Hello, I'm Shelley Quinn. 00:00:01.40\00:00:02.77 Do you know how God can be compared to a refiner of silver? 00:00:02.80\00:00:06.53 Join us now on "The Grace Pipeline," 00:00:06.56\00:00:08.69 as we see what the Bible has to say 00:00:08.72\00:00:11.13 about the fire of our loving Heavenly Father. 00:00:11.16\00:00:14.24 Welcome to "The Grace Pipeline." 00:00:33.71\00:00:35.98 In our journey through scripture during this series, 00:00:36.01\00:00:38.60 we have identified God's three greatest gifts of grace 00:00:38.63\00:00:43.30 as being Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, 00:00:43.33\00:00:47.41 and the Word of God. 00:00:47.44\00:00:50.15 When we understand the gifts of grace, 00:00:50.18\00:00:53.41 we begin to understand the effects of grace. 00:00:53.44\00:00:56.32 And today, we will look at our Heavenly Father's role 00:00:56.35\00:00:59.65 in the process of sanctifying His people, 00:00:59.68\00:01:03.01 sanctifying means simply to purify our purposes, 00:01:03.04\00:01:07.17 our thoughts, and our actions. 00:01:07.20\00:01:09.38 Now in past programs, 00:01:09.41\00:01:10.82 we have learned that justification is an act of God. 00:01:10.85\00:01:14.82 And sanctification is a progressive work of God. 00:01:14.85\00:01:20.45 The content of this series is from a book that is also called 00:01:20.48\00:01:23.57 "The Grace Pipeline" that I was privileged to write. 00:01:23.60\00:01:26.89 If you're following along in the series companion book, 00:01:26.92\00:01:30.23 today we're beginning on chapter 7. 00:01:30.26\00:01:33.19 Now to begin what I would like to do 00:01:33.22\00:01:36.00 is share a wonderful verse in the Old Testament 00:01:36.03\00:01:38.88 that speaks of God's work to purge His people of sin, 00:01:38.91\00:01:43.39 making them fit to advance in a walk of holiness. 00:01:43.42\00:01:47.11 This poetic verse is found in Malachi 3:3 and it reads, 00:01:47.14\00:01:53.43 "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver 00:01:53.46\00:01:57.73 and purge them as gold and silver 00:01:57.76\00:01:59.62 that they may offer unto the Lord 00:01:59.65\00:02:01.85 an offering in righteousness." 00:02:01.88\00:02:05.97 Perhaps, you've read a charming story 00:02:06.00\00:02:08.31 regarding this scripture that has circulated on the internet. 00:02:08.34\00:02:11.81 The author is unknown. 00:02:11.84\00:02:13.21 So I will take the liberty of editing it. 00:02:13.24\00:02:15.73 As the story goes, the verse became 00:02:15.76\00:02:18.00 the topic of conversation in a Bible study group. 00:02:18.03\00:02:21.33 One woman believed it conveyed 00:02:21.36\00:02:23.19 the view of the sanctifying influence of God's grace. 00:02:23.22\00:02:26.85 So to determine if her interpretation had merit, 00:02:26.88\00:02:30.29 she visited a silversmith. 00:02:30.32\00:02:32.60 Without revealing the reason for her inquiry, 00:02:32.63\00:02:35.68 she asked how he accomplished his work 00:02:35.71\00:02:38.31 and listened intently as he described 00:02:38.34\00:02:40.72 the process of refining silver. 00:02:40.75\00:02:43.43 He explained that the raw ore was placed in crucible, 00:02:43.46\00:02:47.39 a heat-resistant refining pot, 00:02:47.42\00:02:50.38 and then melted with the heat of fire causing 00:02:50.41\00:02:53.94 the impurities to separate from the metal and surface. 00:02:53.97\00:02:58.64 He then continually skimmed off this dross 00:02:58.67\00:03:01.70 until the remaining metal was pure. 00:03:01.73\00:03:04.25 "But, sir," she asked, 00:03:04.28\00:03:06.07 "Do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" 00:03:06.10\00:03:09.56 "Oh, yes, madam," he replied. 00:03:09.59\00:03:12.12 "I must sit and keep my eyes steadily fixed on the furnace 00:03:12.15\00:03:16.56 for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded 00:03:16.59\00:03:20.14 in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured. 00:03:20.17\00:03:24.47 But she asked, "How do you know 00:03:24.50\00:03:26.92 when the purifying process is completed?" 00:03:26.95\00:03:29.89 "Oh, that is easy", he said. 00:03:29.92\00:03:32.39 "When I can see my own image reflected in the silver, 00:03:32.42\00:03:36.91 I know my work is accomplished." 00:03:36.94\00:03:39.81 You know, this story is a beautiful illustration 00:03:39.84\00:03:43.35 of God's work of sanctification 00:03:43.38\00:03:45.44 and concludes by connecting the principle to our sufferings 00:03:45.47\00:03:50.17 and trials and tribulations. 00:03:50.20\00:03:52.56 The verse from Malachi actually has greater application 00:03:52.59\00:03:56.90 than merely to the afflictions we endure. 00:03:56.93\00:03:59.73 But when trouble comes your way and it certainly will, 00:03:59.76\00:04:03.36 take comfort in knowing God's caring eye is upon you. 00:04:03.39\00:04:07.50 If you will allow Him, 00:04:07.53\00:04:09.10 He can work all things together for your eternal benefit 00:04:09.13\00:04:13.42 to the aim of His purpose of conforming you 00:04:13.45\00:04:16.49 to the image of His Son. 00:04:16.52\00:04:19.78 That is God's plan. 00:04:19.81\00:04:22.27 He has predestined all of His children to become like Jesus. 00:04:22.30\00:04:27.55 Paul tells us, in Romans 8:28. 00:04:27.58\00:04:32.28 He says, "All things work together for good 00:04:32.31\00:04:34.93 for those who love God, 00:04:34.96\00:04:37.50 to those who are called according to His purpose." 00:04:37.53\00:04:40.45 And he explains in verse 29. 00:04:40.48\00:04:43.07 "For whom He foreknew, 00:04:43.10\00:04:46.07 He also predestined to be conformed 00:04:46.10\00:04:48.11 to the image of His Son, 00:04:48.14\00:04:49.79 that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." 00:04:49.82\00:04:54.39 What a thrilling destiny accomplished 00:04:54.42\00:04:57.20 through His purifying grace. 00:04:57.23\00:04:59.92 When you confess your sin, 00:04:59.95\00:05:01.89 God is faithful and just to forgive your sins 00:05:01.92\00:05:05.95 and to sanctify you inwardly, 00:05:05.98\00:05:09.24 purging His precious child of the influence 00:05:09.27\00:05:13.14 of the worthless, worldly things, 00:05:13.17\00:05:15.76 cleansing you from all corruption that caused 00:05:15.79\00:05:18.32 you to be unrighteous in attitude or action. 00:05:18.35\00:05:22.22 He will cause you to be sincerely converted 00:05:22.25\00:05:25.58 and consecrated to the Christ 00:05:25.61\00:05:28.47 who as Paul says 00:05:28.50\00:05:33.76 "Christ who gave Himself for us, 00:05:33.79\00:05:36.47 that He might redeem us from every lawless deed 00:05:36.50\00:05:40.19 and purify for Himself His own special people 00:05:40.22\00:05:44.93 zealous for good works." 00:05:44.96\00:05:47.80 You know, Malachi ask in Chapter 3:2, 00:05:47.83\00:05:50.74 "But who can endure the day of His coming 00:05:50.77\00:05:53.95 and who can stand when He appears? 00:05:53.98\00:05:56.74 For He's like a refiner's fire and like a launderer's soap." 00:05:56.77\00:06:01.63 The precious and gentle Lamb of God 00:06:01.66\00:06:04.39 is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah. 00:06:04.42\00:06:07.42 He who is called faithful and true, 00:06:07.45\00:06:11.37 will return with eyes blazing like a flame of fire 00:06:11.40\00:06:15.82 to wage war in justice and holiness 00:06:15.85\00:06:18.78 against all unrighteousness. 00:06:18.81\00:06:21.76 Christ will overpower evil at once and for all eternity. 00:06:21.79\00:06:28.12 And the Bible promises affliction will not rise again. 00:06:28.15\00:06:31.95 Listen to this conclusive evidence 00:06:31.98\00:06:34.56 as the words of the Lord were recorded in Malachi 4:1, 3, 00:06:34.59\00:06:41.48 "For behold, the day is coming, 00:06:41.51\00:06:44.94 burning like an oven, and all the proud, 00:06:44.97\00:06:47.97 yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. 