100:00:00,000 –> 00:00:04,160Jesus says200:00:04,160 –> 00:00:09,120I am the light of the world and whoever follows me will never walk in darkness300:00:09,120 –> 00:00:12,400but will have the light of life. Marvelous statement but what is he400:00:12,400 –> 00:00:13,040saying500:00:13,040 –> 00:00:16,559he’s saying the only way to have the light is to600:00:16,559 –> 00:00:22,959follow the Light. So if you don’t translate what you hear into what you do700:00:22,959 –> 00:00:26,840it is of no benefit to you. Welcome to800:00:26,840 –> 00:00:29,879Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick900:00:29,879 –> 00:00:34,080glad you could be with us today and Colin as we continue the message your1000:00:34,080 –> 00:00:35,480struggle with truth1100:00:35,480 –> 00:00:39,560you’re saying the only way to have the light is to follow the light but1200:00:39,560 –> 00:00:42,820some may hear that and ask what does that really mean1300:00:42,820 –> 00:00:46,040here’s what it means. A lot of people have the idea that you can discover1400:00:46,040 –> 00:00:48,400Christianity as a sort of study1500:00:48,400 –> 00:00:52,599much as you would study botany or some other subject, that I can1600:00:52,599 –> 00:00:55,779remain detached from a thing and just learn about it1700:00:56,680 –> 00:00:58,459While you can learn certain things1800:00:58,459 –> 00:01:01,500about the Bible, to really be1900:01:01,500 –> 00:01:05,699a Christian involves a personal engagement and Jesus makes that very2000:01:05,699 –> 00:01:06,860very clear here2100:01:06,860 –> 00:01:10,660that the only way to know the light is to follow the light2200:01:10,660 –> 00:01:13,820and therefore there is a giving of yourself, an2300:01:13,820 –> 00:01:17,459opening of yourself as you come to know about Jesus Christ2400:01:17,459 –> 00:01:20,559there has to be some movement that engages following him2500:01:20,559 –> 00:01:25,099So you’re saying as we learn and become obedient as we take in that His Word2600:01:25,339 –> 00:01:26,860follow the direction and2700:01:26,860 –> 00:01:30,300insight that we gained from the Bible, that will begin to happen2800:01:30,300 –> 00:01:33,940Yeah and what I’m saying is that doesn’t happen for everybody, some people just2900:01:33,940 –> 00:01:35,139want to keep it in the head3000:01:35,139 –> 00:01:38,419and as long as you’re only keeping it in the head, then3100:01:38,419 –> 00:01:41,820progress is not made and that’s what Jesus is speaking to us here3200:01:41,820 –> 00:01:46,480So again we’re in Exodus chapter 20 as we continue the message3300:01:46,480 –> 00:01:51,339your struggle with truth, here’s Colin. Becky Prippert tells the story of how as3400:01:51,339 –> 00:01:53,080an evangelist in3500:01:53,440 –> 00:01:56,279colleges with intervarsity fellowship she was trying to help3600:01:56,279 –> 00:02:01,760a student called Sue who wanted to come to faith but she said she couldn’t3700:02:01,760 –> 00:02:03,480because she had so many questions3800:02:03,480 –> 00:02:07,199so Becky suggested that Sue should read the Bible3900:02:07,199 –> 00:02:11,199that she should tell God that she would follow him if only she could be4000:02:11,199 –> 00:02:12,039more sure4100:02:12,039 –> 00:02:16,479and that she ought to attempt to do whatever she clearly saw4200:02:16,479 –> 00:02:21,360in the Bible. Well, Sue started doing this and one morning she was reading from4300:02:21,419 –> 00:02:23,500Luke’s Gospel and found the words of Jesus4400:02:23,500 –> 00:02:26,600if someone steals your coat4500:02:26,600 –> 00:02:29,720don’t let him have only that4600:02:29,720 –> 00:02:34,460but let him have your cloak as well. Well4700:02:34,460 –> 00:02:38,360she thought that was a little strange and packed up her Bible and then later4800:02:38,360 –> 00:02:39,919that day went to the library4900:02:39,919 –> 00:02:44,080where she was working at her assigned desk on her thesis5000:02:44,080 –> 00:02:48,419and as she was getting her book out some guy came up to her saying that he had5100:02:48,419 –> 00:02:51,039not been assigned a desk in the library and that he was5200:02:51,199 –> 00:02:52,220taking hers5300:02:52,220 –> 00:02:55,960she says I thought to myself5400:02:55,960 –> 00:02:59,199God I want to know if you’re real5500:02:59,199 –> 00:03:03,300but is there any way of doing it other than this verse5600:03:03,300 –> 00:03:09,720she says I took a deep breath, tried not to swear, and said5700:03:09,720 –> 00:03:15,639okay you can have the desk. At this point the librarian came up5800:03:15,639 –> 00:03:19,100and marched the two of them out