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".
