Visions in the Nightwpcb.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/zechariah... · to the night visions...

A series of coordinated sermons & studies

Westminster Presbyterian Church Belconnen – Term 3 2017

Visions in the Night The gospel according to Zechariah 1-8

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“I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold …”

Zechariah 118

, 21, 5

1, 5

9, 6

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“Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD.”

Zechariah 612

Geoff Findlay

0435 557 117 (02) 6251 7727 [email protected]

© Geoff Findlay 2017

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Contents

Why study Zechariah? ........................................................................................................ 3

Bible overview & focal point ................................................................................................ 4

Bible diagram ...................................................................................................................... 5

Era of Zechariah .................................................................................................................. 7

Person of Zechariah ............................................................................................................ 8

Outline of the whole book of Zechariah ............................................................................... 9

Structure of Zechariah 1-8 ................................................................................................ 11

Sermon series on Zechariah 1-8 ....................................................................................... 12

Sermon # 1 Zech 1

1-6 Relational Repentance ......................................................... 13

Study # 1 Zech 11-6

Covenantal Repentance ....................................................... 15

Sermon # 2 Zech 17-17

God remembers His electing & edifying love ....................... 17

Study # 2 Zech 17-17

God remembers His electing & edifying love – so what? ...... 19

Sermon # 3 Zech 118

-2 God remembers His indwelling presence ............................. 21

Study # 3 Zech 118

-2

God remembers His indwelling presence – so what? .......... 23

Sermon # 4 Zech 3 God remembers His imputed righteousness ........................ 25

Study # 4 Zech 3

God remembers His imputed righteousness – so what? ....... 27

Sermon # 5 Zech 4 God remembers His outpoured Spirit ................................... 29

ACE # 1 Question time ....................................................................... 31

Study # 5 Zech 4

God remembers His outpoured Spirit – so what? ................ 33

Sermon # 6 Zech 5 God remembers His separateness from sin ......................... 35

Study # 6 Zech 5

God remembers His separateness from sin – so what?........ 37


God remembers His universal dominion .............................. 39

Study # 7 Zech 61-8

God remembers His universal dominion – so what? ............. 41


Priest-King Perfection .......................................................... 43

Study # 8 Zech 69-15

Priest-King anticipation & arrival .......................................... 45

Sermon # 9 Zech 7-8 From Fasting to Feasting ..................................................... 47

ACE # 2 Question time ....................................................................... 49

Study # 9 Zech 7-8

Fasting / Feasting now that Christ has come ....................... 51

Credits ................................................................................................................................ 53

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Why study Zechariah?

“I wonder if there might be a better choice than Zechariah's night visions … … it doesn't sound particularly easy or motivating.”

So said someone to me about this proposed series. That showed me the need and set me a challenge!

So here are ten reasons why we should study Zechariah:

The gospel writers loved it and drew on it extensively

It has much to teach us about the passion of Jesus

It helps us understand Revelation and our eternal home

It is graphic, vivid, and paints memorable pictures in our mind

It was written to encourage the discouraged with God

It has often been neglected by the people of God to their loss

It imparts hope to those longing to start over with God

It helps us see ourselves in the big picture of God’s coming kingdom

It is God-breathed and profitable for equipping us for every good work

It lifts our eyes up to the Lord of glory.

“I’ve preached a one-sermon overview of the whole book, but I still only have the foggiest idea of what it is really all about, so I really need to get myself better acquainted with a man

who walked with God and knew so much about Jesus, … so let’s embark on this adventure together.”

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Bible overview and focal point

New creation – new heavens & new earth

Letters to 7 churches for all churches

Witnesses to the ends of the earth

Witnesses in Judea & Samaria

Witnesses in Jerusalem

Spirit Pentecost

Ascension

Resurrection

CHRIST

Return

Exile

Captivity

Kings

Priests

Prophets

Deliverance

Bondage

Election

Judgement

Rebellion

Creation

OT

NT

Zechariah

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Bible diagram

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Ignore the fine print – just see the overall flow of God’s dealings with His people

Zechariah

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Era of Zechariah

God’s people are in turmoil. They are a divided nation with divided hearts. The northern Kingdom of Israel has already capitulated to the Assyrians. Then the southern kingdom is overrun by the Babylonian empire, the wall of Jerusalem is breached, and the temple of God is torched and destroyed. God’s people are distraught. Most of them are carted off into degrading captivity in Babylon – exile! Then the Persians conquered the Babylonians. A new era unfolds. Persian policy was shrewd - curry favour with its newly acquired territories by tolerating their customs and their gods. Thus King Cyrus decrees that the Jews are allowed to return to their homeland and rebuild their sacred temple. Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David, led the first wave of 50,000 people returning. The cohort included Joshua the high priest and another priest, Iddo. It was 538 BC. Rebuilding the temple commenced in earnest. But encountering opposition and frustration, the people became distracted and discouraged, and gave up with the temple only half-completed. Seventeen years or so goes by, and God commissions Iddo’s grandson to be a prophet, to galvanise the people back into faith and action. His name is Zechariah!

