19,579 –> 00:21:21,579so far, it’s easy to catch up59500:21:21,579 –> 00:21:23,579or go back and listen again by coming59600:21:23,579 –> 00:21:25,579online to our website59700:21:25,579 –> 00:21:27,579openthebible.org.uk59800:21:27,579 –> 00:21:29,579and there you’ll find all the messages59900:21:29,579 –> 00:21:31,579which have already gone out on air60000:21:31,579 –> 00:21:33,579and you can also find them as a podcast60100:21:33,579 –> 00:21:35,579on all the main podcast sites60200:21:35,579 –> 00:21:37,579search for open the bible uk60300:21:37,579 –> 00:21:39,579or follow the link from our website60400:21:39,579 –> 00:21:41,579and while you’re on our website60500:21:41,579 –> 00:21:43,579Don’t strat to check out60600:21:43,579 –> 00:21:45,579Open the Bible Daily60700:21:45,579 –> 00:21:47,579That’s our series of short60800:21:47,579 –> 00:21:49,5792-3 minute daily reflections60900:21:49,579 –> 00:21:51,579Based on pастor Colin’s teaching61000:21:51,579 –> 00:21:53,579and read in UK by61100:21:53,579 –> 00:21:55,579Sue Mac leash61200:21:55,579 –> 00:21:57,579Many Christians start there day with61300:21:57,579 –> 00:21:59,579OPEN the BIBLE DAILY61400:21:59,579 –> 00:22:01,579At open the Bible we welcome61500:22:01,579 –> 00:22:03,579contact with our listeners61600:22:03,579 –> 00:22:05,579If you’ve been blessed by paster Colin Smith’s teaching61700:22:05,579 –> 00:22:07,579and you’d like to reach out to us61800:22:07,579 –> 00:22:09,579you can write to us61900:22:09,579 –> 00:22:11,579at openthebible.org62000:22:11,579 –> 00:22:13,579010420 Chealtham62100:22:13,579 –> 00:22:15,579GL5062200:22:15,579 –> 00:22:17,5799pg62300:22:17,579 –> 00:22:19,579That address along with an email address62400:22:19,579 –> 00:22:21,579and a telephone number62500:22:21,579 –> 00:22:23,579that you can use to contact us62600:22:23,579 –> 00:22:25,579are all on our website62700:22:25,579 –> 00:22:27,579at openthebible.org.uk62800:22:27,579 –> 00:22:29,579open the bible62900:22:29,579 –> 00:22:31,579is able to stay on this station63000:22:31,579 –> 00:22:33,579and the internet and available63100:22:33,579 –> 00:22:35,579as a podcast because of63200:22:35,579 –> 00:22:37,579the generous financial support of our listeners63300:22:37,579 –> 00:22:39,579that’s people like you63400:22:39,579 –> 00:22:41,579and if you already give to support the work63500:22:41,579 –> 00:22:43,579thank you so much63600:22:43,579 –> 00:22:45,579if supporting open the bible is something63700:22:45,579 –> 00:22:47,579you would like to start doing63800:22:47,579 –> 00:22:49,579this month we are delighted to offer a free gift63900:22:49,579 –> 00:22:51,579when you set up a new64000:22:51,579 –> 00:22:53,579direct debit to the work of open the bible64100:22:53,579 –> 00:22:55,579in the amount of £5 per64200:22:55,579 –> 00:22:57,579month or more or a one off64300:22:57,579 –> 00:22:59,579gift of £50 or more64400:22:59,579 –> 00:23:01,579we’d love to say thank you by64500:23:01,579 –> 00:23:03,579sending you a free copy64600:23:03,579 –> 00:23:05,579of Pastor Colin’s new book64700:23:05,579 –> 00:23:07,579Hikethru the Bible64800:23:07,579 –> 00:23:09,579where did the idea for this book come from64900:23:09,579 –> 00:23:11,579that goes back65000:23:11,579 –> 00:23:13,579a long way actually 30 years65100:23:13,579 –> 00:23:15,579to a conference i attended in the UK65200:23:15,579 –> 00:23:17,579and at lunch time i happened65300:23:17,579 –> 00:23:19,579to sit next to a man65400:23:19,579 –> 00:23:21,579who had given his life65500:23:21,579 –> 00:23:23,579to serving as a pioneer missionary65600:23:23,579 –> 00:23:25,579to an unreached tribal group65700:23:25,579 –> 00:23:27,579in Northern Thailand65800:23:27,579 –> 00:23:29,579his story was absolutely65900:23:29,579 –> 00:23:31,579fascinating66000:23:31,579 –> 00:23:33,579how he had met the tribal chief66100:23:33,579 –> 00:23:35,579how he built his own home66200:23:35,579 –> 00:23:37,579to live among these people66300:23:37,579 –> 00:23:39,579learn their language66400:23:39,579 –> 00:23:41,579listening to his story was amazing66500:23:41,579 –> 00:23:43,579and then i asked him over lunch66600:23:43,579 –> 00:23:45,579Tony66700:23:45,579 –> 00:23:47,579where in the world would you begain66800:23:47,579 –> 00:23:49,579in explaining the gospel66900:23:49,579 –> 00:23:51,579to people who don’t even know67000:23:51,579 –> 00:23:53,579who God is67100:23:53,579 –> 00:23:55,579and he said67200:23:55,579 –> 00:23:57,579we tell them the bible story67300:23:57,579 –> 00:23:59,579and that really started me on a journey67400:23:59,579 –> 00:24:01,579that has gone over many many years67500:24:01,579 –> 00:24:03,579because God has introduced67600:24:03,579 –> 00:24:05,579his Son to us67700:24:05,579 –> 00:24:07,579through an unfolding67800:24:07,579 –> 00:24:09,579story that begins in Genesis67900:24:09,579 –> 00:24:11,579and ends in Revelation68000:24:11,579 –> 00:24:13,579and actually if we follow the contours68100:24:13,579 –> 00:24:15,579of the Bible’s story68200:24:15,579 –> 00:24:17,579we have the best possible introduction68300:24:17,579 –> 00:24:19,579to understanding68400:24:19,579 –> 00:24:21,579who Jesus is, why we need him68500:24:21,579 –> 00:24:23,579what he is able to accomplish68600:24:23,579 –> 00:24:25,579what he has done for us68700:24:25,579 –> 00:24:27,579and so hike through the bible is very simply68800:24:27,579 –> 00:24:29,579an introduction to the whole68900:24:29,579 –> 00:24:31,579of the Bible story69000:24:31,579 –> 00:24:33,579pointing towards the Lord Jesus Christ69100:24:33,579 –> 00:24:35,579and I hope that it’s going to be helpful69200:24:35,579 –> 00:24:37,579and encouraging for many many people69300:24:37,579 –> 00:24:39,579Well we’d love to send you Colin’s69400:24:39,579 –> 00:24:41,579new book when you set up a new direct69500:24:41,579 –> 00:24:43,579debit of £5 per69600:24:43,579 –> 00:24:45,579month or more or a one-off69700:24:45,579 –> 00:24:47,579gift of £50 or more69800:24:47,579 –> 00:24:49,579this month. Full terms and conditions69900:24:49,579 –> 00:24:51,579online at our website70000:24:51,579 –> 00:24:53,579openthebible.org.uk70100:24:53,579 –> 00:24:55,579and you can give online70200:24:55,579 –> 00:24:57,579Don’t forget to70300:24:57,579 –> 00:24:59,579leave your name and address so we can send70400:24:59,579 –> 00:25:01,579you your gift70500:25:01,579 –> 00:25:03,579For Open the Bible and70600:25:03,579 –> 00:25:05,579I’m David Pick70700:25:05,579 –> 00:25:07,579and I look forward to being with you again next time70800:25:15,579 –> 00:25:17,579The Glory of the70900:25:17,579 –> 00:25:19,579Lord will be revealed71000:25:19,579 –> 00:25:21,579like opening a Christmas present71100:25:21,579 –> 00:25:23,579Find out about The Glory71200:25:23,579 –> 00:25:25,579of the Lord next time on71300:25:25,579 –> 00:25:27,579Open the Bible