100:00:00,700 –> 00:00:07,700When you feel jaded and lethargic and lacking in enthusiasm, when you become aware that200:00:10,420 –> 00:00:17,420somehow you are growing cold, that you are losing spiritual temperature you have a responsibility300:00:19,520 –> 00:00:22,000for your own condition.400:00:22,000 –> 00:00:26,200Well welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick. I’m glad you500:00:26,320 –> 00:00:31,500could be with us today. And Colin, there may be some listening today who would say, I feel600:00:31,500 –> 00:00:37,279jaded, lethargic, I want to rekindle that fire, but I’m lacking the motivation to do700:00:37,279 –> 00:00:37,700it.800:00:37,700 –> 00:00:41,799Oh well, if that’s where you are, I’m so thrilled that you are listening to the program900:00:41,799 –> 00:00:46,639here today. We’re looking at the scripture in Romans 12 that identifies exactly this1000:00:46,639 –> 00:00:53,639problem. Do not be slothful in zeal, but be fervent in spirit. Now how do you renew your1100:00:54,119 –> 00:00:59,480own passion when you’ve got tired, and you got jaded and you’ve just got discouraged.1200:00:59,480 –> 00:01:03,959You know you can’t produce it from the inside. It has to come from outside of you. It has1300:01:03,959 –> 00:01:09,279to come from the Lord himself. And we’re gonna look at the great truths that you can1400:01:09,279 –> 00:01:16,080use to renew your own spiritual passion and to be encouraged and reignited in the Lord1500:01:16,080 –> 00:01:20,660today. So, we’re looking to the Lord for his blessing to bring refreshment, renewal1600:01:20,660 –> 00:01:22,900and encouragement through the scriptures today.1700:01:23,339 –> 00:01:28,959Let’s get right into that. We’re in Romans, chapter 12, as we continue the message, Overcoming1800:01:28,959 –> 00:01:31,660Evil with zeal. Here’s Colin.1900:01:31,660 –> 00:01:38,320What we have here is how to rouse your soul when you’re in a funk, how to restore your2000:01:38,320 –> 00:01:44,959spiritual fervor, how to renew your heart when you’re aware that you’re gradually becoming2100:01:44,959 –> 00:01:52,199cold. There are three truths and I’m going to call them the three Rs of renewing your2200:01:52,300 –> 00:02:01,120spiritual fervor. Here they are, Christ redeems, Christ restores, and Christ reigns. These2300:02:01,120 –> 00:02:07,019truths properly applied to your condition will be wonderfully effective in renewing2400:02:07,019 –> 00:02:10,660your spiritual fervor, so let’s look at them together.2500:02:10,660 –> 00:02:18,899First, Christ redeems. Now I’m looking here at Romans, chapter 12, in verse 1 where we2600:02:18,899 –> 00:02:25,899have these words. I appeal to you therefore, brothers by the mercies of God. Now never2700:02:25,899 –> 00:02:33,259forget that every verse in Romans chapter 12 is written under the banner of verse 1,2800:02:33,259 –> 00:02:39,339the mercies of God, every verse. Everything that we are called to do in Romans, in chapter2900:02:39,339 –> 00:02:43,97912 and we’re going to see many things that we’re called to do over these weeks, they’re3000:02:44,580 –> 00:02:53,139light of God’s mercy. So when God says in verse 11, do not be slothful in zeal, that’s3100:02:53,139 –> 00:02:59,259in the light of God’s mercy. When He says be fervent in spirit, that’s in the light3200:02:59,259 –> 00:03:10,860of God’s mercy. When He says serve the Lord, that’s in the light of his mercy. So whenever3300:03:10,880 –> 00:03:18,039you are run down, whenever you find that you’re getting sluggish, the place to begin in restoring3400:03:18,039 –> 00:03:25,639your fervor is to take in a great dose, a good dose of all that God has done for you3500:03:25,639 –> 00:03:32,899in Jesus Christ, as Paul has outlined that in the first 11 chapters of the book of Romans.3600:03:32,899 –> 00:03:38,119I want to be as practical as I possibly can here today, and so although I don’t do this3700:03:38,220 –> 00:03:46,479often, I