#1

Zeph. 1:1-3 A TIME WHEN GOD WILL CONSUME THE LAND

Introduction:

            The word "Zephaniah" means "Jehovah hides" or "Jehovah protects." As a name, the word is expressive of the faith which Zephaniah’s parents had in Jehovah God that He would protect their son. It was also descriptive of the great faith in Jehovah God which Zephaniah came to have.

            Zephaniah was a descendant of King Hezekiah and was a relative of King Josiah in whose reign he prophesied, V. 1. Josiah lived in a time of great idolatry and sin in the land. King Manasseh had led the nation into great idolatry and sodomy, II Kings 21:1-9 & II Kings 23:7. Josiah attempted to crush the idolatry and was somewhat successful.

            But knowing that the spiritual revival would be short, God, through Zephaniah foretold about the judgment which He would bring on the land.

I. The severity of the judgment of God on the land, V. 2-3

            A. God would consume all things from off the land, V. 2.

                        1. He would consume man, V. 3a. (He would especially consume the Hebrews. (Those who would not be killed would be carried away into captivity by the Babylonians.)

                        2. He would consume the beasts, V. 3a. (He would especially consume the cattle. The Babylonians plus drought in the land would consume                          them.)

                        3. He would consume the birds of the air, V. 3. (Drought would consume them.)

                        4. He would consume the fish of the sea, V. 3 (Dead fish would line the shores and their stink would be great.)

            B. This prophecy was soon to be fulfilled when the Babylonians armies would invade the land of Israel.

II. The judgment of God on the whole world

            A. The world in which we live today is likewise filled with all manner of immorality and spiritual corruption.

                        1. People of false religions threaten to take over the world. (People of heretical religion will never long peacefully co-exist with true religion.                          They will always seek to destroy true religion.)

                        2. Yet the majority in the world choose not to worship God in spirit and truth. (They follow leaders who stir their earthly passions.)

                        3. Even many so-called Christian leaders make no profession of being saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. They deny the inspiration                      of the Bible, deny the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, deny the resurrection

                         of the dead and express doubt about the reality of a personal living God.

            B. One of these days God will bring judgment and will consume the whole world, II Peter 3:7-12.

            C. Yet God loves man and has provided a way of salvation.

                        1. God has sent His Son Jesus Christ to die so that even the worst of sinners can be saved.

                        2. Everyone who repents of his sins and trusts in Jesus Christ for the salvation of his soul will be saved. John 3:16; John 5:24; Rom. 10:l3;                          Acts 16:31.

                        3. But everyone who does not repent and trust Jesus Christ will suffer forever. Luke 16:25-26.

Conclusion:

            1. I call upon you to trust Jesus Christ to save you and keep you out of hell.

            2. I call upon each of you who are saved to be faithful to serve the Lord.

 

 

#2

Zeph. 1:4-6 THE HAND OF THE LORD STRETCHED OUT AGAINST MEN

Introduction:

            God loved Judah. His hand had been stretched out to Judah in love. It was the hand of the Lord that had opened up the Red Sea, held back the flood waters of the Jordan River, shook down the walls of Jericho and held up the motion of the sun.

I. The pronouncement that His hand would be stretched out against Judah, V. 4a

            A. God would stretch out His hand against Judah and Jerusalem.

            B. He would carry the people away into captivity in Babylon.

II. Attention to individual groups within Judah, V. 4b-6.

            A. "The remnant of Baal," V. 4b

                        1. These were the hard-core false religionists. (Idolaters)

                        2. Josiah would attempt to cut them off and not succeed.

                        3. When God would stretch out His hand against them He would succeed.

                        4. God’s hand would be stretched out against them.

            B. "the Chemarims," V. 4b

                        1. The Chemarims were the priests who officiated in this idolatry. .

                        2. God held them responsible for leading others into this very grievous sin.

                        3. The hand of the Lord would be stretched out against them.

            C. "the priests," V. 4c

                        1. These were Levitical priests.

                        2. They were officiating in the worship of Jehovah but they also officiated in the worship of idol gods.

                        3. The hand of God would be stretched out against them.

            D. The star gazers, V. 5a

                        1. This refers to family altars located on the roof tops of homes so that from their homes the people could gaze at the stars and worship the                          ones which they considered to be their gods.       

