100:00:00,480 –> 00:00:02,480I200:00:03,200 –> 00:00:07,700Can remember days when I was on fire for the Lord300:00:08,220 –> 00:00:13,820But what has happened is somewhere along the line a kind of lethargy has crept into me400:00:13,820 –> 00:00:18,580I no longer feel as I once felt and the Word of God speaks directly500:00:19,580 –> 00:00:20,660into your600:00:20,660 –> 00:00:21,639circumstance700:00:21,639 –> 00:00:26,059Today welcome to open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David pick800:00:26,480 –> 00:00:28,320Be with us today and Colin900:00:28,320 –> 00:00:31,400I guess there are many who will identify with what they just heard as1000:00:31,600 –> 00:00:37,340Time goes on your initial fire just seems to smolder a bit you want to get the heat back1100:00:37,340 –> 00:00:41,360It’s really important to identify this problem that there’s a natural1200:00:41,840 –> 00:00:49,119Tendency for every Christian for things to kind of run down a little bit to lose the fire that we once had for us to lose1300:00:49,119 –> 00:00:55,459The sense of passion and we’re always faced with the question. How do I Kindle again my love for Christ?1400:00:55,540 –> 00:00:56,919How do I refresh that?1500:00:56,919 –> 00:01:02,000How do I renew that and we’re looking at the scripture that directly calls us to it and therefore1600:01:02,200 –> 00:01:07,980Identify the problem do not be slothful in zeal, but be fervent in spirit1700:01:07,980 –> 00:01:12,599Why does the Word of God say that to me because I need to hear it because there’s a tendency1800:01:13,080 –> 00:01:21,160Within the human heart to grow cold to settle down and to lose the flame of love and of passion for serving Christ1900:01:21,199 –> 00:01:22,820We’re going to look squirrel at the problem2000:01:22,820 –> 00:01:27,660And we’re gonna draw out from the scriptures how to address it and how to be renewed in spirit2100:01:27,839 –> 00:01:34,720So let’s get right into that in Romans chapter 12 if you can join us in your Bible as we begin the message2200:01:35,000 –> 00:01:38,019overcoming evil with zeal here’s Colin our2300:01:38,680 –> 00:01:45,839Series is entitled overcoming evil and these words of course are taken from Romans 12 in verse 212400:01:45,980 –> 00:01:50,540The last verse in the chapter where we read do not be overcome by evil2500:01:51,220 –> 00:01:54,180but overcome evil with good2600:01:54,919 –> 00:01:59,339Now I think all of us are aware and we’ve tracked us earlier in the series2700:01:59,760 –> 00:02:03,559Of multiple ways in which evil seems to be on the rise2800:02:04,199 –> 00:02:10,699world becoming darker spike in violence within our own city that we grieve and that we mourn2900:02:11,460 –> 00:02:18,259Tensions in so many other cities around our country fear of violence in many countries of the world3000:02:18,979 –> 00:02:22,899Evil on the rise. So the question is, how do we then overcome?3100:02:24,160 –> 00:02:28,740Evil with good as we are told to in verse 213200:02:29,419 –> 00:02:29,899well3300:02:29,899 –> 00:02:34,740We’re looking through the verses that lead up to overcoming evil with good and we began3400:02:34,759 –> 00:02:40,039Last week in verse 9 and 10. What we saw there was that the place to begin is3500:02:40,539 –> 00:02:47,440Love and it must be genuine. Let love be genuine Romans chapter 12 in verse 93600:02:47,460 –> 00:02:51,419That’s where we must begin if we are to get to overcoming3700:02:52,199 –> 00:02:56,199Evil with good and today we come to verse 113800:02:56,660 –> 00:03:03,919That gives us the next step that leads as it were to overcoming evil with good and here it is Romans 12 verse 113900:03:04,399 –> 00:03:07,419Do not be slothful in zeal4000:03:08,800 –> 00:03:11,320be fervent in spirit4100:03:12,720 –> 00:03:13,960serve4200:03:13,960 –> 00:03:15,960the Lord4300:03:16,139 –> 00:03:19,100Now we don’t use the word slothful