want to earth this for you today by sharing a personal testimony as to how3800:03:46,479 –> 00:03:57,320this happened in my own life in a particular way not so long ago. I was in a place where3900:03:57,320 –> 00:04:07,000I was tired. I had encountered various discouragements. I was feeling sorry for myself, is really4000:04:07,179 –> 00:04:16,820the only way that I can put it. Self pity is a monster that often needs to be put to4100:04:16,820 –> 00:04:26,279death. I had lost energy. I had lost motivation and I think the best way for me to say it4200:04:27,239 –> 00:04:38,920was I was in a funk. I was. And I remember thinking to myself this is no good. How am4300:04:38,920 –> 00:04:47,480I going to shake myself out of this? And it’s often helpful at times like these to ask the4400:04:47,480 –> 00:04:53,720question now where does the Bible speak to or where does the Bible in any way describe4500:04:53,720 –> 00:05:00,279the kind of thing that I am experiencing right now. And just asking that question brought4600:05:00,279 –> 00:05:08,519to my mind a phrase in Galatians 6 verse 9 where Paul speaks about being weary in well4700:05:08,519 –> 00:05:18,359doing and I think that was something of what I was experiencing. I remembered that Martin4800:05:18,579 –> 00:05:24,480Lloyd Jones, whose ministry has often been very very helpful to me, had preached a sermon4900:05:24,480 –> 00:05:31,119on that verse, being weary in well doing. It’s in print and I had read it before, but5000:05:31,119 –> 00:05:38,040I thought maybe it’ll help me to just listen to what he had to say on this and so I Googled,5100:05:38,040 –> 00:05:46,899in my study at home, Googled, Martin Lloyd Jones and weary in well doing. And what popped5200:05:46,899 –> 00:05:58,320up was a YouTube video that God used in a very striking way to shake me out of, that5300:05:58,320 –> 00:06:02,679day, shake me out of the funk that I was in.5400:06:02,679 –> 00:06:07,279Now, I want to show you the video, it’s just about a couple of minutes long. I’m5500:06:07,279 –> 00:06:14,079doing that by the kind permission of Mark Bocanegra, who made the video and also of5600:06:14,079 –> 00:06:19,720the Mark Lloyd-Jones recording trust, who steward the great gift of the recordings of5700:06:19,720 –> 00:06:25,160his ministry. The recording, of course, was made in the 1950s, and so the visuals that5800:06:25,160 –> 00:06:31,540Mark has provided will help you greatly in following what he was saying.5900:06:31,540 –> 00:06:45,380But God used this in my life because Lloyd-Jones described exactly what I was thinking. Exactly.6000:06:45,380 –> 00:06:54,660And then, He answered it by pointing to the cross. So, let’s roll the video and let’s6100:06:54,660 –> 00:06:55,440see this together.6200:06:55,940 –> 00:07:00,440The danger at this point is to say something like this to yourself –6300:07:00,440 –> 00:07:06,339Well, I’ve lost that something which I had.6400:07:06,339 –> 00:07:09,040And obviously I’ll never have that back again.6500:07:09,040 –> 00:07:13,540So I’ll just go on. I’ll go on formally. I’ll go on out of habit,6600:07:13,679 –> 00:07:18,279I’ll go on out of custom, I’ll go on as a sheer matter of beauty.6700:07:18,279 –> 00:07:22,459I’ve lost the thrill, I’ve lost the enjoyment, I’ve lost the abandoned.6800:07:22,859 –> 00:07:26,059That’s gone. And it’s undoubtedly gone forever.6900:07:26,059 –> 00:07:28,859Well, what do I do? Well, I’ve just got to put up with it,7000:07:28,859 –> 00:07:33,660I’ll resign myself to my fate, I’ll stick it, I won’t be a pussy,7100:07:33,660 –> 00:07:36,760I won’t turn my back, I won’t resign, I won’t go out.7200:07:36,760 –> 00:07:45,260But I will go on. But I’ll go on feeling rather hopeless about it all.7300:07:45,859 –> 00:07:49,859My dear friend, if you and I had come to regard any aspect of this Christian life7400:07:49,859 –> 00:07:55,959as a task and as a duty- and that we have to clench and set