WEBVTT

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 Well, we've been looking at a series, Learning to Lead. We've looked at leading within the

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 church, leading within marriage, and this morning we're looking at leaders in the home

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 in particular, how that is for parents and their children. But before we do, let's pray.

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 Father, thank you so much for the gift of children. We thank you for all that they bring to us

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 as families and all that they give to us every day, the joy, the happiness. And we also recognise

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 that raising children is not easy, it is hard, and therefore we need your wisdom and your help,

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 and above all, the work of your Spirit in our lives to be the kind of parents that you call us to be.

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 So please help us to learn from this, and to understand what it is to be good parents for our children.

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 In Jesus' name. Amen.

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 Now before we actually start, I should say that while this is directed at parents, those who have

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 children, or those who are thinking of having children, I think it does apply to us all because

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 we all have a responsibility towards the children within the family of the church. And I think what

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 we look at here, there are principles here that apply to those who are teaching or helping at

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 Sunday school, or those who are involved in creche, or are crusaders, and so on. So I hope that

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 whatever stage of life we are at, that we can draw something from this. But nonetheless,

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 this is directed primarily towards those who are parents. So, gift or curse? The chairman of the

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 association of non-parents, that's a group that are deliberately against having children, and yes,

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 such a group does exist. This is what the chairman says.

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 I have never wanted to be a parent. I have never wanted that sort of responsibility.

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 It is the fact that child-rearing goes on every day for so long. I just do not want to devote myself,

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 in this way, to children. What do you think of that? Well, many couples agree. They have a lifestyle

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 to enjoy, and careers to pursue, and having children just gets in the way. It's reflected throughout our

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 society. Married people are having less children than before, simply because they take up too much time,

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 and too much money. Those who do have children seem to have them later in life, after they've finished

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 exploring life. Abortion is also an increasing option, as children, they say, interfere with,

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 and complicates, an adult's life. So, to many, children are nothing more than a curse.

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 But the Bible has a much more positive view on our children. Rather than a curse, children,

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 all children, are a gift to be celebrated. Listen to this from Psalm 127, verse 3. It says,

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 Sons and daughters are a heritage from the Lord. Children are a reward from Him. Or in Proverbs 17, 6,

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 children's children are a crown to the aged. Grandchildren are wonderful.

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 So, children are a wonderful gift from God, and have a special place in the purposes of God. They are a

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 blessing and a reward, a joy and a treasure. So, rather than think our thoughts about children,

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 children, we need to be people who think God's thoughts about children. We need to see that

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 leading in our home, that's parenting, is not a chore to endure, but a privilege to enjoy.

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 And we're going to look at three areas that Christian parents are to lead in their homes and families.

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 First, we are to lead children to Christ. That's the primary role, responsibility of parents,

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 to lead their children to Christ. So, look, Ephesians chapter 6, verse 1.

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 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. And what are they to obey? Well, look at verse 4.

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 For fathers, do not exasperate your children. Instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

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 So, children are to obey their parents in all things. Parents don't obey the children. Children,

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 obey your parents in all things. In particular, they are to obey the teaching, that's the spiritual

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 formation that the parents bring and give to their children. So, what does that look like? Well,

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 negatively, verse 4 again, fathers, do not exasperate your children. Don't make them angry.

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 Or as my wife often says to me, Johnny, will you stop annoying your children? Leave them alone.

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 Do not be making harsh demands on them. Do this. Do that. Don't abuse your authority. They're not your slaves.

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 Do not be unfair, constantly nagging, putting them down and comparing. I wish you weren't like this. I wish you were like them.

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 Do not believe. Instead, look at verse 4. Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

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 Make sure your child learns about Jesus from you.

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 Paul has already given an example of this back in chapter 4.

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 Here he is reminding the church of how they had become followers of Jesus. Look at chapter 4, verse 21.

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 He reminds them, surely you heard of him, you heard of Jesus, and you were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

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 He says,

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 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which had been corrupted by its deceitful desires,

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 to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

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 You are to teach them Christ just as you were taught about Christ. Somebody, your parents or someone, taught you Christ and encouraged you in Christ.

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 They helped you grow in Christ. So we are not to put on demand and say, do this, do that and do the other. That's legalism.

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 We are to bring them. We are to bring them up in Christ and to show them what it is to take off and to put on what it is to grow in Christ every day.

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 Now, before we move on, did you notice the specific commands?

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 Now, this, it seems, is part of God's good order and design for his people. It starts back in chapter 5, verse 21, where it says,

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 Submit to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. So God has this order, this design for life, for family.

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 So husbands and wives are to submit to God. Wives are to submit to husbands. Children are to submit to their parents.

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 Submission to God's order for family life.

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 And God, within that order, has called fathers to be the primary teacher of the children, to be responsible for the spiritual input into their little lives.

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 As we saw the other week, fathers and men in general have a habit of abdicating our authority.

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 Well, God has given us children. He has entrusted us with children to teach them about Christ.

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 That is our role and responsibility.

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 We're not to assume that mum's going to do it, or that the church will do it, or somebody in Sunday school's going to do it.

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 Fathers, you, I, we are to do it.

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 And as fathers, we love to see our children learn new skills.

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 We get excited when they take their first step.

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 When they get out a toy drill and hammer and start trying to fix something.

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 Or when they draw something and create something wonderful.

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 In fact, we spend time teaching them these things.

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 That's all good and crucial to their development.

