Hello, I'm Shelley Quinn. 00:00:01.36\00:00:02.76 Do you know how God can be compared to a refiner of silver? 00:00:02.76\00:00:06.50 Join us now on "The Grace Pipeline," 00:00:06.50\00:00:08.67 as we see what the Bible has to say 00:00:08.67\00:00:11.11 about the fire of our loving Heavenly Father. 00:00:11.11\00:00:14.21 Welcome to "The Grace Pipeline." 00:00:33.70\00:00:35.96 In our journey through scripture during this series, 00:00:35.96\00:00:38.57 we have identified God's three greatest gifts of grace 00:00:38.57\00:00:43.27 as being Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, 00:00:43.27\00:00:47.41 and the Word of God. 00:00:47.41\00:00:50.15 When we understand the gifts of grace, 00:00:50.15\00:00:53.42 we begin to understand the effects of grace. 00:00:53.42\00:00:56.32 And today, we will look at our Heavenly Father's role 00:00:56.32\00:00:59.65 in the process of sanctifying His people, 00:00:59.65\00:01:03.02 sanctifying means simply to purify our purposes, 00:01:03.02\00:01:07.20 our thoughts, and our actions. 00:01:07.20\00:01:09.36 Now in past programs, 00:01:09.36\00:01:10.80 we have learned that justification is an act of God. 00:01:10.80\00:01:14.80 And sanctification is a progressive work of God. 00:01:14.80\00:01:20.44 The content of this series is from a book that is also called 00:01:20.44\00:01:23.58 "The Grace Pipeline" that I was privileged to write. 00:01:23.58\00:01:26.88 If you're following along in the series companion book, 00:01:26.88\00:01:30.22 today we're beginning on chapter 7. 00:01:30.22\00:01:33.19 Now to begin what I would like to do 00:01:33.19\00:01:35.99 is share a wonderful verse in the Old Testament 00:01:35.99\00:01:38.89 that speaks of God's work to purge His people of sin, 00:01:38.89\00:01:43.37 making them fit to advance in a walk of holiness. 00:01:43.37\00:01:47.10 This poetic verse is found in Malachi 3:3 and it reads, 00:01:47.10\00:01:53.41 "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver 00:01:53.41\00:01:57.71 and purge them as gold and silver 00:01:57.71\00:01:59.61 that they may offer unto the Lord 00:01:59.61\00:02:01.85 an offering in righteousness." 00:02:01.85\00:02:05.99 Perhaps, you've read a charming story 00:02:05.99\00:02:08.32 regarding this scripture that has circulated on the internet. 00:02:08.32\00:02:11.83 The author is unknown. 00:02:11.83\00:02:13.23 So I will take the liberty of editing it. 00:02:13.23\00:02:15.70 As the story goes, the verse became 00:02:15.70\00:02:17.97 the topic of conversation in a Bible study group. 00:02:17.97\00:02:21.30 One woman believed it conveyed 00:02:21.30\00:02:23.17 the view of the sanctifying influence of God's grace. 00:02:23.17\00:02:26.84 So to determine if her interpretation had merit, 00:02:26.84\00:02:30.28 she visited a silversmith. 00:02:30.28\00:02:32.58 Without revealing the reason for her inquiry, 00:02:32.58\00:02:35.68 she asked how he accomplished his work 00:02:35.68\00:02:38.32 and listened intently as he described 00:02:38.32\00:02:40.72 the process of refining silver. 00:02:40.72\00:02:43.43 He explained that the raw ore was placed in crucible, 00:02:43.43\00:02:47.40 a heat-resistant refining pot, 00:02:47.40\00:02:50.37 and then melted with the heat of fire causing 00:02:50.37\00:02:53.94 the impurities to separate from the metal and surface. 00:02:53.94\00:02:58.64 He then continually skimmed off this dross 00:02:58.64\00:03:01.68 until the remaining metal was pure. 00:03:01.68\00:03:04.25 "But, sir," she asked, 00:03:04.25\00:03:06.08 "Do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" 00:03:06.08\00:03:09.55 "Oh, yes, madam," he replied. 00:03:09.55\00:03:12.12 "I must sit and keep my eyes steadily fixed on the furnace 00:03:12.12\00:03:16.56 for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded 00:03:16.56\00:03:20.16 in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured. 00:03:20.16\00:03:24.47 But she asked, "How do you know 00:03:24.47\00:03:26.90 when the purifying process is completed?" 