                        2. These were the forerunners of those who practice astrology. in modern times.

                        3. The hand of the Lord would be stretched out upon them.

            E. Those who did swear by Malcham and by the Lord, V. 5b

                        1. The word, Malcham, in Scripture, sometimes refers to men wore that name.

                        2. However, in this Scripture it refers to the name of one of the false gods which was worshipped at that time.

                        3. The people referred to in this verse were those worshipped that false god.

                        4. They had a divided loyalty between Jehovah and idolatry.

                        2. The hand of the Lord would be stretched out against them.

            F. Those who had turned back from the Lord, V. 6a

                        1. These no longer claimed any loyalty to the Lord whatsoever.

                        2. The hand of the Lord would be upon them.

            G. Those who had never sought the Lord, V. 6b

                        1. These lived in the land of Canaan, but they had never claimed any loyalty to the Lord.

                        2. The hand of the Lord would be stretched out against them.

H. The land would be purged of them all.

III. Similar groups in the modern world (estimates made in 1966)

                       

            A. Hard-core false religionists who make no claim to worship the true and living God:          

                        1. Confussians, Hindus, Buddhists, Shintoists, Touists

                        2. Estimated to be about 1070 million; about 42 percent of the world’s population

            B. False religionists who claim to worship the true God, but who reject the deity of Jesus Christ: 

                        1. Muslims and Jews

                        2. Estimated to be about 429 million or about 18 percent of the world’s population  

            C. Those who are "Christians so-called" (They claim be Christians, but do not hold to true Christianity.)

                        1. Many of these do not even claim to be saved.

                        2. Many clam salvation, but base their salvation upon their own moral goodness, their baptism, their observance of the Lord’s Supper, their                   church membership or some other merit of their own.

                        3. It has been estimated that there are about 669 million so-called Christians who do not hold to true Christian beliefs and practices and                          that a majority of these have never been saved.

                        4. Add to this number those who once claimed to be Christians, but who have now denounced Christianity altogether and you have an alarming

                         number of people. .

Conclusion:

            Today the hand of God is extended in love and mercy to all people, but some day

soon His hand of mercy will no longer be extended. Instead His hand will be stretched out to them in judgment and wrath.

            Let me ask: Are you saved? Are you genuinely saved? Have you repented of your sin and trusted Jesus Christ to save your soul? If not then do it now.

            If you are genuinely saved are you dedicated to serving God in Biblical truth? If not, then why not start right now?

                       

 

#3

Zeph. 1:7-13 THE DAY WHEN THE LORD MAKES A BLOOD SACRIFICE

Introduction:

            The Jews were familiar with the practice of making a blood sacrifice. An animal was slain. The blood was poured or sprinkled at the altar. The fat and some other parts were burned. The priest received a portion of the meat as food for himself and his family. The remainder was eaten in a religous festival. The blood was a symbol of the blood of the coming Christ. It was a substitute which would appease the wrath of God caused by their sins.

I. The prophecy of a special sacrifice, V. 7-13

            A. The people had sinned and would not repent of their sin.

                        1. God had prepared to make a sacrifice to appease His wrath.

                        2. It would not be the blood of lambs, bulls or goats, but the blood of the people of Judah.

                        3. The Babylonians would invade the land of Israel and would shed their blood.

            B. They were told to hold their peace, V. 7a. (There was no need to weep and cry for mercy.)

            C. The sacrifice was prepared and the guests were bidden, V. 7b. (The Babylonian soldiers were the guests.)

            D. The princes of Judah would be punished, V. 8a.

                        1. Zephaniah, himself, was a prince, (See V. 1.)

                        2. But he had not guilty of this sin and did not hesitate to condemn the princes of the land who were guilty. (Being a prince, he knew their                          sins well.)

            E. All who wear strange apparel would be punished, V. 8b.

                        1, This refers to the apparel of foreigners from Egypt and Babylon.

                        2. The people of Judah wanted to dress like the foreigners, worship like them and live like them.

            F. The princes (the high officials of the land) would be punished and those who follow them and serve them in their evil ways would likewise be punished,

             V. 9.

                        1. They and their followers leap over (or upon) the thresholds of their victims to carry out their deeds of violence. .          

                        2. They take away the goods of the victims to enrich themselves...

                        3. The princes and their followers are guilty alike.

            G. There would be howling at the gates of the city, V. 10. (The fish gate was on the north of the city of Jerusalem, the direction from which the Babylonians                   would come.)

            H. The rich would be taken away, V. 11.

                        1. Maktesh was the area where the rich merchants lived.

                        2. The soldiers would go there first to take away their riches. .

            I. Those who hide will be discovered and carried away, V. 12a.

            J. The indifferent would be taken, V. 12b.

            K. Their property would be taken away from them, V. 13.

II. Lessons that we should learn

            A. We should learn that God has prepared another blood sacrifice, a sacrifice that could appease the wrath of God.

                        1. This was not to be the blood of bulls and goats.

                        2. It was to be the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

            B. We should learn that all who refuse to repent and trust Jesus Christ must suffer for their own guilt of sin. (Suffer in fire; never stop suffering.)

