TOPIC: UNDERSTANDING DEDICATIONS — GIVING BACK TO GOD WHAT HE GAVE TO YOU Main Texts: 1 Samuel 1:27-28, Luke 2:22, Romans 12:1, Exodus 13:2
"For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD." — 1 Samuel 1:28
"Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." — Romans 12:1
INTRODUCTION
Dedication means — To set apart, to consecrate, to hand over formally to God for His holy purpose.
It is not just ceremony. It is a spiritual transaction.
In dedication, you are saying: "God, this does not belong to me. This belongs to You. I am only a steward."
Everything we have — child, house, business, life — was given by God. Dedication is returning it to Him so He can own it, protect it, and use it.
Many people have things but those things are not dedicated, so devil has access. What is dedicated is protected.
I. WHAT IS DEDICATION? — BIBLICAL DEFINITION
Hebrew word —Chanukah- means to initiate, to consecrate. Greek — Paristemi-to present, to place beside.
Dedication is 3 things:
1. An Act of Thanksgiving: Deuteronomy 26:10 — "And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits.. You dedicate because God did something. Hannah prayed for Samuel — and when God gave him, she returned him. Dedication is gratitude in action.
2. An Act of Ownership Transfer: Psalm 24:1 — "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof… You declare — "God, You own this child, You own this house, You own this business. I am caretaker, You are Owner.
When God owns it, He defends it.
3. An Act of Consecration — Setting Apart for Holy Use: Leviticus 27:28 — Every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD. Dedication says — This child will not be used by world, by devil, by sin. This business will not serve mammon. This house will be altar for God.
What dedication is NOT: – It is NOT baptism — Child dedication is not salvation. Child will still need to personally accept Christ when grown. – It is NOT magic — It is not charm to protect child without training. – It is NOT just naming ceremony — It is spiritual covering.
II. TYPES OF DEDICATION IN THE BIBLE
1. DEDICATION OF CHILDREN
Examples: – Samuel — 1 Samuel 1:28— Hannah dedicated Samuel from womb. – Jesus — Luke 2:22-24— Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to temple to present Him to Lord, according to law — "Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord." – Samson — Judges 13:5* — Samson was dedicated as Nazarite from womb.
Why dedicate children? a. Because children are gift from God — Psalm 127:3 — "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD…" b. Because children are under attack from birth — Exodus 1, Matthew 2 — Pharaoh and Herod wanted to kill babies. Dedication puts hedge of protection. c. Because children need direction — Proverbs 22:6 — Train up child… Dedication is first step of training — you commit to raise child in God's way. d. To break evil covenants — Some children born with ancestral claims. Dedication breaks and re-establishes covenant with God.
2. DEDICATION OF HOUSES / PROPERTIES
Deuteronomy 20:5 — "What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it?" Example: Solomon dedicated Temple — 1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 — Fire came.
When you build house, dedicate — drive out every spirit that may have entered through builders, land, materials. Declare — "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord — Joshua 24:15."
3. DEDICATION OF THINGS / BUSINESS / FIRSTFRUITS
Exodus 13:2 — "Sanctify unto me all the firstborn… Proverbs 3:9 — "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase…
Your car, shop, office, instruments — lay hands, anoint with oil, declare — This is altar for God.
4. DEDICATION OF SELF — HIGHEST DEDICATION
Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 8:5 — "First gave their own selves to the Lord…
All other dedications fail if you are not dedicated.
Jesus dedicated Himself — John 17:19 — "For their sakes I sanctify myself.."
Paul — Acts 20:24 — "Neither count I my life dear unto myself.
God does not want your child more than He wants you. Today, God is asking for YOU.
III. HOW TO DEDICATE — PRINCIPLES
1. It Must Be Done Willingly — Not By Force Exodus 35:29 — "The children of Israel brought a willing offering… God does not accept forced dedication. Hannah said — "I WILL lend him..
2. It Must Be Done In Faith Hebrews 11:4 — By faith Abel offered… You dedicate by faith — believing God accepts.
3. It Must Be Done With Understanding of Covenant When you dedicate child, you enter covenant — "God, I will raise this child for You. You will keep this child for me."
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 — After dedication comes instruction.
4. It Must Be Accompanied By Sacrifice / Offering Luke 2:24 — Joseph and Mary brought offering — pair of turtledoves. 1 Samuel 1:24 — Hannah brought bullock, flour, wine. Dedication always costs something — it seals it.
5. It Must Be Done Before Witnesses and Priestly Blessing Luke 2:22 — They brought Him to temple, to priest Simeon who blessed. Dedication is not done in secret — bring to house of God, let man of God lay hands, anoint, pray, bless.
IV. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMETHING IS DEDICATED?
1. Divine Ownership — God Takes Over When you dedicate child, God becomes Father over that child. Psalm 68:5 — Father of fatherless.
