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.
This Friday – my wife & I will have been married for 16 years –
(don’t you fell sorry for her)
In those 16 years we have faces the gators
My oldest at the age of 4 suffered a broken hip – in a Body cast for 8 weeks.
Then later a broke his arm.
My wife has had 4 major surgery’s
2 year ago – diagnosed with Glaucoma – which if not treated could take her sight ..
My point is there will come time in life you face the why, how comes, -- the it is not fair. –
You will look for answers & they will not be there
It is in those times it will pay to know one who knows the answer, or shall I say He is the answer –
WHEN ANSWERS AREN’T ENOUGH THERE IS JESUS.
The Bible says
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV)
Always remember
When you face suffering, He can ease your pain.
If you are confused, He can clear your mind.
If you are fearful, He can give you peace.
If you have bad habits, he can break them for you.
When you are in need – he is big enough provide it.
If you give yourself to Him, He will give Himself to you.
You have made the grade
You have passed the tests
You have earned the credits
You will soon graduate.
Can I tell you - you will soon find out – life is full of tests, challenges
You will always be learning – ever growing.
Yes even at the end if this life – you will be tested.
2 Cor 5:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
(KJV)
On that day – we better pass the test. – There is no makeup test allowed, & God doesn’t grade of a curve – He grade on the cross.
What you do with Jesus now – determines you eternally destiny later.
Jesus said seek me & you will find me—
He has a way – of showing himself real
A story is lord of an Athisest teacher who always gave Christians a hard time.
This new year was no different – as class started – he began to challenge the faith of the believers in class.
He said – If there is a god I will give him 5 minutes to show himself –if he does not it will prove my point there is no God.
2 minutes passed – 3 minutes left he shouted – in 3 minutes if God doesn’t show himself – he is not real.
Finally down to 30 second - - He looked at the class & said God has 30 seconds – to show him self or he is not real & your faith in him is in vain –
Well about that time a 6” 1 280 football player who himself was a Christian happened by & heard the chants of the teacher.
15 seconds // 10 // Where are you God show yourself, 5, 4, 3, 2,
all of a sudden that football player bolted into the room – and rammed right into that teacher, knocking him off his feel right into the wall, knocked his glasses off, -- in other words he nailed him!!!
The football player – walked over to the teacher, took him by the hand to help him up & said
GOD TOLD ME TO TELL YOU HE WAS BUSY – SO HE SENT ME!!!
Give God a chance – He will reveal himself to you!!!!
Most of you know – Our church runs the Christian Youth Center called the fire escape – here in town.
One day a teenage girl looked at me & said –
Can I ask you a question –
I said sure – She said – Have you ever drank – I said no, she said have you ever smoked. I puffed on once, but I can get the same result from an exhaust pipe. She found it hard to believeI had not been evolved in certain things.
But I Chose to live the way I live.
I became a Christian when I was 14 – 28 years ago.
I can stand here & tell you I have never drank
I have never taken a drugs
I have never used tobacco
I do not regret on day I have lived for the Lord ..
I know – I have heard all the arguments –
Well preacher – what if your wrong.
No hereafter, no judgment, no eternity – look at what you have missed..
I say I have missed nothing –
If anything I have life a good moral life..
But then I ask them - -what if I am right & you are wrong.
What if there is a herefter, what if there is a day of accountable coming, what if there is a heaven to gain & a hell to shun—
What have you missed.
Young people Read the Book – there will be a test.
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire.
He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family.
He would miss the paycheck,
but he needed to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor.
The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work.
He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior
materials.
It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter.
"This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked! What a shame!
If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us.
We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building.
Then with a shock we realize we have to live
in the house we have built.
If we could do it over, we’d do it much
differently.
But we cannot go back.
You are the carpenter.
Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or raise a wall.
"Life is a do-it-yourself project,"
Your attitudes and the choices
you make today, build the "house" you live in tomorrow.
Build wisely!
Use you time wisely – for soon it will be gone
May wise choices – REMEMBER A ONE TIME MISTAKE – CAN LAST FOR A LIFETIME OF HEARTACHES
Whatever you do in life – I wish you the best
But whatever you do, don’t forget life’s most important
choice that will determine where you spend eternity.
SAY YES TO JESUS!
THANK YOU & MAY GOD BLESS YOU!
Disclaimer:
These sermons are not copyrighted and may be used or preached freely, I trust these sermons will be a blessing to all who read them. Please note that due to the large amount of material on the Internet concerning sermons, illustrations & ideals. Any similarities in wording, or titles of other preachers sermons are simply coincidental. May God Bless You is my Prayer!
