Investing in God's Kingdom for Lasting Impact
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we concluded our study on the book of Haggai, focusing on the theme of rebuilding and reestablishing our lives for God's glory and our good. We began by reflecting on the exciting developments in our church, particularly the growth of our youth and children's ministries. We also revisited our Vision Sunday, where we committed to filling every heart, home, and seat with the love of Christ, symbolized by our "Fill the Space" bracelets and our collective prayer at 6:37 a.m. and p.m.
In Haggai, we see a call to rebuild the temple, a task neglected by God's people as they focused on their own homes and lives. This neglect left the temple in ruins, symbolizing a broken connection with God. Haggai's message is a call to consider how we invest our lives—whether in God's kingdom or in our own pursuits. This consideration is crucial because we only have one life to invest, and we don't know how long we have to make that investment.
We explored three types of investments: internal, external, and vertical. Internal investments rely on self-righteousness and self-reliance, which are insufficient for true spiritual growth. External investments focus on worldly idols, which promise much but deliver little. Both of these are poor investment strategies. The third and best investment is the vertical one—investing in God's kingdom. This involves abiding in Christ, as described in John 15, where Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. Abiding in Him leads to bearing much fruit, which glorifies God and brings us true joy.
We concluded by emphasizing the importance of spiritual dependency over strategic planning. While strategies are not inherently wrong, they must be rooted in a deep reliance on God's Spirit. This vertical investment is not just for our good but also for God's glory, offering us abundant and eternal life.
### Key Takeaways
1. Spiritual Dependency Over Strategy: Before any strategic planning, we must prioritize spiritual dependency. This means relying on God's Spirit to guide us rather than our own abilities or strategies. True rebuilding and growth come from a place of deep reliance on God. [19:59]
2. The Danger of Self-Reliance: Internal investments that rely on self-righteousness and self-reliance are insufficient for true spiritual growth. These investments often lead to brokenness and spiritual stagnation. We must depend on God, not ourselves, for true transformation. [22:37]
3. The False Promises of Worldly Idols: External investments in worldly idols promise much but deliver little. These idols can never fulfill the deep needs of our hearts. Reflecting on the returns of these investments can help us see their emptiness and turn us back to God. [35:11]
4. The Importance of Abiding in Christ: Abiding in Christ is the key to bearing much fruit. Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. When we dwell in His presence and follow His commandments, we experience true joy and fulfillment. This is the essence of a vertical investment. [45:47]
5. God's Promise of Abundant Life: Investing in God's kingdom yields abundant and eternal life. This investment is not just for our good but also for God's glory. By trusting in His plan and promises, we can experience a return on investment that lasts for eternity. [44:44]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:07] - Opening Prayer
[01:53] - Church Updates and Youth Ministry
[02:33] - Vision Sunday Recap
[04:08] - Fill the Space Initiative
[04:51] - Personal Testimonies
[06:09] - Youth Group Experience
[07:24] - Introduction to Haggai
[08:12] - Neglecting God's Temple
[09:40] - Poor Investments
[10:23] - Consider Your Investments
[13:07] - Life's Investment Opportunities
[17:06] - Internal Investments
[19:59] - Spiritual Dependency
[22:37] - Self-Reliance and Holiness
[35:11] - External Investments
[42:50] - Vertical Investments
[45:47] - Abiding in Christ
[49:19] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Haggai 1:2-4 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord. Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, 'Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?'"
2. John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
3. Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the primary message that Haggai delivered to the people regarding the temple? ([07:24])
2. According to John 15:4-5, what is the result of abiding in Christ?
3. In Matthew 6:19-21, what does Jesus say about where we should lay up our treasures and why?
4. How did the people of Haggai's time prioritize their own homes over the temple, and what was the consequence of this neglect? ([08:12])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Haggai emphasize the need to rebuild the temple, and how does this relate to our spiritual lives today? ([07:24])
2. What does it mean to abide in Christ according to John 15, and how does this concept challenge our self-reliance? ([45:47])
3. How do the false promises of worldly idols compare to the true fulfillment found in God, as discussed in the sermon? ([35:11])
4. How does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-21 about treasures in heaven challenge our current investment of time and resources?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current life investments. Are there areas where you are prioritizing your own pursuits over God's kingdom? How can you realign these priorities? ([08:12])
2. In what ways can you practice abiding in Christ daily? Identify one specific habit you can start this week to deepen your connection with Him. ([45:47])
3. Think about a time when you relied on your own abilities rather than depending on God. What was the outcome, and how can you shift towards greater spiritual dependency in future decisions? ([19:59])
4. Identify a worldly idol that has promised much but delivered little in your life. How can you turn away from this idol and invest more in God's kingdom? ([35:11])
5. How can you incorporate the practice of praying at 6:37 a.m. and p.m. into your daily routine to remind yourself of the church's vision and your commitment to God's work? ([04:08])
6. What steps can you take to ensure that your strategic plans are rooted in spiritual dependency rather than self-reliance? ([19:59])
7. Reflect on the concept of eternal investments. How can you start making choices today that will have lasting value in God's kingdom? ([44:44])
Devotional
Day 1: Prioritize Spiritual Dependency Over Strategy
Description: True rebuilding and growth come from a place of deep reliance on God. Before any strategic planning, it is essential to prioritize spiritual dependency. This means relying on God's Spirit to guide us rather than our own abilities or strategies. When we depend on God, we align our plans with His will, ensuring that our efforts are fruitful and glorifying to Him. This approach fosters a deeper relationship with God and allows us to experience His guidance and provision in every aspect of our lives. [19:59]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been relying on your own strategies rather than seeking God's guidance? How can you begin to prioritize spiritual dependency in that area today?
