WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.120 Turn back to Malachi chapter 2 and 3. 00:00:05.120 --> 00:00:17.160 ! There's one thing that I want you to take from this passage this morning. 00:00:17.160 --> 00:00:20.960 ! It's that God cleans up. 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:23.359 God cleans up. 00:00:23.359 --> 00:00:29.980 The God of the Bible is the God who sorts out mess, who sorts out dirt, who 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:33.020 gets rid of stains, who gets rid of impurities. 00:00:33.939 --> 00:00:35.320 God cleans up. 00:00:36.820 --> 00:00:42.760 The big image that he describes himself with here in this passage is in verse 2 if you look 00:00:42.760 --> 00:00:43.079 there. 00:00:44.399 --> 00:00:49.000 He is like a refiner's fire and like fuller's soap. 00:00:50.200 --> 00:00:53.060 Malachi there speaks of a messenger, doesn't he? 00:00:53.159 --> 00:00:59.320 A figure who will come into the world and do God's laundry for him. 00:01:00.739 --> 00:01:05.319 Malachi speaks 400 or so years before the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:06.420 --> 00:01:13.299 He speaks of him that he will be sent to sit and refine and purify God's people. 00:01:13.299 --> 00:01:19.120 If you've been here while we've been looking at Malachi, we've gotten to know God's people 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:21.579 quite well, haven't we, in Malachi's day. 00:01:22.579 --> 00:01:25.079 And they are full of impurity. 00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:29.659 Their worship is not as it should be. 00:01:29.759 --> 00:01:32.039 They are not what God wants them to be. 00:01:33.200 --> 00:01:39.579 Their relationships, we saw last time, their outward religion, their worship is a stain 00:01:39.579 --> 00:01:41.159 on the carpet in God's house. 00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:46.400 He says to them, back in chapter 2, you have profaned my sanctuary. 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:48.340 You've stained it. 00:01:49.859 --> 00:01:57.379 They are like a lump of ore from the ground, like a dirty rock dug up from the ground. 00:01:57.519 --> 00:01:58.959 They are a mess. 00:01:58.959 --> 00:02:07.399 But in there somewhere, God knows that in that ore there is some precious silver or precious gold. 00:02:08.819 --> 00:02:12.699 In his messenger, Jesus Christ, God cleans up. 00:02:12.699 --> 00:02:18.959 And he will be like this hard-working silversmith, a cleaner. 00:02:20.979 --> 00:02:23.919 Why does the silversmith get out of bed in the morning? 00:02:24.899 --> 00:02:26.179 Why does he work? 00:02:26.339 --> 00:02:28.419 Why does he open up his workshop? 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:31.899 To purify and to refine. 00:02:33.539 --> 00:02:36.919 Why does God send this silversmith, though? 00:02:38.219 --> 00:02:39.959 He is active and zealous. 00:02:39.960 --> 00:02:42.420 He is ready to go to work on Monday morning. 00:02:42.599 --> 00:02:43.840 It's go, go, go. 00:02:44.420 --> 00:02:45.140 But why? 00:02:46.920 --> 00:02:53.080 Well, strangely, first of all, we see Jesus the silversmith, the refiner, gets to work 00:02:53.080 --> 00:02:55.520 because he is weary. 00:02:57.080 --> 00:02:58.280 Because he is weary. 00:02:59.740 --> 00:03:02.219 Just look at verse 17 of chapter 2. 00:03:02.700 --> 00:03:08.460 God says, you have wearied the Lord with your words. 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:12.240 But you say, how have we wearied him? 00:03:12.300 --> 00:03:15.580 There's that line again that comes up in Malachi, time and time again. 00:03:15.719 --> 00:03:17.340 But you say, but you say. 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:20.819 There's always an excuse from God's people, isn't there? 00:03:20.840 --> 00:03:21.819 Always an explanation. 00:03:22.020 --> 00:03:22.719 Always a reason. 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:28.960 But the starting point for Jesus' refining work, this messenger, 00:03:29.819 --> 00:03:31.819 is that God is weary. 00:03:31.819 --> 00:03:37.039 Jesus' motivation is his fatigue. 00:03:38.379 --> 00:03:40.419 He is tired of something. 00:03:42.019 --> 00:03:44.699 How do you weary the God of the universe? 00:03:44.979 --> 00:03:47.000 How do you tire God out? 00:03:47.879 --> 00:03:50.060 How do you weary the tireless one? 00:03:50.219 --> 00:03:52.599 The one who never needs to go to sleep ever. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:54.919 The one who has no limits. 00:03:54.919 --> 00:03:59.159 Well, God speaks in human language here, doesn't he? 00:04:00.099 --> 00:04:04.339 There is one thing that if I could get tired, would tire me out. 00:04:05.119 --> 00:04:07.159 It would make me weary. 00:04:07.560 --> 00:04:09.539 And it's a real drag for me. 00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:14.779 It's when my people falsely caricature me. 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:19.919 When after I've created them, they try and recreate me. 00:04:19.920 --> 00:04:26.100 And it's particularly here to do with a question of God's justice. 00:04:27.319 --> 00:04:32.920 It's when people think that they can tell me how to do my job, God says. 00:04:33.920 --> 00:04:39.020 See what the words they are saying weary him, don't they, in verse 17. 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:45.980 The words you are saying, by saying everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord. 00:04:46.280 --> 00:04:48.560 And he delights in them, in evil. 00:04:48.560 --> 00:04:52.720 And by asking, where is the God of justice? 00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:59.540 There's a kind of arrogance here that wearies God. 00:05:00.860 --> 00:05:07.860 An arrogance with the question of justice and of suffering and of evil in the world. 00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:14.720 It's an incessant, rebellious, doubting of God's ability to do his job. 00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:17.560 Now let's be fair to God's people. 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:19.820 They were disappointed, weren't they? 00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:20.900 We've seen that. 00:05:20.980 --> 00:05:27.940 After the return from exile, they got a vision of what things should be like in the land of Judah. 00:05:28.980 --> 00:05:30.480 And it's not happened. 00:05:31.940 --> 00:05:33.960 They're still surrounded by their enemies. 00:05:34.300 --> 00:05:36.240 They're still occupied by Persia. 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:43.740 And they say to God in their hearts, what practical relevance has your justice really got in our lives? 00:05:44.819 --> 00:05:47.480 Our lives which are so full of disappointment. 00:05:48.819 --> 00:05:56.340 There's no visible connection with what we're seeing on the ground and what you say you are going to do. 00:05:56.339 --> 00:05:59.659 The nations around us are all doing pretty well. 00:05:59.779 --> 00:06:02.219 And they're not loving you and living for you. 00:06:02.299 --> 00:06:02.899 They're evil. 00:06:03.939 --> 00:06:05.579 And Persia is doing very well. 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:08.919 So you're not up to it, are you God? 00:06:09.979 --> 00:06:13.259 You're either a very good God but not powerful enough. 00:06:13.359 --> 00:06:15.859 Or you're very powerful and not good enough. 00:06:17.219 --> 00:06:22.479 And it turns out to be practical atheism, doesn't it, at the end of chapter 2. 00:06:22.480 --> 00:06:24.840 Where is the God of justice? 00:06:27.379 --> 00:06:34.480 God is not wearied by so many things that we'd expect him to be wearied of. 