Rebuilding with Hope: God's Presence and Promise
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we explored the book of Haggai and its relevance to our lives. I began by sharing my love for Speculator, New York, a place that has changed significantly over the years. This personal anecdote set the stage for our discussion on the Israelites' experience in Haggai's time. They, too, were grappling with the loss of past glory and the challenge of rebuilding the temple, which seemed inferior to Solomon's magnificent structure.
We delved into three main points: considering the problem, God's presence, and God's promise. The problem was clear: the new temple could never match the splendor of Solomon's temple, leading to feelings of inferiority, discouragement, and despair among the people. However, God, through Haggai, reminded them to be strong and continue their work because His presence was with them. This divine presence provided strength, protection, and provision, just as it had during the Exodus.
God's promise was another crucial aspect. He assured the Israelites that He would shake the heavens and the earth, bringing in the treasures of all nations to fill the new temple with glory. This promise was not just about immediate resources but also pointed to a future where God's glory would surpass anything they had ever known. The ultimate fulfillment of this promise is seen in Jesus Christ, whose presence in the temple far exceeded its former glory.
We concluded by emphasizing that God's glory is primary, and our work is secondary. Feeling inferior is natural, but God uses our weaknesses to display His strength. Our efforts, no matter how small or inadequate they seem, contribute to God's overarching story. History is going somewhere, and as Christians, we are part of that divine narrative. The new heaven and new earth described in Revelation 21 remind us that God's ultimate plan is far beyond our current struggles and limitations.
### Key Takeaways
1. Inferiority and Discouragement: The Israelites felt inferior as they rebuilt a temple that could never match Solomon's. This feeling of inferiority led to discouragement and despair. However, God used this moment to remind them that His presence was with them, providing strength, protection, and provision. In our lives, feelings of inferiority can also lead to discouragement, but we must remember that God's presence is our ultimate source of strength. [16:52]
2. God's Presence: God's presence is a recurring theme in the Bible, providing strength, protection, and provision. Just as He was with the Israelites during the Exodus, He is with us today. This assurance should motivate us to continue our work, knowing that we are not alone. God's presence transforms our efforts, no matter how small, into something significant for His kingdom. [20:34]
3. God's Promise: God's promise to shake the heavens and the earth and bring in the treasures of all nations was a powerful assurance to the Israelites. This promise extends to us today, reminding us that God has the resources to meet our needs. Trusting in God's promise means believing that He will provide, even when the situation seems dire. [23:56]
4. The Primacy of God's Glory: Our work is secondary to God's glory. Feeling inadequate is natural, but God uses our weaknesses to display His strength. The Bible is filled with examples of God using unlikely individuals to accomplish His purposes. Our focus should be on glorifying God, not on our abilities or achievements. [32:24]
5. The Future Glory: The promise of a new heaven and a new earth, as described in Revelation 21, gives us hope. This future glory far surpasses any past splendor we might long for. As Christians, we are part of God's divine narrative, and our efforts contribute to His ultimate plan. This vision should inspire us to continue working for God's glory, knowing that our labor is not in vain. [38:55]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:04] - Introduction: Speculator, New York
[05:12] - The Book of Haggai: Context and Relevance
[06:53] - Prayer and Introduction to Main Points
[08:17] - Consider the Problem: Inferiority and Discouragement
[12:17] - God's Concern for Leadership
[15:03] - Feeling Inferior and Discouraged
[18:41] - God's Presence: Strength, Protection, and Provision
[20:34] - Remembering God's Past Faithfulness
[23:56] - God's Promise: Shaking the Nations
[27:08] - Historical Fulfillment of God's Promise
[30:25] - Trusting God Over Resources
[32:24] - The Secret: God's Glory is Primary
[35:26] - God Uses Weak Vessels
[38:55] - The Future Glory: New Heaven and New Earth
[42:20] - Encouragement for Today
[44:01] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Haggai 2:1-9
2. Exodus 29:45-46
3. Revelation 21:1-4
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the Israelites feeling as they rebuilt the temple, and why did they feel this way? [15:03]
2. How did God, through Haggai, address the feelings of inferiority and discouragement among the Israelites? [16:52]
3. What specific promises did God make to the Israelites regarding the new temple? [23:56]
4. How does the future glory described in Revelation 21 compare to the past splendor of Solomon's temple? [38:55]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is God's presence emphasized as a source of strength, protection, and provision for the Israelites? How does this apply to us today? [18:41]
2. What does it mean when Haggai says that God's glory is primary and our work is secondary? How should this perspective influence our daily lives? [32:24]