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 But it must never, never take the place of opening up the Bible with your son and daughter,

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 sitting down with them and teaching them about Jesus.

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 It doesn't get any better than that.

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 The question is not, did you teach your son how to kick a football?

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 Or did you teach your daughter how to work the computer?

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 But did you bring your children up in the training and instruction of the Lord?

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 Will you be remembered as parents?

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 Will you be remembered as a father who brought your child up in the way of God?

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 Not, are they Christians?

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 Because that's God's job and we can never make our children Christians.

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 But did you teach them?

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 And did you pray for them?

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 Well, that's the fathers.

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 What about the mothers?

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 What do they do?

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 Well, mothers play a crucial part in this too.

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 In Genesis chapter 2 verse 20, right at the beginning,

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 we are told that God made, and here's the word, a suitable helper for Adam.

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 And that helper we know was Eve, Adam's wife.

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 And when we think helper, we don't mean a go-for, we are to think partnership.

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 Tim Keller in his book The Meaning of Marriage puts it like this.

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 To help someone is to make up what is lacking in them with your strength.

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 To help someone does not imply the helper is stronger or the helped is weaker,

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 simply that the husband's strength is inadequate by itself.

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 Now, I think that helps understand what this role is for a mother to help the father.

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 So, mothers who are here, the father of your children needs your support and help.

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 This is not a task that they can do on their own.

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 Yes, they are to be primarily responsible for all of this,

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 but they are inadequate.

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 They are lacking in strength.

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 So, God has called you, the mum, the wife, not anybody else,

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 to support your husband in their role.

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 So, motherhood is not a second-rate role.

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 Mothers are not second-class citizens,

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 as if leaving their career and becoming a mother is kind of taking a lower position.

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 It isn't.

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 It is a high calling.

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 It is a great calling.

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 It is a wonderful gift from God.

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 It is to be protected, to be valued, and it is to be treasured.

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 So, mums, encourage your husbands as they lead their children to Christ.

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 So, first, we are to lead children to Christ.

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 Second, we are to lead children on mission.

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 Look back to Genesis chapter 1 a minute.

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 Genesis chapter 1 and verse 26.

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 Let's read verse 26.

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 Then God said,

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 Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,

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 and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air,

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 over the livestock, over all the earth,

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 and over all the creatures that move along the ground.

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 So God created man in his own image.

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 In the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.

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 And God blessed them and said to them,

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 Be fruitful and increase in number.

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 Fill the earth and subdue it.

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 Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air,

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 and over every living creature that moves on the ground.

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 Here we have the first command of the Bible,

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 which is given to the first husband and wife.

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 And here it is, to rule over the earth.

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 And the way to rule over the earth is to have children.

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 Look at verse 28.

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 God said to them,

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 Be fruitful and increase in number.

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 Fill the earth and subdue it.

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 Rule over it.

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 In other words,

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 children are an integral part of God's mission.

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 God's mission, his end goal, his plan,

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 where it's all heading towards,

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 is to have people from every nation

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 living under his rule and authority.

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 Ultimately, that is living under Jesus,

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 who is God's promised king.

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 This is what is best for us,

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 for you, for me,

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 and what is best for our world.

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 Now, our job as parents

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 is to lead children on this mission.

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 We are to raise our children

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 to live under the rule of Jesus

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 so that they grow up themselves,

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 they have families,

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 so that they also live under the rule of Jesus.

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 Look at Psalm 78.

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 Psalm 78.

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 Pick it up in verse 3.

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 What we have heard and known,

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 what our fathers have told us.

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 We will not hide them from their children.

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 We will tell the next generation

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 the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,

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 his power,

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 and the wonders he has done.

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 Verse 6.

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 You see,

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 children are to be raised up,

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 to be taught about Christ,

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 who in turn tell their children about Christ

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 and tell those who are yet to be born about Christ.

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 This is all part of God's mission.

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 Christopher Ash in his book

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 Married for God says this,

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 The Creator entrusts to married couples

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 the awesome privilege and responsibility

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 of procreating potential disciples

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 to join his team.

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 We are to work,

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 teach,

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 discipline,

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 and pray that they will grow

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 into disciples

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 who learn to love God

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 and care for his world.

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 Of course, as parents,

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 we all have different plans

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 and dreams for our children,

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 not least a good education

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 and a great career.

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 In fact, parents make great sacrifices.

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 They spend a lot of money

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 to ensure their children

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 are given the best opportunity

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 in life to succeed.

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 But parents,

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 never let career and education

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 be the driving motivation

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 in your child's life.

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 Instead, let the grand mission of God

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 shape, mould, and drive

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 your child's future.

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 Don't limit the vision of your child

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 to a philosophy of,

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 well, son,

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 just work hard,

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 get a job,

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 find a wife,

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 get a mortgage,

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 and settle down.

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 Give them a vision of God's mission.

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 That Jesus Christ

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 has reconciled

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 all things to himself

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 through the cross,

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 and that one day

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 Jesus Christ

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 is going to come again,

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 and he's going to renew

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 and restore this broken

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 and suffering world,

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 and one day

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 every human being

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 is going to bow

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 before his rule.

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 That is the mission.

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 That is the vision.

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 That is what we are to be

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 raising our children up to

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 and being involved in.

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 So whatever your job,

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 or whatever job or career

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 your child should choose,

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 pray that they will do it

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 motivated by God's mission.

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 That they will live and work

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 under God's rule.

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 That they would use their gifts

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 and their resources

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 to see that the mission of God

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 is worked out

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 in their workplaces

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 and within their homes.

