Our Sermons

Bible Passage: Zephaniah 3:9-17
Pastor: Pastor Schlicht
Sermon Date:  December 12, 2021

I’d like to start out this sermon with some material from the well known theologians: Calvin and Hobbs. In this strip, there’s the bully Moe who is always taking things away from Calvin. In this one he has stolen Calvin’s favorite truck. Calvin has tried reasoning with him, he tried to steal the truck back, and now he resigns himself to this injustice and attempts to take the high ground:

Moe has no guilt and no shame for what he has done. Calvin has won a moral victory, but Moe doesn’t care, or even understand. At the end of the day, Calvin still doesn’t have his favorite truck. For a little kid, the ethical high ground is a hollow consolation prize. I think the reason why this cartoon strikes me is because it’s realistic. Positive actions don’t always produce positive results in a sinful world. In real life the good guys don’t seem to win. Bullies don’t seem to pay for their cruelty. In fact, in some cases their aggressive, unfeeling behaviors puts them in a prime position to succeed and get ahead of others, which seems incredibly unfair.

Haven’t we all been there? Where is the bolt of lightning when it’s well deserved? Why can’t every reckless driver get picked up? Why doesn’t every bully get punished? We live in a world where the rich get richer off of the backs of the poor. The proud get promotions and the humble go hungry. Lies and deceit often pay out quite handsomely. And we are left wondering, where is God? Where is his justice? Where’s the righteous anger? I’m glad he was born as a baby in Bethlehem, but if he’s just a baby in swaddling clothes, not really a king who can settle the score, then what’s the point in living according to his standards? 

Zephaniah spoke to God’s people long ago who were wondering the same thing. And we find the answer today in chapter 3. What the Lord declares here in our verses is emblematic of the message of the entire book. The so-called “Day of the Lord” is near (Zephaniah 1:14). It will be a day both of judgment for his enemies and deliverance for his people. In other words, Zephaniah promises that God will come to settle the score! The evil will be punished, and the faithful vindicated. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail! Or so they say…

You see, even though this was good news for the faithful people of God living in that day, it must have been hard to believe. Zephaniah served during the reign of King Josiah and while there were positive reforms being made, faithlessness and corruption were still rampant. Idol worship promoted sexual abuse, the rich exploited the poor and took their land, judges were corrupt, widows and orphans were neglected and starving. Violence and lies ruled the news headings of the day. Those who boasted in their sin were exalted and applauded. Sound familiar? Not only this, but the surrounding nations were circling like birds of prey around Judah. The people of God were being bullied internally and externally. Where is God when you need him, they must have wondered. Will we see his justice? In fact, Zephaniah realized that they were tempted to give up on God and give in to the self-serving ways of the world. 

Thing’s aren’t that different today either…Self-promoters get success. The oppressors get ahead. Crooked officials and politicians seem to prosper. People get away with all sorts of things. Why even greedy pastors rake in money from their congregations, and though I pray for lightning to strike, nothing happens. If there is a God, what is he waiting for? It’s hard to be faithful when the proud prosper. And what about doing the right thing? Living ethically? Serving God? Well, that just seems hardly worth it, in fact in some cases it seems like it holds you back and keeps you down. There are times we are all tempted to give up living for God and to give in to the world. 

If my spouse is selfish and gets what they want, then why shouldn’t I? It’s only fair! If my classmate can disrespect their parents and go behind their back to have fun, then I’m going to do the same. If other people rant and call names on Facebook, then I’m justified in throwing it right back in their face! If others use social media to brag about their body, their relationships, their house, or maybe even about their Bible study habits, then I can do the same. And if anyone questions me, I’ll quickly dismiss them as unloving and remind them that I am simply encouraging others to be better. If other people in my company at work use bribery and lies to get ahead, then I better do the same if I’m going to keep up. Are we not tempted, when we see the proud prosper? Especially at Christmas, looking at the pride and the problems in the world and, let’s be honest in our own homes and hearts, we are tempted to wonder if Jesus’ birth can really change anything. As the old carol goes, “And in despair I bowed my head “There is no peace on Earth, ” I said. For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on Earth, good will to men…” The devil tempts us to give up on God and to give in to the world. And sometimes we do fall.  If not in action, then in spirit, living as Christians in despondency and resignation, not joy and gladness. Where deeds of faith become grudging duties, not thankful, cheerful service, where we take pride in victimhood and commiserate by pitying ourselves. Like we could have more fun, but we have to follow God. Yes, as much as I wish to call lightning bolts down on some people, I know that there’s a lightning rod connected to my sinful heart too. And if God is truly just, I should not want him to come near. 

