Do Great Things
Zechariah 4:1-14
INTRODUCTION:
Well, good morning! It’s great to see you all here today. Thank you for joining us on this weekend.
Today I want to speak directly to our graduates (first), and then to the rest of you (second).
Too often we finish one season of life with great celebration, only to be stifled by fear or doubt about the next season of our lives. And quite often, I’ve sat with graduating seniors and listened to both their dreams and their woes about graduating. While they were excited to transition from adolescence into adulthood, they were also gripped with fear of the future and the pressures of having to declare a major or a direction for their future (and it sort of paralyzed their hopes).
Well, this morning, I want to help you.
I want to take you to an Old Testament passage that teaches us about the way God works in us to — as He empowers us to not just SURVIVE, but to THRIVE each and every day.
And so, it’s my hope — that by the end of this message, you’ll no longer question your future, or your dreams, or your abilities — but that you will come to grips with the fact that God is with you and for you, and if you’ll fully surrender your life to Him, that He EMPOWER you with His Spirit to DO GREAT THINGS FOR HIM! Amen?
Let me show you TWO WAYS God’s Spirit works in our lives for His glory and our good!
If you have your Bible, would you turn with me to the Old Testament book of Zechariah?
I know this is probably not a book you read often (but over the years, it’s become one of my favorites). Mainly, because it is so encouraging. While it is filled with mystery and word pictures and prophetic language — it is also filled with hope and encouragement as well. So, I’ll try to point this out today as we make our way through a few of it’s verses.
If you’re still having a hard time finding it — let me help you. Turn to the first book of the New Testament (the book of Matthew), then turn back two books (just before Malachi). And there you’ll find it. We’ll be in Zechariah, chapter 4.
To sort of set the stage for what we’re going to read, let me tell you the back story. And if you’ve been attending our Wednesday Bible Studies lately, you’ll be familiar with some of this.
But many years ago, some 2500 years or so—God’s people struggled to remain faithful to Him. Instead of trusting in Him, they rejected their faith in God for other things. They began to serve the false gods of their day — they abandoned their worship practices (quit going to the temple for worship, quit caring for the poor, quit supporting ministry, quit giving back to God a portion of their resources, and many other things). And in the end, they were living just like the pagan nations that surrounded them.
So, God released His supernatural protection from them and worse yet — He used the pagan nations they wanted to be like to bring correction upon them.
Well, it wasn’t long after that — that the nation of Babylon came marching upon them and they defeated them. They destroyed their walls, and their temple, and their homes. And took large numbers of the people back as captives — to Babylon.
Well, as time went on, God favored His people once again. And He showed them mercy. But weeks of captivity turned into years, and years into decades. But through it all, God was with them. He promised to return them to Jerusalem. And after 70 years He did.
God organized their release, by using a Persian King named Cyrus. Initially a small group of them were released to go back and reestablish their home land. And as they did, one of their men (a man named Zerubbabel) was assigned the role of Governor. Together, he and the High Priest of the day (a man named Joshua) sought to refocus the people by rebuilding the altar for worship — and by rebuilding the Temple to honor God.
But they faced many challenges along the way.
In Zechariah chapter 4, we come to a part of their story — where God was speaking to the prophet about what He would do through these two guys and the remnant of His faithful people. But I want you to recognize that NONE OF THESE PEOPLE were great, powerful, or mighty people. They were simple people — out of their leagues.
They must have felt very insignificant and small. They must have battled with fear and insecurity, and doubt about their future. But God had BIG PLANS for them (because they trusted in Him — and were faithful to Him).
And so, it’s this part of the story that Zechariah tells that I believe really speaks to our lives today.
In chapter 4, the prophet tells us about one of his visions (and he’s had several so far, but this one really hits home for us). So, follow along as I read. Beginning in verse 1, the prophet writes:
1 Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. 2 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. 3 Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”
Let me pause and help you picture what he sees. He says, I saw what looked like a BIG LAMPSTAND with 7 places where it burned. Think of an oil lamp with 7 wicks. And on top of it was a BIG BOWL (that held the oil) and 7 tubes or channels that fed the oil to the 7 wicks (so they could burn).
And beside this stood TWO OLIVE TREES (one on the left and one on the right). Let’s read on in verse 4. The prophet Zechariah says,
4 I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 He answered, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I replied.
I love the humor of this. It seems strange to the angel that the prophet didn’t know what he was seeing — or what it represented. But in verse 6 he continues.
