The sermon emphasizes the love and joy that Jesus Christ will bring to the world when He returns to set up His Kingdom.
Chuck Smith explores Zephaniah 3:14, emphasizing the joy and celebration that will accompany the coming Kingdom Age when God dwells among His people. He highlights the response of the people, which includes singing and rejoicing, as they experience the removal of judgment and the casting out of enemies. Smith describes God as mighty and loving, rejoicing over His people with joy and singing, illustrating the depth of His love and the peace that comes from resting in it. He encourages believers to recognize the perfect love of Jesus, which casts out fear and brings joy, and to anticipate the joy of being loved by God in a personal way. The sermon culminates in the beautiful image of Jesus singing love songs to His people, a reflection of the intimate relationship believers can have with Him.
Text
"WHEN GOD SINGS"
Intro: The prophet here is looking ahead to the coming Kingdom Age. That
time we have been praying for each time we prayed, "Thy Kingdom
come...on earth."
I. "THE KING OF ISRAEL YAWEH IS IN THE MIDST OF THEE."
A. The response of the people.
1. Singing.
2. Shouting.
3. Gladness and rejoicing.
B. The benefits to the people.
1. Judgment has been removed.
2. The enemy has been cast out.
3. They will not see evil again.
II. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE KING.
A. Yaweh thy God in the midst of thee is mighty.
1. One of the titles ascribed to Jesus in prophesy of
Isaiah: "The mighty God."
2 Once again it will be as John said, "He was in the world, and the world
was made by Him." "In the beginning was the Word.. all things..."
a. The eternal God, the creator of the universe
will dwell in the midst of His people to reign
as King over the earth.
B. "He will save."
1. For years the world has been teetering on the brink of
disaster.
a. We are closer to the brink than ever.
b. Government has become so inefficient and
cumbersome, so as to impose an intolerant
burden upon the people.
(1. I speak of the national debt and proposed continued deficit spending.
(2. Spending money for military is bankrupting the world.
(3. Why must we spend so much on the military?
2. You ask, "What is the solution?"
a. I don't believe there is any outside the return
of Jesus Christ to set up His Kingdom.
1. Once again the cry, Hosanna.
C. "He will rejoice over thee with joy."
1. Oh how much Jesus loves you.
a. As you come to talk with Him or share, He will
be rejoicing over you with joy.
b. No one has ever loved you as much as He.
2. This is no doubt the joy that was set before Him that
gave Him the capacity to endure the cross.
D. "He will rest in His love."
1. When love is not a complete love, there is fear. A
restlessness.
a. "Perfect love casts out all fear, he that..."
2. Characteristics of that perfect love are joy, peace,
long-suffering, gentleness...
3. How we need to learn to rest in His love, now.
a. Wonderful things in the Bible I see, this is
the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
b. Look what He has done to prove His love.
c. We seem so insecure about love. "Do you love
me?"
1. If you are ever prone to doubt His
love, just look at the cross.
E. "He will joy over thee with singing."
1. Here is this Hebrew word, "gil" again, "Spin around
for joy."
2. Can you imagine Jesus singing love songs to you?
a. Why is it that the thought of such a thing
thrills and excites me so much.
3. I have sung many love songs to Him, but to have Him
break out in a love song to me, do you know what that
is going to be? Heaven.
Sermon Outline
- The Response of the People points: - Singing, Shouting, Gladness and Rejoicing - Benefits to the People - Judgment has been removed - The enemy has been cast out - They will not see evil again
- The Description of the King points: - Yaweh thy God in the midst of thee is mighty - He will save - He will rejoice over thee with joy - He will rest in His love - He will joy over thee with singing
Key Quotes
“He was in the world, and the world was made by Him.” — Chuck Smith
“Perfect love casts out all fear, he that...” — Chuck Smith
“He will joy over thee with singing.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We need to learn to rest in God's love and trust in His perfect love.
- We should rejoice in the knowledge that Jesus loves us and desires a personal relationship with each of us.
- The return of Jesus Christ is the only solution to the world's problems and will bring peace and prosperity to the world.
