Christmas in the Already and Not Yet

Isaiah 61:1-2
The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; ² to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn,

Grief is __________________ and Grief is Necessary.

1 Thessalonians 4:13
We do not want you to be uninformed brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

Theologians have Coined the Term: “The Already but Not Yet.”

The ________________ in that Jesus Came, died, was Buried, Rose Again, the _____    _______ as in, we still live in a Broken, Fractured, Hurting, Heartbreaking World—while awaiting His Returning again and making all things new.

Zephaniah 3:9-20
For I will then restore pure speech to the peoples so that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with a single purpose.  ¹⁰ From beyond the rivers of Cush my supplicants, my dispersed people, will bring an offering to me.  ¹¹ On that day you will not be put to shame because of everything you have done in rebelling against me.  For then I will remove from among you, your jubilant, arrogant people, and you will never again be haughty on my holy mountain.  ¹² I will leave a meek and humble people among you, and they will take refuge in the name of the Lord.  ¹³ The remnant of Israel will no longer do wrong or tell lies; a deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouths. They will pasture and lie down, with nothing to make them afraid. ¹⁴ Sing for joy, Daughter Zion; shout loudly, Israel!  Be glad and celebrate with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!  ¹⁵ The Lord has removed your punishment; he has turned back your enemy. The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you; you need no longer fear harm. ¹⁶ On that day it will be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear; Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.  ¹⁷ The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.”  ¹⁸ I will gather those who have been driven from the appointed festivals; they will be a tribute from you and a reproach on her.   ¹⁹ Yes, at that time I will deal with all who oppress you. I will save the lame and gather the outcasts; I will make those who were disgraced throughout the earth receive praise and fame. ²⁰ At that time I will bring you back, yes, at the time I will gather you. I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes. The Lord has spoken.

FIRST, the Promise we see in Zephaniah 3 concerning the coming of Jesus and the Awaited Second Return of Jesus is that ________________, Discord, and Conflict will one day be eliminated.

James 3:6
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Ephesians 4:29
No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.

Zephaniah says not only will Outrage will end—(our Lips be Purified), but _______________ will be Eliminated.

Ezra 9:5b-6
Then I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God. ⁶ And I said:  My God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face toward you, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads and our guilt is as high as the heavens.

One more Zephaniah mentions:  The Removal of ________________________ People!