Our Church

Zephaniah 3:1-2, Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, to the oppressing city!

The city – Jerusalem – was at one time a delight – a friend – good.  But it had drifted into evil.

Might be a church or Christian that once was good (Psalm 55:14-15) but no longer (Galatians 6:1).

3:2, She has not obeyed His voice, She has not received correction; She has not trusted in the Lord, She has not drawn near to her God.

God has called His people and His church to a mission which is fourfold:  declare His Being and Doings, point out sins and coming judgment, reveal God’s plan of rescue and release and help men to walk with God through life.

God has declared His will in His Bible: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profit- able for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16-17

The call on each believer and on any church wishing to be pleasing to God is to be about these four areas:

1. to Know Doctrines – truths about God – know His will, work and ways.
2. to Declare rebellion – selfishness and pride, which are odious to God and due God’s punishment.
3. to Proclaim salvation is only by faith in the finished payment made by Jesus while on the cross.
4. to Teach that the Christian life is about walking near to Jesus all the days of life after salvation.

So, how is SSB doing in keeping God’s Word?

In Zephaniah, God warned about following people for wisdom, direction and security.

Zephaniah 3:3-4, Her princes in her midst are roaring lions; Her judges are evening wolves that leave not a bone till morning.  Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people; Her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

Too often God’s people find themselves swooned or pressed into listening to voices other than God’s voice and developing goals and wisdom from sources along with or other than God.  Too often Christians start harkening to:

1. Princes – powerful leaders – roaring lion – arrogant and loud
   Could be famous or successful TV preachers or TV pastors.

2. Judges – courts and lawsuits – wolves – they eat all before them and hunt for more!
   Could be seminary or Bible scholars who are uttering renderings on Truth.

3. Prophets – people deemed wise like Bill Nye or Bill Gates or Elon Musk
   Could be local church teachers – knowledgeable, enjoyable and very articulate

4. Priests – church leaders who abuse and misuse the Bible
   Could be local church pastors who find women pastors, divorce, and homosexuality OK. 

God’s people need to remember these about God (Zephaniah 3:5):
The Lord is righteous in her midst, He will do no unrighteousness.
Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails, but the unjust knows no shame.

1. God is present in the rebellious city – in the wayward church, culture, and world.
2. God is righteous – holy, pure, perfect, without flaw or fault – Always!
3. God NEVER does wrong by anyone!
4. God daily renders justice – rightness, truth, good to men – even enemies!
5. God never fails to be holy or to keep His Word.

Lastly – Those not His are not just and have no shame in sinning!  Be wise to the people around you and whom you fellowship with and harken to.  Deception and danger lurk!!