Becoming a Student of Life - Always Looking to Learn

Romans 8:28

Introduce yourself. To the Liberal Ministerial Alliance let me say I consider it an honor to address this group of seniors before me. Also let me say to the USD 480 School Superintendent, the School Board and the Liberal High School administration, teachers, and staff, thank You for still allowing this type of service to be conducted.This service is called bac·ca·lau·re·ate b²k”…-lor“-¹t. Which means farewell address in hopes to give you an opportunity to realize what lies before you. I hope to challenge you this evening.

Humor: There’s an old story about a rich rancher from Texas who decided to reward all his employees with a huge Bar-B-Q, and to give out gifts to everyone for their fine work on the ranch. The party was grand, the beef delicious, and the gifts were the usual ones for the occasion: wrist watches, savings bonds, and so on. But the rancher decided, for the best gift of all, a new BMW 3 Series Convertible, to make a contest out of it.He announced that he’d give this wonderful and beautiful car away to the person who’d jump into his olympic-size swimming pool and swim to the other side. Unfortunately, for all to see as they crowded around, the pool was full with hungry looking alligators that he’d placed in there earlier. All of a sudden there was a "splash" and "shout" and there was this one brave soul swimming and thrashing across the pool for all he was worth, with alligators circling and nipping at his ankles. Finally, the man pulled himself up on the other side of the pool, dripping and out of breath. The ranch owner came up to the man to congratulate him. He praised him highly, and held out the keys to the car. The man replied in a huff, "Forget the car, I just want to know who pushed me into the swimming pool!"

It may have seemed at times you were in a pool of alligators – fighting for your life. – but you have made it. As you prepare to graduate Saturday, you need to realize even though graduation is a great accomplishment – it is but one small event on what I call the journey of life. You will remain a student, whether you like it or not. Not me you say I have had enough. No college is for me. You may go and receive a formal education. You may go to the military, start a family and get a job. But whatever you do, you will become a student of Life. But it is a new beginning of a new day on this journey.

So here we are. We have come here this evening to recognize the hard work and effort of these young men and women who are seated among us. They are about to make a major transition in their lives. Graduation is a sign of achievement and success – and we congratulate them. As a gift from the LMA , at the beginning of this service each graduate attending was presented with a copy of the Bible. The Bible itself makes this claim:

Please turn to page 761 in your Bibles.

Psalm 119:105 NIV

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

We hope that you will take this gift and read it – for the Bible can provide guidance as you travel through life.

Today I want to share three thoughts from one verse of the Bible. The verse I want us to look at is Romans 8:28. It is found on page in your Bible that you received.

Now please turn to page 1454 for our main scripture

Romans 8:28 NIV

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

The first thought I would share with you is:

1. Learn from LIFE: Some people would try to read into this verse an interpretation which would say, “God works good into all things.” but this is just not true. Not everything that is going to happen in your life is going to be good. All you have to do is look around and you can see that there are a lot of bad things happening in this world. I could give you a list, and you could come up with one too, but I’m not here today to talk about bad things. What I want to say to you is that whatever happens to you, learn from it.

We know this world is full of good things and bad things – we all have been in this world for a while. You will in all likelihood experience both good and bad. But notice what the verse does say, “All things work together for the good to those who love God”. I would encourage you to learn from all your experiences both the good ones and the bad ones. Learn from them and grow from them.

Paul the writer of much of the New Testament said it best when he wrote; “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in. I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live with a lot and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and I have learned the secret of going hungry.” (Philippians 4:11) As you travel through life, I encourage you to learn from all the things that you experience.

Let me give you a real important secret: Education does not stop with graduation. Life is the greatest class room that there is. Learn from it.

The second thought is like the first:

2. Learn what has REAL VALUE: Some of you may be considering continuing your formal education. I would encourage you to do that, but first and foremost realize that education is more than going to school. It is learning to treat others with respect, being honest, and having a sense of integrity about you. It knows the difference between right and wrong and when a choice must be made it is choosing that which is right every time. Remember your friends may come and go, jobs may change, and you may live halfway around the world. But there is someone who will always be with you wherever you go. That person is you. Honesty, integrity and faithfulness are qualities that show through your character. In fact they are your character. Live life so that you can look at yourself in the mirror and see a person that does not stand ashamed of anything. But if you mess up, admit it. Seek forgiveness and move on. Learn those things which hold real value.

The third thing I would encourage you to do is:

3. Learn who GOD IS.I want to read Romans 8:28 to you one more time - “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NKJV) Did you notice that God is mentioned two times in this verse? The first time He is mentioned the verse speaks about our relationship with Him. He is able to cause all things to work together for our good if we love Him. God has created us to have a relationship with other people but He has also created us to have a relationship with Him and if I have a relationship with Him – He is able to cause all things to work together for your good.

What this tells me is that there are situations or circumstances that will come my way, that I may not like, but if I have a relationship with God, I can gain from that experience. I may feel down and discouraged, I may be disappointed and devastated, I may feel dumped on or deserted - but if I have a relationship with Him I can know with certainty that He can cause all things to work together for my good.

Because of the relationship that I have with God, I can live a life of hope – because I know that God is on my side. We all face trials and triumphs through life – because that is life is made of. But having a relationship with God can make all the difference in the world as to how well we handle it. I wish that your cup will be overflowing with triumphs - but first and foremost I wish you would build a relationship with God – for “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Learning things takes investment. Investment of yourself. Time, talents, abilities, and honestly work, often hard work. But it is worth it.

In closing, if you would please turn to page 1273

Matthew 25:14–30 NIV

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Learn what to invest in. Learn what to learn. Things that I used to think were not worth learning, I now need in everyday life just to make it. Expound.

Learn from life – learn what has real value – and learn who God is.

Let Us Pray.