100:00:00,140 –> 00:00:03,140The Christian lesson200:00:03,780 –> 00:00:11,780Grasping the relationship between faith and obedience is really important for the Christian life.300:00:12,060 –> 00:00:18,620I’m going to give you three pictures of a relationship between faith and obeyance.400:00:18,940 –> 00:00:25,440Two of them are wrong. They are wrong pictures and therefore should be avoided at all time.500:00:25,639 –> 00:00:29,780One of them is right and should be pursued whatever the cost.600:00:30,160 –> 00:00:33,700Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m Davey Pick.700:00:33,860 –> 00:00:39,099Glad you could join us today and Colin let’s go back to the first part of what you just said there.800:00:39,220 –> 00:00:45,180Grasping that relationship between faith and obedience you said that it’s really important. Why is that?900:00:45,799 –> 00:00:50,419It may sound theoretical but it’s actually very practical.1000:00:50,779 –> 00:00:56,299Think about it. You will know someone who claims to have faith1100:00:56,299 –> 00:01:00,160but as far as you can see it’s made very little practical difference in their life.1200:01:00,459 –> 00:01:05,400Their life hasn’t really changed and instinctively you know, there’s something not right there.1300:01:05,959 –> 00:01:10,239There’s a breakdown between faith and obedience and it’s a problem.1400:01:10,639 –> 00:01:16,760And you probably know someone else who is really pouring enormous effort1500:01:16,760 –> 00:01:21,360into living a life that is pleasing to God but they don’t seem to have much peace.1600:01:21,459 –> 00:01:26,760They don’t seem to have much joy and you think to yourself there’s something not right there,1700:01:26,760 –> 00:01:29,860there’s a breakdown, here’s someone who’s pursuing obedience1800:01:30,160 –> 00:01:32,900and yet they don’t seem to have the rest that faith brings.1900:01:32,900 –> 00:01:36,959So this is a very very practical issue.2000:01:36,959 –> 00:01:39,760Faith and obedience belong together.2100:01:40,559 –> 00:01:45,160Faith leads into obedience and obedience is the wonderful fruit of faith.2200:01:45,220 –> 00:01:49,360So let’s look at how faith obeys God in today’s programme.2300:01:49,360 –> 00:01:52,459We’re in Hebrews chapter 11, so join us there if you can,2400:01:52,459 –> 00:01:55,059as we begin the message, Faith Obeys God.2500:01:55,059 –> 00:01:56,599Here is pastor Colin.2600:01:56,900 –> 00:02:00,199Well please have your Bible open at this wonderful passage2700:02:00,199 –> 00:02:07,099that has been read from Hebrews chapter 11 as we resume our series, Living by Faith.2800:02:07,959 –> 00:02:11,660We’ve seen that faith believes what God has revealed2900:02:11,660 –> 00:02:16,320and trusts what God has promised, so what faith is.3000:02:17,020 –> 00:02:22,720Hebrews 11 teaches us through a series of examples,3100:02:22,720 –> 00:02:28,960each of which illustrates an aspect of the faith to which we are called.3200:02:29,660 –> 00:02:38,119We saw earlier that in the story of Abel, faith listens to God.3300:02:38,119 –> 00:02:42,759We came to the story of Enoch, and we saw that faith walks with God.3400:02:42,919 –> 00:02:47,559We came to the story of Noah, and we saw that faith fears God.3500:02:47,559 –> 00:02:53,720And today we come to the story of Abraham, where we learn that faith obeys God.3600:02:53,720 –> 00:02:56,199Chapter 11 of Hebrews, and verse 8.3700:02:56,199 –> 00:03:04,520By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place3800:03:05,320 –> 00:03:08,279that he was to receive as an inheritance.3900:03:09,960 –> 00:03:13,000Now we’re told here that God called Abraham.4000:03:13,960 –> 00:03:17,240Abraham obeyed when he was called.4100:03:18,039 –> 00:03:21,320You might think that a person who was called4200:03:21,320 –> 00:03:24,199by God must’ve been very especially holy.4300:03:25,139 –> 00:03:27,000You might think that surely this man4400:03:27,000 –> 00:03:29,160must’ve been seeking God very much,4500:03:29,160 –> 00:03:31,800loving God and desiring God with all of his heart.4600:03:32,600 –> 00:03:34,919Precisely the opposite was the case.4700:03:36,199 –> 00:03:39,720We learn in the book of Joshua in chapter 24 in verse 2,4800:03:39,720 –> 00:03:41,240Joshua says to God’s people,4900:03:41,240 –> 00:03:45,080long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates,5000:03:45,080 –> 00:03:48,279Tereh the father of Abraham and Nahor5100:03:48,279 –> 00:03:50,759and they served other gods.5200:03:52,360 –> 00:03:54,119Abraham served other gods,5300:03:55,320 –> 00:03:57,000he worshiped idols,5400:03:58,039 –> 00:04:00,039he worshiped Gods of