100:00:00,300 –> 00:00:07,000If a law had been given that could impart life,200:00:08,540 –> 00:00:11,640then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.300:00:11,640 –> 00:00:14,140If you see what Paul is stating here so clearly,400:00:14,140 –> 00:00:17,280the law cannot give you life.500:00:17,280 –> 00:00:21,000Nothing that you do for God can impart life!600:00:21,000 –> 00:00:23,799Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith,700:00:23,799 –> 00:00:26,700I’m David Pick and Colin, I think most of us know800:00:26,700 –> 00:00:29,980that living a good life, trying to keep God’s laws can900:00:30,219 –> 00:00:32,880never please God and give us life.1000:00:32,880 –> 00:00:36,160But for some reason we seem to keep going back to that.1100:00:36,160 –> 00:00:37,380Why do you think that is?1200:00:37,380 –> 00:00:38,580Well I think that’s at the heart1300:00:38,580 –> 00:00:41,320of what this Letter of Galatians is all about.1400:00:41,320 –> 00:00:44,959That these folks as Christian believers had the idea1500:00:44,959 –> 00:00:48,119that the Gospel really is forgiveness plus the law1600:00:48,119 –> 00:00:50,619and I think a lot of Christians have that idea today.1700:00:50,619 –> 00:00:53,419Christ forgives me because of his death on the cross1800:00:53,419 –> 00:00:54,520and that’s marvellous.1900:00:54,520 –> 00:00:56,919And now I’ve got to find it within myself2000:00:56,919 –> 00:00:58,619to live anew and a better life,2100:00:58,619 –> 00:01:00,220so it’s forgiveness plus law.2200:01:00,220 –> 00:01:02,980And the Gospel is not forgiveness plus law,2300:01:02,980 –> 00:01:05,720the Gospel is forgiveness plus life.2400:01:05,720 –> 00:01:07,220It’s the gift of the Holy Spirit,2500:01:07,220 –> 00:01:09,620it’s the life of Christ within us.2600:01:09,620 –> 00:01:11,620It’s becoming a new creation.2700:01:11,620 –> 00:01:13,980That’s hugely different2800:01:13,980 –> 00:01:16,120and that’s what the Book of Galatians is all about,2900:01:16,120 –> 00:01:19,580it speaks right in to our faulty thinking today3000:01:19,580 –> 00:01:21,540in a way that really is liberating.3100:01:21,540 –> 00:01:23,120So when someone hears you say3200:01:23,120 –> 00:01:25,940that the Gospel is forgiveness plus life,3300:01:25,940 –> 00:01:28,660I’m not sure they fully understand what you mean.3400:01:28,660 –> 00:01:30,959Is it forgiveness plus the life3500:01:30,959 –> 00:01:32,699that comes from the Holy Spirit?3600:01:32,699 –> 00:01:35,800That’s exactly it and that is hugely different3700:01:35,800 –> 00:01:39,300from saying that the Gospel is forgiveness plus the law3800:01:39,300 –> 00:01:41,839which is basically I’ve been forgiven3900:01:41,839 –> 00:01:43,639and now I’ve gotta prove myself to God4000:01:43,639 –> 00:01:46,459and prove that I really am a different person4100:01:46,459 –> 00:01:49,639and I’m under the ottoman all the time at that point.4200:01:49,639 –> 00:01:51,459No, that’s not the Christian life.4300:01:51,459 –> 00:01:53,400The Christian life is I’ve been brought in4400:01:53,400 –> 00:01:54,940to the Grace of Christ4500:01:54,980 –> 00:01:56,160in which I stand.4600:01:56,160 –> 00:01:58,879I’m an adopted son or daughter of God.4700:01:58,879 –> 00:02:00,879His Spirit lives within me4800:02:00,879 –> 00:02:03,400and therefore from this new heart4900:02:03,400 –> 00:02:05,699that has been regenerated within me5000:02:05,699 –> 00:02:08,600I’m able to begin living joyfully and freely5100:02:08,600 –> 00:02:10,419in a new direction, that’s wonderful!5200:02:10,419 –> 00:02:11,679Very very different!5300:02:11,679 –> 00:02:13,339It is completely different5400:02:13,339 –> 00:02:15,580and as you begin to grasp the Gospel5500:02:15,580 –> 00:02:18,419and what it means to have forgiveness and new life5600:02:18,419 –> 00:02:21,580it’s going to change your walk with Christ.5700:02:21,580 –> 00:02:24,479Today we’ll explore this further in Galatians chapter 35800:02:24,479 –> 00:02:26,380so I hope you’ll join us in your Bible.5900:02:26,380 –> 00:02:27,839As we begin the message6000:02:27,839 –> 00:02:29,960the Gospel gives you the Spirit.6100:02:29,960 –> 00:02:31,160Here’s Colin.6200:02:31,160 –> 00:02:32,500Now we’re continuing in our series6300:02:32,500 –> 00:02:34,259Grasping the Gospel6400:02:34,259 –> 00:02:37,660in which we are learning what the Gospel is6500:02:37,660 –> 00:02:41,100and how it can change our lives.6600:02:41,100 –> 