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:36.759 Things that we'd get weary of. 00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:43.540 He's not weary of watching over and caring for his people. 00:06:45.080 --> 00:06:50.939 Psalm 121 says that the God who keeps Israel never slumbers. 00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:52.060 He never sleeps. 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:57.120 He's not weary of you coming to him in prayer. 00:06:58.740 --> 00:06:59.680 Nagging him. 00:07:00.080 --> 00:07:01.240 He's not weary of that. 00:07:02.200 --> 00:07:03.660 His eyes are always open. 00:07:03.780 --> 00:07:08.600 His ears are open to the prayers of his children when they come in faith. 00:07:09.620 --> 00:07:12.680 He doesn't get fed up if you keep bothering him. 00:07:13.800 --> 00:07:15.759 He loves to be bothered by you. 00:07:16.200 --> 00:07:18.439 You can't tire him out by coming to him. 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:22.140 He merely gets tired when you don't. 00:07:22.480 --> 00:07:29.520 He gets wearied when we think God is powerless and we stop praying. 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:33.340 Powerless to bring justice and to do good. 00:07:33.339 --> 00:07:37.519 And they were arrogant, weren't they, God's people here. 00:07:38.259 --> 00:07:43.359 Saying, come on God, prove us right in the world. 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:48.740 How dare you withhold blessing from us, God? 00:07:48.740 --> 00:07:48.819 God. 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:55.879 And nothing wearies God like the belief that God is not who he says he is. 00:07:56.379 --> 00:07:58.319 Who does not keep his promises. 00:07:58.319 --> 00:07:59.060 God's people. 00:07:59.060 --> 00:08:03.680 Their faith has turned into presumption, hasn't it? 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:06.139 And a warped sense of entitlement. 00:08:06.139 --> 00:08:08.379 And that wearies God. 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:08.379 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:19.099 There comes a time when presumption and arrogance and twisting God's character will push his patience to the limit. 00:08:19.100 --> 00:08:20.980 And it will run out. 00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:29.040 And when he gets weary in that way, he gets to work at refining his people. 00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:35.120 We see Jesus Christ, don't we, coming in the Gospels, in the New Testament. 00:08:35.300 --> 00:08:36.759 And he comes to his people. 00:08:37.420 --> 00:08:39.200 And he arrives in Jerusalem. 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:43.840 And it's an amazing section in Matthew, Matthew 24. 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:45.720 I'm going to turn there really quickly. 00:08:45.940 --> 00:08:48.659 It's on page 829 if you've got a black Bible. 00:08:48.659 --> 00:08:54.600 Matthew 24, Jesus curses the temple. 00:08:55.939 --> 00:08:58.120 He refines the temple. 00:08:58.319 --> 00:09:00.279 He refines his people. 00:09:01.659 --> 00:09:08.039 Beginning of chapter 24 in Matthew, not one stone will be left on top of another in this temple. 00:09:08.959 --> 00:09:09.899 I will cleanse it. 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:10.980 I will refine it. 00:09:11.079 --> 00:09:12.720 I will bring it down to the ground. 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:18.960 And the thing is that we see moments earlier before this why he does it. 00:09:20.180 --> 00:09:26.480 As Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, the mighty Saviour, the mighty silversmith, what motivates him? 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:29.160 It's his weariness. 00:09:29.560 --> 00:09:31.759 It's him breaking down. 00:09:32.060 --> 00:09:39.340 And earlier in chapter 23, lamenting over his people and over Jerusalem. 00:09:39.340 --> 00:09:46.420 It's a stunning moment, isn't it, where the God of the universe comes down and he laments. 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:50.480 In Luke, he weeps over Jerusalem. 00:09:50.660 --> 00:09:52.280 Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem. 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:58.060 The city that kills the prophets and the stones that are, stones those who are sent to it. 00:09:58.139 --> 00:10:03.160 How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings? 00:10:03.220 --> 00:10:04.280 And you were not willing. 00:10:05.560 --> 00:10:08.300 So, see, your house has left you desolate. 00:10:08.299 --> 00:10:18.159 There's one place where we see in the New Testament where the Son of God, who became incarnate, was active before the incarnation. 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:20.779 He didn't just sort of appear from nowhere. 00:10:20.939 --> 00:10:24.359 He was active before he became a man. 00:10:24.439 --> 00:10:26.779 He was active during the time of the prophets. 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:30.899 Longing to see his ancient people coming to him. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:33.659 Wooing them, but they wouldn't. 00:10:33.659 --> 00:10:36.620 And he breaks down here. 00:10:36.699 --> 00:10:38.639 He weeps and he laments. 00:10:39.959 --> 00:10:44.059 Probably exhausted, just as a human being, isn't he, near the end of his ministry. 00:10:44.059 --> 00:10:50.159 But weary of them and their refusal to come to him. 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:54.099 And then zeal for his house consumes him. 00:10:55.539 --> 00:10:58.500 His weariness gets him to work. 00:10:59.699 --> 00:11:01.799 So he gets to work at refining. 00:11:02.979 --> 00:11:06.139 Not because they keep coming to him and hassling him. 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:07.959 But because they won't. 00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:11.620 So that's the why. 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:12.960 Now let's get to the what. 00:11:13.820 --> 00:11:18.540 I want you to see two things about the refining work of Jesus Christ here. 00:11:19.680 --> 00:11:23.120 Both the severity and the beauty of his work. 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:24.980 Of his refining craft. 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:26.940 Of his alchemy. 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:32.960 In drawing gold and silver from that kind of impure rock. 00:11:34.220 --> 00:11:34.840 That aggregate. 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:42.220 In Malachi 3, God gives us an insight into the workshop of Jesus Christ. 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:46.759 And the people are going to be taken into that workshop. 00:11:47.660 --> 00:11:51.340 And it will be brutal and beautiful. 00:11:52.840 --> 00:11:55.080 There will be heat and sweat. 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:57.639 And smoke and burning. 00:11:58.280 --> 00:11:59.220 And melting. 00:11:59.220 --> 00:12:02.820 Like in the refining process of metal. 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:04.100 And pain. 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:06.460 There will be bleaching. 00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:07.660 And washing. 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:10.019 With a fuller's soap. 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:11.759 And abrasion. 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:16.440 But then a dazzling transformation of gleaming silver. 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:18.279 And of precious gold. 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:21.720 So firstly. 