For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scripture Readings prior to the message. Today's readings are: Malachi 3:1-5; Psalm 126; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21 and Luke 3:1-6
Let us pray... O' Heavenly Father. You are the refiner of our souls. May we have confidence in your love ... and be open to your transforming power in our lives. Help us to yield as you refine us and conform us more and more into the image of your Christ. And it is in his name that we pray. Amen!
A Christian article ... shared a story about a group of women ... who were studying the book of ... Malachi.
As they were reading chapter three, ... they came across verse three which states: BIBLE "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." END (Malachi 3:3)
This verse intrigued the women .... and they wondered what this statement meant about the character ....and the nature of God.
One of the women .... offered to look into the process of refining silver ....and get back to the group ....at their next Bible study.
That week .... she contacted an elderly silver smith ....and made an appointment.... to meet with him ....and to watch him ... at work.
She did not mention anything ... about the reason for her interest in silver .... beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silver smith, .... 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 the hottest ... so to burn away.... all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a way over the fire ...then she thought again about the verse, ......... (Slow) " He sits ... as a refiner and purifier ... of silver."
She asked the silversmith... if it was true ...that he had to continually sit ... in front of the fire ...the whole time ...the silver was being refined.
The man answered ... that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, ...... but he also had to keep his eyes on the silver ... for the entire time ... it was ... in the flame.
If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flame, .... it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment.
Then she asked the silver smith, ..."How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her ....and answered, ..."Oh, that's easy.... (Slow) ... when I see my image in it." (Pause)
Beloved ... I want to speak of ......the refiner's fire.
It is a biblical concept ...... (Slow) and it involves each one of us.
We are all going through the process ... we are all going through .... the refiner's ...fire.
We are each called .... to be transformed .... into the image of Christ.
And Beloved ... This I promise you .... (Slow) ... God has a plan for your life.
He has a plan for you ... (Slow) each one of you.
We are called to go through the refiner's fire and to be ... transformed .... To be ...Christ-like.
The Scriptures are clear: Hear God's Word. BIBLE "And we ... are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." END 2 Corinthians 3:18
Paul told the believers gathered in Rome ... that "We are to be conformed (REPEAT) to the image of his Son, ..." Romans 8:29
(Slow) It is a Command. We Are ...... We are to be conformed ... to the image of His Son.
God is calling us to be Christ-like....to reflect Christ in our lives ... and to ... the world.
The great writer and theologian C.S. Lewis put it this way: ...... "Once we give God permission, .... by surrendering our lives to Him, ... He will not stop that process of purifying us ... no matter how painful ... or unpleasant ... it may be."
Paul understood this truth ... this process.
Remember his words to the Believers ... to the Believers gathered in Rome: BIBLE "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing ...with the glory (REPEAT) .... that will be revealed in us." END Romans 8:18
The process of being purified ... will result in ... glory.... and honor ... and praise ... flowing from our lives.
It is God's purpose .... To refine us ... to purify us.
And God's plan to purify us. ... It is a twofold plan.
God's part ... was sending his son... Jesus.
Hear God's word: BIBLE "Now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death ... to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation" Ephesians 1:22
"...who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager ... to do what is ... good. "END Titus 2:14
Jesus died on the cross to, not only provide us with such a great salvation, .... but to also ...refine us ... to purify us.
Beloved Jesus invites .... He never forces.
He illuminates .... He never compels.
In other words, .... it is His will that we become pure ...... but it will not happen... unless and until ... we yield to him.
It is twofold. (1 Finger) God Sent His Son (2 Fingers) ... And ... We are called to yield ... to his will...To yield ... to the refiner's ... fire.
How does that look in our lives?
Hear again God's Word: BIBLE "Therefore, since we have these promises, ..., let us purify ourselves ... from everything that contaminates body and spirit, ... perfecting holiness ... out of reverence ... for God." END 2 Corinthians 7:1
God desires us ... to be ... holy.
He is calling us to be ... pure.
We are called to lay down our flesh ... to be Christ-like.
To reflect the image of His Son.
A silversmith places the silver over the fire and watches it.
He does not stir it; .... He does not move it away from the flames.
He watches the silver ... until the moment he sees his image reflected ... on its surface, .... then and only then ...he removes it ... from the flame.
God's work in you ...... (Slow) will not be left undone.
He will complete His purpose in you.
It may take time, ... Yet take comfort ... For God sits and watches us ... over the flame.
Waiting for his image ... to be seen ... in you.
Paul shares this truth ...... with those who call themselves followers of the Christ. BIBLE "And I am sure that God, ... who began the good work within you... will continue his work ...until it is ... finally finished...." END Philippians 1:6
He will complete his work in you for how long?
