100:00:00,120 –> 00:00:03,520I200:00:03,520 –> 00:00:10,560am absolutely persuaded to the core of my being that the greatest need of the Christian church300:00:10,560 –> 00:00:18,000today is a fresh outpouring – a filling – of faith and of hope and of love.400:00:18,879 –> 00:00:23,680Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick. Glad you could join us500:00:23,680 –> 00:00:27,840on the programme today. And Colin, of all the things that the church needs today,600:00:27,840 –> 00:00:35,040why do you concentrate on faith, hope and love? Well, faith because there is so much700:00:35,040 –> 00:00:42,080discouragement around us, hope because so many people feel a sense of despair and love because800:00:42,080 –> 00:00:46,480we’re absolutely surrounded by conflict and of course faith, hope and love we’re told in the900:00:46,480 –> 00:00:52,000Bible are the three things that will remain. Thank God for that. The things that are around us will1000:00:52,000 –> 00:00:57,919pass away but faith, hope and love will remain forever and the calling of the church is to be1100:00:57,919 –> 00:01:05,040different from the world in which we live and I think faith, hope and love and growing in these1200:01:05,040 –> 00:01:10,239three are at the very heart of what makes us different and distinct from the world around us.1300:01:10,239 –> 00:01:13,680Well let’s hear about that in today’s message which is called1400:01:13,680 –> 00:01:15,839Little Faith. Here is Pastor Colin.1500:01:15,839 –> 00:01:20,559Well please open your Bible at Matthew and chapter 6.1600:01:20,559 –> 00:01:26,400the Bible says that when everything else passes away there are three things that will remain1700:01:26,959 –> 00:01:35,839faith, hope and love remain forever. Faith, hope and love are our distinct calling from God and I1800:01:35,839 –> 00:01:42,720am absolutely persuaded to the core of my being that the greatest need of the Christian church1900:01:42,720 –> 00:01:50,160today is a fresh outpouring a filling of faith and of hope and of love.2000:01:51,199 –> 00:01:58,000Why do we need to grow in faith? What does that look like and how is that possible?2100:01:58,720 –> 00:02:07,360Luke records that the disciples on one occasion said to Jesus, Lord increase our faith,2200:02:07,360 –> 00:02:17,199Lord increase our faith. That’s our prayer for this series. These men the disciples had faith2300:02:17,199 –> 00:02:23,039in the Lord Jesus Christ. They were followers of the Lord Jesus Christ but they came to a2400:02:23,039 –> 00:02:29,199point in their lives where they knew that they had to grow in their faith and you’ll know what2500:02:29,199 –> 00:02:35,440this is like in your life as I know what it’s like in mine perhaps you’ve been a believer2600:02:35,440 –> 00:02:44,800for some time perhaps for many many years but then suddenly some crisis erupts in your life2700:02:45,759 –> 00:02:50,160and though you’ve been a believer for a long time you suddenly find yourself saying well2800:02:50,720 –> 00:03:01,119now I’m really going to have to trust God. Lord increase my faith. Well that is the prayer for2900:03:01,119 –> 00:03:08,160our series and we are starting today at a place where each and every one of us can begin.3000:03:08,960 –> 00:03:18,960Jesus spoke on five occasions about little faith. The first of those is in our reading from Matthew3100:03:18,960 –> 00:03:24,240and chapter 6. If you have your Bible open you will see it in verse 30 where he says to the3200:03:24,240 –> 00:03:36,080disciples. O you of little faith. Now our Lord used this phrase little faith almost as if it was3300:03:36,080 –> 00:03:43,839a name it’s almost as if he’s using this as a name by which he refers to his disciples and you might3400:03:43,919 –> 00:03:54,880feel that little faith could be your middle name. Little faith that’s me, I have faith3500:03:54,880 –> 00:04:03,360in the Lord Jesus Christ, but I often feel that my faith is small. Now all of us have times in3600:04:03,360 –> 00:04:11,440our lives when we feel that our faith is small, but no believer should ever be content with little3700:04:11,440 –> 00:04:20,320faith. Our faith needs to grow and today as we begin this new series I want us to see why.3800:04:21,920 –> 00:04:31,119We’re going to look at five occasions where Jesus spoke about little faith and we’re going to3900:04:31,119 –> 00:04:38,640see from these five occasions five reasons for growing in faith. Now the first time4000:04:38,640 –> 00:04:45,839then that Jesus refers to little faith is in the passage that was read for us in Matthew and4100:04:45,839 –> 00:04:55,760Chapter 6 and from this we learn that little faith is ineffective against anxiety. That’s4200:04:55,760 –> 00:05:03,200the first reason that we want to grow in faith because little faith is ineffective against4300:05:03,200 –> 00:05:11,119anxiety. Look back up to Verse 25 if you would and see that Jesus is speaking here about4400:05:11,679 –> 00:05:20,559anxiety. Do not be anxious, he says, about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,4500:05:21,519 –> 00:05:29,839nor about your body, what you will put on. Now you read these words of Jesus and4600:05:30,559 –> 00:05:33,600it’s very clear, these are the things we are anxious about all the time.4700:05:35,119 –> 00:05:41,200Do we have enough to cover our costs? Have we saved enough for the future?4800:05:42,640 –> 00:05:47,359Will we be able to make ends meet or have we actually bitten off more than we can chew?4900:05:48,799 –> 00:05:57,279These are the unavoidable questions of life. And their natural tendency5000:05:57,279 –> 00:06:05,279is to produce anxiety. But here Jesus says, do not be anxious. You read that,5100:06:05,279 –> 00:06:13,839you say, well, how can we do that? Well, Jesus tells us why we must not give way to anxiety.5200:06:13,839 –> 00:06:20,559Notice he tells us. Verse 26, there’s no need for anxiety. Look at the birds of the air. They5300:06:20,559 –> 00:06:26,239neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.5400:06:26,239 –> 00:06:32,880Are you not of more value than they? Look, your Heavenly Father cares for the birds, Jesus says.5500:06:32,880 –> 00:06:38,959Do you not think that your Heavenly Father will care for you as well? There is no need for you5600:06:38,959 –> 00:06:48,160to be anxious. Then He follows it up in verse 27 by saying there is no point in being anxious.5700:06:48,880 –> 00:06:55,760Verse 27, which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to the span of his life?5800:06:57,200 –> 00:07:03,359You see what Jesus is saying. Worry doesn’t change a thing. It can’t make your health better.5900:07:05,200 –> 00:07:09,519It can’t extend your life by a single day or a single hour.6000:07:09,839 –> 00:07:14,160Worry is in its nature completely and utterly unproductive.6100:07:15,279 –> 00:07:20,000So if there’s no need for anxiety and there’s no point6200:07:20,000 –> 00:07:24,559in anxiety, why do we worry? Now Jesus tells us,6300:07:26,320 –> 00:07:36,480oh you of little faith, verse 30, we worry because our faith is small.6400:07:37,440 –> 00:07:41,339Now remember that Jesus is talking here to believers,6500:07:42,720 –> 00:07:47,679he doesn’t say to these first hearers of these words that they have no faith.6600:07:47,679 –> 00:07:53,600No, he says they have little faith and what Jesus is saying here is that6700:07:53,600 –> 00:07:57,179little faith is ineffective against anxiety.6800:07:57,179 –> 00:08:01,440Yes, you believe but you’re anxious so much of the time.6900:08:01,920 –> 00:08:09,119It is possible to be a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and yet still to be overwhelmed7000:08:09,119 –> 00:08:16,880with anxiety and none of us wants