WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.580 Good morning, friends. 00:00:00.760 --> 00:00:04.000 If you'd like to get your bubbles and turn back to Malachi, 00:00:05.500 --> 00:00:09.919 we are on our third installment of our commitment series, 00:00:10.859 --> 00:00:14.060 and we're sort of roughly halfway through Malachi. 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:17.820 Right from the start in Malachi, 00:00:18.300 --> 00:00:22.859 we saw the glorious foundation of the relationship between God and his people. 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:25.699 It was right there, chapter 1, verse 2, 00:00:25.699 --> 00:00:28.140 I have loved you. 00:00:28.820 --> 00:00:33.840 And we unpacked that incredible statement that God's love is an electing love. 00:00:34.500 --> 00:00:38.880 His love for them is unconditional love because he chose them before they'd done anything good or evil. 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:43.420 His love for them is a sovereign love because he wasn't tricked, he wasn't forced, 00:00:43.539 --> 00:00:45.179 he wasn't manipulated to loving them. 00:00:45.519 --> 00:00:51.019 His love for them was a free love because it's an abundant overflow of the immeasurable grace 00:00:51.019 --> 00:00:53.920 that can never be bought, repaid, or earned in any way. 00:00:53.920 --> 00:00:58.120 But Israel, as we saw from verse 2 of chapter 1, 00:00:58.240 --> 00:01:01.620 they failed to see the greatness of God's love. 00:01:01.679 --> 00:01:04.340 They failed to feel the greatness of God's love as well. 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:10.520 We've also seen that they failed to see and feel the greatness of the majesty of God 00:01:10.520 --> 00:01:12.340 in chapter 1, verse 6. 00:01:12.439 --> 00:01:14.820 The son honors his father and to slave his master. 00:01:15.560 --> 00:01:17.960 If I'm a father, where is the honor due to me? 00:01:17.959 --> 00:01:25.359 The fatherhood of God here in the first few verses of Malachi means that he loves me, 00:01:25.759 --> 00:01:30.659 but it also implies that God is to be honored and revered and venerated. 00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:37.859 Malachi wants us to see and feel that our Father in heaven has infinite authority in the universe. 00:01:38.399 --> 00:01:43.119 He can wield any and all armies on the earth to accomplish his purposes among the nations. 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:49.840 He has myriads of unstoppable angels who do his bidding fallously and never fail in their errands. 00:01:50.300 --> 00:01:53.700 He has appointed every star in the universe in its place, 00:01:53.760 --> 00:01:56.180 and he holds it there by the power of his word, 00:01:56.700 --> 00:01:58.820 or trillion upon trillion of them, 00:01:58.920 --> 00:02:02.460 and he calls them by name, each one of them. 00:02:04.080 --> 00:02:09.900 And so it is the sheer majesty of the fatherhood of God that Judah's missing. 00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:17.879 And the sheer abundance of his mercy and grace that they're missing. 00:02:19.200 --> 00:02:23.340 And so the outworking for this is that their view of themselves is big, 00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:25.040 and their view of God is small, 00:02:26.099 --> 00:02:29.240 and so therefore they are giving God the leftover of their lives 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:34.800 in careless worship and in the way that they treat other people. 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:39.880 Chapter 2, verse 17, where we're up to today, 00:02:40.040 --> 00:02:44.380 reveals just how small their view of God is. 00:02:45.600 --> 00:02:48.219 You have wearied the Lord with your words. 00:02:48.820 --> 00:02:50.260 How have we wearied him, you asked? 00:02:50.680 --> 00:02:54.300 By saying, all who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, 00:02:54.500 --> 00:02:56.520 and he is pleased with them. 00:02:56.620 --> 00:03:00.180 Or, where is the God of justice? 00:03:00.180 --> 00:03:05.480 They want a God of justice. 00:03:06.379 --> 00:03:08.719 No doubt we can identify with that. 00:03:09.260 --> 00:03:16.540 When aid money for war-torn countries is redirected towards guns and ammo, 00:03:17.659 --> 00:03:19.520 we feel the injustice of that. 00:03:20.180 --> 00:03:24.420 Or when a billionaire milks money out of poor people with dodgy schemes, 00:03:24.520 --> 00:03:25.920 we feel the injustice of that. 00:03:25.919 --> 00:03:30.759 When a criminal escapes conviction through illegal technicalities, 00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:32.899 we feel the injustice of that. 00:03:34.099 --> 00:03:35.039 And in those moments, 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:40.379 there is a right sense of justice stirred up within us. 00:03:41.279 --> 00:03:45.419 But a sense of futility is often stirred up in those moments as well. 00:03:45.739 --> 00:03:47.899 Will the perpetrators ever be brought to justice? 00:03:48.339 --> 00:03:50.479 Will oppression ever end in this world? 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:57.039 And so, you see the cynical, unbelieving question in verse 17. 00:03:57.799 --> 00:03:59.719 Where is the God of justice? 00:04:02.299 --> 00:04:06.579 That question is tantamount to doubting the existence of God. 00:04:09.719 --> 00:04:13.019 Their view of God was so diminished 00:04:13.019 --> 00:04:17.740 that they were wondering if he even existed. 00:04:17.740 --> 00:04:21.819 You see, the return from exile in Babylon 00:04:21.819 --> 00:04:24.879 quickly turned to disillusionment for the people of God. 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:27.620 They had rebuilt the temple as instructed, 00:04:28.620 --> 00:04:30.019 but where was God? 00:04:32.100 --> 00:04:32.800 Where was God? 00:04:33.939 --> 00:04:36.540 Zechariah and Ezekiel both said 00:04:36.540 --> 00:04:40.019 that the Lord would return in a glorious fashion 00:04:40.019 --> 00:04:44.120 and Israel, God's people, would be restored. 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:48.000 They would be on top of the world 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:50.300 as they were under David and Solomon. 00:04:51.939 --> 00:04:54.740 And yet, the temple's built 00:04:54.740 --> 00:04:59.620 and decade after decade after decade followed 00:04:59.620 --> 00:05:03.560 and there was no supernatural event 00:05:03.560 --> 00:05:05.879 marking the return of the Lord to his temple. 00:05:05.879 --> 00:05:10.800 And so, we've done our bit. 00:05:12.079 --> 00:05:15.339 God, you haven't done your bit. 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:19.500 It's a question of, 00:05:20.300 --> 00:05:22.740 is he, in fact, 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:26.279 faithless to his covenant promises? 00:05:26.279 --> 00:05:32.259 You see, the evidence to them on the surface 00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:35.419 pointed to God forgetting his covenant promises. 00:05:35.939 --> 00:05:37.459 There was famine, there was oppression, 00:05:37.879 --> 00:05:38.979 life was really hard. 00:05:39.039 --> 00:05:40.779 In fact, it was better back in Babylon 00:05:40.779 --> 00:05:42.279 and they were fed up 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:44.059 and they were weary of it all. 00:05:45.699 --> 00:05:46.659 It turns out, however, 00:05:46.739 --> 00:05:50.259 that God had a greater reason for weariness. 00:05:50.559 --> 00:05:51.419 2.17 again, 00:05:51.420 --> 00:05:54.699 You have wearied the Lord with your words. 00:05:55.300 --> 00:05:56.680 How have we wearied him, you ask? 00:05:56.960 --> 00:05:57.420 By saying, 00:05:57.680 --> 00:06:00.600 All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord 00:06:00.600 --> 00:06:02.379 and he is pleased with them. 00:06:02.660 --> 00:06:04.420 Or where is the God of justice? 00:06:05.819 --> 00:06:07.220 You see, God isn't wearied 00:06:07.220 --> 00:06:09.160 by the faithful prayers of the oppressed. 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:13.680 He is wearied by faithlessness and sin. 00:06:14.139 --> 00:06:16.200 And we saw examples of that last week 00:06:16.200 --> 00:06:18.700 in their careless worship 00:06:18.699 --> 00:06:20.779 and their unfaithfulness in their relationships 00:06:20.779 --> 00:06:21.459 with one another. 00:06:23.339 --> 00:06:24.180 And so where's God? 00:06:27.159 --> 00:06:28.839 Has he forgotten his covenant promises? 00:06:30.659 --> 00:06:32.060 Is he going to turn up 00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:33.639 and come to his temple 00:06:33.639 --> 00:06:35.800 as Ezekiel and Zechariah said he would? 00:06:37.419 --> 00:06:38.860 Verse 1 of chapter 3. 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:42.459 See, or quite literally, 00:06:42.980 --> 00:06:43.740 listen up. 00:06:45.579 --> 00:06:47.120 I will send my messenger 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:49.060 who will prepare the way before me. 00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:51.639 Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:52.980 will come to his temple. 