If you’ve ever built something there are commonly times where you want to quit
We were building a kitchen for our Whitecap Kayak business last year
-& encountered one unusual, excessive expense after another
-things were ready to proceed,
-& suddenly we got an estimate - bill for fan & air exchanger
-just that silly fan would cost us as much as a small house
-I figured it would take about 10,000-15,000 bowls of soup & a sandwich
-to pay just for that fan!
-needless to say, we felt like quitting
Even if you’re building something small
-you’re working on some small project or problems
-when something goes wrong - you easily just, drop it
“Ah, I’ll just work on this some other time!”
-& there’s a chance, you’ll never get around to finishing it
How many of you have unfinished projects at your place?
In our message series, we’ve been considering the building of our lives
Specially, the building of our spiritual lives
-building our lives to be what God designed us to be - like Christ
-& this building process, can easily get interrupted & put on hold
-it happens to a lot of us & it’s likely true of a lot of us right here this a.m.
-it’s like our lives have reached a plateau in growth
-we all still have a long way to go to be like Christ
-but some of us, aren’t making any progress right now
-we’re at a standstill - maybe even going backwards
-& we’ve likened this to the building up of the temple in the days of Ezra
The people had fallen away from God
-& as punishment - God brought the Babylonians upon them
-who, destroyed the temple & the city of Jerusalem
-many of God’s people had been carried off & away
-now, in God’s grace & plans - the people returned to rebuild the temple & city
Things were going well,
-but there came a time where the project came to a standstill
-the people became discouraged & fearful of the pressure put on them
Ezra 4:4-5
Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. 5 They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.
And this opposition went to the authorities - to the king
& persuaded the king to put a stop to this building of the temple
Ezra 4:23-24
As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop.
24 Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
So, the work was at a standstill
-as it seems to happen in our lives
-when it come to building our lives to be like Christ
-when it comes to growing in our faith
-when it comes to seeking God’s kingdom & serving God
-instead of growing closer to the Lord
-there are times where we fall away from the Lord
That probably applies to a number of us, maybe many of us, here this morning
-we’re at a standstill - or we’re even going backwards
-in our growth & in the building up of our lives to be like Christ
-to be what God has planned for us
Chapter 5, introduced us to two prophets - Haggai & Zechariah
Who preached God’s Word to the leaders & the people
-& with the prophet’s help - the work of God was started up again
Ezra 5:1-2
Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, helping them.
Today, let’s look at some of what Haggai had to say - as it’s written down for us
-in his book - Haggai
-& I think there’s some really good wisdom & encouragement to us
-as we will sometimes find ourselves in sort of a spiritual hibernation stage
-a standstill in the building project of our souls
-what this prophet had to say was life transforming
-for the people who had moved back to Jerusalem to re-build the temple
Haggai 1
In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest:
2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has not yet come for the Lord's house to be built.'"
There will be times when we stop building
-but it’s God’s will for us to keep building in some way, shape or form
-when it comes to our spiritual lives
-we all have a ways to go to become like Jesus - we’re unfinished works
-& with these people, it was God’s will for them to be rebuilding the temple
-it wasn’t God’s will for them to stop at this point
-but they were saying,
“Oh, it’s not time to do it now!”
-that was just an excuse!
-sure it was time!
-but,
“Ah, it’s not time - some other time!”
“Ah, we don’t have the time!”
What happens, is, we don’t want to build
-we get discouraged
-it’s hard work - it takes sacrifice
-time, effort, money, devotion - to build for the Lord
-there’s opposition - that wears us down
-we don’t see enough progress
-we get discouraged some more
-we stop building for the Lord - & we conveniently find an excuse
“Yeah, God doesn’t want us to build!” - for us - our lives
-it might include our church - whether it’s the people or the building
Can you think of examples of how we come up with excuses for not building?
-for the church as a whole,
-how many times,
-when we’ve been challenged with our need to reach the lost
-do we come up with, “Ah, yeah, but God isn’t interested in numbers!”
-right, God is interested in maturity & depth of growth
-but God is interested in reaching more people
-& it does get discouraging - trying to reach people
-& it is hard work to reach the lost
-& we will have to get close to them & risk getting “dirty”
-lets recognize how easy it is to get lulled into the “Evangelistic Doldrums”
-where we’re doing precious little to build God’s church/kingdom
-& we’re sitting stagnantly - “Ah, God’s just building our maturity”
“Maybe we’re just going to be a church of mature believers!”
(in other words - a church that’s inbred, stagnant - dying)
“Ah, it’s not time to build!”
God used the prophet to tear into these people
“Wake up! It is time to build! It was always time to build”
What’s the problem?
