August 16, 2015

The Refiner's Fire

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell

The Refiner’s Fire
Malachi 3:2-3

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God loves you just the way that you are; He loves you way too much to leave you that way.

“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10)

Principles from the Refiner’s Fire

1. The refiner always breaks the rock with Intentionality

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4)

It is often when we are being broken that God is doing the most in us!

Example of Peter:

Matthew 14 – Walking on the water. Peter “saw the wind” and started sinking

  • Peter thought: I have to be Secure
  • Truth: I have to be where God wants me to be

Matthew 16 – Peter had a better plan than the death of Jesus

  • Peter thought: I have to be in Control
  • Truth: I have to be Obedient

Luke 22 – “Aren’t you one of his?”

  • Peter thought: I have to Survive
  • Truth: I have to be Faithful

2. The refiner heats the Crucible Thoroughly

The refiner determines:

  • The Target
  • The Temperature
  • The Time

When the heat is on, I am tempted to ask the wrong questions; most of those start with Why?

It is more helpful to ask: What? And How?

  • What is it you want me to learn through this?
  • What is it that you want to change in me through this?
  • How can I glorify God and serve His purposes through this?

3. The refiner removes Impurities Continually

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6–7)

“For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness… Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:10 & 14)

God will work to remove those things from our lives that inhibit Unhindered Intimacy with Him.

4. The refiner pours out the molten metal into a mold for Maximum Usability

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20)

“For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:8–9)

"He (God) permits what He hates, in order to accomplish what He loves. There's no more liberating or joyful truth for the suffering Christian.” Joni Eareckson Tada

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:28–29)

When Experiencing the Refiner’s Fire Remember:

  • God’s love Desires the best for us.
  • God’s wisdom Knows the best for us.
  • God’s faithfulness Accomplishes the best for us