WEBVTT 00:00:04.200 --> 00:00:04.879 You blessed today? 00:00:05.759 --> 00:00:07.559 Can we just thank God for all that he's doing? 00:00:08.080 --> 00:00:08.560 Isn't amazing. 00:00:11.470 --> 00:00:15.880 It's just wonderful to be part of a New Testament church. 00:00:16.030 --> 00:00:16.320 Amen. 00:00:17.480 --> 00:00:23.920 Uh, moving in these baptisms and the, uh, all that the kids are involved in and all those things. 00:00:24.350 --> 00:00:28.079 It's just, uh, just wonderful and it's all cause of the glory of God. 00:00:29.530 --> 00:00:30.050 Name is John. 00:00:30.929 --> 00:00:33.250 I am one of the pastors here, Trinity. 00:00:38.350 --> 00:00:43.450 And it's, it's really a true blessing to be, uh, part of a team. 00:00:44.408 --> 00:00:53.570 Uh, you know, we have the privilege of being with the kids and we have so many fabulous workers that come alongside of us and do so many things. 00:00:54.030 --> 00:01:06.689 And the wonderful thing is that so many of them have grown up through our, through the ministry here, you know, and how many trips to Buffalo with Rob and Chris, and the camps that have been done and all these things. 00:01:06.691 --> 00:01:20.329 And now to walk through the halls and see our youth leaders who were once teens and the youth group, you know, and, um, our nursery workers and all these people that have grown up that are Christianity's generational. 00:01:20.730 --> 00:01:20.730 Yep. 00:01:20.909 --> 00:01:21.409 You know that. 00:01:21.689 --> 00:01:28.930 And that's, if you haven't guessed by now, throughout the service, we're about partnering together, you know, to see all that. 00:01:29.469 --> 00:01:46.370 And, um, you know, watching Hannah and Joel and, um, all the other and going through the office staff and it's just such a blessing, you know, in fact, Derek was once my youth pastor, so it was But, um,. 00:01:48.150 --> 00:01:49.730 But it is just such a blessing. 00:01:49.909 --> 00:01:55.409 And like I said, if you have not guessed by now, we're about partnering with one another. 00:01:55.930 --> 00:01:57.650 I think Tyler put it so well this morning. 00:01:58.370 --> 00:02:01.650 Uh, yeah, this is Family Sunday, but you know, y'all have a seat at the table. 00:02:01.950 --> 00:02:02.170 Yes. 00:02:02.650 --> 00:02:09.770 Because we're all family here and yeah, we're focusing a lot on family today and parents and kids, but we all have a part. 00:02:10.169 --> 00:02:10.169 Yes. 00:02:10.310 --> 00:02:13.490 And we all have, you know, a responsibility to one another. 00:02:13.870 --> 00:02:19.810 And here at Trinity, we just don't, you know, want to see you on Sunday and ask you how your week was and see you next week. 00:02:20.229 --> 00:02:23.610 But, you know, the New Testament church was involved in each other's lives. 00:02:24.050 --> 00:02:24.129 That's right. 00:02:24.150 --> 00:02:25.289 And they walked with each other. 00:02:25.639 --> 00:02:26.889 They cared about each other. 00:02:27.729 --> 00:02:29.169 Um, you know, they supported one another. 00:02:29.349 --> 00:02:30.490 And that's what we're about. 00:02:30.550 --> 00:02:32.370 And that's what our children's ministry is about. 00:02:32.469 --> 00:02:33.330 Our youth ministry. 00:02:33.330 --> 00:02:38.569 Every, every ministry that we have here, um, we were not called to parent your children. 00:02:38.710 --> 00:02:39.250 That's right. 00:02:39.719 --> 00:02:40.009 Okay. 00:02:40.110 --> 00:02:41.050 We are not the parents. 00:02:41.189 --> 00:02:42.129 That's not our job. 00:02:42.830 --> 00:02:43.610 You are the parents. 00:02:44.069 --> 00:02:45.370 I'm the parent of my family. 00:02:46.169 --> 00:02:47.650 Um, that's ordained by God. 00:02:48.110 --> 00:02:48.330 Yes. 00:02:48.949 --> 00:02:51.409 So, but we are here to walk with you. 00:02:52.120 --> 00:02:57.050 Hold your hand, be a listening ear, sometimes to give you that support. 00:02:57.099 --> 00:02:59.919 Maybe it involves babysitting on Friday night. 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:00.520 That's right. 00:03:00.620 --> 00:03:08.840 You know, whatever it takes to join with you and to reinforce biblical truths that we pray that you're instilling in your kids and in their lives. 00:03:08.860 --> 00:03:10.159 So we're just so thankful for that. 00:03:10.599 --> 00:03:14.520 I know it's already been a packed service and a lot of things going on. 00:03:15.240 --> 00:03:16.960 Um, and we won't, we have time. 00:03:17.490 --> 00:03:20.520 Tyler said we have time, but we won't spend a lot of time. 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:24.039 We knew it would be a, a time where we would need a shorter service. 00:03:24.319 --> 00:03:27.759 So the elders thought that I was best fit to do the shorter service. 00:03:28.740 --> 00:03:31.560 So I really don't know what they meant by that. 00:03:31.879 --> 00:03:36.719 But Neil was here. 00:03:36.721 --> 00:03:38.960 He would say, stay in your lane, stay in. 00:03:40.300 --> 00:03:41.840 But we are gonna open the word of God. 00:03:41.841 --> 00:03:50.000 We're gonna look at some familiar scripture and just, uh, this is meant to be an encouragement to all of us, and especially to parents. 