00:06:53.360 --> 00:06:54.459 The message of the covenant 00:06:54.459 --> 00:06:55.899 whom you desire will come, 00:06:56.240 --> 00:06:58.160 says the Lord Almighty. 00:06:59.160 --> 00:06:59.819 He's coming. 00:07:01.019 --> 00:07:02.240 And it says there, 00:07:02.280 --> 00:07:03.379 he's coming suddenly. 00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:07.579 That has an ominous feel to it. 00:07:08.519 --> 00:07:09.340 God says, 00:07:09.860 --> 00:07:11.060 The Lord you are seeking 00:07:11.060 --> 00:07:13.980 whom you desire will come. 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:16.379 He is committed to his covenant. 00:07:16.379 --> 00:07:17.480 He is coming 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:18.980 and he tells his people 00:07:18.980 --> 00:07:20.939 exactly how it's going to work. 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:22.159 We are told the Lord 00:07:22.159 --> 00:07:23.980 will send his messenger ahead of him 00:07:23.980 --> 00:07:25.060 to get things ready. 00:07:25.779 --> 00:07:27.480 Malachi here is picking up 00:07:27.480 --> 00:07:29.420 the imagery of the ancient kings 00:07:29.420 --> 00:07:31.379 who would inform their subjects 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:32.339 that they were coming 00:07:32.339 --> 00:07:33.339 for a state visit 00:07:33.339 --> 00:07:35.379 and to give them time 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:37.959 in order to get things ready for them. 00:07:38.699 --> 00:07:40.659 So they weren't taken by surprise. 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:42.360 And of particular importance 00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:43.300 was the need 00:07:43.300 --> 00:07:44.980 to prepare the way 00:07:44.980 --> 00:07:46.740 for the royal procession 00:07:46.740 --> 00:07:48.120 by removing anything 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:49.020 that gets in the way. 00:07:49.079 --> 00:07:49.740 All the debris, 00:07:49.900 --> 00:07:50.579 all the obstacles, 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:51.560 all the boulders. 00:07:51.960 --> 00:07:53.000 And the messenger here 00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:54.340 has the same function. 00:07:56.240 --> 00:07:57.699 But they are spiritual 00:07:57.699 --> 00:08:00.259 rather than physical obstacles 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:01.600 to the coming of this king 00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:02.819 to his temple. 00:08:02.819 --> 00:08:07.259 The forerunner 00:08:07.259 --> 00:08:08.639 is to come in 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:10.500 and to warn the people 00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:12.439 that the king is coming. 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:14.279 Prepare your hearts. 00:08:15.659 --> 00:08:16.899 Prepare your lives. 00:08:17.899 --> 00:08:18.879 And once the forerunner 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:20.079 has done his work, 00:08:20.360 --> 00:08:22.240 then the king will follow. 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:25.040 The Lord, 00:08:25.939 --> 00:08:26.900 who they are seeking 00:08:26.900 --> 00:08:27.819 at the beginning of 00:08:27.819 --> 00:08:29.460 chapter 3 verse 1, 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:31.180 is also 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:32.680 the messenger 00:08:32.680 --> 00:08:33.740 of the covenant 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:34.960 whom they desire 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:35.960 at the end of 00:08:35.960 --> 00:08:36.960 chapter 3 verse 1. 00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:38.620 It's the same person. 00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:40.480 So in these verses, 00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:41.600 there's the messenger 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:43.200 preparing the way 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:44.000 for the Lord 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:45.139 who is also 00:08:45.139 --> 00:08:45.659 the messenger 00:08:45.659 --> 00:08:46.220 of the covenant. 00:08:46.379 --> 00:08:47.779 Two people being referred to here. 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:50.199 As the messenger 00:08:50.199 --> 00:08:51.199 of the covenant, 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:53.779 he will continue 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:54.980 the work 00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:57.299 of the forerunner messenger. 00:08:58.360 --> 00:08:59.339 There will be a synergy 00:08:59.339 --> 00:09:00.199 between the two. 00:09:04.519 --> 00:09:06.159 The difference is 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:07.639 that because 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:08.419 the messenger 00:09:08.419 --> 00:09:09.039 of the covenant, 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:09.959 the second one, 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:12.579 is also the Lord, 00:09:13.439 --> 00:09:14.779 that is the Lord of hosts, 00:09:14.879 --> 00:09:15.559 the Lord Almighty, 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:17.979 he will speak 00:09:17.979 --> 00:09:20.039 with unparalleled 00:09:20.039 --> 00:09:20.779 authority. 00:09:21.619 --> 00:09:22.779 He will not just 00:09:22.779 --> 00:09:24.339 present the message 00:09:24.339 --> 00:09:25.139 of the covenant. 00:09:26.259 --> 00:09:27.699 He is the message 00:09:27.699 --> 00:09:28.259 of the covenant. 00:09:28.619 --> 00:09:30.059 He is the mediator 00:09:30.059 --> 00:09:31.399 of the covenant. 00:09:32.119 --> 00:09:32.679 He's the one 00:09:32.679 --> 00:09:34.179 who will bring it in 00:09:34.179 --> 00:09:35.339 to fulfillment 00:09:35.339 --> 00:09:36.599 amongst the people 00:09:36.599 --> 00:09:37.159 of God. 00:09:38.899 --> 00:09:40.119 And so the message 00:09:40.119 --> 00:09:40.899 here for 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:42.479 these cynical 00:09:42.479 --> 00:09:43.959 people of God 00:09:43.959 --> 00:09:45.419 is that the Lord 00:09:45.419 --> 00:09:46.419 has not forgotten 00:09:46.419 --> 00:09:47.019 his covenant. 00:09:47.579 --> 00:09:48.559 It would have 00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:49.339 seemed like 00:09:49.339 --> 00:09:49.959 he had forgotten 00:09:49.959 --> 00:09:50.240 it. 00:09:51.199 --> 00:09:52.159 Things weren't 00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:52.879 so great 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:53.479 in Israel 00:09:53.479 --> 00:09:54.399 at that time. 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:56.099 And it would seem 00:09:56.099 --> 00:09:56.979 that he had forgotten 00:09:56.979 --> 00:09:58.579 it for another 00:09:58.579 --> 00:09:59.539 400 years 00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:00.919 after these words 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:01.819 when God 00:10:01.819 --> 00:10:02.559 never said 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:03.399 a word 00:10:03.399 --> 00:10:04.059 to them. 00:10:07.579 --> 00:10:08.819 There was no message 00:10:08.819 --> 00:10:09.419 for God, 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:10.360 from God 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:11.980 for 400 years. 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:13.139 and then 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:13.860 after four 00:10:13.860 --> 00:10:14.420 centuries 00:10:14.420 --> 00:10:16.019 we have 00:10:16.019 --> 00:10:16.600 Mark chapter 00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:17.519 1 verse 4 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:17.980 saying 00:10:17.980 --> 00:10:19.420 John 00:10:19.420 --> 00:10:20.920 came. 00:10:24.920 --> 00:10:25.700 He doesn't 00:10:25.700 --> 00:10:26.320 fill in all the 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:27.180 gaps for us. 00:10:27.539 --> 00:10:27.980 He's assumed 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:28.420 we've got our 00:10:28.420 --> 00:10:28.960 Bibles open 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:29.440 at Malachi 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:31.000 and at Mark. 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:32.500 It's not hard 00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:33.180 to work out. 00:10:33.379 --> 00:10:34.560 In verse 2 00:10:34.560 --> 00:10:35.440 of Mark 00:10:35.440 --> 00:10:36.259 chapter 1 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:38.000 he quotes 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:38.560 Malachi 00:10:38.560 --> 00:10:39.539 chapter 3 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:40.360 verse 1. 