Service Notes

challenge from John & Steve
testimony by students and Bible presentation

Proverbs 4:5–7 (KJV 1900)

5 Get wisdom, get understanding: Forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: Love her, and she shall keep thee.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: And with all thy getting get understanding.

Introduction

Graduation from high school is a very symbolic and significant event; not just academically but in every area of your life

While in college they would say “until you develop your own standards for living you can borrow ours”

This is a new season of ownership, new responsibilities, new opportunities.
Many new opportunities in life. Proverbs 4:7 “7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: And with all thy getting get understanding.”
We should bend all our efforts to become wiser tomorrow than we are today.

You are entering adulthood in a world that is very difficult to navigate. You will be faced with the need to make decisions in the workplace, in your home, and in every area society that have not been questions previous generations have faced in the same manner. In all your getting right now.. get understanding

We have had 10,000 thousands of words together.

Evins we normally start with you saying “I have two ideas and I need your help.” I pray we get a lifetime of workjng together to hatch your ideas together.
Louis I have never had a conversation about Dukes Mayonaise until I met you. We will all never be the same. Louis your coming to Christ brought so much joy to our church. From singing Louis in the baptistry to seeing you come week after week you have brought us great joy.
Brian we have had talks about fireworks, drums, and life in North Forsyth and we have had some great meals together. Even though our friendship is not as long as some of the others it is real and I am confident we will continue the conversation.
Daniel I don’t know what we will do without a Mize in the youth group. Glad we got one left. Though there have been several of you, no 2 of you have been exactly alike and we love that. You have been a man in your own rights for sometime now. We are proud of you. God is providing strong, godly men for this church for the next generation. Electric Generating Systems Association certificate for Apprentiship Program.Electric Generating Systems Association certificate for Apprentiship Program.
Alan I cant count the times I have told you on a Sunday morning “you were looking sharp” and you respond with you as well. Alan you and and your family have been in this church longer than just about any other family.
Hannah we love hearing your laugh from the VBM office these last few months. As God moved on your parents heart to move them to Indonesia. We have seen God move over you heart and grow you in a wonderful manner.
Charlotte, people might wonder why the handshaking time takes longer on Sunday nights. I enjoy my quick conversations with you and Jonathan during that time. God has gifted ever member of this church to be a blessing to us all - I am grateful that you realized this at a young age and have ministered to us all.

In this very important transition in your life I want to give way to the Word to do the majority of the talking tonight.

If you pursue happiness but not wisdom, you are headed in the wrong direction.

Proverbs 3:13 “13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding.”

Will you believe the lie that God wants to rob you from experiencing the good things of life? Genesis 3:6 “6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

Independence is attractive and alluring.
You will go on and learn things your parents may or may not
You have not outgrown God.

Will you trust that the One who made you knows best and his ways lead to your greatest happiness? Psalm 16:11 “11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

If you want the sweet life, you must pursue wisdom. Proverbs 24:13-14 “13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; And the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: 14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: When thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, And thy expectation shall not be cut off.”
If you want the good life, get understanding. Proverbs 19:8 “8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: He that keepeth understanding shall find good.”

Let me give you a testimony account. Here is a testimony from Wisdom. Here is a message from you from Wisdom. Proverbs 8:32-36 “32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: For blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, And refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, And shall obtain favour of the Lord. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: All they that hate me love death.”

Beware of the imitation wisdom this world has to offer

One of the unique aspects of this generation, is that you know that those who market to you know you better than ever. The world has made a profile on you and actively sends you information to guide your decisions

Our thirst for happiness is insatiable in this world, and if we do not have the wisdom to seek it in God, then we will find whatever substitutes we can in the world.
Beware of the folly of this world. Proverb 15:21 “21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: But a man of understanding walketh uprightly.”

There is a wisdom that comes from above and wisdom that does not descend from above.

James 3:14–18 (KJV 1900)

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

All the treasures of wisdom are hidden in one place

You know where this is, you have met Him.

Colossians 2:3 “3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Proverbs 4:5–7 (KJV 1900)

5 Get wisdom, get understanding: Forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: Love her, and she shall keep thee.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: And with all thy getting get understanding.

Do not forget the Words of Jesus.
Forsake Him not, He will preserve you.
Love Him, He will keep you .
He is the principal one in your life.
In all your getting do not forsake Him.

We are going to end the night with a prayer for wisdom for you all.

Solomon was not born a wise man. He prayed for wisdom and God said 1 Kings 3:11 “11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;”

This is our prayer for you.

Col 1:9 “9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”

End of candle ceremony