As we enter into Easter week Zechariah tells us there will be a Branch who will give us a new identity. He begins by giving us pure clothing, covering us with His righteousness.
Zechariah 3: A Vision of Joshua the High Priest
1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
2 And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?"
3 Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments.
4 And the angel said to those who were standing before him, "Remove the filthy garments from him." And to him he said, "Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments."
5 And I said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD was standing by.
6 And the angel of the LORD solemnly assured Joshua,
7 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here.
8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch.
9 For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, I will engrave its inscription, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day.
10 In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbour to come under his vine and under his fig tree."
Things to think about…
1. God’s timing and choosing of names is marvellous. This new temple is built and the Lord commissions the high priest names Joshua which means God saves. It is a very slight variant of Yeshua meaning Saviour. This high priest Joshua was a type pointing to the ultimate High Priest Yeshua who would come and build an eternal temple perfected by His body.
2. Satan is an accuser, Zech 3:1. But the Lord rebukes him, Zech 3:2. Jesus is the One referred to here who rebukes Satan. Jesus (Yeshua) has the power to rebuke Satan now because our standing has changed before the Lord. Even now Jesus is mediating before the Father, Eph 1:20-23, as Satan is still “the accuser of the brethren”, Rev 12:1. But we have the righteousness of Christ and Satan’s accusations are without effect.
3. Zech 3 is a prophecy of the ministry of Christ. The Branch will remove iniquity in a day. We know this happened at the cross. Joshua the High Priest is a representative of all Christians whose old stained garments have been replaced with Christ’s righteous garments because of the gift of faith. May we see many people having their old sin-stained clothes replaced with Christ’s grace clothes in this season Easter 2023. Jesus gives us a new identity, a new hope, a new joy and a new destiny.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups on break over Easter and school holidays
Prayer Points
1. Good Friday and Easter Sunday services – please invite people who are happy to join us.
2. Pray the contacts made yesterday at the Family Day would and the conversations would continue to draw them closer to Christ.
3. Been a big term for our teachers pray Rosie and our teachers get a good rest over these next 2 weeks.
4. Pray for Chuwar Youth and Jarrod’s ministry. Pray as he meets with youth at Westside, Ipswich and Bundamba high schools as well as developing senior leaders.
5. How you can serve in ministry this year.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Wonderful day yesterday, plenty of new contacts. Praise God for all who served Shaun, Paul, Rosie, Technical/Worship teams especially. Thankyou.
2. A good number of visitors on Sunday. Pray this increases over time.
3. Kids@Church and Youth ministries are a great blessing. Keep praying for Rosie and Jarrod as they rest and recuperate for next term.
4. Thankyou Beatty boys for worship on Sunday and Iman and Doug serving as technical team..
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Good Friday – starts at 9am. Easter Sunday – 9:30am.
2. Chuwar Youth and Kids@Church on break over Easter and School holidays.
3. Remember to check your duty rosters.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for April...
Q. 8. Who are they? A. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Bible References – Matt.28:19; 1Cor.13:14; 1Pet.1:2; Jude20 and 21
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