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Person of Zechariah Zechariah means “God remembers”! God remembers His people and the covenant He transacted with them. He is faithful and will enable His people to become faithful. Zechariah was born in captivity in Babylon. After returning to Palestine with his grandfather, and witnessing the stagnation in the rebuilding of God’s temple, God lays upon his heart the burden of a prophet. God actually raised up two prophets to work on this together – an old man, Haggai, and a young man, Zechariah. It is 520BC. Haggai preaches a series of fiery sermons to stir up the nation to rebuild the temple. Zechariah’s burden is not so much re-building the temple, as re-building their self-identity as the people of God, and re-building their future. Zechariah does not so much rebuke the people, as remind them of the glorious future God promises for His temple. A temple to which their Messiah will come. The people may have been in darkness, but God gave to His prophet visions in the night to invigorate and inflame the imaginations of His people. God continues to use Zechariah to impart insight and hope to His people, who are still being joined together, growing into a holy temple in the Lord.

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Outline of the whole book

Zechariah God’s call to prepare for the Messiah

1-6

Pictures 11-6 Call to repentance

17- 68 Clarifying visions

17-17

Horsemen among the myrtle trees 1

18-21 Four horns & four craftsmen

21-13

Man with a measuring line 3

1-10 Cleansing & clothing of Joshua (High Priest)

41-14

Golden lampstand & two olive trees 5

1-4 Flying scroll

55-11

Woman in the basket 6

1-8 Four horses & chariots

69-15 Crowning of Joshua

7-8 Problems 71-3 Question of fasting

74 - 823 Question answered

74-7

Rebuke of empty ritualism 7

8-14 Reminder of past disobedience

81-17

Restoration & consolidation on Israel 8

18-23 Recovery of joy in the kingdom

9-14 Predictions (apocalyptic) 9-11 Rejection of the Messiah

91-8

Judgement on surrounding nations 9

9 1

st coming of the Messiah

– triumphal entry as humble King 9

10-10

12 2

nd coming of Messiah

– dominion from sea to sea 11 Two shepherd’s staffs – Favour & Union

12-14 Reign of the Messiah

121-9

Deliverance from surrounding nations 12

10-13

9 1

st coming of the Messiah

– pierced and a fountain opened for sin 14

2

nd coming of the Messiah

– kingdom of the Messiah

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A book with 2 parts

Part 1 While building the temple (520 – 518 BC)

Sermon series 1 2017 – Term 3

(this booklet)

Part 2 Well after the temple is complete (480 – 470 BC)

Sermon series 2 2018 – Term 1

(the next booklet)

?

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Structure of Zechariah Part 1

Introduction – What’s going on here? (Haggai 1,2)

Prelude to the night visions

Call of the LORD of hosts

Vision 1 – False rest & God’s omniscience Universal

The horsemen among the myrtle trees

Vision 2 – Judgement on the nations International

The 4 horns & the 4 craftsmen

Vision 3 – Delight in one nation National

The man with the measuring line

Vision 4 – Restoring priest Local

Reclothing Joshua the high priest

Vision 5 – Restoring king too Local

Golden lampstand & 2 olive trees

Vision 6 – Sin is cleaned out National

The flying scroll

Vision 7 – Sin is banished International

The woman in a basket

Vision 8 – True rest & God’s omnipotence Universal

The 4 horses & chariots

Postlude to the night visions Crowning Joshua the high priest

Conclusion – What does this mean for us now? (Zechariah 7,8)

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Sermon series 1 – Zechariah’s Visions in the Night Zechariah = “God remembers”

Craig’s evening sermon series (Feb-Mar 2017) Haggai 1,2

(1) Relational Repentance Zechariah 11-6

(2) God remembers His electing & edifying love Zechariah 17-17

(3) God remembers His indwelling presence Zechariah 118

– 2

(4) God remembers His imputed righteousness Zechariah 3

(5) God remembers His outpoured Spirit Zechariah 4

(6) God remembers His separateness from sin Zechariah 5

(7) God remembers His universal dominion Zechariah 61-8

(8) Priest-King Perfection Zechariah 69-15

(9) From Fasting to Feasting Zechariah 7,8

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Sermon # 1 (23 July)

Zechariah 11-6

Prelude to the night visions

– Call of the LORD of hosts

Relational Repentance Children’s talk: Why 2 legs is better than 4

Introduction

Our world is changing

Our world is crumbling

The Zechariah Zone

The milieu

The message

The method

The man

First things First

Is our God an angry God?

Is repentance really necessary?

Is it really all up to us?

Take-home Teasers

Repentance is relational

Reformation begins with repentance

Refreshing entails repentance

Repentance is christological

Conclusion

Our God is unchanging

Our God is undergirding His people

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Sermon notes

Missed sermons can be downloaded from: wpcb.org.au/sermons

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Study # 1

Zechariah 11-6

Zechariah in the big picture

of God’s revelation of the gospel

Covenantal Repentance

Aim

To understand where the ministry of Zechariah fits into God’s grand revelation of redemption, particularly in relation to the exile of Judah into Babylon. Then in light of this, to understand and appreciate the purpose and power of repentance In God’s covenant people and particularly in our own lives.

Historical background to Zechariah

1. God warned His people about exile, way back in the days of Moses. What does Deuteronomy 28

15, 36-46 teach us about the reasons for and

reality of exile?

