|
SDG: Soli Deo Gloria |
|
A Pocket Paper Robert J.
Morgan Sermon Outline Notes – Zechariah
7-8 Introduction: From the beginning of my ministry, I have preached series of sermons rather than fifty-two miscellaneous sermons each year. This isn’t the way I was raised. When I was growing up, my pastor never, to my knowledge, prepared and preached a single series of sermons on any topic or text. Many of the great preachers in history did not preach consecutive series. But I’m not good enough not to do it. The ability to preach series of messages consolidates my study time and helps me focus on one topic or text for an extended period. I think it is also biblical. Take Zechariah, for example. Tonight I’d like to show you a series of four sermons that he preached, and the four are summarized for us in chapters 7 and 8 of his book. His series of four sermons arose from a question posed from some Hebrews from the town of Bethel, twelve miles up the road from Jerusalem. Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-3 – The date given is December 7, 518 B.C. This is nearly two years after the eight visions (chapter 1-6), and it was midway through the temple building project. Since the fall of Jerusalem in 587, the Jewish people had been fasting each year, begging God to reestablish His presence in Jerusalem. This delegation from Bethel came with the question—how long should we keep up this fast? Is this a tradition we should maintain through perpetuity or should we discard it. In response, Zechariah offers four messages, each of them beginning with the same words: · 7:4 – Then the word of the Lord Almighty came to me… · 7:8 – And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah… · 8:1 – Again the word of the Lord Almighty came to me… · 8:18 – Again the word of the Lord Almighty came to me… In this series of four messages we have four answers to the question about fasting, and in looking at them we can find four important questions to ask ourselves about our religious and Christian observances. 1. Are We Really Doing This for the Lord? (7:4-4). Key: v. 5: Was it really for Me that you fasted? This goes to our motive, the most untrustworthy part of us. Why do we do the things we do for Christ? Is it really for Him? J.S. Bach noted each of his composition with the letters SDG: Soli Deo Gloria – for the glory of God alone. Those letters should be stamped across our lives every day. 2. Are We Really Practicing Mercy? (7:8-14). It’s one thing to maintain rituals in our religion, but remember what James said in James 1:26-27. 3. Are We Anticipating the Coming of Christ? (8:1-17). The third installment in Zechariah’s series of messages pointed to the future, to the coming of Christ in glory, and to His Millennial reign. We should constantly have our minds on the coming of Christ and His coming Kingdom. 4. Are We Celebrating Jesus? (8:18-23). Now at last Zechariah answers the question posed by the delegation from Bethel. The answer is—feasting is better than fasting. The Christian life is a celebration of joy. Our lives in Christ are a constant festival. Conclusion: There are times for tradition, and there are times for fasting. But these four questions are always relevant. What is our motive? Are we merciful? Do we love His appearing? Is our life a celebration of His goodness? Copyright StatementWe grant permission for any edition of The Pocket Paper to be photocopied for use in a local congregation or classroom, provided no more than 1,000 copies are made, the material is distributed free, and the copies include the notice: "Copyright (year) The Donelson Fellowship."For any other use, advance permission must be obtained from The Donelson Fellowship church office. |
[ Return to Top | Pocket Papers index | TDF Home Page | send email to: office@donelson.org ]