100:00:00,920 –> 00:00:11,820Love is the great motivation for all of our work. Let the thief no longer steal200:00:11,820 –> 00:00:18,600but rather let him labor doing honest work with his hands.300:00:18,600 –> 00:00:28,440Why? So that he may have something to share with anyone in need.400:00:28,480 –> 00:00:33,080Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick.500:00:33,080 –> 00:00:39,200Glad you’re with us today. And Colin, for many of us there are mixed motives for working aren’t there?600:00:39,200 –> 00:00:42,959But, you said the biblical motive for work is love.700:00:42,959 –> 00:00:48,639If we can’t honestly say that is our main motive for working, how do we change that?800:00:48,639 –> 00:00:53,439Yeah, well, you’re absolutely right to speak about there being different motives.900:00:53,580 –> 00:00:59,799There are multiple motives, not just one, but love is the supreme motive in every sphere1000:00:59,799 –> 00:01:01,880of life, and that includes our work.1100:01:01,880 –> 00:01:07,339You know, so someone is listening today, and you’re saying, I don’t love my work.1200:01:07,339 –> 00:01:13,919Yes, but you do love the Lord and it’s the Lord that has given you this particular work1300:01:13,919 –> 00:01:15,680to do at this particular time.1400:01:15,680 –> 00:01:22,919And so to do it well is actually an expression of your love for the Lord Jesus Christ, who1500:01:23,000 –> 00:01:27,860has given you this work, and I find that that elevates work.1600:01:27,860 –> 00:01:31,680It helps me if I go to do something that I really don’t want to do, to say, well, you1700:01:31,680 –> 00:01:36,519know, I’m not doing this just because I’m employed and I have these responsibilities.1800:01:36,519 –> 00:01:41,879I’m offering this to the Lord, and I’m going to do it to the best of my ability because1900:01:41,879 –> 00:01:44,940it’s what He’s given me to do at this particular time.2000:01:44,940 –> 00:01:50,480So I find that to be immensely helpful, and I hope that the message today’s really going2100:01:50,540 –> 00:01:54,639going to be encouraging in this very important area of life.2200:01:54,639 –> 00:01:58,599You have work, and God has given you work to do.2300:01:58,599 –> 00:02:05,699Let’s pursue doing that work as an act of love and an expression of worship to the Lord2400:02:05,699 –> 00:02:07,360who has given this work to us.2500:02:07,360 –> 00:02:11,479Well, we’re going to be looking at several references in proverbs today, so if you can2600:02:11,479 –> 00:02:17,960join us in your Bible and be ready to jump around a bit, as we continue the message work.2700:02:18,699 –> 00:02:19,699Here’s Pastor Colin.2800:02:19,699 –> 00:02:25,020The motive of a hard-working person.2900:02:25,020 –> 00:02:31,220And here I want to look at Proverbs, chapter 24, and verse 30, where we read,3000:02:31,220 –> 00:02:38,059I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,3100:02:38,059 –> 00:02:43,100and behold, it was overgrown with thorns3200:02:43,100 –> 00:02:46,419the ground was covered with nettles3300:02:46,460 –> 00:02:50,979and its stone wall was broken down.3400:02:50,979 –> 00:02:55,779Now, picture a wise man, and he’s out on a beautiful afternoon3500:02:55,779 –> 00:02:59,320taking a walk in the countryside.3600:02:59,320 –> 00:03:05,300And the path that he’s walking on takes him by the edge of little properties3700:03:05,300 –> 00:03:08,360one little farm after another.3800:03:08,360 –> 00:03:11,839He looks over the land, and he sees at the end of the land3900:03:11,839 –> 00:03:15,380a little house where the family that works that land is.4000:03:15,479 –> 00:03:17,160And he moves on past the next farm.4100:03:17,160 –> 00:03:19,179It’s a beautiful, beautiful walk.4200:03:19,179 –> 00:03:26,440And as he goes along this path, he sees a field of ripening