The Bride of Christ in Action

Pledges

Christian - right hand over heart

Bible - hands outstretched like hold a Bible

American - right hand over heart

Prayer for Israel:

In Genesis 12:3 (NASB95) [the Lord said to Abram]: … I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

In Psalm 122:6 (NASB95) [King David told us] Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.

Lord, Israel, a nation supernaturally formed and sustained by You, is in great peril today.

Terrorists from within and outside of its borders are trying to destroy it.

Politicians who despise You are trying to erase any and all support for Israel by withholding weapons needed for its defense, by just this week having the International Criminal Court declaring Israeli leaders are guilty of crimes against humanity as they just try to defend the nation.

It seems the fulfillment of Revelation 12:13, 17 is taking place as the devil himself, as the dragon that he is, tries to destroy the nation of Israel.

Lord, stand up for Your covenant people. Defend them as you have in the past.

And in the process, turn their hearts towards You.

Baby Dedication Service

May 26, 2024 AM

Subject: Child Dedication

Synopsis: The parents desire blessing, a witness of their resolve, and help from the Church.

I. Preparations

A. Have music stand & anointing oil in front of Communion Table.

B. Make sure mic is on.

C. Call for and meet parents and grandparents, etc. there.

D. After parents have come forward, Pastor asks:

1. Do you desire to do as Hannah in 1 Samuel by dedicating Nina to the Lord?

E. Parents answer:

1. Yes.

II. Introduction

A. This morning we have the delight of dedicating Nina Emiliana Rios to the Lord.

1. At the same time, the presenting of a child in dedication is a serious matter.

2. It involves responsibilities with which we will all be charged and a responsibility which God has promised to take upon Himself toward each life which is put into His care.

B. As this mother and father bring Nina before this church this morning, I believe I hear them saying 3 things:

1. First, that they want God’s will to be done in and God’s blessings on Nina’s life.

2. Second, that they want witnesses to THEIR resolve to raise Nina in a Christian home according to God’s will.

3. Finally, they are saying that they need the help of the Church.

C. Prayer

1. Prayer for dedication service and those involved.

II. God’s Blessings

A. I want to say that Jesus takes great pleasure in blessing Nina

1. The scriptures tell us how He feels towards children.

B. In Mark 10:13-16 we read that ...

1. Mark 10:13-16 (NIV) People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And He took the children in His arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

2. In Matthew 18:14 (NIV) Jesus said: … your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

C. We also read in:

1. Psalm 103:17-18 (NIV) … from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children— 18 with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.

D. May the Lord use my hands and my voice as we pray over Nina.

i. Pastor takes Nina ...

2. Anoint

3. Pray

E. Hand Nina back to parents while saying:

1. Nina belongs to the Lord, but God is entrusting you to watch over, protect, nurture and train her.

III. A Christian Home

A. These parents have embarked on a difficult endeavor.

1. They recognize that there are many challenges and difficulties that lie ahead.

2. But I believe that they know that Jesus will go with them and help them.

3. Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) … God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

B. Mom and Dad, the first responsibility for Nina is yours.

1. Before God, to whom you have brought this child for dedication, I charge you:

i. That you live an exemplary life before Nina so that she may, by your example, know what it is to be a Christian;

ii. That you make your home a “school” where she shall receive Christian instruction;

iii. That you will see that she is taken to church for additional instruction;

iv. That you pray for her salvation and that you endeavor to lead her to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

2. If you are willing to accept this charge, answer, “I will.”

C. Prayer

1. Anointing and prayer for parents.

IV.The Church’s Help

A. These parents need the Church’s help:

1. To pray

2. To encourage

3. To be a good, a true example of Christ’s redemption.

B. Will the congregation of this church stand as representatives of the Church?

C. The Church, which through one of its pastors, accepts a child in dedication, assumes a responsibility before God.

1. In view of this responsibility, I charge you who are members and adherents of the Church:

i. That you will do all you can to provide and support a place of worship and instruction in THIS community and pray for the communities in which Nina may live that THEY will have a place or worship and instruction where Nina may hear the full counsel of God’s Word;

ii. That you will all covenant together to set an example by your lives and to maintain an atmosphere in THIS church and, again, pray for those who attend the churches Nina attends so that we and they can inspire her to desire the Christian way of life;

iii. That as God reminds you and the church Nina attends, you will pray for Nina’s salvation.