00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:23.620 Jesus refines severely. 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:26.500 Jesus refines severely. 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:30.879 Do you see the irony of what the people are asking. 00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:33.919 And what they are complaining about with God here. 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:38.919 It's really great writing the way that Malachi kind of builds up the suspense here. 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:40.980 Because the people are saying aren't they. 00:12:41.059 --> 00:12:41.799 Come on God. 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:42.679 Where are you? 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:44.059 Where is the God of justice? 00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:47.059 Bring your justice then. 00:12:47.059 --> 00:12:52.699 But it's not a cry in suffering of a faithful hope. 00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:53.899 How long oh Lord? 00:12:54.439 --> 00:12:56.139 Looking to God for answers. 00:12:57.279 --> 00:13:03.019 But it's a cynical and sarcastic and atheistic taunt of entitlement. 00:13:04.699 --> 00:13:05.859 But chapter 3. 00:13:06.579 --> 00:13:08.079 Malachi begins doesn't he. 00:13:08.119 --> 00:13:09.019 It's okay. 00:13:10.239 --> 00:13:10.919 It's okay. 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:13.819 God is answering your prayers. 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:17.020 God is going to send someone. 00:13:18.220 --> 00:13:20.620 The one you seek will come. 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:23.920 The covenant that you delight in. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:25.420 A messenger will come. 00:13:26.020 --> 00:13:26.980 And bring justice. 00:13:28.280 --> 00:13:31.360 God says I'll send you what you're asking for. 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:33.620 I'll send you justice. 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:34.620 God says I'll send you justice. 00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:34.620 00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:35.620 God says I'll send you justice. 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:38.299 But then the twist comes in verse 2. 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:39.019 Doesn't it? 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:43.399 Who can endure the day of his coming? 00:13:44.679 --> 00:13:46.919 Who can stand when he appears? 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:53.019 They complain about his apparent absence. 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:57.480 And God says okay you will get my imminent presence. 00:13:59.179 --> 00:14:01.539 Why don't you get rid of all the evil in the world? 00:14:02.579 --> 00:14:05.100 Why don't you get rid of all the scumbags in the world? 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:11.199 Without coming to Jesus in faith and trust. 00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:12.860 He says to his people here doesn't he? 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:17.180 Well to answer that prayer I am going to have to get rid of some of you. 00:14:18.700 --> 00:14:21.180 And my servant must refine you. 00:14:23.399 --> 00:14:25.519 We might have an outreach event in church. 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.519 And we do have them. 00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:27.720 Quite a lot don't we? 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:33.480 Where we try and address certain questions that people ask of the Christian faith and of the God of the Bible. 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:36.700 We've done them at the lunchtime talks. 00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:41.920 And one of the most popular questions people ask is if God is good why does he allow suffering? 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:43.299 It's a good question. 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:44.579 It's a really good question. 00:14:45.439 --> 00:14:47.039 And you can ask that question. 00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:48.139 Please ask it. 00:14:50.779 --> 00:14:55.179 In suffering we find that God has much to say about that in scriptures. 00:14:56.000 --> 00:15:02.319 And as we look at the person of the Lord Jesus we see that God is well acquainted with suffering himself. 00:15:04.099 --> 00:15:07.059 But you can ask that question in two ways can't you? 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:10.000 You can ask it genuinely and humbly. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:11.519 Looking for an answer. 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:15.279 Or you can ask it in a defiant way. 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:19.120 Where the question becomes an accusation of God. 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:21.559 An accusation hurled at him. 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:27.000 As if we can't think of an answer to the question then God possibly cannot. 00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:32.959 Sometimes we ask the questions not to get answers don't we? 00:15:33.839 --> 00:15:35.019 But to accuse. 00:15:35.959 --> 00:15:39.360 And to pretend that God is something that he isn't. 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:41.500 To recreate God. 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:45.980 So that he is somebody we would be a lot happier to ignore. 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:47.720 And not worship. 00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:52.680 So that we can pretend that he is malicious and unloving. 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:55.300 So we can justify our hatred of him. 00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:58.539 And that wearies God. 00:15:58.539 --> 00:16:05.939 And so Jesus comes to burn off that kind of attitude from his people. 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:10.100 There are two messengers spoken of in this passage. 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:13.400 And they map on to the coming of John the Baptist. 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:16.580 And of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:23.620 This passage from Malachi 3 is in the first verse of Mark's Gospel. 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:24.820 You can look at it later. 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:30.480 It speaks of John the Baptist who prepares the way for the coming of the Lord. 00:16:30.560 --> 00:16:31.300 For the Lord Jesus. 00:16:32.040 --> 00:16:34.580 It's like if an envoy is sent ahead of a king. 00:16:34.800 --> 00:16:37.060 To kind of clear the traffic from the road. 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:38.500 And make sure there aren't any obstacles. 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.980 This is John the Baptist. 00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:42.480 Clearing the way for the king. 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:43.279 The king Jesus. 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:47.500 And just as Malachi predicts. 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:51.159 Jesus comes doesn't he to the Gospels. 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:53.419 And he begins somewhere. 00:16:53.700 --> 00:16:55.600 And he heads towards the temple. 