S6E26: Refine (Prepare the Way pt. 2)

Sermon #312

The process of refining is destructive.  It involves heating to the melting point, skimming off the impurities that rise to the surface, and discarding the unwanted, keeping only the pure metal.  When metal like gold or silver is refined, it does not seek to reincorporate those impurites back into itself; yet we, in our sinful nature, demonstrate a desire to reacquire those sins that the Holy Spirit removes from us by way of sanctification.  In this season of Advent we need to allow the Holy Spirit to refine us, to prepare the way for the Lord to enter into our hearts and lives.

Text: Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 3:1-6

Recorded at Hudson UMC on December 9, 2018 (Originally published December 10, 2018)

S.D.G.