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 Pray that your child

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 would even take their career

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 and their work

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 and go amongst a people

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 who do not yet know Christ.

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 Pray that your child

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 would be willing to go

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 and risk their life,

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 even that they would

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 be willing to lay down

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 their life for Christ

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 in a place that is hostile

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 to the mission of God.

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 Will you dare to do that

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 for your children?

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 If God has given you children,

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 he has given you

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 the awesome privilege

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 and responsibility

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 of leading your family

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 on mission.

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 So first,

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 we are to lead

00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:43.519
 our children to Christ.

00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.079
 Second,

00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:45.180
 we are to lead children

00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:45.720
 on mission.

00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.480
 And third,

00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:48.140
 we are to lead children

00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:50.119
 with grace.

00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:52.720
 Yes,

00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:54.440
 children need grace.

00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.440
 parents.

00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:57.980
 But I want to apply this

00:20:57.980 --> 00:21:00.779
 particularly to parents.

00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.000
 Parents,

00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:05.580
 we need lots of grace.

00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:09.139
 I watched a documentary

00:21:09.139 --> 00:21:11.279
 recently about an Olympian.

00:21:12.419 --> 00:21:13.359
 For 12 years,

00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.259
 she was at the top

00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.879
 of her game,

00:21:15.919 --> 00:21:17.039
 finishing in the medals

00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:18.960
 year after year,

00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:21.199
 training six days a week,

00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:22.460
 running,

00:21:22.919 --> 00:21:24.159
 going to the weights gym,

00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.859
 working on the technique.

00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:28.179
 every aspect of her sport

00:21:28.179 --> 00:21:29.399
 was strengthened

00:21:29.399 --> 00:21:31.259
 and paid attention to.

00:21:34.219 --> 00:21:35.599
 Now she's retired

00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:37.619
 and she recently

00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.359
 had a baby.

00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:40.740
 And on reflection,

00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.699
 she said this

00:21:41.699 --> 00:21:42.500
 as she was sitting

00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.539
 on the floor

00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:44.799
 surrounded by toys

00:21:44.799 --> 00:21:45.659
 and a little toddler

00:21:45.659 --> 00:21:46.619
 sitting on her knee.

00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:48.219
 And this is what she said.

00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:50.259
 Being an Olympian

00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.779
 is much easier

00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:53.539
 than being a mum.

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.900
 So all the mums out there,

00:21:58.200 --> 00:22:00.180
 you are an Olympian.

00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:01.799
 You deserve

00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:03.400
 a gold medal.

00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:04.839
 In fact,

00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:05.319
 what I want

00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.880
 all the dads to do

00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:08.259
 is to go home

00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:08.940
 and to build

00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:10.460
 one of these little boxes

00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.140
 with one,

00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:13.100
 two and three on it.

00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:14.019
 A little podium.

00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:16.480
 I want you to put it outside

00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:18.079
 and every evening

00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:19.279
 mums,

00:22:19.379 --> 00:22:20.359
 you're to go outside

00:22:20.359 --> 00:22:21.519
 and you're to stand

00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:23.359
 in number one position.

00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:25.799
 And one by one

00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.460
 your children

00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:27.759
 are going to walk by

00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:29.199
 and hang gold medals

00:22:29.199 --> 00:22:30.359
 around your neck

00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:31.839
 because you are an Olympian

00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:33.220
 and you deserve it.

00:22:36.139 --> 00:22:37.359
 Being a mum,

00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:38.980
 being a parent,

00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.599
 is hard work

00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.240
 physically,

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.460
 emotionally

00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:43.899
 and spiritually.

00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:46.740
 And because it's so hard,

00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:48.039
 we often feel

00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:48.660
 a failure,

00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.200
 don't we?

00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.740
 We feel like

00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.700
 we're coming last

00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.380
 in the race,

00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.839
 crawling over the line

00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:55.200
 rather than finishing first

00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.319
 and doing a lap of honour.

00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:00.279
 Maybe it's because

00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:01.019
 your child

00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:02.059
 is not interested

00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.759
 in Christ

00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:04.799
 or has turned away

00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.460
 from Christ

00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:07.579
 and you feel

00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.140
 a failure.

00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.680
 Perhaps you're struggling

00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:11.599
 with the changing

00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:13.000
 demands of your child

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.819
 and what they want

00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:14.759
 and what they need

00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.420
 and you just feel

00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:17.359
 too weak.

00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.640
 Perhaps you can't

00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.519
 even manage

00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.839
 your own self,

00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:23.359
 never mind the needs

00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.259
 and the demands

00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.000
 of your children

00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:26.819
 and you feel

00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.400
 inadequate.

00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:29.880
 That's why

00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:31.039
 we need to rest

00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:32.539
 in the abundant,

00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:34.099
 overflowing

00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:34.779
 grace

00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:35.920
 of God.

00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:38.480
 Now there's no

00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.800
 particular passages

00:23:39.800 --> 00:23:40.980
 or verses

00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:42.160
 that are speaking

00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:44.019
 directly to parents

00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.920
 in this

00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.460
 but I think

00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.779
 there are principles

00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:48.539
 that we can draw

00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.519
 out from Scripture

00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:51.259
 for parents

00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.380
 in regards

00:23:52.380 --> 00:23:52.880
 to

00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:54.140
 the need

00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:55.440
 for God's grace

00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.519
 in parenting.

00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.800
 So three things.