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:59.500 It's an interesting pattern in the three Gospels. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:01.080 Matthew, Mark and Luke. 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:05.319 He heads on a journey towards the temple. 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:06.620 And he ends at the temple. 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:09.200 And he dies just outside the temple. 00:17:10.340 --> 00:17:13.279 He comes to the temple to refine his people. 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:18.559 Matthew tells us that in that passage that we saw. 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:19.299 Matthew 23. 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:22.019 One of the biggest discourses of rebuke. 00:17:22.340 --> 00:17:25.220 That Jesus lays on the Pharisees. 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:29.240 Happens just before he leaves the temple. 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:30.279 He's at the temple. 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:33.639 It's the same in Mark. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:36.199 He curses a fig tree at the temple. 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:38.639 Picture of his judgment on the temple. 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:42.500 And Malachi tells us he does that. 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:44.279 Not just because it's the temple. 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:45.500 Some random building. 00:17:45.659 --> 00:17:48.119 But because it's his temple. 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:51.179 It is his house. 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:56.460 Jesus' mission is to come and clean. 00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:58.740 His house of worship. 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.740 His church. 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:03.299 To fumigate it. 00:18:04.139 --> 00:18:06.220 To put it into the kiln. 00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:07.460 And to refine it. 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:10.099 As Jesus comes. 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.519 God comes in judgment. 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:13.419 And his refinement is severe. 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:15.460 He says. 00:18:15.679 --> 00:18:18.199 I will come near to you for judgment. 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:19.220 In verse 5. 00:18:20.639 --> 00:18:21.679 Jesus is sent. 00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:22.379 And in Jesus. 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:25.240 God is smelting off. 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.460 The metal. 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:27.019 The metal. 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.839 Of his people. 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:32.000 He is burning off the dross. 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:32.640 And it's. 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:34.579 It's actually quite devastating. 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:37.200 John the Baptist. 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.299 Says of Jesus. 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:39.519 His winnowing fork. 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:40.379 His winnowing fork. 00:18:40.379 --> 00:18:41.259 Is in his hand. 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.339 And he will clear. 00:18:42.339 --> 00:18:43.720 His threshing floor. 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.519 The place where. 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:46.559 You get grain. 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:48.200 From the husks of wheat. 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:50.380 And he will burn. 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:51.240 The husks. 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:51.680 With. 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:51.680 00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:53.360 Unquenchable fire. 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.559 After Jesus. 00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:57.799 Hangs up his apron. 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:59.620 And closes up for the evening. 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:01.059 You're not left with much. 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:01.559 Are you? 00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:03.420 After he's refined. 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:04.140 His church. 00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:04.819 And his people. 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:08.159 What we see from Jesus. 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.099 The silversmith. 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:10.419 Is quite brutal. 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.980 He gets into some heavy. 00:19:13.179 --> 00:19:13.559 Heavy. 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.379 Chiseling. 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:16.379 And he comes. 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:17.819 And he rebukes. 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:19.339 The Pharisees. 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.059 Woe. 00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:20.740 Woe. 00:19:20.879 --> 00:19:21.339 Woe. 00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:24.379 He pronounces woes. 00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:25.919 Upon the falsely religious. 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:29.299 He filters people out. 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.379 In his preaching. 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.460 Preaching in parables. 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:34.940 His workshop. 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:36.840 Will scold many. 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:39.100 It will be hot. 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.819 And sweaty. 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:40.779 And painful. 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:42.680 God. 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:43.680 Will clean up. 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:45.940 He is the ancient. 00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:48.019 Refiner of silver. 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:49.700 Jeremiah. 00:19:50.120 --> 00:19:50.799 And Ezekiel. 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:51.500 Picture God. 00:19:51.600 --> 00:19:52.319 In this way. 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:53.940 As one gathers. 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:54.460 Silver. 00:19:54.600 --> 00:19:55.039 And bronze. 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:55.480 And iron. 00:19:55.600 --> 00:19:55.940 And lead. 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:56.400 And tin. 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:57.259 Into a furnace. 00:19:57.840 --> 00:19:59.340 To blow the fire on it. 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:00.360 In order to melt it. 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:02.140 So I will gather you. 00:20:02.140 --> 00:20:02.860 God says. 00:20:04.520 --> 00:20:05.259 And at times. 