ZEPHANIAH 3:1-2 Examine Thyself!

TOPIC: Apostasy; Self-examination

TITLE: Examine Thyself!
TEXT: Zephaniah 3:1-2

“Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, The tyrannical city! She heeded no voice; She accepted no instruction. She did not trust in the LORD; She did not draw near to her God.”

CONTEXT: After the reigns of David and Solomon, the nation Israel fell into a declining spiral of arrogance, apostasy, intrigue, idolatry, collapse, lamentation, searching, revival, and restoration … only to repeat the process.

Verse 1 says they had become an oppressive, rebellious, and defiled (blood-stained) society [the Hebrew says: filthy and polluted].

In verses1-5, Israel is judged according to the privilege granted her … as are all nation before and since. Her ruling classes had rejected any critique of their behavior or beliefs.

Israel trusted in her wealth, her military, and her alliances.

In verses 2:1-3:8, we see the earth and all her nations judged according to her privilege.

The verbs in verse 2 are participles, and carry the sense of present and continuous practice.

TRUTH CLAIM:

"Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, 'I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now My eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.'"

2 Chronicles 7:12-16

The value of Zephaniah for the church is prophetic ... remember - God is unchanging (immutable)!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What does God hate to find in his people ... what really grieves Him?
CONCISE OUTLINE:
Each of the following phrases is negative …

I. He hates to find a people who will not listen!
II. He hates to find a people who will not learn!
III. He hates to find a people without an eternal foundation!
IV. He hates to find a people who do not fear Him!

Notice the first two are indicative of Israel’s stubbornness; while in the second two the Hebrew is reverse, implying a particular kind of rebellion.

The ultimate question is “Will any nation which behaves in this way survive God’s wrath!” But today's question is simply -

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What does God hate to find in his people ... what really grieves Him?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:
I. He hates to find a people who will not listen!

Who are independent and self-reliant; who have misunderstood His blessings as a sign of their own cleverness!

Israel was that kind of people!

Consider our present post-Christian Era.

II. He hates to find a people who will not learn!

Who have no desire to learn or grow.

Israel was that kind of people! Refusing the Lord’s discipline!

Consider our present post-Christian Era.

III. He hates to find a people without an eternal foundation!

Who have a foundation of sand, who are not built upon The Rock. [Matthew 7:24-27]

Israel was that kind of people!

Consider our present post-Christian Era.

IV. He hates to find a people who do not fear Him!

Who will not draw near to Him in awe and reverence!

Who will not humble themselves before their Creator.

Israel was that kind of people!

Involves the acts of worship and service, prayer and praise.

They took the Lord's name in vain … in an irreverent or dishonoring way.

Consider our present post-Christian Era.

APPLICATION: Israel, especially her leaders, didn’t see the relationship between their current problems and God’s displeasure … thus they did not see their actions or philosophies as sin. Kind of like a pharaoh who did not know Joseph [Exodus 1:8].

Why? Because ...

“[the righteous man’s] delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

Psalms 1:2

... and ours is not! No wonder our righteousness is like a filthy rag.

The leaders of Israel were not God-fearers. Only in name! A violation of the commandment not to take the name of God in vain.

I personally fear Western Civilization (and most of the church) has fallen into a declining spiral just as Israel did … I fear she –

1) no longer heeds the voice of God or anyone else; heeding only its own voice

2) is no longer educable in the sense of receiving instruction

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:17

God’s word has become anathema to them.

3) no longer has a rock foundation ...

You see we’ve always known that we can’t expect every American to have saving or even living faith in God; but if the nation herself, meaning the majority of the people and the “ruling class,” were to have a solid moral and God fearing foundation … well??)

4) no longer fears God or even accepts His existence, and will not draw near to Him.

It can be said: “Any ship of state manned by a blind crew will certainly end up on the rocks but not on the Rock.” [quote me on that]

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

James 4:8

CHALLENGE: We must focus on things above, not on things of this world.

The final discipline of God, the one which has brought the true promise of peace to all men, fell on the shoulders of the Lamb of God, His “suffering servant” our Savior.

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5

Apostasy, Christianity, Expository,
Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching,
Sermons, Zephaniah

ZECHARIAH 4:10 - Great Things Come in Very Small Packages!

