Open the Bible UK Broadcast

Have you ever wondered “What can Jesus do for me?” Pastor Colin shows you in the story of the thief on the cross.

Have you ever wondered “What can Jesus do for me?” Pastor Colin shows you in the story of the thief on the cross.

Have you ever wondered “What can Jesus do for me?” Pastor Colin shows you in the story of the thief on the cross.

Many people speculate what hell will be like. But the clearest revelation of hell has been given to us at the cross. Pastor Colin talks about the six dimensions of hell, and how Jesus experienced every one of them on the cross.

A person pursues a life of crime, and their heart is full of anger towards God… then they die and go to heaven. Can they really have any confidence at all that they’ll receive a warm reception there? Pastor Colin talks about the surprising answer for one man.

Two men had pursued a life of crime; they were angry with God, and now they stood on the brink of eternity. Pastor Colin talks about how something changed in one man’s soul, and he cried out to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Discover the stunning words Jesus said to this man.

Have you ever wondered what Jesus was doing while he was on the cross? Was he gritting his teeth… or fantasising about getting revenge on his tormentors? Discover the startling answer.

The men who put Jesus to death were committing a great sin, but they didn’t think they were doing anything wrong. They didn’t have a bad conscience, or feel that they needed to ask for forgiveness. How is that possible?

Are you drifting away from your Christian faith? Do you know someone who is drifting away from Christ? Then you won’t want to miss Pastor Colin as he warns and encourages us from the story of Judas Iscariot.

Are you drifting away from your Christian faith? Do you know someone who is drifting away from Christ? Then you won’t want to miss Pastor Colin as he warns and encourages us from the story of Judas Iscariot.

Are you drifting away from your Christian faith? Do you know someone who is drifting away from Christ? Then you won’t want to miss Pastor Colin as he warns and encourages us from the story of Judas Iscariot.

Are you drifting away from your Christian faith? Do you know someone who is drifting away from Christ? Then you won’t want to miss Pastor Colin as he warns and encourages us from the story of Judas Iscariot.

Jesus tells us that the reward of those who are insulted, persecuted, and reviled is very great. That raises an important question: What if I’m not being persecuted? Where does that leave us who are so blessed with the gifts of freedom that we enjoy?

What does it mean when Jesus says, “Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven”? He seems to be saying that it is possible to have more rather than less in heaven. Pastor Colin explains that what we do here makes a difference to what we have in heaven.

What happens when a culture becomes more hostile toward Christians and toward the church? Pastor Colin talks about the positive effect that this can have on the church.

If you pursue the life that God calls you to, what lies ahead for you? What should you expect? Jesus tells us that we will be blessed by God, and we will be persecuted in the world.

Looking for a few more practical strategies for making peace? Hear the rest of Pastor Colin’s “Ten Tactics for Peacemakers.”

What does peacemaking look like in practice? How would you like some down-to-earth, practical tactics? Pastor Colin gives us “Ten Tactics for Peacemakers.”

Some Christians are constantly chiding themselves for their lack of progress. Other Christians have never really grasped what God can do for them. Pastor Colin talks about how to find the right balance.

Why does conflict seem to follow some people around? Because what fills you will spill out of you when other people bump into you. Pastor Colin talks about how to become a peacemaker.

Maybe you think purity is something that you have when you’re young, and you lose it when you mess up. But in the Bible, purity is something that you go after.

God puts responsibility on you for your growth in purity. Confusion over this is a major reason why so many Christians make little progress. Pastor Colin explains what we can do about it.

You believe in a Christ who forgives, but you’re not sure you can believe in a Christ who is able to wash or cleanse you. You have “baggage,” and you cannot imagine ever being changed. Pastor Colin has a challenge for you.

Jesus says: “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Does anyone hear that and say, “That’s me!”? At first glance, it sounds impossible! Pastor Colin explains what purity of heart is and what it isn’t.

Does forgiveness seem like a hurdle that’s too big for you to overcome? God has gathered everything you need to know about forgiveness in one place in the Bible. Pastor Colin shows us where.

