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Sermon 04 Zechariah 3:1-10 THE CHURCH WITH EMPOWERED PEOPLE Model and Mother Church Series: 4 of 11 Zechariah 3:1-10 Zechariah 3 (NIV) 1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. 2 The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. 4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” 5 Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the LORD stood by. 6 The angel of the LORD gave this charge to Joshua: 7 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here. 8 “ ‘Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. 9 See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day. 10 “ ‘In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” INTRODUCTION Last week, we preached about the first DNA of God’s Church – “The Church Without Walls” which means the Church with Unlimited Potential because God’s favour is upon His people. Today, we are going to understand from the book of Zechariah the second DNA of God’s Church – “The Church With Empowered People”. God’s Church is His People. We know in any organisational leadership – the rise and fall of any organisational rests on its people. It is not dependent on how much money the organisation has, how great is the history or track record, how great is the current organisation…… but it is dependent on the quality of people and leaders it has. Hope Kuala Lumpur Page 1 Sermon 04 Zechariah 3:1-10 Listen to this quote about the importance of people in any organisation by John Maxwell:People are an organization's only appreciable asset – John Maxwell Similar to the church, the Church of Jesus Christ needs quality people who can live according to God’s Words and His Ways. Today, we are going to go through the 4th out of 8 visions received by Zechariah in a single night (Zechariah 1:7 – 6:8). 1. The Horseman Among the Myrtle Trees (Zechariah 1:7-17) 2. The Four Horns and Four Craftsmen (Zechariah 1:18-21) 3. The Man with the Measuring Line (Zechariah 2:1-13) 4. The Cleansing for Joshua, the High Priest (Zechariah 3:1-10) 5. The Golden Lampstand and Two Olive Tress (Zechariah 4:1-14) 6. The Flying Scroll (Zechariah 5:1-4) 7. The Woman in the Basket (Zechariah 5:5-11) 8. The Four Chariots (Zechariah 6:1-8) From this vision, we are going to hear the 2nd DNA of God’s Church – The Importance of God’s People and What God is going to do in order to make His Church strong. KEY VERSE Zechariah 3:2 (NIV) 2 The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” Through God’s grace and Sovereign will, he has chosen us! By God’s grace, we are all redeemed from the gates of hell (burning stick snatched from fire) and qualified by God to dwell in his presence and minister before Him. The Devil’s work to kill, steal and destroy is totally destroyed by God. The Devil can no longer accuse us. Instead, we are the people empowered by God! CONTENTS Vision 4: The Cleansing for the High Priest (Zechariah 3:1-10) In the 4th vision, Zechariah saw Joshua, the high priest, dressed in filthy clothes and standing before the angel of the Lord with Satan standing beside and accusing him. The Lord came into the vision and rebuked Satan saying that He has chosen Jerusalem and rescued Joshua from the fire. As we have mentioned earlier, the success any organization or church depends on God and His people. Even Satan realized the importance of God’s people in God’s Hope Kuala Lumpur Page 2 Sermon 04 Zechariah 3:1-10 Kingdom. That’s why, Satan tried to destroy the confidence of Joshua the high priest (who represents God’s people) by accusing him and claiming that Joshua is not qualified to be the high priest because of his impurity and sinful state (represented by Joshua dressing in filthy clothes). The role of the high priest is very important because he represents God’s people before God. For example the high priest represents the entire nation of Israel on the Day of Atonement (cf. Lev. 16:1-10). Satan accused Joshua and the Israelites by saying “How can a holy God accept and bless a filthy and sinful nation like Israel?” If the high priest could not minister before God, the future of Israel and his people will be totally destroyed because they can no longer experience God’s presence. Brothers and sisters, Satan always try to destroy God’s Church by destroying the confidence of God’s people. Satan knows that if God’s people is weak and has low confidence, God’s Church will be weak and not able to function according to God’s purposes. Satan always tries to sow seeds of doubt to tear down the confidence of God’s people. Let us listen to God’s words and His assurance rather than listen to Satan’s accusations and lies. Here are some areas why God’s Church will be strong:- 1. Don’t Feel Condemned and Rise Up (v.2 - 5) Zechariah 3:1-5 (NIV) The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. 