100:00:01,000 –> 00:00:10,000The book of Proverbs, it is full of wisdom, and particularly, we are given wisdom in relation200:00:10,000 –> 00:00:17,400to sibling relationships. Your brother and your sister. In relation to marriage, husband300:00:17,400 –> 00:00:26,780and wife. But by far the largest number of Proverbs that relate to family life are directed400:00:26,799 –> 00:00:31,080towards the relationship between parents and children.500:00:31,840 –> 00:00:36,840Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick. I’m glad you could600:00:36,840 –> 00:00:43,119join us today and Colin, continuing our series on Proverbs called Wisdom for Life, last time700:00:43,119 –> 00:00:47,740we looked at wisdom in relation to families. The main focus is the relationship between800:00:47,740 –> 00:00:49,299parents and children.900:00:49,299 –> 00:00:55,580Yes, and there really is something here for everyone. If you are raising young children1000:00:55,619 –> 00:01:02,160at this point in your life, if you have teenage children with all of the particular challenges1100:01:02,160 –> 00:01:08,120that that stage of life brings or perhaps your children are now raised away from the1200:01:08,120 –> 00:01:14,980home, and then for others who don’t have children or not parents, all of us were raised. We1300:01:14,980 –> 00:01:21,980all have experience of a home life, and maybe your experience was good. Maybe your experience1400:01:22,540 –> 00:01:29,540was very, very far from good. God speaks in the Book of Proverbs to how the relationships1500:01:29,739 –> 00:01:35,220between parents and children should be and how, by God’s grace, they can be. And so this1600:01:35,220 –> 00:01:41,339is a wonderfully, wonderfully redeeming and helpful and practical theme that we’re going1700:01:41,339 –> 00:01:43,199to look at in the Book of Proverbs today.1800:01:43,199 –> 00:01:48,900Well, why not join us today in Proverbs Chapter 3, as we continue the message simply called1900:01:48,900 –> 00:01:51,080Family. Here is Pastor Colin.2000:01:51,199 –> 00:01:58,839The Book of Proverbs has an abundance of wisdom for parents, and I want to draw out three2100:01:58,839 –> 00:02:08,820themes today that are especially important. And the first is that you have more influence2200:02:08,820 –> 00:02:17,720than you may think. I want this to be a real encouragement to mums and dads and to grandparents2300:02:17,759 –> 00:02:23,479as well, but especially to mothers and fathers who are raising children, I want you to receive2400:02:23,479 –> 00:02:31,520this encouragement from the scripture, that you have more influence than you may think.2500:02:31,520 –> 00:02:38,160Perhaps the best known of the Proverbs in regards to children, train up a child in the2600:02:39,080 –> 00:02:51,440should go, even when he is old, he will not depart from it.2700:02:51,440 –> 00:02:56,559Now remember, as we recognized right at the beginning of this series, that the proverbs2800:02:56,559 –> 00:03:03,839are Proverbs. They are not promises, they are wise sayings that describe the normal2900:03:04,000 –> 00:03:10,639pattern that prevails in this world. And this proverb describes the normal pattern.3000:03:11,279 –> 00:03:16,479It does not promise a particular outcome. We recognize this choosing this verse3100:03:16,479 –> 00:03:22,559as an example right at the beginning of the series as we recognize that proverbs are proverbs.3200:03:22,559 –> 00:03:26,240They describe the normal pattern that prevails in this world.3300:03:26,240 –> 00:03:34,240But, when all of that has been recognized and said and given its due weight.3400:03:36,240 –> 00:03:40,720Proverbs here is making a stunning statement.3500:03:43,119 –> 00:03:46,639Your influence in the lives of your children, mum, dad…3600:03:47,759 –> 00:03:54,880go deeper than you may often think. It will still be with them. Your influence3700:03:54,880 –> 00:03:59,520will still be with them even when they are old.3800:04:01,919 –> 00:04:07,440There