Peace Fellowship Church » Sermon Notes

SERMON: Thirsty!

administrator — Sun, 08 May 2011 10:16:27 +0000

Isaiah 55:1-13 and John 4:1-15
Rev. Dennis R. Edwards, PhD

SERMON: Why? Because . . . The Life of Joseph

administrator — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 10:00:54 +0000

Genesis 37:18-36, 9, 41:37-44
Andrea Cofield

Study Questions for Zechariah 14

administrator — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:25:21 +0000

by Sean Mills

This week’s questions:

Read Zechariah 14

1. Zechariah’s prophecy ends by exclaiming what the ultimate Day of the LORD will be like. This concept is noted frequently in the Bible’s prophetic literature (cf. Isa 2:12 & Joel 1:15). It typically involves judgement against unbelievers (or other nations), washing away sin from God’s people and salvation for believers. Compare Zech 14:1-9 with Isa 27 and Amos 5:18-20. Describe the situation of the God’s people ‘on that day.’ Describe the situation of the enemies of God.

2. Verse twelve says, “And the LORD will send a plague on all the nations that fought against Jerusalem. Their people will become like walking corpses, their flesh rotting away.” Perhaps used in a more figurative sense here, this is not the first time God used the ‘plague’ against His people’s enemies (see Ex 7-10). Zechariah’s plague seems to set Jerusalem’s enemies against one another instead of her (vv. 13, 15). In the context of the ‘Day of the LORD’ this presents an even darker situation for God’s enemies. Are there any similarities between the way Pharaoh treated God’s people and the way the the various nations of Zechariah’s time treated them (Assyria, Babylon, Persia)? Are there parts of the world where Christians suffer for the sake of their faith today? Do you presume their enemies’ situation will be as dire as that predicted in the prophets?

3. Zechariah’s prophecy uses a common epithet to refer to God. He refers to God as ‘the LORD of Heaven’s Armies’ (lit. Yahweh of Hosts or Yahweh’s Armies) fifty-three times. His use is only rivaled by Jeremiah (fifty-six times). Scholars debate the precise meaning of the phrase but most agree that it refers to God’s power or might; a theme certainly not lost on Zechariah. How has Zechariah’s prophecy depicted God’s power and might? How has his prophecy depicted it concerning the Day of the LORD? What does His power mean to you personally? How has He been a powerful Presence in your life?

Study Questions for Zechariah 12 and 13

administrator — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:10:00 +0000

by Sean Mills

This week’s questions:

Read Zechariah 12 & 13

1. In chapter one we saw how God used ‘the nations’ to discipline His people (v. 15). In chapter twelve, it is the nations who are under divine rebuke and the people of God, Judah and Jerusalem, are His agents of justice (v. 6). What do you think about God’s method of discipline? Why do you think He used the various world powers of the day to bring about His justice? How does He use His people now? Are we agents of justice? Does He use unbelievers as a means of justice also? Are they a source of discipline to believers?

2. Chapter twelve also illustrates how God protects His people (vv. 7-9). Although Judah is the object of scorn for the surrounding nations, they will be no match against God’s protective hand. He promises to shield them from their enemies’ violence. Recently, there has been a lot of violence in our community. Does God still promise to protect His people? How do we begin to make sense of the violence in our neighborhoods in light of children being killed by other children? Does God still care?

3. Personal and communal reflection: At the end of chapter twelve (vv. 10-14) and the beginning of chapter thirteen (v. 1) we have the classic repentance and forgiveness formula (cf. 1 John 1: 9). The Scriptures say God gave the people a spirit of ‘grace and prayer’ (lit. grace and prayer for mercy) (12: 10). Has God been convicting you of any personal sin? On a more communal level, have we been neglecting any areas of ministry or our core values that we committed ourselves to?

Zechariah 9 Study Questions

administrator — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:13:52 +0000

by Sean Mills

This week’s questions:

Read Zechariah 9

1. In verses one through nine the prophet uses picturesque language to describe how God will annihilate Judah’s enemies. Hamath is doomed and Tyre’s possessions will be consumed by fire (vv. 2, 4). In addition, Gaza’s king will perish and Philistia will be humbled (vv. 5-7). What do you think about the violence these ‘other’ nations will endure? Does it teach us anything about God? Are you comforted by God’s vengeance or is this passage unsettling?

2. Verse nine says, “Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey – riding on a donkey’s colt.” In the New Testament both Matthew and John apply these words to Jesus during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Though they stop short of verse ten (which in context would also apply to Jesus) how does He “destroys the weapons of battle and bring peace to the nations?” Does this happen during the present age or is it going to happen in the age to come?