            C. We should learn that no one is exempt from punishment because of his or her position.            

            D. We should learn that no one can buy the mercy of God with his riches. (All riches will be taken away.)

            E. We should learn that none will be able to hide from God.

Conclusion:

            The only way to avoid that punishment is by repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ.

 

 

#4

Zeph. 1:14-18 THE DAY OF THE LORD NEAR AT HAND

Introduction:

            Zephaniah warns Judah that the day of the Lord was near at hand. "The day of the Lord" in this case refers to a period of time when the Lord would exercise His control of over the nation of Judah and punish the people of Judah for their sin. His prophecy foretold the coming Babylonian invasion of Judah. That time foreshadows another period of time which is yet future to us.

I. The day of the Lord as Zephaniah foretold it. V. 14-18

            A. It would be a day or period of wrath, V. 15. (God’s wrath had been stored up     against Judah for a long time.)

            B. It would be a day of trouble and distress, V. 15. (This would be the worst                         trouble that generation had seen.)

            C. It would be a day of wastness and desolation, V. 15.

                        1. The Babylonian soldiers would take all their silver, gold and other                      treasures.

                        2. What they did not take, they would destroy and burn.

            D. It would be a day of darkness and gloominess, V. 15.

                        1. Literally, it would be darkened by thick clouds.

                        2. Emotionally it would be the darkest they of their lives.

            E. It would be a day of trumpet and alarm, V. 16.

                        1. This means attack by an enemy, a time of war.

                        2. Usually in war the fenced cities would be the safest places, but the                     fenced cities in this war would not protect Judah from the Babylonians.

            F. It would be a day of distress and bloodshed, V. 17-18. (Blood would be                           poured out as dust.)

            G. That time of great destruction and great distress was near at hand, V. 14.

                        1. He warns that it was near and repeats that warning for emphasis.

                        2. He pictures it as though it were a fast runner headed straight at them at                  full speed.

                        3. About 30 to 35 years from then the prophecy was fulfilled and the                       Babylonian armies invaded their land. (4 kings ruled Judah after Josiah.                     2 ruled for 11 years each and the other 2 ruled for 3 months each. If                          Zephaniah uttered his prophecy about 10 to 15 years before Josiah died                         then it was given only about 30 to 35 years before it was fulfilled.)

II. The day of the Lord which was foreshadowed by the Babylonian invasion

            A. "The day of the Lord" which brought such great destruction by the Babylonian            invasion of Judah foreshadowed or pictured another "Day of the Lord" which             is yet to come.

            B. The "day of the Lord" which was foreshadowed by Zephaniah’s prophecy and      the Babylonian invasion will also be a day of wrath.

                        1. It, too, will especially be a day of wrath for the Jewish people. (It has                    been called "The time of Jacob’s trouble.")

                        2. But it will also be a time of trouble, not for Jacob only, but for all the                        world, Rev. 6:17.

            C. It will be a day of extreme trouble and distress, Mt. 24:21-22.

            D. It will be a day of wastness and desolation, Rev. 8:7-8.

            E. It, too, will be a day of darkness and gloom.

                        1. Literally, it will be dark, Rev. 8:12; 9:1-2.

                        2. Emotionally, it will be the world’s darkest time.

            E. It, too, will be a day of trumpet and alarm (war), Rev. 16:14.

            F. It, too, will be a day of distress and bloodshed.

                        1. There will be much blood shed in war, Rev. 6:4.

                        2. Then Jesus will come and destroy the armies of the Anti-Christ.

            G. It is near at hand and Jesus has issued 2 warnings:

                        1. Do not set dates for this period of time, Mt. 24:36. (No matter how                       much prophecy you have studied nor how much scientific data you                      have studied about the Jupiter affect or anything else.)

                        2. Do not ignore the legitimate signs of its nearness, Mt. 24:32-33.

                        3. One of the signs given is being fulfilled now.

                                    a. The nations will be gathered around Jerusalem for war, Zech.                                  14:2.

                                    b. While they have not yet gathered the stage is being set now for                            them to gather..

                                    c. Many people from many nations want to see Israel destroyed                               and that make known their intention to destroy her. .

                                    d. The industrial nations need and want oil from the rich                                       middle-east oil fields.

