Power Of The Spirit
Sermon Notes
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 (one) nor by power (many), but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
- Zachariah 4:1-6
“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!’”
- Zachariah 4:7
“I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.
- Isaiah 45:2
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
- Luke 3:4-6
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?”
- Zachariah 4:8-10
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
- John 19:30
Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?” He replied, “Do you not know what these are? “No, my lord,” I said. So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”
- Zachariah 4:11-14
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
- Matthew 17:20
Table Group Resources
Mixer
What is something that you really like that everyone else seems to dislike?
Neighborly - Daily Devotional
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In the 5/16/23 entry, Trial Or Temptation?, Pastor Pam explains the difference between the two - but we tend to count them both as the same thing. What is one “thing” that comes to mind that you can put to the “temptation or trial” test? What does one produce in you versus the other, and why does it matter to growing your faith? How does God help in either a temptation or a trial? What do you see Him doing and not doing, and why? Is this exercise bringing you more clarity - what do you see happening?
In the 5/20/23 entry, Just Keep Your Eyes On Jesus, Pastor Heidi shares encouragement that can help us in our valley experiences. In the previous question #1, your one “thing” likely has moments of broken or shaky focus on Jesus. What are the factors that are causing you to sink, and how can you circumvent them so you can rise again? What are some scriptures that you can memorize to pull out as lifesavers when you feel overtaken?
Sermon Questions
Scriptures: Zechariah 4:1-14; Isaiah 45:2; Luke 3:4-6; John 19:30; Matt. 17:20
Read Zechariah 4:1-6. What has been getting in the way of you allowing God to transform your thinking, the way you respond, and the way you view the world? What is one step you can take today to lean into the Spirit’s transforming power?
Pastor Josh stated that we tend to negotiate with God in an effort to unlock certain things in our lives. What is an area of your life that you have chosen to negotiate with God rather than rest in the leading of the Spirit?
Read Isaiah 45:2. Josh reminded us that the Holy Spirit shows up to break strongholds. What is that stronghold or mountain in your life that needs moving?
Read Zechariah 4:8-10. God loves small things; He loves to bless foundations. What is one small thing you can commit to give to God while trusting He will show up and bless it?
Pastor Josh reminded us that “Your legacy is yours in Christ Jesus alone.” You are not your parents or anyone who came before you and you serve a God who builds legacies. What generational cycles and patterns have you been called to break?
Serve
Good Neighbor Day is Saturday, May 27!!
Grab your table group and come join us as we wrap up projects for Women’s Wellness!
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Pray
Pray for the Graduates in our city! As they dream big dreams about their next chapters, pray that they will seek God and His wisdom and depend on His Spirit to guide them. May they come to cherish a closeness with their Heavenly Father that allows them to align with God’s plan for their lives - to better the world around them with the benefits of education, skills, character, and personality.
Take good counsel and accept correction – that’s the way to live wisely and well. We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.
Proverbs 19:20-21 (MSG)
