100:00:00,800 –> 00:00:07,760We should never despise Little Faith.200:00:07,760 –> 00:00:14,400Any faith, however, small is a gift for which we should be thankful.300:00:14,400 –> 00:00:17,600And Jesus makes it very clear, as we saw last time,400:00:17,600 –> 00:00:23,040that even Little Faith can accomplish remarkable things.500:00:23,040 –> 00:00:27,360But no believer should ever be content600:00:27,680 –> 00:00:29,799with Little Faith.700:00:29,799 –> 00:00:32,160Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.800:00:32,160 –> 00:00:32,919I’m David Pick.900:00:32,919 –> 00:00:34,520Glad you could join us today.1000:00:34,520 –> 00:00:37,680And Colin, why should no believer be comfortable1100:00:37,680 –> 00:00:39,560with just having small faith?1200:00:39,560 –> 00:00:41,560Well, because the challenge of the Christian life1300:00:41,560 –> 00:00:43,000is so very great.1400:00:43,000 –> 00:00:44,639The story that we’re looking at today,1500:00:44,639 –> 00:00:48,720the disciples are left reeling from what Jesus calls them1600:00:48,720 –> 00:00:50,840to do in regards to forgiveness.1700:00:50,840 –> 00:00:52,680And then they’re confronted by a challenge1800:00:52,680 –> 00:00:54,320that they’re simply not able to meet,1900:00:54,639 –> 00:00:55,560and it leads them to say,2000:00:55,560 –> 00:00:57,799Lord increase our faith.2100:00:57,799 –> 00:01:00,799Well, these experiences will be ours as well.2200:01:00,799 –> 00:01:03,119And so the prayer of the disciples2300:01:03,119 –> 00:01:05,000needs to be ours as well.2400:01:05,000 –> 00:01:07,360So we’ll continue to look at that prayer today2500:01:07,360 –> 00:01:09,559and what it means to have growing faith2600:01:09,559 –> 00:01:11,959as we look into Luke chapter 17.2700:01:11,959 –> 00:01:13,320So join us if you can.2800:01:15,320 –> 00:01:18,000Now last week, we looked at five occasions2900:01:18,000 –> 00:01:22,639in Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus spoke about little faith.3000:01:22,760 –> 00:01:24,080And on each of the cases,3100:01:24,080 –> 00:01:26,680Jesus was speaking to His own disciples.3200:01:26,680 –> 00:01:29,940It’s almost as if He used little faith3300:01:29,940 –> 00:01:31,919as if it was a kind of middle name,3400:01:31,919 –> 00:01:35,120O you of little faith.3500:01:35,120 –> 00:01:38,080And from these five stories,3600:01:38,080 –> 00:01:42,120we saw five reasons for growing in faith.3700:01:42,120 –> 00:01:46,699First, because little faith is ineffective against anxiety.3800:01:46,699 –> 00:01:49,720Second, because little faith underestimates3900:01:49,720 –> 00:01:52,199the ability of Jesus.4000:01:52,260 –> 00:01:56,199Third, because little faith is easily distracted.4100:01:56,199 –> 00:01:59,760Fourth, because little faith forgets what Jesus has done.4200:01:59,760 –> 00:02:04,760And fifth, because little faith gives up too soon.4300:02:05,680 –> 00:02:10,399Now, we should never despise little faith.4400:02:10,399 –> 00:02:14,600Any faith, however small, is a gift4500:02:14,600 –> 00:02:17,199for which we should be thankful.4600:02:17,199 –> 00:02:20,479And Jesus makes it very clear as we saw last time,4700:02:20,520 –> 00:02:24,940that even little faith can accomplish remarkable things.4800:02:25,880 –> 00:02:30,880But no believer should ever be content with little faith.4900:02:32,919 –> 00:02:35,039And we saw from the occasions5000:02:35,039 –> 00:02:37,320that Jesus spoke about little faith,5100:02:37,320 –> 00:02:42,320five strategies for us today to grow in our faith.5200:02:42,419 –> 00:02:47,160We saw last time that faith grows as we seek God’s kingdom,5300:02:47,160 –> 00:02:49,960that faith grows as we get to know Jesus,5400:02:49,979 –> 00:02:52,339that faith grows as we worship,5500:02:52,339 –> 00:02:56,119that faith grows as we are nourished by the word of God5600:02:56,119 –> 00:02:59,360and that faith grows as we persevere.5700:03:00,759 –> 00:03:03,600Now someone might reasonably ask at this point,5800:03:03,600 –> 00:03:08,600now are