The Unwalled City

Scripture: Zechariah 2:3-5

Zechariah 2:3-5 (NKJV) And there was the angel who talked with me, going out; and another angel was coming out to meet him, {4} who said to him, "Run, speak to this young man, saying: 'Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it. {5} 'For I,' says the LORD, 'will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.'"

Introduction

Jerusalem is portrayed here as a city without walls. It could be totally open and defenseless because God was a wall of fire around about. Because of its openness tremendous blessing is bestowed upon it.

I. Implications of an unwalled city

Zechariah 2:4 (NKJV) who said to him, "Run, speak to this young man, saying: 'Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it.

Micah 4:3-4 (NKJV) He shall judge between many peoples, And rebuke strong nations afar off; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war any more. {4} But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, And no one shall make them afraid; For the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken

A. No enemy outside is strong enough to threaten

B. Defense is not needed

C. Filled to capacity / bursting at the seams -- implies a great blessing

II. Looking inside your walls

1 Corinthians 2:3 (NKJV) I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.

2 Corinthians 12:9b, 10b (NKJV) And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. {10} Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Timothy 3:10-11 (NIV) You, however know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, vaith, patience, love, endurance, {11} persecutions, sufferings -- what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

A. What you have to defend

1. Past relationship failures

2. Past rejections

3. Past failures

4. Hurts and pains you dare not show

B. The benefits of risking

1. Discovering the wall of fire about

2. Seeing God become our rescuer

III. Tearing down the walls

2 Corinthians 3:5 (NKJV) Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,

Isaiah 25:12 (NKJV) The fortress of the high fort of your walls He will bring down, lay low, And bring to the ground, down to the dust.

Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

A. Opening up for healing

B. Transparency

C. Vulnerability