2. God did send His people into exile, in the days of King Jehoiakim and the prophet Jeremiah. What do 2 Kings 24

1-4 and Lamentations 4

11-16 teach us about the

reasons for and reality of exile?

3. God ministered to His people in exile through the prophet Ezekiel. What does Ezekiel 39

25-29 teach us about God’s purposes in the exile?

4. God brought His people out of exile in the days of Ezra the scribe. What do Ezra 1

1`-5 and 5

15-17 teach us about their freedoms and

frustrations in deliverance?

5. God began remonstrating with His delivered people through the prophet Haggai. What does Haggai 1

1-5 teach us about the concern of the Lord and the

condition of His people?

6. God was also speaking through the prophet Zechariah. What do Haggai 1

1-5 and Zechariah 1

1-6 reveal about them as

contemporaries, and about their common concern and/or perhaps any difference in approach?

Each study consists of two types of questions: - understanding the text (in plain black) - applying the text in our lives (with red shading).

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Covenantal convictions

7. What is the essence of God’s covenant according to Genesis 177,

Exodus 67, and Leviticus 26

12 ?

8. What are the conditions of God’s covenant according to Exodus 195-6

and 20

1-3 ?

9. What indication is there in Zechariah 11-6

that: - God regards His people here as covenant-breakers? - God is calling His people back to His covenant with them?

10. What are the ultimate promises of God’s covenant according to Jeremiah 31

31-33 and Ezekiel 36

26-27, 37

26-28 ?

11. What role has Zechariah been given in seeking to encourage covenantal faithfulness?

12. In what sense are we included in this same covenant today?

13. In what sense can we be called covenant-breakers? How might this apply even more to some than to others?

Corporate and individual repentance

14. Is Zechariah calling the people to individual repentance or corporate repentance, or both?

15. What might be some common corporate sins of our culture, from which the Lord may be calling us to repentance?

16. What might be some common corporate sins of our church, from which the Lord may be calling us to repentance?

17. In what areas of our individual lives might God be calling us back to covenantal faithfulness?

Christ and the covenant

18. If Jesus Christ fulfils the conditions of the covenant for us, where does that leave us? What is the relevance of Zechariah for those who are in Christ now?

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Sermon # 2 (30 July)

Zechariah 17-17

Vision # 1 – The horsemen among the myrtle trees

God remembers His electing & edifying love Children’s talk: Words, visions and real things

Introduction

A night with 8 visions

Understanding the vision

The S keys to understanding the vision correctly

The horsemen among the myrtle trees

The horsemen who have roamed the whole earth

Unloading the questions

What is the peace of the whole earth?

What is God exceedingly jealous about?

What is God exceedingly angry about?

Unpacking the problem

There is a rest which is not real

God remembers His righteous anger

There is a judgement which is jealous

God remembers His electing love

There is a measuring line which is merciful

God remembers His edifying love

Conclusion

Where is Christ in the vision?

Where are we in the vision?

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Sermon notes


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Study # 2

Zechariah 17-17

Vision # 1 – The horsemen among the myrtle trees

God remembers His electing & edifying love … so what?

Aim

To appreciate the comfort that God gives to us, His people, in Himself through his Word, in spite of what we see in the world around us.

Sermon review (Feel free to review whatever you want from the sermon; but here are some ideas)

1. What is represented by the horsemen among the myrtle trees? What do their words reveal about them?

2. How does God reveal His real attitude to the nations which are at ease?

3. How does God reveal His electing love in this vision?

4. How does God reveal His edifying love in this vision?

Where you are now (Feel free to either explore these matters now, or leave them on the table & perhaps revisit later)

5. What in the text (Zechariah 17-17

) particularly strikes you or intrigues you?

What you see in the world around you

6. What do you see in the world around you that seems to correlate with what Zechariah is shown here?

7. How do you feel about what you see? How much does it concern you? How much should it concern you?

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God’s revelation of Himself

8. How does this vision declare:

God’s omnipresence?

God’s omniscience?

God’s omnipotence?

9. How does this conflict with what the world commonly says about God, on each of the three points?

10. How can these truths be compromised even in the church?

11. When have you personally been caused to doubt these attributes of God?

12. What practical benefits do these attributes of God have for us in our daily lives?

God’s relationship with us as His people

13. “God sent His prophetic word to afflict the comfortable, but He gave visions to comfort the afflicted” (Richard Phillips). How is this borne out in this text?

14. What is the essence of the comfort that the Lord gives His people in this vision?

15. Have you felt comforted by the Lord with these same truths? How can they be so comforting to us, in a world of tension & turmoil?

God’s relationship with the Angel of the Lord

16. What evidence is there in these passages that “the angel of the Lord” is no ordinary angel: Genesis 31

11-13, Exodus 3

2-6, Judges 6

21-22, 13

17-22 ?

17. If the “angel of the Lord “is divine, and yet appears in bodily form, what body could we suppose this to be?

18. If this is the case in this vision too, how does this enhance its encouragement to us?

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Sermon # 3 (6 Aug)

Zechariah 118

– 213

Vision # 2 – The 4 horns & the 4 craftsmen

Vision # 3 – The man with the measuring line

God remembers His indwelling presence

Children’s talk: I’m a man with a measuring line

Introduction

Visions upon vision

Behold, four horns!