you really saying that if I learn to worship5900:03:08,979 –> 00:03:12,440and if I immerse myself in the word of God6000:03:12,440 –> 00:03:17,119and if I persevere in serving the Lord and walk with Jesus6100:03:17,119 –> 00:03:19,779that I will be less anxious?6200:03:19,779 –> 00:03:23,139And the answer to that question is yes, absolutely.6300:03:24,220 –> 00:03:27,679You’ll not overcome anxiety completely.6400:03:27,679 –> 00:03:31,419We live this life in the weakness of the flesh6500:03:31,419 –> 00:03:34,320and that means that we always battle against fears6600:03:34,320 –> 00:03:39,320and against temptations but the more you grow in faith,6700:03:40,020 –> 00:03:43,639the more you will prevail over anxiety.6800:03:44,660 –> 00:03:49,660Grow in faith and you will overcome stubborn sins6900:03:49,940 –> 00:03:53,880you will break through dark strongholds.7000:03:54,860 –> 00:03:57,699Grow in faith and you will be more focused7100:03:57,699 –> 00:03:59,759and you’ll be much less distracted.7200:04:00,940 –> 00:04:04,240Grow in faith and you will persevere.7300:04:05,500 –> 00:04:07,839Now that’s what we’ve learned as we started out7400:04:07,839 –> 00:04:11,940on this four week journey of growing in faith.7500:04:11,940 –> 00:04:14,940Today we’re turning to Luke and chapter 177600:04:14,940 –> 00:04:18,420where the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith7700:04:18,540 –> 00:04:22,220and here then we come to a sixth strategy7800:04:22,220 –> 00:04:23,540for growing in faith7900:04:23,540 –> 00:04:25,899and it’s very obvious that faith grows8000:04:25,899 –> 00:04:28,119as we ask of Jesus.8100:04:28,119 –> 00:04:31,540The apostles said to the Lord,8200:04:31,540 –> 00:04:34,559increase our faith.8300:04:35,839 –> 00:04:39,940Now notice that Luke says that it was the apostles8400:04:39,940 –> 00:04:43,920who asked this of the Lord Jesus Christ.8500:04:43,920 –> 00:04:46,679They had left everything to follow Jesus.8600:04:46,679 –> 00:04:51,160They were in what we would call today vocational ministry.8700:04:51,160 –> 00:04:53,660These are men who had been sent out8800:04:53,660 –> 00:04:56,700on what we would call cross-cultural mission.8900:04:57,720 –> 00:04:59,940They had preached the gospel.9000:04:59,940 –> 00:05:02,299They had healed the sick.9100:05:02,299 –> 00:05:04,220They had cast out demons,9200:05:04,220 –> 00:05:08,959and yet here these men are, the apostles,9300:05:08,959 –> 00:05:13,119saying to the Lord, increase our faith.9400:05:13,119 –> 00:05:16,260Well, if the apostles asked Jesus9500:05:16,260 –> 00:05:17,899to increase their faith,9600:05:17,899 –> 00:05:21,179how much more should we be asking of the Lord Jesus9700:05:21,179 –> 00:05:24,359that he would increase ours?9800:05:24,359 –> 00:05:27,200Now, here’s the question that gives us the trajectory9900:05:27,200 –> 00:05:28,700for the message today.10000:05:29,540 –> 00:05:32,299What was it that caused the disciples10100:05:32,299 –> 00:05:36,019to ask Jesus to increase their faith?10200:05:36,019 –> 00:05:38,220What was it that convinced them10300:05:38,220 –> 00:05:42,579we really do need to grow in faith?10400:05:42,579 –> 00:05:44,059What was it that led10500:05:44,059 –> 00:05:46,679to them making this request of Jesus?10600:05:46,679 –> 00:05:51,679And what will lead to us making this request of Jesus too?10700:05:53,040 –> 00:05:58,040Well, I want us to see four things from the context today,10800:05:58,040 –> 00:06:01,059and the first is that we should ask Jesus10900:06:01,059 –> 00:06:05,820to increase our faith because we will be tempted.11000:06:05,820 –> 00:06:06,739That’s the first thing.11100:06:06,739 –> 00:06:08,299Look at verse one,11200:06:08,299 –> 00:06:10,980that shows us what lead to this request11300:06:10,980 –> 00:06:14,299of the apostles being made to the Lord Jesus.11400:06:14,299 –> 00:06:16,959Jesus said to his disciples,11500:06:16,959 –> 00:06:20,660temptations to sin are sure to come,11600:06:21,500 –> 00:06:26,100but woe to the one through