00:03:26.90\00:03:29.87 "Oh, that is easy", he said. 00:03:29.87\00:03:32.37 "When I can see my own image reflected in the silver, 00:03:32.37\00:03:36.91 I know my work is accomplished." 00:03:36.91\00:03:39.81 You know, this story is a beautiful illustration 00:03:39.81\00:03:43.35 of God's work of sanctification 00:03:43.35\00:03:45.45 and concludes by connecting the principle to our sufferings 00:03:45.45\00:03:50.19 and trials and tribulations. 00:03:50.19\00:03:52.56 The verse from Malachi actually has greater application 00:03:52.56\00:03:56.87 than merely to the afflictions we endure. 00:03:56.87\00:03:59.70 But when trouble comes your way and it certainly will, 00:03:59.70\00:04:03.34 take comfort in knowing God's caring eye is upon you. 00:04:03.34\00:04:07.48 If you will allow Him, 00:04:07.48\00:04:09.08 He can work all things together for your eternal benefit 00:04:09.08\00:04:13.42 to the aim of His purpose of conforming you 00:04:13.42\00:04:16.48 to the image of His Son. 00:04:16.48\00:04:19.79 That is God's plan. 00:04:19.79\00:04:22.29 He has predestined all of His children to become like Jesus. 00:04:22.29\00:04:27.56 Paul tells us, in Romans 8:28. 00:04:27.56\00:04:32.27 He says, "All things work together for good 00:04:32.27\00:04:34.90 for those who love God, 00:04:34.90\00:04:37.47 to those who are called according to His purpose." 00:04:37.47\00:04:40.44 And he explains in verse 29. 00:04:40.44\00:04:43.08 "For whom He foreknew, 00:04:43.08\00:04:46.08 He also predestined to be conformed 00:04:46.08\00:04:48.12 to the image of His Son, 00:04:48.12\00:04:49.78 that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." 00:04:49.78\00:04:54.39 What a thrilling destiny accomplished 00:04:54.39\00:04:57.19 through His purifying grace. 00:04:57.19\00:04:59.93 When you confess your sin, 00:04:59.93\00:05:01.86 God is faithful and just to forgive your sins 00:05:01.86\00:05:05.93 and to sanctify you inwardly, 00:05:05.93\00:05:09.24 purging His precious child of the influence 00:05:09.24\00:05:13.14 of the worthless, worldly things, 00:05:13.14\00:05:15.74 cleansing you from all corruption that caused 00:05:15.74\00:05:18.31 you to be unrighteous in attitude or action. 00:05:18.31\00:05:22.22 He will cause you to be sincerely converted 00:05:22.22\00:05:25.59 and consecrated to the Christ 00:05:25.59\00:05:28.49 who as Paul says 00:05:28.49\00:05:33.76 "Christ who gave Himself for us, 00:05:33.76\00:05:36.46 that He might redeem us from every lawless deed 00:05:36.46\00:05:40.17 and purify for Himself His own special people 00:05:40.17\00:05:44.91 zealous for good works." 00:05:44.91\00:05:47.78 You know, Malachi ask in Chapter 3:2, 00:05:47.78\00:05:50.75 "But who can endure the day of His coming 00:05:50.75\00:05:53.95 and who can stand when He appears? 00:05:53.95\00:05:56.75 For He's like a refiner's fire and like a launderer's soap." 00:05:56.75\00:06:01.62 The precious and gentle Lamb of God 00:06:01.62\00:06:04.39 is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah. 00:06:04.39\00:06:07.40 He who is called faithful and true, 00:06:07.40\00:06:11.37 will return with eyes blazing like a flame of fire 00:06:11.37\00:06:15.80 to wage war in justice and holiness 00:06:15.80\00:06:18.77 against all unrighteousness. 00:06:18.77\00:06:21.74 Christ will overpower evil at once and for all eternity. 00:06:21.74\00:06:28.12 And the Bible promises affliction will not rise again. 00:06:28.12\00:06:31.95 Listen to this conclusive evidence 00:06:31.95\00:06:34.56 as the words of the Lord were recorded in Malachi 4:1, 3, 00:06:34.56\00:06:41.46 "For behold, the day is coming, 00:06:41.46\00:06:44.93 burning like an oven, and all the proud, 00:06:44.93\00:06:47.97 yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. 