A Message to Graduates
What drives the heart of a Christian? What comfort or assurance can be given to high schoolers about to leave the safety of their hometown, and suddenly be immersed in the free-for-all of college life? Addressing the high school graduates and congregation of Compass Community Church, Pastor Seth Dean answers this question in light of the Apostle Peter's statements in the 3rd chapter of his first epistle. In order to stand firm in the face of violent trials and persecutions - even the jeering of fellow students for trusting in Christ - a Christian must honor Jesus Christ as Lord.
Many messages have been preached on this passage - many times the focus has been of an apologetic nature. And especially when we’re considering sending teenagers off to campuses of both Christian and secular colleges, men in the pulpit like to drive into them the idea of being ready to defend their faith. Now, there is nothing wrong with that. But in my experience, young men and women who have been told that this is the beginning of their independence and subsequently their adult lives, are often thinking less and less of defending the Christian faith and thinking more and more about what their future looks like. Now is a time when they are dreaming of what they will do for themselves. And this isn’t bad in and of itself. It is good to consider the future. It is good to think on the big questions and imagine the best outcomes: excelling in your field, finding the perfect job, finally finding that ever-longed-for spouse, and laying a good foundation for your future. There is nothing wrong with that at all, unless you are considering all of this in the idea of throwing off the faith of your fathers in pursuit of these material blessings. Or perhaps you aren’t considering abandoning it altogether, but are aware of your own frail weakness - and feel wholly unprepared to speak on behalf of Jesus Christ or in defense of Him lest you make a mockery of yourself or your faith. Or perhaps you are firm in your faith, trusting completely in the meritorious work of Jesus Christ on the cross, but have trepidation about what to do if this situation should arise or that situation - what to do if your faith should lead you to be reviled by others. This message is for all of you. In fact, it is a message for the entire Church. It strikes not at man’s will to simply weather a storm. Rather, it calls to the man’s heart. For, as our Lord says, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” “[Luk 6:45 NKJV]
So, this message is to all of us who call ourselves Christians, but who struggle with proclaiming the excellencies who called us out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of His Marvelous Light.
Sermon preached at Compass Community Church on June 4, 2023. For more information on that church, please contact Pastor Lee Reems at lee@wercompass.org