corn.4300:03:26,440 –> 00:03:30,360And as he looks across the fields to the little house4400:03:30,360 –> 00:03:35,100at the end where the family who are working this field live4500:03:35,100 –> 00:03:38,139he thinks, oh, there’s gonna be a great harvest for this family.4600:03:38,139 –> 00:03:41,500They’re gonna be richly, wonderfully blessed this year.4700:03:42,460 –> 00:03:46,899And then, as he continues on the path, he walks past a vineyard.4800:03:46,899 –> 00:03:52,699And he sees these great clusters of grapes hanging from the branches.4900:03:52,699 –> 00:03:55,820Looks down at the house at the end of that property and says,5000:03:55,820 –> 00:04:01,660oh, there’s gonna be a great harvest for this family this year.5100:04:01,660 –> 00:04:04,119They’re gonna be so richly blessed.5200:04:04,119 –> 00:04:06,259And he keeps walking along this little path5300:04:06,259 –> 00:04:11,179and then he sees this land and it’s an orchard.5400:04:11,179 –> 00:04:12,440He had to get that bit in.5500:04:12,440 –> 00:04:13,820It’s an orchard.5600:04:13,820 –> 00:04:18,420And he thinks, oh, how blessed are the family that live here5700:04:18,420 –> 00:04:22,980and are deeply rooted in this soil.5800:04:22,980 –> 00:04:28,779And then he comes to another property that looks very, very different.5900:04:28,779 –> 00:04:32,459The field is overgrown with thorns.6000:04:32,459 –> 00:04:35,579The ground is covered with nettles.6100:04:36,179 –> 00:04:43,399And the stone wall around the field is broken down.6200:04:43,399 –> 00:04:50,040God has given to the person who lives here a field.6300:04:50,040 –> 00:04:57,100But this man has not used what he was given.6400:04:57,279 –> 00:05:01,760And the tragedy of the neglected field6500:05:01,760 –> 00:05:07,179is not just that the sluggard has failed to provide for himself.6600:05:07,179 –> 00:05:10,260It is that this man, unlike all his neighbors,6700:05:10,260 –> 00:05:14,739is unable to contribute to the needs of others.6800:05:14,739 –> 00:05:20,320Look at chapter 21 and verse 25 that draws this out.6900:05:20,320 –> 00:05:26,100The desire of the sluggard kills him for his hands refused to labor.7000:05:26,459 –> 00:05:35,220All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.7100:05:35,220 –> 00:05:38,000So you see the contrast that’s being made here7200:05:38,000 –> 00:05:42,640is a contrast between the sluggard and the righteous.7300:05:42,640 –> 00:05:47,279And here’s the difference, the righteous has a good harvest.7400:05:47,279 –> 00:05:50,640And so he has enough for himself and for his family,7500:05:50,640 –> 00:05:52,420and he is enough for others as well.7600:05:52,459 –> 00:05:56,359So he’s able to give and he does not hold back.7700:05:56,359 –> 00:06:02,500But the sluggard who does not plow, he has nothing to give.7800:06:04,619 –> 00:06:06,820So think about this.7900:06:06,820 –> 00:06:12,820God gave the sluggard a field.8000:06:12,820 –> 00:06:17,920God gave him something that would produce,8100:06:17,920 –> 00:06:20,200it would produce all that he needed for himself8200:06:20,200 –> 00:06:23,220and a whole lot more beside.8300:06:23,220 –> 00:06:24,720More than he could give to others.8400:06:24,720 –> 00:06:26,160But here’s the problem.8500:06:26,160 –> 00:06:29,579The sluggard did not use what God had given to him,8600:06:29,579 –> 00:06:34,040did not use his God-given gift.8700:06:34,040 –> 00:06:39,619And because he did not use that which God gave to him,8800:06:39,619 –> 00:06:43,079the field became overgrown.8900:06:43,079 –> 00:06:47,799And the wall was broken down.9000:06:47,799 –> 00:06:51,119Now, right here in Proverbs and particularly9100:06:51,119 –> 00:06:53,559in the contrast between the sluggard and the righteous,9200:06:53,559 –> 00:06:57,399there is the seed of a principle that9300:06:57,399 –> 00:07:00,799is drawn