4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” 5 Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the LORD stood by. 2 Rise Up God’s people! We are God’s Empowered People! We don’t have to feel condemn to come before the Lord and minister to Him and His people. Even though we are sinful and not qualified to minister before God, God has qualified us to minister before Him. The Lord rebuked Satan and proceeded to acquit Joshua, not because Satan’s accusations were false, but because of God’s gracious love for and choice of His people Israel. In fact, Satan is right with his accusations technically because many priests under Joshua were involved in unrighteous relationships because they have Hope Kuala Lumpur Page 3 Sermon 04 Zechariah 3:1-10 married foreign wives. Marrying foreign wives (marrying non Israelites is forbidden by God during that time) Ezra 10:18–19 (NIV) 18 Among the descendants of the priests, the following had married foreign women: From the descendants of Joshua son of Jozadak, and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib and Gedaliah. 19 (They all gave their hands in pledge to put away their wives, and for their guilt they each presented a ram from the flock as a guilt offering.) However, God rebuked the accusations hurled by Satan and said “He has chosen Jerusalem by His Sovereign choice despite Jerusalem’s shortcomings” God has “snatched Joshua from fire” and qualified him through His Sovereign choice and grace. Besides that, the angel of the Lord instructed Joshua’s filthy clothes to be taken off and be replaced with fine and clean garments. This signifies God has taken the sin away from His people and replace with His righteousness. A clean turban was given to Joshua signifying that he is appointed to be the high priest and the sacrificial system is restored in Jerusalem. As a result, all priests and God’s people able to draw near to God. There will be tremendous rejoicing. God has taken away our sins and qualify us to minister before Him. We are qualified not because of our merit. In fact, if it is based on our own merits, all of us will fail like Joshua who is not qualified to minister before God technically. But in Romans 8:33, no one can condemn and charge us when God has chosen and qualified us! God had qualified us through the work of Jesus Christ who has set us free from the law of sin and death. Like Joshua the high priest, we too are snatched from the fire because of God’s grace. Romans 8:33 (NIV) 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:1–2 (NIV) 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Dear brothers and sisters, don’t feel condemned and rise up and answer God’s call! In 1 Peter 2:9-10…. We are chosen by Him – to be God’s people to fulfill His purposes Qualified to be his royal priesthood – to minister before God and the people Cleansed to be a Holy Nation – that we have a new heart and we no longer need to fell condemn Called by His grace to be God’s special possession & His people – God’s favour will be upon us. We are called His children. Hope Kuala Lumpur Page 4 Sermon 04 Zechariah 3:1-10 1 Peter 2:9–10 (NIV) 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Application 1. Don’t be condemned by guilt, shame and what we have done in the past. Come and receive God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness. There is no condemnation in Christ! (Romans 8:1-2). If the Devil reminds us about our past, we need to boldly remind him about his future! 2. Rise up to be God’s priesthood and enjoy His presence. Nothing should stop us from dwelling in His presence and minister before Him and the people. 