Baby & Parent Dedication

The scriptural root of a child dedication is found in 1 Samuel 1:27–28 . A godly woman named Hannah prayed year after year for God to give her a child. He answered her prayer nd she gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel. When Samuel was born, Hannah prayed these words:

27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

Winston Thomas Carpenter, parents Beau and Lauryn Carpenter
Levi Kenny Mize, parents Nathaniel and Rebekah Mize
Talitha Leann Mize, parents Justus and Courtney Mize
Gideon Justus Mize, parents Justus and Courtney Mize
Anand Josiah Pallepogu, parents Pratyush and Sussana Pallepogu
Norah Drew Pearson, parents Andrew and Holly Pearson
Lydia Lynn Shiftlett, parents Caleb and Stephanie Shiftlett
Hudson James Vincent, parents Chris and Hannah Vincent

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 1:24 (KJV)

24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

2 Corinthians 2:1–4 (KJV)

1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?

3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

Galatians 6:1–5 (KJV)

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

Looks like a great definition for a pastor.
Looks like a great definition for a parent.
It is a great definition to the ministry for which we all have been called.

Sermon Introduction

Story people living on an island saying “there are no rules” and person responding with this is still America and the rules apply.

We are look at the law of Christ.

Saved from a law that could only highlight our need but not deliver us.
Live life in a manner that lives out the law of Christ. Gal 6:2 “2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Today we look at the “why” and the “how”
Come will and should apply to parenting, but all should make application

We should determine to be the “helpers of joy” for others.

Paul had a complicated relationship with the church in Corinth.

How are things going at Corinth? It’s complicated.

He was holding off on a visit to see them. 2 Cor 1:15 “15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;”

Then gives explanation why he wasn’t coming. 2 Cor 1:23 “23 Moreover I call God for a record (strong statement) upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.”

They questioned his apostleship,
They made mention of his physical weakness
They questioned his integrity when he changed his plans.
Paul was praying and sending letters before returning to this group of people.

This would be similar to parents giving their children some time before they come in and see how the progress is going in cleaning their room.

Knowing they would question his motive in his life he shares his heart with them. 2 Cor 1:24 “24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.”
The verse begins with the issue of faith; shifts to the issue of joy and then returns to the issue of faith.

Acting because of affection for them, not solely because of authority

Contrast of “have dominion over” and “helpers”

2 Cor 1:24 “24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.”

We all live under authority.

As parents we have ambassadorial authority.

We do not have independent authority.
Our authority is given to us by God and for His purposes.

You stand as a physical, visible representative of the authority of God in the lives of your children. God makes His authority visible by sending parents of authority to represent His authority in the lives of children who need authority. - Paul Tripp

Kids do not have a diet plan and have never done a sleep study, but they will have problems with authority.

With this influence comes a responsibility

Paul’s mission statement concerning others. Phil 1:25-26 “25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.”
This is what Paul expected out of those he trained for ministry. Phil. 2:20 “20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.”

This ministry of being a “helper of joy” came at a cost for Paul.

It was costly to work for their joy
Imprisoned, neatened, robbed, ship wrecked (3 times)
Though costly their joy brought him great joy. 2 Corinthians 2:1-2 “1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?”

Application for Parents

We have a special assignment given to us as parents. Ephesians 6:4 “4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
To properly nurture is a child is to help them find joy.

You might say. well add that to the list? Shows, house, education, and now you are asking for this. Yes, and not just for them but for others also.

Transitional Statement: Our responsibility to others may be greater than you ever imagined but our resources are more than sufficient.

How can we go about being a helper of joy?

Galatians 6:1–5 (KJV)

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

We often start our service off with a call to worship that goes like this..

To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest;
to all who mourn and long for comfort;
to all who struggle and desire victory;
to all who sin and need a Savior;
to all who are strangers and want fellowship;
to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness;
we welcome you here today.
We pray God’s Word will provide rest, comfort, victory as we point you to our Savior today.

Privilege and Responsibility

If we see some one weighed down by some burden we should quickly do something to help.
This is the law of Christ.
Let’s not be as the Pharisee’s in Matthew 23:4 “4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”
Unfortunately this is being done today all around the world.

Call to Worship: Welcome to a place filled with “helpers of joy”

We often reference ushers, deacons, musicians, but I pray they all are “helpers of joy”
This is a ministry we should all desire.
If we desire to be “helpers of joy” then it will follow that OUR joy in Jesus is an essential foundation for that ministry.

Here is a ministry that will bring you more satisfaction than if you became a millionaire ten times over: Develop the extraordinary skill for detecting the burdens of others and devote yourself daily to making them lighter.