00:02:42,300And we’ve been seeing together6700:02:42,300 –> 00:02:45,820that the Gospel is the A-Z of the Christian life6800:02:45,820 –> 00:02:49,899not just the ABC of the Christian life.6900:02:49,919 –> 00:02:51,759If you’ve grasped the Gospel7000:02:51,759 –> 00:02:54,020as a Christian believer you will never say7100:02:54,199 –> 00:02:56,899been there done that.7200:02:56,899 –> 00:02:58,940Those who are saved by the Gospel7300:02:58,940 –> 00:03:01,020know that we live by the Gospel7400:03:01,020 –> 00:03:03,479and that we will enter into everlasting life7500:03:03,479 –> 00:03:04,820by the Gospel.7600:03:04,820 –> 00:03:07,000And so trying to see the Bigness of this7700:03:07,000 –> 00:03:09,779and to grasp it and to apply it to our lives7800:03:09,779 –> 00:03:11,779so far we’ve taken two steps7900:03:12,039 –> 00:03:14,919in our journey through Galatians.8000:03:14,919 –> 00:03:19,039First we’ve seen that the Gospel comes from God.8100:03:19,039 –> 00:03:21,679Chapter one it did not come by human invention8200:03:21,679 –> 00:03:23,279Paul didn’t make it up.8300:03:23,279 –> 00:03:25,759It did not come by human tradition8400:03:25,759 –> 00:03:27,899or ecclesiastical church tradition.8500:03:27,899 –> 00:03:31,399The church didn’t kind of morph it into its present form.8600:03:31,399 –> 00:03:36,360It came, the Gospel came by revelation from Jesus Christ.8700:03:37,740 –> 00:03:39,979And that is why there is only one Gospel8800:03:39,979 –> 00:03:43,259and that is why you can stake your life on it.8900:03:43,259 –> 00:03:46,539It came by revelation from Jesus Christ.9000:03:47,580 –> 00:03:50,600It follows from that we saw in our second step9100:03:50,720 –> 00:03:53,699that the Gospel is worth defending.9200:03:53,699 –> 00:03:56,960The Gospel will always under attack9300:03:56,960 –> 00:04:00,839both in the world and also in the Church.9400:04:00,839 –> 00:04:03,779And we saw last time that Paul had on one occasion9500:04:03,779 –> 00:04:07,500to defend the Gospel even against Peter9600:04:07,500 –> 00:04:10,559when Peter caved into a pressure group9700:04:10,559 –> 00:04:14,119who wanted to impose their treasured heritage9800:04:14,119 –> 00:04:16,899on all new believers.9900:04:16,899 –> 00:04:19,380And we learned a simple summary of the Gospel10000:04:19,399 –> 00:04:21,640that I hope we can remember together.10100:04:21,640 –> 00:04:23,279If we do you can help me out10200:04:23,279 –> 00:04:27,600that it’s grace, it’s life, and it’s for the world.10300:04:27,600 –> 00:04:31,359So with that little trigger let’s recall it again together.10400:04:31,359 –> 00:04:35,660It’s grace, it’s life, and it’s for the world.10500:04:35,660 –> 00:04:38,359And we started by looking at it’s for the world.10600:04:38,359 –> 00:04:40,839We saw that our task is not to gather10700:04:40,839 –> 00:04:43,459a narrow band of people like us10800:04:43,459 –> 00:04:47,380but rather to reach across the cultural barriers10900:04:47,380 –> 00:04:49,179that there are in any society11000:04:49,220 –> 00:04:51,899and between societies and to call people11100:04:51,899 –> 00:04:54,179from every background to faith in Jesus.11200:04:54,179 –> 00:04:58,100It’s for the world and then we looked at it’s grace11300:04:58,100 –> 00:05:00,380and we saw that Paul states so very clearly11400:05:00,380 –> 00:05:04,739that no one is justified by observing the law.11500:05:04,739 –> 00:05:09,739We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ.11600:05:09,859 –> 00:05:11,540And we used a very simple illustration11700:05:11,540 –> 00:05:12,660to try and grasp this.11800:05:12,660 –> 00:05:14,579Imagine two houses.11900:05:14,579 –> 00:05:16,260One that’s owned by you which means12000:05:16,260 –> 00:05:18,899you pay the taxes, the other that is owned12100:05:18,899 –> 00:05:23,380by Christ which means that he pays the taxes.12200:05:23,380 –> 00:05:25,980And we saw that the taxes on the house12300:05:25,980 –> 00:05:28,980of your own righteousness are too high12400:05:28,980 –> 00:05:30,619for you to pay.12500:05:30,619 –> 00:05:32,859On the last day you would find if you live12600:05:32,859 –> 00:05:34,700in the house of your own righteousness12700:05:34,700 –> 00:05:36,660that you cannot pay these taxes.12800:05:36,660 –> 00:05:39,179You cannot fulfill the demands of the law.12900:05:39,179 –> 00:05:40,059So, what can you do?13000:05:40,059 –> 00:05:42,980While you can tear down the