3. In verse twelve God promised to bless His people twice as much as their troubles had been; quite a promise in light of being in exile! In Romans eight, Paul says, “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later” (v. 18). In the Zechariah passage, the blessings seemed to be coming very soon, ‘this very day.’ In the Romans passage, however, ultimate blessing and restoration will come in the future. How does God bless His people? Do we still get a 2 for 1 deal? Discuss.

Zechariah 8 Study Questions

administrator — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:25:48 +0000

by Sean Mills

This week’s questions:

Read Zechariah 8

1. Chapter eight begins with a rather idyllic scene of Jerusalem after God grants His blessing upon it. “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Once again old men and women will walk Jerusalem’s streets with their canes and will sit together in the city squares. And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play” (vv. 4 and 5). The image represents a time when life will be as it should be in Jerusalem. Justice will prevail and the people of God will live harmoniously with one another. Are there issues in our city that prevent certain people from living up to their fullest potential? If so, what are they? How can we address these concerns? Do you think God’s love for our community is ‘passionate and strong’ (see v. 2)?

2. In verse seventeen we discover things that God hates. He says, “Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the LORD.” In the book of Proverbs there is recorded seven things that God hates. They are haughty eyes (pride/arrogance), a lying tongue (lies), hands that kill the innocent (murder), evil hearts (bad intentions/motivations), feet that race to do wrong (intentional sin), a false witness who pours out lies (false testimony) and a person who sows discord in a family (creating strife) [see Pr 6: 16-19]. Though these things can happen on the individual, one-on-one level, how have we witnessed them in the broader context of American society? Washington, DC? What were the negative results of these instances? How many people were affected?

3. You may remember from chapter seven the people’s plea to God regarding their fasts that they held every year while in exile (7: 3). They wanted to know if they should keep fasting and mourning in an effort to incite divine intervention on their behalf. God essentially told them that their fasts and acts of mourning were self-serving and that they continually neglected the more important matters of making sure righteousness and justice permeated the land. In chapter eight God transformed those periods of mourning and fasting into ‘festivals of joy and celebration.’ However, the celebration is closely connected with the instruction to love truth and peace (v. 19). Why weren’t their prayers and fasts not being heard on High? What is most important to God? Is fasting now obsolete?

Zechariah 6 and 7

administrator — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:30:00 +0000

by Sean Mills

This week’s questions:

Read Zechariah 6 & 7.

1. Zechariah’s eighth and final vision (6: 1-8) is somewhat reminiscent of his first (1: 7-17). In both visions, there are colorful horses and the general theme of peace. You may recall from chapter one that ‘world’ peace came at the expense of God’s people; an infraction in which the nations would be punished. In this sense, we can say God was not at peace because of the situation of His people. In chapter six, on the other hand, God is at peace (lit. my spirit at rest) because judgement has come to Babylon. Does God still avenge His people today? If so, when and how? Does it happen in our time and place or will we only be avenged in glory?

2. In chapter six the Branch of God is mentioned again. We first noticed this figure in chapter three and we determined that when the Scriptures speak of God’s Branch, images of peace, harmony and prosperity are evoked. In chapter six, the Branch is responsible for building a new temple. Scholars debate whether the Branch was Jeshua, Zerubabbel or some other futuristic figure. For we who call ourselves Christian, the ultimate Branch is Jesus Christ. In Zechariah’s time the Branch mobilized the people of God to come together to work on a common goal; building a new temple. In our time, Jesus has given us some tasks to do as well. Some of these include tutoring adult learners, working with the youth in our community and providing support to returning residents. How is Jesus trying to mobilize your gifts and talents into Peace Fellowships’ various ministries? Is He? How will you come together with your brothers and sisters in our church to work on our common goals?

3. In chapter seven, God reminds the people of why they were chastised in the first place. We can think of it as a call to live right. “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other” (7: 9-10). Most of us are not in positions where we can emphatically judge unfairly or exploit the poor in some dehumanizing way. However, in what ways may we be implicitly allowing people living on the margins of society to be taken advantage of? How can we recognize this? What can we do to stop it?

Zechariah 4 and 5 Study Questions

administrator — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:06:19 +0000

by Sean Mills

This week’s questions:

Read Zechariah 4&5. For background information on Zerubbabel, read Ezra 5:1,2 and Haggai 2:1-9; 20-23.

1. In chapter four discussion is made of Zerubbabel, governor of Judah. We can think of him as the foreman of the Second Temple. In Zechariah’s fifth vision the prophet sees a lampstand and two olive trees. The 7 lamps on the stand represent the eyes of the LORD. In the context of a people making their way back to ‘the promised land’ and rebuilding the temple, what might this scene represent? For a people who have had many enemies throughout their history, what is the relevance of these things happening ‘not by force, nor by strength, but by God’s spirit?’ How can we be encouraged by this?

