Even before Quintell Hill began delivering his message during the University of Mobile chapel service on Wednesday (Feb. 18), he reminded students of their mission: to exalt Christ.
Hill asked students, “Do you know Jesus is the reason why your heart is beating at this very moment? Do you realize there’s no other reason to live?”
As the UM alumnus took the stage, he began with a very simple, yet powerful equation to remember: “Jesus plus nothing equals everything.”
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Now serving as the lead pastor of Multiply Community Church in Monroe, North Carolina, and also serving on the mobilization team at the International Mission Board, he took the opportunity to remind students to reflect on the great privilege they have to gather together for chapel services on campus and to be burdened for those who have never heard the name of Jesus.
“Before the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord,” Hill said. “You should be saying, ‘I want to end this life telling this world about Jesus, but it begins right here on campus.’ That should be your mission. Paul says in Him we live, we move and we have our being. John says without Him, we are absolutely nothing.”
‘Building a résumé’
From there, Hill powerfully illustrated his message out of Philippians 3 by reminding students that their confidence comes from Christ alone.
“Our graduation day is coming for all of us when we see Jesus,” he said. “So, I want to tell you about getting dressed for graduation day. How can you do that? It’s because of the finished work of Christ. It’s because of what He did on the cross. Because of what Christ did on the cross, God’s people can have confidence. I want you to have the right clothes on for graduation day.”
In order to have the right clothes for graduation day, Hill noted, our résumé has to be found in Christ.
“We’re all building a résumé, and whatever area we are serving in, we should do it to honor Christ,” Hill said. “We glory in Christ Jesus. Our hearts have been transformed, and we put no confidence in the flesh. Christ is our foundation.”
Hill emphasized the importance of maximizing life for Jesus as he encouraged students to surrender to Christ.
“Put your ‘yes’ on the table to whatever He calls you to do or wherever He calls you to serve,” Hill said. “Would you be like Isaiah and say, ‘Here I am, Lord, send me?’ Sometimes, you have to take a stand for Christ no matter the consequences. You have to be a light on campus even if you think it’s not making a difference. When Jesus is Lord, it becomes obvious and others will take notice. Our résumé has to be found in Christ.”
‘We’re all a mess’
Hill also reminded students that our righteousness has to be found in Christ.
“It’s only through faith in Christ Jesus that we can stand righteous before a holy God,” Hill said. “All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We’re all a mess. Every single one of us has stains in our lives, and we need hope and we need help. God made Him who was without sin to be sin and die on our behalf, so we have to be clothed right for graduation day. It’s the great exchange.
“It’s only by faith in Christ Jesus that our sins are forgiven by His blood. He makes us new. If you have Jesus, you have everything you need. You are a sinner saved from your sins because of what Jesus has done on your behalf. If you’re a Christian, you need to think about this everyday. The same gospel that saves you, it keeps you all the way to the end.”
Hill reminded students to anticipate graduation day with the assurance of the resurrection.
“If you are not in Christ, you are headed to a Christless eternity,” Hill said. “One day, you will graduate from this life and enter the next life. Truthfully, are you ready? If you are in Christ, then we can walk confidently in Him. We have resurrection hope found in Him alone. It’s time for the church to rise up and realize that graduation day is coming.”
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