Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Being a Christian is not easy
- There are often discouragements
- God's work is often beyond our means
- Quote from John Bloom
- It is okay to feel weak and inadequate - but this is not meant to lead to discouragement but to surrender all to God
- We see a people laden with discontent and discouragement
- We see God who encourages, strengthens, is present and works for the furtherance of His own Kingdom
- We need to rely on God
- Psalm 127:1
- Overview - (four parts/steps):
- v1-2 God recognises our discontent
- v3 God exposes the situation
- v4-5 God demands strength and encourages us with the Spirit's presence
- v6-9 God takes ownership of the task
God recognises our discontent (v1-2)
- Reading v1-2
- God needs to speak to the people:
- Only a month has passed since Chapter 1
- The temple is still in ruins
- People would have been celebrating in this special month
- People would have be reminded of former times in the temple
- The temple was originally dedicated in the same month
- God speaks through Haggai
- He is quick to intervene (it has only been a month)
- God does not let them fall into deeper despair
- Lesson: God makes Himself known when we first become discontent
- We often do not recognise this and fail to commit out troubles to Him
- Discouragement can lead to disregard of God's work
- Example
- We are to keep coming back to God - who speaks to all (the leaders and the people)
God exposes the situation (v3)
- Reading v3
- Ezra 3:11-15
- The people thought they could not build the temple to the same standard as before
- God does not hide the reality of the situation
- There is a necessity of life to face things head on
- The truth of the present must be seen and the truth of the past cannot be brushed under the carpet
- We are to leave the past behind and move forward
- God provides an exhortation [see below]
God demands strength and encourages us with the Spirit's presence (v4-5)
- Reading v4-5
- Be strong and work
- He says this to the people
- He says this to us
- It is our responsibility to take courage
- We must desire to be strong in the Lord
- Joshua 1:6-7,9,18
- Joshua faced unfavourable comparisons with Moses
- This is a command (cf Joshua 1:9)
- We must be strong despite discouragement
- God is with us
- Josh 1:13 - we can be strong because God is with us
- Psalm 46:10
- He will lead us in each step
- It is not what is in is us, but because God is with us
- Our strength and courage comes from knowing that God is with us
- No-one can overthrow God
- Do not look through your human and material resources
- 1 Chronicles 28:20
- Remember God's words
- Remembers God's promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us
- A reminder of God's faithfulness (v5)
- Exodus 29:45
- Example
- His Spirit remains with us
- We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise
God takes ownership of the task (v6-9)
- Reading v6-9
- "The Lord of Hosts" - stated multiple times
- God will shake (v6)
- God is taking ownership of the situation
- God will supply the materials needed
- There will be a final shaking
- God is removing whatever can be destroyed
- The Kingdom cannot be shaken
- There will be an impact on the nations
- Political situations will be disturbed
- We should view political situations in the power of God's divine intervention
- The results (v7)
- The treasure of all nations will come forth
- The "Desire of All Nations" - the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ
- Not directly speaking of Jesus - Scriptures says He was rejected and despised
- Indirectly speaking of the effects of the Lord Jesus Christ
- The temple would not be as outwardly impressive
- God would fill the temple with His glory
- The gold and silver belonged to God
- He would fill the temple with His own presence
- Do we recognise the glory of Christ within the Church?
- In Me the temple will be much greater
- Forget the past and look forward to what God is doing
- Praise God that He will not leave us on our own
- God now resides in the temple of our heart
Closing Remarks