out and made quite clear and explicit9400:07:00,799 –> 00:07:04,100in the New Testament, and it’s this.9500:07:04,100 –> 00:07:10,440That love is the great motivation for all of our work.9600:07:10,440 –> 00:07:14,440You see it in Ephesians chapter 4 in verse 28.9700:07:14,519 –> 00:07:19,239Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor9800:07:19,239 –> 00:07:23,200doing honest work with his hands.9900:07:23,200 –> 00:07:25,799Why?10000:07:25,799 –> 00:07:35,119So that he may have something to share with anyone in need.10100:07:35,119 –> 00:07:39,420In other words, the motive for using the gifts10200:07:39,420 –> 00:07:41,640that God has given to us is not simply10300:07:41,640 –> 00:07:44,359so that I will have what I need.10400:07:44,459 –> 00:07:47,799It is so that I can contribute to the needs of others.10500:07:47,799 –> 00:07:50,040So that in the exercise of whatever God has given10600:07:50,040 –> 00:07:53,420to each one of us, we are able to minister10700:07:53,420 –> 00:07:55,320to the needs of others.10800:07:55,320 –> 00:07:59,279Love is the great motive for all of our work10900:07:59,279 –> 00:08:04,720and of course that begins with our love for God.11000:08:04,720 –> 00:08:08,079So Colossians chapter three in verse 23,11100:08:08,079 –> 00:08:10,980whatever you do.11200:08:10,980 –> 00:08:14,320So we’re talking here about whatever your paid work is11300:08:14,959 –> 00:08:18,299Whatever work you have been given to do that is not paid,11400:08:18,299 –> 00:08:22,160whatever you have been called by God to do in your life,11500:08:22,160 –> 00:08:24,559whatever the work that He has given you to do,11600:08:25,980 –> 00:08:30,859work at it with all your heart, why?11700:08:30,859 –> 00:08:35,859As working for the Lord, not for men.11800:08:36,359 –> 00:08:39,559You see, that’s why you become a very productive person11900:08:40,840 –> 00:08:43,200even when you’re not being closely supervised12000:08:43,219 –> 00:08:46,340because while the eye of some boss may not be on you,12100:08:46,340 –> 00:08:47,520the eye of the Lord is,12200:08:47,520 –> 00:08:50,400and you’re doing it for Him and for His glory.12300:08:50,400 –> 00:08:52,500And that’s why you always offer your best.12400:08:54,520 –> 00:08:58,479These words from Colossians 3, in verse 2312500:08:58,479 –> 00:09:03,479are above the door of my study at home.12600:09:05,119 –> 00:09:10,119And I normally go in to the study with great joy.12700:09:11,099 –> 00:09:12,179What a privilege.12800:09:13,619 –> 00:09:15,419But like everyone else,12900:09:15,419 –> 00:09:18,260there are always days when one struggles.13000:09:19,400 –> 00:09:21,080And on days when I’m struggling,13100:09:21,080 –> 00:09:23,700I sometimes just touch that text above the door13200:09:23,700 –> 00:09:24,539on my way in13300:09:26,159 –> 00:09:31,159because it’s a reminder to me I’m doing it for You, Lord.13400:09:32,400 –> 00:09:34,460I don’t feel like doing this today,13500:09:35,900 –> 00:09:40,119but I want to offer what I’m doing to You as worship.13600:09:40,979 –> 00:09:43,880And You will find that whatever Your work is,13700:09:43,880 –> 00:09:46,539You will find that principle immensely helpful13800:09:46,539 –> 00:09:50,119that the motive for it is first Your own love for the Lord.13900:09:51,260 –> 00:09:56,020Whatever your work is, offer it to Him as worship.14000:09:56,020 –> 00:09:59,159I’m writing this essay, Lord, for You.14100:09:59,159 –> 00:10:01,780I’m serving this customer, Lord, for Your glory.14200:10:01,780 –> 00:10:03,200Let me do it in a way therefore14300:10:03,200 –> 00:10:05,260that imparts blessing to them.14400:10:06,239 –> 00:10:08,919There may be times when your work is hard14500:10:09,479 –> 00:10:11,659and dull and boring.14600:10:11,659 –> 00:10:13,359There may be times, of course,14700:10:13,359 –> 