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:41.960 I will send 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:42.620 my messenger 00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:43.539 ahead of you 00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:44.340 who will 00:10:44.340 --> 00:10:45.259 prepare your 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:45.860 way 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:46.779 and in the 00:10:46.779 --> 00:10:47.460 very next 00:10:47.460 --> 00:10:48.000 verse it 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:48.379 says 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:49.180 John 00:10:49.180 --> 00:10:50.220 came. 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:53.720 And John 00:10:53.720 --> 00:10:54.159 is doing 00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:54.759 what he's 00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:55.680 famous for 00:10:55.680 --> 00:10:56.080 doing. 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:57.639 Baptising 00:10:57.639 --> 00:10:58.159 people. 00:10:59.399 --> 00:10:59.800 Saying 00:10:59.800 --> 00:11:00.659 wash 00:11:00.659 --> 00:11:01.139 yourselves 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:02.120 before God 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:03.259 as a sign 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:03.600 of your 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:04.240 change of 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:04.659 heart. 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:05.379 It's time 00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:05.920 to clean 00:11:05.920 --> 00:11:06.360 up and 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:06.920 get ready 00:11:06.920 --> 00:11:07.659 for the 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:08.180 one who's 00:11:08.180 --> 00:11:09.000 coming after 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:09.519 me is 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:09.980 hot on 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:10.180 my 00:11:10.180 --> 00:11:10.720 heels. 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:12.440 And 00:11:12.440 --> 00:11:12.700 although 00:11:12.700 --> 00:11:13.480 the crowds 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:14.200 gathered to 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:14.659 see the 00:11:14.659 --> 00:11:15.680 spectacle of 00:11:15.680 --> 00:11:16.139 John 00:11:16.139 --> 00:11:18.720 possibly the 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:19.600 first time 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:20.240 in 400 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:21.399 years that 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:21.800 there's a 00:11:21.800 --> 00:11:22.879 real prophet 00:11:22.879 --> 00:11:23.420 on the 00:11:23.420 --> 00:11:23.879 scene. 00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:26.800 John 00:11:26.800 --> 00:11:27.300 says in 00:11:27.300 --> 00:11:27.899 verse 7 00:11:27.899 --> 00:11:29.399 don't make 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:29.740 a fuss 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:30.320 about me 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:31.379 I'm the 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:31.700 curtain 00:11:31.700 --> 00:11:32.279 raiser. 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:33.800 After me 00:11:33.800 --> 00:11:34.200 will come 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:34.659 one more 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:35.340 powerful than 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:35.620 me. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:36.659 It's so 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:37.320 powerful that 00:11:37.320 --> 00:11:37.700 I'm not 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:38.340 even able 00:11:38.340 --> 00:11:39.280 to step 00:11:39.280 --> 00:11:39.780 down and 00:11:39.780 --> 00:11:40.139 tie up 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:40.320 his 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:40.940 shoelaces. 00:11:43.940 --> 00:11:44.660 And then 00:11:44.660 --> 00:11:45.420 Jesus turns 00:11:45.420 --> 00:11:46.440 up coming 00:11:46.440 --> 00:11:46.780 out of 00:11:46.780 --> 00:11:47.379 Galilee it 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:48.440 says to 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:48.899 be baptized 00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:50.180 by John. 00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:53.000 And you 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:53.420 see in 00:11:53.420 --> 00:11:54.139 chapter 11 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:55.420 sorry verse 00:11:55.420 --> 00:11:56.160 11 of 00:11:56.160 --> 00:11:57.120 Mark 1 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:57.639 that God 00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:58.399 confirms that 00:11:58.399 --> 00:12:00.100 what John 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:00.720 has said 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:01.120 about the 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:01.660 greatness of 00:12:01.660 --> 00:12:02.259 Lord Jesus 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:03.180 is true. 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:04.740 You are my 00:12:04.740 --> 00:12:05.019 son. 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:05.400 The message 00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:05.860 comes from 00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:06.980 heaven in 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:07.360 whom I 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:08.480 love with 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:09.159 you I 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:09.639 am well 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:10.360 pleased. 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:12.100 And if we 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:12.600 are left in 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:13.240 any doubt 00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:13.879 at all about 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:14.240 the sheer 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:15.860 majesty of 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:18.220 Jesus in 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:18.579 the following 00:12:18.579 --> 00:12:19.179 chapters in 00:12:19.179 --> 00:12:19.899 Mark's he 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:20.179 heals 00:12:20.179 --> 00:12:20.939 paralytics the 00:12:20.939 --> 00:12:21.379 lepers he 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:22.679 tells demons 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:23.120 to go and 00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:23.799 take a hike 00:12:23.799 --> 00:12:24.519 he tells the 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:25.019 storm to 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:25.679 shut up and 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:26.159 be quiet 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:26.600 tells the 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:27.259 waves don't 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:27.679 move. 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:28.759 He feeds 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:29.600 5,000 with 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:30.259 a cut lunch 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:30.600 and then 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:32.059 another 4,000 00:12:32.059 --> 00:12:32.919 with another 00:12:32.919 --> 00:12:33.439 cut lunch 00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:34.139 after that and 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:34.460 it just 00:12:34.460 --> 00:12:35.299 continues and 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:36.679 continues until 00:12:36.679 --> 00:12:37.500 three days 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:38.019 after he's 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:38.439 dead he 00:12:38.439 --> 00:12:38.899 comes out 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:39.139 of the 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:39.539 tomb. 00:12:39.939 --> 00:12:40.179 The sheer 00:12:40.179 --> 00:12:41.340 majesty of 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:42.240 Jesus controls 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:43.319 everything in 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:44.019 the world and 00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:44.439 beyond the 00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:44.720 world. 