GOD HONOR'S THOSE WHO TRULY HONOR HIM

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script type="text/javascript" src="http://hb.lycos.com/hb.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ratings.lycos.com/ratings/lycosRating.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript"><![CDATA[//><!]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-start.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-middle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-end.js"></script> <noscript> <img src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/img/common/ot_noscript.gif?rand=992179" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  <iframe frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="728" height="90" src="http://ad.yieldmanager.com/st?ad_type=iframe&ad_size=728x90&section=209094"></iframe>  </noscript> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=95 BGCOLOR="#330066" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="048005f0dkblkv.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Preach The Word</b></FONT><B>     </b><B>|    </b><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </b><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Preach The Word"><U><B>home</b></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2 Timothy"><U><B>2 Timothy</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DANIEL"><U><B>Daniel</b></U></A><B>   l  </b><A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ZECHARIAH: "><U><B> Zechariah</b></U></A><B>   l   </b><A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="MARK"><U><B>Mark</b></U></A><B>    I    </b><A HREF="id136.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TOPICAL STUDIES"><U><B>Topical Studies</b></U></A></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=385 BGCOLOR="#DDDDDD" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>GOD HONOR'S THOSE WHO TRULY HONOR HIM</b></div> <div> ZECHARIAH 8:9-23</div> <bR> <div> In the mid-80's four French-speaking Canadian students went to a small French tropical Island (Ile de la Reunion) with the goal of sharing the Gospel with unbelievers as well as encourage the Christians who lived there.  I was asked and accepted to be the leader of this team.  We did devote ourselves to serving the Lord there as best as we could. We were students and quite "green" in this field of ministry. And, boy, were we humbled by the sheer honor and respect the people showed us because we were servants of the Lord who had practically come halfway across the globe to serve Him in their homeland. </div> <bR> <div> We never entered a house without being formally welcomed and offered a drink. I was only a young student yet they called me <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"Pasteur"</FONT> and<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" > "man of God"</FONT> or <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"Mr. Evangelist".</FONT> There was always someone available to serve us if we needed anything.  And when we'd talk about the Bible and God, people would listen with great reverence and respect. They were extremely polite and courteous while we would look at ourselves and think<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >, "Boy, I'm glad they don't see me on my bad days…"</FONT>  Believe me when I say that this kind of treatment didn't make me think of myself as being better or in anyway superior to any of these people. In fact, I know, before God, that I'm not. But I've seen this happen to other believers elsewhere. And I believe it's pure grace.  It's how God chooses to honor those who truly honor him. </div> <bR> <div> In <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Proverbs 3</FONT> Solomon speaks of the great virtue of spiritual wisdom and how she showers people with divine blessings. He writes, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom…She is more precious than rubies; Nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor." (13, 15-16) "Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you." (4:8)</FONT></div> <bR> <div> So, in other words, if you want God to honor you you need to get wisdom and you get wisdom by getting to know the Lord and doing His will. This doesn't mean you'll never be looked down on or down right despised.  As long as this world is governed by Satan you will encounter serious opposition. Consider the Lord Jesus. He said,<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" > "I honor my Father and you dishonor me." John 8:49.  </FONT>And in that passage His enemies were actually calling Him the son of Satan. <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >(48)</FONT> Jesus was eventually tortured and killed. But, in the end, did God honor His Son? You bet He did.  Who's in heaven and who's in hell today?  His enemies are in eternal darkness while Jesus is sitting at God's right hand. </div> <bR> <div> What <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Zechariah 8:9-23</FONT> focuses on is when the Jews devote themselves to God, He will honor them.  And it's the same thing for believers even today. God honors those who truly honor him. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>1. DEVOTION TO GOD LEADS TO BLESSING. (9-13)</b></div> <bR> <div> Let's not forget that we're starting in the middle of a chapter here and this whole <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Chapter 8</FONT> is a series of prophecies concerning the people and city of Jerusalem.  Jerusalem is known as <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"the city of David"</FONT> and of<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" > "the Great King." </FONT>This is where the Messiah of Israel, Jesus Christ, is going to govern the world from during His Millennial Reign. </div> <bR> <div> I've divided this Chapter into 10 parts because of the phrase: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"This is what the Lord Almighty says."</FONT> Last time we saw the first five.  Today, we're looking at the last five.  And these prophecies were meant to comfort and encourage the Pre-Exilic Jews who were called to rebuild their city, their homes and their lives. And it's working. They're slowly getting back to work. God has called them to finish the Temple.  </div> <bR> <div> He tells us who this is addressed to and for what purpose in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >verse 9.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Principle: God's Promises for the future should motivate us to serve Him in the present. </div> <bR> <div> In light of the certainty of our bodily resurrection Paul encourages us with these words, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Cor. 15:58</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Zechariah told the Jews of his day, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built." (9)</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Now, in order to have us appreciate the blessings of the present sometimes it's good to remember the hardships of the past.  This is what Zechariah does in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >verse 10</FONT>.  When they refused to serve God first and because they became self-centered and full of themselves, God brought them into tough times.  Unemployment. Insecurity and violence was the daily grind. No one could work.  No one could be trusted. And everybody wanted to fight.  Hmmm. Sounds almost like today, doesn't it?</div> <bR> <div> Last week I was watching a documentary on the Holocaust under Adolph Hitler.  They were interviewing Jews who have survived and were going back to Poland and Hungary and other countries where they were born and raised and where their loved ones have died.  When I watch periods of modern history like that it causes me to consider how my present life is quite blessed.  And it motivates me to serve the Lord with great thankfulness. </div> <bR> <div> That's what Zechariah had the Jews of his day think about and then in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >verse 11-13</FONT> he tells them that these days of hardship are over.  Today is a new day.  A day of blessing. Why?  Because the people responded favorably to the preachers message.  They confessed and repented of their sins. And now God can bless them.  He lists the blessings He will shower them with in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >verses 12-13.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Principle: Maybe God is not blessing you as much as He could because you've turned your back on him.  So He's waiting for you to come back to Him in whole hearted devotion so He can shower you with blessings again. </div> <bR> <div> Turn to: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >James 4:1-4</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>2. DEVOTION TO GOD LEADS TO HOLINESS. (14-17)</b></div> <bR> <div> Here God is saying to His people, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"Now that you've come back to me I promise you that as surely as your disobedience brought you my punishment, your obedience will bring you great blessing.  But don't think that because I'm blessing you now that you can go back living in sin. No, if you want me to continue blessing your life you need to live for me on a daily basis. As I am holy you are to be holy."</FONT></div> <bR> <div> And aren't we prone to do the exact opposite. I've seen it happen, and still see it happen over and over again.  The devil deceives the believer who falls into sin.  His life becomes miserable. After a long struggle and living in misery, he finally comes to his spiritual senses and repents before God.  This  results in spiritual revival. The floodgates of heaven gush forth and he's blessed beyond belief.  Now he starts thinking he's `pretty good'.  As a matter of fact, he's tempted to believe he's even better than most.  So he starts getting permissive. Than he gets over-confident. Next thing you know he's arrogant and bloated with pride.  And the whole cycle starts over again. </div> <bR> <div> Where did he go wrong? Listen carefully: When God's blessings filled his life he slowly turned his focus of attention from the Giver of the gifts, to the gifts, to the receiver of the gifts: himself. </div> <bR> <div> Listen what Jesus has to say to a person like that: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"You say, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked… So be earnest and repent." </FONT></div> <div> Rev. 3:17, 19</div> <bR> <div> So if you are blessed don't commit the same fatal mistake.  Don't let your moral life go to the ditch.  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it."  1 Peter 3:10-11. </FONT>  And how do you do that? By asking God on a daily basis to keep you humble. By reminding yourself that if you really had what you deserve you'd be six feet under.  By reminding yourself that living a holy life is the normal Christian thing to do.  And if God blesses you for it, it's all pure, unadulterated grace.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>3. DEVOTION TO GOD LEADS TO JOY.  (18-19)</b></div> <bR> <div> You remember what brought about this glorious prophecy concerning Jerusalem and the Jews, right? It was brought about by a delegation of Jews who were sent to Jerusalem to ask a question; <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month, as I have done for many years" Zec. 7:3</FONT> And God didn't give them a yes or no answer, did He? </div> <bR> <div> No, in summary, God said, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"You can fast anywhere, anytime if you choose to. Just make sure your motive is right. Just make sure you're doing it for me. You're doing it out of true, honest to goodness, love for me. And not to show your family and friends how spiritual you are."</FONT></div> <bR> <div> But here, in <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >8:19</FONT>, God tells them that if they keep themselves devoted to Him and walk with Him, pretty soon there won't be any need to mourn and fast anymore. Why? Because <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"The fasts… will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace." </FONT></div> <bR> <div> This is what happens when we stop playing Church, playing around with God when all along everything we do in the name of God we're really doing it to show others how pious and special we are.  