Baccalaureate Service 2024

Note: I reviewed many messages on Baccalaureate in this site. So may overlap some ideas.

Let me first begin by saying congratulations. I know you have heard that a lot. But this is a big accomplishment. To me this will mean a lot to you especially as you look back.

It may surprise you, but I remember what it was like when I graduated in 1987. Yes, that has been over 37 years ago but I still remember.

It was a joyous event in my life. I went on to college and have studied in other areas, but this graduation still hangs with honor on my wall.

Just to give you a little humor this is me at 18 years of age. This is my wife Carol. This year we will have been married 35 years. No that is not a perm it is naturally curelry and yes to have your shirt unbutton was common.

But things in our world has changed since 1987.

Many did not have cell phones much less a smartphone. The cost to use a cell phone was 50 cents a minute and $100 - $150 monthly service fee.

The internet was not thought of. It was called the intranet which was a combination of computers that you had to dial up to.

Mike Tyson won his first heavy weight championship.

$1 in 1987 is valued at $2.75 today

Simpsons and Full House made their debut on tv.

Footloose was a hit.

The fall of Jim and Tammy Baker rocked the church.

I said all of this because things will change in your years ahead. Actually, it seems that change has went into overdrive. Now we have went from decades to years to almost weekly change. Which means it is hard to predict. So let me give you a few principles that have not change nor will ever change but will help you as you move into your future. The destiny and call God has for you.

Some advice I wish someone had given me as I started this journey.

#1 Let go of the past.

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, (14) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Letting go of those things which are behind. This is especially true when it comes to past hurts and disappointments.

One picture that is shared on social media is “Never be a prisoner of your past, It was just a lesson, not a life sentence”.

"We learn from the past but don’t have to live in it. "

If we don’t learn from the past, then we are bound to repeat it.

If we stay in the past then we will never move into the future and the destiny God has for us.

#2 Forgive Quickly

Going along with the previous point we need to learn to forgive quickly.

Mark Twain “Life is short. Forgive quickly”

“Hating someone makes them important. Forgiving them makes them obsolete.”

Mark Twain said, “Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option.

Jesus is our prime example as He endured the cross yet said “father forgive them for they know not what they do”

#3 Loose some weight

I am not talking about the life battle of weight loss of the body. I can tell you that will always be a battle no matter what pill or invention or the latest exercise equipment.

I am still waiting on the invention that will allow me to sleep at night and lose pounds.

But look at Hebrews 12

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Notice the two areas that can slow us and even drag us down.

A. “every weight”

Weight could be anything that is keeping us from fulling our destiny. Mounds of debt can be a weight. We have mentioned unforgiveness. Bitterness.

B. Sin

That which breaks the purposes of God. God has set forth and way. It is to “miss the mark” that God has set. Transgression of the law. These are unhealthy and God has set a way before us.

As much as we need to forgive quickly, we need to get forgiveness quickly. With God and with others. Do not let things fester.

#4 Look to Jesus

(2) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,

Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. He is our hope and life. He is the author (the reason) of our faith but also the finisher (holder, endure) of our faith.