100:00:00,160 –> 00:00:06,760In the pursuit of wisdom, the first question is where do we begin?200:00:06,760 –> 00:00:12,040Now for that reason I want to turn your attention to chapter 9 and verse 10.300:00:12,320 –> 00:00:15,360Here’s where wisdom begins. Very clear statement.400:00:15,360 –> 00:00:21,320The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.500:00:21,639 –> 00:00:24,240Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.600:00:24,240 –> 00:00:29,200I’m David Pick, glad you could join us today, and, Colin if you asked almost anyone700:00:29,240 –> 00:00:33,599do you want more wisdom in your life, I think just about all of them would say,800:00:33,680 –> 00:00:35,720yes, of course. How about you, Colin?900:00:35,959 –> 00:00:38,720Absolutely. My goodness, you can never get enough of that.1000:00:38,799 –> 00:00:41,639So if we want more wisdom, where do we go to find that?1100:00:41,919 –> 00:00:44,000And right now, Proverbs is where we start.1200:00:45,119 –> 00:00:50,959Yes, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and isn’t that a surprise?1300:00:50,959 –> 00:00:52,320It’s not what you would expect.1400:00:52,520 –> 00:00:56,720But what’s made plain to us repeatedly in the Scripture is1500:00:56,720 –> 00:01:02,200that having a sense of the sheer weight and wonder of who God is1600:01:02,480 –> 00:01:06,959so that God himself carries more weight in a person’s life than anything1700:01:06,959 –> 00:01:10,800or anyone else, that that’s going to be the beginning,1800:01:10,800 –> 00:01:14,080the foundation of making wise decisions.1900:01:14,360 –> 00:01:19,680In other words, if God does not weigh heavy in my mind and in my heart,2000:01:20,199 –> 00:01:25,000if he is not first in regards to my thinking and my2100:01:25,000 –> 00:01:27,919deciding, then I’m gonna make all the wrong decisions.2200:01:27,919 –> 00:01:29,599I’m not going to find the path of wisdom.2300:01:29,800 –> 00:01:32,279The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.2400:01:32,559 –> 00:01:35,080And actually, you know, I come across some folks who think,2500:01:35,279 –> 00:01:37,040well, that’s just an Old Testament idea.2600:01:37,279 –> 00:01:40,040But, fear God is a command in the New Testament.2700:01:40,040 –> 00:01:43,040I mean, Peter says this quite directly in his first letter.2800:01:43,440 –> 00:01:45,559So this is of huge importance.2900:01:45,559 –> 00:01:47,639It’s a bedrock kind of principle.3000:01:47,879 –> 00:01:50,040And it’s not something for us to run away from.3100:01:50,320 –> 00:01:51,720It’s something that we want more of.3200:01:51,800 –> 00:01:54,320So you say, do you want more wisdom in your life?3300:01:54,360 –> 00:01:55,360I say, yes.3400:01:55,519 –> 00:01:58,239If you were to say, do you want more of the fear of God in your life?3500:01:58,279 –> 00:02:00,320I got to say I want more of that, too.3600:02:00,519 –> 00:02:03,000So if all of us want more of that,3700:02:03,080 –> 00:02:06,320in our message today, we’re in Proverbs, Chapter 9.3800:02:06,360 –> 00:02:09,839So, join us there, if you can, as we continue the message, Fear.3900:02:10,080 –> 00:02:11,520Here is Pastor Colin.4000:02:11,679 –> 00:02:15,279We’re looking here at Proverbs, not promises.4100:02:15,679 –> 00:02:22,039But I want you to look at the normal pattern that prevails in this world.4200:02:22,559 –> 00:02:24,880Look at Proverbs 3 and verse 13.4300:02:25,080 –> 00:02:32,679Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who gets understanding.4400:02:32,960 –> 00:02:37,360For the gain from her is better than the gain from silver.4500:02:37,360 –> 00:02:41,600And her profit is better than gold.4600:02:41,880 –> 00:02:44,399She is more precious than jewels.4700:02:44,639 –> 00:02:47,279Hey! Something better than diamonds.4800:02:47,600 –> 00:02:50,279And nothing you desire4900:02:51,380 –> 00:02:52,759can compare with her.5000:02:52,759 –> 00:02:54,960Well, that’s quite a statement so we immediately say,5100:02:54,979 –> 00:02:56,240hey, why?5200:02:56,240 –> 00:02:57,539Okay, where’s the value?5300:02:57,539 –> 00:03:01,800What then will wisdom bring for us and notice line on line.5400:03:01,800 –> 00:03:04,460We’re answered, that question is answered right here.5500:03:04,460 –> 00:03:06,160First, long life,5600:03:06,679 –> 00:03:08,399Chapter 3 and verse 16.5700:03:09,119 –> 00:03:15,119Long life is in her right hand.5800:03:16,059 –> 00:03:20,940Now remember, we’re talking about a proverb, not a