Homeschool Graduation

Introduction

Good evening!

My name is Seth King.

I am the Student Pastor here at First Baptist.

I have been here for almost 5 years now. I am originally from Albany, Georgia but moved here after graduating from Samford University.

I look at you in sheer envy! I have to take two exams this week in my graduate work and man, I am so ready to be done!

Congratulations. A large part of your education is now complete. It was a long marathon that is nothing less than a privilege. It is definitely worth celebrating!

Challenge

You and I do not have a relationship other than I am the guy who is giving the charge at your graduation.

I am going to be honest. I do not even remember what was told to me when I was in your seat.

These weeks are crammed with summer planning, next steps conversations, and celebrations!

I want to instead point you to a simple truth that I hope provokes some thought as you enter into what the Lord has in store for you...

*Story of the death of Griffin Slater.

Psalm 90:12 ESV

12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

James 4:14 ESV

14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

We each live a life that was originally given to us to steward well.

This life was given by a Sovereign God.

This life is also filled with many things we steward in the midst of it.

It starts in the center- with our relationship with God.

Deuteronomy 6:4–7 ESV

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

This is our identity and our purpose!

We then steward our families well.

Then our churches...

1 Peter 1:22 ESV

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

Then our vocations....

Colossians 3:23–24 ESV

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Then what we have been given...

Matthew 6:30–33 ESV

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

At the end of the day, we are stewards with what we have been given… especially with our life.

1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV

2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

So here is my question for you...

Do you realize that your life is like a vapor? That what we have on earth is nothing in comparison to the length of eternity?

And what are you going to do with it?

The Lord has blessed you. He has been gracious to you. And he is for you.

Congratulations. Steward your life well.