00:03:50.800 --> 00:03:54.000 Uh, the word of God is there for our instruction and our encouragement. 00:03:54.680 --> 00:03:56.759 Um, and sometimes it's there for change. 00:03:57.060 --> 00:03:57.280 Yes. 00:03:57.500 --> 00:03:59.680 So, uh, let's just open up the word. 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:01.800 Uh, let's start with a familiar pass. 00:04:01.900 --> 00:04:10.030 All this will be familiar to us, but, um, starting in Ephesians chapter six, verses one through four. 00:04:14.939 --> 00:04:15.099 All right. 00:04:15.669 --> 00:04:17.459 Honor your father and mother. 00:04:17.970 --> 00:04:19.540 This is the first commandment with the pro. 00:04:19.620 --> 00:04:22.860 I actually thought I would've gotten some amens from that, but come on. 00:04:23.209 --> 00:04:23.500 Yeah. 00:04:23.610 --> 00:04:23.899 Amen. 00:04:24.170 --> 00:04:28.778 Parents, that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. 00:04:29.689 --> 00:04:36.420 Fathers do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 00:04:37.980 --> 00:04:38.060 All right. 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:44.060 So here we have Paul giving us instructions, not just for parents, right, but for children. 00:04:44.939 --> 00:04:45.500 Children too. 00:04:45.910 --> 00:04:47.620 Honor your fathers and your mothers. 00:04:47.730 --> 00:04:48.259 Obey them. 00:04:48.838 --> 00:04:50.100 Do what's right in the Lord. 00:04:50.269 --> 00:04:50.620 Right? 00:04:50.860 --> 00:04:53.180 This is the what God has commanded us. 00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:57.379 And as parents, as fathers, mothers, we are to instruct our children. 00:04:57.588 --> 00:04:57.939 Right? 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:00.180 And that's a, that's a big word today, instruction. 00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:03.778 And we are not to provoke them. 00:05:04.110 --> 00:05:07.100 Antagonize um, frustrate them. 00:05:07.778 --> 00:05:08.300 Aggravate them. 00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:15.500 Um, and it's kind of funny, you know, for a long time I thought aggravation was my spiritual gift,. 00:05:16.540 --> 00:05:22.139 Um, and my wife can attest to that cuz I'm just so good at it, aggravating people,. 00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:25.778 But Mark informed me that it's actually not a spiritual gift. 00:05:25.779 --> 00:05:28.980 That it's really the opposite of spiritual gifts. 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:32.420 So, you know, pray for me in that, in that way. 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:34.778 But, um, we are given that charge. 00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:38.060 And the word of God is, is for all time. 00:05:38.209 --> 00:05:39.980 There's no expiration date on it. 00:05:40.269 --> 00:05:48.379 There is no age limit on this honor your father and your mother till you're 18 because then you're an adult and you don't have to do anymore. 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:50.740 did not see that. 00:05:50.870 --> 00:05:51.220 Right? 00:05:51.959 --> 00:05:56.819 And as parents, we are to instruct our children just until they get outta high school. 00:05:57.600 --> 00:05:57.600 Nope. 00:05:57.699 --> 00:05:58.720 That's not there either. 00:05:58.730 --> 00:05:59.079 Right? 00:05:59.081 --> 00:06:00.399 We are to do it for all time. 00:06:01.319 --> 00:06:06.319 Um, the word of God is not affected by our society or what people think. 00:06:06.620 --> 00:06:15.560 You know, I'm remembering, uh, one of my children growing up, came to me one day. 00:06:15.670 --> 00:06:23.720 They're about at an age where they're starting to think about driving, starting to think about cars, all that good stuff. 00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:25.879 For me that age was three. 00:06:25.880 --> 00:06:28.480 But, um, they were a bit older than that. 00:06:29.300 --> 00:06:31.240 And they came and they said, Hey dad. 00:06:31.970 --> 00:06:32.319 Right? 00:06:32.480 --> 00:06:41.838 You always know something's up right when they come to you, you know, I was wondering, how much money did your dad give you for your first car,? 00:06:44.740 --> 00:06:50.040 And I said, well, he didn't give me any money for my first car. 00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:54.079 I could sense there was a little hesitation there, a little pause. 00:06:54.180 --> 00:07:00.160 And they said, well, you know, dad, things are a lot different these days,. 00:07:01.980 --> 00:07:06.800 And I turned to them and I said, well, you know, they're really not, okay? 00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:07.959 They're exactly the same. 00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:12.439 But we think that times change things, but the truth is it doesn't. 00:07:12.440 --> 00:07:12.680 Right? 