or zeal4400:03:19,100 –> 00:03:24,660I think very often at these days but surely their meaning is quite clear to be4500:03:25,220 –> 00:03:29,720Slothful in zeal is to be lethargic low-energy4600:03:30,860 –> 00:03:32,759jaded run-down4700:03:32,839 –> 00:03:34,839weary, apathetic, dull4800:03:35,300 –> 00:03:36,619sluggish4900:03:36,619 –> 00:03:40,220Lacking in enthusiasm half-hearted and even lazy5000:03:40,860 –> 00:03:45,699It is to be listless. It is to become lifeless. It’s to be lacking and purpose5100:03:45,699 –> 00:03:49,100It’s no longer to really care as you once did5200:03:49,100 –> 00:03:54,580I think the best way to say it is in our phrase that is used today is5300:03:55,520 –> 00:04:00,039Don’t be in a funk that that’s the phrase that we use that kind of5400:04:00,679 –> 00:04:08,320captures, I think what is meant here by being slothful in zeal to to be in a funk and5500:04:09,179 –> 00:04:13,600Then we’re given the opposite of that we’re told to be fervent in spirit5600:04:15,460 –> 00:04:17,640Now to be fervent in spirit5700:04:17,720 –> 00:04:19,399Fervent in spirit5800:04:19,399 –> 00:04:21,480Really means to be on the boil5900:04:21,799 –> 00:04:25,399And I’ve been using that phrase all weekend and now have been told that6000:04:26,279 –> 00:04:34,040Folks in this wonderful country don’t even understand it. So now I’m going to explain this and it’s all about making key and6100:04:34,640 –> 00:04:39,619Your wonderful folks need to learn how to make tea. The first thing you need for making tea is a kettle6200:04:40,399 –> 00:04:46,899Because you need to be able to boil the water so that when you make the tea it really is6300:04:47,399 –> 00:04:49,399infused with the6400:04:49,500 –> 00:04:51,320water on the boil6500:04:51,320 –> 00:04:55,359it’s got to actually be at boiling point, otherwise it isn’t it in right and6600:04:55,739 –> 00:04:58,359So here you have your kettle and it’s no use6700:04:59,019 –> 00:05:02,019Putting in water that was boiled ten minutes ago6800:05:02,739 –> 00:05:05,579Because if the water has been sitting in the kettle for ten minutes6900:05:05,579 –> 00:05:10,100It has by definition gone off the boil it is below the temperature that you need7000:05:10,100 –> 00:05:14,739You gotta switch it on again get it on the boil. Then you can make your tina you say well7100:05:14,739 –> 00:05:15,540This was wonderful7200:05:15,619 –> 00:05:20,820We came to church and we learned a new language and we learned how to make tea as well7300:05:20,820 –> 00:05:24,260And I hope we’re gonna learn an awful lot more than that7400:05:24,260 –> 00:05:27,760But that’s the phrase actually that captures it quite well7500:05:27,760 –> 00:05:32,920I suppose we might say fired up but that doesn’t have quite the same resonance at least for me7600:05:32,920 –> 00:05:35,299What does it mean? It means to be passionate7700:05:36,019 –> 00:05:38,500fervent in spirit on the boil inside7800:05:39,660 –> 00:05:43,700To be passionate to be engaged to be committed to be active to be7900:05:44,339 –> 00:05:50,040Energetic to be bubbling to be motivated. Don’t be in a funk8000:05:50,940 –> 00:05:58,440Keep yourself on the boil. That’s what Romans chapter 12 and verse 11 is saying now. Here’s the question8100:05:58,839 –> 00:06:00,980Why does Paul say this here?8200:06:01,859 –> 00:06:03,440Why does he say this in Romans?8300:06:03,440 –> 00:06:07,559chapter 12 and verse 11 in the lead-up to not being overcome by8400:06:08,000 –> 00:06:12,179Evil, but overcoming evil with good and surely the point here is8500:06:13,019 –> 00:06:18,739That as the days get darker the natural tendency is for Christians to become discouraged8600:06:18,739 –> 00:06:21,100We get jaded. We get tired of it8700:06:21,100 –> 00:06:26,140All we begin to lose energy and so forth and it’s very easy for us therefore to say well8800:06:26,140 –> 00:06:26,600you