Not by Might nor Power

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!” ’ ”

God has commissioned us to accomplish His work

Zerubbabel had been commissioned by God to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

Zerubbabel faced great obstacles and opposition.

Zerubbabel was unable to complete the work with human might (military force) and power (individual ability).

We must accomplish His work in His power

We cannot accomplish God’s work in our own power and ability.

Romans 8:8 NKJV

So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

John 3:6 NKJV

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Galatians 3:3 NKJV

Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 5:25 NKJV

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

God will accomplish His work by His power—the power of the Holy Spirit.

Micah 3:8 NKJV

But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, And of justice and might, To declare to Jacob his transgression And to Israel his sin.

Luke 4:14 NKJV

Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.

Acts 10:38 NKJV

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

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.

1 Corinthians 2:4–5 NKJV

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Romans 15:18–19 NKJV

For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Mark 16:15–20 NKJV

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

We must complete His work through the power of His 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!” ’ ”

Grace speaks of divinely granted desire and ability.

Philippians 2:13 NKJV

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Psalm 110:3 NKJV

Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.

Response to the Word

Stop trying to live the Christian life in your own strength and ability.

Stop trying to do the work of God in the strength of the flesh.

Ask God to anoint you with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Depend upon God’s grace to finish the work.

Walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.