Working for the Kingdom with a focus on the future

Open: The moral insanity of the present American (and global) culture has many older folks longing for the past. Some look back to the period of the 1950’s as a great time in American life, kind of like a Norman Rockwell painting. The war had been won, the economy was strong, and America was recognized as the primary world power. Families by and large stayed together, and church attendance was healthier.

Transition: The 50’s certainly didn’t have the issues that we are facing in the 21st century, but that time period was not the high water mark of American civilization. More importantly, living with a longing to return to a time in the past doesn’t really help us with living in the present.

The same can be said of a local church. When you think of the glory of Smyrna Baptist Church, do you look backward to her past? or do you look forward to her future? Churches have life cycles, and individual churches do cease to exist. A study conducted by LifeWay research in 2019 yielded some disturbing results:

The study, which analyzed church data from 34 Protestant denominations and groups, found that 4,500 churches closed in 2019, while about 3,000 new congregations were started. The 34 Protestant denominations account for about 60% of U.S.-based Protestant denominations. (https://religionnews.com/2021/05/26/study-more-churches-closing-than-opening/; accessed on 10/22/22)

This morning’s message is not one that focuses on how to prepare for closing this particular church. Rather, this is a message that will help us to move forward with Kingdom work while trusting God with our future.

READ the TEXT: Haggai 2:1-9

Believers are not called to live with a FOCUS on the past (Haggai 2:3)

Explanation: The time period is 520 B.C. and the remnant of the nation of Israel had been released from its 70 year captivity about 18 years before (538 B.C.) The setting is the rebuilding of the Temple that had been destroyed by the Babylonians 66 years prior to Haggai’s message (586 B.C.) The Jews were taken captive to Babylon at three different times, so not all of them spent all 70 years in captivity.

Approximately 50,000 Jews had returned to Jerusalem under the decree issued by Cyrus in 538 B.C. and they were instructed to rebuild the Temple. The first attempt faced opposition, and the work was stopped almost immediately after it started. Now, 18 years later, God sends His prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to encourage the people and to get them back on track with the rebuild.

The people have restarted the project, but it is implied that there was grumbling or complaining by some of the older members of the work crew. Haggai asks a rhetorical question by saying, “Is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?” These older folks (between 70 and 90) had been alive before the destruction of the 1st Temple. They had seen the glory and the majesty of God’s house, and they remembered it in its magnificence. Now, these people were discouraging the other workers by telling them how shabby and inadequate their Temple would be compared to the original.

Argument: It is good to remember the past, but we are not called to live in it. Today is the annual Home coming service at Smyrna and we honor the memory and the work of those members who preceded us. This local church is 110?? years old, and no of us in the room are founding members. This work of God was started by other believers, and we should be thankful for their service.

Our faith heritage is important and it should not be forgotten. We are not, however, called to live in the past. Events in the present require our attention and a constant looking back with negative comparisons is not healthy.

Believers are called to BE STRONG in the LORD (Haggai 2:4a)

Explanation: Haggai shifts their attention forward to the present with a command from the LORD. God is telling His people to be strong! According to Strong’s Exhaustive Commentary the word means “to seize, confirm, be constant, to be of good courage.” It is worth noting the timing for the command - the prophet states yet NOW be strong. He is calling them to live in the present, not the past. It is worth noting that the prophet repeats the command to all 3 groups: Zerubbabel (civil government), Joshua (spiritual authority) and the people (congregational authority). ALL categories are responsible to have positive attitudes

Illustrate: If you want to plow a straight row you pick out a landmark and move forward towards it. If you try to plow while looking over your shoulder your row is NOT going to be straight!

Argument: Having a Kingdom focus requires us to live in the present. Looking back and wishing things were different is NOT helpful. Whatever period you select as “the good time” is gone; you cannot get back to it. A constant comparison is just going to keep your attitude negative and discouraged.

Application: God’s command is designed to improve our attitude. Allow His Truth and His presence in the NOW to replace a wistful longing for a past that is not attainable

Believers are called to LABOR in the vineyard (Haggai 2:4b)

Explanation: God broadens His command. The attitude is to “be strong,” and the action is “to work.” The prophet reminds the people of the job at hand: to rebuild the Temple. With their attitudes readjusted, the people got down to the business of restoration, and the Temple was finished in 516 B.C. Once they quit looking backwards, they were able to complete the project.

Argument: God has the expectation for His people to join Him on mission. Christ followers are not called to sit and soak; we are called to labor in the vineyard (cf 1 Peter 1:13; Luke 12:35).

The remnant of the Nation of Israel were given the task of rebuilding the 2nd Temple and a later generation under Nehemiah was given the task of rebuilding the walls. Our generation has also been assigned a task. We are still under the authority of the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) and we are to be making disciples with the Gospel of Jesus. Our mission field is different than it was 150 years ago, and our strategy for accomplishing it is different, but we are still called to work.

At Pastor Steve’s funeral I reminded the Church how he used to tell the members, “Church, this is our time!” Well, this is our time, and we are to be engaged in the mission.

Believers are comforted with the PRESENCE of God (Haggai 2:4c)

Explanation: The prophet reminded the people that they were not just given an assignment and left to their own resources. The One who issued the call to work is also the Covenant God who promised to be with them. The LORD of Hosts was in their midst and that was an encouraging truth!

These folks would no doubt remember the exchange between Moses and the Most High when Moses pleaded with God to go with them. The people did not deserve God’s presence, but the LORD promised Moses, “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest” (Ex 33:14)

Illustrate: working for Carrie Henry. She had a man working on fixing one of her fences and she had dumped him out and left him on his own.

Argument: We are called to labor in the Vineyard, but we are not just tossed out until quitting time. The LORD of Hosts is with us, just as He was with the OT saints. It is the presence of God that makes the difference!

Believers have an awesome FUTURE because the LORD God is going to reign on the earth and fill this place with His Glory (Haggai 2:6-9)

Explanation: The prophet then gives the people a glimpse into the future when he shares how God is going to shake up the entire created order, and the peoples of the earth. The LORD reveals that the future glory of the later Temple is going to be even greater than the Shekinah glory that filled Solomon’s Temple. The Glory of God did manifest in a very powerful way in the first Temple (Isaiah 6:1-4; 2 Chronicles 7:1-3), but at a future time in the Millennial Temple Jesus is going to rule and reign over the whole earth.

Argument: The promise of the Glory of God filling the Temple in a richer and fuller manner is for a time yet to come. It does not mean that God is going to do a similar full manifestation of His presence in worship center at Smyrna. Make no mistake, His presence is here with us today, and I am not making light of that. But this promise is yet to come.

The reality that Jesus is coming back to set up His Kingdom should excite us. The moral insanity and the cultural confusion rampant in today’s culture WILL NOT last. Jesus IS going to set things right! It may not happen in our lifetime, but we CAN trust Him to set up His physical Kingdom. That reality allows us to say Maranatha - Even so Lord Jesus come!

Until such a time, may we be found walking with Him and working for Him performing Kingdom work!