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