to resolve the problem because she had heard5900:03:19,100 –> 00:03:20,279some initial arguing6000:03:20,639 –> 00:03:25,399the result was that after deliberations Sue got her desk back and the guy had6100:03:25,399 –> 00:03:26,759another one assigned6200:03:26,759 –> 00:03:30,460and after it was all over, here’s the fascinating thing the guy said to her6300:03:30,460 –> 00:03:34,440why did you say that I could have your desk6400:03:34,440 –> 00:03:39,279and she said6500:03:39,279 –> 00:03:42,259you’re gonna think I’m really flipped6600:03:42,259 –> 00:03:47,300but here’s the reason6700:03:47,380 –> 00:03:50,940I’m trying to discover if Jesus is real6800:03:50,940 –> 00:03:56,119and so I’m attempting to do the things that he said and this morning6900:03:56,119 –> 00:04:01,139I read, if someone steals from you, give it to them7000:04:01,139 –> 00:04:06,380to which he said why on earth would Jesus say such a crazy thing7100:04:06,380 –> 00:04:09,539and she said well all I know7200:04:09,539 –> 00:04:12,679from having read the Bible7300:04:12,679 –> 00:04:16,320is that if you’d let him, he’d give you a lot more than a lousy desk7400:04:16,480 –> 00:04:19,920then she says7500:04:19,920 –> 00:04:23,519as I said these words7600:04:23,519 –> 00:04:26,799I just simply7700:04:26,799 –> 00:04:31,380knew that it was all true7800:04:31,380 –> 00:04:35,920see the pattern, believing leads to obeying7900:04:35,920 –> 00:04:38,920the results in seeing8000:04:38,920 –> 00:04:43,000it leads to releasing8100:04:43,160 –> 00:04:45,660that is why the apostle Paul8200:04:45,660 –> 00:04:49,160prays for believers in Ephesians, that the8300:04:49,160 –> 00:04:52,200eyes of your heart may be enlightened8400:04:52,200 –> 00:04:54,079why would the apostle pray that for8500:04:54,079 –> 00:04:56,040Christians, why is he praying for8600:04:56,040 –> 00:04:58,519Christians to see8700:04:58,519 –> 00:05:00,420he’s praying that you will know the8800:05:00,420 –> 00:05:02,619hope to which you’ve been called8900:05:02,619 –> 00:05:04,540that you know the riches9000:05:04,540 –> 00:05:06,779of the inheritance that are yours in Christ9100:05:06,779 –> 00:05:09,239that you will know his incomparably9200:05:09,239 –> 00:05:10,079great power9300:05:10,079 –> 00:05:11,519the reason he’s praying that kind of9400:05:11,519 –> 00:05:12,880thing is that there are a lot9500:05:12,880 –> 00:05:14,820of people in church world who say9600:05:14,820 –> 00:05:17,179they believe and have no idea of the9700:05:17,179 –> 00:05:19,619eternal riches of Christ, no grasp of his9800:05:19,619 –> 00:05:22,600great power, no sense of the glorious and9900:05:22,600 –> 00:05:24,820victorious hope10000:05:24,820 –> 00:05:28,820why is that? because we’ve become stuck10100:05:28,820 –> 00:05:31,899on a kind of believing that never gets10200:05:31,899 –> 00:05:34,820to obeying10300:05:34,820 –> 00:05:36,880what remains therefore is just a10400:05:36,880 –> 00:05:39,079notional faith10500:05:39,079 –> 00:05:41,200I believe in God the father God the son10600:05:41,200 –> 00:05:42,760and God the Holy Spirit but if that’s10700:05:42,760 –> 00:05:43,399it10800:05:43,399 –> 00:05:47,880what difference will that make. See if10900:05:47,880 –> 00:05:49,760you don’t translate what you hear into11000:05:49,760 –> 00:05:52,100what you do11100:05:52,100 –> 00:05:56,279it is of no benefit to you. Living11200:05:56,279 –> 00:05:59,940the truth is dynamic you find this all11300:05:59,940 –> 00:06:01,500over the Gospels look at it just a few11400:06:01,500 –> 00:06:03,559verses before in John chapter 8 and11500:06:03,559 –> 00:06:06,380verse 12 jesus says I am the light of11600:06:06,380 –> 00:06:08,720the world and whoever follows me will11700:06:08,720 –> 00:06:10,839never walk in darkness but will have11800:06:10,839 –> 00:06:13,019the light of life. Marvelous statement11900:06:13,019 –> 00:06:14,880but what is he saying he’s saying the12000:06:14,880 –> 00:06:18,399only way to have the light is to follow12100:06:18,399 –> 00:06:21,660the light12200:06:21,660 –> 00:06:23,519Jesus is making it clear surely that12300:06:23,519 –> 00:06:26,839there are many seekers who hear his word12400:06:26,839 –> 00:06:28,519and believe it and yet never become his12500:06:28,519 –> 00:06:32,160disciples and the face that does not12600:06:32,160 –> 00:06:34,720show itself in obedience is hollow12700:06:34,720 –> 00:06:37,720it does not last by the way just look to12800:06:37,720 –> 00:06:39,260the end of the chapter and see where12900:06:39,299 –> 00:06:40,980these people who believed and didn’t13000:06:40,980 –> 00:06:42,820obey and therefore never saw whenever13100:06:42,820 –> 00:06:46,339released ended up Jesus goes on teaching13200:06:46,339 –> 00:06:50,220them and at the end verse 59 at this13300:06:50,220 –> 00:06:52,940they picked up stones to stone him isn’t13400:06:52,940 –> 00:06:55,359that interesting13500:06:55,359 –> 00:06:58,660that’s the believers did that13600:06:59,299 –> 00:07:02,160you see seekers who are drawn to Jesus13700:07:02,160 –> 00:07:05,839but do not come to the place of obeying13800:07:05,899 –> 00:07:10,359Jesus always end up being angry with13900:07:10,359 –> 00:07:11,200Jesus14000:07:11,200 –> 00:07:15,660we must not separate what God has put14100:07:15,660 –> 00:07:21,019together believing obeying seeing and14200:07:21,019 –> 00:07:23,000releasing that’s the way of living the14300:07:23,000 –> 00:07:23,899truth14400:07:23,899 –> 00:07:28,079it’s authentic Christianity14500:07:28,079 –> 00:07:31,200a disciple of Jesus is someone who does14600:07:31,200 –> 00:07:34,260what he says that’s the evidence of14700:07:34,260 –> 00:07:36,179faith that we begin to walk down that14800:07:36,179 –> 00:07:37,119path14900:07:37,119 –> 00:07:40,320Christ calls us not just to believe the15000:07:40,320 –> 00:07:45,760truth but to live the truth what God has15100:07:45,760 –> 00:07:48,339joined together let us never separate15200:07:48,339 –> 00:07:51,420the second i want to say something15300:07:51,420 –> 00:07:55,739past listen about speaking the truth the15400:07:55,739 –> 00:07:58,160narrow path of truth were to walk on15500:07:58,160 –> 00:08:01,279it’s not just believing it so obeying15600:08:01,279 –> 00:08:04,320leads to seeing and leads to releasing15700:08:04,320 –> 00:08:08,179and when we’re on that part we are15800:08:08,179 –> 00:08:10,500called to speak the truth our emphasis15900:08:10,500 –> 00:08:12,459in the whole series is on keeping the16000:08:12,459 –> 00:08:15,820commandments and so instead of giving16100:08:15,820 –> 00:08:19,880false witness against our neighbor16200:08:19,880 –> 00:08:22,820clearly God is calling us to walk this16300:08:22,820 –> 00:08:24,839narrow path in which we give true16400:08:24,839 –> 00:08:28,559witness for our neighbor16500:08:28,559 –> 00:08:30,880that means of course that christians16600:08:31,100 –> 00:08:35,179are committed to speaking the truth16700:08:35,179 –> 00:08:38,919now what does it mean to be a true16800:08:38,919 –> 00:08:42,919witness toward your neighbor16900:08:42,919 –> 00:08:46,719what does it mean for evangelism17000:08:46,719 –> 00:08:50,840what does it mean to speak the truth in17100:08:50,840 –> 00:08:52,799relationships that we have within the17200:08:52,799 –> 00:08:54,820body of Christ17300:08:54,820 –> 00:08:57,580this is a critically important question17400:08:57,859 –> 00:09:03,500for the practicalities of our lives17500:09:03,979 –> 00:09:06,000now one simply to give some pastoral17600:09:06,000 –> 00:09:08,919counsel on how this is to be done17700:09:08,919 –> 00:09:11,659because some christians it seems to me17800:09:11,659 –> 00:09:15,219have become confused about what is17900:09:15,219 –> 00:09:17,179appropriate when it comes to speaking18000:09:17,179 –> 00:09:22,260the truth it is possible to abuse the18100:09:22,739 –> 00:09:28,780truth. folks who do this I call truth18200:09:28,780 –> 00:09:31,840terrorists18300:09:31,840 –> 00:09:35,460truth terrorists you see a terrorist is18400:09:35,460 –> 00:09:39,979someone who seeks to destroy a truth18500:09:39,979 –> 00:09:43,539terrorist is someone who uses the truth18600:09:43,539 –> 00:09:48,780in a way that destroys and there are two18700:09:48,780 –> 00:09:51,059types of truth terrorist and you need to18800:09:51,140 –> 00:09:54,239watch out for them and we need to make18900:09:54,239 –> 00:09:59,059sure that we don’t become like them one19000:09:59,059 –> 00:10:03,580who is simply naive and the other who19100:10:03,580 –> 00:10:08,080often becomes brutal one who in holding19200:10:08,080 –> 00:10:12,320to truth forgets the doctrine of sin and19300:10:12,320 –> 00:10:14,200another who in embracing the truth19400:10:14,200 –> 00:10:18,000forgets the calling to love let me19500:10:18,159 –> 00:10:21,919illustrate the two for you early in his19600:10:21,919 –> 00:10:24,880career as a musician my father-in-law19700:10:24,880 –> 00:10:28,780was approached by one of his colleagues19800:10:28,780 –> 00:10:32,059at work musician in the orchestra and19900:10:32,059 –> 00:10:36,799invited to join a group that his friend20000:10:36,799 –> 00:10:41,460described as a truth group. The