his own making,5500:04:00,039 –> 00:04:02,919didn’t even know the God who made him.5600:04:04,440 –> 00:04:10,759But one day God appeared to Abraham5700:04:10,759 –> 00:04:13,960as he had appeared to Adam and to Eve in the garden.5800:04:15,080 –> 00:04:17,239Acts in chapter seven and verse two,5900:04:17,239 –> 00:04:20,359the God of glory appeared6000:04:21,640 –> 00:04:25,640to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia.6100:04:25,640 –> 00:04:26,920Can you imagine this,6200:04:26,920 –> 00:04:28,040here’s this man,6300:04:28,040 –> 00:04:30,600can you picture him with a pile of rocks6400:04:30,600 –> 00:04:32,519and he’s got these little idols on the top6500:04:32,519 –> 00:04:33,480and he’s bowing down6600:04:33,480 –> 00:04:35,399and he’s saying his prayers to the idols.6700:04:35,399 –> 00:04:37,880He thinks the idols are able to help him6800:04:37,880 –> 00:04:40,440and as he’s saying his prayers to the idols,6900:04:40,440 –> 00:04:43,320suddenly, the God of glory appears to him.7000:04:45,079 –> 00:04:47,640The God who made the heavens and the earth7100:04:48,679 –> 00:04:51,079actually took visible form7200:04:51,079 –> 00:04:54,040and stepped into this man’s life uninvited.7300:04:56,279 –> 00:04:57,559God appeared to Abraham,7400:04:59,480 –> 00:05:01,160laid claim to his life,7500:05:01,160 –> 00:05:02,679his love, his loyalty7600:05:03,320 –> 00:05:06,359and Abraham’s life was never the same again.7700:05:06,679 –> 00:05:08,279Now notice how Abraham7800:05:08,279 –> 00:05:11,399responded when God called him.7900:05:11,399 –> 00:05:15,720By faith Abraham obeyed,8000:05:15,720 –> 00:05:18,600that’s the main theme that comes to us8100:05:18,600 –> 00:05:21,799from the example of the faith of Abraham.8200:05:21,799 –> 00:05:24,279By faith Abraham obeyed.8300:05:24,279 –> 00:05:26,279I want us to look today at the obedience8400:05:26,920 –> 00:05:28,359that faith brings8500:05:29,079 –> 00:05:32,200then at the patience that faith demands8600:05:32,200 –> 00:05:34,760and then thirdly at the future8700:05:34,839 –> 00:05:37,079that faith anticipates,8800:05:37,079 –> 00:05:39,880first then the obedience that faith brings8900:05:39,880 –> 00:05:41,160just these four words9000:05:41,160 –> 00:05:42,519that are very important9100:05:42,519 –> 00:05:46,519By faith Abraham obeyed.9200:05:46,519 –> 00:05:48,119Now do you see that these words9300:05:48,119 –> 00:05:50,679are actually describing the relationship9400:05:50,679 –> 00:05:53,559between faith and obedience?9500:05:53,559 –> 00:05:55,079They’re actually telling us9600:05:55,079 –> 00:05:57,880how obedience comes about.9700:05:58,119 –> 00:06:03,320How did Abraham obey?9800:06:03,320 –> 00:06:06,040And how can we today grow9900:06:06,040 –> 00:06:07,239in a life of obedience?10000:06:07,239 –> 00:06:09,239How can you become more obedient to God?10100:06:11,239 –> 00:06:13,000Well we’re told that10200:06:13,000 –> 00:06:16,279by faith Abraham obeyed.10300:06:16,279 –> 00:06:17,320That’s how he did it!10400:06:18,519 –> 00:06:19,720In other words he believed10500:06:19,720 –> 00:06:21,079what God had revealed10600:06:21,079 –> 00:06:23,079and he trusted what God had promised10700:06:23,079 –> 00:06:25,480and that was how he obeyed.10800:06:25,559 –> 00:06:29,880His obedience sprung from his faith.10900:06:29,880 –> 00:06:32,119Now grasping the relationship11000:06:32,119 –> 00:06:34,279between faith and obedience11100:06:34,279 –> 00:06:36,359is really important11200:06:36,359 –> 00:06:37,880for the Christian life.11300:06:38,440 –> 00:06:40,119So I want to spend a little bit of time here11400:06:40,119 –> 00:06:42,119and I’m going to give you three pictures11500:06:43,320 –> 00:06:44,760of a relationship11600:06:44,760 –> 00:06:47,079between faith and obedience.11700:06:47,079 –> 00:06:49,160Two of them are wrong.11800:06:50,040 –> 00:06:51,239They’re wrong pictures11900:06:51,239 –> 00:06:52,119and therefore should be12000:06:52,119 –> 00:06:53,480avoided at all time.12100:06:53,480 –> 00:06:55,000The reason I’m drawing attention to them12200:06:55,000 –> 00:06:57,079is that they tend to lurk in our minds12300:06:57,079 –> 00:06:58,359and I want us to be able12400:06:58,359 –> 00:07:00,119to remove them from our minds.12500:07:00,119 –> 00:07:01,239One of them is right12600:07:01,880 –> 00:07:03,160and should be pursued12700:07:03,160 –> 00:07:04,200whatever the cost.12800:07:04,200 –> 00:07:05,720Here are the three pictures12900:07:05,720 –> 00:07:06,519I’m going to give you.13000:07:06,519 –> 00:07:07,799They’re the mixing bowl,13100:07:08,359 –> 00:07:09,880the boofy lunch13200:07:09,880 –> 