                                    e. All efforts for a lasting peace in that area of the world has met                           with failure.

                                    f. The nations of the world are already aligning themselves on one                             side or the other for this major conflict.

Conclusion:

            1. Do not be a date-setter.

            2. Yet do not ignore what is happening in the middle-east.

            3. If you are unsaved, repent of your own personal sins and trust the Lord Jesus                 Christ to save your soul and keep you out of hell. Do this without delay. Do           it now.

            4. If you are already saved be watchful for the signs of the Armageddon, serve the  Lord faithfully and warn the unsaved to repent and trust Jesus Christ.

 

 

#5

Zeph. 2:1-3 ZEPHANIAH’S CALL TO REPENTANCE AND DEDICATION

Introduction:

            Zephaniah had prophesied of the Babylonian invasion of Judah. This invasion on Judah foreshadowed the great day of God’s wrath in the end-time. In this text Zephaniah calls upon the ungodly of Judah to repent and he calls upon the godly to dedicate themselves to God.

I. Zephaniah’s call for the ungodly to repent, V. 1-2

            A. He does not use he word, "repent," nor even the word, "turn."

                        1. He says, "Gather yourselves together," V. 1a.

                        2. He does not mean gather together to discuss how victory can be                                         achieved in the coming invasion.

                        3. He does not mean gather together to discuss how to negotiate with the                    Babylonians so that the invasion can be avoided.

                        4. Nor does he mean gather together to pray that the invasion may be                        avoided.

                        5. He means that they should gather their wits, use good judgment and                       repent of their sins which brought this danger upon them.

            B. He pointed out their sinful condition, V. 1b.

                        1. The :Lord had desire that they should live in the land of Canaan, but                  the Lord no longer desired for them to dwell there.

                        2. This was, of course, because of their sins.

            C. He warned them of the penalty of their sins, V. 2.

                        1. The law of Moses had decreed the penalty, Duet. 31:16-17.

                        2. The fierce anger of the Lord would come upon them.

            D. He pointed out the danger of delay to repent. (The time opportunity for                        repentance was blowing away like chaff in the wind, V. 2.

II. Zephaniah’s call for the godly to dedicate themselves to God,

            A. This call was to a remnant who were already godly, V. 3a.

                        1. They were already meek and humble before the Lord and had already                         "wrought his judgment."

                        2. That is, they had sought to do His will.     

            B. But there were 2 great dangers for these godly people:

                        1. They might be lured by the sinfulness of the world about them and be                       caught up in the ways of sin. .

                        2. If the ungodly did not repent, they would be caught up in the                                   Babylonian invasion and suffer along with the ungodly.

            B. Zephaniah’s called upon the godly to do two specific things::

                        1. He called upon them to become even more meek than the already were.                          (More humble before God)

                        2. He called upon them to become even more righteous and godly in their                manner of living than they already were. .

            C. Zephaniah stated that his purpose of making this call to the righteous was that             "It may be that ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger."

                        1. If the ungodly would repent the invasion by the Babylonians could yet                 be avoided.

                        2. Otherwise the righteous people of Judah would need the special help of                  God during that terrible time.    

III. Similar calls today

            A. The end-time is fast approaching. (Conditions will wax worse and worse until        The Great Tribulation itself will come upon mankind, Mt. 24:21-22.)

            B. The ungodly are now being called upon to repent of sin and trust Jesus Christ      for salvation, Acts 20:21..

                        1. Every adulterer is called upon to repent of his adultery; every liar is                       called upon to repent of his lies; every thief is called upon to repent of `                    his thievery; every person who is filled with hate is called upon to                repent of his hatred; every sinner is called upon his sin no matter what                    that sin might be, Acts 17:30. .

                        2. Every lost sinner is now called upon to trust Jesus Christ for salvation                without delay while grace and mercy are being extended to him, Acts.               16:31; Rom. 10:13: John 3:16; II Cor. 6:2.

            B. The saved are called upon to be dedicated to the Lord.

                        1. There is always the danger that even the saved might get caught up in                 the sinfulness of the times in which we live.

                                    a. We need the special strength and grace of God to resist sin and                                  live godly in this sinful world.

                                    b. We need God’s help every day.

                        2. There is also a grave danger for dedicated Christians as they move                      closer and closer to The Great Tribulation that they, along with the                unsaved, will suffer more and more from the great trials that come                         upon the world. . (We will need the special strength and grace of God                      as we face greater and greater trials.)                    

Conclusion:

            1. How many of you have reason to think that if you were do die right now you                  would not go to heaven? You need to acknowledge your sinful condition and             call upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save your soul and keep you out of hell.                   Rom. 10:13.

