Wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ... Jude 21 The people who bring menus to your table at a restaurant are called waiters or waitresses. They have no other agenda but to wait on you. They take your order, bring your food, and then make sure everything is okay. Some people think God exists to wait on us, but the Bible tells us that our call…

Today, we're diving into a profound discussion on the supreme value of love. In this episode, Pastor Colin explores 1 Corinthians 13, often known as the 'Love Chapter', and its significance for us as Christians. We'll hear how faith, hope, and love remain amidst all things, with love being the greatest. Join us for a journey into understanding the …

[Wait] for the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. Jude 21 When Jude talks about waiting, the obvious question is, Don’t we already have God’s mercy? Yes. Don’t we already have Jesus Christ? Yes. Don’t we already have eternal life? Yes! If we’ve already received these things, why does Jude tell us to wait? This is teaching us…

In this broadcast, Pastor Colin discusses how our world seems to be growing more angry and divided, and the Church is not immune to these pressures. However, the Lord Jesus calls us to be different. Today's message focuses on growing in faith, hope, and love, which the Apostle Paul tells us are three things that will remain. Pastor Colin delves int…

[Wait] for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. Jude 21 Patience is what you need when things have not worked out as you hoped. Somewhere deep within every heart there is a dream of life as we want it to be. That dream is placed in your heart by God. The word “wait” reminds us that the dream will never be fulfilled in this…

In today's insightful episode, "Hope's Surprising Outcomes," Pastor Colin explores how hope positively transforms our lives in remarkably practical ways. You'll discover four powerful outcomes: hope enhances our witness, leads us to purer living, provides deeper comfort, and strengthens us for life's journey.…

Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. Jude 21 Once you see how important the theme of waiting is in the Bible, you’ll have new motivation to exercise this neglected area of the Christian life. Here are five passages on waiting: Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for h…

In today's episode, we dive deep into the theme of hope and its surprising outcomes in our lives. Pastor Colin explains how growing in hope not only helps us become better witnesses for Christ but also enables us to lead purer lives. We'll explore Romans 8:18 and 1 Peter 3:15, gaining insights into how hope can set us apart in a world often marked …

God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5 In one of Garrison Keillor’s books about Lake Wobegon he describes a rather awkward teenager growing up in a small town. The lad gives a speech at his high school graduation, and afterwards somebody comes up to him and says, “Nice speech!” But he can’t receive a complime…

The Son of God… loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 Some time ago, a minister from England went to India to deliver a series of evangelistic messages. When he arrived, there were posters hanging all over town advertising the evening meetings at which he would be speaking. The posters were supposed to read: “The visiting minister from E…

This is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10 One way to work God’s love into your mind is through the Lord’s Supper. At the very centre of Christian worship, God has given us this exercise to keep us in spiritual shape. We come to a table where we receive bread and w…

Welcome to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. Today’s broadcast dives into the two ways every person relates to God - through the law or through grace. Pastor Colin passionately explains that relying on the law offers no hope as it becomes our accuser. However, true hope is found in the grace offered by the Lord Jesus Christ. Let's explore 2 T…

Keep yourselves in the love of God... Jude 21 The Bible talks about the love of God in a number of ways: Providential love is God’s kindness to His enemies as well as His friends. God’s enemies will come under His judgement, but right now they receive good gifts from His hand. Why do good things happen to bad people? Answer: God’s providential love…

In this episode of "Open the Bible," Pastor Colin Smith explores the profound concept of hope—an unearned gift from God. He dives deep into the scriptures, specifically 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 and John 5:45, uncovering the truth that hope does not stem from our fulfilment of the law but through the grace found in Jesus Christ. As Pastor Colin cla…

[Pray] in the Holy Spirit… Jude 20 Another way to pray in the Spirit is by using the Lord’s Prayer (Mat. 6:9-13). Martin Luther structured his entire prayer life around the Lord’s Prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. (6:9) Luther prayed that God would be honoured in his own life, and in the church, and in the nation where he lived. …

Today, we delve into a significant question: If Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, how can He truly be present 24/7 with each and every one of us? Pastor Colin explains this wonderful truth by exploring the person and work of the Holy Spirit. We'll look at Colossians 1:27 and discover how "Christ in you, the hope of glory" manifests i…

[Pray] in the Holy Spirit… Jude 20 The Bible contains some marvellous prayers that were breathed out by the Spirit of God. You will find many of them in the book of Psalms. The whole Bible was written as men were carried along by the Holy Spirit and as you fill your mind with God's Word, you will begin to think God’s thoughts after Him. If you lear…

