This is the manuscript of the first sermon in the series "Responding to the Living Word".
Much of the weakness and failure of God’s people today can be traced directly to the fact that we are helpless without the help of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit’s help, you are helpless and the future is hopeless.
You are helpless without the help of the Holy Spirit.
You cannot convert anybody to Christ without the Holy Spirit’s help.
You cannot develop a Christian personality or character without the Holy Spirit’s help.
You cannot understand the real truth of the Bible without the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit.
You cannot pray effectively without the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
Never underestimate what God can do through you when you obey him in faith. Whatever he has called you to do, you can certainly accomplish in his strength.
You can watch a video recording of the entire service on the Christ Church YouTube Channel. https://youtu.be/WqAul6Y0wXc
Scripture Reading:
Zechariah 4:1-10 NIV Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my Lord?” He answered, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my Lord,” I replied. So 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 Almighty. “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’ ” Then the word of the Lord came to me: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”
Text:
Zechariah 4:6 NIV So 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 Almighty.
Introduction
Who is this Zerubbabel guy?
Zerubbabel was a descendant of David. Who was born in Babylon during the exile of the Jews between 587 and 539 BC. The prophet Haggai identifies Zerubbabel as the governor of Judah after the exile.
Haggai 2:20-22 NIV The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.
Zerubbabel traveled to Judah after King Cyrus II allowed the Judean captives to return from exile to their homeland to rebuild the temple.
Ezra 1:1-4 NIV In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “ ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’ ”
The words of our text were designed to encourage the heart of Zerubbabel, providing he would think God’s thoughts and walk in God’s ways.
Zechariah 4:6 NIV So 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 Almighty.
A great missionary to China and later to Korea said, “You cannot do God’s work without God’s power.”
Some questions for us today.
Have you been trying to do God’s work without God’s power?
Have you been trying to develop a Christian personality without the help of the Holy Spirit?
Have you been trying to Study the Bible without dependence on the Holy Spirit?
Have you been seeking to speak to those who do not know Jesus as Savior without a sincere dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit to make your efforts effective?
Much of the weakness and failure of God’s people today can be traced directly to the fact that we are helpless without the help of the Holy Spirit. As I said during our last series, “Recognizing and Responding to the Indwelling Spirit”, without a proper response to the Holy Spirit, our lives will be unproductive and our service will be feeble. I also said when we accept Jesus Christ, we accept the gift of salvation, and the gift of forgiveness and we also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who comes to live in us and guide our steps.
I. Without the Holy Spirit’s help, you are helpless and the future is hopeless.
A. Zerubbabel could not accomplish his purpose except by the power of the Holy Spirit.
As governor of Judah, Zerubbabel was appointed as one of the initial leaders who supervised the reconstruction of the Jerusalem temple. After about fourteen months to get settled, after they returned to Judah, the Jewish people began to rebuild the temple in earnest. Well It wasn’t long before opposition arose from surrounding adversaries, and, eventually, the work was brought to a standstill by order of another king, King Artaxerxes.
Ezra 4:7 NIV And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel (these were some of the adversaries I mentioned before) the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic script and in the Aramaic language.
I am not going to read the contents of the letter which are in verses 11-16 but I will read King Artaxerxes' response.
Ezra 4:18-24 NIV The letter you sent us has been read and translated in my presence I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition. Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them. Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order. Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests? As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop. Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
At the time that the work was stopped only the foundation of the temple had been completed.the Jews were granted permission to continue rebuilding.
They were granted permission to continue rebuilding after a seventeen-year delay, under the next king of Persia, Darius.
You can read about how that all came about in Ezra chapters 5 and 6.
Within three and a half years after the second effort of rebuilding the temple began, the temple was completed in 516 BC.
In one of the prophet Zechariah’s visions, he receives words, that include our text, that surely encouraged Zerubbabel:
Zechariah 4:6-9 NIV So 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 Almighty. “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’ ” Then the word of the Lord came to me: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.
B. No human power could enable Zerubbabel to accomplish his divine mission. All of us will experience great failure and our lives will be unfruitful if we attempt to do the work of God without the help of the Holy Spirit.
II. Without the Holy Spirit’s help everything divine is impossible.
Human effort alone cannot produce divine effects in our lives or the lives of others.
A. The Holy Spirit's work is what causes the new birth.
John 3:5-8 NIV Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
B. The Holy Spirit assures us that after our conversion and salvation we are in God’s family.
Romans 8:16-17 NIV The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Without this divine testimony, we have no assurance and no joy of salvation.
C. The Holy Spirit takes up residence in all believers at the moment of salvation.
1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
The Holy Spirit then works in their hearts, minds, and wills.
Ephesians 5:18-20 NIV Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
D. The Holy Spirit comes into our hearts to bring about a renewal or transformation of our minds
Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Philippians 2:12-13 NIV Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
E. The Holy Spirit works within each of us, to reproduce the character of Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
The Holy Spirit wants us to be an exhibit of what Christ can do in someone who will trust him.
Remember we are Christ's ambassadors.
2 Corinthians 5:16-20 NIV So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
F. The Holy Spirit energizes believers for service and makes them strong for the struggle against evil.
Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
G. The Holy Spirit seeks to teach us the truth of God as it is revealed in and taught by Jesus Christ.
John 14:26 NIV But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 16:13-15 NIV But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
These truths prove that the Father God does not intend that we labor in human strength alone. It is not his will that we experience the despair of failure. He has provided the help of the Holy Spirit that we might not be helpless.
III. How can the believer experience the help of the Holy Spirit?
Why don't we see more evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit?
A. First believers must believe that they have already received the Holy Spirit and respond with trust to his presence.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
B. Two we should ask for the fullness of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Luke 11:11-13 NIV “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
C. Three, obedience to the will of God is essential for the fullness of the power of the Spirit in somebody's life.
Obedience includes the humble and sincere acceptance of the authority and will of God. It’s not only conforming, but also demonstrating our devotion through our thoughts, words, and deeds.
According to Holman’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Christian obedience means, “to hear God’s Word and act accordingly.”
Again,
Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Ephesians 4:20-24 NIV That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Conclusion
You are helpless without the help of the Holy Spirit.
You cannot convert anybody to Christ without the Holy Spirit’s help.
You cannot develop a Christian personality or character without the Holy Spirit’s help.
You cannot understand the real truth of the Bible without the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit.
You cannot pray effectively without the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
Never underestimate what God can do through you when you obey him in faith. Whatever he has called you to do, you can certainly accomplish in his strength.
Philippians 4:12-13 NIV I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,[a] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
How do we live “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”? This is a call to live like those who have believed the promises of the gospel. The gospel promises forgiveness and power. Those who conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel live as if those promises are true. They have the hope of eternal life and rely upon the power of the Holy Spirit to obey God. They are not trying to just live up to the gospel’s promises but seek to live them out in real life.
Let’s pray.
Lord, we accept we can’t do it all by ourselves, we are limited and don’t have the power on our on –so, Lord, we submit ourselves to you so that you can take control of everything. We know that with you Lord, we can go far in life, and we know that all will go well so we follow you today and for the rest of our lives, in Jesus name. Amen.
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