Baccalaureate Service

Introduction

Any roller coaster fans here? I grew up in Ozark, Missouri, about 25 minutes away from Silver Dollar City and my friends and I would go to SDC often every spring and summer as soon as school got out. We loved riding Wildfire, Powder Keg, Outlaw Run, and the other rides they had - especially as high schoolers because we could drive down there and sometimes have the park all to ourselves, at least it seemed. If you enjoy roller coasters, you know that they’ll start relatively slow and either take you up to a high point or get you to a place only to shoot you off at 60 miles per hour. Before you do the fun stuff like go upside down or experience lots of “G’s”, you usually have a slow journey uphill. That journey can feel like it’s never going to end because of the excitement that is waiting you as soon as you get to the top. Once you’re at the top of the roller coaster, you look and you can see for miles on nice days, your heart is pounding because you know that the fun has only begun, and you also might get a little nervous because of what is waiting for you.

High school is a lot like the first part of a roller coaster. Sure, there are lots of amazing memories that you’ve made. Some of you have excelled in the classroom, others it was playing sports, others it was an activity or music or a hobby. Others of you made friends that you didn’t previously have. Some of you are just happy to have survived these last 4 years. You’ve been traveling up this roller coaster and the guard rails have been up the whole time. You’ve been locked in step with the track with no way to go but up. You’ve had structure and parents and school and teachers who have kept you accountable and I pray that you enjoyed these years because you blinked, and now you’re not going up any longer… you’re about to be in for a wild ride. I don’t mean that to scare you - but the structure you’ve enjoyed is about to come to an end and you’re about to encounter “real life” at a hundred miles per hour. Some of you are going to go off to college and you’re going to be on your own for the first time. Others of you are entering the work force and you might be staying at home for the mean time. Others of you don’t know what the future holds and you’re just living in the day to day. What is certain, though, is that your life is about to change in the coming days and weeks. Change is something that scares some people, but it is a necessary part of life. Some people think that they can handle everything life throws at them without assistance and some do handle change better than others, but it always helps to have a solid foundation to build on.

This afternoon, I want to use the next 10-12 minutes or so to look to God’s Word and see what the Bible says about that solid foundation. Some of you are here and maybe you’re skeptical about that solid foundation. You might think that the Bible is irrelevant and outdated and unimportant. You might think that you’re about to be free from the Bible because the only reason you go to church is because mom and dad make you go to church. Whatever your feelings are about the Bible and about church, my hope today is to help all of us see our need for God’s help as we enter into this next season of life.

This afternoon, we’re going to unpack a few verses in 2 Timothy 2, if you have your Bible with you and if not we’ll have them on the screens behind me. Also, if you don’t have a Bible, I’d love to give you one after this service is over!

2 Timothy 2:1–15 CSB

1 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer. 5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. 10 This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy: For if we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. 14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to fight about words. This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen. 15 Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.

Onward Christian Soldiers. As you conclude this season and get ready for the next one, you’re about to enter a season of change. In this season of change, you must remember your purpose. What is that purpose, some of you are wondering? We are created by God to glorify Him - each one of us are made in His image for that purpose. So, how do you glorify God in such a time as this in your lives? By knowing Him and living out 2 Timothy 2:1-15. This afternoon we’re going to look at 5 challenges from this passage of Scripture that apply to each one of us regardless of age, background, economic status, or future outlook. Let’s pray and then we’ll study this text.

Be Strong in the Gospel (1)

Some of you grew up in Christian households while others of you might not have that strong background. As you get ready for this next chapter of life, you will encounter many people who do not believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. You will encounter many people who do not believe in the Bible. How can your faith survive the fire you’re about to be thrown in to? By having a strong foundation to stand upon. Paul tells Timothy in verse 1 to be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ. Timothy is in a culture that hates Christians and is persecuting them left and right. Paul doesn’t say that he’s sorry for what Timothy is facing. He tells him that it’s time to stay strong. As you get ready for your next season, remind yourself of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That Jesus came to save sinners. Meditate on that good news often and feed yourself spiritually from God’s Word so that you are able to stay strong in the days to come as you leave the structure and safety you currently have.

Teach Others the Gospel (2)

Paul wrote nearly half of the New Testament books and he taught so many people about Jesus Christ during his ministry. 2 Timothy is thought to be his last book before he was killed in Rome. As you read this book you sense that Paul knows his time is coming to an end… but in this book he encourages Timothy to share the good news of the Gospel and teach others about Jesus. In the days to come, you will be tempted to leave behind your faith and what you’ve been taught. The best way to not fall away is to learn more and teach that to others so that they hold you accountable.

