The Good, Bad, and Ugly (Shepherd)
Zechariah 10+11 takes us through a view of the leaders (Shepherds) in Israel. They had been leading the people astray, and so Zechariah 10 reveals the Good Shepherd who is going to regather His sheep and be their help.
Stephen’s History Lesson – part 2
Stephen becomes the first martyr of the church as he lays out a masterful presentation of Israel’s history of rebellion and disobedience. His audience had no argument, so they resort to physical violence and murder. But Stephen was received graciously into eternity and glory.
Bible Text: Acts 7:30-60
Contrast Of Two Kings
Zechariah lays out an interesting history lesson for us, but prophetic revelation to him. God gave him a word of how he was going to judge the nations surrounding Israel, and it was going to come through Alexander the Great.
But then Zechariah jumps to the coming King – Jesus, who is coming with peace not destruction. It’s a fascinating passage reminding us that God is orchestrating all things to carry out His purposes!
Zechariah 9:1-17
Stephen’s History Lesson – part 1
Stephen is accused of speaking against Moses, the temple, and their law. But Stephen takes his opponents through a masterful walk through their history to show that God is not exclusive to working in their temple or even their own land. And in so doing he reveals that their own fathers had a habit of rejecting those God sent to carry out His work. The very thing his detractors had done with Jesus.
Bible Text: Acts 7:1-29
Precious Promises
The word of the Lord comes to Zechariah encouraging the people saying: ‘Let your hands be strong!’ Ever felt like giving up with something before? But the Lord reminds them that He has great things in store for His people. So don’t give up! We have a great promise of future blessing as well. So regardless of what you’re going through, keep pressing on – it will all be worth it.
Bible Text: Zechariah 8:9-23
A Few Good Men
As opposition continues against the church, the Lord raises up some people to speak and serve. And through it a possible division is averted. We must realize that difficulty will come, even in a seeming perfect church. This study gives us some good wisdom of how to handle these things when they do come.
Bible Text: Acts 5:33-6:15
Traditions and Truth
Why do you do the things you do? In your worship of God, have some things become just a routine that has lost all sense of reason behind it? This was the case in Zechariah 7. While in Babylon, the people had instituted various fast days and wondered if they needed to keep some of these traditions going. It’s important to evaluate what it is we are doing and make sure it is truly done with the right heart and not just out of ritual.
Bible Text: Zechariah 7:1-8:8
Who Are You Serving?
As the church continues to prosper we see some good things happening and some not so good things happening. Through this we see some examples from different people and who they were living for. It’s a chance for us to take a look at what’s driving us and who are we truly serving?
Bible TExt: Acts 4:32-5:32
Chariots and Crowns
Zechariah receives his last of 8 visions, and it has some similarities to the first one. They serve as a kind of bookends to bring confidence and assurance to those in Jerusalem that despite the circumstances or conditions that the people are dealing with, God is on the move and is carrying out His work. Don’t give up but have hope in the plans of the Lord!
Then Zechariah is told to crown Joshua, which was unusual for a high priest. But it pointed ahead, building up their faith again in the One who would be their perfect King-Priest.
Bible Text: Zechariah 6:1-15
Persecution, Prayer, and Power
As the church continues to go out with the gospel, opposition begins to set in. Take a look at how Peter, John and the church handle this onset of persecution.
Bible Text: Acts 4:1-31