our teeth in order to get through with it,7500:07:55,959 –> 00:08:04,260I say we are insulting God and we’ve forgotten the very essence of Christianity.7600:08:04,260 –> 00:08:08,359What do I mean? I mean this.7700:08:08,359 –> 00:08:11,660This isn’t a task.7800:08:11,660 –> 00:08:17,260The Christian life alone is worthy of the name life.7900:08:17,260 –> 00:08:20,859This alone is righteous and holy and pure and good.8000:08:20,859 –> 00:08:24,059It’s the kind of life that the son of God himself lived.8100:08:24,059 –> 00:08:28,420It’s like God himself in his own holiness.8200:08:28,420 –> 00:08:33,219You’ve no right to look at yourself like that nor your life like that, nor anything you’re doing like that8300:08:33,219 –> 00:08:40,359and if you think of your Christian living in any sense of or shape or form with this sense of grudge8400:08:40,400 –> 00:08:45,219or of task or of duty or of weariness!8500:08:45,219 –> 00:08:48,580I say to you, go back to the beginning for a moment.8600:08:48,580 –> 00:08:51,359How did you ever come into this Christian life?8700:08:51,359 –> 00:08:54,380Here you are on this narrow way about which you are grumbling so much,8800:08:54,380 –> 00:08:58,840how did you ever come from that broad way on which you were once walking?8900:08:58,840 –> 00:09:02,780What’s made the difference and you ask that question and there’s only one answer.9000:09:02,780 –> 00:09:06,659I’ve come from that to this.9100:09:06,659 –> 00:09:10,500Because the only begotten Son of God9200:09:10,500 –> 00:09:13,099left heaven and came down to earth having9300:09:13,099 –> 00:09:17,119divested himself of the insignia of his eternal glory9400:09:17,119 –> 00:09:21,119and humbled himself and was born as a babe and put in a manger9500:09:21,119 –> 00:09:24,859and endured the life of this world for 33 years9600:09:24,859 –> 00:09:29,859and was spat upon and reviled and had a crown of thorns thrust into his head9700:09:29,859 –> 00:09:32,320and was nailed upon a cross9800:09:32,659 –> 00:09:35,419and bore the punishment of my sins.9900:09:35,760 –> 00:09:37,979That’s why I’ve come from that to this.10000:09:40,679 –> 00:09:44,780And if I ever find myself even for a fraction of a second10100:09:45,239 –> 00:09:48,739doubting the greatness and the glory and the wonder10200:09:48,739 –> 00:09:51,739and the nobility of this walk in which I’m engaged10300:09:51,739 –> 00:09:54,000well then, I’m spitting upon him.10400:09:54,900 –> 00:09:55,739And at the same time,10500:09:58,739 –> 00:10:03,739well that was like a splash of cold water in my face.10600:10:05,299 –> 00:10:07,859Waking me up out of the stupor I was in10700:10:09,739 –> 00:10:10,799and I needed it.10800:10:12,059 –> 00:10:14,900Spitting in the face of my crucified savior,10900:10:14,900 –> 00:10:17,140how could I do that?11000:10:17,140 –> 00:10:20,739And here I am, living this redeemed life11100:10:20,739 –> 00:10:23,039in which he’s forgiven all of my sins,11200:10:24,059 –> 00:10:26,599lovingly adopted me into his family,11300:10:26,599 –> 00:10:28,859given me the gift of his holy Spirit,11400:10:29,859 –> 00:10:32,820given me a destiny of everlasting joy,11500:10:32,820 –> 00:10:37,299why in the world am I feeling sorry for myself?11600:10:39,880 –> 00:10:44,880You see, apply the truth of what God has done for you11700:10:45,039 –> 00:10:49,960in Jesus Christ and you will be renewed in Spirit.11800:10:49,960 –> 00:10:52,640You will be shaken from the sluggishness11900:10:52,719 –> 00:10:54,320that can creep over your soul.12000:10:56,479 –> 00:10:58,619That’s the first truth that needs to be applied12100:10:58,619 –> 00:11:00,619to our lives at these times.12200:11:00,619 –> 00:11:02,780Christ redeems.12300:11:03,780 –> 00:11:05,080You’re listening to Open the Bible12400:11:05,080 –> 00:11:06,580with Pastor Colin Smith12500:11:06,580 –> 00:11:09,960and a message called Overcoming Evil with Zeal,12600:11:09,960 –> 00:11:12,440part of our series, Overcoming Evil12700:11:12,440 –> 00:11:14,640and if you’ve missed any of the series so far12800:11:14,640 –> 00:11:16,919or if you ever want to go back and listen again,12900:11:16,919 –> 00:11:19,599you can do that by coming online to our website,13000:11:19,599 –> 00:11:22,320openthebible.org.uk13100:11:22,320 –> 00:11:23,840and there you’ll find all the messages13200:11:23,840 –> 00:11:26,000which have already gone out on air.13300:11:26,000 –> 00:11:29,119Back to the message now, we’re in Romans chapter 12,13400:11:29,119 –> 00:11:30,320here’s Colin.13500:11:30,320 –> 00:11:32,679Second truth that needs to be applied to our lives13600:11:32,679 –> 00:11:36,679and here is a very wonderful truth, Christ restores13700:11:36,679 –> 00:11:38,520and I’m thinking here of Psalm 2313800:11:38,520 –> 00:11:40,739that all of you know well,13900:11:40,739 –> 00:11:44,919the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want14000:11:46,039 –> 00:11:48,760and then David in that psalm, as you know,14100:11:48,760 –> 00:11:51,960goes on to list what the shepherd does for us14200:11:52,000 –> 00:11:55,080so that we will not lack anything that we need14300:11:55,080 –> 00:11:56,919and here’s something that he says,14400:11:56,919 –> 00:12:01,919I shall not want because He restores my soul.14500:12:03,520 –> 00:12:06,979See the Lord commands us not to be slothful in zeal14600:12:06,979 –> 00:12:09,840but to be fervent in spirit14700:12:09,840 –> 00:12:13,780but we do not have in ourselves what it takes14800:12:13,780 –> 00:12:16,479to fulfill all that He commands,14900:12:16,479 –> 00:12:20,440I’m reminded of the great prayer of Augustine15000:12:20,440 –> 00:12:23,020when he looked at what God commanded,15100:12:23,020 –> 00:12:24,479he simply said this, he said,15200:12:24,479 –> 00:12:29,479God, command whatever you will, only give what you command.15300:12:30,539 –> 00:12:34,260I need your help to fulfil all that you call me to15400:12:34,260 –> 00:12:37,700and I cannot do it apart from your work within me15500:12:37,700 –> 00:12:39,919and therefore, I’m looking to you for my help15600:12:39,919 –> 00:12:44,919and this is why David says, God restores my soul,15700:12:45,599 –> 00:12:47,640this is something that he does,15800:12:47,640 –> 00:12:50,659we no more restore ourselves15900:12:50,659 –> 00:12:53,359than we did in the first place, save ourselves,16000:12:53,359 –> 00:12:56,179it is God who restores my soul,16100:12:56,179 –> 00:12:59,239Jesus Christ died to save you16200:12:59,239 –> 00:13:02,580and Jesus Christ lives to keep you16300:13:02,580 –> 00:13:06,239and because in our nature we often grow cold,16400:13:06,239 –> 00:13:11,239keeping us involves regularly the restoring of our soul.16500:13:14,799 –> 00:13:16,799Now, here’s something really important,16600:13:18,479 –> 00:13:22,960you have to come to Jesus Christ as you are16700:13:24,580 –> 00:13:27,820and Octavius Winslow makes this point very powerfully16800:13:27,820 –> 00:13:30,179in the book that I referred to earlier16900:13:30,179 –> 00:13:34,640and to translate his old words into our language17000:13:34,640 –> 00:13:36,200and paraphrase them,17100:13:36,200 –> 00:13:41,200always remember that Satan wants to keep you in a funk.17200:13:41,880 –> 00:13:43,820Octavius Winslow wouldn’t have said that17300:13:43,820 –> 00:13:46,440but that’s what he’s getting at,17400:13:46,440 –> 00:13:49,760Satan wants to keep you in a funk.17500:13:49,760 –> 00:13:51,479He wants to keep you jaded.17600:13:51,479 –> 00:13:53,219He wants to keep you low energy.17700:13:53,219 –> 00:13:55,039He wants to keep you lethargic.17800:13:55,039 –> 00:13:56,880He wants to keep you discouraged17900:13:56,880 –> 00:13:59,479and for that reason he will do anything in his power18000:13:59,479 –> 00:14:01,760to keep you from coming to Jesus Christ18100:14:01,760 –> 00:14:03,799who restores your soul18200:14:03,799 –> 00:14:08,159and