00:12:47.419 --> 00:12:48.120 There is 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:48.759 nothing outside 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.120 of his 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:52.720 authority but 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:53.399 the big lead 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:53.960 up in all the 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:54.740 miracles of 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:55.559 Jesus displaying 00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:56.500 his majesty 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.120 and then in 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:58.580 chapter 11 the 00:12:58.580 --> 00:13:00.019 Lord comes to 00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:01.439 his temple in 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:02.600 spectacular fashion. 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.439 It may have 00:13:05.439 --> 00:13:06.019 taken four 00:13:06.019 --> 00:13:07.220 centuries but 00:13:07.220 --> 00:13:07.799 the Lord is 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:08.379 faithful to 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:09.179 his covenant. 00:13:10.759 --> 00:13:11.659 The basis of 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:12.600 this covenant are 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:13.340 there with those 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:15.159 words Jacob I 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:16.980 have loved and 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:18.720 God has never 00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:20.080 turned his back on 00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:20.559 that covenant 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:21.059 promise. 00:13:23.059 --> 00:13:24.179 His commitment to 00:13:24.179 --> 00:13:25.039 his covenant of 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:26.120 love saw the 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:27.519 Lord Jesus who is 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:28.419 the messenger and 00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:29.240 the mediator and 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:29.860 the fulfiller of 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:31.439 the covenant go to 00:13:31.439 --> 00:13:32.159 the cross for the 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:32.759 sin of the world. 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:33.980 God so loved the 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:36.200 world that he 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:37.879 gave his one and 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:39.700 only son so that 00:13:39.700 --> 00:13:40.740 whoever believes in 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:41.659 him will not perish 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:43.080 but have eternal 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:43.559 life. 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:44.559 The great 00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:45.819 fulfillment of 00:13:45.819 --> 00:13:46.700 God's sovereign 00:13:46.700 --> 00:13:48.279 electing unconditional 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:50.399 free love is the 00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:52.019 willing sacrifice of 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:53.019 the majestic Lord 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:54.179 Jesus on the cross 00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:55.840 for the world. 00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:58.419 God has never 00:13:58.419 --> 00:14:00.039 turned his back on 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:01.100 his covenant of 00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:01.580 love. 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:03.819 God's sovereign 00:14:03.819 --> 00:14:07.179 of course when he 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:09.019 came though they 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:10.179 weren't looking for 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:13.019 him and so God's 00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:14.039 being a little bit 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:16.620 ironic in Malachi 3 00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:17.700 1 in saying that 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:18.879 they are seeking him 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:20.379 or that they desire 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:20.779 him. 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:21.939 He's being ironic 00:14:21.939 --> 00:14:24.080 because frankly the 00:14:24.080 --> 00:14:25.600 people in Malachi's 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:27.100 time as they were in 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:28.860 Jesus' time thought 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:29.799 that they were okay 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:31.740 with God and everyone 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:32.620 else is going to get 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:33.259 it in the neck. 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:36.600 Things aren't great 00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:38.560 in Israel but deep 00:14:38.560 --> 00:14:40.740 down we've got the 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:41.919 temple it dominates 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:42.860 the skyline. 00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:45.180 Deep down you know 00:14:45.180 --> 00:14:46.379 you're looking forward 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:46.659 to it. 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:47.600 God's promised it 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:48.919 that his kingdom is 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:49.639 going to be put back 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.379 together and his 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:51.060 enemies are going to 00:14:51.060 --> 00:14:51.580 be judged. 00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:53.000 That God himself is 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:53.779 going to come and he's 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:54.320 going to put everything 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:54.820 right. 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:56.080 He's promised it. 00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:56.860 He's going to come in 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:58.220 judgment and God's 00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:58.919 enemies are going to 00:14:58.919 --> 00:14:59.940 get in the neck while 00:14:59.940 --> 00:15:00.880 we the people of God 00:15:00.880 --> 00:15:01.360 are going to get a 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:02.140 pat on the back. 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:05.760 Bring it on. 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:10.120 It's going to be a 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:13.020 real treat to finally 00:15:13.020 --> 00:15:13.880 be on top and 00:15:13.880 --> 00:15:14.440 everyone else 00:15:14.440 --> 00:15:14.800 underneath. 00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:18.380 Malachi 3 00:15:18.380 --> 00:15:20.200 2 is a wake up 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:21.180 call to the people 00:15:21.180 --> 00:15:23.400 of God who can 00:15:23.400 --> 00:15:24.700 endure the day of 00:15:24.700 --> 00:15:26.180 his coming who can 00:15:26.180 --> 00:15:27.200 stand when he 00:15:27.200 --> 00:15:29.200 appears for he 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:29.940 will be like a 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:31.580 refiner's fire or a 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:33.080 launderer's soap. 00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:35.960 So thank you Chris 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:37.940 for bringing out that 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:38.640 yellow soap. 