know8900:06:26,600 –> 00:06:30,760We’re just living in days in which we got to keep our heads down and we’ve got to keep our faith9000:06:30,940 –> 00:06:37,540Private and so forth and so on we all know that it’s hard to run fast when the wind is in your face9100:06:38,459 –> 00:06:43,980It’s really hard to make progress swimming when you’re swimming against the tide and9200:06:44,559 –> 00:06:47,299So when evil is on the rise as it?9300:06:47,720 –> 00:06:52,859was in the first century when the book of Romans was written and as it is again in our time today9400:06:53,260 –> 00:06:57,059When evil is on the rise it’s easy to become jaded9500:06:58,059 –> 00:06:59,619To find yourself saying well9600:06:59,619 –> 00:07:07,140What’s the point and to begin to feel that being all in and being sold out for Jesus Christ, maybe isn’t worth it after all9700:07:07,940 –> 00:07:11,640and so this battle against lethargy this9800:07:12,140 –> 00:07:15,660battle against cooling down going off the boil is9900:07:15,980 –> 00:07:17,619one that all of us will10000:07:17,619 –> 00:07:24,720experience many many times in our lives and particularly when it is tough and particularly when we’ve been in the battle for a long10100:07:24,859 –> 00:07:26,160time10200:07:26,160 –> 00:07:30,059So I want to try and bring this as close to home as I can because it10300:07:30,500 –> 00:07:35,500This happens to us this test comes to us in in all kinds of spheres of life10400:07:36,059 –> 00:07:40,700Let me try and earth it with four very simple cameos, and I’m sure you can add many more10500:07:41,660 –> 00:07:48,380so you are a young mother and you’re at home with your children, and you feel overwhelmed by your task and10600:07:49,179 –> 00:07:54,619you’re constantly your work is constantly to try and create order out of10700:07:54,899 –> 00:08:00,899Chaos and sometimes it seems that the chaos is winning over the order it feels like your work never ends10800:08:01,640 –> 00:08:04,859It feels like sometimes you’re fighting a losing battle10900:08:04,859 –> 00:08:12,459And some days you get just really discouraged and and then you begin to lose energy, and then you begin to lose motivation11000:08:12,579 –> 00:08:14,119or11100:08:14,119 –> 00:08:16,359you are a christian teacher and11200:08:17,779 –> 00:08:22,859You find yourself under increasing pressure living in a world. That is marked by11300:08:23,579 –> 00:08:25,579political correctness and11400:08:25,700 –> 00:08:27,700And some of the people around you are just11500:08:28,200 –> 00:08:34,059Hypersensitive, you feel like you are walking on eggshells every day when you go into work11600:08:34,080 –> 00:08:34,919What can I say?11700:08:34,919 –> 00:08:41,840What am I supposed not to say and every year your job seems to get harder every year it seems to be less11800:08:42,179 –> 00:08:49,099Rewarding than it was the year before and you begin to lose energy. It’s harder to get yourself into work11900:08:50,700 –> 00:08:52,979Or you’re a high school student, and12000:08:53,320 –> 00:08:57,880And you really love the Lord Jesus Christ and you have plenty of zeal?12100:08:57,880 –> 00:08:59,880I mean you’re a you’re a high school student and12200:09:00,520 –> 00:09:04,020The problem with your zeal is that it is not focused12300:09:05,099 –> 00:09:08,960You’re constantly distracted you move from one thing to the next12400:09:10,119 –> 00:09:15,080you get so pumped up about following the Lord Jesus Christ when you’re at a camp and12500:09:15,659 –> 00:09:19,580Then like a balloon that’s pumped up with air it loses the air12600:09:19,580 –> 00:09:21,580that’s what happens in your life and12700:09:21,580 –> 00:09:27,239What you once felt passionate about now you’ve moved on to something else and so you find yourself saying well12800:09:27,260 –> 00:09:29,239I could make a new commitment to Jesus Christ12900:09:29,239 –> 00:09:31,679But what