Returning to God

Zechariah 1:1–6 NIV84

1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo: 2 “The Lord was very angry with your forefathers. 3 Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. 4 Do not be like your forefathers, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. 5 Where are your forefathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever? 6 But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your forefathers? “Then they repented and said, ‘The Lord Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as he determined to do.’ ”

1. Return to God by being obedient to His Word

Sub Point 1.1: People rebel because they don’t agree with God’s command

John 14:15 “15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

You don’t know obedience until there is disagreement

Sub Point 1.2: Practice daily devotion and prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:16–20 “16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt.”

Sub Point 1.3: Serve with love and compassion

Galatians 5:13 “13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”

2. Return to God by turning away from a life of sin

Sub Point 2.1: Acknowledge your sins

1 John 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Sub Point 2.2: Confess your sins

James 5:16 “16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

Sub Point 2.3: Repent from your sins

Acts 3:19 “19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,”

3. Return to God by surrendering your life to God

Sub Point 3.1: Let go of pride and self-reliance

Proverbs 3:5–6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Sub Point 3.2: Submit to God’s authority

James 4:7 “7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Sub Point 3.3: Seek God’s guidance in all decisions

Psalm 119:105 “105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

4. Return to God by living a transformed life

Sub Point 4.1: Bearing the Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22–23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Sub Point 4.2: Share the Gospel with others

Matthew 28:19–20 “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

Sub Point 4.3: Persevere in the Faith

Hebrews 10:25 “25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:36 “36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”