00:07:11,320and the apple tree.13300:07:11,320 –> 00:07:12,519Okay, first of all then13400:07:12,519 –> 00:07:13,880the mixing bowl13500:07:14,600 –> 00:07:15,559and this picture13600:07:16,359 –> 00:07:18,040is about confusing13700:07:19,239 –> 00:07:20,920faith and obedience.13800:07:22,040 –> 00:07:22,920Now get the picture.13900:07:22,920 –> 00:07:24,600you’re in the kitchen14000:07:24,600 –> 00:07:26,200and you’re ready to bake a cake14100:07:26,200 –> 00:07:27,320for someone’s birthday.14200:07:28,279 –> 00:07:29,959You have all the ingredients14300:07:29,959 –> 00:07:32,119out on the table14400:07:32,679 –> 00:07:34,519and you get the flour and the butter14500:07:34,519 –> 00:07:36,119and the sugar and the eggs14600:07:36,119 –> 00:07:38,200and then you mix them together14700:07:38,200 –> 00:07:40,440until you have a delightfully14800:07:40,440 –> 00:07:41,959smooth batter.14900:07:43,399 –> 00:07:44,040But of course15000:07:44,040 –> 00:07:45,720now that you have the batter15100:07:46,920 –> 00:07:49,160you no longer have the flour15200:07:49,160 –> 00:07:49,959and the butter15300:07:49,959 –> 00:07:51,480and the sugar and the eggs.15400:07:51,480 –> 00:07:52,600They’ve all dissolved15500:07:52,600 –> 00:07:53,559into each other.15600:07:54,119 –> 00:07:56,839They’re all mixed up.15700:07:58,839 –> 00:08:01,079Now some people get faith15800:08:01,079 –> 00:08:03,799and obedience all mixed up15900:08:05,079 –> 00:08:06,279and rather like the batter16000:08:06,279 –> 00:08:08,279they can’t tell them apart.16100:08:09,399 –> 00:08:10,519And you’ve probably heard16200:08:10,519 –> 00:08:11,959someone say something like this,16300:08:11,959 –> 00:08:12,519you know.16400:08:12,519 –> 00:08:14,040When I look at my life16500:08:15,239 –> 00:08:16,760I know it’s not what it should be.16600:08:16,760 –> 00:08:17,720In fact, it’s a long way16700:08:17,720 –> 00:08:18,760from what it should be.16800:08:18,760 –> 00:08:19,959And I sometimes wonder16900:08:19,959 –> 00:08:21,079when I look at my life17000:08:21,079 –> 00:08:23,000am I really a true Christian at all?17100:08:24,200 –> 00:08:25,880Now, you see what’s happening?17200:08:25,880 –> 00:08:27,480You’ve maybe said that yourself.17300:08:28,600 –> 00:08:29,559Here’s a person17400:08:29,559 –> 00:08:31,959who’s looking at their obedience17500:08:33,080 –> 00:08:33,960and what they see17600:08:33,960 –> 00:08:35,239is, all of us see17700:08:35,239 –> 00:08:36,520is that our obedience17800:08:36,520 –> 00:08:37,640is far from complete.17900:08:39,159 –> 00:08:39,960And then they say,18000:08:39,960 –> 00:08:41,080well, if my obedience18100:08:41,080 –> 00:08:42,200is far from complete18200:08:42,200 –> 00:08:43,239maybe I’m not really18300:08:43,239 –> 00:08:44,679a Christian at all.18400:08:44,679 –> 00:08:45,320Now do you see18500:08:45,320 –> 00:08:46,679that the problem there18600:08:46,679 –> 00:08:49,159is to confuse faith18700:08:49,719 –> 00:08:50,599and obedience?18800:08:51,479 –> 00:08:52,599It’s to get them all18900:08:52,599 –> 00:08:53,559mixed up so that19000:08:53,559 –> 00:08:55,880you can no longer distinguish19100:08:55,880 –> 00:08:57,320the one from the other.19200:08:58,840 –> 00:08:59,960If you have what I’m going19300:08:59,960 –> 00:09:02,280to call a mixing bowl problem19400:09:02,840 –> 00:09:04,119then I want you to notice19500:09:04,119 –> 00:09:04,840from this verse19600:09:04,840 –> 00:09:07,000that there is a clear distinction19700:09:07,880 –> 00:09:10,039between faith and obedience.19800:09:16,200 –> 00:09:17,520Faith is not19900:09:17,520 –> 00:09:18,280obedience20000:09:19,159 –> 00:09:21,559and obedience is not faith.20100:09:22,679 –> 00:09:23,880The distinction20200:09:23,880 –> 00:09:25,719is really, really important.20300:09:26,919 –> 00:09:27,880The bible says20400:09:27,880 –> 00:09:30,679we are justified by faith20500:09:31,799 –> 00:09:33,080but if you get faith20600:09:33,080 –> 00:09:35,239all mixed up with obedience20700:09:35,239 –> 00:09:36,760then you’ll end up thinking20800:09:36,760 –> 00:09:38,440actually, that you’re justified20900:09:38,440 –> 00:09:39,719by obedience21000:09:39,719 –> 00:09:41,000and since your obedience21100:09:41,000 –> 00:09:42,440is never complete21200:09:42,440 –> 00:09:44,200well then you would never be able21300:09:44,200 –> 00:09:46,359to have real and lasting peace.21400:09:47,719 –> 00:09:50,039So beware of the mixing bowl.21500:09:50,280 –> 00:09:55,960All don’t confuse faith and obedience.21600:09:57,719 –> 00:09:58,520Let me just give you21700:09:58,520 –> 00:10:00,039an illustration before we move on21800:10:00,039 –> 00:10:01,320to the second