            2. How many of you who are saved know that you are not living in God’s will?                   You need to turn to the Lord and seek His help in lliving for Him.

            3. How many of you are already enduring hardships and sufferings that seem too    much for you to endure? You need to call upon the Lord for His special                     strength and help. Call upon Him in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He              will hear you and He can help you, Psalm 46:1. .

           

 

#6

Zeph. 2:4-15 EXAMPLES OF WHAT GOD DOES TO THE ENEMIES OF ISRAEL

Introduction:

            God promised Abraham to make of him a great nation. That promise was fulfilled in the nation of Israel. God promised to bless those who bless Israel and punish those who harm Israel. Our text lists 5 examples.

I. Nations which God used as examples

            A. The Philistines, V. 4-7

                        1. These lived along the coast between Jerusalem and Egypt.

                        2. There were 5 major cities which the text names, V. 4.

                        3. These had a long history of oppressing the Hebrews. (Beginning with                        their taking water wells away from Abraham and Isaac and extending                      through their wars against Israel during the times of Samson, Saul                 and David.)

                        4. God pledged to punish those people, V. 4-7.

                        5. He did through Alexander the Great and others. (They no longer exist                          as a nation or as a people.)

            B. The Moabites and the Ammonites, V. 8-11

                        1. The Moabites were east of the Dead Sea and the Ammonites were east                         of the Jordan River where the modern nation of Jordan is located.

                        2. Both the Moabites and The Ammonites had a bitter hatred for Israel                         and a long history of oppression of Israel.

                        3. God promised to punish those nations.

                        4. He has done so with a long series of wars. :(They no longer exist as a                     distinct people.)

            C. The Ethiopians, V. 12

                        1. Little is said about them in the Bible.

                        2. What they did against Israel and how they were punished is unknown to               this preacher.

                        3. But in modern times they are anti-Israel and God will yet bring the                         sword against them.

            D. The Assyrians, V. 13-15

                        1. They carried away the Northern Kingdom of Israel into captivity and                   invaded Judah.

                        2. God pledged to punish this nation.

                        3. He did so very soon in 612 B. C.

            E. Just a couple of observations:

                        1. Three of the five nations named in this prophecy no longer exist as a                       people.

                        2. God promised to give the land which those three nations possessed to               the remnant of Israel, V. 7a and 9b.

II. Lessons which God wanted to teach from this prophecy

            A. He wanted the Babylonians to take warning.

                        1. They were about to make the same mistake which those nations had                made.

                        2. Judah had sinned and if Babylon persisted in her plans to invade Judah                 then God would allow them to do so and He would use them to punish               rebellious Judah.         

                        3. Never-the-less, God would remember the covenant that He had made                      with Abraham and He would punish the Babylonians for afflicting                        Judah.

            B. He wanted to encourage the faithful remnant in Judah that he had not forgotten          nor forsaken them.             

                        1. Even through all of their troubles He would remember the covenant                      He had made with Abraham and give them sustaining grace.

                        2. They could look forward with faith to a better time when they would be                        restored to their land and possess also the land of the Philistines, the                       Moabites and the Ammonites.

            C. God wanted to warn all nations of all time that He would punish any nation or         any people who afflicts Israel.

                        1. He would punish the Palestinians, the Iranians, or any other people who                 would afflict His people, Israel.

                        2. Ezekiel foretold the downfall of God of the land of Magog because of                 her invasion of Israel, Ezek. chapters 38 and 39; (See Ezek. 38:1-6.;               39:11-12. This is yet to take place..)

            E. God wants His saved people to know that He will sustain them in their times     of trouble.            

                        1. Sometimes our troubles would be overwhelming.

                        2. But God’s grace is always sufficient if only we will lean on Him.

Conclusion:

            1. You do not have any control over how the nations of the world will treat the                   Jewish people or the nation of Israel.

            2. But you can control how you are going to treat the Jewish people with whom                     you come in contact.

            3. God the Father is especially concerned with how you treat one particular man    who was born into the nation of Israel. He is condemned with how you treat    Jesus Christ of Nazareth. God the sent Jesus into the world and He wants you        to call upon Him and trust Him to be your Savior, John 3:16; Rom. 10:13.                     You are also to let Him be Lord of your life. It would be a tragic mistake for                    you to refuse or neglect to do so.

            4. If you are burdened down with troubles in your life, it is so good to know that         you can call on God for help. He will hear and He will help if you submit              yourself to Him. .