may be times of course, and this is the common experience of all parents,3900:04:07,440 –> 00:04:12,080there may be times when it seems to you that your children are not listening.4000:04:13,199 –> 00:04:18,399There may be times when in exasperation you say to your husband or your wife,4100:04:18,399 –> 00:04:23,920Does anything I say ever go in in the life of this child?4200:04:24,880 –> 00:04:25,200No.4300:04:26,160 –> 00:04:29,119And when you find yourself exasperating that way I want you4400:04:29,119 –> 00:04:37,600to remember this that more goes in than you see and more will remain than you think.4500:04:39,119 –> 00:04:40,559That’s the point of the proverb.4600:04:41,760 –> 00:04:46,320Now let me give you an illustration of that that’s very striking to me.4700:04:47,079 –> 00:04:49,440The thief on the cross,4800:04:51,119 –> 00:04:55,279the one who was crucified right next to Jesus.4900:04:55,279 –> 00:04:56,399Remember, there were two.5000:04:56,399 –> 00:04:57,760One on either side.5100:04:59,119 –> 00:05:05,279The thief on the cross had lived his life in open rebellion against God.5200:05:06,559 –> 00:05:12,959He was a thief and from the penalty that he suffered being crucified.5300:05:12,959 –> 00:05:14,079It seems very clear.5400:05:14,079 –> 00:05:15,760This wasn’t petty theft.5500:05:16,480 –> 00:05:17,839This man was a robber.5600:05:18,640 –> 00:05:22,399And in all likelihood a violent one at that.5700:05:23,440 –> 00:05:28,320This is the kind of man who would have assaulted a traveler on the road5800:05:28,320 –> 00:05:32,399from Jerusalem to Jericho and then having robbed him,5900:05:32,399 –> 00:05:35,920leave him bleeding and wounded in the road.6000:05:37,519 –> 00:05:42,640So, here is a man who quite clearly has had absolutely no place6100:05:42,640 –> 00:05:46,239whatsoever for God in his life6200:05:46,239 –> 00:05:50,799and yet in the last hours of his life6300:05:52,480 –> 00:05:56,799he looks from where he is on the cross to the other side ofJesus6400:05:56,799 –> 00:06:01,359where there’s another robber who presumably was his companion in crime6500:06:01,359 –> 00:06:03,359and he says to that man,6600:06:03,359 –> 00:06:06,799Do you not fear God?6700:06:09,600 –> 00:06:10,880Where did that come from?6800:06:13,200 –> 00:06:17,920Some awareness that there really is a God6900:06:17,920 –> 00:06:21,600to whom we must all one day give an account7000:06:21,600 –> 00:06:24,399had been planted in his soul7100:06:25,760 –> 00:06:27,359and he’d suppressed it7200:06:28,640 –> 00:06:31,519and he’d rebelled against it for years7300:06:33,760 –> 00:06:36,880but even though the truth was suppressed7400:06:36,880 –> 00:06:38,399the conviction remained7500:06:38,399 –> 00:06:43,200so I want to say as your pastor to7600:06:43,200 –> 00:06:46,399a troubled father or mother today7700:06:47,600 –> 00:06:50,799if you have a rebel son7800:06:50,799 –> 00:06:52,720or daughter a son or daughter7900:06:52,720 –> 00:06:54,000who is far from God8000:06:54,000 –> 00:06:55,920today do not despair8100:06:57,920 –> 00:07:00,160the living seed of the Word of God8200:07:00,160 –> 00:07:01,600has been planted8300:07:03,119 –> 00:07:04,880and who knows what God8400:07:04,880 –> 00:07:06,239may yet do with it8500:07:06,720 –> 00:07:09,040you have mother father8600:07:09,040 –> 00:07:12,320more influence than you may think8700:07:13,760 –> 00:07:15,119so be encouraged8800:07:16,239 –> 00:07:18,720by this wonderful proverb8900:07:18,720 –> 00:07:21,279train up a child9000:07:21,279 –> 00:07:22,079notice that word by9100:07:22,079 –> 00:07:22,880the way emphasizing9200:07:22,880 –> 00:07:25,519the importance of early years9300:07:26,959 –> 00:07:28,640train up a child9400:07:28,640 –> 00:07:30,079in the way he should go9500:07:30,079 –> 00:07:32,959and even when he is old9600:07:33,119 –> 00:07:33,920is old9700:07:35,040 –> 00:07:36,640he will not depart from it9800:07:38,559 –> 00:07:40,079that’s the first piece of wisdom9900:07:40,079 –> 00:07:41,279that i want to draw out10000:07:41,279 –> 00:07:42,480for us today10100:07:42,480 –> 00:07:43,600from the book of proverbs10200:07:43,600 –> 00:07:44,399here’s the second10300:07:45,600 –> 00:07:46,559your child10400:07:48,079 –> 00:07:49,760needs restraint10500:07:50,640 –> 00:07:51,760as well as10600:07:52,559 –> 00:07:53,359affirmation10700:07:54,239 –> 00:07:56,160your children need restraint10800:07:56,959 –> 00:07:58,000as well as10900:07:58,640 –> 00:07:59,519affirmation11000:08:00,559 –> 00:08:01,119now here11100:08:01,119 –> 00:08:01,760let’s begin with11200:08:01,760 –> 00:08:03,200proverbs chapter 2211300:08:03,200 –> 00:08:04,079in verse 1511400:08:04,079 –> 00:08:04,959where we’re told11500:08:04,959 –> 00:08:07,839folly is bound up11600:08:07,839 –> 00:08:09,839in the heart of a child11700:08:09,839 –> 00:08:13,200but the rod of discipline11800:08:14,000 –> 00:08:16,880drives it far from him11900:08:18,720 –> 00:08:20,399now our secular world12000:08:20,399 –> 00:08:21,600as you know well12100:08:21,600 –> 00:08:24,399has largely bought into the idea12200:08:25,119 –> 00:08:26,880that if you just follow12300:08:26,880 –> 00:08:29,040the impulses of your own heart12400:08:29,040 –> 00:08:30,959they will lead you into life12500:08:32,719 –> 00:08:34,960but proverb says very clearly12600:08:34,960 –> 00:08:36,080not so fast12700:08:37,280 –> 00:08:38,719there’s a problem with that12800:08:39,440 –> 00:08:40,479and here’s the problem12900:08:41,119 –> 00:08:43,440foolishness is bound up13000:08:43,440 –> 00:08:44,960in the heart of a child13100:08:45,919 –> 00:08:49,520so if you follow every impulse13200:08:49,520 –> 00:08:51,280of your own heart13300:08:51,280 –> 00:08:52,799there will be impulses13400:08:52,799 –> 00:08:53,840in your own heart13500:08:53,840 –> 00:08:54,799that will lead you to13600:08:54,799 –> 00:08:55,919your own destruction13700:08:57,840 –> 00:08:59,280now parents you see13800:08:59,280 –> 00:09:01,599who have bought into13900:09:01,599 –> 00:09:03,440the philosophy of the culture14000:09:04,159 –> 00:09:05,919and have come to believe14100:09:05,919 –> 00:09:07,440that everything14200:09:07,440 –> 00:09:10,320everything in your child’s heart14300:09:10,320 –> 00:09:11,039is good14400:09:12,239 –> 00:09:14,000well if you really believe that14500:09:15,200 –> 00:09:16,640then you will see14600:09:17,440 –> 00:09:19,200the entire job14700:09:19,200 –> 00:09:20,159of parenting14800:09:20,159 –> 00:09:21,520as simply being14900:09:21,520 –> 00:09:23,760encouraging and affirming15000:09:24,640 –> 00:09:26,400bringing out what’s there15100:09:27,359 –> 00:09:28,400because you believe15200:09:29,200 –> 00:09:31,200that everything that is there15300:09:32,159 –> 00:09:34,799is good15400:09:34,799 –> 00:09:37,119but parents who believe the Bible15500:09:37,119 –> 00:09:38,320know something else15600:09:39,679 –> 00:09:42,000parents who believe the Bible15700:09:42,000 –> 00:09:44,320know that foolishness15800:09:44,320 –> 00:09:46,080is bound up in15900:09:46,640 –> 00:09:48,640the heart of a child16000:09:48,640 –> 00:09:49,280in other words16100:09:49,280 –> 00:09:51,919that sin is deeply rooted16200:09:51,919 –> 00:09:53,599in all human nature16300:09:54,559 –> 00:09:56,799and when a parent understands that16400:09:56,799 –> 00:09:58,400this wise parent will16500:09:58,960 –> 00:10:00,159therefore know that16600:10:01,119 –> 00:10:01,840their calling16700:10:02,880 –> 00:10:03,520is16800:10:03,520 –> 00:10:06,400not only to encourage and affirm16900:10:06,400 –> 00:10:08,080which it certainly is17000:10:08,080 –> 00:10:09,840to surround with love17100:10:11,119 –> 00:10:13,359but that a significant part of17200:10:13,359 –> 00:10:14,320the love17300:10:14,320 –> 00:10:16,320with which you surround your child17400:10:16,320 –> 00:10:18,880is to exercise restraint17500:10:18,880 –> 00:10:20,799in regards to the impulses17600:10:20,799 –> 00:10:22,000in your child’s heart17700:10:22,000 –> 00:10:24,719that otherwise would be destructive17800:10:26,159 –> 00:10:29,280Proverbs speaks in this regard17900:10:30,080 –> 00:10:31,520several times18000:10:31,520 –> 00:10:33,280about the rod18100:10:34,479 –> 00:10:36,640chapter 29 and verse 1518200:10:37,520 –> 00:10:41,039the rod and reproof give wisdom18300:10:42,000 –> 00:10:45,359but a child left to himself18400:10:45,359 –> 00:10:46,880very striking phrase18500:10:46,880 –> 00:10:48,239a child left to himself18600:10:48,239 –> 00:10:52,239brings shame to his mother18700:10:53,119 –> 00:10:55,359no let’s confront this directly18800:10:56,880 –> 00:10:58,640is the bible telling us18900:10:58,640 –> 00:11:01,039that we are to beat our children19000:11:01,039 –> 00:11:01,840with sticks19100:11:03,599 –> 00:11:05,280answer no19200:11:07,039 –> 00:11:08,239now that may be19300:11:08,799 –> 00:11:10,159how these verses19400:11:10,159 –> 00:11:11,520have been understood19500:11:11,520 –> 00:11:12,799in past centuries19600:11:13,679 –> 00:11:14,880but I think19700:11:14,880 –> 00:11:17,119that there is a better way19800:11:17,119 –> 00:11:18,479for us to understand19900:11:18,479 –> 00:11:20,239what is being said here20000:11:21,200 –> 00:11:22,159when we were studying20100:11:22,159 –> 00:11:23,599in the book of lamentations20200:11:23,599 –> 00:11:24,719a couple of years ago20300:11:25,280 –> 00:11:26,880I was greatly helped20400:11:27,599 –> 00:11:29,280by what bible scholar20500:11:29,280 –> 00:11:30,559Christopher Wright20600:11:30,559 –> 00:11:32,159says about the rod20700:11:32,159 –> 00:11:33,359which also appears20800:11:33,359 –> 00:11:35,440in the book of lamentations20900:11:36,559 –> 00:11:37,599he points out21000:11:38,479 –> 00:11:40,640that the best known reference21100:11:40,640 –> 00:11:41,679to the rod21200:11:41,679 –> 00:11:43,280in all of the bible21300:11:44,159 –> 00:11:46,080is in psalm 2321400:11:46,799 –> 00:11:47,919where david says21500:11:48,719 –> 00:11:51,039your rod and your staff21600:11:52,080 –> 00:11:53,599they comfort me21700:11:54,559 –> 00:11:56,719now that raises an obvious question21800:11:56,719 –> 00:11:58,400why in the world21900:11:58,400 –> 00:11:59,760would David say22000:11:59,760 –> 00:12:01,200that God’s rod22100:12:02,239 –> 00:12:03,200comforts him22200:12:04,559 –> 00:12:05,760and the answer of course22300:12:05,760 –> 00:12:06,799is because22400:12:07,599 –> 00:12:09,039the shepherd22500:12:09,039 –> 00:12:10,880did not use the rod22600:12:10,880 –> 00:12:11,919to beat the sheep22700:12:13,200 –> 00:12:14,960the shepherd used the rod22800:12:14,960 –> 00:12:17,760to fend off the wild animals22900:12:17,760 –> 00:12:20,159that might otherwise attack the sheep23000:12:20,159 –> 00:12:20,880and kill them23100:12:21,919 –> 00:12:23,840the shepherd carried the rod23200:12:23,840 –> 00:12:26,400in order to fend off the wolf23300:12:27,359 –> 00:12:30,000and the sheep had the comfort23400:12:30,000 –> 00:12:30,880of knowing23500:12:31,599 –> 00:12:33,200that they would not be left23600:12:33,200 –> 00:12:35,119at the mercy of enemies23700:12:35,119 –> 00:12:37,280that otherwise would consume them23800:12:39,039 –> 00:12:40,479now foolishness23900:12:41,200 –> 00:12:44,960is bound up in the heart of a child24000:12:45,760 –> 00:12:47,119Foolishness is bound up24100:12:47,119 –> 00:12:49,039in the hearts of your children24200:12:50,159 –> 00:12:52,880and you will bring them great comfort24300:12:53,520 –> 00:12:54,559if they know24400:12:55,520 –> 00:12:57,840that you will not allow them24500:12:57,840 –> 00:13:01,039to follow the destructive impulses24600:13:01,039 –> 00:13:02,799of their own hearts24700:13:04,080 –> 00:13:06,880a child left to himself24800:13:06,880 –> 00:13:08,479as the Proverbs puts it24900:13:08,479 –> 00:13:12,320is in a very scary place indeed25000:13:13,359 –> 00:13:14,479See your little girl25100:13:15,599 –> 00:13:16,479your little boy25200:13:17,840 –> 00:13:18,799as they grow up25300:13:18,799 –> 00:13:21,039they’re going to find impulses25400:13:21,039 –> 00:13:22,320within their own hearts25500:13:23,520 –> 00:13:24,479of pride25600:13:25,280 –> 00:13:26,559and selfishness25700:13:27,280 –> 00:13:28,320and anger25800:13:29,039 –> 00:13:30,320and laziness25900:13:31,039 –> 00:13:33,520and much else besides26000:13:35,359 –> 00:13:37,840and they need the security26100:13:37,840 –> 00:13:40,320of being restrained by rebuke26200:13:41,840 –> 00:13:43,599of incurring some loss26300:13:44,880 –> 00:13:47,599or by bringing some penalty to bear26400:13:48,880 –> 00:13:51,039and with that restraint26500:13:52,080 –> 00:13:54,799you will bring comfort26600:13:55,760 –> 00:13:58,400Now don’t expect your children to say26700:13:58,960 –> 00:14:01,280your restraint comforts me26800:14:04,799 –> 00:14:05,840but without it26900:14:05,840 –> 00:14:07,760they would be in a very27000:14:07,760 –> 00:14:10,400scary place indeed27100:15:08,080 –> 00:15:10,080And then here’s the last thing today27200:15:11,219 –> 00:15:12,799Never27300:15:12,799 –> 00:15:15,200underestimate the power of example27400:15:17,159 –> 00:15:18,580Never underestimate27500:15:18,580 –> 00:15:21,539mother father the power of27600:15:21,840 –> 00:15:23,239your27700:15:23,239 –> 00:15:24,840example and27800:15:24,840 –> 00:15:28,359Here we come back to chapter 3 in verse 1 that was read for us earlier27900:15:28,960 –> 00:15:32,080Solomon says to Rehoboam his son my son28000:15:32,799 –> 00:15:35,599Do not forget my teaching28100:15:36,419 –> 00:15:39,700But let your heart keep my commandments28200:15:40,479 –> 00:15:42,859if you look back to the beginning of chapter 228300:15:42,859 –> 00:15:48,840you’ll see that that personal pronoun my is repeated there and it’s also in chapter 7 verse 1 my28400:15:49,559 –> 00:15:51,559son keep my words28500:15:52,080 –> 00:15:53,859treasure up my28600:15:53,859 –> 00:15:59,359Commandments with you keep my commandments and live28700:16:00,820 –> 00:16:03,859Think about that. Keep my commandments and live28800:16:04,820 –> 00:16:11,700The only commandments that are life-giving are the words and the commandments of God himself28900:16:13,299 –> 00:16:19,599So what we have here is a father who has made God’s commandments his own commandments29000:16:20,280 –> 00:16:24,719God’s teaching his own teaching God’s word his own word and29100:16:25,640 –> 00:16:30,219So what he commenced to his son is what he has made his own29200:16:30,400 –> 00:16:32,400In other words29300:16:32,760 –> 00:16:34,039He is29400:16:34,039 –> 00:16:36,179exercising the power of example29500:16:36,179 –> 00:16:40,059And he is leading his son leading the daughter in29600:16:40,760 –> 00:16:42,760Exactly that way29700:16:44,239 –> 00:16:51,059Most of you know that I very rarely speak in a personal way from the pulpit but speaking of the power of example29800:16:52,940 –> 00:16:57,159My father worked two jobs when I was young and29900:16:57,320 –> 00:17:04,780And on top of that. He was a deacon in the little church in which we grew up in Edinburgh Scotland and30000:17:06,119 –> 00:17:10,660I have to say that these deacons meetings were evidently30100:17:11,680 –> 00:17:18,140Not well organized or run in the way that our meetings of the church board are at the orchard30200:17:18,640 –> 00:17:23,140because they often went on well after midnight and30300:17:23,880 –> 00:17:26,800And my father worked shifts30400:17:27,599 –> 00:17:32,719which meant that there were oftentimes when he was up at 4 in the morning and30500:17:33,880 –> 00:17:35,959He was at a deacons meeting until past30600:17:36,939 –> 00:17:42,800Midnight and was up at four o’clock the next morning for the work of the next day30700:17:44,140 –> 00:17:47,000And I remember thinking as a boy30800:17:47,000 –> 00:17:49,000a30900:17:49,160 –> 00:17:55,699He thinks that serving the church is that important31000:17:58,859 –> 00:18:00,859And I remember very vividly31100:18:01,839 –> 00:18:03,880Him telling