whom they come.11700:06:27,540 –> 00:06:31,000Now the word that is translated temptations here11800:06:31,000 –> 00:06:33,700is the word scandala,11900:06:33,700 –> 00:06:37,579from which of course we get our word scandal.12000:06:37,579 –> 00:06:38,399In other words,12100:06:38,459 –> 00:06:40,540Jesus is saying here to his disciples12200:06:40,540 –> 00:06:44,940scandals are sure to come.12300:06:45,959 –> 00:06:47,480Now, a scandal of course,12400:06:47,480 –> 00:06:50,839is something that causes offense to another person12500:06:50,839 –> 00:06:53,540and causes that person to stumble.12600:06:53,540 –> 00:06:57,420And Jesus warns the disciples very clearly12700:06:57,420 –> 00:07:02,420that it is an inevitable and an unavoidable part of life12800:07:02,500 –> 00:07:05,500in this fallen world, that scandals will come.12900:07:05,559 –> 00:07:06,859They’re sure to come.13000:07:06,859 –> 00:07:08,640That’s what Jesus says.13100:07:10,399 –> 00:07:14,619Now, it may be that some scandal,13200:07:14,619 –> 00:07:17,679a behavior that has hurt and wounded you13300:07:17,679 –> 00:07:21,540has caused you to stumble and has hindered you13400:07:21,540 –> 00:07:23,640in your own walk of faith.13500:07:23,640 –> 00:07:27,559That’s exactly what the Lord Jesus is talking about here.13600:07:27,559 –> 00:07:30,559Perhaps someone who professed to be a believer,13700:07:30,559 –> 00:07:32,660someone perhaps even had been appointed13800:07:32,760 –> 00:07:36,220to a position of leadership in a church,13900:07:36,220 –> 00:07:40,540and then they behaved in a wretched way.14000:07:40,540 –> 00:07:42,500And it led you to say,14100:07:42,500 –> 00:07:46,600well, I don’t think I can believe14200:07:46,600 –> 00:07:49,679if this is what faith looks like.14300:07:51,820 –> 00:07:56,459Now, Christians will always be grieved14400:07:56,459 –> 00:07:57,940where there are scandals.14500:07:59,019 –> 00:08:00,619They will break our hearts.14600:08:01,579 –> 00:08:04,000But we should never be surprised14700:08:05,220 –> 00:08:09,160because Jesus says, scandals are sure to come.14800:08:10,059 –> 00:08:12,100You are going to have to face this.14900:08:12,100 –> 00:08:15,540There will be stumbling blocks that you need to get over.15000:08:15,540 –> 00:08:18,660That’s what Jesus is telling the disciples here,15100:08:18,660 –> 00:08:20,899and of course, throughout the history of the church,15200:08:20,899 –> 00:08:23,140this has proved to be true.15300:08:24,540 –> 00:08:25,779Now, does that mean then15400:08:25,779 –> 00:08:28,160that we should simply shrug our shoulders15500:08:28,640 –> 00:08:32,880and say well, dreadful things happen,15600:08:32,880 –> 00:08:35,119and that’s just how it is?15700:08:35,119 –> 00:08:36,719Well, not according to Jesus.15800:08:36,719 –> 00:08:38,659Look at what He says.15900:08:38,659 –> 00:08:41,940Temptations to sin are sure to come,16000:08:42,799 –> 00:08:44,419but woe,16100:08:45,440 –> 00:08:49,119woe to the one through whom16200:08:49,119 –> 00:08:49,960they come.16300:08:51,219 –> 00:08:53,280Jesus says it would be better for him16400:08:53,280 –> 00:08:55,960if a millstone were hung around his neck16500:08:55,960 –> 00:08:58,099and he were cast into the sea,16600:08:58,099 –> 00:09:02,820than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.16700:09:04,659 –> 00:09:06,340Now, you could hardly have more grave16800:09:06,340 –> 00:09:08,760or serious words of warning than these.16900:09:11,059 –> 00:09:13,659The natural meaning of little ones17000:09:13,659 –> 00:09:15,479of course, would be children.17100:09:16,539 –> 00:09:20,619And it is certainly true that those who abuse children,17200:09:22,159 –> 00:09:24,520those who traffic children,17300:09:25,380 –> 00:09:27,400face a fearsome judgment17400:09:28,400 –> 00:09:30,119and an awful condemnation.17500:09:32,159 –> 00:09:35,979But Jesus spoke about those who believe17600:09:35,979 –> 00:09:39,080as being little ones.17700:09:39,080 –> 00:09:42,880And it seems likely that Jesus was referring