Child Dedication - 2Speaker: Rev. Shine Thomas
Illustration:There was a couple with two kids who gave birth to their 3rd baby. They were very upset and could not accept the birth of this child because they never planned to have another child. They always said that her baby was just an accident. They shared this always with their children and the third son was so depressed and disturbed that he felt he was a misfit and had an accident entry into this world. I had the privilege to talk to this boy and pray for him and make him feel important. You know we have 2 children. Both of them are a blessing. They are a joy! They have taught me more about God and His love and His joy. I feel our children rightly deserve to be our children even if in human terms some of us say it is an accident. In fact, children are spoken of as a heritage, a legacy, a reward, a prize, a gift in the Bible. Psalm 127:3-5 3 Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court. God sees that children are very important, yet in reality today it is so sad that we hear many real life stories about children being abused physically and sexually but parents, neglected, and not given care that they need. Jesus gave much importance for children Mark 10:13-16 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on 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 Truly I tell you, 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, placed his hands on them and blessed them. The Bible is very clear saying that our children are a gift of the Lord. Yes, a precious GIFT from God. So the question we is ..."what is our responsibility to preserve this precious gift?" 1. Show our Love.Children need to feel your love. If you have 3 children all 3 need to feel the same love. Remember all parents will say that they love their children, but love is more than a feeling; love is an ACTION. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son" (John 3:16a). God showed that He loves us by His action of giving His only Son for us. Do you think that our children see loving actions in our homes? 1 Corinthians 8:1 "Love builds up." My fellow parents who are here today, it is good to correct your children but balance it by seeing the positive in our children and always praise their strengths rather than continually criticizing their weaknesses. Yes, not only do children need to see that their parents love them. But they also need to see that their parents love each other. One of the best things WE can do for our children is to love our partner. 2. Give our time to our children.Ephesians 5:15-16 "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Yes, these are dangerous times for children. And today, more than ever, parents need to spend time with their children. Why do you think there are so many children who are in so much trouble? Let me share with one reason: "Because they spend much more time in front of the TV or computer or with friends of poor character than they do with their parents. Our children need our presence more than our presents." The only thing we can take to heaven with us is our children. It is a great responsibility for a parent to do all they can to lead a child to Christ and train him or her to serve Him. 3. Discipline your children.My fellow parents, I want to stress one point: Children need discipline. Yes, discipline must always be motivated by and exercised in love. Proverbs 3:11-12 "My son, do not despise the LORD’S discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in"
Yes, discipline must be exercised in such a way as to lead children to respect their parents. It must not be done in anger or frustration, inconsistent, unreasonable, and excessive. Call the parents in front. The dedication service providers the parents to make their commitment public before God, friends, and family. We always bring before God all the blessings God gives us like cars, bikes, houses etc and how much more important is to bring God’s gift, children to the presence of God and dedicate a child for His glory. Br. __________ & Sis. __________ in presenting this child for dedication you not only signify your faith in Christ and the Christian way of life, but also indicate your desire that he/she should grow to know the Lord and live a Christian life. Today, you have come with thanks in your hearts for the little life which God has placed in your care. But in order for this dedication to be complete you must say to the Lord, “We give back to You, Lord that which is really Your own. Make of him/her what you desire. Use him for Your glory. Keep him/her in Your will until the day you take him/her to be with yourself.” We give the child to God because only God knows the possibilities that are wrapped up in this little life and only God can develop in this child all the possibilities that are there. In addition to surrendering this child to God you have another responsibility. Just as Moses was given back to his mother, Jochebed to rear as a son of Pharaoh’ daughter, so will this child be given back to you to rear for God. You will need to bring this child in Godly values.
Charge to Parents:
Prayer of Dedication: (Holding child in minister’s hands.)
From this day forward this child will be called _________________________ in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit convict him/her of sin as he comes to the age of accountability.
Return child to parents: Now we lend __________ back to you to rear her in the fear of the Lord. Pray for the Parents. This sermon belongs to the series Child Dedication. Other sermons in this series:
|