Honoring Graduating Seniors

Matthew 25:14-30 5/21/23 a.m. Senior Sunday

Good morning folks, thank you all for being here today. Today is the day we honor our Graduates. Remington Johnson and Chance Ramsey. I’ve known them both since they were born. Two fine young men. I’m proud of them. They have MADE IT!!! They are graduating High School.

(Present them with Bible)

Here’s just a real quick piece of advice for these two fellows. Something for them to remember that might help them. Bosses don’t usually accept Tardy Notes from your mother.

ILLUS: An 18 year old High School Graduate got hired by a hardware store. He showed up for his first day of work at 8 AM sharp. Right on time.

The owner of the store welcomed him, showed him around the store and then handed him a broom. He said, “Here you go, first, sweep out the store, then I’ll show you where the window cleaning equipment is.”

The young man said “Sir, You can’t be serious. I’m a High School graduate.”

“Oh, sorry,” says the owner, pointing to the broom. “No problem. I can show you how that thing works.”

Listen, we have all been given blessings. Some more than others. Just to be born here in the United States of America is a Great Blessing.

Both of you were born into GOOD FAMILIES, both of you have PARENTS and GRANDPARENTS who LOVE YOU.

To have a BIBLE BELIEVING CHURCH, full of GOOD PEOPLE who want to serve God is a GREAT BLESSING.

Can I tell you all of you folks something. When I was THEIR AGE I didn’t REALIZE how BLESSED I was. I didn’t realize how GOOD I had it. As time goes on I realize MORE and MORE how BLESSED I really am.

Can I get an AMEN here? Are you all kind of like me? As you’ve gotten older, you realize MORE and MORE how BLESSED you really are? So let’s take a look at one of the PARABLES of JESUS. It’s found in Matthew 25 and we’ll start reading at Verse 14.

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

This was NOT an UNCOMMON THING for a wealthy man to do. When he was going to be gone for an extended period of time he would take his MONEY and divide it up among his most trusted servants. What else would he do with it? There were NO BANKS to put it in to draw interest. This was his safest bet. And so he picks out three of his servants and hands them the money.