100:00:00,520 –> 00:00:04,840When the book of Proverbs200:00:04,840 –> 00:00:08,880says train up a child in the way he should go300:00:09,140 –> 00:00:13,260and even when he is old he will not depart from it,400:00:13,940 –> 00:00:18,400that does not mean that good parenting500:00:18,520 –> 00:00:20,480guarantees godly children.600:00:21,559 –> 00:00:25,360It is a proverb, not a promise, it is a proverb and the proverb700:00:25,360 –> 00:00:29,719describes the normal pattern that prevails in this world.800:00:29,879 –> 00:00:33,419It does not guarantee a particular outcome.900:00:34,119 –> 00:00:36,680Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith,1000:00:36,680 –> 00:00:39,299I am David Pick, glad you could join us today.1100:00:39,459 –> 00:00:42,240And Colin, it’s good to be reminded right from the start1200:00:42,299 –> 00:00:45,279that in Proverbs, what we see is principles1300:00:45,279 –> 00:00:47,400and not necessarily promises.1400:00:47,900 –> 00:00:50,299Yeah, that’s right. And it’s very practical to.1500:00:50,299 –> 00:00:53,000I was just speaking the other day, with a father1600:00:53,000 –> 00:00:56,020who was really grieving over his son who had moved1700:00:56,020 –> 00:00:58,119far away from the things of God.1800:00:58,560 –> 00:01:03,119And he said to me, Pastor, I feel like it’s my fault.1900:01:03,860 –> 00:01:07,580And I said to him, now, you cannot be taking the blame.2000:01:07,580 –> 00:01:08,660And here’s why.2100:01:09,279 –> 00:01:12,080Because if all was well with your son,2200:01:12,260 –> 00:01:13,959you wouldn’t take the credit.2300:01:14,000 –> 00:01:16,580You would say it’s God who has done this2400:01:16,580 –> 00:01:19,320and his grace that has given me this marvellous gift.2500:01:19,320 –> 00:01:21,900You wouldn’t take the credit if all was well.2600:01:22,419 –> 00:01:24,699And now you must not take the blame2700:01:24,900 –> 00:01:27,360when things are not as you would wish them to be.2800:01:27,559 –> 00:01:31,519So it’s very important that there are general principles2900:01:31,519 –> 00:01:33,660that are taught to us in scripture and they’re3000:01:33,820 –> 00:01:37,699of huge value because they direct the kind of decisions3100:01:37,699 –> 00:01:38,660that we’re to make.3200:01:38,900 –> 00:01:40,519And that’s what we’re going to look at together3300:01:40,519 –> 00:01:41,559in this series.3400:01:41,559 –> 00:01:44,900It’s a wonderful part of the scripture and immensely helpful.3500:01:45,019 –> 00:01:45,900But you’re so right.3600:01:45,980 –> 00:01:48,320We’re not looking at particular promises3700:01:48,320 –> 00:01:49,400in most of this series.3800:01:49,400 –> 00:01:51,779We’re looking at principles of wisdom3900:01:51,779 –> 00:01:53,940that God has given to us to follow.4000:01:54,139 –> 00:01:56,820Well, the series is called Wisdom for Life4100:01:57,239 –> 00:01:58,860and we’re in Proverbs 8 today.4200:01:58,860 –> 00:02:00,180So join us, if you can.4300:02:00,400 –> 00:02:02,139As we begin the message, Fear.4400:02:02,279 –> 00:02:03,440Here is Pastor Colin.4500:02:04,019 –> 00:02:06,279Let’s begin with a very simple definition.4600:02:06,320 –> 00:02:09,179We’re talking about wisdom and wisdom is very simply4700:02:09,179 –> 00:02:14,899the skill that you need to put together a successful life.4800:02:14,899 –> 00:02:15,639That’s what it is.4900:02:15,639 –> 00:02:19,100Another way of saying this would be life skills.5000:02:19,320 –> 00:02:21,740Wisdom is different from knowledge in the sense5100:02:21,740 –> 00:02:25,360that it is clearly possible to amass a very great deal5200:02:25,479 –> 00:02:27,360of knowledge to be absolutely brilliant5300:02:27,360 –> 00:02:30,820and yet not to live wisely, not to have the skills5400:02:30,820 –> 00:02:34,119to put a successful life together.5500:02:34,699 –> 00:02:37,679So here in the scriptures, God is speaking to us5600:02:37,679 –> 00:02:40,559about the skills that we need for life, the skills,5700:02:40,559 –> 00:02:42,820in other words, that we need for building friendships,5800:02:43,179 –> 00:02:46,360raising a family, managing money,5900:02:46,699 –> 00:02:50,679developing the ability to talk in a way that builds6000:02:50,679 –> 00:02:53,960others up rather than pushing them down6100:02:54,300 –> 00:02:57,699and becoming effective in the particular work6200:02:57,699 –> 00:03:00,580that God has given to you to do.6300:03:00,860 –> 00:03:03,820All of that and much more is included6400:03:03,820 –> 00:03:06,740in what the bible calls wisdom.6500:03:07,300 –> 00:03:10,240Now, the bible of course, is full of wisdom.6600:03:10,240 –> 00:03:12,300It runs right throughout the scriptures.6700:03:12,460 –> 00:03:15,240Our Lord Jesus Christ speaks about a wise6800:03:15,240 –> 00:03:16,580and a foolish builder.6900:03:16,960 –> 00:03:19,559He speaks, on one occasion, about a rich man7000:03:19,559 –> 00:03:22,800who God said was a fool.7100:03:23,800 –> 00:03:26,119But there are five books in the bible7200:03:26,119 –> 00:03:29,520that are regularly described as wisdom books7300:03:29,520 –> 00:03:34,240because they deal with these great issues of wisdom.7400:03:34,240 –> 00:03:36,720They are Job, Psalms, Proverbs7500:03:36,979 –> 00:03:38,580that we’re looking at over these weeks,7600:03:38,639 –> 00:03:42,000Ecclesiastes and Songs of Solomon.7700:03:42,559 –> 00:03:44,100They’re referred to as wisdom books7800:03:44,100 –> 00:03:47,699because their focus is on what we need7900:03:47,839 –> 00:03:51,279in order to put life together.8000:03:51,899 –> 00:03:54,539Now I know that this part of the bible8100:03:54,539 –> 00:03:56,240or expect that this part of the bible8200:03:56,240 –> 00:04:01,240may be new or less familiar to some of us at least,8300:04:01,539 –> 00:04:04,300and so, let me begin to oriented us8400:04:04,300 –> 00:04:08,119to this new part of the bible that we’re coming to today8500:04:08,119 –> 00:04:11,500with three very simple observations.8600:04:11,500 –> 00:04:13,619The first of these, the most obvious I think,8700:04:13,619 –> 00:04:16,559is the proverbs are proverbs, there you are.8800:04:16,559 –> 00:04:20,220Very simple statement but it’s actually very very important8900:04:20,220 –> 00:04:23,299always remember that the proverbs are proverbs.9000:04:23,299 –> 00:04:27,799In other words, they are a collection of wise sayings9100:04:27,799 –> 00:04:30,959or proverbs and what a proverb is,9200:04:30,959 –> 00:04:35,260is proverbs describe the normal pattern9300:04:35,260 –> 00:04:38,380that prevails in life and this world.9400:04:38,380 –> 00:04:40,239Try and settle that phrase in your mind.9500:04:40,239 –> 00:04:42,179That’s what a proverb is,9600:04:42,179 –> 00:04:44,299it describes the pattern9700:04:44,299 –> 00:04:48,940that prevails normally in this world.9800:04:48,940 –> 00:04:50,339Now here’s why that’s important,9900:04:50,339 –> 00:04:54,760always remember proverbs are not promises,10000:04:55,660 –> 00:04:57,040it’s a different category.10100:04:57,940 –> 00:05:01,899And if you confuse them, then you’ll come into difficulties.10200:05:01,899 –> 00:05:05,420For example, when the Book of Proverbs says,10300:05:05,420 –> 00:05:08,420train up a child in the way he should go10400:05:08,420 –> 00:05:13,200and even when he is old, he will not depart from it.10500:05:13,200 –> 00:05:17,799That does not mean that good parenting10600:05:17,799 –> 00:05:19,940guarantees godly children.10700:05:20,839 –> 00:05:23,779It is a proverb, not a promise, it is a proverb10800:05:23,779 –> 00:05:27,500and the proverb describes the normal pattern10900:05:27,500 –> 00:05:29,160that prevails in this world,11000:05:29,160 –> 00:05:33,700it does not guarantee a particular outcome.11100:05:33,700 –> 00:05:36,019and I’ve had many conversations over the years11200:05:36,019 –> 00:05:38,100with folks particularly in a verse like this11300:05:38,140 –> 00:05:39,500they said, well now I’ve read this verse,11400:05:39,500 –> 00:05:41,160we’re trying to be a good and a godly parent11500:05:41,160 –> 00:05:42,380and I can’t make any sense of it11600:05:42,380 –> 00:05:45,239and I’m saying, oh you’re taking this to be a promise.11700:05:45,239 –> 00:05:46,459You have not understood the difference11800:05:46,459 –> 00:05:47,739between a promise and a proverb.11900:05:47,739 –> 00:05:49,320It’s very, very important.12000:05:49,320 –> 00:05:52,100Let me give you an example just to press home12100:05:52,100 –> 00:05:55,019how important it is that we understand12200:05:55,019 –> 00:05:58,059that proverbs are describing for us12300:05:58,059 –> 00:06:02,000the normal pattern that prevails in this world.12400:06:02,000 –> 00:06:04,260Proverbs 11 and