Encouragement and Restoration in Times of Discouragement
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor addressing the issue of discouragement, emphasizing the importance of trust in God and the need for encouragement during challenging times. He draws parallels to the story of the Jews rebuilding the house of God in Jerusalem, which was initially successful but faced opposition and was forcibly stopped. The pastor relates this to the challenges faced by individuals, such as those who planted a church in 2019, only to have their plans disrupted by unforeseen circumstances.
The pastor then introduces the figure of Hagi, who was sent by God to provide encouragement and course correction to the discouraged people. He emphasizes the importance of divine guidance and reassurance in overcoming discouragement and fear. The pastor also shares a personal experience when he was interviewing with churches and came across a church in Iowa that many other pastors were hesitant to work with due to their particular demands and stubbornness. Despite the warnings, the pastor decided to reach out to the head of the board of deacons and engage in a conversation. By empathetically understanding their perspective and addressing the underlying hurt, the pastor was able to diffuse the issue and establish a connection.
The sermon then delves into the concept of the kingdom of God, emphasizing that it transcends all boundaries. The pastor discusses the misconceptions the disciples had about the kingdom and how Jesus spent his entire ministry trying to explain it through parables. He also discusses the concept of blessings and curses in relation to the Covenant, explaining that if the people obey the terms of the Covenant, God promises to pour out blessings upon them. However, if the people fail to uphold the Covenant, God will withhold blessings and instead bring curses and negative consequences upon them.
The pastor then focuses on the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem after the exile. He highlights that after the exile, the people of Israel no longer struggled with idol worship, but instead turned to idols of wealth and comfort. The pastor emphasizes the importance of reestablishing the Jewish people in their homeland and rebuilding the temple, walls, and houses. However, he notes that things are not going well, and God sends the prophet Hegi with an important message.
The sermon concludes by emphasizing the concept of God's timing and perspective. The pastor encourages the listeners to trust that even though our understanding may be limited in the present, there will come a time when we will fully comprehend God's perspective and everything will make sense. He also emphasizes the importance of examining our own hearts and being self-critical before coming to the Lord's table for communion.
Key Takeaways:
- Encouragement during challenging times is crucial, especially when plans are disrupted by unforeseen circumstances. Encouragement can provide the strength to persevere and continue the work that has been started. ([12:45])
- Divine guidance and reassurance, as exemplified by the figure of Hagi, are essential in overcoming discouragement and fear. ([21:30])
- Understanding and empathizing with difficult individuals, as demonstrated by the pastor's personal experience, can help resolve conflicts and establish connections. ([33:15])
- After the exile, the people of Israel turned to idols of wealth and comfort, reminding us that idolatry can take many forms, and it is important to guard against placing anything above God in our lives. ([45:20])
- The importance of reestablishing the Jewish people in their homeland and rebuilding the temple, walls, and houses underscores the significance of restoration and rebuilding in the journey of faith. ([58:30])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
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1. Haggai 2:4-5: "But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’"
2. Ezra 4:23-24: "As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem stopped, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia."
3. Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
```
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the Lord's command to 'be strong' in Haggai 2:4-5?
2. In Ezra 4:23-24, what caused the work on the house of God in Jerusalem to stop?
3. What promise does the Lord make in Jeremiah 29:11?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the command to 'be strong' in Haggai 2:4-5 relate to the challenges faced by the Jews rebuilding the house of God in Jerusalem?
2. How does the cessation of work on the house of God in Ezra 4:23-24 reflect the disruptions faced by individuals in their personal lives?
3. How does the promise in Jeremiah 29:11 provide reassurance and hope during times of discouragement and fear?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you faced opposition or discouragement in a task? How did you respond and what can you learn from the Jews' experience in rebuilding the house of God?
2. How can you apply the command to 'be strong' in your current circumstances? What specific action can you take to demonstrate this strength?
3. Reflect on a time when your plans were disrupted by unforeseen circumstances. How did you see God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11 manifest in that situation?
