Our text is a prophetic one. Who is this Messiah of whom we preach? The Son of God! The book of Zechariah has been called the Apocalypse of the Old Testament. Like the book of Revelation, Zechariah is a book of prophecy.
Vs. 1 - God is the Source of Blessings; vs. 2-3 - God judges false Shepherds; vs. 4 - The Messiah Revealed (Praise - God will bring glory to Himself!) Out of him-- Out of the tribe of Judah - Jesus is The Lion of the tribe of Judah! Heb 7:14 "For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda;" Re 5:5 "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book," Came forth - Tense is future, yet it is translated “came”, why? Ro 16:25 "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began," Re 13:8 "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Who is this Lamb, who is this Lion?
I. The Cornerstone- is both for the beauty and strength of the building Foundation Ps 118:22 "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner." Eph 2:20 "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
A. The Dependable Foundation - The cornerstone was placed in the building where two walls meet! The wall of the law met with the wall of Grace, and because of the cornerstone, I can be saved!
1. The Basis for Being at the Judgement Seat of Christ
1Co 3:11 "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
2. The Belief of Genuine Salvation (Absolute trust)
Isa 28:16 "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste." (He will be content and seek no other remedies!) Not works, not notoriety, not genealogies, not affiliation! Only trust in the foundation!
1Co 3:10 "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
B. The Determining Foundation
What happens to you is determined by your relationship with the Stone!
Matt 21:42 "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." Jesus is the stone!
1. Rest to the Uttermost - Salvation
(Broken, and only trusting in Christ) If you fall or place all of your trust in Christ the Stone, you will be broken (genuine confession). You will no longer trust in yourself, but wholly in Christ: Mt 11:28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." He 7:25 "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him,"
2. Ruined to the Uttermost
If you reject Christ the Stone, there will come a time that there will no longer be an opportunity for Him to be your Savior, but He will be your Judge! 1Th 2:16 "Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost."
II. The Nail - You may not think that you have anything, but when you are saved, you have a NAIL in the house of God (Tent Peg) Had two uses:
A. Unmoveable Security - These nails would be driven deep into the desert sand to hold the tent no matter how the winds would blow! Jesus is the one who holds me! I do not hold him. Double Security: John 10:28 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand."
Ps 95:7 "For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,"
B. Undeniable Residence
Ezr 9:8 "And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage." Valuables were hung inside the tents on large nails!
III. The Battle Bow - “Warrior”
Psalm 24:7 "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah."
A. Present Provision - Strength - He fights for us!
(When Sennacherib came against Hezekiah and God’s people) 2Ch 32:8 "With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah." The Lord has always fought for His own: Exodus 14:25 "And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians."
Deuteronomy 20:4 "For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you."
Joshua 23:10 "One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you."
Psalms 46:7 "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."
Rom 8:31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"
B. Future Dominion - The Ruler - Every ruler will be brought underneath His rule. Psalm 45:3 "Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. 4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. 5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
Re 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war."
Concl. Tonight, I want you to realize, that if you belong to Jesus Christ, your security belongs to him.
Your Relationship with the Stone, the Nail, the Battle Bow will determine whether you have rest or ruin: I have my foundation, my nail, my battle bow - As a genuine child of God, I can rest.
Are you genuinely saved and secure? Or are you headed to ruin?
Disclaimer: A man once told me that if it is true, it is not new. If it is new, it is not true. We all know there is nothing new under the sun. With that said, I glean ideas for my sermons from God’s Word, my own thoughts and work, and many other sources. Any similarity to my sermons and others, where credit is not given, is either coincidental, or an unintentional mistake on my part. As none of us have a corner on the wisdom and teaching of God’s Word, it is my desire that any of my outlines be an encouragement, a help, and hopefully a motivation for others to preach God’s Word clearly. Please feel free to use any portion of my sermons if they can be of help to you and your ministry. It is all for His Glory.
