Commissioning Graduates: Embracing Faith, Love, and Victory

Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate and commission our graduating seniors, recognizing the unique journey each of them is about to embark on—whether it’s college, the military, the workforce, or a gap year. This moment is not just a rite of passage, but a commissioning into the mission field that awaits outside these doors. Each graduate is called to make a difference, to carry the love and truth of Christ into new environments, and to be a light among people with diverse backgrounds and beliefs. As a church, we have committed to walk alongside these young adults, equipping them for the work of ministry and encouraging them to remain rooted in their faith, no matter where life takes them.

Reflecting on the sometimes absurd rules of Christian colleges, we’re reminded that faith is not about following a list of do’s and don’ts. While rules may be created with good intentions, they cannot save us or make us righteous. Instead, Scripture teaches that we are born of God not by our works, but by believing that Jesus is the Christ—the anointed one, fully God and fully man, who died and rose again for our salvation. This spiritual rebirth gives us new “birthmarks”—distinctive traits that set us apart as followers of Jesus.

The first birthmark is faith: believing that Jesus is the Christ. The second is love: loving God and loving others, not just those who are like us, but all people, regardless of background or belief. The third is obedience: not a burdensome, joyless rule-following, but a response to God’s love that brings true freedom and protection. The fourth is overcoming: through faith in Christ, we are more than conquerors, able to face the world’s challenges not by our own strength, but by the victory Jesus has already won.

We are not called to a life of shame or self-condemnation when we fall short, nor to judge others harshly. Instead, we are invited to experience real life in Christ—marked by faith, love, obedience, and victory. Baptism and communion are outward signs of this inward transformation, reminders of the new life and freedom we have in Jesus. As we send our seniors out, and as each of us steps into our own mission fields, may we remember that our identity is not in rule-keeping, but in being born of God, filled with His Spirit, and called to love and overcome.

Key Takeaways

- Faith in Christ, Not Rule-Keeping, Is Our Foundation
True spiritual life begins not with a checklist of religious rules, but with believing that Jesus is the Christ—the anointed one who alone can save. This faith is not just intellectual agreement, but a deep trust in who Jesus is and what He has done. Our identity as children of God is rooted in this belief, not in our ability to follow every rule or tradition. [43:45]

- Love Is the Distinguishing Mark of God’s People
The world will know we belong to Jesus by our love for one another, not by our theological arguments or social media debates. Genuine love crosses boundaries of denomination, background, and opinion, reflecting the heart of Christ. If our faith does not lead us to love others—especially those different from us—then we must examine what truly matters most in our hearts. [46:17]

- Obedience Flows from Relationship, Not Obligation
God’s commandments are not meant to weigh us down, but to guide us into freedom and flourishing. Obedience is not about earning God’s favor or avoiding punishment, but about responding to His love and trusting His wisdom. When we see God’s boundaries as loving guidance rather than burdensome rules, we find joy and purpose in following Him. [49:40]

- Victory Over Sin Comes Through Christ, Not Our Effort
We are overcomers not because we perfectly avoid sin, but because Jesus has already conquered sin and death on our behalf. Our victory is rooted in His finished work, and our faith in Him enables us to stand firm amid trials and temptations. Rather than striving to clean ourselves up, we are invited to rest in the freedom and peace Christ provides. [59:57]

- Spiritual Birthmarks Are Lived Out in Community and Sacrament
Baptism and communion are outward expressions of the inward transformation that comes from being born of God. These practices remind us of our new identity and unite us with the body of Christ. As we walk together, supporting and praying for one another, we help each other live out the reality of being loved, forgiven, and sent into the world as overcomers. [01:05:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Honoring the Graduating Seniors
[03:10] - The Purpose of Senior Sunday
[06:00] - Commissioning the Seniors
[08:30] - Prayer Over the Graduates
[10:30] - Reflections on Christian College Rules
[15:00] - The Problem with Rule-Based Faith
[18:00] - Introduction to 1 John 5
[20:00] - What It Means to Be Born of God
[23:00] - The Four Spiritual Birthmarks
[27:00] - Faith: Believing Jesus Is the Christ
[29:00] - Love: The Mark of a Disciple
[32:00] - Obedience: God’s Commands Are Not Burdensome
[36:00] - Overcoming: Victory Through Christ
[40:00] - Baptism and Communion: Outward Signs of New Life
[43:00] - Final Blessing and Sending Forth

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Spiritual Birthmarks: Living as God’s People”

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### Bible Reading

- 1 John 5:1-5
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

- John 3:1-16
(The story of Nicodemus and Jesus’ teaching on being “born again” and John 3:16)