here’s the argument that he will use18300:14:08,159 –> 00:14:10,039and you will recognise this one18400:14:10,039 –> 00:14:12,520having come across your own mind18500:14:12,520 –> 00:14:14,000and you need to know where it comes from.18600:14:14,119 –> 00:14:17,000Here’s the line of argument that Satan uses.18700:14:18,000 –> 00:14:20,000My heart is cold18800:14:21,559 –> 00:14:25,239and I can’t come to God in this condition18900:14:26,739 –> 00:14:30,039so I’d better wait until I’m not feeling as bad19000:14:30,039 –> 00:14:31,400as I am right now19100:14:31,400 –> 00:14:34,500and then when I feel better I will come to him.19200:14:35,960 –> 00:14:39,320Friends, whenever that kind of line of thought19300:14:39,320 –> 00:14:42,039comes across your mind, recognise what it comes from.19400:14:42,239 –> 00:14:45,400It is Satan’s great argument.19500:14:45,400 –> 00:14:50,400He uses it time and again to keep jaded Christians jaded19600:14:51,200 –> 00:14:54,059by keeping them away from the one place19700:14:54,059 –> 00:14:56,799where they will find help and find relief.19800:14:57,700 –> 00:14:59,760So, whenever this line of thought,19900:14:59,760 –> 00:15:03,419I can’t come to God right now because I’m in a funk,20000:15:03,419 –> 00:15:05,099whenever that comes across your mind20100:15:05,099 –> 00:15:07,400you need to know how to answer that thought20200:15:07,400 –> 00:15:09,640and here is how you answer that thought.20300:15:09,659 –> 00:15:13,359You come to Jesus Christ as you are.20400:15:13,359 –> 00:15:16,580You come to him not because you have a warm heart,20500:15:16,580 –> 00:15:19,419you come to him because you need a warm heart20600:15:19,419 –> 00:15:22,820and you come to him in order to get a warm heart20700:15:22,820 –> 00:15:26,059because you don’t have the capacity to generate it yourself.20800:15:26,059 –> 00:15:28,140He’s the one who restores your soul20900:15:28,140 –> 00:15:30,539and he is able to give that to you.21000:15:31,780 –> 00:15:34,659So, I say go to the Lord Jesus Christ21100:15:34,659 –> 00:15:37,380in your worst frame of mind21200:15:37,380 –> 00:15:38,880because if you’re in your worst frame of mind21300:15:38,919 –> 00:15:40,320how else can you come?21400:15:40,320 –> 00:15:43,320Don’t wait until you’re better.21500:15:43,320 –> 00:15:46,200Satan’s argument is you can’t go21600:15:46,200 –> 00:15:48,280to Christ with a cold heart.21700:15:48,280 –> 00:15:49,179Why not?21800:15:50,440 –> 00:15:53,619If your heart is cold, how else are you going to come?21900:15:56,340 –> 00:15:58,799And the marvelous thing is that Jesus Christ22000:15:58,799 –> 00:16:00,820does not say to us,22100:16:02,400 –> 00:16:06,940get yourself fired up and then come to me.22200:16:07,880 –> 00:16:11,500He doesn’t say get yourself back on the boil22300:16:11,500 –> 00:16:13,820and then come to me.22400:16:14,979 –> 00:16:19,979He says, come to me, all you who are weary.22500:16:20,460 –> 00:16:23,340So you come weary as you are.22600:16:23,340 –> 00:16:25,099How else are you going to come?22700:16:25,099 –> 00:16:28,280And all you who are heavy laden,22800:16:28,280 –> 00:16:31,200so you’re going to arrive in the presence of Jesus,22900:16:32,640 –> 00:16:34,059run down an inner fuck.23000:16:34,840 –> 00:16:37,080And he says, you come to me just like that.23100:16:38,219 –> 00:16:40,460Because I’m the one who will give you rest,23200:16:40,460 –> 00:16:42,280I’m the only one who will give you rest23300:16:42,280 –> 00:16:43,460or can give you rest,23400:16:43,460 –> 00:16:45,200and therefore, you must come to me,23500:16:45,200 –> 00:16:48,820and you must come to me as you are.23600:16:50,380 –> 00:16:52,440Christ redeems.23700:16:53,460 –> 00:16:55,960Christ restores.23800:16:56,900 –> 00:16:58,780And here’s the last truth, very briefly,23900:16:58,780 –> 00:17:01,020Christ reigns.24000:17:01,039 –> 00:17:06,040There are the three R’s for restoring your spiritual