TEST BY FIRE

(I Peter 1:6-9)

Life has become strangely different for me in these days; I couldn’t explain it if I tried; I don’t understand all the change that has taken place; I can only wait.

Is. 40:28-31

Is. 40:6-8

Why was this the theme for our Jr. Boys and Girls Camp this year?

Why did I preach Is. 40 in this past year?

Why did Peter quote this in I Peter 1:24-25 – which happens to be the book that I am preaching through?

I thought that I was ministering this Word to others; I had no idea that my life would require such an enormous portion of this to be ministered to myself.

Full meal; no drive through either.

For me (and I think with most preachers) any changes in life of this magnitude bring enormous change in one’s preaching. This is my life and living is being tested.

Although on a smaller scale, a Job like storm has rushed its way through my life.

Very tornado like.

Not like the tornado that went through the northern part of the Twin Cities back in 1986 or 87. I was on my way home from work in south Mpls and I could see the funnel cloud many miles away.

I thought my mind was playing tricks on me because I could see the tornado cloud turn black as it would touch down and turn white again as it lifter up.

This ended up being one of the most recorded tornados ever, according to the news. They were flying around it in helicopters; people were out in their yards taking pictures of it. The tornado would touch down and cut about a 25 yard path and lift up and then touch down and cut another path.

The news and weather people were concerned and warning us: this is not a regular activity for a tornado; do not unde3restimate the destroying power of these storms. Take shelter and take precautions during tornado weather!

When reading in a science book, I looked at pictures and read about a tornado that came down in Oklahoma and cut an enormously wide path for something like 3 or 4 miles. Unbelievable record setting destruction.

Can you imagine what kind of destruction that would do? Can you imagine what it would be like to pick up the pieces after something like that?

The insurance companies call these “Act of God”. They obviously do not have a proper understanding of the separation of church and state.

President’s call for a state of emergency which releases federal funds; compassion ministries immediately are engaged.

In these situations, everything that is able to be destroyed is destroyed or changed.

When met with destroying forces, only the indestructible things do not change.

An enormous test by fire will take place at the revealing of Jesus Christ – II Peter 3.

I think this is what John saw in Revelation 20:11 – “I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it from whose face heaven and earth fled away and there was found no place for them.”

Paul talks about a test of the believer’s works in I Corinthians 3:10-15. This test is going to be by fire.

This is the I Peter 1:7 process fully realized

Continual tests by fire come upon us now – by our Lord’s Sovereign Providential Will as well as His Passive Permissive Will.

These are refining fires – they do a purifying work (similar to what we do with gold, says Peter).

There are faith purifying fires

- Everything that is impure will be burned and refined out.

- Everything that is destructible will be destroyed; only the indestructible will endure.

These are fiery tests that prepare us for the ultimate test of fire at the revealing of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What could possibly endure such a test by fire?

Nothing that I can see or touch. Absolutely nothing.

1) The Lord God survives this test

- His Person (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)

- His dwelling (true heaven)

- His Word

2) Created Angel Spirit Beings survive this test

- Good Angels

- Evil Angels

3) Souls and Spirits of every human being (for we have been created in God’s image).

- I Cor. 15 says that a resurrection will have to take place so that: mortal puts on immortality; corruptible puts on incorruptible; the perishable puts on imperishable.

- even our very bodies are corruptible and are destroyed because of sin.

- I need a new body, a saved one to go with my new born again saved soul.

- What parts of us can survive the enormous test by fire? The same part, Peter says, that survives the present refining fires (1:8-9).

	Your Love for God (and people 1:22).
	Your faith in God
	Your being filled by God

Which all adds up to an inheritance (1:4) that can not be destroyed; it is kept for us; it cannot spoil.

Anything not this – burns right now and will burn at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Anything that is this – endures right now and will endure at the revealing of Jesus Christ.

The destroying forces of nature are an ever present object lesson of this truth.

The Written Word is the ever present testimony to this truth.

Will you humbly receive it and believe it?

With my whole heart;

I, by faith, confess with my mouth, that I need and I want the Lord Jesus Christ to save my soul.