00:10:16,880when You would rather be doing something else,14800:10:16,880 –> 00:10:19,159but You will be helped and You will be lifted14900:10:19,159 –> 00:10:23,280as every day You go to Your work, whatever that may be.15000:10:23,280 –> 00:10:27,119Lord, help me to offer what I do to You today as worship,15100:10:27,119 –> 00:10:31,559and let me bring blessing to others as I do it.15200:10:31,559 –> 00:10:33,700That’s the principle, that love,15300:10:33,700 –> 00:10:36,099that is, love for God and love for others15400:10:36,119 –> 00:10:39,820is the great motive for pursuing15500:10:39,820 –> 00:10:43,679all that God has called you to do, whatever that is.15600:10:46,460 –> 00:10:48,780Now, I was helped in preparing this week15700:10:48,780 –> 00:10:52,500by going back to a book I read a while ago15800:10:52,500 –> 00:10:57,500by Rebecca DeYoung who teaches at Calvin College.15900:10:58,719 –> 00:11:03,099She has written a book on the Seven Deadly Sins,16000:11:03,140 –> 00:11:05,460and she describes sloth,16100:11:05,460 –> 00:11:07,479which is what we’re talking about here today,16200:11:07,479 –> 00:11:12,479as resistance to the demands of love.16300:11:16,099 –> 00:11:20,219I wonder if you have ever thought about that.16400:11:20,219 –> 00:11:25,219Laziness is resistance to the demands of love.16500:11:29,219 –> 00:11:32,419She describes what can easily happen in a marriage.16600:11:33,460 –> 00:11:37,080So, a husband and a wife get into some argument16700:11:37,080 –> 00:11:40,840and then they retreat to different parts of the house.16800:11:41,940 –> 00:11:46,520And it’s easier to stay at a miserable distance,16900:11:47,520 –> 00:11:49,440him watching the television in one room17000:11:49,440 –> 00:11:51,280and her reading a book in the other.17100:11:52,239 –> 00:11:55,140It’s easier to stay at a miserable distance17200:11:55,140 –> 00:12:00,140than to do the hard work of saying sorry,17300:12:00,299 –> 00:12:04,239forgiving, and reconciling.17400:12:05,940 –> 00:12:08,780Rebecca De Jong says do they want the relationship?17500:12:08,780 –> 00:12:09,559Yes, they do.17600:12:11,219 –> 00:12:15,099Do they want to do what it takes to be in the relationship?17700:12:15,099 –> 00:12:16,359Well, maybe tomorrow.17800:12:17,559 –> 00:12:21,419For now at least, each spouse wants the night off17900:12:21,419 –> 00:12:25,739to wallow in his or her own selfish loneliness.18000:12:26,159 –> 00:12:30,659Brothers, sisters, it is easy to get lazy in love.18100:12:36,140 –> 00:12:38,479To let a relationship drift18200:12:38,479 –> 00:12:40,760because you’re taking it for granted.18300:12:42,080 –> 00:12:46,520Because you can’t be bothered to face what is wrong18400:12:46,520 –> 00:12:50,179or to make the effort to try and put it right.18500:12:50,239 –> 00:12:51,659To try and put it right.18600:12:53,400 –> 00:12:56,539And it is a great sin18700:12:56,539 –> 00:12:58,580to let love die18800:12:58,580 –> 00:13:01,059because you’re too lazy18900:13:01,059 –> 00:13:02,559to do the hard work19000:13:03,500 –> 00:13:04,419to put it right.19100:13:05,820 –> 00:13:07,119You’re listening to Open the Bible19200:13:07,119 –> 00:13:08,219with Pastor Colin Smith19300:13:08,219 –> 00:13:10,419and A Message Called Work.19400:13:10,419 –> 00:13:11,659We’ve got to pause briefly,19500:13:11,659 –> 00:13:13,099but we’ll be back very shortly.19600:13:13,099 –> 00:13:14,719So please stay with us.19700:13:14,719 –> 00:13:18,020The message is part of our series Wisdom for Life19800:13:18,020 –> 00:13:19,979And it’s taken from the book of Proverbs,19900:13:20,659 –> 00:13:22,299If you missed any of the series20000:13:22,299 –> 00:13:23,580or if you do in the future,20100:13:23,580 –> 00:13:26,299then it’s always possible to catch up20200:13:26,299 –> 00:13:27,979and go back and listen again20300:13:27,979 –> 00:13:29,260by coming to our website.20400:13:29,260 –> 00:13:32,340That’s at openthebible.org.uk20500:13:32,340 –> 00:13:35,359or go to where you normally get your podcasts20600:13:35,359 –> 00:13:37,580and search for openthebibleuk20700:13:37,580 –> 00:13:39,059and there you’ll find again,20800:13:39,059 –> 00:13:42,460all the messages that have already gone out on there.20900:13:42,460 –> 00:13:45,820Back to the message now here again is Pastor Colin.21000:13:45,820 –> 00:13:48,780It is a great sin21100:13:48,780 –> 00:13:53,299to let love die because you’re too lazy21200:13:53,299 –> 00:13:56,659to do the hard work to put it right.21300:13:58,739 –> 00:13:59,780So brothers and sisters,21400:13:59,780 –> 00:14:02,679we’re coming around the Lord’s Table today.21500:14:04,179 –> 00:14:09,179Let’s look at our lives honestly as we prepare to come.21600:14:12,840 –> 00:14:17,840Ask yourself, am I getting lazy in love?21700:14:19,419 –> 00:14:23,320Am I resisting love’s demands?21800:14:24,580 –> 00:14:27,859Am I neglecting to care21900:14:29,520 –> 00:14:33,919for what God has trusted to me?22000:14:35,679 –> 00:14:40,679Repentance is like plowing, it’s hard work,22100:14:41,359 –> 00:14:46,359but in due time it will yield a harvest.22200:14:49,320 –> 00:14:52,020Now someone may be thinking immediately,22300:14:52,020 –> 00:14:55,320oh he didn’t know my situation, there’s no point,22400:14:55,320 –> 00:14:58,820nothing I do will ever make any difference.22500:15:00,580 –> 00:15:02,359And I just want you to hear the Word of God22600:15:02,359 –> 00:15:04,679that says this in Galatians 6-9,22700:15:04,679 –> 00:15:08,739let us not grow weary of doing good,22800:15:09,719 –> 00:15:14,140for in due season we will reap a harvest22900:15:14,140 –> 00:15:15,880if we do not give up.23000:15:16,880 –> 00:15:21,500Don’t give up, it is a great sin to let love die23100:15:23,820 –> 00:15:26,359because you are too lazy to do the hard work23200:15:26,359 –> 00:15:28,539that it takes to keep it alive.23300:15:28,539 –> 00:15:32,700And it would be a tragic loss to miss eternal life23400:15:37,460 –> 00:15:42,460because you’re too lazy to do what it takes to find it.23500:15:42,979 –> 00:15:46,619Let me encourage you with these scriptures.23600:15:46,619 –> 00:15:50,820Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.23700:15:52,340 –> 00:15:55,679Strive to enter through the narrow door.23800:15:57,440 –> 00:16:00,380Do not work for the food that perishes23900:16:00,380 –> 00:16:03,440but for the food that endures to eternal life24000:16:03,440 –> 00:16:06,820which the son of man will give you.24100:16:06,820 –> 00:16:08,520Ask and it will be given to you.24200:16:08,520 –> 00:16:10,140Seek and you will find.24300:16:10,140 –> 00:16:12,500Knock and the door will be open to you24400:16:12,500 –> 00:16:15,380for everyone who asks, receives,24500:16:15,380 –> 00:16:18,080everyone who seeks finds.24600:16:18,080 –> 00:16:21,320And to him who knocks it will be open.24700:16:23,039 –> 00:16:25,280Don’t be a lazy Christian.24800:16:28,419 –> 00:16:32,000Trusting God isn’t easy not for any of us.24900:16:33,000 –> 00:16:34,760Praying is hard work.25000:16:35,239 –> 00:16:38,500Persevering can sometimes be exhausting.25100:16:41,599 –> 00:16:45,780But if you will not plow, how will you have a harvest?25200:16:47,380 –> 00:16:50,359So the profile of an unproductive person,25300:16:50,359 –> 00:16:53,200the motive of a hardworking person.25400:16:54,299 –> 00:16:55,919It all comes out of loving God25500:16:55,919 –> 00:16:58,559enough to do the hard things.25600:16:58,559 –> 00:17:02,400And loving others enough to do the hard things.25700:17:02,960 –> 00:17:06,959And then lastly the joy of a Christ-like person.25800:17:08,819 –> 00:17:11,280Did you notice by the way25900:17:11,280 –> 00:17:14,280that