TOPIC: Christmas; Attributes (of God), Nature (of God), Temple (construction)

TITLE: GREAT THINGS COME IN VERY SMALL PACKAGES - The Great Temple of God Began with a Baby! [Adapted from Chas. Haddon Spurgeon’s Morning & Evening Devotional; November 26, “Evening”]
TEXT: Zechariah 4:10 (8-10) [Companion reading Isaiah 9:6]

“For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet, in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” [KJV]

"For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumbline in the hand of Zerubbabel – these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth." [NAS]

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What do we find for ourselves in our verse?
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. WE FIND THERE IS COMFORT AND HOPE HERE
II. WE FIND THERE IS CERTAINTY AND SECURITY HERE
III. WE FIND THERE IS PATIENCE AND PERFECTION HERE

TRUTH/CONTEXT: Small progress marked the beginning of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem by the hand of Zerubbabel; but none should despise it then or now, for God had raised up and will raise up one who will persevere until the headstone is brought forth with shouting. The plumbline was in good hands.

“'For behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave an inscription on it,' declares the LORD of hosts, 'and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.'”

Zechariah 3:9

So different are men and Jehovah: God regards highly the inicio pequeño (Sp. small beginnings) of His work (Ezra 3:12 priests and Levites wept at the start of the new temple; Haggai 2:3, Haggai condemns those who compare the new temple to the old); men impatiently covet the turnkey, and despise the early work. God, it says in the Hebrew, “rejoicingly” regards it, and shall continue to do so to the end.

Wasn’t the work begun in you a small thing for God to begin?

For man the issue is significance … so often we only see what is big in our eyes. Why do so many clamor for entertainment and community rather than worship and relationship?

Significance is the answer! Some see Christianity as significant only to the extent it is a means to a temporal and social end; she is, however, significant only as a means to an eternal end.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What do we find for ourselves in our verse?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

I. WE FIND THERE IS COMFORT AND HOPE US HERE

A. Here is every believer’s comfort … rejoice that His work of grace (be it oh so small at first) was begun at all.

B. Isn't the plumbline held by the very best hand? The hand of The Master Builder? Will you not be plumb and square when His is finished with you?

C. One greater than Solomon has taken up the building of His eternal temple, and He shall won't fail nor be discouraged until the last living stone is set in the wall.

"And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

1 Peter 2:4-5

[CHEOPS] It is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the World still standing today. It has four anchoring cornerstones and a chief cornerstone at its peak.

Is God’s eternal temple not greater than the Great Pyramid of Khufu. Is Christ Himself not the Chief Cornerstone?

II. WE FIND THERE IS CERTAINTY AND SECURITY FOR US HERE

A. If the plumb were in the hand of any human, we might be justified in fearing for God’s Temple. But the eternal work of the Christ prospers in His hand.

"Thus He showed me, and behold, the Lord was standing by a vertical wall with a plumb line in His hand. The LORD said to me, 'What do you see, Amos?' And I said, 'A plumb line.' Then the Lord said, 'Behold I am about to put a plumb line In the midst of My people Israel. I will spare them no longer.'”

Amos 7:7-8

B. His work didn't and doesn't proceed irregularly, or without skill. Because the Master's hand wields a divine instrument, an eternal blueprint was laid out, and the work will continue to the end. And, it is a step-by-step, patient effort, for …

"We’re His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so we’d walk in them."

Ephesians 2:10

C. If walls were run up without professional oversight, we might expect them to be out of plumb; but this plumbline was dropped from heaven above, there is no truer plumb than the one in Father’s hand.

[FREE HOUSE] Would you like a contractor to tell you he’ll build you a new home free of charge? The only catch is you must live in it for all eternity. Would you trust it or him?

D. Jesus oversees the construction of His spiritual temple so that it is built securely, well, and forever! His eyes are on it.

III. WE FIND THERE IS PATIENCE AND PERFECTION FOR US HERE

A. Man rushes about and seeks profit in all his labors; Jesus is patient and equitable. He will use His plumbline on us; that which is found out of plumb will be torn down, every stone of it.

B. Thus the failure of so many flattering works and the uprooting of so many glamorous enterprises and organizations. Likewise the lives of so many skilled and gifted men and women.

C. It isn’t our job to judge the Lord's church, since Jesus has a steady hand, and a true eye, and can use the plumbline perfectly. Shouldn’t we rejoice to see judgment left to him?