- John 13:34-35
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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### Observation Questions

1. According to 1 John 5:1-5, what are the signs or “birthmarks” of someone who has been born of God?
(see [39:39] and [43:45])

2. In the story of Nicodemus (John 3), what does Jesus say is required to “see the kingdom of God”?
(see [40:59])

3. What does John say about God’s commandments—are they meant to be a burden?
(see [49:40])

4. According to Jesus in John 13:35, how will people know we are his disciples?
(see [45:39])

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon described four “spiritual birthmarks”: faith, love, obedience, and overcoming. Why do you think John emphasizes these particular traits as evidence of being born of God?
(see [39:39])

2. The pastor shared that God’s commandments are “not burdensome” but are meant to bring freedom and protection. How does this view of obedience differ from simply following a list of rules?
(see [49:40])

3. The message said that victory over sin comes not from our own effort, but from what Jesus has already done. How does this change the way someone might approach struggles with sin or failure?
(see [59:57])

4. The sermon talked about baptism and communion as “outward signs of inward transformation.” Why are these practices important for remembering our identity in Christ?
(see [01:05:41])

---

### Application Questions

1. The pastor said, “We are not called to a life of shame or self-condemnation when we fall short, nor to judge others harshly.” When you make mistakes or see others fail, do you tend to respond with shame, judgment, or grace? What would it look like to respond differently this week?
(see [37:30])

2. One of the “birthmarks” is loving people who are different from us, not just those who are easy to love. Is there someone in your life right now who is hard for you to love? What is one practical step you could take to show them Christ’s love this week?
(see [46:17])

3. The sermon challenged us to see God’s commands as loving guidance, not as a heavy burden. Is there a specific command or teaching of Jesus that feels burdensome to you? How might your perspective change if you saw it as God’s way of protecting and freeing you?
(see [49:40])

4. The message said, “Our victory is rooted in His finished work, and our faith in Him enables us to stand firm amid trials and temptations.” Is there an area of your life where you feel defeated or stuck? How can you remind yourself this week that you are an “overcomer” in Christ?
(see [59:57])

5. The pastor shared about baptism and communion as reminders of our new life in Jesus. If you have been baptized, what does that memory mean to you today? If you haven’t, what questions or hesitations do you have about taking that step?
(see [01:05:41])

6. The sermon mentioned that as a church, we are called to walk alongside and support each other, especially those stepping into new seasons (like the graduating seniors). Who is someone in your life you can encourage or pray for as they enter a new chapter?
(see [29:51])

7. The message said, “Our identity is not in rule-keeping, but in being born of God, filled with His Spirit, and called to love and overcome.” What is one way you can remind yourself of your true identity in Christ this week, especially when you feel pressure to perform or measure up?
(see [43:45])

---

Close in prayer, asking God to help each person live out these “spiritual birthmarks” in their daily lives, and to support one another as a community of faith.

Devotional

Day 1: Believe That Jesus Is the Christ
To be born of God is to believe that Jesus is the Christ—the anointed one, the Messiah, fully God and fully man, who died for our sins and rose again. This belief is not just intellectual agreement but a deep trust in Jesus as the only one who can rescue us from sin and give us new life. We do nothing to earn or lose our salvation; it is by faith alone in Christ alone that we are adopted into God's family. Let your identity be rooted in this truth, and remember that your spiritual birthmark is faith in Jesus as the Christ, not just a good teacher or prophet, but the Savior and Lord. [43:45]

1 John 5:1 (ESV)
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him."

Reflection: In what ways do you need to reaffirm or deepen your belief that Jesus is truly the Christ, not just in your mind but in your heart and daily life?


Day 2: Love Others as a Mark of Faith
A true sign of being born of God is loving others, especially those who are also part of God's family. This love is not selective or limited by denomination, background, or personal differences, but is a reflection of the love God has shown us. We are called to be known for our love, not for our arguments, judgments, or divisions. Ask yourself if you are known more for your love or for something else, and seek to love others as Christ has loved you, even when it is difficult or when you disagree. [46:17]

Mark 12:30-31 (ESV)
"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these."

Reflection: Who is one person you find difficult to love right now, and how can you take a practical step today to show them Christlike love?


Day 3: Obey God’s Commands—Not as a Burden, But as Freedom
Obeying God’s commands is a spiritual birthmark that flows from loving God, not from fear or shame. God’s commandments are not meant to weigh us down or frustrate us, but to guide us into freedom and real life. When we obey, it is not about following a list of do’s and don’ts or trying to avoid sin perfectly, but about glorifying God in all we do and living in the joy and protection of His boundaries. Let your obedience be motivated by love, not by a desire to earn God’s favor or to shame others. [49:40]

1 John 5:2-3 (ESV)
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome."

Reflection: Is there a command of God you have viewed as burdensome or restrictive? How might seeing it as an act of love and freedom change your attitude and actions today?