Day 2: The Danger of Self-Reliance
Description: Internal investments that rely on self-righteousness and self-reliance are insufficient for true spiritual growth. These investments often lead to brokenness and spiritual stagnation. Self-reliance can create a false sense of security and control, but it ultimately leaves us empty and disconnected from God. True transformation comes from depending on God, not ourselves. By acknowledging our limitations and seeking God's strength, we can experience genuine spiritual growth and renewal. [22:37]
Jeremiah 17:5-6 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.'"
Reflection: In what ways have you been relying on your own strength and abilities? How can you shift your focus to depend more on God's strength and guidance?
Day 3: The False Promises of Worldly Idols
Description: External investments in worldly idols promise much but deliver little. These idols can never fulfill the deep needs of our hearts. Whether it's wealth, status, or material possessions, these external investments often leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled. Reflecting on the returns of these investments can help us see their emptiness and turn us back to God. By recognizing the false promises of worldly idols, we can redirect our focus to what truly matters—our relationship with God and His eternal kingdom. [35:11]
Psalm 115:4-8 (ESV): "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them."
Reflection: What are some worldly idols you have been investing in? How can you begin to shift your focus from these idols to investing in your relationship with God?
Day 4: The Importance of Abiding in Christ
Description: Abiding in Christ is the key to bearing much fruit. Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. When we dwell in His presence and follow His commandments, we experience true joy and fulfillment. This is the essence of a vertical investment—investing in God's kingdom by staying connected to Christ. Abiding in Him means continually seeking His presence, obeying His word, and allowing His love to flow through us. This connection leads to a fruitful and abundant life that glorifies God and brings us true joy. [45:47]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: How can you make abiding in Christ a daily practice? What specific steps can you take to stay connected to Him throughout your day?
Day 5: God's Promise of Abundant Life
Description: Investing in God's kingdom yields abundant and eternal life. This investment is not just for our good but also for God's glory. By trusting in His plan and promises, we can experience a return on investment that lasts for eternity. God's promise of abundant life is not limited to material blessings but encompasses spiritual richness, joy, and fulfillment. When we invest in His kingdom, we align our lives with His purposes and experience the fullness of life that He offers. This eternal perspective helps us prioritize what truly matters and live a life that honors God. [44:44]
John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Reflection: What does investing in God's kingdom look like for you? How can you begin to prioritize this investment in your daily life to experience the abundant life God promises?
Quotes
1. "But along with those movements, we are also coming off of our vision that we had, our Vision Sunday, where we are praying and asking God to fill the spaces in our lives with the love of Christ. And so what that means is we're asking God to fill every heart with the love of Christ. We're asking God to fill every home with equipped disciples. And we're asking God, to fill every seat with people to hear the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we're really committed to this every seat thing, and the fact that we actually counted many seats that are here. There's 637." [02:33] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And so here's this book of Haggai. And here's what's taking place. We have this prophet named Haggai, who is tasked with sharing this message of God to God's people. And here's what the message is. It's a message that's calling God's people that now is the time. We need to rebuild this temple. Why does God instruct Haggai, this desire for the people to rebuild God's house, like the temple? What's the reasoning there? Well, I think it's because God's people have neglected this rebuild. Over the past decade. It's been a project that's kind of been put on hold. And it's been neglected because this group has almost been distracted by building up their own houses. Building up their own spaces. Building up their own kingdoms, if you will." [07:24] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And here's the thing. This consideration, it's not just for Haggai's time. In fact, if you are human, right, it's for all of us. It's for all of us who are created in God's image. It's this instruction. Consider how we invest our lives. Right? Consider where are we putting our time, our treasures, our talents. Because the thing is, we are really only given, when it comes to this, we're only given one life. Right? We're only given one. One opportunity." [10:23] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And now, I don't want to get too hysterical on this, but it's true. Right? Like how we invest this short singular life is an incredibly important and valuable conversation to have. If you've never had that conversation. And I love that. I love that God knows this importance. And that's one of the reasons he offers us this challenge in this chapter here. And here's the challenge. It's consider what we invest our lives in." [12:13] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And now the same is true for my life, for your life, for our lives. If we want the Lord to fill the space, here's what's going to have to happen. It starts with dependence. It starts with dependence. It's like Psalm 127 says, it says, unless the Lord builds his house, those who labor in vain, build it, labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." [18:58] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "And here's the thing. Strategies aren't wrong. Right? It's good to have strategies. But if this is truly the work of God for His glory, right, before any strategy must come spiritual dependency. That has to happen first. Spiritual dependency is a must. Dependent on God's Spirit to move, it's a non-negotiable. It's a non-negotiable." [21:42] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And so for us as a church, followers of Jesus, I don't know what your former external investment opportunity looked like. Maybe it was a relationship. Maybe it was a power, money, fame, career. But I think it's really valuable for us today to just reflect. Reflect. Reflect on the returns that those investments that they provided. And see that they didn't fulfill what only Jesus can. I can imagine that none of those investments yielded the return of life that was promised to us. I know that they didn't do that for me." [40:32] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And so Haggai, he gives these two investment opportunities. And I'd say, I'd hope we'd agree that they're not good life investments. But thankfully, there's a third way. There's another life investment. And that's the vertical investment. That's the vertical one. The vertical opportunity. Look what the Lord says. But from this day I will bless you." [42:03] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And I love that he says from this day on. That means going forward. Past is past. Go forward. Right? You can invest your life differently. That's an incredible offer. An investment that will be what? For the glory of God. It will be for our good. Right? It's for our good. Because there will be a day when other places we've invested our lives in, those accounts will be closed. They'll be bankrupt. Shut down." [43:31] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And I love that the Lord offers us this chance to really invest our lives. For not only his glory but also for return and investment that will yield abundant and eternal life. Let's pray that we can make that investment today." [48:45] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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