5 WAYS NOT TO WASTE YOUR SCHOOL YEAR! Blake Law, 2012

Introduction Can you actually waste a school year? -Any activity or amount of time can be wasted if not done for God’s Glory -If you can waste two hours staring at the internet, you can definitely waste a whole school year !

Introduction Can you actually waste a school year? "If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead.“ - William Law - William Law But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, - 1 Peter 3:15

5 WAYS NOT TO WASTE YOUR SCHOOL YEAR!

1. Be Joyful

1. Be JOYFUL! Anything you do without joy is a waste.

1. Be JOYFUL! SATISFACTION in the Lord is key! O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. – Psalm 90:14 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:11-13

2. Love & Serve Others

You will waste your school year if you are only focused on yourself!

2. Love & Serve Others God showed us that loving and serving others is the path to true greatness. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. – Luke 22:26 How can you love and serve the neighbors God has given you at your school?

3. Don’t Gossip

Do you think gossip is a problem at your school? Hey! Quit pushing my buttons!

3. Don’t Gossip You will waste your school year if you devour other people’s reputations! They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. – Romans 1:29-32

3. Don’t Gossip Use your tongue to build people up! Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. – Proverbs 12:25 What can you do to counteract gossip and slander in your school?

4. Glorify God By Hard Work

What kind of work does God want you to do in school?

4. Glorify God By Hard Work God wants us to do all things with excellence, because as Christians we are giving Him glory by our work. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. – Proverbs 16:3 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. – Colossians 3:23-24

5. Share Christ

Could you use this year in any better way than sharing Christ with others?

5. Share Christ This is the great adventure, guys. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:18

Conclusion

Conclusion 1. Be JOYFUL! 2. Love & Serve Others 3. Don’t Gossip 4. Glorify God by Hard Work 5. Share Christ

Conclusion You will waste your school year if you are just like the world! Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, – Philippians 2:14-16

Conclusion "If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead.” - William Law