00:06:47.97\00:06:50.71 And the day which is coming shall burn them up," 00:06:50.71\00:06:54.31 Says the Lord of hosts, 00:06:54.31\00:06:55.84 "That will leave them neither root nor branch. 00:06:55.84\00:06:59.25 You shall trample the wicked, 00:06:59.25\00:07:01.98 for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet 00:07:01.98\00:07:05.79 on the day that I do this," 00:07:05.79\00:07:07.79 Says the Lord of hosts." Hallelujah. 00:07:07.79\00:07:12.39 As He first cleansed the polluted world by making it 00:07:12.39\00:07:15.60 a lake of water during the great flood, 00:07:15.60\00:07:18.20 He will again purify the earth by making it a lake of fire. 00:07:18.20\00:07:22.77 The earth and the evil works that are in it 00:07:22.77\00:07:25.67 will burn and be laid bare. 00:07:25.67\00:07:27.84 And God will create a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 00:07:27.84\00:07:32.81 There will be no more tears, no more pain or sorrow. 00:07:32.81\00:07:36.48 He promises there will be no more death 00:07:36.48\00:07:39.39 which means we can confidently conclude 00:07:39.39\00:07:42.49 there will be no more sin, 00:07:42.49\00:07:43.93 obviously, since the wages of sin is death. 00:07:43.93\00:07:48.16 In his righteous judgment, 00:07:48.16\00:07:50.17 a just God will consume all sinners 00:07:50.17\00:07:54.37 on that great and dreadful day of the Lord. 00:07:54.37\00:07:58.04 In John 5:28, 29 the apostle writes-- 00:07:58.04\00:08:04.95 or records Jesus' words actually. 00:08:04.95\00:08:06.95 And Jesus said, "Do not marvel at this, 00:08:06.95\00:08:10.85 for the hour is coming in which all who are in their graves 00:08:10.85\00:08:15.76 will hear His voice and come forth, 00:08:15.76\00:08:18.83 those who have done good, 00:08:18.83\00:08:20.96 to the resurrection of life, 00:08:20.96\00:08:23.37 and those who have done evil, 00:08:23.37\00:08:25.63 to the resurrection of condemnation." 00:08:25.63\00:08:29.57 You know, Revelation 20:4-6 refers to those 00:08:29.57\00:08:34.44 who rise in the first resurrection 00:08:34.44\00:08:37.28 as reigning with Christ for 1,000 years 00:08:37.28\00:08:40.55 before the second resurrection of the condemned. 00:08:40.55\00:08:43.79 These verses clearly indicate that the second death, 00:08:43.79\00:08:48.16 the eternal perishing only has power over those 00:08:48.16\00:08:52.86 who rise in the second resurrection of condemnation. 00:08:52.86\00:08:57.53 A careful study of Bible scriptures reveals that 00:08:57.53\00:09:01.94 God is not some type of monster 00:09:01.94\00:09:04.37 who punishes the wicked for unending eons of times. 00:09:04.37\00:09:09.21 If you have been taught that, 00:09:09.21\00:09:11.15 call 3ABN's pastoral department and our pastors 00:09:11.15\00:09:14.85 will be happy to prove this by Bible evidence. 00:09:14.85\00:09:19.09 Paul clearly teaches in 1 Corinthians 15:42-57. 00:09:19.09\00:09:26.26 "That it is only in Christ that we find victory over death." 00:09:26.26\00:09:30.73 Saying those in Christ will have to put on immortality 00:09:30.73\00:09:35.54 at the last trumpet when Jesus returns. 00:09:35.54\00:09:38.57 The rebellious dead will not be given 00:09:38.57\00:09:40.51 the chance to put on immortality. 00:09:40.51\00:09:43.71 They will perish and their destruction will be eternal. 00:09:43.71\00:09:49.02 That is why God told Malachi 00:09:49.02\00:09:51.59 that the wicked shall be ashes under our feet 00:09:51.59\00:09:55.12 on the day that he does this. 00:09:55.12\00:09:59.06 In Hebrews 12:29, the inspired word of God says, 00:09:59.06\00:10:05.53 "For our God is a consuming fire." 00:10:05.53\00:10:09.97 That sounds frightening, doesn't it? 00:10:09.97\00:10:12.17 But we don't need to interpret it 00:10:12.17\00:10:15.08 only as a threat of retribution. 