When we finally come down to reality and accept the fact that all that God really asks of us is that we truly love Him above everything and everybody else and love our neighbor as ourselves. When we finally and humbly and daily do this, then and only then do we experience the life and joy that Jesus has come to give us. </div> <bR> <div> "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this is so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:10-11</div> <bR> <div> Why is it so important for a believer to live this life of spiritual joy? Because joy invigorates the soul. Joy brings optimism, hope and contentment. And all of these are crucial to an abundant life. Nehemiah, who was God's choice leader to start the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem, knew the importance of joy to the Lord's work. He said one day to his workers and brothers<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >, "This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10</FONT></div> <bR> <div> How about you? Are you experiencing joy in your life? I'll tell you how you can.  By praying for the Lord to show you His will and then giving every once of your energy doing it.  A Christian who is out of the will of God is a sad Christian indeed.  If God has gifted you and you're not using that gift, He's just waiting for you to put it to work.  Is there any question now why so many believers seem so sad, unfulfilled, as if they're <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"missing something"?</FONT> </div> <bR> <div> You need to find God's will and dive into it.  Then you'll know why the Apostle Paul was sitting in a dark, damp and cold Roman dungeon and yet picked up his pen and wrote, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Phil. 4:4</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>4. DEVOTION TO GOD DRAWS PEOPLE TO THE LORD. (20-22)</b></div> <bR> <div> I'll never forget one man, whom I'll name <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >"Bob."</FONT> One day his wife got saved.  And not too long after his eldest son.  When they'd go visit her side of the family he would see his mother in law who had recently been saved and talked to everybody about Jesus and the Bible. Sometimes he'd be there, quiet and observing from his corner, when we'd have our Wednesday night prayer and Bible study meeting. This man regularly saw and talked with devoted Christians. And their love and zeal for Christ was so strong that he felt absolutely compelled to renounce his life of sin and come to the Lord himself.</div> <bR> <div> Remember the Philippian jailer who experienced the earthquake when Paul & Silas were behind bars?  Turn with me to: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Acts 16: 29-34</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Principle: When you're devoted to God in your heart the people around you see it and they are drawn to Christ because of the light they see in you. </div> <bR> <div> This is what Jesus refers to when he says, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden… In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" Matthew 5: 14-16</FONT></div> <bR> <div> That's why the enemy attacks Christians so much with shame. Because when you're ashamed of being a Christian, you go out of your way in order to not let your light shine. And when the light of your love for Christ isn't shining, well, how can an unbeliever be drawn to the Lord?</div> <bR> <div> In God's prophetic program for Israel, the Jews will accept Christ when He returns at His Second Coming.  As a result of their miraculous, national conversion, they will be filled with the Holy Spirit. This in turn will cause them to radiant the life of Christ, which in turn will attract Gentiles to the Lord. Whole nations, in fact, will flock to Jerusalem in order to meet with the living, resurrected Christ who will be there. (see: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >Isaiah 2:2-4)</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>5. DEVOTION TO GOD LEADS TO BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS. (23)</b></div> <bR> <div> "Ten men"<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > here is a Hebrew expression that simply means "many"</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Yes, in the Millennium Israel will be God's chosen people and the world will know it.  Does the world know it today? Far from it. So it's one indication that this is still to be fulfilled.</div> <bR> <div> But during the Millennium God will so bless the Jewish people that the rest of the nations of the world will have the utmost respect and reverence for Israel. Everyone will wish they had been born a Jew. </div> <bR> <div> Christ is going to be there in person, in Jerusalem, sitting on the throne of David.  And if you think Disney World has a lot of visitors today, just wait when the City of Jerusalem is going to be "THE" main attraction for the whole wide world. Everyone is going to plan and go to meet the Great Savior King, Jesus Christ and the New Temple. </div> <bR> <div> Zechariah tells us what the people of the world will say to the Jews: <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you." </FONT></div> <bR> <div> What does <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"Immanuel"</FONT> mean again? <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"God with us".</FONT> That's what happens when a Christian is sold out for God: People see it. You enter a room and they feel it.  Some respond with disdain. But some favorably.  Paul wrote to the Corinthians, <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#008000" FACE="Arial" >"But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, God is really among you!"  1 Cor. 14:24-25</FONT></div> <bR> <div> That's the way I felt when I entered that little house in St-Leonard, NB, in the winter of early 1984. And not too long after I became one of them.  </div> <bR> <div> Principle: Be sold out for God, honor Him in all details of your private and public life, and God will honor you by making your light shine and drawing people to His son, Jesus Christ.  </div> <bR> <div> "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:14</div> <bR> <div> Amen and God Bless You All. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>