YOUR MOST IMPORTANT FINAL EXAM
INTRODUCTION:
Today these young adults are filled with so much hope. They have dreams to pursue and they are ready to begin a new journey.
However, having hopes and dreams does not guarantee that one is ready to start this journey. For one to see their hopes and dreams fulfilled, it will be necessary to make sure they are prepared.
story of being unprepared ) Probably one of the most significant events to happen in your lifetime was on Sept. 11, 2001. People got up with hopes and dreams. They went out to pursue those hopes and dreams and yet, they were not prepared for what awaited them that day. Our nation’s leaders were not ready for planes to be hijacked and crashed into the world trade center, and the pentagon. AND because so many were not prepared many hopes and dreams were destroyed on that day.
Talk about Jim Elliott...
While there are many events that will take place over the course of your life that are outside of your control, I want you to know that if you have made a few spiritual preparations, then you can be guaranteed a life of success; and if your hopes and dreams are Christ centered hopes and dreams, you can be confident they will be fulfilled.
Are you ready for the next stage of your life, to face the challenges that no doubt WILL come your way? Not talking about financial challenges, or political – I’m speaking of spiritual challenges.
There is a passage of scripture – where the disciples were about to begin a new stage of life and Jesus told them EXACTLY what they needed to do to be ready for this! I believe this is EXACTLY what you need as well.
So, to see if you are ready to begin writing this new chapter in your life, I want to give you one final exam. I know, you thought your exams were over, but this exam is more important than any exam you have been given.
STAND – READ PASSAGE - PRAY
PROPOSITION: Six Questions You MUST Be Able To Answer As You Begin This New Stage of Life!
I. SCIENCE: What Is The Evidence That The Bible Is True? (v 44)
a. (read vv. 44)
b. People believe what they believe for a lot of different reasons.
1. Science professors and teachers believe evolution – because that is what they were told.
2. Other religions – because that is what they were told.
3. Unfortunately, many Christians believe the Bible because their parents, S.S. teacher and preacher have told them it is true and they have never thought about reasons we should believe what we believe.
4. PROBLEM – when you get to college – you will most likely run into a professor who will have as his goal to challenge your beliefs – he will stand before you as an academic authority and give you a one sided argument, and if you are not aware of the evidence on the other side – that he certainly won’t tell you about –
5. Then you will become another one of his victims and begin to wonder if what you have always believed is really true. And because you are not sure anymore about the reliability of the Bible, you will be of no use in serving Christ.
6. You SAY – “How do you know that will happen?” Because it is happening to about 70% of our teenagers who graduate from Bible believing churches and go off to secular colleges!
7. SOLUTION –
a. Evidence that Bible is true – fulfillment of O.T. prophecies –
i think of it like an ADDRESS – takes 7 pieces of information to get you a letter from anywhere on earth –
ii In the O.T. there are 70 major prophecies about the Messiah – can you imagine an address with 70 details? There would be no doubt who the letter was intended for and folks, JESUS fulfilled those prophecies!
iii In my opinion, this is the greatest evidence we have that we can trust the Bible!
iv (Listen to what Josh McDowell writes in A Ready Defense – p. 210, 211 section: An Address in History – 2 paragraphs)
b. Read – MORE THAN A CARPENTER – Parents – buy your teenager this book – A READY DEFENSE by Josh McDowell
II. LITERATURE: What Is The One Book You Must Keep Reading? (v 45)
a. (Read verse 45) …Comprehend the scriptures…
b. (illustration – graduation – money in the Bible)
c. It is in the Word of God we find out greatest treasures / Psalm 119:1,2, 9-16
d. Young people DON’T NEGLECT THE READING OF THE WORD OF GOD!
III. HISTORY: What Do You Need To Remember?
(vv 46,48)
a. (read vv 46-48)
b. Now you may not have witnessed the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ – but ALWAYS REMEMBER what his death and resurrection have done for you!
c. As you go out into a secular world that cries out “Be Tolerant!” but has very little tolerance for followers of Christ – REMEMBER what Jesus did for you and REMEMBER that you have surrendered your life to follow, serve and obey JESUS!
d. ALWAYS REMEMBER – YOU ARE A DISCIPLE OF JESUS! SO STAND FOR JESUS, NEVER BE ASHAMED OF THE ONE WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU!
IV. ENGLISH GRAMMAR: What is the Important Verb?
(v 47a)
a. Being a Christian is not just about tagging yourself with a title or saying I believe certain things – Being a Christian is also about obedience!
b. As you go out into the world there is a word, a verb, I hope you can never clear from your mind!
c. (read v. 47) PREACH – not just for preachers – we are all to proclaim…
V. GEOGRAPHY: Where are you to go? (v 47b)
a. (read v. 47b)
b. Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8
c. Some of you need to go – “Maybe the question you should ask is not, “Should I go?” But, “Should I stay?”
d. I challenge all of you to make it a priority, to spend one summer doing mission work…
e. And whether we end up as a career missionary or not – we can still go with our prayers and with our financial support…
VI. P.E. & HEALTH: Who Gives Us Power to Serve God? (v 49)
a. (read v. 49)
b. We do not have to wait for the H.S. as the disciples did; we received Him in full when we got saved. The question is, how much of us does HE have?
c. Graduates, ALWAYS REMEMBER, your strength comes from the LORD! What may seem like a challenge is nothing to God!
d. Jeremiah 32:17 ( NKJV ) 17‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.
e. Jeremiah 32:27 ( NKJV ) 27“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?
f. Psalm 73:26 - My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
CONCLUSION:
(go back to point # 3, HISTORY)
A Bonus Question:
ART QUESTION: What is the most beautiful picture?
It is the picture of heaven – if we will keep our eyes on heaven and what awaits us in eternity – we will find meaning, purpose, joy and contentment in this life!
1 Cor. 2:9 "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the
heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love
Him."
Rev. 21:1-4
Matt. 6:19-21, 24 Where are your treasures?
Rap Song – by Toby Mac
* Conservative in my music, but this is a song I like…
* Father God, I am clay in your hands
Help me to stay that way through all life’s demands
’Cause they chip and they nag and they pull at me
And every little thing I make up my mind to be
* (CHORUS) I don’t want to gain the whole world and lose my soul
Don’t wanna walk away let me hear the people say
* (PRAYER) Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of
this world that fight for our love and our passion as our eyes
are open wide and on you
Grant us the privilege of your wealth and may your kingdom be
what wakes us up and lays us down
Invitation
