BABY DEDICATION
There are many examples of parents in the Bible who brought their
children to God and gave them back to Him.
1. There is the classic example of Hannah bringing her son Samuel
(the son for whom she had prayed), and presenting him to God, and
handing young Samuel over to Eli the priest. (I Sam. 1:27 For this
child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked
of him: 28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he
liveth he shall be lent to the LORD.
2. Joseph and Mary brought the infant child Jesus to the temple
following his circumcision at 8 days. they brought him to Jerusalem,
to present him to the Lord; (Luke 2:22 KJV) And when the days of her
purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they
brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
FOUR ELEMENTS OF GIVING YOUR CHILD BACK TO GOD:
What does it mean? It means 4 things:
I. Giving your child to God is a CONFIRMATION of your love for
God.
The first thing you are saying when you give that child back to the
Lord is simply this...that you love God even more than you love that
child. Your child is a most prized possession.
Matthew 10:37-38
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of
me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy
of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is
not worthy of me.
II. Giving your children to God is a CLARIFICATION of ownership.
When you give your child back to God, you are openly declaring that:
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This child is a gift from God.
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This child does not really belong to you.
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This child belongs to God.
(You have the privilege to love and train this child. But this child
is not yours. The child belongs to God!)
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That little boy or girl does not really belong to you. They belong
to God! They are a precious gift from God, on loan to you.
(Psa 127:3 KJV) Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the
fruit of the womb is his reward.
We better be careful how we treat and care for God’s property!
God did not authorize the state to raise children. And God did not
authorize day care centers to raise kids. God authorized Mommies and
Daddies to raise kids! Listen: Contrary to what Hillary would tell
you, it does not take a village to raise a child. It takes a Mom and
a Dad!
III. Giving Your Children To God Is A COMMITMENT to Raise Your
Children God’s Way!
(Eph 6:4 KJV) And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath:
but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
To give your child to God is not just a CEREMONY...It is a
COMMITMENT. It is a commitment that you are going to:
A. Be a Godly parent. (Parent dedication requires getting right with
God.
B. Teach this child of Christ. (they will need to be saved)
C. Keep this child in church. (Do not send them, but take them)
D. Love this child. (even if loving them means disciplining them!)
E. Pray for this child.
F. Train this child.
G. Stay married for this child. (there are other reasons for this
too, but this is a great one!)
H. Make your home a holy place.
I. Put away worldliness.
J. Live a righteous life.
I think some people see baby dedication as a magical ceremony. Let
me tell you this little ceremony means nothing if you are not making
a sincere, life-long commitment to raise this child God’s way!
IV. It is a CLAIMING of God’s best plan and promises for that
child’s life.
Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is
old, he will not depart from it.
This is what it means to give your children back to God:
1. It is a CONFIRMATION of your supreme love for Christ.
2. It is a CLARIFICATION of ownership (God owns that child).
3. It is a COMMITMENT to raise that child under the Lordship of
Jesus Christ.
4. It is a CLAIMING of God’s best plan and promises for that child’s
life.
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