would be the point because after the new commitment?13000:09:31,679 –> 00:09:34,700I just wouldn’t keep it up it would it would sag it would fade13100:09:34,700 –> 00:09:38,559I’d I’d move on to the next thing and I’d be distracted13200:09:39,780 –> 00:09:41,919or you’re a ministry leader and13300:09:43,880 –> 00:09:47,280You have been serving the Lord and you’ve been serving the Lord well13400:09:48,280 –> 00:09:53,320And you’ve been serving the Lord for a long time you’ve been faithful and13500:09:54,679 –> 00:09:56,679You still are13600:09:57,359 –> 00:09:59,359But sometimes13700:10:00,159 –> 00:10:04,099You just have this sense that you’re somehow on a treadmill13800:10:06,479 –> 00:10:08,479You’re under pressure at work13900:10:09,559 –> 00:10:11,960you have many commitments at church and14000:10:13,059 –> 00:10:16,840There are demands that are on you in your whole life as well14100:10:17,599 –> 00:10:18,840and14200:10:18,840 –> 00:10:23,599besides you’ve been around serving the Lord long enough to know that you don’t get through a life of14300:10:24,179 –> 00:10:30,520Serving the Lord without taking a few knocks and you’ve taken more than your fair share over the years and they’ve taken their toll14400:10:32,460 –> 00:10:38,119Well you could add to these little cameos and perhaps that would be it by the way be a good thing for us to do14500:10:38,119 –> 00:10:40,400In the life groups this week just for us to say now14600:10:40,400 –> 00:10:46,419What are other situations in which we find ourselves jaded and run down and discouraged and low energy14700:10:46,539 –> 00:10:49,799Causes that where do we experience that in our lives?14800:10:49,919 –> 00:10:56,799What I want you to see is that when God speaks to us in Romans chapter 12 and verse 1114900:10:57,880 –> 00:11:00,219about the danger of15000:11:01,179 –> 00:11:04,900losing spiritual temperature going off the boil15100:11:06,140 –> 00:11:07,840growing cool15200:11:07,840 –> 00:11:13,340Becoming jaded no longer being fired up in the way that perhaps we were at one time15300:11:14,140 –> 00:11:18,520He is speaking to something that every one of us15400:11:18,979 –> 00:11:27,080experience and not only once but may experience often as we encounter the struggle in the course of our Christian lives and15500:11:28,159 –> 00:11:31,719There may be some right today, and you’ve come to church, and you say well15600:11:31,719 –> 00:11:34,659This is exactly where I am I can remember days15700:11:35,359 –> 00:11:38,099when I was on fire for the Lord15800:11:38,619 –> 00:11:43,979But what has happened is somewhere along the line a kind of lethargy has crept into me15900:11:43,979 –> 00:11:50,640I no longer feel as I once felt and the Word of God speaks directly into your16000:11:51,400 –> 00:11:53,400circumstance today do not be16100:11:53,859 –> 00:11:55,859slothful in Zeal16200:11:55,900 –> 00:12:03,539We’re listening to pastor Colin Smith on open the Bible and a message called overcoming evil with zeal, so let’s get practical16300:12:03,539 –> 00:12:04,619I understand the idea16400:12:04,619 –> 00:12:08,020But how do I actually get more zeal more passion in my life?16500:12:08,780 –> 00:12:11,460Well, we’ll come back in a moment and hear more about that16600:12:11,979 –> 00:12:15,840Don’t forget if you ever miss part of a message or if you want to go back and listen again16700:12:15,840 –> 00:12:20,580You can do that online at our website openthebible.org.uk16800:12:21,140 –> 00:12:27,859Back to the message now. We’re in Romans in Chapter 12. Here’s Colin do not be slothful in zeal16900:12:29,440 –> 00:12:31,780Be fervent in spirit17000:12:31,780 –> 00:12:39,099Now the word fervent here literally translated carries with it the notion of heat17100:12:40,099 –> 00:12:43,219Which is why I used the analogy of being on17200:12:43,460 –> 00:12:47,719The boil it raises the whole question. The word fervent