Good Shepherd Community Church

“One of the most awesome descriptions of the wrath of God in judgment found anywhere in Scripture appears in the opening verses of Zephaniah. The totality of the cosmos shall be consumed in his burning anger. The very order of creation shall be overturned.

One of the most moving descriptions of the love of God for his people found anywhere in Scripture appears in the closing verses of Zephaniah. God and his people attain heights in the ecstasy of love that are hard to comprehend.”

– O. Palmer Robertson, New International Commentary on the Old Testament

“When I think of the voice of God singing, I hear the booming of Niagara Falls mingled with the trickle of a mossy mountain stream. I hear the blast of Mt. St. Helens mingled with a kitten's purr. I hear the power of an East Coast hurricane and the barely audible puff of a night snow in the woods. And I hear the unimaginable roar of the sun 865,000 miles thick, one million three hundred thousand times bigger than the earth, and nothing but fire, 1,000,000 degrees centigrade, on the cooler surface of the corona. But I hear this unimaginable roar mingled with the tender, warm crackling of the living room logs on a cozy winter's night. And when I hear this singing I stand dumbfounded, staggered, speechless that he is singing over me. He is rejoicing over my good with all his heart and with all his soul.”

– John Piper, The Pleasures of God

• He will gather us (3:18)
• He will heal our sorrows and sufferings (3:18)
• He will deal with our oppressors and save us (3:19)
• He will change our shame into praise (3:19)
• He will restore our reputation and our fortunes (3:20)

Big Idea:
Rejoice in His Rejoicing Love!

Next step takeaways:
With God as His FAMILY
• Memorize Zephaniah 3:17 and focus on actively believing and rejoicing in God’s love, asking Him to overcome whatever hinders you.
• Sign up for the next round of classes for “Core School of the Bible” to know God better, love and trust Him more, and obey Him more fully.

Next step takeaways:
With Others as His SERVANTS
• Share God’s love with another believer this week by gladly using your time, abilities, or resources to pursue what is best for them in some tangible way.
• If you are new to the church, sign up for our “First Step Welcome Lunch” that is happening in January.

Next step takeaways:
On Mission as His MISSIONARIES
• Share God’s love with an unbeliever this week by inviting them and attending one of our Christmas Eve services with them.
• Sign up for the “True Financial Freedom” class starting in January to be better equipped to use your resources to experience and share God’s love.