00:10:15.08\00:10:18.25 In scripture, fire is considered 00:10:18.25\00:10:20.95 to be a symbol of the divine presence of God. 00:10:20.95\00:10:25.12 Christ spoke to Moses when He appeared 00:10:25.12\00:10:27.62 as the angel of the Lord from the burning bush. 00:10:27.62\00:10:31.23 And here He was this bush and in the midst of this bush 00:10:31.23\00:10:34.73 was a fire and yet the bush was not consumed. 00:10:34.73\00:10:38.87 His presence of fire led the people of Israel in the desert. 00:10:38.87\00:10:43.84 And appearing from the midst of fire on Mount Sinai, 00:10:43.84\00:10:47.91 the Lord proclaimed himself as redeemer 00:10:47.91\00:10:51.08 and spoke His Ten Commandments of love 00:10:51.08\00:10:53.92 to guide His people to the good life. 00:10:53.92\00:10:57.15 On the day of Pentecost, 00:10:57.15\00:10:58.99 the Holy Spirit appeared as a body of fire 00:10:58.99\00:11:02.72 that separated into tongue like flames 00:11:02.72\00:11:05.46 and settled on each person present 00:11:05.46\00:11:08.36 representing the promised baptism of fire 00:11:08.36\00:11:12.07 that would bring the purifying and refining energy 00:11:12.07\00:11:15.64 to sanctify God's people. 00:11:15.64\00:11:18.34 Fire is used in scripture to illustrate 00:11:18.34\00:11:22.11 both God's presence and His protection. 00:11:22.11\00:11:25.71 In Zechariah 2:5, God proclaimed He was a wall of fire 00:11:25.71\00:11:31.42 around Jerusalem and the glory in her midst. 00:11:31.42\00:11:34.76 And in Jeremiah 23:29 the Lord described 00:11:34.76\00:11:40.16 His word as a purifying fire that devours dross. 00:11:40.16\00:11:46.77 With striking contrast though the fire of God 00:11:46.77\00:11:50.67 further illustrates His inevitable judgment against sin. 00:11:50.67\00:11:55.71 Fire came forth from the Lord to destroy Nadab and Abihu. 00:11:55.71\00:12:01.15 These were Aaron's two unholy sons, 00:12:01.15\00:12:03.82 who served his priest in the sanctuary. 00:12:03.82\00:12:06.79 Fire came forth to destroy the company of Korah 00:12:06.79\00:12:09.99 and the enemies of Elijah. 00:12:09.99\00:12:11.93 The Lord's fire consumed the sacrifices of Gideon and Elijah. 00:12:11.93\00:12:17.27 And significantly in 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8, 00:12:17.27\00:12:23.17 Paul describes Christ at His second coming, 00:12:23.17\00:12:26.84 as revealed from heaven in flaming fire 00:12:26.84\00:12:30.98 to execute retributive justice 00:12:30.98\00:12:35.08 on those who do not have a relationship with God 00:12:35.08\00:12:37.89 and who refused to obey His word. 00:12:37.89\00:12:41.52 Further in 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 00:12:41.52\00:12:46.06 Paul details the destruction of the lawless one 00:12:46.06\00:12:49.13 at Christ's appearing who will be consumed 00:12:49.13\00:12:52.37 with the breath of His mouth 00:12:52.37\00:12:54.44 and destroyed with the brightness of His coming. 00:12:54.44\00:12:58.61 Let me tell you something God is passionate 00:12:58.61\00:13:02.14 in His pursuit of purification. 00:13:02.14\00:13:05.21 With Him there are only two outcomes for unholy beings. 00:13:05.21\00:13:10.55 Either the fire of His presence will protect 00:13:10.55\00:13:14.82 and purify those sin tainted ones 00:13:14.82\00:13:18.36 who are willing to be refined or it will destroy 00:13:18.36\00:13:22.40 those sinners who refuse to respond. 00:13:22.40\00:13:26.00 When sin is ushered into the very presence of God, 00:13:26.00\00:13:30.41 the brightness of His glory vaporizes it. 00:13:30.41\00:13:34.31 For this reason, in Exodus 33:20 God told Moses, 00:13:34.31\00:13:39.61 "You cannot see my face, 00:13:39.61\00:13:41.55 for no man shall see me and live." 00:13:41.55\00:13:45.89 As fire purifies and rids precious ore of its dross, 00:13:45.89\00:13:51.83 so God's sanctifying work will separate 00:13:51.83\00:13:55.06 the waste of sin from His children 00:13:55.06\00:13:57.23 who surrender their will to His day by day 00:13:57.23\00:14:01.57 until we reflect the image 00:14:01.57\00:14:04.07 in glorious character of our creator. 