Old Habbits are Easy to Come by!

Opening & Intro

We have seen it time and time again in the movies. Two of the main characters are ina sticky situation up high.

One is hanging on to the other over a building or a cliff. All they have to do is hang on for dear life. The music swells. The camera zooms in on one face. Then the other. The the hands holding on to each other. The the faces. The the hands. The people looking on and feel helpless.

Sometimes it works out. Other times…it does not.

Do we hold on to God like our lives depend on it? If the answer is no what are we doing about it.

Last week I talked about renewing my relationship with God. how between the ages of 9 and 17 I must have done that 30 or 40 times. Then over and over again I would go back to old habbits and bad practices.

God was my safety net when he should have been my safety harness. When you fall over and over you have to start over and over. So here is the question of the day...

Main Point

Do we want more of the same? Or do we want something new?

Why Does it Matter

The definition of insanity. The Old Testament is exactly that. The insanity of trying to live apart from God. We get Hope from God.

I see athiests online all the time try to remove the hope of God from other people. Why?

Honestly, Because of the history of christianity’s insanity. Over and over and over again the Church of Christ becomes corrupted and makes a bad name for themselves.

The spanish inquisition

The crusades

The salem trials

Screaming horrible and hateful things at people they disagree with

Child abuse in Churches that get swept under the rug

Residential schools

Sex scandal after sex scandal by majorly public leaders

Major public abuses of power.

The list goes on and on

This has been the story since the Old Testament.

Christians like borrow too much authority from God and try to wield it as our own. That is not good. Which is ALWAYS how they ended up on the wrong end of God’s wrath.

Here in Zechariah Chapter 7 and 8 this is being addressed once more.

Scripture

Zechariah 7:1-8-23

7:

1&2 - In the 4th year of king darius Bethel sent two spokesmen to ask God a question.

3 - Should we do as we have always done?

Fast in the 5th month

4 - God said,

5 - When you did it before, who were you doing it for?

6 - When you ate and drank wasn't that just for your own benefit? Before you were trying to better your situations.

7 - Why are you asking again when you know the answer?

God reminded them that they have already heard what is important to Him.

8 - The Lord Said,

9 - I told them to be real with one another and be merciful

10 - Accept everyone who "doesn't fit"

Help the widow. That’s easy.

Help the kid who was born out of wedlock. (Wait what? But that is a sin…)

Help the immigrant (but we shoudl help ourselves first!)

Help the poor. The poor don’t want help or they don’t deserve it.

They always had an excuse and then they woudl fast to try to make things right.

Example - Someone who apologizes but never repents.

11 - They didn't like that idea. It was too much.

12 - They didn't listen and God removed His blessing

13 - They ignored me so why would I listen to them?

14 - They messed up a good thing.

They knew what to do and I know you do too because I sent prophets before and I am not about to repeat myself again!

8:

1 - God said

2 - I love you so much I can’t stand it anymore. Let’s fix this thing!

Luke 15:20–32 (NIV)

Luke 15:20–23 NIV

So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.

3 - I will return to Jerusalem and Zion and people will know I am there.

4 - People will grow old in my presence.

5 - Kids will run and play again

6 - People will love it but I am going to like it even more!

You have been sick for so long you forgot what it felt like to be healthy!

Life is good with me!

7 - I am with my people again

8 - They are mine and I am theirs

9 - Remember to rebuild my temple don't forget again.

10 - Before it was impossible because of all the trouble

11 - Now I am back and that trouble is gone!

12 - You will prosper in every way

13 - You will become a blessing to the nations.

14 - I was mad before because of what you had done

15 - We are now reconciled!

The past was full of disappointment.

16 - Be true and just to one another not deceitful

17 - Don't lie and plot against each other. That's what landed you in trouble in the first place.

Treat one another with kindness and love one another and everything else will fall into place.

18 - God says,

19 - The fasts will not be for forgivness but for wonderful things

All those “religious things” were done either out of duty or trying to regain my favour.

Now it will be because they are mine and I am theirs.

And because of this...

20 - People will want the relationship you have with me.

21 - They will come to meet with me

22 - All people will seek my favour because of you

23 - 10 is used often in the Bible as a number of completeness.

The words “take hold of” are only used in 2 other places in the Bible in Hebrew

When Moses took hold of the serpent by the tail in exodus 5 and;

David taking the lion by the beard

Hozach - They could NOT afford to let go!

Basically, the covenant will be fully renewed and the world over will not just want to be a part of it but it can’t afford to let go!

Application

What does Hozach mean to each one of us? Are we in a place with God where we can’t afford to let go?

Do we fully understand that Church is not about a duty or a way to “earn points”. It is a time of celebration where we come to be together and recognize the hope and mercy we have from God.

Closing

We have to find our hozach - Take hold of God and know that we can’t afford to let go!