Zechariah 4:1 And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 2: And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 3: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 4: So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 5: Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 6: Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 7: Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 8: Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 9: The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. 10: For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth. 11: Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? 12: And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 13: And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 14: Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.

Introduction

The most important place in the life of the Jews is the Temple. The Temple was the place in which God chose to reveal Himself and to make His Presence manifest.  It was the place where sin could be temporarily atoned for through the sacrifice of animals.  It foreshadowed the coming of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled and abolished the old sacrificial system. Today, the Church is the His temple. The Church is the spiritual body of believers indwelt by His Holy Spirit.

The First Temple was built in 957 BC during the reign of Solomon. But when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem the Temple was completely destroyed and God's people were led into Babylonian captivity for 70 years. God had promised that the people would return and they did. And He did it through Cyrus the Great, king of Persia.

King Cyrus conquered Babylon and God moved him to issue a decree allowing the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. 

Ezra 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2: Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3: Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.

Is there among you who are willing to leave Babylon and go back to Jerusalem and to rebuild the Temple? Go ahead and God be with you.

Many of the Jews did return to their native land Jerusalem. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, who was the governor of Judah at the time, the people had started out to rebuild the Temple. But after a good and strong beginning the work of rebuilding of the Temple, the people of God were met with opposition.

Ezra 4:1 Now when the adversaries (enemies) of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; 2: Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.

The devil always seeks to oppose God's work. He is against it. The adversaries, who are the pagan people who lived in their land offered to help in the building. They came pretending they care about the work but the real motivation was to stop and destroy the work.

Zerubbabel and the elders, however, refused all such help.

Ezra 4:3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.

When Zerubbabel and the elders said, "You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God." the pagan people sought ways to stop the work. 

Ezra 4:4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, 5: And hired counsellers against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

The same people who said let us build with you were the same people who weakened the hands of the people and spread slanderous reports regarding the Jews to stop the work.

And the adversaries seemingly succeeded. The work of the rebuilding was brought to a halt. 

Ezra 4:23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. 24: Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Zerubbabel caved in to the pressures of the lands around and stopped the rebuilding of the Temple. He had allowed the work of building the temple to languish for 15 years. This governor who was supposed to see the work of God rebuilt and reestablished had failed. 

But then God began to work again and raised up two prophets, Zechariah and Haggai to stir up the heart of Zerubbabel to do what God had given them to do. 

Ezra 5:1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. 2: Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.

When Zechariah and Haggai came and prophesied, Zerubbabel began to get busy and got the people stirred up to rebuild the temple of God. When the work resumed the opposition did not cease. The enemies continued to oppose the Lord's work.

Every true work of God has difficulties, problems, and obstacles to overcome. When you do God's work you will come across mountain-like problems at times. In Zerubbabel's case the mountain-like obstacle that he faced was not only opposition from the enemies but also the indifference of God's own people.

Haggai 1:1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying, 2: Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built.

God's own people say, the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD. The people had lost their vision for God and His work. They became comfortable in themselves and lost interest in the house of God. They had allowed the house of God to languish and deteriorate while they live nice homes.

So God rebuked them through the prophet Haggai ...

Haggai 1:3 Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4: Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? 5: Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 6: Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 7: Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

He appeals to their consciences saying, "You can make yourselves comfortable; you have time and means and industry to expend on your own private interests, and can you look with indifference on the house of God lying waste?" 

These are the mountain-like obstacles that Zechariah faced as he sets out to resume the work - the opposition of the enemies and the indifference of God's own people.

But God had a message for Zerubbabel and the builders ...

Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 7: Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 8: Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 9: The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.

The LORD had said through the prophet Zechariah, the Temple will be rebuilt. Sure, they will encounter mountain of oppositions and difficulties but in ...

Zechariah 4:7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

God promised that the great mountain will become plain. The mighty mountain will become level ground. The mighty mountain which represents the various difficulties, problems, and obstacles shall be removed.

Today, the mountain may denote the opposition made to Christ and to the building of His church. Jesus Christ said in ...

Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

God promised that the Temple that Zerubbabel started to rebuild shall be completed and how the building would be accomplished? The principles shared in this vision are applicable to all of the Christian Life. Let's look at them. 

How is the Temple going to be rebuilt? How is the Church going to be built?