00:07:12.699 --> 00:07:17.279 The word of God is the same yesterday, it was the same today, and it's the same forever. 00:07:17.410 --> 00:07:17.759 Right? 00:07:18.180 --> 00:07:22.199 So the instructions God has given us do not have an expiration date. 00:07:22.939 --> 00:07:27.839 And as parents, as children, we're given that role and we must obey it. 00:07:28.069 --> 00:07:29.040 It's not an option. 00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:45.959 So, and seeing that we can also go into Deuteronomy chapter six, verses four through nine, Hero Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:47.079 Okay? 00:07:47.420 --> 00:07:52.759 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. 00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:57.639 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 00:07:58.540 --> 00:08:04.120 You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house. 00:08:04.660 --> 00:08:05.959 And when you walk by the way. 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:07.920 And when you lie down. 00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:12.680 And when you rise, you shall bind them as a sign on your hand. 00:08:13.060 --> 00:08:16.579 And they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 00:08:17.399 --> 00:08:21.300 You shall write them on the doorpost of your house and on your gates. 00:08:22.170 --> 00:08:22.459 Okay? 00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:27.089 I thank God was specific here, wasn't he? 00:08:28.569 --> 00:08:35.490 Do you, I think he was trying to impress on the children of visual Israel here, that it is important to instruct your children Yes. 00:08:35.678 --> 00:08:39.129 That this is a generational thing, like we mentioned this morning. 00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:43.289 This is not just do as I say, not as I do. 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:43.690 Right? 00:08:43.691 --> 00:08:46.169 This is instructions in the word of God. 00:08:46.928 --> 00:08:48.970 Um, you know, we could look at it a different way. 00:08:49.808 --> 00:08:59.980 Instruct your children when you're watching TV in the living room and something comes on the screen that is not in line with the word of God. 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:00.580 Yes. 00:09:00.669 --> 00:09:01.019 Right? 00:09:01.178 --> 00:09:12.250 Messages that are being told to us over and over again, which do not line up with scripture or things that we shouldn't be in, lifestyles we shouldn't partake in and things like that. 00:09:12.558 --> 00:09:19.730 When you're sitting at the kitchen table and you're eating dinner, hopefully we all still do that, maybe once a while, couple days a week. 00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:20.928 It's a great thing to do. 00:09:21.889 --> 00:09:36.529 Um, talking with our children, bringing up the word of God, bringing up things that you've seen in the scriptures, things you've done at church, things that are going on in the world and pointing it out and saying, Hey, did you see this is a great thing? 00:09:36.590 --> 00:09:45.129 Or this is a negative thing instructing our children, um, in the evenings when we're getting ready for bed, are we, are we praying as a family? 00:09:45.230 --> 00:09:46.250 Are we with our family? 00:09:46.350 --> 00:09:48.769 Are we instructing them the last thing they go to sleep? 00:09:48.789 --> 00:09:53.649 Do they remember an argument or do they remember peace in it? 00:09:53.928 --> 00:09:57.289 Peaceful evening with prayer and dedication to the god's work. 00:09:57.669 --> 00:10:00.450 You know, these things are very important when we're driving in our cars. 00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:06.539 I don't know about y'all, but our family had like, wonderful discussions in the car. 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:16.820 I don't know what it is about the hum of the tires or what it is, but all of a sudden people want to talk about things and they bring up these life-changing discussions, right? 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:18.620 And you're like, I'm trying to drive. 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:24.940 But, um, we have to be prepared for that because we never know when our kids are gonna be ready to talk. 00:10:25.029 --> 00:10:25.379 Right? 00:10:25.769 --> 00:10:27.340 They don't, they don't go on our schedule. 00:10:28.049 --> 00:10:29.580 It's like, okay, let's talk now. 00:10:29.690 --> 00:10:30.820 Well, no, they don't want to. 00:10:30.821 --> 00:10:38.169 They wanna play with their toys or do whatever, but sometimes when they open up, we gotta grab ahold of those situations, right? 00:10:38.308 --> 00:10:48.570 So when we're driving in the car and we're the things we listen to, the things we look at, it's just comes down to simply this, that way as parents, okay? 00:10:48.629 --> 00:10:51.889 Our children need to see our love for God. 00:10:52.600 --> 00:10:52.889 Yeah. 00:10:53.350 --> 00:10:55.769 Our children need to hear it with their ears. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:11:00.610 They need to hear that the words we say, uh, reflect our love for God. 00:11:01.210 --> 00:11:05.250 And in essence, they need to know in their hearts that mom and dad love God. 00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:09.928 That this is an important thing to them, to us as parents. 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:11.570 This is not just a hobby. 00:11:11.940 --> 00:11:12.289 Right? 00:11:13.090 --> 00:11:16.808 And we heard someone a long time ago who say that Christianity is a terrible hobby. 00:11:17.370 --> 00:11:17.370 Yeah. 00:11:17.789 --> 00:11:18.129 You know? 00:11:18.710 --> 00:11:18.928 Yes. 00:11:19.710 --> 00:11:21.129 If you're gonna do it, do it right. 00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:21.529 Yeah. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:24.250 It's not for the faint of heart. 00:11:24.779 --> 00:11:25.129 Right. 00:11:25.389 --> 00:11:30.730 God said that it's, it's a long journey and he's there with us and parenting is hard. 00:11:31.450 --> 00:11:31.450 Yep. 00:11:32.080 --> 00:11:32.370 Amen. 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:32.769 Yeah. 00:11:33.370 --> 00:11:33.370 Okay. 00:11:33.370 --> 00:11:34.370 Parenting is hard. 00:11:34.730 --> 00:11:37.450 I know you all think you're just bundles of joy and. 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:40.009 It's just our pleasure to be around you. 00:11:40.389 --> 00:11:45.090 But parenting is a very hard thing, especially when we do it in line with God's word. 00:11:45.091 --> 00:11:45.409 Right. 00:11:45.789 --> 00:11:47.808 But we're thankful that God is there with us. 00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:52.450 That He's the Holy Spirit is there to empower us and we don't need to worry about it. 00:11:52.629 --> 00:11:58.450 We can, we can place our children in God's hands because after all, they're his star with Right. 00:11:59.230 --> 00:12:01.769 And he knows way better than we do. 00:12:02.490 --> 00:12:02.490 Yeah. 00:12:02.789 --> 00:12:11.970 What's best for our children, which is really a hard thing sometimes to grasp cuz you know, you pray over your children and you ask God to use them and to bless them. 00:12:12.389 --> 00:12:14.808 And when he does, you say, but wait a minute. 00:12:14.870 --> 00:12:18.649 Now, that's really not the direction I wanted. 00:12:19.178 --> 00:12:19.529 Right. 00:12:19.549 --> 00:12:24.450 You know, when I prayed over my children, if they'd wanna serve God, I didn't mean that they'd go to Lebanon. 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:25.250 Right. 00:12:25.669 --> 00:12:25.970 You know? 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:27.330 Yeah. 00:12:27.889 --> 00:12:34.009 God, I I didn't mean that I meant down the road, down the street. 00:12:34.678 --> 00:12:34.970 Okay. 00:12:35.509 --> 00:12:38.289 And, um, those are hard things for parents, right. 00:12:38.710 --> 00:12:40.610 But we're instructing them in the word of God. 00:12:40.769 --> 00:12:44.730 And, and they need to understand that church is important to mom, to dad. 00:12:44.840 --> 00:12:49.490 It's not just something we're doing on Sunday because we have nothing else to do. 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:50.090 Right. 00:12:50.149 --> 00:12:52.970 But this is important instruction of the word of God is life. 00:12:53.190 --> 00:12:54.769 The Word of God is life to us. 00:12:55.110 --> 00:13:02.889 And a lot of things we see in today's world, and, um, situations that are happening, I really believe are because we've been silent. 00:13:03.308 --> 00:13:03.529 Yes. 00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:07.490 We've not instructed our children in the word of God. 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:15.289 We've not told them what is right, what is wrong, what the, what the word says about this situation, what it says about that situation. 00:13:15.580 --> 00:13:18.649 We've ignored it and thought, well, they'll figure it out on their own. 00:13:20.269 --> 00:13:20.928 Not gonna happen. 00:13:21.058 --> 00:13:21.409 Right. 00:13:21.558 --> 00:13:22.370 It's not gonna happen. 00:13:22.669 --> 00:13:24.409 We don't figure out things on our own. 00:13:24.410 --> 00:13:28.928 We need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and we need Jesus and the grace of God. 00:13:29.308 --> 00:13:43.490 So already moving on Proverbs 22, 6, again, familiar scripture, but one that needs to be reinforced. 00:13:44.029 --> 00:13:46.409 So train up a child in the way he should go. 00:13:47.308 --> 00:13:50.169 And even when he is old, he will not depart from it. 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:51.289 Amen. 00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:52.090 Amen. 00:13:52.610 --> 00:13:58.049 Since training up in child, remember when first part we read in Ephesians, giving instruction to our children. 00:13:58.178 --> 00:13:58.529 Right. 