We finish the short book of Zephaniah off today. The promise is that like the prophet Habakkuk, Zephaniah is told that while Jerusalem is rebellious the Lord will restore her and all things!
Zephaniah 3: Judgment on Jerusalem and the Nations
1 Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city!
2 She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD; she does not draw near to her God.
3 Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave nothing till the morning.
4 Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law.
5 The LORD within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.
6 "I have cut off nations; their battlements are in ruins; I have laid waste their streets so that no one walks in them; their cities have been made desolate, without a man, without an inhabitant.
7 I said, 'Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then your dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I have appointed against you.' But all the more they were eager to make all their deeds corrupt.
8 "Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD, "for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed.
The Conversion of the Nations
9 "For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord.
10 From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones, shall bring my offering.
11 "On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain.
12 But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD,
13 those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid."
Israel's Joy and Restoration
14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.
16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.
17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach.
19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.
20 At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes," says the LORD.
Things to think about…
1. Look what happens when people in positions of power and responsibility don’t care. The priests, the prophets, the scribes, both king and people alike did not care less about the fact that they had the law of God and that they were rejecting it and that imminent judgement was upon them. Zeph 3:1-5. Where does this apathy and rebellion come from? If you don’t fear the principle, perhaps you will fear the judgement. But should it really come to that. How hard the human heart is! Look at the scope of the judgement that Zephaniah says is coming, vs 8. This is global folks! Our responsibility is to be faithful priests of God and ambassadors for Christ, telling them that there is a judgement to come. The good news of course is that God has graciously opened up an opportunity for people to accept the judgement that has fallen upon His Son, Jesus.
2. Zephaniah looks forward to the glory of the gospel, and even beyond when they will all speak one language. We do this in Christ, but more than that I believe there will be a literal fulfilment that all the redeemed will speak one united language, Zeph 3:9. The promise is that those who are left of Israel at that time (Jews) will know the true Messiah.
3. Jerusalem has been and will be in the future a place of turmoil right up to the coming of Christ. But look at the promises Zephaniah speaks of regarding Jerusalem, Zeph 3:14-20. God will restore fulfilling the prophecies concerning the Jewish people, this can only happen if they receive Christ, the true Messiah then the promises of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be fulfilled in them., vs 20.
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.
Sunday’s message – “There is no appeasing some people” – Acts 21:17-36
a. Who is the hardest person to Christ that you know of? Saul was a hard man yet the Lord converted him. Discuss what you know about Paul’s conversion.
b. Some believing Jews still kept the law. Why did they keep the law when they were under grace in Christ?
c. Other Jews wanted to beat Paul and even have him put to death. This was after Paul explained to them he was not breaking the law but rather showing that the law points to Christ. How do you reason with unreasonable people?
d. Pray for our Palm Sunday outreach event that we can have the boldness to invite people to church and see people won to Christ.
Prayer Points
1. Pray the CBC reaches our into our community and we see many coming to Christ and added to the church. Please come along to the Working Bee this Saturday morning 8am at Church.
2. Continue to pray for the earthquake relief efforts in Turkey and Syria – over 50 000 dead. Have mercy Lord Jesus! The leadership will be discussing our involvement through Baptist World Aid.
3. That our Kids@Church and Chuwar Youth group grow beyond anyone’s expectations.
4. Pray for Chuwar Youth and Jarrod for Friday’s. Pray as he meets with youth at Westside, Ipswich and Bundamba high schools.
5. How you can serve in ministry this year.
6. Pray for other building projects – café turf to be redone, roof, the repair of the house, working bee 11th Mar.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Wonderful worship and word on Sunday thankyou Doug, Beatty boys and sound/technical team.
2. More visitors on Sunday – pray they are integrated into the church
3. Those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Chuwar Youth Friday nights – 6:30-8:30pm. Grades 7 to 12. Chat to the Youth Pastor Jarrod for more details 0478 845 123.
2. Working Bee - this Saturday 11th March – 8:00am at church. Please get involved. Rob Brand and Steve Hawkins are team leaders.
3. Sign up for a cell group or welcoming team.
4. Remember to check your duty rosters.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
6. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for February...
Q. 6. Are there more gods than one? A. There is only one God.
