WEBVTT 00:00:00.900 --> 00:00:05.320 On this day, I realise that it's a tough call for many. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:09.980 Taking the football analogy, it's maybe like a game of two halves, really. 00:00:10.599 --> 00:00:15.259 Because on one side, it's deeply, deeply painful. 00:00:16.219 --> 00:00:22.539 And maybe that's for a variety of reasons for people that are here and people listening on this podcast. 00:00:22.980 --> 00:00:25.920 Because it's full of memories of a dad. 00:00:26.240 --> 00:00:29.379 And it's full of a memory of a dad that might not be here. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.200 It's full of memories of a dad that we may have been separated from. 00:00:35.200 --> 00:00:40.060 It may be a father figure who has gone home to be with the Lord. 00:00:40.460 --> 00:00:41.759 Or maybe just left. 00:00:43.019 --> 00:00:47.600 For those, it's painful because of a father maybe that wasn't there for us. 00:00:47.640 --> 00:00:48.659 He was absent. 00:00:49.620 --> 00:00:52.560 A father who has maybe seemed to be uncaring. 00:00:53.400 --> 00:00:55.840 For some of us, for wanting a dad. 00:00:56.379 --> 00:00:58.939 You know, wanting a dad figure in our lives. 00:00:58.939 --> 00:01:00.719 But that didn't happen. 00:01:01.739 --> 00:01:03.939 And then there's the other side of celebrating. 00:01:04.620 --> 00:01:06.739 There's celebrating what it is to be a dad. 00:01:07.099 --> 00:01:08.120 To be a granddad. 00:01:08.439 --> 00:01:10.219 Of all the joy that that is. 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:11.219 Of being a parent. 00:01:11.539 --> 00:01:13.359 Of what that actually means. 00:01:13.480 --> 00:01:14.340 To be a bloke. 00:01:14.620 --> 00:01:16.400 To be raising a family. 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:18.379 And the joy that is. 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:21.920 And today, we think especially of dads in whatever sense. 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:23.260 It's a stepdad. 00:01:23.659 --> 00:01:26.099 Maybe you're an adoptive dad. 00:01:26.180 --> 00:01:27.340 A foster dad. 00:01:27.780 --> 00:01:28.960 Whatever that is. 00:01:29.079 --> 00:01:30.260 Whatever shape that looks. 00:01:30.379 --> 00:01:34.240 Maybe you're a grandparent that's bringing up your grandchild. 00:01:35.260 --> 00:01:35.980 Whatever shape. 00:01:36.040 --> 00:01:37.060 It's worth celebrating. 00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:39.120 So today, we hold that intention. 00:01:39.439 --> 00:01:44.500 And we hold that intention today as we focus on our Heavenly Father. 00:01:44.500 --> 00:01:44.620 Father. 00:01:45.500 --> 00:01:48.079 And I hear you say, how does that work? 00:01:48.420 --> 00:01:49.840 How can it be our Heavenly Father? 00:01:49.980 --> 00:01:50.900 He's too remote. 00:01:51.180 --> 00:01:52.159 Not true. 00:01:52.900 --> 00:01:53.659 Not true. 00:01:54.599 --> 00:01:57.060 Because he's there to teach us. 00:01:57.180 --> 00:01:57.859 To show us. 00:01:58.200 --> 00:01:59.239 To support us. 00:01:59.460 --> 00:02:00.859 To encourage us. 00:02:01.420 --> 00:02:06.019 And we have so much to learn from our Heavenly Father. 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:08.699 I was really fortunate. 00:02:08.840 --> 00:02:11.620 I had a dad that was very practical and hands-on. 00:02:12.420 --> 00:02:17.680 If you remember, if you're old enough to remember what 100E Anglia looked like. 00:02:18.599 --> 00:02:20.400 There are some people here nodding. 00:02:21.460 --> 00:02:26.900 At the age of nine, I could take a carburettor off 100E Anglia. 00:02:27.020 --> 00:02:28.099 I could strip it down. 00:02:28.319 --> 00:02:29.280 I could clean it. 00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:30.700 I could recalibrate it. 00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:32.060 I could put it back on. 00:02:32.060 --> 00:02:34.420 And the car would run like a dream. 00:02:35.379 --> 00:02:37.420 I had a dad that taught me how to wallpaper. 00:02:38.500 --> 00:02:41.099 I had a dad that taught me how to do gardening. 00:02:41.620 --> 00:02:44.819 I learned so much from my dad. 00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:55.539 And we often think, what is there for us that our Heavenly Father, being created by our earthly fathers, 00:02:56.580 --> 00:03:00.000 how much more is there for our Heavenly Father? 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:05.500 The good thing about my dad is he was always there for advice. 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:08.539 And you just pick up the phone. 00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:11.900 You know, how much water do I put in to mix with wallpaper paste? 00:03:12.199 --> 00:03:13.280 That was always the one. 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:17.039 How deep do I actually put these potatoes in? 00:03:17.479 --> 00:03:20.240 What is the distance that you put in your onion sets? 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:26.000 You know, there's all those practical questions that you need a dad around, really, to ask. 00:03:26.379 --> 00:03:27.560 And I miss that now. 00:03:28.500 --> 00:03:37.200 But the beauty is, with our Heavenly Father, is that he is accessible for every question that we have, 00:03:37.700 --> 00:03:39.740 to connect and be there for us. 00:03:40.100 --> 00:03:41.939 Things that I need to know. 