00:13:58.629 --> 00:14:03.250 Not aggravating them, not, um, frustrating them, but instruct them in the word of God. 00:14:04.090 --> 00:14:09.850 Uh, it just so important, just so important that our children know where we stand. 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:10.330 Right? 00:14:10.870 --> 00:14:17.600 And again, if left to their own, you know, we are not naturally good. 00:14:18.090 --> 00:14:18.440 Right. 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:24.320 Because in spite of what the world has told us, in spite of all the, well, just follow your heart. 00:14:25.070 --> 00:14:28.679 Well, you know what the Bible says, our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked. 00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:30.480 So you may wanna rethink that. 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:30.799 Right. 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:39.470 And our children as sweet and precious as they are,, we're a little sinners. 00:14:39.870 --> 00:14:39.870 Yeah. 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:40.429 Yeah. 00:14:41.850 --> 00:14:45.870 You know, we taught our children many things over the years. 00:14:46.710 --> 00:14:49.590 I wife homeschooled them a lot of things we taught them. 00:14:49.690 --> 00:14:51.240 You know, I never taught them to say no. 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:52.039 Right? 00:14:52.309 --> 00:14:53.799 Somehow they figured that on their own. 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:59.279 I never sat them down and said, now look, at some point I'm gonna ask you to do something and you're not gonna wanna do it. 00:14:59.789 --> 00:15:00.639 This is what you say. 00:15:00.640 --> 00:15:02.240 You say, no,. 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.840 I never had to do that. 00:15:06.200 --> 00:15:07.039 I never had to say. 00:15:07.580 --> 00:15:10.480 Now, if you really like something, you just say mine. 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:11.480 . 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:11.960 All right. 00:15:11.961 --> 00:15:13.799 Have you ever taught your children to say mine? 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:14.720 No. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:18.639 Um, go back in the hallway into the two year old class. 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:21.799 See how they, how they treat each other. 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:26.080 You know, one kid has a a toy, the other kid wants it, mine. 00:15:26.429 --> 00:15:26.720 Mine. 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:28.519 And they real fighting over it. 00:15:28.679 --> 00:15:32.320 And our all right, we are born with sin in our lives. 00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:39.200 And except for the grace of God and the blood of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit that makes us righteous. 00:15:39.789 --> 00:15:40.080 Okay? 00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:44.200 If we leave our kids to their own, let them figure it out. 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:49.200 As we hear that a lot in, in society and the world's message to us. 00:15:49.549 --> 00:15:51.960 Well, you know, I think they should all find their own way. 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:54.759 That's not what the word of God says, right? 00:15:54.760 --> 00:15:55.000 Right. 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:56.960 It says to train our children. 00:15:57.720 --> 00:15:57.799 All right. 00:15:57.809 --> 00:16:04.360 Train them up, not just instruct them and give them direct orders and obey what I say. 00:16:04.610 --> 00:16:05.799 Don't question me. 00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:06.240 All right? 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:14.200 But with a heart of love, a heart, a teaching heart that wants to see them follow after the ways of God and to succeed in all that they do. 00:16:14.490 --> 00:16:14.840 Right? 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:18.200 And you know, th this is a warning for us. 00:16:18.201 --> 00:16:23.159 It's an encouragement and it's a warning to be active in our, in our children's lives. 00:16:23.179 --> 00:16:38.779 You know, to take notice, to be intentional of what their talents are, what their abilities are, what they are able to do, the things that, uh, come natural to them, whether they're athletes, whether they're musicians, all those kind of things. 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:47.500 We need to be noticing that because we can show them or guide them, direct them, encourage them to use their gifts and abilities for the Lord. 00:16:47.870 --> 00:16:48.220 Right? 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:49.539 It, it is just a wonderful thing. 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:53.779 My daughter was here today and did the flags. 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:54.019 Yeah. 