The Refiner and the Refined

The Foundry, Men's group at Forest Hill Church, Charlotte, NC on March 19, 2007

During Hard Times, you are in one of three places:

1. coming out of Hard Times
2. in the middle of Hard Times
3. concerned about entering Hard Times

"But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand
when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire. And like a launderer's
soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver, He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness. "Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to the LORD, as in the days of old, As in former years.
- Malachi 3:2-4

Likens every Hard Time to the Refiner's furnace, like silver and gold. Proverbs, time refines / Lord tests heart What he can be, sees His reflection. Meanwhile, on the sea of Galilee John 21 ;

Our first reaction when we find ourselves in trouble is to run for a comfort
zone. Peter says, I'm going fishing. The rest follow him and go with
him. BE CAREFUL, when you run for your comfort zone you will influence those
around you and convince them to step away from God's will as well!

Jesus cries out, Have you caught anything? (if they caught anything, no one
would need to ask)

Find him by a fire, Peter denied Christ by a fire, now he will be told he is loved by Christ at breakfast by a fire. Fire is a symbol of the foundry, restored by fire, in the middle of the time of trials/troubles/tribulations.

God is the Ultimate Refiner

1. REFINER Breaks rock of our life intentionally.
   
   James 1 / Encouraged in trials, boxed canyons, they are used to prepare us for life. Our natural response is to avoid the fire and thus we are not prepared for life.
   
   
   
   1. INADEQUECY : BREAKING DESIRE FOR SECURITY
      Peter walking on water Matt 14, breaking desire for security
      Inadequecy is the greatest fear of a man.
   2. CONTROL : Matt 16
      Want to be a person who controls circumstances.
      Philipi, center of all ???boods? symbol the lower???
      Who do they say I am?
      Who do you say I am?
      Peters example here is from the pinnacle heights (on this rock) to the pit (get behind me Satan). The Refiner breaks the rocks intentionally
   3. SURVIVAL : LUKE 22 sitting by the fire
      Peter followed at a distance.
      
      
      
      1. I am not
      2. You have not
      3. I do not now Him
      
      Denied 3 times and cock crows and Jesus turned and looked to him.
      What kind of look? disappointment
      

      We are focused on survival (cya). First thing we ask each other, what do you do for a living? Do not realize is that your significance is in the One who created you, not in WHAT you do.
      

      Our significance is only in Christ.

2. REFINER Heats the Crucible
   

   God knows where the heat needs to be put, he has exerts absolute control over:

   
   
   • TARGET
   • TIMING
   • TEMPERATURE
   
   The only item we have some control over is the TERM
   

   1 Peter 1:~16 you are of greater worth than silver and gold
   strong until the last day We only extend the term when we ask Why? questions:
   

   • Why me?
   • Why not him/her?
   • Why now?
   • etc.
   
   When the heat is on, there are two questions we can ask of the LORD that can reduce the TERM quickly, when taken seriously:
   
   
   
   1. God, what is it that you want to change in me through this?
   2. God, what is it that you want me to learn through this?

3. REFINER Removes the Impurities
   

   The most unread book in this country is the Car Owner's Manual. Usually only picked up after you something in the car has broken, but the purpose of the Owner's manual is to prevent problems in the car and maximize the efficiency and life of the vehicle.
   
   Use our Owner's Manual, the Holy Bible, to be set apart and to let our life stand out. BE HOLY and as you follow me, others will say, what is with him?
   What is the reason for the joy in his heart?

   The story of the 2 cd's for $1.99 instead of $9.99. Pastor gave a sermon on integrity and clerk tested him by charging him only $1.99 for each of the CD's and he returned them. She wanted to see if his faith was something he only put on at Church or if he took it with him into the world . . . and despite his hurry, in the small things he was found faithful and she received Christ as her Lord and Savior. There are teachings that I may know, but have not put into practice. Am I not living the life I know I should be living?
   
   The REFINER:
   

   1. Breaks rock
   2. Heats crucible
   3. Removes impurities
      
   4. pours pure molten self into Christ shaped mold, Romans 8:28-29 (Conformed)
      
   Proverbs 15:14 or was it 14:15?
   2 Cor 12
   He wants to see His Son reflected in us. ISAIAH 43:1-3
   

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madetocount.com
Beneath the Surface, - read the letter from the 19 year old daughter

Upcoming Events:

Sat. May 19 at Central Church of God - Iron Sharpens Iron (keynote)
Sept 10, 2007 - The Foundry (dinner again)
November 9,10,11, 2007 - Men's Retreat