Aligning Priorities: Rebuilding God's Temple in Our Lives

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning Priorities with God's Will

When the Israelites returned to Jerusalem, they were tasked with rebuilding the temple, a mission that symbolized their commitment to God. However, they became preoccupied with their own homes and comforts, neglecting the temple for 15 years. This neglect led to a lack of fulfillment and blessing in their lives. The message from Haggai is a timeless reminder for us to examine our own priorities. Are we placing God's work at the forefront of our lives, or are we distracted by personal pursuits? When we align our lives with God's purposes, He promises to provide for our needs and bless us abundantly. This is not just about physical structures but about building a life that reflects His kingdom. [02:16]

Haggai 1:4-6 (ESV): "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have prioritized personal comfort over God's work? How can you begin to realign this priority today?

Day 2: Self-Examination and Realignment

The call to "consider your ways" is a powerful invitation to self-examination and realignment with God's will. It's easy to make excuses and justify our actions, but God calls us to live in obedience to His call. This requires intentionality and a willingness to change. The Israelites responded to Haggai's message with obedience, and God promised to be with them. This same promise is extended to us today. When we take the time to reflect on our lives and make necessary changes, we open ourselves to God's presence and guidance. [03:53]

James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."

Reflection: What is one excuse you have been making that prevents you from fully obeying God's call? How can you take a step towards change today?

Day 3: Assurance of God's Presence

When we prioritize God's work, He promises to be with us. His presence is our assurance and strength as we step out in faith. This promise is a source of encouragement and motivation to pursue God's purposes wholeheartedly. The Israelites experienced God's presence as they obeyed His call to rebuild the temple, and we too can experience His presence in our lives when we align with His will. This assurance is not just for the tasks we undertake but for every aspect of our lives. [27:08]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to be reminded of God's presence and strength? How can you invite Him into that area today?

Day 4: Building the Spiritual Temple

The ultimate glory of God's work is not in physical structures but in the spiritual temple He is building through His people. We are called to be living stones, building up the body of Christ. This work has eternal significance and is a testament to God's glory. As we engage in this work, we are reminded that God is with us, empowering us to fulfill His purposes. This is a call to see beyond the temporary and invest in what is eternal. [51:07]

1 Peter 2:4-5 (ESV): "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: How can you contribute to building the spiritual temple in your community? What specific action can you take this week to support the body of Christ?

Day 5: A Call to Action

The message of Haggai is a call to action. It's a call to stop making excuses and to start living in obedience to God's call. This requires a willingness to change and a commitment to prioritize God's work above all else. The Israelites' response to Haggai's message was one of obedience, and they experienced God's blessing as a result. We are invited to respond in the same way, trusting that God will be with us as we step out in faith. [54:14]

Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV): "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to live in obedience to God's call? How can you ensure that this action becomes a consistent part of your life?

Sermon Summary

In the book of Haggai, we find a powerful message about priorities and obedience to God's call. The Israelites had returned to Jerusalem with a clear mission: to rebuild the temple. However, for 15 years, they neglected this task, focusing instead on their own homes and comforts. This neglect led to a lack of fulfillment and blessing in their lives. God, through Haggai, called them to "consider their ways" and realign their priorities with His will.

This message is not just for the Israelites of Haggai's time but for us today. We, too, have been given tasks by God, and it's easy to become distracted by personal pursuits and comforts. Our lives, our time, and our resources often reveal what we truly prioritize. God calls us to examine our lives and ensure that His work is at the forefront. When we prioritize God's kingdom, He promises to provide for our needs and bless us abundantly.

The call to "consider your ways" is a call to action. It's a call to stop making excuses and to start aligning our lives with God's purposes. The Israelites responded to Haggai's message with obedience, and God promised to be with them. This same promise is extended to us. When we step out in faith and prioritize God's work, He assures us of His presence and blessing.

The ultimate glory of God's work is not in the physical structures we build but in the spiritual temple He is constructing through His people. We are called to be living stones, building up the body of Christ. This is a work of eternal significance, far surpassing any earthly endeavor. As we engage in this work, we are reminded that God is with us, empowering us to fulfill His purposes.

Key Takeaways

1. Prioritizing God's Work: Just as the Israelites were called to rebuild the temple, we are called to prioritize God's work in our lives. Our time, resources, and actions reveal our true priorities. When we align our lives with God's purposes, He promises to provide for our needs and bless us abundantly. [02:16]
2. Consider Your Ways: The call to "consider your ways" is a call to self-examination and realignment with God's will. It's a reminder to stop making excuses and to start living in obedience to God's call. This requires intentionality and a willingness to change. [03:53]
3. God's Presence and Blessing: When we prioritize God's work, He promises to be with us. His presence is our assurance and strength as we step out in faith. This promise is a source of encouragement and motivation to pursue God's purposes wholeheartedly. [27:08]
4. The True Temple: The ultimate glory of God's work is not in physical structures but in the spiritual temple He is building through His people. We are called to be living stones, building up the body of Christ. This work has eternal significance and is a testament to God's glory. [51:07]
5. A Call to Action: The message of Haggai is a call to action. It's a call to stop making excuses and to start living in obedience to God's call. This requires a willingness to change and a commitment to prioritize God's work above all else. [54:14]
** [54:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - The Situation in Haggai's Time
[00:44] - Priorities and Our Lives
[02:32] - Consider Your Ways
[04:05] - Consequences of Neglect
[05:16] - God's Call to Rebuild
[06:47] - Our Responsibilities Today
[09:08] - The Call to Good Works
[11:31] - Building the True Temple
[13:28] - Excuses and Inverted Priorities
[17:22] - The Glory of the New Temple
[23:27] - The Solution: Obedience
[30:17] - Personal Reflection and Change
[36:40] - The Former and New Glory
[46:56] - The Coming Glory and Our Role

