100:00:00,080 –> 00:00:08,160When you see that Jesus Christ has thousands upon thousands and a hundred200:00:08,160 –> 00:00:12,500million angels serving him, he doesn’t need us to get things done.300:00:12,500 –> 00:00:17,799The Son of Man did not come into the world to be served400:00:17,799 –> 00:00:20,600and if you think that Jesus came in order to get you to do500:00:20,600 –> 00:00:24,040certain things for him, you have not understood the Gospel.600:00:24,320 –> 00:00:27,120Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.700:00:27,120 –> 00:00:29,559I’m David Pick. Glad you could be with us today and800:00:29,620 –> 00:00:32,560Colin, I think there are many people who have the idea that900:00:32,720 –> 00:00:35,840Jesus wants me to do this or that for him.1000:00:36,360 –> 00:00:38,200Yeah, and I think that’s not surprising.1100:00:38,259 –> 00:00:41,040I mean, you look around the whole world of religion,1200:00:41,040 –> 00:00:42,439all of the different religions.1300:00:42,560 –> 00:00:45,419I mean, it is about doing stuff for God.1400:00:45,439 –> 00:00:49,520And so folks who have a kind of notion of Christianity will1500:00:49,520 –> 00:00:53,720default to the assumption that this is something that I do1600:00:53,720 –> 00:00:56,500for this God and therefore for Jesus and for the Church1700:00:56,740 –> 00:00:59,360Pray, give, go and so forth and so on.1800:00:59,799 –> 00:01:02,880The problem there is to miss the central point.1900:01:03,619 –> 00:01:08,500We love him because he first loved us.2000:01:09,040 –> 00:01:14,120And that before anything is ever asked of us by God, in Jesus2100:01:14,120 –> 00:01:17,440Christ, he comes and he offers and gives his very self.2200:01:17,860 –> 00:01:23,320And at the heart of Christian faith is the self giving of God2300:01:23,739 –> 00:01:28,379and the infinitely eternal benefits that are ours, in Jesus Christ,2400:01:28,800 –> 00:01:33,019that cause a real Christian to say, what can I do, but just offer myself back to2500:01:33,019 –> 00:01:37,019him, that’s completely different, the idea that God’s constantly banging on the2600:01:37,019 –> 00:01:38,940door and saying, what have you done for me lately.2700:01:39,220 –> 00:01:40,599It’s a complete misunderstanding.2800:01:40,639 –> 00:01:44,959So there’s something wonderfully liberating about grasping the core of2900:01:44,959 –> 00:01:47,000the gospel, which is where we’re at today.3000:01:47,239 –> 00:01:51,400So, we’re looking today at Mark chapter 10, starting at verse 32.3100:01:52,099 –> 00:01:53,239I hope you’ll join us in your Bible.3200:01:53,239 –> 00:01:57,059If you can, as we begin the message, Jesus demonstrates his3300:01:57,059 –> 00:02:00,160power by serving and giving here’s Colin.3400:02:00,199 –> 00:02:04,760We come today to a remarkable passage of Scripture where the Lord3500:02:04,760 –> 00:02:10,339Jesus Christ tells us why he came into the world and what it means3600:02:10,339 –> 00:02:13,520for us to be his followers.3700:02:14,320 –> 00:02:16,100We’re going to discover three things.3800:02:16,759 –> 00:02:22,119First our human condition that is the great struggle that we3900:02:22,279 –> 00:02:26,479have in our lives and deal with through the years.4000:02:27,139 –> 00:02:29,679Secondly we’re going to see what it is that Jesus Christ has4100:02:29,679 –> 00:02:31,039come to do about it.4200:02:31,460 –> 00:02:34,660And then thirdly we’re going to see very wonderfully the change4300:02:34,880 –> 00:02:38,720that Jesus Christ is able to bring in our lives today.4400:02:39,559 –> 00:02:44,240So let’s take up the story in Mark chapter 10 and verse 324500:02:44,240 –> 00:02:47,059where we read that they were on their way- that’s Jesus and4600:02:47,059 –> 00:02:50,240his disciples on their way up to Jerusalem with Jesus leading4700:02:50,240 –> 00:02:54,880the way and the disciples were astonished and those who4800:02:54,880 –> 00:02:57,320followed were afraid.4900:02:58,100 –> 00:03:01,080Now it’s not surprising I think that the disciples were5000:03:01,080 –> 00:03:04,639astonished and that those who followed were afraid because5100:03:04,639 –> 00:03:08,320remember the teachers of the law had already come down from5200:03:08,320 –> 00:03:12,320Jerusalem and chapter 3 verse 22 when they came down from5300:03:12,320 –> 00:03:15,220Jerusalem, these folks that held the power in the capital5400:03:15,220 –> 00:03:18,960city, they made an evaluation of