00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.279
 First,

00:24:00.060 --> 00:24:00.700
 grace

00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:02.360
 for our failures.

00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:06.139
 Romans chapter 5.

00:24:06.399 --> 00:24:06.899
 Grace

00:24:06.899 --> 00:24:07.659
 for our failures.

00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:09.279
 Go to Romans chapter 5.

00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:17.799
 As parents

00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:20.039
 we often fail.

00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.459
 We say

00:24:21.459 --> 00:24:22.439
 the wrong things

00:24:22.439 --> 00:24:23.759
 and we do

00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.819
 the wrong things.

00:24:25.439 --> 00:24:25.959
 And hardly

00:24:25.959 --> 00:24:27.299
 a day goes past

00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:27.879
 and we get

00:24:27.879 --> 00:24:28.539
 to the end

00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.419
 and we think

00:24:29.419 --> 00:24:30.559
 I wish

00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.679
 we could start

00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.460
 the day

00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:33.160
 again.

00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:34.600
 I wish

00:24:34.600 --> 00:24:35.320
 I hadn't said

00:24:35.320 --> 00:24:35.940
 I wish

00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:36.519
 I hadn't

00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:36.940
 done it

00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:37.420
 that way.

00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:39.360
 You see

00:24:39.360 --> 00:24:40.420
 it's hard work

00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:40.960
 isn't it?

00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:41.820
 There are no

00:24:41.820 --> 00:24:42.940
 practice runs

00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:44.320
 and as a result

00:24:44.320 --> 00:24:45.220
 we mess up

00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:46.019
 big time.

00:24:47.080 --> 00:24:47.940
 But the good

00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.580
 news is

00:24:48.580 --> 00:24:49.200
 no matter

00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.000
 how great

00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:51.080
 our failures

00:24:51.080 --> 00:24:53.180
 God's grace

00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:54.560
 is greater.

00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:55.779
 Look at

00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.920
 Romans 5

00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:57.779
 verse 17.

00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:58.720
 Here it's

00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.279
 talking about

00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.519
 the consequences

00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.200
 the knock

00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:01.759
 on effects

00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.740
 of our sin.

00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.180
 It says

00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:05.839
 verse 17

00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.440
 for if

00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:06.900
 by the

00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:07.559
 trespass

00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:07.879
 of the

00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.440
 one man

00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:08.920
 death

00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:09.299
 reign

00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:09.559
 through

00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:09.819
 that

00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.099
 one

00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:10.440
 man

00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:11.539
 how much

00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.000
 more

00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.019
 will those

00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:13.900
 who receive

00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:14.480
 God's

00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.079
 abundant

00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.639
 provision

00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:16.379
 of grace

00:25:16.379 --> 00:25:17.500
 and of the

00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.019
 gift of

00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.519
 righteousness

00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.619
 reign in life

00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:20.119
 through that

00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:20.839
 one man

00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:22.200
 Jesus Christ.

00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:23.819
 In other words

00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.220
 he's saying

00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.440
 look

00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.139
 if your

00:25:25.139 --> 00:25:25.920
 failures

00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:27.300
 are great.

00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:30.279
 How much

00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:30.759
 more

00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.660
 greater

00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:33.279
 is God's

00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:33.720
 grace

00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:34.660
 to you?

00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.660
 If our

00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.539
 failures

00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:38.440
 make a

00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:38.840
 mess

00:25:38.840 --> 00:25:41.519
 how much

00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.340
 more

00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:43.880
 does God's

00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:44.360
 grace

00:25:44.360 --> 00:25:45.440
 redeem

00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:46.720
 and restore

00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.960
 that mess

00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:48.740
 and all

00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.640
 that failure

00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:51.500
 and turn

00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.180
 it into

00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:52.980
 something

00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:54.059
 beautiful.

00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:57.559
 The chapter

00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.220
 5 verse

00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:58.720
 20

00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.700
 the second

00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.039
 part

00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:00.559
 but where

00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.039
 sin

00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:01.940
 increased

00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:02.880
 grace

00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:03.920
 increased

00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:04.720
 all

00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.579
 the more.

00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:08.500
 We can

00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:08.940
 put our

00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.559
 hands up

00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.220
 and admit

00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.960
 that we

00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:11.460
 fail.

00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:11.940
 There's

00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:12.799
 nothing wrong

00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.460
 with saying

00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.079
 that we

00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.579
 fail

00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:16.099
 because it's

00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:16.680
 only as we

00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:17.339
 admit

00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:18.440
 our failures

00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:20.480
 that we

00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.400
 can receive

00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:22.140
 the abundant

00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:22.759
 grace

00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:23.559
 of God

00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:25.599
 to redeem

00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.559
 and restore

00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.579
 our mess

00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.920
 and turn

00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.339
 it into

00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:29.700
 something

00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.259
 beautiful.

00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.519
 As parents

00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.480
 we're not

00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:33.960
 to keep

00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.440
 a record

00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:34.879
 of the

00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:35.359
 past.

00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:36.799
 We're not

00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.319
 to wake

00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:37.740
 up each

00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.240
 day and

00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:38.700
 think I

00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:39.220
 wish I

00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:39.759
 could start

00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.299
 again or

00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:40.839
 I wish I

00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:41.220
 should have

00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:41.680
 done this

00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:41.960
 or I

00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.259
 could have

00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.819
 done that.

00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:44.640
 God's

00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:45.039
 grace

00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:46.299
 covers the

00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:46.920
 past.