This is why Zephaniah’s words are so needed today. They include both a warning and a promise: In that day you will no longer bear the shame of your rebellions against me. Then I will remove the proud boasters from among you, and you will never again be arrogant on my holy hill. 12 But I will leave among you the people who are humble and weak. They will seek refuge in the name of the Lord. 13 The Israelites who remain will no longer act unjustly. They will not lie, and a deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouth. Instead, they will graze peacefully like sheep and lie down. No one will terrify them. The warning is this: The great Day of the Lord will be his final judgment on the world. One day, the Jesus whom we celebrate coming as a baby in Bethlehem will return with all authority over heaven and earth. And on those days he will separate the righteous from the ungodly, he will remove from his presence forever those who are unyielding in their pride and sin. As John the baptist warned, this is the Savior who comes not as meek and mild, but the one who comes with the ax of judgment, with the winnowing fork which separates the wheat and the chaff. That’s not the usual picture our culture paints of Christ, but it is biblical. Our Savior is king of heaven and earth and he will come to judge the living and the dead. Justice will have its day. And all that is wrong will be set right. Those who do not humble themselves before the Lord will be humbled nonetheless. 

That warning is important because it adds a hair-raising urgency to God’s call for repentance over our own pride. But it is also a promise: The certainty of God’s judgment turns our frustration and fear to calm. It keeps us from the temptation to pick up Jesus’ ax and take a few swings of our own. It frees us to trust in God’s justice and see the value of a humble life lived in joyful service. 

After all, that’s why Jesus came at Christmas. He came as a humble infant, born in the lowliest circumstances to show that no one with wisdom should ever equate humility with weakness. He came to demonstrate that God is patient, acting first in love rather than judgment. He came so that ultimately he could die to forgive all sin and to save all who would believe in him. He came to vindicate all who suffer setbacks because of their faith, to promise the ultimate gift for those who humbly and quietly live for him even if they don’t have much to show for it. He came to give his life for our sin, reminding us that God is not unmoved by the abuse and oppression of human sin. He took our injustice upon himself and died in our place. And now he asks us to trust him, that he is just and that he will come and set all things right one day. To quote that same old carol: Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

And so Zephaniah tells us how to respond: Sing out, daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, you daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord has removed the judgment against you. He has turned back your enemy. Israel’s king, the Lord, is in your midst! You no longer need to fear disaster. In that day Jerusalem will be told, “Do not be afraid, O Zion. Do not give up. 17 The Lord your God is with you as a hero who will save you. He takes great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zeph. 3:14-17) Did you hear it? Don’t give up! Don’t give up on God. He has come once, he will come again. Don’t give up living and rejoicing in his name. Don’t give in to the temptation of earthly pride. The Lord your God will save you from whatever injustice has been done to you. Your value is not something you need to accomplish or show off. Just remember that the Lord takes great delight in you. Even in those moments when your heart cries out because of injustice and oppression, the Lord quiets you in his love. As a father who cradles his frightened child. In the end, because of Christ you don’t have to boast about yourself, because you know that God rejoices over you. Yes, it’s hard to be religious when certain people don’t get incinerated by lighting. But it’s easy to be Christian when you trust in both the Lord’s mercy and his justice in Christ. Don’t give up! Don’t give in! The Lord is near!

Amen.