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 4: A Vision of a Golden Lampstand
1 And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep.
2 And he said to me, "What do you see?" I said, "I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it.
3 And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left."
4 And I said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?"
5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord."
6 Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!'"
8 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
9 "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. "These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth."
11 Then I said to him, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?"
12 And a second time I answered and said to him, "What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?"
13 He said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord."
14 Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth."
Things to think about…
1. Zechariah speaks of the golden lampstand and the 2 anointed olive trees and branches on both sides, Zech 4:2, 14. The lampstand is often symbolic of Israel. Blessing would come forth from this nation. Zerubbabel’s temple would be built and ultimately Christ would come from this initial blessing of the returning exiles. The two olive trees are Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the High Priest. A calling and an anointing would be upon them. We know when we are blessed as God’s people that there is not only a spiritual blessing in the land, but a temporal one as well. This was the promise given to Moses before the Israelites took the land initially. Their land would flow with milk and honey, they would have plenty of oil and wine. The olive trees represented blessing. The west has been blessed due to honouring Christ. We of course need to share Christ with all nations with a special blessing being upon us as we ask for the peace of Jerusalem. There is an interesting cross reference to Zech 4 when compared with the two witnesses that will come at the end of the age in Rev 11:3, 4.
2. The promise in Zech 4:6 to Zerubbabel is also true for every believer, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts”. The top stone is like the Cornerstone that the whole building is built upon. Jesus is clearly the Cornerstone of His body the church. He must be the cornerstone of our lives if we are to build our faith with truth and grace.
3. There is an end times connection as mentioned above to the 2 anointed ones mentioned in Zech 4:14 in Rev 11:3, 4. The Revelation passage displays these 2 as being empowered by the Oil from on high, the Holy Spirit. They will bring judgement on the earth. We see is given in Zech 5 that speaks of judgement. The 2 anointed ones during the tribulation on the earth will be instruments of judgment. We need to show and lift up the mercy and the grace of Jesu – in fact that is part of the message here in Zech 4:7 – “speak ‘Grace, grace to0 it”. Jesus builds his church by grace, but judgment will fall upon all those who do not hear the word of the Lord. This is also part of our message, albeit unpleasant. Remember we are called to be faithful with the message as His messengers. We are never to change the message to suit our own inclinations or the spirit of the age..
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
