Colton Reed Brantley Baby Dedication

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In just a couple of moments, I will be calling upon these parents to dedicate themselves and their child to Christ. I want to remind us that child dedication boldly declares three foundational truths about the human condition.

1. That Colton Reed Brantley is precious to God, his life is sacred because he is created in God's image to have the capacity of personally relating to Him. 2. In spite of the innocent beauty of this child, we recognize that Colton is and will be a sinner. When he comes of age, he needs to be redeemed for he , like all of us, is utterly helpless to merit salvation. 3. Dedication declares that Jesus is the rescuer. Jesus invited the little children to come because He knew, better than anyone else did, that they needed Him, too.

(NLT) There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Michael and Brook: Let us hear the Word of the Lord as it comes to us in (NLT)

6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

This is the commandment of God, that we should diligently rear our children in our most holy faith. In obedience to this command, these parents bring their child today to present him to the Lord. The precedent for the ceremony of baby dedication may be found in Scripture, as in the presentation of Samuel by Hannah and of Jesus by Joseph and Mary. Paul reminded Timothy that "from a child" he had known the sacred Scriptures. Jesus considered "the little ones" infinitely precious, and he said "Permit the children to come to Me, do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." The purpose of baby dedication is really to be found in the purpose of the parents. Rightly understood, the ceremony is one of parental dedication as well as child dedication. The parents are publicly pledging themselves to obey the command of Paul,

( NLT) “... do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”

This ceremony is meaningless unless parents dedicate themselves, as well as their child, to God.

♥ Do not provoke your children to anger - includes building up a child’s positive self image ♥ Bring them up – this word also includes nourish and nurture ♥ Discipline – this word also includes instruction & spiritual guidance-training ♥ Instruction – this word also includes warnings & encouragements

COVENANT OF PARENTS

If it be your intention to present you child to the Lord, and to pledge yourselves to "bring your child up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord," please answer we do to the following promises: 1. Do you here this day recognize your child as the gift of God, and give heartfelt thanks for God's blessing? 2. Do you here this day dedicate your child to the Lord who gave him or her? 3. Do you here this day pledge as parents that you will bring up your child in the discipline and instruction of the Lord? 4. Do you here this day promise to give your child every possible benefit of home, of education, & of the church? 5. Do you here this day ask God's blessings upon your child's life, to guide, guard, and direct your child through all his or her years?

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COVENANT OF CONGREGATION

"Will you, members of this body of friends and family, be faithful to your calling as members of the body of Christ, so that these children and all other children in your midst may grow up in the knowledge and love of Him?"

Closing Prayer