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:51.520 And maybe when that relationship broke down, maybe at times, I was thinking about my rebellious nature. 00:03:52.099 --> 00:03:55.879 Because I don't know about you, maybe you can think back to the time that you were a teenager, 00:03:56.460 --> 00:03:59.659 when that moment that we had all the answers, didn't we? 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:01.840 We knew everything. 00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:04.120 We had it all sorted. 00:04:04.259 --> 00:04:05.039 Let's be honest. 00:04:05.039 --> 00:04:11.900 And yet, sometimes there comes that rebellion then, where we separate ourselves from God, 00:04:12.379 --> 00:04:16.339 our Heavenly Father, because we think that we've got it sorted. 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:24.019 And then, that drifts into that sense of, we think we can do without him. 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:26.300 And that's not true. 00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:33.819 Perhaps I didn't want to hear what my Heavenly Father had to say to me. 00:04:33.819 --> 00:04:36.360 Because all I wanted to hear was yes. 00:04:37.339 --> 00:04:42.060 But sometimes, what I knew is, many of us here are fathers, and we've known as fathers here, 00:04:42.579 --> 00:04:46.620 that sometimes the hardest but best thing we can say to our kids is, 00:04:46.759 --> 00:04:48.659 no, it's not the way. 00:04:48.959 --> 00:04:50.060 It's time to wait. 00:04:50.959 --> 00:04:52.019 Don't do that now. 00:04:52.600 --> 00:04:54.100 It's not the best way forward. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:58.659 And as we listen to that reading from the touchline this morning, 00:04:59.180 --> 00:05:01.339 Paul is writing to the Ephesians, and he said, 00:05:01.339 --> 00:05:05.560 it wasn't so long ago you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. 00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:11.439 You let the world which doesn't know the first thing about living tell you how to live. 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:13.579 And isn't that true? 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:19.480 That suddenly we have been conformed by what the world tells us we should be doing, 00:05:19.779 --> 00:05:23.660 and how we should think, instead of going back to the advice giver, 00:05:23.899 --> 00:05:25.800 which is the Heavenly Father, and says, 00:05:25.939 --> 00:05:26.860 how do we do this? 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:29.300 Because this isn't working out for me. 00:05:30.019 --> 00:05:32.579 This thing, this life thing that's teaching me, 00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:35.319 I want some really good, solid advice, Dad. 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:37.019 Tell me how it works. 00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:38.459 And it says, 00:05:40.620 --> 00:05:45.039 you let the world which doesn't know the first thing about living tell you how to live. 00:05:45.159 --> 00:05:48.339 You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:52.500 and then exhaled disobedience. 00:05:54.339 --> 00:05:57.779 And maybe that's an issue that's hard-hitting for us this morning, 00:05:58.019 --> 00:06:00.779 because disobedience is tough. 00:06:01.099 --> 00:06:02.599 It breaks down relationship. 00:06:02.600 --> 00:06:06.840 We all did it. 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:10.100 All of us doing what we felt like doing, 00:06:10.379 --> 00:06:12.020 when we felt like doing it, 00:06:12.220 --> 00:06:14.400 all of us in the same boat. 00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:17.480 And you see, that is so true, isn't it? 00:06:17.480 --> 00:06:18.820 If we're taught by the world, 00:06:19.300 --> 00:06:20.439 we get those lines, 00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:22.020 and you hear it as well as I do, 00:06:22.080 --> 00:06:25.580 and in fact, I'm in danger of hearing myself again and again, 00:06:26.020 --> 00:06:27.939 look after yourself. 00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:29.620 It's all about you. 00:06:29.620 --> 00:06:31.980 Go out and make loads of money, 00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:32.980 and then you'll be okay. 00:06:34.220 --> 00:06:35.480 Be secure. 00:06:35.800 --> 00:06:36.780 Don't be generous. 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:39.439 Do you want, 00:06:39.800 --> 00:06:40.959 get what you want, 00:06:41.199 --> 00:06:42.959 when you want it. 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:46.780 It's your right. 00:06:47.420 --> 00:06:48.980 It's my rights. 00:06:49.780 --> 00:06:51.120 That's what takes precedent. 00:06:52.459 --> 00:06:55.720 Express yourself however and wherever you want, 00:06:56.259 --> 00:06:57.780 and never mind anybody else. 00:06:57.779 --> 00:07:00.059 That's what the world says. 00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:03.239 And yet our Heavenly Father says, 00:07:03.619 --> 00:07:06.719 it's a wonder God didn't lose his temper. 