house13100:05:42,980 –> 00:05:45,019of your own righteousness, you can move13200:05:45,019 –> 00:05:47,100into the house that is built for you13300:05:47,140 –> 00:05:49,859and is offered to you by Jesus Christ13400:05:49,859 –> 00:05:51,940that is the home of Christ’s righteousness.13500:05:51,940 –> 00:05:54,040So, I like to think of it like this,13600:05:54,040 –> 00:05:56,019that there are two places to live.13700:05:56,019 –> 00:06:00,200My old address was Collins Smith13800:06:00,200 –> 00:06:03,540under the law, Arlington Heights, Illinois.13900:06:04,779 –> 00:06:07,739My new address is Collins Smith14000:06:07,739 –> 00:06:11,799in Christ Arlington Heights, Illinois.14100:06:12,399 –> 00:06:17,399And when the bills of the demands of God’s law14200:06:17,500 –> 00:06:21,980come addressed to me they are returned14300:06:21,980 –> 00:06:25,440not known at this address.14400:06:25,440 –> 00:06:28,880I’m no longer under the law, that’s what Paul is saying.14500:06:28,880 –> 00:06:30,940The house of my own righteousness14600:06:30,940 –> 00:06:32,679has been torn down.14700:06:33,579 –> 00:06:36,440There is no such place as Collins Smith14800:06:36,440 –> 00:06:37,540under the law.14900:06:37,980 –> 00:06:42,880Sanctified I have been crucified with Christ.15000:06:44,160 –> 00:06:47,920And I no longer live but Christ lives in me.15100:06:48,799 –> 00:06:50,940So what Paul is saying is look the taxes15200:06:50,940 –> 00:06:54,519that are due under the law have nothing to do with me.15300:06:54,519 –> 00:06:57,540I have moved from the place where taxes are owed15400:06:57,540 –> 00:06:59,519into the place where taxes are paid.15500:06:59,519 –> 00:07:01,899I live in the house of Christ’s righteousness.15600:07:01,899 –> 00:07:06,899That’s the gospel, it’s grace and it’s for the world.15700:07:08,200 –> 00:07:10,339But then there’s a third thing that we only touched15800:07:10,339 –> 00:07:12,799on last time and we want to continue with today15900:07:12,799 –> 00:07:14,959if we’re to grasp the gospel, is grace,16000:07:14,959 –> 00:07:18,579it’s life and it’s for the world.16100:07:18,579 –> 00:07:22,339And we touched on this from Galatians 2 in verse 20,16200:07:22,339 –> 00:07:24,779I’ve been crucified with Christ, I no longer live16300:07:24,779 –> 00:07:28,720but Christ lives in me, this is gospel.16400:07:28,720 –> 00:07:31,859In other words there are two dimensions to the good news.16500:07:31,859 –> 00:07:34,739It is the death of Christ for me16600:07:34,739 –> 00:07:37,420and it is the life of Christ in me.16700:07:38,140 –> 00:07:41,140And these are beautifully combined in this wonderful verse,16800:07:41,140 –> 00:07:44,700Galatians 220, that’s so well worth committing to memory.16900:07:44,700 –> 00:07:48,440The Son of God, he loved me and he gave himself for me.17000:07:49,579 –> 00:07:52,040And you see, that’s a historical event,17100:07:52,040 –> 00:07:54,540it happened in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago,17200:07:54,540 –> 00:07:56,779Christ died for my sins.17300:07:58,339 –> 00:08:01,000The Son of God lives in me, Christ lives in me17400:08:01,000 –> 00:08:05,660by the Holy Spirit, that is a contemporary experience.17500:08:05,700 –> 00:08:10,500It’s my experience today, Christ lives in me.17600:08:10,500 –> 00:08:12,739So remember that the Gospel is about Jesus17700:08:12,739 –> 00:08:16,799who died and rose, he died for our sins,17800:08:16,799 –> 00:08:20,500he rose to bring us new life and of course,17900:08:20,500 –> 00:08:22,059this is where the Galatians had got18000:08:22,059 –> 00:08:26,519into difficulty, they had grasped the Gospel of forgiveness18100:08:27,500 –> 00:08:29,660but when they were faced with the question18200:08:29,660 –> 00:08:32,619of how to go on and to live life today,18300:08:32,619 –> 00:08:37,619they turned away from Christ and back to the law18400:08:38,340 –> 00:08:40,219and that is the theme of the whole of Galatians18500:08:40,219 –> 00:08:42,080in Chapter Three though it begins18600:08:42,080 –> 00:08:44,799at the end of Chapter Two in verse 18 there18700:08:44,799 –> 00:08:49,260where he says, if I rebuild what18800:08:49,260 –> 00:08:54,260I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker.18900:08:56,440 –> 00:08:59,619In other words, if having torn down the house19000:08:59,619 –> 00:09:02,479of my own righteousness and moved into the house19100:09:03,219 –> 00:09:05,840of Christ’s