to be there and that’s the first reason why we all want to grow7100:08:17,679 –> 00:08:25,220in faith. The more we grow in faith, the more we will prevail over anxiety.7200:08:25,359 –> 00:08:30,119Grow in your faith and you will worry less.7300:08:30,119 –> 00:08:34,280Grow in your faith and you will have greater peace,7400:08:34,280 –> 00:08:37,400you’ll have greater freedom,7500:08:37,400 –> 00:08:39,400and you’ll have greater joy.7600:08:41,960 –> 00:08:46,200So how can we grow in faith? That’s always the practical question, isn’t it?7700:08:46,200 –> 00:08:49,719Well there are many, many answers to that question.7800:08:49,760 –> 00:08:51,919How can we grow in faith?7900:08:51,919 –> 00:08:55,260We’re going to pick up on five of them today,8000:08:55,260 –> 00:08:57,900and God willing in the weeks that lie ahead,8100:08:57,900 –> 00:09:00,919we’re going to see many more answers to the question,8200:09:00,919 –> 00:09:02,599how can I grow in faith?8300:09:02,599 –> 00:09:06,679I hope that you’re going to embrace each and every one of them.8400:09:06,679 –> 00:09:10,359Notice what our Lord says to Little Faith here.8500:09:10,359 –> 00:09:12,619Verse 338600:09:12,760 –> 00:09:17,619Seek first the kingdom of God8700:09:17,619 –> 00:09:23,299and all these things will be added to you.8800:09:23,299 –> 00:09:24,539You see the point?8900:09:24,539 –> 00:09:30,659Faith grows as we seek God’s kingdom.9000:09:30,659 –> 00:09:35,679Give yourself to serving the Lord9100:09:35,679 –> 00:09:38,500and you will grow in faith.9200:09:38,500 –> 00:09:41,219Hold back and your faith will remain little,9300:09:41,219 –> 00:09:43,840but give yourself to seek his kingdom.9400:09:43,840 –> 00:09:45,799Give yourself to serve the Lord9500:09:45,799 –> 00:09:50,059and you will grow in faith.9600:09:51,320 –> 00:09:52,640You’re listening to Open The Bible9700:09:52,640 –> 00:09:54,260with Pastor Colin Smith9800:09:54,260 –> 00:09:56,799and a message called Little Faith.9900:09:56,799 –> 00:09:58,760We’ve got to pause the message briefly here.10000:09:58,760 –> 00:10:00,719But we’ll be back very shortly.10100:10:00,719 –> 00:10:02,719So, I hope you’ll stay with us.10200:10:02,719 –> 00:10:06,080The message is part of a series called Grow in Faith.10300:10:06,080 –> 00:10:08,159And if you ever miss part of the series,10400:10:08,159 –> 00:10:09,760you can easily catch up or go back10500:10:09,820 –> 00:10:12,820and listen again by coming online to our website.10600:10:12,820 –> 00:10:15,799openthebible.org.uk.10700:10:15,799 –> 00:10:17,700Also you can find us as a podcast10800:10:17,700 –> 00:10:19,440on all the main podcast sites10900:10:19,440 –> 00:10:22,880by searching for Open The Bible UK.11000:10:22,880 –> 00:10:24,159Back to the message now.11100:10:24,159 –> 00:10:26,239Here again is Pastor Colin.11200:10:26,239 –> 00:10:29,960Now, the second time that Jesus refers to little faith11300:10:29,960 –> 00:10:32,239is in Matthew 8.11400:10:33,640 –> 00:10:35,320And here we come to the story11500:10:35,320 –> 00:10:38,479of where the disciples were shaken to the core11600:10:38,479 –> 00:10:40,400by a sudden storm.11700:10:40,400 –> 00:10:42,039And from this story,11800:10:42,039 –> 00:10:43,840we learned that little faith11900:10:43,840 –> 00:10:48,840underestimates the ability of Jesus.12000:10:49,200 –> 00:10:50,520Notice Jesus said to them,12100:10:50,520 –> 00:10:54,380,’Why are you afraid oh, you of little faith?’12200:10:54,380 –> 00:10:58,580And then he rose and he rebuked the winds and the sea12300:10:58,580 –> 00:11:01,440and there was a great calm.12400:11:03,000 –> 00:11:05,520Now, if you look up a few verses12500:11:06,020 –> 00:11:09,159in Matthew in chapter 8 to verse 18,12600:11:09,159 –> 00:11:12,859you will see that the disciples got into the boat12700:11:12,859 –> 00:11:17,859at the express command of the Lord