Many people believe that to survive in this world a person must be tough, strong, and unbending.
• But can we? Can we always be tough and strong? No. We all need God’s help.
Zerubbabel has an enormous responsibility to rebuild the Temple.
• The task was daunting. He faced many problems – the group was small, the people were discouraged, and enemies were coming against the work.
• And then God came and reminded him, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” (Zech 4:6). The key words here are “by My Spirit”.
• This is God’s work and it is ONLY through His Spirit that anything of lasting value is accomplished.
1. It is God’s Power that is important, not ours.
The returned exiles were a very weak lot.
• They were tired, discouraged and poor. They faced oppositions to the rebuilding of the Temple.
• But God reminded them, that He is on their side.
It is good to remind ourselves this, because sometimes we live as if everything depends on us.
• We are worried about many things, because we feel that we are in charge.
• We live as if we are in control, of everything.
• God reminded Zerubbabel, not only that He is there with him, but it will be His help that guarantees the success of the task.
This year will be a good year, not because the economy will be good, not because the circumstances around us are good, not because our business is thriving.
• This year will be good because our good God is with us and He is our help.
• The psalmist says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Ps 46:1)
What is really important is not how strong, or capable, or intelligent you are. What is important is whether you trust Him and believe in His goodness.
It will surely be done, the Lord says to Zerubbabel, by My Spirit.
• Zerubbabel does not have to rely on his own wisdom and strength.
• We need not have to fight life’s battles with our own strength and limited wisdom.
• God wants us to put our trust in Him. God wants us to rely on His strength.
Jesus said, “All power and authority has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
• Before He said GO, He wants us to know that ‘all power and authority’ is in His hands.
• He is the source of help we need in reaching a lost world.
NO POWER
A native from a remote mountain village had the opportunity to visit a large modern city for the first time. He could not bring much home with him, and he had little money. But he was amazed at the electric lights which he saw everywhere.
So he bought a sack full of electric lights bulbs and sockets with switches so he could turn them off and on.
Arriving home he hung the light bulbs in front of his home and on his and his neighbour’s trees. Everyone watched him with curiosity and asked him what he was doing, but he just smiled and said, "Just wait until dark - you’ll see."
When night came he turned on the switches, but nothing happened.
No one had told him about electricity. He did not know the light bulbs were useless unless connected to the source of their power.
Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing."
• Many people who do not know that they are wasting their lives away; they are not accomplishing anything useful.
• They got the education; they got the job; they made the money and bought the home, but when the sun sets and night comes, they realised all is vanity.
• They did not accomplish anything of lasting value.
• They do not know that there is a source which makes all these things light up, that makes what we are doing meaningful and purposeful.
• And that’s Jesus! People need a relationship with Christ.
We need God. And we need Him all the time, not just when we are in trouble.
• The earlier we know that, the happier we will be.
• We need to acknowledge Him. Honour Him always, and you will be blessed.
Zech 4:7 “What are you, O 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!’”
2. It Is God’s Power That Removes Obstacles, Not Ours
Whatever that stands in the way of God’s will will be removed.
• There will be difficulties in life, and sometimes they can be as mighty as the mountains.
• But God tells Zerubbabel that nothing can come against His will.
• God will open the way where there seems to be no way.
Are you so overwhelmed by the problems you faced today?
• Are you so aware of your own weakness, or lack of resources, that you think you will never make it? Do you feel like giving up? Zerubbabel felt that way too.
In 1962, Victor and Mildred Goertzel published a revealing study of 413 "famous and exceptionally gifted people" called Cradles of Eminence. They spent years attempting to understand what produced such greatness, what common thread might run through all of these outstanding people’s lives.
Surprisingly, the most outstanding fact was that virtually all of them, 392 had to overcome very difficult obstacles in order to become who they were.
It is the same with the many men and women we read in the Bible that God has called to serve Him.
• They did not give up in the midst of persecution and hardship.
• Are you one who easily gives up?
While Zerubbabel was struggling with the work, still thinking about how to put up the first brick, God was already telling him about the capstone (v.7) – the last brick.
• The seemingly impossible task will be completed.
• God sees the end from the beginning. He is going to finish the job. He assures Zerubbabel that he would finish what he started.
God knows the will He has for your life.
• No mountain can hinder His plan, but you got to have faith in Him.
• In Matt 21:21-22 Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt… you can say to this mountain ’Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
• God’s plan will surely be accomplished, but man has to have faith in Him.
Zech 4:8-9 “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.”
3. It Is God’s Power Working THROUGH You
God says it will be by His Spirit that this work will be done.
• And then He says no obstacle, no matter how big, can stop His plan.
• It will be completed surely… but THROUGH the hands of Zerubbabel.
God is calling man to participate in His work. We are called to serve Him.
• God uses the ordinary things of life. He uses the ordinary people to work out His plan.
• His will is being accomplished today THROUGH you and me, not through angels.
• God can work through the weak and insignificant, because He is not relying upon your strength or your abilities.
It is not your power that God wants, but your participation.
• Our participation in God’s work is a crucial point. We need to DO God’s work.
• God can perform miracles, but He wants Moses to lead the people out of Egypt.
• Jesus can raise Lazarus from the grave, but He wants the people to move the stone covering the tomb.
• He can feed more than 5000 people with just 5 loaves and 2 fishes, but He wants someone to offer those.
So when God says, “Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit…” it does not mean we do nothing.
• In fact, it means we need to TRUST HIM and WORK.
• God has great plans but He chose to accomplish them through you.
• The great commission was given to men, not angels.
So what can you do for God this New Year? Let me give you some suggestions.
• We are all called to be builders – not exactly like Zerubbabel’s call to build a physical Temple - but God did call us to be builders in at least TWO ways.
(1) to build the church of God (that’s the great commission, we are to share the Gospel until Christ’s returns) and
(2) to build up the Body of Christ (Paul says we are the temple of the living God, in 2 Cor 6:16). We are called to love and encourage one another, to see that everyone is edified and built up.
• Are you working hard here to build up the body of Christ?
• Ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit and help you experience the power of His Spirit at work in your life and in your ministry.
Some of you may be dealing with circumstances in your life that is really difficult.
• You see no hope and you are discouraged. You have tried all you can try and done all you can do, it is time to give it to the Lord.
• God says to you, “It is not by your might nor by your power, but by His Spirit.”
• Can you trust God, and believe that He can help you?
Some of you have been running your own life. You have to come back to Him.
• Remember, you cannot rely on your own strength and might. You need Him.
• Put your trust in Christ today. Give Him the chance to bless you and give you meaning and purpose to life.
Can God count on you this year?