They had their priorities turned upside-down
vv.3-4
Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: 4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"
When they got back to Jerusalem - the whole city had been destroyed
-left in ruins
Not only did they have to rebuild the temple
-they had to work on their own housing
-so, there was a legitimate need to build their own homes
-however, it seems like it became a temptation
-to prioritize their own homes over the work of God
-the temple became an afterthought
“Well, I’m working on my own home
“I’ll work on the temple when I get the time!”
-& then, some trouble comes - some discouragement & opposition
“Well, it’s probably not the time to build the temple anyway!”
-but God was thinking & said through the prophet:
“What do you mean - ‘It’s not time to build the temple!’
“This is why God sent you here!
“You’re on a mission to do this for God!”
“You’re putting all your time, energy & money
into making your own house real nice
& you’re doing nothing to build the house of God!”
-the reference to paneling - must have meant
-they were adding some extra luxury to their own homes
Unfortunately, I think we can all relate to this type of building standstill
-we pour our best into building our secular lives
-our career
-our homes
-our hobbies & entertainment
-our retirements
-our vacations
-our health
-of course, that’s all good & mostly necessary
-just as those people in Jerusalem needed to attend to their homes
-& we live in a prosperous time & place
-where we can do a lot of those good things
-praise the Lord!
-for our nice homes & such
-but, we must prioritize the building of our lives & God’s church
-the Body of Christ
-reaching the lost & building one another up & equipping each other
-in the faith for eternity
-not just in this dying world for a simple lifetime!
It’s a real problem for us affluent people
-we have so much & we have it so good
-that we want more & never get enough
-& we neglect the building of our lives for God - to become like Christ
How many of you, are on hold - in construction standstill,
-in regard to the building of God’s temple - your life?
-how many of us, are doing very little
-giving minimal or no time, money & energy
-toward the building of your spiritual life?
-yet, you’re working on this or that in your secular life!
How many of you spend more time grooming yourself in the a.m.
-then you do in reading your Bible?
-its important to wash up & comb your hair, put a little make-up on (girls)
-but what about time spent grooming your soul?
-how about some time spent on your spiritual hygiene?
How many of you spend more time exercising & working out in a day
-then you spend on your spiritual muscles?
How much time do you spend watching & reading about sports
-compared to your study of how to best run the race
-God set before you?
How much time & money do you spend on all you need to do
-to hunt a deer
-compared to what you put into what it takes to rescue a sinner?
How much money to you spend on a boat & equipment & bait
-to catch a fish
-compared to the money you put into the offering plate
-that’s used to catch men?
Didn’t Jesus call us to be “Fisher’s of Men?”
Is it possible that we’ve been living as if the season is closed?
-who says the season is closed for fishing for men?
-for reaching people for God?
Now’s the time!
The building must go on!
-stop making everything else in this affluent life of ours
-a priority over the work of God!
vv.5-6
Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
That nails it on the head
-we’ve neglected God & eternity, for the ways of this world & this life
-we’ve been investing in this world & this life
-& do you know what? - we’re not satisfied!
-we never have enough - or we don’t seem to arrive at completion
-it’s not very profitable
-those who are rich - really don’t have enough either
vv.5-6
Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the Lord. 9 "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the Lord Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. 11 I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands."
That’s what happens when we focus our priorities on building our kingdom,
-rather than the kingdom of God!
-that’s what happens when we focus on building the palace or our life
-rather than the temple of God
-when we only do our projects & not God’s projects
Matt 6:28-33
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Seek the kingdom of God - make this your top priority
-& the other things will peacefully fall into place
-let’s make the building of God’s kingdom our focus
-& that starts with our lives & includes to a large extent - His Church
-let’s make that our priority in what & where
-we put our time, talents & treasures
Haggai preached this challenge to the people
-& God’s Word penetrated their hearts
-it shook them up - as it’s meant to
Heb 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
So, the people realigned their priorities & started building again
vv.12-15
Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord.
13 Then Haggai, the Lord's messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: "I am with you," declares the Lord. 14 So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius.
God was with them - God was standing ready & eager to help
-I like that message from the Lord - “I am with you!”
-those four short words mean a lot
-those four short words are enough for you to run the marathon of life
-God was there, to help them build!
-& don’t you think God wants to help you build your life?
-don’t you think God wants to build this church?
-God will give us strength & direction to build
Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
God invites you to work with Him - & actually, He’ll do most of the work
-just join Him - work along side of Him
Take an inventory of your life - How’s the building project going?
How’s the temple of God coming in your life?
Are you possibly at a standstill?
Are you possibly working more on building your kingdom rather than God’s?
Turn your priorities toward God & His work - His Kingdom
-He’ll direct you & lead you & give you strength
-& things will be built for eternity
-seek His kingdom & He’ll take care of the rest
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