Homeschool Graduation Address

Graduating Class of 2019, let me remind you as you move from one part of your life into the next, the world is not a nice place. Indeed, the devil is in the world roaming around as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. As our world moves further and further from the truth of God’s Word, there are those who would prey on you, especially you who are homeschooled and Christian. As a matter of fact there are many whose sole desire would be to “break” you of your beliefs. Thankfully God is on our side.
 

First, let me say, that going to college or university may not be for everyone. There are many opportunities and even more and more so today in the trade fields. Dr. Martin Luther spoke much of our vocations that are the places in life where we serve God by serving others. He expressed the fact that the milkmaid serves God better in her vocation than the monk who sits in his cell all day and meditates (not his exact quote). The point being that as we live in our various vocations, son, daughter, mother, father, sister, brother, factory worker, plumber, electrician, doctor, lawyer, pastor, priest, farmer, rancher, no matter what our vocation, we serve God by serving others and that is what gives meaning and purpose to our lives. As long as we are working in an honest vocation serving God by serving others, we should rejoice in that gift of vocation, whatever it may be. Yet, even in all workforce vocations, the devil will be there to tempt you.
 

Should you decide to further your education, the devil will be there even more so. So, let me explain something to you before you move on, up and perhaps out. The big world of academia seeks to scam you into believing that what you have been taught as a Christian makes you not so smart. They will attempt to persuade you that they know what is best for you and how you might become a free-thinking person, your own person, intellectually independent shall we say. What they will attempt to do is to convince you that if you think like your parents, like you were taught growing up then you are not truly smart nor a free thinker. Instead, they would ask you to give up your ways and instead to think like they do, because then and only then will you be truly smart and a free thinker, indeed intellectually independent. Yet, if you have been following carefully you will see that they simply want you to trade one set of norms, morals and values for another, your parents for theirs. I would challenge you to challenge any professor that says they want you to be a free thinker, ask them if it is okay to disagree with them. You might find that you will fail if you were to actually bring up free thinking ideas. So, you might be careful how you address your professors.
 

What is my advice? Cling to what you know is right, what you have been taught. Certainly your parents, who brought you into this world, who fed and clothed you, who taught you, changed your diapers, rooted for you, encouraged and even disciplined you, love you more than you can know. Your professor simply has you as a student, a number in his or her class. They do not know you from anything, do not be fooled into thinking they actually have the best in mind for you. I would encourage you, do not trade the values you have learned for the values or lack thereof of your professor and think that makes you a free-thinking smart intellectually independent person. The truth is you will have simply traded the values of those that love you for one who seeks a notch on his or her belt.
 

How do you keep from falling prey? The B-I-B-L-E. You know what Bible stands for, Basic information before leaving earth. Every group that I get to speak to and teach I make sure I begin with the foundation, the basics, the Word of God. As we know, the Old Testament points to Jesus. The New Testament points to Jesus. The calendar, B.C. (Before Christ) points to Jesus and A.D. (Anno Domini) points to Jesus. All history, all time, the Bible points to Jesus. Thus, you know you get it right when you point to Jesus. I would encourage you to go back to your Bible, to read especially Genesis chapters one through eleven. In Genesis God sets the standards for life. He tells us exactly how He created the world meaning that there is a Creator, thus there is an ultimate Authority, and there is One to whom we are ultimately responsible. He tells us how He created humans beings, two genders, men and women and how marriage is for one man and one woman, not any other perversion of this gift. My rule of thumb in life is this: Human beings are by nature imperfect sinners and often get it wrong. Look at any science book and see how many times theories are changed. God is perfect and never gets anything wrong. So, if there is ever a difference between what God says and what men say, I am going to go with what God says and figure that the human has gotten something wrong and needs to go back and look again.
 

With that said, please understand, God never said that life in this world would be easy, as a matter of fact, because of the exclusive claim of Christianity, that there is one and only one way to heaven, the world will hate you, but indeed it is not you but Jesus they are hating. The various religions, cults, and sects of the world, the various theories of molecules to man evolution, the many worldviews of our social society have come about because of man’s desire to be the captain of his ship, his own ruler, the one to determine his own destiny or fate, in other words, to make himself or herself their own god, which we know is idolatry.
 

So, let me encourage you. Matthew 28:19-20 is usually referred to as the Great Commission. I would like to encourage you to read it as the great giving of authority and the great promise. Jesus begins by telling us that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him and therefore He infers that He is giving that authority to us. So, when someone asks you, who gives you the right to speak for God, say, Jesus does. Then as He continues, the tense of the verbs is not a command, rather it speaks of the fact that as you are going, as you are living, as you are living in your vocation, make disciples and we do that by always being ready to give an answer, a defense, an apology for our faith, that is when someone asks us what we believe, we eagerly answer their question. And let me encourage, as hard as it may be, no one wants to listen to you if you speak when not asked. So, although you may desire to pour out your faith on another, patiently wait and pray for the opportunity, to be asked. And then we have Jesus’ promise, lo, I am with you to the end of the age. Indeed, let me assure you, Jesus will give you the opportunity, the courage and the very words to speak to bear witness of Him. And then go on rejoicing and praying for that person.
 

Now, although this may sound discouraging, please be encouraged by this fact, heaven is a place of complete perfection. The world we live in may be difficult at times. When we get to heaven how much of this world do you think you will remember? I am an avid Cowboys and Astros fan, but in heaven how many Super Bowls, or World Series they have won really will not matter. My point is this, too many people spend too much time on the struggles of this world and too often to the detriment of their spiritual well being, on what is important, preparing for our real lives of heaven. When life gets difficult, remember this world is only a temporary place.
 

Finally, let me say, each of you can make a difference, or better said, the Lord can make a difference through you. I would say keep the faith, but I will say, give it away. Live life to the fullest, enjoying the gifts the Lord has to give and share that with others, as you have opportunity and as you are asked. And remember, you do not convert anyone, you simply share the Word and God does the rest, let Him do what He does best. May God bless you in whatever vocation you choose, serving Him by serving others and always doing so to His glory.