God the Refiner

Personal Testimony and Introduction

• Expresses appreciation for a song, emphasizing the importance of having Jesus above worldly desires.
  • “I got everything. You got Jesus, you got everything.”
• Rejects the idea of “living the dream” in a worldly sense, preferring to focus on reaching the “other side of the honor.”
  • An encounter with an acquaintance who claimed to be “living the dream” prompted reflection on priorities.
• Acknowledges personal imperfection but emphasizes striving for salvation through Jesus Christ.
  • Salvation is achieved through being “born again by the blood of Jesus Christ.”
  • Emphasizes that the Father must call on you to go through the door.

Malachi 3: God the Refiner

• The sermon is based on Malachi 3, focusing on God as a refiner.
• Key verses: Malachi 3:2-3
  • “But who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fuller’s soap.”
  • “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.”

Understanding the Refiner’s Process

• Fuller’s Soap:
  • Definition: A strong alkaline substance used to clean and whiten cloth, especially wool, in ancient times.
  • Made from harsh substances from plants and ashes to remove impurities or stains.
• The Refiner’s Role:
  • Heating: The refiner heats silver and gold to bring impurities to the surface.
    • In Christian life, this is likened to God “turning up the heat,” revealing impurities.
  • Separation: Impurities are separated, skimmed, and removed.
    • Saved individuals must separate themselves from sin, requiring God’s help.
    • The devil tempts with things that appear “shiny,” but one must remain steadfast in faith.
  • Patience and Observation: The refiner carefully monitors the process to prevent damage to the metal.
    • God is patient, dealing with individuals to ensure they are not damaged during trials.
  • Purification: Fire refines gold and silver; God uses trials and challenges to purify His people, removing their sinful nature.
    • God is present during trials, ensuring individuals are not alone in the “fire.”

God’s Constant Presence and Faith

• Trust in God is essential during trials and tribulations, strengthening faith.
• The refining process involves God removing impurities.
• Recognizing Completion:
  • A refiner knows the process is complete when they can see their reflection in the refined metal.
  • God considers the process complete when He sees His Son (Jesus) reflected in an individual.
• Even during tribulations and trials, God is always present.
• Turning away from God requires a greater effort to return.
  • Stepping away from God requires walking “20 miles away and 60 back to Him.”
• God bought individuals with a precious price, and they should not disregard His sacrifice.

Personal Struggles and Reliance on God

• Acknowledges the need for ongoing refinement by God to remove impurities.
• Expresses a desire to maintain a “clean slate” with God, free from accumulated sin.
• Shares past experiences of facing challenges and relying on God’s support.
  • There was a time of praying to God, asking “which devil am I going to meet tonight?”
• The refiner (God) never encourages neglecting prayer, Bible reading, or church attendance.
• Personal experiences of being “melded” and “burnt” by preachers, requiring repentance and forgiveness.
• God’s forgiveness leads to Him seeing Himself in the individual again.

The Significance of Jesus Christ

• Every mention of “Jesus Christ” and the sight of a “bloody cross” evokes a sense of gratitude for the sacrifice made.
• No one but Jesus Christ could pay the debt of sin.
• Expresses a desire to avoid worldly actions and sins, preferring to face consequences in this life rather than in the afterlife.
• Repentance is crucial, and pride should not prevent it.

The Nature of God’s Refinement

• God refines individuals like silver and gold, removing impurities.
• Since being saved, there have been failures, but gratitude for God’s continued love remains.
• Apostles like Peter also had to repent.
• The Bible states, “Repent or perish.”
• Walking away from God has consequences.
• Salvation is through Jesus Christ.

Patience and Trust in God

• God is faithful and patient, especially during personal struggles.
• Acknowledges ongoing struggles and the need for God’s patience.
• Even small sins, like anger, require repentance.
• God’s patience is evident as He watches over and refines individuals.
• The goal is for God to see Himself in the individual.

The Importance of Forgiveness and Trust

• Before entering the church, there is a prayer to avoid bringing sin into the sacred space.
• God is always present during trials, never leaving or forsaking.
• Trust in God is essential, but many people fall short in this aspect.
• God spoke the world into existence from nothingness (void).
  • Void means a plague with no life, no existence, nothing.
• God can do anything in His time.
• God works in the background, and His plans will come to pass.
• When impurities arise, ask for forgiveness, and He will remove them.
• Acknowledges personal imperfection but emphasizes knowing who holds the future (Jesus).
• Repentance allows God to see Himself in the individual.
• Sealed up to the day of redemption.