00:26:49.339 --> 00:26:50.160
 He gives

00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.640
 us grace

00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:51.319
 for today

00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.720
 and his

00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.179
 grace

00:26:53.179 --> 00:26:54.799
 is going

00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:55.159
 to take

00:26:55.159 --> 00:26:55.839
 care of

00:26:55.839 --> 00:26:56.419
 the future.

00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.679
 So first

00:26:58.679 --> 00:26:59.299
 grace for

00:26:59.299 --> 00:26:59.960
 our failures.

00:27:00.379 --> 00:27:00.839
 Second

00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:02.399
 grace in

00:27:02.399 --> 00:27:03.119
 our weaknesses.

00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.039
 Look at

00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.079
 2 Corinthians

00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:08.599
 chapter 12.

00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.319
 2 Corinthians

00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:10.439
 chapter 12.

00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:14.640
 As parents

00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:15.500
 we often

00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.320
 feel very

00:27:16.320 --> 00:27:16.680
 weak.

00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.019
 The demands

00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.600
 and pressures

00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:19.259
 of babies

00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.140
 and teenagers

00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:21.420
 is draining.

00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.220
 Parents,

00:27:24.360 --> 00:27:25.059
 listen to this.

00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:25.740
 You are

00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.480
 full-time

00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.240
 carers

00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:27.900
 and

00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.880
 counsellors.

00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:29.880
 You're

00:27:29.880 --> 00:27:30.559
 relationship

00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:31.279
 advisors

00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:32.220
 and law

00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.019
 enforcers.

00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:33.920
 You're

00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:34.539
 a taxi

00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.079
 driver,

00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:35.879
 a lending

00:27:35.879 --> 00:27:36.599
 agency,

00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:37.180
 you're

00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:38.039
 peacemakers

00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.579
 and a

00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:39.000
 party

00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.779
 organiser.

00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:40.319
 You're

00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:40.960
 a personal

00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:41.619
 assistant,

00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.579
 a guidance

00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.200
 counsellor,

00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:43.819
 you're a

00:27:43.819 --> 00:27:44.160
 doctor,

00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:44.819
 you're a

00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:45.019
 nurse,

00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:45.480
 the list

00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.200
 goes on

00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:46.559
 and on.

00:27:46.660 --> 00:27:46.839
 You're

00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.680
 qualified for

00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:48.200
 all of

00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.420
 these

00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.139
 tasks.

00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.099
 And you

00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:50.680
 love to

00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.039
 do it.

00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:51.500
 You love

00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.059
 to play

00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.660
 that role.

00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:53.339
 Why?

00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.019
 Because

00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.920
 these are

00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.139
 your

00:27:55.139 --> 00:27:55.879
 children.

00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:56.960
 You love

00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.139
 them.

00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:57.539
 You want

00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.059
 to give

00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:58.559
 to them.

00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:58.619
 them.

00:27:59.859 --> 00:28:00.579
 But as

00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.299
 parents,

00:28:01.819 --> 00:28:02.399
 there are

00:28:02.399 --> 00:28:02.899
 times we

00:28:02.899 --> 00:28:03.379
 just feel

00:28:03.379 --> 00:28:04.079
 inadequate

00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:05.799
 and unable.

00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.700
 The task

00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.240
 is just

00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.240
 too big

00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:10.419
 and we're

00:28:10.419 --> 00:28:11.460
 too weak

00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.179
 and it

00:28:12.179 --> 00:28:13.259
 all becomes

00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:14.259
 overwhelming

00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.419
 and we

00:28:15.419 --> 00:28:15.859
 just sit

00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:16.259
 down

00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:17.279
 and cry.

00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.700
 But

00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.319
 parenting

00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.819
 is not

00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.659
 something to

00:28:23.659 --> 00:28:24.379
 do in our

00:28:24.379 --> 00:28:24.980
 own strength.

00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:25.740
 Yes,

00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:26.819
 if God

00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.419
 has blessed

00:28:27.419 --> 00:28:28.119
 the family

00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:28.659
 home in

00:28:28.659 --> 00:28:29.039
 such a

00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.359
 way that

00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:29.739
 there's a

00:28:29.739 --> 00:28:30.139
 mother and

00:28:30.139 --> 00:28:30.619
 a father,

00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:31.339
 there is

00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:32.219
 that support.

00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.479
 But we

00:28:34.479 --> 00:28:35.019
 don't rely

00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.679
 upon each

00:28:35.679 --> 00:28:35.939
 other.

00:28:36.959 --> 00:28:38.619
 We rely

00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.319
 upon the

00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:39.779
 grace of

00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:39.959
 God.

00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:40.279
 Look at

00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:40.779
 2 Corinthians

00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.299
 12,

00:28:41.439 --> 00:28:42.539
 verse 9.

00:28:42.639 --> 00:28:42.979
 This is

00:28:42.979 --> 00:28:43.699
 talking here

00:28:43.699 --> 00:28:44.599
 about Paul's

00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.459
 pressures,

00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:46.299
 the demands

00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:47.119
 upon him,

00:28:47.959 --> 00:28:49.079
 his sense

00:28:49.079 --> 00:28:49.579
 of feeling

00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.179
 weak,

00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:51.859
 and God's

00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:52.839
 grace to

00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.259
 strengthen

00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:53.619
 him.

