God's Is Unchanging

MHCC - God’s unchangeable love for his people

E Huffman - A group studying Malachi. chapter three, they came across verse three, which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

That week a woman, from that group called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up.

He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot - then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire.

If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh that’s easy. When I see my image in it."

-If today you are feeling the heat of this world’s fire, just remember

that God has His eyes on you.

Isa 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Isa 43:3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

Isa 43:4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

Isa 43:5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

Isa 43:6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

Isa 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

1. Divine Assurance is needed by Progressive People

2. Divine Assurance is based on a right relationship with God.

3. Divine Assurance produces an enduring faith.

1. Divine Assurance is needed by Progressive People

a. Kenneth Trent - No one is immune from trials, tribulations, troubles and distresses in this life. These things affect us all.

b. Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

c. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

When we are on the move, we will cross rivers, we will go through valleys, we will have trials and struggles, but don’t fear….God is with us.

Paul Fritz – “Progressive pilgrims are directed to the higher principles and practices Christ. Unlike some religious pilgrims that try to fulfill their religious duty by making a once in a lifetime pilgrimage, the Christians pilgrimage is a life long experience of growing in all aspects into Christ.”

d. The question was asked? What is the difference between involvement and commitment?

Perhaps I can best explain this by way of analogy with bacon and eggs

In bacon and egg, the hen is involved but the pig is committed.

e. It is the same within the church, you can be involved but not committed, no matter what happens though if you’re totally committed, through the waters, though everything seems to start to overflow….he will be with us. People who progress are moving forward, People who digress are those who lose focus on the big picture.