The haughty horns & careful craftsmen (118-21)

Instruments in the hands of God

The measuring line (21-2)

Instruments in the hands of man

The city without walls (23-4)

Imagine that!

The fire around & within (25)

Immanuel is here

The commands that must be obeyed (26-13)

Exiles: “Up! Up!” (26-9

)

Returnees: “Sing and rejoice” (210-12

)

All flesh: “Be silent” (213

)

Conclusion

Behold our God

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Sermon notes


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Study # 3

Zechariah 118

– 213

Vision # 2 – The 4 horns & the 4 craftsmen

Vision # 3 – The Man with the meauring line

God remembers His indwelling presence … so what?

Aim

To appreciate the promise, pervasive plan and privilege of God dwelling in our midst .


1. What is represented by the 4 horns? (118-21

) What is represented by the 4 craftsmen? (1

20-21)

How could this relate to us, personally?

2. What is represented by the man with the measuring line? (21-2

) How could this relate to us, personally?

3. What is represented by the city without walls? (23-4

) How could this relate to us, corporately?

4. What is represented by the fire around & within? (25)

How could this relate to us, corporately?

5. What are the 3 commands that flow out of this vision? (26-13

) How could each of them relate to people in our day?


6. What in the text (Zechariah 118

-213


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God’s people as “the apple of His eye” (28)

7. Literally, the Hebrew phrase is “the pupil of His eye”. What does this convey to you about how God regards His people (and how God regards you)?

8. When you look into someone’s eye and focus on the pupil, what is it that you see? The Hebrew word for “pupil” is based on the word for “little man”. What more does this convey to you about how God regards His people? (Genesis 1

26-27 may help here.)

9. Look up the other uses of the phrase “apple of your eye” in the Bible: Deuteronomy 32

10, Psalm 17

8, Proverbs 7

2.

The context of each of these is different. What do each of them convey to you?

10. Now returning to Zechariah 28, to whom is God speaking?

Why do you think He says this to them? What application can this have for us today?

God’s indwelling presence

11. In what way does Zechariah 21-13

anticipate the incarnation? (Matthew 1

23, John 1

14, John 2


In what way could it be said that in Zechariah’s vision: “God remembers His incarnation”?


anticipate Pentecost? (John 16

7, Acts 2


In what way could it be said that in Zechariah’s vision: “God remembers His Pentecost”?


anticipate the new heavens & new earth? (Revelation 21

3-5, 22-27 (esp 25) may help here.)

In what way could it be said that in Zechariah’s vision: “God remembers His new heaven & new earth”?

14. Are there times when you struggle to appreciate God’s indwelling presence? If so, why do you think that might be?

15. What encouragement can God’s indwelling presence (now & in the future) provide to you as you walk in a world of uncertainty and oppression?

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Sermon # 4 (13 Aug)

Zechariah 3 Vision # 4 – Reclothing Joshua the high priest

God remembers His imputed righteousness Children’s talk: Really filthy clothes

Introduction

Our right-hand man

The accuser is justified

Joshua is filthy

The rebuker is justified

This is a brand plucked from the fire

The sinner is justified

Remove the filthy garments … Clothe him with pure vestments

The high priest is justified

Put a clean turban on his head

The people are justified

This is all of us

The Lord is justified

The saving Servant

The royal Branch

The priestly Stone

Conclusion

Our neighbours

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Sermon notes


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Study # 4

Zechariah 3 Vision # 4 – Reclothing Joshua the high priest

God remembers His imputed righteousness … so what?

Aim

To appreciate the depth & breadth of the righteousness imputed to us through Jesus.

Overview

1. Have a look at the structural outline of the visions on page 11. What does the position of this particular vision suggest to you about its significance?


2. In what sense is the accuser (Satan) justified? How could this relate to us, personally?

3. In what sense is the rebuker (the angel of the Lord) justified & empowered? How could this relate to us, personally?

4. In what sense is Joshua a sinner, and yet justified? What is represented by the removal of the filthy garments? What is represented by clothing him with pure vestments? How could this relate to us, personally?

5. In what additional sense is Joshua as high priest justified? What is represented by the placement of the clean turban on his head? How could this relate to us, corporately?

6. What do we mean by “imputed righteousness”? How crucial is this concept to the gospel of God’s grace? Why?


7. What in the text (Zechariah 3) particularly strikes you or intrigues you?

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The saving Servant (38)

8. Before the people were taken into exile, the prophet Isaiah had much to say about the Servant of the Lord. For instance, what does Isaiah 42

1-4 reveal about Him, and how does this

fit with what we see here in this vision?

9. What emphasis do you see in the gospels on Jesus as a Servant? (Matthew 12

17-21, 20

26-28, John 13


10. What effect can (or should or does) this have upon how we seek to live out our lives?

The royal Branch (38)

11. Isaiah & Jeremiah also spoke of the Branch. Look up Isaiah11

1-5 & Jeremiah 23

5-6, 33

14-16.

What seems to be the significance of this term in these passages? Why do you think it reappears here in Zechariah’s vision?

