Urgent Call to Rebuild: Prioritizing God's Kingdom
Summary
In the book of Haggai, we find a powerful call to action that resonates deeply with our current journey as a church. Haggai's message is a divine reminder that the time to act is now. Just as the Israelites were called to rebuild the temple, we are called to rebuild and invest in our church community. The Israelites faced opposition and distractions, leading them to abandon their mission. Similarly, we often find ourselves making excuses, delaying our obedience to God's call. The message is clear: distractions and difficulties do not excuse disobedience. When God speaks, we must respond with urgency and commitment.
Haggai challenges us to examine our priorities. The Israelites had become comfortable in their paneled houses while the temple lay in ruins. This misplaced priority is a cautionary tale for us. We must seek first the kingdom of God, ensuring that our lives reflect His priorities. Our resources, time, and talents should be dedicated to His glory, not merely our comfort.
The call to action is clear: go up, bring the wood, and build the house. This is not just about physical labor but about spiritual dedication. God takes pleasure in our obedience, and our ultimate purpose is to glorify Him. When we align our lives with His will, we experience His blessing. Disobedience, on the other hand, dries up His blessings, leaving us empty and unfulfilled.
The Israelites eventually responded with faith, realizing their disobedience had hindered God's blessing. They feared the Lord, not in terror, but with reverence and awe. This healthy fear is essential for us as well. It reminds us of God's power and our need to align with His will. As we step out in faith, trusting in His promises, we find that God is with us, guiding and providing for us.
In our church, we are embarking on a resource initiative, a call to invest in the future of our community. This is a time for us to step out in faith, trusting that God will stir our hearts and provide the resources needed to advance His kingdom. As we commit to this initiative, let us remember that our obedience brings glory to God and blessing to our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The Urgency of Now: God's call to rebuild the temple in Haggai's time is a reminder that when God speaks, the time to act is now. Delaying obedience due to distractions or difficulties is not an option. We must respond with urgency and commitment to God's call in our lives. [08:42]
- Examining Our Priorities: The Israelites' focus on their own comfort over God's temple serves as a cautionary tale. We must prioritize God's kingdom above our personal comforts and ambitions, ensuring that our resources and efforts are aligned with His will. [11:13]
- The Call to Action: God's command to "go up, bring the wood, and build the house" is a metaphor for dedicating our lives to His service. Our obedience is an act of worship, and God takes pleasure in our faithful actions. We are called to use our time, talents, and resources for His glory. [17:37]
- The Blessing of Obedience: Disobedience dries up God's blessings, leaving us empty and unfulfilled. When we align our lives with His will, we experience His provision and joy. Obedience and blessing are intricately linked in the Christian life. [23:58]
- Responding with Reverence: The Israelites' eventual response of faith and reverence highlights the importance of fearing the Lord. This healthy fear is about respect and awe, recognizing God's power and aligning our lives with His will. It leads to a life of faith and obedience. [27:52]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:42] - The Time is Now
- [08:42] - Urgency of Obedience
- [11:13] - Misplaced Priorities
- [13:47] - Consider Your Ways
- [17:37] - Call to Action
- [20:12] - Pleasing God
- [23:58] - Blessing and Obedience
- [27:52] - Responding with Reverence
- [30:19] - The Battle Within
- [34:21] - Stirring of the Spirit
- [36:00] - Resource Initiative
- [38:00] - Closing Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Haggai 1:1-15
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the historical context in which Haggai delivered his message to the Israelites? How does this context relate to the rebuilding of the temple? [04:42]
2. According to Haggai 1:2, what excuse did the Israelites give for not rebuilding the temple, and how did God respond to this excuse? [08:42]
3. What were the Israelites prioritizing over the rebuilding of the temple, as mentioned in Haggai 1:4? How did this reflect their misplaced priorities? [11:13]
4. In Haggai 1:8, what specific actions does God command the Israelites to take, and what is the intended outcome of these actions? [17:37]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the message of urgency in Haggai 1:2-4 challenge the common excuses people make today for delaying obedience to God's call? [08:42]
2. What does Haggai 1:6 suggest about the consequences of misplaced priorities in the lives of the Israelites, and how might this apply to modern believers? [13:47]
3. In what ways does Haggai 1:8-9 illustrate the link between obedience and God's pleasure? How does this concept of obedience as worship resonate with contemporary Christian practice? [20:12]
4. How does the Israelites' eventual response in Haggai 1:12-15 demonstrate a shift in their attitude towards God's commands? What role does reverence play in this transformation? [27:52]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you delayed responding to a clear call from God. What were your "not yet" excuses, and how can you overcome similar excuses in the future? [08:42]
2. Consider your current priorities. Are there areas in your life where you are prioritizing personal comfort over God's kingdom? How can you realign these priorities to seek first the kingdom of God? [11:13]
3. Identify a specific area in your life where God is calling you to "go up, bring the wood, and build the house." What steps can you take this week to act on this call to action? [17:37]
4. How can you cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord in your daily life, similar to the reverence shown by the Israelites in Haggai 1:12-15? What practical steps can you take to deepen your respect and awe for God's power? [27:52]
5. In what ways can you contribute to your church's current initiatives or projects? How can your time, talents, and resources be used to advance God's kingdom within your community? [34:21]
6. Reflect on a recent decision or action. Did it bring glory to God? How can you ensure that your future decisions align with the ultimate purpose of glorifying God? [20:12]
7. Think about a specific challenge or difficulty you are facing. How can you trust in God's presence and provision as you step out in faith to address this challenge? [30:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Urgency in Obedience
When God calls us to action, the time to respond is now. The Israelites in Haggai's time were called to rebuild the temple, but they faced opposition and distractions that led them to delay their obedience. This is a powerful reminder for us today that distractions and difficulties do not excuse disobedience. When God speaks, we must respond with urgency and commitment. Delaying our response can hinder the work God wants to do in and through us. We are encouraged to act promptly and decisively when we sense God's call, trusting that He will provide the strength and resources needed to fulfill His purposes. [08:42]
Haggai 1:7-8 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you have been delaying obedience to God's call? How can you take a step today to respond with urgency?