D. The plumbline is in active use in our passage - it was in the builder's hand; a sure indication he intends to push forward to completion.

E. Consider this …

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:6

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Oh Jesus, how blessed we would be if we could just get a vision of You at Your great work each and every Christmas and not get lost in the things of Christmas.

Oh Jerusalem, that beautiful city of God, her walls remain in ruin! Rise up, oh rise up, You King of kings and Lord of lords, Oh Glorious Builder, and build Your Bride, a small thing in our sight, but a great thing in Yours ... Oh the rejoicing at Your coming.

Oh sheep of His pasture, see with eyes that see, the day of the small things is not just rebuilding the earthly temple, it is the continued building of God’s heavenly Temple. It was begun by a baby but it was finished by the God-man Jesus Christ. [John 19:30]

• God is the one who began all creation with a small word, “Let there be!” [one word in Hebrew]
  
• It is He who made the human race from dust; then began over with eight people
• He who began the languages of the earth with a single tongue
• He who slew Goliath with a single stone
• Who raised Joseph from his prison, David from the sheepfold, Daniel and Jeremiah from their pits
• Who stopped Balaam with a lowly ass
• Who raised up “the greatest born of a woman” as His forerunner
• Who turned the world upside down with fishermen, a tax collector, sinners, and a Sadducee-tentmaker
• Who Himself was first a carpenter
  
• Who asked us, “Would you be great? Then become least.”

Doesn't it make perfect sense that the God of the heavenly Temple would use a small thing (such as the baby Jesus) to save the world from its sins?

Christianity, Christmas, Expository,
Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching,
Sermons, Spurgeon, Zechariah

MALACHI 3:8-11 Biggest, meanest thief in the world!

EDITOR: This is a somewhat lengthy message on an extremely critical biblical subject.

TOPIC: Tithing; Hypocrisy

TITLE: BIGGEST, MEANEST THIEF IN THE WORLD - Exposé on a 21st Century Holy Pickpocket!
TEXT: MALACHI 3:8-11

"Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings."

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What does Scripture teach about tithes and offerings?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. SCRIPTURE TEACHES US WHY WE SHOULD GIVE!
II. SCRIPTURE TEACHES US HOW WE SHOULD GIVE!

TRUTH CLAIM/CONTEXT: In their neglect of the Temple service the Jews were guilty of what those worshiping idols considered sacrilege; even a pagan would not shortchange the required offering. [Gill]

It's doubtful God would build a nation, a church, a people, or a life which offends Him in such a fundamental manner!

Tithes and offerings are not just a duty; they are each an expression and an indication: - an expression of our love returned, an indication of our faith!

Who is "the biggest, meanest crook in the world?"

Enron's Jeffrey Skilling and Kenneth Lay?
Tyco's Dennis Kozlowski?
ORU's Robert Roberts?
Carlton Pearson or Earl Paulk?
Lincoln Saving's & Loan's Charles Keating?
Saddam Hussein?
US Congress?
Louisiana Politicos?
The IRS?

Robert Sumner said the Biggest & Meanest Crook In the World is the one who steals from God! Christians stealing from God is like an inmate stealing from his cell-mate during a lockdown.

One is left in breathless amazement at those who claim the blood of the Lamb yet steal from The Great Shepherd.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What does Scripture teach about tithes and offerings?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. SCRIPTURE TEACHES US WHY WE SHOULD GIVE!

A. Because God Tells Us To!

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house."

Malachi 3:10

[PERCENTAGES] Some are like the tenant farmer’s 90% corn crop. He agreed with his master that 10% belonged to the owner ... but no matter how he planted every harvest only 90% came in; he never did have a season with a 100% crop!

B. Because It's A Testimony To The World!

[DUPLICITY] I recall a couple in a small church who decided they could drive out a pastor they did not agree with through backbiting and tale-bearing, and by getting others to join them in withholding their tithes and offerings.

Not only did they fail to drive out the pastor, but they brought shame and reproach on the church and the name of the Lord as word spread that the church was not able to pay its bills.

And the contra of this is true! You cannot out give God!

C. Because It's Not About You!

"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things."

Acts 17:24-25

"... the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

Ephesians 4:16

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house ..."

Malachi 3:10

It is about the greater good of the body through obedience!

D. Because It's For The Cause!

Remember, the real point of the "fishes & loaves" feeding of the thousands was the miracle of God creating much from little.