Jesus Christ.12800:11:18,080 –> 00:11:20,739He commanded them.12900:11:20,739 –> 00:11:23,679He gave orders, Matthew said,13000:11:23,679 –> 00:11:27,640that they go over to the other side of the lake13100:11:27,640 –> 00:11:30,320and it seems that the water was calm13200:11:30,320 –> 00:11:33,000when the disciples set out in obedience13300:11:33,000 –> 00:11:34,599to the command of Jesus.13400:11:34,599 –> 00:11:39,359What could be more pleasant than an evening boat trip13500:11:39,359 –> 00:11:41,979with the Lord Jesus Christ?13600:11:41,979 –> 00:11:43,599But you know the story.13700:11:43,599 –> 00:11:48,239Suddenly, unexpectedly, everything changed.13800:11:48,239 –> 00:11:52,799Verse 24, and behold, there arose a great storm on the sea13900:11:52,799 –> 00:11:56,719so that the boat was being swamped by the waves.14000:11:57,679 –> 00:12:01,679Matthew tells us that Jesus was asleep.14100:12:02,619 –> 00:12:06,099So you see, here you are in a crisis,14200:12:06,099 –> 00:12:08,359and the first question you have is,14300:12:08,359 –> 00:12:11,440what in the world is Jesus doing?14400:12:12,719 –> 00:12:16,500And the truth is he doesn’t appear to be doing anything.14500:12:18,140 –> 00:12:20,299He doesn’t seem even to be engaged.14600:12:22,059 –> 00:12:25,900So the disciples go, and they waken the savior.14700:12:25,900 –> 00:12:29,159Save us, Lord, they say, we are perishing.14800:12:29,159 –> 00:12:31,219See, that’s what faith does.14900:12:32,039 –> 00:12:36,400Faith’s first instinct in times of trouble15000:12:36,400 –> 00:12:40,539is to turn to the Lord and to ask for help.15100:12:41,659 –> 00:12:44,979And Matthew records that Jesus said to them,15200:12:44,979 –> 00:12:46,760why are you afraid?15300:12:47,940 –> 00:12:49,400O you of little faith.15400:12:50,539 –> 00:12:52,000And what I want you to notice here15500:12:52,000 –> 00:12:57,000is that little faith is obedient to Jesus.15600:12:57,299 –> 00:12:59,359The disciples obeyed the command of Jesus.15700:12:59,359 –> 00:13:01,140They got in the boat when he told them15800:13:01,140 –> 00:13:03,260to cross to the other side of the lake.15900:13:03,260 –> 00:13:07,059Little faith obeys the Lord Jesus.16000:13:07,059 –> 00:13:10,780And little faith prays to the Lord Jesus.16100:13:10,780 –> 00:13:12,460The disciples called on Jesus,16200:13:12,460 –> 00:13:14,020they asked Him for help.16300:13:14,020 –> 00:13:16,539Save us, we are perishing.16400:13:16,539 –> 00:13:20,479So little faith obeys, and little faith prays,16500:13:20,479 –> 00:13:24,880and yet little faith still lives in fear.16600:13:26,140 –> 00:13:29,320Because little faith underestimates16700:13:30,320 –> 00:13:31,859the ability of Jesus.16800:13:33,099 –> 00:13:36,299Do you see, it is possible to be an obedient,16900:13:36,299 –> 00:13:41,020praying believer, and still to underestimate17000:13:41,020 –> 00:13:45,099what Jesus Christ is able to do.17100:13:45,099 –> 00:13:46,599That’s what little faith does.17200:13:47,619 –> 00:13:52,619And none of us wants to underestimate the ability of Jesus.17300:13:54,780 –> 00:13:57,219Now notice where the story ends17400:13:57,219 –> 00:13:59,140because here’s where we pick up17500:13:59,140 –> 00:14:02,260another lesson on how to grow in faith.17600:14:02,260 –> 00:14:04,000Verse 26, Matthew records,17700:14:04,000 –> 00:14:08,039Then he that is Jesus rose,17800:14:08,039 –> 00:14:09,440he got up from sleeping in the boat,17900:14:09,440 –> 00:14:11,760and he rebuked the winds and the sea,18000:14:11,760 –> 00:14:13,599and there was a great calm.18100:14:13,599 –> 00:14:15,880And the men marveled,18200:14:15,880 –> 00:14:19,239saying what sort of man is this18300:14:19,239 –> 00:14:23,619that even winds and sea obey him?18400:14:23,719 –> 00:14:28,719Faith grows as we get to know Jesus.18500:14:29,719 –> 00:14:34,559Walk with him, learn