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ROUTE 66 EP 041

ROUTE 66 ZEPHANIAH

Introduction: Understanding the Old Testament and History

The sermon began with an overview of the Old Testament's structure, emphasizing that it is not arranged in a strictly chronological order.

  • Overlapping Timelines: Many books in the Old Testament overlap in their historical settings.

    • The book of Job is considered the oldest book in the Bible, predating even Genesis in its writing and containing significant details about creation.

    • The book of Ruth takes place during the time of the Judges.

    • The Psalms, mostly written by David, correspond with the historical accounts in 1 & 2 Kings.

    • The writings of Solomon (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon) also fit into the timeline of the Kings.

  • A Biblical Definition of History: The pastor proposed a theological definition of history: "God is moving, and the devil, the enemy, is countering."

    • This dynamic of good versus evil is evident from the very beginning. In Genesis, as soon as God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the garden, the serpent appeared.

    • Context for Ezekiel 28: This scripture reveals that Lucifer was the original "king of the Garden of Eden" before being cast out, which explains his presence and motive in Genesis.

    • Application: Just as God had a plan that the enemy sought to disrupt, the enemy will also oppose God’s plans in our lives. This opposition is a source of friction.

Friction is Normal in a Life of Faith

Feeling friction and opposition is a normal part of the Christian walk. If life feels too easy, it might be a sign that we are simply "coasting" rather than actively pursuing God’s will.

  • The "Climb" Analogy: It’s enjoyable to go downhill on a bike or sled, but the real work is the climb back up. The Christian life involves this difficult but necessary "climb."

  • Application to Life and Marriage: Opposition is a sign that you are moving in the right direction. Friction in a marriage, for example, is not only normal but can be a force that welds a couple together, creating a stronger bond. What feel like terrible times in the moment can later be seen as foundational experiences that built strength and unity.

Introduction: What Really Matters

  • At the end of life, people often realize what truly matters. It’s usually not the things we spend our lives accumulating, but relationships.

  • Pastor's Example: The pastor shared how his father worked hard to provide many Christmas gifts, believing that’s what his sons needed. However, what the children truly needed was not the presents, but his presence. This illustrates a common regret: providing things for family while neglecting to give them what they truly need, which is our time and attention.

The Role of the Prophets: The Book of Zephaniah

Throughout Israel's history, whenever the nation got off track from following God, He sent a prophet to call them back.

  • Historical Context: The book of Zephaniah was written during the period of the Kings, around the time the nation of Israel had split into the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). Like other prophets, Zephaniah was sent because the people were not where they should be spiritually.

    • Author & Timeline: Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of King Josiah, who became king as a young boy.

    • Genealogy: Zephaniah 1:1 provides a detailed genealogy, revealing that Zephaniah was the great-great-grandson of King Hezekiah, one of Judah’s more notable kings. This likely gave him access and standing within the royal court.

    • The State of Israel: Zephaniah’s message of "hellfire and brimstone" was necessary because Israel was "off the rails." Like a good father, God cannot reward bad behavior. He brings "the thunder" out of love to correct His children.

    • Cultural Parallel: Our modern culture often lacks respect for authority, with everyone doing what is right in their own eyes. This was the same cultural environment Zephaniah was addressing. Israel could not continue to go against God and expect things to be right.

  • About Zephaniah:

    • It is a short, three-chapter book classified as a "minor prophet."

    • Like other prophetic books, its message is intense.

    • The Bible is ordered doctrinally, not chronologically, to reveal deeper theological truths.

The Central Message: Judgment, Hope, and the Day of the Lord

The primary message of Zephaniah is a warning to an unfaithful Israel about the coming "Day of the Lord," but it is balanced with a powerful message of hope.

  • What is the Day of the Lord?

    • Many Christians might assume the greatest day on God’s calendar was the crucifixion or resurrection. However, the Bible presents the Day of the Lord as the ultimate focal point.

