Child Dedication Service/Sermon:
Henry Robert Earnsberger (Luke 18:15-17 - June 12, 2022)
In a few moments Alex and Megan Earnsberger are going to publicly dedicate their child to the LORD. They will be making a powerful statement. I’m also going to ask this congregation and family present to make commitments as well. So I want us to be reminded what we are doing this morning. I know many of you have been to a child dedication service, and for others this is new. I would like you all to understand what a child dedication service at Victory Fellowship IS and what it IS NOT?
What a child dedication service is not:
1) A child dedication service is not Biblically required. There are examples in Scripture where a parent dedicated their child to the LORD. When Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel dedicated him to the LORD, she said:
1 Sam. 1:27-28 "For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the LORD." After Hannah dedicated Samuel to the LORD, she left him at the Lord’s tent to continue to serve his whole life. Now, we are not expecting anyone to leave their child at church this morning for the rest of their lives. But the intent of Hannah was to surrender her child unto the LORD’s service and to invite God’s blessing onto her child’s life. This is the kind of dedication we are hoping for.
2) Second, a child dedication service is not salvific. That is, the things we say and do this morning do not make this child spiritually saved, or destined for heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 reads: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. This child is a precious gift from God, but (like all of us) Henry stands before God guilty of sin. No one is righteous, no not one. This service is not what saves any child. What saves people is God’s grace. What saves people is deep trust and faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A child dedication service does not purify the child or make them holy. This service is more like a prayer, asking God to please one day bring our children into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. A child dedication does not bring eternal salvation, it just invites the hope of it.
3) Third, and finally, a child dedication service is not related to baptism. Baptism is the outward symbol of saving faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is the public act of being immersed in water to symbolize that we have repented of our sins and now have immersed our lives into Christ. This child dedication service is not a baptism service. It is an act of hope that one day Henry will believe in Jesus Christ and publicly testify to that faith through baptism.
So these three things – a Child Dedication is not biblically required, it doesn’t save anyone from their sin, and it doesn’t relate to baptism.
So why do it? What is a child dedication service really about?
1) A child’s dedication is ultimately about receiving God’s precious gifts of children with a sense of joy and responsibility. Psalm 127:3 says Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Today we dedicate Henry as parents and God’s people with joy and with a sobered sense of our responsibility to raise him to know and follow Jesus.
2) A child’s dedication service is also about modeling Jesus’ love for little ones. Mark 10:13-16 And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all." And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them. Today we will lay hands on Henry Robert Earnsgberger and ask Jesus to bless him because we believe that the LORD delights to give the Kingdom of God to children.
3) A child’s dedication is also an initial step in obeying God’s commands to raise children to know and follow Him. Ephesians 6:4 says Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. This is a high calling for both mom and dad.
So too Deuteronomy 6:4-9 reads
Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
It should be noted that this command is not just for parents. This was a command given to the entire people of Israel, God’s family. Thus, today, I’m going to ask not only Alex & Megan to dedicate their child to the LORD and commit to raise him to know Christ and follow Him, I’m also going to ask you, God’s family, His church, to commit to be a part of Henry life. We are all to bless him. We are all to receive him. We are all to use our spiritual gifts and labors of love to see that this baby boy grows to know, love, and follow Jesus. No parent can do this job alone; that’s why the church is so necessary.
Prayer
Song: Children of God