Zechariah 7- False Worship

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Now in the fourth year of King Darius it came to pass that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, on the fourth day of the ninth month, Chislev, when the people sent Sherezer, with Regem-Melech and his men, to the house of God, to pray before the LORD, and to ask the priests who were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?” Zechariah 7:1-3

All throughout history false religion has been practiced , especially in Israel. Here is just another prime example of Israel just “going through the motions” doing religious practices, not from the heart, but as some magical formula that would gain Gods favor

The names of the men , Sherezer and Regem-Melech, are representations of Israel’s idolatry with Babylon from the exile. These are not Jewish names but Babylonian. They basically are asking the prophet Zechariah, “should we bother doing these fasts like we have done so many years”? They were just going to weep and fast as a religious practice and not worship God in Spirit and Truth. (John 4:24)

One thing God hates is false religion, false worship,  religious practices over obedience, as seen throughout the history of Israel

Although they may fast, I will not listen to their cry; although they may offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will finish them off by sword and famine and plague.” Jeremiah 14:12 

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6

Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me—for Me? When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves? Should you not have obeyed the words which the LORD proclaimed through the former prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous, and the South and the Lowland were inhabited?’ ” Zechariah 7:4-7

God responded with the question “When you fasted and mourned, did you really fast for Me?” This is the root of the problem, why were they fasting and mourning? Because they wanted to be seen? Because it was a religious practice and requirement? God is not impressed and doesn’t want anyone’s false offering

“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the LORD. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats. Isaiah 1:11

Lets turn our focus on the Church for a moment, recently we just had “Ash Wednesday” where millions of Christians marked their foreheads and then posted selfies of themselves all over the Internet, including celebrities. What was the root of this practice? Was it to bring attention and glory to God or themselves? This was the same idolatry Israel fell into. Look at the words of our Lord who refuted this practice

“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. Matthew 6:16

Disfiguring your face with ashes, was exactly the opposite thing God told you do! So why do millions of people do it? For religious practices, for self glorification, because they think its a magical formula to gain God’s favor. This is exactly what Israel was doing!

I will end with the words of The Lord Jesus about false religion

He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ Mark 7:6-7

James 1:13-18- Sermon Notes

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13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. (James 1:13-14)

When it comes to sin and temptation, alot of people like to blame God, right? They will say something like, “God made me this way” So therefor Its OK if I do this or that” However as the Apostle James said people claim “I am tempted by God” however as he reveals God can’t tempt anyone. This idea that God is tempting us into sin, that God made us this way, is a lie from the devil

You need to understand God is Holy, without sin, God can’t even be in the presence of sin, because He is Holy. Sin is complete opposition or being at war with God. We were seperated from God, why? Because of our sin, one of the reasons Jesus came here and died for our sins on the cross, was to reconcile us back to God. Why did we need to be reconciled? Because our sin separated us from God

Consider what the Apostle Paul says…

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

The Apostle Paul says “God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to handle, not only that God will create a way for you to escape that temptation. So people who are blaming God for their sins, its not only untruthful, its blasphemy. We need to take accountability for our actions, not blaming God for everything….

Many people will say “I was Born this Way, what does Jesus say  “Unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3) We must be Born Again in Christ

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16

Conception of Sin

15Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (15)

Most sin doesn’t just happen spontaneously or randomly, typically an idea or temptation is planted in your heart and mind, and eventually that temptation is fed and given life to give birth to sin, the action of actually sinning. 

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

We need to guard our hearts and minds from the temptations of this world. Because what happens is we allow these things into us, and eventually it gives birth to sin, which equals spiritual death. So from a practical application of this, what movies are watching? What music are you listening to? What book are you reading? Because all these things have influence over us, we need to guard our hearts and minds…

I want you to consider how Jesus views sin….because it might be shocking to some people

21“You have heard that it was said to those [d]of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother [e]without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. Matthew 5:21

27“You have heard that it was said [i]to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

 29If your right eye causes you to [j]sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to [k]sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Jesus is saying sin begins in the heart and mind, and just because you didn’t physically perform that act of murder or adultery, you are already guilty of it. That’s powerful when you think about this.

Now this should king of reveal to you, how serious God is about sin, God is so serious, that Jesus had to die on the cross to pay for our penalty, Christ took our place. So we need to guard our hearts and minds

Secondly Jesus is speaking hyperbole here, if your eye is causing you to sin, pluck it out. What is Jesus talking about here? Is he telling us to pluck our eyes out? No, hes telling you, if what you are looking at is causing you to sin, then stop looking at it. It’s as simple as that, stop looking at pornography, stop looking at those movies, because your condemning your soul to Hell. How about the foot? Well if everytime you go to the bar and causes you to sin, stop going there. Ect ect.