raises the question of17300:12:48,419 –> 00:12:50,419spiritual temperature17400:12:51,039 –> 00:12:57,059Remember our Lord Jesus said in Matthew Chapter 24 in verse 12. He gave two particular marks17500:12:57,059 –> 00:12:59,479There were others, but in this verse two marks of17600:12:59,599 –> 00:13:05,580Of what will happen in the end times before the Lord Jesus Christ returns in power and in glory17700:13:06,419 –> 00:13:10,179First he says watch for this. You will see a rise in17800:13:11,559 –> 00:13:13,559lawlessness, isn’t that interesting a17900:13:14,239 –> 00:13:16,239rise in lawlessness18000:13:17,479 –> 00:13:21,039Second the love of many will grow cold18100:13:22,059 –> 00:13:27,940So that’s exactly the issue that we’re on today. How do we make sure that that’s not us in18200:13:28,739 –> 00:13:35,580In the last days the love of many the passion for Christ’s the being on fire for the Lord people will lose that18300:13:35,780 –> 00:13:37,780in large numbers18400:13:38,659 –> 00:13:41,760How are we going to make sure that we are not among those18500:13:42,700 –> 00:13:44,700who become slothful in18600:13:45,679 –> 00:13:51,820Zeal now you will remember of course how the Risen Christ spoke about the issue of spiritual temperature18700:13:52,700 –> 00:13:54,700to the church in Laodicea18800:13:55,500 –> 00:13:58,640And he said you’re neither cold nor are you hot and18900:13:59,460 –> 00:14:02,059Because you are lukewarm. I19000:14:02,739 –> 00:14:09,119Will spit you out of my mouth. That’s not where we want to be the scripture says be fervent in Spirit be hot19100:14:10,700 –> 00:14:12,700But you see as19200:14:13,520 –> 00:14:15,520water in the kettle19300:14:15,820 –> 00:14:19,739without the electric current quickly goes off the boil as19400:14:19,940 –> 00:14:21,940as19500:14:21,979 –> 00:14:25,119Food on the table quickly grows cold19600:14:26,859 –> 00:14:30,919How are we gonna keep ourselves hot in the Christian life I19700:14:31,859 –> 00:14:37,859Mean, you know what? This is everything becomes colder in its nature and less heat is applied19800:14:39,380 –> 00:14:44,320So there’s a large dinner and people are served and it takes some time for all of the19900:14:44,700 –> 00:14:48,000Dinner to be served on each of the plates and then there’s a long20000:14:48,359 –> 00:14:51,799Conversation and you eat slowly and so you’re half way through your dinner20100:14:51,799 –> 00:14:56,900And it’s probably 20 minutes have passed since it was served and what’s on the plate is called. So what do you do?20200:14:57,479 –> 00:15:01,599When you take it out to the microwave, don’t you is how could I hit this up?20300:15:01,599 –> 00:15:08,140I’m not going to want to eat it. Otherwise unless heat is applied. The thing quickly grows cold. And20400:15:09,520 –> 00:15:15,599That’s what we’re looking at today. There is this tendency within us this principle that causes us20500:15:16,599 –> 00:15:23,400Naturally to lose spiritual Fervor unless heat is applied and that’s what we’re looking at today. How do I do that?20600:15:23,400 –> 00:15:25,599How do I keep my spiritual Fervor?20700:15:26,380 –> 00:15:31,700Serving the Lord now. There is was a man by the name of20800:15:32,419 –> 00:15:34,719Octavious Winslow, I love that name20900:15:35,440 –> 00:15:42,840Who wrote a book with a somewhat untrendy title. I don’t think anyone would get away with this title in publishing today21000:15:43,500 –> 00:15:45,500But his book was called21100:15:46,239 –> 00:15:47,520Personal21200:15:47,520 –> 00:15:48,960Declension and21300:15:48,960 –> 00:15:53,880The Revival of religion in the Soul. Now how’s that for a title?21400:15:54,580 –> 00:15:56,580Actually what he was saying is very simple21500:15:56,919 –> 00:15:58,900personal declension21600:15:58,900 –> 00:16:00,900the way in which we all21700:16:01,520 –> 00:16:05,900Go into unless something is done to