Good morning! My name is Tammy Stoy. I am a mom of one of the
graduates. I also taught many of these students in various classes
ranging from 8th grade English, to high school Spanish to British
Literature. I am so humbled that they asked me to share a few words
here at graduation. What an honor!
graduates. I also taught many of these students in various classes
ranging from 8th grade English, to high school Spanish to British
Literature. I am so humbled that they asked me to share a few words
here at graduation. What an honor!
Over the past few months, I have prayed about what to share. I think
that most people who engage in public speaking want to be witty,
humorous, inspirational and memorable. And I have been tempted
to try give an amazing speech that would wow you all. At one point,
I even thought about stringing together quotes from all the British
Literature books we read! Remember reading Hamlet, Romeo and
Juliet, Canterbury Tales and 1984? That speech would have been
amazing - or maybe it would have just been boring! At any rate,
everyone can breathe a sigh of relief that I have decided not to do
that the speech!
that most people who engage in public speaking want to be witty,
humorous, inspirational and memorable. And I have been tempted
to try give an amazing speech that would wow you all. At one point,
I even thought about stringing together quotes from all the British
Literature books we read! Remember reading Hamlet, Romeo and
Juliet, Canterbury Tales and 1984? That speech would have been
amazing - or maybe it would have just been boring! At any rate,
everyone can breathe a sigh of relief that I have decided not to do
that the speech!
The truth of the matter is, I don’t have anything to tell you that you
probably haven’t heard before. So, I have decided to give you a
speech based on the best book I can think of - predictably, it's The
Bible. Hopefully, the Lord will use my words to encourage you.
probably haven’t heard before. So, I have decided to give you a
speech based on the best book I can think of - predictably, it's The
Bible. Hopefully, the Lord will use my words to encourage you.
This speech will be about the subject of good works.
Being good little home-schooled students, I know that you all have
heard Ephesians 2:8-10: “For it is by grace, you have been saved
through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of
works so that no one can boast. For you are God’s workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do GOOD WORKS”.
heard Ephesians 2:8-10: “For it is by grace, you have been saved
through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of
works so that no one can boast. For you are God’s workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do GOOD WORKS”.
As I look at the world, I see 2 incorrect responses to good works.
The first response is to assume that our good works earn us a place
in heaven. The belief is that by being good, we can get enough
points to be with God when we die. But Ephesians clearly says that all
of our good works do not save us. It says “not by works so that no one
can boast”. This verse is a comfort to us, because who of us could ever
be good enough to save ourselves? If we just look at the world around
us, it is obvious that mankind needs an intervention. And if we are
honest with ourselves, we can admit that each of us as individuals
need an intervention. We need help. This verse reminds us that there
is ONE who is Perfect and GOOD who needed nothing from us, but
He intervened to save us. HIS name is Jesus and he lived a perfect
life, died for our sins, and rose from the dead victorious! His works
save us. Ephesians reminds us that we are saved by His grace
through Faith in Him. I pray that you have trusted the finished work
of Christ to save your souls.
The first response is to assume that our good works earn us a place
in heaven. The belief is that by being good, we can get enough
points to be with God when we die. But Ephesians clearly says that all
of our good works do not save us. It says “not by works so that no one
can boast”. This verse is a comfort to us, because who of us could ever
be good enough to save ourselves? If we just look at the world around
us, it is obvious that mankind needs an intervention. And if we are
honest with ourselves, we can admit that each of us as individuals
need an intervention. We need help. This verse reminds us that there
is ONE who is Perfect and GOOD who needed nothing from us, but
He intervened to save us. HIS name is Jesus and he lived a perfect
life, died for our sins, and rose from the dead victorious! His works
save us. Ephesians reminds us that we are saved by His grace
through Faith in Him. I pray that you have trusted the finished work
of Christ to save your souls.
So, one false response to good works is to assume that they save you.