righteousness, the new address,19200:09:05,840 –> 00:09:08,979if I then go and rebuild the house of my19300:09:08,979 –> 00:09:11,440own righteousness that I just tore down,19400:09:11,440 –> 00:09:14,559if I move back to the place that I just left,19500:09:14,559 –> 00:09:17,859I become liable again for all the old taxes.19600:09:17,859 –> 00:09:20,700I place myself back under the curse.19700:09:22,099 –> 00:09:23,500That is the point that he’s making19800:09:23,500 –> 00:09:26,419and it runs right throughout chapter three.19900:09:27,419 –> 00:09:32,039Now, there are many Christians who live with the idea20000:09:32,039 –> 00:09:37,260that it’s grace that brings us in,20100:09:37,260 –> 00:09:40,840but it’s works that keep us in,20200:09:42,059 –> 00:09:43,719that we’re forgiven because of faith20300:09:43,719 –> 00:09:45,840in the Lord Jesus Christ,20400:09:45,840 –> 00:09:48,219but where we stand before God today20500:09:48,219 –> 00:09:51,179depends on how well we lived the Christian life last week20600:09:51,179 –> 00:09:52,739and did you have a quiet time every day20700:09:52,739 –> 00:09:54,880and so forth and so on,20800:09:55,619 –> 00:09:58,820that somehow having begun with grace,20900:09:58,820 –> 00:10:00,419the reality of our lives21000:10:00,419 –> 00:10:02,559is that we’ve turned back to works21100:10:02,559 –> 00:10:05,200and to our own performance of the Christian life21200:10:05,200 –> 00:10:07,059as the basis of our assurance,21300:10:07,059 –> 00:10:09,500the center of our joy and so forth21400:10:09,500 –> 00:10:13,260and guess what, it just doesn’t work21500:10:13,260 –> 00:10:17,460and that’s the theme that’s at the very heart of Galatians.21600:10:19,380 –> 00:10:21,099Are you so foolish?21700:10:22,059 –> 00:10:25,880After beginning with the spirit, chapter three and verse three,21800:10:26,979 –> 00:10:31,099are you trying to attain your goal by human effort,21900:10:32,539 –> 00:10:36,479by your ministry, by your spiritual disciplines?22000:10:38,900 –> 00:10:42,020Is this what you think the Christian life is?22100:10:44,559 –> 00:10:46,840Now the Galatian problem was simply this.22200:10:46,840 –> 00:10:48,700You see, they had been deceived,22300:10:48,700 –> 00:10:51,140that’s really the word in chapter three and verse one.22400:10:51,140 –> 00:10:53,219They had been deceived into thinking22500:10:53,219 –> 00:10:57,700that the gospel is forgiveness plus law.22600:10:58,979 –> 00:11:02,299And the gospel is not forgiveness plus law.22700:11:02,299 –> 00:11:04,460Paul wrote this letter to tell the Galatians22800:11:04,460 –> 00:11:07,000the gospel is forgiveness plus life,22900:11:07,000 –> 00:11:09,080and there’s all the difference in the world.23000:11:09,080 –> 00:11:11,280And if we can grasp that difference,23100:11:11,280 –> 00:11:14,539it will be liberating and joy bringing23200:11:14,539 –> 00:11:17,059for so many of us here today.23300:11:17,840 –> 00:11:19,919Thank God.23400:11:19,919 –> 00:11:23,260It’s grace, it’s life,23500:11:24,219 –> 00:11:25,859and it’s forgiven.23600:11:25,859 –> 00:11:27,659Now that’s earth.23700:11:27,659 –> 00:11:28,940You’re listening to Open the Bible23800:11:28,940 –> 00:11:30,299with Pastor Colin Smith,23900:11:30,299 –> 00:11:33,619and a message called The Gospel gives you the spirit.24000:11:33,619 –> 00:11:34,760It’s part of our series,24100:11:34,760 –> 00:11:37,739Grasping the Gospel, based on Galatians.24200:11:37,739 –> 00:11:39,419And if you ever miss one of the series24300:11:39,419 –> 00:11:41,739or if you’d like to go back and listen again,24400:11:41,739 –> 00:11:43,640it’s easy to do by coming online24500:11:43,640 –> 00:11:47,000to our website, openthebible.org.uk.24600:11:47,580 –> 00:11:49,739And you can also find them as a podcast24700:11:49,739 –> 00:11:51,340if that’s a better way for you to keep up24800:11:51,340 –> 00:11:52,820with Pastor Colin’s teaching,24900:11:52,820 –> 00:11:55,219and those are on all the major podcast sites.25000:11:55,219 –> 00:11:58,099Search for Open the Bible UK.25100:11:58,099 –> 00:12:00,659Back to the message now, here’s Colin.25200:12:00,659 –> 00:12:03,140I want us to grasp three things from this chapter today25300:12:03,140 –> 00:12:05,739that will help us to grasp the Gospel25400:12:05,739 –> 00:12:08,260and its power for our lives, I hope, more clearly.25500:12:08,260 –> 00:12:12,440The first is that the law cannot impart life.25600:12:12,440 –> 00:12:15,820The second, the law can lead you to Christ,25700:12:15,820 –> 00:12:19,419and the third, Christ will give you the Spirit.25800:12:20,280 –> 00:12:21,979First then, what the law cannot do,25900:12:21,979 –> 00:12:24,400the law cannot impart life.26000:12:24,400 –> 00:12:25,739And this runs throughout the chapter,26100:12:25,739 –> 00:12:28,159it’s clearest in verse 21.26200:12:28,159 –> 00:12:32,979If a law had been given that could impart life,26300:12:32,979 –> 00:12:36,780then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.26400:12:36,780 –> 00:12:39,239If you see what Paul is stating here so clearly,26500:12:39,239 –> 00:12:41,580the law cannot give you life.26600:12:41,580 –> 00:12:45,059Nothing that you do for God can impart life.26700:12:46,820 –> 00:12:49,140Your ministry can’t impart life to you.26800:12:50,659 –> 00:12:53,020Giving can’t impart life to you.26900:12:54,260 –> 00:12:57,359Spiritual disciplines can’t impart life to you.27000:13:00,460 –> 00:13:03,900What do you think is going to kick start spiritual life?27100:13:06,380 –> 00:13:08,859Nothing that you do for God27200:13:08,859 –> 00:13:12,840can impart spiritual life to you.27300:13:12,840 –> 00:13:14,099That’s what he’s saying.27400:13:15,039 –> 00:13:16,960And if it were the case that the law,27500:13:16,960 –> 00:13:19,739that’s things that we do for God could impart life,27600:13:19,739 –> 00:13:22,880then righteousness would certainly have come by the law,27700:13:22,880 –> 00:13:25,559but it’s simply not the case.27800:13:25,559 –> 00:13:27,520The law tells you what you have to do,27900:13:28,619 –> 00:13:31,539but it cannot give you the power to do it.28000:13:31,539 –> 00:13:34,880The law cannot impart life.28100:13:34,880 –> 00:13:36,760That’s why it’s such a deadening thing28200:13:36,760 –> 00:13:41,239just to think that the gospel is forgiveness plus law.28300:13:42,159 –> 00:13:45,400There’s a story about Will Rogers.28400:13:45,400 –> 00:13:47,880You know, everyone’s got a story about Will Rogers,28500:13:47,880 –> 00:13:49,460at least if you’re of a certain vintage,28600:13:49,460 –> 00:13:51,719a famous humorist.28700:13:51,719 –> 00:13:53,719During the Second World War,28800:13:53,719 –> 00:13:57,000Rogers was invited to give an after dinner speech28900:13:57,000 –> 00:14:02,000in Washington to a gathered group of military top brass.29000:14:03,919 –> 00:14:06,640In his speech, which was made at a time29100:14:06,640 –> 00:14:09,880when the great menace in the oceans to shipping29200:14:09,900 –> 00:14:12,599were the U-Boats,29300:14:12,599 –> 00:14:15,039Rogers stands up in front of all these military people29400:14:15,039 –> 00:14:16,679and he says, now gentlemen,29500:14:16,679 –> 00:14:18,679pulling himself to his full height,29600:14:18,679 –> 00:14:22,960I have a plan to rid the waters of U-Boats.29700:14:22,960 –> 00:14:23,979Everyone’s listening.29800:14:25,960 –> 00:14:30,820If you bring the ocean to boiling point,29900:14:32,919 –> 00:14:36,400this will force the U-Boats to surface30000:14:37,359 –> 00:14:40,059and we will be able to capture the crews30100:14:40,059 –> 00:14:42,159and destroy the boats.30200:14:42,159 –> 00:14:43,679Pause.30300:14:43,679 –> 00:14:45,719When, of course, someone finally shouts out30400:14:45,719 –> 00:14:46,640the obvious question about30500:14:46,640 –> 00:14:48,200how do you bring the ocean to boiling point,30600:14:48,200 –> 00:14:53,159Rogers said, no, I’m just telling you what you need to do.30700:14:53,159 –> 00:14:55,919It’s up to you guys to find a way to do it.30800:14:55,919 –> 00:15:00,919Now, that honestly is the problem with the law.30900:15:01,099 –> 00:15:02,880It tells us what we need to do,31000:15:03,599 –> 00:15:07,020but it leaves us desperately figuring out31100:15:07,020 –> 00:15:09,159some kind of a way of doing it,31200:15:09,159 –> 00:15:13,119and if you look at the law of God seriously,31300:15:13,119 –> 00:15:14,880you will come to the conclusion,31400:15:14,880 –> 00:15:17,460might as well say go boil the ocean.31500:15:17,460 –> 00:15:20,739Seriously, think about it.31600:15:20,739 –> 00:15:22,239You shall not covet.31700:15:23,479 –> 00:15:25,400If that means that you should always31800:15:25,400 –> 00:15:27,280be content with what you have31900:15:27,280 –> 00:15:31,320to such an extent that advertising has no affect on you,32000:15:33,419 –> 00:15:36,260and you are not affected in