12. In what ways is “Branch” an appropriate term for Jesus? (Acts 13

21-23, Romans 15

12, John 15


13. What effect can (or should or does) the Kingship of Jesus have upon how we seek to live out our lives?

The priestly Stone (39)

14. Isaiah 2816-17

refers to righteousness, a plumb-line and a stone. What seems to be the connection between them (in both Isaiah and Zechariah)?

15. In what ways is Jesus described as a stone? (Matthew 21

42-44,

Acts 4

11-12, 1 Peter 2


16. What effect can (or should or does) this have upon how we seek to live out our lives?

Bringing it all together

17. Every Christian can say “my iniquity was removed in a single day”. What happened to your iniquity on that day? Why is it crucial for Jesus to be both King & Priest to accomplish this for you?

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Sermon # 5 (20 Aug)

Zechariah 4 Vision # 5 – The golden lampstand & the 2 olive trees

God remembers His outpoured Spirit Children’s talk: Cyclones, earthquakes & bushfires

Introduction

The great Awakening

The great Awakening

Seeing the lampstand & the 2 olive trees

Seeing the structure

Seeing the main point

Seeing the problem

Seeing the context

Seeing the man

Seeing the meaning at the end

The great Anointing

Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit (46)

The natural tendency

The spiritual remedy

Despising the day of small things (410)

The natural tendency

The spiritual remedy

The two anointed ones (414)

Priests & Kings - guilt & power

Conclusion

The great Anointing

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Sermon notes


31

Adult Christian Education # 1 (20 Aug)

Question time And sharing the blessing of the Lord

33

Study # 5

Zechariah 4 Vision # 5 – The golden lampstand & 2 olive trees

God remembers His outpoured Spirit … so what?

Aim

To appreciate the unusual power and transforming significance of God’s giving of His Spirit in the world, to His people, and to us in particular.

Overview

1. Have a look at the structural outline of the visions on page 11. What does the position of this particular vision suggest to you about its significance?


2. What is represented by the lampstand, with its bowl, seven lamps and seven lips? (4

2)

How could this relate to us, personally or corporately?

3. What is represented by the two olive trees, with the two pipes? (43,12

) How could this relate to us, personally or corporately?

4. What seems to be the main point of the vision, from the way in which it is presented in the text? How could this relate to us, personally or corporately?

5. What seems to be the problem being addressed in the text? How could this relate to us, personally or corporately?

6. What is represented by the two anointed ones (414

)?



34

Zerubbabel & the Spirit

Zerubbabel led the first return of exiles back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, authorised by Persian King Cyrus. Years later, a local Persian governor, Tattenai, challenged their authority to do so, and appealed to the new Persian king (Darius, who was not even a direct successor to Cyrus) to prevent their seditious work (Ezra 5

1 – 6

15). The timing of this may well coincide with this vision.

8. How would the declaration “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit” be an encouragement to the people of God at that time? What might it exhort them to do?

9. How did the outcome give testimony to the remarkable work of God’s Spirit?

10. How is this reflected in Zechariah 47-9

?

11. Have you seen seemingly insurmountable obstacles taken out of the way by the working of God’s Spirit?

Jesus Christ & the Spirit

12. What emphasis on the work of the Spirit do you see in Jesus’ life & ministry? (Matthew 3

16, 4

1, Luke 4

16-19, Romans 1

4 may help here.)

13. How is Jesus’ life & ministry the ultimate declaration of “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit”?

14. There seems to be a connection between the “seven lamps” (42) & “seven

eyes” (410

) and the “seven torches of fire” and “seven spirits” of God (Rev 4

5, 5

6). If these are references to the fullness & perfection of the Spirit,

what does this tell us about the relationship between Jesus & the Spirit?

Us & the Spirit

15. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives today? (John 14

16, 26-28, Galatians 5


16. What can we do without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit? What effect should this have upon how we think, act & pray?

17. What are some examples of “small things” that happen (often behind the scenes) in the life and growth of the church? (Matthew 10

37, 25


How does this Zechariah text encourage us to persevere in doing them?

35

Sermon # 6 (27 Aug)

Zechariah 5 Vision # 6 – The flying scroll

Vision # 7 – The woman in a basket

God remembers His separateness from sin

Children’s talk: Flying Eternity booklets and a box

Introduction

Where are we?

The flying scroll (51-4)

Sin shall be found out

There is nowhere to hide out

Sin shall be spelt out

There is nowhere to wriggle out

Sin shall be cleaned out

The woman in the basket (55-11)

Sin shall be contained

There is no way to escape

Sin shall be personalised

There is no way to remain

Sin shall be banished

Conclusion

Where are we before God?

Where are we in time?

Where are we in eternity?

36

Sermon notes


37

Study # 6

Zechariah 5 Vision # 6 – The flying scroll

Vision # 7 – The woman in a basket

God remembers His separateness from sin … so what?

Aim

To appreciate how hateful sin is to God, and the necessary and blessed consequences of that for our lives now and for all eternity.

Overview

1. Have a look at the structural outline of the visions on page 11. What does the symmetry in the structure tell you about the origin of these visions?


2. What is represented by the flying scroll? (51-4

) How could this relate to the church today?