me when I was a teenager31200:18:05,520 –> 00:18:10,760About a time when he was put under great pressure to bend the truth31300:18:12,119 –> 00:18:14,359And he wouldn’t do it31400:18:15,040 –> 00:18:18,040And it cost him greatly31500:18:19,599 –> 00:18:22,560And I remember thinking as a teenager31600:18:23,800 –> 00:18:27,239The truth is that important31700:18:29,079 –> 00:18:31,079To my dad31800:18:31,800 –> 00:18:37,599And now after all these years, I have my own grandchildren now I31900:18:37,979 –> 00:18:39,160I32000:18:39,160 –> 00:18:45,880Look back and I see that the very things that I’ve tried to pursue in my own life32100:18:47,239 –> 00:18:49,239to serve the church and32200:18:50,119 –> 00:18:52,119To hold the truth32300:18:52,760 –> 00:18:55,939They were planted in me very early32400:18:56,959 –> 00:18:58,979By the example of a godly father32500:19:01,160 –> 00:19:04,359So if you are a parent a great32600:19:05,160 –> 00:19:07,319motivation for living a godly life32700:19:07,599 –> 00:19:11,660Is to give your children a credible example to follow32800:19:13,839 –> 00:19:17,560God’s words are the words that I believe son32900:19:18,959 –> 00:19:25,420God’s way is the way that I am committed to follow son daughter33000:19:27,359 –> 00:19:29,359Now how are you gonna do that?33100:19:30,540 –> 00:19:35,959well, the only way to walk in obedience is to walk by faith and33200:19:36,359 –> 00:19:42,199And that is why it’s so significant and so beautiful that in Proverbs in Chapter 3, which was read to us33300:19:42,939 –> 00:19:46,699Solomon begins speaking to his son about the commandments of the Lord33400:19:46,699 –> 00:19:51,319And then he goes next to say what trust in the Lord with all your heart33500:19:51,640 –> 00:19:57,219that’s the only way you can do it you have to receive from the Lord what you need in order to33600:19:57,359 –> 00:20:00,280Pursue the way in which he calls you to live33700:20:00,300 –> 00:20:06,319So trust in the Lord with all your heart verse 5 and do not lean on your own understanding33800:20:07,000 –> 00:20:09,000Now you see you can only33900:20:09,079 –> 00:20:17,400Call on your children to trust in the Lord if you clearly are trusting in the Lord yourself34000:20:19,119 –> 00:20:23,380So I want to say to parents, especially today34100:20:25,060 –> 00:20:28,719Trust in the Lord with all your heart34200:20:29,479 –> 00:20:31,180And34300:20:31,180 –> 00:20:32,339especially34400:20:32,339 –> 00:20:36,979Trust in the Lord with all your heart in relation to your children34500:20:38,979 –> 00:20:45,479The wisest counsel that I ever heard in regards to raising children came from a man strangely who34600:20:46,060 –> 00:20:48,680Never had the joy and privilege of being a father34700:20:49,780 –> 00:20:54,619William still was a Scottish pastor now many years with the Lord and34800:20:55,219 –> 00:20:57,739He remained single throughout his entire life34900:20:58,959 –> 00:21:01,199But this was his counsel to parents35000:21:02,800 –> 00:21:08,280Bring your children up in faith not fear35100:21:09,339 –> 00:21:11,339That has helped me so much35200:21:12,199 –> 00:21:19,599Bring your children up in faith not fear in other words trust the Lord in regards to your children35300:21:19,599 –> 00:21:21,599Trust him with all your heart35400:21:22,439 –> 00:21:24,979You fear what sin can do to them35500:21:24,979 –> 00:21:29,300Trust what the Lord can do in them35600:21:30,459 –> 00:21:38,739You fear the pressures of the world and of the schools and of the media and of the culture35700:21:39,079 –> 00:21:45,300Trust what God can do in your children through his spirit and by his word35800:21:47,459 –> 00:21:50,119Trust in the Lord with all your heart35900:21:50,599 –> 00:21:52,319And36000:21:52,319 –> 00:21:55,000give your children reason to think36100:21:56,479 –> 00:22:03,520My father and my mother trust the Lord even when it comes to me36200:22:04,839 –> 00:22:07,540Pastor Colin Smith emptiness ending on