3. How does the promise of a new heaven and a new earth in Revelation 21 provide hope and motivation for Christians today? [38:55]
4. In what ways does God use our weaknesses to display His strength, according to the sermon and the Bible passages? [34:13]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt inferior or discouraged. How did you handle it, and how might remembering God's presence have changed your response? [16:52]
2. How can you remind yourself of God's past faithfulness in your life when facing current challenges? What practical steps can you take to keep this remembrance alive? [20:34]
3. In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's provision? How can you actively choose to trust Him more in these areas? [23:56]
4. Think about a task or role you feel inadequate for. How can you shift your focus from your abilities to God's glory in this situation? [32:24]
5. How does the vision of a new heaven and a new earth inspire you to continue working for God's glory despite current struggles? What specific actions can you take this week to align your efforts with this vision? [38:55]
6. Identify one area where you feel weak or inadequate. How can you invite God to use this weakness for His glory? [34:13]
7. How can you encourage others in your community who might be feeling inferior or discouraged? What specific words or actions can you offer to uplift them? [16:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Overcoming Inferiority and Discouragement
Description: The Israelites faced a daunting task: rebuilding a temple that could never match the splendor of Solomon's. This led to feelings of inferiority, discouragement, and despair. However, God, through Haggai, reminded them that His presence was with them, providing strength, protection, and provision. In our lives, feelings of inferiority can also lead to discouragement, but we must remember that God's presence is our ultimate source of strength. When we feel inadequate, we should focus on God's power and presence rather than our limitations. [16:52]
Haggai 2:3-4 (ESV): "Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel inferior or discouraged. How can you invite God's presence into that situation to find strength and encouragement today?
Day 2: The Power of God's Presence
Description: God's presence is a recurring theme in the Bible, providing strength, protection, and provision. Just as He was with the Israelites during the Exodus, He is with us today. This assurance should motivate us to continue our work, knowing that we are not alone. God's presence transforms our efforts, no matter how small, into something significant for His kingdom. When we remember God's past faithfulness, it strengthens our resolve to face current challenges with confidence. [20:34]
Exodus 33:14 (ESV): "And he said, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'"
Reflection: Recall a time when you felt God's presence in your life. How did it change your perspective or actions? How can you seek to be more aware of His presence in your daily tasks?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Promise
Description: God's promise to shake the heavens and the earth and bring in the treasures of all nations was a powerful assurance to the Israelites. This promise extends to us today, reminding us that God has the resources to meet our needs. Trusting in God's promise means believing that He will provide, even when the situation seems dire. This trust is not just about material provision but also about spiritual and emotional support. God's promises are a foundation we can stand on, giving us hope and confidence in uncertain times. [23:56]
Haggai 2:6-7 (ESV): "For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts."
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you find difficult to trust in fully? How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness and choose to trust in that promise today?
Day 4: The Primacy of God's Glory
Description: Our work is secondary to God's glory. Feeling inadequate is natural, but God uses our weaknesses to display His strength. The Bible is filled with examples of God using unlikely individuals to accomplish His purposes. Our focus should be on glorifying God, not on our abilities or achievements. When we prioritize God's glory, our efforts, no matter how small, become part of His grand narrative. This perspective shifts our focus from self to God, allowing us to serve with humility and joy. [32:24]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel inadequate? How can you shift your focus from your limitations to God's glory and strength?
Day 5: The Hope of Future Glory
Description: The promise of a new heaven and a new earth, as described in Revelation 21, gives us hope. This future glory far surpasses any past splendor we might long for. As Christians, we are part of God's divine narrative, and our efforts contribute to His ultimate plan. This vision should inspire us to continue working for God's glory, knowing that our labor is not in vain. The future glory that awaits us is a powerful motivator to persevere through current struggles and limitations. [38:55]
Revelation 21:1-4 (ESV): "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"
Reflection: How does the promise of a new heaven and a new earth influence your perspective on current struggles? What steps can you take today to align your efforts with God's ultimate plan for future glory?
