God Refines us by Fire

October 19, 2008
We are studying, “Living the Extraordinary Life”  Do you know anybody who has lived an extraordinary life who has not suffered trials and tribulations?

 God is in Control of Everything Zechariah 13.9 and Malachi 3.2 - 4
This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'" Zechariah 13:9 (NIV) 

 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. (3) He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, (4) and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years. Malachi 3:2-4 (NIV) 

• What do these two verses have in common?
• What do these verses teach us about God?
• What do they teach us about man?

 

Psalm 103:19
The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:19 (NIV) 

• What do we learn about God from Psalm 103.19
• This theme is echoed in Zechariah 1.11.

They reported their findings to the Angel of God in the birch grove: "We have looked over the whole earth and all is well. Everything's under control." Zechariah 1:11 (MSG) ⁽³⁾

 Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

•  Has anything happened in your life this year that made you question if Romans 8.28 was still true?
  

 Psalm 34.7
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalms 34:7 (NIV)

• How is God pictured in this Psalm?
• What one or two-word description would you use?

Conclusions:

1. God uses life to refine us.
2. If we did not believe that God is in control we could not accept his refining.
3. God’s definition of success is for us to be more like him everyday.
4. Think about what life might be like if the majority of people really believed that everything that happensis a result of God’s sovereign will.

We are Made Stronger Through Trials Romans 5.3 - 5; James 1.2 - 4
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)

 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4 (NIV)

• James was written about AD 50 by the brother of Jesus when the church at Jerusalem was under extreme pressure from the Romans. 
• What do these two passages have in common?
• We will likely live our whole lives learning to live out these verses. What progress have you made?
• Could anyone tell a story of how you were able to rejoice in one of the speed bumps of life?  You learn to lift weights by starting with the light weights and working your way up. You learn to count it all joy by doing so in the speed bumps in life and working your way toward the more difficult things.
• Have you known people for whom the least little thing totally overturned their apple cart? Anyone have a story? What is wrong with being this way? Why does it benefit us all to grow so that this is not true of us?
• What are the benefits of troubles?
• How have troubles made you stronger? Be specific.

 

Adversity Exists in the Life of A christian  Isaiah 55.8 - 9.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.  "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

• Just how much higher are God's thoughts than our thoughts? Can you think of a metaphor to communicate this?
  Like us and an ant.
• Do you ever find yourself thinking, "If only God would do what I want!" Anyone have a story? In light of how high his thoughts are above our thoughts, how much sense does this make?
• Even though we can’t understand it, God allows everything to happen that happens!  Everything.

 Genesis 50.15 - 20. 
15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?" 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 'This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept.  18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said.  19 But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  Gen 50:15-20 (NIV) 

• Someone overview the story of Joseph for us. What has happened up to this point to make Joseph's brothers nervous?
• How does Joseph's story illustrate Romans 8.28?
• Let's look at the reasons Charles Stanley gives as to why God allows adversity from page 85ff. How has God used adversity to get your attention? Who has a story?
• How has adversity reminded you of God's great love for you?
• How has adversity brought you to a new level of self examination?
  
• How has adversity taught you to hate evil? Does anyone have a story?
  
• How has adversity caused you to reevaluate your priorities?
  
• How has adversity tested your works?
  

 Six Reasons God Might Allow Adversity in our Lives

1. To get my attention
2. To remind me of His love for me
3. For self examination
4. To teach me to hate evil
5. To cause me to reevaluate priorities
6. To test my works