The Bible tells us that we are to forgive one another as Christ has forgiven us. Does God always forgive? How and when does God forgive? Pastor Colin shows us the Bible’s answers to these questions and more.

Where and how can you be merciful? What would that actually look like? Pastor Colin helps us discover seven opportunities for manifesting mercy.

There are four things you most need to know about God as a believer. They are repeated together no less than seven times in the Old Testament.

How can you have a greater appetite for God? The key is changing your diet, because over time, this leads to a change in appetite. Pastor Colin shows us five strategies for changing our spiritual appetites.

Did you know that your own spiritual appetite, your hunger and thirst for God himself can be cultivated? Here’s the key: Change your diet, and you will change your appetite.   Scripture: Matthew 5:6 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

What do you think will give you satisfaction? Is it to be loved? To be appreciated? To get revenge? Jesus tells us that there is only one thing that will satisfy completely. Pastor Colin shows us what this is.   Scripture: Matthew 5:6 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

What does it look like to be blessed by God? Jesus tells us that the blessed people are not those who think they’re right, but those who feel that they’re not.   Scripture: Matthew 5:6 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Some of us were brought up on a version of Christianity that majored on the negative. Pastor Colin talks about the Bible’s positive vision of Christian living—one that brings pleasure to God and makes a positive difference in the world.   Scripture: Romans 6:13-14 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

How do you get more meekness into your life? Jesus said that it is blessed. “Blessed are the meek.” Pastor Colin talks about ten strategies to help you cultivate more meekness in your life.   Scripture: Matthew 5:5 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  

How do you get more meekness in your life? You cannot simply say, “Oh, I want to be meek. Tell me how to be meek.” Pastor Colin shows us that we cannot start there. We have to start further back.   Scripture: Matthew 5:5 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

While Jesus hung from the cross, he prayed “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” How did he do that? Pastor Colin shows us that this is what the Bible calls “meekness.”   Scripture: Matthew 5:5 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

“Gentle Jesus, meek and mild…” Now that doesn’t sound like the kind of thing a guy who watches football would want to go after. You might be surprised. Pastor Colin talks about some reasons why.   Scripture: Matthew 5:5 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

One glimpse of the love of Christ will do more to strengthen you in your battle against sin than a hundred commitments. Pastor Colin talks about where to look for a glimpse of Christ’s love. Scripture: Psalm 51:1-13

How do you avoid being the guy or the girl who hangs around the things of God for 10, 20, or 30 years, and never changes? Pastor Colin talks about how to break the cycle of habitual sin. Scripture: Psalm 51:1-13

How do you deal with habitual sins—the endless cycle of sinning, saying you’re “sorry” and then repeating the same behavior? Pastor Colin talks about why we never actually move forward in the Christian life without spiritual mourning. Find out the reasons, and how to move forward.   Scripture: Matthew 5:4 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

God says: “Blessed are those who mourn.” But there is a kind of mourning that leads to death, and another kind of mourning that leads to comfort. Pastor Colin helps us discover the difference.   Scripture: Matthew 5:4 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

If you grow in humility, you will reap a whole cluster of other blessings. Pastor Colin talks about how growing in humility will give you the strength you need to face troubles, relationships, and temptations.   Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-6 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

Do you think God is for everybody? Many people were taught this from a young age. But Pastor Colin shows us, from the Bible, that God is actually against some people.   Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-6 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

Where does God live? If you’re like most people, you would probably say, “Heaven.” Pastor Colin talks about where else God lives.   Scripture: Matthew 5:3 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  

What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? Does it mean you’re always saying something like this, “I don’t really have anything to offer”? Of course not. Pastor Colin talks about what it does mean.   Scripture: Matthew 5:3 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