2. Follow God’s Golden Rule – Obey Him and Keep His Requirements (v.6 & 7) Zechariah 3:6-7 (NIV) 6 The angel of the LORD gave this charge to Joshua: 7 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here. There are always these two golden rules that we need to keep in order to see God’s promises come to pass:a) Walk in Obedience – Faithfully following God’s ways especially in our personal life and attitude towards God. b) Keep His Requirements – Carefully, diligently and faithfully fulfil our divine calling in our lives. As high priest and priest of God, God has laid down requirements in order for God’s appointed people to minister in God’s house (Leviticus 21 and 22). After God laid down these requirements through Moses, he said this statement in Leviticus 22:31-32 “Keep and follow these commands. Do not bring shame to my name… Represent me fittingly!” Leviticus 22:31–32 (NIV) 31 “Keep my commands and follow them. I am the LORD. 32 Do not profane my holy name, for I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites. I am the LORD, who made you holy When we study the Scriptures, we will never fail to find God requiring us to follow these 2 golden rules. For example:Hope Kuala Lumpur Page 5 Sermon 04 Zechariah 3:1-10 Abraham’s son - Isaac was blessed because Abraham followed these 2 golden rules:Genesis 26:4–5 (NIV) 4 I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions.” God through Moses reminded the people to follow the 2 golden rules before entering the Promised Land, if they want God to fulfil His promises fully:Deuteronomy 6:1–3 (NIV) 1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you. In this passage, if Joshua the high priest will be able follow the 2 golden rules faithfully, he will be promised to: Govern God’s House and be responsible for God’s temple Be given a place among these standing – Continue to experience God’s presence and able to have access to God (similar to the angels who can stand before God) Application 1. The New Testament Church still are required to follow these 2 golden rules. (Read Matthew 28:20 and John 14:23-24). Not only that, we follow these 2 golden rules not with an attitude to comply to a law but because we love Jesus! 2. Set our lives apart for God – Keeping our hands (actions) clean and our heart pure. This is a key criteria for us to continue to experience His presence. (Read Psalms 24:3-5) Matthew 28:20 (NIV) 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” John 14:23–24 (NIV) 23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. Hope Kuala Lumpur Page 6 Sermon 04 Zechariah 3:1-10 Psalm 24:3–5 (NIV) 3 Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. 5 They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. 3. Christ Will Empower Us! (v.8 - 10) Zechariah 3:8-10 (NIV) “ ‘Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. 9 See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day. 10 “ ‘In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” 8 It’s amazing that God has revealed his plans to send his son, Jesus Christ, to remove the sins of the people almost more than 500 years before it happened. Zechariah had the opportunity to receive the Messianic promise that Christ (the Branch) will come. Joshua, the High Priest and all the other priests are just foreshadow (symbolic of things to come) of what is going to come – our Lord Jesus Christ the Great High Priest. In this passage, Jesus is referred to as:a) God’s Servant As the Servant of the Lord, Christ is the One who comes to do the will of the Father, not His own will. Philippians 2:5–8 (NIV) 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! b) The Branch Christ is called the Branch because of his descendants can be traced all the way to King David. God promised King David, through his descendants, an eternal King will be raised – i.e Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 23:5–6 (NIV) 5 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his Hope Kuala Lumpur Page 7 Sermon 04 Zechariah 3:1-10 days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior. c) The Stone Christ will be the chief cornerstone of God’s house – a living Stone. 1 Peter 2:4–6 (NIV) 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” The prophetic from Zechariah said that: “God will remove the sin of the land in a single day”. This is what really happened in the history of mankind – It happened during Good Friday!, where Christ died and wipe away all our sins. Unlike the high priest function on the Day of Atonement to pray for removal of sins of the people which must be carried out once a year. Jesus Christ the High Priest has sacrificed Himself to remove our sins once and for all. Hebrews 10:14 (NIV) 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. “People will invite their neighbours under their vine and fig trees” is symbol of prosperity and peace that people will experience. This is what truly Jesus has brought to us – real and everlasting peace John 14:27 (NIV) 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Application 1. For evangelism purposes – Come to believe in Him. Only Christ can remove our sins and condemnation. Only Christ can bring us perfect peace. 