fervor.24100:17:06,160 –> 00:17:07,219Christ reigns.24200:17:07,219 –> 00:17:10,280And I bring this in here because of the last word24300:17:10,280 –> 00:17:11,599in verse 11.24400:17:11,599 –> 00:17:15,040Do not be slothful in zeal,24500:17:15,040 –> 00:17:17,359be fervent in spirit,24600:17:17,359 –> 00:17:18,500serve…24700:17:18,500 –> 00:17:19,920Serve who?24800:17:19,920 –> 00:17:22,060The Lord.24900:17:22,060 –> 00:17:23,079The Lord.25000:17:24,199 –> 00:17:26,920Now why, of all the titles that are given25100:17:26,920 –> 00:17:28,640to our Lord Jesus Christ,25200:17:28,640 –> 00:17:32,719is this particular title used here?25300:17:32,719 –> 00:17:37,719Because, of course, it speaks of his sovereign victory25400:17:38,180 –> 00:17:41,459and of his almighty power.25500:17:41,459 –> 00:17:44,800And we are reminded here that whenever we are serving,25600:17:44,800 –> 00:17:46,959whatever we are doing,25700:17:46,959 –> 00:17:51,959the work that we are given is service for the Lord.25800:17:52,640 –> 00:17:57,160There is a verse that I have over my study at home25900:17:57,160 –> 00:17:58,359just above.26000:17:58,359 –> 00:18:00,680The door going into that room.26100:18:00,680 –> 00:18:05,280And it’s from Colossians chapter three and verse 23.26200:18:05,280 –> 00:18:07,699And it says whatever you do,26300:18:07,699 –> 00:18:11,020work at it with all your heart26400:18:11,020 –> 00:18:13,640as working for the Lord26500:18:14,719 –> 00:18:15,760not for men.26600:18:16,880 –> 00:18:19,599And very often when I go into the study,26700:18:19,599 –> 00:18:21,040I touch that text.26800:18:21,040 –> 00:18:24,119It just reminds me what I’m doing,26900:18:24,119 –> 00:18:25,280I’m doing for the Lord.27000:18:25,319 –> 00:18:28,560I’m going into this room in order to work27100:18:28,560 –> 00:18:30,719and I’m working for the Lord.27200:18:30,719 –> 00:18:34,040And what I do is offer the service to Him.27300:18:34,040 –> 00:18:35,479Now you’ll say, oh yeah of course,27400:18:35,479 –> 00:18:36,800because you’re a pastor.27500:18:36,800 –> 00:18:39,319No, listen, your work may be a mother27600:18:39,319 –> 00:18:40,699or a mechanic.27700:18:41,520 –> 00:18:44,520Your work may be a student or a surgeon.27800:18:45,359 –> 00:18:49,319Your work may be a plumber or a pastor.27900:18:49,319 –> 00:18:52,959But when you see the work that you do28000:18:52,959 –> 00:18:55,579as that which has been given to you by God,28100:18:55,579 –> 00:18:59,000which you then offer as worship and service to Him,28200:18:59,000 –> 00:19:01,959it will give new meaning, it will give new motive,28300:19:01,959 –> 00:19:03,400it will give new energy,28400:19:03,400 –> 00:19:05,119and it will give new encouragement28500:19:05,119 –> 00:19:07,780in regards to the work that God has given you to do,28600:19:07,780 –> 00:19:09,300whatever it is.28700:19:09,300 –> 00:19:10,719Work at it with all your heart28800:19:10,719 –> 00:19:13,400because you’re doing it for the Lord.28900:19:13,400 –> 00:19:15,300And when you see that you see.29000:19:16,239 –> 00:19:20,939Other people may or may not appreciate what you do.29100:19:20,939 –> 00:19:25,319Other people may or may not reward you for what you do.29200:19:25,319 –> 00:19:27,619But when you keep clearly in your mind29300:19:27,619 –> 00:19:30,140that what you are doing when you go to your work29400:19:30,140 –> 00:19:32,380is that you are serving Him29500:19:32,380 –> 00:19:36,520and that you are offering what you do as worship before Him29600:19:36,520 –> 00:19:40,380that motivates you with regards the quality of your work,29700:19:40,380 –> 00:19:41,819the energy of your work,29800:19:41,819 –> 00:19:44,380it is wonderfully renewing to know29900:19:44,380 –> 00:19:47,020that you are serving the Lord.30000:19:47,020 –> 00:19:51,380That will keep you from being slothful and zeal.30100:19:51,380 –> 00:19:54,380That will help you as you do whatever you are doing30200:19:54,380 –> 