00:06:48.00\00:06:50.71 And the day which is coming shall burn them up," 00:06:50.74\00:06:54.33 Says the Lord of hosts, 00:06:54.36\00:06:55.85 "That will leave them neither root nor branch. 00:06:55.88\00:06:59.26 You shall trample the wicked, 00:06:59.29\00:07:01.99 for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet 00:07:02.02\00:07:05.78 on the day that I do this," 00:07:05.81\00:07:07.77 Says the Lord of hosts." Hallelujah. 00:07:07.80\00:07:12.38 As He first cleansed the polluted world by making it 00:07:12.41\00:07:15.62 a lake of water during the great flood, 00:07:15.65\00:07:18.21 He will again purify the earth by making it a lake of fire. 00:07:18.24\00:07:22.78 The earth and the evil works that are in it 00:07:22.81\00:07:25.69 will burn and be laid bare. 00:07:25.72\00:07:27.86 And God will create a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 00:07:27.89\00:07:32.83 There will be no more tears, no more pain or sorrow. 00:07:32.86\00:07:36.50 He promises there will be no more death 00:07:36.53\00:07:39.39 which means we can confidently conclude 00:07:39.42\00:07:42.48 there will be no more sin, 00:07:42.51\00:07:43.92 obviously, since the wages of sin is death. 00:07:43.95\00:07:48.19 In his righteous judgment, 00:07:48.22\00:07:50.20 a just God will consume all sinners 00:07:50.23\00:07:54.40 on that great and dreadful day of the Lord. 00:07:54.43\00:07:58.04 In John 5:28, 29 the apostle writes-- 00:07:58.07\00:08:04.96 or records Jesus' words actually. 00:08:04.99\00:08:06.94 And Jesus said, "Do not marvel at this, 00:08:06.97\00:08:10.85 for the hour is coming in which all who are in their graves 00:08:10.88\00:08:15.74 will hear His voice and come forth, 00:08:15.77\00:08:18.82 those who have done good, 00:08:18.85\00:08:20.96 to the resurrection of life, 00:08:20.99\00:08:23.39 and those who have done evil, 00:08:23.42\00:08:25.66 to the resurrection of condemnation." 00:08:25.69\00:08:29.58 You know, Revelation 20:4-6 refers to those 00:08:29.61\00:08:34.45 who rise in the first resurrection 00:08:34.48\00:08:37.28 as reigning with Christ for 1,000 years 00:08:37.31\00:08:40.56 before the second resurrection of the condemned. 00:08:40.59\00:08:43.80 These verses clearly indicate that the second death, 00:08:43.83\00:08:48.14 the eternal perishing only has power over those 00:08:48.17\00:08:52.85 who rise in the second resurrection of condemnation. 00:08:52.88\00:08:57.55 A careful study of Bible scriptures reveals that 00:08:57.58\00:09:01.96 God is not some type of monster 00:09:01.99\00:09:04.39 who punishes the wicked for unending eons of times. 00:09:04.42\00:09:09.21 If you have been taught that, 00:09:09.24\00:09:11.15 call 3ABN's pastoral department and our pastors 00:09:11.18\00:09:14.86 will be happy to prove this by Bible evidence. 00:09:14.89\00:09:19.07 Paul clearly teaches in 1 Corinthians 15:42-57. 00:09:19.10\00:09:26.26 "That it is only in Christ that we find victory over death." 00:09:26.29\00:09:30.76 Saying those in Christ will have to put on immortality 00:09:30.79\00:09:35.54 at the last trumpet when Jesus returns. 00:09:35.57\00:09:38.57 The rebellious dead will not be given 00:09:38.60\00:09:40.52 the chance to put on immortality. 00:09:40.55\00:09:43.72 They will perish and their destruction will be eternal. 00:09:43.75\00:09:49.01 That is why God told Malachi 00:09:49.04\00:09:51.60 that the wicked shall be ashes under our feet 00:09:51.63\00:09:55.13 on the day that he does this. 00:09:55.16\00:09:59.05 In Hebrews 12:29, the inspired word of God says, 00:09:59.08\00:10:05.56 "For our God is a consuming fire." 00:10:05.59\00:10:09.97 That sounds frightening, doesn't it? 00:10:10.00\00:10:12.19 But we don't need to interpret it 00:10:12.22\00:10:15.10 only as a threat of retribution. 