Sermon Tone Analysis

Opening Illustration: Good morning, It is so good to be back with you this morning.

I know that there is a lot of excitment here this morning.

Being back into the sanctuary, we are a little over half way through our renovation of the sanctuary.

We have only a few more things to do.

A few more lights to be put in.

Some electrical work done on the stage.

And then flooring will come in this week and then the following new seating with the installation of the pews.

So here we are half way through a physical restoration of our sanctuary.

It is wonderful to see with our own eyes the things that God is doing.

And I know that it is hard right now and we are unable to look back at pictures right now of old carpet of old pews.

Of popcorn ceiling and dirty walls old lights.

But it is good for us to look back and see what things were like then to savor what He is doing now in rebuilding.

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This morning, I am so excited to be back in Zachariah.

And the passage that we are looking at this morning God reminded them to look back, look forward, and respond right now.

You know this morning, I believe that we are in a pivotal moment in the life of our church.

I believe that it has been God will for us to rebuild or restore this sanctuary.

But listen to me this morning, I believe that just as it is go will to rebuild this church physically I believe he desires to rebuild/restore Bethesda spiritual.

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matthew 6:23

Jeremiah 7:23

Let’s explore God’s word for us this morning.

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I want us to first look God’s promises to Rebuild and Restore

I. Promise of His presence (Verse 3)

Explanation: As we look at the promises of God I want you to notice as the passage begins God’s motivation for his promise and that is his Jealousy for His people.

Read with me verses 1-2.

Now if you remember this is referring back to

And the word jealous, quinethe, an interesting word, it really means redness of face.

When somebody gets strong emotion, their face gets red.

And God is saying I burn to do this.

God is saying I will some day literally burn with zeal for Israel.

When I can no longer bear the estrangement from my people brought about by their sin.

When I can no longer tolerate the efforts of Israel's enemy to destroy her and some day my jealousy will reach out in vengeance against those nations that have persecuted my people.

And you know as well as I do that the day when the Lord sets up the kingdom is a day of terrible, fearful judgment on the nations of the world that are unbelieving, right?

Now when the Bible speaks of the jealousy of God, it doesn't mean envy, but it is the boundless zeal that comes from a God who loves holiness and hates sin, who loves His own people who are godly and hates the ungodly.

It is the zeal of righteousness.

It is the zeal of love, not envy.

And because His love for Zion is so great He is jealous on her account and His love against those who oppress her, manifests itself in judgment.

And so God will judge the enemy of His people.

So we see to begin with then that the kingdom will start with the judgment.

There was a sense in which this was a great message for Israel, not that they were desirous that people be punished, but they were desirous that God be justified.

And they were desirous that the godly people be honored and the ungodly be chastened.

This is what motivate God to rebuild and restores you and Bethesda.

He has zealous love for you!

And thus he longs to fulfill his promise to return to you.

Notice the promise: I will return to Zion.

Explanation of God’s promise to return: There was a time in Israel past.

That they so profaned the name of the Lord with false worship and disobedience.

That the presence of the Lord departed from Israel.

Ezekiel And he saw all kinds of gods and creeping things and snakes painted all over the wall of the temple and people worshipping them.

And he saw them worshipping Tammuz, which is another name for Baal.

And he saw all these atrocities in the temple and then immediately He saw the glory of God depart.

Remember that in Ezekiel Chapters 9,10, and 11 where Ezekiel watches the glory of God leave.

And Ichabad is written over the nation.

The glory has departed is what it means.

And the Jews had never known the glory of God again because God had left them before they ever went into Babylon.

application: Listen to me this morning, there are times in our life that we feel that presence of God has departed from our life and in those moments we should evaluate whether we have allowed sin and false worship into our lives and thus flushed out God’s presence from our life.

The nations had been unfaithful.

But God’s promised to rebuild and restore by returning his presence.

Then the place would be called two things:

a) Faithful city - city of truth (a place where truth and justice resides)

b) Holy mountain - a place that is holy.

Promise of Security (v.

4)

explanation: The people of Israel had just returned from exile.

Before exile Jerusalem was not safe or secure.

Babylonians had come up against Israel.

And then as they were carried away into captivity they suffer no security.

They suffered in slave labor, malnitrition, and starvation.

Now go promises them security.

A place that is security for all old and young.

Promise of Peace (v.

10-12)

Promise of Blessing (v.

13)

Promise of Growth (v.

20-23)

Promises Fulfilled based on His Ability (verse 6)

Promises Fulfilled based on His word (vv.

14-15)

Now Conditions For Rebuild/Restore

1. Fear Not let your hands be strong!

(vv.

9-13)

2. Be obedient to truth, justice, avoid divisions, avoid false oaths