Zechariah 1:1-6

 Homiletics                                                       Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    17                                                     Passage:    Zechariah 1:1-6

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Return to Me & I’ll Return to You (Zechariah 1:1-3)   1. Word of Lord comes to Zechariah (1) 2. Lord reminds of anger with ancestors (2) 3. Lord’s “ask” and “promise” of Zechariah to tell the people… (3) a. Return to me (3a) b. I’ll return to you (3b)

Turn from your Evil Ways & Practices (Zechariah 1:4-5)   1. Don’t be like ancestors whom other prophets spoke to them: a. Turn from evil ways and practices (4a) b. They didn’t listen or pay attention (4b) 2. Where are they now, and prophet do they live forever? (5)

Repentance and Remembrance (Zechariah 1:6)   1. Did My words, decrees from prophets overtake your ancestors (6a) 2. The response… repentance saying the Lord has done to us what was deserved as He determined (6b)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Return to Me & I’ll Return to You	Zechariah 1:1-3
Turn from your Evil Ways & Practices	Zechariah 1:4-5
Repentance and Remembrance	Zechariah 1:6

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Zechariah hears and declares word of Lord; ancestor reminder warning.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that God is faithful to His word and calls us to righteousness.

Application Questions

How can you have that vibrant closer walk with Jesus?

What do you need to turn away from to be all that God wants?

How do you see God’s hand at work in you? How is He calling for change and growth?

Principles to Remember           

God call for righteousness

Faithful followers are Used for His purposes

Repentance is what is called for

Characteristic of God

Righteous Father

Theme

God calls for His people to turn away from evil to do His words and decrees.  Live righteous lives.

 

 

Haggai 1-2

 Homiletics                                                       Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    16                                                     Passage:    Haggai 1-2

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Changing Priorities (Haggai 1:1-15a) Darius 2nd Year, 6th Month, 1st Day  1. Haggai gives the Lord’s Message… Recognition: Houses rebuilt, but temple remains in ruin… Give careful thought (1:1-5) a. Planted, eaten, drank, clothes, wages b. Don’t do it for you, do they? 2. Request: Go up to the mountains, bring timber, and built Lord’s house for the Lord’s pleasure and honor (1:7-8) a. Expectations in returning didn’t turn out well (1:9a) b. Reason why is that the temple remains in ruin while you’re busy with your own house. (1:9b) c. Result was no dew for crops, a drought on crops, and your labor (1:10-11) 3. Decision to Obey and people feared the Lord (1:12) 4. Haggai gives the Lord’s message, “I am with you,” bringing Zerubbabel (governor of Judah) and Joshua (high priest), and people came and began work on the temple (1:13-15a) Darius 2 Year, 6th Month and 24th Day

Changed Purpose (Haggai 1:15b-2:14) Darius 2nd Year, 7th Month, 21st Day 1. Haggai gives the Lord’s word of encouragement. a. Who remembers the former glory of the temple (2:3) b. Be Strong Zerubbabel, Joshua, and people; work for I am with you, declares the Lord (2:4) c. You are my covenanted people who brought you out of Egypt, and My Spirit remains with you… Don’t Fear (2:5) 2. I’ll shake things up, says the Lord, and fill this house with glory of the former house and grant peace (2:6-9) Darius 2nd Year, 9th Month, 24th Day 3. Haggai asks from the Lord about defilement (2:10-14) a. Does meat consecrated carry over unconsecrated to things it touches? No priest‘s answer (2:11-12) b. Does defiled contact, like a dead body, defile things it touches? Yes, priest’s answer (2:13) c. Same for God’s people (2:14)