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:09.000 It is a wonder. 00:07:09.819 --> 00:07:11.099 And if we're his fathers, 00:07:11.439 --> 00:07:13.719 we know how close that gets on occasions, 00:07:13.719 --> 00:07:15.819 when our kids rebel against us, 00:07:15.939 --> 00:07:17.500 when we can't see a way through, 00:07:17.619 --> 00:07:18.739 when they're not listening. 00:07:19.179 --> 00:07:21.579 And we stand this morning as children of God, 00:07:21.579 --> 00:07:24.779 and it's a wonder that God doesn't lose his temper, 00:07:25.240 --> 00:07:27.219 and do away with the whole lot of us. 00:07:27.719 --> 00:07:28.240 Instead, 00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:30.139 immense in mercy, 00:07:30.459 --> 00:07:32.060 and with an incredible love, 00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:33.759 it says here in Scripture, 00:07:34.300 --> 00:07:35.339 he embraced us. 00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:37.860 He took our sin, 00:07:37.919 --> 00:07:38.759 dead lives, 00:07:39.299 --> 00:07:40.879 and made us alive in Christ. 00:07:41.539 --> 00:07:43.539 He did all of this on his own, 00:07:43.839 --> 00:07:45.299 with no help from us. 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:49.020 Isn't that what a loving father looks like? 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:50.420 A caring father? 00:07:50.699 --> 00:07:52.420 A father that wants best for us? 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:52.800 You see, 00:07:53.020 --> 00:07:54.680 we talk about our Heavenly Father, 00:07:55.340 --> 00:07:57.180 and as if it's somewhere out there. 00:07:58.180 --> 00:07:59.100 But in Scripture, 00:07:59.259 --> 00:08:00.139 it says this morning, 00:08:00.540 --> 00:08:03.660 that God has us where he wants us, 00:08:03.720 --> 00:08:05.379 with all the time in the world, 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:06.879 and the next, 00:08:07.660 --> 00:08:10.400 to shower grace and kindness upon us, 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:11.699 in Jesus Christ. 00:08:11.699 --> 00:08:12.819 And I read that, 00:08:12.920 --> 00:08:13.399 and I thought, 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:14.719 he's got all the time. 00:08:15.779 --> 00:08:16.759 And I think for me, 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:18.139 and I don't know whether it was for you, 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:19.939 on those times that I've said, 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:21.459 God's not listening, 00:08:22.519 --> 00:08:23.899 God doesn't hear me, 00:08:24.579 --> 00:08:24.899 whatever, 00:08:25.459 --> 00:08:28.459 I think it's an issue of communication on my part, 00:08:29.099 --> 00:08:31.560 because I think I've been so preoccupied. 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:35.360 What is the times when I've had to stop and listen to God, 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:37.340 to my Heavenly Father? 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:39.759 It's always been in the crisis times. 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:42.419 It's when there's a crisis with the kids, 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:43.620 there's a crisis with this, 00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:45.240 there's a crisis at work, 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:46.559 something's gone wrong, 00:08:46.720 --> 00:08:47.500 something's happened. 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:49.639 That's the time I turn and say, 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:50.379 Dad, 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:52.340 I need some advice. 00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:55.980 And he's patiently waiting there for us. 00:08:56.779 --> 00:08:57.860 Wouldn't it be great, 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:00.460 if we did that 24-7, 00:09:01.179 --> 00:09:03.000 and not just in the crisis times? 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:05.179 Show me how this works, Lord. 00:09:05.659 --> 00:09:08.059 Show me how this works in my everyday life. 00:09:08.059 --> 00:09:11.719 It's God's gift from start to finish. 00:09:12.679 --> 00:09:14.579 We don't play the major role. 00:09:16.699 --> 00:09:19.299 Are we ready to join in with the good works 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:21.039 that he has gotten ready for us? 00:09:22.459 --> 00:09:23.819 You see, we need to acknowledge, 00:09:24.059 --> 00:09:25.019 we need to respond, 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:26.039 we need to listen. 00:09:26.579 --> 00:09:27.799 I hate that word. 00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:30.299 We do it as humans about submit, 00:09:30.599 --> 00:09:33.399 but sometimes we submit to what our dad wants, 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:36.199 because he wants what's best for us. 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:37.319 Not an earthly dad. 