A NEW DAY IS COMING
Twelve Voices #9, The Book of Zephaniah
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
(Zephaniah 1:1–3, MSG) “God’s Message to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah. It came during the reign of Josiah son of Amon, who was king of Judah: “I’m going to make a clean sweep of the earth, a thorough housecleaning.” God’s Decree. “Men and women and animals, including birds and fish— Anything and everything that causes sin—will go, but especially people.”
(Zephaniah 2:3, NLT) “Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you— protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.”
1. GOD WARNS THAT JUDGMENT WILL COME
a. Their religion was idolatrous
(Zephaniah 1:4, NLT) “I will crush Judah and Jerusalem with my fist and destroy every last trace of their Baal worship. I will put an end to all the idolatrous priests, so that even the memory of them will disappear.”
b. They adopted sinful practices
(Zephaniah 1:8–9, MSG) “On the Holy Day, God’s Judgment Day, I will punish the leaders and the royal sons; I will punish those who dress up like foreign priests and priestesses, Who introduce pagan prayers and practices; And I’ll punish all who import pagan superstitions that turn holy places into hellholes.”
c. Their Businesses were exploitive
(Zephaniah 1:11, MSG) “Wail, you shopkeepers on Market Street! Moneymaking has had its day. The god Money is dead.”
(Amos 5:11, NLT) “You trample the poor, stealing their grain through taxes and unfair rent. Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses, you will never live in them. Though you plant lush vineyards, you will never drink wine from them.”
(Micah 2:1–2, NLT) “What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night, thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out, simply because you have the power to do so. When you want a piece of land, you find a way to seize it. When you want someone’s house, you take it by fraud and violence. You cheat a man of his property, stealing his family’s inheritance.”
d. The nation had become complacent
(Zephaniah 1:12, NLT) “I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the Lord will do nothing to them, either good or bad.”
(Zephaniah 1:14, NLT) “That terrible day of the Lord is near. Swiftly it comes— a day of bitter tears, a day when even strong men will cry out.”
Life Application
(Zephaniah 2:3, NLT) “Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you— protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.”
God revealed himself in Jesus Christ.
(John 6:28–29, NLT) “They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
(John 14:23–24, MSG) “A loveless world,” said Jesus, “is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we’ll move right into the neighborhood! Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn’t mine. It’s the message of the Father who sent me.”
(Matthew 21:40–41, NLT) “When the owner of the vineyard returns,” Jesus asked, “what do you think he will do to those farmers?” The religious leaders replied, “He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest.”
2. GOD JUDGES THE NATIONS, INCLUDING JUDAH
(Zephaniah 3:8, NLT) “Therefore, be patient,” says the Lord. “Soon I will stand and accuse these evil nations. For I have decided to gather the kingdoms of the earth and pour out my fiercest anger and fury on them. All the earth will be devoured by the fire of my jealousy.”
3. THERE IS A NEW DAY COMING!
(Zephaniah 3:9-20, NLT) “Then I will purify the speech of all people, so that everyone can worship the Lord together. … On that day you will no longer need to be ashamed, for you will no longer be rebels against me. I will remove all proud and arrogant people from among you. There will be no more haughtiness on my holy mountain. Those who are left will be the lowly and humble, for it is they who trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will never tell lies or deceive one another. They will eat and sleep in safety, and no one will make them afraid.” Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! … On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, “Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid! For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. … On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction, among all the nations of the earth, as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
The Remnant
a. Worship God Only
b. Lowly and Humble
c. Live Holy Lives
(1 John 1:10, NLT) “If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”
(John 14:15, NLT) “If you love me, obey my commandments.”
(Luke 10:20, NLT) “But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”
(Psalm 23:6, NLT) “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”
(Zephaniah 3:20, NLT) “On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction, among all the nations of the earth, as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the Lord, have spoken!”