Sermon Tone Analysis

The Request

Do we have to still do these fasts

the fasts that we are doing because of the fall of Israel

God had a response that was negative

you were sent into captivity because you did not listen to the prophets

you did not love your neighbor as yourself

you made these fasts for yourself

these fasts are continuing to this day, so they did not stop

here in chapter 8, God is going to give them some positive words

God has 9 statements He gave to the people

some were for that time some were for the future

remember these are the responses to the question.

do we do these fasts anymore

read Zechariah 8

Pray

God Is With His People

the first 5 of the thus says the Lord of Hosts

are promises God will fulfill

are something they can take to the bank

God will fulfill His promise to them

#1 I am exceedingly jealous

this wrath is outward going, to the ones harassing her

#2 God will dwell there

Emmanuel - God with us

this is in the Millennial Kingdom

#3 people will live in peace

#4 with God all things are possible

#5 God will bring His people back

Obedience

now there is the next statement from God

that includes their obedience to work

# 6

let your hands be strong in the work

the temple needs to be built

the book of Haggai spoke of the need to get back to work on the temple

so what does this have to do with the Question, do we stop the fasts?

again it comes back to what does God want?

what is important to Him

not what is important to us

you obey Me and you will be blessed

you were slaves in captivity

but now

but you will be treated differently

let your hands be strong

obey me

God has a great love for the people of Israel

and he wants to bless them and give them prosperity

but remember the blessings and cursings of Deut 28

its up to them, whether they obey

Obedience Rather Than Sacrifice

Turn to 1 Samuel 15

God gave specific instructions destroy all, kill all

Saul said we brought the good stuff to sacrifice to God

we disobeyed so we could do a good thing for God

1) disobedience is an act of rebellion, 2) disobedience is sinful, 3) disobedience is a form of idolatry, 4) disobedience disrespects God’s Word, and 5) disobedience is based on looking good to other people rather than to God.

GotQuestions.org

#7 reminder of the command to love

again obedience brings blessing

The Future Millennial Kingdom

#8 the outcome of the fasts

the direct answer from God about the fasts

these have not happened as of yet

they are still to this day observing these fasts

#10 Jews blessing to the nations

the blessings that God has promised to the people who obey

the blessings that God has promised to the people in the future

the great kingdom of the future

the great government with Jesus as the king

the peace and justice this world will have

the fasts of mourning that will turn into feasts of merry festivals

now God wants us to obey, trust in his promises, and live as He has called us to live