verse 16.12500:06:05,179 –> 00:06:07,440A gracious woman gets honor12600:06:09,500 –> 00:06:11,760and violent men get riches.12700:06:14,119 –> 00:06:16,420Now, how are you gonna understand that one?12800:06:16,420 –> 00:06:19,260Clearly, this is not telling us12900:06:19,260 –> 00:06:21,619that we should all go out and pursue violence13000:06:21,619 –> 00:06:23,899in order to get money.13100:06:23,899 –> 00:06:25,980No, the proverbs, what are they?13200:06:25,980 –> 00:06:28,899The proverbs are describing a normal pattern13300:06:28,899 –> 00:06:31,100that prevails in this world,13400:06:31,100 –> 00:06:33,720and the sad reality is that in this fallen world,13500:06:33,720 –> 00:06:37,640as all of us know well, large massive amounts of money13600:06:37,640 –> 00:06:40,660are accumulated by men who do violence.13700:06:41,940 –> 00:06:45,359Now, of course, the point of the proverb is this,13800:06:45,359 –> 00:06:48,019that even in this fallen world, think about this,13900:06:48,019 –> 00:06:52,260even in this fallen world, one gracious woman,14000:06:52,260 –> 00:06:54,799notice it’s singular, a gracious woman.14100:06:55,940 –> 00:07:00,619So a single gracious woman, a woman of grace,14200:07:00,660 –> 00:07:05,660who clearly cannot hope to match the strength14300:07:05,899 –> 00:07:09,339of a whole gang of violent men, plural,14400:07:10,959 –> 00:07:15,179this one gracious woman gets something14500:07:15,179 –> 00:07:17,079more valuable than money.14600:07:17,940 –> 00:07:19,279She gets honor.14700:07:20,220 –> 00:07:25,220So grace that looks so weak in this world14800:07:25,540 –> 00:07:29,059actually gets more than violence14900:07:29,079 –> 00:07:31,239that looks so strong in this world.15000:07:31,239 –> 00:07:33,000That’s the point of the proverb.15100:07:33,000 –> 00:07:34,940And it’s rightly understood when you see15200:07:34,940 –> 00:07:38,600that it is describing the normal pattern15300:07:38,600 –> 00:07:41,299that prevails in this world.15400:07:41,299 –> 00:07:44,420So remember that the proverbs are proverbs.15500:07:44,420 –> 00:07:45,619They are promises.15600:07:45,619 –> 00:07:48,920They are descriptions of the normal pattern15700:07:48,920 –> 00:07:51,399of life in this world.15800:07:51,399 –> 00:07:55,420Second, always remember as we come to this book15900:07:55,420 –> 00:07:59,000that the proverbs assume a relationship.16000:07:59,000 –> 00:08:01,320They assume a relationship.16100:08:01,320 –> 00:08:03,079That’s the significance if you turn back16200:08:03,079 –> 00:08:06,720to chapter two, verse one, or chapter three in verse one.16300:08:06,720 –> 00:08:08,399They both begin in the same way.16400:08:08,399 –> 00:08:09,480Chapter three and verse one,16500:08:09,480 –> 00:08:13,779my son do not forget my teaching,16600:08:13,779 –> 00:08:16,480but let your heart keep my commandments.16700:08:16,480 –> 00:08:17,579My son.16800:08:19,040 –> 00:08:23,519Now the words, my son, occur 23 times.16900:08:23,519 –> 00:08:26,859They’re strewn all the way through the book of proverbs.17000:08:26,880 –> 00:08:31,140And my son indicates that these words are being spoken17100:08:31,140 –> 00:08:35,739out of and into a relationship of love.17200:08:35,739 –> 00:08:40,419This is a father speaking to his son.17300:08:40,419 –> 00:08:41,780And in the first instance,17400:08:41,780 –> 00:08:45,159most of these proverbs would have been spoken by Solomon.17500:08:45,159 –> 00:08:47,419That’s chapter one in verse one tells us17600:08:47,419 –> 00:08:48,340that they come from him,17700:08:48,340 –> 00:08:52,239though there are some proverbs from others later in the book.17800:08:52,239 –> 00:08:54,419They would have been spoken by Solomon,17900:08:54,419 –> 00:08:58,799loving father to his son, Rehoboam.18000:08:58,799 –> 00:09:03,799They come out of and flow into a relationship of love.18100:09:05,760 –> 00:09:10,099Now, seeing that, we must remember that the Bible of course,18200:09:10,099 –> 00:09:13,200is more than the wisdom of Solomon.18300:09:13,200 –> 00:09:16,739And this book is more than the wisdom of Solomon.18400:09:16,739 –> 00:09:19,640The book of proverbs is in holy scripture18500:09:19,640 –> 00:09:22,679because it is the word of God,18600:09:22,679 –> 00:09:25,820and God breathed out these proverbs through Solomon18700:09:25,820 –> 00:09:28,140and in the same way