of him,18600:14:34,559 –> 00:14:36,119look to him,18700:14:36,119 –> 00:14:39,880and your faith will grow.18800:14:39,880 –> 00:14:43,719You know, Paul says that he is able to do18900:14:43,719 –> 00:14:47,539far more abundantly19000:14:47,539 –> 00:14:50,119above all that we ask19100:14:51,020 –> 00:14:53,780and even above all that we think.19200:14:54,900 –> 00:14:59,900Little faith believes enough to ask Jesus for help.19300:14:59,960 –> 00:15:02,780Little faith thinks that God can help,19400:15:02,780 –> 00:15:05,140that is why he or she asks,19500:15:06,239 –> 00:15:11,000but God is able to do far abundantly more19600:15:12,179 –> 00:15:15,619than little faith asks or thinks.19700:15:16,539 –> 00:15:18,799He’s able to do far more19800:15:18,799 –> 00:15:22,359than any of us here today even thinks.19900:15:23,280 –> 00:15:28,280Walk with him and you will find out what he can do.20000:15:31,599 –> 00:15:34,960Now, the third time20100:15:34,960 –> 00:15:38,000that Jesus refers to little faith20200:15:38,000 –> 00:15:39,979is in Matthew chapter 14,20300:15:39,979 –> 00:15:43,239and you might like to turn over to that with me now.20400:15:43,239 –> 00:15:47,039This is the story of when Jesus came to his disciples20500:15:47,039 –> 00:15:49,239walking on the water,20600:15:49,239 –> 00:15:50,280and from this story,20700:15:50,280 –> 00:15:54,960we learn that little faith is easily distracted.20800:15:55,840 –> 00:15:58,479Notice Matthew 14 and verse 31.20900:15:58,479 –> 00:16:00,780Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand21000:16:00,780 –> 00:16:03,000and took hold of him, that is Peter,21100:16:03,000 –> 00:16:04,140saying to him,21200:16:04,140 –> 00:16:06,580O you of little faith,21300:16:07,919 –> 00:16:10,000why did you doubt?21400:16:11,679 –> 00:16:12,919Now again, this is a story21500:16:12,979 –> 00:16:14,500that some of us know well.21600:16:15,539 –> 00:16:18,679The disciples were in the boat at night21700:16:19,739 –> 00:16:22,840and Jesus had gone to a mountain on his own21800:16:22,840 –> 00:16:24,239in order to pray.21900:16:25,140 –> 00:16:26,880But late in the night,22000:16:26,880 –> 00:16:31,320Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water.22100:16:32,299 –> 00:16:33,619At first, the disciples thought22200:16:33,619 –> 00:16:35,559that they were seeing a ghost,22300:16:35,559 –> 00:16:36,460but Jesus said,22400:16:36,460 –> 00:16:37,780take heart,22500:16:37,780 –> 00:16:39,719it is I,22600:16:39,719 –> 00:16:41,299do not be afraid.22700:16:42,280 –> 00:16:43,119And Peter said,22800:16:43,119 –> 00:16:43,940Lord, if it’s you,22900:16:43,940 –> 00:16:47,340command me to come to you on the water,23000:16:47,340 –> 00:16:48,979and Jesus said, come.23100:16:50,400 –> 00:16:51,700Peter got out of the boat23200:16:52,799 –> 00:16:56,940and he walked on the water to Jesus.23300:16:58,900 –> 00:17:01,460Now here we learn something else about faith.23400:17:01,460 –> 00:17:05,660Faith takes bold initiatives23500:17:05,660 –> 00:17:08,819at the command of the Lord Jesus Christ.23600:17:09,800 –> 00:17:11,719When we look at the story,23700:17:11,719 –> 00:17:13,699Peter getting out of the boat,23800:17:13,699 –> 00:17:16,780our first thought is most likely,23900:17:16,780 –> 00:17:19,680well, Peter must’ve had great faith to do that.24000:17:19,680 –> 00:17:21,079I mean, I’m not sure I would have done it.24100:17:21,079 –> 00:17:22,339Would I have got out of the boat?24200:17:22,339 –> 00:17:25,300Peter must’ve had great faith to get out of the boat.24300:17:25,300 –> 00:17:28,099And yet what Jesus says to him here is,24400:17:28,099 –> 00:17:29,959oh, you have little faith.24500:17:32,579 –> 00:17:35,300Spurgeon suggests that Peter’s faith24600:17:35,300 –> 00:17:38,160was little from the beginning24700:17:38,160 –> 00:17:43,160because little faith is always looking for