In God's Courtroom

In God’s Courtroom

Zechariah 3:1-7

Intro.

-Hebrews 9:27 … it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

-Like Joshua, “…we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

-We find here in Zechariah a scene in a courtroom.

-Zech. 2:13 BE SILENT!

Notice the Characters that are present here. (Vs. 1)

-THE angel of the Lord. (Jesus Himself)-- Judge

-Joshua – represented the priesthood, us – the defendant

-Satan – the accuser – the prosecutor

I. The prosecutor – Satan. Vs

-Satan is the accuser (resist – accuse, attack)

- Revelation 12:10 says that Satan accuses the saints

before God day and night.

-He points his finger at you and says…

SINNER

LOOSER

FAILURE

-Remember that he is a liar.

-He is the adversary.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

-He is against you.

- 2 Corinthians 2:11 …for we are not ignorant of

his devices.

-He will try to tempt you

-He will try to trip you

-He will try to trap you

-He will trounce on you when he can.

-He will resist you. Vs. 1

-When you are on the move for God, he will try

to stop you.

-He is against everything that you do that’s right

and holy.

-He stands here accusing and attacking Joshua…(us)

II. Joshua

-He was a high priest in God’s service during the

captivity.

-He represents every person that stands before the

judgment seat of Christ.

-He is filthy before God. Vs 3

-For all have sinned

--Romans 2:23 For all have sinned, and come

short of the glory of God;

--Romans 5:8 There is none righteousness, no

not one.

-The word “filthy” is very vivid in the Hebrew.

--As though one have fallen in the bottom of

an outhouse.

--Covered in human waste.

--He is guilty as charged.

III. The judge speaks. Vs 2,4

-Satan – I rebuke you

--Rebuke – express disapproval.

--“You will not do that here”

--“You will not be allowed to do what you are

doing”

--It stops right here.

--To turn away.

--Malachi 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for

your sakes,

-Joshua – sinners.

--Take away the filthy garments. (cleansed)

-Jeremiah 33:8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me

--“I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee.

----The sin is cleansed.

----It has been washed by the shed blood of Jesus

Christ.

---Hebrews 10:17 And their sins and iniquities

will I remember no more.

----A new robe (garment) (Clothed)

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

-God takes our filthy garments and replaces them

with a robe of righteousness.

-A priestly crown (fair miter) (Crowned)

--A turban worn by the high priest.

--With the inscription “Holy to the Lord.

-He gives us a robe of righteousness and crowns us

with His holiness. (Exodus 39:30)

- Job 29:14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed

me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.

-The Charge. Vs 7

--Walk in my way

--Keep my charge (orders)

--I’ll give you places to walk among these that stand

by.

----Vs. 5

---Jesus Himself.

-The promise. Vs 8

---Jesus will make it all possible.

Conclusion.

-Today you stand in God’s courtroom

-You are guilty. (no question about it)

-Satan is your accuser, your adversary.

-Your only hope is the grace of the Judge.

-Eph. 2:8 For you grace are ye saved through faith.

-Come to Jesus, today.

Suggested invitation song: "Just as I am".