2. Divine Protection — Hedge Is Built Job 1:10 — God builds hedge around dedicated things. Samuel was protected in Eli's corrupt house because he was dedicated. No devil could kill him.
3. Divine Purpose — Destiny Is Activated Dedicated things cannot be used for ordinary. Samuel could not become farmer — he was prophet. Jesus could not become ordinary carpenter forever — dedication called Him to purpose.
When you dedicate your child, you activate God's purpose over worldly purpose.
4. Divine Presence Comes 2 Chronicles 7:1 — When Solomon dedicated temple, fire and glory came. When you dedicate house, business — presence enters.
5. It Becomes Most Holy — No One Can Claim It Again Leviticus 27:28 — Devoted thing cannot be sold or redeemed. When you dedicate to God, ancestral powers, witches, marine powers cannot claim again — because God owns.
V. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AFTER DEDICATION
Many parents dedicate child today, then give child to world tomorrow.
Dedication without training is incomplete.
After Dedication, You Must:
1. Raise Them In Nurture of Lord — Ephesians 6:4 Don't dedicate to God and train for devil. Don't dedicate in church and train with cartoons of immorality, worldly music. Be consistent.
2. Teach Them Word — Deuteronomy 6:7 "Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children…"
3. Model Godly Life — Proverbs 20:7 "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
4. Keep Your Vow — Ecclesiastes 5:4-5* "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it… If you promised to raise child for God, keep it.
Hannah kept vow — she left Samuel in Shiloh. Hard, but she did.
CONCLUSION: TODAY GOD ASKS FOR DEDICATION
Not just of children — but of yourself.
Romans 12:1 — "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
God wants:
– Your life dedicated — not Sunday only, but daily. – Your womb dedicated — barrenness breaks when womb is dedicated like Hannah. – Your house dedicated — that house will become altar. – Your business dedicated — God will become CEO.
How to Dedicate Yourself Today:
Say after me:
"Father, in name of Jesus, I thank You for all You have given me — life, family, children, house, business. Today I acknowledge You own them. I transfer ownership to You. I dedicate my life, I dedicate my children (call their names), I dedicate my house, my business, my womb, my future to You.
I set them apart for Your holy use. Let Your fire, presence, protection come upon them. Let no evil claim them again. As long as they live, they are lent to You.
I will raise them for You. I will honour You with them. In Jesus mighty name, Amen."
Helleluyah
Bishop Abioye is an epitome of humility and purity.
God's faithfulness is evident on my Dad and Mama ABIOYE
TOPIC: UNDERSTANDING DEDICATIONS — GIVING BACK TO GOD WHAT HE GAVE TO YOU
Main Texts: 1 Samuel 1:27-28, Luke 2:22, Romans 12:1, Exodus 13:2
"For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD." — 1 Samuel 1:28
"Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." — Romans 12:1
INTRODUCTION
Dedication means — To set apart, to consecrate, to hand over formally to God for His holy purpose.
It is not just ceremony. It is a spiritual transaction.
In dedication, you are saying: "God, this does not belong to me. This belongs to You. I am only a steward."
Everything we have — child, house, business, life — was given by God. Dedication is returning it to Him so He can own it, protect it, and use it.
Many people have things but those things are not dedicated, so devil has access. What is dedicated is protected.
I. WHAT IS DEDICATION? — BIBLICAL DEFINITION
Hebrew word —Chanukah- means to initiate, to consecrate.
Greek — Paristemi-to present, to place beside.
Dedication is 3 things:
1. An Act of Thanksgiving:
Deuteronomy 26:10 — "And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits..
You dedicate because God did something. Hannah prayed for Samuel — and when God gave him, she returned him. Dedication is gratitude in action.
2. An Act of Ownership Transfer:
Psalm 24:1 — "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof…
You declare — "God, You own this child, You own this house, You own this business. I am caretaker, You are Owner.
When God owns it, He defends it.
3. An Act of Consecration — Setting Apart for Holy Use:
Leviticus 27:28 — Every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD.
Dedication says — This child will not be used by world, by devil, by sin. This business will not serve mammon. This house will be altar for God.
What dedication is NOT:
– It is NOT baptism — Child dedication is not salvation. Child will still need to personally accept Christ when grown.
– It is NOT magic — It is not charm to protect child without training.
– It is NOT just naming ceremony — It is spiritual covering.
II. TYPES OF DEDICATION IN THE BIBLE
1. DEDICATION OF CHILDREN
Examples:
– Samuel — 1 Samuel 1:28— Hannah dedicated Samuel from womb.
– Jesus — Luke 2:22-24— Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to temple to present Him to Lord, according to law — "Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord."
– Samson — Judges 13:5* — Samson was dedicated as Nazarite from womb.