a sign.24800:17:45,579 –> 00:17:46,599Listen to what he says.24900:17:46,599 –> 00:17:48,140I quote,25000:17:48,140 –> 00:17:53,140little faith is far too eager for science.25100:17:54,239 –> 00:17:55,079Spurgeon says,25200:17:55,079 –> 00:17:59,599I do not think Peter’s faith suddenly became little.25300:17:59,599 –> 00:18:01,800It was always little.25400:18:01,800 –> 00:18:06,199And the sight of the wind made it’s littleness apparent.25500:18:07,079 –> 00:18:12,079He continues strong faith is content without signs.25600:18:13,719 –> 00:18:17,560It believes God’s bare word25700:18:17,560 –> 00:18:21,859and asks for no confirming miracle.25800:18:24,199 –> 00:18:27,400Now, it’s clear from the story then25900:18:27,400 –> 00:18:28,959that little faith,26000:18:28,959 –> 00:18:33,339that’s the name by which Jesus addresses Peter here,26100:18:33,359 –> 00:18:35,939little faith can achieve great things.26200:18:36,939 –> 00:18:38,819But it’s also clear from this story26300:18:38,819 –> 00:18:42,040that little faith gets easily distracted.26400:18:42,040 –> 00:18:44,239Here’s Peter taking what looks like26500:18:44,239 –> 00:18:46,260this bold initiative of faith,26600:18:46,260 –> 00:18:49,439he’s responding to the invitation of Jesus to come.26700:18:50,859 –> 00:18:53,800But Matthew tells us that when he walked on the water,26800:18:53,800 –> 00:18:58,800he saw the wind, verse 30, and he was afraid.26900:18:59,719 –> 00:19:03,400So picture this, his eyes are on Jesus27000:19:03,400 –> 00:19:05,760as he walks towards the Master.27100:19:05,760 –> 00:19:07,540But you see, the thing with little faith27200:19:07,540 –> 00:19:10,119is it’s easily distracted.27300:19:10,119 –> 00:19:12,719And when he saw the wind, oh well,27400:19:12,719 –> 00:19:15,719then he was afraid, and he began to sink.27500:19:17,239 –> 00:19:19,579Now this is one of the marks of little faith.27600:19:20,560 –> 00:19:22,739It looks to Jesus,27700:19:22,739 –> 00:19:24,800and then it looks away to something else.27800:19:25,699 –> 00:19:27,939Now we’re asking the practical question27900:19:27,939 –> 00:19:29,060throughout the series,28000:19:29,060 –> 00:19:32,579how can my faith grow?28100:19:32,579 –> 00:19:33,959Well again, from this story,28200:19:33,959 –> 00:19:36,400we’ve got another very obvious answer.28300:19:36,400 –> 00:19:41,400And it’s this, that faith grows as we worship.28400:19:42,160 –> 00:19:45,839And that’s where the story ends here.28500:19:45,839 –> 00:19:49,359Verse 32, when they got into the boat,28600:19:49,359 –> 00:19:54,359the wind ceased, and those in the boat worshipped him.28700:19:55,380 –> 00:20:00,380Saying, truly you are the Son of God.28800:20:02,540 –> 00:20:06,760Worship is the gaze of the soul28900:20:06,760 –> 00:20:09,000upon the Lord Jesus Christ.29000:20:09,000 –> 00:20:14,000And your faith will grow as you worship.29100:20:15,699 –> 00:20:17,119You’ve been listening to Open the Bible29200:20:17,119 –> 00:20:18,420with Pastor Colin Smith.29300:20:18,420 –> 00:20:20,859And a message called, Little Faith.29400:20:20,859 –> 00:20:23,760We’ve begun to look at reasons for growing in faith.29500:20:23,800 –> 00:20:25,439We’ve seen three so far29600:20:25,439 –> 00:20:28,560and there will be two more coming in our next program.29700:20:28,560 –> 00:20:31,459We’ve also been thinking about strategies to grow in faith.29800:20:31,459 –> 00:20:34,560Today, we heard that faith grows as we worship.29900:20:34,560 –> 00:20:37,020And next time, we’ll hear two more strategies.30000:20:37,020 –> 00:20:39,160So, I hope you’ll join us for that.30100:20:39,160 –> 00:20:42,560Little faith is part of our series, grow in faith.30200:20:42,560 –> 00:20:45,599And if you ever miss one of the messages in the series,30300:20:45,599 –> 00:20:48,040you can easily catch up or go back and listen again30400:20:48,040 –> 00:20:50,239by