Sermon Tone Analysis

SCRIPTURE:

[1] At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” [2] And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them [3] and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

[4] Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

[5] “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, [6] but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Welcome - connect cards…

Foundations class… this wednesday night…

Members Meeting… Jan 27th

Not too late to become a member - hit the foundations classes…

Tutoring Interest… a way of serving our community… kids from our community that need extra help… orientation soon… in bulletin…

BABY DEDICATIONS:

Parents that are dedicating children today, come on up at this time!

Today we are celebrating Baby Dedication!

This is an exciting moment!!!

I think this is the biggest baby dedication Sunday we’ve had in the life of Veritas!! 27 babies between both gatherings!

Scripture says that Children are a blessing from the Lord and we are very blessed as a church!!

says

What we have heard and know, what our fathers have told us— We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.

He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed the law in Israel, which He commanded the fathers to teach to their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children not yet born, and they in turn would tell their children.

Then they would put their hope in God and would not forget his works but keep his commandments.

—

In this passage, we see 2 big things -

First, we see God’s desire for every generation.

God wants every generation to know and trust in Him—not forgetting what he has done to rescue and save, but remembering Him and keeping His commandments.

This is God’s goal for every generation.

Secondly, we see how God gets this done – through parents committing to continue passing on to their children the gospel truth that has been entrusted to them

As parents - these children are a gift from the Lord - and parents really are “ambassadors” - tasked to love and care for these children God has entrusted to us - tasked to teach them the gospel, to demonstrate it to them in our homes, to teach them about the glory of God - so that they would grow up into a faith in Jesus and live for his glory!

We see in scripture that the home, within a gospel-centered community, is the primary place for this discipleship of our children!

This happens through planned and unplanned moments life when we have the opportunities to teach them and show them what it means to know God through Christ and to follow him in repentance and live out his mission for our lives…

It is a great responsibility.

And this is what we’re recognizing and praying over today -

These children belong to God - we want to dedicate them to his glory, AND in doing so, you are recognizing and committing to the task God has given each one of your parents to train them to know Jesus, to be ambassadors of the gospel in your home.

Parenting is ONE OF THE GREATEST things in life we can do and Parenting is ONE OF THE HARDEST!!!

And, by God’s grace, this is a responsibility we share this with the entire church FAMILY.

God puts us together in the church, because we need each other - ESPECIALLY IN PARENTING.

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...In training our children, we need one another’s encouragement, one another’s accountability, and one another’s eyes to see what we can’t see.

We need to serve and support each other in this difficult but amazing task!

So parents, I want to start with you and ask you to publicly commit to a few things and then we’ll ask you - the church community - to respond and commit to serve along with them…

The babies that are being dedicated today are:

9:00am

Remi Coe: Jacob and Kelsi Coe

Wesley Martin: Josh and Chelsea Martin

Molly Blum: Chris and Megan Blum

Cecelia Kapsch: Josh and Jordan Kapsch

Hank Arnold: Joe and Katie Arnold

Jesse D’Souza: Joan and Josiah D’Souza

Jesse Boulton: Blake and Esther Boulton

Jocelyn Heine: Alex and Jessica Heine

Sam Snelling: Ben and Abbey Snelling

Micah Sheeler: Scott and Arin Sheeler

Pearl Gresh: Jeff and Josie Gresh

Reagan Babcock: Devin and Melissa Babcock

Miles Babcock: Devin and Melissa Babcock

Clara Seitz: Tim and Kate Seitz

Ingrid Mae Nicol: Derek and Stephanie Nicol

Meredith Keeley: Tyler and Meaghan Keeley

Carson Seiple: Jason and Martha Seiple

11:00am

London Fliger: Clint and Krista Fliger

Azariah (A - Zar - E - ah) Watson: Dominique and Christina Watson

Leah Watson: Dominique and Christina Watson

Elleanor Spaulding: Ross and Allison Spaulding

Elliott McConaughy: Chris and Tara McConaughy

Rosaleigh Davis: Geoff and Jessica Davis

Israel Taylor: Samuel and MonaLisa Taylor

Emmett Stands: Daniel and Tabitha Stands

Rowan Eno: Caleb and Lydia Eno

Vivian Reeg: Chris and Seanna Reeg

PARENTS COMMITMENT:

Parents,

I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU to consider and respond to as you consider what it means to steward the gift of Children that God has given you.

[On screen]

Parents, will you commit to raising your child for the glory of God?

Will you commit to trust God’s promises made to you and your children in His Word?

Will you commit to seek God and desire gospel transformation in the way you live and parent your children?

Will you commit to study God’s Word with them and to teach them the gospel and how to live it out in your home?

Will you commit to discipline your children and to teach and show them repentance and grace?

Will you commit to pray for them and teach them to pray?

Will you commit to partner with this church community, seek their help and accountability, and lead your children to do the same?

[Not on screen] If so, say, “With God’s help, we will.”

[Parents respond]

COMMUNITY’S COMMITMENT:

If you call Veritas your home, especially you members, I’d like to stand at this time as we commit ourselves to serve and support these parents and their kids!

Now parents, as you’ve made this commitment - look around you at your church community

You are not alone.

One huge myth in our society is that you just need the family to raise a child.

But the truth is, the BIBLE definitely doesn’t teach this! Church, every one of us is also responsible for these children.

Parents, this is your FAMILY of faith.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!

We are called together to endure from the diapers, to the teenage years, to the releasing of your kids into the world on mission - this is a journey we take together as a church family.

So CHURCH FAMILY: I have some weighty questions for you!

[On screen]

Church, will you commit to seek God and seek gospel change in the way you live before these children?

Will you commit to pray for these children—that they will grow to love Jesus and trust in Him?

Will you commit to teach them the gospel through both your words and your example?

Will you commit to partner with these parents—holding them accountable and confronting their sin?

Will you commit to pray for them and encourage them as they face the trials of parenting?

Will you commit to serving and loving these parents and children through practical ways as a demonstration of the Gospel?

[Not on screen] If so, please read the following:

[On Screen]