THE UNIVERSITY AT CALVARY

Luke 23:33-35 (NKJV)
33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.
34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”

Hebrews 5:8-9 (NKJV)
8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

Our entire life is a learning process. As a newborn baby comes into this world, he immediately begins to learn. All that is going on around him, the parents and other siblings are learning experiences. As long as the child lives, he never ceases to learn. There is pre-school, kindergarten, and grade school. We all recognize the obvious—every child needs the experience of schooling—whether public, private or home schooling.

This is the time of year when we honor our graduates—those who are graduating from High School and those who are graduating from University. It is decision day— "What am I going to do with my life?"

When we become a Christian, we are “born again”. The Bible calls the newborn Christian a "babe in Christ.” As in the natural birth, so in the spiritual birth—there should be continual growth and progress.

In our early walk with Christ, we learn from the sincere 'milk of the word" as we grow in Christ, we are expected to leave elementary education and move into higher education. Listen to how the Book of Hebrews states it:

Heb 6:1-3

6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 And God permitting, we will do so.

I call this, the University Experience!

The University is different than grade school. I will point out a few obvious differences.

1. There is a cost involved

a. You have to pay tuition.

b. Many parents provide for this by saving when their children are young and when the time comes, there are funds available for this purpose.

2. No one forces you to go—it becomes one of choice. —If you want a degree.

a. There are elective courses

b. And there are required courses

3. It is considered Higher Education.

4. The subjects taught are found nowhere else.

I want to introduce every Christian to the University at Calvary!

Tomorrow—Part Two: Calvary—A Choice