Built with Grace

Zechariah 4:1–7 NKJV

Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?” Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”

Zerubbabel and the Restoration of the Temple

Not by Might nor Power

Zechariah 4:6 NKJV

So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.

But by My Spirit

The Spirit of Grace

Zechariah 12:10 NKJV

“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

The Hebrew word for “grace” here refers to God’s “favor” that releases His blessing.

Jesus is Building His Church

Matthew 16:18 NKJV

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Jesus Introduced Grace

John 1:17 NKJV

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The Law came through Moses

Grace and truth were introduced by Jesus Christ.

Great Grace

Acts 4:33 NKJV

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

“Great Grace”: ”Mega Charis”

God gives grace to the humble

James 4:5–6 NKJV

Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Beware of Grace Killers

Pride

Selfishness

Hard-heartedness

Unforgiveness

Ingratitude

Critical spirit

Legalism

Let us grow in grace

2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

The Capstone of Grace

Zechariah 4:7 NKJV

‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”

The Church was founded upon God’s grace, is growing in grace, and will be completed with grace.

The Church is a “house of grace”, a “fellowship of grace”

Response to the Word

Jesus is building His Church

He is building His church with grace (Great grace)

He will complete His church with grace (capstone)

Pray for the Spirit of grace

Receive the Spirit of grace

Grow in grace