 

 

#7

Zeph. 3:1-2 A PEOPLE TOO STUBBORN TO YIELD TO GOD

Introduction:

           

            This city is obviously Jerusalem, V. 4. Zephaniah prophesied of a time when Baal worship filled the land. God saw Jerusalem as a filthy and polluted city.

I. The condition of the city of Jerusalem, V. 1

            A. God saw the city as filthy and polluted.

                        1. It was not polluted with industrial wastes.

                        2. It was not polluted with automobile smog.

                        3. It was not polluted with sewage.

                        4. It was not polluted with garbage.

            B. It was polluted morally. (They had rejected God’s standards for the                                     standards of the Gentiles.)

            C. It was polluted spiritually.

                        1. First, their attitude toward idolaters had become tolerant.

                        2. Then they accepted a few idol worshippers among them.

                        3. Finally, idolatry became more popular than the worship of Jehovah.

II. The oppression in the city, V. 1

            A. God called them "the oppressing city."

            B. This means that the rich and powerful oppressed the less fortunate.

            C. This is a natural result when people become morally and spiritually corrupt.

                        1. People are then motivated by selfishness and greed.

                        2. They lose their compassion and become oppressive.

III. The charges made against them, V. 2

            A. "She obeyed not the voice."

                        1. God had spoken to them through the laws, the prophets and the psalms.

                        2. When God said, "Thou shalt not " they refused to obey. ("Thou shalt                      have no other gods before me; thou shalt not covet, kill, nor commit                          adultery.:)

                        3. When God said, "Thou shalt " they went right on as though they                        never heard.

            B. "She received not correction."

                        1. The way God sought to correct was by chastisements or judgments.

                        2. God had sent many such judgments. (The Assyrian invasion for                 example)

                        3. But the people refused to turn.

            C. "She trusted not in the Lord."

                        1. She not only refused to obey God’s word, but also to believe His word.

                        2. Thus, she refused to trust in Him.

                        3. They trusted in the Egyptians for help, but not in God.

            D. "She drew not near to God."

                        1. God was ready to pardon (Neh. 9:17), quick to forgive (Psalms 130:4),               filled with mercy (Num. 14:18, and able to cleanse (Jer.33:8).

                        2. But the people would not draw near.

            E. The idea is that because the people were polluted morally and spiritually                because they would not hear and heed God’s word, because they would not be          corrected, because they would not trust in the Lord nor draw near to Him, God      would send a most severe judgment upon them.and that day of judgment was         near at hand.   

IV. A similar condition in our land today

            A. Our cities today are polluted.

                        1. They are polluted with industrial waste and with smog.

                        2. They are polluted morally. (They have laid aside God’s standards and                   turned to the Hollywood, to the T. V., to women lib and to the                                  homosexual crowd. They are equally as bad as Jerusalem and more and                          more like Sodom and Gomorrah.)

                        3. They are polluted spiritually. (There is every kind of damnable heresy,                        gospel, and ungodly cult.)

            B. God sends His word, but the majority of people prefer something else to God’s    word.

            C. Even after all manner of floods, droughts, hurricanes, and tornadoes they still                     refuse to be corrected.

            D. They trust the doctor to cure them, they trust the banker to take care of their                   money and they trust the mechanic to fix their cars, but they refuse to trust                Jesus Christ to save their souls, and they refuse to trust God to help them in                       their troubles. .

Conclusion:

            Thank God that a few in Jerusalem believed Zephaniah and turned to God. Thank God that some today trust Jesus Christ for salvation and seek to yield their lives to the will of God. But there a many who are too stubborn to turn to the Lord and let Him have His way in their lives.

            If you are one of those who has not yet yielded to the Lord, then I appeal to you to do so before it is too late. Do it now. Wherever you are, just turn to the Lord right now and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to save your soul. Then yield your life to God and let Him have His way with you. .

 

 

 

#8

Zeph. 3:3-7 UNGODLY LEADERSHIP IN THE LAND

 

Introduction:

            Zephaniah brings charges against the political and religious leadership in Judah. He made no charge against the godly King Josiah, but rather against the others.

I. The ungodly leadership in the land, V. 3-4

            A. The princes, V. 3

                        1. These were descendants of former kings.

                        2. They had inherited positions of wealth and power.

                        3. They held practically all of the higher offices of government.

                        4. God intended for them to use their offices to bring law, order and                    godliness to the land.

                        5. Instead they were as roaring lions. (The people whom they ruled                 were helpless victims.)

            B. The judges, V. 3

                        1. These were not descendants of kings and had not inherited their                                     positions of authority..