00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:06.100 We know this. 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:06.440 Don't we. 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:07.200 From experience. 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:08.240 In church. 00:20:08.280 --> 00:20:09.120 In church history. 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.000 He has. 00:20:11.080 --> 00:20:11.620 The Lord Jesus. 00:20:12.020 --> 00:20:12.520 Refined. 00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:13.360 His church. 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.160 Drastically. 00:20:15.840 --> 00:20:16.640 One of the reasons. 00:20:16.780 --> 00:20:16.960 Maybe. 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:17.340 Maybe. 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:18.120 Why the church. 00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:19.120 Has been in decline. 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:20.060 In this country. 00:20:21.800 --> 00:20:22.500 Is that. 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:22.900 Jesus. 00:20:23.080 --> 00:20:23.780 Is refining. 00:20:23.780 --> 00:20:24.500 His church. 00:20:25.560 --> 00:20:26.759 He's refining it. 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:28.020 From nominalism. 00:20:28.780 --> 00:20:29.840 And cultural. 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:30.620 Christianity. 00:20:30.619 --> 00:20:30.819 Christianity. 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:33.479 He's burning off. 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.139 The Christianity. 00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:35.259 That is merely. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.000 A statement. 00:20:36.179 --> 00:20:36.939 On a birth certificate. 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:38.079 And nothing more. 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:41.279 And that feels brutal. 00:20:41.479 --> 00:20:41.939 Doesn't it? 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:43.859 Almost like. 00:20:43.919 --> 00:20:44.899 There's nothing left. 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.619 If you do a. 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:48.119 Before and after. 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:49.919 The ministry of Jesus. 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.959 What was. 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:52.619 God's people. 00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:53.379 What were God's people. 00:20:53.379 --> 00:20:53.939 Like before. 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:54.599 And what were they. 00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:55.259 Like afterwards. 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:55.579 God's. 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:56.759 Well. 00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:57.680 Instead of a whole. 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.660 Ethnic nation. 00:20:58.819 --> 00:20:59.940 You've now got a bunch of. 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:01.099 Disciples. 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:02.599 And a few women. 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:03.759 And a few followers. 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:05.980 And a few fishermen. 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:07.039 And a tax collector. 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:07.759 And what not. 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:10.779 The temple building. 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:11.940 The church building. 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:13.079 Rather than getting built. 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:14.099 Gets demolished. 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:14.579 Doesn't it? 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:16.059 In 70 AD. 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:19.160 He doesn't just clean the house. 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:20.400 He wipes it out. 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:20.940 All together. 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:23.279 The severity. 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:24.220 Of his refinement. 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:27.519 I've got to tell you. 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:28.160 This morning. 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:28.380 That. 00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:29.580 That there is a way. 00:21:29.580 --> 00:21:31.259 That you can weary God. 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:33.680 With defiance. 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:35.320 And unfolding your arms. 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:36.980 And shaking your fist at him. 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.420 Saying. 00:21:39.580 --> 00:21:40.940 I could do your job. 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.799 So better than. 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:43.100 So much better than you. 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:45.019 When the questions. 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:46.000 Turn ugly. 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:47.680 And you say. 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.600 Where is. 00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:50.100 Your justice God. 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.920 Where are you? 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:52.259 What are you doing? 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:55.160 And one day. 00:21:55.820 --> 00:21:57.480 He will answer that prayer. 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:59.580 Rage about his absence. 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:01.980 And we will get his imminent presence. 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:04.140 His refining presence. 00:22:04.620 --> 00:22:05.840 Jesus work can be brutal. 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.160 But. 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.320 Secondly and lastly. 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:07.799 Jesus. 00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:09.880 Work is beautiful. 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:12.900 Jesus refines beautifully. 00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:17.580 In the furnace. 00:22:19.580 --> 00:22:20.620 It's brutal. 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:22.039 It's painful. 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.140 It's painful. 00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:24.500 Transformation. 00:22:26.100 --> 00:22:27.720 But Jesus work. 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:29.900 Has a strikingly attractive goal. 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:30.460 Here. 00:22:31.580 --> 00:22:32.740 You see where it's heading. 00:22:32.840 --> 00:22:33.180 Don't we? 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:34.080 In verse four. 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:37.259 After he has refined. 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:39.240 The offering of Judah and Jerusalem. 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:41.019 Will be pleasing to the Lord. 00:22:41.620 --> 00:22:43.000 As in the days of old. 