any way32100:15:36,260 –> 00:15:38,419by what other people earn,32200:15:39,539 –> 00:15:41,260or have,32300:15:41,260 –> 00:15:42,979or accomplish,32400:15:42,979 –> 00:15:44,979that makes no difference to you.32500:15:46,260 –> 00:15:49,260You’ll quickly say, I think in your heart, that’s impossible.32600:15:51,099 –> 00:15:52,419Honor your father and mother.32700:15:52,419 –> 00:15:55,080Wait a minute, someone says, you don’t know my mother.32800:15:55,080 –> 00:15:59,840Or, you weren’t abused by my father.32900:15:59,859 –> 00:16:03,659Well, honoring them is impossible.33000:16:04,719 –> 00:16:06,559Might as well say, go boil the ocean.33100:16:07,719 –> 00:16:10,599You shall not commit adultery.33200:16:12,119 –> 00:16:13,679I say if as Jesus teaches us,33300:16:13,679 –> 00:16:16,159that means that you should never have an impure thought33400:16:16,159 –> 00:16:19,359about anyone or anything that you see at any time,33500:16:19,359 –> 00:16:21,400you might as well say, go boil the ocean.33600:16:22,539 –> 00:16:24,099Hard enough for those who are married,33700:16:24,099 –> 00:16:25,700let alone those who are single.33800:16:26,619 –> 00:16:30,900You shall not murder, if that means as Jesus said33900:16:30,900 –> 00:16:35,179that you should never carry any bitterness or resentment34000:16:35,179 –> 00:16:36,780in any circumstance of life,34100:16:36,780 –> 00:16:39,239you might as well say, go boil the ocean.34200:16:39,239 –> 00:16:42,039You know what has been done to me some of us will say?34300:16:43,500 –> 00:16:45,299You know the wounds that I carry?34400:16:49,599 –> 00:16:51,419Jesus summarized the Law, you remember,34500:16:51,419 –> 00:16:53,859by saying, here’s what it boils down to, it’s this,34600:16:54,039 –> 00:16:57,880love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul34700:16:57,880 –> 00:17:02,880and mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.34800:17:06,380 –> 00:17:08,020Remember there was on one occasion34900:17:08,020 –> 00:17:11,319a very rich young person, a very successful person35000:17:11,319 –> 00:17:15,300who came to Jesus and wanted to know how to be saved35100:17:15,300 –> 00:17:17,900and Jesus told him the commandments35200:17:17,900 –> 00:17:21,439and he immediately said, these are the things35300:17:21,439 –> 00:17:23,380that I’ve been doing since I was young.35400:17:24,859 –> 00:17:26,979And I’m sure he meant it but if by saying that35500:17:26,979 –> 00:17:29,060he showed that he didn’t have the first idea35600:17:29,060 –> 00:17:31,140as to what the law actually meant.35700:17:32,800 –> 00:17:35,800And so Jesus said something very simple to him.35800:17:35,800 –> 00:17:38,000He said, well here’s what to do.35900:17:38,000 –> 00:17:40,839You go and sell everything you have36000:17:40,839 –> 00:17:42,640and give the whole lot to the poor36100:17:44,300 –> 00:17:47,839which if he really loved his neighbor as himself36200:17:47,839 –> 00:17:49,920would not have been that difficult to do.36300:17:50,760 –> 00:17:53,319If you really love your neighbor as yourself36400:17:53,319 –> 00:17:55,420what’s the problem with that?36500:17:56,839 –> 00:17:58,859But of course he immediately turned away36600:17:58,859 –> 00:18:00,760and went to find another rabbi.36700:18:03,760 –> 00:18:06,239See the law tells us what to do36800:18:06,239 –> 00:18:08,599but it does not give us the means of doing it.36900:18:11,040 –> 00:18:16,040And if the gospel were forgiveness plus law37000:18:16,839 –> 00:18:18,439we would be doomed.37100:18:20,719 –> 00:18:22,359Back under a curse37200:18:22,359 –> 00:18:24,660which is why Paul introduces that theme37300:18:24,660 –> 00:18:26,839so strongly in the middle of Galatians Three37400:18:26,839 –> 00:18:29,040because the law cannot impart life37500:18:29,040 –> 00:18:30,880might as well say go boil the ocean.37600:18:33,079 –> 00:18:38,079Second, what the law can do, it can lead you to Christ.37700:18:38,160 –> 00:18:42,739What the law can’t do it cannot impart life.37800:18:42,739 –> 00:18:45,160What the law can do it can lead you to Christ.37900:18:45,160 –> 00:18:48,000Look at verse 23 through verse 24.38000:18:48,880 –> 00:18:51,880Before this faith that is faith in Christ came38100:18:51,880 –> 00:18:53,880we were held prisoners by the law38200:18:53,880 –> 00:18:56,439no wonder if you’re called to do something you can’t do38300:18:56,439 –> 00:18:57,839you really are a prisoner.38400:18:57,839 –> 00:19:01,020We were locked up until faith should be revealed.38500:19:01,959 –> 00:19:06,959So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ38600:19:07,839 –> 00:19:12,339that we might be justified by faith.38700:19:12,339 –> 00:19:13,680Now you see what Paul is saying here38800:19:13,680 –> 00:19:17,439that the primary purpose of all of God’s law38900:19:17,439 –> 00:19:20,300is to lead you to Jesus Christ.39000:19:20,959 –> 00:19:24,760When you see the sheer impossibility39100:19:24,760 –> 00:19:27,020of what God is calling you to do39200:19:27,020 –> 00:19:31,219then you will see and feel your need of a savior.39300:19:31,219 –> 00:19:33,540And the law was given for this purpose.39400:19:33,540 –> 00:19:37,000The law was put in charge to lead us to Christ.39500:19:37,000 –> 00:19:42,000Now that is true as much for Christians today39600:19:42,699 –> 00:19:44,640as it is for unconverted people39700:19:44,640 –> 00:19:47,199who we think needs to hear the gospel.39800:19:48,199 –> 00:19:50,800See many Christians have fallen39900:19:50,800 –> 00:19:53,560into the same error as the Galatians.40000:19:54,680 –> 00:19:59,079We saw our need of Jesus to forgive our past sins.40100:20:00,260 –> 00:20:02,020But then somehow in church world40200:20:02,020 –> 00:20:03,859we come to feel that somehow40300:20:03,859 –> 00:20:06,619we are able to live a life that is pleasing to God40400:20:06,619 –> 00:20:09,119at least more or less with an occasional bit40500:20:09,119 –> 00:20:12,380of forgiveness topping us up now and again.40600:20:13,280 –> 00:20:15,760In other words we think that the Christian life40700:20:15,760 –> 00:20:18,160is forgiveness plus law.40800:20:19,839 –> 00:20:23,219I like to ask you, do you really think40900:20:24,500 –> 00:20:27,239that God looks down from heaven41000:20:28,579 –> 00:20:33,579and is wowed by your Christian life?41100:20:34,959 –> 00:20:35,800Really?41200:20:37,079 –> 00:20:38,699Now I have to tell you honestly41300:20:40,800 –> 00:20:45,280I look at my own Christian life41400:20:45,280 –> 00:20:48,079and ministry many times41500:20:50,560 –> 00:20:53,839and wonder to myself what in all the world41600:20:53,839 –> 00:20:56,040does God make of this,41700:20:58,300 –> 00:20:59,900because it’s such a mixture.41800:21:02,160 –> 00:21:03,520Isn’t that the reality?41900:21:05,800 –> 00:21:09,599Augustine who has been given by part of the church42000:21:09,599 –> 00:21:14,599the name Saint, so he must have been a very good Christian,42100:21:15,040 –> 00:21:17,339great Christian leader, wonderful teacher.42200:21:18,819 –> 00:21:20,280Augustine said this.42300:21:21,359 –> 00:21:26,359I do not dare to commend the works of my hands42400:21:27,920 –> 00:21:32,920for fear that you may find more sins in them42500:21:33,640 –> 00:21:34,459than merits.42600:21:36,520 –> 00:21:39,599That was Saint Augustine’s view42700:21:40,520 –> 00:21:43,800of his own Christian life.42800:21:45,439 –> 00:21:47,640It’s my view of mine.42900:21:47,640 –> 00:21:49,920You relate to that?43000:21:51,239 –> 00:21:53,640Really want to go bounding up to the Lord on the last day43100:21:53,640 –> 00:21:56,760and say, look at my Christian life?43200:21:58,140 –> 00:21:58,979Not a chance.43300:22:00,339 –> 00:22:02,239I do not commend the work of my own hands43400:22:02,239 –> 00:22:07,239for fear that you may find in them more sins than merits.43500:22:09,459 –> 00:22:11,160You’ve been listening to pastor Colin Smith43600:22:11,160 –> 00:22:13,280on Open The Bible and a message called43700:22:14,040 –> 00:22:16,280the gospel gives you the spirit.43800:22:16,280 –> 00:22:17,819We’ve been looking at how God’s law43900:22:17,819 –> 00:22:20,040cannot in itself bring life,44000:22:20,040 –> 00:22:23,359but it can bring you to Christ and he can give you life.44100:22:23,359 –> 00:22:25,560Next time we’ll look at how Jesus44200:22:25,560 –> 00:22:27,339can give you the Holy Spirit.44300:22:27,339 –> 00:22:30,199So hope you’ll join us for that broadcast.44400:22:30,199 –> 00:22:32,060If you ever miss one of our broadcasts,44500:22:32,060 –> 00:22:34,880you can always catch up or go back and listen again online44600:22:34,880 –> 00:22:38,699at our website, OpenTheBible.org.uk44700:22:38,699 –> 00:22:40,219or find us as a podcast44800:22:40,219 –> 00:22:42,400and those are on all the main podcast sites.44900:22:42,420 –> 00:22:45,500Search for Open the Bible