Blessing from Change (Haggai 2:15-23) Darius 2nd Year, 9th Month, 24th Day 1. Haggai gives a pointer to carefully think things through (2:15) 2. Before laying another stone in the Lord’s temple… Measure accurately (2:16) 3. I have struck the work of your hands, but you did not return to me (2:17) 4. Gives a warning to have careful thoughts towards the day when the foundation of the temple was laid: (2:18-19a) a. No seed left in the barn b. Until now, the vine, fig tree, pomegranate, and olive have not borne fruit 5. “From this day on I will bless you” (2:19b) Darius 2nd Year, 9th Month, 24th Day – 2nd time 6. The Lord comes to Haggai a second time to tell Zerubbabel: (2:20-23) a. God will shake heaven and earth b. Overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of foreign kingdoms c. Overthrow chariots, horses, and drivers; each by sword d. Make a signet ring

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Changing Priorities	Haggai 1:1-15a
Changed Purpose	Haggai 1:15b-2:19a
Blessing in Change	Haggai 2:19b-23

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Haggai hears and shares God temple priorities, purposes; blessings result

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that a change in priorities and purpose aligned with God results in blessing

Application Questions

What distracts from God’s priorities?

What are your shortcuts take away from your best for God?

Where do you see fruit lacking in your ministry? How do you desire to have God shake things up?

Principles to Remember           

God Admonishes

God Guide

God Encourages

Characteristic of God

Calls to Holiness

Theme

Haggai is used to admonish, challenge returning exiles and leaders to holiness and path beyond self.

 

Esther 8-10

 Homiletics                                                       Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    15                                                     Passage:    Esther 8-10

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Esther Receives Estate and Edict Given (Esther 8) 1. Esther given Haman’s estate with Mordecai appointed over it (8:1-2) 2. Esther pleads for Jews for end to Haman’s plan against Jews (8:3-6) 3. Xerxes approves another edict to be written (8:7-8) 4. Edict written and distributed quickly to all 127 provinces (8:9-10) 5. Edict granted Jews right to assemble and protect themselves and to annihilate and plunder property of enemies (8:11-14) 6. Mordecai left kings presence wearing royal garments and city celebrated (15) 7. Jewish time of joy, gladness and celebration as new edict of king came (16-17a) 8. Other nationalities became Jews (17b)

Edict Turns Against Enemies of Jews (Esther 9:1-19) 1. Day Haman’s Edict - Tables Turn (9:1-4) a. Jews the upper hand on those that hated them (9:1) b. No one could stand against them (9:2) c. Nobles, satraps, governors and administrators helped; respect for Mordecai responsible (9:3-4) 2. Jews struck down enemies killing hundreds along with 10 sons of Haman; no plunder taken (9:5-15) 3. Jews in the provinces protected themselves killing 75,000; no plunder taken (9:16-17) 4. Feasting and Joy and giving presents in Susa and in rural towns (9:18-19)

Purim Celebration of Victory and Mordecai’s Greatness Declared (Esther 9:20-10:3) 1. Mordecai records events sending letters to Jews in provinces to celebrate when “Sorrow turned to Joy” (9:20-22) 2. Jews agree to celebrate Purim (9:23-26) 3. Jews establish a custom to celebrate without fail the two days to remember days among descendants (9:27-28) 4. Esther and Mordecai write 2nd letter concerning Purim with Esther confirming decree (9:29-32) 5. Xerxes imposed a tribute throughout kingdom of Mordecai’s greatness with all his acts (10:1-2) 6. Mordecai was 2nd in command to Xerxes working for good of Jews (10:3)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Esther Receives Estate and Edict Given	Esther 8
Edict Turns Against Enemies of Jews	Esther 9:1-19
Purim Celebration of Victory and Mordecai’s Greatness Declared	Esther 9:20-10:3

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Mordecai’s defense edict brings Jewish victory with Purim celebration proclaimed

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that recognition of God’s hand in our victory over evil should be celebrated and memorialized.

Application Questions

Tough problems require bold action. How do you respond to tough problems?

In what ways do you stand up to your enemies? How does reliance on God have a play in it?

How do you remember and celebrate God’s hand in your victories?

Principles to Remember           

Our Problems require declaring action

Our Victories come through our reliance on God

Our God’s hand in our successes should be memorialized and remembered

Characteristic of God

Author of Grace

Theme

Tough times require bold action; dependence on God brings joy and celebration