The Next Chapter

INTRODUCTION

I love a good story.

Growing up, my dad would drive Mary-Kate and I to school (this was before John Parker discovered America).

We would always ask my dad to either play Reba McEntire’s ‘The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia’ or we’d ask him to tell us a story (he could tell a good imaginative story).

Some of my favorite stories were from his life—chapters from the book of his life.

Each of us has a book that is our life, with chapters of stories—both good and bad.

These are the things that shape us and mold us into who we are.

Seniors, you are closing this chapter of your life.

You’re closing a chapter that’s spanned over 18 years of your life living under your parents and you’re about to be out in the real world.

All of you are wondering what this next chapter has to offer you.

Whether you’re entering into this new chapter of life with eagerness or angst, I think it’s important to remember these three truths about this next chapter.

I.) Is written by a good author.

Think about the best author you can think of.

The works of renowned authors like Jane Austen, Ernest Hemingway, and William Shakespeare can’t even compare to the work the author of your life.

Acts 3:15 refers to God (ie, Jesus) as the author of life—through Jesus that man was created—our chapter one.

From a young age you’ve been taught that “God is good” (ex. famous Kid’s prayer).

Jesus reminds us in Luke 18:19 that “No one is good—except God alone.”

This passage affirms that God is good in a way that you and I cannot be good.

Seniors, you’ll very quickly realize your deficiencies as you enter into adulthood.

The Psalmist beautifully invites his readers to “taste and see that the Lord [this author of life] is good” (Psalm 34:8).

He’s good in His quality—there is no God like Him.

He’s good in His morality—there is no God that desires whats right like Him.

He’s good in His kindness—there is no God that loves the way He loves.

The goodness of God is seen throughout scripture—we could list countless examples of God being good in the big things and the seemingly little things.

LITTLE THING-His goodness is seen when He reached into the side of man in Genesis 2:21 and creates for him a counterpart so he doesn’t go through life alone.

BIG THING-His goodness is seen with His covenant people (Israel) throughout the time of the Patriarchs, Judges, Prophets, and Kings when He continued to welcome back His covenant people even when they found themselves to be in a cycle of sin, slavery, and being sorry…only to repeat it all over again.

LITTLE THING-His goodness is seen when He answered the prayer of Hannah, a barren woman who desperately wanted a child, and God gave her a child (1 Samuel 1-2).

BIG THING-His goodness is seen when His Son bore my sins upon the cross of Calvary so that I could be reconciled to the Father.

This is the author that is providentially working in your life!

Scripture says that this good God is working in your story.

Psalm 145:9 says that “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

God’s desire for all His creation is good.

He’s not this vindictive jerk in the sky like some claim—looking to punish.

No, He’s looking to love, to show mercy, to show grace.

His goodness is meant to ultimately draw people to Him.

Paul in Romans 2:4 says that God’s kindness was meant to bring about repentance in the Jews.

The same is true for everyone—this world is going through a lot, but there’s also a lot of good.

Job 37:13 says, “[God] brings the clouds to punish or to water his earth and show his love.”

When you look out your car window and see the rain trickling down, have you ever thought about how God is saying “I love you.”

It’s these little things that we take for granted, but these little things scream that the author of this life is benevolent.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

If God through His goodness will provide for the smallest of His creatures, how much more will He provide for man who was created in His image.

God ESPECIALLY cares for us.

God especially does good for His children.

Psalm 84:11 says, “For the Lord is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”

As Christians—children of God—His covenant people, how much more will the Lord protect us and work for us?

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Seniors, I’m not sure what this next chapter has to offer, but I know the author.

I know that He loves you.

I know He wants the best for you.

I know that He is working for you.

Don’t forget Him in this next chapter of your life.

II.) It’s got a great supporting cast.

Seniors, take a moment to look around you.

Each person here is here to lift you up—to support you, to encourage you.

Many of the people in this room have prayed for you by name throughout the years.

Many of the people in this room have cried for you in times of need.

This group of people loves you.

I read an article a while back about a plague sweeping college campuses—loneliness.

Here’s a quote, “I’m surrounded by hundreds of other kids here, but I don’t know; I feel like nobody really knows me for who I am. I feel like I can’t be myself.” (“The New Plague on Campus: Loneliness” by Johanna Alonso).

This next chapter of your life is going to be difficult because so many of your friends are going to be going down different roads…and the path to adulthood can be lonely.

God saw this from the beginning.

God being the good God He is saw that it wasn’t good for man to be alone.

Man was designed for community.

Have you ever wondered why Christianity is the way it is? Why God designed the Church—a body of believers united in Christ and His mission?

I think part of the reason why is because God saw that the devil can do some of his best work when man is alone.

Hebrews 10:24-25 is an important passage to remember, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Part of the reason why we’re here is to encourage each other.

Seniors, do not forget that the church is here for you to help you through this transition.

The Church is meant to be a place where you can be yourself.

It’s meant to be a place where you can lean on each other.

James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

This doesn’t say confess your sins to God here.

It doesn’t say to pray alone here.

It says to confess your sins to someone so that they can pray for you.

Paul said in Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

The Church is a place where you don’t have the carry the load alone.

You have brothers and sisters here to help you.

As you enter into this new chapter of life, know that you’re not in it alone.

You have our good God going before you.

You also have this community here.

We’re rooting for you.

We’re praying for you.

We’ll always be here to help you.

III.) It’s not the last chapter.

This next chapter of your life is going to be one where you’re going to make mistakes—it’s inevitable.

You may reach a point where you feel frustrated with yourself—you’re not alone in that.

I’m reminded of Hebrews 11.

In this chapter you have all these heroes of faith.

Just by reading this chapter you’d think they were all born with silver spoons in their mouths, but once you read their stories in the OT you see that they were just as flawed as you (if not more so).

Even with their mess ups they are still defined by their faith.

Even though their previous chapters were filled with mess ups, in their final chapter of life God commends them as faithful.

You’re going to mess up, but don’t allow your mess ups to keep you from pursuing the calling God has called you to.

Seniors, I’m so proud of the work you have accomplished up to this point.

It hasn’t been easy.

Each of you have faced hurdles that you all share in common and some that are unique to you.

And by the goodness and graciousness of God you have endured to this point.

This next chapter is yours and God’s to write.

I look forward to seeing how the Lord will use each of you in this next chapter of your life.

CONCLUSION

Today we’re honoring our seniors as they enter into this next chapter of their lives, but know this message is for all of us.

Maybe you’re here today and you don’t like how your chapter of life is going.

Know that it’s never too late to turn the page and start fresh.

If you’re a brother or sister that needs to lean on their family this morning or if you’re looking to make this day the start of your life with Christ, putting Him on in baptism, please come forward as we stand and sing the invitation song.