Suffer for the Gospel (3-7)

As Paul is writing 2 Timothy, he is in prison. He calls on Timothy to share in that suffering. Now, this doesn’t sound all that fun! Who in their right mind would willingly suffer for something when they could choose not to? Because this is what Jesus did for us! Jesus came from heaven to earth to seek and save the lost like you and me. He came to serve not to be served. See, in our world so many people want the blessings of Jesus but they don’t want to serve like Jesus. They want the crown, but they don’t want the cross. Jesus shared that it doesn’t work that way, though. In your next chapter, be so on fire for the Lord that you are ready to suffer for the Gospel and to stand on God’s Word, even if people tell you that you’re wrong or crazy or foolish. Be prepared to suffer for the Gospel and don’t be surprised whenever you do.

Focus on the Hero of the Gospel (8-13)

Whenever suffering comes, Paul shares to Timothy to remember Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Whenever suffering comes and times get hard, remember that when you’re running on empty… the tomb is empty and the throne is occupied. Paul is enduring persecution because he knows that God still is using him for something good even when he’s in pain. As you get ready for your next chapter, remember that your life has purpose and that God has placed you where you are in order to point people to Him! Focus on the Hero of History - Jesus Christ! Look at what 2 Timothy 2:12 tells us. If we deny Him, He will deny us. That’s serious stuff!

Matthew 10:33 CSB

33 But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.

In the days to come, point people to Jesus with what you say, do, and what you choose not to say and what you choose not to do. Focus on the hero - not you or me, but Jesus!

Work Hard for the Gospel (14-15)

Regardless what your next chapter looks like, people will be watching you and you have an opportunity to allow your hard work to speak loudly for you. Whether you enter the work force, go to college, or don’t know what that looks like quite yet, you have been gifted by God with what you have and God expects you to use those gifts to serve and honor Him. To present yourself as one approved with the way that you live your life and the way that you speak of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s going to be easy for some of you to not work hard for the Gospel. School will get busy and Sunday will look like a great day to sleep in. Going to church and living a Christian life isn’t easy… it’s hard work. You will have to determine in your heart what matters most: Yourself or your Christ. What God wants from you and me is for us to work hard at making Him known. As you enter this new season, do so with your eyes focused on Jesus and be ready to do hard work as you stand on His Word and don’t cave in whenever temptation comes knocking at your door.

These statistics are a little old, but they tell quite the story and I believe this should challenge each one of you. Of high school seniors who attend church and graduate, 75% of them leave the church completely from age 18-25. 50% of them will come back in their late 20’s after they graduate and have a family of their own… but over 33% of people who grew up coming to church and graduated high school still coming to church leave after they graduate and never come back. I graduated with 400 people from Ozark high school and about 15 of us all went to First Baptist Ozark. We had 15 kids who were active in church. We served in church. We went on mission trips each summer with our church. Do you know how many currently go to church regularly? 3. My best friend in high school is a worship pastor in Springfield. My then girlfriend is now my wife, and we both come here to FBC Salem. 15 of us came to church every week in high school, 3 still go to church 8 years later.

Are you ready for challenge 6? Stay in church. If you’re moving somewhere, find a good church and serve in that church. You need to find friends and community and church is the best place to do that. Your life will benefit in every aspect by going to church because the enemy isn’t dumb. You’re about to get a whole bunch of freedom and with freedom comes temptation. Mom and Dad aren’t around like they used to be. I can do ____ or _____ because no one will know… God see’s. God knows. God has a perfect plan and that plan is for you to keep growing to look like Jesus and you need to be in church for that to happen. Believe me, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Break that trend and stay connected to God’s Word and don’t just attend but serve in church wherever you go and work hard for the Gospel.

Mark 8:35–36 CSB

35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it. 36 For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life?

This is the message I wish I would’ve been taught 8 years ago when I was in your seat. Don’t lose yourself trying to gain the world while in the process of gaining the world, you lose your foundation and your faith. That’s not a worthwhile trade off! Stay anchored in the Word. Look to Jesus. Find a local church. Grow in the Gospel. Glorify God with all that you do and enjoy this sweet season that you’re in. You’re on the roller coaster and you’re getting ready for a big loop. You’re in an amazing season of life, enjoy it! As you enjoy God’s blessings in this season, give thanks to God with all you do as 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 CSB

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Let’s pray