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:44.720 And as in former days. 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:47.660 The story goes. 00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:49.560 That a silversmith. 00:22:49.560 --> 00:22:51.519 A guy who worked with metals. 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.920 Burning off. 00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:54.660 Dross from metal. 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.200 Was asked. 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:57.420 How does the process work? 00:22:58.320 --> 00:22:59.240 And he explained. 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.200 That the lump of. 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:02.039 Dirty rock. 00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:03.380 Is put into the hottest. 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:05.140 Part of the fire. 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.900 And I have to watch it. 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.559 The whole time. 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.819 I keep my eyes on it. 00:23:09.860 --> 00:23:10.600 The whole time. 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:12.120 I never look away. 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:14.220 And as the silver. 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:15.240 Or the gold. 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:15.980 Melts. 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.019 The impurities. 00:23:17.580 --> 00:23:18.559 Rise to the top. 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.180 And you can. 00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:20.140 Scoop them off. 00:23:21.340 --> 00:23:22.580 But you don't just do it once. 00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:23.440 You do it again. 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:23.980 And again. 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.420 And again. 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:25.279 Until you get. 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:27.320 100% pure. 00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:28.320 Gold. 00:23:28.620 --> 00:23:29.660 And they were asked. 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.539 Well how do you know. 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:31.259 When to stop. 00:23:31.320 --> 00:23:31.759 How do you know. 00:23:31.840 --> 00:23:33.320 When to stop the process. 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.060 And he said. 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:34.380 Well. 00:23:34.860 --> 00:23:36.880 Simply when I can see my face. 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.120 In the silver. 00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:40.880 Jesus. 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:42.420 Refines his people. 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:43.580 Quite brutally. 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:46.300 Refines his church. 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.740 So that his church. 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:50.220 Will look more like him. 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:53.259 When we will bring offerings. 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.060 In righteousness. 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:56.740 When his people. 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.060 His. 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:59.060 His messed up people. 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:01.300 Will gleam. 00:24:01.600 --> 00:24:02.840 With purity. 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:06.100 That he might say of. 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.860 Of you. 00:24:07.860 --> 00:24:09.060 Right now. 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.940 You are. 00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:12.380 Precious to me. 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:15.000 Your offerings. 00:24:15.300 --> 00:24:16.460 Your service. 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:18.039 In the church. 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:18.340 Your. 00:24:18.340 --> 00:24:19.220 Your work. 00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:20.500 Your faithfulness. 00:24:21.100 --> 00:24:22.039 Is precious. 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.380 It means something. 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:24.860 To me. 00:24:24.860 --> 00:24:25.960 I value it. 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:28.120 You don't work. 00:24:28.320 --> 00:24:28.420 Just. 00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:28.720 Just. 00:24:29.060 --> 00:24:29.740 Because you've got to. 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:30.600 And you've got to please me. 00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:31.259 Or other people. 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:33.019 It is valuable to me. 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:36.599 So that. 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:37.759 That we will. 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:38.680 Adorn. 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:39.720 God's house. 00:24:40.859 --> 00:24:42.720 And God will say of us. 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.819 Well done. 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.480 I love it. 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:48.359 So that we might be the people. 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:50.299 That beautify God's house. 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:51.879 Church. 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:53.139 Full of emeralds. 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:53.839 And diamonds. 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:54.660 And gold. 00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:58.259 Look at the before. 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:59.019 And the after. 00:24:59.019 --> 00:24:59.580 Again. 00:25:00.300 --> 00:25:01.900 Of Jesus's ministry. 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:04.540 The refiner comes. 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:04.860 Doesn't he. 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:06.040 And it's so brutal. 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:07.480 He rebukes. 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:08.640 And woes. 00:25:09.300 --> 00:25:10.120 And in the end. 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:11.120 Destroys the temple. 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:14.420 But he rebuilds that temple. 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:14.920 Doesn't he. 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:16.000 In his own body. 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.880 In the church. 00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:18.860 There are. 00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:19.680 Only a few. 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.320 Apostles. 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.040 And disciples. 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:23.080 Tiny band. 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:26.820 But the silver gleams. 