00:10:15.13\00:10:18.26 In scripture, fire is considered 00:10:18.29\00:10:20.95 to be a symbol of the divine presence of God. 00:10:20.98\00:10:25.13 Christ spoke to Moses when He appeared 00:10:25.16\00:10:27.63 as the angel of the Lord from the burning bush. 00:10:27.66\00:10:31.22 And here He was this bush and in the midst of this bush 00:10:31.25\00:10:34.73 was a fire and yet the bush was not consumed. 00:10:34.76\00:10:38.89 His presence of fire led the people of Israel in the desert. 00:10:38.92\00:10:43.85 And appearing from the midst of fire on Mount Sinai, 00:10:43.88\00:10:47.93 the Lord proclaimed himself as redeemer 00:10:47.96\00:10:51.08 and spoke His Ten Commandments of love 00:10:51.11\00:10:53.93 to guide His people to the good life. 00:10:53.96\00:10:57.15 On the day of Pentecost, 00:10:57.18\00:10:58.98 the Holy Spirit appeared as a body of fire 00:10:59.01\00:11:02.72 that separated into tongue like flames 00:11:02.75\00:11:05.46 and settled on each person present 00:11:05.49\00:11:08.40 representing the promised baptism of fire 00:11:08.43\00:11:12.09 that would bring the purifying and refining energy 00:11:12.12\00:11:15.64 to sanctify God's people. 00:11:15.67\00:11:18.35 Fire is used in scripture to illustrate 00:11:18.38\00:11:22.13 both God's presence and His protection. 00:11:22.16\00:11:25.72 In Zechariah 2:5, God proclaimed He was a wall of fire 00:11:25.75\00:11:31.43 around Jerusalem and the glory in her midst. 00:11:31.46\00:11:34.76 And in Jeremiah 23:29 the Lord described 00:11:34.79\00:11:40.16 His word as a purifying fire that devours dross. 00:11:40.19\00:11:46.78 With striking contrast though the fire of God 00:11:46.81\00:11:50.69 further illustrates His inevitable judgment against sin. 00:11:50.72\00:11:55.73 Fire came forth from the Lord to destroy Nadab and Abihu. 00:11:55.76\00:12:01.15 These were Aaron's two unholy sons, 00:12:01.18\00:12:03.83 who served his priest in the sanctuary. 00:12:03.86\00:12:06.77 Fire came forth to destroy the company of Korah 00:12:06.80\00:12:09.97 and the enemies of Elijah. 00:12:10.00\00:12:11.91 The Lord's fire consumed the sacrifices of Gideon and Elijah. 00:12:11.94\00:12:17.28 And significantly in 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8, 00:12:17.31\00:12:23.18 Paul describes Christ at His second coming, 00:12:23.21\00:12:26.85 as revealed from heaven in flaming fire 00:12:26.88\00:12:31.00 to execute retributive justice 00:12:31.03\00:12:35.10 on those who do not have a relationship with God 00:12:35.13\00:12:37.89 and who refused to obey His word. 00:12:37.92\00:12:41.51 Further in 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 00:12:41.54\00:12:46.04 Paul details the destruction of the lawless one 00:12:46.07\00:12:49.15 at Christ's appearing who will be consumed 00:12:49.18\00:12:52.39 with the breath of His mouth 00:12:52.42\00:12:54.44 and destroyed with the brightness of His coming. 00:12:54.47\00:12:58.63 Let me tell you something God is passionate 00:12:58.66\00:13:02.14 in His pursuit of purification. 00:13:02.17\00:13:05.21 With Him there are only two outcomes for unholy beings. 00:13:05.24\00:13:10.56 Either the fire of His presence will protect 00:13:10.59\00:13:14.81 and purify those sin tainted ones 00:13:14.84\00:13:18.36 who are willing to be refined or it will destroy 00:13:18.39\00:13:22.42 those sinners who refuse to respond. 00:13:22.45\00:13:26.01 When sin is ushered into the very presence of God, 00:13:26.04\00:13:30.41 the brightness of His glory vaporizes it. 00:13:30.44\00:13:34.31 For this reason, in Exodus 33:20 God told Moses, 00:13:34.34\00:13:39.62 "You cannot see my face, 00:13:39.65\00:13:41.54 for no man shall see me and live." 00:13:41.57\00:13:45.90 As fire purifies and rids precious ore of its dross, 00:13:45.93\00:13:51.81 so God's sanctifying work will separate 00:13:51.84\00:13:55.10 the waste of sin from His children 00:13:55.13\00:13:57.26 who surrender their will to His day by day 00:13:57.29\00:14:01.57 until we reflect the image 00:14:01.60\00:14:04.09 in glorious character of our creator. 