00:14:04.07\00:14:07.54 God's way of grace is full of His glory 00:14:07.54\00:14:11.18 and flows with His divine assistance 00:14:11.18\00:14:13.98 and supernatural power unto salvation. 00:14:13.98\00:14:18.09 Our part in sanctification is simply to choose 00:14:18.09\00:14:22.82 to cooperate with His plan. 00:14:22.82\00:14:25.49 As Paul explains in Romans 12:1-3 saying 00:14:25.49\00:14:32.07 "I beseech you therefore by the mercies of God, 00:14:32.07\00:14:36.67 that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, 00:14:36.67\00:14:41.28 holy, acceptable to God, 00:14:41.28\00:14:43.48 which is your reasonable service. 00:14:43.48\00:14:45.88 And do not be conformed to this world, 00:14:45.88\00:14:49.38 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, 00:14:49.38\00:14:53.42 that you may prove what is that good 00:14:53.42\00:14:55.99 and acceptable and perfect will of God. 00:14:55.99\00:14:59.19 For I say, through the grace given to me, 00:14:59.19\00:15:02.26 to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself 00:15:02.26\00:15:05.87 more highly than he ought but to think soberly, 00:15:05.87\00:15:10.01 as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." 00:15:10.01\00:15:15.51 You know, God is just and He judges in righteousness. 00:15:15.51\00:15:20.92 At Christ's second coming, all whose names are written 00:15:20.92\00:15:25.22 in His Book of Life will be saved. 00:15:25.22\00:15:28.26 The Bible says that those belonging to Christ 00:15:28.26\00:15:30.96 who are alive at His second coming will not enter 00:15:30.96\00:15:34.30 into His presence before the righteous 00:15:34.30\00:15:37.13 who are asleep in their graves. 00:15:37.13\00:15:39.60 No, the dead will arise from their graves 00:15:39.60\00:15:42.67 in the first resurrection, the resurrection of life 00:15:42.67\00:15:46.47 and we will all go up together to meet Him in the air. 00:15:46.47\00:15:50.28 Look at Paul's wonderful description of this event 00:15:50.28\00:15:53.35 found in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, 00:15:53.35\00:15:58.62 "For we say this to you by the word of God, 00:15:58.62\00:16:02.29 that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord 00:16:02.29\00:16:07.66 will by no means precede those who are asleep. 00:16:07.66\00:16:12.70 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven 00:16:12.70\00:16:16.00 with a shout, with the voice of an archangel 00:16:16.00\00:16:20.61 and with the trumpet of God. 00:16:20.61\00:16:22.78 And the dead in Christ will rise first. 00:16:22.78\00:16:25.88 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up 00:16:25.88\00:16:30.19 together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 00:16:30.19\00:16:35.12 And thus we shall always be with the Lord." 00:16:35.12\00:16:39.89 So those coming up in the first resurrection will be caught up 00:16:39.89\00:16:45.37 with the righteous who remain living 00:16:45.37\00:16:48.37 to meet the Lord in the air. 00:16:48.37\00:16:50.77 Oh, Christ will stand to deliver a judgment, 00:16:50.77\00:16:54.68 a favor on their behalf. 00:16:54.68\00:16:56.81 And by grace, He will grant victory over death, 00:16:56.81\00:17:01.28 clothing His precious ones with immortality 00:17:01.28\00:17:04.82 that they may enjoy His gift of eternal life. 00:17:04.82\00:17:09.59 Can you imagine how God's heart will overflow with joy 00:17:09.59\00:17:14.73 at the redemption, this final redemption of His children? 