I — Not by Might 

Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

The Temple is going to be rebuilt not by might of men. It's not by army, not the quantity of the men who are involved in this building task that will make it effectual. In other words, the Temple is not going to be rebuilt by all the people pulling all their collective strength together and get the job done.

Indifference had set in and the people of God were not concerned about building the Temple. The might or strength of the great numbers of people who wanted to build the temple had diminished. There seemed to be no strength or might to build the temple.

But the Lord was saying, "Don't sit around and wait for might, don't sit around and wait until a great number of people are involve before you work." 

Don't despise small things ...

Zechariah 4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

We are so prone to despise little things. The world would look at us and say, "Look at this small group of people. What can this group do? What can they ever accomplish for God?"

I like what Margaret Mead had said,

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

God can do great things even through what is looked upon as a small work. Because little is much when God is in it!

Does the place you're called to labor

Seem so small and little known?

It is great if God is in it,

And He'll not forget His own.

Refrain:

Little is much when God is in it!

Labor not for wealth or fame;

There's a crown, and you can win it,

If you go in Jesus' name.

Someone had said, "Remember a mighty oak tree was once a nut like you." That oak tree was once a tiny little seed that grew into a mighty tree. 

The Hebrew children didn't need more might, they needed more awareness of God. They needed to have revival. They needed zeal to replace indifference. How about us? Now notice the next phrase. 

How is the Temple going to be rebuilt? How is the Church going to be built?

II — Not by Power

Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

The Temple is going to be rebuilt not by power of men. Power may refer to individual strength. In other words the Temple was not going to be rebuilt by Zerubbabel's ability and skill.

It's not by by the strength of one special individual that brings victory. It's not the gift of the preacher that's going to build the church. Any work that is built upon a man is doomed to failure.

There is actually a curse upon those who depend upon the flesh. 

Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. 6: For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 

How is the Temple going to be rebuilt? How is the Church going to be built?

III — By God's Spirit

Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

It must be the Lord upon Whom we depend. 

Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

Isaiah 2:22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?

We cannot do God's Work without Him. We need to understand that the strength of numbers and popular opinion won't bring spiritual might. Nor will the power and talent of one special individual bring it. God's Spirit and God alone can cause one to build spiritually. Jesus said ...

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The prophets were trying to stir the people to rebuild. Zechariah had a vision and the Lord told him the building would not be accomplished by human might nor human power but by God's Spirit.

To build a Christian life we need the power and might of God. To build a Christian home we need the power and might of God's Spirit. To build a congregation and have them grow in Christian grace, we need God's Spirit. It is not an option, it is a must. This sixth verse lists two negatives, but then this is all important positive, "but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."

Without Him We Can Do Nothing

A city full of Churches, 

Great preachers, lettered (educated) men, 

Grand music, choirs and organs, 

If these all fail-what then? 

Good workers, eager, earnest, 

Who labor by the hour: 

But where, oh where, my brother, 

Is God's Almighty Power?

Refinement-education, 

They have the very best. 

Their plans and schemes are perfect, 

They give themselves no rest. 

They get the best of talent, 

They try their uttermost, 

But what they need, my brother, 

Is God--the Holy Ghost.

Closing Thoughts

In the coming weeks we will be learning the Person and Work of the Spirit. I pray that we will all gain a better understanding of Who the Holy Spirit is and His important role in our lives and in our ministry. You and I cannot live the Christian life by ourselves. We need the help of the Holy Spirit. We cannot do God's Work without Him. May we be ever mindful of these great words ...

Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

In closing please turn back to ...

Zechariah 4:7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 8: Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 9: The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.

The headstone is the capstone. It was the last stone put in place when the building was finished.  The capstone put in place signifies that the building was finished. It was complete.

And when the work is done it will be acknowledge that it is all of grace. God has done it. It was God who began the work of building the Temple and He will finished it ...

Ezra 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2: Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

It was God who initiated this work by stirring the heart of King Cyrus.

Now turn to ... 

Haggai 1:14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, 15: In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

The Lord stirred up the heart of Zerubbabel to complete the work.

May the Lord stirred us to work for Him. May we know that power of the Spirit. May the Lord grant to us more of the power of the Spirit in our work for His name sake.

AMEN!