here17800:09:42,880 –> 00:09:44,840to the sin17900:09:44,840 –> 00:09:49,840of causing someone to stumble in his or her faith.18000:09:51,440 –> 00:09:53,640Matthew Henry in his helpful commentary18100:09:53,640 –> 00:09:56,039identifies three kinds of people18200:09:56,059 –> 00:09:59,760who fall under this terrible condemnation.18300:09:59,760 –> 00:10:02,659First, he says persecutors.18400:10:02,659 –> 00:10:05,260That is those who offer any injury18500:10:05,260 –> 00:10:07,400to the least of Christ’s little ones.18600:10:07,400 –> 00:10:12,400Those who persecute believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.18700:10:12,940 –> 00:10:14,919Then he says secondly,18800:10:14,919 –> 00:10:19,919seducers who corrupt the truths of Jesus Christ18900:10:20,719 –> 00:10:22,820and so trouble the minds of disciples.19000:10:22,820 –> 00:10:25,900In other words, people who insidiously19100:10:26,880 –> 00:10:30,780move those who believe away from the truth19200:10:32,479 –> 00:10:35,679and corrupt their minds and their hearts.19300:10:37,799 –> 00:10:42,760Persecutors, seducers who take people away from the truth.19400:10:42,960 –> 00:10:44,960And then thirdly, he says, and I quote,19500:10:44,960 –> 00:10:49,960those who under the profession of a Christian name19600:10:50,679 –> 00:10:55,679live scandalously, and thereby weaken the bands19700:10:56,659 –> 00:11:00,659and sadden the hearts of God’s people.19800:11:01,500 –> 00:11:04,780Weaken the bands simply means cause disunity.19900:11:05,659 –> 00:11:09,200Sadden the hearts, bring grief to God’s people.20000:11:10,500 –> 00:11:13,700Oh, says Matthew Henry, those who live20100:11:13,700 –> 00:11:16,280under the profession of a Christian name20200:11:16,280 –> 00:11:18,500but live scandalously.20300:11:20,039 –> 00:11:23,780They bring division to the people of God,20400:11:23,780 –> 00:11:28,260and they bring grief and sorrow to their hearts.20500:11:28,260 –> 00:11:32,580Woe to them, Jesus says.20600:11:32,580 –> 00:11:37,580God will deal with all who harm his own children.20700:11:38,900 –> 00:11:42,039Those who lead them away from the truth,20800:11:42,039 –> 00:11:45,359those who hurt them, those who cause20900:11:45,359 –> 00:11:47,859his children to stumble.21000:11:48,780 –> 00:11:52,140Scandals are sure to come, says Jesus,21100:11:52,140 –> 00:11:57,140but woe to the one through whom they come.21200:11:58,840 –> 00:12:03,840Now Jesus is clearly issuing a stern warning here,21300:12:03,979 –> 00:12:06,059and he gives this warning to who?21400:12:06,059 –> 00:12:08,099To us!21500:12:08,099 –> 00:12:13,059Pay attention to yourselves, he says in the very next verse.21600:12:13,059 –> 00:12:14,979In other words, don’t think that I’m talking21700:12:15,159 –> 00:12:16,580about other people here.21800:12:16,580 –> 00:12:18,940I am giving a warning to you!21900:12:20,140 –> 00:12:22,859You are my disciples, you are the ones22000:12:22,859 –> 00:12:25,659who bear my name in the world,22100:12:25,659 –> 00:12:30,039and with your calling, there comes a great responsibility.22200:12:30,039 –> 00:12:32,500And when the disciples heard this, what did they say?22300:12:32,500 –> 00:12:34,460They said, Lord, increase our faith.22400:12:36,380 –> 00:12:39,979Give us, in other words, the strength that we need22500:12:39,979 –> 00:12:43,900to stand against the temptations that we know we will face.22600:12:43,979 –> 00:12:47,380Increase our faith so that we will not be the ones22700:12:47,380 –> 00:12:50,159who cause others to stumble.22800:12:51,919 –> 00:12:55,679Now here, then, is something that every Christian leader22900:12:55,679 –> 00:12:59,539needs to hear, here is something that every believer23000:12:59,539 –> 00:13:01,700needs to hear, because we all bear23100:13:01,700 –> 00:13:04,440the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.23200:13:05,599 –> 00:13:07,359God cares about his children.23300:13:08,580 –> 00:13:13,580So pay attention to yourself and be very careful23400:13:14,880 –> 00:13:19,880that