Freedom in Christ (JBHS Baccaulrette)

Congratulations graduating class of 2025

Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice; ...”

Introduction

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Events in the Bible

400 Years of Slavery

4 Years of High School

Was it really that bad?

Looking back, not at all, but at the time it sure felt like it.

Felt like 400 years. (Couldn’t tell me otherwise at the time)

Couldn’t wait to be “free” and make my own way in the world.

Be my own boss and make my own decisions.

Excited about what the world had in store for me and who I was to become.

No longer under the thumb of “Egypt”, just to stay in the Biblical reference.

I had really no idea what the world was really like.

My Exodus!

Graduation Day

I was leaving the school and saying goodbye to all my teachers

The world was mine.

I could taste the freedom.

What waits for me in my future?

The Wilderness

The world was not what I thought it would be.

It was a bit more difficult that I expected.

Easy to get lost even though I was sure I knew the way.

Much like the Israelites in the wilderness.

They began to get upset with Moses (Have we been brought out here to die?)

The Israelites found themselves going in circles.

God had a plan for them, a future full of prosperity and peace. A land flowing with milk and honey.

The Israelites would get close to the promised land then disobey God and be led away from their promised land.

Then God, in His grace would correct them and they would find themselves close to the promised land once again.

And just before making it there they would doubt Him and cause themselves to wander some more back into the wilderness.

Ended up spending 40 years just wandering around in the wilderness.

There has been times in my life where I can relate.

Just feels like I am going around and around and not getting anywhere.

Like running full speed on a treadmill

We try to make the best decisions for our lives and do what we think is best but appear to get nowhere.

This happens every time we try to make our future, reach our destination without God.

That Choice is Always Ours to Make

Do not be deceived by the world in thinking you have no choice in the matter.

You are having to make some big choices in your life now

College (Do you seek a higher education)

Career (Do you start your journey of financial growth)

The world/wilderness can cause us to forget what is really important

Make us believe that we would be better off doing it our way.

Following God’s way is too slow and outdated.

That we know what is best for us, It will be quicker.

The difficulties make us think we do not need Him and that He is no help to us.

That true stability comes from owning a home and making six figures a year and having nice things.

The fast paced way of the world tricks us into thinking we have no time for God.

Again, His way is just too slow.

Just like the Israelites, if we stop following the Lord, then we will miss the amazing future that He has for us.

“Dream for You” by Casting Crowns

David wanted to be a shepherd, God made him a king.

Mary wanted to be a mother, God made her the mother of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares Yahweh, ‘plans for peace and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.” .

The only way we will see the blessed future God has prepared for us is by following Him all the way there.

The Pilgrim’s Progress; Mr. Worldly Wiseman tried to trick Christian Pilgrim into thinking that following his way would bring greater blessings to Christian and bring them much faster and with less trouble along the way.

We must not allow comfort to tempt us to abandon the way, as was an issue among the people of God.

We must choose to follow God and make that choice daily.

Joshua mentions this in a very famous passage of Scripture.

Joshua 24:15 ““If it is evil in your sight to serve Yahweh, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”

You Have a Choice to Make

College

Career

To follow God or not to follow God, that is the question.

A choice you must make every single day.

The world will tell you to follow the money; follow your dreams; follow your heart.

But Jesus says to you, “Follow Me.”

Follow Christ and let Him lead you to the blessed future that He has prepared for you, a future filled with Him.

And as long as you have Jesus with you, everywhere feels like the promised land!