picture21900:10:01,320 –> 00:10:05,960of how devastating it is22000:10:06,760 –> 00:10:08,760if a person confuses22100:10:09,640 –> 00:10:10,679faith and obedience.22200:10:11,479 –> 00:10:12,440I read recently22300:10:13,080 –> 00:10:15,479a very striking testimony22400:10:16,039 –> 00:10:18,359from way back in the 19th century22500:10:19,000 –> 00:10:20,119of a woman whose name22600:10:20,119 –> 00:10:22,280we simply know as Mrs. Drake.22700:10:23,000 –> 00:10:24,280She was a believer22800:10:25,000 –> 00:10:26,840back in the 19th century22900:10:26,840 –> 00:10:28,840who endured for a very23000:10:28,840 –> 00:10:31,799prolonged time great darkness.23100:10:32,760 –> 00:10:33,640She was a believer23200:10:34,359 –> 00:10:36,440but she seriously doubted23300:10:36,440 –> 00:10:38,039for a long time23400:10:39,000 –> 00:10:40,280whether she really23500:10:40,280 –> 00:10:41,400belonged to the Lord.23600:10:41,400 –> 00:10:42,840Am I the real deal?23700:10:42,840 –> 00:10:44,200And it caused great darkness23800:10:44,200 –> 00:10:44,840in her soul.23900:10:46,200 –> 00:10:47,640Well after sometime24000:10:47,640 –> 00:10:48,760God very wonderfully24100:10:48,760 –> 00:10:50,119brought her out of this24200:10:51,000 –> 00:10:51,880and looking back24300:10:51,880 –> 00:10:53,239on the experience24400:10:53,239 –> 00:10:54,520this is what she said24500:10:56,039 –> 00:10:57,000the fountain24600:10:58,119 –> 00:10:59,880of all my misery24700:11:01,640 –> 00:11:02,280hath been24800:11:03,559 –> 00:11:05,159that I sought24900:11:05,159 –> 00:11:07,080that in the law25000:11:07,080 –> 00:11:08,679which I should have25100:11:08,679 –> 00:11:10,280found in the gospel25200:11:11,799 –> 00:11:14,039and for that in myself25300:11:14,520 –> 00:11:18,760which was only to be found in Christ25400:11:19,960 –> 00:11:21,479you see what this lady was doing25500:11:22,679 –> 00:11:23,719and it may be25600:11:23,719 –> 00:11:24,760that some of us25700:11:24,760 –> 00:11:26,760are still trying to do this25800:11:26,760 –> 00:11:28,280and therefore we experience25900:11:28,280 –> 00:11:29,880darkness rather than peace26000:11:31,479 –> 00:11:33,880she was trying to find peace26100:11:33,880 –> 00:11:35,719in obeying the law26200:11:35,719 –> 00:11:37,960when the only way to find peace26300:11:37,960 –> 00:11:39,799is in believing the gospel26400:11:41,799 –> 00:11:42,760and she was looking26500:11:42,760 –> 00:11:45,479for righteousness in herself26600:11:46,919 –> 00:11:48,359when true righteousness26700:11:48,359 –> 00:11:49,960can only be found26800:11:49,960 –> 00:11:51,719in and through Jesus Christ26900:11:51,719 –> 00:11:52,679and she says27000:11:52,679 –> 00:11:54,119this was the fountain27100:11:54,119 –> 00:11:56,039of all my misery27200:11:57,400 –> 00:11:58,840i lived for years like that27300:12:01,559 –> 00:12:03,719if you confuse faith27400:12:03,719 –> 00:12:04,599and obedience27500:12:04,599 –> 00:12:05,880you will never be happy27600:12:07,239 –> 00:12:09,080you’ll be looking for righteousness27700:12:09,080 –> 00:12:09,960and peace27800:12:09,960 –> 00:12:11,479in all the wrong places27900:12:11,479 –> 00:12:12,840and that’s why you don’t find it28000:12:14,599 –> 00:12:16,280faith finds peace28100:12:16,280 –> 00:12:18,119in believing the gospel28200:12:19,559 –> 00:12:21,400faith finds peace in the Gospel28300:12:21,400 –> 00:12:22,599that obedience to the law28400:12:22,599 –> 00:12:23,719can never produce28500:12:25,239 –> 00:12:27,000and faith finds righteousness28600:12:27,000 –> 00:12:27,880in Christ28700:12:28,760 –> 00:12:30,200that we can never ever28800:12:30,200 –> 00:12:31,960find in ourselves28900:12:31,960 –> 00:12:34,440so let’s bury the mixing ball today29000:12:34,440 –> 00:12:34,940shall we29100:12:35,559 –> 00:12:37,159beware the mixing bowl29200:12:37,159 –> 00:12:39,640don’t confuse faith29300:12:39,640 –> 00:12:40,919and obedience29400:12:42,119 –> 00:12:44,760well let’s bury that mixing bowl29500:12:44,760 –> 00:12:47,719so if the mixing bowl is a wrong picture29600:12:47,719 –> 00:12:50,200in the moment we’ll hear about another picture29700:12:50,200 –> 00:12:51,880which is so much more helpful29800:12:51,880 –> 00:12:53,080so do stay with us29900:12:53,799 –> 00:12:56,359just to remind you that if you ever miss one of30000:12:56,359 –> 00:12:57,960pastor colin’s messages30100:12:57,960 –> 00:13:00,039you can catch up or go back and listen to them30200:13:00,039 –> 00:13:02,280again online at our website30300:13:02,280 –> 00:13:04,039that’s at openthebible.org.uk30400:13:05,320 –> 00:13:07,960alternatively go to your favorite podcast site30500:13:07,960 –> 00:13:10,280search there for Open The Bible UK30600:13:11,239 –> 00:13:12,200back to the message30700:13:12,200 –> 00:13:14,280now we’re in hebrews chapter 1130800:13:14,280 –> 00:13:16,119here again is pastor colin30900:13:16,679 –> 00:13:19,080let’s bury the mixing bowl today shall we31000:13:19,799 –> 00:13:21,400beware the mixing bowl31100:13:21,400 –> 00:13:25,080don’t confuse faith and obedience31200:13:26,760 –> 00:13:28,440now let me give you a second picture31300:13:28,440 –> 00:13:31,559that also takes us in entirely the wrong direction31400:13:32,119 –> 00:13:33,400and it’s the buffet lunch31500:13:34,119 –> 00:13:36,520and you’ll see of course that this is precisely31600:13:36,520 –> 00:13:39,000the opposite of the mixing bowl31700:13:39,000 –> 00:13:41,080because it is a picture of31800:13:41,080 –> 00:13:43,880separating faith and obedience31900:13:43,880 –> 00:13:45,080think about the buffet lunch32000:13:46,280 –> 00:13:49,000everything the food is presented to you32100:13:49,000 –> 00:13:51,640in a way that is set out for choice32200:13:52,840 –> 00:13:55,880each of the elements of the meal32300:13:55,880 –> 00:13:57,159everything that’s on the buffet32400:13:57,159 –> 00:14:01,320is in a self-contained separated compartment32500:14:02,679 –> 00:14:04,119and it’s all arranged32600:14:04,760 –> 00:14:06,440so that as you go up to the buffet32700:14:06,440 –> 00:14:08,359you can load your plate32800:14:08,359 –> 00:14:10,280with all the things that you like32900:14:10,280 –> 00:14:11,960and then that you can pass33000:14:12,679 –> 00:14:14,919on all the things that are not to your taste33100:14:16,440 –> 00:14:18,039now it would be very easy33200:14:18,039 –> 00:14:19,320for someone to think that33300:14:19,320 –> 00:14:20,679faith and obedience33400:14:20,679 –> 00:14:22,119are a bit like a buffet lunch33500:14:23,000 –> 00:14:24,119here’s faith33600:14:24,119 –> 00:14:25,159oh I’d like that33700:14:25,960 –> 00:14:28,359I mean, that gives me the taste of forgiveness33800:14:29,320 –> 00:14:31,080that gives me the taste of heaven33900:14:32,440 –> 00:14:33,679but here’s obedience34000:14:34,640 –> 00:14:37,359ooh that might be a little hard to chew and to swallow34100:14:38,479 –> 00:14:40,000I’ll pass on that for now34200:14:41,679 –> 00:14:43,039now friends34300:14:43,039 –> 00:14:44,479faith and obedience34400:14:44,479 –> 00:14:47,679are not like a buffet lunch34500:14:47,679 –> 00:14:48,719which is why by the way34600:14:48,719 –> 00:14:49,599Paul speaks about34700:14:49,599 –> 00:14:52,960the obedience of faith34800:14:54,239 –> 00:14:55,599a person who thinks that34900:14:55,599 –> 00:14:56,559to be a christian35000:14:56,559 –> 00:14:58,559is simply to add believe in Jesus35100:14:58,559 –> 00:15:00,400to an unchanged life35200:15:00,400 –> 00:15:02,799needs to hear the challenge of James35300:15:03,679 –> 00:15:06,000you remember james says in the new testament35400:15:06,000 –> 00:15:08,080what good is it my brothers35500:15:09,679 –> 00:15:12,159if someone says that he has faith35600:15:12,159 –> 00:15:13,440but does not have works35700:15:14,080 –> 00:15:15,280he says he has faith35800:15:17,039 –> 00:15:18,960can that faith save him35900:15:20,159 –> 00:15:22,080no you see James is making it clear36000:15:22,080 –> 00:15:23,919that as with Abraham36100:15:23,919 –> 00:15:25,919where there is faith36200:15:25,919 –> 00:15:27,919obedience will follow36300:15:27,919 –> 00:15:29,679so beware of the buffet lunch36400:15:30,640 –> 00:15:32,479don’t separate36500:15:33,359 –> 00:15:35,599faith and obedience36600:15:36,239 –> 00:15:37,520so there are two pictures36700:15:37,520 –> 00:15:39,440that completely misdirect us36800:15:39,440 –> 00:15:40,960let me try and give you a picture36900:15:40,960 –> 00:15:43,119that I think therefore will be more helpful37000:15:43,760 –> 00:15:45,200the apple tree37100:15:45,200 –> 00:15:48,880that rightly relates faith and obedience37200:15:49,679 –> 00:15:51,919there of course is a clear distinction37300:15:51,919 –> 00:15:53,599between the apple and the tree37400:15:54,159 –> 00:15:55,119you eat the apple37500:15:55,119 –> 00:15:56,960you certainly don’t eat the tree37600:15:56,960 –> 00:15:58,000there’s a big difference37700:15:58,960 –> 00:16:01,520but the connection is obvious37800:16:01,520 –> 00:16:04,479the apple springs from the tree37900:16:05,840 –> 00:16:08,799the apple is formed by the tree38000:16:10,000 –> 00:16:13,440there is no apple without the tree38100:16:14,640 –> 00:16:16,719if you want apples what do you do?38200:16:17,280 –> 00:16:19,760you plant an apple tree38300:16:21,280 –> 00:16:23,440if