When the Spirit Stirs | Pastor Aaron Graham

Today’s passage from Haggai 1:12-15 is remarkable because it records a rare moment in biblical history: the people of God actually listened to the prophet and obeyed. After sixteen years of spiritual stagnation and misplaced priorities, the returned exiles in Jerusalem finally responded to God’s call to rebuild His house. Their obedience was not just an outward action, but began as an inner conviction—a decision to put God first, even when circumstances seemed unfavorable. This obedience led to a powerful assurance from God: “I am with you.” That promise of God’s presence is what enabled them to move from conviction to courageous action.

The story reminds us that God’s work in the world requires the unity and participation of all—public leaders, spiritual leaders, and the remnant of God’s people. It’s not enough to be a believer in name only; true faith is marked by a willingness to hear and obey God’s voice, even when it means stepping out in faith. The people’s fear of the Lord was not a paralyzing terror, but a deep reverence and a healthy awareness of the consequences of disobedience. In a culture dominated by fear of circumstances, status, and the opinions of others, we are called to be God-fearers—those who revere, trust, and obey God above all else.

God’s assurance, “I am with you,” is the anchor for every risk we take in faith. Throughout Scripture, God’s presence is the true treasure—not the building, but the people in whom He dwells. The temple was always a means to a greater end: God dwelling among His people, shaping them into a community that reflects His glory. The restoration of the temple in Haggai’s day was not just about bricks and mortar, but about restoring God to the center of their lives.

When God stirs His people, it is a sovereign work of the Spirit that awakens hearts, unites diverse groups, and moves the community to action. This stirring is not manufactured hype, but a genuine awakening that leads to sacrificial generosity and bold steps of faith. The call to action is not just about funding a building, but about renewing our commitment to discipleship, generosity, and putting God first in every area of life. Ultimately, it is not by might or by power, but by God’s Spirit that His purposes are accomplished.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Obedience Begins with Inner Conviction True obedience to God starts long before any outward action; it is birthed in the heart as a deep resolve to put God first, even when it’s inconvenient or costly. The people in Haggai’s day didn’t just hear God’s word—they allowed it to confront their misplaced priorities and responded with reverent fear. This kind of obedience is rare, but it is the soil in which God’s promises take root and flourish. [04:54]
• 2. God’s Presence Is Our Greatest Assurance When God says, “I am with you,” it is not a generic comfort but a powerful promise that enables us to take risks, endure trials, and step into the unknown. God’s presence is not confined to buildings or special places; He dwells with His people, and that assurance is what gives us courage to act boldly for His purposes. The true measure of success is not the completion of a project, but the nearness of God in our midst. [13:19]
• 3. Unity Across All Levels Is Essential for God’s Work The rebuilding of the temple required the hearts of public leaders, spiritual leaders, and the remnant to be stirred together. When God’s people are united—not posturing for position, but humbly seeking God’s will—His work advances and His glory is revealed. Unity is not accidental; it is the result of God’s Spirit awakening a shared vision and conviction among diverse people. [08:51]
• 4. God’s Stirring Leads to Sacrificial Action Spiritual awakening is not mere emotional excitement; it is a divine stirring that moves us from complacency to courageous, sacrificial action. Like the powder in a drink that only fulfills its purpose when stirred, our faith comes alive when God awakens us to His mission and calls us to invest our time, resources, and lives for His kingdom. This stirring is both personal and communal, and it is the catalyst for lasting impact. [22:48]
• 5. Generosity Reveals the True State of Our Hearts Our approach to giving—whether of money, time, or talents—exposes what we truly trust and value. For many, the real idol is not money itself, but the desire for control and security. God calls us to be surrendered givers, trusting Him with everything and resisting the temptation to hoard or oversave. True generosity is a journey of faith, where we learn to honor God with our first and best, not our leftovers. [45:45]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:31] - The Unusual Obedience of God’s People
• [01:08] - The Historical Context: Return from Exile
• [02:22] - Misplaced Priorities and God’s Rebuke
• [04:15] - God’s Call to Rebuild for His Glory
• [04:54] - Obedience: From Conviction to Action
• [06:15] - The Role of Leadership and the Remnant
• [08:51] - The Power of Unity in God’s Mission
• [10:48] - The Fear of the Lord vs. Fear of Man
• [13:19] - Assurance: “I Am With You”
• [16:36] - God’s Presence: More Than a Building
• [19:56] - God’s Spirit in Us: The New Covenant
• [22:48] - God Stirs Hearts to Action
• [27:21] - Testimonies: God’s Stirring in Our Story
• [39:13] - The Challenge of Generosity and Faith
• [45:45] - Surrendered Giving and Trusting God
• [49:33] - Not by Might, but by God’s Spirit
• [50:15] - Prayer and Invitation

Bible Reading

Haggai 1:12-15 (ESV) — 12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord.
13 Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord’s message, “I am with you, declares the Lord.”
14 And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God,
15 on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

Ezekiel 36:25-27 (ESV) — 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.
26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Observation Questions

1. According to Haggai 1:12, what was the first response of Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the remnant of the people to God’s message through Haggai?
2. What does the phrase “the people feared the Lord” mean in the context of this passage? ([10:11])
3. In verse 13, what assurance does God give to the people after they respond in obedience?
4. Who does God stir up in verse 14, and what is the result of this stirring? ([22:48])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says the people’s obedience began as an “inner conviction” before it became outward action. Why is it important that obedience starts in the heart and not just with external behavior? ([04:54])
2. The people’s fear of the Lord is described as “a deep reverence and a healthy awareness of the consequences of disobedience.” How is this different from being paralyzed by fear, and why does it matter for our faith? ([10:48])
3. God’s promise, “I am with you,” is highlighted as the anchor for every risk we take in faith. How does the assurance of God’s presence change the way we approach challenges or step out in faith? ([13:19])
4. The sermon points out that unity across all levels—public leaders, spiritual leaders, and the remnant—was essential for God’s work to move forward. What does this teach us about the importance of unity in the church today? ([08:51])

Application Questions

1. The people in Haggai’s day allowed God’s word to confront their misplaced priorities. Is there an area in your life where you sense God is calling you to put Him first, even if it feels inconvenient or costly? What would it look like to respond with inner conviction and outward obedience? ([04:54])
2. The sermon described “fearing the Lord” as revering, trusting, and obeying God above all else, rather than being driven by fear of circumstances or people. What is one area where you tend to fear people’s opinions or your circumstances more than God? How can you shift your focus this week? ([12:03])
3. God’s presence is described as our greatest assurance, not just a generic comfort. When you face uncertainty or risk, do you tend to rely on your own strength or on God’s promise to be with you? How can you remind yourself of His presence in practical ways? ([13:19])
4. The sermon used the image of “stirring” to describe how God awakens His people to action. Have you ever experienced a time when you felt spiritually “stirred” or awakened? What was the result? If not, what might it look like to ask God to stir your heart now? ([22:48])
5. The call to action in Haggai was not just about building a temple, but about renewing commitment to discipleship, generosity, and putting God first. What is one specific step you can take this week to invest your time, resources, or talents for God’s kingdom? ([21:28])
6. The sermon challenged us to examine our approach to generosity, suggesting that our giving reveals what we truly trust and value. Is there something you are holding back from God—money, time, or talents—out of a desire for control or security? What would it look like to trust God with your “first and best” instead of your leftovers? ([45:45])
7. The unity of God’s people was essential for the rebuilding work. Is there a relationship or group in your life where you sense God is calling you to pursue greater unity or reconciliation? What is one step you can take toward that this week? ([08:51])