Haggai 2:10-23
Bible Text: Haggai 2:10-23 | Preacher: Henry De Oliveira | Series: Haggai | Introduction
Coming to an end of the Book of Haggai
Recap of previous two sermons
Challenge to the Jewish people to turn back to God
God encourages them to be strong for He is with them
This evening – 2:10-23
Two oracles through Haggai on the same day – v10, 24
It has been 3 months since the people had resolved to start the work of the building the temple
They have had enough time to sort the construction
Resources have been brought
There is to be a re-dedication to the temple
Zechariah had already begun his ministry – Zech 1:1-4
Zechariah preached this message only one month later
The people had some way to go in repentance
The people are struggling to acheive a whole-hearted response
They were relying on the physical building and neglecting their own spiritual growth
Overview:
The need for holiness and the problem of sin
God’s chastisement and the need to respond in repentance
God’s gracious blessing
The need for holiness and the problem of sin
Holiness
Reading 2:11-14
Two questions asked of the law – to the priests who would instruct the people
Their authority is recognised
Their responsibility included teaching God’s law and answering questions relating to this
The questions were asked before all the people
cf 1 Pet 3:15
Two facts:
There can be no transmission of holiness
Uncleanness is contagious
The issue is not their ignorance of God’s law but their application
Ex 19:6
They were not a holy nation – not everything they did was acceptable to the Lord
Despite God’s promise of His presence and help in rebuilding the temple
There was no automatic approval
Holiness needs to be pursued
Unless their hearts were pure before Him, their prayers and sacrifices were not acceptable to Him
Prov 28:9
Inward purification and holiness is needed
As Christians’ we are called a holy people, set apart for honourable use
We need to pursue holiness
There needs to be an ongoing work of sanctifications
1 Pet 1:14-16
Going to church does not make you holy
We need to be changed by the Holy Spirit
Good works is an outward expression of what is going on in our heart/on the inside
Matt 5:48
Sin
Sin is a problem
Sins keep us apart from God
Everything the Jews touched became unclean – including their offerings
When we were converted we were made a new creation
Yet there is still a law of sin at work
Sin is contagious – is spoils and destroys
James 2:10
Because of the sin of one man – the entire human race became affected by it
Virtually every page of the Bible speaks about sin
Psalm 5:4-5
Unless sin is dealt with – it stays and remains
God’s chastisement and the need to respond in repentance
Chastisement
Reading 2:15
The Lord expects a mighty change in their hearts, a complete change of direction
We must desire this change
Reading 2:16
There is a curse and spiritual uncleanness
The expected blessings were not present
They did not use their resources for the Lord
Prov 3:9-10
How much crop are we yielding as Christians?
Matt 13:8-9
Is there a lack of fruit in our lives?
Are we being slow in pursuing spiritualness?
Reading 2:17
The Lord had struck them – His dealings with His people were direct
Deut 28:22
This was loving fatherly chastisement to call the back to themselves – but the people did not turn back
Are we being listening to the Lord?
Heb 12:5-6
Repentance
The people needed repentance
We need this in our lives
It is a sign of looking to the Lord
Our repentance ought to increase – it is a mark of a maturing Christian
To turn to God and despise our sin and uncleanness
God’s gracious blessing
Reading 2:18
It should have brought the people to their senses
Consider the parable of the prodigal son
The people would know the reality of a renewed relationship with God
We can know this too
Reading 2:19
From this day – God would bless the people
How great it would be to see God’s blessings on the people
God is waiting to pour His blessings upon us
We should not be satisfied with what we have know
Jesus called us to live life to the fullest
Those blessings will be more than we can imagine
2 Cor 4:17
Reading 2:20-22
God assurances us of His promises
God demonstrates His power and authority over heaven and earth
Reading 2:23
God seals His promise
Zerubbabel is like a signet ring
1 Chro 1:17
Jesus Christ is our greatest blessing
Isa 1:18
True holiness is in Christ – let us put on Christ
Gal 2:20
Closing Remarks