00:17:14.73\00:17:19.47 Yet let me ask you, have you ever considered what a strange 00:17:19.47\00:17:24.07 and terrible time our God of love and grace will suffer 00:17:24.07\00:17:28.51 when He must execute justice on the wicked 00:17:28.51\00:17:32.18 in His great day of wrath? 00:17:32.18\00:17:34.78 God is not motivated to harm the unrighteous 00:17:34.78\00:17:38.72 but the day will come when He must put an end to sin. 00:17:38.72\00:17:43.19 Listen to His voice of mercy and pity in Ezekiel 33:11. 00:17:43.19\00:17:50.87 "As I live," says the Lord God, 00:17:50.87\00:17:52.77 "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, 00:17:52.77\00:17:55.97 but that the wicked turn from his way and live. 00:17:55.97\00:17:59.64 Turn, turn from your evil ways. 00:17:59.64\00:18:02.51 For why should you die?" 00:18:02.51\00:18:05.65 The Lord of promise is longsuffering 00:18:05.65\00:18:08.15 toward humanity, hence the delay of Christ's return. 00:18:08.15\00:18:12.42 The Father would not prevent His children from entering 00:18:12.42\00:18:15.49 His paradise in heaven one moment longer than necessary. 00:18:15.49\00:18:19.66 There remains a work of salvation 00:18:19.66\00:18:21.60 to be accomplished on earth. 00:18:21.60\00:18:23.57 Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:9 that God's desire is that no one 00:18:23.57\00:18:29.34 should perish but that all should be led to repentance 00:18:29.34\00:18:32.84 through the richness of His goodness. 00:18:32.84\00:18:35.91 And Jesus tells us in Luke 15:7-10 00:18:35.91\00:18:39.55 that there is joy in heaven 00:18:39.55\00:18:41.45 when one soul accepts His gift of repentance. 00:18:41.45\00:18:44.79 It is not only God's will 00:18:44.79\00:18:47.19 that we be sanctified, it is His work. 00:18:47.19\00:18:50.89 Jehovah Shalom which means the Lord of peace 00:18:50.89\00:18:54.36 has a heartfelt desire to reconcile humanity to Himself. 00:18:54.36\00:19:00.87 With a passion for the possible and He knows developing 00:19:00.87\00:19:04.87 our potential is possible by the divine power 00:19:04.87\00:19:08.18 of the life of Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Word 00:19:08.18\00:19:12.08 working in concert to purify us. 00:19:12.08\00:19:15.08 So with this passion for the possible 00:19:15.08\00:19:17.85 and His three greatest gifts of grace, 00:19:17.85\00:19:20.79 God the Father works to sanctify us 00:19:20.79\00:19:23.66 and to preserve us for eternity. 00:19:23.66\00:19:26.59 Jude 1:1 tells this, it says "To those who are called, 00:19:26.59\00:19:33.07 sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ." 00:19:33.07\00:19:40.58 Did you notice it's God the Father 00:19:40.58\00:19:43.31 who has this great role in sanctifying us? 00:19:43.31\00:19:46.88 He promises to work in us to will 00:19:46.88\00:19:50.79 and to do His good pleasure. 00:19:50.79\00:19:53.25 The good news is that God will cause us to be all 00:19:53.25\00:19:58.43 that He has called us to be. 00:19:58.43\00:20:00.86 I want you to grab hold of the precious promise 00:20:00.86\00:20:03.93 that is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24 00:20:03.93\00:20:08.80 and don't let go off it. 00:20:08.80\00:20:11.27 Paul writes, "Now may the God of peace Himself 00:20:11.27\00:20:15.28 that's Jehovah Shalom, the God of peace 00:20:15.28\00:20:18.51 Himself sanctify you completely." 00:20:18.51\00:20:22.58 Who is doing the work there? God. 00:20:22.58\00:20:24.75 "And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved 00:20:24.75\00:20:29.06 blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:20:29.06\00:20:32.73 He who calls you, that's God, 00:20:32.73\00:20:35.26 is faithful, who also will do it." 00:20:35.26\00:20:40.07 So we see that it's God's work 00:20:40.07\00:20:43.27 and King David knew of God's faithfulness 00:20:43.27\00:20:46.68 and he wrote in Psalm 16:11 00:20:46.68\00:20:48.84 "You have shown me the path of life 00:20:48.84\00:20:51.68 and in your presence is fullness of joy. 00:20:51.68\00:20:54.38 At your right hand are pleasures forevermore." 