    • This is the day of Jesus Christ’s Second Coming, when He will return not as a sacrificial lamb, but as the conquering Lion—the King who will rule and reign over the earth. This return will involve judgment and bloodshed.

    • Israel was so off track that when Jesus came the first time, they rejected and killed Him. The Second Coming will establish His rightful rule.

  • The Principle of "Second is Better": The Bible often emphasizes the importance of the "second" thing.

    • First and Second Birth: Our first, physical birth leaves us spiritually dead and separated from God. The second, spiritual birth is what truly matters for eternal life.

    • Scripture Reference: In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, "You must be born again." This is a spiritual reality, not a physical one. There is something missing on the inside of a person that only a spiritual rebirth can fix.

  • A Balanced Message of Judgment and Hope:

    • The prophet Zephaniah warns of the coming "Day of the Lord"—a time of judgment against Judah, the surrounding nations, and ultimately, the entire world.

    • He condemns idolatry, corruption, and spiritual complacency.

    • The core call is for God's people to seek God and repent. This is a consistent message among the prophets.

    • Despite the strong warnings, Zephaniah delivers a powerful message of hope. God’s character is a balance of discipline and love, much like a good parent.

    • Parenting Analogy: A good parent provides both discipline and immense love and grace. An imbalance leads to problems. Many people have stories of parents who were too hard and they could never please.

    • At the end of the book, Zephaniah reveals that God’s ultimate plan is to purify and restore a "remnant."

  • Who is the "Remnant"?

    • The term "remnant" in its primary, doctrinal context in the Bible refers specifically to the nation of Israel. God’s nation is Israel, not the USA or any other country.

    • Application for Christians: While the primary context is Israel, we can make an application. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are part of God’s Church, His spiritual family. We are God’s children, even if we are not part of His chosen nation, Israel.

  • Application: The Inside is More Important Than the Outside:

    • If we could truly grasp that our inner, spiritual self is more important than our outer, physical self, we would navigate life much better.

    • The primary areas of sin that derail us are the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life."

    • We are often sold on these worldly pursuits, only to realize at the end of life, full of regret, that they never truly mattered.

The Structure of Zephaniah: A Prophetic Timeline

The book’s three chapters lay out a clear prophetic timeline.

Chapter 1: Judgment on Israel (A Picture of the Tribulation)

  • The focus is on the judgment of God’s people, Israel and Jerusalem. This is where the term "the day of the Lord" is used repeatedly (Zephaniah 1:8, 10, 14). It is described as a day of wrath, with a trumpet of alarm.

  • Zephaniah 1:18 states: "Neither their silver, their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath, but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy."

  • The Prophet’s Authority: Zephaniah 1:1 states, "The word of the Lord which came to Zephaniah." The prophet delivered God’s words, not his own opinions. Pastors today should strive to do the same.

    • Pastor’s Example: The pastor shared a counseling story where a husband was physically aggressive with his wife. The pastor first gave his personal opinion (joking about an aluminum bat) but then immediately corrected it with what the Bible says: first, go to the church for resolution. If that fails, the Bible instructs to involve the authorities (call 911). This demonstrates using biblical principles over personal feelings.

  • New Testament Parallel: This chapter parallels Matthew 24, the New Testament’s key chapter on the Tribulation period. The Tribulation is a time when God will use difficulty to bring His nation, Israel, back to Himself. Often, people only turn back to God after hitting "rock bottom."

Chapter 2: Judgment on the Nations (End of the Tribulation)

  • The focus of judgment shifts from Israel to the other nations of the earth. Judgment comes to God’s house first, then to the rest of the world.

  • New Testament Parallel: This chapter parallels Matthew 25, picturing the end of the Tribulation where all nations are judged and put in their proper place before the King.

Chapter 3: The Kingdom Established (The Millennial Reign)

  • After the judgments of Chapters 1 and 2, the King (Jesus Christ) establishes His kingdom, and there is peace.

  • New Testament Parallel: This points to the Millennial Reign of Christ described in Revelation 20.