Day 2: Aligning Priorities with God's Kingdom
The Israelites' focus on their own comfort over the rebuilding of God's temple serves as a cautionary tale for us. They became comfortable in their paneled houses while the temple lay in ruins. This misplaced priority is a reminder that we must seek first the kingdom of God, ensuring that our lives reflect His priorities. Our resources, time, and talents should be dedicated to His glory, not merely our comfort. By examining our priorities, we can ensure that our efforts and resources are aligned with God's will, leading to a life that honors Him. [11:13]
Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where your priorities may be misaligned with God's kingdom? How can you realign your focus to prioritize His will today?
Day 3: Dedication to God's Service
God's command to "go up, bring the wood, and build the house" is a metaphor for dedicating our lives to His service. This call to action is not just about physical labor but about spiritual dedication. Our obedience is an act of worship, and God takes pleasure in our faithful actions. We are called to use our time, talents, and resources for His glory. When we align our lives with His will, we experience His blessing and fulfillment. This dedication requires a commitment to live out our faith in practical ways, serving God and others with our whole hearts. [17:37]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: How can you dedicate your time, talents, and resources to God's service today? What specific actions can you take to serve Him and others?
Day 4: Experiencing the Blessing of Obedience
Disobedience dries up God's blessings, leaving us empty and unfulfilled. The Israelites realized that their disobedience had hindered God's blessing, and they responded with faith and reverence. When we align our lives with His will, we experience His provision and joy. Obedience and blessing are intricately linked in the Christian life. By choosing to obey God's commands, we open ourselves to the fullness of His blessings and the joy that comes from living in His will. This requires a heart that is willing to trust and follow God's leading, even when it is challenging. [23:58]
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (ESV): "And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God."
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the blessings of obedience in your life? How can you continue to align your actions with God's will to experience His provision and joy?
Day 5: Responding with Reverence and Awe
The Israelites' eventual response of faith and reverence highlights the importance of fearing the Lord. This healthy fear is about respect and awe, recognizing God's power and aligning our lives with His will. It leads to a life of faith and obedience, where we trust in God's promises and guidance. As we step out in faith, we find that God is with us, guiding and providing for us. This reverence for God is essential for a vibrant and growing faith, reminding us of His greatness and our need to depend on Him. [27:52]
Proverbs 9:10 (ESV): "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for God in your daily life? What steps can you take to align your life more closely with His will?
