Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

THE SUPREMACY OF THE SPIRITUAL

1. This heavenly assurance came to Zerubbabel, the governor of the Jewish province at a time:
   1. When the work was at a standstill.
   2. When even the stouthearted of the returning Jews grew faint.
2. The Jews from exile were few and poor; and the enemy that harassed them was strong and very active:
3. To encourage the hearts of His people, God assured them in the words of our text:
   1. Not by might, nor by power,
   2. But by my Spirit, saith the Lord.

1. Not By Might:
   1. With these words the Lord indicates the might as conceived by men; God does not choose to finish his work in that manner.
   2. Think of the means God used by the hand of Gideon to free Israel - Judg. 7:4
   3. David used a small stone and a sling - 1 Sam. 17:1- 39
   4. Recall the means Samson used to smite the Philistines - Judg. 15:3-5, 8, 9
2. Nor By Power:
   1. This was a timely message for the Jews; they were so weak that the enemy made sport of their feebleness.
   2. Material power may have its place, but it cannot change the heart - Jer. 13:23
   3. You recall what Peter said to one Simon - Acts 8:18-20
3. Salvation is of a spiritual nature which must be effected by spiritual power:
   1. That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit - John 3:1-9
   2. Spiritual things are perceived by a spiritual mind - 1 Cor. 2:10-14

1. It is noteworthy that David, a man of war, skilled in the art of war in his day, recognized this glorious truth and freely acknowledged the supremacy of the Spiritual:
   1. "Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand."
   2. "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God."
   3. "They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen and attend upright."
   4. "There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength." - Ps. 20:6-8; 33:16; 44:6
2. The Holy Spirit is the key to the success of any God approved project:
   1. He transforms human nature - 1 Sam. 10:6; 2 Cor. 3:18, 19
   2. He gives us a new outlook upon life - 1 Cor. 2:11- 14
   3. He replaces hatred with love - Rom. 5:5
   4. He convicts of sin - John 16:7-13
   5. He brings comfort to the sorrowing - Isa. 40:1, 2
   6. He creates new hope in our hearts. This is important for us in these last days when the Saviour foretold that men's hearts would fail them for fear of the things that shall come upon the earth - Luke 21:24-26
   7. Finally, and gloriously, God's Spirit prepares our life for glory land. This is the key to the Supremacy of the Spiritual -
      1. It enables and it transforms.
      2. It preserves and prepares for the world to come. Thank God for the supremacy of the Spiritual!