you want obedience what do you do?38400:16:24,400 –> 00:16:27,840you plant the tree of faith38500:16:28,960 –> 00:16:31,840because it brings forth the fruit of obedience38600:16:32,400 –> 00:16:35,760by faith Abraham obeyed38700:16:37,440 –> 00:16:41,760so you see as faith puts down deep roots into the word of God38800:16:41,760 –> 00:16:44,479gradually and increasingly38900:16:44,479 –> 00:16:46,479and it will probably be quite small at first39000:16:47,840 –> 00:16:50,799obedience will grow39100:16:50,799 –> 00:16:58,000faith is a living tree that is bursting with fruit39200:16:59,520 –> 00:17:03,440and that is of course is what we are learning with from Hebrews in chapter 1139300:17:03,440 –> 00:17:05,439think of it this way the very first verse39400:17:06,239 –> 00:17:08,640begins by describing the tree39500:17:09,359 –> 00:17:10,880tells us what faith is39600:17:10,880 –> 00:17:13,199faith is the assurance of things hoped for39700:17:13,199 –> 00:17:14,959the conviction of things not seen39800:17:14,959 –> 00:17:16,400that’s faith, that’s the tree39900:17:16,479 –> 00:17:18,160this is the main aspiration of the seed40000:17:18,160 –> 00:17:22,479now the whole of the rest of the chapter is then telling us the good fruit40100:17:22,479 –> 00:17:24,239that this tree bears40200:17:24,239 –> 00:17:25,280what is the fruit?40300:17:25,280 –> 00:17:26,560faith listens to God40400:17:26,560 –> 00:17:28,239you see that in the life of Abel40500:17:28,239 –> 00:17:29,680faith walks with God40600:17:29,680 –> 00:17:31,680you see that in the life of Enoch40700:17:31,680 –> 00:17:32,880faith fears God40800:17:32,880 –> 00:17:34,800you see that in the life of Noah40900:17:34,800 –> 00:17:36,560and faith obeys God41000:17:36,560 –> 00:17:38,640and you see that in the life of Abraham41100:17:38,640 –> 00:17:39,839and there’s more still to come41200:17:40,400 –> 00:17:46,079fruit that is just bursting out from the deeply rooted tree of faith41300:17:46,079 –> 00:17:48,959that’s what this chapter is all about41400:17:48,959 –> 00:17:51,599so do you see this wonderful principle?41500:17:52,560 –> 00:17:56,319So to be a great encouragement for every Christian believer today41600:17:56,319 –> 00:18:00,400grow in faith and you will grow in obedience41700:18:01,280 –> 00:18:03,520the more you believe what God has revealed41800:18:03,520 –> 00:18:05,439the more you trust what God has promised41900:18:05,439 –> 00:18:07,439the more you will grow in obedience42000:18:07,439 –> 00:18:09,760because that is what faith produces42100:18:10,479 –> 00:18:14,880By faith Abraham obeyed42200:18:16,479 –> 00:18:18,880now here’s something really important therefore42300:18:18,880 –> 00:18:21,839for a healthy christian life42400:18:22,800 –> 00:18:26,880the obedience that faith brings42500:18:28,160 –> 00:18:32,640Second the patience that faith demands42600:18:33,599 –> 00:18:34,800notice verse eight42700:18:34,800 –> 00:18:37,439It begins, By faith Abraham obeyed42800:18:37,439 –> 00:18:38,560and then it ends42900:18:38,560 –> 00:18:44,479And he went out not knowing where he was going43000:18:46,400 –> 00:18:47,599You know, very striking43100:18:47,599 –> 00:18:50,959when God called Abraham to a life of faith43200:18:52,400 –> 00:18:54,560He didn’t tell him what that would involve43300:18:55,839 –> 00:18:57,280Then tell him where it would lead43400:18:58,719 –> 00:19:03,359He went out not knowing where he was going43500:19:04,880 –> 00:19:08,160God didn’t give him a map to show where he would go43600:19:09,520 –> 00:19:11,199God didn’t give him a brochure43700:19:12,160 –> 00:19:14,479to say what his life would be like when he got there43800:19:16,560 –> 00:19:18,880So faith demands patience43900:19:20,319 –> 00:19:25,199and it demands patience because we don’t yet know44000:19:25,199 –> 00:19:26,800what God has not revealed44100:19:28,319 –> 00:19:31,520What will a life of following the Lord Jesus Christ mean for you?44200:19:32,479 –> 00:19:34,160What does the future hold for you?44300:19:35,599 –> 00:19:37,359There isn’t a single one of us who knows44400:19:38,959 –> 00:19:40,319Jesus says, follow me44500:19:41,520 –> 00:19:44,800and when you step out in faith and in obedience44600:19:44,880 –> 00:19:46,479to follow the Lord Jesus Christ44700:19:46,479 –> 00:19:49,359Well, none of us knows what that will involve44800:19:49,359 –> 00:19:51,920or where that will lead44900:19:53,199 –> 00:19:53,920Luther said45000:19:53,920 –> 00:19:54,959and I love this comment45100:19:55,680 –> 00:19:58,400This is the glory of faith45200:19:59,599 –> 00:20:01,680simply not to know45300:20:03,520 –> 00:20:04,479That’s