Date: SUN 7:00pm 7th September 2025
Preacher: Rev. Raymond McLernon
Bible Reference: Zechariah 1:5
Your fathers, where are they?
and the prophets, do they live for ever?
Sermon Summary: Zechariah Chapter 1
This sermon, based on Zechariah 1:1-11, focuses on God’s unchanging Word, the consequences of disobedience, and the urgent call to repentance. Drawing from the Old Testament prophet Zechariah, the preacher addresses the Israelites’ historical failure to heed God’s commands and urges the current generation not to repeat their ancestors’ mistakes. The sermon intertwines biblical exposition with contemporary application, emphasising the eternal relevance of God’s truth, the necessity of personal salvation, and the responsibility of parents to guide their children spiritually.
Key Themes and Points
- God’s Unchanging Word and Call to Repentance (Zechariah 1:1-6)
- The sermon opens with a reading from Zechariah 1, set in the eighth month of the second year of Darius (circa 520 BC), where God, through Zechariah, addresses the Israelites. God expresses His displeasure with their forefathers, who ignored the prophets’ calls to turn from their “evil ways and evil doings” (v. 4). Despite warnings, their ancestors did not listen, leading to divine judgment.
- God’s message is clear: “Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you” (v. 3). The preacher stresses that this call to repentance remains relevant today, as God’s Word is “forever settled in heaven” and unchanging, unlike the shifting philosophies of the modern world.
- The sermon critiques modern attempts to reinterpret or rewrite moral standards (e.g., referencing a supposed statement by King Charles about rewriting the Ten Commandments). Sin, such as murder, adultery, or theft, remains sin, and God’s standards are eternal.
- The Consequences of Disobedience (v. 5-6)
- The rhetorical question, “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?” (v. 5), underscores the fleeting nature of life and the enduring power of God’s Word. The Israelites’ forefathers faced judgment for their disobedience, and their fate serves as a warning to the current generation.
- The preacher applies this to today, noting that the consequences of sin are inevitable: “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” The Israelites’ idolatry and rejection of God led to a “bitter harvest” of judgment, a lesson for all generations.
- The Vision of the Horsemen (Zechariah 1:7-11)
- Zechariah’s vision of a man on a red horse among myrtle trees, accompanied by other horses, is interpreted as God’s messengers patrolling the earth, observing that it is “at rest” (v. 11). This vision signifies God’s sovereignty and awareness of the world’s state, reinforcing His authority to call people to repentance.
- The preacher uses this to highlight God’s omniscience and the urgency of responding to His call before it is too late.
- Parental Influence and Responsibility
- The sermon employs the phrase “like father, like son” to explore how children often emulate their parents’ characteristics or behaviours. While this can be positive, the preacher warns against inheriting the spiritual failures of previous generations, as the Israelites did.
- Parents are challenged to consider whether their children would be proud to follow their example as godly individuals. The sermon cites Exodus 20:4-6, warning that a father’s unrepented sin can bring judgment on future generations, but obedience to God brings mercy to thousands who love Him.
- A poignant example is given of a young boy in Bushmills who, despite living in a gospel-rich land, had never heard of Sunday school, highlighting parental neglect in spiritual instruction.
- The Urgency of Personal Salvation
- The sermon repeatedly emphasises that salvation is personal and cannot be inherited from parents or achieved through tradition or church attendance. Quoting John 1:12-13, the preacher stresses that salvation comes only through faith in Christ, not through human effort or lineage.
- The danger of procrastination is highlighted with warnings from Genesis 6:3 (“My spirit shall not always strive with man”) and Proverbs 27:1 (“Boast not thyself of tomorrow”). Today is the day of salvation, and delaying repentance risks eternal loss.
- The preacher recounts personal experiences of witnessing individuals who, despite hearing the gospel repeatedly, remain unmoved, illustrating the danger of familiarity breeding complacency.
- The Unchanging Gospel
- Despite modern innovations and new methods in preaching, the core gospel message remains unchanged: repentance, faith in Christ’s blood atonement, and conversion are the only path to salvation. The sermon rejects modern philosophies that seek to bypass repentance, affirming that “nothing but the blood of Jesus” can wash away sin.
- The preacher critiques ministers who fail to warn their congregations of sin’s consequences or who endorse sinful lifestyles (e.g., participating in pride parades), calling them to repentance.
- Application to Modern Ulster
- The sermon draws parallels between the privileged position of the Jews, who were blessed with God’s Word, and the people of Ulster, a land rich in gospel preaching. Yet, this privilege increases accountability, as many have heard the gospel but failed to respond.
- The preacher warns that neglecting salvation risks eternal separation from God and loved ones, urging listeners to trust Christ and avoid the fate of their forefathers who rejected Him.
Key Illustrations and Anecdotes
- Tear-off Calendar Motto: A calendar quote suggesting that rapid worldly change makes yesterday’s wrongs acceptable today is contrasted with God’s unchanging standards.
- Headstone Inscriptions: The preacher contrasts headstones proclaiming faith in Christ with one reading “Gone fishing,” illustrating the eternal significance of one’s legacy.
- Personal Testimony: The preacher recalls his childhood misconception that his parents’ salvation might spare him from judgment, underscoring the need for personal faith.
- Bushmills Child: The story of a seven-year-old unaware of Sunday school highlights the failure of some parents to pass on spiritual truths.
Call to Action
The sermon concludes with a passionate plea for repentance and faith in Christ. Listeners are urged to:
- Recognise their sinful condition and need for salvation.
- Turn from sin and trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross.
- Parents are specifically challenged to lead their children to Christ, ensuring they do not inherit spiritual neglect.
- Act urgently, as life is short, and eternity is at stake.
Tone and Style
The sermon is delivered in a direct, earnest, and urgent tone, characteristic of evangelical preaching. It uses accessible language with a distinctly Northern Irish flavour (e.g., “wee” for small, references to Belfast and Hillsborough). The preacher employs rhetorical questions, personal anecdotes, and biblical examples to engage the audience, blending warnings of judgment with hope in Christ’s mercy.
Conclusion
This sermon uses Zechariah 1 to deliver a timeless message: God’s Word is unchanging, sin leads to judgment, and salvation is found only through repentance and faith in Christ. It challenges listeners to break free from the sins of their forefathers, respond to the gospel, and ensure their children are raised in the fear of God. The preacher’s fervent call to action underscores the eternal stakes of the decision to accept or reject Christ, urging immediate response to avoid a “lost eternity.”
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