2. Those of you who are willing to accept this charge, please answer, “With God’s help, we will.”

D. Prayer

1. For congregation.

2. Seated after prayer.

V. Close

A. On the authority of God’s Word, and as a minister of Christ’s Church, I affirm that — if we faithfully keep our pledges to God — God will:

1. Through the Holy Spirit convict Nina of sin as she comes to an age of accountability;

2. Make the love of Christ, His Son, known to her;

3. Bless and guide His child throughout all her life.

B. Congratulation, certificate, etc

The Bride of Christ In Action

For the last several weeks I have encouraged us to realize that the Church is the Bride of Christ.

As the local church we are a part of the Bride of Christ

A Bride who is looking exuberantly, longingly for the Bridegroom to come very soon and take us, the Bride, to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb described in Revelation 19:7-10.

But, between the time of our betrothal to Jesus and the actual Wedding Supper of the Lamb the bride lives her life.

She doesn’t sit back eating bon-bons and do nothing.

She is to be busy doing the tasks of life.

In like manner, the Bride of Christ — US — we are involved in the tasks of LIFE with a capital L.

Not just the mundane life of the flesh — but also living out the Life the Bridegroom — Jesus — gives.

She lives the abundant life that Jesus talked about in:

John 10:10 (TPT) A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow!

She is to be busy doing the tasks of that abundant life.

Speaking to the Bride in a parable in Luke 19, Jesus said in KJV of Verse 13:

Occupy til I come.

or

Do the business of the Kingdom until I come again.

This service is an illustration of some of the important business of the Kingdom in which we are to engage.

Remembering the Nations

So, engaging in the Abundant Kingdom Life means:

We began the service by remembering the nation in which we live.

By remembering our first priority — our first citizenship

Philippians 3:20–21 (LSB) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by His working through which He is able to even subject all things to Himself.

Colossians 3:1–4 (LSB) Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you died and your life has been hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is manifested, then you also will be manifested with Him in glory.

Whereas our citizenship is in heaven, as long as we are in these bodies of flesh, we also have citizenship on earth.

I believe what Jeremiah told Israel in Jeremiah, applies to us…

Jeremiah 29:4–7 (LSB) “Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, 5 ‘Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 ‘Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. 7 ‘Seek the peace of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to Yahweh on its behalf; for in its peace you will have peace.’

Seeking the prosperity and peace of the nation in which we live is not just about the physical, but the spiritual.

We should pray and work for peace between people and God.

God will help us do that.

Tuesday I read from a book written by Dr. Michael Brown. He said:

… revival comes into play because God, who is relentless in His determination to have mercy on humanity, rebukes and chastises and calls back His sleeping saints, urging us to return to Him so that we might enjoy His favor and be used by Him to touch the world.

He puts a hunger and a thirst and a burning desire in our hearts to experience His presence afresh. And when we call out to Him with fasting and prayer, He sends revival from heaven. He answers in power and glory. He refreshes and renews His weary and beaten-down people. He makes us alive again!

But I tell you in the strongest possible terms: if we neglect His heart and passion, if we turn His blessing inward on ourselves instead of outward on the lost, we will quickly grieve His Spirit.

He is touching us so that we will touch the world. He is changing us so that we will go and change our generation. He is pouring out His grace on us so that we will pour it out on others. He is giving and giving and giving to us so that we, in turn, will give to those who have nothing.

… From first to last, God’s heart beats for souls.

From first to last, the cross is Jesus’ cry for souls.

From first to last, the Spirit’s passion and purpose is souls.

The salvation of the lost brings glory to the Father, rewards to the Son, and satisfaction to the Spirit.