you do not lead one of God’s little ones into sin.23500:13:22,400 –> 00:13:23,880You’re listening to Open the Bible23600:13:23,880 –> 00:13:27,859with Pastor Colin Smith and a message called Growing Faith.23700:13:27,859 –> 00:13:29,760We’re pausing the message just briefly here,23800:13:29,760 –> 00:13:32,500but we’ll be back very shortly, so do stay with us.23900:13:32,500 –> 00:13:34,059If you’ve missed any of the series24000:13:34,059 –> 00:13:36,400or if you want to go back and listen again,24100:13:36,400 –> 00:13:39,159it’s easy to do that by coming online to our website,24200:13:39,159 –> 00:13:41,719openthebible.org.uk.24300:13:41,719 –> 00:13:43,840Also you can find us as a podcast24400:13:43,840 –> 00:13:45,500on all the main podcast sites24500:13:45,500 –> 00:13:48,020by searching for Open the Bible UK24600:13:48,020 –> 00:13:50,979or follow the link from our website.24700:13:50,979 –> 00:13:52,260Many of us love reading,24800:13:52,260 –> 00:13:55,539but our busy lives don’t allow much time for that,24900:13:55,539 –> 00:13:58,659so we often listen to audio books and podcasts,25000:13:58,659 –> 00:14:02,059maybe when we’re driving or out for a walk.25100:14:02,059 –> 00:14:05,219So we have a new podcast starting this month25200:14:05,219 –> 00:14:07,739and it’s called Hike Through the Bible.25300:14:07,739 –> 00:14:09,580Yeah, and the Hike Through the Bible podcast25400:14:09,580 –> 00:14:10,820will take you on a journey25500:14:10,859 –> 00:14:12,940through the entire Bible story,25600:14:12,940 –> 00:14:14,859giving you the option of listening25700:14:14,859 –> 00:14:17,340or watching rather than reading.25800:14:17,340 –> 00:14:20,419And in each episode I’ll read a chapter of my book,25900:14:20,419 –> 00:14:21,760Hike Through the Bible,26000:14:21,760 –> 00:14:24,099and then I’ll discuss it with some friends.26100:14:24,099 –> 00:14:28,140I hope you’ll join me in hiking through the Bible.26200:14:28,140 –> 00:14:29,940You’ll grow in your faith,26300:14:29,940 –> 00:14:32,619you’ll deepen your grasp of scripture26400:14:32,619 –> 00:14:34,700and you’ll come to love Jesus more.26500:14:34,700 –> 00:14:38,000So that’s the Hike Through the Bible podcast26600:14:38,000 –> 00:14:39,719and it’s not too late to get started.26700:14:39,719 –> 00:14:42,580You’ll find The Hike Through the Bible podcast26800:14:42,580 –> 00:14:44,760wherever you get your podcasts.26900:14:44,760 –> 00:14:46,679And there’s a link on our website27000:14:46,679 –> 00:14:49,739at openthebible.org.uk.27100:14:49,739 –> 00:14:51,440Let’s get back to the message.27200:14:51,440 –> 00:14:52,979We’re in Luke Chapter 17.27300:14:52,979 –> 00:14:55,179Here again is Pastor Colin.27400:14:55,179 –> 00:14:58,780Ask the Lord to increase your faith.27500:14:59,679 –> 00:15:02,580Asking because you yourself will be tempted.27600:15:03,400 –> 00:15:04,799Then here’s a second reason.27700:15:04,799 –> 00:15:07,500Ask the Lord to increase your faith27800:15:07,520 –> 00:15:11,960because you are called to a holy life.27900:15:13,020 –> 00:15:15,960Now, I want you to notice what Jesus says here28000:15:15,960 –> 00:15:19,780about the life to which we are called as believers.28100:15:20,659 –> 00:15:21,640Verse three.28200:15:21,640 –> 00:15:24,580If your brother sins,28300:15:24,580 –> 00:15:25,500rebuke him.28400:15:26,419 –> 00:15:28,020And if he repents,28500:15:28,859 –> 00:15:29,739forgive him.28600:15:31,059 –> 00:15:35,539And if he sins against you seven times in a day28700:15:35,539 –> 00:15:39,200and turns to you seven times saying, I repent,28800:15:39,200 –> 00:15:42,500you must forgive him.28900:15:44,159 –> 00:15:48,840Now, notice that Jesus challenges the disciples here29000:15:48,840 –> 00:15:52,080with a double responsibility.29100:15:52,080 –> 00:15:56,000The first is if your brother sins, rebuke him.29200:15:57,219 –> 00:15:59,159Now, these words of Jesus are very similar29300:15:59,159 –> 00:16:00,559to the words that he spoke,29400:16:00,559 –> 00:16:04,080recorded in