promise,5900:03:21,860 –> 00:03:24,039we’re talking about the normal pattern6000:03:24,039 –> 00:03:26,500that prevails in this world.6100:03:26,500 –> 00:03:29,520Think this through with me, please.6200:03:30,600 –> 00:03:35,600Everyone understands that eating a proper diet6300:03:37,100 –> 00:03:40,800will lead to better health than living on junk food.6400:03:40,800 –> 00:03:42,800Can we have agreement on that here?6500:03:42,800 –> 00:03:44,220Universal agreeing, we all agree.6600:03:44,259 –> 00:03:47,300Whatever we actually do, we know that this is true,6700:03:47,300 –> 00:03:49,539that if we eat a proper diet,6800:03:49,539 –> 00:03:54,539we will be more healthy than if we live on junk food.6900:03:55,699 –> 00:03:59,740By the way, that doesn’t mean that if you eat vegetables7000:03:59,740 –> 00:04:02,059and tomatoes everyday you will never get cancer.7100:04:02,059 –> 00:04:04,220There’s no promise like that.7200:04:04,220 –> 00:04:05,839We’re talking about a general principle7300:04:05,839 –> 00:04:06,960that prevails in this world,7400:04:06,960 –> 00:04:08,259that if you eat a healthy diet,7500:04:08,259 –> 00:04:10,380you will be healthier than if you live on junk food.7600:04:10,380 –> 00:04:12,639Everyone knows that, we all agree with it.7700:04:12,639 –> 00:04:14,399Now here’s the point.7800:04:14,399 –> 00:04:18,500The same principle that applies to your body7900:04:18,500 –> 00:04:21,100also applies to your soul.8000:04:22,019 –> 00:04:24,660This is why Peter says in the New Testament8100:04:24,660 –> 00:04:29,040whoever would love life, you wanna have a good life,8200:04:30,140 –> 00:04:35,140and would see good days, length of days,8300:04:35,140 –> 00:04:36,899here’s what you should do.8400:04:36,899 –> 00:04:39,540Let him keep his tongue from evil.8500:04:39,540 –> 00:04:42,339Let him turn away from evil and do good.8600:04:42,339 –> 00:04:46,739Let him seek peace and pursue it.8700:04:48,459 –> 00:04:52,600Now see some of us actually can become quite unhealthy8800:04:52,600 –> 00:04:56,299because we have allowed patterns of conflict8900:04:56,299 –> 00:05:00,540to so characterize our lives that it’s stunts us9000:05:00,540 –> 00:05:02,459and we would be much more healthy9100:05:02,459 –> 00:05:04,239if we could live in peace.9200:05:05,660 –> 00:05:09,440And that’s precisely what wisdom calls us to.9300:05:10,220 –> 00:05:13,920The principle is very simple here.9400:05:13,920 –> 00:05:15,779There is a healthy way to live9500:05:15,779 –> 00:05:18,480and there are unhealthy ways to live9600:05:18,480 –> 00:05:22,440and wisdom will show you how to live a healthy life.9700:05:23,920 –> 00:05:25,140So here we are at the beginning9800:05:25,140 –> 00:05:29,880of this new year and if you want to be more healthy,9900:05:29,880 –> 00:05:33,119I say to you study the book of Proverbs,10000:05:33,119 –> 00:05:36,480walk with Jesus Christ, and as you do,10100:05:36,480 –> 00:05:39,799He will give you wisdom through the spirit of wisdom10200:05:39,799 –> 00:05:44,799from the word of wisdom for you to build patterns of life10300:05:45,600 –> 00:05:50,079that will be healthy for you and you will be blessed.10400:05:51,679 –> 00:05:54,239Not only that, look at what comes next.10500:05:55,600 –> 00:05:59,200Long life is in her right hand10600:06:00,200 –> 00:06:05,200and in her left hand are riches and honor.10700:06:06,880 –> 00:06:09,079Now you see that wisdom is being presented10800:06:09,079 –> 00:06:11,019to us here as a lady.10900:06:12,040 –> 00:06:15,600And think about it, this lady holds long life11000:06:15,600 –> 00:06:19,880in her right hand and riches in her left hand.11100:06:19,880 –> 00:06:21,940This is quite a lady.11200:06:21,940 –> 00:06:25,679This is a lady you want to know isn’t it?11300:06:25,679 –> 00:06:29,799Now again, we are looking at a proverb not a promise.11400:06:29,799 –> 00:06:32,760We are looking at the normal pattern11500:06:32,760 –> 00:06:35,160that prevails in this world.11600:06:35,619 –> 00:06:36,600And what is it?11700:06:36,600 –> 00:06:38,019Well, look up in chapter three and verse nine11800:06:38,019 –> 00:06:39,760just before then, you’ll see this.11900:06:39,760 –> 00:06:44,320Honor the Lord with your wealth.12000:06:44,320 –> 00:06:49,519Then, your barns will be filled with plenty.12100:06:51,359 –> 00:06:54,399Now again, this is not saying,12200:06:54,399 –> 00:06:59,399hey give God money and God will make you rich.12300:07:00,359 –> 00:07:01,200But,12400:07:01,959 –> 