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:39.579 He wants what's best for us as well, I pray. 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:41.059 I pray we've had that relationship. 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:42.120 If we haven't, 00:09:42.199 --> 00:09:44.240 but get rid of our heavenly father, 00:09:44.360 --> 00:09:46.179 wants what's best for us. 00:09:47.019 --> 00:09:48.519 And all we have to do is ask, 00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:49.620 and make that relationship. 00:09:50.259 --> 00:09:50.500 You know, 00:09:50.539 --> 00:09:52.500 some of the best things I did with my dad, 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:55.439 because it equipped me to help others. 00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:58.460 I don't always get it right, 00:09:58.640 --> 00:10:01.620 but my dad told me how to use the tools. 00:10:02.020 --> 00:10:04.340 And my sense is for Christians sometimes, 00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:07.640 that we want to use the tools, 00:10:08.040 --> 00:10:10.840 but we never got past the Fisher-Price stuff. 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:14.020 You know, 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:17.040 it's that little plastic saw that we take out, 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:18.600 and that little plastic screwdriver. 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:19.759 And actually, 00:10:20.340 --> 00:10:21.279 God wants to say, 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:22.240 our heavenly father says, 00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:22.980 actually, 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:24.879 I want you to use the power tools. 00:10:25.620 --> 00:10:27.820 I want you to use the big stuff. 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:29.980 I want you to use the stuff 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:31.879 that really makes a difference. 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:34.620 But I can't teach you 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:36.600 unless you listen, 00:10:37.120 --> 00:10:37.899 and you learn, 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:39.620 and you walk closely with me. 00:10:40.680 --> 00:10:42.600 And I love the power tools. 00:10:42.700 --> 00:10:44.019 I think as guys we do, 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:46.180 we love to use the adventure 00:10:46.180 --> 00:10:47.320 of doing that. 00:10:47.320 --> 00:10:49.660 And it amazes me, 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:51.760 in this series about freedom, 00:10:52.060 --> 00:10:53.720 I want to learn everything 00:10:53.720 --> 00:10:56.040 that my heavenly father has to teach me. 00:10:57.620 --> 00:10:59.180 But it's about relationships. 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:02.379 And so that comes back to us. 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:04.120 And I've got to ask you this morning, 00:11:04.260 --> 00:11:05.580 what is your character like? 00:11:06.920 --> 00:11:08.780 Because a lot of part of relationships, 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:10.300 if we have an all-loving father, 00:11:10.640 --> 00:11:12.620 what is our relationship like 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:13.920 to make this work? 00:11:14.420 --> 00:11:15.720 It's not a one-way ticket. 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:18.399 And some of the times 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:19.120 that I have disconnected 00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:21.080 with my heavenly father 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:23.320 is the times that I have been stubborn, 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:25.920 the times that I've been suspicious, 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:28.660 the times that I've been self-conscious, 00:11:30.060 --> 00:11:32.800 the times that I've been dismissive. 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:38.419 You may have a few problems with relationship. 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:39.919 In the reading from Zephaniah, 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:40.299 it says, 00:11:40.539 --> 00:11:42.120 don't be afraid, dear Zion. 00:11:42.979 --> 00:11:43.819 Don't despair. 00:11:44.219 --> 00:11:46.779 Your God is present among you, 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:50.139 a strong warrior to save you, 00:11:51.439 --> 00:11:53.039 happy to lead you back, 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:55.419 happy to lead you back. 00:11:55.419 --> 00:11:56.939 You see, 00:11:57.939 --> 00:11:59.539 the picture I have 00:11:59.539 --> 00:12:02.219 is I don't have God chasing after me. 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.479 He wants to come. 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:05.719 He wants me to come back. 00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:07.360 It's my choice 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:08.659 to come back to him 00:12:08.659 --> 00:12:09.779 in relationship. 