the ministry of Jesus and5500:03:18,960 –> 00:03:22,919they said he’s doing the work of the devil, he has Beelzebub5600:03:22,919 –> 00:03:27,360chapter 3 and verse 22. So that was the evaluation of the5700:03:27,360 –> 00:03:31,199people with power coming down from Jerusalem. Now Jesus is5800:03:31,199 –> 00:03:34,559leading the way up to Jerusalem and so it’s not surprising that5900:03:34,559 –> 00:03:38,639the disciples are astonished and those who followed are afraid.6000:03:38,639 –> 00:03:41,479They know that in going to Jerusalem Jesus is walking into6100:03:41,500 –> 00:03:45,740the lion’s den. We know that the religious leaders in Jerusalem6200:03:45,740 –> 00:03:48,580are already hostile to him. They’ve judged him to be doing6300:03:48,580 –> 00:03:51,339the devil’s work and therefore the land needs to be purged of6400:03:51,339 –> 00:03:56,580such evil. We know their power what will they do to him? Jesus6500:03:56,580 –> 00:03:59,460knows what they will do to him. It tells the disciples quite6600:03:59,460 –> 00:04:04,399clearly. Verse 33, notice the affirmative, we are going up to6700:04:04,399 –> 00:04:07,860Jerusalem, non negotiable you see and here’s what’s going to6800:04:07,860 –> 00:04:11,399happen, the Son of Man, by the way that’s the name Jesus most6900:04:12,220 –> 00:04:16,859often use to refer to himself, The Son of Man, the Son of Man7000:04:16,859 –> 00:04:23,559will be betrayed, condemned, and handed over to the Gentiles7100:04:23,559 –> 00:04:26,399and when that happens, four things will follow. These7200:04:26,399 –> 00:04:31,279Gentiles, they will mock him, they will spit on him, they7300:04:31,279 –> 00:04:35,079will flog him, and they will kill him. That is what is going7400:04:35,079 –> 00:04:37,660to happen when we get to Jerusalem, Jesus says and then7500:04:38,220 –> 00:04:42,899verse 34, He said, three days later, the Son of Man will rise7600:04:43,980 –> 00:04:48,220This is the third time that Jesus had specifically7700:04:48,220 –> 00:04:53,359prophesied his own suffering and death to his disciples.7800:04:53,359 –> 00:04:58,700And I want you to notice what happens next, verse 35,7900:04:58,700 –> 00:05:01,619James and John, the sons of Zebedee came to Him and8000:05:01,619 –> 00:05:07,540teacher they said, We want you to do for us whatever we8100:05:07,679 –> 00:05:10,940ask. Jesus asked them what they want and they’re8200:05:10,940 –> 00:05:14,320saying in verse 37, let one of us sit at your right8300:05:14,320 –> 00:05:18,059hand and the other at your left in glory.8400:05:19,980 –> 00:05:26,079Now talk about insensitivity, the mind of Jesus is8500:05:26,079 –> 00:05:31,260gripped, filled with the prospect of His imminent8600:05:31,260 –> 00:05:34,640suffering and death. And remember, if you look at8700:05:34,640 –> 00:05:37,260the Bible at the beginning of chapter 11, you have8800:05:37,279 –> 00:05:40,440the entry into Jerusalem, which was on the Sunday8900:05:40,440 –> 00:05:43,399before Good Friday. So at the end of chapter ten,9000:05:43,399 –> 00:05:48,540we’re less than a week away from the death of Jesus.9100:05:49,220 –> 00:05:52,260And Jesus’ mind, therefore, is filled with this9200:05:52,720 –> 00:05:58,480inside seven days. Less than a week, He’ll be in9300:05:58,839 –> 00:06:03,459the mocking, the spitting, the nailing, the flogging.9400:06:04,079 –> 00:06:07,859And his mind is filled with thoughts about the9500:06:07,859 –> 00:06:11,239suffering and death that lies ahead of him and His9600:06:11,239 –> 00:06:14,779followers, supposedly His friends, they’re squabbling9700:06:15,019 –> 00:06:22,100over the inheritance already. John Stott says this,9800:06:22,100 –> 00:06:26,220the brother’s statement, we want you to do for us9900:06:26,220 –> 00:06:31,019whatever we ask, surely qualifies as the worst,10000:06:31,059 –> 00:06:35,239most blatantly self-centered prayer ever prayed.10100:06:36,899 –> 00:06:39,160James and John want to be on the right and left of10200:06:39,160 –> 00:06:44,980Jesus in glory. And there will be two others who10300:06:44,980 –> 00:06:47,500will be on his right and left in a very different10400:06:47,500 –> 00:06:56,119place before that. Now this gives us really an10500:06:56,119 –> 00:06:59,220insight into the real problem within our own10600:06:59,220 –> 00:07:03,519hearts and all of us struggle with it. By nature10700:07:04,380 –> 00:07:07,559we are all supremely interested in ourselves.10800:07:08,459 –> 00:07:15,019Our place our prospects our position and our10900:07:15,019 –> 00:07:19,000recognition and all of these things are in the11000:07:19,000 –> 00:07:21,839request that James and John make of Jesus when11100:07:21,839 –> 00:07:23,399they say you know when you come into your glory11200:07:23,420 –> 00:07:26,619we’re interested in what position we will have and11300:07:26,619 –> 00:07:28,779we want the prime positions on your right.11400:07:29,700 –> 00:07:32,660On your left. By the way some of you may recall11500:07:32,660 –> 00:07:34,980that in Matthew’s gospel of the story in chapter11600:07:34,980 –> 00:07:39,72020. Matthew records that James and John’s mother11700:07:40,059 –> 00:07:44,700was also part of this request that was made to11800:07:44,700 –> 00:07:46,839Jesus Matthew records that the three of them came11900:07:46,839 –> 00:07:48,579together and.12000:07:49,859 –> 00:07:51,660It’s interesting just to take a moment to get the12100:07:51,660 –> 00:07:54,980profile of this family because they were the12200:07:54,980 –> 00:07:57,579sons James and John were the sons of Zebedee who12300:07:57,579 –> 00:08:01,660had a fishing business. So this is a classically12400:08:01,739 –> 00:08:06,140middle class family. Dad has a small business12500:08:06,459 –> 00:08:10,739some people working for him. Mom is supremely12600:08:10,739 –> 00:08:13,480ambitious for her children. She wants to come up12700:08:13,480 –> 00:08:15,619to Jesus and say what’s going up to James and John12800:08:15,820 –> 00:08:17,500and I think they should be on your left and on12900:08:17,500 –> 00:08:20,859your right. They’re great guys. You know remember13000:08:20,859 –> 00:08:23,119when James and John became followers of Jesus13100:08:23,200 –> 00:08:25,660Jesus gave them a nickname. He called them and13200:08:25,660 –> 00:08:30,279Mark records this Boanergies which means Sons13300:08:30,359 –> 00:08:33,239of Thunder. That was the name Jesus gave to James13400:08:33,239 –> 00:08:35,039and John. What does that tell you about their13500:08:35,039 –> 00:08:37,719personality when they started to follow Jesus.13600:08:37,859 –> 00:08:42,880Sons of Thunder. Well you see here are 2 young men13700:08:42,880 –> 00:08:48,280who are headstrong, confident, ambitious, and13800:08:48,280 –> 00:08:52,500supremely focused on themselves. Just like you13900:08:52,799 –> 00:08:56,200would see on any sports field. Visit any high14000:08:56,200 –> 00:08:58,919school, any college. Just as you would see in any14100:08:58,919 –> 00:09:03,000business. Folks who are ambitious and driving and14200:09:03,559 –> 00:09:05,919concerned about what they’re going to achieve and14300:09:05,919 –> 00:09:09,119confident about their own ability and trying to14400:09:09,119 –> 00:09:13,359make their mark and interested in our own place.14500:09:15,179 –> 00:09:20,020Now notice that it is our selfishness, our supreme14600:09:20,020 –> 00:09:24,159interest in ourselves that makes us insensitive14700:09:24,159 –> 00:09:28,239towards other people. Thinking about themselves14800:09:28,239 –> 00:09:31,840makes James and John very poor friends to Jesus14900:09:32,559 –> 00:09:35,880when he is facing such suffering within just a15000:09:35,880 –> 00:09:36,760few days.15100:09:38,799 –> 00:09:43,000How could a marriage survive if two people are15200:09:43,000 –> 00:09:47,679supremely interested in themselves? How could a15300:09:47,679 –> 00:09:51,059family be healthy if kids are supremely interested15400:09:51,059 –> 00:09:54,059in themselves and parents are supremely interested15500:09:54,059 –> 00:09:54,859in themselves?15600:09:56,520 –> 00:10:01,440How could there be a healthy church if we are a15700:10:01,440 –> 00:10:03,840gathering of people who are primarily interested15800:10:03,840 –> 00:10:05,080in ourselves?15900:10:06,479 –> 00:10:11,280How could there even be a healthy business if those16000:10:11,280 –> 00:10:14,239who are partners and employees are supremely16100:10:14,239 –> 00:10:16,640interested in themselves?16200:10:18,179 –> 00:10:24,280Self interest chokes the progress of love and if you16300:10:24,280 –> 00:10:27,219are going to really love another person here is the16400:10:27,219 –> 00:10:30,419great battle that you and I all of us face together.16500:10:31,099 –> 00:10:34,299It is that we have to overcome our natural self16600:10:34,299 –> 00:10:37,359interest that otherwise will make us insensitive16700:10:37,359 –> 00:10:39,239to the needs of others because we will be thinking16800:10:39,239 –> 00:10:43,239about ourselves all the time just like James and16900:10:43,239 –> 00:10:44,080John.17000:10:44,119 –> 00:10:47,919That ruins a marriage and it makes people miserable17100:10:47,919 –> 00:10:51,419at work and it crushes young people and it leads17200:10:51,419 –> 00:10:54,179to older people being ignored and forgotten.17300:10:54,179 –> 00:10:57,260That self interest is in us all.17400:10:58,700 –> 00:11:01,500Now that’s the problem that we face and we learn it17500:11:01,500 –> 00:11:05,539very clearly I think from this remarkable incident17600:11:05,539 –> 00:11:07,479with James and John.17700:11:08,299 –> 00:11:10,979Well that’s the problem we face but what does Jesus17800:11:10,979 –> 00:11:12,179do about that?17900:11:12,260 –> 00:11:14,580We’ll find out in just a moment so stay with us18000:11:14,580 –> 00:11:15,580if you can.18100:11:15,580 –> 00:11:17,140You’re listening to Open the Bible with18200:11:17,140 –> 00:11:19,039Pastor Colin Smith and a message called18300:11:19,039 –> 00:11:22,820Jesus Demonstrates His Power by Serving and Giving.18400:11:22,820 –> 00:11:25,820It’s part of our series the Gospel According to Jesus18500:11:25,820 –> 00:11:27,940and if you’ve missed any of the series so far18600:11:27,940 –> 00:11:29,580or if you’d like to go back and listen again18700:11:29,580 –> 00:11:32,140you can do that by coming to our website18800:11:32,140 –> 00:11:35,780openthebible.org.uk or by18900:11:35,780 –> 00:11:37,859looking for us as a podcast and those are19000:11:37,859 –> 00:11:40,179available on all the main podcast sites.19100:11:40,179 –> 00:11:42,580Search for Open The Bible UK.19200:11:42,580 –> 00:11:43,619Back to the message now.19300:11:43,619 –> 00:11:45,299We’re in Markchapter 10.19400:11:45,299 –> 00:11:46,260Here’s Colin.19500:11:46,260 –> 00:11:47,940Now let’s move on secondly19600:11:47,940 –> 00:11:51,659to see what Jesus Christ came to do about it.19700:11:51,659 –> 00:11:54,020I want to go to verse 45 and then we’ll fill in19800:11:54,020 –> 00:11:56,580the middle a little later on.19900:11:56,580 –> 00:11:57,979Verse 45 Jesus says,20000:11:57,979 –> 00:12:01,780the son of man did not come to be served20100:12:01,780 –> 00:12:05,859but to serve and to give his life20200:12:05,859 –> 00:12:09,500as our ransom for many.20300:12:09,539 –> 00:12:11,140Now this is one of the most important20400:12:11,140 –> 00:12:12,419statements in the Bible.20500:12:12,419 –> 00:12:15,219We’re going to ponder it and pause on it20600:12:15,219 –> 00:12:16,900for a few moments together.20700:12:16,900 –> 00:12:21,739It gives us a clear statement of Jesus’ mission.20800:12:21,739 –> 00:12:24,299And I want you to notice that Jesus states20900:12:24,299 –> 00:12:27,659his mission both negatively and positively.21000:12:27,659 –> 00:12:29,380In other words he tells us what he did not21100:12:29,380 –> 00:12:31,500come into the world to do as well as21200:12:31,500 –> 00:12:33,419what he did come into the world to do.21300:12:33,419 –> 00:12:34,780By the way, that’s a very important,21400:12:34,780 –> 00:12:35,859very helpful thing.21500:12:35,880 –> 00:12:40,020In all of life if we are going to be successful21600:12:40,020 –> 00:12:42,880we need to be as clear about what we’re not21700:12:42,880 –> 00:12:45,380doing as we are about what we are doing21800:12:45,380 –> 00:12:48,539because the easiest way to achieve nothing21900:12:48,539 –> 00:12:52,159is to attempt everything.22000:12:52,159 –> 00:12:53,539And so this is a very wonderful statement,22100:12:53,539 –> 00:12:55,739in fact there are many wonderful statements22200:12:55,739 –> 00:12:59,359about what Jesus did not come into the world to do.22300:12:59,359 –> 00:13:00,900John chapter three and verse 1722400:13:00,900 –> 00:13:01,739is one of them.22500:13:02,679 –> 00:13:05,099The Son of God did not come into the world22600:13:05,099 –> 00:13:06,419to condemn the world.22700:13:06,419 –> 00:13:08,260Thank God for that.22800:13:08,260 –> 00:13:10,580Don’t need to come down from heaven to bring condemnation.22900:13:10,580 –> 00:13:12,979He could just blitz the world from heaven.23000:13:12,979 –> 00:13:15,340That’s not why he took flesh and prayed23100:13:15,340 –> 00:13:18,340all these nights, and fasted, and taught the disciples,23200:13:18,340 –> 00:13:19,780and was patient with people,23300:13:19,780 –> 