00:07:06,440but would it really surprise you12500:07:07,959 –> 00:07:11,279that when a person honors God with their money,12600:07:11,279 –> 00:07:13,920the normal pattern in this world12700:07:13,920 –> 00:07:16,559is that God trusts that person with more.12800:07:16,559 –> 00:07:18,640Why would that surprise you?12900:07:18,640 –> 00:07:20,640That’s the normal pattern in this world.13000:07:22,040 –> 00:07:26,320And if a person basically keeps to themselves13100:07:26,320 –> 00:07:28,079everything that God has given to them,13200:07:28,079 –> 00:07:29,799why would God ever give that person more?13300:07:29,799 –> 00:07:31,839Why would He trust that person with more?13400:07:33,239 –> 00:07:35,920So, we’re talking here about the normal pattern13500:07:35,920 –> 00:07:37,440that prevails in this world,13600:07:37,440 –> 00:07:40,839and it’s laid out for us in the book of Proverbs.13700:07:40,839 –> 00:07:42,040Matthew Henry says,13800:07:42,040 –> 00:07:45,500”Those who do good with what they have13900:07:45,500 –> 00:07:48,779”shall have more to do good with.”.14000:07:48,779 –> 00:07:50,019That’s the principle.14100:07:51,019 –> 00:07:53,660You’re faithful in little, God trusts you with much.14200:07:55,160 –> 00:07:57,739So, would you like God to trust you with more?14300:07:57,760 –> 00:08:00,140I say to you, study the book of Proverbs.14400:08:01,220 –> 00:08:03,160You’ll gain wisdom from the Word14500:08:03,160 –> 00:08:04,880as you walk with Christ,14600:08:04,880 –> 00:08:08,279the very wisdom of God and the power of the Spirit.14700:08:10,000 –> 00:08:11,700And then look at what comes next.14800:08:13,359 –> 00:08:15,040Verse 17.14900:08:15,040 –> 00:08:20,040Her ways are ways of pleasantness15000:08:21,179 –> 00:08:25,959and all her paths are peace.15100:08:26,880 –> 00:08:31,079If you seek wisdom and pursue her,15200:08:32,159 –> 00:08:33,460or to put that another way,15300:08:33,460 –> 00:08:35,820if you this year follow hard15400:08:35,820 –> 00:08:38,859after the Lord Jesus Christ as a disciple,15500:08:40,039 –> 00:08:41,599you will have more joy15600:08:42,479 –> 00:08:44,239and you’ll have more peace.15700:08:45,599 –> 00:08:48,119Is there anyone here in the Second Service15800:08:48,119 –> 00:08:49,679who would say from your heart,15900:08:49,679 –> 00:08:51,940I wish I had more joy in my life?16000:08:52,659 –> 00:08:54,840I wish I had more peace in my life,16100:08:54,840 –> 00:08:58,080I say to you, study the book of Proverbs,16200:08:58,080 –> 00:08:59,799the way of wisdom16300:08:59,799 –> 00:09:02,539that will lead you into pleasantness and peace,16400:09:02,539 –> 00:09:04,299joy and peace.16500:09:04,299 –> 00:09:05,979You’ll gain wisdom from the word16600:09:05,979 –> 00:09:08,080as you walk with Christ in the power16700:09:08,080 –> 00:09:08,979of the Holy Spirit.16800:09:08,979 –> 00:09:10,659Now, I’m trying to encourage you,16900:09:10,659 –> 00:09:12,340motivate you for this journey.17000:09:12,340 –> 00:09:14,739Is this working, are you getting it?17100:09:14,739 –> 00:09:15,599Are you getting the sense17200:09:15,599 –> 00:09:19,140that there’s something here for you?17300:09:19,140 –> 00:09:20,580Long life, riches and honour,17400:09:21,580 –> 00:09:22,799joy, and peace.17500:09:22,799 –> 00:09:25,020No wonder the book of Proverbs says,17600:09:25,020 –> 00:09:26,359get wisdom.17700:09:26,359 –> 00:09:27,719Verse 18 of chapter three,17800:09:27,719 –> 00:09:31,159She is a tree of life,17900:09:31,159 –> 00:09:33,119to all who lay hold of her,18000:09:33,119 –> 00:09:35,080those who hold her fast,18100:09:35,080 –> 00:09:38,000they are called blessed.18200:09:38,000 –> 00:09:40,140Blessed, I love that word.18300:09:40,140 –> 00:09:42,059Every time I see the word blessed in the Bible,18400:09:42,059 –> 00:09:44,059because I think about the beatitudes18500:09:44,059 –> 00:09:46,020that we looked at a number of years ago18600:09:46,020 –> 00:09:47,500here at the Orchard18700:09:47,500 –> 00:09:50,059where Jesus lays out a blessed life,18800:09:50,179 –> 00:09:52,200the blessed of the poor in spirit18900:09:52,200 –> 00:09:54,460for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.19000:09:54,460 –> 00:09:55,619In the New Testament,19100:09:55,619 –> 00:09:56,940the son of God gives us19200:09:56,940 –> 00:09:59,55910 verses, wonderful verses19300:09:59,559 –> 00:10:02,260that lay out a blessed life.19400:10:03,419 –> 00:10:06,200Here you’ve got the voice of the son of God19500:10:06,200 –> 