00:12:10.579 --> 00:12:12.579 He's not chasing after us all the way. 00:12:12.659 --> 00:12:13.459 He's always there. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:14.699 He's the constant. 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:16.139 And yet, 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:17.779 so often we lose the relationship. 00:12:17.979 --> 00:12:19.439 I don't know about you as parents. 00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:19.560 Friends, 00:12:20.400 --> 00:12:21.880 what was the day 00:12:21.880 --> 00:12:23.680 when your child 00:12:23.680 --> 00:12:25.040 stopped hugging you 00:12:25.040 --> 00:12:26.340 outside of the school gates? 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:29.300 What was the day 00:12:29.300 --> 00:12:30.500 that your child 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:32.680 stopped kissing you 00:12:32.680 --> 00:12:34.180 and saying goodbye, Dad, 00:12:34.660 --> 00:12:35.720 in front of their mates? 00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:38.220 What was the day 00:12:38.220 --> 00:12:40.180 when you didn't get that 00:12:40.180 --> 00:12:42.180 turning around and going, 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:43.560 I love you, 00:12:44.060 --> 00:12:45.360 as they went into school? 00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:47.580 You know, 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:49.500 because I know 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:51.560 that so often we see, 00:12:51.700 --> 00:12:52.020 don't we, 00:12:52.520 --> 00:12:53.780 the door gets slammed, 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:55.160 you get a grunt 00:12:55.160 --> 00:12:57.340 and that's what you get. 00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:59.440 And many of us were there. 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:02.139 Do you know what? 00:13:02.400 --> 00:13:03.860 I may be unfortunate, 00:13:04.160 --> 00:13:04.320 but, 00:13:04.400 --> 00:13:05.900 you know, 00:13:06.580 --> 00:13:08.520 my son never stops telling me 00:13:08.520 --> 00:13:10.080 how much he loves me. 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:11.300 Even at the school gates, 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:12.560 even in front of his mates, 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:14.100 even at university, 00:13:14.900 --> 00:13:15.140 you know, 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:16.280 even in front of our dad, 00:13:16.540 --> 00:13:17.500 dad is cool. 00:13:18.160 --> 00:13:19.420 Breaks me every time. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:22.020 Isn't that a relationship 00:13:22.020 --> 00:13:23.300 we want with our heavenly father? 00:13:24.020 --> 00:13:25.900 That we're not afraid? 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:28.540 I'm so lucky. 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:29.639 Those of us, 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:31.040 those who wait on the Lord, 00:13:31.540 --> 00:13:32.800 those who are there with him, 00:13:32.920 --> 00:13:34.259 will renew their strength. 00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:37.180 That they will rise up 00:13:37.180 --> 00:13:39.280 with wings like eagles. 00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:39.960 They run, 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:41.000 they won't be weary. 00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:42.180 They shall walk, 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:43.640 they shall not faint. 00:13:43.639 --> 00:13:44.919 As a father, 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:47.840 I knew what it would be like. 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:51.019 What's it like when your kids 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:52.080 stop telling you things? 00:13:52.199 --> 00:13:53.879 What's it like when they stop communicating? 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:56.840 What is it like when they stop asking for stuff? 00:13:57.080 --> 00:13:57.840 It's painful. 00:13:58.699 --> 00:13:59.960 Father God knows that 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:02.060 and he longs to be in relationship. 00:14:03.420 --> 00:14:04.400 But there's one thing 00:14:04.400 --> 00:14:05.180 that 00:14:05.180 --> 00:14:08.259 I sense as a dad 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:09.259 that 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:11.400 I know 00:14:11.400 --> 00:14:13.060 I want to keep my kids 00:14:13.060 --> 00:14:14.200 in relationship with me. 00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:15.640 and 00:14:15.640 --> 00:14:16.560 I find 00:14:16.560 --> 00:14:17.700 one of the easiest things 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:18.080 is 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:18.920 yeah, 00:14:19.140 --> 00:14:19.920 let's just hit that 00:14:19.920 --> 00:14:20.280 is 00:14:20.280 --> 00:14:23.240 are you okay team? 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:23.740 Thanks. 