as God breathed out the Psalms18800:09:28,140 –> 00:09:30,440through David and breathed out the book of Romans18900:09:30,440 –> 00:09:32,599through the Apostle Paul.19000:09:33,619 –> 00:09:38,099So when we read My Son, we are to understand19100:09:38,099 –> 00:09:40,679that behind the loving voice of King Solomon19200:09:40,679 –> 00:09:43,500speaking to his son, Prince Rehoboam,19300:09:44,640 –> 00:09:47,140there is actually the loving voice of God,19400:09:47,140 –> 00:09:51,039our heavenly father, speaking to His own children.19500:09:51,080 –> 00:09:56,039A relationship is assumed, this is our God speaking to us19600:09:57,059 –> 00:10:01,960and He’s calling us to walk in paths of wisdom.19700:10:03,159 –> 00:10:05,080We’ve got to pause the message briefly there19800:10:05,080 –> 00:10:08,739but we’ll be back very shortly, so do stay with us.19900:10:08,739 –> 00:10:11,460You’re listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith20000:10:11,460 –> 00:10:13,320and A Message Called Fear,20100:10:13,320 –> 00:10:16,719part of our series Wisdom for Life, all about the proverbs20200:10:16,719 –> 00:10:18,440and we’re being reminded that20300:10:18,440 –> 00:10:21,000proverbs are proverbs not promises.20400:10:21,840 –> 00:10:24,679And they assume a relationship.20500:10:24,679 –> 00:10:27,080If you ever miss one of the messages in this series,20600:10:27,080 –> 00:10:28,799don’t forget you can easily catch up20700:10:28,799 –> 00:10:30,679or go back and listen to them again20800:10:30,679 –> 00:10:32,900by coming online to our website,20900:10:32,900 –> 00:10:35,919that’s at openthebible.org.uk21000:10:35,919 –> 00:10:38,840and you can also find Pastor Colin as a podcast21100:10:38,840 –> 00:10:41,400and those are on all the podcast sites,21200:10:41,400 –> 00:10:44,280search for openthebible.uk21300:10:44,280 –> 00:10:47,880and subscribe if you want to receive regular reminders.21400:10:47,900 –> 00:10:51,280Back to the message now, here again is Pastor Colin.21500:10:51,280 –> 00:10:54,239Proverbs are proverbs, they’re not promises,21600:10:54,239 –> 00:10:56,559proverbs assume a relationship21700:10:56,559 –> 00:10:58,440and here’s the third introductory point21800:10:58,440 –> 00:11:01,239just to get ourselves settled in this book,21900:11:01,239 –> 00:11:04,919the proverbs point to Jesus.22000:11:04,919 –> 00:11:08,080Look at chapter eight in verse one that was read for us,22100:11:08,080 –> 00:11:11,340does not wisdom call,22200:11:11,340 –> 00:11:16,239does not understanding raise her voice?22300:11:17,000 –> 00:11:21,679Now wisdom raises her voice22400:11:21,679 –> 00:11:23,280and so that raises the question22500:11:23,280 –> 00:11:27,200now whose voice then are we listening to?22600:11:28,719 –> 00:11:30,559And as many of you know very well,22700:11:30,559 –> 00:11:31,679in the New Testament,22800:11:31,679 –> 00:11:36,679we are told that Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God.22900:11:37,219 –> 00:11:39,080First Corinthians chapter one and verse 30,23000:11:39,080 –> 00:11:41,520Christ has made for us wisdom,23100:11:41,520 –> 00:11:44,479he’s become for us wisdom.23200:11:44,479 –> 00:11:46,700Or Colossians chapter two in verse three,23300:11:46,700 –> 00:11:50,520in Christ are hidden all the treasures23400:11:50,520 –> 00:11:54,159of wisdom and of knowledge.23500:11:54,159 –> 00:11:56,200We preach Christ crucified23600:11:56,200 –> 00:11:57,440and to those who are called,23700:11:57,440 –> 00:11:59,280Christ is the power of God23800:11:59,280 –> 00:12:04,039and we know that he is the wisdom of God.23900:12:04,039 –> 00:12:05,840So when we read as Christian’s24000:12:05,840 –> 00:12:07,200back in the book of Proverbs24100:12:07,200 –> 00:12:10,080that wisdom calls and we know24200:12:10,080 –> 00:12:11,719that this is the very word of God,24300:12:11,719 –> 00:12:14,239we are to understand that the voice24400:12:14,539 –> 00:12:17,200of the eternal Son of God24500:12:17,200 –> 00:12:20,479is speaking to us in and through the scripture24600:12:20,479 –> 00:12:21,919in the book of Proverbs24700:12:21,919 –> 00:12:24,320and calling us to follow after him24800:12:24,320 –> 00:12:27,280because he himself indeed is wisdom.24900:12:28,179 –> 00:12:29,719And I want you to notice chapter eight25000:12:29,719 –> 00:12:31,659in verse two and