3. What is God declaring to His people concerning the seriousness of sin?

4. What is represented by woman in the basket? (55-8

) How could this relate to the church today?

5. What is represented by the two women taking the basket to the land of Shinar? (5

9-11)

How could this relate to the church today?

6. What is God declaring to His people concerning separateness from sin?



38

God is holy

The word “holy” means set apart or separated.

8. The prophet Habakkuk rightly declares God “to be of purer eyes than to see evil, and cannot look at wrong” (Habakkuk 1

13).

What does this mean? How is this borne out in these visions of Zechariah 5?

God calls us to be holy

9. Over & over again, God calls us to be holy, because He is holy. (Leviticus 11

44-45, 19

2, 20

7, 26, 21

8, 1 Peter 1

16)

What is He calling us to be separate from? Why is this a powerful argument?

10. How is this principle being demonstrated in these visions in Zechariah 5?

11. How has God used this principle in your life?

12. What connection do you see between the woman in the basket and the woman of Revelation 17-18? Is there a sense in which each of these passages can help us understand the other? What is the response God is expecting of us in both cases?

13. The land of Shinar was in Babylon (Daniel 12), and it was where the tower of

Babel had been built (Gen 112-4

). What does this suggest about the house to be built there? What does this suggest about the end of all wickedness?

14. What encouragement has God given to you to walk in holiness?

God promises us holiness

15. Can we expect holiness to be manifest in our lives here & now? On what basis? What does Jesus have to do with this? (Romans 6


How is this somehow anticipated in our text here?

16. What does Zechariah 5 imply about a promise of holiness for His people? How can this encourage you in perseverance?

39

Sermon # 7 (3 Sept)

Zechariah 61-8

Vision # 8 – The 4 horses & chariots

God remembers His universal dominion

Children’s talk: What’s better than a rocking horse?

Introduction

Is this full circle, or what?

Understanding the vision

The dawn of a new day (61)

The mountains of majesty (61)

The impatience to go on patrol (67)

The four winds and the two ways (65-6

)

The chariots of a challenging champion (61-8

)

Underlining the conclusion

God is LORD of all the earth (65)

God’s Spirit is at rest (68)

Undertaking the application

Live in faith – not fear

Live in hope – not hate

Live in Christ – not chaos

40

Sermon notes


41

Study # 7

Zechariah 61-8

Vision # 8 – The 4 horses & chariots

God remembers His universal dominion … so what?

Aim

To appreciate how all the Scriptures testify to the universal dominion of God through Jesus Christ, and how & why God has been pleased to reveal this to us.

Overview

1. Have a look at the structural outline of the visions on page 11. Now that we have looked at all 8 visions, what does the symmetry in the structure tell you about the purpose of these visions?


2. What are the similarities between this last vison and the first vision (17-17

)?

3. What are the key differences between this last vison and the first vision? What does this tell you about the change in focus or purpose?

4. What is represented by the four chariots?

5. Where do they come from? Where are they going? What do they accomplish?

6. What is God declaring to His people concerning His universal dominion?




42

A similar vision given to Elisha’s servant (2 Kings 68-23

)

8. What did Elisha’s servant fear? What did Elisha’s servant see?

9. The Jews of Zechariah’s day would have been familiar with this account. How would it have been an encouragement to them to hear of a new vision of horses & chariots?

10. What extension is there in the vision to Zechariah which provides deeper and broader encouragement to us and all of God’s people?

A similar vision given to the apostle John (Revelation 6)

11. What similarities are there between this vision of the 7 seals and Zechariah’s vision?

12. John communicated his vision to 7 churches who represent the universal church of all the world and in all eras. This church also has the record of Zechariah’s vision. How does the later vision give greater clarity to the means by which God subdues His enemies, and the timeframe in which this occurs?

13. How do both of these visions encourage us in faith, hope and perseverance as we await the coming of Christ and the consummation of all things?

All these visions find their fulfilment in Jesus

14. Who was the only one in heaven or earth or under the earth who was worthy to open the scroll with the 7 seals? (Revelation 5) What does this indicate about His role in the going forth of the 4 horses in Revelation 6? What does this indicate about His role in the going forth of the 4 horses & chariots in Zechariah 6

1-8 ?

15. What do both visions teach us about the current status of Jesus’ universal dominion? How is this borne out in other passages in Scripture? (Ephesians 1

20-23, Colossians 2

15, 2 Corinthians 2

14 may help here.)

16. What does this mean for us now, as we live in this world where many exalt themselves against God? How does it continue to give us faith, hope and love?

43

Sermon # 8 (10 Sept)

Zechariah 69-15

Postlude to the night visions – crowning Joshua the high priest

Priest-King Perfection Children’s talk: Peanut butter or honey?

Introduction

We have a problem (not what one would expect)

The perfect crown

The plural problem

The perfect temple

The Zerubbabel problem

The perfect Messiah

The plural problem

The perfect ministry

The balance problem

The perfect church leader

The personal problem

The perfect christian

No problem!

Conclusion

Behold, the man! (not what one would expect)

44

Sermon notes


45

Study # 8

Zechariah 69-15

Postlude to the night visions – Crowning Joshua the high priest

Priest-King anticipation & arrival Aim

To appreciate how God has developed the concept of priest and king throughout the Old Testament, so as to prepare the way for the coming of His Son, and how we have the privilege of enjoying the fullness of this.

