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The central drama of Advent is that of judgment and redemption. Our lives are stretched between the sneak preview of the new world being born among us in the church, and the old world where the principalities and powers are reluctant to give way. In the meantime, which is the only time the church has ever known, we live as those who know something about the fate of the world that the world does not yet know. And that makes us different. - Fleming Rutledge, Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ

Zephaniah 3:14-20 (ESV)
Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 The LORD has taken away the judgments against you;
he has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;
you shall never again fear evil.
16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
17 The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,
so that you will no longer suffer reproach.
19 Behold, at that time I will deal
with all your oppressors.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
20 At that time I will bring you in,
at the time when I gather you together;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes,” says the LORD.

Point 1: The Mighty Savior…will deliver us from all fear (vv. 14-15)

Zephaniah 3:14-15 (ESV)
Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.”

Zephaniah 2:1-3 (NLT)
Gather together—yes, gather together, you shameless nation. 2 Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff. Act now, before the fierce fury of the LORD falls and the terrible day of the LORD’s anger begins. 3 Seek the LORD, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the LORD will protect you— protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.

Zephaniah 3:14 (Message)
So sing, Daughter Zion! Raise the rafters, Israel! Daughter Jerusalem, be happy! Celebrate!

Point 2: The Mighty Savior…will bring us everlasting peace (vv. 16-17)

Zephaniah 3:16-17 (ESV)
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. 17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:16 (ESV)
Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.

Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Point 3: The Mighty Savior…will make all wrongs right (vv. 18-20)

Zephaniah 3:16 (ESV)
“‘18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. 19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20 At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,’” says the LORD.”

Zephaniah 3:19 (Message)
At the same time, I’ll get rid of all those who’ve made your life miserable.

Zephaniah 3:20 (Message)
On Judgment Day I’ll bring you back home — a great family gathering! You’ll be famous and honored all over the world. You’ll see it with your own eyes — all those painful partings turned into reunions!’ GOD’S Promise.