Circuit Court Drug Graduation

Introduction

Good evening!

My name is Seth King, I am one of the Pastors here at First Baptist and I want to be one of the first to say welcome!

We are so glad you guys are here. When our lead Pastor asked me to do this, I was pretty excited!

What an accomplishment. Congratulations!

Before I pray, I wanted to encourage you by sharing something that was shared with me.

This is a milestone for each of you. Life is full of milestones.

This isn’t something that our culture only acknowledges either- this is a Biblical thing too!

In Genesis 32, there is a story of a man named Jacob. Jacob found himself in a tough situation in life. It effected everything, especially his relationship with his brother.

One night, on his way to visit his brother to mend some issues, he woke up and began wrestling and angel like figure- we believe to be Jesus.

During this wrestling match, Jesus dislocates his hip. After losing the match, Jesus gives Jacob instructions on how to fix the issues in his life, including the one with his brother!

And then something special happens.

Jesus gives Jacob a new name… He changes his name to Israel God perseveres.

Genesis 32:31 then states… ‘the sun rose upon him..”

This was a milestone in Jacob’s life. Why? On that day, he put on the new self- trusted God’s direction for his life, received a new identity, and continued on with his life trusting that God will allow him to persevere.

This isn’t just Jacob’s story. This is ours.

This room you are in is filled with people who have milestones in their lives similar to this one after experiencing tension and hardships in their lives...

I want you to know this-

When you place faith in God’s instructions for your life, you bring on a new identity, you will persevere to see another day, and you will find a satisfying purpose that seeks to mend your life back together- one day spending eternity with Him who saved you.

Today is a milestone. I pray you will experience one similar to this one if you haven’t already...

Congratulations-

Let me pray!