Overview

1. What are the opening words of this section? How does this parallel what we saw in the prelude to the visions (1

1-6)?

How does this differ from the typical opening words of each of the visions? How is all this reflected in the structural outline of Zechariah 1-6 on page 11?


2. What is somewhat strange & unexpected about the crowning that happens here in Zechariah 6

9-15 ?

Who would more likely have been expected to be crowned?

3. What does this crown(s) and crowning represent?

4. What is “the counsel of peace” (613

), and what is it between?

5. Why is it so essential that the offices of Priest & King are united in Jesus?

6. How is this union of the offices of priest & king reflected in the ministry of the church and all its people?




46

Anticipation of a Priest-King (Old Testament)

8. Is there any sense in which Adam in his innocence could be called both a priest and a king? (Genesis 1

26-30, 2

18-25, 3

8 may help here.)

How was this affected by his fall into sin?

9. What do we know (and don’t know) about Melchizedek, and Abram’s encounter with him, from Genesis 14

18-20 ?

How is this relevant to the topic of this study?

10. What was the essential qualification to be part of the Levitical or Aaronic priesthoods? (Numbers 1

48-53, 3

5-13, 16


Which tribe was designated to be the one from which kings would come? (Genesis 49

8-10, 2 Samuel 7

8-9,12-13- may help here.)

What does this indicate about the possibility of a priest being a king?

11. What happened when King Saul took to himself a priestly function? (1 Samuel 13

8-14)

What happened when King Uzziah took to himself a priestly function? (2 Chronicles 26

3-4, 16-21)

Why do you think God regarded this matter so seriously?

12. What hints do we find in the OT that one day the offices of priest and king will somehow come together? (Psalm 110, Isaiah 9

6, Zechariah 3,4 may help here.)

How do all the OT passages we’ve looked at in this study point to Jesus?

Arrival of the Priest-King (New Testament)

13. How does Jesus combine the offices of priest and king in Himself? How is this especially manifest in this incarnation? (Matthew 2

1-2, 11, Luke 2


How is this especially manifest in His crucifixion? (Luke 23

3, 34, John 10

17-18, 18

37, 19


How is this especially manifest in His ascension? (Acts 2

33-38, Philippians 2


14. It has been said that Hebrews 7, culminating in 81-2

is like a commentary on Zechariah 6

9-15. In what way?

15. What participation do you personally have in all of this? (Zechariah 6

15 may help here.)

16. What does all this mean you are looking forward to in glory? (Revelation 5

9-10 may help here)

47

Sermon # 9 (17 Sept)

Zechariah 7 – 8 Conclusion – What does this mean for us now?

From Fasting to Feasting Children’s talk: Breakfast – what & why?

Introduction

The question of fasting (72-3

)

The answer of politicians & prophets (74-6

, 818-19

)

Exalting the Lord

Fasting – for fortune, favour, or faithfulness?

Eating – for hunger, happiness, or health?

Working – for pay, pleasure, or performance?

Returning – who, when, why? (81-3

)

Edifying one another

Turning a blind eye, a deaf ear, a hard heart (78-14

)

Remembering His indwelling presence (83-5

)

Remembering His edifying love (89-13

)

Remembering His imparted righteousness (814-17

)

Evangelising the lost

Why will they come? (823

)

Who will come? (820-22

)

With whom will they come? (823

)

To whom will they come? (821

)

Conclusion

Taking part in the feast (819

)

Taking hold of the robe of a Jew (823

)

48

Sermon notes


49

Adult Christian Education # 2 (17 Sept)

Question time And sharing the blessing of the Lord

51

Study # 9

Zechariah 7 – 8 Conclusion – What does this mean for us now?

Fasting / Feasting now that Christ has come

Aim

To appreciate the significance of fasting & feasting now that Christ has come, and to appreciate how Zechariah 7-8 can still help us to get this right.

Overview

1. What do you notice about a similarity in the opening phrases of Zechariah 7 and Haggai 1 ? These are actually the first & last of seven date formulas in Haggai / Zechariah, a feature connecting the books in style as well as in content. See how this is all reflected in the structural outline of Haggai / Zechariah 1-8 on page 11. (Zechariah 9-14 lacks explicit dates, but the content reveals that it is set some years later after the temple is completed, and the style is different.)


2. What was the question brought by a delegation of men from Bethel? Why were they asking this question?

3. How does the Lord have Zechariah respond to this question? What was deeply confronting about this to them?

4. What is the emphasis in the first half of the response (Zechariah 7)?

5. What is the balancing emphasis in the second half (Zechariah 8)?

6. How does the response reflect our core ethos as a church: Exalting the Lord, Edifying one another, & Evangelising the lost?


7. What in the text (Zechariah 7-8) particularly strikes you or intrigues you?

52

Fasting in the NT era

“Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, ‘Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.’” (Mark 2

18-20)

8. Would you expect fasting to be more prevalent in OT times than NT times? Why?

9. What was the major emphasis in John the Baptist’s ministry of preparation for Jesus’ coming? How would this fit with the concept of fasting?

