The fifth commandment would be easy if it said, “Honor your father and mother if they are honorable.” But it doesn’t actually say that. God does not give us the luxury of choosing who we should honor. Pastor Colin talks about why.Bởi Colin Smith

Noah’s ark provides a type and a shadow for us of the Lord Jesus Christ.Bởi Colin Smith

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12 Your parents are the first authority figures God put in your life, and your first experience of authority tends to shape your reaction to other authority figures. If you’ve seen authority used well, you will tend to respect…

In this episode of Open the Bible, Pastor Colin Smith takes us on a thoughtful journey through the fifth commandment, exploring what it means to honour those in authority, even when they might not seem honourable. As always, Colin sheds light on the sometimes challenging dynamics of respecting and valuing the authority figures in our lives, from pa…

Is your plate full? Does it feel like you’re only one step away from disaster? Pastor Colin talks about some practical advice for you, and it begins with understanding why God made the heavens and the earth in six days.Bởi Colin Smith

Why was Noah favored in God’s sight? Because God is full of kindness and compassion.Bởi Colin Smith

“Come to me… and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 Once you see everything that God has called you to do in the Ten Commandments, you may say, “But I haven’t finished!” We struggle to embrace God unconditionally. We struggle to worship God as He is. We have not honoured Him in all things. We have not finished the work of keeping God’s commands, …

In this episode, we dive into the thought-provoking question: Why did God create the heavens and the earth in six days instead of an instant? Pastor Colin explores the meaning and value of the Sabbath day, challenging perceptions of it as a day filled with old rules and restrictions. Discover how the gift of rest is meant to help us savour the eter…

Is time one of the biggest struggles of your life? How do you decide your priorities? What can you leave undone? How do you balance all the responsibilities of life? Pastor Colin points us to some answers.Bởi Colin Smith

Though Adam and his progeny were cursed because of Adam’s disobedience, Christ took that curse for us in His body on the tree!Bởi Colin Smith

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8 The fourth commandment is one of life’s greatest struggles and one of the most frequently misunderstood commands. Some Christians imagine they’re honouring God by making Sunday the dullest day of the week, a day marked by long lists of things you cannot do. Some of us need to begin by clearin…

You might be surprised to learn that Sabbath not just about taking a day off; there's a deeper insight into how we perceive work and rest. Join Pastor Colin as he explores the significance of the Sabbath and how God’s interest in our work week equates to His interest in our Sunday worship. Unpack the dignity of work, the essential nature of rest, a…

Because of the Fall, mankind’s knowledge of evil is more than intellectual, it is sadly experiential.Bởi Colin Smith

“Continually all the day my name is despised.” Isaiah 52:5 Isaiah the prophet was given an insight into the heart of God when he heard God’s anguished cry over the abuse of His name. That’s the tragedy of our world. But God has an answer: “Therefore my people shall know my name” (52:6). Those who know and love the Lord are the guardians of His repu…

What do we know about lamenting? In a culture that’s geared toward giving you a “feel good” church experience, how do Christian people ever learn to lament?Bởi Colin Smith

What are “theophanies”? Why does God appear in a way that people can see in the Old Testament?Bởi Colin Smith

"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." Exodus 20:7 The first thing that typically comes to mind when we hear the third commandment is the issue of swearing. The way you use a person’s name says a great deal about what you think of them. And if you look up the …

According to The Concise Oxford English Dictionary, the most common use of the name “Jesus,” is as a vulgarity. Secondly, it is an exclamation expressing surprise, impatience, etc. The name of Jesus can also be used to refer to the founder of Christianity. Pastor Colin talks about God’s answer to this.…

What is the significance of being created by God? Since God created us, He is the titleholder of our lives.Bởi Colin Smith

He is the image of the invisible God. Colossians 1:15 The reason God places such importance on not making idols is that He is jealous to guard against all images of Himself. Why? Because He wants nothing and no one to detract from the one true image of God by which He has made Himself known—Jesus Christ. The New Testament says (about God) that Jesu…

In today's broadcast, we'll discuss the critical question: Is there an unforgivable sin? Pastor Colin unpacks what it truly means to blaspheme the Spirit and the significance of acknowledging our need for a Saviour. Discover how recognising our own need keeps Christ at the centre, ensuring that His grace shines brightly through our actions. As we s…

The Lord calls all people everywhere to come to him. Won't you do so today?Bởi Colin Smith

The first commandment says, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.” If this was just about swearing, it might make us wonder why God would include it in the Ten Commandments. Pastor Colin talks about what it means and why it’s so important.Bởi Colin Smith

"You shall not make for yourself a carved image." Exodus 20:4 God is invisible, so it is instinctive for us to want some kind of image to remind us of Him or to point us to Him. This commandment is telling us that we are not to make any images to represent God. The problem with our images of God is that they are all less than He is. Many people fin…

Join Pastor Colin explore how the misuse and irreverent use of God's name affect our society, culture, and personal spirituality. They discuss the importance of reverence in how we speak of God, challenging the "OMG culture" that often surrounds us. Pastor Colin emphasises the need for love, respect, and truth when using the name of God, not just a…

If you’re saying to yourself: “The second commandment is a breeze for me—I don’t own any totem poles”—remember, idolatry isn’t limited to worshiping statues. Pastor Colin talks about the many different disguises idolatry can wear.Bởi Colin Smith

After Adam sinned, work became a burden. But in the Kingdom of God, work will be a complete joy!Bởi Colin Smith

“Follow me.” Matthew 4:19 Our challenge is to embrace God unconditionally. The first commandment leaves no room for “ifs,” “buts,” or “whens,” because as soon as you say “if,” “but,” or “when,” you have put something else in the place of God and thereby broken the first commandment. If you say “yes” to God but then add “if you give me my health” or…

In this episode, titled "Your Struggle with Worship," Pastor Colin dives deep into the essence of idolatry, guided by the profound insights of Augustine. Join us in understanding how idolatry isn't just about graven images but can be a quiet struggle within all of us as we explore Colossians chapter one, verses 15 to 23. Discover the dual nature of…

Many people say that they find icons or beads or images of Jesus helpful in their prayer life and in worship. But these aids always have the effect of obscuring as much as they reveal about Jesus.Bởi Colin Smith

The Lord will someday bring about a New Heaven and a New Earth. What will it be like?Bởi Colin Smith

"You shall have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3 The first commandment calls you to a life-long response of gratitude and loving loyalty to the God who loved you and gave Himself for you. Positively, this means cultivating affection for Him, remembering Him, appreciating Him, honouring Him, choosing Him, loving Him, and fearing Him. It means t…

While idolatry might conjure up images of ancient carvings, today we explore how it's intricately woven into our modern lives. Pastor Colin challenges us to reflect on how we might unknowingly worship aspects of life that should be used for God's glory, rather than confuse the Creator with the creation. This thought-provoking discussion invites us …