Today we're exploring a profound and encouraging theme: finding hope through a relationship with God. Today's message is based on a marvellous verse from Colossians chapter one, verse 27, which tells us, "Christ in you, the hope of glory." We'll dive into what it means to have hope in God and how this is achieved through Christ dwelling within us. …

We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26 Imagine a teenage computer geek writing software in his basement: “How can I get this in the hands of the people at Microsoft?” He doesn’t know anyone there, and he has no idea how to introduce his ideas to them. Who …

Today’s episode dives into the profound experiences of feeling abandoned and finding hope, exemplified by the lives of David and Jesus. Host David Pick and Pastor Colin explore how these moments of spiritual struggle are not unique and how recognising them can offer solace and strength. Join us as we reflect on Psalm 42 and discuss practical strate…

[Pray] in the Holy Spirit… Jude 20 Once you’ve grasped that there’s one God, and that He’s not whoever you want Him to be, the next question is “How do you come to Him?” That depends on what you want to receive. The Bible uses the picture of a throne to help us understand. There is one God, but more than one throne. That’s easy to understand for th…

[Pray] in the Holy Spirit… Jude 20 Imagine meeting with your minister at church. He places a number of envelopes in front of you and says, “We can talk about anything you want. But here are some envelopes with questions written on them. Go ahead and pick one.” The topics range from faith to spiritual growth to fellowship, but you choose the envelop…

[Look] to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith... Hebrews 12:2 Faith grows by looking at Jesus. Faith becomes strong asyou fill your mind and soul with how trustworthy He is. Imagine yourself as a younger child, attending a professional sporting event with your family. Your parents get tickets about twenty-five rows from the game. The peop…

Feeling low on energy or enthusiasm? Today's message might strike a chord with you. Pastor Colin delves deep into Psalm 42 and how it can help renew hope in our hearts even when life seems flat and discouraging. As we explore the profound verses of Psalm 42, we'll find valuable insights on enduring faith, hope, and love.…

[Build] yourselves up in your most holy faith... Jude 20 Faith is like a muscle. It grows strong when it is used. If you want to develop a particular muscle, you pull or push against a weight. Faith grows when it has to push against a great burden. That’s what happens when God allows trials in your life. You lose your job, a relationship ends, or t…

Welcome to another episode of "Open the Bible" with Pastor Colin Smith. Today, we're diving into a thought-provoking message on how to navigate the inevitable encounters with the three "thieves" of our faith journey: faint heart, mistrust, and guilt. Drawing inspiration from John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," Pastor Colin discusses how these adver…

[Build] yourselves up in your most holy faith… Jude 20 Jude is talking about the same faith here that he mentions in verse 3: “The faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” You can build up your faith by affirming what you believe. That’s why Christians throughout the centuries have recited creeds in their worship: “I believe in God the…

Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith as he unpacks the transformative power of "Applied Faith". Just as muscles grow stronger when exercised, our faith grows when applied in challenging situations. In today's episode, Colin dives into the analogy of faith being like a muscle and explores how our trust in God must be actively applied, e…

[Build] yourselves up in your most holy faith… Jude 20 There will be times when you seem to be making little progress, and you wonder, “What’s wrong with me? Am I a Christian at all?” Jude says, “You need to build up your faith.” How do you do that? Satan loves to point out how puny, pathetic, and embarrassingly small your faith is. You should coun…

Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. In today's episode, Pastor Colin delves into the profound questions that many of us have when facing life's trials. Why does God allow these hardships in our lives, and what good can come from them? Drawing from the Apostle Peter's writings, specifically 1 Peter 1:3-9, Colin explores the concept of…

I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith… Jude 3 Evangelicals often emphasise spiritual life and the importance of the new birth. We rejoice when people give testimonies of how they came to faith in Christ. But spiritual life is no guarantee of spiritual health. You may be spiritually alive, but are you spiritually fi…

In today's message, "Tested Faith," we're diving deep into the nature of faith through passages from 1 Peter Chapter 1, verses 3-9. Pastor Colin discusses the dual aspects of faith—belief and trust—and how these are tested and strengthened. It's easy to have faith when life is smooth, but true faith involves trusting God even when we don't have all…

But you, beloved, [build] yourselves up in your most holy faith. Jude 20 Jude’s message is very simple: Keep yourself in spiritual shape. It is also very practical, because Jude breaks this down into seven workouts for a healthy Christian life. You may be committed to some kind of fitness programme. You may work out with a personal trainer who give…

God… pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant. Micah 7:18 Micah preached this message to all the people of Israel. The sad fact is that to the vast majority of people, what Micah said didn't make the slightest difference. Life went on exactly the same as it had before. Another day, another pound (or shekel). The vast majori…

He will tread our iniquities underfoot. Micah 7:19 If hurling your iniquities into the depths of the sea refers to God’s deliverance from past sins, then treading your sins underfoot must refer to temptations that still lie ahead of you. Here you are going out into another week, and Satan has already set some snares in your path. Every one of us wi…

If the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith, how much more should we be asking the Lord to increase ours? Today, Pastor Colin Smith explores this crucial question as we dive into Luke 17. Discover why the disciples asked Jesus to bolster their faith and how that applies to our lives today. Explore with Pastor Colin how challenges like tempt…

You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19 This is a marvellous picture: God hurling your iniquities into the depths of the sea. A pastor once said: “When God throws your sins into the depths of the sea, He puts up a big sign that says. No fishing!” When God forgives. He takes the past with all of its guilt, and it is gone. B…

Today, we're venturing into the profound concept of faith. Pastor Smith reassures us that we should never despise little faith. Any faith, however small, is a precious gift for which we should be thankful. As we explore Luke 17, we see that even little faith can accomplish remarkable things, but no believer should be content with just a small amoun…

He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. Micah 7:18 It's hard to think of any issue that causes more difficulty in the minds and hearts of so many people than the anger of God. We tend to suppress the idea of God’s anger or deny it. You’ve likely heard someone say, “I grew up believing in an angry God, but now I …

The focus of today’s broadcast is on a pivotal moment from the Gospel of Luke where the disciples ask Jesus to "increase our faith." This request, humbly made by those who already followed Jesus, highlights the universal need for spiritual growth and deeper trust in God. Pastor Colin explores how life’s challenges often bring us to a point where we…

I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgement for me. Micah 7:9 All of our experience indicates that we seem more under God’s judgement than His blessing. Our culture is falling apart. Families are breaking up. God is hiding His face from us. We have sinned and we are unde…

In today's powerful message of "Faith, Hope, and Love", Pastor Colin shares why he believes these virtues are pivotal for the Christian Church today. We'll explore how growing in faith can help us overcome discouragement, despair, and conflict. Through the example of the disciples, Pastor Colin guides us in understanding the importance of increasin…

But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. Micah 7:7 God may seem hidden to us, but He is never absent. He may seem far away, but He is always at work. Micah knows God is near, and that is why He watches and waits. Fishermen know about this. You don't see any fish, but you know they’re there, so you watch and y…

In today's broadcast, we delve into the profound words of Jesus on the cross, "It is finished," exploring the pivotal question: What was finished? Pastor Colin shares that Jesus absorbed God's wrath, enduring the agonies of hell so that we, as believers, are no longer under God's condemnation. We are invited to celebrate this truth at the heart of …

Then my enemy will see, and shame will cover her who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” Micah 7:10 All Micah can say is that things will be different in the future, but as he writes, he has no compelling answer to offer the cynic who says, “Where is your God?” Micah is surrounded by trouble and God is nowhere to be found. He doesn’t know whe…

Woe is me! Micah 7:1 In order to understand Micah’s misery, we must look at three things that were happening among God’s people. The loss of godly character. Micah says, “The godly has perished from the earth” (7:2). He is talking about a loss of godly character: “I look at how people are living, and all I can see is godly character being swept awa…

He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19 When Jesus came preaching the message of the gospel, He said, “The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). But too often we’ve cut that in half. We sometimes drop the “repen…

In today's episode, we're diving into the profound question of forgiveness as we explore "The God Who Forgives and Restores." Pastor Colin sheds light on the awe-inspiring nature of God's forgiveness, using Micah 7 to illustrate the divine justice and love that met at the cross. This heartfelt message reminds us of the immense cost of forgiveness a…

What does the Lord require of you but… to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 If you want to walk with God, you need to get on the path where He is—the path of justice and mercy. God says to us: "If you get on that path, you will find me there." God is the God of justice and mercy. This is what the cross is all about: God’s justice was poured out …

Today’s message, "The God Who Hides Himself," addresses a profound and sometimes troubling part of Christian life. When God feels distant, it can be disheartening, but the Bible offers comfort and guidance during these times. Pastor Colin shares the story of Jonah and the disciples to illustrate that both disobedience and obedience can lead to chal…