There are
many people here who have built a house for themselves. Building a house is a
great project especially when your constraints are the number of people who
will live in the house and what you’ll do with the space. If you want to get a
building project going, just start it. When you want to make all the
calculations, you may be discouraged; that’s why they call it estimate because
it’s not exact. Especially when it’s God’s project; we need to depend on God
not on our calculations, how we will get it and the timing because we do not
have tomorrow.
After
returning from the Babylonian captivity, Haggai was given a prophecy by God to
rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
1. Genuine worship
eliminates all distractions (vs 1-2)
Haggai
spoke to Zerubbabel and Joshua the son of Jozadak, the high Priest. God had
already terminated the kings of Israel so Zerubbabel who’s called the son of
Pedaiah in 1 Chr 3:19 through the Levirate
marriage is also the legal son of Shealtiel. so he is a legal descendant from
the Davidic linage. But he was not
considered as King. But God did use him to illustrate King Jesus who would come
in the future of the remnant (Haggai 2:20-23). So
Zerubbabel is used as a type of King Jesus who would come and rebuild the true
temple of God which is in our hearts.
Why did the
Jews delay in building the temple when they returned? The Lord says to them, “These people say:
The time has not come for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt.”
Note the context:
-
The
Samaritans had fought against the reestablishment of the Jews in the land.
-
Others
assume that the Jews believed that the 70 years of exile had not actually been
completed. So all these made them to think that it was a sign from God not to
rebuild the temple.
They were
distracted with the troubles with the Samaritans. Today your distraction may be
the coronavirus pandemic that started here in Cameroon in march 2020. This has
caused many companies and churches to postpone some of their activities and
projects including us here. It may be other problems you have at home. You say
you have not yet recovered from the crisis. Or you have other plans and you are
wondering what to give for the house of worship. Listen to what delayed the
Jews. They were focused on their own material stability before looking at God’s
plan.
2. Genuine worship is
focused on God and his plan (vs 3-6)
The people
were seeking their own kingdom first, rather than the kingdom of God (Mt 6:25-34). They wanted to prosper themselves
before they gave their material and labours to rebuild the temple. They were
more concerned about the material things and their installation in the land
before re-establishing the symbol that represented God among the returnees.
Are we different from them today? People complain about giving left and
right; they say “I also have a project at home
which is not yet completed”. I do have one too. Should it stop you from
building the house of worship? Some are thinking of building their children,
buy some clothes for their wives first, getting a car first, getting a bigger
job first, some have other projects first. See what God says in verse 6 “You have
planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough to be
satisfied. You drink but never have enough to become drunk. You put on clothes
but never have enough to get warm. The wage earner puts his wages into a bag
with a hole in it.”
God is not
prospering your labours in the land because you have neglected him. You are
trying your best in your power but it is not satisfying; you are still in need
and wanting. God says “Consider your ways”. Think carefully about your ways, and
get into action.
3. Genuine worship is in
action (yes worship in spirit and in truth) (vs 7-11)
Vs 8 says “Go up into the
hills, bring down lumber, and build the house. Then I will be pleased with it
and be glorified,” says the Lord.”
Go up and
bring the wood, bring the sand, bring the cement and the concrete and build the
house. God says, it will please Him and He will be glorified. Do you see why
you should not miss giving for God’s building project? It brings glory to God.
That is genuine worship in action with little talking but doing the talk. God
sees the heart.
Your
labours in the field are not bringing forth fruit because you neglected
labouring for God in the temple work. There are people who are uncomfortable in
the church or on the kind of benches we have because their homes are more
comfortable and God says you should do something. Do something! Why should you
be running to your own house while my house is in ruins? (vs 9)
God may be
bringing drought to your life so that it stimulates a response. Did you see how
people reacted when covid19 started killing? Many people started thinking about
God, preachers intensified their messages. May be the trouble you have today is
because God wants you to consider your ways and get into action.
God wants
you to worship him with your material, not only your mouth. Yes, with your
money. He says He will be glorified in that house of worship because it pleases
Him. Brethren, consider your ways and if necessary change the money you had
planned in your pocket for God’s glory.
Let me
close with these words of Paul to the Corinthian church “Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will
provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all
generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For the ministry
of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also
overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the
gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with others
through the proof provided by this service.” (2 Cor 9:10-13).
Give in a
way that will generate worship to God. Others glorify God for your act of
generosity. And generosity is also an obedience to the confession of the gospel
of Christ.
Shalom!
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