6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
To the new governor — and to Him God says,
‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
This is secret to doing great things for God. It’s not by might nor power—butby the Spirit of God. And so, God continues in verse 7 by addressing the challenges before him, and says,
7 “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!’”
God says, while there may appear to be a MIGHTY MOUNTAIN in your way — a huge challenge before you, I will reduce it to level ground. And when you build that TEMPLE and finally lay the last stone, the CAPSTONE, everyone will see that I HAVE DONE THIS THROUGH YOU — and they will shout praises to God (because this is ultimately GOD’S WORK).
And this brings is to the first point that the prophet is making here. And it’s this:
1. GOD MAKES GREAT THINGS SMALL!
In other words there are times in our lives when we face seemingly impossible problems and challenges — hardships and obstacles, all things that are in a very real sense stand before us like “MIGHTY MOUNTAINS” blocking our paths.
Our experiences teach us that when we ask for God’s help, He is able to make these great things small. In the story we’re studying this morning, that’s exactly what God did. He made the mighty mountain that stood (towering in over the dream of Zerubbabel) SMALL. And according to scripture, God is no respecter of persons. If He would do it for Zerubbabel, then He will do it for you. And I think the more important think to remember is that:
“Nothing is impossible with God.”
Too often we come to a MIGHTY MOUNTAIN, and we become discouraged and distraught. But when we begin to see things from His perspective — even the MIGHTIEST OF MOUNTAINS look small. From God’s perspective, Zerubbabel’s “mountain” was more like a SPEED BUMP.
And maybe that’s what’s God meant when He spoke to Isaiah when He described the way He would work in the lives of His followers because when Christ would come. In Isaiah 40:4, He said,
“Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level,the rugged places a plain.”
Isaiah 40:4 (NIV)
In Zerubbabel’s case, He was saying that what seemed like an unscalable mountain — that great task of leading His people back to their homeland and rebuilding the Temple of God would be accomplished. He was saying, “DON’T GIVE UP! KEEP BELIEVING!” For in time, he would complete the task to which he had been assigned.
And you know, I believe that God had these words written down and preserved all these centuries because this message wasn’t just for ZERUBBABEL. God meant these words for you and me as well!
He wants those of us who live in today to know that we should not worry about the “mountains” we face in life either — because the same MOUNTAIN-MOVING POWER that was available to Zerubbabel thousands of years ago is available to us today!
You know, throughout my life I have faced many UNSCALABLE MOUNTAINS — many problems and challenges (that at the time) I knew were burdens I could never bare on my own. But each time I’ve given my problem to God, He has done for me just as He did for Zerubbabel.
He has leveled the mountains in my path. And through it all, He’s reminded me again and again of the necessity for me to trust in Him — as I rely upon Him to make the GREAT THINGS SMALL!
In short, God has taught me that I can overcome every mountain — but it won’t be by my might nor by power but by (HIS) SPIRIT, says the Lord.
The Biblical record states time after time that God did this. Remember how . . .
He turned the Great Red Sea into a dry path so that the people of Israel could walk across safely?
- And, remember how He then used that same water to destroy the pursuing Egyptian army.
- And, remember how He caused manna to fall from the heavens when the people had no food?
- And remember how He stopped the sun so the army of Israel could defeat their enemy when it looked like they would lose?
- And remember how He brought down mighty walls of the city of Jericho when His people entered the promised land?
- And remember when Jesus came to earth (as God in the flesh), and He healed the sick, and He gave sight to the blind, He raised the dead?
- And remember how He leveled the GREATEST MOUNTAIN of all when He faced death and rose again — defeating sin and death in one fail swoop?
God is willing and able to do the impossible and make GREAT THINGS SMALL. If we will trust in Him.
So, what “mountains” are you facing today?
- Is it sickness?
- Is it financial troubles?
- Is it a grief that you just can’t bear any longer?
- Is your marriage or family falling apart?
- Do you struggle with anxiety or depression?
Whatever it is, remember this — NOTHING is impossible with God. He can take the GREAT THINGS in your life and make them SMALL!
Not only does He MAKE GREAT THINGS SMALL, but the second point the prophet makes is that . . .
2. GOD MAKES SMALL THINGS GREAT!
Look with me again at Zechariah 4. In verse 8 the prophet says,
8 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 9 “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.
The point that God is making here is that Zerubbabel wasn’t very impressive. He wasn’t a BIG DEAL! And when the people see how God used Him, they will recognize God’s greatness and power. He’s saying, just as God can make GREAT THINGS SMALL — He can also make SMALL THINGS GREAT! And so, in verse 10 he continues saying,
10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, . . .”
