Zechariah 1:1-3

 

Zechariah 1:1-3

Turn Unto Me, Saith the Lord of Hosts

 

Zec 1:1  In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, 

Zec 1:2  The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers. 

Zec 1:3  Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. 

1. Zechariah Identifies the Date and Authorship of His Book – vs. 1*
1. This book was written in November of 520BC, coupled with Haggai it is one of the final warnings given to the Israelites. There would be one more final warning about 400 years before the birth of Christ and that would be Malachi.

                                               i.     Haggai 1:1 

2. This book is authored by God and recorded by Zechariah.

                                               i.     Zechariah was a descendant of a prophet

1.     2 Chronicles 9:29 

                                             ii.     Zechariah would later be killed by his audience in response to his prophesy.

1.     Matthew 23:31-36 

2. God Hates Sin and will Punish the Sinner. – vs. 2*
1. God Hates You. God Hated Your Fathers

                                               i.     Tradition, no matter how great it is, is flawed. Tradition is created by men that are under the wrath of God. No amount of religious effort can save you. Your very nature is wicked. There is absolutely no hope in man or in what man can produce.

1.     Ephesians 2:1-3 

2.     1 Peter 1:16-19 

3. God Loves You and Longs to Invite You Into His Trinitarian Fellowship, if You Will Only Turn to Him. – vs. 3*
1. The Triune God invites us to come into His fellowship, and lay down our rebellion. – vs. 3

                                               i.     While it is true that God hates sin and sinners, that is not the complete truth. God is not only a judge, but He is love. He can love us because Christ made satisfaction for our sins.

1.     John 3:16 

                                             ii.     The Lord of Hosts longs to have fellowship with you and has paid the price so that we can achieve that. He begs you to not harden your heart but come into His eternal rest.

1.     Hebrews 3:7-14 

                                           iii.     The book of Zechariah is a plea to the Jewish people to come to Christ. It is a plea to us to come into the beautiful fellowship with Son, Spirit and Father, and experience the love of God and not His wrath. This book is filled with beautiful imagery of the trinity and His love for you.

1.     John 15:5-11 

Joel Beeke | TMS Chapel | Developing Private Prayer in Ministry - Isaiah...

Some Wonderful thoughts on prayer...

5 Pillars of Biblical Masculinity: Nick Freitas' Message to Christian Men

Shocking Admission by a Catholic Priest

H.B. Charles Jr. Preaches on Psalm 2 at NRB's Proclaim 19 Convention

Wow just great...

Eastern Orthodoxy: Why Are Young People Converting?

A great response to a growing concern. One that I have had for sometime...

Ephesians 6:21-24

 

Ephesians 6:21-24

Stay in Love with Jesus!

 

Eph 6:21  But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: 

Eph 6:22  Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. 

Eph 6:23  Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Eph 6:24  Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

 

           1.     Stay in Love with Jesus – vs. 21-22*

a.      Learn about what Jesus is doing in the lives of fellow Christians – vs. 21a*

                                               i.     Philippians 1:12-14 

b.     Learn about the faith of men and women in ministry – vs. 21b*

                                               i.     Hebrews 11:33-40 

c.      Learn the details of their stories of faith – vs. 21c*

                                               i.     1 Corinthians 4:11-17 

d.     Learn from people who are in current full-time Christian service – vs. 22a*

                                               i.     Ephesians 3:13; Colossians 1:24 

e.      Learn how these people can comfort your heart – vs. 22b*

                                               i.     Tychicus was also to share about Paul’s ministry in Colossi as well

1.     Colossians 4:7-8 

          2.     Stay in Love with What Jesus is Doing – vs. 23*

a.      God the Father sent Jesus on a mission – vs. 23b*

                                               i.     John 3:16-17 

b.     To teach love through faith – vs. 23c*

                                               i.     Romans 5:1-5 

c.      Which brings true and lasting peace among brothers and sisters in Christ – vs. 23a*

                                               i.     Ephesians 2:13-17 

          3.     Stay in Love with a Pure Heart – vs. 24*

a.      The grace of God flows from a pure heart that is in love with Jesus

                                               i.     1 Timothy 1:5

 

Only Christianity Prospers Culture and Civilization | Voddie Baucham | O...

Great discussion. So sad to see Voddie gone but thankful he is with the Lord...

Ephesians 6:19-20

 

Ephesians 6:19-20

Pray for Boldness

 

Eph 6:19  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 

Eph 6:20  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

               ·       The Apostle Paul’s Prayer Request:

              1.     Pray for Me that the Word Be Given to Me – vs. 19a*

a.      Pray that word of God be not hindered - 2 Thessalonians 3:1 

b.     Pray that the Word of God be not hindered - John 1:1-5 

              2.     Pray for Me that I May Speak Unapologetically – vs. 19b*

a.      When we pray for boldness, the Holy Spirit comes with power

                                               i.     Acts 4:29-31 

             3.     Pray for Me to Preach the Gospel Clearly – vs. 19c*

a.      The Gospel is about how Jesus is God - 1 Timothy 3:16 

b.     The Gospel is hidden to the lost - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 

c.      The Gospel is about living with Jesus - Galatians 2:20 

d.     The Gospel is about the abolishment of death - 2 Timothy 1:10 

e.      The Gospel must be preached - Romans 10:13-17 

            4.     Pray for Me to Remember Who I Suffer for – vs. 20a*

a.      Paul doesn’t ask them to pray for him to be released

                                               i.     Colossians 4:3-4 

b.     Paul was suffering as a common criminal

                                               i.     2 Timothy 2:9 

c.      Paul was prepared for death - Philippians 1:19-24 

d.     Paul wants to suffer with Jesus - Philippians 3:10-11

              5.     Pray for Me to Not Shrink in Fear When I am Faced with Opposition – vs. 20b*

a.      Paul would later remind the Ephesian church why he was suffering, when preparing to leave on his final trip to Rome

                                               i.     Acts 20:21-28 

            6.     Pray for Me Preach the Gospel in Obedience to the One Who Commissions Me – vs. 20c*

a.      Jesus sends you to share the gospel - Matthew 28:19-20 

b.     The harvest is ready, and the laborers are few - Matthew 9:37-38 

c.      Woe, unto those who do not obey - 1 Corinthians 9:16 

d.     You are the watchman - Ezekiel 3:17-19 

Ephesians 6:18

 

Ephesians 6:18

Pray Always!

Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

         1.      Do Everything with Prayer

a.      Pray in faith - 1 Timothy 2:8 

b.      Pray in secret - Matthew 6:6 

c.      Pray with the Church - Acts 2:42 

d.      Pray in God’s house - Mark 11:17 

e.      Pray for government leaders - 1 Timothy 2:1-2 

f.      Pray as we draw near to the end of time - Luke 21:36 

         2.      Pray for Your Needs

a.      Pray for your deliverance - Psalm 34:6 

b.      Pray for your strength - Psalm 138:3 

c.      Pray for God’s Kingdom to come - Matthew 6:9-10 

d.      Pray for your daily needs to be met - Matthew 6:11 

e.      Pray for your sins to be forgiven - Matthew 6:12 

f.      Pray for deliverance from evil - Matthew 6:13 

         3.      Pray in the Spirit

a.      Praying in the Spirit means you have faith in the Trinity

                                               i.     1 Corinthians 12:3; Ephesians 2:18 

b.      Praying in the Spirit means you have a proper reliance upon God - Philippians 3:3 

c.      Praying in the Spirit builds our faith - Jude 1:20 

d.      Praying in the Spirit means you are not praying alone - Romans 8:26-27 

        4.      Pray Watchfully

a.      Be vigilant in your prayer life - Colossians 4:2 

b.      Be enduring in your prayer life - Matthew 26:40-41 

c.      Be sober in your prayer life - 1 Peter 4:7   

        5.      Pray Continuously

a.      Always be quick to pray - Romans 12:12   

b.      Never quit praying - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 

c.      Be persistent in prayer - Luke 18:1; Luke 18:7-8 

d.      Be rhythmic in prayer - Psalm 55:16-18 

        6.      Pray for the Needs of Your Fellow Christians

a.      Not praying for the needs of others can be a sin - 1 Samuel 12:23 

b.      Praying for the needs of others brings peace to your soul - Philippians 4:6-7 

c.      Praying for the needs of others brings a clear conscience - 2 Timothy 1:3 

d.      Praying for the needs of others enables them to glorify God through good works

                                               i.     2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 

e.      Praying for the needs of others is a duty of the Church - James 5:13-16 

f.        Praying for the needs of others is to follow the example of Jesus - John 17:9 

I Warned You This Would Happen - Konstantin Kisin

To my fellow conservative brothers in arms: I know that in the wake of Charlie Kirk's martyrdom there are many that are naturally upset. Use that righteous anger to motivate change, do not descend to the tactics of the left. Remember God says: 

Rom 12:17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 

Rom 12:18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 

Rom 12:19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 

Rom 12:20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 

Rom 12:21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Charlie Kirk would never approve of vigilante justice. We overcome evil with good...

Below are some great thoughts...

Victor Davis Hanson "Unfiltered Rhetoric and Lax Justice Led to the Assa...

There is a lot that the left has to answer for unfiltered rhetoric. We must be careful what we call people because there are those out there that might feel compelled to act on our language. Always be clear that violence is not the answer to political discourse. It is so unfortunate that a young man truly believed he was stopping Nazis by killing a Christian preaching the gospel. We are better than this...

Ephesians 6:17b

 

Ephesians 6:17b

Take Up the Sword of the Spirit!

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

            1.     Take Up the Sword of the Spirit

a.     The Spirit arms us with the Word of God - John 14:17 

b.     The Spirit teaches us the true meaning of the Word of God

                                               i.     John 16:13 

c.     It is a Spiritual war in which we are engaged - 1 Corinthians 2:8-16 

d.     Spiritual weapons are needed for the fight - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

           2.     Which is the Word of God

a.     The Bible is given to us by God - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 

b.     The Bible was written by men who were moved by the Holy Spirit

                                               i.     2 Peter 1:19-21 

c.     The Bible opens our eyes to the Truth - Psalm 19:7-8 

d.     The Bible is not to be messed with

                                               i.     Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19 

e.     The Bible pierces the intentions of our hearts - Hebrews 4:12 

f.      The Bible is not going to be rendered useless - Isaiah 55:11 

g.     The Bible is accurate down every word - Proverbs 30:5-6 

h.     The Bible is perfectly preserved

                                               i.     Matthew 5:18; Psalm 12:6-7 

i.      The Bible will be rejected by unbelievers - John 8:47 

j.      The Bible gives us faith - Romans 10:17 

k.     The Bible matures us - 1 Peter 2:2 

l.      The Bible sanctifies us - John 17:17 

m.   The Bible purifies us - Psalm 119:9 

n.     The Bible must be diligently studied - 2 Timothy 2:15 

o.     The Bible must be preached - 2 Timothy 4:2 

p.     The Bible is the foundation upon which the Church is built - Ephesians 2:19-20 

q.     The Bible blesses us when we listen to it - Luke 11:28 

r.      The Bible is a light to our feet - Psalm 119:105 

s.      The Bible gives us comfort and hope - Romans 15:4 

t.      The Bible sustains us through tough times - Psalm 119:92