2016. 7.24 礼拝

2016. 7.24 礼拝

2016.7.24 Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ”Knowing what has been entrusted to the Parents”

Three families at Life Church have been blessed with babies between March and May this year. “Baby dedication” was held today to thank God and celebrate their birth. Jesus commanded us to baptize (Matthew 28) and observe the Lord’s Supper but did not specify baby dedication.
However, at Life Church we celebrate the happy occasion since it says in Psalm 127:3, “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.”
And also in Deuteronomy 6:7, “You shall teach them diligently to your sons 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.”
Children have been entrusted to us by God so that they will get to know the true God, that God is love, and grow to love God. The dedication is to ascertain this responsibility of the parents and the church before God.

The main topic of this month’s message is “Putting Evangelism into Practice.”
If a question is asked whether the people of Israel practiced outreach, the answer could be “no” in a sense that they did not actively go out. On the other hand, they were faithful and tried to lead their children to the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

➀ Knowing the fact that many Christian parents failed to lead their children to Christ.
Kids from Christian family do not become a believer automatically. They don’t get to know Jesus by nature unless they are told or taken to church. At younger age, they could be quite obedient, however, as they grow, they tend to become more rebellious and disobedient to their parents.

Therefore, parents should understand that leading their kids to Christ is one of the most important tasks they have that they need to overcome. It would be as important, if not more, as to go on a mission abroad or any remote area.

➁ Teaching and leading your children by love of Christ.
Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Parents should be a good example by living in the love of God and being obedient to his command. When children see their parents being faithful, then children could be stable.

What is it to love the Lord?
John 14:15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. To love the Lord is to follow his command.

What is the command?
John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

If we love one another as God loves us, then…
John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

If parents can demonstrate their love for each other, children can find confidence in the love of God. Seeing their parents’ life, they can learn the truth of Jesus.

It is important to show how you try to love, respect, forgive, accept, and support each other in Christ to your children. To Christians, love of Christ and to love Christ is the most important and we have the responsibility to share this love with our children.