Jesus is the precise opposite26000:17:14,280 –> 00:17:18,459of everything we said about the sluggard.26100:17:18,459 –> 00:17:19,699He began early,26200:17:20,939 –> 00:17:23,33912-years-old in the temple.26300:17:23,339 –> 00:17:27,500Did you not know that I must be about my father’s business.26400:17:27,500 –> 00:17:29,260You want to know why?26500:17:29,339 –> 00:17:32,380About my father’s business.26600:17:32,380 –> 00:17:35,439You want to be like Christ,26700:17:35,439 –> 00:17:37,099stop procrastinating.26800:17:38,439 –> 00:17:40,640Is there something that God has prompted you to do26900:17:40,640 –> 00:17:43,079and you’ve been putting it off,27000:17:43,079 –> 00:17:45,099telling yourself there’s plenty of time.27100:17:45,099 –> 00:17:47,739O C.S. Lewis makes this point wonderfully27200:17:47,739 –> 00:17:51,880that the devil has so many ways of ruining souls27300:17:51,880 –> 00:17:54,359but is most effective is to make people think27400:17:54,359 –> 00:17:56,780that there is plenty of time.27500:17:57,520 –> 00:18:02,260And the scripture goes exactly the opposite direction,27600:18:02,260 –> 00:18:05,079it says today, today, right now,27700:18:05,079 –> 00:18:09,000if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart.27800:18:11,239 –> 00:18:13,180Now is the time for repentance.27900:18:14,300 –> 00:18:17,479Now is the time to do that which you know must be done.28000:18:17,479 –> 00:18:19,819Now is the time for obedient following28100:18:19,819 –> 00:18:22,979after the call of the Lord Jesus Christ28200:18:22,979 –> 00:18:26,579and his claim upon your life.28300:18:26,959 –> 00:18:30,500Second, Jesus stayed focused,28400:18:30,500 –> 00:18:34,579the sluggard so easily distracted,28500:18:34,579 –> 00:18:37,420but Jesus says, we must work the works of him28600:18:37,420 –> 00:18:39,300who sent me while it is day.28700:18:39,300 –> 00:18:41,500Night is coming when no one can work.28800:18:41,500 –> 00:18:44,780There’s an urgency about every day of the life of Jesus.28900:18:46,780 –> 00:18:48,280And he will never be distracted.29000:18:48,280 –> 00:18:51,260He sets his face like a flint29100:18:51,260 –> 00:18:53,520to go to Jerusalem, the gospels say.29200:18:54,359 –> 00:18:56,599He set his face like a flint29300:18:56,599 –> 00:18:59,180to do the hardest thing that was ever done29400:18:59,180 –> 00:19:00,760in the history of the world.29500:19:02,719 –> 00:19:05,180So when you are discouraged,29600:19:06,239 –> 00:19:10,780do not be distracted from doing the will of the father,29700:19:11,880 –> 00:19:14,020no matter how costly it may be.29800:19:15,239 –> 00:19:18,500That’s the joy of a Christlike person.29900:19:18,500 –> 00:19:22,719Your Savior stayed focused.30000:19:22,739 –> 00:19:26,439And for that reason, he completed his work.30100:19:26,439 –> 00:19:31,199He’s uniquely able to say John 17, verse 4,30200:19:31,199 –> 00:19:34,619Father, I have glorified you on earth30300:19:34,619 –> 00:19:38,420and accomplished the work that you gave me to do.30400:19:38,420 –> 00:19:39,300What was that work?30500:19:39,300 –> 00:19:43,719He came into the world to seek and to save the lost.30600:19:43,719 –> 00:19:45,119And he’s done it.30700:19:46,160 –> 00:19:48,160Everything that is needed30800:19:49,160 –> 00:19:52,680to bring any one of us here this morning30900:19:52,680 –> 00:19:54,280from where we are right now,31000:19:54,280 –> 00:19:56,719whatever our circumstances and deeds,31100:19:56,719 –> 00:19:58,839everything that is needed to bring us31200:19:58,839 –> 00:20:00,400from where we are right now31300:20:00,400 –> 00:20:03,979into the glory of eternal joy31400:20:03,979 –> 00:20:05,520in the presence of the Lord Jesus,31500:20:05,520 –> 00:20:07,119everything that is needed for that31600:20:07,119 –> 00:20:10,000was accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ31700:20:10,000 –> 00:20:12,079in his death and in his resurrection.31800:20:12,079 –> 00:20:14,119And that is why on the cross,31900:20:14,119 –> 00:20:17,199he cries out in a loud voice in triumph.32000:20:17,199 –> 00:20:19,739It is finished.32100:20:21,300 –> 00:20:22,959And then he enters his rest.32200:20:24,239 –> 00:20:27,699Today he is seated at the right hand of the Father32300:20:27,699 –> 00:20:29,959where he is ready right now32400:20:29,959 –> 00:20:34,180and able to save all who will look to him32500:20:34,180 –> 00:20:37,300in repentance and in faith.32600:20:39,520 –> 00:20:44,520The opposite of everything that we see in the sluggard.32700:20:45,040 –> 00:20:46,780And you wanna be like Jesus.32800:20:51,000 –> 00:20:54,239God has prepared work for every one of us32900:20:54,239 –> 00:20:55,619here this morning to do.33000:20:55,619 –> 00:20:58,040Ephesians 210, he’s prepared works,33100:20:58,040 –> 00:21:00,280good works in advance for all of us to do.33200:21:00,280 –> 00:21:01,640There’s a whole path,33300:21:02,520 –> 00:21:05,000of good that you can do this week33400:21:05,000 –> 00:21:06,420that God already knows33500:21:06,420 –> 00:21:08,680and it’s for you to discover it and do it.33600:21:09,520 –> 00:21:13,020Start early, stay focused,33700:21:14,479 –> 00:21:16,140and persevere to the end33800:21:17,800 –> 00:21:20,400so that you will be able to say with Paul,33900:21:20,400 –> 00:21:22,880I have fought the good fight,34000:21:22,880 –> 00:21:25,280I have finished the race,34100:21:25,280 –> 00:21:27,619and I have kept the faith.34200:21:28,520 –> 00:21:31,719And then by God’s grace34300:21:31,719 –> 00:21:35,000you too will enter into34400:21:35,020 –> 00:21:38,060you too will enter into34500:21:39,119 –> 00:21:41,119His race.34600:21:42,619 –> 00:21:43,680Pastor Colin Smith there,34700:21:43,680 –> 00:21:47,359wrapping up today’s message entitled work.34800:21:47,359 –> 00:21:50,859Great to hear about the joy of a Christ like person,34900:21:50,859 –> 00:21:53,500and if you know Christ as your saviour,35000:21:53,500 –> 00:21:56,800I hope you’re a witness to that joy in your life35100:21:56,800 –> 00:21:59,680and that today’s message has encouraged you.35200:21:59,680 –> 00:22:02,099If you’ve missed any of the messages in the series,35300:22:02,099 –> 00:22:04,119which is called wisdom for life,35400:22:04,180 –> 00:22:06,180it’s very easy to catch up or go back35500:22:06,180 –> 00:22:09,099and listen again by coming online to our website.35600:22:09,099 –> 00:22:12,520That’s at openthebible.org.uk35700:22:12,520 –> 00:22:14,560or go to your favorite podcast site35800:22:14,560 –> 00:22:16,780and search for Open the Bible UK35900:22:16,780 –> 00:22:19,599or follow the link from our website.36000:22:19,599 –> 00:22:20,719While you’re on the website,36100:22:20,719 –> 00:22:24,000don’t forget to check out, Open the Bible Daily,36200:22:24,000 –> 00:22:26,699that’s a series of short two to three minute36300:22:26,699 –> 00:22:29,959daily reflections based on Pastor Colin’s teaching36400:22:29,959 –> 00:22:31,920and read especially in the UK36500:22:31,920 –> 00:22:33,920Open the Bible Daily.36600:22:33,920 –> 00:22:36,660Well, as many of our regular listeners know,36700:22:36,660 –> 00:22:39,959Open the Bible is supported financially by our listeners36800:22:39,959 –> 00:22:42,800and if you already give to support the work,36900:22:42,800 –> 00:22:43,900thank you so much.37000:22:43,900 –> 00:22:45,920We really appreciate it.37100:22:45,920 –> 00:22:47,479If you’re considering beginning37200:22:47,479 –> 00:22:50,420to support Open the Bible financially this month,37300:22:50,420 –> 00:22:52,520we’d love to make you an offer.37400:22:52,520 –> 00:22:54,920Here’s Open the Bible’s Amanda Cunningham37500:22:54,920 –> 00:22:56,300to