00:14:24.780 --> 00:14:26.460 I find the one thing is 00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:28.180 to embarrass your kids 00:14:28.180 --> 00:14:30.240 is dad dancing. 00:14:31.720 --> 00:14:32.820 Here's the music 00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:34.320 and you're there. 00:14:34.820 --> 00:14:35.840 You're out for the evening 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:38.200 and the music comes on. 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:39.660 Guys, 00:14:39.780 --> 00:14:40.259 and we're there, 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:40.740 aren't we? 00:14:41.180 --> 00:14:42.660 We're there with the flares. 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:45.819 We're there with the teardrop colors 00:14:45.819 --> 00:14:48.079 and we're in that place. 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:49.719 And have you noticed? 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:51.879 The thumbs come up. 00:14:53.959 --> 00:14:54.539 You're there? 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:56.399 You can almost smell 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:57.879 the high karate. 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:00.439 We're there. 00:15:01.079 --> 00:15:02.519 And your eyes are closed. 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:04.740 And you're back there, aren't you? 00:15:05.079 --> 00:15:07.319 You're back there in 1977. 00:15:08.439 --> 00:15:09.740 You were 15 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:11.899 and you had the world 00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:12.879 at your feet. 00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:14.360 Yes. 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:17.940 And then 00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:19.580 you open an eye 00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:22.860 and you see your children. 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:28.879 It's dad dancing. 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:30.379 And worse still, 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:31.539 you see your wife 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:32.700 or your carer 00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:33.659 or your husband 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:34.720 who is going. 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:38.519 You're our native New Yorker. 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:39.820 Thank you team. 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:44.320 Dad dancing. 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:44.460 Dad dancing. 00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:49.400 The thing is, 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:51.420 I want to assure you, 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:53.540 is that our Heavenly Father 00:15:53.540 --> 00:15:54.980 will never, 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.639 ever embarrass you. 00:15:58.400 --> 00:16:00.340 He won't get onto the dance floor. 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:02.480 He won't do the stupid thing. 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:03.060 In fact, 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.200 if anything, 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:06.000 our Heavenly Father 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:06.600 is the one 00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:07.780 where our kids say, 00:16:08.300 --> 00:16:09.160 it's really cool 00:16:09.160 --> 00:16:11.180 to have a dad like that. 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:12.559 It's really cool 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:13.379 to do the stuff. 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:14.539 It's really cool 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:15.639 to be the Jesus people 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:16.799 who want to party, 00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:18.199 who want to know 00:16:18.199 --> 00:16:19.879 what the presence of God 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:21.539 actually looks like. 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:22.500 You know, 00:16:22.599 --> 00:16:23.759 I am not ashamed. 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:24.599 There's a thing, 00:16:24.699 --> 00:16:24.839 I think, 00:16:24.939 --> 00:16:25.279 Delirious, 00:16:25.439 --> 00:16:26.599 I am not ashamed 00:16:26.599 --> 00:16:27.819 of the gospel. 