II. SCRIPTURE TEACHES US HOW WE SHOULD GIVE!

A. With The Right Attitude!

1.) Humbly!

Jesus said,

"But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you."

Matthew 6:3-4

2.) Faithfully!

"But he who doubts is condemned ... for whatever is not from faith is sin."

Romans 14:23

"Therefore, to the one who knows the right thing to do and does it not, to that one it is sin."

James 4:17

3.) Lovingly!

Giving is another of those outward expressions of an inward reality! What you give demonstrates how much or how little you love the One who loves you!

[INCOME] Try dividing your annual current tithe by your annual income (that's line 7 on your IRS Form 1040). How loving are you?

4.) Expectantly!

We must give and not expect anything in return; for a return is made on investments; tithes and offerings are not investments ... they are by their very nature - gifts!

Yet we can, without manipulating God, give expectantly.

"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

"Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed ... "

2 Corinthians 9:7, 8

5.) Liberally!

[CHURCH] A man's son opens a sidewalk lemon stand: his father is buying a lemonade and offers his son a dime! His son looks at the dime and then at his dad and says , "Dad!!!! This is business not church!"

"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

Luke 6:38

“'And try Me now in this,' says the LORD of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.'”

Malachi 3:10b-11

B. With Deliberateness!

1.) Regularly!

"On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside..."

1 Corinthians 16:2

2.) Proportionally!

"On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come."

1 Corinthians 16:2

[PEARLS] I read of one lady who told her pastor that just as soon as things get better she's start tithing. He replied, "No, Pearl, you won't!" "I beg your pardon!" She huffed. "Pearl, if you won't give a dime off of dollar you sure won't give $100 off of a $1,000."

A man who makes $100,000 tithes $10,000, then lives on the $90,000 is not to be admired for the size of his gift! More the widow who on her fixed income of $5,400 tithes $540, then lives on her $4,860.

C. And with fear and trembling!

In Acts chapter five we are told of two hypocrites, Ananias and his wife Sapphira, who withheld a portion of their offering from God. Their sentence was death.

Those who chose to withhold what is God's and not their own are likewise deserving of death!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: One problem some have is that they think they can't give enough to do any good. But that is not the point! Give what you can while you can and God will show you how to give your tenth.

Others think they can't get by on 9/10. Let me tell you that you can live better on 9/10 than 10/10 when God's your bookkeeper! My wife and I know this to be true!

Try stealing from your neighbor! See if he still loves you! Better yet sneak into your father's house and steal something!

Only when the people of God reach that point in their stewardship that they understand the principle of giving as ordained will they ever hear the sound of "the windows of heaven" opening wide on their golden tracks!

A man's heart and his treasure are revealing companions!

Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Hypocrisy, Malachi, Offerings, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons, Tithing

MALACHI: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

3:8-11

BIGGEST, MEANEST THIEF IN THE WORLD - Expose on 21st Century Holy Pickpockets!

quick link to MALACHI: Seed Archive

Homiletics, Malachi, Preaching,
Sermons, Sermon Series

ZECHARIAH: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

4:10

GREAT THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES - The Great Temple of God Began with a Baby!

quick link to ZECHARIAH: Seed Archive

Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching,
Sermons, Zechariah

HAGGAI: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

Haggai 1:4

STEWARDSHIP - Good Stewards Demonstrate Good Stewardship!

quick link to HAGGAI: Seed Archive (INACTIVE AT THIS TIME)

Haggai, Homiletics, Preaching,
Sermons, Sermon Series

ZEPHANIAH: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

3:1-2

EXAMINE THYSELF - A Case for the Decline of Western Civilization!

QUICK LINK: ZEPHANIAH: Seed Archive

Apostasy, Homiletics, Preaching,
Sermons, Sermon Series, Zephaniah

JOEL: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne (FBC/LV) in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

2:13 (& Exodus 28:38)

UNHOLY THINGS & RENT HEARTS – God’s Perspective on Worship!

CrossLinked: Spurgeon's Morning & Evening Proclaimed Series ("Morning & Evening": January 8 "Morning" / December 28 "Morning")

Exodus, Homiletics, Joel, Preaching, Sermons

AMOS - Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

8:11-12

FAMINE OF THE HEARD WORD – Not of Eating or Drinking!

TAGS: Amos, Homiletics,
Preaching, Sermon