three,25100:12:31,659 –> 00:12:34,119where wisdom takes her stand,25200:12:34,119 –> 00:12:36,840where it is that Christ speaks to us25300:12:36,840 –> 00:12:39,559at the crossroads, verse two,25400:12:39,559 –> 00:12:44,080beside the gate in front of the town, verse three,25500:12:44,080 –> 00:12:46,159which translated into our day means25600:12:46,159 –> 00:12:50,260at the shopping mall and at the workplace.25700:12:50,260 –> 00:12:51,580So, try and imagine this,25800:12:51,580 –> 00:12:53,080you arrive at the shopping mall,25900:12:53,080 –> 00:12:56,239whatever the place is that you most like to go,26000:12:57,159 –> 00:12:59,760and as you’re parking your car there26100:12:59,760 –> 00:13:02,280and you’re just about to head into the store26200:13:02,280 –> 00:13:04,340where you’re gonna begin your shopping,26300:13:05,239 –> 00:13:06,580there’s a voice that calls to you.26400:13:06,580 –> 00:13:09,500Hey, before you go in there, come over here.26500:13:10,400 –> 00:13:13,400I’ve got something that you’re going to need26600:13:13,400 –> 00:13:14,479when you’re shopping.26700:13:15,739 –> 00:13:17,299Or, imagine you’re getting into the train26800:13:17,299 –> 00:13:18,919to begin the commute to your work,26900:13:18,919 –> 00:13:19,880or you’re getting into the car.27000:13:19,880 –> 00:13:21,559However you make that journey.27100:13:22,520 –> 00:13:23,820And as you do there’s a voice27200:13:23,820 –> 00:13:25,020that calls out to you right there.27300:13:25,020 –> 00:13:26,119Hey, before you go there,27400:13:26,119 –> 00:13:29,679before you get into your long list of to-dos today,27500:13:29,679 –> 00:13:31,179I’ve got something for you27600:13:31,179 –> 00:13:33,760that you’re going to need in your work today.27700:13:33,760 –> 00:13:37,299This is where wisdom calls to us.27800:13:37,299 –> 00:13:39,880This is where Christ speaks to us27900:13:39,880 –> 00:13:42,739in the book of Proverbs.28000:13:43,719 –> 00:13:48,559And wisdom is presented to us as a person28100:13:48,559 –> 00:13:52,159who offers something of great value.28200:13:53,299 –> 00:13:56,219Notice chapter eight and verse 10.28300:13:56,219 –> 00:13:59,179More precious than silver,28400:13:59,179 –> 00:14:01,440of more value than gold.28500:14:02,340 –> 00:14:04,919Verse 11 better than jewels,28600:14:06,140 –> 00:14:10,559nothing you desire can compare with her.28700:14:11,500 –> 00:14:14,200So as Christians we understand that God,28800:14:14,200 –> 00:14:16,340very wonderfully, has given us something28900:14:16,340 –> 00:14:19,580more than wisdom in a book.29000:14:20,580 –> 00:14:24,539He has given us wisdom in the flesh.29100:14:24,539 –> 00:14:25,659That’s Jesus Christ.29200:14:25,659 –> 00:14:26,940The word made flesh.29300:14:26,940 –> 00:14:31,659Wisdom made flesh for us.29400:14:31,659 –> 00:14:34,380And to all who are in Christ by faith,29500:14:34,380 –> 00:14:37,039He gives us the Holy Spirit,29600:14:37,039 –> 00:14:40,000who is the Spirit of Wisdom.29700:14:40,000 –> 00:14:43,000That’s Ephesians Chapter 1 in verse 17,29800:14:43,000 –> 00:14:44,919the spirit of wisdom29900:14:44,919 –> 00:14:48,599in order that you may know God better.30000:14:48,599 –> 00:14:50,539That’s who’s given to you.30100:14:50,539 –> 00:14:52,880And so putting these things together,30200:14:52,880 –> 00:14:57,400we understand that we gain wisdom through the word.30300:14:57,400 –> 00:14:59,520That’s why we’re looking into the book of Proverbs.30400:14:59,520 –> 00:15:01,359It’s all about wisdom for life.30500:15:01,359 –> 00:15:03,260We gain wisdom through the word.30600:15:03,260 –> 00:15:07,679We do it as we walk with Christ who is the wisdom of God30700:15:07,679 –> 00:15:12,020in the power of the spirit, who is the spirit of wisdom.30800:15:12,960 –> 00:15:17,200In other words, walking the way of wisdom30900:15:17,200 –> 00:15:18,799is another way of describing31000:15:18,799 –> 00:15:21,219what the New Testament calls discipleship.31100:15:22,479 –> 00:15:25,719Because to follow wisdom is to follow Jesus.31200:15:26,859 –> 00:15:31,359To listen to wisdom is to listen to Jesus.31300:15:31,359 –> 00:15:36,359And to grow in wisdom is to grow in Jesus.31400:15:36,719 –> 00:15:39,900And the book of Proverbs describes31500:15:39,900 –> 00:15:43,719what this looks like in very practical areas of life.31600:15:43,719 –> 00:15:44,880What