The Day of the Lord (Zechariah 14:1-21)

#zechariah #nightvisions #dayofthelord

We can think of the "Day of the Lord" in scripture as being the final day. We do see the day of the Lord as a day when the Lord makes all things right. We think of this as one day rather than one day that is manifested at different times in history. In fact, God by his providence shows his deliverance in patterns throughout covenant history. The point is to give the assurance and warning to the nations that there is a day of reckoning. There is warning to the nations that they better assemble to worship with God's people rather than make war against them. These patterns give assurance that the Lord will bring his people to dwell with him on his holy plateau in the heavenly city that comes down from heaven when all things are created new.

(Preached October 9, 2022)

On That Day (3) (Zechariah 13:7-9)

We know that God's people will be pierced through the heart after they send the Lord's shepherd to death. We can see the future promise of this reality. However, what is the Lord going to do at the end of the day? The Lord says that he will scatter his sheep, he will cut off two thirds of the sheep. He will sanctify the last third of the sheep.

(Preached 9.25.2022)

On That Day (2) (Zechariah 12:10-13:6)

Zechariah set a scary stage in the previous context. The setting is the nations marching against Jerusalem. The nations were meeting for the battle at the mountain of the assembly. This is not assembly for worship, but assembly with the intent to destroy God's city. God's holy mount Zion is being reclaimed as the mountain of war. The Lord promises to secure his holy mountain and his holy city. The Lord is going to establish his "vision of peace" or what we know as Jerusalem. History is moving to the goal of the Lord's heavenly city where God dwells with his people forever. Zechariah continues to describe the "Day of the Lord" with the assurance that the Lord's Spirit will be poured out. His people will repent. Idolatry will be removed. His people will grieve that they have pierced the messiah. However, the Lord's people will dwell in peace in the Lord's heavenly city dwelling in the presence of God himself.

(Preached September 18, 2022)

On That Day (Zechariah 12:1-9)

The prophets speak of the "Day of the Lord." This is the day when the Lord makes everything right. This is a wonderful day when the Lord establishes his justice, manifests his mercy, and sees to it that the world is fully in the true rest of the kingdom. Zechariah is concluding his prophecy with this vision of the lord making all things right. Our call is to bow our knee to Christ, submit to his reign, and see that as we seek first his kingdom our Lord will deliver us.

Preached September 11, 2022 (9/11/2022)

Living in the Last Days (3) (Mark 13:32-37)

Christ continues to talk about suffering and struggle in these last days.  We can be assured that as the temple was destroyed with Jerusalem that the end of the world is guaranteed.  So, if we know that the end of the world is coming then how shall we live?  Really?  Do we need to get very busy to make sure that this world is prepared for the Lord?  Do we just be fatalistic and say it is coming what can we do anyway?  Or is there something to Christ exhorting us to watch out and be on our guard that puts the coming end in a positive light?

What is Godly Sorrow? (LD 33; Joel 2:12-14)

What is the difference between having sorrow and having a Godly sorrow for sin?