OceanSide church of Christ
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GRADUATE HODGEPODGE
Victor M.
Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
During the course of my
life, I have been personally involved in six graduations.
1.
Each one was special in its
own way.
2.
Each one marked an end and a
beginning.
3.
What each one commemorates
can never be taken from me.
B.
We are at that time of year when many, both young and old,
are graduating from high schools, colleges, and specialty schools throughout the
C.
We have some of our number
who will graduate soon. We will be
honoring them after services tonight.
D.
We felt it appropriate to
give some words of exhortation to our graduates. This evening, we will look at the
subject: “Graduate
Hodgepodge.” We will be presenting
a mixture of thoughts to our graduates in this lesson.
I.
EXCITEMENT PLUS DEPRESSION
A.
Graduation is a time that is
filled with excitement, anticipation, and some depression.
1.
It has taken twelve years
(for some even more) to get to this point.
2.
It has taken both dedication
and work.
3.
These last few weeks may
have been taxing: projects,
invitations, meetings, finals, enrolling in college, seeking a
job.
4.
Then graduation night comes
and goes. A ceremony. A speaker. A certificate. A night on the town. That’s it. What now? Depression sets
in.
B.
Elijah faced a similar
problem in his prophetic career.
1.
He met the prophets of Baal
and was victorious.
2.
His work only caused the
wicked Jezebel to seek his life.
3.
In I Kings 19:9, Elijah
crawls into a cave in the southern region of Sinai.
a.
He was fearful, depressed, and lonely.
b.
He even desired for the Lord to take his life (I Kings
19:4).
C.
To overcome the down time,
one must set goals and begin to move forward. This is what the Lord counseled the
prophet to do (I Kings 19:15-16).
And the Lord
said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of
II. LIFE
CHANGES
A.
Over the past six years, you
have witnessed many physical changes.
Compare a 12 year old with an 18 year old.
B.
You will not experience as
many physical changes for several years.
You will face changes that will be life altering. They can be good or
bad.
1.
College or
work.
2.
A
career.
3.
A
possible move to another area of the country.
4.
Children.
C.
Dr. James Dobson speaking
about the years between the ages of 16 and 26:
“Some of the most
dramatic and permanent changes in life usually occur during those ten short
years. A person is transformed from
a kid who’s still living at home and eating at the parent’s table, to a
full-fledged adult who should be earning a living and taking complete charge of
his or her life. Most of the
decisions that will shape the next fifty years will be made in this
era…
“What makes this
period even more significant is the impact of early mistakes and errors in
judgment. They can undermine all
that is to follow.”
(Life on the Edge,
James Dobson, p. 3).
D.
They key during these years
is to have some form of mooring for life.
A mooring is an anchor that will not allow one to drift too far. It keeps you stable in the winds of
change.
1.
Hebrews
13:8.
Jesus Christ the
same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
2.
Hebrews
6:19.
Which hope we
have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into
that within the veil.
3.
As the song, “Time Is Filled
with Swift Transition,” states:
“Hold to God’s unchanging hand.”
4.
Psalm
46:1-3.
God is our
refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the
earth be remove, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with
the swelling thereof.
III. REMEMBER THE FIVE STEP
FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
A. A -
Aim
1.
To hit something, one must take aim.
2.
One man advised: Hitch your
wagon to a star.
3.
Another said: Shoot for the
moon, and even if you miss you will fall among the stars.
4.
The apostle Paul had a goal (Phil. 3:13-14).
B. B -
Believe
1.
You must have faith that will keep you committed to your
goal.
2.
Paul’s goal was to reach the heavenly abode. He believed that it would definitely
come to pass (II Tim. 1:12b).
…for I know whom
I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have
committed unto him against that day.
C. C -
Courage
1.
As you seek to accomplish your goal, there will be obstacles and
naysayers.
2.
Stand with courage against them and fulfill your
goals.
3.
II Timothy 1:7.
For God hath not
given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound
mind.
D. D -
Diligence
1.
Any worthy goal will require work and toil and blood and sweat and
tears.
2.
Ecclesiastes 9:10.
Whatsoever thy
hand findeth to do, do it will thy might.
E. E –
Endurance.
1.
The race does not belong to the swift for life is a
marathon.
2.
Victory belongs to the one who can endure as long as he needs to endure
to be successful.
3.
Such is true of Christianity (Mark 13:13).
…but he that
shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
IV. LIVE LIFE BY THE
LAWS
A.
Every area of life has a few
significant laws that govern that realm of life.
B.
Example: finances.
1.
Never spend more than you
make.
2.
Give to God first and pay
yourself second.
3.
Set aside an emergency fund
consisting of 3 to 6 months salary.
4.
Pay all credit card debt at
the end of each month. Never carry
a balance.
5.
If any financial deal seems
to be too good, it probably is.
C.
Why does this concept of
living by the laws work? God
created the world. He is a God of
order and not confusion (I Cor. 14:33).
Thus, this world is instilled with laws that will bring us happiness and
peace if we seek to live by them.
V. LET GOD
DIRECT YOUR STEPS
A.
Solomon (Prov.
3:5-6).
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 steps.
B.
Jesus (John
6:38).
For I came down
from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent
me.
C.
David (Ps.
23:1-6).
The Lord is my
shepherd; I shall not want. He
maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil: for thou art with me; thy
rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup
runneth over. Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the
Lord for ever.
CONCLUSION
A.
Old folks could say 10,000
things to young folks who are just starting.
1.
Most young people will not
listen.
2.
Those who do can be richly
blessed.
B.
Solomon summarized all
things well in Ecclesiastes 12:1.
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.