| Excerpts from Sermons From an Apostolic Pulpit A Diamond is the hardest substance known unto man, it is also one of the most beautiful gems that man has ever known. Because of its brilliance and its monetary value, it is a gem that is desired by most who embark on the journey of marriage. A diamond is used as a symbol and a token of love and affection in the engagement phase of marriage. But what I want you to understand today, is that the diamond that man so admires, the diamond which is so valuable, that very precious gem did not begin looking like that precious stone in the gold setting. On the contrary, the diamond in its infancy, does not have a pear or marquee shape, it is not heart shaped, the light does not reflect from its surface. But, the diamond begins as carbon, and this carbon, this chunk of coal goes through a crystallization phase. Scientifically speaking, a diamond in its carbon state is made up of a multitude of atoms and has a nucleus that contains six protons. Surrounding the protons are six electrons. Four of the electrons that are outside of the protons are arranged in such a way that the electrons allow the entire carbon atom to bond with the other atoms. And because of the closeness of the bond, because the atoms are so tight and so closely knitted together they resist a change in their position. Because they resist a change in their position ,a crystallized diamond is formed. Somebody might ask, to what end is this scientific information. Simply stated, properly applied pressure produces diamonds. If you want to have a diamond, you must have the proper amount of pressure. When God saves an individual, that individual doesn't look like the Jewel that they really are. We all had, and still have some rough edges. When God saved us, we didn't talk like Christians, we did not act like Christians, but what we believed is that meeting Jesus was and is the best thing that ever happened to us. And so, we began to attach ourselves to the Lord; and we began to learn how to fast and we learned how to pray in the Spirit. We began learning how to seek the face of God. And because it is God's desire that we should grow up and become mature Christians; every so often God allows us to have some experiences that mold our character and build our faith. And every so often we begin to feel pressure. I don't know about you , but I can relate to the songwriter who said, "Trouble in my way and I have to cry sometime, I lay awake at night but that's alright, for I know Jesus will fix it afterwhile". Sometimes when the heat is on, and the pressure is at its apex, we begin to wonder what in the world is going on. We cry out for the Lord and our prayers go up and it seems like we get no answers. It seems like we get no relief. And we feel pressure. Maybe your situation is different, but sometimes in life the road gets a little rough and the going gets a little tough, sometimes the hills get a little hard to climb. But I have come to the conclusion that its just a temporary inconvenince, and its working out a permanent improvement in the life of the believer... |
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| "A Diamond In The Rough" |