coming online to our website,30500:20:50,280 –> 00:20:54,800openthebible.org.uk, also available as a podcast30600:20:54,800 –> 00:20:57,079if you search on your favourite podcast site30700:20:57,079 –> 00:20:59,000for Open the Bible UK30800:20:59,000 –> 00:21:01,660or follow the link from our website.30900:21:01,660 –> 00:21:04,119Open the Bible is listened to by people31000:21:04,119 –> 00:21:05,479up and down the country.31100:21:05,479 –> 00:21:08,979I’m with Open the Bible’s executive director, John Martin.31200:21:08,979 –> 00:21:12,280John, what are listeners saying when they contact you?31300:21:12,280 –> 00:21:16,219Yeah, so we get letters from all sorts of listeners31400:21:16,219 –> 00:21:18,880and some of those listeners are actually inmates31500:21:18,880 –> 00:21:20,900around UK prisons31600:21:20,900 –> 00:21:22,920and it’s wonderful to receive the news31700:21:22,920 –> 00:21:25,199that they’ve been able to listen to the broadcast31800:21:25,199 –> 00:21:27,060and they’ve been encouraged by it.31900:21:27,060 –> 00:21:28,640We’re pursuing a partnership32000:21:28,640 –> 00:21:31,839with Daylight Christian Prison Trust.32100:21:31,839 –> 00:21:35,280They have chaplains in a number of UK prisons32200:21:35,280 –> 00:21:37,640and they’re keen to use good resources32300:21:37,640 –> 00:21:39,239with those exploring faith32400:21:39,239 –> 00:21:41,839and those seeking to grow in their faith.32500:21:41,839 –> 00:21:42,800So, we’ve talked with them32600:21:42,800 –> 00:21:45,199about the possibility of getting the film,32700:21:45,959 –> 00:21:48,859into as many of those prisons as possible32800:21:48,859 –> 00:21:51,560to give the chaplains the discussion guide32900:21:51,560 –> 00:21:54,500to supply the chaplains with the books or booklets.33000:21:54,500 –> 00:21:56,079So, we’re trialing that now33100:21:56,079 –> 00:21:59,160with the hope of creating a batch of DVDs of the films33200:21:59,160 –> 00:22:01,280so that they can easily take those in33300:22:01,280 –> 00:22:03,500and share the good news that way.33400:22:03,500 –> 00:22:05,520There are a number of prisoners around the UK33500:22:05,520 –> 00:22:07,000who are really keen33600:22:07,000 –> 00:22:09,020to learn more about the Christian faith33700:22:09,020 –> 00:22:11,079and so, if we can give them courses33800:22:11,119 –> 00:22:12,420that are accessible33900:22:12,420 –> 00:22:14,199and appropriate for their setting,34000:22:14,199 –> 00:22:16,400then we are very, very eager to do that.34100:22:16,400 –> 00:22:17,540To find out more about34200:22:17,540 –> 00:22:18,979the work of Open the Bible34300:22:18,979 –> 00:22:20,140come to our website34400:22:20,140 –> 00:22:23,060openthebible.org.uk34500:22:23,459 –> 00:22:26,099Open the Bible is supported by our listeners.34600:22:26,099 –> 00:22:27,520It’s people just like you34700:22:27,520 –> 00:22:30,099who keep Open the Bible on this station,34800:22:30,099 –> 00:22:31,359on the internet,34900:22:31,359 –> 00:22:33,520and on all the podcast sites.35000:22:33,520 –> 00:22:36,040So, if you already give to support the work,35100:22:36,040 –> 00:22:37,939thank you so much!35200:22:37,939 –> 00:22:40,060If supporting Open the Bible financially35300:22:40,060 –> 00:22:42,400is something that you’d like to begin to do,35400:22:42,420 –> 00:22:44,479this month we’d love to say thank-you35500:22:44,479 –> 00:22:46,839by sending you a free gift.35600:22:46,839 –> 00:22:49,040If you’re able to begin a new direct debit35700:22:49,040 –> 00:22:51,719of 5 pounds per month, or more,35800:22:51,719 –> 00:22:54,479or a one-off gift of 60 pounds or more,35900:22:54,479 –> 00:22:56,800we’d love to send you a copy of36000:22:56,800 –> 00:22:58,339Nancy Guthrie’s book,36100:22:58,339 –> 00:23:00,079I’m Praying For You!36200:23:00,079 –> 00:23:02,06040 Days of Praying the Bible36300:23:02,060 –> 