tell us about it.37600:22:56,300 –> 00:22:58,060This month at Open the Bible,37700:22:58,060 –> 00:23:00,479we are really excited to be giving away37800:23:00,479 –> 00:23:03,560pastor Colin Smith’s brand new devotional,37900:23:03,599 –> 00:23:05,479Grow in Faith.38000:23:05,479 –> 00:23:08,459It’s a 30-day devotional designed to help believers38100:23:08,459 –> 00:23:10,180deepen their trust in God,38200:23:10,180 –> 00:23:12,739become more anchored in his promises38300:23:12,739 –> 00:23:16,380and grow in confidence in him day by day.38400:23:16,380 –> 00:23:20,380It’s part of a new series exploring faith, hope and love38500:23:20,380 –> 00:23:23,599and this first book focuses on what it really means38600:23:23,599 –> 00:23:28,479to grow a strong and steady faith in everyday life.38700:23:28,479 –> 00:23:31,640One of the things I really appreciate about this devotional38800:23:32,479 –> 00:23:34,239is how practical and honest it is.38900:23:34,239 –> 00:23:36,060Colin talks about the reality39000:23:36,060 –> 00:23:39,060of what Jesus called little faith.39100:23:39,060 –> 00:23:41,239The kind of faith that can become anxious,39200:23:41,239 –> 00:23:44,719distracted or overwhelmed by circumstances39300:23:44,719 –> 00:23:47,959and I think that many of us can relate to that.39400:23:47,959 –> 00:23:50,760Through daily scripture readings and reflections,39500:23:50,760 –> 00:23:52,939Grow in Faith helps readers see39600:23:52,939 –> 00:23:55,719that faith is not just believing certain truths39700:23:55,719 –> 00:23:58,959about God but learning to trust him personally39800:23:58,959 –> 00:24:01,359in the middle of life’s challenges.39900:24:01,359 –> 00:24:05,119Colin explores how faith grows as we serve the Lord,40000:24:05,119 –> 00:24:07,319get to know Jesus more deeply40100:24:07,319 –> 00:24:11,119and learn to rely on the Holy Spirit each day.40200:24:11,119 –> 00:24:14,079It’s an encouraging and accessible devotion40300:24:14,079 –> 00:24:15,959that would work well whether you’ve been a Christian40400:24:15,959 –> 00:24:18,040for many years or whether you’re looking40500:24:18,040 –> 00:24:20,479to strengthen a faith that feels weak40600:24:20,479 –> 00:24:22,719or weary at the moment.40700:24:22,719 –> 00:24:26,000Grow in Faith is not actually for sale in the UK yet40800:24:26,000 –> 00:24:29,180but we would love to send you an exclusive copy40900:24:29,979 –> 00:24:31,859Amanda says a thank you for supporting the ministry.41000:24:31,859 –> 00:24:34,300You can receive it when you give a one-off donation41100:24:34,300 –> 00:24:36,060of 60 pounds or more,41200:24:36,060 –> 00:24:38,020or when you set up a new monthly gift41300:24:38,020 –> 00:24:39,900of at least five pounds.41400:24:39,900 –> 00:24:42,300But please do remember to leave your name41500:24:42,300 –> 00:24:43,819and address when you give41600:24:43,819 –> 00:24:46,380so that we know where to send your book.41700:24:46,380 –> 00:24:47,540Thanks Amanda.41800:24:47,540 –> 00:24:49,739Full terms and conditions about this offer41900:24:49,739 –> 00:24:51,300can be found on our website42000:24:51,300 –> 00:24:54,459that’s at openthebible.org.uk42100:24:54,459 –> 00:24:56,300and you can give online42200:24:56,300 –> 00:24:57,699but as Amanda says,42300:24:57,739 –> 00:24:59,939please remember to leave your full name42400:24:59,939 –> 00:25:02,979and address so we can send you your gift.42500:25:02,979 –> 00:25:05,260For Open The Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,42600:25:05,260 –> 00:25:06,420I’m David Pick42700:25:06,420 –> 00:25:09,380and I very much look forward to being with you next time.42800:25:22,060 –> 00:25:24,140Money is a blessing from God42900:25:24,140 –> 00:25:26,660but it brings its own dangers.43000:25:26,660 –> 00:25:30,060Find out what they are, next time on Open The Bible.