Four Points Church

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 - Brent Stephens / June 23, 2024

Zechariah 14 - "Dwelling Secure" - Brent Stephens / June 16, 2024

Zechariah 14 is one of the hardest chapters in the Bible to interpret. Every good student of Scripture knows that there is one true interpretation for every passage. Hundreds of applications could come from a text, but only one accurate interpretation. The problem with this chapter is at least seven known interpretations are being taught in Christian circles, with dozens more variations of those known interpretations. It’s enough to make even the best of Bible teachers, like Martin Luther, throw their hands up in the air and say, “I don’t know.” Being 2500 years removed from this time period certainly makes things difficult, but chapter 14 is still “Godbreathed and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Corinthians 3:16). So let’s try our best.

Zechariah 13 - "The Shepherd Struck, The Sheep Scattered" - Brent Stephens / June 9, 2024

During the Civil War, densely-packed battle lines made it likely that field generals might be killed in battle. During the Battle of Spotsylvania, Union General John Sedgwick stood away from the front and proudly proclaimed to his fellow officers “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.” The next moment, he was shot and killed by a Confederate sharpshooter. Killing the leader always results in confusion for those who follow. In Zechariah 13:7-9, it is not the enemy who kills the leader, but God himself. But what could God seek to gain from putting His own leader to death? Our passage explains how our sovereign God uses even great tragedy to save His people.

Zechariah 12 - "On Whom They Pierced" - Brent Stephens / June 2, 2024

Chapter 12 marks the beginning of the final oracle in the book of Zechariah. This oracle will continue through the end of the book. As you read the remaining chapters of Zechariah, you can quickly glean the central themes from this last oracle. One of these themes is the great day of salvation that awaits God’s people. In chapters 12-14, the phrase “On that day” occurs fifteen times! Everything can change in a day, can’t it? History hinges on important days: D-Day, Independence Day, and 9/11 to name a few. What a difference a day can make! Zechariah wants to bring encouragement to the people of God by prophesying about what God will do on the great day of salvation that awaits the remnant. On that great day, God will keep His people, He will convert His people, and He will cleanse His people.

Zechariah 11 - "Shepherd of the Slaughter" - Brent Stephens / May 26, 2024

After some good news from the prophet in chapter 10, God expounds upon what He said in Zechariah 10:3 in which He spoke through the prophet, “My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders.”

Zechariah 10 Part 3 - Brent Stephens / May 19, 2024

Zechariah 10:1-11:3 Part 2 - "Walking In His Name" - Brent Stephens / May 12, 2024

When we read Scripture, we learn about real people who live in real historical times. We learn their names, get to know their families, and study their character traits and accomplishments —or lack thereof. It’s very easy for Christians to over-focus on the human elements in the Bible and completely miss the real power that is at work behind the scenes. Scripture is clear that there is a spiritual realm that is constantly influencing the physical world of man. All the unrighteous, called sons of disobedience, live under the direction of Satan and his fallen angels (Ephesians 2:1-2). Likewise, all those who say “Jesus is Lord” are under the sway of the Holy Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12:3). This spiritual reality is made very clear in this section of Zechariah.

Zechariah 10:1-11:3 Part 1 - "The Good Shepherd" - Brent Stephens / May 5, 2024

The people of Judah are easily discouraged and distracted as they try to restore their nation. At times they waywardly look away from the Lord for provision, direction, and strength and become like lost sheep. Thankfully, God has not left them alone. Zechariah is sent with a message of correction and encouragement. His message not only reminds God’s people that God will shepherd them, but that the coming Messiah will bring stability and protection.

Zechariah 9 - "The Humble King" - Daniel Pernell / April 28, 2024

Zechariah 9 marks a major shift in the book. From here through the end of the book, the chapters contain prophetic oracles, and this chapter holds one of two major ones. Given the state of Judah as a remnant people under the power of a foreign nation, will God’s promises still stand? This question must be at the forefront of the minds of those who have journeyed back from exile. In chapter 9, the prophet gives a different perspective to the people longing for hope: there is hope coming, but not how they might expect. Hope will come in the future through a humble king.

Zechariah 8 - "Let Your Hands Be Strong" - Brent Stephens / April 21, 2024

Twice in our passage, God reminds the people of the destruction He brought on them because of their

disobedience. In verse 10, God calls attention to the economic and social state of things under the curse. When a society is under a curse from Almighty God, it is not difficult to look around and see the effects of that curse. God used the Babylonians to utterly destroy Judah and its capital city, Jerusalem. He again reminds those who returned from their exile that He “purposed to bring disaster to you when your fathers provoked Me to wrath, and I did not relent” (v. 14). When God purposes to do something, there is nothing that will stop Him from accomplishing it. Even after King Josiah’s reforms in 2 Kings 23, God still was not dissuaded from the destruction of the people of Judah and Jerusalem.