GOD’S MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSION

The Book of Zechariah #5

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Woodland Church

“What comes to mind when we think of God is the most important thing about us.” –A. W. Tozer

(Zechariah 2:6–13, NLT) “The Lord says, “Come away! Flee from Babylon in the land of the north, for I have scattered you to the four winds. Come away, people of Zion, you who are exiled in Babylon!” After a period of glory, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me against the nations who plundered you. For he said, “Anyone who harms you harms my most precious possession. I will raise my fist to crush them, and their own slaves will plunder them.” Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me. The Lord says, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you. Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me to you. The land of Judah will be the Lord’s special possession in the holy land, and he will once again choose Jerusalem to be his own city. Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling.”

1. God made three promises in the Abrahamic Covenant

(Genesis 17:4–8 NLT) “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them! “I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.”

a. People (verses 4-6)

b. Relationship (verse 7)

c. Land (verse 8)

2. Moses was to be God’s instrument to for the fulfillment of these three promises.

(Deuteronomy 18:15, NLT) “Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”

a. Moses and Jesus were born during a persecution

b. Moses and Jesus were both hunted by a king

c. Moses and Jesus left the land of Egypt

d. Moses begins teaching with the Law; Jesus explained and fulfilled the Law.

3. GOD’S PEOPLE ARE HIS MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSION.

(Zechariah 2:8, NLT) “Anyone who harms you harms my most precious possession.”

(Zechariah 2:8, NASB) “He who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.”

4. GOD’S CALL TO FLEE BABYLON IS A CALL TO COME TO HIM

a. There is freedom in the presence of the Lord

b. Freedom is hindered by …

     i. Sin – confession

     ii. Scars – counseling

     iii. Shakiness – Biblical Culture

(Zechariah 2:6,10, NLT) “Come away! Flee from Babylon … for I am coming to live among you.”

(Isaiah 48:20, NLT) “Yet even now, be free from your captivity! Leave Babylon and the Babylonians. Sing out this message! Shout it to the ends of the earth! The Lord has redeemed his servants, the people of Israel.”

5. Celebrate God’s Presence

(Zechariah 2:10–13, NLT)  “The Lord says, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you. Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me to you. The land of Judah will be the Lord’s special possession in the holy land, and he will once again choose Jerusalem to be his own city. Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling.”

a. Sing and Rejoice

(Zechariah 2:10, NASB) “Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” declares the Lord.”

b. Be silent.

(Zechariah 2:13, NASB) “Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord; for He is aroused from His holy habitation.”

Growthwork

1. Don’t Keep the Joy to yourself.

2. Pray, Give, and Go.

3. Don’t build walls around the Church.

4. Store up treasures in heaven!

5. “Celebrate God’s Love by Persuading People to become Passionate Followers of Christ!”