00:28:56.979 --> 00:28:57.899
 Verse 9,

00:28:58.119 --> 00:28:59.139
 God said

00:28:59.139 --> 00:28:59.559
 to me,

00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:00.539
 my grace

00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.739
 is sufficient

00:29:01.739 --> 00:29:02.419
 for you.

00:29:03.159 --> 00:29:04.319
 My power

00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:05.159
 is made

00:29:05.159 --> 00:29:05.879
 perfect

00:29:05.879 --> 00:29:07.179
 in weakness.

00:29:07.899 --> 00:29:08.339
 Therefore,

00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:09.219
 I will boast

00:29:09.219 --> 00:29:09.759
 all the more

00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.559
 gladly about

00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.219
 my weaknesses,

00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.219
 so that

00:29:12.219 --> 00:29:13.119
 Christ's power

00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:13.899
 may rest

00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:14.500
 on me.

00:29:15.159 --> 00:29:15.819
 That is

00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.179
 why,

00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:17.239
 for Christ's

00:29:17.239 --> 00:29:17.479
 sake,

00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:18.239
 I delight

00:29:18.239 --> 00:29:19.039
 in weaknesses,

00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.639
 in insults,

00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.639
 in hardships,

00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:23.179
 in persecutions,

00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:23.979
 in difficulties,

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:25.000
 for when

00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:25.880
 I am weak,

00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:27.660
 then I am

00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:28.200
 strong.

00:29:30.420 --> 00:29:31.579
 Did you catch

00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:31.880
 it?

00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.759
 My grace

00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:35.799
 is sufficient

00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:37.680
 for you.

00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:39.880
 Rather than

00:29:39.880 --> 00:29:40.839
 battle on

00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.599
 on our

00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:41.900
 own,

00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:45.180
 we are to

00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:46.500
 throw ourselves

00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.980
 in our

00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.900
 dependence

00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:49.880
 on God,

00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:50.339
 in our

00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:50.980
 complete

00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.759
 weakness,

00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:53.279
 throw ourselves

00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:54.420
 on God's

00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:54.839
 grace,

00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:56.299
 who strengthens

00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:56.700
 us,

00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:58.059
 and equips

00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:58.500
 us,

00:29:58.960 --> 00:29:59.460
 and will

00:29:59.460 --> 00:30:00.440
 enable us

00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:00.819
 for the

00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:01.779
 task of

00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.200
 parenting.

00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:04.299
 My grace

00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.759
 is sufficient

00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:07.400
 for you.

00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:09.200
 My power

00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:10.119
 is made

00:30:10.119 --> 00:30:10.859
 perfect

00:30:10.859 --> 00:30:12.059
 in your

00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:13.099
 weakness.

00:30:13.099 --> 00:30:17.939
 So,

00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:18.480
 grace for

00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:18.679
 our

00:30:18.679 --> 00:30:19.179
 failures,

00:30:19.899 --> 00:30:20.259
 grace

00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.119
 in our

00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:21.480
 weakness.

00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:23.500
 And then

00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:23.959
 the last

00:30:23.959 --> 00:30:24.699
 one is

00:30:24.699 --> 00:30:25.439
 grace

00:30:25.439 --> 00:30:26.539
 to our

00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:26.959
 children.

00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:28.399
 You see,

00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:28.939
 when we

00:30:28.939 --> 00:30:30.299
 draw on

00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.779
 God's

00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.219
 grace

00:30:31.219 --> 00:30:32.219
 in our

00:30:32.219 --> 00:30:32.699
 failures

00:30:32.699 --> 00:30:33.359
 and in

00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:33.559
 our

00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.039
 weaknesses,

00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:36.159
 we are

00:30:36.159 --> 00:30:36.559
 in a

00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:37.399
 position to

00:30:37.399 --> 00:30:38.099
 give

00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:39.079
 God's

00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:39.559
 grace to

00:30:39.559 --> 00:30:39.759
 our

00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:40.179
 children.

00:30:40.459 --> 00:30:40.759
 It's

00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.219
 only when

00:30:41.219 --> 00:30:41.559
 we are

00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:42.399
 filled with

00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:42.840
 God's

00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:43.120
 grace,

00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:43.880
 that we

00:30:43.880 --> 00:30:44.400
 in turn

00:30:44.400 --> 00:30:45.120
 are able

00:30:45.120 --> 00:30:46.420
 to give

00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:47.220
 God's

00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:47.640
 grace.

00:30:49.620 --> 00:30:50.420
 Look at

00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:51.000
 2 Corinthians

00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:51.500
 9,

00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:52.160
 back a

00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:52.540
 couple of

00:30:52.540 --> 00:30:52.820
 pages,

00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:53.480
 2 Corinthians

00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.019
 9,

00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:54.640
 verse 8.

00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.100
 The context

00:30:56.100 --> 00:30:56.600
 here is

00:30:56.600 --> 00:30:56.920
 about

00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:58.200
 financial

00:30:58.200 --> 00:30:58.980
 giving.

00:30:59.900 --> 00:31:00.460
 As God

00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.540
 has given

00:31:01.540 --> 00:31:02.940
 us so

00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.420
 much and

00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:04.000
 blessed us

00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.600
 so much

00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:05.519
 by his

00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:05.980
 grace,

00:31:06.300 --> 00:31:06.960
 so we

00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:07.480
 are people

00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:07.880
 who are

00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.680
 to overflow

00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:10.200
 of giving

00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:11.420
 to those

00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:12.300
 around us.

00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:13.259
 But listen

00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:13.640
 to this,

00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:15.320
 chapter 2

00:31:15.320 --> 00:31:16.259
 Corinthians 9,

00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.300
 verse 8.

