THIS PRESENT HOUSE

 

This Present House

 

Intro:  Open with Alberta Steel skit about Haggai

 

-        My name is Alberta Steel and I am an archaeologist, biblical scholar, adventurer, retriever of biblical antiquities, world traveller and avid hockey fan.  Go flames.  I am here this morning to teach you about the prophet and book Haggai.

-  Haggai was a prophet during the reconstruction of the second temple.  Which later became known as Herod’s temple.  H was called to minister during the second year of Darius.  He was called to minister to Zerubabbel and Joshua the High Priest. 

-  His was a contemporary of  Daniel, Shadrach, Mechach, Abed-nego and Zechariah.  They were co prophets.  He ministered between 557-525.  B.C.

-  He was born at the beginning of the captivities and received his call when he was 90.

-  He along with Zechariah encouraged Zerubabbel and the exiles to rebuild the temple. 

-  Haggai ministered to the exiles who had returned to Judah and Jerusalem.  He and Zechariah were called to encourage, build hope and help the people.

-  Talk about the stoppage in the rebuilding of the temple, how it laid neglected for 10 years, how the people had become pre-occupied with their own affairs and neglected God’s house.   

-  They urge the people to fulfill the command of Cyrus.  He then encouraged Zerubabbel, Joshua the High Priest and the elders to not fear and do the work, set before them.  He reminded them that God was with them and for the whole remnant to begin the work.  Which of course they did.

 

The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the Lord Almighty.  The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, says the Lord Almighty. And in this place of will grant peace, declares the Lord.

 

1.  Haggai begins this morning with reminding his audience that all the gold and silver

     Belongs to God.  All resources of this earth begin and end with God.  We have use

     And responsibility with them but they begin and end with God.

 

a.  This is a statement reminding that we must not get to attached to things or place them

     As our security,  Jesus reminds us that it is the cares of this life and the love of

      Riches that choke out the word, works and life of God. 

b.  Haggai was called to expose the false and affirm the truth. So he tells his audience that

     That God is first in life and service.  If material considerations crowd out God’s

     House and  worship, our wealth is costing to much. 

 

2.  He then states that the glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the

     Former house.  Haggai saw that the present structure would have someone greater in

     It than any person in the first temple. 

 

 

 

 

  .  We of course know this was Jesus.  He physically, taught, walked and ministered in

     The temple that Zerubabbel and the people were building.  Haggai told of the coming   

     manifestation, of divine power and the appearing of the Messiah.  Jesus would be the

     Glory of the Lord filing His house.   Their temple would also be

     More impressive and lavish than Solomon’s.  It would take Herod’s builders 46 years

     To remodel the temple.

 

3.  Haggai had called the people to self examination in Ch 1:1-6, we should consider our

     Ways.  He tells his audience that the plans of God must come first   Then he says that

     God will bring, divine power (strengthening and moving) divine glory, (Moving) and

     Then divine peace.

 

a.  Haggai encourages his audience especially the elders to not fear, to know God, to

     Know that God is with them, to be strong and to choose Him.

b.  We must always remember that difficult circumstances are God’s crucible for growth

     And change for the better.  So difficult circumstances should be face courageously  

     And without delay.  Learn from your mistakes or you will be destined to repeat them. 

     Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered. 

c.   Haggai encourages the people of Jerusalem to face discouragement and not to let the

     Material things to slow them down.

 

4. Haggai and Zechariah had seen the house of God remained unfinished for 16 years. 

    God stirred their hearts to encourage Zerubabbel and the serving with him to

    Longer delay.  The Lord would take care of their enemies and would be their help.

 

a.  He also told Zerubabbel that he would be God’s signet ring.  His representative to

     Those around him.  Did you know you are God’s temple, His ambassador, His face,

     Voice, hands and feet?  You are His bible, His messenger of love, peace, joy and

     Mercy.  We are called to go into all our world and preach the gospel and live it before

     Man.

b.  Haggai closes this portion with divine peace coming to this house.  We know that

     Jesus is the Prince of peace.   He gives peace that the world cannot give or take away.

     You need peace today.  Jesus is that peace.  Do you need that?  In just a moment we

      Are going to pray for folks so if you need peace, love, hope or help be ready your

      Time of victory is near.

c.  Haggai believe the best test for his oratory is found in the results.  Do words produce

     Action?  So this morning if this message has touched your heart get ready to come.