2. For believers, Christ has already removed all our sins. We are all set free from guilt and condemnation. Therefore, let us be empowered to minister to God and the people. Hope Kuala Lumpur Page 8 Sermon 04 Zechariah 3:1-10 CONCLUSION The first DNA or blueprint is “Church Without Walls” – The Church with unlimited potential. The second DNA or blueprint that God would like to encourage us is “The Church With Empowered People”. The people of God are empowered because of what Christ has done for us. Therefore, we are empowered to serve Him and build His Church. Let us not at the past and feel condemn. Instead, let us look at what Christ has done for us and be set free and empowered to build His Church! Hope Kuala Lumpur Page 9 Sermon 04 Zechariah 3:1-10 ADDITIONAL RESEARCH Hope Kuala Lumpur Page 10 Sermon 04 Zechariah 3:1-10 BIBLE COMMENTARIES THE BIBLE KNOWLEDGE COMMENTARY Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Zec 3:1–10). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. THE VISION OF THE CLEANSING AND CROWNING OF JOSHUA (CHAP. 3) Topographically the setting of Zechariah’s visions apparently shifted from a valley outside Jerusalem (first two visions, 1:7-21) to an observation point within the city (third vision, chap. 2) to the courts of the temple itself (fourth and fifth visions, chaps. 3-4). Symbolically the first three visions pictured Israel’s external deliverance from Captivity, her expansion, and the material prosperity of the land, whereas the fourth vision (chap. 3) sets forth Israel’s internal cleansing from sin and reinstatement into her priestly office and functions. a. The symbolic action (3:1-5) The Lord introduced the vision to Zechariah (“He showed me”), who clearly perceived the identity of the actors in the vision and the significance of their actions. Therefore this fourth vision differs from the preceding ones by the absence of questions by Zechariah and explanations by the interpreting angel. The actors or participants are (a) Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest of the restoration who returned with Zerubbabel from Babylon; (b) the Angel of the Lord, the preincarnate Christ, already introduced in 1:11-12; (c) Satan, the accuser (cf. Rev. 12:10); (d) attending angels (“those who were standing before” Joshua, Zech. 3:4); and (e) the Prophet Zechariah, who became a vocal participant in the vision (v. 5). 3:1-2. The first significant feature in the vision is the position of Joshua … standing before the Angel of the LORD. Here the word “standing” is practically a technical word for priestly ministry (cf. Deut. 10:8; 2 Chron. 29:11). This implication concerning the deity of the Angel of the Lord and His identity as the preincarnate Christ is more explicitly indicated in Zechariah 3:2 where He speaks under the title of “LORD” and yet distinguishes Himself from the LORD in addressing Satan (cf. comments on 1:11). This identification is further supported in 3:4 where His action is virtually that of forgiving sins. Satan’s resistance changed the scene from a priestly one to a judicial one where Joshua was the object of Satan’s accusations. Then the Angel of the Lord rebuked Satan and proceeded to acquit Joshua, not because Satan’s accusations were false, but because of God’s gracious love for and choice of His people Israel. Joshua was functioning here in his high priestly capacity as representative of the nation Israel. God’s choice of Jerusalem, not Joshua, was the basis of the rebuke (v. 2). Later the sin was removed from the land, not just from Joshua (v. 9). Joshua and his priestly companions were said to be “men symbolic of things to come” (v. 8). Therefore much as the high priest represented the entire nation on the Day of Atonement (cf. Lev. 16:1-10), so here Joshua the high priest was accused and acquitted on behalf of the nation Israel. 3:3-5. The acquittal took the form of removing Joshua’s filthy clothes, representative of his sin and guilt and that of the nation. Joshua was then clothed with festal or rich garments, speaking of the purity associated with his forgiveness, and a clean turban, possibly suggesting the joy of his reinstatement Hope Kuala Lumpur Page 11 Sermon 04 Zechariah 3:1-10 into the priesthood. This symbolized the forgiveness and restoration of the nation Israel as a priestly nation (cf. Ex. 19:6). b. The significant communication (3:6-10) This communication includes a charge to Joshua (vv. 6-7) and an explanation of the vision’s symbolism (vv. 8-10). 