00:10:08,340speaking to us in the book of Proverbs,19600:10:08,340 –> 00:10:11,09931 chapters of what it means19700:10:11,099 –> 00:10:13,859to live a blessed life.19800:10:15,000 –> 00:10:17,580So I want to get as much of this19900:10:18,080 –> 00:10:20,880into my life as I possibly can.20000:10:20,880 –> 00:10:23,299And I hope I’ve encouraged you20100:10:23,299 –> 00:10:25,299with this little sample20200:10:25,299 –> 00:10:28,719to feel the same way, too.20300:10:28,719 –> 00:10:30,059So this is where we’re heading20400:10:30,059 –> 00:10:31,640over these next weeks.20500:10:31,640 –> 00:10:34,780We’re looking at how the blessing of God20600:10:34,780 –> 00:10:36,659comes into the lives of those20700:10:36,659 –> 00:10:38,799who pursue the path of wisdom,20800:10:38,799 –> 00:10:40,000or to put it another way,20900:10:40,000 –> 00:10:42,380follow hard after the Lord Jesus Christ,21000:10:42,380 –> 00:10:43,559and what that looks like,21100:10:43,559 –> 00:10:44,780in particular,21200:10:44,780 –> 00:10:46,359in the most practical areas21300:10:46,719 –> 00:10:48,039of the messages of the friendships you form,21400:10:48,039 –> 00:10:50,760the family that you raise,21500:10:50,760 –> 00:10:51,799your words,21600:10:51,799 –> 00:10:53,099your work,21700:10:53,099 –> 00:10:53,940and your wealth.21800:10:54,880 –> 00:10:56,659We’ve got to pause the message briefly there,21900:10:56,659 –> 00:10:57,859but we’ll be back shortly,22000:10:57,859 –> 00:10:59,500so stay with us.22100:10:59,500 –> 00:11:00,820You’re listening to open the Bible22200:11:00,820 –> 00:11:02,140with Pastor Colin Smith22300:11:02,140 –> 00:11:03,919and a message called Fear22400:11:03,919 –> 00:11:05,979from our series Wisdom for Life,22500:11:05,979 –> 00:11:07,820All about the Book of Proverbs22600:11:07,820 –> 00:11:10,039and today we’re in chapter nine.22700:11:10,039 –> 00:11:11,599And we’ve been hearing about22800:11:11,599 –> 00:11:13,760what it means to fear the Lord.22900:11:13,760 –> 00:11:14,739If you tuned in late,23000:11:14,739 –> 00:11:16,200or if you have to go early,23100:11:17,039 –> 00:11:18,580or if you miss one of our messages,23200:11:18,580 –> 00:11:20,020you can catch up or go back23300:11:20,020 –> 00:11:21,260and listen to them again23400:11:21,260 –> 00:11:23,359by coming online to our website.23500:11:23,359 –> 00:11:26,520That’s at openthebible.org.uk,23600:11:26,520 –> 00:11:30,179also available on your favorite podcast site23700:11:30,179 –> 00:11:33,179by searching for Open the Bible UK.23800:11:33,179 –> 00:11:34,460Back to the message now,23900:11:34,460 –> 00:11:36,979here again is Pastor Colin.24000:11:36,979 –> 00:11:38,979I want to end the last minutes24100:11:38,979 –> 00:11:41,700that we have here this morning24200:11:41,700 –> 00:11:44,039to focus in on the first steps,24300:11:44,039 –> 00:11:46,179one thing to describe the journey24400:11:47,039 –> 00:11:50,179but really we have to begin with the first step.24500:11:50,179 –> 00:11:54,840We have to get started and in the pursuit of wisdom,24600:11:54,840 –> 00:11:57,200the first question is where do we begin?24700:11:58,780 –> 00:11:59,619Now for that reason,24800:11:59,619 –> 00:12:01,539I want to turn your attention to chapter nine24900:12:01,539 –> 00:12:03,580and verse 10 that was read for us earlier.25000:12:03,580 –> 00:12:06,260Here’s where wisdom begins, very clear statement,25100:12:06,260 –> 00:12:11,260the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.25200:12:12,179 –> 00:12:17,179The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.25300:12:21,020 –> 00:12:23,739Now I wonder what is your first reaction25400:12:23,739 –> 00:12:26,739to this phrase, the fear of the Lord.25500:12:27,919 –> 00:12:29,739There may be some folks in this service25600:12:29,739 –> 00:12:31,700and you’ll be inclined to say,25700:12:31,700 –> 00:12:34,780I don’t want anything to do with fear.25800:12:34,780 –> 00:12:37,539Doesn’t the Bible say the perfect love casts out fear,25900:12:37,539 –> 00:12:38,419I want to go with love,26000:12:38,419 –> 00:12:40,299I don’t want anything to do with fear.26100:12:41,700 –> 00:12:44,380And if you have endured a religion26200:12:44,380 –> 00:12:46,140that was based on fear,26300:12:47,119 –> 00:12:48,880or if you had an upbringing26400:12:48,880 –> 00:12:50,880that was dominated by fear,26500:12:52,299 –> 00:12:54,460I understand where you’re coming from26600:12:54,460 –> 00:12:56,000in saying I don’t want anything to do26700:12:56,000 –> 00:12:57,080with that now, and so,26800:12:57,080 –> 00:12:59,799I want to plead with you before you switch off.26900:13:01,080 –> 00:13:03,099I’m asking you for a moment27000:13:03,099 –> 00:13:04,979to suspend judgment27100:13:06,299 –> 00:13:09,140and to look at the good27200:13:09,140 –> 00:13:10,859that is promised here27300:13:12,460 –> 00:13:14,380in order that you may discover27400:13:14,380 –> 00:13:15,739something wonderfully new27500:13:15,739 –> 00:13:17,479that you may never have seen before.27600:13:19,140 –> 00:13:20,820Let me describe the good27700:13:20,820 –> 00:13:22,359that the fear of the Lord brings,27800:13:22,359 –> 00:13:26,419and then I’d like to define for you what it is.27900:13:26,419 –> 00:13:28,340But we’re not even gonna be interested28000:13:28,340 –> 00:13:30,460in what it is unless we are convinced28100:13:30,460 –> 00:13:32,859that it has something good in store for us.28200:13:32,859 –> 00:13:35,700So the fear of the Lord28300:13:35,700 –> 00:13:38,020is the beginning of wisdom28400:13:39,580 –> 00:13:40,739In other words, as we’ve seen,28500:13:40,739 –> 00:13:42,719what that means is the fear of the Lord28600:13:42,719 –> 00:13:46,059is the beginning of following Jesus Christ,28700:13:47,400 –> 00:13:49,299it’s not important.28800:13:49,299 –> 00:13:51,799This is where following Jesus begins.28900:13:53,219 –> 00:13:54,940And all the blessings of wisdom29000:13:54,940 –> 00:13:55,940that we’ve seen already,29100:13:55,940 –> 00:13:57,859just in this brief introduction,29200:13:57,859 –> 00:14:01,179health, trust,29300:14:01,179 –> 00:14:03,320peace, joy,29400:14:03,320 –> 00:14:04,780where did they all begin?29500:14:04,780 –> 00:14:07,460The beginning of all the wisdom brings.29600:14:08,200 –> 00:14:09,900The fear of the Lord.29700:14:11,419 –> 00:14:15,500And not only is this where wisdom is found,29800:14:15,500 –> 00:14:19,039it’s also where strength is found.29900:14:19,039 –> 00:14:21,460If you look at chapter 16 and verse 6,30000:14:21,460 –> 00:14:24,580by the fear of the Lord,30100:14:25,500 –> 00:14:27,380one turns away from evil.30200:14:28,940 –> 00:14:30,520What a wonderful statement that is.30300:14:30,520 –> 00:14:33,179Remember this is God speaking to his own children.30400:14:34,380 –> 00:14:37,059And if you are a child of God,30500:14:37,059 –> 00:14:40,739you will have a sense of I want to get rid of the sins30600:14:40,739 –> 00:14:42,979that clean too closely to me.30700:14:44,380 –> 00:14:46,140And the question that runs in your mind30800:14:46,140 –> 00:14:48,780is how can I do that, and here’s the answer right here,30900:14:48,780 –> 00:14:52,260it’s by the fear of the Lord31000:14:52,260 –> 00:14:54,119that one turns away from evil.31100:14:54,119 –> 00:14:55,460By the fear of the Lord,31200:14:55,460 –> 00:14:59,299this is what gives you the strength to do it.31300:14:59,299 –> 00:15:00,640We’re being told specifically31400:15:00,640 –> 00:15:01,780that this fear of the Lord,31500:15:01,780 –> 00:15:03,179we’ll get to what it is in a moment,31600:15:03,179 –> 00:15:05,020but here’s why it’s of such value.31700:15:05,940 –> 00:15:07,979This is what will give you the strength,31800:15:07,979 –> 00:15:10,260this is what will make it possible for you31900:15:10,260 –> 00:15:13,580to overcome particular sins and temptations32000:15:13,580 –> 00:15:15,659that you battle with in your life.32100:15:15,659 –> 00:15:18,020It’s by the fear of the Lord,32200:15:18,020 –> 00:15:19,299by the fear of the Lord,32300:15:19,299 –> 00:15:21,460by this being secured in your life32400:15:21,460 –> 00:15:25,320that you will be able to turn away from evil.32500:15:26,780 –> 00:15:31,780Moses said this way back in the desert32600:15:32,460 –> 00:15:34,059to God’s people.32700:15:34,059 –> 00:15:39,059The fear of the Lord will keep you from sinning.32800:15:41,539 –> 00:15:44,380By the way, that’s Exodus 20.32900:15:45,900 –> 00:15:50,719The fear of the Lord will keep you from sinning.33000:15:50,719 –> 00:15:52,140That’s exactly what we’re being told here33100:15:52,140 –> 00:15:54,219in the book of Proverbs.33200:15:54,219 –> 00:15:56,539So not only is this where wisdom is found,33300:15:56,539 –> 00:15:57,820it’s where strength is found33400:15:57,820 –> 00:15:59,619and as if that was not enough,33500:15:59,619 –> 00:16:02,460Proverbs tells us it’s where life itself is found,33600:16:03,140 –> 00:16:06,919the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.33700:16:09,260 –> 00:16:10,700So if this is where wisdom is found,33800:16:10,700 –> 00:16:11,940this is where strength is found33900:16:11,940 –> 00:16:13,340and this is where life is found,34000:16:13,340 –> 00:16:15,119I want more of this fear of the Lord34100:16:15,119 –> 00:16:16,900in my life, whatever it is.34200:16:16,900 –> 00:16:21,059I don’t want less of it, I want more of it.34300:16:21,059 –> 00:16:22,500It’s the beginning of wisdom,34400:16:22,500 –> 00:16:25,099it’s gonna give me strength in my struggle against it,34500:16:25,099 –> 00:16:27,020it’s gonna be a fountain of life to me.34600:16:27,020 –> 00:16:29,020Now what then is the fear of the Lord34700:16:29,020 –> 00:16:32,080that I wanna have as much of as possible in my life?34800:16:32,080 –> 00:16:34,979It’s simply this, let me give you this definition34900:16:34,979 –> 00:16:36,840that I’ve adapted from a man35000:16:36,840 –> 00:16:38,419by the name of John Brown who was35100:16:38,419 –> 00:16:42,320a Scottish pastor many, many years, centuries ago.35200:16:42,320 –> 00:16:46,859To fear the Lord means so to love him35300:16:48,359 –> 00:16:51,520that his frown would be your greatest dread35400:16:52,500 –> 00:16:54,599and his smile your greatest delight.35500:16:54,599 –> 00:16:56,400That’s what the fear of the Lord is.35600:16:57,200 –> 00:17:02,039You think about the person you love most in this world35700:17:03,559 –> 00:17:06,520and how you would hate to ever hurt them.35800:17:07,680 –> 00:17:09,640You would tremble at the thought35900:17:09,640 –> 00:17:12,900that you would hurt the person you love the most.36000:17:14,540 –> 00:17:17,239Do you see then that there is a fear36100:17:17,239 –> 00:17:21,680that love removes and there is a fear that love brings?36200:17:22,560 –> 00:17:24,400The fear that love removes, obviously,36300:17:24,439 –> 00:17:26,500is the fear of condemnation.36400:17:26,500 –> 00:17:28,699Perfect Love casts out fear.36500:17:30,000 –> 00:17:32,180There is no fear of condemnation36600:17:32,180 –> 00:17:35,680when we know the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.36700:17:35,680 –> 00:17:38,599But there is a fear that love brings.36800:17:38,599 –> 00:17:41,180And the fear that love brings is the trembling36900:17:41,180 –> 00:17:46,040lest we should hurt, wound the one37000:17:46,040 –> 00:17:49,140we have come to love so much.37100:17:50,540 –> 00:17:51,920Now, then the question is,37200:17:51,920 –> 00:17:53,880well, now where do I get this fear of the Lord?37300:17:53,920 –> 00:17:56,060How could I really come to a place37400:17:56,060 –> 00:17:57,560at the beginning of this new year37500:17:57,560 –> 00:18:00,079when I love the Lord like that?37600:18:02,000 –> 00:18:06,280And the answer is that this kind of love37700:18:06,280 –> 00:18:09,079for the Lord is birthed at the cross.37800:18:10,800 –> 00:18:13,219David puts it this way in the Psalms.37900:18:14,540 –> 00:18:17,439Psalm 130 and verse four,38000:18:17,439 –> 00:18:21,359with you, he says to God, there is forgiveness38100:18:22,199 –> 00:18:24,500so that you may be feared.38200:18:25,719 –> 00:18:27,880I find that one of the most remarkable statements38300:18:27,880 –> 00:18:28,699in scripture.38400:18:29,780 –> 00:18:31,959You might expect him to say,38500:18:31,959 –> 00:18:33,780Lord with you there is forgiveness38600:18:33,780 –> 00:18:34,880so there’s no more fear.38700:18:34,880 –> 00:18:36,280And of course there’s a profound sense38800:18:36,280 –> 00:18:37,420in which that would be true.38900:18:37,420 –> 00:18:38,719Perfect love casts out fear.39000:18:38,719 –> 00:18:40,359There’s no fear of condemnation39100:18:40,359 –> 00:18:42,939for those who are in Christ.39200:18:42,939 –> 00:18:45,400But what David says in this very important verse39300:18:45,400 –> 00:18:48,439is with you there is forgiveness39400:18:49,180 –> 00:18:51,640so that you may be feared.39500:18:51,640 –> 00:18:55,800In other words your forgiveness brings me in to this.39600:18:56,920 –> 00:19:01,599Lord, I see that your forgiveness39700:19:01,599 –> 00:19:05,719has come to me at such a cost39800:19:07,160 –> 00:19:12,160that I would tremble ever to wound a love like this.39900:19:15,540 –> 00:19:17,959The fear of the Lord that is the beginning40000:19:17,959 –> 00:19:22,020of wisdom, it is birthed at the cross,40100:19:22,020 –> 00:19:24,939where as a forgiven sinner, knowing the grace40200:19:24,939 –> 00:19:28,260and the mercy that are yours in the Lord Jesus