Why dedicate children?
a. Because children are gift from God — Psalm 127:3 — "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD…"
b. Because children are under attack from birth — Exodus 1, Matthew 2 — Pharaoh and Herod wanted to kill babies. Dedication puts hedge of protection.
c. Because children need direction — Proverbs 22:6 — Train up child… Dedication is first step of training — you commit to raise child in God's way.
d. To break evil covenants — Some children born with ancestral claims. Dedication breaks and re-establishes covenant with God.
2. DEDICATION OF HOUSES / PROPERTIES
Deuteronomy 20:5 — "What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it?"
Example: Solomon dedicated Temple — 1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 — Fire came.
When you build house, dedicate — drive out every spirit that may have entered through builders, land, materials. Declare — "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord — Joshua 24:15."
3. DEDICATION OF THINGS / BUSINESS / FIRSTFRUITS
Exodus 13:2 — "Sanctify unto me all the firstborn…
Proverbs 3:9 — "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase…
Your car, shop, office, instruments — lay hands, anoint with oil, declare — This is altar for God.
4. DEDICATION OF SELF — HIGHEST DEDICATION
Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 8:5 — "First gave their own selves to the Lord…
All other dedications fail if you are not dedicated.
Jesus dedicated Himself — John 17:19 — "For their sakes I sanctify myself.."
Paul — Acts 20:24 — "Neither count I my life dear unto myself.
God does not want your child more than He wants you. Today, God is asking for YOU.
III. HOW TO DEDICATE — PRINCIPLES
1. It Must Be Done Willingly — Not By Force
Exodus 35:29 — "The children of Israel brought a willing offering…
God does not accept forced dedication. Hannah said — "I WILL lend him..
2. It Must Be Done In Faith
Hebrews 11:4 — By faith Abel offered…
You dedicate by faith — believing God accepts.
3. It Must Be Done With Understanding of Covenant
When you dedicate child, you enter covenant — "God, I will raise this child for You. You will keep this child for me."
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 — After dedication comes instruction.
4. It Must Be Accompanied By Sacrifice / Offering
Luke 2:24 — Joseph and Mary brought offering — pair of turtledoves.
1 Samuel 1:24 — Hannah brought bullock, flour, wine.
Dedication always costs something — it seals it.
5. It Must Be Done Before Witnesses and Priestly Blessing
Luke 2:22 — They brought Him to temple, to priest Simeon who blessed.
Dedication is not done in secret — bring to house of God, let man of God lay hands, anoint, pray, bless.
IV. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMETHING IS DEDICATED?
1. Divine Ownership — God Takes Over
When you dedicate child, God becomes Father over that child. Psalm 68:5 — Father of fatherless.
2. Divine Protection — Hedge Is Built
Job 1:10 — God builds hedge around dedicated things. Samuel was protected in Eli's corrupt house because he was dedicated. No devil could kill him.
3. Divine Purpose — Destiny Is Activated
Dedicated things cannot be used for ordinary. Samuel could not become farmer — he was prophet. Jesus could not become ordinary carpenter forever — dedication called Him to purpose.
When you dedicate your child, you activate God's purpose over worldly purpose.
4. Divine Presence Comes
2 Chronicles 7:1 — When Solomon dedicated temple, fire and glory came. When you dedicate house, business — presence enters.
5. It Becomes Most Holy — No One Can Claim It Again
Leviticus 27:28 — Devoted thing cannot be sold or redeemed. When you dedicate to God, ancestral powers, witches, marine powers cannot claim again — because God owns.
V. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AFTER DEDICATION
Many parents dedicate child today, then give child to world tomorrow.
Dedication without training is incomplete.
After Dedication, You Must:
1. Raise Them In Nurture of Lord — Ephesians 6:4
Don't dedicate to God and train for devil. Don't dedicate in church and train with cartoons of immorality, worldly music. Be consistent.
2. Teach Them Word — Deuteronomy 6:7
"Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children…"
3. Model Godly Life — Proverbs 20:7
"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
4. Keep Your Vow — Ecclesiastes 5:4-5*
"When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it…
If you promised to raise child for God, keep it.
Hannah kept vow — she left Samuel in Shiloh. Hard, but she did.
CONCLUSION: TODAY GOD ASKS FOR DEDICATION
Not just of children — but of yourself.
Romans 12:1 — "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
God wants:
– Your life dedicated — not Sunday only, but daily.
– Your womb dedicated — barrenness breaks when womb is dedicated like Hannah.
– Your house dedicated — that house will become altar.
– Your business dedicated — God will become CEO.
How to Dedicate Yourself Today:
Say after me:
"Father, in name of Jesus, I thank You for all You have given me — life, family, children, house, business. Today I acknowledge You own them. I transfer ownership to You. I dedicate my life, I dedicate my children (call their names), I dedicate my house, my business, my womb, my future to You.
I set them apart for Your holy use. Let Your fire, presence, protection come upon them. Let no evil claim them again. As long as they live, they are lent to You.
I will raise them for You. I will honour You with them. In Jesus mighty name, Amen."
Hallelujah ❤❤❤