00:20:54.38\00:20:58.49 In faithfulness, God pours out His sanctifying grace 00:20:58.49\00:21:02.56 from on high through His heavenly pipeline to purify you 00:21:02.56\00:21:07.40 and lead you on the upward path. 00:21:07.40\00:21:10.03 The presence of His divine fire will separate you 00:21:10.03\00:21:13.64 from the weight and influence of sin. 00:21:13.64\00:21:16.50 In His everlasting embrace, you can feel secure knowing 00:21:16.50\00:21:20.81 the flame of His love will never be extinguished. 00:21:20.81\00:21:24.71 In fact, He promised in Psalm 121:3 that "He will not 00:21:24.71\00:21:29.85 allow your foot to slip or to be moved. 00:21:29.85\00:21:33.29 He who keeps you will not slumber." 00:21:33.29\00:21:37.09 The abiding presence of your Heavenly Father 00:21:37.09\00:21:40.26 will never leave you His child. 00:21:40.26\00:21:42.86 You are precious in His side. 00:21:42.86\00:21:45.23 Place your complete trust in Him and count on His sure word. 00:21:45.23\00:21:50.54 He who speaks in righteousness is mighty to save 00:21:50.54\00:21:54.28 and will grant you the grace to be all 00:21:54.28\00:21:57.48 that He requires you to be. 00:21:57.48\00:22:00.25 It is written in Isaiah 43:1-7, "Thus says the Lord, 00:22:00.25\00:22:06.76 who created you who formed you 00:22:06.76\00:22:09.09 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you. 00:22:09.09\00:22:12.46 I have called you by your name. You are mine. 00:22:12.46\00:22:16.30 When you pass through the waters, 00:22:16.30\00:22:17.80 I will be with you. 00:22:17.80\00:22:19.27 And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. 00:22:19.27\00:22:22.74 When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, 00:22:22.74\00:22:26.07 nor shall the flame scorch you. 00:22:26.07\00:22:28.28 For I am the Lord your God, The holy one you Savior.'" 00:22:28.28\00:22:34.85 What a beautiful promise. 00:22:34.85\00:22:36.62 And later the word of the Lord came to Isaiah again 00:22:36.62\00:22:40.82 and he recorded in Isaiah 56:1 saying, 00:22:40.82\00:22:46.33 "Thus says the Lord, 00:22:46.33\00:22:47.86 'Keep justice, do righteousness.'" 00:22:47.86\00:22:50.47 In other words conformity to God's will 00:22:50.47\00:22:55.27 which brings salvation. 00:22:55.27\00:22:57.04 He says, "For my salvation is soon to come 00:22:57.04\00:22:59.81 and my righteousness to be revealed." 00:22:59.81\00:23:03.18 The same Heavenly and Holy Father 00:23:03.18\00:23:07.08 who sacrificed His son to justify 00:23:07.08\00:23:09.78 you can be trusted to give you a new heart, 00:23:09.78\00:23:13.56 working righteousness in you by writing His laws in your heart 00:23:13.56\00:23:19.36 and on your mind as He has promised. 00:23:19.36\00:23:22.10 His sanctifying work will cause you to do His good pleasure. 00:23:22.10\00:23:26.87 And as you build on the privileges of your 00:23:26.87\00:23:29.47 relationship with Him, the joy of divine 00:23:29.47\00:23:33.27 fellowship will become sweeter. 00:23:33.27\00:23:36.01 I love the promise of Hebrews 4:16. 00:23:36.01\00:23:38.98 It's an invitation. 00:23:38.98\00:23:40.58 And it says "Let us therefore come boldly 00:23:40.58\00:23:45.22 to the throne of grace, that we might obtain mercy 00:23:45.22\00:23:50.29 and find grace to help in time of need." 00:23:50.29\00:23:55.40 This invitation from God proves that God wants us 00:23:55.40\00:23:58.50 to seek Him, to seek to know Him. 00:23:58.50\00:24:01.57 Not just to seek His face--excuse me, 00:24:01.57\00:24:05.14 not just to seek His hand but to seek His face. 00:24:05.14\00:24:09.44 You know, David wrote in Psalm 27:8 he said, 00:24:09.44\00:24:13.98 "When you said seek my face 00:24:13.98\00:24:16.58 I said Lord your face I will seek." 00:24:16.58\00:24:20.19 Will you accept His invitation to come boldly 00:24:20.19\00:24:24.63 to His throne pressing into His presence 00:24:24.63\00:24:27.66 for reinforcement of grace? 