00:23:04,319for Someone Who Is Suffering36400:23:04,319 –> 00:23:05,939Colin, what’s the one thing you hope36500:23:05,939 –> 00:23:07,199people who read this book36600:23:07,199 –> 00:23:09,000will take away from it?36700:23:09,000 –> 00:23:11,199Well, the thing that I’ve gained from this book36800:23:11,199 –> 00:23:14,260is that it is a way of staying fresh36900:23:14,260 –> 00:23:17,319in praying for people that we want to intercede37000:23:17,319 –> 00:23:19,579for over a long period of time.37100:23:19,579 –> 00:23:21,560And I think every Christian has37200:23:21,560 –> 00:23:24,180friends, loved ones for whom we’re committed37300:23:24,180 –> 00:23:26,359to pray over the long haul,37400:23:26,359 –> 00:23:28,180and the question, of course, is always37500:23:28,180 –> 00:23:31,680how do I stay fresh in praying for the same person37600:23:31,680 –> 00:23:33,319day after day after day?37700:23:33,319 –> 00:23:36,140Well, what Nancy Guthrie has done wonderfully37800:23:36,140 –> 00:23:38,839is she’s brought together from scripture37900:23:38,959 –> 00:23:43,06040 different ways of praying for someone you love,38000:23:43,060 –> 00:23:45,260someone in need, someone who is suffering.38100:23:45,260 –> 00:23:46,819You can use one of these every day38200:23:46,819 –> 00:23:48,859and you can reuse them many times,38300:23:48,859 –> 00:23:51,300so it’s in 40 very simple sections.38400:23:51,300 –> 00:23:53,540I mean, for example, I’m praying38500:23:53,540 –> 00:23:55,439that the Lord will keep you.38600:23:55,439 –> 00:23:57,380And another one, I’m praying that you38700:23:57,380 –> 00:24:00,060will not fear bad news.38800:24:00,060 –> 00:24:02,660I’m praying that God will make you fruitful.38900:24:02,660 –> 00:24:03,959I’m praying that you’ll grasp39000:24:03,959 –> 00:24:06,140how deeply you’re loved by God.39100:24:06,140 –> 00:24:08,939I’m praying that you’ll cast your anxieties on God.39200:24:08,939 –> 00:24:12,660I’m praying that you’ll learn the secret of being content.39300:24:12,660 –> 00:24:17,540So here are 40 distinct ways to pray for someone you love.39400:24:17,540 –> 00:24:19,000It’s a marvelous resource.39500:24:19,000 –> 00:24:21,000I’ve never seen anything quite like it,39600:24:21,000 –> 00:24:25,260but it will inject freshness into your prayer life,39700:24:25,260 –> 00:24:27,699and I think it will be a great blessing and a help to many.39800:24:27,699 –> 00:24:29,219Well, we’d love to send you a copy39900:24:29,219 –> 00:24:31,699of Nancy Guthrie’s book, I’m Praying For You,40000:24:31,699 –> 00:24:33,560when you begin a new direct debit40100:24:33,599 –> 00:24:36,479to the work of Open The Bible of five pounds per month40200:24:36,479 –> 00:24:40,079or more, or a one-off gift of 60 pounds or more.40300:24:40,079 –> 00:24:42,579You’ll find full terms and conditions online40400:24:42,579 –> 00:24:46,520at our website openthemyopenthebible.org.uk,40500:24:46,520 –> 00:24:48,920and you can also give online.40600:24:48,920 –> 00:24:51,459If you want us to send you this free gift,40700:24:51,459 –> 00:24:53,520please don’t give anonymously,40800:24:53,520 –> 00:24:56,079and don’t forget to leave your full name and address40900:24:56,079 –> 00:24:57,979so that we can send you your gift.41000:24:59,199 –> 00:25:01,439For Open The Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,41100:25:01,479 –> 00:25:02,540I’m David Pick.41200:25:02,540 –> 00:25:04,000Thanks for being with us today,41300:25:04,000 –> 00:25:06,079and I hope you’ll join us again next time.41400:25:12,680 –> 00:25:16,239You’ve been a believer for some time, maybe years,41500:25:16,239 –> 00:25:18,880but then some crisis erupts in your life,41600:25:18,880 –> 00:25:22,420and you say, Lord, increase my faith.41700:25:22,420 –> 00:25:24,819Discover how to grow in faith.41800:25:24,819 –> 00:25:26,839That’s next time on Open The Bible.