Another false response to the topic of good works is to assume that
since your good works don’t save you, then they don’t matter. I think
that one of the most selfish things anyone could do is to live with an
attitude that says: “If the Bible teaches that my good works don’t save
me, then I why should I help others”. That is ridiculous! It’s like saying,
“Since I am not getting anything out of this - it doesn’t matter what I do!”
Another false response to the topic of good works is to assume that
since your good works don’t save you, then they don’t matter. I think
that one of the most selfish things anyone could do is to live with an
attitude that says: “If the Bible teaches that my good works don’t save
me, then I why should I help others”. That is ridiculous! It’s like saying,
“Since I am not getting anything out of this - it doesn’t matter what I do!”
I believe that the the clear teaching of Scripture is that how you live
matters. Let’s look back at Ephesians chapter 2. Verse 10 says. “
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
matters. Let’s look back at Ephesians chapter 2. Verse 10 says. “
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
So, we see that we are not saved by good works, but we are saved
so that we can do good works. This means that there are good things
that God wants you to do. You aren’t doing these things out of guilt.
You aren’t to do them out of selfishness. You aren’t doing these things
to prove that you deserve salvation. You are doing these things
because you already have salvation. You are doing them because God
created you to do good and he has prepared good for you to do- that’s
what Ephesians says! In fact, he prepared these good works for you
to do before you were even born! “You were created in Christ Jesus to
do good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk
in them.”
so that we can do good works. This means that there are good things
that God wants you to do. You aren’t doing these things out of guilt.
You aren’t to do them out of selfishness. You aren’t doing these things
to prove that you deserve salvation. You are doing these things
because you already have salvation. You are doing them because God
created you to do good and he has prepared good for you to do- that’s
what Ephesians says! In fact, he prepared these good works for you
to do before you were even born! “You were created in Christ Jesus to
do good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk
in them.”
I believe that some of the good things we are called to do are general
good works: Being kind. Helping those around you. Following the 10
commandments, etc. These are general good things that everyone
should do. But I also believe that there are good works that He has
called each of you specifically to do. Remember that this verse says
that He prepared things in advance for you to do. He has a plan for
you.
good works: Being kind. Helping those around you. Following the 10
commandments, etc. These are general good things that everyone
should do. But I also believe that there are good works that He has
called each of you specifically to do. Remember that this verse says
that He prepared things in advance for you to do. He has a plan for
you.
I believe that these things that he has prepared for us to do are meant
to be a blessing but some of us can turn this idea “God’s plan for your
life” into this overly mystical thing and we stress out about it. “God,
what should I do with my life????? What’s your plan????” To illustrate
this, let me tell you about a friend of mine. She graduated from college
and decided that she wouldn’t do anything until God clearly told her
what to do next. So, she literally sat. No job applications. Just. Waiting.
And waiting and waiting. This sounds super spiritual, but a few weeks
after graduation, she was starting to freak out. No voice from heaven
was coming to tell her “the plan for her life”. After weeks of doing
nothing, she still didn’t know what to do with her life, then someone
asked her: "What are you good at? What are your gifts? What do you
like? What do you have a heart for? IF none of the things you want to
do are sinful, that’s what you should pursue. He will open the right
doors if you are seeking HIM as you move forward”. So, she got up
and started filling out some job applications. And things started working
out for her.
to be a blessing but some of us can turn this idea “God’s plan for your
life” into this overly mystical thing and we stress out about it. “God,
what should I do with my life????? What’s your plan????” To illustrate
this, let me tell you about a friend of mine. She graduated from college
and decided that she wouldn’t do anything until God clearly told her
what to do next. So, she literally sat. No job applications. Just. Waiting.
And waiting and waiting. This sounds super spiritual, but a few weeks
after graduation, she was starting to freak out. No voice from heaven
was coming to tell her “the plan for her life”. After weeks of doing
nothing, she still didn’t know what to do with her life, then someone
asked her: "What are you good at? What are your gifts? What do you
like? What do you have a heart for? IF none of the things you want to
do are sinful, that’s what you should pursue. He will open the right
doors if you are seeking HIM as you move forward”. So, she got up
and started filling out some job applications. And things started working
out for her.
