Sermon Central
-
Time To Get Back To Work
Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 2, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: It appears like everybody needs something from us, family members, friends, bosses at work, the schools that we may attend, our churches, clubs, etc. We wind up racing through life, taking care of the necessary, the immediate, and the urgent.
Repeatedly the important is abandoned. Our problem is not the volume of requests or lack of organizational skills, but values - what is really important to us. Our values and our priorities are reflected in how we use our assets/resources. Frequently our activities give a false representation of our words. We state God is number one, yet we consign Him to a lesser number on our “to do” list.
Haggai realized what was important and what must be done, so he challenged God’s people to react.
• 586 B.C. – Babylonians destroy Jerusalem Temple, Israelites in captivity
• 539 B.C. – Babylon overthrown by Persian King Cyrus
• 538 B.C. – Cyrus decreed Jews released to rebuild temple, started building but quit, why?
• Other things too important, placed things in front of God’s House & God’s work
• 537 B.C. – Jews who had returned from Babylon to rebuild the Temple were unable because of their enemies
• 520 B.C. – Haggai delivers a message to encourage the people to rebuild the Temple
• Compare the governor and high priest at the time with today’s leaders, have they gotten away from God?
In verses 3-8:
God asked His people, “How might you live in extravagance when my home is in ruins?” The sanctuary, Temple, was the point of convergence of Judah's relationship with God, yet it was lying in ruins. Instead, the people put their vitality into modifying and improving their own homes. Nonetheless, the harder the people worked for themselves, the less that they had, because they disregarded their spiritual lives. It can happen to us as well.
If we put God first, He will provide for our necessities, however, if we put him in some other spot or position, every one of our endeavors are pointless. Thinking about our physical needs while overlooking our relationship with God will prompt ruin.
Since the people had not put God in front of the rest of the competition in their lives, their work was not productive or profitable and their material belongings did not fulfill them. They focused on building their own homes; however, God’s favoring was retained since they no longer placed Him in the lead position. Moses anticipated that this would be the outcome if individuals dismissed God.
If we look at verse four, we see that Haggai appeals to the people’s minds. In verse five he appeals to the people’s hearts. Then in verse eight, Haggai appeals to the people’s will.
In verses 9-15:
Judah's concern was confounded priorities. Like Judah, our priorities identifying with work, family, and God’s work are frequently confounded. Employments, homes, vacations, and relaxation exercises may rank higher on our list of significance than God. What is progressively imperative to us? Where does God rank?
Grain, grapes, and olives were Israel’s significant crops. The peopled relied upon these for security while disregarding the worship of God. Therefore, God would send a dry spell to decimate their business to get them back to Himself. The people finally got their hearts right with God and started revamping the Temple only 23 days after Haggai’s first message. Occasionally, did a prophet’s message produce such a fast reaction.
How regularly do we hear a message and react, “That was a magnificent point…we should do that,” just to leave church and neglect to act? These individuals put their words vigorously into action. At the point when we hear a decent message or lesson, we ought to ask ourselves what we should to do about it, and afterward make arrangements to incorporate it
Nehemiah 4:6, “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.”
Compare that to people of today. Sometimes people worry about the messenger but not the message. God’s messenger is “stepping on our toes.” How is our building project, not just church physical building, but the body of Christ, are souls being saved? What are our priorities, our idols? Have we laid down our tools? Where is God on our to do list?