does it mean?31700:15:44,880 –> 00:15:47,679To follow and listen to and grow in Jesus31800:15:47,679 –> 00:15:49,039in regards to your friendships,31900:15:49,039 –> 00:15:50,559in regards to your family,32000:15:50,559 –> 00:15:54,159in regards to your words, your work, and your wealth?32100:15:54,159 –> 00:15:56,159Well, the book of Proverbs is here32200:15:56,159 –> 00:15:58,359to answer these questions.32300:15:58,359 –> 00:16:01,599It lays out the life to which wisdom calls us,32400:16:01,599 –> 00:16:03,799it lays out to put it in other terms,32500:16:03,900 –> 00:16:07,039the life of a disciple of Jesus.32600:16:09,500 –> 00:16:12,200Now, that’s the journey that lies ahead of us,32700:16:12,200 –> 00:16:15,359and I really want that all of us here today32800:16:15,359 –> 00:16:19,440will be motivated for this journey.32900:16:19,440 –> 00:16:22,599Some of you may be asking at the beginning of a new series33000:16:22,599 –> 00:16:23,900and trying to introduce this,33100:16:23,900 –> 00:16:25,760and you’re trying to figure it out now,33200:16:25,760 –> 00:16:28,440what’s in this for me?33300:16:28,440 –> 00:16:30,200And that’s always a good question.33400:16:30,200 –> 00:16:33,400Why should I be interested in this?33500:16:34,799 –> 00:16:36,119Let me try and encourage you33600:16:36,119 –> 00:16:38,299by answering that question this way.33700:16:40,200 –> 00:16:41,760The Bible makes it clear33800:16:42,700 –> 00:16:47,599that the path of following Jesus is often costly.33900:16:47,599 –> 00:16:52,599The path of pursuing wisdom, same thing, is often costly.34000:16:52,900 –> 00:16:56,099Jesus tells us that the gate is narrow,34100:16:56,099 –> 00:16:58,260that the way is hard,34200:16:58,260 –> 00:17:00,219and that only a few people find it.34300:17:00,719 –> 00:17:04,719But he then tells us that there is this marvelous incentive34400:17:04,719 –> 00:17:07,680that this hard way on which the few find34500:17:07,680 –> 00:17:12,020and the gate is narrow, it does lead to life.34600:17:14,579 –> 00:17:18,439Now the normal way in which I think we understand34700:17:18,439 –> 00:17:23,439that is we tend to think that living a godly life34800:17:24,319 –> 00:17:25,900in this world is hard,34900:17:26,339 –> 00:17:29,839but there is at least this payoff35000:17:29,839 –> 00:17:33,199that there will be a great reward for all of us in heaven35100:17:34,280 –> 00:17:37,099and of course, that is wonderfully true,35200:17:38,599 –> 00:17:41,520but when Jesus says that the narrow way leads to life,35300:17:41,520 –> 00:17:43,219there’s something more in his word35400:17:43,219 –> 00:17:45,119than a reference to heaven35500:17:46,380 –> 00:17:50,640and the book of Proverbs draws out another truth35600:17:50,640 –> 00:17:54,300that we also need to grasp,35700:17:55,300 –> 00:17:59,060which is that those who walk the path of godly wisdom,35800:17:59,060 –> 00:18:03,040those who press hard as disciples after Jesus35900:18:04,680 –> 00:18:07,239will be blessed in this life36000:18:09,239 –> 00:18:11,640as well as in the world to come.36100:18:12,579 –> 00:18:14,579Do you remember how Jesus spoke about this36200:18:14,579 –> 00:18:17,859on one occasion when the disciples were complaining36300:18:17,859 –> 00:18:20,959about the fact that they’d given up a lot to follow Jesus36400:18:20,959 –> 00:18:23,640and Jesus said to them, this is Mark chapter 10.36500:18:24,859 –> 00:18:27,760Well there’s no one who’s left fields or family36600:18:27,760 –> 00:18:30,880or father or mother for me will not receive36700:18:30,880 –> 00:18:35,280a hundred times as much in this life, in this life36800:18:36,640 –> 00:18:41,640and on top in the world to come, everlasting life as well.36900:18:45,119 –> 00:18:50,119Now, the this life piece is the particular truth37000:18:50,939 –> 00:18:53,239that the book of Proverbs emphasizes37100:18:53,239 –> 00:18:56,060for us again and again and again,37200:18:56,060 –> 00:18:58,760the blessing of following the Lord Jesus Christ37300:18:58,760 –> 00:18:59,939in this life.37400:19:00,800 –> 00:19:02,079And I want you to see this.37500:19:02,079 –> 00:19:04,020I’m trying to motivate us for the journey.37600:19:04,020 –> 00:19:06,579I want us to feel like this is a part of scripture37700:19:06,579 –> 00:19:10,280that we must get into us in a deeper way.37800:19:10,280 –> 