Book: Zephaniah Print ( PC Only ) ZEPHANIAH 3:14-17 "WHEN GOD SINGS" Intro: The prophet here is looking ahead to the coming Kingdom Age. That time we have been praying for each time we prayed, "Thy Kingdom come...on earth." I. "THE KING OF ISRAEL YAWEH IS IN THE MIDST OF THEE." A. The response of the people. 1. Singing. 2. Shouting. 3. Gladness and rejoicing. B. The benefits to the people. 1. Judgment has been removed. 2. The enemy has been cast out. 3. They will not see evil again. II. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE KING. A. Yaweh thy God in the midst of thee is mighty. 1. One of the titles ascribed to Jesus in prophesy of Isaiah: "The mighty God." 2 Once again it will be as John said, "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him." "In the beginning was the Word.. all things..." a. The eternal God, the creator of the universe will dwell in the midst of His people to reign as King over the earth. B. "He will save." 1. For years the world has been teetering on the brink of disaster. a. We are closer to the brink than ever. b. Government has become so inefficient and cumbersome, so as to impose an intolerant burden upon the people. (1. I speak of the national debt and proposed continued deficit spending. (2. Spending money for military is bankrupting the world. (3. Why must we spend so much on the military? 2. You ask, "What is the solution?" a. I don't believe there is any outside the return of Jesus Christ to set up His Kingdom. 1. Once again the cry, Hosanna. C. "He will rejoice over thee with joy." 1. Oh how much Jesus loves you. a. As you come to talk with Him or share, He will be rejoicing over you with joy. b. No one has ever loved you as much as He. 2. This is no doubt the joy that was set before Him that gave Him the capacity to endure the cross. D. "He will rest in His love." 1. When love is not a complete love, there is fear. A restlessness. a. "Perfect love casts out all fear, he that..." 2. Characteristics of that perfect love are joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness... 3. How we need to learn to rest in His love, now. a. Wonderful things in the Bible I see, this is the dearest, that Jesus loves me. b. Look what He has done to prove His love. c. We seem so insecure about love. "Do you love me?" 1. If you are ever prone to doubt His love, just look at the cross. E. "He will joy over thee with singing." 1. Here is this Hebrew word, "gil" again, "Spin around for joy." 2. Can you imagine Jesus singing love songs to you? a. Why is it that the thought of such a thing thrills and excites me so much. 3. I have sung many love songs to Him, but to have Him break out in a love song to me, do you know what that is going to be? Heaven. |