By My Spirit

Pastoral Prayer for the Service

If the church does not shine its light of witness, then God will “remove” them as a lampstand, i.e., no longer consider it a true lampstand, that is, a true church.

R. C. Sproul

Zechariah 4 LSB

Then the angel who was speaking with me returned and roused me, as a man who is roused from his sleep. And he said to me, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it, also two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side.” Then I answered and said to the angel who was speaking with me saying, “What are these, my lord?” So the angel who was speaking with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, “This is the word of Yahweh to Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says Yahweh of hosts. ‘What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ” Also the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that Yahweh of hosts has sent me to you. “For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel—these are the eyes of Yahweh which roam to and fro throughout the earth.” Then I answered and said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right of the lampstand and on its left?” And I answered the second time and said to him, “What are the two olive branches which are beside the two golden pipes, which empty the golden oil from themselves?” So he spoke to me, saying, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of all the earth.”

Key Question: Are we led of the Holy Spirit or Are we led by our own power, intellect, and devices?

I. YHWH’s Power is Evident in His Illuminating Presence. (V. 1-5)

The Spirit performs His work of inspiration, indwelling, regeneration, and sanctification as the inner minister of the Word; it is the Spirit’s ministry of illumination that allows the Word of the Lord to break forth.

Dr. Richard Albert Mohler Jr.

Zechariah gives a strong emphasis to the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s children.

God is a deity of order, which includes worship, life, and obedience to His Word.

Where humanity lacks, God is the one who completes humanity’s deficiencies.

Are we walking by God’s Holy Spirit or by our own vision and design?

II. The LORD Gives Light Through His Chosen Servants. (V. 6-7)

God’s Anointed is appointed, and shall not be disappointed. The Treasury Of David, Psalm 2, Verse 6

Charles Spurgeon

In Zechariah’s time, Zerubbabel and Joshua faced opposition, But God chose them to lead the people.

The means of success for the people of God are not riches, giftedness, or talents. It is the work of God’s will through His Spirit.

As God’s people follow God’s leadership through those called to serve the challenges are mere pauses to ponder God’s might and holiness.

Do we submit ourselves to God and those God God has placed among us to lead and serve us?

III. YHWH is Pleased in Small Beginnings Leading to Great Joy. (V. 8-10)

Small numbers make no difference to God. There is nothing small if God is in it.

Dwight Lyman Moody (Evangelist)

the temple of God was laid waste by Nebuchadnezzar II, so the rebuilding of the temple was a start from scratch.

The LORD shows how he looks for those willing to follow Him, with all that they have and are, not those who are most capable of giving large quantities of goods.

The joy of God’s presence in the project is that as God promised, Zerubbabel rebuilt the temple and finished the work.

Do we hold in contempt the God who is able because of a small start?

IV. YHWH Vindicates His Chosen Leaders. (V. 11-14)

The two olive trees were identified in Zechariah’s day. Zerubbabel, who was the king in the line of David, is one of the olive trees. The other olive tree was Joshua, the high priest. They would be the two instruments God would use to bring light back into the nation Israel and to make them a light to the world.

J. Vernon McGee

God is the one who calls leaders into service. When the leader follows God, the opposition is not to the men, but to the LORD himself.

Leaders are made of flesh and bone, but the ultimate leader of the church is the one who sustains the under-shepherds of His Church.

The call to lead in the Church follows the pattern of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is to die to self and magnify God the Father.

What Is the LORD Calling Us to Learn?

Opposition to divine sovereignty is essentially atheism.

Charles Spurgeon

Spiritual Development & Church Growth are the Result of the Holy Spirit’s Work.

No Matter the Challenges, or Opposition, God’s Spirit is Greater Still.

God Institutes Leadership, Lack of Godly Leadership is a Judgement.

We are Called to Humility in Joyful Repentance.