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:55.980 You know, I don't know, you probably know Kayla. 00:16:56.049 --> 00:16:56.340 Yeah. 00:16:58.440 --> 00:17:08.740 And that's a great thing to see and to see that, to see her leading the flags, you know, where did she get that love that training from, from generations, not generations ago. 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:11.579 from years ago being a co-op. 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:15.099 And it was actually Melissa New, I think she's in the back. 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:15.940 So hello Melissa. 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:22.618 In the back teaching flags to our co-op was the first time we were exposed to it. 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:23.819 And we've had others over the year. 00:17:23.820 --> 00:17:28.500 Jessica Ellis and many others have taught flags in our co-op and different things. 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:30.940 But that stirred something inside of her, right? 00:17:30.970 --> 00:17:31.740 Stirred it up. 00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:45.660 And as parents, we were encouraged to plug them into these things, to find opportunities with Rob and Chris and the other ministries that we would go to, and we'd be able to perform in different places and do different things. 00:17:45.970 --> 00:17:53.920 It's a witness to other people, and it's taking our children's talents and abilities and helping them serve the Lord with it. 00:17:54.059 --> 00:18:10.920 You know, our son plays the drums up here sometimes, you know, and I remember years ago being in a meeting at a church and some kid right outside a pastor's office is banging on the drums, which says, banging, banging, banging. 00:18:10.921 --> 00:18:11.079 Bang. 00:18:11.080 --> 00:18:11.319 Right? 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:13.200 And we're in this meeting, you're like, whose kid is that? 00:18:13.509 --> 00:18:14.720 Banging on these drums? 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:19.240 And I opened the door and guess whose kid it was? 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:19.519 Right? 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.000 . 00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:26.440 But we saw that he had a desire and it really didn't sound all that bad. 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:28.200 So we were like, there might be some potential here. 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:35.358 And I, I prayed over him, really asked God to change his heart and make him play the flute instead of the drums. 00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:38.960 But that was the direction. 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:52.319 But seeing that, and, um, my wife is very active in, in finding teachers that were spear, spear filled teachers, Christians, people of like faith that would teach him in the drums, right? 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:53.720 We just didn't drop'em off somewhere. 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:57.720 We were purposeful about finding someone who's gonna pour into your child, right? 00:18:57.750 --> 00:19:02.380 This is the most important, um, person in your lives, your children, right? 00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:05.500 You don't wanna just drop them off and say, oh, go at it. 00:19:05.509 --> 00:19:05.858 Right? 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:13.779 So to find people that were able to pour into my daughter and to my son and show them the joy of serving God, right? 00:19:14.420 --> 00:19:15.140 I couldn't do that. 00:19:15.618 --> 00:19:17.099 I couldn't teach them flags. 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:20.180 , you don't want me to teach your children flags? 00:19:20.650 --> 00:19:20.940 Okay? 00:19:21.130 --> 00:19:28.618 It's gonna end up to big martial arts stick war or something and would make, would not do anything, right? 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:32.660 But other people have other gifts and other abilities that they can pour into your children. 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:34.940 And it's so important when they're athletic. 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:43.420 We had, um, when the kids were playing soccer, one of their coaches was a strong Christian would pray with them before the game, we'd pray with them right? 00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:46.779 In the middle field, didn't care the other parents felt or whatever. 00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:52.940 Um, but looking for that, and that's where all of us come into the partnership at realm, right? 00:19:53.490 --> 00:20:00.618 Even if you are single, if you're older and your kids are raised, you, we still have a part in pouring into these children. 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:02.579 You know, Jesus was in his thirties. 