prevent its spiritual decline21800:16:06,419 –> 00:16:13,219The way in which faith and love and hope dissipate the way in which your spiritual temperature grows cold21900:16:13,599 –> 00:16:15,219personal declension22000:16:15,299 –> 00:16:20,299And then the other part of his title was what you can do about it the revival of religion in the soul22100:16:20,780 –> 00:16:22,780How do you get yourself hot again?22200:16:23,280 –> 00:16:29,580How do you find and renew spiritual passion now right at the beginning of his book?22300:16:30,039 –> 00:16:33,940Octavius Winslow says this if there is one consideration22400:16:35,380 –> 00:16:39,580more humbling than another we would say more humbling than any other22500:16:40,520 –> 00:16:46,239To a spiritually minded believer. It is that after all that God has done for him22600:16:46,960 –> 00:16:52,559there should still exist in the heart in the Redeemed heart a principle the22700:16:53,820 –> 00:16:55,820tendency of which is22800:16:56,080 –> 00:16:58,080to secret22900:16:58,940 –> 00:17:00,960Perpetual and23000:17:00,960 –> 00:17:02,299alarming23100:17:02,299 –> 00:17:04,300departure from God23200:17:04,640 –> 00:17:09,400Now you say here’s the most humbling thing to a Christian believer after all the god has done for us in23300:17:09,579 –> 00:17:13,119Christ there still is even in our redeemed hearts23400:17:13,680 –> 00:17:20,920This principle the tendency of which is to depart from God and he uses three words to describe it. He says it’s secret23500:17:21,719 –> 00:17:26,540Which means that it can very easily creep up on you without you even noticing23600:17:27,819 –> 00:17:33,839It is perpetual, which means there’s never a time when you’re somehow beyond this particular23700:17:34,540 –> 00:17:36,939tendency you always needs to be23800:17:37,260 –> 00:17:43,400Applying heat to your spiritual life because the tendency to grow cold is just natural within us23900:17:43,619 –> 00:17:49,719and he says it is alarming and if you’re not brothers and sisters experience this24000:17:50,060 –> 00:17:57,239when you think of all that God has done for you in Jesus Christ have there not been times when you have been surprised and24100:17:57,520 –> 00:18:01,900Even alarmed that your redeemed heart could still be so cold24200:18:02,319 –> 00:18:04,319and24300:18:04,439 –> 00:18:08,520so all of this leads us to the question in24400:18:09,439 –> 00:18:12,339the light of this secret and perpetual and24500:18:13,140 –> 00:18:14,319alarming24600:18:14,319 –> 00:18:16,160growing cold that24700:18:16,160 –> 00:18:18,219Tends to happen within us24800:18:19,479 –> 00:18:22,239How then can we apply heat?24900:18:23,160 –> 00:18:25,079to our lives25000:18:25,079 –> 00:18:31,540How can we be those who are fervent in spirit those who are on the boil those who are fired up if you prefer?25100:18:31,839 –> 00:18:35,280For Jesus Christ and in our living25200:18:35,839 –> 00:18:37,000for25300:18:37,000 –> 00:18:40,160Him now the first thing to say is25400:18:41,579 –> 00:18:44,760that this verse clearly is a command in25500:18:45,599 –> 00:18:48,300Fact there are three commands here notice25600:18:48,920 –> 00:18:52,880Do not be slothful in zeal, that’s a command25700:18:54,319 –> 00:18:57,800Be fervent in spirit, that’s a command25800:18:59,180 –> 00:19:01,180Serve the Lord25900:19:01,540 –> 00:19:03,540That’s a command26000:19:03,939 –> 00:19:09,920Now this is important because when you feel jaded and lethargic and lacking in enthusiasm26100:19:10,579 –> 00:19:19,180when you become aware that somehow you are growing cold that you are losing spiritual temperature you have a26200:19:20,660 –> 00:19:23,459responsibility for your own condition26300:19:24,339 –> 00:19:29,699You have to take yourself in hand in the light of what God speaks to you directly here26400:19:30,219 –> 00:19:33,599You can’t just go with the flow of what is