Everything good is from God

16Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. 

So now your probably a little upset with God because of all this sin and temptation in the world, however reminder God doesn’t tempt anyone. But remember this, everything that is good in this world, is from God. While this world can be a struggle, because we live in a fallen world due to sin. 

However we must remember that there are still many blessings in this world, even today that we can rejoice about. Think about just the beauty of this Earth and the Heavens, while man keeps trying to destroy it, its still awesome and beautiful. Think about the blessings of your family and friends, they are gifts from God, every single one of you, life itself, Creation is a gift from God

None of these things come from anywhere but God, so understand that. Even people who reject God, still enjoy some of the blessings from God

Consider what Jesus said here:

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45

The sun rises on the evil and the saved, the rain falls on the wicked and the saved. All people in some aspect enjoy the blessings of God and don’t even realize it, unit those gifts are taken away. Every good gift, including our salvation in Jesus Christ, comes from God, we can rejoice in this

Practical Applications:

  1. Who are we spending time with? Bad Company Corrupts Good Character- (1 Cor. 15:33) God is not tempting you, maybe your company is?
  2. What are we looking at? Movies, Music, Books, are they tempting us? Remove Temptation
  3.  Be In The Word of God- Jesus rebuked Satan with scripture
  4. Be lead by the Holy Spirit- Teacher, Comforter, Advocate, Guide
  5. Develop a strong prayer life- Jesus on the mountain
  6. Be Part of the Church- fellowship with Christians

In the last analysis it is not the temptations that meet us on the streets that determine our conduct; it is the heart of the man who faces them. Two men may face the same conditions; one falls, the other stands. The difference is not in the temptation but in the heart of the man. Martin Lyod Jones

And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:13

These are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver us Lord from the Evil One , deliver us from all temptation and sin, deliver us from this world, because Jesus Christ has overcome the world already, we have victory in Jesus Christ, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords, the Great I AM, Amen

Zechariah 6- The Elaborate Crown

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Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: “Receive the gift from the captives—from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have come from Babylon—and go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah. Zechariah 6:9-10

Once again, we see the prophet Zechariah receiving a direct revelation from God  “The word of The Lord came to me” and we see the remnant of Israel coming together to rebuild the Temple “Receive the gifts from the captives” This was fulfilled prophecy, however what is about to come next should open the eyes of the world!

Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Zechariah 6:11

God instructs Zechariah to make an “elaborate crown” of silver and gold, which obviously emphasizes the importance and royalty of this person. However the odd thing is the request is  “set it on the head of Joshua, the High Priest” Now a High priest never wears a crown. 

As mentioned previously, its no coincidence God chose Joshua at this present time, the same name of the Son of God Jesus/Yeshua/Joshua. The fact that God instructed to put an elaborate crown on Joshua was a foreshadow of Christ , the name of the Messiah is revealed!

Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying: “Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, And He shall build the temple of the LORD; Zechariah 6:12

Now if you need more evidence, just look at what God says here “Thus says The Lord of Hosts, saying , Behold , the Man who name is the Branch!”  Anyone who is familiar with the Messianic prophecies understands the title of The Branch points to the Messiah (Christ) not the high priest

Here are some examples of other prophets pointing the Messiah to the title of Branch

Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1

Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. Jeremiah 23:5

 Notice the prophet Jeremiah not only references the Messiah as the Branch, but also as a King!

Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, And shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, And the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” ’ Zechariah 6:13

It’s amazing how the Word of God is eternal, because as we know the fulfilment of the second temple was complete, but the Messiah wasn’t here yet for its completion, so this prophecy must have deeper meaning! Many will point to this prophecy as a future temple built during the Millennial reign of Christ, and that could be true. I believe this is point to a greater temple, the resurrection of The Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ by His words below

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19

Christ refers to himself, his physical body as the Temple that will be raised on the 3rd day, I believe this prophecy is pointing to the resurrected Messiah!

“Now the elaborate crown shall be for a memorial in the temple of the LORD for Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah. Even those from afar shall come and build the temple of the LORD. Then you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. And this shall come to pass if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.” Zechariah 6:14-15

Now as we know “the elaborate crown” points to Christ, we see a memorial of The Lord. Now as Born Again Christians this should resonate in your spirit, The memorial is The Lord’s Supper, the death of our Lord for our sins which the Messiah came to save us (Isaiah 53)

I know many will not agree with this interpretation, but I can’t deny all the shadows, the crown, the temple, the title all pointing to Christ! As our Lord said “Do this in remembrance of me”!

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19