Chariots, Priests, and Kings

Kate Stevens • Feb 09, 2022

Notes from Pastor Ky Martin's message on Zechariah 6:


We see the horsemen here in chapter 6 declare that the world is at peace and rest. But no one is to be fooled—it is the Lord who is at rest, not the world. So in 2:9 God says He will shake His hand over them, stirring things up. In essence, He has released His anger. 



Vision 1: 

God’s power, though hidden, is great.


God’s kingdom is a global influence.


To compare Christianity with world power is laughable—we have nothing. The world has money, military means, and the media. On the world stage, we are no contender at all. But think about it—we all know someone Jewish. But someone Babylonian? Their story has ended, and God’s story remains and is progressing still. 


Like an earthquake on the ocean floor, unseen and unheard, results in a catastrophic flood—God uses the faithfulness of His people to shape the course of history.


Psalm 27:1–3 declares that the LORD is our light and salvation—who else are we to fear?


God avenges His people


God will vindicate us, turning shame to glory. This allows us to leave judgment to the Lord.


“Christians are not the judge of our unbelieving neighbors, but it is helpful for us to know that God will judge them on our behalf: God will vindicate us, turning our shame into glory, our turmoil into peace, and our loss into reward. This enables us to love those who hate us, confidently leaving judgment to the Lord.” — R.D. Phillips

Romans 12:19–21 tells us to never avenge ourselves. We are to leave this to the Lord and feed and love our enemies instead. 



Belief in God’s hidden power enables us to follow Jesus.


I Corinthians 15:19, "If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are the most to be pitied."


We cannot live our lives only doing what we want and living for our own purposes. Where are we serving? Where are we investing? Do we believe this enough to orient our lives around the Lord?



Vision 2:

The Priest Becomes King


In chapter 4 we see two olive trees. This represents a balance in power. The office of king and priest were held by two different individuals because the burden of each is too much for one person. However, in verse 13 we see the Branch taking up both offices. This is foreshadowing Jesus, who becomes both for God’s people!


As a priest, Jesus’ life was lived in service to and for the good of others. He was empathetic. He had time for everyone and was always guiding people towards His Father. He was indeed the shepherd and the gate. 


Philippians 2, “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross, therefore [because of that] God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so so that at the name of Jesus every one who’ll bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”


Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”


2 Cor. 1:20, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him.”

Jesus is Much More Better

15 May, 2024
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, May 12, 2024. Sermon text: Romans 5:12-21 Adam ruined it for everyone —sin came into the world through Adam —death came into the world through sin —death spread to all men because all sinned “God has always dealt with mankind through a head and representative. The whole story of the human race can be summed up in terms of what has happened because of Adam, and what has happened and will yet happen because of Christ.” —Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Jesus is the true and better Adam “Cranfield explains, ‘That one single misdeed should be answered by judgment, this is perfectly understandable: that the accumulated sins and guilt of all the ages should be answered by God’s free gift, this is the miracle of miracles, utterly beyond human comprehension.’ The final word from God could have been “Condemned, on the basis of many trespasses.” Instead, it is “Justified, through the gift of Jesus’ righteousness.” That is why Paul declares that the gift is “much more” or “much better” than the result of Adam’s trespass.” —Daniel M. Doriani, Romans Through Jesus grace abounds and grace reigns Discipleship Questions: What are some reasons we might not like the idea that we all sinned when Adam sinned? What can help us embrace the idea that we all sinned when Adam sinned? How does that idea set us up for the good news about Jesus and what He accomplished? How does the truth from this passage build our assurance of our salvation? In what ways is what Jesus did much more powerful and better than what Adam brought us? How have you experienced the reign of grace in your life despite the reign of sin and death in the world? How can we experience the reign of grace through Jesus in everyday life?

No Fear of Judgment

08 May, 2024
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Sermon text: Romans 5:6-11 God has already done the work needed to save us He took the initiative “God has addressed the cause of the offense… Although he is the offended party, God has removed the offense. God has extended “the olive branch.” -Jay Smith He justified us He reconciled us Reconciliation is an objective event that God accomplished by removing the barrier of sin that separated himself from humanity. This result is independent of humanity’s response although it formed the basis for an individual’s subjective appropriation.” Jay Smith Appropriate: “To set apart for or assign to a particular recipient.” Christians need not fear judgment day 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Discipleship Questions: How does it change your outlook on life to know that you have peace with God? In what ways have you experienced the greatness of access to God’s grace? How does future certainty bring us lasting hope? Describe a time when you experienced joy in the midst of suffering. How has God used suffering to grow your faith and mature you? What are some ways you have experienced God’s love being poured into your heart?

The Joy of Justification

29 Apr, 2024
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, April 28, 2024. Sermon text: Romans 5:1-5 We find joy in the blessings brought by justification —peace with God —access to God’s grace Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. —hope of the glory of God “Christian hope is not uncertain, like our ordinary everyday hopes about the weather or our health; it is a joyful and confident expectation which rests on the promises of God, as we saw in the case of Abraham. And the object of our hope is the glory of God (2), namely his radiant splendor which will in the end be fully displayed. —John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans We can even find joy in our sufferings “Various kinds of sufferings will come to us, but we can rejoice in them when we recognize that they serve a purpose: to develop our Christian character. In verses 3b–4 Paul shows how a godly response to suffering can initiate a series of virtues, culminating, strikingly, in hope. Note, however, that Paul is not saying that we should rejoice because of suffering. Evil things are still just that—evil—and we never should be happy about them. But by looking beyond the suffering to its divinely intended end, we still can rejoice in the midst of them.” —Douglas J. Moo, Encountering the Book of Romans —suffering produces endurance “ We know this, especially from the experience of God’s people in every generation. Suffering produces perseverance ( hypomonē , endurance). We could not learn endurance without suffering, because without suffering there would be nothing to endure.” —John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans —endurance builds character —character gives us confident hope Discipleship Questions: How does it change your outlook on life to know that you have peace with God? In what ways have you experienced the greatness of access to God’s grace? How does future certainty bring us lasting hope? Describe a time when you experienced joy in the midst of suffering. How has God used suffering to grow your faith and mature you? What are some ways you have experienced God’s love being poured into your heart?
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