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:27.880 The temple is destroyed. 00:25:28.020 --> 00:25:29.120 And the Holy Spirit. 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.540 Dwells in his church. 00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:33.000 And the false religion. 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.000 Of one nation. 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.940 Is refined. 00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:36.540 And all the nations. 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.340 Then come in. 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.800 Even the Gentiles. 00:25:38.800 --> 00:25:39.240 Come in. 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:41.420 And the church. 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:42.620 Is reduced down. 00:25:42.760 --> 00:25:43.580 To a few. 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:44.100 Isn't it. 00:25:44.580 --> 00:25:45.420 But then it. 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.840 Explodes out. 00:25:47.320 --> 00:25:48.080 Into the world. 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:48.700 To the many. 00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:50.820 And it happens. 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.100 Over a weekend. 00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:52.900 Pretty much. 00:25:54.080 --> 00:25:55.100 When the furnace. 00:25:55.280 --> 00:25:56.040 Was at its. 00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:57.100 At its. 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:57.800 Hottest. 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.700 And brightest. 00:26:00.320 --> 00:26:01.440 The silversmith. 00:26:01.580 --> 00:26:01.820 Comes. 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:02.160 Doesn't he. 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.580 And he puts his apron on. 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.520 And he opens up. 00:26:04.560 --> 00:26:05.240 The workshop. 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:07.260 The master refiner. 00:26:07.400 --> 00:26:08.240 And the forge. 00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:08.760 Is ready. 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:11.140 But the wonder. 00:26:11.260 --> 00:26:11.820 Of the work. 00:26:12.020 --> 00:26:12.500 That he does. 00:26:12.600 --> 00:26:13.060 The wonder. 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:14.120 Of the refining. 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:14.700 Process. 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.120 Is that his people. 00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:17.579 Are refined. 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:19.239 And purified. 00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:20.619 In the forge. 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:22.339 In the crucible. 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.979 Of his own suffering. 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.739 At his death. 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.419 And resurrection. 00:26:27.419 --> 00:26:28.419 You can watch. 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:28.879 Can't you. 00:26:28.939 --> 00:26:29.839 As the hammer. 00:26:30.399 --> 00:26:31.099 Comes down. 00:26:31.219 --> 00:26:31.739 On the metal. 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.839 And it chisels. 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:34.939 Away the impurities. 00:26:35.939 --> 00:26:36.799 You can listen. 00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:37.919 As the molten. 00:26:38.239 --> 00:26:38.599 Silver. 00:26:38.739 --> 00:26:39.279 Bubbles. 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:41.779 And you can feel. 00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:42.579 The heat. 00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:44.079 And the sweat. 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:45.059 And the pain. 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.359 You can see there. 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.299 The brutality. 00:26:49.899 --> 00:26:51.160 And the beauty. 00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:52.980 Of his work. 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.200 You can watch. 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:56.259 As people. 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.480 Leave him. 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:58.440 And are refined. 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.460 As they're disgusted. 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.279 With what happens. 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.680 At the cross. 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:02.220 But at the same time. 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:02.839 The church. 00:27:02.899 --> 00:27:03.980 Is transformed. 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:05.860 And the dross. 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:07.259 Rises to the top. 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:09.360 As he dies. 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.039 And is risen. 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:12.680 Purifying. 00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:13.500 And cleansing. 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.360 His people. 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.360 This whole. 00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:18.180 Refinement thing. 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:18.880 It continues. 00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:20.039 Through Christian life. 00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:20.500 Doesn't it? 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:23.460 Jesus. 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.440 Is committed. 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:25.440 To doing that. 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.799 In and amongst his people. 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.779 And we ask. 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.180 Don't we? 00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:28.440 Well. 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:29.420 It's great. 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.560 I want to be refined. 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:32.000 Purify my heart. 00:27:32.080 --> 00:27:32.580 As we sing. 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:32.880 But. 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:34.060 Can't it happen. 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:35.140 In some other way. 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.019 Does. 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:37.980 Does the process. 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:39.560 Have to involve this. 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:42.019 Does it have to involve that. 00:27:43.060 --> 00:27:44.180 Can't I be refined. 00:27:44.300 --> 00:27:44.840 On the beach. 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.400 God's people. 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.500 Are no strangers. 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.700 To his workshop. 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.320 Are they? 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.259 Both corporately. 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.180 And individually. 