3:6-7. The charge to Joshua embodied two conditions and three results of divine blessing. To walk in God’s ways describes the personal attitude of the priests (and ultimately the nation) toward God, and keeping God’s requirements (cf. 1 Kings 2:3) refers to the faithful performance of priestly duties. If Joshua met these conditions he would enjoy three things: (a) govern My house —have continued service in the temple; (b) have charge of My courts—guard the temple from idolatry and other religious defilement; and (c) receive a place among these standing here—perhaps referring to Joshua’s free access to God (cf. Zech. 3:1) comparable to that of the angels (those who are “standing” are distinguished from Joshua’s fellow priests who are “seated,” v. 8). 3:8-10. The Lord next affirmed the point of the vision—that Joshua and his priestly companions were symbolic of things to come. In their official priestly cleansing from sin they prefigured the future cleansing of the nation Israel. This future cleansing was linked with the coming of the Sin-Remover who was given three messianic titles—My Servant, the Branch, and the Stone. As the Servant of the Lord, Christ is the One who comes to do the will of the Father (Isa. 42:1; 49:3-4; 50:10; 52:13; 53:11). As the Branch of David, Christ is the Davidic Descendant who will rise to power and glory out of the humiliation into which the line of David had fallen (Isa. 4:2; 11:1; Jer. 23:5; 33:15; Zech. 6:12-13). As the Stone (cf. Ps. 118:22; Matt. 21:42; 1 Peter 2:6) He will bring judgment on the Gentiles (Dan. 2:44-45) and be a stone of stumbling for unbelieving Israel (Rom. 9:31-33). But ultimately He will bring cleansing to Israel and remove the sin of this land in a single day. Some say this refers to the day of Christ’s crucifixion, but it is more likely a reference to the day of His Second Advent when at the end of the future Tribulation period the merits of His death will be applied to believing Israel (Zech. 13:1). The seven eyes on the stone probably symbolize the Messiah’s full intelligence with which He will judge. This may also allude to the Holy Spirit (Isa. 11:2; Rev. 5:6). That day (Zech. 3:10) seems to refer to the whole period of millennial blessing which will follow the return of Christ. Sitting under one’s own vine and fig tree refers to conditions of peace and prosperity (1 Kings 4:25; Isa. 36:16; Micah 4:4). Hope Kuala Lumpur Page 12 LG Discussion Sermon 04 Zechariah 3:1-10 RECAP OF SERMON (Zechariah 3:1-10 - The Church With Empowered People) 3 Key Points from the Sermon 1. Don’t Feel Condemned and Rise Up (v.2 - 5) Rise Up God’s people! We are God’s Empowered People! We don’t have to feel condemn to come before the Lord and minister to Him and His people. Even though we are sinful and not qualified to minister before God, God has qualified us to minister before Him. The Lord rebuked Satan and proceeded to acquit Joshua, not because Satan’s accusations were false, but because of God’s gracious love for and choice of His people Israel. 2. Follow God’s Golden Rule – Obey Him and Keep His Requirements (v.6 & 7) There are always these two golden rules that we need to keep in order to see God’s promises come to pass:a) Walk in Obedience – Faithfully following God’s ways especially in our personal life and attitude towards God. b) Keep His Requirements – Carefully, diligently and faithfully fulfil our divine calling in our lives. 3. Christ Will Empower Us! (v.8 - 10) The prophetic from Zechariah said that: “God will remove the sin of the land in a single day”. This is what really happened in the history of mankind – It happened during Good Friday!, where Christ died and wipe away all our sins. “People will invite their neighbours under their vine and fig trees” is symbol of prosperity and peace that people will experience. This is what truly Jesus has brought to us – real and everlasting peace DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Share some of the areas that condemn us and hinder us from coming to God and to enjoy His presence. 2. Follow God’s Golden Rule – Obey Him and Keep His Requirements. A common statement. Do we struggle to follow God’s Golden Rule? Why? 3. Christ Will Empower Us. Discuss how the work of the Christ on the cross has empower all of us. Nothing can empower us except Him. CONCLUSION End the LG by encouraging your LG to rely on Christ and be empowered to build His Church! Hope Kuala Lumpur Page 13