00:13:21,739and went to a cross.23400:13:21,739 –> 00:13:23,419Didn’t come to condemn the world.23500:13:23,419 –> 00:13:27,719So if you think that God is interested in condemning you,23600:13:28,820 –> 00:13:29,900then you haven’t understood the gospel.23700:13:30,320 –> 00:13:31,419That’s not why he came.23800:13:32,820 –> 00:13:35,119And this statement here in Mark 10, 4523900:13:35,119 –> 00:13:36,400is even more remarkable.24000:13:37,260 –> 00:13:39,020Jesus says, that the Son of Man24100:13:39,020 –> 00:13:43,000did not come to be served.24200:13:43,960 –> 00:13:45,159Now what does that mean?24300:13:47,119 –> 00:13:51,700Well, to be served is to have other people24400:13:51,700 –> 00:13:53,219do things for you.24500:13:54,179 –> 00:13:55,979So people work for you,24600:13:55,979 –> 00:13:58,500or they assist you or they get things done for you,24700:13:58,559 –> 00:14:00,640or they make things easier in life for you24800:14:00,640 –> 00:14:01,919or better for you.24900:14:03,299 –> 00:14:06,679And Jesus says, the Son of Man did not come to be served.25000:14:07,659 –> 00:14:09,440I did not come into the world,25100:14:09,440 –> 00:14:12,059Jesus says, to get people to do things for me.25200:14:12,059 –> 00:14:14,820That’s not why it came and you need to understand that.25300:14:16,280 –> 00:14:17,380Now think about that.25400:14:18,500 –> 00:14:21,979Jesus Christ did not come into the world25500:14:21,979 –> 00:14:24,599in order to get you to do things for Him.25600:14:25,700 –> 00:14:26,780It’s not why he came.25700:14:29,500 –> 00:14:31,280He doesn’t need that.25800:14:33,539 –> 00:14:35,599The Book of Revelation gives us a glimpse25900:14:35,599 –> 00:14:36,859of the glory of Jesus26000:14:36,859 –> 00:14:39,419seated at the right hand of the father26100:14:39,419 –> 00:14:42,320and the Bible says that he is surrounded26200:14:42,320 –> 00:14:45,359by thousands upon thousands26300:14:45,359 –> 00:14:50,020and 10,000 times 10,000 angels.26400:14:50,020 –> 00:14:52,840How many is 10,000 times 10,000?26500:14:52,840 –> 00:14:54,099That’s a 100 million, isn’t it?26600:14:54,099 –> 00:14:57,739A 100 million and besides that, thousands upon thousands26700:14:57,880 –> 00:15:02,000and all of these angels, the Book of Hebrews tells us,26800:15:02,000 –> 00:15:05,960are there to serve him, they are his servants,26900:15:05,960 –> 00:15:08,599they get his will done.27000:15:10,179 –> 00:15:12,299Now when you see that Jesus Christ27100:15:12,299 –> 00:15:14,520has thousands upon thousands27200:15:14,520 –> 00:15:17,840and a 100 million angels serving him,27300:15:17,840 –> 00:15:20,479he doesn’t need us to get things done.27400:15:21,479 –> 00:15:25,500Our God is in heaven, he does whatever he pleases.27500:15:26,500 –> 00:15:28,299So Jesus is very clear about this,27600:15:28,299 –> 00:15:31,580that the son of man did not come into the world27700:15:31,580 –> 00:15:32,619to be served.27800:15:32,619 –> 00:15:34,580And if you think that Jesus came in order27900:15:34,580 –> 00:15:36,619to get you to do certain things for him,28000:15:36,619 –> 00:15:38,940you have not understood the gospel.28100:15:40,880 –> 00:15:42,859Some of it about don’t we serve him28200:15:42,859 –> 00:15:44,099and aren’t we meant to serve him28300:15:44,099 –> 00:15:46,020and doesn’t he call us to serve him?28400:15:47,219 –> 00:15:49,539Sure, those who are his people will serve him28500:15:49,539 –> 00:15:52,099for all eternity in a new heaven and a new earth28600:15:52,099 –> 00:15:54,159and we will do it with joy.28700:15:54,159 –> 00:15:55,539And if we are really his people,28800:15:55,539 –> 00:15:59,960it will be our great joy to begin serving him even now.28900:15:59,960 –> 00:16:04,119But that is not why Jesus Christ came into the world.29000:16:04,119 –> 00:16:07,359The son of man did not come to be served.29100:16:10,239 –> 00:16:12,200Let’s stay with that one moment longer.29200:16:13,520 –> 00:16:15,520Some of us need to hear that.29300:16:17,880 –> 00:16:20,799Because the pattern of your mind29400:16:21,500 –> 00:16:24,640is that you beat yourself up,29500:16:25,780 –> 00:16:27,640with thoughts like this.29600:16:29,039 –> 00:16:30,760I’m not a good enough Christian.29700:16:32,260 –> 00:16:33,580I don’t pray enough.29800:16:34,880 –> 00:16:36,580I don’t witness enough.29900:16:37,640 –> 00:16:39,179I don’t serve enough.30000:16:40,200 –> 00:16:42,000I don’t love enough.30100:16:43,119 –> 