An exposition of Zechariah 3:1-10. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, May 15, 2011.
Intro:
Have you ever had one of those times when you were cleaning out a closet, a storage room or an attic and you found a treasure? Oh, I don’t mean a priceless masterpiece placed there by a previous occupant or loot from a bank job years before – I mean something unexpected. Have you ever been startled by the sight of something you never expected to see? A photo album bringing back a flood of memories or a school yearbook allowing you to walk the halls and revisit old friends? One of the glories of Bible reading and Bible study is the joy of an unexpected find. Those moments when you stumble across a truth in an unexpected place. One such place for me is the 3rd chapter of Zechariah.
Text: Zechariah 3:1-10
Six centuries before Christ Zechariah was called to encourage the returning exiles in the process of rebuilding the temple. Work had quickly begun as the people returned to the land. But due to discouragement and delays – the project came to a grinding halt and the people went about their own business. Along came Haggai the grizzled veteran and a young visionary named Zechariah. Together they made a powerful team as they rallied the troops to begin again the building of the temple.
Zechariah called the people to repentance.
He warned them – don’t make the mistakes of your fathers.
Don’t turn a deaf ear to God’s warning.
Don’t assume judgment delayed is judgment diverted.
Upon their repentance – God gave to Zechariah a series of visions intended to encourage and strengthen them in the task. In the first three visions God said, “I am with you. I will deal decisively with your enemies and I guarantee your security.” The fourth vision deals with their spiritual condition or position.
Here, in the midst of this Old Testament prophecy dealing with the rebuilding of the temple we find a clear presentation of the Gospel! Here we find an Old Testament picture of a New Testament truth.
Here we are reminded that…
Thesis: Our standing pure and holy before God is a matter of grace alone because of Christ alone.
Two things I want us to see.
- God’s grace and mercy are our only hope of salvation. (3:1-7)
- Christ is our only hope of redemption. (3:8-10)