Christ,40300:19:28,260 –> 00:19:33,260you come to say how can I ever resist a love like this?40400:19:35,380 –> 00:19:36,780And that’s the beginning of wisdom.40500:19:36,780 –> 00:19:38,140That’s the beginning of strength.40600:19:38,140 –> 00:19:40,939That’s the beginning of life.40700:19:40,939 –> 00:19:44,180So to love the Lord that His frown40800:19:44,239 –> 00:19:45,739would be your greatest read,40900:19:46,959 –> 00:19:51,199and to smile, your greatest delight.41000:19:53,180 –> 00:19:56,239So in the coming weeks, we’re going to look41100:19:56,239 –> 00:19:58,900at what a life of wisdom, a life of following Jesus,41200:19:58,900 –> 00:20:01,280a life that begins with this kind of love41300:20:01,280 –> 00:20:04,199for the Lord, the fear of the Lord,41400:20:04,199 –> 00:20:07,020what it looks like in relation to your friends,41500:20:07,020 –> 00:20:09,439in relation to your family, in relation to your words,41600:20:09,439 –> 00:20:11,699your work, and your wealth.41700:20:11,699 –> 00:20:13,880We’re going to come to the book of Proverbs,41800:20:14,640 –> 00:20:16,719knowing that Jesus Christ Himself is our wisdom41900:20:16,719 –> 00:20:19,439and that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge42000:20:19,439 –> 00:20:22,040are found in him.42100:20:22,040 –> 00:20:24,660So think about this as we just anticipate42200:20:24,660 –> 00:20:26,459these practical areas.42300:20:27,420 –> 00:20:29,180Friendship.42400:20:29,180 –> 00:20:34,180Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother.42500:20:35,459 –> 00:20:38,880He will give you the wisdom as you walk with him42600:20:38,880 –> 00:20:40,359through his word.42700:20:41,760 –> 00:20:43,060He will give you the wisdom that you need42800:20:43,119 –> 00:20:45,280to be a good friend to others.42900:20:46,780 –> 00:20:50,699Right now, Jesus is bringing many sons to glory.43000:20:50,699 –> 00:20:51,520Think about that.43100:20:51,520 –> 00:20:52,500That’s what he’s doing right now.43200:20:52,500 –> 00:20:55,839He is bringing many sons to glory.43300:20:55,839 –> 00:20:58,500So as you walk with Jesus, the wisdom of God,43400:20:58,500 –> 00:21:00,280he will give you the wisdom you need43500:21:00,280 –> 00:21:02,099for raising your children as well.43600:21:03,560 –> 00:21:05,819Jesus speaks words of life.43700:21:06,739 –> 00:21:09,219So as you walk with him in his word,43800:21:09,219 –> 00:21:12,959you will find that he is able to give you the wisdom43900:21:12,979 –> 00:21:16,359so that your words will become life-giving words44000:21:16,359 –> 00:21:19,800and not words that are tearing down the lives of others.44100:21:21,000 –> 00:21:24,239Christ has fulfilled all the work44200:21:24,239 –> 00:21:25,900that the Father has given him to do.44300:21:25,900 –> 00:21:29,599So as you walk with him, he will through his wisdom44400:21:29,599 –> 00:21:32,079teach you from the word what it takes44500:21:32,079 –> 00:21:34,339for you to fulfill all the work44600:21:34,339 –> 00:21:36,640that God has given you to do.44700:21:36,640 –> 00:21:38,920You will find a way of wisdom to do it44800:21:38,920 –> 00:21:41,920as you walk with Christ, the wisdom of God,44900:21:41,920 –> 00:21:45,020in the Word of God, in the power of the Spirit of God.45000:21:46,880 –> 00:21:49,420And Jesus gave himself freely for us,45100:21:50,819 –> 00:21:53,280and therefore, he, as we walk with him,45200:21:53,280 –> 00:21:55,640will give us the wisdom to know what it is45300:21:55,640 –> 00:21:59,959that we should give back to him.45400:22:01,359 –> 00:22:04,239Pastor Colin Smith there, ending the message fear45500:22:04,239 –> 00:22:06,439from our series Wisdom for Life,45600:22:06,439 –> 00:22:09,520just reminding us there about what it means45700:22:09,520 –> 00:22:11,500to fear the Lord.45800:22:11,500 –> 00:22:14,660The message was from Proverbs chapter nine.45900:22:14,660 –> 00:22:17,180Tune in again next time for another message46000:22:17,180 –> 00:22:19,959from the book of Proverbs.46100:22:19,959 –> 00:22:22,260If you miss one of the messages in the series,46200:22:22,260 –> 00:22:24,140don’t forget you can easily go back46300:22:24,140 –> 00:22:26,160and listen again or catch up with any46400:22:26,160 –> 00:22:28,839that you might have missed by coming to our website,46500:22:28,839 –> 00:22:31,780that’s at openthebible.org.uk,46600:22:31,780 –> 00:22:34,660also available wherever you get your podcasts46700:22:34,660 –> 00:22:38,260by searching for Open the Bible