“POWER FOR LIVING” Zechariah 4:1-7

“Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Zachariah 4:6

WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE TRUE ABOUT GOD IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT US. Therefore, we must have an adequate and appropriate view of God if we are to live and glorify Him… especially in times of adversity and spiritual warfare. Understanding and appropriating the ministry of the Holy Spirit is the key to our spiritual life.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD, HE IS PERSONAL AND HE IS A CO-EQUAL IN THE GODHEAD

THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AT THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL To know the Holy Spirit is to enjoy intimate fellowship with God. To be well-acquainted with the Holy Spirit is to know the will of God

“Every time we say ‘I believe in the Holy Spirit’ we mean that we believe that there is a living God able and willing to enter human personality and change it.” (J.B.Phillips)

THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH The son of a priest Born in Babylonian captivity. The son of a priest Zechariah means, “The Lord (Yahweh) remembers.” The Spirit of God clothed him with power to be a prophet. Israel needed to return to the God who once made it great. “Thus declares the Lord of hosts,’Return to Me and I will return to you.” (Zechariah 1:3)

ZECHARIAH LIVED IN DARK DAYS His book was written for those living in troubled times…..even like ours. How could Solomon’s Temple be rebuilt with such cultural confusion, political infighting and economic depression? The Lord promised to Zechariah “I have purposed in these days to bring good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; fear not.” (Zechariah 8:15)

A BIBLICAL VISION REVEALS GOD’S PURPOSE AND PLAN FOR HIS GLORY AND OUR GOOD God’s revelations turn the ordinary into extra-ordinary so life can be seen through God’s eyes. A God-Given vision gives us a much needed perspective to God, ourselves and to the day in which we live.

ZECHARIAH’S VISION 4:1-5 “And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep. And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it.”

“And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.”

THE VISION Olive Tree Anointed Olive Tree Joshua Anointed Priest Zerubbabel King

ZECHARIAH’S VISION 4:6,7 “Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

The Word of the Lord was intended for Zerubbabel THE MEANING OF THE VISION-Vs 6,7 The Word of the Lord was intended for Zerubbabel The Promise of God was: “Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” I John 4:4

THE SPIRITUAL SYMBOLS OF THE VISION The Golden Lamp Stand Represented the Light of God “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

The Olive Oil Represented the Ministry of the Holy Spirit The Two Olive Trees Represented Zerubbabel & Joshua

All Jerusalem will shout “Grace, grace to “The top stone” of the Temple!”

THE APPLICATION To personally know the Holy Spirit is to enjoy intimate fellowship with God. To be well-acquainted with the Holy Spirit is to know the will of God for us

Never overestimate the size of the mountains that stand in our way. Never underestimate God’s might and power

Our success doesn’t depend upon our might or power but only the might and power of the Holy Spirit. God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s provision and power

Broken dreams and lives can be healed by the power of the Holy Spirit. May His grace empower each of us to do great things for God’s glory. Why Not?

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts