Zephaniah Sermons by Rev. Mike Jones [Revised October 29, 2021]
INTRO TO ZEPHANIAH
Zephaniah (“The Lord Hides”) preached during the reign of godly King Josiah (He was probably the great-great-grandson of King Hezekiah). It was a time of great religious revival (see II Kings 22-23) but Zephaniah saw that the reform was only skin deep. The people had gotten rid of the idols in their homes but not in their hearts!!
Zephaniah was a prophet of the Jealousy of God over a people who wanted to serve God for His Blessings and yet hold to the world for its enjoyments. Then, as now, the people had to learn that Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Ex 20:3) and that The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with ALL thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:(Mark 12:29-30)
Zephaniah’s message is full of the terror and Judgment of God upon a people who had eyes to see and yet would not see. How sad that this is even the case today. There is much religious activity but so little Holy living and whole hearted seeking after God. We see God’s Judgment on sin but refuse to believe it could happen to us. [NOTE the way God brings Judgement in the Old Testament- Upon Israel, THEN upon the nation that captured Israel. Upon Judah, THEN upon Babylon. I believe God will bring Judgment upon America, THEN upon Russia during the Tribulation].
I. GOD’S JUDGMENT ON JUDAH 1: – 2:3
A) I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the Lord (vs 2) because they have not sought the Lord, nor enquired for Him. (vs 6). God list 5 groups that caused him to bring judgment upon Judah (4-6): (1) Baal Worship vs 4 [worship the flesh]; (2) Star Worship vs 5a [Astrology. Worship of knowledge]; (3) Combination Worship (Lord/Malcham); (4) Backsliders (Them that turn back from the Lord) (5) Lost (those that have not sought the Lord, nor inquired of him) 1:1-11
B) I will search Jerusalem with candles (vs 12) because they have sinned against the Lord (vs 17) 1:12-2:3
This pronouncement of Judgment ends with God calling to the people, Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger. 2:3
II. GOD’S JUDGMENT ON SURROUNDING NATIONS 2:4 -3:8 (See 2:15)
A) Philistines on the West 2:4-7
B) Moab and Ammon on the East 2:8-11
C) Ethiopia on the South 2:12
D) Assyria on the North 2:13-15 (NOTE how important a map is in Bible study). All of this was to show Judah that God had dealt with the sins of the surrounding nations and He would deal with her also (See 3:6-7)
III. FUTURE BLESSINGS FROM GOD 3:9-20
A) Destruction of the enemies 3:8-11
B) A Remnant to Return 3:12-13
C) God Himself to dwell in the midst of the People 3:14-20
Zeph 03:17 GOD’S SALVATION
3:17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty (STRENGTH); he will save (SALVATION), he will rejoice over thee with joy (SATISFACTION); he will rest in his love (STABILITY), he will joy over thee with singing (SONG).
INTRODUCTION The incomplete works of a people who were in the midst of a Revival and a Jealous God who sees the heart. (Paul had this in mind when he told the Corinthians in I Cor 10:21 22 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealously? Are we stronger than he? Jesus said he that is not for me is against me. You’re either saved or lost.)
I. BASED ON STRENGTH “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty” King of Kings, Lord of Lords
A. Able to save the chief of sinners – Paul
B. Able to save to the uttermost them that come to God. God is able to save anyone who will be saved.
II. HE WANTS TO SAVE “He will save”
A. What good is power if not used? Not the will of God that nay should perish.
B. He will save from Sin, Self, Satan
III. HE GIVES SATISFACTION “He will rejoice over thee with joy”
A. In His presence is fullness of Joy
B. Who wouldn’t be satisfied to be saved and a chold of God
IV. HE GIVES STABILITY “He will rest in His love”
A. He is a Rock to cling to
B. His love is unending
V. HE SINGS FOR JOY WHEN YOU’RE SAVED “He will joy over thee with singing”
A. Joy in Heaven over one sinner getting saved.
B. God’s Song of love for us! (cp to our songs for Him)
God’s Salvation can be yours. Come to Christ today.