UK.46800:22:38,260 –> 00:22:40,979Well as many of our regular listeners know,46900:22:40,979 –> 00:22:44,260Open the Bible is supported financially by our listeners47000:22:44,260 –> 00:22:47,099and if you already give to support the work,47100:22:47,099 –> 00:22:48,219thank you so much.47200:22:48,219 –> 00:22:50,260We really appreciate it.47300:22:50,260 –> 00:22:52,579If you’re considering beginning to support47400:22:52,579 –> 00:22:54,739Open the Bible financially this month,47500:22:54,739 –> 00:22:56,819we’d love to make you an offer.47600:22:56,819 –> 00:22:59,260Here’s Open the Bible’s Amanda Cunningham47700:22:59,260 –> 00:23:00,619to tell us about it.47800:23:00,619 –> 00:23:02,380This month at Open the Bible,47900:23:02,380 –> 00:23:04,780we are really excited to be giving away48000:23:04,780 –> 00:23:07,819Pastor Colin Smith’s brand new devotional,48100:23:07,880 –> 00:23:09,819Grow In Faith.48200:23:09,819 –> 00:23:12,800It’s a 30 day devotional designed to help believers48300:23:12,800 –> 00:23:14,500deepen their trust in God,48400:23:14,500 –> 00:23:17,079become more anchored in his promises48500:23:17,079 –> 00:23:20,739and growing confidence in him day by day.48600:23:20,739 –> 00:23:24,699It’s part of a new series exploring faith, hope and love48700:23:24,699 –> 00:23:27,939and this first book focuses on what it really means48800:23:27,939 –> 00:23:32,819to grow a strong and steady faith in everyday life.48900:23:32,819 –> 00:23:35,939One of the things I really appreciate about this devotional49000:23:35,939 –> 00:23:38,520is how practical and honest it is.49100:23:38,520 –> 00:23:40,359Colin talks about the reality49200:23:40,359 –> 00:23:43,339of what Jesus called little faith49300:23:43,339 –> 00:23:45,599the kind of faith that can become anxious,49400:23:45,599 –> 00:23:49,000distracted or overwhelmed by circumstances49500:23:49,000 –> 00:23:52,239and I think that many of us can relate to that.49600:23:52,239 –> 00:23:55,040Through daily scripture readings and reflections,49700:23:55,040 –> 00:23:57,219Grow In Faith helps readers see49800:23:57,219 –> 00:24:01,040that faith is not just believing certain truths about God49900:24:01,040 –> 00:24:03,219but learning to trust him personally50000:24:03,219 –> 00:24:05,660in the middle of life’s challenges.50100:24:05,719 –> 00:24:09,459Colin explores how faith grows as we serve the Lord,50200:24:09,459 –> 00:24:11,660get to know Jesus more deeply50300:24:11,660 –> 00:24:15,479and learn to rely on the Holy Spirit each day.50400:24:15,479 –> 00:24:18,420It’s an encouraging and accessible devotion50500:24:18,420 –> 00:24:19,339that would work well50600:24:19,339 –> 00:24:21,579whether you’ve been a Christian for many years50700:24:21,579 –> 00:24:23,160or whether you’re looking to strengthen50800:24:23,160 –> 00:24:27,079a faith that feels weak or weary at the moment.50900:24:27,079 –> 00:24:30,339Grow In Faith is not actually for sale in the UK yet51000:24:30,339 –> 00:24:33,339but we would love to send you an exclusive copy51100:24:33,420 –> 00:24:35,819as a thank you for supporting the ministry.51200:24:35,819 –> 00:24:38,640You can receive it when you give a one-off donation51300:24:38,640 –> 00:24:40,219of £60 or more51400:24:40,219 –> 00:24:42,280or when you set up a new monthly gift51500:24:42,280 –> 00:24:44,060of at least £551600:24:44,060 –> 00:24:47,260but please do remember to leave your name and address51700:24:47,260 –> 00:24:47,920when you give51800:24:47,920 –> 00:24:50,619so that we know where to send your book.51900:24:50,619 –> 00:24:51,760Thanks, Amanda.52000:24:51,760 –> 00:24:53,219Full terms and conditions52100:24:53,219 –> 00:24:55,739about this offer can be found on our website52200:24:55,739 –> 00:24:58,420that’s at openthebible.org.uk52300:24:58,420 –> 00:25:00,400and you can give online52400:25:00,400 –> 00:25:01,859but as Amanda says52500:25:02,180 –> 00:25:04,400please remember to leave your full name52600:25:04,400 –> 00:25:04,640and address52700:25:04,640 –> 00:25:07,300so we can send you your gift.52800:25:07,300 –> 00:25:09,560For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith52900:25:09,560 –> 00:25:10,760I’m David Pick53000:25:10,760 –> 00:25:12,800and I very much look forward to being with you53100:25:12,800 –> 00:25:13,739next time.53200:25:23,079 –> 00:25:26,000Are you looking for some good friends?53300:25:26,000 –> 00:25:27,599Find out how to find them53400:25:27,599 –> 00:25:29,459next time on Open the Bible.