Day 4: Live as Overcomers Through Faith in Christ
Being born of God means you are an overcomer—not by your own strength, but through faith in Jesus who has already overcome sin, shame, and the world. This victory is not about conquering by force or perfection, but about standing firm in faith, even in the face of trials, temptations, or failures. You do not need to clean yourself up to come to Jesus; He has already won the victory for you. Embrace your identity as an overcomer, and let that truth shape how you face challenges and setbacks. [59:57]

1 John 5:4-5 (ESV)
"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel defeated or overwhelmed? How can you trust Jesus’ victory and live as an overcomer in that area today?


Day 5: Experience Real Life in Christ, Not Just Rule-Following
The Christian life is not about following a set of rules to avoid sin or earn God’s approval, but about experiencing real life and freedom in Christ. God’s desire is not to shame or burden you, but to fill you with His presence, joy, and purpose. When you focus on being with Jesus and letting Him transform you from the inside out, you find true freedom and the ability to glorify God in all things. Let go of shame and the pressure to be perfect, and instead pursue intimacy with Christ, who gives you new life and calls you to live it abundantly. [56:48]

John 10:10 (ESV)
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Reflection: Are you living your faith as a checklist of rules, or as a relationship with Jesus? What is one way you can intentionally pursue real life in Christ today?

Quotes

When you walk out that doors, whether you're called to ministry or not, that is your mission field. You're called to make a difference for the lives of others that you're going to encounter. Again, college or not, you're going to meet people with different world views and religions and ideas, and you're going to be challenged in ways that you probably haven't been challenged before. [00:28:19] (00:00:22 seconds) Edit Clip

But at the end of the day, even if you go to college, you're still going to make mistakes. You're still going to break the rules. You're still going to sin. Adults, after you've left college, whether you went to or not, you've probably made mistakes in your adulthood. You've probably broken the rules at work. [00:36:22] (00:00:23 seconds) Edit Clip

John 13, 35 says, hey, we're known, people will know you, that you're my disciples, if you love one another. Not if you hate people. Not if we judge or shame people. We're known by how we love other people. Church, what are you known for? [00:45:48] (00:00:19 seconds) Edit Clip

It's going to be really hard to heal from something that you conceal. So if you're going through something, come and talk to somebody. We don't argue in staff meetings. We pray for you. We figure out how we can help you experience real life in Christ. We want to love you as a church. I'm going to be known for my love, not for my hate. [00:49:21] (00:00:19 seconds) Edit Clip

John's reiterating the same thing, that our love for God changes our life. Changes how we treat others and it changes our lifestyle. Hey, our third spiritual birthmark today is that we obey God's commands. You know, that's what God wants for us. That's what God wants for us. We as children are called to obey our Holy Father. [00:50:05] (00:00:23 seconds) Edit Clip

A famous pastor, he said, Jesus didn't come to simply remove suffering or sin. He came to fill it with his presence. Yes, sin is taken away on the cross. Yes, sin is taken away on the cross. Yes, sin is taken away on the cross. right? But then he wanted us to be filled with something even better. He didn't come to help us avoid sin. He came to fill us up with joy, with real life. [00:58:23] (00:00:22 seconds) Edit Clip

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith. It's our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? [00:59:34] (00:00:16 seconds) Edit Clip

We can't overcome the sin in the world, but we can believe in the one who did overcome sin. And that's Jesus through his perfection. You're not left weak and defenseless and lonely and ashamed in your sin. You're given a spiritual birthmark from God. You're an overcomer. You can overcome the sin in your life through Jesus. You can overcome the hard things in your life through Christ. [01:01:13] (00:00:26 seconds) Edit Clip

It's our faith in Jesus that helps us overcome sin, not the burdensome rules that we put on ourselves. Maybe you're having a hard time understanding that. Maybe you're having a hard time understanding what it means to be born of God. It ain't about following the rules. It's not about being a good person. It's about following Jesus, the only one who could be the true overcomer, who died on a cross and rose from the dead three days later. [01:03:39] (00:00:39 seconds) Edit Clip

God, you've given us guidance. God, you've given us protection through your rules. They help us find freedom from the things of this world. God, I pray that we can experience real life in you, that we can be born again. Lord, help us. Lord, guide us. Help us be overcomers. God, we don't fight for victory. We fight from victory. And we praise you and we thank you for that. [01:04:56] (00:00:29 seconds) Edit Clip