Open the Bible UK Broadcast

Simeon's encounter with the baby Jesus reveals profound truths about faith and recognition. Simeon, a devout man, awaited the Messiah with a promise that he would see the Christ before his death. As he cradles the infant Jesus in his arms, he proclaims that this child is destined for both the falling and rising of many in Israel – a statement that resonates with the dual nature of Jesus' impact even today. Join Pastor Colin as he unpacks Simeon's deeply moving testimony, exploring how this holy encounter reveals the dual responses people have towards Jesus: rising in faith or stumbling in rejection. This Christmas season, reflect on your own response to Jesus and consider the transformative power he holds in your life. Is He the rock upon which you stand firm, or the stone over which you stumble?

We're exploring the Christmas story through the eyes of the characters who experienced it firsthand. Today, we journey with Simeon, an elderly man known for his faith, as he experiences the fulfilment of a long-awaited promise. Join us as we dive into Simeon's extraordinary encounter with the Christ child and the profound peace he finds in God's promise of salvation.

Join us for an inspiring episode of "Open the Bible" with Pastor Colin Smith as we embark on a new series, "Christmas Stories." Today, we're diving into "John's Story," exploring the Christmas narrative through the eyes of the Apostle John. Experience the wonder and glory of the birth of Christ and its profound significance, as told by someone who walked alongside Him.

Is repentance solely a means to avoid consequences? Pastor Colin guides us in understanding repentance as an invitation to participate in the Kingdom of Heaven. Through insightful discussions about Psalm 51 and the teachings of Christ, we explore how repentance is more than turning away from sin; it's a joyful, sustained turning towards a life of peace and joy under God's rule.

The concept of repentance is often misunderstood as a daunting task or simply feeling sorry. Pastor Colin paints a vivid picture of the journey between a mountain of impossible demands and a swamp of inadequate solutions, showing us the highway of repentance as a refreshing path towards God. We delve deep into Psalm 51 to unravel the true nature of repentance—not just sorrow, but a heartfelt turning towards God. Comparing the stories of Peter and Judas, we learn about the critical choice between the paths of despair and renewal. Through Pastor Colin's guidance, discover the liberating essence of genuine repentance that leads to a life filled with God's light and presence. Join us as we continue this journey in the series "Changing Direction," exploring how true repentance can transform your life.

What is the essence of repentance? Join us in Psalm 51, as we explore how King David, concerned with his actions and their root cause, turns to God not just for forgiveness but for a genuine transformation of the heart. Pastor Colin highlights how true repentance is about more than just seeking forgiveness—it's about asking for a clean heart and a fresh start, similar to ridding a beach of oil pollution. We learn that God offers more than pardon; He offers a miraculous cleansing and renewal that goes to the core of our being.

Today, Colin dives deep into Psalm 51, exploring the transformative power of God's mercy. We learn through King David's example that acknowledging God's mercy is the first step towards true change and redemption. This week, we focus on not just realising our transgressions but also understanding the remarkable truth that God, much like a great physician, cleanses us from the pollution of sin and offers unfailing love and forgiveness.

Do we really understand the Bible's perspective on sin, transgressions, and the inner twistedness within us all? As we explore the depths of our hearts, Pastor Colin reveals the essential need for God's grace to transform us from the inside out. This broadcast powerfully challenges the notion of inherent goodness and shifts the focus to our dependency on Jesus Christ for change and renewal.

Today, Pastor Colin explores the pervasive nature of sin and why it's more than just our actions—it’s about the desires within us. Using the story of David and Bathsheba from the Bible, Colin illustrates how sin, much like quicksand, can pull us in deeper than we might realise. Join us as we begin a new series on the topic of repentance. Learn how King David’s story teaches us about recognising our sins and the importance of a real change of heart, which only the Holy Spirit can bring. Whether you’re listening in live or catching up later, Open the Bible is focused on guiding you to understand the power of a deep, heartfelt repentance and how to move forward with a renewed spirit.

Did you know that faith is not about your capacity to trust but, about recognising the trustworthiness of Jesus Christ? Discover how to build your life on the solid promises of God and learn from the simple yet profound story of a man healed of leprosy in Mark chapter one. This inspiring message encourages us to open our hearts to Jesus, acknowledge his ability to change our lives, and receive his incredible promises.

Today we're concluding our series on the marvellous promises that Jesus Christ makes to us, focusing on the core message that when you have Christ, all His promises are yours. Pastor Colin delves into the story of a man with leprosy from Mark 1:40, illustrating how Jesus is always willing and ready to receive those who come to Him. We'll explore the significance of our relationship with Jesus and how faith can unlock His powerful promises in our lives. Join us as we uncover the rock-solid assurances offered by Christ and learn how to make them a reality in our daily walk of faith.

This week, we're diving into the powerful promise found in John 17:24, where Jesus prays for His followers to witness His glory. Pastor Colin thoughtfully explores how glimpsing Christ's glory progressively transforms us to be more like Him. Through captivating insights from renowned Puritan writer John Owen, we learn about beholding the Lord and experiencing deeper worship and joy. In this episode, discover practical applications of this truth: using it to comfort those grieving the loss of loved ones, to elevate personal worship, and to enhance unity among believers. The great assurance we possess as Christians lies in Jesus' unwavering will and the profound love of the Father, securing our place in eternal glory.