A revived church, therefore, will always be a church that is about souls, and a church that wants to sustain and deepen the Spirit’s move in its midst must continue to prioritize its outreach to the lost.

In the famous words of Oswald Smith, “The church that does not evangelize will fossilize.”

Brown, M. L. (2024). Seize the Moment: How to Fuel the Fires of Revival (p. 4). Charisma House.

Worship

Engaging in the Abundant Kingdom Life means:

Worshiping.

In Revelation 5:11–14 (LSB) [we read how John the Revelator] … looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” 13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might forever and ever.” 14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

What we do as we worship here is just get ready, it’s rehearsal for our time to join with the angels and elders in the worship of Jesus — the Lamb of God.

Dedicating Children

Engaging in the Abundant Kingdom Life means:

Raising up children, both chronological and spiritual children in the ways of the Lord.

As we read over and over…

Matthew 28:19–20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

Prayer

Engaging in the Abundant Kingdom Life means:

Praying in the Spirit, praying with understanding — praying according to the will of God.

1 John 5:13–15 (LSB) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (LSB) Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Significance of Water Baptism

Engaging in the Abundant Kingdom Life means:

Baptizing believers in water.

In a few minutes we will baptize 2 in water …

Before we do, lets take some time to think about the significance of water baptism revealed in Romans 6.

Romans 6:3–11 (LSB) Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died has been justified from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all, but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

This passage tells us not only the significance of water baptism for the one being baptized, but also for those who witness the Baptism.

This scripture tells us witnessing a water baptism isn’t a drudgery — it is a symbol of the abundant life.

When we don’t have water baptisms it means something is wrong — we’re not winning souls.

We should earnestly DESIRE to witness baptisms.

We should work diligently to see people saved so that we can witness baptisms.

The Confession of All Christ Has Done

Vs. 3-4 shows us that Baptism speaks of Jesus death and resurrection

First, Jesus died for us, and, as baptism clearly portrays, He was buried in a borrowed tomb.

Joseph of Arimethea might have though he was GIVING the tomb to Jesus, but Jesus only borrowed it for 3 days — then He gave it back — empty.

Secondly, the grave could not hold Jesus.

Jesus rose from the dead.

Baptism in water reminds us of these things.

Identification With Christ

And then, as verses 5-6 reminds us and those being baptized that, we are “united with Him...”

In the likeness of His death.

In the hope of the resurrection that we will experience.

Baptism, then, REMINDS US that we identify with Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection into new life.

This identification is not only with Christ but also in the name of — in unity with — the Father and Holy Spirit.

This is significant because it shows that our lives are to be totally encompassed by the Triune God.

Baptism is a sign that we have decided to follow Jesus and we won’t turn back.

It doesn’t save us: repentance and surrender in faith do that.

Water Baptism is an outward sign of an inward experience.

Our Hope of the Resurrection

Water baptism not only speaks of what Jesus did on the cross and at the empty tomb, but it reminds us that as verse 5 says:

Romans 6:5 (NASB95) For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,

Romans 6:8 (NASB95) Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

Baptism reminds us of the certainty that WE will experience the resurrection.

That reminder is not only for the one being baptized, but those of us who witness their baptism.

This fallen world is not our home, as surely as those being baptized will rise up out of the water, WE have the hope of resurrection.

That should be another reason that spurs us on the see many more saved and baptized.

So that we have a constant reminder of the certainty of the resurrection!

Baptism reminds us that death doesn’t have the final word!

No Longer A Slave

Neither does sin doesn’t have the final word.

Romans 6:6–7 (NASB95) knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

I like that!

No longer slaves.

Not just no longer slaves to sin, but no longer slaves to fear.

During the pandemic I watched people all around me as they responded in absolute terror:

About that time I began listening to a song:

You unravel me with a melody You surround me with a song Of deliverance from my enemies Till all my fears are gone

Chorus

I'm no longer a slave to fear I am a child of God I'm no longer a slave to fear I am a child of God

No longer slaves to fear OR sin!

