Hall Pass to Life

Graduation Reflect back over school years, friends, teachers, football games, activities Most schools require a Hall Pass for students to be in the halls during class time. This morning – I will give you your hall pass to life 5 Things must be on this pass.

1 – Faith in Christ Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Not parents faith, elders faith, preachers faith Not faith in church, people, family

1 – Faith in Christ Must have your personal faith Faith in God, Christ, Bible You must have your own personal faith in your God.

2 – Focus on your goals Many HS graduates are aimless No goals, no direction Concentrate on the goal – Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

2 – Focus on your goals Don't let others distract you from your goals Harvard (very bad football team) – cheer That's all right, that's OK; You will work for us someday.

3 – Finish what you start Luke 14: For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it-- 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'

3 – Finish what you start Build a tower – FIRST count the cost! Attend college – graduate! Get married – Stay married! Go to work – Finish what you start!

3 – Finish what you start Paul Harvey – message for graduates Life is not fair – get used to it. If you think your teacher is tough wait till you get a boss. If you mess up its not your parent's fault so don't whine about your mistakes. Learn from them.

3 – Finish what you start Before you were born your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way paying your bills and cleaning your room. Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off. Few employers are interested in helping you to find yourself. Do that on your own time.

4 – Freedom to fail James 3:2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Optimist called home after failing an exam - But I got a high F.

4 – Freedom to fail Great men of God failed Abraham lied twice Noah got drunk David – adultery and murder Peter denied Christ Paul was the chief of sinners

4 – Freedom to fail An American Failure 1831 – Failed in business 1832 – Defeated for state legislature 1833 – Failed again in business 1835 – Fiance died 1836 – Had nervous breakdown 1838 – Defeated for speaker of the house 1850 – Son died

4 – Freedom to fail An American Failure 1855 – Defeated for senate 1856 – Defeated for vice president 1858 – Defeated for senate BUT – in 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States

5 – Family a priority Exodus 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. Stay close to home Not about geography But about the heart Always make family a priority Immediate family Church family Extended family

_____________________________ Is authorized to enter Into life with the following stipulations: Faith in Christ Focus on your goals Finish what you start Freedom to fail Family a priority HALL PASS TO LIFE