Quotes
1. "You have some people who remember the good old days because they saw the good old days, right? People in their late, 60s and older would have remembered the temple because they were actually, before exile, they were, they knew what Jerusalem looked like. They knew what Solomon's temple looked like. They had seen the glory. And then there were younger generations who had yet to see it, but they knew exactly what it was like because they had heard the stories." [05:12] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Inferiority leads to discouragement, leads to despair. And that can happen, that can happen in your lives, like I said, at work, in your family, with your peers, in school. If you start to feel inferior, you can start to feel discouraged. And when you're feeling very discouraged, that can lead to despair. And all of a sudden, I don't know why I'm doing this in the first place. Well, it's true in our own lives, but it's also true in ministry. It's also true in the church." [16:52] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Be strong. And work. Work. Notice he doesn't say, oh, you're despairing. You're discouraged. Maybe you just need some time. He doesn't say that. He doesn't say, I understand. I understand you're discouraged. Why don't you just take a little bit of time? Take some time. Go on a sabbatical. Maybe you need a vacation. He doesn't say that. He says, be strong. And then he says, go to work. Go to work. Why? Work. For I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts." [18:41] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Remember, remember Egypt. Remember how I have brought you along. Remember that my presence means protection, that my presence means strength, that my presence means provision. That's what he's calling them to. He's saying, work. Why should I work? This is so discouraging because I am here. It's actually in the present perfect, I think is what you would call it. He says, my spirit remains. I was with you, I am with you, and I will continue to be with you." [20:34] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Trust God and you'd be surprised where the resources come from. And again, it would be about remembering. I mean, even as I say that, trust God and you'll be surprised where the resources come from. I think of some trust in chariots and some in horses. But I, but we, trust in the name of the Lord our God. maybe that psalm came to mind when those people heard Haggai giving them this encouragement. Maybe they thought to themselves, Haggai's right. Haggai's right. Some trust in chariots. Some trust in horses. But we're not. We're not. We're not. We're not those people." [30:25] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The secret is that God's glory, the glory is what's important. The building, the work is secondary. God's glory is primary. His work is secondary. And this is what would have encouraged them to know, that they should trust God because you have no idea where these resources are going to come from. And that sometimes when God asks you to work, the work isn't the most important. The work isn't the most important. The most important thing is God's glory." [32:24] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Weakness is God's superpower. When he finds someone who is weak, then the Bible says he is strong. It's challenging for the strong person. Listen, I would take the person who feels inferior and inadequate any day over the person who thinks that they got it. Any day of the week, somebody shows up here and says, I got this. I got this. Yeah, not so sure about you. You've got this. I take the person who says, I'm not really sure if I can do this. You're on board. The God of the universe says that person's on board." [34:13] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Ultimately, the encouragement is that there is coming a day to, the people of Haggai's time, and to us right now, there is coming a day where whatever we remembered about glory or splendor, whether it's Solomon's temple or the good old days, all of that is going to pale in comparison to what God will do, what God will do. And that's what Haggai is saying right now. He's saying the latter house, the latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord." [37:11] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "History is going somewhere. God's story is going somewhere, right? And if you're a Christian, then you're going too. If you're a Christian in this room, God has a plan. History is going somewhere. It's no accident that we are here, that there was a beginning and there will, well, there will be an end, but then there will never be an end. And history is going somewhere. And if you're a Christian today, then… you're going somewhere." [38:55] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "If you're feeling inferior, if you feel, if that inferiority has led to discouragement, if you're starting to get into despair, there's good news that God is present. If you're in Christ, he is present. He has always been with you. He is with you and he will always be with you. And he has made some promises. And the God of the universe keeps his promises. He has the resources to meet your needs now. He has the resources to meet our needs as we see them now. And one day he will meet and exceed those expectations that we have." [42:20] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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