Matthew 18 and verse 15.29500:16:04,080 –> 00:16:07,000If your brother sins against you,29600:16:07,000 –> 00:16:10,080go and tell him his fault.29700:16:11,479 –> 00:16:13,840Now, does this mean29800:16:13,840 –> 00:16:16,280that there is an obligation29900:16:16,280 –> 00:16:18,919to confront every sin30000:16:18,919 –> 00:16:22,400that you see in every other believer?30100:16:22,400 –> 00:16:25,419Answer, absolutely not.30200:16:26,359 –> 00:16:29,500There are other scriptures to consider30300:16:29,500 –> 00:16:33,119and to weigh before you go charging off30400:16:33,159 –> 00:16:35,599to rebuke your brother for some sin or other30500:16:35,599 –> 00:16:38,520that you may have seen in his or her life.30600:16:40,520 –> 00:16:45,479For example, 1 Peter chapter 4 in verse 8,30700:16:46,559 –> 00:16:50,539love covers a multitude of sins.30800:16:51,979 –> 00:16:54,080Or Romans chapter 12 in verse 18,30900:16:55,479 –> 00:16:59,619if possible, as far as it depends on you,31000:16:59,619 –> 00:17:02,640live peaceably with all.31100:17:03,799 –> 00:17:06,739Or Matthew chapter 7, verses one through three,31200:17:06,739 –> 00:17:11,180judge not, that you be not judged.31300:17:11,180 –> 00:17:12,880For with the judgment you use,31400:17:12,880 –> 00:17:15,140you yourself will be judged.31500:17:15,140 –> 00:17:16,719And with the measure you use,31600:17:16,719 –> 00:17:19,699it will be measured to you.31700:17:19,699 –> 00:17:23,020Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye,31800:17:23,020 –> 00:17:27,520but do not see the log that is in your own eye.31900:17:29,000 –> 00:17:31,280But when all of this is said,32000:17:31,280 –> 00:17:33,760clearly, the scripture is pointing us to the fact32100:17:33,760 –> 00:17:36,319that there will be times32200:17:36,319 –> 00:17:39,880when love requires you to confront32300:17:39,880 –> 00:17:43,500a brother or a sister who has wronged you.32400:17:44,560 –> 00:17:47,479When should you consider doing that?32500:17:48,839 –> 00:17:52,719Well, several translations of these words32600:17:52,719 –> 00:17:55,839include the words against you.32700:17:55,839 –> 00:17:59,859Bible translations, such as the NIV,32800:18:00,459 –> 00:18:03,619if your brother sins against you32900:18:03,619 –> 00:18:06,479and that clearly is the meaning here33000:18:06,479 –> 00:18:11,119and it’s stated clearly in Matthew 18, verse 1533100:18:11,119 –> 00:18:13,739and it is stated clearly in verse four33200:18:13,739 –> 00:18:16,979where Jesus says if he sins against you33300:18:16,979 –> 00:18:19,680seven times in a day.33400:18:19,680 –> 00:18:23,479So Jesus is not talking about sin in general33500:18:23,479 –> 00:18:26,880he’s speaking specifically here about a wrong33600:18:26,880 –> 00:18:28,979that has been done against you33700:18:29,000 –> 00:18:32,359that has affected you, that has hurt you directly33800:18:32,359 –> 00:18:35,540and in a personal way.33900:18:36,920 –> 00:18:40,520Again the context here is important34000:18:40,520 –> 00:18:44,660Jesus says pay attention to yourselves.34100:18:45,959 –> 00:18:50,959In other words, when a brother or sister sins against you34200:18:51,680 –> 00:18:54,520you need to be very, very careful34300:18:54,520 –> 00:18:58,819that you yourself are not drawn into sin.34400:18:59,839 –> 00:19:04,839Now the principle here is especially clear34500:19:05,180 –> 00:19:09,939in the Old Testament, Leviticus chapter 19 and verse 17.34600:19:09,939 –> 00:19:12,739Let me draw your attention to this important Scripture.34700:19:13,660 –> 00:19:18,660God says you shall not hate your brother in your heart34800:19:20,560 –> 00:19:23,859but you shall reason frankly34900:19:23,859 –> 00:19:25,959with your neighbor35000:19:25,959 –> 00:19:30,959lest you incur sin because of him.35100:19:33,160 –> 00:19:35,020Now, what is this thing?35200:19:35,020 –> 00:19:38,979Well, when a brother or a sister wrongs you,35300:19:38,979 –> 00:19:42,239you will often find that you are simply able35400:19:42,239 –> 00:19:45,000to pass