00:24:27.66\00:24:30.03 You can count on God to complete His good work in you. 00:24:30.03\00:24:34.17 According to the promise of Philippians 1:6 which says, 00:24:34.17\00:24:39.47 "Being confident of this very thing, 00:24:39.47\00:24:43.08 that He who has begun a good work in you 00:24:43.08\00:24:47.28 will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." 00:24:47.28\00:24:53.05 Will you tap into His grace pipeline 00:24:53.05\00:24:56.02 and allow Him to complete 00:24:56.02\00:24:57.99 the sanctifying work of salvation in you? 00:24:57.99\00:25:00.93 Let me pause here for just a second 00:25:00.93\00:25:03.40 and tell you that this work will never get done. 00:25:03.40\00:25:08.00 This work of sanctification will never get done 00:25:08.00\00:25:11.41 if we try to do it in our own strength. 00:25:11.41\00:25:16.31 I have talked with so many people who say, 00:25:16.31\00:25:19.45 "Oh, I pray and I pray and I pray 00:25:19.45\00:25:22.45 that God will change me. But then nothing happens." 00:25:22.45\00:25:27.19 And the reason nothing happens is because 00:25:27.19\00:25:30.66 they are not surrendering to the Lord. 00:25:30.66\00:25:34.93 When we surrender to God and recognize 00:25:34.93\00:25:39.53 that it's not our work it's our cooperation. 00:25:39.53\00:25:44.54 That's all God asked for, is that you surrender, 00:25:44.54\00:25:48.04 yield control to Him and cooperate as He does 00:25:48.04\00:25:52.95 this work in you to will and to do His good pleasure. 00:25:52.95\00:25:58.55 His life and His love will satisfy your every need. 00:25:58.55\00:26:04.99 That's a promise. 00:26:04.99\00:26:07.40 Well, our time is fast slipping into eternity. 00:26:07.40\00:26:10.97 I hope that you will plan to join us on our next program 00:26:10.97\00:26:14.74 where we will continue our study 00:26:14.74\00:26:17.54 on the process of sanctification. 00:26:17.54\00:26:19.94 And we will see how the imparted righteousness, 00:26:19.94\00:26:24.25 the righteousness that is poured into our hearts, 00:26:24.25\00:26:27.22 the imparted righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:26:27.22\00:26:30.99 His purity and holiness living in our hearts through faith 00:26:30.99\00:26:35.62 can purify us and set us apart from sin. 00:26:35.62\00:26:39.93 Before we close though, 00:26:39.93\00:26:41.83 I'd like to take just a moment to pray with you 00:26:41.83\00:26:45.40 because God wants us not just to know the truth, 00:26:45.40\00:26:51.57 not just to plead His promises but to receive His promises. 00:26:51.57\00:26:58.51 So let's pray together. 00:26:58.51\00:27:01.12 Father God, we come in the name of Jesus Christ, 00:27:01.12\00:27:05.22 thanking you, Lord, for your grace. 00:27:05.22\00:27:07.96 Thanking you for the gift of salvation, 00:27:07.96\00:27:12.03 justification, and sanctification. 00:27:12.03\00:27:15.63 And, Father, I pray for every voice every person 00:27:15.63\00:27:21.37 that is within hearing range of my voice. 00:27:21.37\00:27:24.74 Lord, help us each and everyone to surrender 00:27:24.74\00:27:28.01 control of our lives to you. 00:27:28.01\00:27:30.58 Lord, we want more of you. 00:27:30.58\00:27:32.41 We want more of your spirit. 00:27:32.41\00:27:34.48 We give you permission to do this work in us. 00:27:34.48\00:27:39.39 Thank you, Father God, we ask these things 00:27:39.39\00:27:41.89 in the name of Jesus and we receive them 00:27:41.89\00:27:45.79 in the name of Jesus. 00:27:45.79\00:27:47.66 Thank you for the answer to the prayer of faith. Amen. 00:27:47.66\00:27:52.10 Well, until next time, grow in the grace and knowledge 00:27:52.10\00:27:56.40 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:27:56.40\00:27:59.14