00:14:04.12\00:14:07.55 God's way of grace is full of His glory 00:14:07.58\00:14:11.19 and flows with His divine assistance 00:14:11.22\00:14:13.97 and supernatural power unto salvation. 00:14:14.00\00:14:18.09 Our part in sanctification is simply to choose 00:14:18.12\00:14:22.83 to cooperate with His plan. 00:14:22.86\00:14:25.49 As Paul explains in Romans 12:1-3 saying 00:14:25.52\00:14:32.09 "I beseech you therefore by the mercies of God, 00:14:32.12\00:14:36.68 that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, 00:14:36.71\00:14:41.29 holy, acceptable to God, 00:14:41.32\00:14:43.47 which is your reasonable service. 00:14:43.50\00:14:45.89 And do not be conformed to this world, 00:14:45.92\00:14:49.40 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, 00:14:49.43\00:14:53.41 that you may prove what is that good 00:14:53.44\00:14:55.99 and acceptable and perfect will of God. 00:14:56.02\00:14:59.18 For I say, through the grace given to me, 00:14:59.21\00:15:02.29 to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself 00:15:02.32\00:15:05.89 more highly than he ought but to think soberly, 00:15:05.92\00:15:10.01 as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." 00:15:10.04\00:15:15.53 You know, God is just and He judges in righteousness. 00:15:15.56\00:15:20.91 At Christ's second coming, all whose names are written 00:15:20.94\00:15:25.22 in His Book of Life will be saved. 00:15:25.25\00:15:28.24 The Bible says that those belonging to Christ 00:15:28.27\00:15:30.94 who are alive at His second coming will not enter 00:15:30.97\00:15:34.32 into His presence before the righteous 00:15:34.35\00:15:37.15 who are asleep in their graves. 00:15:37.18\00:15:39.62 No, the dead will arise from their graves 00:15:39.65\00:15:42.69 in the first resurrection, the resurrection of life 00:15:42.72\00:15:46.49 and we will all go up together to meet Him in the air. 00:15:46.52\00:15:50.29 Look at Paul's wonderful description of this event 00:15:50.32\00:15:53.34 found in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, 00:15:53.37\00:15:58.61 "For we say this to you by the word of God, 00:15:58.64\00:16:02.27 that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord 00:16:02.30\00:16:07.64 will by no means precede those who are asleep. 00:16:07.67\00:16:12.72 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven 00:16:12.75\00:16:16.01 with a shout, with the voice of an archangel 00:16:16.04\00:16:20.62 and with the trumpet of God. 00:16:20.65\00:16:22.77 And the dead in Christ will rise first. 00:16:22.80\00:16:25.87 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up 00:16:25.90\00:16:30.19 together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 00:16:30.22\00:16:35.12 And thus we shall always be with the Lord." 00:16:35.15\00:16:39.89 So those coming up in the first resurrection will be caught up 00:16:39.92\00:16:45.37 with the righteous who remain living 00:16:45.40\00:16:48.39 to meet the Lord in the air. 00:16:48.42\00:16:50.79 Oh, Christ will stand to deliver a judgment, 00:16:50.82\00:16:54.68 a favor on their behalf. 00:16:54.71\00:16:56.83 And by grace, He will grant victory over death, 00:16:56.86\00:17:01.30 clothing His precious ones with immortality 00:17:01.33\00:17:04.81 that they may enjoy His gift of eternal life. 00:17:04.84\00:17:09.57 Can you imagine how God's heart will overflow with joy 00:17:09.60\00:17:14.74 at the redemption, this final redemption of His children? 