what faith is45400:20:05,760 –> 00:20:08,160The glory of faith is simply not to know45500:20:08,160 –> 00:20:08,959I mean, if you knew45600:20:09,839 –> 00:20:11,680If you knew everything that was gonna transpire45700:20:11,680 –> 00:20:13,199You wouldn’t so much be walking by faith45800:20:13,199 –> 00:20:14,880You’d be walking by sight because you know45900:20:15,920 –> 00:20:16,880But we don’t know46000:20:16,880 –> 00:20:18,000Now we know in part46100:20:18,000 –> 00:20:19,760One day we will know fully46200:20:19,760 –> 00:20:21,040even as we are fully known46300:20:21,040 –> 00:20:22,160But right now we don’t know46400:20:22,160 –> 00:20:24,640and faith demands patience46500:20:24,640 –> 00:20:27,040because of what we do not yet know46600:20:29,920 –> 00:20:31,119And so sometimes46700:20:33,119 –> 00:20:35,199we will find ourselves asking the question46800:20:35,199 –> 00:20:36,479Why do I have to go through this?46900:20:38,880 –> 00:20:39,920What possible purpose47000:20:39,920 –> 00:20:41,599does God have for me in this?47100:20:43,520 –> 00:20:44,479And we ask why47200:20:46,000 –> 00:20:48,640And as we see from our Lord Jesus at the cross47300:20:48,640 –> 00:20:50,479the Father is under no obligation47400:20:50,479 –> 00:20:51,680to answer the question47500:20:53,680 –> 00:20:55,199We walk by faith47600:20:56,800 –> 00:20:57,839Not by sight47700:20:59,199 –> 00:21:01,199and that demands patience47800:21:02,640 –> 00:21:04,239because of what we do not yet know47900:21:06,400 –> 00:21:07,920You’ve been listening to Open the Bible48000:21:07,920 –> 00:21:09,280with Pastor Colin Smith48100:21:09,280 –> 00:21:10,719and a message called48200:21:10,719 –> 00:21:12,479Faith Obeys God48300:21:12,719 –> 00:21:14,319Taking a look at Abraham today48400:21:14,319 –> 00:21:16,400and seeing how there is an obedience48500:21:16,400 –> 00:21:17,920that faith brings48600:21:17,920 –> 00:21:20,800and also a patience that faith demands48700:21:20,800 –> 00:21:22,319and in the next broadcast48800:21:22,319 –> 00:21:23,760we’ll see the future48900:21:23,760 –> 00:21:25,439that faith anticipates49000:21:25,439 –> 00:21:26,800So I hope you’ll join us for that49100:21:27,680 –> 00:21:29,599If you ever miss one of our messages49200:21:29,599 –> 00:21:30,560or if you want to go back49300:21:30,560 –> 00:21:31,599and listen again49400:21:31,599 –> 00:21:33,359Come online to our website49500:21:33,359 –> 00:21:36,319openthebible.org.uk49600:21:36,319 –> 00:21:38,560or go to your favorite podcast site49700:21:38,560 –> 00:21:41,199search there for Open the Bible UK49800:21:41,199 –> 00:21:42,560There you’ll find all the messages49900:21:42,560 –> 00:21:44,479which have already been broadcast50000:21:45,599 –> 00:21:46,800While you’re on our website50100:21:46,800 –> 00:21:48,479or searching the podcasts50200:21:48,479 –> 00:21:49,359don’t forget about50300:21:49,359 –> 00:21:50,719Open the Bible Daily50400:21:50,719 –> 00:21:52,400That’s our series of short50500:21:52,400 –> 00:21:54,8002-3 minute daily reflections50600:21:54,800 –> 00:21:56,719based on Pastor Colin’s teaching50700:21:56,719 –> 00:21:58,640and specially read in the UK50800:21:58,640 –> 00:21:59,839There’s a new one every day50900:21:59,839 –> 00:22:01,680And many Christians start their day51000:22:01,680 –> 00:22:03,359with, Open the Bible Daily51100:22:04,640 –> 00:22:06,400Many of us love reading51200:22:06,400 –> 00:22:07,520but our busy lives51300:22:07,520 –> 00:22:09,199don’t allow much time for that51400:22:09,199 –> 00:22:11,359So we often listen to audio books51500:22:11,359 –> 00:22:12,319and podcast51600:22:12,319 –> 00:22:13,839maybe when we’re driving51700:22:13,839 –> 00:22:15,040or out for a walk51800:22:15,760 –> 00:22:17,280So we have a new podcast51900:22:17,280 –> 00:22:18,880starting this month52000:22:18,880 –> 00:22:19,920and it’s called52100:22:19,920 –> 00:22:21,280Hike Thru the Bible52200:22:21,280 –> 00:22:23,199Yeah and the Hike Thru the Bible Podcast52300:22:23,199 –> 00:22:24,479will take you on a journey52400:22:24,479 –> 00:22:26,560through the entire Bible story52500:22:26,560 –> 00:22:27,920giving you the option of52600:22:27,920 –> 00:22:29,439listening or watching52700:22:29,439 –> 00:22:30,400rather than reading52800:22:30,959 –> 00:22:32,400And in each episode52900:22:32,400 –> 00:22:34,239I’ll read a chapter of my book53000:22:34,239 –> 00:22:35,359Hike Thru the Bible53100:22:35,359 –> 00:22:36,319and then I’ll discuss it53200:22:36,319 –> 00:22:37,199with some friends53300:22:37,760 –> 00:22:39,439I hope you’ll join me53400:22:39,439 –> 00:22:41,760in hiking through the Bible53500:22:41,760 –> 00:22:43,520You’ll grow in your faith53600:22:43,520 –> 00:22:46,160you’ll deepen your grasp of scripture53700:22:46,160 –> 00:22:48,319and you’ll come to love Jesus more53800:22:48,319 –> 00:22:51,520So that’s the Hike Thru the Bible Podcast53900:22:51,520 –> 00:22:53,359and it’s not too late to get started54000:22:53,359 –> 00:22:56,239You’ll find the Hike Thru the Bible Podcast54100:22:56,239 –> 00:22:58,319wherever you get your podcasts54200:22:58,319 –> 00:23:00,319and there’s a link on our website54300:23:00,319 –> 00:23:02,160at OpenTheBible.org.uk54400:23:03,359 –> 00:23:05,119You’ll also find more information54500:23:05,119 –> 00:23:06,079about the podcast54600:23:06,959 –> 00:23:09,359Well, as regular listeners will know54700:23:09,359 –> 00:23:10,800Open the Bible is supported54800:23:10,800 –> 00:23:12,800by our listeners financially54900:23:12,800 –> 00:23:14,640If that’s something you already do55000:23:14,640 –> 00:23:16,719then thank you so much for your support55100:23:17,359 –> 00:23:18,800If you’re considering beginning55200:23:18,800 –> 00:23:20,319to support Open the Bible55300:23:20,319 –> 00:23:21,839in the future this month55400:23:21,839 –> 00:23:23,520we’d love to say thank you55500:23:23,520 –> 00:23:24,959by sending you a copy55600:23:24,959 –> 00:23:26,719of Pastor Colin’s brand new55700:23:26,719 –> 00:23:28,71930-day devotional book55800:23:28,719 –> 00:23:29,760Grow in Love55900:23:30,479 –> 00:23:32,160Colin who is this book for?56000:23:32,800 –> 00:23:36,000Well, people have very different experiences56100:23:36,079 –> 00:23:38,719of love and perhaps you knew56200:23:38,719 –> 00:23:40,239what it was to grow up56300:23:40,239 –> 00:23:41,760with a godly mother56400:23:41,760 –> 00:23:43,839a godly father who loved you well56500:23:43,839 –> 00:23:45,680and you’ve had all the benefits of that56600:23:46,239 –> 00:23:47,760but you still find56700:23:47,760 –> 00:23:49,599now you’ve come to adult life56800:23:49,599 –> 00:23:51,439that you want to know56900:23:51,439 –> 00:23:53,439how to grow in love yourself57000:23:53,439 –> 00:23:55,199And if that’s where you’re at57100:23:55,199 –> 00:23:56,319this book is for you57200:23:57,040 –> 00:23:58,319But there are other folks57300:23:58,319 –> 00:24:00,319who have not had the blessing57400:24:00,319 –> 00:24:01,839of being loved well57500:24:02,400 –> 00:24:03,280And if that’s been57600:24:03,280 –> 00:24:04,800your experience57700:24:04,800 –> 00:24:06,239you may find that you struggle57800:24:06,239 –> 00:24:07,920with some real questions57900:24:07,920 –> 00:24:10,400What does it mean to love another person?58000:24:10,959 –> 00:24:13,680What does real love actually look like?58100:24:13,680 –> 00:24:14,880Where are you going to find it?58200:24:14,880 –> 00:24:16,400Well you’re not sure that you know58300:24:17,040 –> 00:24:18,319Well this book is for you58400:24:18,319 –> 00:24:19,680It’s going to show you58500:24:19,680 –> 00:24:21,920how receiving love from God58600:24:21,920 –> 00:24:23,599through Jesus Christ58700:24:23,599 –> 00:24:25,040can put you in the position58800:24:25,040 –> 00:24:26,719where you’re able to give love58900:24:26,719 –> 00:24:29,199and receive love from others well59000:24:29,199 –> 00:24:30,880Well we’d love to send you a copy59100:24:30,880 –> 00:24:32,239of Pastor Colin’s book59200:24:32,239 –> 00:24:33,280Grow In Love59300:24:33,359 –> 00:24:35,439when you set up a new Direct Debit59400:24:35,439 –> 00:24:36,959to the work of Open the Bible59500:24:36,959 –> 00:24:39,760in the amount of £5 per month or more59600:24:39,760 –> 00:24:40,959or a one-off gift59700:24:40,959 –> 00:24:43,520of £60 or more this month59800:24:43,520 –> 00:24:45,119Full terms and conditions59900:24:45,119 –> 00:24:46,319and to give online60000:24:46,319 –> 00:24:47,760come to our website60100:24:47,760 –> 00:24:50,479openthebible.org.uk60200:24:50,479 –> 00:24:52,560and don’t forget to leave your full name60300:24:52,560 –> 00:24:53,119and address60400:24:53,119 –> 00:24:55,680so we can send you your free gift60500:24:55,680 –> 00:24:56,719For Open the Bible60600:24:56,719 –> 00:24:58,079and Pastor Colin Smith60700:24:58,079 –> 00:24:59,280I’m David Pick60800:24:59,280 –> 00:25:00,719and I hope you’ll join us again next time60900:25:03,280 –> 00:25:11,280Thanks for watching!61000:25:11,280 –> 00:25:12,719Faith demands patience61100:25:12,719 –> 00:25:14,560because of what we don’t know61200:25:14,560 –> 00:25:16,880and because of what we don’t have61300:25:17,599 –> 00:25:19,920Find out how to become more patient61400:25:19,920 –> 00:25:29,439That’s next time on Open the Bible