• Zephaniah 1:2-3 The decoration of Genesis 1:1, displaying God’s right of ownership and authority over his creation.
• The fundamental heart of rebellion is that we want to claim ownership of what ultimately belongs to God (our lives, morality, worship).

OUR REJECTION

7 WAYS ZEPHANIAH DESCRIBES THE REBELLION OF GOD’S PEOPLE

• [1] Fell is love with someone else (idolatry) Zephaniah 1:4-5
• [2] Stopped Talking with God. Zephaniah 1:6
• [3] Reflect the Culture in stead of our Creator. Zephaniah 1:9
• [4] Spiritual Complacency. Zephaniah 1:12
• [5] Self-Serving Attitude. Zephaniah 3:1
• [6] Pushing God Away. Zephaniah 3:2
• [7] Careless with God’s Word. Zephaniah 3:4

THE CREATOR’S DISCIPLINE

DAY OF THE LORD – is a theme that runs throughout the book of Zephaniah. This is a day containing both bitter judgement for some and sweet mercy for others.

• In loving discipline, God destroys the objects of false worship/hope – possessions, false gods, bad leaders, money.
• The reason for this discipline is:
  • [1] Judge the Wicked (Zephaniah 3:6-8) after having given numerous opportunities for repentance.
  • [2] Restore God’s People (Zephaniah 3:9)