10. Would you say that “the days when the bridegroom is taken away” refer to the whole period from the crucifixion till the 2

nd coming, or to the 3 days &

nights before his resurrection? Why? What implications does this have for us now in relation to fasting?

11. Is it appropriate to fast now in this era? (Matthew 6

16-18, Acts 13

2-3, 14

23 may help here.)

How does Jesus’s presence with us transform our fasting?

12. How could we succumb to the same problem with fasting that the Lord’s people had in the days of Zechariah?

Feasting in the NT era

13. How does the feast of the Lord’s Supper have both a backward-looking focus as well as a forward-looking one?

14. How does the feast of the Lord’s Supper equip us for kingdom-building here and now?

15. How could we succumb to the same problem with feasting that the Lord’s people had in the days of Zechariah? What would we need to correct or transform our thinking?

16. What are you most looking forward to about feasting with the Lord in glory?

53

Picture credits

Front cover http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QVtPk6brgO4/THQb7tx-6RI/AAAAAAAACC8/rwMl8aaHdcg/ s1600/Steeds_of_the_Horsemen_by_EternalSoulStudios.jpg

Era (p7) http://howard-carter.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/jesus-guide-to-happiness-2-blessed-are.html

Person (p8) http://www.angelfire.com/nt/theology/15-400sy.html

Sermon 1 https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-zebras-grazing-image5854724 https://wyomingagrability.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/ag-week-appreciating-agricultural-work/

Study 1 http://www.finalevents.com/fe-scenes.asp

Sermon 2 http://susanriver.com/ https://steemit.com/literature/@unhorsepower777/ the-legend-of-the-horse-original-translation-of-filipino-fiction

Study 2 http://www.equitrekking.com/articles/entry/ arkansas-horseback-riding-pedestal-rock-ozark-national-forest/

Sermon 3 https://www.dreamstime.com/ stock-photo-happy-forest-engineer-tape-measure-forest-autumn-day-image47469059 http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3999244/ What_would_you_like_your_4_hor

Study 3 http://nightrose0087.deviantart.com/art/Sarah-s-Eye-Reflection-304931593

Sermon 4 http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/05/08/ there-s-no-excuse-for-grubby-children_n_7381970.html http://westloop-church.org/index.php/messages/new-testament/90-mark-s-gospel/ 388-filthy-clothes-to-costly-garments-mark-7-14-23

Study 4 https://www.123rf.com/photo_10042885_huge-limb-of-a-tree-in-thick-lush-jungle.html

Sermon 5 http://www.intentionalkingdomliving.com/zechariah-4/ https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/revelation/two-witnesses/

Study 5 http://vdsmaza.co/movie-video/The-Gospel-By-The-Prophet-Zechariah

Sermon 6 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2509352/posts http://doctorwoodhead.com/god-will-rid-the-world-of-sin/

Study 6 http://www.theomegadays.net/topics/lament_pharaoh.htm

Sermon 7 http://www.seekjoyphotography.com/greenville-child-photographer-frazier-kids/ http://www.mannaforthemorning.com/art-store

Study 7 http://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/latest/classical-music-inspired-fire/dies-irae/

Sermon 8 http://www.thebeginwithinblog.com/2010/12/peanut-butter/ http://www.chicagointernalcleansing.com/the-magical-health-benefits-of-honey/ http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Peanut-Butter-and-Honey-Sandwich

Study 8 https://www.hotdiamonds.co.uk/eternity-silver-18ct-rose-godl-vermeil-interlocking-ring

Sermon 9 http://www.mysavvyshopper.com.au/deal/kellogg%E2%80%99s- nutri-grain-rice-bubbles-crunchy-nut-coco-pops-or-sultana-bran-450-730g-selected http://www.kelloggs.co.nz/en_NZ/rice-bubbles-product.html http://www.santosaphuket.com/fasting-water-vs-dry/

Study 9 http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/ 10-things-you-should-know-about-the-lord-s-supper-from-1-corinthians.html

ACE 1 http://en.hdyo.org/tee/questions http://www.denovarti.com/2014/01/twitter-misconceptions

ACE 2 http://www.financialcopilot.com/sharing-your-vision-with-contractors/ http://all4him.co/2014/01/22/warrior-bride-set-free-from-self-imprisonment/

Back cover https://twitter.com/ag_usa/status/667177182708404225

Book references

Duguid, Iain M Study Commentary on Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (Evangelical Press, 2010)

Gregory, Bryan R Longing for God in an age of discouragement (P&R Publishing, 2010)

Moore, Thomas V Geneva series of Commentaries: Zechariah (original 1856) (Banner of Truth, 1958)

Phillips, Richard D Reformed Expository Commentary: Zechariah (P&R Publishing, 2007)

Scripture references

The Holy Bible English Standard Version (ESV) (Crossway, Good News Publishers, 2001)

54

“Thus says the LORD: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain.”

Zechariah 83

“Fear not, but let your hands be strong.”

Zechariah 813b

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”

Zechariah 823

55

W CWestminster Presbyterian Church

Belconnen

1-7-2017

cnr Templeton St & Rowan St, Cook Canberra ACT Australia

SONdays 9:30am & 6:30pm

wpcb.org.au

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