Behold The Lamb Christian Church :: From A Pastor's Heart

Behold The Lamb

Sunland Christian School
2006 Commencement Address

A FATHER'S PERSPECTIVE

Two events that changed my life forever occurred on September 20th, 1980 and on November 17th, 1987. On September 20th, 1980 I was born again.   On November 17th, 1987 my sons were born. Since September 20th, 1980 God, through His Son, has been teaching me how to love the Father.   Since November 17th, 1987 God, through my sons, has been teaching me how to love others.

Many years ago a lawyer asked Jesus this question, “Rabbi, which is the great commandment in the law?” And Jesus, quoting the Hebrew Scriptures, answered him saying, “’SH’MA YISRO-AYL ADONOY ELOHAYNU, ADONOY E-CHOD! (“HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD IS OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE!) YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL OF YOUR MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

Some years later the Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthian Church described love this way, “Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous, love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly, it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…” And, don’t you just know, the Father Himself “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For (your Father) did not send (His) Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.”

So you see your heavenly Father loves you and has a plan and purpose for your life. He has uniquely blessed each and every one of you with natural abilities and spiritual gifts. Ask your heavenly Father how best to use them in service to Him. “For in Christ Himself are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” And know that your life is no accident “…you have come to the kingdom for a time such as this…”, and know also that “all the days that were ordained for (you) have already been written in His book.”    But, this world is not your home. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” And since you belong to Him, “keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth.”

Knowing these things then how should you live? Well, “if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth; gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ...and like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior because it is written, ‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.’”

Tonight, proud parents and teachers, and family and friends have gathered here to honor and reward you for what you have accomplished so far in your life. But, new challenges and adventures await you. “When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.” And I trust that by God’s grace and in His strength you will be ready to face them all. For my Bible tells me that “…He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” And remember you are never alone.   There is no where you can “go from His Spirit” or “flee from His presence… (He) will never leave you nor forsake you… (He is) with you always, even to the end of the age.”

And just think about this; all the angelic host, all the redeemed of all the ages are watching you.   From heaven’s balcony they’re cheering you on. In the book of Hebrews it is written, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.” Again, in a letter to the Corinthian Church the Apostle Paul writes,” Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you might win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” At the end of life’s journey will you be able to say with Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith?” A glorious future awaits you if you can. Listen again to his words… “In the future there is laid up for me the crown or righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day…” and not only him but…”all who have loved His appearing. (For) now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

I give you God’s blessing…”Y’vorech’cho Adonoy v’yishm’recho. Yo-ayr Adonoy panov aylecho vichuneko. Yiso Adonoy panov aylecho v’yosaym l’cho sholom.” (“May Adonai bless you and safeguard you. May Adonai illuminate His countenance for you and be gracious to you. May Adonai turn His countenance to you and establish peace for you.”)

“Go with love in your heart and be a blessing. Let the gift of His love shine through. Tell everyone you see how Jesus sets them free. Go with love in your heart and be a blessing.”

Thank you and goodnight.

Albert P. Pugliese
6-17-06

(Deut. 6: 4; Matt. 22: 37-40; 1 Cor. 13: 4-8a; John 3: 16-17; Col. 2: 2e-3; Ps. 37: 3-7a; Esth. 4: 14; Ps. 139-16b; John 18: 36a; Col. 3: 1, 2; 1 Pet. 1: 17, 13, 15, 16; 1 Cor. 13: 11; Phil. 1: 6; Ps. 139: 7; Heb. 13: 5c; Matt. 28: 20a; Heb. 12: 1-3; 1 Cor. 9: 24, 25; 2 Tim. 4: 7, 8; 1 Cor. 13, 13; Num. 6: 24-26)

A Christian Hymn