Sermon Tone Analysis

“The Judgement of God”

PRAY

The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible defines Judgement this way…

Concept in Scripture closely related to the concept of God’s justice.

In all his relationships God acts justly and morally.

Human beings, created by God, are morally structured so that they may positively respond to God’s righteous demands in their lives.

Divine judgment, involving God’s approval or disapproval upon each human act, is a natural consequence of the Creator-creature relationship between God and humanity.

Thus judgment, simply defined, is the divine response to human activity.

God the Creator must also be God the Judge.

Since God is just, he responds with either punishments or rewards to what each person does.

One’s moral accountability to God, a quality not shared by the rest of creation, is an essential ingredient of being created in God’s image.

Creation in the divine image meant that God and man could communicate with each other in such a way that all people were able to understand God’s moral requirements and willingly respond to them.[1]

In the very beginning God pronounced a Judgement on Adam and Eve.

He looked at them and said in Genesis 1:27-31

Notice that throughout the process of Creation God looked at what He had created and said, “it is good,” But when He was done, when He had created something in His own image, something that was able to take dominion over creation, He said “it is very good.”

He made a judgement.

As the ultimate moral authority over all things, He looked at the very thing He had created in His image, and after His likeness and made a judgement calling it VERY GOOD!

Too often we get judgment confused as a bad thing.

That likely stems from our innate or instinctive desire to be comfortable.

We see and think of judgement as something to be feared, but the reality is we make judgements all the time.

Every person here woke up this morning and made a judgement on what they were going to wear today.

Granted, maybe you looked at the weather last night and made the judgement then.

Regardless, we make decisions based on the information we have to work with.

But for the aforementioned reason of desiring comfort over ultimate good, we fear any kind of negative judgement that will require momentary (or even extended) discomfort or pain.

We fear anything that will require introspection and potential change.

But, as I already stated, Judgement is guaranteed.

Often times the negative judgement we receive is the very thing we need to grow, become better, and succeed in life!

In the book of Zephaniah, the prophet speaks of impending judgement on Jersualem, Judah, the enemies of God’s people, and as Zephaniah 3:6 says, “NATIONS.”

But the Holy Spirit doesn’t leave it with impending judgement, doom, and destruction.

The final verses of chapter 3 speaks of conversion, joy, redemption, and restoration.

The final verses of Zephaniah tell of the Fruits of Judgement.

What we have to understand first and foremost above all else is that…

God’s Mercy Is Central In His Judgement

With that said we understand that judgement, positive or negative, is to bring God’s purposes to light.

In judgement He reveals His will.

In judgement, He can guide us back to Himself.

I. God’s judgment fosters humility (3:9–12)

a. Zephaniah 3:9-12

b.

Proverbs 16:18 God hates pride

c.

Prideful people try to explain away judgement.

Azusa Street by Frank Bartleman talks about the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.

School teachers, Politicians, Scientists, and even Pastors tried convincing people this WAS NOT God’s Judgement.

d.

Malachi 4:1

e. Matthew 5:3

II.

God’s judgment promotes righteousness (3:13)

a. Zephaniah 3:13

b.

Directed at Israel, but the theological principle/idea remains for us.

c.

Zephaniah 2:7 (Probably won’t be a great end time revival) Righteousness will rest on the Remnant

i. Remnant “A portion of people left after a disaster, especially a disaster identified with divine judgement.”

The Lexham Bible Dictionary.

d. 9/11 Promoted a momentary period of the appearance of righteousness as many do, but within a few short weeks the churches had cleared out.

III.

God’s judgment results in praise (3:14–20)

a. Zephaniah 3:14-20

b.

Philippians 4:4-7

IV.

Applications

a. Pray for Judgement

i.

You cannot fix what you don’t know is broken

b.

Embrace Judgement when it comes.

c.

SHARE JESUS!!!

d.

Remember that Judgement is important for those whom God loves!!

i. Hebrews 12:6-11

[1]Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Judgment,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 1248.