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Advent - The Already But Not Yet
Dave Pike // Standalone
“9 “For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord. 10 From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones, shall bring my offering. 11 “On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain. 12 But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD, 13 those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.”
14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. 16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. 17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. 18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. 19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20 At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the LORD.”
14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. 16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. 17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. 18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. 19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20 At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the LORD.”
— Zephaniah 3:9-20 ESV
Outline1. Conflict & Strife will come to an End vv 9-13A. Pure Speech
“2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!”
— James 3:2-5 (ESV)
“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
— Luke 6:45 (ESV)
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
— Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
B. Not Put to ShameC. Proud Removed
“2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
— James 1:2-4 (ESV)
“5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done!”
— Revelation 21:5-6a (ESV)
2. Joy Overflows vv 14-20A. Through SingingB. Because of what God has Done
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
— Romans 8:1 (ESV)
SMALL GROUP STUDYIntroduction (5 min)
Theologians refer to the time between the first advent, Jesus’ first coming, and the second advent, Jesus’ return, as the “space between” or “the already but not yet.” Why is important to understand the tension between what has already been brought about by Jesus through his birth, life, death, and resurrection but has yet to be fully consummated, or fully completed by his second coming?
Understand the Text (10-15 min)1. In verses 9-13, God promises to restore unity among his people. He states that he will bring this about and that it will be seen in four ways. What are these four ways?
2. In verse 9 it talks about “pure speech” and in verse 13 a “deceitful tongue”. Why does the text say that it is necessary for the people to have their words cleansed and what is the result for the people? (verse 9)
3. How does the use of the word “peoples”, as well as Galatians 3:29, help us to understand and apply the promises that are made to “Israel” in these verses?
4. Verse 11 says that “you shall not be put to shame.” According to the text, what are at least 2 reasons why is it assumed that the people referred to will have shame?
5. Verses 11-13 compare and contrast the proud and the humble. What are the differences that the text shows between the two groups?
6. Verses 14-20 paint a beautiful picture of the final result of God’s action. What is the overriding emotion that the passage puts forward and how is it expressed by the people (v14) and by God (v17)?
7. What reasons does the text give for the exultation to sing?
Application (15-20min)1. In Luke 6:45 Jesus explains that our speech is the fruit of what is ultimately going on in our hearts. In what ways can you look back on life and see God’s sanctifying work on your heart affecting the way you speak? Use Ephesians 4:29 to help understand what we should be looking for in this.
2. What is the link between shame and sin and how do we see this playing out in our lives in relation to conflict within relationships?
3. What refining purpose does conflict have in the life of a Christian? Give some examples of what this can look like.
4. Why is it impossible to be a Christian without humility? How should this knowledge effect our reaction to success’ that we experience in life?
5. How does singing help us as Christians to connect to truths that we see in scripture?
6. Why is it easy to take for granted that “the Lord has taken away the judgement against you” and what steps can we take to try to keep that reality fresh?
7. In verse 20, God gathers his people and brings them “in”. Do you live in anticipation of the second advent, the return of Christ, and the eternal life with God and how does this help you to face up to sin and injustice at the present time?
Prayer (5 min)Take time to pray for each other that you will live, in the “already but not yet”, in light of eternity with God where there will be an overflow of joy, the end of conflict and suffering, and all that has been promised by God and begun at Christ’s incarnation will finally be consummated.
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By United Community ChurchDave Pike // Standalone
“9 “For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord. 10 From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones, shall bring my offering. 11 “On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain. 12 But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD, 13 those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.”
14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. 16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. 17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. 18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. 19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20 At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the LORD.”
14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. 16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. 17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. 18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. 19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20 At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the LORD.”
— Zephaniah 3:9-20 ESV
Outline1. Conflict & Strife will come to an End vv 9-13A. Pure Speech
“2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!”
— James 3:2-5 (ESV)
“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
— Luke 6:45 (ESV)
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
— Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
B. Not Put to ShameC. Proud Removed
“2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
— James 1:2-4 (ESV)
“5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done!”
— Revelation 21:5-6a (ESV)
2. Joy Overflows vv 14-20A. Through SingingB. Because of what God has Done
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
— Romans 8:1 (ESV)
SMALL GROUP STUDYIntroduction (5 min)
Theologians refer to the time between the first advent, Jesus’ first coming, and the second advent, Jesus’ return, as the “space between” or “the already but not yet.” Why is important to understand the tension between what has already been brought about by Jesus through his birth, life, death, and resurrection but has yet to be fully consummated, or fully completed by his second coming?
Understand the Text (10-15 min)1. In verses 9-13, God promises to restore unity among his people. He states that he will bring this about and that it will be seen in four ways. What are these four ways?
2. In verse 9 it talks about “pure speech” and in verse 13 a “deceitful tongue”. Why does the text say that it is necessary for the people to have their words cleansed and what is the result for the people? (verse 9)
3. How does the use of the word “peoples”, as well as Galatians 3:29, help us to understand and apply the promises that are made to “Israel” in these verses?
4. Verse 11 says that “you shall not be put to shame.” According to the text, what are at least 2 reasons why is it assumed that the people referred to will have shame?
5. Verses 11-13 compare and contrast the proud and the humble. What are the differences that the text shows between the two groups?
6. Verses 14-20 paint a beautiful picture of the final result of God’s action. What is the overriding emotion that the passage puts forward and how is it expressed by the people (v14) and by God (v17)?
7. What reasons does the text give for the exultation to sing?
Application (15-20min)1. In Luke 6:45 Jesus explains that our speech is the fruit of what is ultimately going on in our hearts. In what ways can you look back on life and see God’s sanctifying work on your heart affecting the way you speak? Use Ephesians 4:29 to help understand what we should be looking for in this.
2. What is the link between shame and sin and how do we see this playing out in our lives in relation to conflict within relationships?
3. What refining purpose does conflict have in the life of a Christian? Give some examples of what this can look like.
4. Why is it impossible to be a Christian without humility? How should this knowledge effect our reaction to success’ that we experience in life?
5. How does singing help us as Christians to connect to truths that we see in scripture?
6. Why is it easy to take for granted that “the Lord has taken away the judgement against you” and what steps can we take to try to keep that reality fresh?
7. In verse 20, God gathers his people and brings them “in”. Do you live in anticipation of the second advent, the return of Christ, and the eternal life with God and how does this help you to face up to sin and injustice at the present time?
Prayer (5 min)Take time to pray for each other that you will live, in the “already but not yet”, in light of eternity with God where there will be an overflow of joy, the end of conflict and suffering, and all that has been promised by God and begun at Christ’s incarnation will finally be consummated.
Back to Bulletin