(Graduation Sunday:)
Entering a Broken World
1 Peter 2:19-25
Graduation in the Shadow of Easter
Ø "This is a Day of New Beginnings"
- with endless possibilities!
Ø The Shadow of the Cross
- "...Christ suffered for you."
- Lectionary: "patiently endure unjust treatment..."
- (a bit of a "bummer?")
This World is Broken
Ø And as a Christian, you are called to be part of the FIX (aka. "the Kingdom of God")
- Life ISN'T Fair (Just/Righteous)
- Sometimes against us
- Sometimes for us
- You are called to BE fair, just, holy, and loving
- To all people (those you like and don't)
- Even to yourself (seeing yourself clearly is HARD)
Ø You are also called to look beyond the "is" to the "what could be"
- You are called to a life of unrelenting Hope (and Faith, and Love)
Things to Remember
Ø Words from ministers:
- “Education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. … We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- “When we rely upon organization, we get what organization can do; when we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. And so on. But when we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do.”~ A. C. Dixon
Ø Some Very Practical (Proverbial) Advice
- Surround yourself with people who make it easier for you to love God and people.Christians were never meant to be isolated.
- Don't just live in the Christian bubble; Jesus ate with everybody.
- Dreaming big dreams is one thing, but waking up, getting out of bed, & doing the hard work is what makes your dreams reality.
- Think before you speak…or post something, or send an email, or text(you get the idea).
- Make good choices!You’re going to have to look at yourself in the mirror every day…
- Never stop pursuing the truth.But don't confuse truth with opinion. "I have my truth and you have yours" is an example of said confusion.
- Truth includes facts, but facts can only imply truth.Don't implications overwhelm your faith.
- You can't be a real disciple of Jesus just one day a week; it takes all seven!
- Jesus is not your "ticket" to heaven, or to the good life, or to any of your goals.Trying to use God for your own ends, never ends well.
- Don’t take yourself too seriously. Take God very seriously.
- Don’t settle for ordinary, when extraordinary is just a few steps away.
- Love people…all people.Even if they really need a bath.
- Never underestimate the power of a firm handshake and good eye contact.
- It’s never too late to stop procrastinating.
- Humility includes knowing your strengths (without arrogance) and knowing your weaknesses (without despair).
- Facebook is not the place to handle interpersonal conflicts or meet eligible singles in your area.Neither is Tinder!!
- Some hills aren’t worth dying on…but, then again, some are.
- Don’t fill out those credit card applications that you receive in the mail.Just because congress cannot live within their means doesn't make it wise.
- Children who truly love their parents, call them at least once a week and text them more often…just not while they’re driving.
- 1st impressions really do matter! (I'll spare you the quote...)
- Live out Ephesians 2:10–“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
- Never forget who you are.Never forget whose you are.
- Be flexible enough to change your course when warranted, but determined enough to stay the course when needed.The Serenity prayer is worth praying often.
- Spend enough time dwelling on the good memories that they stick (bad memories tend to stick without effort). Spend enough time making good memories so that you have many to dwell on.
