This is a message primarily to our graduating seniors, but I want all parents and adults to use these thoughts to encourage the Christian high school senior with whom you have contact.

As a parent of a graduating senior myself, and as a pastor, there are a flood of thoughts that I want to convey to you.  To some extent parents at this point feel that they have run out of time and they are worried they haven't taught everything they think you need to know.  But, God reminds me that from the very beginning our children are not our own, they are His, and although He uses us to raise you, and we will always be there as your parents, He is the One who will guide and direct your steps.  So, I have confidence that if you look to Him, He will remind you of the things you have been taught, and you will grow in Him.

Acts 20:27-32 came to mind as I was thinking about this article.  It is Paul's farewell message to the elders at Ephesus.  Paul planted the church in Ephesus and he spent a lot of time there teaching and equipping the believers.  But Paul left the church in Ephesus and decided to visit other churches and then go to Jerusalem. When his ship docked in Miletus, about 40 miles from Ephesus, he sent for the Ephesian elders to address them one more time.  It is a marvelous message, but for the sake of space I want to just refer to verses 27-32.

27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 32 "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Paul says that he did not hesitate to proclaim the whole will of God to them.  That is very instructive to us.  I hope Carriage Lane will be your home church throughout college, but you also need to have a home-away-from-home church at your new place of residency nine months out of the year. It is important that one of the first things you do is look for a church and immediately start the habit of regular attendance in worship. I exhort you to choose a PCA church, because I know PCA churches are committed to preaching and teaching the whole will of God. If there isn't a PCA church around, choose a church that focuses on teaching and preaching the Bible as the inerrant Word of God, the whole gospel, a high view of worship, sound doctrine, and the importance of the church.

I also can't stress enough the importance of choosing a good campus ministry like Reformed University Fellowship and begin attending their weekly meetings. Make this choice a top priority as you look for friends and establish your social network. The friends you develop in college will have a tremendous influence on you either for good or for bad.

Paul says to the elders to keep watch over yourselves; that is the most important thing you need to be concerned about.  As important as your studies and social life are, the number one priority is to keep watch over your own spiritual condition. You are now an adult, and now more than ever, you must take responsibility to maintain your walk with God through the ordinary means of grace (Bible reading/studying, prayer, worship, the sacraments, and fellowship).

Paul knew there was a spiritual battle being waged against God's people.  He says in v.29 that he knows savage wolves will come and attack the flock.  Many of you have benefited from being a part of this church and you are equipped to get out on your own, but so were these elders. The Apostle Paul equipped these men, and yet he warns them of the perils ahead.  This next stage in your life will be some of the best years, but be aware that there are wolves all around you.  Satan will want to take advantage of your freedom try to influence you in new ways - ways that seem fun and harmless.  The Devil is very subtle as he tries to lure us away from fellowship with Christ.  

These wolves come in sheep's clothing.  In other words, there will be people who will want to influence you to stray from the Lord, to stray from the church, to stray from God ordained authority, and to compromise your Christian conduct.  Paul says some of these wolves will be close associates or friends who call themselves Christians.  So, my encouragement to you is choose your friends wisely, go out of your way to find and develop friendships with strong believers whose lifestyle and language is consistently dedicated to being a disciple of Christ.  Make this your very first priority as soon as you get to school and all the while you are there.  Satan will throw many other opportunities at you, some which are not inherently sinful, just to occupy you enough to keep you from what should be your most important priorities.

Paul says in v.31 that for three years he warned them of these things so they ought to be on their guard.  Remember the things you have been taught and warned about from your parents, your elders, and your pastor.  Attach yourself to friends and to a church that has this same concern for you.

Paul ends this section on a positive note.  He commends them to God, which is what I do and your parents must do as well.  You are in God's hands, He will watch over you.  But that does not mean we do not have responsibility to use the means God has provided to nurture us.  This is why Paul says He commends them to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Paul says that He commends them to God and to the Word of His grace.  He is referring to the Bible and the message of the gospel.  The Bible and the gospel are able to build you up.  We are never beyond a need of the gospel truths.  In the Word we need to continue to find encouragement in what Jesus has done for us - our new status with Him, and our union with Him.  When we continue to preach the gospel to ourselves we have greater confidence and security in our inheritance among all the believers.  This is what God wants for all of us, and He wants it for you as you go off to school or as you pursue a career.  God wants you to be built up through the gospel.  He wants you to be confident in His love and among other believers who are also being built up.

If you heed these warnings and encouragements you will see God work in you and bless you in tremendous ways in the coming years.

In Christ,
Pastor Doug