Senior Celebration

Welcome

thanks for being here

congratulations to the graduates

I have three short points to encourage you:

1. Stand firm in your faith.

Tough year make for tough student, tough students can get through anything with God’s strength

I love what Paul writes to Timothy is 2 Timothy 4:17-18.

2 Timothy 4:17–18 CSB

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

As you faithfully follow where God leads, know that He will be with you to strengthen you so that you can share the word with everyone.

2. Go to Church

For many of you, you’ll arrive on campus on a Wednesday or Thursday.

You’ll have a ton of events

Late night games

Club or sports recruitment

Dorm meetings and dinners

What will you do on the Sunday morning before classes start? Will you begin your year strong by being together with other believers and worshipping or will you forsake the gathering together with other believers?

I love what the author of Hebrews writes in Hebrews 10:24-25

Hebrews 10:24–25 CSB

And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

In order to stand firm in your faith, you must be together with other believers and get connected to church.

3. Be in the Word.

As you find a church to be a part of, make sure it is a church that preaches and lives out the teachings of the Bible as God’s authoritative word.

Have a daily quiet time where you are reading your own bible.

that the life of someone who engages scripture 4 or more times a week looks radically different from the life of someone who does not. In fact, the lives of Christians who do not engage the Bible most days of the week are statistically the same as the lives of non-believers.

%30 less lonely when you engage with God’s word at least 4 times a week.

You’re %228 more likely to share your faith.

I love what the psalmist writes in Psalm 1:1-2

Psalm 1:1–2 CSB

How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.

If you are reading God’s word daily then you’ll be able to discern if the church that you are going to is a good one and if you are in a good church, then you’ll have the encouragement of the body to stand firm in your faith as you transition into adulthood.

I’d like to end with a blessing.

-same as youth group ending:

-Gather around your graduate or lift up a hand

Numbers 6:24-26

Numbers 6:24–26 CSB

“May the Lord bless you and protect you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.” ’