Last week was a challenge; today is encouragement. This year, you will face tons of mountain-like challenges, and you will be tempted to draw strength and strategies on your human force and intellect, and social connection that are readily available at your disposal. But it's an encouragement for you and me not to do it. There is so much wisdom in the advice of Gloria's beautiful grandma, not in your strength! No! Instead, "God, we will look to you so that we won't be overwhelmed." Depend on God and never leave the Holy Spirit out of it. The key here is the phrase, “by my Spirit, says the Lord.”
When God sends forth the Spirit, things happen:
barriers are broken, communities are formed,
differences are ditched, unity is established,
disease is cured; health is restored,
addiction is broken, homelessness is removed, cities are renewed,
races are reconciled, hope is revived,
people are blessed, businesses prosper, finances are restored, jobs are provided,
and church stays alive, vibrant, and thriving, like never before. That’s you!
Some of you will take 2022 by storm. To some, this is going to be a year of turnaround for you. You're stuck, you hit a curve, but you are slowly turning the corner from where you got stuck. Sail on! This year is the year to sail on peaceful waters, against the tide and high waters and high mountains. You will sail on in peace and quietness of the soul! The old is gone; the new has come! Not through your human abilities and cleverness, but by the Spirit of the Living God! Church of the Living God Sydney and Manila, and our mission partner in Kiisi, Kenya, take these words to heart. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your understanding in all your ways. Acknowledge him, and he will direct your path!
This year, my success and your success depend on how much you and I let the Holy Spirit take the reign of our lives. When the Holy Spirit takes over, He changes everything. Nothing stays the same. In today's drama, Gloria and grandma helped us recognize that it is hard to put our faith into action when we are at the lowest point. Even the people of God in the Bible had a hard time.
Around 586 BC, the city of Jerusalem fell into the hands of the Babylonians. They destroyed the magnificent temple of God that Solomon built, and they were exiled to Babylon for 70 years. But, when Cyrus of Persia became prime minister, he permitted the Jews to return to Jerusalem. Those who returned were so excited and enthusiastic. Not long after, they encountered many obstacles. Things were not going as planned. And many become discouraged. We find the context of Zech. 4 in Ezra 3:2-8.
Ezra 3:2,8: When the 7th month came, and the Israelites had settled in their towns, they assembled as one in Jerusalem. (2) Then Joshua, son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates began to build the altar of the God. And they kept building until they had laid the foundation of the temple. And, they were so happy when they finally laid the foundation. They sang: He is good; his love towards endures forever. While many others were singing praises and overwhelmed with joy, many of the older priests, Levites, and tribal leaders who had seen the former temple wept aloud. To them, this temple was no way near the former temple. Then, opposition came. Ezra 4:4, the people around them discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. (5) They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus, king of Persia, and down to the reign of Darius, king of Persia.
But Zechariah, the prophet, revived their hopes by bringing prophetic insights about their future. READ 4:1-9.
Zechariah 4:1-10
Then the angel of the Lord who talked with me returned and woke me up like someone awakened from sleep. 2) He asked me, "What do you see?" I answered, "I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. 3) Also, there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left." 4) I asked the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?" 5) He answered, "do you know what these are?" "No, my lord," I replied. 6) So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty. 7) What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel, you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of, "God bless it! God bless it!" 8) Then the word of the Lord came to me: The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.
V2) solid gold lampstand – symbolizes the shining glory of God
v2) In biblical numerology, the number 7 means "completeness."
V3) 2 olive trees – olive trees represent the “oil," and oil in the Old Testament symbolizes anointing, which is connected to the Holy Spirit and everything that the Holy Spirit does. In this vision, Joshua and Zerubbabel were the two who were anointed to serve the purposes of the Lord at that time.
To survive, many people believe that you need to be the best, the fastest, the toughest, the smartest, the strongest. The Bible, however, repeatedly demonstrates that the anointing of the Holy Spirit is what we need. No work of the Lord in our lives can be done without the anointing. It is the anointing of the Holy Spirit that will set you apart from the crowd! Your weakness is not an obstacle for God to complete what He started in you. Take a look at the Apostle Paul.
1 Cor. 12:7-10 Concerning Paul’s thorn in the flesh, he pleaded to God 3x that it might depart from him. But it didn’t. And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly, I will boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. SAY THAT TO THE ENEMY!!!!
Why should I say I can't when the Bible says I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)?
2. Why should I lack when I know that God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)?
3. Why should I fear when the Bible says God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)?
4. Why should I lack the faith to fulfill my calling knowing that God has allotted me a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)?
5. Why should I be weak when the Bible says that the Lord is the strength of my life and that I will display strength and take action because I know God (Psalm 27:1; Daniel 11:32)?
6. Why should I allow Satan supremacy over my life when He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4)?
7. Why should I accept defeat when the Bible says that God always leads me in triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14)?