00:19:55,859to be fervent in spirit30300:19:55,859 –> 00:19:58,180because what I’m doing as I do the work30400:19:58,180 –> 00:20:00,339that I’ve been given to do30500:20:00,339 –> 00:20:04,219is offering service to the Lord.30600:20:04,219 –> 00:20:06,420And I just love this and this is the very last thing30700:20:06,420 –> 00:20:09,400that it is the Lord that we are serving,30800:20:11,260 –> 00:20:13,099the risen Lord,30900:20:14,260 –> 00:20:15,579the conquering Lord,31000:20:15,579 –> 00:20:17,420the sovereign Lord.31100:20:18,979 –> 00:20:21,619That is so renewing to the spirit31200:20:21,619 –> 00:20:24,920because how hard is it for a soldier31300:20:24,920 –> 00:20:28,979to follow a general in a battle and a campaign31400:20:28,979 –> 00:20:31,540if the soldier in his heart feels31500:20:31,540 –> 00:20:33,219that the general’s campaign31600:20:33,219 –> 00:20:36,040in the end will end in defeat?31700:20:37,140 –> 00:20:41,560How wonderful that in following our Lord, Jesus Christ,31800:20:41,560 –> 00:20:45,079who triumphs over death and sin and hell,31900:20:45,079 –> 00:20:47,199that we know the end of the story,32000:20:47,199 –> 00:20:50,560that he actually wins and, therefore,32100:20:50,560 –> 00:20:52,640whatever the difficulties that we have32200:20:52,640 –> 00:20:55,319in life as followers of Jesus Christ32300:20:55,319 –> 00:20:59,459we know what the outcome is actually going to be.32400:20:59,459 –> 00:21:02,260The good news for followers of the Lord Jesus Christ32500:21:02,260 –> 00:21:05,000is that the grave was not the end for him32600:21:05,000 –> 00:21:08,219and the grave is not gonna be the end for us.32700:21:08,219 –> 00:21:10,380The good news for followers of Jesus Christ32800:21:10,400 –> 00:21:15,099is that our master, our Lord, was not overcome by evil.32900:21:15,099 –> 00:21:17,260He overcame evil and, therefore,33000:21:17,260 –> 00:21:19,060evil will not overcome us.33100:21:19,060 –> 00:21:21,819In him, we will overcome.33200:21:21,819 –> 00:21:24,020And the good news for Christian believers33300:21:24,020 –> 00:21:25,619is that the end of the world33400:21:25,619 –> 00:21:28,979will not be the condemnation of the planet33500:21:28,979 –> 00:21:31,140being overrun by evil.33600:21:32,099 –> 00:21:34,760The end of this world, the end of this planet33700:21:34,760 –> 00:21:36,979will be a great transformation,33800:21:36,979 –> 00:21:39,619a new earth that will be filled33900:21:39,619 –> 00:21:43,819with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.34000:21:43,819 –> 00:21:45,979And this new earth is going to be populated34100:21:45,979 –> 00:21:48,400by a new humanity that will be drawn34200:21:48,400 –> 00:21:50,459from people from every tribe and tongue34300:21:50,459 –> 00:21:54,939and nation and language redeemed by Jesus Christ.34400:21:54,939 –> 00:21:57,380And these people in this new earth34500:21:57,380 –> 00:22:00,640will be brought into a resurrected life34600:22:00,640 –> 00:22:04,359in which, at last, sin will be no more,34700:22:04,359 –> 00:22:06,140not in us and not around us,34800:22:06,140 –> 00:22:08,699not anywhere in this new earth.34900:22:09,660 –> 00:22:14,660And God will wipe away all tears from our eyes.35000:22:16,239 –> 00:22:18,079So here’s the three R’s35100:22:18,079 –> 00:22:20,079of renewing your spiritual fervor.35200:22:20,079 –> 00:22:23,180Christ redeems, Christ restores,35300:22:23,180 –> 00:22:26,979and Jesus Christ the Lord reigns.35400:22:26,979 –> 00:22:28,939Therefore, brothers and sisters,35500:22:28,939 –> 00:22:31,459be steadfast and unmovable,35600:22:31,459 –> 00:22:35,439always be abounding in the work of the Lord35700:22:35,479 –> 00:22:39,020because you know that your labor,35800:22:39,020 –> 00:22:44,020your hard work in the Lord will not be in vain.35900:22:44,660 –> 00:22:46,660Do not be slothful in zeal,36000:22:47,520 –> 00:22:50,020be fervent in spirit.36100:22:50,920 –> 00:22:54,520Serve