00:16:45,440And the more you worry about this,30200:16:45,440 –> 00:16:47,900the more uptight you become.30300:16:48,700 –> 00:16:52,440And it actually stifles your spiritual life.30400:16:52,440 –> 00:16:55,859If you have a streak of perfectionism in you,30500:16:56,840 –> 00:16:59,859you will know what this struggle is really like.30600:17:00,820 –> 00:17:03,099And you need to hear Jesus Christ30700:17:03,099 –> 00:17:05,900break into your self-imposed prison30800:17:07,160 –> 00:17:08,439by saying this,30900:17:08,439 –> 00:17:13,439I didn’t come to get you to do things for me.31000:17:14,219 –> 00:17:16,060That’s not why I came into the world.31100:17:16,900 –> 00:17:18,800And you need to hear that.31200:17:19,699 –> 00:17:21,979It’s a great release.31300:17:21,979 –> 00:17:24,380And when you hear it and receive it and believe it,31400:17:24,380 –> 00:17:27,979it will save you from measuring your life31500:17:27,979 –> 00:17:30,540on the basis of your activity.31600:17:31,959 –> 00:17:36,959The Son of Man did not come to be served.31700:17:37,020 –> 00:17:39,479He did not come to get you to do stuff for Him.31800:17:40,800 –> 00:17:42,699Now then why did He come?31900:17:42,699 –> 00:17:45,880Well, Jesus says the Son of Man came to serve.32000:17:46,160 –> 00:17:47,280This was the objective.32100:17:47,280 –> 00:17:50,479He didn’t come to get you to do things for Him.32200:17:50,479 –> 00:17:53,640He came to do something for you.32300:17:53,640 –> 00:17:55,400Let’s get this into our minds.32400:17:55,400 –> 00:17:58,079The objective of Jesus in coming into the world32500:17:58,079 –> 00:18:00,640was not to demand something from you32600:18:00,640 –> 00:18:03,140but to accomplish something for you.32700:18:03,140 –> 00:18:05,680It was not to get you to do something for Him.32800:18:05,680 –> 00:18:08,579It was so that He should do something for you.32900:18:08,579 –> 00:18:11,640The gospel is not about what you are doing for Jesus33000:18:11,640 –> 00:18:13,459but about what Jesus has done for you33100:18:13,680 –> 00:18:16,339and what Jesus is doing in your life.33200:18:17,300 –> 00:18:19,219Now, how does Jesus serve us?33300:18:20,300 –> 00:18:22,300Is it by making our lives exactly33400:18:22,300 –> 00:18:24,900as we think they should be or would want them to be?33500:18:24,900 –> 00:18:26,020No, of course not.33600:18:26,020 –> 00:18:28,099That’s the mistake James and John made33700:18:28,099 –> 00:18:30,020back in verse 35 when they said,33800:18:30,020 –> 00:18:32,380”we want you to do for us whatever we ask”.33900:18:32,380 –> 00:18:34,540How does Jesus serve us?34000:18:34,540 –> 00:18:37,319Well He tells us in verse 45.34100:18:37,319 –> 00:18:42,319By giving His life as a ransom for many.34200:18:43,239 –> 00:18:45,199That’s how He serves us.34300:18:45,199 –> 00:18:46,719That’s what He came to do.34400:18:48,680 –> 00:18:50,719Now, this is one of the most important34500:18:50,719 –> 00:18:52,359statements in all of the New Testament,34600:18:52,359 –> 00:18:54,079so let’s ponder it34700:18:54,079 –> 00:18:57,199and try and get it into our minds and our hearts34800:18:57,199 –> 00:18:59,900so that we understand the message of the Bible well.34900:19:02,060 –> 00:19:03,560A ransom.35000:19:03,560 –> 00:19:06,920The Son of Man came to give His life35100:19:06,920 –> 00:19:09,599as a ransom for many.35200:19:10,599 –> 00:19:12,160Now, we know what the word ransom means.35300:19:12,160 –> 00:19:14,880We hear it if there’s a kidnapping35400:19:14,880 –> 00:19:17,119or if someone has taken hostage,35500:19:17,119 –> 00:19:20,040then a ransom may be demanded35600:19:20,040 –> 00:19:22,359for the release of that person.35700:19:22,359 –> 00:19:26,020So it’s used in the case of a hostage.35800:19:26,020 –> 00:19:29,239In the Old Testament ransom was used in two other ways.35900:19:29,239 –> 00:19:31,219One was that it could be money that was paid36000:19:31,219 –> 00:19:33,160for the release of a slave.36100:19:33,160 –> 00:19:35,800So you’ve got a hostage or a slave.36200:19:35,800 –> 00:19:37,719And then a third way,36300:19:37,719 –> 00:19:40,500and you find this in Exodus chapter 2136400:19:40,500 –> 00:19:42,680and verse 30 and following,36500:19:42,680 –> 00:19:44,439there were certain circumstances36600:19:44,439 –> 00:19:49,319under which if someone was facing the death sentence.36700:19:49,319 –> 00:19:50,920If they were on death row36800:19:50,920 –> 00:19:53,439and