For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scripture Readings prior to the message. Today's readings are: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 84; Hebrews 2:14-18 and Luke 2:22-40
Let us pray... O' Heavenly Father. You are ... the refiner... of our souls. Father May we yield as you refine us and conform us into the image of your Christ. Burn away ... burn away ... all the impurities that lie within us. And allow your image to reflect through us. And it is in the strong and mighty name of your son Jesus the Christ that we pray. Amen!
I recently read 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 a 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 ... in order 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 silver smith 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 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 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 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 yield to God and be transformed .... into the image of his Christ.
And This I promise You .... Hear me on This ... God has a plan ... for your life. REPEAT
We are called 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 BIBLE "We are to be conformed (REPEAT) to the image of his Son, ... " END Romans 8:29
(Slow) It is a Command.
God is calling us to be Christ-like.
The great writer and theologian C.S. Lewis said: "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."
We will be refined.
All Believers will be refined.
Paul understood this process. Remember his words: BIBLE "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." END Romans 8:18
And The process of being purified will result in ... glory... that is revealed IN us.
It is God's purpose .... To refine us ... to purify us.
And God has a plan to purify us.
And It is a twofold plan.
God's part was sending his son Jesus.
The Scriptures are clear 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
The Scriptures Go on "...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 ... you yield to him totally... Until we yield to the refiners Fire.
It is twofold. (1 Finger) God Sent His Son And (2 Fingers) We are called to yield to his will...To yield to the refiner's fire.
That's why the Scripture states in Corinthians,
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.
The Church is called to be the pure bride of Christ.
We are to be Christ-like. To be conformed to the image of His Son.
A silversmith leaves the silver over the fire and watches it.
He does not stir it.
He watches the silver ... until the moment he sees his image reflected on its surface, .... then he removes it from the flame.
God's work in you ...... (Slow) will not be left undone.
It may take some time, ... God sits and watches us over the flame.
Waiting for his image to be seen... to be revealed... 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
When it seems that God is not working in our lives, .... or that he has forgotten us, ... 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.
Yet ... Do not be surprised.
Do not think it is strange ... when trials come your way.
They may not Feel good.
But it is often a part ... of the purifying process.
Do not resist ... trust ... for you are in the master hand.
Allow the refining fire ... to transform you.
Allow your life .... to be refined ... into the image of Jesus.
So...How do we do that? (1 Finger) Confess it (REPEAT) ... and be (2 Fingers) purified:
The Scriptures share this glorious promise .... BIBLE "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins ... and purify us from all unrighteousness." END 1 John 1:9
If we are honest ...... We often refuse to look at our faults .... Our impurities.
But.... We must not avoid our impurities ... or turn a blind eye ... to them.
Pray that your eyes would be opened.
And when the Holy Spirit reveals them .... confess them ... to the master.
Then allow ... the refining fire .... to burn away .... those impurities ... that you have confessed.
Hear these words which were shared with 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 Lord ... to be like his Son ... To be mature in the faith .... To live a pure and holy life.
Just as a silversmith our Lord is always there watching you as you are refined in the fire.
Jesus shared this eternal blessing ... this eternal truth: "I will never ... I will never leave you or for sake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6 & Hebrews 13:5)
Beloved... Can God see his reflection ... in your life?
Be mature in the Faith.
Be open to the Refiner's Fire!
There is a Christian hymn that speaks to God's work far better than my own words.
(Sing Refiners Fire)
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' Heavenly Father. You are ... the refiner... of our souls.
Father May we yield as you refine us and conform us into the image of your Christ.
Burn away ... burn away ... all the impurities that lie within us.
And allow your image to reflect ... through us.
Amen and Amen!
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