Rebuilding the House
Haggai: Restoring the Home • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Haggai 1:1-15
Reading Haggai today: How can it still be relevant?
Reading Haggai today: How can it still be relevant?
This was likely written in 520 bc; 2,500 years ago.
Haggai was a prophet to the remnant returned from captivity after 70 years in a foreign land.
The last three books of the OT, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, they were prophets to the remnant.
The first to return were selected for their faithfulness…
They were surrounded by enemies, a culture that had turned from God’s goodness and blessing.
The Remnant in the Rubble.
The Remnant in the Rubble.
A Brief History.
Fall of Jerusalem in 597 and return under Cyrus in 538.
They began to rebuild the Temple and the city.
Opposition quickly arose: Ezra 4:1 adversaries of Judah (those transplanted by the Assyrians in the fall of the north), they came and said, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do…”
Zerubbabel and Joshua said, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God…”
Why did they refuse help? The Samaritans didn’t know God or walk with Him according to his Word.
God’s house could only be built by His people. Anything else would compromise their faith and integrity.
So they opposed Judah altogether, sending a letter to Artaxerxes, who brought construction to a halt.
For 18 years, no work was done on the temple.
People built their homes and their lives, saying, “its not yet time.” They worshiped outdoors; no temple or tent.
What does the Temple signify? God’s presence and blessing.
God put his name there, promised to meet the people there, so they would hear His word and know His blessing.
If the temple is in ruins, it indicated that the presence and blessing of God wasn’t the priority of the people. It amounted to seeking grace but refusing the means of grace. Not to build the house was not to want the Lord as and for himself.
A Call to Action - Haggai spoke to the people God’s rebuke.
A Call to Action - Haggai spoke to the people God’s rebuke.
Consider Your Ways!
You’ve said its not time to build the house; but you’ve paneled your homes.
They didn’t say that it shouldn’t be built, but that it wasn’t time. What’s worse, they had paneling in their home - a luxury - like wainscoting - like what was in Solomon’s temple, but did no work on the temple.
These were the people chosen for the return, zealous for God. But life had caused the work of God slide. God accused them of having plenty of time for themselves while giving no time for God.
Their priorities were upside down; and when we put something before God that’s called idolatry.
Consider the Outcome of misplaced priorities!
The futility of their ways: You have sown much, and harvested little; You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who learns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes (what a great illustration of inflation).
They didn’t get from life what they put into it. They were never satisfied, always wanting more. There was no experience of the fullness of God’s blessing.
They were left frustrated. They were running faster and faster, like hamsters on a treadmill, getting precisely nowhere.
What was the cause of this?
God emptied the blessing from their provision, in order to awaken his people to their disobedience. They had everything they wanted, but were left wanting.
Responding to God’s Call.
Responding to God’s Call.
Repenting at God’s Word.
The message of Haggai moved the people
They feared God - his judgment, their own sins. Fear is fitting when standing before God, not a crippling terror, but a reverence and respect that you are in the presence of the One who spoke all things into being, and who knows your every thought and deed.
They heard and obeyed. This is the proper response whenever confronted by God’s word.
Renewed in God’s Spirit.
They had work to do, but unless the Spirit moved them, they could not do it.
He promises to be with them - to sustain and strengthen them, this is what the Temple signified, and when God is with them, they will know His pleasure - satisfied in him.
Rebuilding God’s House
23 days later, they were collecting the wood to begin the work of rebuilding the temple.
Rebuilding the House today
Rebuilding the House today
We are not called to rebuild a physical temple, but we do have a house to build.
The temple is the Body of Christ. The temple signified where God would meet with His people.
John 14:23 tells us that those who love Christ and keep his word, the father will love him and will come to make home in him.
1 Cor 3:16 - Paul reminds us, you are God’s temple, and God’s Spirit dwells in you.
Eph 2:21 - we are the household of God, built upon Christ as the cornerstone, joined together as a holy temple, the dwelling place for God by his Spirit.
We are called to build the temple.
Making God a priority in your life.
Keeping Christ central, building your life on his.
Matt 6:33 - Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness
Through prayer, word, and sacrament; building upon those means where God has promised to meet and bless us.
We are called to live in such a way to make the presence of God known, that others might be brought in, that the temple would grow together.
To know his pleasure and to give him glory.
How is God most glorified - when we know Him, believe in Him, and trust in Him through the name of Christ, as He is revealed in the scriptures, and as we show the grace, mercy, and love of God to the world by sharing Christ with those around us.
How can we know God’s pleasure - by delighting in Him, and seeking his face in prayer, in the word, and in worship.
Consider your ways!
What is the condition of the house of God? What is the status of God’s work in your life, your home, your commitment to the church, to the community? Are you seeking your own comfort before the work of God?
Are you constantly frustrated with your work. We are filled with information, but are lacking in wisdom and knowledge. We are filled with all the things of the world, but always wanting more. This should tell you where your heart is.
Hear his Promise:
He is with us: Christ has said he will never leave nor forsake us.
The Gospel is that assurance that there is no separation between us and God - that we have been united to Christ, our sins are forgiven, and we are the dwelling place of God’s Spirit
He satisfies our hearts.
Christ, is the bread of life, the fountain of living water, and the glorious wedding garments to cover our spiritual nakedness. In place of the empty things to which we so readily give our lives, the Lord promises to give us true and lasting satisfaction in him.
His Spirit stirs within us.
Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord build the house, those who build it labor in vain…
Building God’s house is beyond our ability, Christ builds his church through us, in the power of His Holy Spirit through the preaching and living out the Good News.
Turn to Him, Obey Him, and get on with His business
Let the remnant be an example, let His word move you, know the Spirit stirring in you, and roll up your sleeves - taking up the tools to rebuild the house.