they were facing capital punishment.36900:19:53,439 –> 00:19:54,959In Old Testament Israel37000:19:54,959 –> 00:19:56,560there were some circumstances37100:19:56,560 –> 00:19:59,680under which ransom money could be paid37200:19:59,680 –> 00:20:02,680and the death sentence would be relieved,37300:20:02,680 –> 00:20:05,199would be taken away.37400:20:05,199 –> 00:20:06,719So these are the three ways37500:20:06,760 –> 00:20:09,160in which the word is used37600:20:09,160 –> 00:20:11,380and all three of them play into37700:20:11,380 –> 00:20:15,359the New Testament meaning of the word ransom.37800:20:15,359 –> 00:20:18,040If you want one place where this is brought together37900:20:18,040 –> 00:20:19,719I think Ephesians chapter two38000:20:19,719 –> 00:20:22,900would be the place that explains it most clearly.38100:20:22,900 –> 00:20:26,760Firstly, by nature we are hostage to an enemy.38200:20:26,760 –> 00:20:30,199We are held in the kingdom of this world38300:20:30,199 –> 00:20:33,319that is under the rule and the influence38400:20:33,319 –> 00:20:36,160of the prince of the power of the air, Satan,38500:20:36,160 –> 00:20:40,420and Jesus Christ has died to liberate this creation38600:20:40,420 –> 00:20:44,439from its bondage to decay and to release us38700:20:44,439 –> 00:20:47,199from the gripping power of Satan38800:20:47,199 –> 00:20:51,199in all the ways in which he lays hold of our lives.38900:20:51,199 –> 00:20:55,479More than that we are slaves, slaves to ourselves.39000:20:55,479 –> 00:20:59,119In Ephesians two Paul says we follow by nature39100:20:59,119 –> 00:21:02,939the thoughts, the desires and the cravings39200:21:02,939 –> 00:21:03,859of our own hearts.39300:21:03,859 –> 00:21:05,760That’s just what we do by nature,39400:21:06,099 –> 00:21:06,979we follow our own thoughts,39500:21:06,979 –> 00:21:10,000our own desires, our own cravings39600:21:10,000 –> 00:21:12,160and Jesus Christ came to pay the ransom39700:21:12,160 –> 00:21:13,619to get us out of that slavery39800:21:13,619 –> 00:21:15,160because that’s a terrible way to live39900:21:15,160 –> 00:21:18,619just to be driven by impulses in yourself all the time40000:21:18,619 –> 00:21:21,119and nothing higher than that.40100:21:21,119 –> 00:21:23,699And then thirdly by nature we are offenders40200:21:23,699 –> 00:21:27,339against God and therefore under the sentence of death40300:21:27,339 –> 00:21:29,459Paul says in Ephesians chapter two40400:21:29,459 –> 00:21:32,619that we are objects of God’s wrath40500:21:32,619 –> 00:21:35,959and it is for this reason also that Jesus paid the ransom40600:21:35,959 –> 00:21:40,040that that death sentence may be lifted from us.40700:21:41,560 –> 00:21:44,160Now he says Jesus I came to serve40800:21:44,160 –> 00:21:46,099I came to accomplish for you something40900:21:46,099 –> 00:21:48,880that you could never accomplish for yourself41000:21:48,880 –> 00:21:51,199I came to pay the ransom41100:21:51,199 –> 00:21:54,540I came to break you out of Satan’s power41200:21:54,540 –> 00:21:56,739I came to deliver you from a life41300:21:56,739 –> 00:21:58,579that’s simply following your own thoughts,41400:21:58,579 –> 00:22:00,420your own desires and your own cravings41500:22:00,420 –> 00:22:03,380that’s a terrible, terrible way to live41600:22:03,380 –> 00:22:06,380and I came supremely to pay the ransom41700:22:06,380 –> 00:22:09,319So that the death sentence of the wrath of God41800:22:09,319 –> 00:22:11,459that was upon you would be lifted41900:22:12,959 –> 00:22:17,459that is for all these reasons that Jesus paid the ransom42000:22:18,560 –> 00:22:21,699You’ve been listening to pastor Colin Smith on OpenTheBible42100:22:21,699 –> 00:22:25,180and a message called Jesus Demonstrates His Power42200:22:25,180 –> 00:22:26,780it’s part of our series42300:22:26,780 –> 00:22:30,140The Gospel According to Jesus based on the book of Mark42400:22:30,140 –> 00:22:32,599and if you’ve missed any of the series to date42500:22:32,599 –> 00:22:34,739or if you’d like to go back and listen again42600:22:34,739 –> 00:22:37,400you can do that by coming online to our website42700:22:37,400 –> 00:22:40,239OpenTheBible.org.uk42800:22:40,239 –> 00:22:43,560there you’ll find all the previously browser messages42900:22:43,560 –> 00:22:45,660You can also find them as a podcast43000:22:45,660 –> 00:22:48,420and those are available on all the main podcast sites43100:22:48,420 –> 00:22:50,540search for