November 24, 2019 Discipling

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October 11, 2020 Zechariah

Zechariah

Oct. 11, 2020

Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi all prophesied after the exile was complete.  

Haggai and Zechariah prophecy in the time of rebuilding the temple.

Each motivated people in their own unique way:  

Haggai - direct - kinda guilt trip

Zechariah - indirect

Ezra 5:1 - connects these guys to the temple

Zechariah also emphasized coming of the Messiah.

Logic was that in preparation for the coming Messiah they needed repentance and return to worship.  This would necessitate rebuilding the temple.

The book is full of apocalyptic language

1st part is dominated with 8 visions God gave Zechariah

Read:1:1-6

8 Visions: 

4 Horsemen of Different colors—This vision is a representation of God’s plan to rebuild Jerusalem.

4 Horns—This vision also represents God’s power over the powers of the known world. God’s promise is that He is going to destroy the powers of the world in the Messianic age.

Measuring Line—This is another reminder that God, as the master builder, is going to rebuild Jerusalem.

High Priest—The vision here is that part of the process of preparing for the Messianic spiritual-age to come is that there will have to be a spiritual cleansing starting with the high priest.

Golden Lampstand and 2 Olive Trees—This vision represents the presence of God. Zerubbabel will be successful because of the presence of God.

Flying Scroll—This symbolizes God dealing with sin.

Woman in a basket—This symbolizes God dealing with sin.

Four Chariots—This vision assures of the peace of God to reign in the world.

God awakened Zechariah in the night to remind him of God’s power, His presence, His plan to bring peace, and His continuing desire to deal with sin. God used these visions and Zechariah’s preaching through these visions to encourage the people to rebuild the temple of God.

What does God want us to do? And, what will it take for us to do that something?

What Does it Take to Do Something!

I.The Promise of God

• • • 1st 3 visions are related to the promise of God, that the temple would be rebuilt.
    • He is the master builder
    • What has God promised us?
      • • • Matt. 16:18 “I will build my church”
          • Acts 1:8 Promise of Power to be a Witness
          • Philippians 4:13 Promise to do all things through Him

II.The Purity of the People of God

• • • this ought to accompany His promise
    • see this in vision 4, 6, 7
    • importance of purity - Achan - Joshua 6

III.The Power of the Spirit of God

• • • Vision 5
    • 4:6 Not by strength or by might but by my Spirit says the Lord of Host
    • Not our:
      • • strength, ability, skills, intellect, personality, resources etc

• • • Don’t say we can’t because its:
      • • too expensive, too big, too hard, too whatever

• • • Don’t confine your thinking to what WE can do , manage, or afford!
    • There’s no faith in that!

IV.The Plan of God

• • • ultimate plan of God was the coming of Jesus the Messiah
    • Plan was and IS relationship
    • Zech 1:3 “return to me and I will return to you”
    • be encouraged to walk in obedience to God, even in difficult times.

What is your something?