happening in your life26500:19:33,619 –> 00:19:38,380and you are able to take yourself in hand because you are in Christ and26600:19:39,060 –> 00:19:42,699You are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. You are not helpless26700:19:43,239 –> 00:19:45,760You are not at the mercy of the jading26800:19:46,160 –> 00:19:49,280Impulses that you may find within your own heart26900:19:49,339 –> 00:19:55,339You must take yourself in hand and you must rouse yourself. You must shake yourself27000:19:55,339 –> 00:19:57,680This command is given to us27100:19:57,819 –> 00:20:02,199But having said that that always leads only27200:20:02,199 –> 00:20:04,780the question well, okay. Well, then how am I to do that?27300:20:04,839 –> 00:20:10,760How am I to rouse myself? How am I to shake myself out of this being in a funk?27400:20:10,760 –> 00:20:12,760How do I do that?27500:20:14,359 –> 00:20:16,359And there are certain truths27600:20:17,719 –> 00:20:22,619That when wisely and rightly applied to your own condition27700:20:23,420 –> 00:20:27,000will help you to restore your spiritual fervor27800:20:27,819 –> 00:20:29,619And I want to lay these before you today.27900:20:29,619 –> 00:20:34,479So what we have here is how to rouse your soul when you’re in a funk.28000:20:35,420 –> 00:20:39,099How to restore your spiritual fervor?28100:20:39,780 –> 00:20:44,420How to get yourself in the new phrase that we’ve all so wonderfully learned28200:20:44,420 –> 00:20:48,040Back on the boil when you’ve gone off the boil28300:20:48,619 –> 00:20:53,439How to renew your heart when you’re aware that you’re gradually becoming cold.28400:20:54,400 –> 00:21:01,119There are three truths and I am going to call them the three Rs of renewing your spiritual fervor.28500:21:01,119 –> 00:21:02,939Here they are Christ redeems,28600:21:03,839 –> 00:21:06,060Christ restores,28700:21:06,560 –> 00:21:08,160and Christ reigns.28800:21:08,160 –> 00:21:10,979These truths properly applied to your condition,28900:21:11,520 –> 00:21:16,500will be wonderfully effective in renewing your spiritual fervor.29000:21:16,500 –> 00:21:20,900You’ve been listening to Pastor Collin Smith on Open the Bible with a message called29100:21:21,619 –> 00:21:23,780Overcoming Evil with Zeal.29200:21:23,780 –> 00:21:27,800It’s part of our series just simply called Overcoming Evil,29300:21:27,800 –> 00:21:31,459and if you’ve missed any of the series, or if you want to go back and listen again,29400:21:31,459 –> 00:21:37,099you can do that by coming online to our website openthebible.org.uk29500:21:37,099 –> 00:21:41,099or find us as a podcast, and those are on all the main podcast sites.29600:21:41,099 –> 00:21:46,260Search for Open The Bible UK and subscribe if you want to receive regular reminders.29700:21:46,300 –> 00:21:49,939Don’t forget you can also find on our website and as a podcast29800:21:49,939 –> 00:21:55,339Open The Bible Daily, and that’s a series of short two to three-minute daily reflections29900:21:55,339 –> 00:22:00,099based on Pastor Colin’s teaching and read in the UK by Sue MacLeish.30000:22:00,099 –> 00:22:05,060Also on our website you’ll find our Bible study course, Fly Through The Bible.30100:22:05,060 –> 00:22:09,140This short simple journey through the Bible story can be enjoyed on your own,30200:22:09,140 –> 00:22:11,660with a friend or as a group.30300:22:11,660 –> 00:22:15,500For each of the 15 sessions you can watch a short video,30400:22:15,540 –> 00:22:17,579then work through the questions.30500:22:17,579 –> 00:22:20,099If you want to do a more detailed Bible study,30600:22:20,099 –> 00:22:24,660a guide is available for you to use in small groups or one to one.30700:22:24,660 –> 00:22:29,000To make the most of Fly Through The Bible we recommend buying the book.30800:22:29,000 –> 00:22:33,280There is also a free app that can be used alongside all the materials.30900:22:33,280 –> 