message on36300:22:08,060 –> 00:22:11,040wisdom for the family from proverbs chapter 336400:22:11,239 –> 00:22:13,739It’s part of our series wisdom for life36500:22:13,760 –> 00:22:19,560And if you’ve missed any of the series so far you can catch up or go back and listen again online at our website36600:22:20,060 –> 00:22:28,040Open the Bible org dot UK or go to where you normally get your podcasts and their search for open the Bible UK36700:22:28,160 –> 00:22:30,640You’ll find all the messages which have already been broadcast36800:22:31,520 –> 00:22:35,060While you’re there, don’t forget to check out open the Bible daily36900:22:35,060 –> 00:22:42,500That’s our daily reflection piece based on Pastor Colin’s teaching you can find open the Bible daily on our website at open37000:22:42,500 –> 00:22:44,619the Bible org dot UK37100:22:45,380 –> 00:22:47,760Open the Bible is supported by our listeners37200:22:47,859 –> 00:22:55,619We’re able to bring you Pastor Colin’s teaching on the radio internet and podcasts as a result of the generosity of listeners37300:22:55,699 –> 00:23:01,520Like you so if you already give to support our work. Thank you so much. We do appreciate it37400:23:02,339 –> 00:23:05,719This month when you begin to support open the Bible for the first time37500:23:05,800 –> 00:23:11,500We’d love to say thank you by sending you a copy of Pastor Collins brand-new book grow in faith37600:23:11,520 –> 00:23:16,640This devotional book is not yet available in the UK. So our offer is very exclusive37700:23:17,380 –> 00:23:21,520Colin why did you write this book? Well, the Bible speaks to us37800:23:22,160 –> 00:23:29,219Repeatedly about the central importance of faith and of hope and of love at the end of first Corinthians 1337900:23:29,219 –> 00:23:31,959Paul speaks about everything else is going to pass away38000:23:32,260 –> 00:23:35,599but these things are going to remain faith hope and38100:23:35,920 –> 00:23:40,819Love so there of central importance and of course they speak to the needs of our world38200:23:41,020 –> 00:23:41,780today38300:23:41,780 –> 00:23:48,239I mean we’re living in days where so many people experience fear and a sense of gloom and38400:23:48,439 –> 00:23:50,219Where there’s so much conflict38500:23:50,219 –> 00:23:56,300we need faith hope and love and so grow in faith is actually the first of a series of38600:23:56,800 –> 00:24:02,099Three books that are coming out beginning this month and then in the two months that follow38700:24:02,880 –> 00:24:09,760Really excited and grateful for the opportunity to do this if God’s people can grow in faith38800:24:10,400 –> 00:24:13,400Grow in hope and grow in love38900:24:13,979 –> 00:24:18,459then the world is going to see something distinct about us that is very39000:24:18,839 –> 00:24:20,140powerfully attractive39100:24:20,140 –> 00:24:25,359And so I hope that these books are going to be a means of God’s blessing and encouragement to many39200:24:25,719 –> 00:24:32,640Start this month with grow in faith and follow up next month with growing hope and the month after that with grow in love39300:24:32,920 –> 00:24:35,979well pastor Collins book grow in faith is our39400:24:35,979 –> 00:24:43,579special offer to you this month when you support open the Bible financially for the first time with a one-off gift of 60 pounds or39500:24:43,579 –> 00:24:48,400more or at monthly direct debit of five pounds per month or more39600:24:48,900 –> 00:24:56,060Full terms and conditions are on our website. That’s that open the Bible org UK and you can give online39700:24:56,420 –> 00:25:03,060Please do remember to leave your full name and address when you set up your payment so we can send you your free gift39800:25:03,619 –> 00:25:11,060For open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick and I look forward to you joining us again next time on open the Bible39900:25:22,979 –> 00:25:28,979Why do your words matter so much find out next time on open the Bible