Transcript Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10

Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
• In discouraging days the Lord speaks to help and
encourage His people (1:1).
• Return to me, declares the Lord Almighty, and I will
return to you (1:2-6).
• The Lord is among His repentant people, is committed
to them, and will bless them (1:7-17).
• Whatever powers are raised against God’s people, the
Lord will raise His power and His representative to
oppose them and throw them down (1:18-21).
• Be glad, be ready, wait expectantly. God has assured a
glorious future for Jerusalem and its people (2:1-14).
Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
These truths are a great encouragement…
…but encouragement can quickly turn to
discouragement!
The returnees may have been encouraged by
Zechariah’s visions 1-3…
…but then they remembered ... their sin!
The 4th vision addresses this issue.
Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
The Fourth Vision:
Clean Garments for the High Priest (3:1-10)
Joshua: the High Priest representing the people
before the Lord.
The Angel of the Lord: the Lord Jesus.
Satan: the Accuser/Adversary.
What happens in the vision may be summarized
under three commands:
Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
1. Be Clean! (3:1-5)
Joshua is dressed in filthy clothes representing his
and the people’s sin.
The Lord removes the filthy clothes and replaces
them with rich garments.
Sin is taken away and righteousness is put on.
By His grace, the guilt of the Christian’s sin is dealt
with – justified by faith.
If Satan accuses you, remind him you are clean!
(Romans 5:1, 8-9; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
2. Be Holy! (3:6-7)
Joshua was given a charge to walk in the Lord’s
ways – live a holy life.
Joshua was given a charge to keep the Lord’s
requirements – fulfill the duties of priestly office.
All Christians are priests
(1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:4-6).
The same charge is given to Christians today.
Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
Justification by faith removes the guilt of our sin.
Progressive sanctification removes the pollution
of sin in our lives.
We are called to pursue holiness in life and to
discharge the duties of our office (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Be on guard against the unholy trinity of the
world, the flesh and the devil.
They will seek to promote un-holiness in your life.
Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
3. Be Expectant! (3:8-10)
These verses are laced with Messianic promise.
Study these verses!
Joshua and his associates are symbolic of things
to come, 3:8 cf. Hebrews 7:26-27.
Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
The Servant - Messianic title used by Isaiah (Isaiah
49:6; 53ff).
The Branch (Isaiah 11:1) - Through Him the Lord will
fulfil His Covenant promises.
The Stone - May be a Messianic reference (Isaiah
28:16 cf. 1 Peter 2:6).
Do you recognize Jesus as the fulfilment of these
prophecies?
Good Friday - 3:9d. This happened when Jesus died
on the Cross.
First & Second Coming of Messiah - 3:10. This refers
to the time when the Lord’s salvation is revealed.
Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant! - Zechariah 3:1-10
Conclusion—Be Clean! Be Holy! Be Expectant!
What a glorious message of hope and
encouragement and challenge!
What a glorious invitation to anyone who is not a
Christian!
In days of discouragement what a glorious
encouragement and challenge to Christians.
You are clean before God by His grace. Pursue
holiness … and wait expectantly!
Your Saviour is coming and you will reign with Him.