The Untamable Lion
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 30 viewsNotes
Transcript
Zephaniah
Zephaniah
Watched first Chronicles of Narnia with Elle last night
Who has watched all the movies?
I was a heathen child apparently- because I hadn’t seen them before.
I never watched veggie tales either
Who watched Veggie Tales?
It’s a miracle that God got a hold of me- I didn’t watch any of the Christian children shows
The whole first movie centers around Aslan
Elle kept saying “I LOVE Aslan” “Wait till you meet Aslan” “I was infatuated with Aslan as a kid”
Powerful, all-good lion
… who isn’t “safe”
Tonight, we are going to see how the Lion is an picture of who Jesus is
Not a perfect one- but one nonetheless
And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
To see how Jesus is like a Lion, we are opening up to Zephaniah tonight
Read Zephaniah 1:1-7, 2:4-5, 3:1-3, 3:9-20
Whenever you hear the anger and wrath of the Lord, what comes to mind?
For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth,
The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.
The pronouncement concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
the Lord takes vengeance
and is fierce in wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance against his foes;
he is furious with his enemies.
Let’s be honest- it is difficult to discuss and believe in the wrath and anger of God. Am I right?
But here’s the thing- scripture is clear about God’s wrath and indignation.
He feels indignation every day (Psalm 7:11)
1:1-7
In Zephaniah, where does His wrath and judgement begin?
Judah. His people.
Story of terrorizing animals as kids with my friends. One friend killed a ginny
My dad comes along. Who gets punishment from him?
Judgement and discipline begin with the House of God.
Do not talk back to the Lord
2:4-5
All are subject to His judgement and wrath
God created all things.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
2:11. TERRIFYING.
The Lord will be awesome against them;
for he will famish all the gods of the earth,
and to him shall bow down,
each in its place,
all the lands of the nations.
3:1-3
“The worst offense is saved for last. God longed for relationship with His people, but they rejected His desire and went their own way, so she has not drawn near to her God.”
They knew His goodness, but yet they…
Turned their face away from Him
Hardened their heart toward Him
Disobeyed His word
Chose to slander and gossip against their neighbor
Gave themselves away to idolatry, lust, and all forms of ungodliness
Outright rejected Him
*Now You’re just somebody that I used to know*
Y’all know that song?
God’s people were unrecognizable
Movie released about story of Hosea and Gomer
Beat up. Unrecognizable.
3:9-20
Major shift. From God’s wrath and active judgement to God’s redemption and delight
What? How did this happen?
God. “I will” “ I will”
You know what God did? He sent Jesus. Jesus the Lion came and gave His life. He was slain as the Lamb.
Chronicles of Narnia
The wrath of God was satisfied
3:15
3:17
What does this mean for us?
God is a fierce Lion. He isn’t on our side- we must be on His. (Commander of the armies of the Lord)
Has the Lion gripped you?
Admit your sin, believe in Christ, Confess your faith in Him
Fear and awe of Him brings us into His love.
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Heart change. Life change. The Lion has gripped you. You won’t be perfect- but you will no longer delight in deeds of darkness.
incessant gossip. Rivalry and drama. Hatred and cruelty towards other in your heart. Sexual immorality.
Do you war against those things? Do you seek to kill those things that slayed the Mighty Lion?
1 John. The children of light walk in the light as He is in the light.
Edmund: “where’s that Turkish delight??” NO
Has the Lion gripped you?
You will delight in the light. The Lion.