Baby Dedication for Nyla Marie Birklett
"And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein."
— Luke 18:15-17 (KJV)
There is a biblical precedent for what we are doing here today. From earliest times the LORD's people have brought their children to the place of worship to present them to Him. Hannah brought the child Samuel to the tabernacle to Eli the priest. Zechariah and Elizabeth brought their son John. Mary and Joseph brought Jesus.
Baby dedication is an act of worship where parents, grandparents, family members, friends, and the church formally present a child to the Lord and pray a blessing over their lives. God honors these moments and hears our prayers. He sees our willingness to dedicate not only children but ourselves to Him and to His purpose.
This morning Tidarian and Rebecca have brought Nyla to be dedicated to the Lord. They recognize that she is a gift from him. She is on loan to them and it is their privilege and responsibility to teach her to honor Him. Her best life is wrapped up in knowing and understanding Him. While it is the work of the Holy Spirit that converts our children, it is our responsibility to create an environment of worship where Nyla can feel and sense the Presence of God. It is our responsibility to model the Christian life before her. She is already watching us and listening. She is a sponge absorbing everything she encounters every moment.
Scott and Melissa, Troy and Veronica, Brittany, Tre, Trancey, Dominique and J, Destin, and Karen. She is watching you, listening to you already. And she will continue to. Friends and church family, she is watching us. We are made in the image of God, just as she is and it is our decision to behave as God does. He is kind. He is loving. He is willing to help. To love unconditionally. And so should we be. God is not selfish. He is generous. Ti and Rebecca, He has been generous to you in giving you this child.
Nyla was born on December 12, 2022. Her given name, Nyla, means "the achiever, the successful one." In the Bible, names were given as a prophetic wish for what a child might become. What a name! Nyla. And that is these parents' prayer. That is what they want her to be. Her middle name Marie is a form of the name Mary, the name of the mother of our Lord. She was the one who was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and gave birth to our Lord. She was a person who knew how to say yes to God. Our prayer today is that this will be true of Nula Marie. It will be in knowing her Lord and saying yes to Him that she will grow to be blessed.
This morning we will now pronounce a blessing over her and pray. I want to invite the parents to bring her forward. The family is invited to come and stand behind them. At this time in Nyla's life, she cannot choose for herself and so you are responsible to bring her to Him.
Ti and Rebecca, I ask you before these family members and friends:
Will you strive to teach your daughter about her Lord?
Will you make prayer a regular part of every day?
Will you be involved in making sure that she knows the Bible?
Will you carry her to church?
Will you model the life of Christ before her?
Prayer of dedication.
Spoken blessing (Num 6:22-27 NKJV):
22 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord [a]lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’
27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
We speak the Name of Jesus over Nyla Marie Birklett and her parents this morning. And she will be blessed.