                        2. They had risen from the rank and file to positions of power.

                        3. They were to administer justice in the courts of the land.

                        4. But instead they administered injustice. (They sought only victims.)

            C. The false prophets, V. 4

                        1. These were not God’s prophets, but falsely claimed to be God’s                                       prophets.

                        2. They were "light" or "vain."

                        3. They presented their own word as though it were God’s word.

                        4. They denied the truths of God’s word.

                        5. They were treacherous men.

            D. The priests, V. 4

                        1. These were the officials at the temple of God.

                        2. These were to protect the sanctity of the temple and the sacredness of                    the law of God.

                        3. But, instead, they had welcomed the worship of Baal, II Kings 21:2, 7                  and they managed a house of sodomy, II Kings 23:7.

II. The presence of he Lord in the land, V. 5

            A. In sharp contrast to their wicked leadership the Lord was also present in the                      land, V. 5.

            B. He was not present bodily and could not be heard audibly, but He was there                    for all who would turn to Him.

                        1. Every morning He sought to get His message of truth to the people.

                        2. All who were willing to hear Him could know the truth.

                        3. But the majority of the people rejected His message and blindly went                on in their ungodliness without shame.

            III. A re-run here in America

            A. Our land is filled with corrupt political leadership.

                        1. Not every politician is corrupt, but a huge number are.

                        2. They seek not law, order, justice and godliness, but, rather, they are like               roaring lions and evening wolves preying upon the people. .

                        3. What few good ones we have in office we ought to support with our                    voices and our votes.

                        4. We ought to pray to God for more godly men like them to occupy                  government offices.

            B. What is even more alarming is corrupt religious leadership.

                                    1. One well known evangelist, who is doctrinally sound on the                                  gospel message, has encouraged those who are saved under his                            ministry to join churches which are not doctrinally sound on the                              gospel message. (Thus, he has become tolerant toward false                                religion.)

                                    2. Others have laid aside the true gospel message entirely to                           preach false gospels which cannot save souls.

                                    3. Many have laid aside the true gospel message to preach chiefly                             about the healing of the physical body. 

                                    4. One leading preacher has concentrated his ministry chiefly on                                 the power of positive thinking.

                                    5. One leading theological school hired a professor who published                                      a book declaring that God is dead. (He calls a belief in the                           existence of a living God "mere superstition.")

                                    6. There are numerous pastors throughout the land who tell their                                    congregations that their salvation depends on their baptism,                                  their observance of the Lord’s Supper and other good works.                              (This is contrary to God’s word., Titus 3:5; John 14:6; .Rom.                                   4:3-5.)

                                    7. To preach a false gospel is dangerous. (It is dangerous for both                            the preacher and his followers, Gal. 1:8-9; Mt. 25:41; Acts                                     4:12; John 3:18

IV. The presence of God today

            A. God is still around.

            B. He still promotes His truth.

            C. He still saves the lost who will turn to Him and trust in Jesus Christ.

            D. He will still punish the wicked.

Conclusion:

            1. If you have never been saved you need to call upon the Lord Jesus Christ and        trust Him to save your soul. Delay no longer. Do it now.

            2. If you are saved you need to be a member of a good, Bible believing, Bible                         practicing church. (Church membership cannot save, but it can be a great help    to one who is saved.)

            3. You need also to pray for more goodly political leaders and for more                             God-called preachers.

 

 

#9

Zeph. 3:8-13 ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ARMAGEDDON

Introduction:

            Up to this point Zeplhaniah prophesied only of judgment. He declared God’s wrath on Judah in the Babylonian invasion. He showed how that foreshadowed the Great Tribulation and the Armageddon War. Now he looks beyond the Armageddon to the millennium.

I. The things involved in this prophecy, V. 8-13

            A. God restates the coming of Armageddon, V. 8.

            B. He looks beyond the Armageddon and promises glory. (The Bible teaches that  Christ will return and will defeat the Anti-Christ and his armies, Rev.                              19:19-21.)

            C. This time will be a time of special glory for Israel.

                        1. They will serve the Lord with unity, V. 9-10.

                        2. Their pride will all be gone, V. 11.

                        3. Because of their affliction and the presence of the Lord they will learn                    to trust the Lorfd, V. 12.