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:39.660 It brings back 00:15:39.660 --> 00:15:40.720 memories of a teacher 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:41.480 who thought that 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:42.420 yellow soap can 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:43.500 clean on the inside. 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:53.520 And when I see it 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:55.360 still I can taste it. 00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:58.360 I can still taste it 00:15:58.360 --> 00:16:01.480 35 years later and 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.439 still remember the 00:16:02.439 --> 00:16:04.240 bubbles coming out of 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:04.899 my nose. 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.659 It is awful stuff. 00:16:07.939 --> 00:16:08.899 Don't ever do it. 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:10.720 You scar people for a 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:11.759 long time and it costs 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.559 a fortune in 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:12.980 counseling. 00:16:16.199 --> 00:16:17.299 Notice that the Lord 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:19.699 Almighty is coming to 00:16:19.699 --> 00:16:22.059 his temple. 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:26.480 the judgment of God 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.579 isn't starting out 00:16:27.579 --> 00:16:28.199 there. 00:16:29.819 --> 00:16:31.000 He's coming to his 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:32.519 temple and it says 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:33.600 here he's coming as a 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.399 refining fire. 00:16:34.579 --> 00:16:35.539 He's coming in 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:38.100 judgment and no one 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:39.600 will be able to stand 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.019 their ground. 00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:40.879 This is referring to 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.699 the people of God. 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:43.139 Not one will be able 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:44.439 to pass the penetrating 00:16:44.439 --> 00:16:45.360 test of the Lord. 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:46.819 What a turn up for the 00:16:46.819 --> 00:16:47.199 books. 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.559 They had this notion 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:49.860 that the Lord was 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:51.000 going to come and 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:51.759 that it would be a 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.579 blessing for them 00:16:52.579 --> 00:16:53.500 rather than judge 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:53.639 judgment. 00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:54.659 They were looking out 00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:55.360 to their neighbors 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:57.360 and seeing them all 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.639 prosper while they 00:16:58.639 --> 00:16:59.879 suffered and they 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.940 were asking the same 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:02.620 question of Asaph in 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:04.140 Psalm 73. 00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:06.680 What good is it being a 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.480 person of faith? 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:11.779 Where is our God when 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:13.299 the nations prosper and 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:14.440 his people suffer? 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.440 God is going to be a 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:16.440 God. 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:18.380 And they want him to 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:20.039 come and they want him 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:21.259 to sort it all out, to 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:22.340 turn it on its head and 00:17:22.340 --> 00:17:23.820 to crush them and to 00:17:23.820 --> 00:17:24.860 lift us up. 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.720 Show the world that we 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:28.779 are your chosen people by 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:30.480 making us prosper and 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:32.019 everyone else suffer. 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:33.019 God is going to be a 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:34.019 God. 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:36.700 But that's not what's 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.379 happening here. 00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:40.139 Instead they had to 00:17:40.139 --> 00:17:42.879 learn that their smug 00:17:42.879 --> 00:17:44.920 contentment, their 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:47.480 self-righteousness would 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:50.019 not survive under the 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:52.000 scrutiny of the God of 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:52.519 justice. 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:57.079 Judgment would begin with 00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:58.699 the people of God. 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:03.379 But notice how Malachi 00:18:03.379 --> 00:18:04.859 describes the judgment 00:18:04.859 --> 00:18:06.639 of God's people. 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.339 Verse 3. 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:11.099 He will sit as a 00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:13.679 refiner and purifier of 00:18:13.679 --> 00:18:14.199 silver. 00:18:14.679 --> 00:18:16.039 He will purify the 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:17.579 Levites and refine them 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:19.179 like gold and silver. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:23.480 This judgment is a 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:25.159 refiner's fire. 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:29.279 It's not described as a 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:30.419 forest fire which 00:18:30.419 --> 00:18:32.099 destroys indiscriminately. 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:35.259 It's not an incinerator's 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.299 fire that destroys 00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:37.099 totally. 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:39.759 It's refinement. 00:18:40.679 --> 00:18:43.919 It's a refinement at the 00:18:43.919 --> 00:18:47.359 initiative of God from 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:48.159 his hand. 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:50.240 And the purpose of this 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:51.480 refinement, as we are 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:52.679 told there, is purity. 00:18:53.139 --> 00:18:54.339 It melts the gold and the 00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:56.539 silver and it separates the 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:59.180 impurities that would in 00:18:59.180 --> 00:19:01.099 the end destroy the value 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:03.019 and the purity of the 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.720 precious metal. 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.740 And the Lord will come to 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:07.359 his people until he has, 00:19:07.579 --> 00:19:08.359 that is, come to his 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.399 people to purify his 00:19:09.399 --> 00:19:10.819 people in judgment until 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:11.720 the end of verse 3. 00:19:12.159 --> 00:19:13.359 Men will bring offerings 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:14.579 of righteousness and the 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.319 offering of Judah and 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:15.819 Jerusalem will be 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:16.720 acceptable to the Lord. 