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.960 Jesus can be pretty brutal. 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:55.519 With us. 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.440 He says. 00:27:57.560 --> 00:27:58.779 I'll walk you out. 00:27:58.840 --> 00:27:59.400 Into the dead. 00:27:59.420 --> 00:27:59.600 Desert. 00:28:00.320 --> 00:28:01.380 Into the wilderness. 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:03.440 I'll sail you. 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.259 Into a storm. 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:06.180 I'll send you. 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.019 Into exile. 00:28:07.360 --> 00:28:08.480 I'll bring your enemies. 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:09.840 To your very gates. 00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:12.740 I'll send my messenger. 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.560 God says. 00:28:15.080 --> 00:28:15.640 Sometimes. 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.360 We'd rather. 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.820 Just keep our impurities. 00:28:17.820 --> 00:28:18.360 Wouldn't we? 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:19.500 Than face all of that. 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.840 But God. 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:23.019 Refines his people. 00:28:23.140 --> 00:28:23.740 And sometimes. 00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:24.560 He says to us. 00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:25.120 No. 00:28:26.580 --> 00:28:27.060 No. 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:30.059 He will take things. 00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:31.099 Away from us. 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:32.980 And he will take things. 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:34.059 Out of our hands. 00:28:34.379 --> 00:28:35.440 And from our perspective. 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:36.579 It's like the end of the world. 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:36.960 Isn't it? 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:38.039 When that thing happens. 00:28:39.159 --> 00:28:40.399 God takes something. 00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:41.659 Or disappoints us. 00:28:41.659 --> 00:28:42.500 In some way. 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:44.079 And we might question. 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.819 Where's the God of justice? 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:47.980 Lord. 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:50.059 That thing was all I wanted. 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:50.879 In this life. 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:53.339 That was everything to me. 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:54.179 And without it. 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:55.179 I am nothing. 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.740 But God says. 00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:57.919 No. 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:59.939 I am the ancient refiner. 00:28:59.939 --> 00:29:00.740 Of my people. 00:29:01.659 --> 00:29:03.099 And I want you. 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:04.179 To be beautiful. 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:06.700 Beautiful in my house. 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.319 I want you. 00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:10.240 To have the surpassing delight. 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:11.919 Of being precious. 00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:12.980 In my sight. 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:16.220 Spurgeon said. 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:17.599 And Spurgeon was so good. 00:29:17.640 --> 00:29:17.940 Wasn't he? 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.720 On counselling. 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.779 Suffering Christians. 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.319 He said. 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.940 God is too good. 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.819 To be unkind. 00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:25.160 He is too wise. 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:26.240 To be confused. 00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:29.000 And if I cannot trace his hand. 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:30.960 I can always trust his heart. 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:33.819 In this process. 00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.759 Of refinement. 00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:36.960 Whatever trial. 00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:37.799 You face. 00:29:38.120 --> 00:29:38.700 Jane says. 00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:40.380 Count it all joy. 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.519 Brothers and sisters. 00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:41.680 Brothers. 00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:43.759 Because. 00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:45.339 Jesus has taken. 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:46.960 The worst of the brutality. 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:47.639 Actually. 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:48.379 Hasn't he? 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:50.299 At the forge. 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:52.879 The forge of Calvary. 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:54.799 In his death. 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:56.879 And as he. 00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:58.319 As he rises. 00:29:59.639 --> 00:29:59.980 So. 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:00.940 That in the process. 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:01.940 Of refinement. 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:04.059 And of sanctification. 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:06.180 The pain. 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:06.839 Of the heat. 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.859 Is not designed. 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:08.900 To destroy you. 00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:10.300 But. 00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:11.800 But to beautify you. 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.820 For his pleasure. 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:14.940 Making you fit. 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:15.720 For his house. 00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.920 So that God. 00:30:18.040 --> 00:30:18.680 Can say to us. 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:19.259 You. 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.680 Are pure. 00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:22.580 In my sight. 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:24.720 God. 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.600 Cleans up. 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.140 Pray. 00:30:27.580 --> 00:30:27.580 00:30:27.580 --> 00:30:27.720 To destroy. 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:27.720 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:28.640 !