                        4. The result will be peace and safety, V. 13.

                         

II. The assurance this prophecy brought forth to the believing Jews

                       

            A. It assurfed them concerning the destiny of their nation.

                        1. Tlhey ahd alredy learned of the fall to Baby;lon.

                        2. It was re-assuring to learn of the millennial blessings and the glory of                     Israel in that time.

            B. It assured them concerning their own personal destiny.

                        1. They would be dead long before the millennium.

                        2. At first it might appear that the millinnium would not belefit them                        personally.

                        3. But in essence it was a promise of a resurrection from the dead and thet                  they would be wilth the Christ in the millennium.

            C. It assured them that help was available in the on-coming Babylonian invasion.

                        1. Thle invasion would come and hey would suffer severelly.

                        2. But the Lord would be there to sustain them in their suffering.

III. The assurance to believers today

            A. The same promise of the coming of the millennium still stands. (God has now      enlarged on that promise and has given a lot more information concerning it.)

            B. The promise is now extended to both Jews and Gentiles.

                        1. All who trust in Jesus will be with Him in that time.

                        2. We will be kings and priests with the Lord.

                        3. After the millennium is over we will be with the Lord in the new                          heaven and new earth forever.

            C. In the meantime while we wait, there are sufferings and trials.

                        1. And the Lord has not promised us to remove these sufferings and trials.

                        2. But He has promised sufficient grace to those who trust in Him. .

                       

 

#9

Zeph. 3:14-20 REASONS TO REJOICE

Introduction:

            Up to Zeph. 3:8 Zephaniah had prophesied nothing but God’s judgment. He had foretold God’s judgments on Judah, on the Moabites, on the Ammonites, on the Philistines and the Ethiopians. He had foretold the Great Tribulation and the Armageddon War. Beginning with chapter 3 and verse 8 he had turned his attention to good times ahead in the millennium. In this text he continues to speak about the millennial times and points out reasons for God’s people to rejoice.

I. The command to rejoice, V. 14

            A. By way of prophecy he spans time and addresses the Jews who live in                           millennial times.

            B. He instructs the daughters of Zion to sing with joy.

                        1. This choir is made up of Jewish women.

                        2. It will be a great choir and perhaps will be made up of thousands.

                        3, It will be a momentous occasion. (A very joyous occasion)

            C. He instructs all of the people of Israel to shout for joy.

II. Reasons for the people of Israel to rejoice, V. 15-20

            A. All judgment or punishment on Israel by this time will have stopped, V. 15.

            B. Every enemy of Israel will have been cast out, v. 15.

                        1. Such as the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Philistines and the                                  Babylonians, the Medes and Persians, the Greeks, the Syrians, the                         Romans and even the Anti-Christ.

                        2. Satan has been enemy #1.

                        3. All will be cast down including Satan, Rev. 20:1.

            C. They will not see evil any more, V. 15.

                        1. The word, evil, in Scripture is used 2 ways: Spiritual evil or hardship                and suffering.

                        2. In that time they will not see evil either way.

            D. They will dwell safely in Jerusalem, V. 16.

                        1. For hundreds of years they did not dwell in Jerusalem.

                        2. Even now they do not dwell there safely.

                        3. But then they will dwell in Jerusalem without fear.

                        4. The implication is that they will dwell safely throughout the land of                      Caanan and in every other nation wherein they may dwell. (This                    includes Germany and Russia where they have suffered great                                         persecution.

            E. Jehovah, Himself, will dwell among them, V. 17.

            F. The Jews will be regathered to their homeland, V. 18-19.

            G. The Jews will then be blessed above all nations of the world, V. 20.

III. Similar promises to us today

            A. The promises made in our text were all made to Israel, .

            B. But the promise of salvation has been made to all people of all nations and all  races, John 3:16; Rom. 10:13.

            C. The promises to saved Gentiles are essentially the same as those made to the            Jewish people and especially so in the heaven ages. For all saved people                  there will be no more sin, no more chastisements, no more enemies, no more             suffering, no more sickness, no more death, no more tears, no more fears and    no more sorrows of any kind. .

.           D. God, Himself, will dwell among us and shall have access to the very throne of    God.

            E. There will be great honors and great rewards for those who have faithfully                  served the Lord.

            F. These joyous blessing will begin in the opening time of the millennium,              extend throughout the millennium and into all eternity.

Conclusion:

            1. All Jews who heard and believed God’s word through Zephaniah could rejoice    in God’s promises even though they were about to go into Babylonian c                             captivity.

            2. Today all who have believed God’s word and trusted in Jesus Christ for the                       salvation of the soul can rejoice in the great promises that God has made about           the millennium and about heaven. .

            3. At the present time those who are still unsaved can repent of their sin and call  upon Jesus for salvation and be share in the great promises of God, Rom. 10,                          13; Isa. 45.22.