over it and to move on.35500:19:45,000 –> 00:19:48,219And if that is the case, thank God for that.35600:19:49,140 –> 00:19:53,119But sometimes if the wound is deep,35700:19:53,140 –> 00:19:56,160you may find in your own heart35800:19:56,160 –> 00:19:57,800that you’re beginning to struggle35900:19:57,800 –> 00:20:00,839with resentment towards the person who has hurt you.36000:20:01,880 –> 00:20:03,640Now, notice the logic of this verse36100:20:03,640 –> 00:20:05,459that speaks to that situation.36200:20:06,719 –> 00:20:11,719God says, you shall not hate your brother in your heart.36300:20:12,040 –> 00:20:15,040You must not allow your heart to go there.36400:20:15,040 –> 00:20:19,239That’s not an option that is open for you as a believer.36500:20:20,079 –> 00:20:23,560So, if you find resentment towards a brother36600:20:23,560 –> 00:20:25,760rising in your heart, what should you do?36700:20:25,760 –> 00:20:28,540Well, you should go, and you should reason36800:20:28,540 –> 00:20:31,760with him or with her frankly.36900:20:31,760 –> 00:20:33,380Why?37000:20:33,380 –> 00:20:38,380Lest you incur sin because of him or her.37100:20:39,900 –> 00:20:42,160In other words, lest the wrong37200:20:42,160 –> 00:20:45,000that he or she has done leads you37300:20:45,000 –> 00:20:47,300into the sin of hating them.37400:20:48,300 –> 00:20:52,060Now, that’s, when you’re to do this,37500:20:52,060 –> 00:20:54,140how are you to do this?37600:20:54,140 –> 00:20:55,459Well, notice what God says,37700:20:55,459 –> 00:21:00,099you shall reason frankly with your neighbor.37800:21:00,099 –> 00:21:02,540Isn’t that a beautiful expression?37900:21:02,540 –> 00:21:06,459Reason frankly with your neighbor.38000:21:07,540 –> 00:21:09,699Dale Ralph Davis, in his commentary38100:21:09,699 –> 00:21:12,280on Luke’s Gospel, catches the spirit of this.38200:21:12,280 –> 00:21:17,280He says, rebuke does not mean telling him off.38300:21:17,660 –> 00:21:21,439It does not mean reaming him out,38400:21:21,439 –> 00:21:26,359but simply disclosing the wrong that he has done.38500:21:27,640 –> 00:21:31,040And of course, reason frankly also means38600:21:31,040 –> 00:21:35,400that you must hear the person who has offended you.38700:21:35,400 –> 00:21:38,119What does he or she have to say?38800:21:38,119 –> 00:21:40,099And, you know, when you hear them,38900:21:40,099 –> 00:21:43,079you might learn something that would give you39000:21:43,079 –> 00:21:44,280a different perspective,39100:21:44,280 –> 00:21:47,079a fuller picture of what has happened.39200:21:48,300 –> 00:21:52,020Now, the aim then of this honest conversation,39300:21:52,020 –> 00:21:55,380this confrontation that takes place here,39400:21:55,380 –> 00:21:58,540is that help will come both to the person39500:21:58,540 –> 00:22:00,420who has caused the offense39600:22:00,420 –> 00:22:04,619and to the person who has been offended.39700:22:04,619 –> 00:22:06,900And again, Dale Ralph Davis points out39800:22:06,900 –> 00:22:10,599that the clear implication of this very striking verse39900:22:10,599 –> 00:22:14,599in Leviticus chapter 19 and verse 1740000:22:14,619 –> 00:22:17,640is that expressing rebuke40100:22:17,640 –> 00:22:22,640tends to dissipate inward resentment.40200:22:23,520 –> 00:22:25,560And that surely is why Jesus tells us40300:22:25,560 –> 00:22:27,119that this is something40400:22:27,119 –> 00:22:30,219that in these circumstances we should do.40500:22:31,140 –> 00:22:34,699If your brother sins, rebuke him.40600:22:35,959 –> 00:22:39,819That is our first duty and the second one is much harder40700:22:39,819 –> 00:22:41,819and we’ll hear about that next time.40800:22:41,819 –> 00:22:43,920So, I hope you’ll join us for that.40900:22:43,920 –> 00:22:46,979You’re listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith41000:22:46,979 –> 00:22:49,560and a message called Growing Faith.41100:22:49,560 –> 00:22:51,760Part of the series, Grow in Faith.41200:22:51,760 –> 00:22:53,239And I hope you’ll join us tomorrow41300:22:53,239 –> 