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:03.180 Yeah. 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.660 Single. 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:04.460 Yeah. 00:20:05.358 --> 00:20:06.380 Did he care about children? 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:06.940 Yes. 00:20:07.210 --> 00:20:07.500 Yeah. 00:20:07.710 --> 00:20:08.059 Right? 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:18.180 And we don't think about it that often, but it, it's so true that this, they, and as I said the last time we're here, we don't believe that the children are our church of the future. 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:21.299 We believe the children are our church of today. 00:20:21.450 --> 00:20:21.740 Amen. 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:22.099 Yes. 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:27.420 We have kids up on the stage worshiping, playing instruments, praising God. 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:38.339 And, you know, if you wanna really experience awesome worship, come back with us on a Sunday morning, come out on Forge, come to our youth rallies and to our camps. 00:20:38.608 --> 00:20:41.700 When you see kids worshiping God, there's nothing like it. 00:20:41.701 --> 00:20:44.019 There's nothing that can really stir your heart. 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:49.920 And it's so encouraging to see that and to see them getting baptized and, and going forward in their faith. 00:20:50.190 --> 00:20:51.480 It's, it's a wonderful thing. 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:53.358 But it takes effort. 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:56.480 It takes time, and it takes that partnership together. 00:20:56.900 --> 00:21:09.440 And like I said, we are not here to parent the children, but we are here to walk alongside of you and to partner with you to reinforce those biblical truths that I pray you're bringing forth to your kids. 00:21:09.789 --> 00:21:18.480 Because what we do here and what other places can have an impact, but there's nothing like mom and dad. 00:21:18.858 --> 00:21:21.000 And it may not seem that way, okay? 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:22.640 It may not seem like you're getting through. 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:30.920 But as a parent who's been through all those stages, it's amazing what really sinks in, even though you don't think it is. 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:37.480 Um, and a lot of that is due to the fact that you're allowing other people to pour into your kids' lives. 00:21:37.490 --> 00:21:38.440 Being purposeful. 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:45.480 You know, there's a rule of seven, which is effective in all kinds of things, sales and all kinds of things. 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:58.920 But it basically says that before you and accept, before you accept a belief or see a need for something, you're usually presented, you're presented seven different ways or at seven different times. 00:21:59.059 --> 00:22:09.240 So maybe you see a commercial for a product on tv, and then maybe you hear it on the radio, or maybe you are at work and someone starts talking about it. 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:11.440 Or you see a demonstration. 00:22:11.509 --> 00:22:11.799 Okay? 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:15.400 All these multiple things happen before you finally decide, you know what? 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:22.200 I really need that vacuum, that hovers in space, you know, or, or whatever the situation is. 00:22:22.660 --> 00:22:40.089 And as fellow partners together, the more we pour into these kids, the more we share with them, the more we reinforce the word of God, which, um, we are told to do, and show them that it's so important to honor the Lord and put him first, the deeper those roots go. 00:22:40.470 --> 00:22:46.930 And we know it's the power of the Holy Spirit, and we know that the Holy Spirit draws them to himself, and he's the one who saves them. 00:22:47.470 --> 00:22:48.930 But it is just such a journey. 00:22:49.430 --> 00:22:51.250 And like I said, it's a, it's a hard journey. 00:22:51.690 --> 00:22:51.849 It is. 00:22:51.990 --> 00:22:53.130 But we're here to be with you. 00:22:53.460 --> 00:23:02.329 We're here to walk alongside and it's just such a reward, like we to see and a joy to see these kids today and all that they're learning. 00:23:02.910 --> 00:23:05.130 And it's just well worth it, you know? 00:23:05.190 --> 00:23:12.529 And it's, you'll as a, as you go along parenting, and those who have older kids will, can relate to this. 00:23:13.329 --> 00:23:21.349 One day they will walk in and they will say, you know, mom, dad, so-and-so told me so-and-so, and you, I figured it out. 00:23:22.608 --> 00:23:23.500 It's this, it's this. 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:31.259