Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School
Opening Chapel Homily
08 August 2019
2 Peter 3:18
It seems to happen every summer. We said “good-by” on the last day of school in May. And look at you now! Something happened! Either you have grown. Or I’m shrinking.
Of course you have grown! The school cloths you had in May - No longer fit. Your shoes - Are too tight. Your crayons and pencils - Are all stubby. The glue has dried up. And paper. You need paper! And notebooks. Binders. Protractors. And rulers. All the stuff you need. To help you learn.
It’s only been ten short weeks! But each of you has grown! That’s why it is fitting that we should use as our theme for this coming school year - The words of Peter- “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen” – 2 Peter 3:18
1. Peter’s encouragement is simple – grow!
A. In Knowledge.
Teachers! What will your students learn this coming year?
We expect you to learn. And with learning comes growth. Growth comes with Physical development: maturity of the body, including physical abilities.
Intellectual development: the learning and use of language; the ability to reason and problem-solve. We expect your brain to grow!
There is also Social and Emotional development; that process of gaining the knowledge and skills needed to interact successfully with others. We expect you to get along! And to be nice to others! “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Pastors! What are your expectations?
B. We grow in Grace. God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense. That great exchange. God’s mercy and forgiveness. Purchased at the cost of God’s own Son. “For God so love the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
2. Growth has its focus –Jesus Christ.
A. He is our Lord. “From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever.” Romans 11:36
B. He is our Savior. Like a lamb. That is lead to the slaughter. Who like a lamb. That lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world. Christ is the focus of all we do!
3. To Christ be the glory.
A. Now. Every. Single. Day. You will have opportunity. To give Christ the glory. At Morning Prayer. At Chapel. With your prayer partner. In devotions at the end of the day. In the class room. In the hallway. On the volleyball and basketball court. On the wrestling mat. On the soccer field. In every home. To Christ be the glory. In every circumstance. You will have the opportunity to give Christ the glory! Until that great and glorious day - when we reach –
B. The day of eternity. When we shall stand before the Father’s glorious throne. Singing with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven. Praising Jesus saying, “Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna, in the highest. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!”
So today we begin. The 51st year at Wyneken. A year of new beginnings. And opportunities. A chance for you to grow. In the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory. Now And to the day of eternity. Amen”
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Words – 590
Passive Sentences –0%
Readability – 82.4
Reading Level – 3.3
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