the Lord.36200:22:54,520 –> 00:22:57,359Pastor Colin Smith there rounding off our message36300:22:57,359 –> 00:22:59,959Overcoming Evil with Zeal.36400:22:59,959 –> 00:23:02,599Part of our series Overcoming Evil,36500:23:02,599 –> 00:23:05,000and don’t forget if you ever miss one of the series,36600:23:05,040 –> 00:23:09,599come online to our website, openthebible.org.uk.36700:23:10,560 –> 00:23:13,160Open the Bible depends on the generous support36800:23:13,160 –> 00:23:16,699of our listeners, and if supporting open the Bible36900:23:16,699 –> 00:23:19,400financially is something you’ve been thinking about,37000:23:19,400 –> 00:23:21,520we have an offer for you this month.37100:23:21,520 –> 00:23:23,839If you’re able to set up a new direct debit37200:23:23,839 –> 00:23:25,520to the work of Open the Bible37300:23:25,520 –> 00:23:28,439in the amount of five pounds per month or more,37400:23:28,439 –> 00:23:31,040or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more,37500:23:31,040 –> 00:23:33,800we’d love to say thank you by sending you three copies37600:23:34,319 –> 00:23:36,880of Pastor Colin Smith’s devotional,37700:23:36,880 –> 00:23:39,380Green Pastures, Still Waters.37800:23:39,380 –> 00:23:41,959Colin, why did you write this devotional?37900:23:41,959 –> 00:23:44,099This goes back to the pandemic,38000:23:44,099 –> 00:23:46,839and in these dark days, I guess,38100:23:46,839 –> 00:23:48,420along with every other pastor,38200:23:48,420 –> 00:23:50,160I was asking the question,38300:23:50,160 –> 00:23:52,760what will help and encourage God’s people38400:23:52,760 –> 00:23:54,680to get through these difficult days,38500:23:54,680 –> 00:23:59,680and I turned to Psalm 23 and just found such joy and help38600:24:00,140 –> 00:24:03,520in mining the wonderful treasures38700:24:03,520 –> 00:24:07,060that are in this marvelous chapter of the Bible.38800:24:07,060 –> 00:24:09,119And my colleague Tim Augustine38900:24:09,119 –> 00:24:11,619has now arranged that material39000:24:11,619 –> 00:24:14,239in the form of a 31-day devotional,39100:24:14,239 –> 00:24:17,520and I’m just delighted that we’re able to offer this,39200:24:17,520 –> 00:24:21,920looking at the Lord Jesus Christ through Psalm 2339300:24:21,920 –> 00:24:25,920will bring strength and encouragement and peace and joy.39400:24:25,920 –> 00:24:27,859And to do that for 31 days,39500:24:27,939 –> 00:24:29,479to meditate on one of the best known39600:24:29,479 –> 00:24:31,579and best loved chapters in all of the Bible39700:24:31,579 –> 00:24:34,859and to get our eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus Christ.39800:24:34,859 –> 00:24:36,619So if you need some encouragement,39900:24:36,619 –> 00:24:38,660Green Pastures Still Waters40000:24:38,660 –> 00:24:40,739is going to be a great help to you.40100:24:40,739 –> 00:24:42,859Well, we’d love to send you three copies40200:24:42,859 –> 00:24:44,660of Pastor Colin Smith’s devotional,40300:24:44,660 –> 00:24:47,060Green Pastures Still Waters,40400:24:47,060 –> 00:24:50,579along with a special Open the Bible pen and bookmark40500:24:50,579 –> 00:24:53,300to say thank you for setting up a new direct debit40600:24:53,300 –> 00:24:55,020to the work of Open the Bible40700:24:55,020 –> 00:24:57,439in the amount of five pounds per month or more,40800:24:57,479 –> 00:25:00,400or a one-off gift of 50 pounds or more.40900:25:00,400 –> 00:25:04,540Full details, terms and conditions are on our website,41000:25:04,540 –> 00:25:07,760openthebible.org.uk.41100:25:07,760 –> 00:25:10,459For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,41200:25:10,459 –> 00:25:13,800I’m David Pick, and I hope you’ll join us again next time.41300:25:19,219 –> 00:25:21,680Whatever your circumstances are today,41400:25:21,680 –> 00:25:24,859God calls you to rejoice in hope,41500:25:24,859 –> 00:25:26,800but how do you do that?41600:25:26,800 –> 00:25:29,239Find out next time on Open the Bible.