Quotes
"Recently, my family had the chance to go down there with a number of you guys from here in the church. It's pretty awesome. And then what we did is the first day, we gathered everybody together. And we got inside of the location in which the foundation was going to be poured. I'll show you a picture of it. And so what we did is we gathered everybody together. And then we just prayed for God to do a great work in and through this ministry project of building this home. Prayed for the family. Shared our faith with the family all throughout the weekend. The first day, we poured the foundation. And I'll show you the concrete. We finished that up. Had kids involved. All sorts of ages. And then what we did, at the very end of three days, we finalized the project. So you can see the home right here. Let's give God praise for the work that he's been doing in Mexico." [00:01:09] (56 seconds)
"And thank you for all of you who gave, financially served, prayed for that project. It's pretty incredible. But imagine if we went down there and all we did was we poured the foundation. And then we said, hey, it's been great being with you, but we got to get out of here. Imagine the amount of disappointment and discouragement that could have set in. When we come to the book of Haggai, it's kind of what happens. Let me give you a little bit of history in the book of Haggai. The last three prophets in our Old Testament, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi." [00:02:05] (35 seconds)
"And Mount Moriah is the location today. If you were to go there, it's where Abraham offered up Isaac. It's the location in which now today there's a mosque that's there. But this is the location where these people come. They set up the altar. They start some sacrifices. They poured the foundation. And then opposition hits. And guess what? They just quit. They stop. And time goes on. And it's 16 years later. And then Haggai shows up. And he's like, what have you guys been doing? You literally got out of Babylon. You came back. Solomon's temple's wiped out. The foundation's been poured. But nothing's happening." [00:03:45] (47 seconds)
"The first question I want to ask is, is the time really now? And I think it was. The Lord says that the word of the Lord came. I mean, when God speaks, people ought to respond. Look what it says. It says, the word of the Lord came. He broke the silence. God was delivering a divine message, and he was bringing the right people into place, and he uses Haggai to deliver this urgent message. And so he brings people together. And the time is now. It's not later. It's now. And look, secondly, he puts God's people right in place." [00:05:29] (44 seconds)
"Because God had brought the right people. He'd broken the silence. He'd made the move. He'd delivered the message. And the time is now. And it's Darius is there. Haggai's there. Zerubbabel's there. Joshua's there. Everybody's there. But then it's these people. It's not my people. And it goes to show kind of this subtle rebuke towards the people that they had failed to wake up. They had made excuses. The Lord says, look what it says in verse 2. These people say, look, the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord." [00:07:07] (40 seconds)
"And there's these not yet excuses. And the message is for us is that distractions and difficulty don't give us a free pass to disobey the Lord. If the Lord speaks, we should respond. Amen? If God gives a clear command, then we're just to obey it. And even if we don't understand how it's supposed to work out. So number one, the time is now. God says now, not later. And if God calls you to do something, you just got to do it. And I think for our church, our time is now where we're doing this resource initiative." [00:08:42] (33 seconds)
"And it's so easy for us as believers as well to misplace priorities. We can chase comfort and success and security or even hobbies over higher priorities that God's called us to. You know, I always hear people talk about, what's your next big opportunity? And I'm like, man, I love opportunities. But not every opportunity is an obligation. And sometimes the most divine and godly thing that you could do is look around and go, what are my responsibilities around me? And how can I do those for the glory of God and fulfill the responsibilities that he's given me?" [00:10:26] (37 seconds)
"And the Lord says, I need you to do something. I want you to consider your ways. It means literally a careful thinking, examination, pay attention. It's repeated over and over again. And I think the question is, is why are we so empty? Why is this so futile? They had all sorts of misplaced priorities. The Israelites were working hard, but their crops withered. Their bellies growled, their pockets had holes. And the question is, is why? And I think the answer is, is because they had put themselves first and God's blessing was withheld. God withheld their blessing. They misplaced their priorities." [00:12:35] (43 seconds)
"God's command, go up into those hills and bring the wood so that the house might be built, the temple. It wasn't a simple task. The truth is they've already used a lot of the precious resources for themselves. They built paneled housings, which means, in other words, these are the kind of paneled housings that King Solomon had in 1 Kings 7 talks about. This was reserved for the elites. This was reserved for the prestigious. In other words, they basically went in and wiped out the forest for their own homes and literally just tricked that home out. And meanwhile, the Lord's house is in ruins. Haggai shows up and is like, are you kidding me?" [00:15:32] (48 seconds)
"Romans tells us that our lives are, we sacrifice our whole lives under the Lord, and it's our act of worship. And so the Christian life is an act of worship where you take your time, your talent, your treasure, and you leverage it for the glory of God. Whatever your gifts are, whatever your skills are, whatever you've been given, you utilize those resources. So my message to you is you go up in those hills in your mind and think about the things that God's given you as resources and use those for the glory of God." [00:16:39] (33 seconds)
"And so this isn't the only time it's mentioned in scripture. In Luke 5, Peter and the disciples, they go out fishing all night. They're not able to catch anything. They're not faithful. Literally, I think the Lord withheld the fish from biting the lines and says, do not get into those nets. Don't bite those lines. But then Jesus says, why don't you cast your net over here? And they say, huh, do I want to be obedient or not? And so they try it. Yes. And they do. And they catch a ton. John 15, 5 says, apart from me, you can do nothing. So I think there's a lesson there." [00:23:01] (40 seconds)
"Then Zerubbabel, the son of, and I better be careful in pronouncing that again. Shealtiel. There you go. And Joshua, the son of Jehoshadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, check this out, 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. So first of all, I want to point out that they obeyed the voice of the Lord. They're going to act in faith to go ahead and get to work. Let's go ahead and stop what we're doing and let's prioritize the rebuilding of God's temple. And so they would do that. And they finally realized their disobedience is what had dried up that blessing. They realized that we've been working so hard, but we didn't put God first. And so they're seeing like goodness almighty. And two things ought to be highlighted here. One is the almighty and the power of God. And two is the sinfulness of man." [00:25:55] (70 seconds)
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