Zechariah 4:1
The sermon emphasizes the importance of relying on God's Spirit rather than human might and power to accomplish the work of God.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the daunting task of rebuilding the temple after the Israelites' return from Babylonian captivity, highlighting the discouragement faced by Zerubbabel and the people. He illustrates God's message to Zerubbabel, reminding him that the work of the Lord is not accomplished through human strength or resources, but by the Spirit of God. Smith draws parallels to modern church practices, cautioning against relying on organizational might rather than divine guidance. He encourages believers to trust in God's Spirit to achieve what seems impossible in their lives.
Text
"HOW THE WORK OF THE LORD IS DONE"
I. THE TASK BEFORE THEM; THE REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE.
A. They had just returned from 70 years of captivity in Babylon.
1. Jerusalem is wasted.
2. The once glorious Temple of Solomon is a heap of
rubbish.
B. The task seemed impossible.
1. When Solomon built the temple, he employed 150,000 men.
He had 3,000 foremen on the job.
2. Only 50,000 people had returned from Babylon, including
the aged, women and children.
3. Solomon had an unlimited treasury.
4. They had only meager funds.
C. The task seemed impossible.
1. Many so discouraged they gave up and concentrated on
their own houses.
2. The work on the temple finally ceased.
3. Zerubbabel, one of the men in charge, had given up.
II. ZECHARIAH'S VISION.
A. The lampstand with the seven cups.
1. Similar to the lampstand that stood in the Holy Place
of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple.
2. It was a symbol that God wanted His people to be a
light to the world.
B. Two olive trees on either side of the lampstand with pipes
connected to the seven oil cups of the lamp.
1. One of the daily tasks of the priests was to pour oil
into these cups.
2. The lamp was never to go out
3. Man always is using his inventive mind to get out of as
much work as possible.
C. Here Zechariah envisioned this Rube Goldberg contraption.
III. GOD'S MESSAGE TO THE DISCOURAGED ZERUBBABEL, "NOT BY MIGHT, NOR BY
POWER, BUT BY MY SPIRIT, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS."
A. Many times God's word has isolated application.
1. Naaman told to dip seven times in Jordan to cure his
leprosy.
2 This is not a universal leprosy cure.
B. Many times God's Word states a universal principal of God that
holds true at all times.
1 Such is the case here.
2. There is only one truly effective way to accomplish the
work of God: "Not by might..."
C. How the church needs to hear this message
1. Oft times, more time and energy is spent organizing a
program than is spent on the program itself. Much more
than is spent in prayer.
2 Pastors take courses in Leadership Dynamics so they can better motivate
and manipulate people.
3. The church is trying with all its might to do the work
of God.
4. Churches hire professional fund raisers. The letters
sent out with self-addressed envelopes enclosed, are
psychological masterpieces.
a. How can that poor little widow hoard her entire
social security check when Brother Clobberts is
in such desperate financial straits.
b. She doesn't realize how high taxes are on an
$850,000 winter house in Palm Desert, Prop. 13
notwithstanding. "Not by might..."
D. How we need to hear this message today
1. Those areas in my life where I have experienced such
defeat.
a. I have tried so hard, with all my might
b. Someone asks us, "But have you tried --," and
before they can finish we say yes, because we
have tried everything.
2. God, by His Spirit, can do for us what we could never
do.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The Task Before Them; The Rebuilding of the Temple - The Task Seemed Impossible - The Work on the Temple Finally Ceased
- II points: - Zechariah's Vision - The Two Olive Trees and the Lampstand - The Rube Goldberg Contraption
- III points: - God's Message to the Discouraged Zerubbabel - The Isolated Application of God's Word - The Universal Principal of God
Key Quotes
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” — Chuck Smith
“The church is trying with all its might to do the work of God, but often more time and energy is spent organizing a program than is spent on the program itself, and prayer is often neglected.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should not rely on our own strength and power to accomplish the work of God, but rather on the power of the Holy Spirit.
- We should prioritize prayer and faith in God's ability to accomplish His work, rather than getting bogged down in organizing programs and trying to motivate people.
- We should recognize our own limitations and weaknesses, and rely on God to do what we cannot do.