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.319 The judgment of his 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:20.279 people will be for their 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:20.740 refinement. 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:22.119 That is, it is for their 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:24.899 holiness so that they can 00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:26.660 actually come into the 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:27.560 presence of God. 00:19:27.860 --> 00:19:28.980 It will result in them 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:30.840 loving and honoring and 00:19:30.840 --> 00:19:31.920 worshiping God as they 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.360 should. 00:19:32.820 --> 00:19:34.000 The spirit of faith and 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:35.080 devotion of the Lord that 00:19:35.080 --> 00:19:36.440 used to be shown will 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:38.000 indeed be recaptured. 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:41.740 Unfortunately though, 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:44.620 verse 6 reveals that not 00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:47.480 everyone will embrace the 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.560 refiner's fire. 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:51.159 there are those who refuse 00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:53.059 to fear the Lord. 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:55.480 And so for them, the 00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:56.559 coming of the Lord in 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:59.279 judgment was not a 00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:02.700 threat, not something to 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.980 be concerned about. 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.639 They continued to 00:20:05.639 --> 00:20:07.039 self-righteously pat 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:08.279 themselves on their backs 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:10.240 to their own detriment. 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:14.279 And if I can say this, I 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:15.720 think Malachi at this point 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:18.200 is being a pastor and 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:19.200 saying to his people, 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:21.160 come back, come back, 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:23.319 come back, embrace the 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:24.380 refining fires. 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:29.759 Because all that's left is 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:31.579 the all-consuming fire. 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.819 If you don't. 00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:39.900 What we know this side of 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.600 the coming of the Lord 00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:41.940 Jesus is that the 00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:43.740 refining process was 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.779 ultimately done on the 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:45.720 cross by Christ. 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:49.099 God took action to 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:50.579 make us holy and 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.579 presentable to himself 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:52.539 through the Lord Jesus 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:54.160 atoning for the sin of 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:54.519 the world. 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:55.259 You see that in 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:57.420 Ephesians 5, verses 00:20:57.420 --> 00:21:00.200 25 to 27, which says 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:01.319 this about Jesus' death 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:01.980 on the cross. 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:04.720 He loved the church and 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.920 gave himself up for her 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.980 to make her holy, 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.579 cleansing her by the 00:21:08.579 --> 00:21:09.319 washing with water 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:10.619 through the word and 00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:11.720 to present her to 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:13.240 himself as a radiant 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:14.759 church without staying 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:16.180 or wrinkle or any 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:17.500 other blemish, but 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:19.480 holy and blameless. 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:22.640 Oh, well, that's good. 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.559 I mean, it is good. 00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:27.059 But don't be mistaken 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:27.819 with that verse. 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.980 It's easy to conclude 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:30.720 it's all done and 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:30.960 dust. 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:31.839 Thanks for loving me, 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.200 Jesus. 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:36.080 Now pure, no more 00:21:36.080 --> 00:21:36.580 refining. 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:43.140 Interesting, the cross 00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:44.360 of Christ 2,000 years 00:21:44.360 --> 00:21:45.039 ago, while the 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.559 decisive moment was 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:47.480 in fact not the end of 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:48.420 the refinement matter, 00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:51.440 that day of judgment 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:52.880 when the Lord will come 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:55.160 happened 2,000 years 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:56.680 ago and it continues 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:58.319 this side of eternity. 00:21:58.319 --> 00:22:01.379 We are in the day of the 00:22:01.379 --> 00:22:02.500 Lord right now. 00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:05.579 The refining day of the 00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:05.899 Lord. 00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:08.419 1 Peter 4, you've got it 00:22:08.419 --> 00:22:08.980 there on your sheet. 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:09.980 Notice it there, it says 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:12.359 it's time for judgment to 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:14.500 begin with the family of 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:14.819 God. 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:16.599 That's post-cross. 00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:20.839 The refining process 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:21.980 continues for the 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:22.799 people of God. 00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:25.279 And so I want to take 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:26.319 you to Hebrews 12. 00:22:26.459 --> 00:22:27.759 It's a passage which 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:29.240 helps us to embrace the 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:31.339 refining fire in a way 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:32.419 that will cause us to 00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:34.359 grow in holiness as 00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:36.759 opposed to in smugness 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.719 rejected. 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:41.179 Hebrews 12 verses 5 to 00:22:41.179 --> 00:22:42.099 9 says this, 00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:44.099 And you have forgotten 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:44.799 that word of 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.599 encouragement that 00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:46.500 addresses you as 00:22:46.500 --> 00:22:46.859 sons. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.420 My son, do not make 00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:49.200 light of the Lord's 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:50.059 discipline and do not 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.920 lose heart when he 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:52.279 rebukes you because the 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:53.440 Lord disciplines those 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.720 he loves and he 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:56.339 punishes everyone he 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:57.680 accepts as a son. 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.880 Endure hardship as 00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:00.460 discipline. 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:03.019 God is treating you as 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.619 sons. 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:05.400 For what son is not 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:06.980 disciplined by his 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:07.400 father? 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:09.019 The word discipline 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:10.420 here is meant to be 00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:11.400 taken in the bigger 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:12.519 sense of training. 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:14.700 That's the bigger 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:16.119 overarching sense here. 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:17.099 It's the idea of 00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:17.539 training. 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:19.359 Under that is subsets of 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:20.279 things like punishment. 00:23:20.739 --> 00:23:22.219 But it's all within the 00:23:22.219 --> 00:23:24.119 context of training of his 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:24.559 people. 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:26.539 And these verses here 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:28.659 encourage us to enter 00:23:28.659 --> 00:23:30.099 into the hard times of 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:32.659 life by thinking of them 00:23:32.659 --> 00:23:33.879 in terms of a training 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:38.519 experience given to us by 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:40.079 the loving, merciful, 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:41.899 covenant God. 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:41.980 God. 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:44.019 They come from his 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:45.800 hand to us. 00:23:49.060 --> 00:23:50.300 He loves you. 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:54.100 He is treating you as 00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:55.440 one of his children. 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:58.280 In other words, in your 00:23:58.280 --> 00:24:00.780 pain, you are not being 00:24:00.780 --> 00:24:02.400 treated like a slave. 00:24:02.820 --> 00:24:04.420 You are not being treated 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:05.460 as an enemy. 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:11.180 In your pain, God is not 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:13.319 removed from it all 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:14.620 going, I wish I could do 00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:15.100 something. 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:19.759 God is not a surgeon who 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:21.039 looks at a bad thing and 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:22.440 comes in and fixes it up and 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.340 makes it good. 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:27.440 He plans the incision. 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:31.320 He plans the whole lot 00:24:31.320 --> 00:24:36.259 because you are his love 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:36.640 child. 00:24:37.140 --> 00:24:39.140 And the issue is, will 00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:40.759 you believe it? 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:44.019 Will you let the word of 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.539 God settle the issue for 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.519 you so that when the 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:48.279 suffering comes, you don't 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:50.920 turn on God and put him in 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:52.779 the dock and prosecute him 00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:54.080 with accusations like, 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.360 where is the God of 00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:55.980 justice? 00:24:57.440 --> 00:25:01.180 He probably will not tell 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:02.380 you why it's your turn. 00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:05.840 Or why it is happening 00:25:05.840 --> 00:25:06.799 right now. 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:09.279 Or why there is so much 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:10.039 pain. 00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:13.000 Or why it is lasting so 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.620 long. 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:16.019 But he has told you what 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:17.380 you do need to know. 00:25:18.340 --> 00:25:20.019 It is the love of an 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:22.080 all-wise father to his 00:25:22.080 --> 00:25:22.620 child. 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:25.559 Who never turns his back 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:26.259 on his covenant. 00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:30.360 Will you trust him? 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:35.400 In everything that causes 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:35.980 pain. 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:39.720 From health issues, from 00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:42.279 death of a relative, to 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:45.299 problems with the kids, or 00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:46.880 your marriage, or I've lost 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:48.340 my job, or I've crashed my 00:25:48.340 --> 00:25:50.940 car, or finances don't reach, 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:52.140 or that there's changing 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:52.820 church. 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:54.139 Everything. 00:25:58.679 --> 00:25:59.939 Coming from the merciful hand 00:25:59.939 --> 00:26:00.240 of God. 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:04.659 And verse 14 helps us to see 00:26:04.659 --> 00:26:06.419 that this loving God has a 00:26:06.419 --> 00:26:07.359 very good reason. 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:09.960 It says, make every effort to 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:11.299 be holy. 00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:15.839 The picture in Malachi 3.3 00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:17.779 of the refiner. 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.000 You notice it there. 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:20.579 It says the refiner sits 00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:24.259 and concentrates all of his 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:24.500 tension. 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.480 That's what they used to do. 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:27.119 As the refining process is 00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:27.980 happening, the fire is 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:29.619 happening, the refiner would 00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:30.839 pull up his chair and he 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:33.779 would sit and watch the metal 00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:34.599 being refined. 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:36.200 And particularly with silver. 