Busy Serving Jesus: A Graduation Day Challenge for Disciples

Well, guess what day it is? It’s Sunday. That’s right. And what else is it? The 17th. You all are full of good answers today.

What else do we know about today? We have graduates, and it is also Ascension Sunday. On Ascension Sunday, we remember the passage in Acts where Jesus, after being with the disciples for 40 days, rose up into heaven and now sits at the right hand of the Father. And the only thing we are waiting for now is His return.

The angel said, “Why do you stand here looking into the heavens? He’s going to come back the same way He left.” So get busy. Do your work.

I’m thankful that yesterday we got busy and did our work. We have work to do, and busyness brings forth results. If we are busy about the work of Christ, it will bring results. First and foremost, the name of Christ is lifted up. Second, the goodness that we pour out on behalf of Jesus’ name will affect the lives of others for His sake. The church is to be busy, serving as the hands and feet of Jesus. That is a good thing.

In our lives, we have different opportunities to be busy and to be about our work. One of those times is schooling. How many of you have been to school? School is important because there is something required of us. What we put into it has a direct result on what we get out of it. The same is true in the church. If we pour a lot into serving Jesus, we will get a lot out of serving Jesus. If we don’t pour much into it, we won’t get much out of it.

It is the same with school. If you put a lot into it, the day comes when you graduate and you have more wisdom to work with. If you do not pour much into it, you do not get much out of it. Education is important. Following Jesus is even more important.

Today we have some people who have reached a milestone in our congregation. Let’s recognize our graduates.

Aiden is graduating from South Stokes High School. What was your favorite subject? Biology. And what are you planning to study? Biology. Where will you study? UNCW. And what do you hope to do with that degree? A pre-med track, leading toward medical school. We are proud of you, Aiden, and thankful that you are part of our church family. We will be praying for you while you are away in Wilmington, and we expect to see you when you are home. If you need anything, your brothers and sisters here are here for you.

Ella is graduating from Walkertown High School. What was your favorite subject? Zoology. And what did you learn? That it is the branch of biology that focuses on animals. After graduation, where are you headed? The Navy, to become a K-9 handler. Wherever you may find yourself in the world, remember that your brothers and sisters in Christ are here for you. We may not be able to fly to you, but we can definitely pray for you. And when you are back home, we expect to see you in those dress whites.

Sierra has completed her program at Surry Community College and has learned a new trade: nail technician. She is working toward state certification in North Carolina. One important thing she learned was cleanliness and disinfecting procedures so that people are protected. We are excited for her and thankful for this new opportunity. Even in the midst of career changes, her church family is here for her, and we are proud of her progress.

Graduation is a great thing. It is a time when we pour our hearts into something and then see a result come from it. We should give that same kind of attention to our relationship with Jesus. We should put that kind of effort into studying His Word, talking with Him, growing in Him, listening, and serving. Hard work pays off in every area of life. If you want to grow in your relationship with God and help others know Him, apply yourself to what you want to grow in.

We are all called to action. Just as the angel told the disciples who stood there after watching the Lord rise up, we are not meant to stand still. Jesus is coming back the same way He left, and He told us He would return. So we are to go about life and do the work He has called us to do. Be busy serving Him.

To the graduates, and to all of us, hear these words from Proverbs:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”

Trust the Lord. Trust His wisdom, not your own. Acknowledge Him in all things, and that will bring life.

And hear these words from Colossians:

“As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world.”

No matter where life takes you—college, the Navy, a new career, or a new season—do not let others pull you away from your faith. Stay rooted in Christ. The world may try to tell you that what you learned at church is not true, but do not be swayed. Hold fast to Jesus and His Word.

How do we do that? Colossians continues:

“Put on, then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another. If one has a complaint against another, forgive each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts … And be thankful.”

God has loved us so much. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. In the busyness of today’s world, it is easy to set the Bible aside, but we must not do that. Whether you are in college, the Navy, or another career, stay in the Word. There will be opportunities to worship, to study, and to connect with other believers. Make sure you take time every day, even if it is only personal reading and prayer, to remain in His Word.

And remember this verse from Colossians 3:17:

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

If we align our lives so that every decision and every action carries the stamp of Jesus, it will change our lives. Above all, remember the words of Jesus when He was asked about the greatest commandment:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

If we do that, we will take care of all the rest. Those commands lead us to love God fully and to love our neighbors well. And if we live that way, our lives will be full and blessed—whether we are rich or poor, healthy or sick, successful or struggling. We will have peace, joy, and the promise of life because we are walking with God and with His Son Jesus.

So be busy about serving Him. Whether your life is starting fresh or whether you have been in the same place for years, be busy serving Him. Amen.

Let us pray.

Father, I am thankful that You give us opportunities like today to lift up those whom we love and care for, especially those who have reached important milestones in their lives. We pray that You will watch over these graduates, keep them in Your arms, and continue to give them wisdom, peace, joy, and protection.

Father, I also pray for Your church, that we would be busy doing Your work in our homes, workplaces, and communities. May we go forth in Jesus’ name, carrying His truth, His wisdom, and His love. And when He returns, may He find us faithful and pleased with our lives, lifting up His name for His glory.

Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ name. Amen.