Title: Leader's Mission (Zechariah 04:1-14)
Contents
Leader's Mission (Zechariah 4:1-14)
Introduction
In Zechariah 3 and 4, two important figures appear. These are Joshua and Zerubbabel. These two men played an important role in rebuilding the temple. Haggai and Zechariah emphasized the necessity and justification for the rebuilding of the temple, while Joshua and Zerubbabel were the people in charge of building the temple.
Presumably, Zerubbabel was a political leader. He was the governor. The problem facing the Israelites was the aftereffects of their long captivity. They have lost their dreams and hopes for a new life. As the leader of these people, Zerubbabel oversaw the construction of the temple.
Zechariah's fifth vision is a vision of a pure gold lighthouse and two olive trees standing next to it, which is a special revelation to the leader.
I. Two olive trees mean two leaders.
1. There was a lighthouse made of pure gold and seven lamps. And next to the seven lamps were two great olive trees, from which oil flowed into the lighthouse in golden crowns.
2. The pure gold lighthouse symbolizes the church. The lighthouse needs oil to light it, and it was supplied with oil from an olive tree. Oil is undoubtedly the Holy Spirit. But oil was being supplied from two olive trees.
3. Therefore, an olive tree was necessary to light the fire. What do these two olive trees point to?
4. The prevailing opinion is that it refers to Zerubbabel and Joshua. These two are undoubtedly servants of God. God's servants are important in any age. Without leaders, the church cannot be established and cannot fulfill all its missions in the world.
5. The olive tree is an important tree that supplies oil. How does an olive tree make oil? The oil is never made on its own. This is possible only when the roots receive adequate moisture and nutrients.
6. Although God's leaders must be supplied with sufficient power of the Holy Spirit, the church can maintain health and the members can experience the power of the Holy Spirit.
7. Therefore, the saints should pray constantly for the leaders of the church to be spiritually filled with the Holy Spirit.
II. We need God's grace.
1. At that time, building a temple with the power of Israel was an impossible task without common sense.
2. However, God's work is not done by the power of a specific person. It's not just about money. It is only possible when the Holy Spirit is with you.
3. If the Holy Spirit is with you, nothing is impossible. God's grace is needed. Without God's grace, we cannot be humble and we cannot do God's work.
4. God's will must be accomplished no matter how many obstacles there are. Therefore, the work that God has planned will inevitably be fulfilled no matter how many obstacles there are.
5. Who despises the day of little things? These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which go through the whole world, and they will rejoice that the plumbing is in Zerubbabel's hand (10). Obstacles that hindered the rebuilding of the temple disappeared.
6. There are no big or small things in God's work. However, the arrogant heart of human beings is only concerned with things big and small.
7. God said that it is more precious than the whole world for one of the least of us to repent and return.
III. We need the leaders of the true God.
1. When the number of things increases, fakes are bound to be mixed. It is a world where you and I are self-proclaimed leaders. They are passionate about boasting and promoting that they are the best.
2. Joshua and Zerubbabel tried to work hard for God, but the people did not follow him. So God gave the prophet Zechariah a vision. He showed that the only way for them to live was by listening to Joshua and Zerubbabel.
3. A right leader gives hope to the nation and leads the nation to the right path, but a wrong leader only takes care of their own interests. By the grace of God, right leaders must be raised on this earth.
4. All saints must pray. Our fight is not flesh and blood. It's not about fighting people. You must fight the spirits of evil. The spirits of evil that have taken over the power of the air are fueling the chaos of the human world.
5. Evil spirits neither doze nor sleep. And always looking for someone to swallow. Therefore, we must earnestly pray that the work of the Holy Spirit will flourish on this earth.
conclusion
1. It was a vision of a lighthouse, a golden crown, and a golden candlestick.
2. No matter how much oil there is, if the gold crown is clogged, the lighthouse cannot continue to burn. Care must be taken not to block the crown.
3. And the most important thing is the smooth supply of oil. Evil spirits constantly interfere with God's work and separate us from God. Therefore, we must pray without ceasing. You must always be filled with the Holy Spirit.