00:17:14.77\00:17:19.50 Yet let me ask you, have you ever considered what a strange 00:17:19.53\00:17:24.08 and terrible time our God of love and grace will suffer 00:17:24.11\00:17:28.53 when He must execute justice on the wicked 00:17:28.56\00:17:32.20 in His great day of wrath? 00:17:32.23\00:17:34.77 God is not motivated to harm the unrighteous 00:17:34.80\00:17:38.71 but the day will come when He must put an end to sin. 00:17:38.74\00:17:43.20 Listen to His voice of mercy and pity in Ezekiel 33:11. 00:17:43.23\00:17:50.90 "As I live," says the Lord God, 00:17:50.93\00:17:52.79 "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, 00:17:52.82\00:17:55.97 but that the wicked turn from his way and live. 00:17:56.00\00:17:59.64 Turn, turn from your evil ways. 00:17:59.67\00:18:02.52 For why should you die?" 00:18:02.55\00:18:05.66 The Lord of promise is longsuffering 00:18:05.69\00:18:08.14 toward humanity, hence the delay of Christ's return. 00:18:08.17\00:18:12.42 The Father would not prevent His children from entering 00:18:12.45\00:18:15.50 His paradise in heaven one moment longer than necessary. 00:18:15.53\00:18:19.65 There remains a work of salvation 00:18:19.68\00:18:21.63 to be accomplished on earth. 00:18:21.66\00:18:23.58 Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:9 that God's desire is that no one 00:18:23.61\00:18:29.34 should perish but that all should be led to repentance 00:18:29.37\00:18:32.84 through the richness of His goodness. 00:18:32.87\00:18:35.91 And Jesus tells us in Luke 15:7-10 00:18:35.94\00:18:39.54 that there is joy in heaven 00:18:39.57\00:18:41.44 when one soul accepts His gift of repentance. 00:18:41.47\00:18:44.78 It is not only God's will 00:18:44.81\00:18:47.18 that we be sanctified, it is His work. 00:18:47.21\00:18:50.88 Jehovah Shalom which means the Lord of peace 00:18:50.91\00:18:54.38 has a heartfelt desire to reconcile humanity to Himself. 00:18:54.41\00:19:00.88 With a passion for the possible and He knows developing 00:19:00.91\00:19:04.88 our potential is possible by the divine power 00:19:04.91\00:19:08.20 of the life of Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Word 00:19:08.23\00:19:12.10 working in concert to purify us. 00:19:12.13\00:19:15.10 So with this passion for the possible 00:19:15.13\00:19:17.85 and His three greatest gifts of grace, 00:19:17.88\00:19:20.77 God the Father works to sanctify us 00:19:20.80\00:19:23.64 and to preserve us for eternity. 00:19:23.67\00:19:26.57 Jude 1:1 tells this, it says "To those who are called, 00:19:26.60\00:19:33.09 sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ." 00:19:33.12\00:19:40.58 Did you notice it's God the Father 00:19:40.61\00:19:43.32 who has this great role in sanctifying us? 00:19:43.35\00:19:46.87 He promises to work in us to will 00:19:46.90\00:19:50.77 and to do His good pleasure. 00:19:50.80\00:19:53.24 The good news is that God will cause us to be all 00:19:53.27\00:19:58.42 that He has called us to be. 00:19:58.45\00:20:00.85 I want you to grab hold of the precious promise 00:20:00.88\00:20:03.95 that is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24 00:20:03.98\00:20:08.83 and don't let go off it. 00:20:08.86\00:20:11.29 Paul writes, "Now may the God of peace Himself 00:20:11.32\00:20:15.28 that's Jehovah Shalom, the God of peace 00:20:15.31\00:20:18.53 Himself sanctify you completely." 00:20:18.56\00:20:22.57 Who is doing the work there? God. 00:20:22.60\00:20:24.75 "And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved 00:20:24.78\00:20:29.05 blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:20:29.08\00:20:32.71 He who calls you, that's God, 00:20:32.74\00:20:35.30 is faithful, who also will do it." 00:20:35.33\00:20:40.07 So we see that it's God's work 00:20:40.10\00:20:43.28 and King David knew of God's faithfulness 00:20:43.31\00:20:46.67 and he wrote in Psalm 16:11 00:20:46.70\00:20:48.86 "You have shown me the path of life 00:20:48.89\00:20:51.70 and in your presence is fullness of joy. 00:20:51.73\00:20:54.39 At your right hand are pleasures forevermore." 00:20:54.42\00:20:58.48 In faithfulness, God pours out His sanctifying grace 00:20:58.51\00:21:02.54 from on high through His heavenly pipeline to purify you 00:21:02.57\00:21:07.43 and lead you on the upward path. 00:21:07.46\00:21:10.04 The presence of His divine fire will separate you 00:21:10.07\00:21:13.64 from the weight and influence of sin. 00:21:13.67\00:21:16.51 In His everlasting embrace, you can feel secure knowing 00:21:16.54\00:21:20.81 the flame of His love will never be extinguished. 00:21:20.84\00:21:24.71 In fact, He promised in Psalm 121:3 that "He will not 00:21:24.74\00:21:29.85 allow your foot to slip or to be moved. 00:21:29.88\00:21:33.28 He who keeps you will not slumber." 00:21:33.31\00:21:37.09 The abiding presence of your Heavenly Father 00:21:37.12\00:21:40.26 will never leave you His child. 00:21:40.29\00:21:42.87 You are precious in His side. 00:21:42.90\00:21:45.26 Place your complete trust in Him and count on His sure word. 00:21:45.29\00:21:50.54 He who speaks in righteousness is mighty to save 00:21:50.57\00:21:54.29 and will grant you the grace to be all 00:21:54.32\00:21:57.50 that He requires you to be. 00:21:57.53\00:22:00.26 It is written in Isaiah 43:1-7, "Thus says the Lord, 00:22:00.29\00:22:06.74 who created you who formed you 00:22:06.77\00:22:09.09 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you. 00:22:09.12\00:22:12.44 I have called you by your name. You are mine. 00:22:12.47\00:22:16.31 When you pass through the waters, 00:22:16.34\00:22:17.81 I will be with you. 00:22:17.84\00:22:19.30 And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. 00:22:19.33\00:22:22.74 When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, 00:22:22.77\00:22:26.10 nor shall the flame scorch you. 00:22:26.13\00:22:28.29 For I am the Lord your God, The holy one you Savior.'" 00:22:28.32\00:22:34.86 What a beautiful promise. 00:22:34.89\00:22:36.62 And later the word of the Lord came to Isaiah again 00:22:36.65\00:22:40.81 and he recorded in Isaiah 56:1 saying, 00:22:40.84\00:22:46.32 "Thus says the Lord, 00:22:46.35\00:22:47.86 'Keep justice, do righteousness.'" 00:22:47.89\00:22:50.50 In other words conformity to God's will 00:22:50.53\00:22:55.27 which brings salvation. 00:22:55.30\00:22:57.05 He says, "For my salvation is soon to come 00:22:57.08\00:22:59.82 and my righteousness to be revealed." 00:22:59.85\00:23:03.20 The same Heavenly and Holy Father 00:23:03.23\00:23:07.09 who sacrificed His son to justify 00:23:07.12\00:23:09.80 you can be trusted to give you a new heart, 00:23:09.83\00:23:13.56 working righteousness in you by writing His laws in your heart 00:23:13.59\00:23:19.36 and on your mind as He has promised. 00:23:19.39\00:23:22.11 His sanctifying work will cause you to do His good pleasure. 00:23:22.14\00:23:26.89 And as you build on the privileges of your 00:23:26.92\00:23:29.48 relationship with Him, the joy of divine 00:23:29.51\00:23:33.27 fellowship will become sweeter. 00:23:33.30\00:23:36.01 I love the promise of Hebrews 4:16. 00:23:36.04\00:23:39.00 It's an invitation. 00:23:39.03\00:23:40.59 And it says "Let us therefore come boldly 00:23:40.62\00:23:45.22 to the throne of grace, that we might obtain mercy 00:23:45.25\00:23:50.27 and find grace to help in time of need." 00:23:50.30\00:23:55.43 This invitation from God proves that God wants us 00:23:55.46\00:23:58.52 to seek Him, to seek to know Him. 00:23:58.55\00:24:01.57 Not just to seek His face--excuse me, 00:24:01.60\00:24:05.15 not just to seek His hand but to seek His face. 00:24:05.18\00:24:09.44 You know, David wrote in Psalm 27:8 he said, 00:24:09.47\00:24:13.97 "When you said seek my face 00:24:14.00\00:24:16.59 I said Lord your face I will seek." 00:24:16.62\00:24:20.19 Will you accept His invitation to come boldly 00:24:20.22\00:24:24.62 to His throne pressing into His presence 00:24:24.65\00:24:27.70 for reinforcement of grace? 