Today's message delves into the profound biblical truth that "to live is Christ and to die is gain." Together, we explore the great promise given to the Christian believer: if you live for Christ, passing from this life brings not loss, but a wonderful gain—more of Christ Himself. Join us as Pastor Colin explores this encouraging message, reminding us that living for Christ transforms our perspective on life and death. If you live for the temporary pleasures of this world, passing away means losing everything you have lived for. But for those who live for Christ, it brings the ultimate gain, as we step into His presence and see His glory more fully. Our understanding is deepened with today's passage from John Chapter 17, in which Jesus prays for all believers to be with Him and to see His glory. This session also contemplates the Christian life and the joy of spending eternity with Christ, looking at the incredible love and commitment Jesus has for each of His followers. We discover the importance of filling our "For me to live is..." blank with Christ, as the only way to turn death into gain.

In this thoughtful episode, Pastor Colin challenges the common misconception that following Jesus guarantees a life of ease and freedom from trouble. Instead, Colin reminds us of Jesus' words: "In this world, you will have trouble," urging listeners to view life's challenges as part of a larger journey dependent on grace, ultimately leading us to the Father's house. Join us as we delve into John Chapter 14 to explore Jesus' promises and the hope we have in Him. Discover how genuine faith faces life's realities head-on, establishing hope in a world beyond this one, and strengthening you against life’s uncertainties.

Does trouble-free faith truly exist in this world? Even Jesus said, "In this world, you will have trouble." We explore how Jesus prepares His disciples for the inevitable trials they would face, calling them to establish their faith in His promises—the resurrection, the Holy Spirit, and His return. Through the lens of around-the-table discussion during the Last Supper, Pastor Colin sheds light on the central tenets of authentic Christianity, pushing back against the misleading allure of a trouble-free life. Open your Bible to John Chapter 14 and join us as we listen to Jesus' profound assurances, which guide us in sustaining faith in a world full of challenges.

Join us for an enlightening episode of "Open the Bible" with Pastor Colin Smith, where we delve into the idea of faith being invasive in the best way possible. Much like choosing between non-invasive and invasive medical procedures, Pastor Colin challenges us to think about our faith in Jesus. Are we seeking a faith that simply inspires us with Jesus' teachings, or are we embracing the transformative presence of God in our lives? Explore the powerful promise of the Holy Spirit and discover how true Christianity is far from a 'non-invasive' faith. Follow along in John chapter 14 as we continue our series, Rock Solid: Seven Promises Christ Makes to You. This episode reminds us that in knowing Christ, we welcome a transformative presence that goes far beyond a mere inspiration—it changes us from the inside out.

What if Jesus' journey had ended on the cross? Were the disciples left with merely Jesus' teachings and example, or was there more to their faith? Dive into John chapter 14 with us as Colin unfolds the promise of Jesus' resurrection and His living presence with us today. Discover the heart of true Christianity and why it transcends the idea of 'orphan faith'. Pastor Colin also introduces the presence of Jesus in our lives through the Holy Spirit, emphasising how it distinguishes authentic Christian faith. Join us as we explore these profound truths that reveal the depth and richness of following the risen Lord.

How can moments of difficulty in the Christian life become our most powerful testimonies for Christ? Pastor Colin shares inspiring stories of faith, including a touching account of a congregation member who found strength and a confession of faith after experiencing tremendous loss. Join us as we explore seven profound ways to confess Jesus Christ, from baptism to expressing faith through financial or health struggles. We’ll take a meaningful look at scripture, focusing on Matthew 10, and delve into the promise of being confessed by Jesus before the Father.

Today, we're diving into a profound promise from Jesus found in Matthew 10:32, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will acknowledge him before my Father in heaven." This isn't just a verse about a one-time proclamation, but about a lifelong confession of faith in Jesus Christ. Pastor Colin explores the deep significance of living a life that continuously acknowledges Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. He challenges us with the question: are we confessing Christ in our daily lives, not just in words, but through actions and decisions? As we journey through this message, we'll see how our ongoing confession is closely tied to Jesus's confession of us before God. Pastor Colin digs into the complexities of what it means to be "of one word" with Jesus, encouraging us to align our lives with His teachings fully. In today's culture, this confession is no small task—it demands courage, consistency, and a deep understanding of our faith.

Join us as we explore an inspiring promise from Jesus: "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Together, we will learn how every believer can play a vital role in evangelism — not through solo efforts but as part of the greater church body. Pastor Colin encourages us to trust in Christ's promise and discover how our unique personalities and skills can be used to draw others to Him. This broadcast reassures us that Jesus equips and empowers us to be effective in sharing the good news, as He did with His first disciples. So, settle in with your Bible open at Matthew, Chapter Four, as we explore how Jesus uses our lives to bring others to faith.