Peter Barnes: Zephaniah 1:14-2:3
(November 5 2017)
SERMON NOTES: SEEK THE LORD BEFORE THE DAY COMES (Zephaniah 1:14-2:3)
– John 5:28-29. Zephaniah speaks of the day of the Lord, but the news is a warning more than a comfort.
1. A day of great judgment is coming.
– 1:14-18. Francis of Assisi’s biographer, Thomas of Celano, is supposed to have his hymn based on this portion of Scripture:
That day of wrath, that dreadful day
When heaven and earth shall pass away!
What power shall be the sinner’s stay?
How shall he meet that dreadful day?
– the word ‘day’ appears ten times in these five verses.
– because of their sins. Silver is useless, gold is useless, works are useless, good intentions are useless, voting with the majority is useless. This day will involve the whole world – 1:17a, 18b; 2 Thess.1:6-10.
2. Act before it is too late.
– 2:1-2. You cannot run out of the burning building unless you are awake. Many of Jesus’ parables tell us to be ready.
– Luke 12:4-5.
3. Seek the Lord.
– 2:3. Like Amos 5:18, 4-6, 14.
Augustus Toplady:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee!
– Matt.5:3-5.