Diamonds In The Rough

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH

1 Timothy 4:10-12  For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.  (11)  These are the things you must insist on and teach.  (12)  Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity (NRSV).

“On September 26, 1991, In Oracle Arizona, eight scientists entered an airtight three acre miniworld called Biosphere 2in an experiment straight out of a science fiction movie. The $150 million facility designed to mimic earth’s environment was pored over and analyzed by the “explorers” living within its walls. Housed in a self-contained bubble were a miniature rain forest, a desert, an ocean, a mangrove swamp, a savanna and a small farm. The scientists grew their own food, recycled their own sewage and water and managed their air supply, inspected the ecosystems’ health collected data, studied and wrote.

…. Trees were growing faster in the Biosphere 2, than they would have in their normal earthly habitat. The reason for this was the absence of wind in the dome. When trees and plants grow in the wild, wind keeps moving them which helps create what is called “stress wood”. Without stress wood trees grow fast and would not be able to support themselves in the normal circumstances of the trees that are essential for their growth in normal circumstances”. (Jentezen Franklin. Acres of Diamonds. Minneaplois, Minnesota: Chosen, 2020. pp. 99 - 100). Now why is all of this important in relating to the journey of our Baccalaureates---graduates?

It is important because it helps us to see how God uses our “struggles and toils” that can give them the benefits of their own individual “stress wood” as they place their hope in the living God who is the Savior of all who believe (I Timothy 4:10 paraphrased). Later in the message, we will explore how we are "diamonds in the rough". The biggest takeaway from today's message is that when we fully rely on God, He can turn our struggles from hurdles and obstacles into stepping stones. God has a goal for each of them to unlock potential.

Today we will talk about conduct, faith and purity.

CONDUCT

What do you think of when you hear the word conduct? Do you think of it as a mark that one gets on a report card for good behavior?

1) Behavior: I once knew a young man who got great remarks on his report card on the academic side but on the conduct side not so much. Of course his parents chastised him about that and made it clear that they expected changes by the next report card. Our Heavenly Father has great expectations of us.

2) A white lie?: Years ago I had a retired church member who shared with me one of his childhood memories. He and his younger brother had been church dodging till he and his brother got caught. They would go by church, pick up a bulletin and then go and play hooky. One time, mamma found out that it was possible her two boys were not being truthful about their church attendance. It must have been a divide and conquer strategy. Mamma asked the oldest boy what did the preacher preach about today? “Sin” he said, hoping that would satisfy. Mamma asked, “what did he say about it?” Trying to dodge the issue further, he answered, “The preacher said he didn’t like it either”. The little brother started squirming at that point and mamma could tell by the oldest boy’s answers and the younger brother’s behavior that he was not telling the truth.

Is there such a thing as neutral ground?

1) Gray areas?: Non-believers might tell you yes, and describe what they believe those “gray areas” are. Believers know that there is no gray areas because there are only tow paths. The broad one that leads to destruction and the narrow path that leads to life (Matthew 7:13 - 14).

2) God’s claim: But, believers will tell you “no”. C.S. Lewis explained it very well: “There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter claimed by Satan.” (Randy Alcorn. Truth . Eugene, Oregon, 20017, p. 102). Satan never plays by the rules of honesty, truth and integrity.

3) Playing with fire?: Can we really trust any of Satan’s “counter claims”? Can we really play with fire and not get burned? Proverbs 6:27 puts it this way: “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?” (NIV).

4) FROG principle: Proverbs 3:3 - 5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (NIV). Its no mistake that Jesus mentions that their are only two paths---the broad path which leads to death and the narrow path that leads to life” (Matthew 7: 13 - 14). The only way we can truly succeed is the FROG principle ---Fully, Rely, On God!