Text: Zechariah 3:1-10

The Plain Truth: ________ greatest _______ is ________!

1. God’s great ________ of ________ cleanses me.

2. God’s ________ of grace _______ me. 3. God’s great _______ of ________

________________ me.

December 23, 2018

Text: Zechariah 3:1-10

The Plain Truth: ________ greatest _______ is ________!

1. God’s great ________ of ________ cleanses me.

2. God’s ________ of grace _______ me. 3. God’s great _______ of ________

________________ me.

December 23, 2018

Do you remember the Sear’s Christmas Wish Book, the special catalogue that came in the mail every fall with gift ideas? As children, many of us with a few years under our belt, recall the careful perusing of that catalogue and dreaming about what we might find under the tree on Christmas morning. Many of us learned that receiving gifts was about what our parents knew was appropriate and what they could afford. Similarly, God knows what is appropriate for each of us. And although He can afford anything, He knows what we need and what is appropriate. Read Zechariah 3:1-10 In this passage, the angel shows Zechariah: “Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD. The accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua” (v1). Notice the LORD’s response – “ I, the LORD, reject your accusations, Satan… this man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire” (v2). After the Babylonian exile, the Judeans were allowed (actually commissioned) by Cyrus of Persia to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple, in order to rebuild their identity as God’s people (Ezra 1:1-7). Zechariah’s prophetic words of encouragement were given during the second year of the rule of Darius the Mede (Zechariah 1:1, see also Nehemiah 12:1,16, Danial 9:1, Haggai 1:1). 1. God is sovereign. The LORD God is aware of all activity on the planet even now.

Across the landscape of human history, He is in control of all world events. And yet, as big as God is, He cares deeply about you. What are you facing right now?

You may be overwhelmed by sorrow, or perhaps your own sin (pride, jealousy). You may be dealing with the choices of others around you. You may be in a season of pain, watching someone you love suffer and die. Whatever it is, lay your cares before the Lord now. Even if you’re angry, the Lord wants to hear from you.

2. Satan accuses us just like he did Jeshua. He tells us we are beyond all hope, we will nev-

er measure up, we will never be free to live a godly life full of joy and purpose. What voice (who) have you been listening to? Instead of dwelling on the lies of Satan, would you be willing to wait quietly before the LORD and trust Him for victory (Psalm 62:1)?

If you could pick one gift from the Lord for you personally, what would it be?

God’s ability to answer your prayers are without limit and His gifts are carefully selected. He knows your greatest need is forgiveness and grace. And just as Jeshua’s filthy clothing was replaced with ‘fine new clothes’ the Lord has something new for you to wear. He has ‘a clean priestly turban’ for your head. Once you receive His gift – Himself through a personal love relationship – He will prompt you to intercede for others. Living in disobedience will cause you to stumble, but “you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

“Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of things

to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch” (Zechariah 3:8).

Life Group Lesson Week of December 23

Do you remember the Sear’s Christmas Wish Book, the special catalogue that came in the mail every fall with gift ideas? As children, many of us with a few years under our belt, recall the careful perusing of that catalogue and dreaming about what we might find under the tree on Christmas morning. Many of us learned that receiving gifts was about what our parents knew was appropriate and what they could afford. Similarly, God knows what is appropriate for each of us. And although He can afford anything, He knows what we need and what is appropriate. Read Zechariah 3:1-10 In this passage, the angel shows Zechariah: “Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD. The accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua” (v1). Notice the LORD’s response – “ I, the LORD, reject your accusations, Satan… this man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire” (v2). After the Babylonian exile, the Judeans were allowed (actually commissioned) by Cyrus of Persia to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple, in order to rebuild their identity as God’s people (Ezra 1:1-7). Zechariah’s prophetic words of encouragement were given during the second year of the rule of Darius the Mede (Zechariah 1:1, see also Nehemiah 12:1,16, Danial 9:1, Haggai 1:1). 1. God is sovereign. The LORD God is aware of all activity on the planet even now.

Across the landscape of human history, He is in control of all world events. And yet, as big as God is, He cares deeply about you. What are you facing right now?

You may be overwhelmed by sorrow, or perhaps your own sin (pride, jealousy). You may be dealing with the choices of others around you. You may be in a season of pain, watching someone you love suffer and die. Whatever it is, lay your cares before the Lord now. Even if you’re angry, the Lord wants to hear from you.

2. Satan accuses us just like he did Jeshua. He tells us we are beyond all hope, we will nev-

er measure up, we will never be free to live a godly life full of joy and purpose. What voice (who) have you been listening to? Instead of dwelling on the lies of Satan, would you be willing to wait quietly before the LORD and trust Him for victory (Psalm 62:1)?

If you could pick one gift from the Lord for you personally, what would it be?

God’s ability to answer your prayers are without limit and His gifts are carefully selected. He knows your greatest need is forgiveness and grace. And just as Jeshua’s filthy clothing was replaced with ‘fine new clothes’ the Lord has something new for you to wear. He has ‘a clean priestly turban’ for your head. Once you receive His gift – Himself through a personal love relationship – He will prompt you to intercede for others. Living in disobedience will cause you to stumble, but “you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

“Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of things

to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch” (Zechariah 3:8).

Life Group Lesson Week of December 23