Baby Dedication
Notes
Transcript
Baby Dedication
Today is a special day in the life of our church. Today we want to celebrate with a few families the new life that God has brought into their world, but we want to do so with humble hearts and clear biblical teaching.I’m going to call up each family that will be participating and if you’ll watch the screen, you will see a good close up of each baby.
Ruth
This is Ray and Hannah Degreeff and baby Ruth
Lakelynn
This is Cody and Audrey Fox and baby Lakelynn
Mila
This is Wyatt and Kate and big sister Emma Castle and baby Mila
Brooklynn
This is Kaitlyn Moore and baby Brooklynn
Having children is not something that should be taken lightly. These children are way more than tax credits. God’s Word actually says they are to be arrows in the hands of the archer.
Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, offspring, a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth.
The psalmist says that children are a blessing first off. But then he goes on to say that they are like arrows in the hands of a warrior.... HUH? What’s that about!?
This is tough to hear when they are this age, but children are meant to be launch out. It is not your job to meet this child’s every waking need to the point that they are dependent on you forever. It is the job of every parent to teach their children how to care for themselves. Arrows are not meant for the quiver! They are meant to be sent!
And those of us who are Christians, we have an even greater responsibility in our children. We are not just to teach them to be fully functioning citizens, we have the responsibility of teaching them what the Bible says, who God is, and how they can follow hard after Jesus even in the midst of difficulties. Arrows are not meant for the quiver parents. They are made to be sent.
Today, I am asking a commitment from each of you as your pastor and I will in turn ask for a commitment from the grandparents, family, and friends. And then a commitment from this church family.We will start with the parents...
Parents, do you commit with the spirit’s help to raise this child according to the principles found in God’s Word? Do you commit to teach them the Gospel of Jesus through the way you live your life and the way they see you interact with the world? Do you commit to prepare this child with God’s help physically, emotionally, and spiritually to be sent out of your home to be used however God sees fit according to his glory and the good of man?
WE DO
Family and friends, do you commit to play your particular part in the preparation to launch these children out one day as fully devoted followers of Christ to the best of your ability? Do you commit to follow the lead of the parents whom God has placed in the role of the primary disciple-makers, doing your best not to hinder their work or overstep it. And do you commit to show grace to them as they grow as parents all the while standing ready to give advice and wisdom when it is asked for?
WE DO
And Lindsay Lane East, do you commit to play your part in that same preparation for launching by serving faithfully here as God has equipped you? Do you commit to encourage, challenge, and pray for these parents as they seek to see disciples made in their home? Do you recommit to raise the children in your own home according to these same principles?
WE DO
If we will all play the role God has for us in the lives of these little ones, it will be a beautiful thing!I want to pray now, a prayer of blessing over the lives of these kiddos, their homes, and their extended families.
PRAY