Service of the Word 19 th October 2014 SERMON 1

Service of the Word 19 th October 2014 Introduction Solomon’s temple had been destroyed. People were exiled 538 B.C. – allowed to return 2

Service of the Word 19 th October Symbol Though we are slaves, our God has not deserted us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem. Ezra 9:9 3

Service of the Word 19 th October Symbol Symbol of God’s Presence 4

Service of the Word 19 th October Symbol 536 B.C. Construction begins 530 B.C. Work halted Free from Exile Not free from Discouragement “…And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’” (v7) 5

Service of the Word 19 th October STANDARD Do not despise these small beginnings, for the L ORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” v10 6

Service of the Word 19 th October STANDARD Jesus is the standard How did He call people? ‘Follow me!’ ‘…whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.’ 1 John 2:6 7

Service of the Word 19 th October SPIRIT “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl of oil on top of it. Around the bowl are seven lamps, each having seven spouts with wicks. 3 And I see two olive trees, one on each side of the bowl.” v2-3 Lampstand - God Lampstand - Church 8

Service of the Word 19 th October 2014 Conclusion 9 Then he said to me, “This is what the L ORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the L ORD of Heaven’s Armies. Zech 4:6