2. Chapter five contains visions 6 & 7. In Zechariah’s sixth vision (vv. 1-4) he sees a flying scroll. It is said to be a curse to everyone who steals and swears falsely. Remember that the objects of the vision are representative of something or someone. What does the flying scroll represent (hint: see Hb 4:12)? Why is it said to be a curse? Is it still a curse today?

3. In Zechariah’s seventh vision (vv. 5-11) the prophet sees a woman, named Wickedness, sitting in an ephah (a basket). She is being carried away to Babylon. Scholars are unsure if ‘Wickedness’ represents the sinfulness of Judah which gets transferred to Babylon or if she represents a female deity (Asherah) that they were so often guilty of praising. The main point here is whether it is sinfulness or false deities, they are being taken away. Does anyone recall what Babylon came to represent? Why was sinfulness or false gods transferred there? What do you think about God taking away things that hinder a relationship between Him and His people? Discuss.

Zecharaiah 2&3 Study Questions

administrator — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:03:37 +0000

by Sean Mills

In the beginning of chapter two (Zechariah’s third vision vv. 1-5), the prophecy predicts a day when Jerusalem will be overflowing with God’s people. In that day, God will be the glory within and protection around the city. Although Israel is under Persian rule, they were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s temple (see Ezra 1: 1-4).

1. The rest of chapter two (vv. 6-13) calls for the remainder of Babylon’s exiles to make their way back to Jerusalem, promises divine retribution upon the enemies of God’s people and even suggests that ‘many nations’ will repent and become included among God’s people. In this passage, Israel is called God’s ‘most precious possession’ (v. 8). In some translations God says they are ‘the apple of my eye.’ What does it mean to be God’s most precious possession; the apple of his eye? Can the Church make such a claim? Why/why not?

2. In chapter three, we are given Zechariah’s fourth vision. Jeshua (or Joshua) the high priest was standing before the angel of the LORD and Satan (or the accuser) was standing beside him ‘making accusations.’ Jeshua is believed to represent the office of the Priesthood, which suffered during the exile. God rebukes Satan and assures Jeshua that all will be well with him and the Priesthood would be restored if he and his colleagues continue to serve the LORD (v. 7). The Scriptures attest that Satan, indeed, is the accuser of God’s people (see Rev. 12:10). Although different from the OT office, God’s people are called a ‘kingdom of priests’ (or a royal priesthood) see Ex 19: 5,6 and 1Pt 2: 9. Is there any significance to God’s rebuke of Satan when he was accusing Jeshua? What might it mean for Christians today?

3. Zechariah, like Jeremiah before him (see Jer 23: 5,6 and 33: 15,16), makes mention of the Branch of God. This person brings about God’s justice and mercy and is seen as the one to usher in Israel’s restoration. Images of peace and prosperity are evoked when the Scriptures speak of God’s Branch. For Zechariah, the Branch is connected to a time when the Israelites will no longer be at war with their neighbors but will coexist with them harmoniously. For Christians, who is the Branch of God? Does this person truly promise peace and prosperity? What is peace and prosperity? What isn’t it? When will it ultimately be realized?

Zechariah Study Questions

administrator — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:03:39 +0000

by Sean Mills

As you’re well aware, our pastor is about to start a sermon series in the book of Zechariah. For small groups (when they begin) and anyone that may be interested in further study of the book, here are some study questions to get you started…

1. Zechariah’s name means “the LORD remembers.” In verses 1-6, his prophecy is, in essence, telling his contemporaries to remember the evil deeds of their ancestors and to recall the consequences of their actions. As we will see, a major theme in Zechariah’s prophecy is injustice. Can you ‘remember’ any ways that Israel may have been unjust in their dealings (see Isa 58, Micah 6:9-12 and Hos 6: 7-9)? Discuss.

2. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A certain irony is noted within Zechariah’s first vision (vv 7-17). Though there was peace throughout the whole ‘earth’ (v. 11), God is very angry at the other nations (v. 15). Apparently, worldwide peace came at the expense of His people. You may recall, Israel’s trials with Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon; the world/earth as they understood it. In an historical sense, in what ways have so-called Christian nations and/or the church engaged in unjust practices at the expense of other peoples? Does this happen today? Where? If so, how can we (the universal church) remedy this situation? Is there anything that we (Peace Fellowship) can do?

3. In verse 14 of our translation, God says: “My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong.” In Hebrew, the phraseology uses a term which often depicts God as being quite zealous for His people and their plight for liberation from oppressive entities. As we meditate on this, what do you think it reveals to us about God’s character? How might this be useful to the Church today? How might (or should) this motivate us to fight against injustice?