Alive to God

But ALIVE IN Christ Jesus!

Water baptism reminds us of life.

Living for God.

Romans 6:10–11 (NASB95) For the death that [Jesus] died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Just like Jesus lives to God, so we, when we rise out of that water, rise to live for Him.

We rise to listen to His voice and follow Him.

The Lord’s Supper

So, water baptism tells the ones being baptized what happened to them.

And it is a reminder to those who witness it what happened and WILL HAPPEN to us.

On the Memorial Day 2024 we also engage in one other reminder.

Memorial Day is NOT about living veterans — that is Veteran’s Day.

NO!

Memorial Day is when we remember those who died in the cause of freedom.

Such death should profoundly affect the living.

In 1865, not long before he was assassinated, a [pastor] from Illinois asked President Abraham Lincoln, “Do you love Jesus?” President Lincoln told him how being at Gettysburg had affected him in that regard. He said:

When I left Springfield [to be inaugurated president], I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ. Yes, I do love Jesus.2372

Abraham Lincoln

At Gettysburg we have the best Memorial Day speech ever given:

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

This Memorial day weekend we remember the GREATEST Warrior who ever lived and died.

Through His life and death He accomplished the GREATEST Mission in the history of the world — the reconciliation of humanity to the Father.

And in His Resurrection, He accomplished the GREATEST Victory in the history of the world.

So, like Joshua of old had boulders pulled out of a river, let us offer our lives as living memorials to God.

Romans 12:1 (LSB) Therefore I exhort you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice [a memorial] —living, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Let us do so as we obey what Jesus said to do in remembering HIS death.

Before we can offer our sacrifice of remembrance, we must prepare ourselves:

1 Corinthians 11:27–31 NLT So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. 29 For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died. 31 But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way.

Time of Prayer

Receive Elements

All invited - you don’t have to be a member

Come, take a piece of the Bread and one of the cups and hold it until we all partake together.

Let’s gather at the front and partake together as the family of God.

Hymn: Lamb of God

Bread

Isaiah 53:3–5 NASB 2020 He was despised and abandoned by men, A man of great pain and familiar with sickness; And like one from whom people hide their faces, He was despised, and we had no regard for Him. 4 However, it was our sicknesses that He Himself bore, And our pains that He carried; Yet we ourselves assumed that He had been afflicted, Struck down by God, and humiliated. 5 But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed.

He took OUR sins in His body.

Matthew 26:26 NASB 2020 Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave itto the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

Prayer

End prayer with prayer from Seder: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, who brings forth bread from the earth.

Cup

Isaiah 53:10–12 NCV But it was the Lord who decided to crush him and make him suffer. The Lord made his life a penalty offering, but he will still see his descendants and live a long life. He will complete the things the Lord wants him to do. 11 “After his soul suffers many things, he will see life and be satisfied. My good servant will make many people right with God; he will carry away their sins. 12 For this reason I will make him a great man among people, and he will share in all things with those who are strong. He willingly gave his life and was treated like a criminal. But he carried away the sins of many people and asked forgiveness for those who sinned.”

He shed His blood to wash away our sins and give forgiveness that leads to life.

Matthew 26:27–28 NASB 2020 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

Prayer

End prayer with prayer from Seder: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Lord, we give you thanks!

Jesus is Coming

This meal also reminds us that Jesus is coming soon. Jesus told us in:

Revelation 22:12 NASB 2020 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves.

Hymn: I’m Not Home Yet

Water Baptismal Service:

These people are asking us to witness their decision to follow Jesus.

Each one:

I want to tell the world!

I Love Jesus!

He is my Savior and Lord.

I’m leaving old things behind.

I’m a new creation.

I am not ashamed of Jesus.

With His help, I will follow Him all my life.

While sitting:

Upon your public profession of faith, I now baptize you [insert name] in the Name of the Father, in the Name of the Son and in the Name of the Holy Spirit.

While baptizing:

The old nature buried with Jesus in the likeness of His death.

A new creation, raised with Him in newness of Life!