idea was20100:10:41,460 –> 00:10:43,679that the group would be entirely open20200:10:43,679 –> 00:10:45,099with each other that they would commit20300:10:45,099 –> 00:10:47,099to meeting together regularly and the20400:10:47,099 –> 00:10:50,960single rule of the group would be that20500:10:50,960 –> 00:10:53,000they would speak the truth20600:10:53,000 –> 00:10:57,299the whole truth and nothing but the20700:10:57,299 –> 00:11:02,320truth sounds marvelous right his20800:11:02,320 –> 00:11:03,659colleagues said to him this is going to20900:11:03,659 –> 00:11:07,940be a psychological experiment and it’s21000:11:07,940 –> 00:11:09,479going to be fascinating to see what21100:11:09,479 –> 00:11:13,799happens well my father-in-law told him21200:11:13,799 –> 00:11:15,719that he had absolutely no interest21300:11:16,039 –> 00:11:18,580whatsoever in such a group and told his21400:11:18,580 –> 00:11:20,719friend that he regarded the idea as21500:11:20,719 –> 00:11:24,320extremely dangerous well you want to21600:11:24,320 –> 00:11:27,739know what happened there were five21700:11:27,739 –> 00:11:31,780couples who made up the group one of the21800:11:31,780 –> 00:11:34,700wives in the group was a doctor who21900:11:34,700 –> 00:11:38,820happened to be stunningly beautiful so22000:11:38,820 –> 00:11:40,200with a commitment to telling the whole22100:11:40,200 –> 00:11:41,900truth it wasn’t long before several22200:11:41,900 –> 00:11:43,820members of the group began to share some22300:11:43,820 –> 00:11:47,500of their thoughts about her which led22400:11:47,500 –> 00:11:49,900some of their wives to share some of22500:11:49,900 –> 00:11:51,859their thoughts about her too if you see22600:11:51,859 –> 00:11:55,179what I mean you can imagine what22700:11:55,179 –> 00:11:59,820happened within one year every one of22800:11:59,820 –> 00:12:03,799these five marriages had ended including22900:12:03,799 –> 00:12:07,460the doctors who ended up with someone23000:12:07,460 –> 00:12:11,559else in the group now what’s the problem23100:12:11,679 –> 00:12:19,280The problem is naivety, not taking23200:12:19,280 –> 00:12:24,239account of the reality of sin. Some of23300:12:24,239 –> 00:12:26,440the truth about you and some of the23400:12:26,440 –> 00:12:30,840truth about me is ugly and there is only23500:12:30,840 –> 00:12:33,080one place to go with that and that is to23600:12:33,080 –> 00:12:37,239the cross and to the blood of Jesus. I23700:12:37,239 –> 00:12:41,320have found great wisdom in the writings23800:12:41,320 –> 00:12:43,940of Larry Crabb and I want to quote just23900:12:43,940 –> 00:12:45,760a couple of sentences today because I24000:12:45,760 –> 00:12:48,419find this so helpful. He is a Christian24100:12:48,419 –> 00:12:50,200counselor, many of us will know his name,24200:12:50,200 –> 00:12:52,900who does, in my view, an excellent job of24300:12:52,900 –> 00:12:55,280taking the Bible seriously.24400:12:55,280 –> 00:12:57,700He has a book entitled Encouragement which24500:12:57,700 –> 00:12:59,539deals with building authentic24600:12:59,539 –> 00:13:01,900relationships, an issue that is spoken24700:13:01,900 –> 00:13:03,880about perhaps more than any other in the24800:13:03,880 –> 00:13:06,919church today. One of his chapters is24900:13:06,919 –> 00:13:07,840entitled,25000:13:07,979 –> 00:13:12,880”Total Openness The Wrong Solution”, and this is25100:13:12,880 –> 00:13:15,460what he says,25200:13:15,460 –> 00:13:17,179The emphasis on sharing in25300:13:17,179 –> 00:13:18,679many churches25400:13:18,679 –> 00:13:21,359often misses the meaning25500:13:21,359 –> 00:13:26,340of koinonia, our shared life in Christ.25600:13:26,340 –> 00:13:27,539Then he adds,25700:13:27,539 –> 00:13:30,919Any group of people, whether25800:13:30,919 –> 00:13:32,640married, couples, friends,25900:13:32,640 –> 00:13:35,979church staff or Bible study groups will26000:13:36,020 –> 00:13:38,039run into serious trouble if they26100:13:38,039 –> 00:13:41,580emphasize self-disclosure and26200:13:41,580 –> 00:13:44,500emotional expression as premium26300:13:44,500 –> 00:13:45,239values.26400:13:46,099 –> 00:13:47,239Now he’s not saying there’s no26500:13:47,239 –> 00:13:48,619place for these things.26600:13:48,619 –> 00:13:50,900There clearly is, but it needs26700:13:50,900 –> 00:13:52,979to be used with great wisdom.26800:13:52,979 –> 00:13:54,599What he’s saying, hear it so that26900:13:54,599 –> 00:13:56,880we don’t miss the point here.27000:13:56,880 –> 00:13:58,419He’s saying any group will run27100:13:58,419 –> 00:13:59,739into serious trouble if they27200:13:59,739 –> 00:14:01,559emphasize self-disclosure and27300:14:01,559 –> 00:14:03,679emotional expression as premium27400:14:03,679 –> 00:14:04,380values.27500:14:04,380 –> 00:14:05,679If that’s what the group27600:14:05,760 –> 00:14:07,460becomes centrally about, the27700:14:07,460 –> 00:14:10,460group will be in trouble.27800:14:10,460 –> 00:14:12,380When self-expression becomes27900:14:12,380 –> 00:14:14,299more important than Christ-28000:14:14,299 –> 00:14:16,539centeredness, it will not be28100:14:16,539 –> 00:14:17,299long before there are28200:14:17,299 –> 00:14:20,460significant problems, and I28300:14:20,460 –> 00:14:21,859think that that is a word that28400:14:21,859 –> 00:14:23,260is desperately needed to be28500:14:23,260 –> 00:14:25,419heard very broadly in church28600:14:25,419 –> 00:14:26,380world today.28700:14:27,679 –> 00:14:29,580It is important to measure the28800:14:29,580 –> 00:14:32,539appropriateness of what we28900:14:32,539 –> 00:14:32,960share.29000:14:33,840 –> 00:14:37,059Ephesians 429, do not let any29100:14:37,059 –> 00:14:39,080unwholesome talk come out of29200:14:39,080 –> 00:14:40,640your mouths, but only what is29300:14:40,640 –> 00:14:43,119helpful for building up others29400:14:43,119 –> 00:14:44,359in accordance to their29500:14:44,359 –> 00:14:46,760needs, that it may benefit29600:14:46,760 –> 00:14:47,960those who listen.29700:14:49,919 –> 00:14:51,640And there is a place you see for29800:14:51,640 –> 00:14:54,739me to share a burden, a sin,29900:14:54,739 –> 00:14:57,039a confession, with another30000:14:57,039 –> 00:15:00,739person, but I need to measure30100:15:00,739 –> 00:15:02,479the ability of that person to30200:15:02,479 –> 00:15:04,239handle what I share before I do it.30300:15:05,159 –> 00:15:06,179You’re listening to Open the30400:15:06,179 –> 00:15:07,900Bible with Pastor Colin Smith,30500:15:08,200 –> 00:15:09,400and a message called your30600:15:09,400 –> 00:15:11,500struggle with truth. And it’s30700:15:11,500 –> 00:15:13,280part of a series, the 1030800:15:13,280 –> 00:15:14,780greatest struggles of your life.30900:15:15,080 –> 00:15:16,400And if you’ve missed any of the31000:15:16,400 –> 00:15:17,559series, don’t forget you can31100:15:17,559 –> 00:15:19,659always catch up and go back and31200:15:19,659 –> 00:15:21,440listen again online as our31300:15:21,440 –> 00:15:24,559website. Openthebible.org.uk.31400:15:25,400 –> 00:15:27,119Open the Bible is supported31500:15:27,119 –> 00:15:28,760by our listeners financially.31600:15:29,080 –> 00:15:30,320And later on in the program,31700:15:30,320 –> 00:15:31,520I’ll be talking to Open the31800:15:31,619 –> 00:15:33,780Bible’s Amanda Cunningham about31900:15:33,780 –> 00:15:35,219a special offer. This month,32000:15:35,400 –> 00:15:36,940if you’re thinking of setting32100:15:36,940 –> 00:15:39,340up a new direct debit to help32200:15:39,340 –> 00:15:40,880the work of Open the Bible.32300:15:40,880 –> 00:15:41,919So hope you’ll stay around for32400:15:41,919 –> 00:15:43,359that. Back now to the32500:15:43,359 –> 00:15:44,719message. Here’s Colin.32600:15:45,559 –> 00:15:46,700The second type of truth32700:15:46,700 –> 00:15:48,799terrorist is the one who uses32800:15:48,799 –> 00:15:50,479the truth to blast other32900:15:50,479 –> 00:15:53,359people, either in evangelism or33000:15:53,359 –> 00:15:54,960in confrontation. You ever met33100:15:54,960 –> 00:15:56,219this kind of truth terrorist?33200:15:56,900 –> 00:16:00,099So destructive. Some people33300:16:00,299 –> 00:16:02,700love confrontation, and they33400:16:02,700 –> 00:16:04,080love confrontation so much33500:16:04,080 –> 00:16:05,400that they use the truth as a33600:16:05,400 –> 00:16:06,679reason to have more of it, you33700:16:06,679 –> 00:16:08,340know, this kind of person guns33800:16:08,340 –> 00:16:10,820blazing. I just told them the33900:16:10,820 –> 00:16:14,460truth, You know, as they34000:16:14,460 –> 00:16:17,119explained with pleasure, how34100:16:17,119 –> 00:16:18,679they gave another person a34200:16:18,679 –> 00:16:22,239piece of their mind. What now34300:16:22,239 –> 00:16:23,380remember that the 1034400:16:23,380 –> 00:16:25,179commandments are an exposition34500:16:25,179 –> 00:16:26,500of what it really means to34600:16:26,500 –> 00:16:29,219love. That is why the New34700:16:29,320 –> 00:16:30,940Testament of course, exhorts34800:16:30,940 –> 00:16:33,859us to speak the truth in love.34900:16:34,020 –> 00:16:35,700We can never separate what God35000:16:35,700 –> 00:16:38,580has joined together. I am to35100:16:38,580 –> 00:16:41,380speak the truth