by

Godly Vision – A Welcome HOME! (Sermon Audio)

~

This is the audio from the September 1, 2024 sermon, “Vision To Return: A Welcome HOME!”, shared by Tom Lemler at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Text: Zechariah 1

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)

As God revealed Himself in Old Testament times to His chosen people, He often did so in visions seen by His prophets.  Zechariah was one of those prophets who was given a series of godly visions to share with God’s people of his time and with God’s people of today.  Today we begin a sermon series from the book of Zechariah as we consider how his godly vision should teach us now.  As we gaze into God’s Word, we find this Godly Vision began with A Vision of Return!  As we return to God from wherever we are, we find A Welcome . . .

  • Humility:  Zechariah 1:1-3

    • A vision of return begins with a welcome humility which acknowledges the Lord Almighty.  Three times in one short verse we find God referred to as the Lord Almighty.  I believe that should get our attention about who we are compared to who God is.  It is when we come home with humility that we find ourselves prepared to not only be humble before God, but to be humble in our dealings with others as we share God’s invitation to return home.

  • Obedience:  Zechariah 1:4-6

    • A vision of return also leads us to an obedience to the One in charge.  Humbling ourselves before the Lord Almighty, by nature should indicate our willingness to obey.  But this isn’t an obedience born out of compulsion, rather it is a welcome obedience as our way of expressing the love and honor due to the One who has called us to return home.  It is in this obedience that we share with others God’s desire that they also return and find a welcome home.  

  • Mercy:  Zechariah 1:12-16

    • A vision of return will lead us to find a very needed mercy.  God’s Word makes it clear that our rebellion against Him has earned us a penalty of death.  There is no amount of goodness on our part which can overcome the debt we have accumulated.  In fact, even the invitation to return to God is offered out of God’s immense mercy toward us.  But it’s not just us that God is merciful towards.  He says His mercy endures forever and extends to all who will call upon the name of the Lord.  The message of return ought to not just be experienced, it ought to be shared with others as we extend the same mercy which we ourselves need from God.

  • Encouragement:  Zechariah 1:17

    • A vision of return will lead to a welcome encouragement.  It ought to encourage us beyond measure to know that we who were not a people of God are now God’s children.  No matter how much, or how little, we believe we have strayed from God, the Bible says we all like sheep have gone astray.  We are encouraged with the knowledge that God has seen us at our worst and still loves us and wants us.  We encourage others to return home when we choose to live with the same humility, obedience, mercy, and encouragement toward them that we ourselves need from God.

Today, how will you pursue a return of HOME?

2 thoughts on “Godly Vision – A Welcome HOME! (Sermon Audio)”

Comments are closed.