Until ... It is finished.
When it seems that God is not working in your life, .... or that he has forgotten you, ... that is the time .... when we must trust in His ... unfailing love.
Some are bewildered and confused ... when they go through the refiner's fire.
Peter states this truth so very clearly: BIBLE "Dear friends, ....do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal ... that has come on you to test you, ....as though something strange were happening to you. ... But rejoice ... inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, ....so that you may be overjoyed... when his glory is revealed." END 1 Peter 4:12-13
Do not be surprised.
Do not think it is strange ... when trials come your way.
Trials may not Feel ... very good.
But they are often a part of the purifying process.
Do not resist ... trust.... Trust.... that you are in the master hands.
For it leads to joy ... in fact as we just read ... we will be ... overjoyed.
We will be Filled ... filled to the brim with joy.
And as you are all aware: The Joy of the Lord is what?
The Joy of the Lord is our ....... Strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
In fact, ... by enduring trials with patience ... we can reach an assurance ... of the fullness of heaven's rule ... in our lives.
James, ... the Lord's brother, ... began his message ... by instructing us to consider it ... Quote "Pure Joy" when troubles ... come upon us.
Hear God's word BIBLE 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. END (James 1: 2-3).
Beloved ... I can honestly state ... that I am not always ...supremely happy ... when trials come my way.
Yet ... I have found ... that as I encounter trials ... if I yield them to Jesus ... and lay the trial in His hands ... that the Fruit of the Spirit blooms ... more deeply ... within me.
And through that trial ... the refining fire ... transforms me.
Beloved let the refiners fire transform you... and take you as the Scriptures state ... from glory to glory.
So...How do we do that? (1 Finger) First Confess it (REPEAT) ... and then be (2 Fingers) ... Refined ... be purified:
The Scriptures share this glorious promise .... "If we confess our sins, ... he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins ... and purify us ... from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
I have found ...... that We often refuse to look at our faults .... Our impurities.
Why? ... Well ... If were honest ... It is so much more enjoyable ... to look at others faults ... then to look ... at our own.
Yet ... We must not avoid our impurities ... or turn a blind eye to them.
The Lord knows them ... and we surely cannot hide them from him.
Pray ... Pray that your eyes... will be opened.
And when the Holy Spirit reveals them .... ... confess them ... lay them at the cross ...Place them in the master's hand.
Then allow ... the refining fire .... to burn away .... those impurities ... that you have confessed.
These words were shared to the believers .... To the believers ... gathered in Rome:
BIBLE "I appeal to you therefore, ...brothers and sisters, ....by the mercies of God, .... to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, ... holy and acceptable to God, ...which is your spiritual worship. ... ?2 Do not be conformed to this world, .... but be transformed ...by the renewing ... of your minds..." END Romans 12:1-2
God wants those who call Jesus their Savior and their Lord ... to be like his Son .... To be an image barer ... of His Son.
To live a pure ... and holy life.
Through the renewing ... of your mind.
How do you renew your mind, ... you may ask?
Well, ... the answer is not complicated ... You renew your mind through prayer ... and through reading and meditating on God's word ... and through actions of grace.
Warning ... when you pray and when you read His word ... wait ... wait for him to speak to you ... or to give you ... a revelation.
And you will know it is from God ... if it requires you to do something.
It may be a revelation ... to change something in your life... or the way you react ... to someone.
It may require a change in attitude.
Or the Lord may reveal ... that you need to reconcile with someone.
Beloved ... be assured ... when you act ... when you do what he has revealed to you ... it will ... Praise God ... It will transform you.
And the image of Christ will be revealed within you more and more.
Be men and women of the cross.
Be mature in the faith and allow the image of Christ to appear in your life.
You are in God's hand ... and He will never leave you or forsake you ... as you are being transformed in the ... Refiner's Fire!
There is a spiritual hymn ... that speaks to God's work ... so much better than my words.
(Sing)
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, ... pure gold
Refiner's fire......My heart's one desire
Is to be holy......Set apart for You, O' Lord
I choose to be holy......Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Purify my heart.... Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart ... Cleanse me from my sin
Deep within
Refiner's fire......My heart's one desire
Is to be holy...Set apart for You, O' Lord
I choose to be holy...Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will.
O' Beloved .... Be open to the refiner's fire ... yield to his will ... and if you do .... He promises ... you will be transformed ... you will be renewed.... And filled to the brim with heavenly joy.
Beloved ... through every trial ... Trust in the refiner of your soul ... And be transformed ... more and more ... into the image of His Son.
For he will never leave you or forsake you.
And Be Assured .... That God, ... who began the good work within you... will continue his work ...until it is ... finally finished.
And all God's people said:
Amen and Amen!
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