April 24, 2022

A Time to Rebuild

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Haggai 1:1-15
Service Type:

Introduction

  • We are involved in a spiritual battle
  • As we look at Haggai - God puts strength into His people
  • This chapter reminds that when the people of God are discouraged:
    • The Spirit of God can come and stir up the leaders/people of the Church
    • God's people becomes obedient to the word of God
    • Things that weren't happening before, stat to happen
  • Example of garden project
    • There is still much to do
    • It won't conclude when it is grassed but the work will continue - to be used for the community
  • It is easy to become discouraged in Church life - examples
    • You don't move forward or make steps in faith
    • Often goes with unbelief
  • Have you been discouraged in God's work - examples
    • We do not 'retire' from God's work, though work may change
    • The labourers are few
  • Tonight looking at Haggai 1
    • Not about prayer, preaching, holiness, evangelism - it is about building
    • Building of the temple - the restoration of corporate worship 
    • There are different parts of God's work - including vital background tasks
    • Many lessons we can learn
  • Haggai
    • Prophesying in 536 BC
    • God's people are discouraged - the work of God had stopped in 520BC and now it is 536BC
    • They had rebuilt an altar but no more due the oppression of the Samaritans
    • They gave up the work
  • Darius
    • A new king for the last 2 years
    • They were more concerned with building their own homes
    • Their priorities are wrong and the work of God had stopped
  • Overview:
    • The Problem
    • Call to Repentance
    • The Work Restarts
  • God speaks to the people - v2, 3, 13 / God stirs up the spirit of Zerubbabel, Joshua and the people
    • If we are to be stirred up - we need God to speak to us in power
    • We also need to stir up the gifts given to us by God

The Problem

  • How might we diagnose problems?
    • We are to analyse ourselves
    • It is God who judges His people
  • The problem - worldliness, no connection with the people, problems with leadership, etc
    • God's diagnosis - the people have lost a sense of the glory of God
  • Their own diagnosis - the people might not have seen this
    • Fear over Darius, the Samaritans, tiredness, not the right time
  • God's diagnosis
    • They have become selfish and more concerned with their own security and home lives before God
      • v2-5
    • We have a simple building where God is the focus
      • The building should not become shabby but honour God
  • What are our priorities?
    • God should be first in all areas of our lives - examples
      • Often we put ourselves first

Call to Repentance

  • Consider your ways - v5, 7
    • Repeated
    • Evaluate your lives
    • 'Put your heart in the right direction'
  • Repentance
    • Involves a change in mind
    • Results in action
  • They lacked
    • They had sown much but it was not a good crop
    • Food and drink was not satisfying them
      • There was not the wickedness as before the exile
      • Their priorities were wrong
      • The curse of Deuteronomy has fallen on them
    • Their clothing was not sufficient
  • They were losing out
    • Because they were looking to themselves
  • Application:
    • What are our priorities?
    • Are we holding back from God?
      • If not, God will hold back His blessing from us

The Work Restarts

  • The work restarting (v12-15)
  • The people must have felt rebuked
    • God speaks first to the leaders - they obeyed the word of God
    • God speaks to the people - they fear the presence of God
  • An encouragement
    • Example of first discouraging time
    • "I am with you"
    • God is with us - this enables us to go forward
  • God stirs up the people of all
    • This happens very quickly (cf v1 & v15)
    • The whole situation has changed in just over 3 weeks
  • We need to obey
    • John 14:21 - Those who love God obey Him
      • As we love Him, we know precious communion
    • Acts 5:32 - we have the Holy Spirit if we obey Him
  • We need to know God in a more power way amongst us

Closing Remarks

  • We have greater motive for seeking the kingdom of God
    • We see clearer than the people of the Old Testament
    • We look back to the cross
      • We need no altars
      • Our sins are removed from us and we are clothed in His righteousness
    • The building of His kingdom must be a priority
  • We must cry out to Him and pray to be stirred up
    • Let us continue in the works of God
    • Let us make it my / our work
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