Tucked in the middle of this passage in Ephesians - connecting the
thoughts of us not being saved by good works and of doing good works
that He has prepared for us - tucked in there , is this amazing message
“For we are his workmanship”. The amplified Bible translates it this
way: “We are His work of art”. Class, Remember that you are HIS
WORK of art. That is incredible! You are an amazing, creation of God.
Some of you are gifted artists, others are musicians, others are history
buffs. Some of you are gifted photographers. Others of you are
science and math geniuses. But when I look at each of you, I see God’s
Handiwork. His Signature. His unique work of art. Remember that on
the days that you are tempted to feel worthless or when you are tempted
to compare yourself to others. You are his treasured work of art.
thoughts of us not being saved by good works and of doing good works
that He has prepared for us - tucked in there , is this amazing message
“For we are his workmanship”. The amplified Bible translates it this
way: “We are His work of art”. Class, Remember that you are HIS
WORK of art. That is incredible! You are an amazing, creation of God.
Some of you are gifted artists, others are musicians, others are history
buffs. Some of you are gifted photographers. Others of you are
science and math geniuses. But when I look at each of you, I see God’s
Handiwork. His Signature. His unique work of art. Remember that on
the days that you are tempted to feel worthless or when you are tempted
to compare yourself to others. You are his treasured work of art.
You each have unique gifts. Use those to do the good works that he
prepared for you. Don’t turn seeking Him and doing his work into a
burden, when it is meant to be a blessing.
prepared for you. Don’t turn seeking Him and doing his work into a
burden, when it is meant to be a blessing.
Class, the world needs to see Christians who aren’t afraid to do good.
Christians who aren’t too self-absorbed to do good. Who aren’t afraid
to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty in this messy world
and do good. The world needs to see Christians who are so secure
in their walks with HIM that they are free to do good without arrogance
or selfishness mixed in. Use your gifts and talents to glorify God by
doing His good work in this world.
Christians who aren’t too self-absorbed to do good. Who aren’t afraid
to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty in this messy world
and do good. The world needs to see Christians who are so secure
in their walks with HIM that they are free to do good without arrogance
or selfishness mixed in. Use your gifts and talents to glorify God by
doing His good work in this world.
Some graduation speeches add pressure: Solve the hunger problem!
Go find a cure for cancer. (And one of you might do that!) But, usually,
our callings are more simple. Offer a cup of water in the name of Jesus.
Be His Hands and Feet at your summer job. Be a God-honoring nurse.
Use your business skills to employ people and give them good benefits.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul mind and strength and
Love your neighbor as yourself. The rest will be made clear to you as
you live your life trusting Him.
Go find a cure for cancer. (And one of you might do that!) But, usually,
our callings are more simple. Offer a cup of water in the name of Jesus.
Be His Hands and Feet at your summer job. Be a God-honoring nurse.
Use your business skills to employ people and give them good benefits.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul mind and strength and
Love your neighbor as yourself. The rest will be made clear to you as
you live your life trusting Him.
So in conclusion, remember these 3 things and they all start with the
letter "P":
letter "P":
- Your life has been Purchased. Your good works don’t save you. The blood of Jesus saves you.
- Your life has a Prepared Purpose. He has good works that he has prepared for you to do
- Your life is Precious. You are GOD’s handiwork, a unique work of art.
You are an incredibly gifted class. Go out there and be who you were
created to be. Just like the hand looks different from the ear and the
foot is different from the heart. Each of your lives will look different. But
just like each body part is important and necessary, each of you is
important and necessary . So don’t stress about your life and your future.
God’s got this. Trust Him. He has a plan and a purpose for your precious
lives and I can’t wait to see it.
created to be. Just like the hand looks different from the ear and the
foot is different from the heart. Each of your lives will look different. But
just like each body part is important and necessary, each of you is
important and necessary . So don’t stress about your life and your future.
God’s got this. Trust Him. He has a plan and a purpose for your precious
lives and I can’t wait to see it.
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