Have you ever felt SMALL? Do you feel SMALL now? Have you ever felt TOO SMALL to be used by God or to do great things for God?
Well, if so, then this message is for you. Because God says, don’t despise the day of small things. Don’t look down on little people or small beginnings. Listen, maybe you fell like life is BIG and you are SMALL. That’s okay, because God likes to use the simple and small to surprise the world as He carries out His Will.
This passage — and many others throughout the Bible testify to this truth. They remind us that God often chooses the SMALL things of this world to do BIG things for His Kingdom!
Think about it:
— He chose Abraham and Sarah — two old and tired people (two weak and childless nomadic senior adults) to be the beginning of His people (Israel).
— He used a boy sold into slavery o rule the nation of Egypt and come up with a plan to provide food for his nation and God’s people.
— He used a child to enter the home of the Pharaoh to eventually deliver the Israelites.
— God used a simple shepherd boy to become Israel’s greatest King.
— He used the simple bag lunch from an obsolete little boy to feed 5,000 men and their families on the side of a hill near Galilee.
— And He used a small band of uneducated rough-necks to turn the world upside down with the message of the gospel.
Listen, God has always delighted in doing BIG things through SMALL people.
The apostle Paul put it this way in 1 Corinthians 1:26. He said,
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
And that’s why you and I are great candidates to accomplish great things. NOT BECAUSE WE ARE SOMETHING — but because HE IS SOMETHING! And He has called us to Himself — to serve Him and His interests above our own.
Folks, God delights in doing miracles and mighty things through common people like you and me — and when He does, He gets the glory and we experience His power!
Author and pastor, Henry Blackaby says,
“If you feel weak, limited, or ordinary, then you are the best material through which God can work.”
Hebrews 11 contains a huge list of small people that God empowered by His Spirit to do great things. And in verse 34, he says they were people,
“whose weakness was turned tp strength and who became powerful…”
And do you know why? Because they—like Zerubbabel and Joshua, surrendered their dreams to God. They surrendered their interests to Him. They surrendered their lives to Him! Well, to wrap this up, I want to go back to the story we opened with and read the closing Zechariah 4. In verse 11 the prophet tells us,
11 Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?”
12 Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?” 13 He replied, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I said.
14 So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”
What was it that enabled these two simple men (with backgrounds of shame and slavery and bondage) to lead the charge for reestablishing God’s people and the Temple for His dwelling?
What was it? The Bible says it was that . . .
— They were anointed to serve the Lord.
— They were set apart to serve the Lord.
— They were fully surrendered to the Lord.
Listen, if you want your life to count for something — if you want to be used by God to do BIG THINGS in the Kingdom of God — it will not be because you have great abilities or a great pedigree.
It will be about your willingness to FULLY SURRENDER your life to SERVE THE LORD!
But as you do, the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT will EMPOWER YOU to do GREAT THINGS with you life — and ultimately bring honor and glory to God just like those before you!
CLOSING:
- So as we close this morning, I wonder if any of you would say, Pastor this message is for me — because like Zerubbabel and Joshua, I need a miracle. I need God to make what seems like a MOUNTAIN in my life to be moved away. I need something Big…to become something Small?
Is that you? Are you in need of the miracle–working power of God this morning?
If you are facing-some IMPOSSIBLE thing in your life — then today, before we go, would you call out to God in prayer and invite Him to work in you?
All you have to do is ask for His help. In Jeremiah 33:3, God promises,
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
- Perhaps the MOUNTAIN in your life is your own sin. It is blocking your way to God. You have never repented of it and asked for God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Won’t you do that today? If you do He will forgive you and move that mountain as far as the east is from the west. He’ll come into your life and you will know the sheer joy of walking through life with your Creator and Redeemer at your side.
- Or maybe, this morning you would say, Pastor this message is for me because like Zerubbabel and Joshua, I feel small. I need God to EMPOWER ME to be used by Him and For Him.
Maybe you’d say, “I feel ordinary, and weak.”
If that’s the case, then guess what — He can use you! You’re just the person He’s been looking for.
And today, why don’t you recommit your life and your future to His hands, but telling Him again that you will live your life FULLY SURRENDERED in every way to Him.
And as you do, ask Him to lead you and guide you and EMPOWER you to do GREAT THINGS!
If you’d like that to be your story — then stretch your hands towards the heavens and let’s pray.
CLOSING PRAYER