All Our Children Belong To The Lord - Zac Poonen
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Summary
The speaker discusses the concept of dedicating children to the Lord, drawing parallels from Old Testament laws like the dedication of firstborn males. He emphasizes that while the New Covenant completes what was partial in the Old, the principle remains: all life belongs to the Lord. Parents have a responsibility to teach their children that they do not belong to themselves but are gifts from God, who saved them through Christ.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why do we dedicate children?While water baptism and breaking bread are explicitly commanded, child dedication is practiced following the example of Jesus being presented in the temple.Luke 2:21–22
The Old Testament law of the firstbornDedication traces back to the old covenant law where every firstborn male that opened the womb was called holy to the Lord.Luke 2:23
The Passover and the firstborn of EgyptWhen the Lord struck the firstborn in Egypt, the Israelite firstborn were spared, leading to the command to devote all firstborn offspring to God.Exodus 12:29
Fathers explaining church traditions to their childrenFathers must be able to explain to their children why certain practices like baptism, breaking bread, and head coverings are done in the church.
Everything partial in the old is complete in the newUnlike the old covenant which dedicated only firstborn males, kept one holy day in seven, and required ten percent, the new covenant involves all children, all seven days, and all income belonging to the Lord.
Teaching children about salvationJust as the Israelite firstborn should have died in Egypt but were saved, children must be taught that all human beings deserve hell but Jesus died to save us.
Recognizing children belong to GodDedication is the beginning of daily recognizing that the child is not ours but God's gift, much like Hannah brought up Samuel for the Lord.
The responsibility of parentsHumble parents acknowledge that children come from God and take responsibility to teach them that they do not belong to themselves.
Teaching children to live for ChristFrom early on, children must be taught to live for Christ and in obedience to the principles of His word, fulfilling the true meaning of dedication.