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Haggai 1:2-11
Matthew 6:33
1 Peter 2:4-5

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Observation Questions:

What were the Israelites prioritizing over rebuilding the temple according to Haggai 1:4? How did this affect their lives? [00:44]
In the sermon, what does the pastor suggest is the modern equivalent of the Israelites' neglect of the temple? [01:21]
How does the pastor describe the consequences of misplaced priorities in the lives of believers today? [05:02]
What does the pastor say about the promise of God's presence when we prioritize His work? [27:08]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the call to "consider your ways" in Haggai 1:5 relate to the New Testament teaching in Matthew 6:33 about seeking first the kingdom of God? [18:34]
What does the pastor mean when he says that the true temple is not a physical structure but a spiritual one built through God's people? [51:07]
How does the pastor interpret the promise of God's blessing when we realign our priorities with His will? [54:14]
In what ways does the pastor suggest that the Israelites' excuses for not rebuilding the temple mirror our own excuses for not prioritizing God's work today? [13:28]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current priorities. Are there areas in your life where you have been prioritizing personal comfort over God's work? How can you begin to realign these priorities this week? [01:21]
The pastor mentions that our time and resources reveal our true priorities. What does your schedule or spending say about what you prioritize? What changes can you make to ensure God's work is at the forefront? [02:16]
Consider the call to be "living stones" in building up the body of Christ. What specific role or task do you feel called to in your church or community? How can you take a step towards fulfilling that role this month? [51:07]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's call. Is there a specific area where you feel God is calling you to act, but you have been hesitant? What steps can you take to move forward in obedience? [23:54]
The pastor talks about the spiritual consequences of misplaced priorities, such as a lack of joy or assurance. Have you experienced this in your spiritual life? What practical steps can you take to seek first the kingdom of God and restore your spiritual vitality? [19:18]
How can you actively remind yourself of God's promise to be with you as you prioritize His work? Is there a scripture or prayer that you can use to encourage yourself daily? [27:08]
Identify one person in your life who might be struggling with their priorities. How can you support or encourage them to consider their ways and seek God's kingdom first? [54:14]

Sermon Clips

We have likewise been assigned things that God wants us to accomplish in our lives in our day, and you know we can do the same thing. Well, it's not time yet to do the Lord's work. The Lord calls us to do things, but priorities and our lives always prove what is a priority to us. [00:01:25]

The Lord blesses or withholds blessing based on our faithfulness. There is a scriptural principle there. If you deny it, you're denying what is very plainly taught in Scripture. Now notice this Haggai 1-5: Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, consider your ways. [00:03:30]

You have sown much and harvested little. So you see where he's going to. These 42,000 people had come back to Jerusalem, come back to Judea. They basically had settled back. They were undoubtedly trying to find the land that had belonged to their family and where their tribe, their possessions. [00:04:01]

Thus says the Lord of hosts, consider your ways. This is the second time he said that is key in Haggai. Consider your ways. Go up to the hills, bring wood, build the house that I may take pleasure in it. He's talking about his house, his temple. He's telling them, get your priorities straight. [00:05:19]

The issue is this: as New Testament saints, we're called to work just like they were called to a work, and we need to consider our ways. Are we giving more of our time, more of our attention to our own self and our house and our stuff, just like they did back then? [00:07:58]

Brethren, if you just open your ears to what Jesus taught us, we have responsibilities when it comes to worshiping God in spirit and truth, seeking him in prayer, seeking him in fasting. Scripture talks about that, and yes, and giving—not giving so that the pastor can get a new car but giving to the poor, giving to the widow, giving to the orphan. [00:09:08]

The fact is, the true temple, the true dwelling place for God is people. It is the church, and we have a responsibility to build it, do we not? Did Jesus not give us a task to make disciples of all the nations? You cannot get away from that reality. [00:11:22]

The call to "consider your ways" is a call to all of us to think. Because if you're going to consider your ways, it means you got to stop and you got to think: What are my ways? What am I doing? Just look at Haggai 1-5: Therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, consider your ways. [00:12:40]

God says, consider your ways because God is watching. And listen, you know what would you do if you were one of these guys? We could get back yourself in the corner. I got a family to take care of, Lord. You told me love my wife as Christ loves the church. [00:16:15]

The ultimate glory here, the ultimate glory is in—you know how it is—you break out into those last chapters of Revelation as Scriptures are coming to an end. The dwelling place of God is with man. We are that temple. [00:51:07]

Consider your ways. I mean, I wonder how many times at just such a time as we ought to be about the work. You know, one thing about you British people, you're on holiday all the time. I mean, Ruby and I went two years one time without any vacation, which is what we call them there. [01:00:26]

Brethren, we got to be like these. This Haggai is just a wonderful book for us to consider our ways because we only get one shot at this. And brethren, I'll tell you this, I want Grace Fellowship Manchester to be the kind of people in the book of Acts that turn the world upside down. [01:01:58]

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Aligning Priorities: Rebuilding God's Temple in Our Lives

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning Priorities with God's Will

Day 2: Self-Examination and Realignment

Day 3: Assurance of God's Presence

Day 4: Building the Spiritual Temple

Day 5: A Call to Action

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Aligning Priorities: Rebuilding God's Temple in Our Lives

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