Graduation or Commencement

May 18, 2008

Introduction

 

            At this time of the year, our thoughts turn to graduation.  Even though we are a small congregation, the past several years, we have had one or more of our young people graduate from high school or college.  This year is no exception as Justin Jones will be graduating from Midlothian High School.

 

            We speak of graduation, and then if we go to the ceremony where their diploma is conferred, the ceremony is called “Commencement.”  Isn’t it a bit ironic that graduation is defined as finishing something and commencement is defined as beginning something?  As one lady put it, these are turning points.  These turning points can be times of crisis.  I find graduation from high school to be one of those times of crisis.  Young people make three great decisions at about this time in life.  What they will do with God, What they will do about a companion, and what they will be for a livelihood.

 

Body

 

I.        Many of our young people are leaving the church and turning loose of God.

 

A.     Youth is a time when young people need God in a special way.

 

(Eccl 12:1 KJV)  Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

 

B.     Youth is a time of special temptations.

 

(2 Tim 2:22 KJV)  Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity [love], peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

 

C.     God is the one to turn to and cling to.

 

1.      David said that God’s word was to be the guide for our lives.

 

(Psa 119:105 KJV) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

 

2.      We know how to cleanse our lives by studying God’s word.

 

(Psa 119:9 KJV)  Wherewithal [How] shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

 

D.     The way of man is not in himself.

 

 

(Jer 10:23 KJV)  O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

 

E.       The Devil is looking for you.

 

(1 Pet 5:8-9 KJV)  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: {9} Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

 

1.      Make a commitment to serve God and follow Him.

2.      Do not accept the Devil’s lie that he has the good way.  He has the easy way, but it’s wrong

 

II.     Youth is the time when we choose a companion.

 

A.     Choose a companion who will be a help to you in the faith.

 

(Gen 2:18 KJV)  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

 

B.     Choose a companion who will be faithful to you, and that you will be faithful to.

 

(Mal 2:14 KJV)  Yet ye say, Wherefore? [Why?]  Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

 

C.     Paul’s advice for re-marriage is good advice for marriage.

 

(1 Cor 7:39 KJV)  The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

 

D.     Keep yourself pure.

 

 (Heb 13:4 KJV)  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers [fornicators] and adulterers God will judge.

 

E.      Marriage is so important because it so intimately affects another person. 

 

(Mat 19:4-5 KJV)  And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, {5} And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

 

1.      There is the special bonding of bodies that God intended for marriage alone.

2.  Even divorce will erase the memories of a relationship that once existed.

 

(Mal 2:16 KJV)  For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

 

F.      Choose wisely, and with much prayer, your lifetime companion.

 

III.   Youth is the time when we choose a career.

 

A.     Choose a career that is honorable.

B.     Consider the hours you will work.

 

 

1.      Will you be working on Sunday?

2.      Will there be time for your family?

3.      Will you be able to stay in one location?

 

C.     What about the stability of your job?

D.     Last, but not the most important:  What about your pay?

 

Conclusion

 

I.        Consider carefully what you will do with God.

 

  1. That affects your life right now.

  2. It will determine where you spend eternity.

 

II.     Take seriously the members of the opposite sex.

 

  1. Treat them with purity.

  2. Select a mate prayerfully.

  3. Plan on your marriage being for a lifetime.

 

III.   Chose a job that will not interfere with your serving God.

IV.  Do you need to commit your life to God today?

 

 

 

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