You want to make progress in the Christian life, but you feel stuck. You’ve lost momentum. Pastor Colin talks about the key to progress in the Christian life, and where all progress starts.   Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12 The Sermon on the Mount 5 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. The Beatitudes 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Pastor Colin shares the impactful wisdom once imparted by Warren Wiersbe about the importance of encouragement in ministry. As Pastor Colin dissects the beloved Psalm, he provides insights into what it means to have the Lord as your shepherd, reflecting on Jesus’ words, "I am the good shepherd." He emphasizes the richness of being part of Jesus Christ's flock, where you will never be in want. The Psalm, which has comforted and encouraged God's people for over 3,000 years, points to the profound relationship between the shepherd and his sheep and serves to remind us of the protection, restoration, and love promised to us by our Lord.Pastor Colin identifies with feelings of fatigue and the need for encouragement in challenging times. In breaking down Psalm 23, he assures us that God's shepherding includes ownership, leadership, and the provision of our needs. He challenges us by asking whether we truly want to be wholly owned by anyone, inviting us to recognize the joy and security found in surrendering to Christ, our shepherd.

We're exploring the story of David—a shepherd boy turned monarch whose triumphs and tribulations resonate through history. Despite his stature as Israel's most lauded king, David understood that his true greatness was rooted in his relationship with Jesus Christ. As we trace his lineage forward, we see a lineage destined to bring forth Jesus Himself. We're journeying together into 1 Samuel 17, where young David's famous encounter with Goliath offers more than just a tale of courage; it's a precursor to the coming Messiah whom David prefigured—a king of peace, shepherd of His people, and a beacon for all nations. In this Sermon we're diving into the heart of the Christmas story through the lens of a revered biblical hero – King David.. Although David achieved monumental victories, like his defeat of Goliath, he knew the people needed a saviour greater than himself, a righteous ruler to guide them towards true peace. Pastor Colin will share with us from 1 Samuel 17, where the tale of David and Goliath unfolds. It's a story many are familiar with, but we're looking beyond the battle lines to see the profound symbolism – both armies hinging their fates on one man's combat. David represents a type of Christ, who would ultimately enter humanity's fray, confront the colossal giants of sin, death, and hell, and claim victory on our behalf. As you listen, let the realisation settle in that Jesus, the greater Son of David, enters our struggles, fights our battles, and secures our triumphs. In His kingdom, we’re not just subjects; we're co-heirs to the promises made to David long ago.

"What is the church and why does it matter?" Pastor Colin invites listeners to delve into the pages of Matthew chapter 16 with the objective of reigniting our passion for the church, as perceived through the eyes of Jesus Christ. Despite the church appearing outdated and irrelevant to the contemporary world, the scripture reveals its true worth as an infinitely valuable and gloriously eternal entity. Through this series, Pastor Colin aims to shift our perspective from a worldly view to one that aligns with Christ's vision for His church. In this sermon, Pastor Colin prompts reflection on the stark contrast between the number of Americans who identify as Christians and those who actively participate in church worship. With a focus on the statistical disparity, he highlights the concern for the 173 million individuals who claim Christian faith but lack engagement with a local congregation. As the message unfolds, Pastor Colin addresses the myriad reasons that may lead people away from active church involvement and counters the modern, individualistic stance that doubts the church's relevance or effectiveness."

Welcome to the last message in our series on second Thessalonians. Pastor Colin reflects on the unique way God has spoken through this powerful letter. He shares his personal connection with the text, highlighting how it will remain a special part of our spiritual journey. Today, we delve into the concluding benediction of second Thessalonians, uncovering a heartfelt prayer for God's blessing and a word of peace for His people. Join us as we explore the intertwining of teaching and prayer, which exemplifies the essence of authentic ministry, and discover Paul’s model of praying for those we teach. Pastor Colin ushers us into the core of the Thessalonian church life, marked by its birth in turmoil and sustained growth in the face of persecution. He emphasizes the steady theme of prayers throughout the letter, culminating in Paul’s final prayer for God's peace in all times and ways. Drawing on life’s seasons, from adolescence to old age, we are called to seek peace amid the changes and challenges. Pastor Colin explains the breadth of peace — peace with God, within ourselves, and with others — and how it is intricately woven into the fabric of our being by Christ, the Lord of Peace. As we face the unknowns of life, we are reminded that God's presence, His sure promises, and His sufficient grace are the steadfast foundation that enables us to receive and rest in His everlasting peace. Amen.