Be Careful How You Live

Good evening – I am ___________ – Pastor of __________

To the Minister Alliance let me say I consider it an honor to address this group of seniors before me

Also let me say to the _________ School Superintendent & the School Board Thank You for still allowing this type of service to be conducted.

This service is called bac·ca·lau·re·ate b²k”…-lor“-¹t

Which mean A farewell address in the form of a sermon:

I hope to challenge you this evening;

There’s an old story about a rich rancher from Texas who decided to reward all his employees with a huge Bar-B-Q, and to give out gifts to everyone for their fine work on the ranch.

The party was grand, the beef delicious, and the gifts were the usual ones for the occasion: wrist watches, savings bonds, and so on.

But the rancher decided, for the best gift of all, a new BMW 3 Series Convertible, to make a contest out of it.

He announced that he’d give this wonderful and beautiful car away to the person who’d jump into his olympic-size swimming pool and swim to the other side.

Unfortunately, for all to see as they crowded around, the pool

was full with hungry looking alligators that he’d placed in there earlier.

All of a sudden there was a "splash" and "shout" and there

was this one brave soul swimming and thrashing across the pool for all he was worth, with alligators swirling and nipping at his ankles.

Finally, the man pulled himself up on the other side of the pool,

dripping and out of breath.

The ranch owner came up to the man to congratulate him.

He praised him highly, and held out the keys to the car.

The man replied in a huff, "Forget the car, I just want to know who pushed me into the swimming pool!"

It may have seemed at timeS you were in a pool of gators – fighting for you life. – but you have made it.

As you prepare to graduate tomorrow – you need to realize even though graduation is a great accomplishment – it is but one small event on what I call the journey of life.

If may be the end of one road– but it is the beginning of another.

Some of you are planning to go off to college

Some my choose the military

Others may choose – to settle town & begin a family.

But it is a new beginning of a new day on this journey.

Is seems like just yesterday – I was setting with my graduating class.

If I have learned anything – it is Time stand still for no one!

Paul the apostle makes a statement

Eph 5:15

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

(KJV)

Eph 5:15-17

15 Be very careful, then, how you live-- not as unwise but as wise,

16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

(NIV)

Did you hear what he said – be careful how you live – redeem the time, (make the most of every opportunity)

On this journey of life – You will be faced with many choices,

Each choice good or bad will have a lasting effect on you, & those around you.

Let me give you an example:

"In Florida, two young men, eager to win the admiration of

fraternity brothers, removed a stop sign and brought it

back as a trophy.

In Tennessee, a couple of teenagers were at a party in a high-rise apartment, and one dared the other to slide down the trash chute in the hall.

"The Florida boys were convicted of manslaughter after a

fatal accident occurred at the intersection.

The Tennessee boy who slid down the trash shoot was killed by an

automatic trash compactor and his friend was traumatized

with guilt and grief.

Foolish choices made on the spur of the moment can lead to

Tragic consequences.

Life is the sum total of all the choices-

Choices we made years ago have brought each of us to where we are today.

Choices we make today will determine where we are tomorrow,

and next year, and the next, and so on.

So when it comes to making choices,

"It is choice, not chance, that determines your destiny."

When making choices, it is wise in everything to acknowledge God and he will direct our path (see Proverbs 3:5-6).

There will come times you will feel like you have been pushed in to a pool of gators – it is in those time you must depend upon a higher strength—a strength that come from the Hand of God.