00:31:18.920 --> 00:31:20.200
 And God

00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:21.019
 is able

00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:21.640
 to make

00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.920
 all grace

00:31:22.920 --> 00:31:23.820
 abound to

00:31:23.820 --> 00:31:24.240
 you,

00:31:24.800 --> 00:31:25.620
 so that

00:31:25.620 --> 00:31:26.620
 in all

00:31:26.620 --> 00:31:27.340
 things,

00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:29.640
 at all

00:31:29.640 --> 00:31:30.440
 times,

00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:32.220
 having all

00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:32.700
 that you

00:31:32.700 --> 00:31:33.160
 need,

00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:34.180
 you will

00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.840
 abound

00:31:34.840 --> 00:31:36.120
 in every

00:31:36.120 --> 00:31:36.720
 good

00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:37.660
 work.

00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:41.820
 do you

00:31:41.820 --> 00:31:42.380
 see the

00:31:42.380 --> 00:31:42.980
 promise

00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.660
 here from

00:31:43.660 --> 00:31:44.100
 God?

00:31:44.840 --> 00:31:45.720
 That we

00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:46.640
 will have

00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:48.160
 all the

00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.720
 grace that

00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.480
 we need

00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.940
 to parent

00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.980
 our children.

00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.259
 Every

00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:54.340
 circumstance,

00:31:54.820 --> 00:31:56.019
 every day,

00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:57.540
 every incident,

00:31:57.840 --> 00:31:58.660
 every demand,

00:31:58.920 --> 00:31:59.779
 every pressure,

00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:01.400
 whatever stage

00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:02.320
 of life our

00:32:02.320 --> 00:32:03.380
 children are

00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:03.620
 at,

00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:04.279
 whatever,

00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:06.339
 anything that

00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:07.200
 happens in

00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:07.779
 their life.

00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:10.119
 God is

00:32:10.119 --> 00:32:10.680
 able to

00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.440
 make all

00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:11.839
 grace

00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:12.460
 abound to

00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:12.700
 you,

00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:14.019
 in all

00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:14.460
 things,

00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.220
 at all

00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:15.700
 times,

00:32:15.799 --> 00:32:17.079
 having all

00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:18.000
 that you

00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.420
 need.

00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:20.579
 God

00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:21.319
 pours his

00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:21.779
 grace

00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:23.299
 into

00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:24.980
 our lives,

00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:26.359
 so that

00:32:26.359 --> 00:32:26.839
 we, in

00:32:26.839 --> 00:32:27.399
 turn, can

00:32:27.399 --> 00:32:28.119
 fill our

00:32:28.119 --> 00:32:29.160
 children's

00:32:29.160 --> 00:32:30.680
 lives with

00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:31.279
 the grace

00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:32.319
 of Jesus

00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:32.899
 Christ.

00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:37.599
 We need

00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:37.940
 to

00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:39.139
 swim,

00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:40.660
 we need

00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:41.279
 to jump

00:32:41.279 --> 00:32:41.839
 in,

00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:44.859
 into the

00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:45.960
 overwhelming

00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.759
 abundance

00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.740
 of God's

00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:48.139
 grace.

00:32:50.319 --> 00:32:51.039
 Every

00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:51.359
 day,

00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:52.759
 in our

00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.240
 failures,

00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:54.539
 and in

00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:54.720
 our

00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.200
 weaknesses,

00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:57.299
 to draw

00:32:57.299 --> 00:32:57.980
 upon it,

00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:59.279
 to drink

00:32:59.279 --> 00:32:59.759
 it in,

00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.500
 so that

00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:00.879
 we can

00:33:00.879 --> 00:33:01.440
 give

00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:03.019
 his grace

00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:04.160
 to our

00:33:04.160 --> 00:33:04.559
 children.

00:33:05.960 --> 00:33:06.200
 The

00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:07.299
 grace to

00:33:07.299 --> 00:33:07.940
 lead them

00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:09.220
 to Christ,

00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:10.720
 and the

00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:11.799
 grace to

00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:12.359
 lead them

00:33:12.359 --> 00:33:13.480
 on mission.

00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:16.079
 Let's

00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:16.339
 pray.

00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:20.559
 Our

00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:21.240
 Father God,

00:33:21.359 --> 00:33:21.599
 we

00:33:21.599 --> 00:33:22.960
 recognise

00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:25.799
 that the

00:33:25.799 --> 00:33:26.240
 gift of

00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.799
 children

00:33:26.799 --> 00:33:28.220
 is an

00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:28.900
 amazing

00:33:28.900 --> 00:33:29.600
 privilege.

00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.279
 It's a

00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:31.720
 wonderful

00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.259
 joy,

00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:34.519
 but we

00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:34.880
 also

00:33:34.880 --> 00:33:35.440
 recognise

00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:36.019
 that there

00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:36.299
 is a

00:33:36.299 --> 00:33:36.700
 great

00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:37.519
 responsibility.

00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:39.140
 The

00:33:39.140 --> 00:33:39.740
 task

00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.519
 is

00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.220
 huge.