OpenTheBible.uk43200:22:50,540 –> 00:22:53,060and subscribe to receive regular updates43300:22:53,839 –> 00:22:55,839Also available on our website43400:22:55,839 –> 00:22:58,959and as a podcast is OpenTheBible Daily43500:22:59,000 –> 00:23:01,500and that’s a series of short 2 to 3 minute43600:23:01,500 –> 00:23:04,599daily reflections based on Pastor Colin’s teaching43700:23:04,599 –> 00:23:07,000and read in the UK by Sue M’cLeish43800:23:07,000 –> 00:23:09,079there’s a new one everyday of the month43900:23:09,079 –> 00:23:11,939and it makes a great way to start the day44000:23:12,420 –> 00:23:13,619while you’re on our website44100:23:13,619 –> 00:23:15,920don’t forget to check out the many resources44200:23:16,160 –> 00:23:17,599for Christian Leaders44300:23:17,780 –> 00:23:19,040for church groups44400:23:19,040 –> 00:23:20,439and for individuals44500:23:21,180 –> 00:23:24,260You’ll find courses for group and individual study44600:23:24,520 –> 00:23:27,800sermons, a vast range of Pastor Colin’s sermons44700:23:28,099 –> 00:23:30,219and articles with titles like44800:23:30,219 –> 00:23:32,9597 virtues to pursue for spiritual growth44900:23:33,619 –> 00:23:34,880Again, that’s on our website45000:23:34,959 –> 00:23:38,099openthebible.org.uk45100:23:38,160 –> 00:23:40,520Open the Bible is able to stay on this station45200:23:40,680 –> 00:23:42,140and on the internet45300:23:42,140 –> 00:23:44,140as a result of the generous gifts45400:23:44,140 –> 00:23:46,140made by our listeners45500:23:46,239 –> 00:23:48,160if you’re able to begin supporting45600:23:48,160 –> 00:23:50,680Open the Bible for the first time in this way45700:23:50,680 –> 00:23:52,319we have an offer for you45800:23:52,319 –> 00:23:54,900if you’re able to set up a new direct debit45900:23:54,900 –> 00:23:56,900in the amount of £5 per month46000:23:57,000 –> 00:23:59,219or a one-off gift of £5046100:23:59,219 –> 00:24:00,599we’d love to say thank you46200:24:00,599 –> 00:24:03,640by sending you a copy of R.C. Sproul’s book46300:24:03,920 –> 00:24:05,920The Advent of Glory46400:24:05,920 –> 00:24:09,099Its twenty four devotions for Christmas46500:24:09,099 –> 00:24:10,319Colin, some of us46600:24:10,319 –> 00:24:12,479grew-up without hearing much about advents46700:24:12,479 –> 00:24:14,000so what is advent?46800:24:14,260 –> 00:24:15,719Well advent very simply means46900:24:15,739 –> 00:24:17,479coming or arrival47000:24:17,479 –> 00:24:19,319and so it can refer either to the47100:24:19,319 –> 00:24:21,500first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ47200:24:21,640 –> 00:24:23,800when he was born in the manger47300:24:23,800 –> 00:24:25,800or the glorious second coming47400:24:25,859 –> 00:24:27,119of the Lord Jesus Christ47500:24:27,119 –> 00:24:29,939when he’s going to return in power and glory47600:24:30,140 –> 00:24:32,560and this book by R.C. Sproul47700:24:32,560 –> 00:24:35,040The Advent of Glory47800:24:35,040 –> 00:24:37,280is just a marvellous devotional47900:24:37,280 –> 00:24:39,579he’s picked out twenty four words48000:24:39,579 –> 00:24:41,520from the heart of the Christmas story48100:24:41,560 –> 00:24:43,560and about four pages on each48200:24:43,560 –> 00:24:45,400it’s a delight to read48300:24:45,400 –> 00:24:46,560there’s a prayer that48400:24:46,560 –> 00:24:48,619follows each of these devotions48500:24:48,800 –> 00:24:50,859and it’s a wonderful, wonderful way48600:24:50,859 –> 00:24:52,619to prepare for Christmas48700:24:52,619 –> 00:24:54,099Well, R.C. Sproul’s book48800:24:54,180 –> 00:24:55,339The Advent of Glory48900:24:55,339 –> 00:24:56,420is our gift to you49000:24:56,420 –> 00:24:57,520for beginning to support49100:24:57,560 –> 00:25:00,040Open The Bible financially this month49200:25:00,180 –> 00:25:01,479Full details of this offer49300:25:01,479 –> 00:25:02,719terms and conditions49400:25:02,760 –> 00:25:04,119and to give online49500:25:04,180 –> 00:25:05,140at our website49600:25:05,140 –> 00:25:07,780openthebible.org.uk49700:25:08,239 –> 00:25:09,239for Open The Bible49800:25:09,239 –> 00:25:10,619and Pastor Colin Smith49900:25:10,619 –> 00:25:11,439I’m David Pick50000:25:11,439 –> 00:25:12,680and I hope you’ll join us again50100:25:12,680 –> 00:25:13,599next time50200:25:19,599 –> 00:25:21,699Jesus came, not to be served50300:25:21,780 –> 00:25:22,979but to serve50400:25:23,199 –> 00:25:25,199Find out what He came to do for you50500:25:25,339 –> 00:25:27,339next time on Open The Bible