00:19:11,520So turn with me for a moment,37900:19:11,520 –> 00:19:14,819if you would back to Proverbs in chapter three38000:19:14,819 –> 00:19:16,959and remember what we said right at the beginning.38100:19:16,959 –> 00:19:21,020We’re looking here at Proverbs, not promises.38200:19:21,020 –> 00:19:24,839But I want you to look at the normal pattern38300:19:24,839 –> 00:19:27,959that prevails in this world.38400:19:27,959 –> 00:19:30,540Look at Proverbs three in verse 13.38500:19:30,540 –> 00:19:34,560Blessed is the one who finds wisdom38600:19:35,380 –> 00:19:38,459and the one who gets understanding,38700:19:38,459 –> 00:19:42,900for the gain from her is better than the gain from silver38800:19:42,900 –> 00:19:46,359and her profit is better than gold.38900:19:47,479 –> 00:19:49,979She is more precious than jewels.39000:19:49,979 –> 00:19:53,119Hey, something better than diamonds.39100:19:53,119 –> 00:19:58,119And nothing you desire can compare with her.39200:19:58,280 –> 00:19:59,560Well that’s quite a statement.39300:19:59,560 –> 00:20:01,979So we immediately say, hey, why?39400:20:01,979 –> 00:20:05,900Okay, where’s the value, what then will wisdom bring for us?39500:20:05,900 –> 00:20:09,040And notice line on line that question39600:20:09,040 –> 00:20:10,119is answered right here.39700:20:10,119 –> 00:20:14,800First, long life, chapter three in verse 16.39800:20:14,800 –> 00:20:19,800Long life is in her right hand.39900:20:22,359 –> 00:20:26,780Now remember we’re talking about a proverb, not a promise.40000:20:27,800 –> 00:20:29,959We are talking about the normal pattern40100:20:29,959 –> 00:20:32,239that prevails in this world.40200:20:33,140 –> 00:20:35,359Think this through with me please.40300:20:36,599 –> 00:20:41,599Everyone understands that eating a proper diet40400:20:42,099 –> 00:20:46,880will lead to better health than living on junk food.40500:20:46,880 –> 00:20:48,900Can we have agreement on that here?40600:20:48,900 –> 00:20:51,300Universal agreement, we all agree whatever we actually do40700:20:51,300 –> 00:20:55,640we know that this is true, that if we eat a proper diet40800:20:55,640 –> 00:21:00,640we will be more healthy then if we live on junk food.40900:21:01,599 –> 00:21:05,319Now by the way that doesn’t mean that if you eat41000:21:05,319 –> 00:21:08,300vegetables and tomatoes every day you will never get cancer.41100:21:08,300 –> 00:21:10,479There’s no promise like that.41200:21:10,540 –> 00:21:12,660We’re talking about a general principle that prevails41300:21:12,660 –> 00:21:14,579in this world, that if you eat a healthy diet41400:21:14,579 –> 00:21:16,739you will be healthier then if you live on junk food.41500:21:16,739 –> 00:21:19,020Everyone knows that, we all agree with it.41600:21:19,020 –> 00:21:20,839Now here’s the point.41700:21:20,839 –> 00:21:24,939The same principle that applies to your body41800:21:24,939 –> 00:21:27,540also applies to your soul.41900:21:28,500 –> 00:21:31,239This is why Peter says in the New Testament42000:21:31,239 –> 00:21:35,540whoever would love life, you wanna have a good life,42100:21:36,280 –> 00:21:41,280and would see good days, length of days,42200:21:41,699 –> 00:21:43,540here’s what you should do.42300:21:43,540 –> 00:21:46,180Let him keep his tongue from evil,42400:21:46,180 –> 00:21:49,020let him turn away from evil and do good.42500:21:49,020 –> 00:21:53,400Let him seek peace and pursue it.42600:21:55,219 –> 00:21:59,380Now see, some of us actually can become quite unhealthy42700:21:59,380 –> 00:22:03,099because we have allowed patterns of conflict42800:22:03,119 –> 00:22:07,380to so characterize our lives, that it stunts us42900:22:07,380 –> 00:22:09,300and we would be much more healthy43000:22:09,300 –> 00:22:11,099if we could live in peace.43100:22:12,560 –> 00:22:16,239And that’s precisely what wisdom calls us to,43200:22:17,959 –> 00:22:20,560for you to build patterns of life43300:22:20,560 –> 00:22:25,560that will be healthy for you and you will be blessed.43400:22:25,599 –> 00:22:26,819You’re listening to Open the Bible43500:22:26,819 –> 00:22:28,219with pastor Colin Smith43600:22:28,219 –> 00:22:31,540and the first part of our message called Fear,43700:22:31,560 –> 00:22:36,020is from our series on proverbs called Wisdom for Life.43800:22:36,020 –> 00:22:38,719And if you ever miss one of the messages in