8. Why should I lack wisdom when Christ became wisdom to me from God and God gives wisdom to me generously when I ask Him for it (1 Corinthians 1:30; James 1:5)?
9. Why should I be depressed when I can recall to mind God’s lovingkindness, compassion, and faithfulness and have hope (Lamentations 3:21-23)?
10. Why should I worry and fret when I can cast all my anxiety on Christ who cares for me (1 Peter 5:7)?
11. Why should I ever be in bondage knowing that there is liberty where the Spirit of the Lord is (2 Corinthians 3:17)?
12. Why should I feel condemned when the Bible says I am not condemned because I am in Christ (Romans 8:1)? 13. Why should I feel alone when Jesus said He is with me always and He will never leave me nor forsake me (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5)?
14. Why should I feel accursed or that I am the victim of bad luck when the Bible says that Christ redeemed me from the curse of the law that I might receive His Spirit (Galatians 3:13-14)?
15. Why should I be discontented when, like Paul, I can learn to be content in all my circumstances (Philippians 4:11)?
16. Why should I feel worthless when Christ became sin on my behalf that I might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21)?
17. Why should I have a persecution complex knowing that nobody can be against me when God is for me (Romans 8:31)?
18. Why should I be confused when God is the author of peace, and He gives me knowledge through His indwelling Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:33; 2:12)?
19. Why should I feel like a failure when I am a conqueror in all things through Christ (Romans 8:37)?
20. Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations (John 16:33)? Not by might, nor by power, but my Spirit says the Lord Almighty!
This year, you are going to see a change in yourself. You are going to be a power connector. The Holy Spirit, who is the Change Agent, will do it! You will stand tall from among the crowd that people can see the Spirit of God is in you! When you walk past, people will say, "you can tell that person is a Christian." And someone would say, "how do you know?" I can see the trademark of the Holy Spirit." He is led and is filled with the Holy Spirit!!!! Some of you will receive a priestly anointing that was in Joshua, the priest; others will receive a prophetic anointing, like Zechariah, while some will have the kingly anointing that was with Zerubbabel. And, how easy it is for Jesus to do the same for us for His Kingdom glory!
Only through God's Spirit can we accomplish anything of value in this life. THE RETURNED EXILE was INDEED WEAK - harassed by their enemies, tired, discouraged, and poor. BUT THEY HAD GOD ON THEIR SIDE. "Never, will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5)
The temple was completed in 515 BC (Ezra 6:14-15).
When you dream of building something, generally. You want to build something that will last for generations. You want to build something that your children will be proud to inherit and keep forever in their hearts. (AUSTRALIA ZOO, STEVE IRWIN, conservationist, and CROCODILE HUNTER IN QLD SUNSHINE COAST. DIED ON 4 SEPT 2006 WHEN HE WAS STUNG BY STRINGRAY. His daughter Bindi was 8 and his son Robert was about 3. His family continued his legacy.
You ask, “what can I do to help?” How can I partner with the Holy Spirit in building His house? THE CLG GROWTH CYCLE (PPT)
Consider yourself a part of those building the temple of God in Zerubbabel, Haggai, and Zechariah's time if you cannot carry a big log, perhaps, a small log. Nothing is too small in God's eyes; He will indeed bless what you bring to the table.
4:10) Who dares despise the day of small things - What you do for God may seem insignificant at the time, but God rejoices in what is right, not necessarily in what is big. BE FAITHFUL IN small opportunities. Begin where you are and do what you can, and leave the results to God. DO IT FOR THE AUDIENCE OF ONE?
Do it one at a time: God has called you perhaps not to become the next Billy Graham, etc. But, he put you here in His church to help carry the load that God has placed in this church, or to the church where you are planted, for that matter. I say to you that God will open many golden opportunities for each of you. Please keep your eyes open and grab them as it comes.
MAKE A PERSONAL PLAN FOR YOUR SUCCESS WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. HE IS ALREADY MOVING! MOVE WITH HIM. Focus on the why? The purpose. Focus on God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who is committed to your success. The Holy Spirit gives wisdom; wisdom that will set you apart from the crowd.
Such wisdom set Jesus apart amidst many temptations to abandon the very reason of his earthly existence. But, with the help of the Holy Spirit, Jesus kept the main thing, the main thing.
John 18:37 37 Then Pilate responded, “Oh, so then you are a king?” “You are right.” Jesus said, “I was born a King, and I have come into this world to prove what truth really is. And everyone who loves the truth[a] will receive my words.”
People need to hear what Jesus is about and what He is up to in people's lives. Your job is to tell somebody that they can come here to listen to the rest of it. Let’s do this together! It is not the size of the task as it is to the size of your God! I will leave you with three questions that requires faith.
What is your vision of God? Do you see him small or big?
Will let you let the Holy Spirit takes over your life, your family, your job, your career, your business, your ministry, your studies, your love life, and other relationships?
Will you hand over your future completely into the mighty hands of God?
Think about your answers to these questions seriously. And, commit it to God in prayer!
