Faith In Action: "When The Spirit Takes Over”

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.