Consider Your Ways

Introduction

Sometimes, it is hard to know why we are going through what we do. We may be getting tested. We may be getting punished. We may be receiving discipline.

Though we may not always know why we are where we are, there is something that we can do to make sure that we are in the will of God.

Today, I want to look at a group of people that had lost their focus. Because of this, they had put God on the back burner and decided to focus on themselves first. We see the results of that in the text.

For just a few moments, I want us to see that taking some time to look internally, can be a huge benefit to us spiritually.

Read Haggai 1.

Content

They had lost their “Focus” (vs. 1-4)

The date of Haggai’s 1st message (vs. 1)

It is the first day of the month, in the sixth month

This is a significant point to see. When we look back to the OT in Numbers 10:10, we see that the first day of the month was supposed to be a celebration. They would make their sacrifices at the temple and celebrate the Lord in doing so. Because they had not built the temple, all spiritual events were on hold. In a time set aside for celebration, God’s people had nothing to celebrate and even if they did, there was nowhere to do it.

I feel, through personal experience, that many Christians, not purposefully, end up in this same position. Somehow their walk with God is interrupted and many years later they finally realize, through revelation from God, that they have strayed and are suffering the consequences.

It is the second year of reign for king Darius

It takes a little digging to find out about this man, but his name is King Darius 1, the son Hystaspes. He followed after King Cyrus, and relinquishes the halt of building the temple. By doing this, there is no excuse for why the temple was not in progress of being built. The children of God simply grew tired of working on the temple and began to put themselves, and their own desires before God and the temple.

The focus of Haggai’s 1st message (vs. 1)

Zerubbabel- The Governor (political/civic leader)

Joshua- The High Priest

We see in the first verse who Haggai focuses the message to: the leaders of the people. There is one thing that is a must for the growth of an individual and the church…...a vision. Each Christian is to have a vision for their own life and that vision is found through prayer and fasting to God. The church as well must have a vision in order to grow. The thing to note here is this, the leader enforces the vision. For the individual this is God. For the church, it is the leader or pastor. If the leaders of God’s house are not on point and in the will of God, the congregation will not be prosperous. If the Christian is not on point and in the will of God, they will not be prosperous.

The author of Haggai’s 1st message (vs. 2-4)

It is plain in verse 2,3,5, and 7 that God is sending this message.

Procrastination of rebuilding the temple

This procrastination has caused indifference between God and His people

They were selfish and covetous

They had lost their “Fruitfulness” (vs. 5-7)

Consider Your Ways

Before Explanation

Many people get this far into the message and say, “This is a good message, but it’s not talking about me. I don’t do these things. I don’t need to examine myself.”

1 Corinthians 11:31 NKJV

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.

2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV

5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

We are about to see the chastisement of God upon His children and it is all because they did not judge themselves.

Explanation

You sow seed, but you bare no fruit

You eat and drink, but you are not filled

You wear clothes, but you are not warm

You bring home wages, but it is not enough

Consider Again

After Explanation

They Had Lost God’s Favor (vs. 9-11)

God blew away whatever they brought in (v. 9)

Every time you get ahead something happens, and you have to spend the money

When potential comes, he pushes it elsewhere

He refrained the dew and rain to fall (v. 10)

No matter how hard you try, nothing gets any better

Keeps others from coming

He caused a drought upon the land (v. 11)

God doesn’t send any blessings your way

Removes spirit from congregation

They Did Not Lose Their Father (vs. 8, 12-15)

Their 2nd Chance (v. 8)

Received God’s Presence (v. 13)

Received Revival (v. 14)

Isaiah 1:18–19 NKJV

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;

Conclusion

When you do not regularly inspect your own heart, you lose focus and eventually perspective. When these things happen, a whole new side of God that no one wants to witness is there. He does what he does for His children because He loves them but it is a difficult time.

Just as Judah lost focus, perspective, and God’s favor, the church can do this as well. Inspect your heart.