    1. The Rapture of the Church.

    2. The seven-year Tribulation on earth.

    3. The Second Coming of Christ to rule and reign physically for 1,000 years.

    4. Christians who suffer with Him will get to rule and reign with Him.

Pictures of Our God in Zephaniah

The book reveals several key characteristics of God.

1. Our God is a Jealous God

  • Who God Is: A Jealous God

    • The sermon highlights two key passages describing God's judgment as a "fire of His jealousy":

      • Zephaniah 1:18: "Neither their silver, Neither their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy."

      • Zephaniah 3:8: "...for all the earth shall be devoured with what? The fire of my jealousy."

    • His Name is Jealous: This attribute is integral to God’s identity.

      • Exodus 34:14: "His name is jealous."

      • Deuteronomy 4:24: "God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God."

    • His Jealousy is a Consuming Fire: The word "jealous" is described as meaning "consuming." Fire consumes everything it touches, pointing to the all-encompassing nature of God’s jealousy for His people.

    • His Jealousy is Two-Sided: It manifests as a consuming fire of judgment against opposition, but also as a consuming love for His people. He desires to devour us with His love.

    • He is a Man of War: God's jealousy is the fierce passion of a mighty warrior.

      • Isaiah 42:13 (paraphrased) describes Him stirring up jealousy like a "man of war." This is compared to the description of David and his mighty men in Second Samuel 17, who were fierce as bears robbed of their cubs, illustrating the intensity with which God protects what is His.

  • Who We Are & How We Should Live

    • Seek God First: We are instructed to "Seek ye first the kingdom of God." Placing anything before God is an act of idolatry.

    • We Cannot Go Against God: Attempting to defy God will always result in loss.

    • Be Consumed by God, Not Sin: We are called to let God’s love devour us, not the destructive desires of the flesh.

      • Example: The pastor shared a personal story about his brother’s struggle with heroin addiction. His brother was completely devoured by his addiction, a destructive consumption contrasted with the life-giving consumption of being devoted to Christ.

    • Have a Godly Jealousy for Others: The Apostle Paul serves as an example.

      • 2 Corinthians 11:2: "I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy... that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." This means desiring for others to be wholly devoted to Christ.

    • Examine Your Faithfulness: We are prompted to ask ourselves how often we are unfaithful to God, getting obsessed with worldly things. If we obsessed over Him with the same intensity, our spiritual lives would be much further along.

      • Example: The pastor shared a story about his own pastor who, on his honeymoon, continued to study God's Word. He explained to his wife that she married a "man of God," not a "man of you," and that he would always put God first.

2. Our God is a Mighty God

  • Who God Is: Mighty and Terrible

    • Human heroes disappoint and die, but our God is eternally mighty.

    • Zephaniah 3:17: "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty..."

    • Mighty Means Champion: The word "mighty" means strong, valiant, a champion.

    • The Bible often pairs "mighty" with "terrible," meaning inspiring dread and awe.

      • Deuteronomy 7:21: "He is among you, a mighty God and terrible."

      • Deuteronomy 10:17: "He is mighty and terrible!"

    • In Nehemiah 9:32, He is called "the mighty," the ultimate source of might.

    • Job 9 states that mountains move when He speaks.

    • Psalm 68 says the earth shook and trembled before Him.

    • Example (The Storm): Jesus, the mighty one, simply said, "Peace, be still," and the great storm ceased, leaving the disciples in awe.

    • Example (The Leper): Jesus demonstrated His might by touching and healing contagious lepers.

    • Example (The Sunrise): Every morning, the "mighty" shows up when the sun rises and consumes the darkness of night. This is a picture of who God is.

  • Who We Are & How We Should Live

    • Recognize His Might Over Mine: We are not mighty. Zephaniah 1:14 warns, "...the mighty man shall cry there bitterly."

    • Do Not Trust in Human Champions: What humans choose as their champion often comes tumbling down.