00:22:41,359To find Fly Through The Bible, go to our website openthebible.org.uk and click on Courses.31000:22:41,359 –> 00:22:44,719At Open The Bible we welcome contact with our listeners.31100:22:44,719 –> 00:22:49,819If you’ve been blessed by Pastor Colin Smith’s teaching and you’d like to reach out to us31200:22:49,819 –> 00:22:51,660there are several ways you can do that.31300:22:51,660 –> 00:22:54,479You can write to us at Open The Bible31400:22:54,479 –> 00:23:01,319P.O. Box 1420 Cheltenham, GL 50 9PG31500:23:01,319 –> 00:23:09,219or you can phone us on 0330 335 8089.31600:23:09,219 –> 00:23:14,339If we’re not available when you call leave a message for us and we’ll return your call.31700:23:14,540 –> 00:23:20,640And you can find all those contact details on our website openthebible.org.uk31800:23:20,640 –> 00:23:23,560Open The Bible is supported by our listeners,31900:23:23,560 –> 00:23:26,260that’s people, just like you, up and down the country,32000:23:26,260 –> 00:23:28,280if that’s something that you’ve not done before,32100:23:28,280 –> 00:23:32,280but you’re considering starting to support Open The Bible in that way,32200:23:32,280 –> 00:23:34,260we have an offer for you this month.32300:23:34,260 –> 00:23:39,540If you’re able to begin a new direct debit in the amount of £5 per month or more32400:23:39,540 –> 00:23:42,839or a one off gift of £50 or more,32500:23:42,839 –> 00:23:46,500we’d love to say thank you by sending you three copies of32600:23:46,500 –> 00:23:53,400Pastor Colin Smith’s devotional Green Pastures, Still Waters, 31 days in Psalm 23.32700:23:53,400 –> 00:23:57,520Colin, what do you hope that people using this devotional will take away from it?32800:23:57,520 –> 00:24:01,640Oh! Well it will fix your eyes and your mind on the Lord Jesus Christ.32900:24:01,640 –> 00:24:04,199I mean He is the Good Shepherd.33000:24:04,199 –> 00:24:07,400He is what Psalm 23 is all about.33100:24:07,400 –> 00:24:11,239And to know that you have a shepherd in Christ33200:24:11,359 –> 00:24:13,699and that He’s going to lead you in right paths.33300:24:13,699 –> 00:24:16,619He’s going to give you rest, He’s going to restore you33400:24:16,619 –> 00:24:20,540when your spent and your energy is exhausted and gone.33500:24:20,540 –> 00:24:22,920He’s going to guard you. He’s going to sustain you.33600:24:22,920 –> 00:24:26,339He’s going to love you all the days of your life33700:24:26,339 –> 00:24:28,959and eventually bring you into his nearer presence.33800:24:28,959 –> 00:24:33,099I mean a month fixing your mind and heart on Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd33900:24:33,099 –> 00:24:35,060is going to renew your strength.34000:24:35,060 –> 00:24:37,280It’s going to encourage you greatly.34100:24:37,280 –> 00:24:39,060And that’s what Psalm 23 does.34200:24:39,060 –> 00:24:44,479And I think that’s why it’s one of the best known and best loved chapters in all of the Bible.34300:24:44,479 –> 00:24:46,739So that’s Pastor Colin Smith’s devotional34400:24:46,739 –> 00:24:51,979Green Pastures, Still Waters, 31 Days in Psalm 23.34500:24:51,979 –> 00:24:55,420And it’s our gift to you if you’re able to set up a new donation34600:24:55,420 –> 00:24:57,199to the work of Open the Bible34700:24:57,199 –> 00:25:00,680in the amount of £5 per month during the course of this month34800:25:00,680 –> 00:25:02,800Full details on our website34900:25:02,800 –> 00:25:05,959openthebible.org.uk35000:25:05,959 –> 00:25:09,239For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith I’m David Pick35100:25:09,239 –> 00:25:13,839and I hope you’ll be able to join us again next time35200:25:17,099 –> 00:25:20,359When you feel lazy or sluggish in your Christian life35300:25:20,359 –> 00:25:23,459you need to take responsibility for your condition35400:25:23,459 –> 00:25:25,079How do you do that?35500:25:25,079 –> 00:25:27,420Find out next time on, Open the Bible