the series,43900:22:38,719 –> 00:22:40,979you can catch up or go back and listen again44000:22:40,979 –> 00:22:45,780online at our website, openthebible.org.uk.44100:22:45,780 –> 00:22:49,780Join us again next time for the second part of this message.44200:22:49,780 –> 00:22:52,339Open the Bible is supported by our listeners.44300:22:52,339 –> 00:22:54,939We’re able to bring you pastor Colin’s teaching44400:22:54,939 –> 00:22:57,780on the radio, internet and podcasts44500:22:57,780 –> 00:23:01,060as a result of the generosity of listeners like you.44600:23:01,119 –> 00:23:03,599So if you already give to support our work,44700:23:03,599 –> 00:23:06,739thank you so much, we do appreciate it.44800:23:06,739 –> 00:23:08,500This month when you begin to support44900:23:08,500 –> 00:23:10,219Open the Bible for the first time,45000:23:10,219 –> 00:23:12,339we’d love to say thank you by sending you45100:23:12,339 –> 00:23:14,800a copy of Pastor Colin’s brand new book,45200:23:14,800 –> 00:23:15,979Grow in Faith.45300:23:15,979 –> 00:23:18,939This devotional book is not yet available in the UK45400:23:18,939 –> 00:23:21,619so our offer is very exclusive.45500:23:21,619 –> 00:23:24,160Colin, why did you write this book?45600:23:24,160 –> 00:23:27,060Well the Bible speaks to us repeatedly45700:23:27,060 –> 00:23:29,500about the central importance of faith45800:23:29,500 –> 00:23:31,939and of hope and of love.45900:23:31,939 –> 00:23:33,640At the end of first Corinthians 13,46000:23:33,640 –> 00:23:36,660Paul speaks about everything else is going to pass away46100:23:36,660 –> 00:23:38,540but these things are going to remain,46200:23:38,540 –> 00:23:40,660faith, hope and love.46300:23:40,660 –> 00:23:42,380So they’re of central importance46400:23:42,380 –> 00:23:46,339and of course they speak to the needs of our world today.46500:23:46,339 –> 00:23:47,599I mean we’re living in days46600:23:47,599 –> 00:23:50,479where so many people experience fear46700:23:50,479 –> 00:23:52,619and a sense of gloom46800:23:52,619 –> 00:23:54,459and where there’s so much conflict.46900:23:54,459 –> 00:23:56,839We need faith, hope and love.47000:23:56,839 –> 00:23:59,040And so Grow in Faith is actually47100:23:59,040 –> 00:24:02,520the first of a series of three books47200:24:02,520 –> 00:24:04,819that are coming out beginning this month47300:24:04,819 –> 00:24:07,020and then in the two months that follow.47400:24:07,020 –> 00:24:11,199Really excited and grateful for the opportunity to do this.47500:24:11,199 –> 00:24:14,599If God’s people can grow in faith,47600:24:14,599 –> 00:24:18,380grow in hope, and grow in love,47700:24:18,380 –> 00:24:21,780then the world is going to see something distinct about us47800:24:21,780 –> 00:24:24,739that is very powerfully attractive.47900:24:24,739 –> 00:24:26,420And so I hope that these books48000:24:26,420 –> 00:24:28,339are going to be a means of God’s blessing48100:24:28,339 –> 00:24:29,939and encouragement to many.48200:24:29,939 –> 00:24:32,219Start this month with Grow in Faith48300:24:32,219 –> 00:24:34,900and follow up next month with Grow in Hope48400:24:34,900 –> 00:24:37,339and the month after that with Grow in Love.48500:24:37,339 –> 00:24:39,660Well, Pastor Colin’s book, Grow in Faith,48600:24:39,660 –> 00:24:42,219is our special offer to you this month48700:24:42,219 –> 00:24:44,359when you support Open the Bible Financially48800:24:44,359 –> 00:24:48,339for the first time with a one-off gift of 60 pounds or more48900:24:48,339 –> 00:24:53,239or a monthly direct debit of five pounds per month or more.49000:24:53,239 –> 00:24:55,900Full terms and conditions are on our website.49100:24:56,300 –> 00:24:59,199That’s at openthebible.org.uk49200:24:59,199 –> 00:25:00,739and you can give online.49300:25:00,739 –> 00:25:03,800Please do remember to leave your full name and address49400:25:03,800 –> 00:25:05,119when you set up your payment49500:25:05,119 –> 00:25:07,260so we can send you your free gift.49600:25:08,060 –> 00:25:10,420For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,49700:25:10,420 –> 00:25:13,300I’m David Pick and I look forward to you joining us again49800:25:13,300 –> 00:25:15,359next time on Open the Bible.49900:25:15,959 –> 00:25:18,599Where does the pursuit of wisdom begin?50000:25:18,920 –> 00:25:21,619Find out next time on Open the Bible.