Greg is always referring to a Ted-Talk / some form of social experiment where a person has studied a topic intensively for the last few years and came to come conclusions.
Personal Experience: Helping others carry their burdens to Jesus has brought me incredible joy. It has not been a distraction from my own joy but has been a means of helping me see my need for God.

To be truly helpful we must be truly holy

Don’t check out yet. Yes, this is completely unattainable in ourselves. This is what Christ has done for us.

Gal 6:1 “1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

Holy: dedicated or consecrated to God.
This is at the heart of our Parent Dedication. We are set aside by God for His holy purposes in this world.

Ye which are spiritual

Led by the Spirit
In this passage we see the caution against pride. Gal 6:3 “3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”
The spiritual person will help bear burdens not in their own strength but by pointing to Christ where there is healing.
In the same manner we see the Holy Spirit bring people to Christ, as Spirit led people we will do the same.

This produces joy in out own lives

That’s the way that ministry works. Psalm 51:12-13 “12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”

My work as his dad, your pastor, and your friend is to be done with joy or it won’t be done at all. Hebrews 13:17 “17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

Illustration: The ministry is burden bearing is scene vividly in the relationship of child and parent.

Have a poster board that says “Joy” that I will hold.
Have a board that says BURDEN on it for child / He is not the burden. He is my son. I help him removes burdens that would crush the joy in his life.
Together we will be together through the challenges of life.
Show the word JOY on the other side of the BOARD

Nature of burdens

We often think sickness, loss of a loved one, loneliness, job loss, or some other form of discouragement.
These all are certainly areas in which we should help care for one another.
This includes when people are burden of their own making. Gal 6:1 “1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

So we will define burdens as anything that seeks to rob us of the joy of our faith.

(1) It could be a trial that threatens to make us doubt God's goodness

(2) It could be sin that threatens to drag us into guilt and shame

Every man bears his own burden

Gal 6:5 “5 For every man shall bear his own burden.”

Some may say this is a contradiction. Or you might say I like this option better.

Verse 5 and verse 2 are not contradictions
There is a load in life in which we all must carry.
We have a load that we must carry on this journey.
We will teach our children how to carry the load of general obligations in life.

Not all burdens are the same

Simply in this passage we know there are burdens we are to carry and their are the ones for which we need help.

It is not spirituality but pride that makes a person want to “go it alone.” James 5:16 “16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Burden represents any difficulty or problem a person has trouble coping with.
In this context the reference suggests burdens that tempt a sinning believer to fall back into the trespass from which he has just been delivered.
A persistent, oppressing temptation is one of the heaviest burdens a Christian can have.

A person who is burdened needs our help.

God can use us in their lives to help restore them. Gal 6:1 “1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
We should not be passively sit back as others pull upon them the burden of sin.
Restore: Mend their nets. Matthew 4:21 “21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.”

21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

Bear each other's burdens also involves helping people realize their sin and get it repaired.

Help is what we should provide but it is all we can provide

2 Corinthians 1:24 “24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.”

There are individual decision they will have to make.
We should come alongside them.
Even if they are skeptical as the church Corinth was of Paul.
We are to come filled with joy ourselves.
We are to come in a spirit of meekness.
We help others recognize how they are to be led by God. 1 Thess 4:9 “9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.”

More than a friend to my children, but not less. We should want to be a helpers of joy.

I can’t remove all the obstacles in my child’s life. But I can always point them to Jesus who has already overcame everything for them.
I cannot satisfy their every longing, but I can point them to Jesus who is the bread of life.
I cannot provide an environment that overcomes ever temptation, but I can point them to Jesus who has over come sin, death, and the grave.
I CANNOT TURN THEM FROM BURDENED TO JOYFUL BUT I CAN POINT THEM TO JESUS WHO CAN.

Ask musicians to come forward.

Conclusion

Today let us resolve.

We will be helpers of joy.
In a spirit of meekness we will help lift others burdens by pointing them to Jesus.
When are tempted to run from this responsibility we will remain stedfast knowing that their is great joy in following the law of Christ in our lives.

My prayer for you all today will come from Romans 15:13 “13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Could I help you today find joy?

Thinking of the words of an old hymn.

Would you be free from your burden of sin? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood; Would you o’er evil a victory win? There’s wonderful power in the blood.

You burden today can be felt as hunger and thirst.

Psalm 63:1 “1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;”

What you are looking for today is not of this world.
You need God.
Someday you could look back to this day in your life with all joy, being grateful for all the things of this life that made you aware you needed something more than the world had to provide.