Lighthouse Livin' End of Summer Finale

Introduction:

Some of y’all went with us on our camping trip to Brazos Bend State Park — it was a great weekend and we definitely had a lot of fun!

But one thing I remember driving me nuts, was helping the middle school guys set up their tent… Not like because they were doing anything wrong— but it was dark and most of them had not put a tent together.

We only had one flashlight — so we could see a little bit. It wasn’t as bad as it could have been if we were completely in the dark — but could you imagine how much easier things would have been if everyone there had a light?

The single light we had was really helpful — in fact, I’m not sure we would have got the tent up without it… But if we had a whole bunch of lights together— it would have changed everything… —> That’s the Church!

One of the biggest lies that we might hear people say is that “My faith is just between me and God.”

No

Our faith is absolutely personal. —> We do have relationships between ourselves and God… But our faith was never supposed to be purely private!!

Because Jesus saves us and he calls us into a new family! —> Where every person belongs!

1 Corinthians 12:12–27 NIV

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Paul compares the Church to a body…

Eyes

Hands

Feet

Ears

All different parts —

But all necessary for the body to function well…

Could you imagine if your body said “We don’t need the feet anymore” —Good luck walking!

or if the body said “get lost eyes, we don’t want you anymore” — Good luck finding your way!

Every part of the body is important, every part is needed otherwise the entire body can’t function properly!

6th Graders — Maybe some of y’all are walking into Student Ministry for the very first time, and you are wondering “Will anyone know me? Will I know anyone?”

— Maybe not today, But our prayer for you — is that you will know that you belong here!

— Because you aren’t just joining a club… you are joining a family!

For the rest of the Students here tonight — some of y’all have been here for years!

— God may use you to help someone feel like they are right at home in Christ’s family!

But belonging, and knowing this is home — is not the ultimate goal.… it’s not the finish line

— Really, it’s just the beginning!

— Families don’t just exist so we know who we belong to — families also exist to take care of one another!

Ephesians 4:1–6 NIV

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Paul says every part builds up every other part.

Healthy churches aren't built by pastors.

Healthy churches are built by disciples.

So in this family, in our youth group:

take Notice that someone sitting alone.

Learn somebody's name.

Pray with a friend.

Encourage someone.

Invite someone to sit with you.

Serve.

Listen.

Celebrate.

Carry each other's burdens.

Funny enough, in sports, a lot of times, the teams that are the most successful and win championships,

They are not the teams that are loaded with all-stars at every position

They are made of teammates who know their roles and trust one another.

The Church in the same way is not just a collection of individual believers...

It’s a body, where everyone knows their roles and where everyone is pulling in the same direction!

Seniors, this leads us next to you…

Healthy families, don’t just welcome people into the family

They also send people out into the world well…

Roughly seven years ago, for some of you, you walked in through those doors for the first time as 6th graders…

Some of y’all were nervous

some of y’all barely knew anyone

But over the years, you have grown into leaders that have blessed this family.

And tonight — you’re leaving this place…

You’re not leaving because your faith is ending…

— You’re leaving because your mission field is changing…

College doesn't graduate you from following Jesus.

— It gives you a new place to shine.

When you leave here:

— Find a church quickly.

Don't wait six months.

Find Christian community.

Stay rooted.

Be the same follower of Jesus in a random Tuesday afternoon lecture that you were here at Surge.

6th, 7th, 8th graders — freshman, sophomores, and juniors: One day you'll be the seniors.

Stay connected to your faith family… Abide in Jesus… Trust more deeply… and grow to be the leaders you wish you had!

Jesus didn't simply save individuals.

He created a people.

A family.

A body.

The Church exists because Jesus gave Himself for us.

Our unity isn't built on age.

Or personality.

Or interests.

It's built on Christ.

To our sixth graders:— welcome home.

To our seniors —This is still your family, and we'll always be cheering you on.

To everyone else— keep becoming the kind of student who helps others follow Jesus.

Because lighthouses don't compete with one another—they stand together, each shining the same light across the shoreline.

And as long as we stay connected to Christ and connected to one another, the light of Jesus will continue shining through this youth group for years to come.

Seniors will you please come up and stand in front of the stage — will everyone please extend a hand towards them as we pray over them…

Heavenly Father,

Tonight we pause to thank You for these seniors.

Thank You for every moment You have been faithful to them. Thank You for the ways You have shaped them, challenged them, forgiven them, and drawn them closer to Yourself throughout their years in this student ministry. Thank You for the friendships they've built, the memories they've made, the lessons they've learned, and the ways You have already used them to reflect Your light to others.

Lord, we know this isn't the end of their journey with You—it is the beginning of a new chapter.

As they step into college, careers, military service, or whatever path You have prepared for them, remind them that they never go alone. Your presence goes before them, walks beside them, and remains within them through the power of Your Holy Spirit.

Protect their hearts and their minds. When they face doubt, remind them of Your truth. When they feel lonely, remind them that they belong to Your family. When they are tempted to compromise, give them the courage to stand firm. When they grow weary, draw them back to Yourself and renew their strength.

Help them remember that their mission field is simply changing. Whether they are in a dorm room, a classroom, a workplace, or a new city, may they continue to be lighthouses—shining with the love, grace, and truth of Jesus Christ. May they never be ashamed of the Gospel, but always be ready to give the reason for the hope they have in You with gentleness and respect.

Surround them with godly friends and mentors who will encourage them to grow in their faith. Lead them to a local church where they can worship, serve, and be known. Keep them connected to the Vine so that their lives would continue to bear lasting fruit.

And Lord, help us as a church to continue praying for them, encouraging them, and celebrating what You do through their lives. Though they may leave this student ministry, they will always remain a part of this church family.

Father, we entrust these students to You with confidence, knowing that the One who began a good work in them will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

May they go with courage. May they go with humility. May they go with joy. May they go with unwavering faith.

And above all else, may they keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, the true Light of the world, so that wherever they go, others may see His light shining through them and give glory to You.

We love You, Lord, and we thank You for these students.

In the powerful name of Jesus Christ we pray,

Amen.