David [00:00:01]:
As I said last week, the month of May has become a month honor. We honor our mothers, which we did last Sunday. We honor those who are graduating from high school and college this month. And we end the month by honoring our military and those who have served our country and given their lives for our freedom.
David [00:00:49]:
The word honor means to regard or treat someone with admiration and respect, to give special recognition to them for what they’ve achieved or accomplished, to know them, recognize them and acknowledge them. Now, today we’re going to focus on what it means to be a graduate. Those people who are graduating from high school or college. This message is especially for you today. In fact, it’s titled ten scriptures or ten Bible verses for the graduates in your life. Ten Bible verses for the graduates in your life. Now, according to legend, the privilege of wearing a cap was the initial rite of a freed roman slave. They had graduated from slavery to freedom to citizenship.
David [00:01:59]:
The academic cap that we wear during graduation has become a sign of freedom of scholarship. And that term, freedom of scholarship, means the right to pursue and share knowledge without interference or censorship. And that’s something we treasure here in the United States. Then that flowing gown that we all wear, the graduation gown that we all wear, has become symbolic of democracy, the democracy of scholarship. For it covers the clothing or every little detail that could indicate rank or social standing. So what it’s saying is we’re all worthy and have the right to learn, to grow and become more and to graduate with our degree. Graduation represents the culmination of a journey and the attainment of a goal. It is an exciting period in a person’s life.
David [00:03:20]:
And of course, an array of feelings come with that and surface. For the graduate, graduation is a successful completion, a course of study at a university, a college, or a school for which you receive a degree or a diploma. There are typically three main types of high school graduation. An undergraduate graduation when you get your bachelor’s degree, and a graduate graduation. For those who earn a master’s or a doctorate degree. Graduating high school or college is a significant achievement, one that sends young people into a totally new phase of life. So with that in mind, we’re going to share with you today ten Bible verses that will help you as you enter into this new phase of life you’re going into as you graduate and move on. These Bible verses offer advice, guidance, and reminders that can help graduates focus on what matters most as they enter a new season of life, their faith and reliance in God.
David [00:04:52]:
Today we’re going to share these ten verses, and I want to encourage you to share them also with friends or family and neighbors. Anyone you know who was on that road moving on to the next chapter of their life, share these verses with them. The first one is this, deuteronomy 31 eight. All of these will be from the Niv version of the Bible. Deuteronomy 31 eight says this, the Lord himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged.
David [00:05:42]:
Wow. As you step into this new phase of life after graduation. That is a great verse and I want to tell you all these verses. You should put them up somewhere on a wall in your bathroom, somewhere where you can see them every day and be reminded how much God loves you and he is there for you. This Bible verse reminds us that God will never leave us. He is always with us. It’s one of the most important Bible verses for high school and college graduates, for as many will move away from home and start living on their own for the first time in their life or they will enter the workforce full time. And they’ve never done all this before, interacting with people in a way they’ve never interacted with them.
David [00:06:41]:
But know this, God is with you in this new chapter of life. It can feel scary at times, but this Bible verse reminds us that God is with us at all times. It is a reminder of God’s absolute faithfulness to us. He will never leave us or forsake us. The second verse we want to talk about today in light of graduation is one you’ve probably heard before. I love this verse. It’s Jeremiah 20 911 and it says this for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.
David [00:07:33]:
Plans to give you hope and a future. Thank you, Lord, for your promise, hope and a future. Leaving high school or college forces people to come up with a plan, whether that be choosing a university or heading into the workforce. What’s important during that time period is involving God in discerning your next steps in life. Asking him, seeking him. He says right here in Jeremiah 29 that God has a plan for our lives, but we must be willing to seek it out. To seek him, ask for his direction, his wisdom, his guidance. This is one of the most important graduation Bible verses to keep in mind, as it can serve as a true encouragement for graduates to trust God with the next phase of their life.
David [00:08:49]:
Knowing that God has a plan for you. God has a plan for you for all the days of your life here on the earth. Colossians 323 says this whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord and not for human masters. While graduating and moving on to the next phase of life might be a little scary or may seem a little overwhelming at first, it’s also a time to celebrate. That is something we don’t do enough here in our culture and in our life. Celebrate. I encourage you to celebrate. And so celebrate the hard work that you’ve put into graduating, that went into moving on to your university or moving on to earning a degree or moving on into the workforce.
David [00:09:49]:
Celebrate that you’re able to take that step. This graduation Bible verse can also remind us to celebrate our accomplishments and give thanks to God for his guidance and support to get us where we are in life. Because the reality is we wouldn’t be anywhere without him. You say, yeah, but I studied and I’ve got these talents and abilities, right? Because God gave you those talents and abilities. God gave you your mind. And so we always come back to him and say, thank you, Lord, for what you’ve done in me and through me and with me and for me. Colossians 323 reminds us that we are truly working for our father God, no matter what we do. So this is one of the Bible verses for college graduates that shows the importance of keeping God at the center of our accomplishments and hard work.
David [00:11:03]:
The next verse is one Timothy 412. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. This verse, Paul was encouraging young Timothy, come on, you’ve got this. Let’s go forth and do what you’re called and anointed to do. Entering the next phase in your life. You may be thinking, man, I am so young, I don’t have a lot of experience, but it’s taking those next steps that first Timothy 412 is talking about. And it reminds us that we need not to let our age be a barrier to us moving forward and stepping into what God has for us. Remember, he is there with you and for you, and he never leaves you or forsakes you.
David [00:12:17]:
One of the reasons that this verse is a great bible verse for high school students is that it encourages love, faith and purity, characteristics that aren’t always present in the college experiences that we’re going to step into. This is a great leadership advice for young christians heading to college. First corinthians 13 eight is our next verse. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease. Where there are tongues, they will be stilled. Where there is knowledge, it will pass away. In a world which where there is so much chaos and infighting, first Corinthians 13 eight reminds us that God loves us and his love never fails.