4. What is one way you can provide encouragement to someone facing a challenging time this week?
5. Can you identify any 'idols of wealth and comfort' in your life? What specific steps can you take to guard against placing these above God?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Encouragement in Adversity
In the face of adversity, encouragement becomes a crucial lifeline. When plans are disrupted by unforeseen circumstances, it is encouragement that provides the strength to persevere and continue the work that has been started ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxT20nt6lUY&t=750s)).
Bible Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did encouragement from others help you persevere? How can you offer encouragement to someone facing adversity today?
Day 2: Divine Guidance in Overcoming Fear
Divine guidance and reassurance are essential tools in overcoming discouragement and fear ([21:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxT20nt6lUY&t=1275s)). Just as Hagi was sent by God to provide encouragement and course correction, we too can seek divine guidance in our times of need.
Bible Passage: Psalm 32:8 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."
Reflection: How have you experienced divine guidance in your life? How can you seek God's guidance in a current situation that is causing you fear or discouragement?
Day 3: Empathy in Conflict Resolution
Understanding and empathizing with difficult individuals can help resolve conflicts and establish connections ([33:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxT20nt6lUY&t=1980s)). By seeking to understand the perspective of others, we can diffuse tension and build bridges of understanding.
Bible Passage: Proverbs 15:1 - "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Reflection: Think of a recent conflict you experienced. How could empathy have changed the outcome? How can you practice empathy in your interactions today?
Day 4: Guarding Against Modern Idolatry
After the exile, the people of Israel turned to idols of wealth and comfort, reminding us that idolatry can take many forms ([45:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxT20nt6lUY&t=2705s)). It is important to guard against placing anything above God in our lives.
Bible Passage: Colossians 3:5 - "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."
Reflection: What are the 'idols' in your life that may be taking precedence over God? How can you guard against these forms of modern idolatry?
Day 5: The Significance of Restoration and Rebuilding
The importance of reestablishing the Jewish people in their homeland and rebuilding the temple, walls, and houses underscores the significance of restoration and rebuilding in the journey of faith ([58:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxT20nt6lUY&t=3495s)).
Bible Passage: Nehemiah 2:18 - "I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, 'Let us start rebuilding.' So they began this good work."
Reflection: What areas of your life need restoration and rebuilding? How can you start this process today?
Quotes
1. "Don't be discouraged, there's great things ahead. Look past this current situation and trust God. Discouragement can paralyze us, but we need someone to prompt us, to get up and get moving." [26:10]
2. "Sometimes the issue isn't the issue right, so what else is going on? It taught me to say, 'Hey, what else is going on?'" [36:49]
3. "God tapped me on the shoulder and said, 'Hey buddy, where do you think you got all your wisdom? You have no idea the situation this couple is going through. What are you doing judging?'" [38:06]
4. "If you obey the Covenant and keep the terms of our agreement, God says I'm going to pour out blessings. Your harvest will be abundant, your land will flow with milk and honey, and all kinds of good things will come your way." [12:14]
5. "But if you don't keep the Covenant, God will withhold rain, curse your crops, and prevent your livestock from reproducing. He will make sure nothing in your life works right until you get your act together and follow the terms of the Covenant." [12:45]
6. "God sees the end, even though he's speaking to these specific people. He's going to set it right in a little while. Our little while may not be the same as God's, but eventually, we will pass from this life and be with God's perspective, where everything will make sense." [20:14]
7. "It is a kingdom that transcends this world, so much greater than any one nation, and one day every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord." [23:14]
8. "Hagi shows us that corporate worship is important. Without the temple, there's no sacrifices, no corporate worship. They were neglecting it and wondering why God wasn't blessing them." [24:59]
9. "The first thing he addresses is that the people are back but they're not rebuilding the temple. Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your panel houses while this house remains a ruin?" [07:30]
10. "Israel doesn't have any Kings anymore, not only is Israel delivered of her Idols but she is delivered of Kings. We have no more Kings. After the Exile, we have Governors, we have high priests, we have rulers, but we don't have the monarchy anymore." [06:21]
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