      • Example (David and Goliath): The Philistines put their faith in their mighty champion, Goliath. The Israelites feared him. However, David, relying on God’s might, defeated him.

    • Recognize the Frailty of Human Heroes: Our human heroes will inevitably fail us.

      • Example (Uncle Roger): The pastor shared a personal story of his childhood hero, his uncle, whom he saw as "mighty." This image was shattered when he saw the reality of his uncle's alcoholism and addiction. This illustrates the danger of making anyone other than God "mighty" in our lives.

      • Example (The UFC Fighter): A victorious UFC fighter confessed that just two weeks prior, he was suicidal, but then "I met God." This illustrates that human strength and achievement are empty without God.

3. He is a God Who "Turns"

  • Who God Is: A God of Restoration

    • The word "turn" appears four times in Zephaniah, signifying change and restoration.

    • Zephaniah 2:7 says, "...the Lord their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity."

    • God desires for us to be restored and transformed.

    • Example (Nineveh): In the book of Jonah, the people of Nineveh had a "turning" (repented). In response, God "turned" from His promised wrath.

  • How Am I to Live: Allow God to Turn Me

    • Repentance is recognizing your direction is not good and allowing God to turn you around.

    • Example (The Merry-Go-Round): Living in sin is like being on a merry-go-round, constantly circling back to the same problems. Repentance is getting off that ride. God wants to turn us from darkness to light.

4. He is a God Who "Gathers"

  • Who God Is: A Gatherer

    • The word "gather" is used five times in Zephaniah. Sin scatters, but God gathers.

    • Zephaniah 3:8 shows God gathering nations for judgment, but Zephaniah 3:19 says, "I will gather her that was driven out."

    • Matthew 23:37 provides the image of God gathering His people as a hen gathers her chicks.

    • Example (The Mother Hen): A hen is a fierce protector who gathers her chicks under her wings for safety. This is a picture of God’s protective, gathering love for us.

  • How Am I to Live: Assemble with the Saints

    • The church is the place where God gathers His people. It is our family.

    • Can you be a Christian and not go to church? Yes. But can you be a healthy, growing, protected Christian without the church? No. We need the gathering of saints.

    • 2 Thessalonians and Ephesians 1 show that God’s final goal is to gather all things under one head, Christ.

Conclusion: He Will Joy Over You With Singing

The sermon culminates with the most famous verse in the book.

Zephaniah 3:17: "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."

  • Who God Is: He is Present, a Savior, and He Sings Over Us

    • He is in the midst of thee: God is not distant; He is present within us through the Holy Spirit.

    • He is mighty: He has the power to act.

    • He will save: He is a God who can and will save.

    • He will rejoice over thee with joy: He takes joy in His people.

    • He will rest in His love: God’s love is not dependent on our fluctuating love. He is confident and secure in His own love for us, like a good parent.

    • He will joy over thee with singing: His relationship with us moves from salvation to celebration.

  • Who Am I: I am Delightsome to God

    • The perspective of this book is not our failure, but God's restoration.

    • Example (The Crying Baby): A good parent doesn't yell at a crying baby. They scoop the child up, comfort them, and hum or sing a lullaby. This is a picture of our God, who quiets us with His love and sings over us.

    • Example (Noise-Canceling Headphones): God’s singing over us is like noise-canceling headphones, blocking out the chaos of the world so we can hear His tune of love and delight.

    • Example (The Therapy Group): A man who always struggled to please his father was broken when an older woman in his therapy group looked at him and said, "Jimmy, you are just delightful." This is what God says to us.

    • Example (The Dog's Welcome): The joy God has over us is like a dog ecstatic to see you.

Final Application

God's songs over you are stronger than the labels that are on you.

Change your perspective from one of failure to one of restoration. Yes, we must turn and repent. But know that our mighty God is not just a God who saves; He is a Father who gathers you, rejoices over you, and sings over you. Let God be the God who saves you, and let Him be the God who sings over you. Hear that melody today.