Be Strong

Be Strong – To the things that you WILL face!!!

Deuteronomy 31:1-8

On behalf of the staff and body of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, I congratulate you as graduates for achieving this great accomplishment in your lives. Whether it be finishing high school or finishing a college/graduate degree – we salute you for working hard to achieve your goal.

This week, many of you will be facing something that is completely different – a life of change. Studies have shown that 80% of your high school buddies, you will never see them again. You are at a crossroads in life – a new day if you will. This can be a “scary, nerve wrecking” proposition. I was in your shoes in the fall of 1992. About to leave Sand Mountain to go to Tuscaloosa as a freshman at the University of Alabama. In our last service at Carlisle on August 5, 1992 – one of our senior saints, Cousin Bonard Brewster came and game me some of the greatest words of wisdom that I have ever been taught in life: “remember where you came from.”

Joshua was about to enter into the greatest challenge of his life. Moses was at the end of his 120 years and God was ready to appoint Joshua as the one who’d take the children of Israel to the “Promised Land”. To give a modern day illustration – this would be the equivalent of someone being given the keys to lead the Southern Baptist Convention to the promised land. Joshua had fears – had concerns – was afraid.

Your challenge is not much different. The world that you are stepping out into is a MESS. The values and morals that you have been taught are going to be challenged, at a greater degree than they already have been. I challenge you this morning, as God’s Word teaches us around 365 times – Do Not Be Afraid!!!! Fear Not!!!!! God tells us that He will be there for us. What a promise.

Through Scripture, I challenge you, “To Be Strong, to the things that you WILL face”

TEXT

I. BE STRONG – In the midst of pressure

• Peer Pressure

o Matthew 4:1-11

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

How can we BE STRONG in the midst of pressure?

1. Defeat Satan through Scripture

2. Defeat Satan through Prayer

• Pressure of School

o “As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools”

o You are about to realize that what you’ve been taught in church and at home will be tested and tried in the days ahead. There is a liberal theology that is being taught in most ALL schools. I challenge you to do this:

 KNOW WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS, NOT WHAT SOMEONE TEACHES, BUT WHAT THE WORD SAYS!

2 Timothy 2:15 – KJV

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Psalm 19:7-11

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;

The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,

Yea, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,