00:22:56,079for the next part in the series.41400:22:56,079 –> 00:22:58,619Open the Bible is supported by our listeners.41500:22:58,619 –> 00:23:01,520It’s people just like you who keep Open the Bible41600:23:01,520 –> 00:23:03,839on this station, on the Internet41700:23:03,839 –> 00:23:06,000and on all the podcast sites.41800:23:06,000 –> 00:23:08,439So, if you already give to support the work,41900:23:08,439 –> 00:23:10,439thank you so much.42000:23:10,439 –> 00:23:12,520If supporting Open the Bible financially42100:23:12,520 –> 00:23:14,839is something that you’d like to begin to do,42200:23:14,839 –> 00:23:16,819this month, we’d love to say, thank you42300:23:16,819 –> 00:23:19,180by sending you a free gift.42400:23:19,180 –> 00:23:21,520If you’re able to begin a new direct debit42500:23:21,520 –> 00:23:24,160of five pounds per month or more42600:23:24,160 –> 00:23:26,920or a one-off gift of 60 pounds or more,42700:23:26,920 –> 00:23:30,739we’d love to send you a copy of Nancy Guthrie’s book,42800:23:30,739 –> 00:23:34,500I’m Praying for You, 40 Days of Praying the Bible42900:23:34,500 –> 00:23:36,439for someone who is suffering.43000:23:36,439 –> 00:23:39,199Colin, who would you say this book is for?43100:23:39,199 –> 00:23:41,880Well, it’s for anyone who has ever said43200:23:41,880 –> 00:23:44,199to someone, I’m praying for you,43300:23:44,199 –> 00:23:46,619and that surely is every Christian.43400:23:46,619 –> 00:23:49,079We’ve all said to someone who’s in need43500:23:49,079 –> 00:23:51,280or perhaps a loved one in our family,43600:23:51,280 –> 00:23:52,479I’m praying for you.43700:23:52,479 –> 00:23:54,160But here’s the challenge,43800:23:54,160 –> 00:23:57,160how do you keep your prayers fresh43900:23:57,160 –> 00:23:59,420when you’ve been praying for someone for some time,44000:23:59,420 –> 00:24:01,520perhaps even for many years?44100:24:01,520 –> 00:24:02,439I mean, what are you gonna do?44200:24:02,439 –> 00:24:05,000Just keep saying, God bless them, God bless them.44300:24:05,000 –> 00:24:07,760How do you keep your prayers fresh?44400:24:08,160 –> 00:24:11,219And Nancy Guthrie has done a wonderful job44500:24:11,219 –> 00:24:12,719in putting together a book44600:24:12,719 –> 00:24:15,359that draws deeply from Scripture44700:24:15,359 –> 00:24:19,640so that we are given 40 practical suggestions44800:24:19,640 –> 00:24:23,079as to how you can pray for a friend, a loved one44900:24:23,079 –> 00:24:26,040or someone who’s going through a really difficult time.45000:24:26,040 –> 00:24:28,160It’s a marvelous resource45100:24:28,160 –> 00:24:31,319and I think folks are gonna find it very, very helpful.45200:24:31,319 –> 00:24:32,839Well, we’d love to send you a copy45300:24:32,839 –> 00:24:35,479of Nancy Guthrie’s book, I’m Praying For You,45400:24:35,479 –> 00:24:37,359when you begin a new direct debit45500:24:37,359 –> 00:24:38,760to the work of Open The Bible45600:24:38,760 –> 00:24:41,099at five pounds per month or more45700:24:41,099 –> 00:24:43,939or a one-off gift of 60 pounds or more.45800:24:43,939 –> 00:24:46,439You’ll find full terms and conditions online45900:24:46,439 –> 00:24:50,380at our website, openthebible.org.uk46000:24:50,380 –> 00:24:52,780and you can also give online.46100:24:52,780 –> 00:24:55,339If you want us to send you this free gift,46200:24:55,339 –> 00:24:57,400please don’t give anonymously46300:24:57,400 –> 00:24:59,920and don’t forget to leave your full name and address46400:24:59,920 –> 00:25:01,880so that we can send you your gift.46500:25:02,880 –> 00:25:05,280For Open The Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,46600:25:05,280 –> 00:25:06,400I’m David Pick.46700:25:06,400 –> 00:25:07,819Thanks for being with us today46800:25:07,819 –> 00:25:10,020and I hope you’ll join us again next time.46900:25:18,199 –> 00:25:21,500The apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith.47000:25:21,500 –> 00:25:24,439What was it that led them to ask that?47100:25:24,439 –> 00:25:26,599Find out next time on Open The Bible.