00:24:27.73\00:24:30.05 You can count on God to complete His good work in you. 00:24:30.08\00:24:34.20 According to the promise of Philippians 1:6 which says, 00:24:34.23\00:24:39.47 "Being confident of this very thing, 00:24:39.50\00:24:43.07 that He who has begun a good work in you 00:24:43.10\00:24:47.27 will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." 00:24:47.30\00:24:53.04 Will you tap into His grace pipeline 00:24:53.07\00:24:56.01 and allow Him to complete 00:24:56.04\00:24:57.99 the sanctifying work of salvation in you? 00:24:58.02\00:25:00.93 Let me pause here for just a second 00:25:00.96\00:25:03.42 and tell you that this work will never get done. 00:25:03.45\00:25:08.02 This work of sanctification will never get done 00:25:08.05\00:25:11.43 if we try to do it in our own strength. 00:25:11.46\00:25:16.32 I have talked with so many people who say, 00:25:16.35\00:25:19.44 "Oh, I pray and I pray and I pray 00:25:19.47\00:25:22.46 that God will change me. But then nothing happens." 00:25:22.49\00:25:27.20 And the reason nothing happens is because 00:25:27.23\00:25:30.66 they are not surrendering to the Lord. 00:25:30.69\00:25:34.91 When we surrender to God and recognize 00:25:34.94\00:25:39.54 that it's not our work it's our cooperation. 00:25:39.57\00:25:44.55 That's all God asked for, is that you surrender, 00:25:44.58\00:25:48.04 yield control to Him and cooperate as He does 00:25:48.07\00:25:52.94 this work in you to will and to do His good pleasure. 00:25:52.97\00:25:58.56 His life and His love will satisfy your every need. 00:25:58.59\00:26:05.00 That's a promise. 00:26:05.03\00:26:07.37 Well, our time is fast slipping into eternity. 00:26:07.40\00:26:10.98 I hope that you will plan to join us on our next program 00:26:11.01\00:26:14.76 where we will continue our study 00:26:14.79\00:26:17.56 on the process of sanctification. 00:26:17.59\00:26:19.96 And we will see how the imparted righteousness, 00:26:19.99\00:26:24.24 the righteousness that is poured into our hearts, 00:26:24.27\00:26:27.23 the imparted righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:26:27.26\00:26:30.99 His purity and holiness living in our hearts through faith 00:26:31.02\00:26:35.61 can purify us and set us apart from sin. 00:26:35.64\00:26:39.91 Before we close though, 00:26:39.94\00:26:41.84 I'd like to take just a moment to pray with you 00:26:41.87\00:26:45.43 because God wants us not just to know the truth, 00:26:45.46\00:26:51.60 not just to plead His promises but to receive His promises. 00:26:51.63\00:26:58.52 So let's pray together. 00:26:58.55\00:27:01.11 Father God, we come in the name of Jesus Christ, 00:27:01.14\00:27:05.23 thanking you, Lord, for your grace. 00:27:05.26\00:27:07.96 Thanking you for the gift of salvation, 00:27:07.99\00:27:12.01 justification, and sanctification. 00:27:12.04\00:27:15.66 And, Father, I pray for every voice every person 00:27:15.69\00:27:21.37 that is within hearing range of my voice. 00:27:21.40\00:27:24.75 Lord, help us each and everyone to surrender 00:27:24.78\00:27:28.02 control of our lives to you. 00:27:28.05\00:27:30.60 Lord, we want more of you. 00:27:30.63\00:27:32.41 We want more of your spirit. 00:27:32.44\00:27:34.48 We give you permission to do this work in us. 00:27:34.51\00:27:39.39 Thank you, Father God, we ask these things 00:27:39.42\00:27:41.88 in the name of Jesus and we receive them 00:27:41.91\00:27:45.78 in the name of Jesus. 00:27:45.81\00:27:47.67 Thank you for the answer to the prayer of faith. Amen. 00:27:47.70\00:27:52.12 Well, until next time, grow in the grace and knowledge 00:27:52.15\00:27:56.43 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:27:56.46\00:27:59.18