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Sermon Series: Meeting God, Again ​ The Minor Prophets Text: Zechariah 1:1-6, 3:1-10 ​ Date: 11/08/2020 ​

Setting up the Story... ● Zechariah was a prophet that lived in the time of . In fact, they knew each other! The 70 years of Babylonian captivity are over; God’s people are back in , but they’re neglecting to rebuild the Temple of the LORD. It seems they need a little motivation!

Zechariah 1:1-3 ● Second year of Darius = about November 520BC ● Yahweh’s Promise: If they return to Him, He will return to them. ​ ​ ​ ​

Zechariah 1:4-6 ● Zechariah’s book is a call to repentance and a promise of restoration from ​ ​ ​ ​ Yahweh God ● Chapters 1 - 6 are a series of dreams/visions from Yahweh ● Chapters 7 - 14 are a prophetic look at how Yahweh will restore His people

Zechariah 3:1-2 ● Characters to Note: ○ Joshua ○ The Angel of the LORD ○ Satan or “the adversary” ○ Jerusalem ○ Yahweh / LORD Almighty = LORD of Hosts ​ ■ This title of Yahweh means that He has authority over everyone ​ ​ ​ that exists in heaven and on earth! ● Yahweh is going to save His people as a burning stick is snatched from the fire

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Zechariah 3:3-5 ● Additional Characters: “those who were standing before him” = other spiritual beings in Yahweh’s Divine Council (v.4-5 and 7) ● Joshua represents the entire remnant of God’s people in Zechariah’s vision ​ ​ ​ ​ ● The act of changing from dirty clothes to clean clothes represents the way in which Yahweh God was going to purify His people ​ ​

Zechariah 3:6-10 ● Who is the Servant / Branch? It’s ! These titles are used in the Old ​ ​ Testament to refer to the coming Messiah. ● Side Tangent... ○ Satan is equated with Beelzebul (Matthew 12:24-27) ○ Beelzebul is a title that means “Ba’al is prince” ○ Beelzebul / Satan was the “Lord of the Dead,” but Jesus conquered death, was given all authority (Matthew 28:18), and now holds the keys to death and hades! (Revelation 1:18) ● The “single day” was the day that Jesus conquered death! ● It’s not what’s on the outside that makes us pure - it’s Who is inside of us: The Holy Spirit! (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Our Assurance in Life: It doesn’t matter what the Accuser does! You have God ​ Himself, the Holy Spirit, inside you as your Advocate (John 14:15-17). When we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8).

1. Why do you think people walk away from Jesus? If you can think of someone who has walked away from Jesus, take some time to pray for them.

2. God says: “Return to me and I will return to you” (Zechariah 1:3). “Return” means turning away from our sin (repenting). Discuss this in light of James 4:7-8.

3. Read Ephesians 6:10-12. Why is it dangerous to ignore the biblical worldview of the unseen realm?

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4. If our bodies are a temple for the Holy Spirit, then in what ways might we neglect His temple? In what ways can we rebuild His temple? (1 Timothy 4:8)

5. If we’re a follower of Jesus, then we have absolutely no reason to fear the spiritual forces of evil. Why? (Zechariah 3:9, Matthew 28:18, Revelation 1:18, Colossians 1:17, Romans 8:14-17, 2 Corinthians 12:10, John 14:15-17 and Revelation 19:16)

6. How does Jesus bring you comfort throughout all seasons of your life? (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Recommended Resources: These are great for anyone who wants to study more on ​ ​ ​ today’s topic. All of these resources are excellent, accessible and come highly recommended by our pastoral staff:

● Youtube Videos: ○ Project, Overview: Zechariah ​ ○ Bible Project, How to Read the Bible: The Prophets ​ ● Books: ○ Demons: What the Bible Really Says about the Powers of Darkness, by ​ Dr. Michael Heiser. ○ Study Bible: NIV Faithlife Illustrated Study Bible, christianbook.com, ​ ​ https://bit.ly/3kxieXw