in a way that35200:16:41,380 –> 00:16:44,340as best I can judge will be35300:16:44,340 –> 00:16:46,299in the interest of the person35400:16:46,299 –> 00:16:49,400who hears now, that means if35500:16:49,400 –> 00:16:50,820I’m thinking of the interest35600:16:50,820 –> 00:16:52,659of the person who hears there35700:16:52,659 –> 00:16:54,159will be taught sometimes when35800:16:54,159 –> 00:16:56,299I have to muster my courage35900:16:56,460 –> 00:16:59,679in order to confront, but there36000:16:59,700 –> 00:17:00,979will be other times if I’m36100:17:00,979 –> 00:17:02,260thinking of the interest of the36200:17:02,260 –> 00:17:03,900one who hears when I need to36300:17:03,900 –> 00:17:07,819restrain my impulse and hold my36400:17:07,819 –> 00:17:08,599peace.36500:17:10,500 –> 00:17:11,900The truth terrorism just he36600:17:11,900 –> 00:17:14,099loves to come in with all guns36700:17:14,140 –> 00:17:16,339blazing and uses the truth as36800:17:16,339 –> 00:17:21,180an excuse for unloading in a way36900:17:21,180 –> 00:17:22,420that can sometimes be quite37000:17:22,420 –> 00:17:23,819brutal. There’s too much of37100:17:23,819 –> 00:17:25,420that at times in church world,37200:17:26,660 –> 00:17:28,380but in their hearts they love37300:17:28,400 –> 00:17:29,020their faith.37400:17:30,859 –> 00:17:32,599My memory went back just37500:17:32,599 –> 00:17:35,380thinking about this years ago,37600:17:37,199 –> 00:17:38,619young visitor came to the37700:17:38,619 –> 00:17:40,380church, I pastored in London. He37800:17:40,380 –> 00:17:41,660was a very keen Christian37900:17:41,660 –> 00:17:43,219involved in some ministry and38000:17:43,219 –> 00:17:44,300for some reason that I don’t38100:17:44,300 –> 00:17:45,880remember he had come through our38200:17:45,880 –> 00:17:47,339town. He didn’t know anybody38300:17:47,339 –> 00:17:48,540there. He simply arrived at the38400:17:48,540 –> 00:17:52,859church. He was on his own. And38500:17:52,920 –> 00:17:54,459so Carmen and I invited him home38600:17:54,839 –> 00:17:55,900and as Don had said he was38700:17:55,900 –> 00:17:57,300knowledgeable, he tore my38800:17:57,300 –> 00:18:00,900sermon to shreds and unloaded a38900:18:00,900 –> 00:18:02,660critique on the church that he39000:18:02,660 –> 00:18:03,900had never visited before, but39100:18:03,900 –> 00:18:05,339had been in for just one hour,39200:18:05,339 –> 00:18:06,819a critique of the church that I39300:18:06,819 –> 00:18:09,020would describe as substantial.39400:18:11,219 –> 00:18:13,939He justified to me the use of39500:18:13,939 –> 00:18:15,540this one hour, the only hour I39600:18:15,540 –> 00:18:16,819have ever spent with him I do39700:18:16,819 –> 00:18:18,579not even honestly remember his39800:18:18,579 –> 00:18:19,939name, but I remember his39900:18:19,979 –> 00:18:23,020impression well. He justified40000:18:23,020 –> 00:18:24,380the use of this, one, the hour40100:18:24,380 –> 00:18:26,339Christian on the basis that we40200:18:26,339 –> 00:18:28,979are called to speak the truth.40300:18:29,140 –> 00:18:30,099Now here’s the interesting40400:18:30,099 –> 00:18:32,260thing. This is many years ago40500:18:33,140 –> 00:18:34,939and remembering what he said. I40600:18:34,939 –> 00:18:37,380actually have to agree that40700:18:37,380 –> 00:18:38,900some of his most penetrating40800:18:38,900 –> 00:18:40,660criticisms of my sermon were40900:18:40,699 –> 00:18:44,180actually right. I agree with41000:18:44,180 –> 00:18:45,699them myself. I didn’t see it41100:18:45,699 –> 00:18:50,180then. He spoke the truth, but41200:18:50,180 –> 00:18:53,380it was not kind. It was not41300:18:53,380 –> 00:18:59,380appropriate. Love is not rude.41400:19:01,699 –> 00:19:04,140If Jesus Christ had revealed to41500:19:04,140 –> 00:19:06,219you everything that was wrong41600:19:06,219 –> 00:19:07,459and needed putting right in41700:19:07,459 –> 00:19:08,819your life on the day you were41800:19:08,819 –> 00:19:10,979converted, you and I would be41900:19:10,979 –> 00:19:15,459absolutely devastated. But the42000:19:15,459 –> 00:19:16,859wonderful thing is that the God42100:19:16,859 –> 00:19:17,939of truth is not a truth42200:19:17,939 –> 00:19:22,300terrorist. He leads us in his42300:19:22,300 –> 00:19:25,780light. That’s why, by the way,42400:19:25,780 –> 00:19:27,339and this is important for us as42500:19:27,339 –> 00:19:28,780we become more senior42600:19:28,780 –> 00:19:32,540Christians, don’t expect as you42700:19:32,540 –> 00:19:34,380grow in your own maturity that42800:19:34,380 –> 00:19:35,900a new Christian will learn in42900:19:35,900 –> 