00:16:28.179 --> 00:16:29.199 I am not ashamed 00:16:29.199 --> 00:16:30.039 of the one I love. 00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:31.399 You know, 00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:32.759 and maybe this morning, 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:34.339 just as I come into land, 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:37.259 we're going to think 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:38.059 a little bit. 00:16:38.059 --> 00:16:39.619 If you haven't asked him, 00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:41.539 if you've maybe 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:42.779 stopped telling him, 00:16:43.219 --> 00:16:43.759 thank you, 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:45.899 if maybe we've stopped 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:47.019 telling our Heavenly Father 00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:48.099 that we want him 00:16:48.099 --> 00:16:49.199 to be part of every part 00:16:49.199 --> 00:16:49.679 of our day, 00:16:49.959 --> 00:16:50.859 maybe if we've stopped 00:16:50.859 --> 00:16:52.299 asking him in the everyday 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:52.899 to say, 00:16:53.239 --> 00:16:54.379 can you give me some advice 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.019 on this, Dad? 00:16:55.699 --> 00:16:56.479 Can you help me 00:16:56.479 --> 00:16:57.359 with what I'm doing? 00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:58.479 Can you help me 00:16:58.479 --> 00:16:59.500 to reach the thousands 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.159 of people 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:01.619 that we're called to reach? 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.599 Can you help me 00:17:02.599 --> 00:17:03.439 share my faith? 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:04.839 Can you help me 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:05.899 be a witness to you 00:17:05.899 --> 00:17:06.639 in what I do 00:17:06.639 --> 00:17:07.519 in the everyday? 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:08.680 Can you do that? 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.319 Because I know 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.460 that you won't embarrass me 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.779 and I know what you've shown me 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.440 will be cool. 00:17:12.839 --> 00:17:13.879 Perhaps this morning, 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:15.379 maybe it's been a long time 00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:17.099 since you said to God, 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.539 I missed you. 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:22.400 Maybe it's been a long time 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:24.160 since you've said, 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:26.000 I've actually listened to you 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.700 and I want to know. 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:29.240 Maybe it's a bit of a time 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:30.000 since you've said, 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:31.200 actually I want you 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:32.200 to advise me, Dad, 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.879 into what part I do in my life 00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:35.299 and how I run my life 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.539 and how I lead my life. 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:38.819 Maybe I haven't trusted 00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:40.339 but I'm open to hear. 00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:42.879 And most importantly, Dad, 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:44.899 I want to say thank you. 00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:47.480 I want to say thank you 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.759 for every part 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.839 that you've done in my life. 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:50.899 It's my Heavenly Father 00:17:50.899 --> 00:17:52.480 and I want more. 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:55.500 The thing is, 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.500 I can't find a better clip 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.519 than Mr Tesco 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.299 from last year. 00:18:00.119 --> 00:18:02.119 Mr Tesco did a brilliant clip 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:03.299 and what they did 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:04.239 is they recorded 00:18:04.239 --> 00:18:06.759 people saying thank you 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.619 to their dads. 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:09.899 While we watch this clip, 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.899 let's just think about 00:18:11.899 --> 00:18:14.359 maybe a fresh saying thank you 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:15.839 to our Heavenly Father. 00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:18.019 How we say thank you 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:20.159 and why we're saying thank you. 00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.899 Can we just run the clip, 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.979 get your tissues ready. 00:18:22.979 --> 00:18:24.479 Thank you.