ILS Baccalaureate Service
Immanuel Lutheran School
Baccalaureate Service 2023
One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to read the "Meet Us Monday" blogs of the school because they highlight the graduating class. In these blogs, the students were asked questions like when they first began attending Immanuel Lutheran School, their favorite memory, favorite subject or teacher, hymn, or Scriptural verse.
While these questions cause the students to pause and reflect on their time at Immanuel, no matter how short or long it was, they also reveal a great deal in terms of what or who has formed them while at Immanuel.
My friends, the experiences you have had, the stories you have shared, the trouble you’ve found, the joy, the classes, the teachers, and the chapel have all formed you into who you are today. So tonight, as you prepare to leave the halls of this school, it is good to prepare yourselves for what might form you in the future.
The verse of the year was Romans 12:2, where the Apostle Paul writes, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
As you embark on the next stage of learning, I want you to especially take these words of Paul with you, “Do not be conformed to this world.”
The word “conformed” here means to be formed according to a pattern or mold. The idea is that when you are molded into a pattern, you take on its shape and all its characteristics.
So, to begin this endeavor, you must first ask, what forms or molds you into who you are today?
Like many of your answers in the “Meet us Monday” blogs, you can probably also look to the great memories you have had outside of school, the coach who inspires you, the music you sing, the television you watch, the technology you play on, the books you read, the parents who love you and the home you live – all of these things impress their image upon you too.
In fact, the reality is that where you spend the most time, the gadgets you use the most, the voices you hear the most, and the people you are surrounded by will have the greatest impact in forming and molding you today and into the future.
Over the past few years, I pray that you have been formed and molded, more than anything, in the Word and wisdom of God, so as you prepare to depart, you are ready for the world that awaits you.
But as you venture out and into the world beyond Immanuel, I want to remind you, as the Apostle Paul reminded Timothy in the first reading this evening, that you, too, have been prepared to discern and test the things of this world. Paul wrote;
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood, you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:14-17
Isn't this comforting? Like Timothy, you are to continue in the things of the Holy Scripture you have already been taught from childhood. But, if anything, you are to continue learning God's Word and wisdom beyond tomorrow when you leave this school as a student for the last time.
But why is this all comforting? Well, because the faith you receive is from God. God gives you the word to speak in the next chapter. The good works you are to give to your neighbor are from God.
Do you see where I am going?
When you are formed and molded in the pattern of God's Word, He lives and dwells within you. So then, when people look at you and see you, they know you are His by the fruit of your words and actions toward them.
Now, none of this means leaving Immanuel will be easy. You will be missed, and we will continue to pray for you because high school will be more challenging.
Not only will you have increased challenges in your studies, but you will experience new cultures and new friends. These new adventures will challenge many of you (and by the way, being challenged isn't bad; it can also help you grow and mature).
As you enter this new chapter, my friends, you must remember, “Do not be conformed to this world.”
But instead, be renewed and formed in the image of Jesus Christ.
As we heard at the end of the second reading, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14)
The incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, became flesh, meaning, He took upon Himself the image, the mold, and pattern of man – to be your Savior.
This is your great joy, that as you might feel peer pressure, your Jesus died for you. If you feel bullied, your Jesus died for you. If you feel alone as you walk through the doors of your new school that first day, your Jesus died for you. And He also rose again that you might have life in His name.
So as you depart this place, remember what you have been taught; God has used His servants here to form you in the pattern of His Word.
He did this so that you would never forget you have a Savior, and He is your Immanuel, God with you.
He is your comfort and defense throughout this life, even unto life everlasting.
+INJ+