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:38.019 And he would watch it and 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:39.759 watch it and concentrate all 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.779 of his concern. 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:45.019 And do you know when he 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:47.299 knows it's been, the fire's 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:48.480 over, the refining process 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:50.120 is done, and the purity has 00:26:50.120 --> 00:26:50.759 been achieved? 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.680 Do you know when he knows? 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.980 It's when he's sitting there 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:55.319 and he can see his reflection 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:55.960 in the silver. 00:26:59.860 --> 00:27:01.100 And that's the picture of 00:27:01.100 --> 00:27:01.860 our God here. 00:27:02.380 --> 00:27:03.819 That's the beauty of this 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.220 picture. 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:05.819 He sits all of his 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:10.079 attention until he sees his 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:11.220 reflection in his people. 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:16.440 And why is the reflection of 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:18.360 God, the holiness of God, so 00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:18.860 essential? 00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:20.500 Because at the end of verse 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:23.220 14 of Hebrews 12, without 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:27.079 holiness, no one will see the 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:27.519 Lord. 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:30.860 That's why it's essential. 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:34.319 Because the very foundation of 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:36.059 God's covenant is that he would 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:38.419 spend eternity with his people. 00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:39.439 That's the goal. 00:27:40.659 --> 00:27:42.259 And these verses assume that the 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:43.599 most important thing in this 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:45.659 life is not to be happy, it's not 00:27:45.659 --> 00:27:47.240 to be comfortable, it's not to be 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:47.659 fulfilled. 00:27:47.899 --> 00:27:49.879 It is to know God, to become more 00:27:49.879 --> 00:27:52.099 dependent upon God, to allow him 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:55.459 to strip every aspect of self- 00:27:55.459 --> 00:27:58.039 dependency from us, so that we 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:59.599 throw ourselves at our saviour's 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:03.819 feet and just say, glory, Lord 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.959 God Almighty. 00:28:07.219 --> 00:28:10.000 My friends, I wish I could come 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.219 with a slightly different message, 00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:13.919 but there is no painless path to 00:28:13.919 --> 00:28:14.179 heaven. 00:28:16.179 --> 00:28:18.159 It is no more possible to become 00:28:18.159 --> 00:28:20.980 pure painlessly than it is to be 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.599 burnt painlessly. 00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:22.119 Painlessly. 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:28.359 So my friends, let me just put on my 00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:29.839 pastor's heart just for a moment. 00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:33.119 If that is you right now, right now, 00:28:33.679 --> 00:28:37.159 the temptation is to think that God 00:28:37.159 --> 00:28:40.359 has forgotten you, that God doesn't 00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:42.199 love you, that he's not committed to 00:28:42.199 --> 00:28:44.480 his promises to you, that he doesn't 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:46.019 care about injustice. 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:51.980 Jesus, I just want to say, please do 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:53.799 not despise the Lord's discipline. 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:56.539 Have confidence in God. 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:59.139 The covenant promise is this. 00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:01.879 The furnace of affliction that you are 00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:04.779 currently going through is for 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.740 refinement. 00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:08.279 It's not for your destruction. 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:14.240 The refining fires are not evidence 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:15.980 that God has abandoned his covenant. 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:19.299 Do not listen to the good intentioned 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:21.519 person who will say, but you're a good 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:23.960 person, or but you're a believer. 00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:26.480 Why is this happening to you? 00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:29.259 Do not listen to those good intentioned 00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:29.619 people. 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:37.139 I want you to know the promise of 00:29:37.140 --> 00:29:39.900 Malachi 3.6, I the Lord do not change, 00:29:40.600 --> 00:29:43.000 so you, O descendant of Jacob, are not 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.540 destroyed. 00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:46.840 That simply means that life in the 00:29:46.840 --> 00:29:48.940 refining fire is a life of trust in the 00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:51.440 unchanging, purifying love of God. 00:29:52.100 --> 00:29:54.460 Secondly, I want you to learn the lesson 00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:57.880 of verse 5, and fear God. 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:02.620 Fear that you might dishonor him by not 00:30:02.620 --> 00:30:03.440 trusting him. 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:07.120 Fear the impulse to want to jump out 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:12.640 out of the refiner's fire of mercy into the 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:14.700 incinerator fire of judgment because it 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:16.160 looks cooler over there. 00:30:19.040 --> 00:30:21.600 When you reject the refiner's fire, all 00:30:21.600 --> 00:30:23.600 that is left is the all-consuming fire of 00:30:23.600 --> 00:30:23.900 judgment. 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:28.519 And thirdly, take the long view. 00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:34.500 Take the long view to the day when there will be no more pain. 00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:39.160 Revelation 21 gives us the goal of what we are refined for. 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:44.759 I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, now the dwelling of God is with men. 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:48.860 He can now be with them, and he will live with them. 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:52.840 They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 00:30:53.300 --> 00:30:57.160 And he will wipe away every tear from their eyes. 00:30:57.259 --> 00:31:01.120 There will be no more death, no more mourning, or crying, or pain. 00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:06.579 The old order of things has passed away, and the refiner's fire has been extinguished. 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:08.799 The purpose has arrived. 00:31:09.059 --> 00:31:10.439 The goal is there. 00:31:10.879 --> 00:31:12.359 That's it, my brothers and sisters. 00:31:12.579 --> 00:31:17.719 And so if you're in the refining's fire right now, let me point you to that long-term goal. 00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:20.139 Revelation 21, verse 7 says, 00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:33.140 Amen.