00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:43.660
 We

00:33:43.660 --> 00:33:44.200
 feel

00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:44.620
 weak,

00:33:45.120 --> 00:33:45.539
 we

00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:46.160
 feel

00:33:46.160 --> 00:33:46.759
 inadequate,

00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:48.120
 we

00:33:48.120 --> 00:33:48.660
 so

00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:49.220
 often

00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:49.740
 fail,

00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:51.559
 but yet

00:33:51.559 --> 00:33:51.740
 we

00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:52.180
 come

00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:52.559
 again

00:33:52.559 --> 00:33:53.799
 to

00:33:53.799 --> 00:33:54.319
 receive

00:33:54.319 --> 00:33:54.880
 afresh

00:33:54.880 --> 00:33:55.400
 your

00:33:55.400 --> 00:33:56.200
 amazing

00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:56.660
 grace.

00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.319
 And I

00:33:58.319 --> 00:33:59.039
 pray for

00:33:59.039 --> 00:33:59.599
 each

00:33:59.599 --> 00:34:00.680
 parent

00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.640
 here,

00:34:02.180 --> 00:34:03.920
 that you

00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:04.519
 would fill

00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:04.920
 them with

00:34:04.920 --> 00:34:05.579
 your grace,

00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:08.300
 that you

00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:09.019
 would remind

00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:09.940
 them that

00:34:09.940 --> 00:34:10.860
 their past

00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:12.079
 is forgiven,

00:34:12.659 --> 00:34:13.199
 and that

00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:13.639
 you will

00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:14.199
 take care

00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:14.519
 of the

00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:14.900
 future,

00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:16.079
 that you

00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:16.739
 will equip

00:34:16.739 --> 00:34:17.719
 every home

00:34:17.719 --> 00:34:18.459
 with all

00:34:18.459 --> 00:34:18.899
 that they

00:34:18.899 --> 00:34:20.199
 need to

00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:20.899
 raise their

00:34:20.899 --> 00:34:22.519
 children to

00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:23.159
 follow you.

00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:26.359
 And we

00:34:26.359 --> 00:34:26.959
 pray for

00:34:26.959 --> 00:34:27.959
 every child

00:34:27.959 --> 00:34:28.699
 represented

00:34:28.699 --> 00:34:29.179
 here, for

00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:29.959
 children who

00:34:29.959 --> 00:34:30.579
 are yet to

00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:31.119
 be born

00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:31.679
 within the

00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:32.719
 family of

00:34:32.719 --> 00:34:33.539
 this church,

00:34:34.539 --> 00:34:37.859
 that they

00:34:37.859 --> 00:34:38.559
 will learn

00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:39.319
 about

00:34:39.319 --> 00:34:40.019
 Christ.

00:34:41.379 --> 00:34:42.199
 And we

00:34:42.199 --> 00:34:42.939
 ask you,

00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:43.819
 Father, in

00:34:43.819 --> 00:34:44.419
 your mercy

00:34:44.419 --> 00:34:44.919
 and in

00:34:44.919 --> 00:34:45.539
 your grace,

00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.960
 that they

00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:47.659
 will follow

00:34:47.659 --> 00:34:48.739
 you, and

00:34:48.739 --> 00:34:49.079
 that they

00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:49.800
 will love

00:34:49.800 --> 00:34:50.099
 you.

00:34:51.360 --> 00:34:52.099
 And we

00:34:52.099 --> 00:34:52.800
 pray that

00:34:52.800 --> 00:34:53.619
 every child

00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:54.360
 will grow

00:34:54.360 --> 00:34:56.619
 up, and

00:34:56.619 --> 00:34:57.239
 in God's

00:34:57.239 --> 00:34:57.840
 goodness that

00:34:57.840 --> 00:34:58.559
 they too

00:34:58.559 --> 00:34:59.400
 would have

00:34:59.400 --> 00:35:02.179
 families that

00:35:02.179 --> 00:35:03.800
 will walk in

00:35:03.800 --> 00:35:04.279
 the mission

00:35:04.279 --> 00:35:04.840
 of God.

00:35:05.759 --> 00:35:06.659
 We pray

00:35:06.659 --> 00:35:07.500
 that children

00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:08.539
 here will

00:35:08.539 --> 00:35:09.400
 be those

00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:10.360
 who go with

00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:11.159
 their careers

00:35:11.159 --> 00:35:11.659
 and their

00:35:11.659 --> 00:35:13.079
 work to

00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:14.400
 places and

00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:14.940
 to people

00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:15.380
 who do

00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:15.860
 not yet

00:35:15.860 --> 00:35:16.119
 know

00:35:16.119 --> 00:35:16.719
 Christ,

00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:20.719
 whether

00:35:20.719 --> 00:35:21.119
 that's

00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:22.299
 locally or

00:35:22.299 --> 00:35:22.860
 whether that's

00:35:22.860 --> 00:35:23.519
 far away.

00:35:25.279 --> 00:35:25.920
 But we

00:35:25.920 --> 00:35:26.559
 pray that

00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:26.880
 you would

00:35:26.880 --> 00:35:28.400
 use us

00:35:28.400 --> 00:35:29.219
 as families,

00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:31.319
 and we

00:35:31.319 --> 00:35:31.960
 pray your

00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:33.420
 blessing upon

00:35:33.420 --> 00:35:34.199
 parents.

00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:39.019
 we thank

00:35:39.019 --> 00:35:40.339
 you for

00:35:40.339 --> 00:35:41.059
 your grace.

00:35:42.599 --> 00:35:43.159
 In

00:35:43.159 --> 00:35:43.819
 Jesus' name

00:35:43.819 --> 00:35:44.219
 we all

00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:44.500
 pray.

00:35:45.399 --> 00:35:45.839
 Amen.