David [00:13:20]:
Love never fails. Entering college or the workforce plunges us into an entirely new environment and gives us the chance to form new friendships and relationships. This is important to enter these new relationships with love so that we can share the light and joy of Jesus with those around us. Remember, to love people, even enemies, and those we disagree with is essential. God says, even love your enemies. So find a way to demonstrate love and kindness, goodness, peace to them. Philippians four four rejoice in the lord always. I will say it again, rejoice.
David [00:14:18]:
Graduation. Like Philippians four four simply encourages people to rejoice in God. No matter what happens. Life can get tough after graduation. So as there are many decisions that must be made, remember to rejoice every day. I remember psalm 100 1824. I love that verse. This is the day that the Lord has made.
David [00:14:44]:
I will rejoice and be glad in it. I get up almost every day quoting that verse. This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice in this day. I’m going to be glad in this day. I’m going to find a reason. Even if I’m surrounded with challenges and all this stuff coming against me, I will find a reason to rejoice in my God and be glad in him. On the day of graduation, it’s important to celebrate and give thanks to God for the achievements that you have accomplished thus far, rather than getting overwhelmed by the unknown of the future.
David [00:15:25]:
And we are all stepping into the unknown every day. This Bible verse for graduates is a reminder to trust and give thanks to God. Our next verse is psalm 119, 105 and 106. Your word is a lamp to my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it that I will follow your righteous laws. Encouraging young people to let God light their path is essential. Psalm 119, 105 and 106 offers a powerful example of a graduation Bible verse that can have an impact on anyone’s life. As graduates enter the next phase of their life, it’s important to remember that all the works we do should glorify and point back to God.
David [00:16:31]:
Young people in particular have the chance to reflect on God’s goodness as they seek direction, and in the process, they influence others to know God, to love him and to experience him. Psalm 51, verses ten and eleven tells us this create in me a pure heart, o God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your holy spirit from me. Young people may face many challenges and temptations as they go out into the world. Entering a new university or workplace can cause added peer pressure because we’re seeking to build new relationships and be accepted by our colleagues and coworkers wanting to be accepted may be pressured, and the process may be pressured to do things that don’t align with the path God is calling us to walk. This is among the Bible verses for graduates that reminds us to ask God to keep our hearts pure and to renew our hearts and minds in those moments of temptation. This is the perfect Bible verse for college and high school graduates to remind them, keep your eyes on the Lord. Our next verse is James 112.
David [00:18:14]:
James 112 blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. That is our little graduation cap right there, the crown of life. The crown of life is our graduation. When we leave this world and graduate into heaven, there will surely be trials in our life. In fact, there usually are trials and tribulations on the path to high school or college graduation. But Bible verses for high school and college graduates like this one remind young people, remind all of us of the importance of their faith during tough times, if and when challenges and moments of persecution come. This verse encourages people to stay close to God, something that will serve graduates well in their lives. Our next verse is romans 838 and 39.
David [00:19:31]:
Paul says this for I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Despite the challenges in life, this is one of the Bible verses for graduates that remind us and remind them that no matter what happens, human beings can’t be separated from God’s love. God loves us intensely, intimately, forever. In a new phase of life, it’s easy to get caught up in the anxiety, the stress of adjusting to all the changes, all the new experiences. We may feel lonelier, like we’re the only ones going through these things. It’s like you feel like you’re the only one going over speed bumps at the exact moment and you feel far from God. But it’s important for all of us as well as our graduates to remember God’s love is always there and always available to us. Challenges will certainly come, but there’s always hope in Christ.
David [00:21:08]:
Transformation holds within its wide embrace this is a quote I want to share with you in closing by Frederic Broussard transformation holds within its wide embrace the personal rewards that come with a spiritual awakening, a conversion, a mystical epiphany, or an enlightenment. Graduation is a moment of renewal, a commencement. It’s letting go of what was and stepping into something new. This rounds out our list today of Bible verses that we wanted to share with you as we celebrate our graduates from high school and from college. I encourage you to honor your graduates in your life by sharing these Bible verses with them and anyone else you may know who would be blessed by them. What an awesome thing to complete that journey of going through high school and graduating, or going through college and graduating, earning those degrees, or stepping into the workforce, into what you feel like, your role, your position, your purposes in life, how you want to serve. We all look forward to the day when we all will graduate from life here on earth to our heavenly home. And there, yes, like we said a moment ago, we will have the crown of life as our graduation cap, and we will all be clothed in white robes, sanctified, set apart for the Lord as his own.
David [00:23:15]:
All of us are eternal beings representing the Lord Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God here on the earth. May we do it well. Bow your heads with me in prayer. Father, we thank you for everyone who’s graduating from high school or from college or a program, Father, where they’re earning a degree. And we ask you, Father God, to bless them and to be with them. I thank you for opening doors of opportunity for them, and I pray that they have a great time of celebration, Father. And just like the graduates we’re talking about today, we look forward, as a body of Christ, we look forward to that day of graduation where we enter your presence, Lord, there in heaven, and we come into that place that you prepared for us, and we thank you for it. We thank you for loving us, for always being with us, never forsaking us, always supporting us and helping us.
David [00:24:23]:
We thank you for it, Lord. Thank you for loving us. And God, I pray that as these young people graduate and step into the next phase of their life, they walk in all that you have created them to be, to become, and to influence everyone around them. For the kingdom of God. We give you praise and glory for all of this, father, in Jesus name. Amen. Pastor Kanye is coming now. With a closing word and prayer.
David [00:24:57]:
God bless you. Celebrate and have a great week.