UK.45000:22:45,500 –> 00:22:48,459Also, on our website and available as a podcast45100:22:48,459 –> 00:22:52,640is our reflection series called Open the Bible Daily.45200:22:52,640 –> 00:22:54,219There’s a fresh one every day45300:22:54,219 –> 00:22:56,859and it’s based on Pastor Colin’s teaching45400:22:56,859 –> 00:22:59,579read in the UK by Sue Macleish.45500:22:59,579 –> 00:23:01,520Open the Bible is brought to you45600:23:01,520 –> 00:23:04,540as a result of the generous giving of our listeners.45700:23:04,540 –> 00:23:07,199So if you already give to support this work,45800:23:07,199 –> 00:23:08,660thank you so much.45900:23:08,660 –> 00:23:10,680If that’s something that you haven’t done up until now,46000:23:10,680 –> 00:23:12,520but you’re considering doing it,46100:23:12,520 –> 00:23:14,660then we have an offer for you this month.46200:23:14,660 –> 00:23:17,140If you’re able to set up a new direct debit46300:23:17,140 –> 00:23:18,839to the work of Open the Bible46400:23:18,839 –> 00:23:21,739in the amount of five pounds per month or more,46500:23:21,739 –> 00:23:24,439or a one off gift of 50 pounds or more,46600:23:24,439 –> 00:23:25,920we’d love to say thank you46700:23:25,920 –> 00:23:28,719by sending you a copy of the classic book,46800:23:28,719 –> 00:23:31,880Pilgrims Progress, in Modern English.46900:23:31,880 –> 00:23:34,000It’s written by John Bunyan many years ago47000:23:34,000 –> 00:23:36,520and it’s one of the most famous books47100:23:36,520 –> 00:23:38,780written about the Christian life.47200:23:38,780 –> 00:23:40,520Open the Bible’s Amanda Cunningham47300:23:41,260 –> 00:23:42,380is here with more details.47400:23:42,380 –> 00:23:44,060Yes, thanks so much David.47500:23:44,060 –> 00:23:46,500We are really thrilled to be able to give away47600:23:46,500 –> 00:23:49,979a free Open the Bible UK pen, bookmark,47700:23:49,979 –> 00:23:53,140and an updated copy of the timeless classic,47800:23:53,140 –> 00:23:55,959The Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan.47900:23:55,959 –> 00:23:57,520I’m sure that many of our listeners48000:23:57,520 –> 00:23:59,420are already familiar with this book48100:23:59,420 –> 00:24:01,819but it follows the story of Christian48200:24:01,819 –> 00:24:04,900who goes on a journey from the city of destruction48300:24:04,900 –> 00:24:08,260which is this world to the Celestial City Heaven.48400:24:08,260 –> 00:24:10,959And on his way, he encounters various tests48500:24:10,959 –> 00:24:13,400in places such as the Valley of Humiliation48600:24:13,400 –> 00:24:15,920and the Valley of the Shadow of Death.48700:24:15,920 –> 00:24:18,819As well as various people, some of whom help him48800:24:18,819 –> 00:24:20,800and some who hinder him.48900:24:20,800 –> 00:24:23,680But I really believe that this book would inspire you49000:24:23,680 –> 00:24:25,020and give you hope,49100:24:25,020 –> 00:24:28,800even if you’re currently going through a difficult time.49200:24:28,800 –> 00:24:30,599We need to remember that amazingly,49300:24:30,599 –> 00:24:34,000John Bunyan did not write this book from an ivory tower49400:24:34,000 –> 00:24:36,400but from a grim English prison.49500:24:36,400 –> 00:24:38,739He knew what suffering was.49600:24:38,739 –> 00:24:41,800So we would really love to send you these free gifts,49700:24:41,800 –> 00:24:45,500both to encourage you and to thank you for your donation.49800:24:45,500 –> 00:24:47,520Pilgrim’s Progress’ our gift to you49900:24:47,520 –> 00:24:50,420if you’re able to set up a new direct debit50000:24:50,420 –> 00:24:51,819to the work of Open the Bible50100:24:51,819 –> 00:24:53,979in the amount of five pounds per month50200:24:53,979 –> 00:24:57,219or a one off gift of 50 pounds this month.50300:24:57,219 –> 00:25:00,520Full details, terms and conditions on our website,50400:25:00,520 –> 00:25:03,540openthebible.org.uk50500:25:03,540 –> 00:25:06,099For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,50600:25:06,099 –> 00:25:07,699I’m David Pick and I hope you’ll be able50700:25:07,699 –> 00:25:09,459to join us again next time.50800:25:15,579 –> 00:25:17,140Do you feel that you’re living a life50900:25:17,140 –> 00:25:18,819that pleases God?51000:25:18,819 –> 00:25:20,479You might be surprised to hear51100:25:20,479 –> 00:25:24,219that the law can actually lead you away from Christ.51200:25:24,219 –> 00:25:25,260Find out how.51300:25:25,260 –> 00:25:27,140Next time on Open the Bible.