00:19:37,819one week what God taught you in43000:19:37,859 –> 00:19:42,45920 years. Learn to way the43100:19:42,500 –> 00:19:46,339effects of what you say in the43200:19:46,339 –> 00:19:49,099light of the trust that you43300:19:49,780 –> 00:19:52,579himself gave, will help you43400:19:52,579 –> 00:19:53,979cease for the world to remember43500:19:54,099 –> 00:19:56,859what you have earned and the43600:19:56,859 –> 00:19:59,060relationship to which you are43700:19:59,060 –> 00:20:01,380committed. It’s why Paul says in43800:20:01,380 –> 00:20:02,380the new testament let your43900:20:02,380 –> 00:20:03,819conversation always be full of44000:20:03,819 –> 00:20:08,939grace, seasoned with salt, so44100:20:08,939 –> 00:20:12,219that you may know how to answer44200:20:12,260 –> 00:20:15,060everyone. So we’re to get off44300:20:15,060 –> 00:20:17,500the broad road of destruction.44400:20:17,819 –> 00:20:19,099And it is a matter of abetting44500:20:20,099 –> 00:20:21,300and it’s a matter of believing44600:20:21,500 –> 00:20:23,219but it is a matter of being that44700:20:23,219 –> 00:20:24,339leads kind of seeing and44800:20:24,339 –> 00:20:26,900releasing and puts us in the44900:20:26,900 –> 00:20:28,020position where we’re called to45000:20:28,020 –> 00:20:30,099responsibly speak the truth to45100:20:30,140 –> 00:20:31,780one another if we’re to do it in45200:20:31,780 –> 00:20:34,739love. We’re to learn wisdom.45300:20:36,300 –> 00:20:37,260We’re not to become truth45400:20:37,260 –> 00:20:41,060terrorist. The very last thing45500:20:41,060 –> 00:20:42,380just in these moments is that we45600:20:42,380 –> 00:20:45,500rejoice and the truth, love does45700:20:45,579 –> 00:20:46,420come from one in one45800:20:46,420 –> 00:20:49,579corinthians 13 but rejoices in45900:20:49,579 –> 00:20:53,619the truth. If you’re serving in46000:20:53,660 –> 00:20:58,099the army in Iraq, how can you46100:20:58,099 –> 00:21:01,739rejoice in the truth? If you’ve46200:21:01,739 –> 00:21:03,020just been bereaved, how can you46300:21:03,020 –> 00:21:06,500rejoice in the truth? Some of us46400:21:06,500 –> 00:21:07,579may be looking at our lives46500:21:07,579 –> 00:21:08,660right now and say, I don’t see46600:21:08,660 –> 00:21:10,420how I can rejoice in truth. My46700:21:10,420 –> 00:21:12,500life looks pretty grim. Listen,46800:21:43,300 –> 00:21:45,380god says it’s alright later on46900:21:45,380 –> 00:21:46,819in his life and when you do, when47000:21:46,859 –> 00:21:50,819our lives end He calls you to47100:21:50,819 –> 00:21:52,699take that next step forward as47200:21:52,699 –> 00:21:54,500you walk in and follow the47300:21:54,500 –> 00:21:55,739light of truth.47400:21:56,420 –> 00:21:57,739You are listening to open the47500:21:57,739 –> 00:21:59,900Bible with pastor Colin47600:21:59,900 –> 00:22:01,979Smith. And that’s really a very47700:22:01,979 –> 00:22:03,540vivid picture, isn’t it? In47800:22:03,540 –> 00:22:05,500today’s message, the idea of a47900:22:05,500 –> 00:22:07,500truth terrorist. When we’re in48000:22:07,500 –> 00:22:08,020conversation with other people,48100:22:08,339 –> 00:22:10,939yes, we are called to speak the48200:22:10,939 –> 00:22:11,660truth but it’s important that we48300:22:11,660 –> 00:22:12,719seek the truth we’ve actually48400:22:12,719 –> 00:22:14,859found and always speak it in48500:22:14,859 –> 00:22:17,119love for the other person. Our48600:22:17,119 –> 00:22:18,859message is called your struggle48700:22:18,859 –> 00:22:20,579with truth and it’s part of the48800:22:20,579 –> 00:22:22,380series, the 10 greatest48900:22:22,380 –> 00:22:24,119struggles of your life. And if49000:22:24,119 –> 00:22:25,459you’ve missed any of the series49100:22:25,459 –> 00:22:26,780so far or if you’d like to go49200:22:26,780 –> 00:22:28,699back and listen again, they’re49300:22:28,739 –> 00:22:30,459all available online at our49400:22:30,459 –> 00:22:33,640website, open the bible.org.uk49500:22:33,979 –> 00:22:35,579also as a podcast on all the49600:22:35,579 –> 00:22:37,520main podcast sites. By searching49700:22:37,520 –> 00:22:40,020for open the Bible UK, you can49800:22:40,619 –> 00:22:42,760to those by signing up for the49900:22:42,780 –> 00:22:44,079podcast and then you’ll get50000:22:44,099 –> 00:22:45,739regular reminders about new50100:22:45,739 –> 00:22:48,300episodes. Open the Bible is50200:22:48,300 –> 00:22:49,959supported entirely financially50300:22:49,959 –> 00:22:51,599by our listeners. And we’re50400:22:51,599 –> 00:22:53,020extremely grateful for the50500:22:53,020 –> 00:22:55,099support that you give us if50600:22:55,099 –> 00:22:56,219you’ve been thinking about50700:22:56,219 –> 00:22:58,180supporting us in that way. And50800:22:58,180 –> 00:22:59,300you’d like to begin a new50900:22:59,300 –> 00:23:01,060direct debit to the work of Open51000:23:01,060 –> 00:23:02,680the Bible this month in the51100:23:02,680 –> 00:23:04,439amount of five pounds per month51200:23:04,459 –> 00:23:06,500or more, or a one-off gift of51300:23:06,500 –> 00:23:08,90050 pounds or more. We’d love to51400:23:08,939 –> 00:23:10,359thank you by sending you51500:23:10,380 –> 00:23:12,439a copy of a book by Colin51600:23:12,459 –> 00:23:14,500called Drive Through the Bible.51700:23:14,500 –> 00:23:16,280It’s a 30 day journey51800:23:16,300 –> 00:23:18,160through the Bible. Here’s51900:23:18,180 –> 00:23:19,400Open the Bible’s Amanda52000:23:19,400 –> 00:23:20,660Cunningham to tell you about52100:23:20,660 –> 00:23:22,319it. Hi David, Thanks for52200:23:22,319 –> 00:23:24,339having me. Yes, in May52300:23:24,339 –> 00:23:26,020We are really excited to be52400:23:26,020 –> 00:23:27,420giving away a brand new52500:23:27,420 –> 00:23:29,660book by Colin Smith called52600:23:29,660 –> 00:23:31,619Drive Through the Bible.52700:23:31,619 –> 00:23:32,699Some of your listeners52800:23:32,699 –> 00:23:34,140might already be familiar52900:23:34,140 –> 00:23:35,180with Fly Through the53000:23:35,180 –> 00:23:36,640Bible, our book and53100:23:36,660 –> 00:23:38,420video course, which was53200:23:38,420 –> 00:23:39,95912-15 chapters taking you53300:23:39,959 –> 00:23:42,040through the Bible narrative.53400:23:42,040 –> 00:23:43,560Well, Drive Through the53500:23:43,560 –> 00:23:45,380Bible follow on from that.53600:23:45,380 –> 00:23:47,459It’s a 30 day journey of53700:23:47,479 –> 00:23:49,739just 5 minutes per day53800:23:49,739 –> 00:23:51,339exploring the landscape53900:23:51,339 –> 00:23:53,839of the entire Bible story.54000:23:53,839 –> 00:23:54,979It brings you into the54100:23:55,000 –> 00:23:56,640valleys of the Old Testament54200:23:56,640 –> 00:23:57,920with chapters such as54300:23:57,920 –> 00:24:00,439curse, covenant and chaos.54400:24:00,439 –> 00:24:01,739It then moves on to the54500:24:01,760 –> 00:24:03,160peaks of the glory of54600:24:03,160 –> 00:24:04,780Jesus as we look at54700:24:04,800 –> 00:24:06,339how he suffered, rose54800:24:06,339 –> 00:24:08,339and is now waiting and54900:24:08,359 –> 00:24:09,739finally, the ups and55000:24:09,739 –> 00:24:10,719downs of the Christian55100:24:10,719 –> 00:24:12,420life, the chapters such55200:24:12,420 –> 00:24:14,180as conflict, joy and55300:24:14,199 –> 00:24:15,000death.55400:24:15,000 –> 00:24:16,119It also includes a55500:24:16,119 –> 00:24:17,260short study guide at55600:24:17,260 –> 00:24:18,520the back of the book to55700:24:18,520 –> 00:24:19,800help you apply the55800:24:19,800 –> 00:24:20,619truths that you’ve55900:24:20,619 –> 00:24:21,359learned.56000:24:21,359 –> 00:24:22,300You can use the56100:24:22,319 –> 00:24:23,599questions on your own56200:24:23,599 –> 00:24:24,760or as part of a study56300:24:24,760 –> 00:24:26,319group sharing the 3056400:24:26,319 –> 00:24:28,160day journey together.56500:24:28,160 –> 00:24:29,060We are giving you56600:24:29,060 –> 00:24:30,459this book for free in56700:24:30,479 –> 00:24:32,099May when you set up a56800:24:32,099 –> 00:24:33,160new direct debit56900:24:33,160 –> 00:24:35,119of at least £5 or57000:24:35,119 –> 00:24:36,420give a one off gift57100:24:36,420 –> 00:24:38,040of at least £50.57200:24:38,339 –> 00:24:39,020Thanks Amanda.57300:24:39,020 –> 00:24:40,459So Drive Thru57400:24:40,459 –> 00:24:41,439the Bible is our57500:24:41,439 –> 00:24:42,300gift to you for57600:24:42,300 –> 00:24:43,260setting up a new57700:24:43,260 –> 00:24:44,160direct debit this57800:24:44,160 –> 00:24:45,300month to the work of57900:24:45,300 –> 00:24:46,500Open the Bible.58000:24:46,500 –> 00:24:47,699Full terms and58100:24:47,719 –> 00:24:48,640conditions on our58200:24:48,640 –> 00:24:49,859website and you can58300:24:49,859 –> 00:24:50,459give online.58400:24:51,439 –> 00:24:52,479For Open the Bible58500:24:52,479 –> 00:24:53,319and Pastor Colin58600:24:53,339 –> 00:24:54,719Smith, I’m David Pick58700:24:54,739 –> 00:24:55,239and I hope you’ll58800:24:55,239 –> 00:24:56,160join us again next58900:24:56,160 –> 00:24:57,079time.59000:25:06,339 –> 00:25:07,640Do you feel the need59100:25:07,640 –> 00:25:09,380of a Savior? Many59200:25:09,380 –> 00:25:11,099people do not, find59300:25:11,099 –> 00:25:12,599out why next time on59400:25:12,599 –> 00:25:13,479Open the Bible.