Haggai pt 2

Sermon Title:

Text: Haggai 2:1–23 Big Idea: When God’s people feel hindered in the work He’s called them to, He reminds them of His help: His presence, His power and His Plan

Introduction

Image: trip to hawaii - we were doing fun things, but eventually we hit a road block - the road was washed out. we had a choice. We either could listen to the voice of the guide, or turn back.

Need: we want to pursue the things God is calling us to do - but we often run in to various obstacles and roadblocks?

Subject: “How do we stay faithful to the work God has called us to, even when we hit obstacles?”

Context: Haggai chapter 2 address this exact question.

so we’ll be in the book of Haggai today - for those of you who weren't with us last week - we began by looking at chapter 1 of Haggai. Haggai picks up 16 years after the people of Israel return from Babylonian exile. We talked about how they had been given a mission to return to jerusalem to rebuild the temple. But 16 years later, the temple still wasnt build. They began the work with enthusiasm, but over time, opposition, discouragement, and the distractions of daily life caused the work to stall.

For nearly 16 years, the temple sat unfinished while the people poured their energy into their own homes and priorities.

So in Haggai 1, God sends a wake-up call through the prophet:

“Is it a time for you to dwell in your paneled houses, while My house lies in ruins?”

He confronts their complacency and recommissions them:

build the house—that I may be pleased and glorified.”

And what we see at the end of chapter 1 is that the people respond. Their hearts are stirred by the spirit, and they begin again to build the house of the Lord.

That brings us to chapter 2—about a month into the rebuilding effort. The people start to work again, and we’re going to see that the meet a few challenges along the way. And while the book of Ezra and Nehemiah discuss the external challenges

Preview: During our time this morning we’re going to see

Hindrances to the work

Help for the people

not going to read all the text upfront today, its just a little too much and I want us to be here for an hour, so we’ll kinda tackle it as we go

I. Hindrances to the Work

A. Comparative Disappointment (vv. 3)

Haggai 2:1–3 ESV

In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet: “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes?

the first hinderance to building the temple for the people - doing the thing that called had called them to do - is what i am going to call comparative Disappointment.

So what happens here? those who saw the former temple

the book of Ezra gives us more detail about this account.

Ezra 3:12 ESV

But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid

isnt is easy to think - its just not like it used to be. and can i just affirm that for a second. It is deeply discouraging and often deeply heartbreaking. - to look back on the way God has blessed us in the past, with X, Y, or Z thing - and too look around at our current situation, and not see any of that.

“Is it not nothing in your eyes”

and while most of us arent comparing temples - this can happen to us in so many different ways.

ministry - ministry role that you had, or something that you were apart of that once was flourishing - and for some reason or another, its just not the same anymore

relationship -maybe there was a past relationship with a friend or significant other that you lost and are grieving over

season of life - maybe its a season of life that you

To have experienced something beautiful , and something even blessed by God - and to be confronted with the loss of that is extremely discouraging. and if we arent careful - it will hinder us from doing the thing God is calling to do.

I want to discuss two ways this plays out that can hinder us from doing the thing God is calling us to do.

over romanticizing the past

dissatisfaction with the present

I. Over Romanticizing the Past

I know i do this.

It is easy to think that the past was where its at, it was as good as it gets - and it just will never be the same from here on out.

The people of Israel were clinging to this golden memory of Solomon’s temple . That was when they had it good.

And we do this too - its easy to think that a past stage of ministry, a past relationship, that past life stage was golden. You look back and think about

But, let me ask you this? did Solomon's temple cure the sinfulness of the people? i’m sure it was beautiful and magnificent - but Solomon's temple didnt make the people of Israel inherently more close to God. and i wonder if there was this sense of “if we just had solomon's temple, we’d be alright”

while it is okay to grieve what we’ve lost, our minds have an interesting way of softening the hard edges of the past and exaggerating the glory.

What they forgot was that even during the time of Solomon, the people still wrestled with idolatry, injustice, and eventual decline.

When we romanticize the past, we can unintentionally miss and even despise what God is doing now—just because it looks different or seemingly less significant.

the people were saying “what we’re doing now is nothing” - but what we’ll see in this text is that God had so much more in store for them - they were just so focused on the past that they weren't embracing it

Why? why do we do this? The Past Feels Safe

The past is known. It’s fixed. There are no surprises there. So much of why we cling to the past is because it gives us a sense of control.

In contrast, the present requires faith, and the future demands trust. So we gravitate toward what feels settled and secure.

****Israel did this in the wilderness: ****** READ THIS “Wasn’t it better for us in Egypt?” They forgot the slavery and remembered the stew pots.

The danger: Nostalgia and the safety of the past can become a spiritual escape from the thing God is calling us to do - here, now, today.

However, we have to remember that just because it doesn't look the same - it doesn't mean God isnt doing some as equally significant. Some of us - a step of obedience today would be grieving the past, let it go, and step in to what God has for you today.

the second danger of comparative discouragement:

II. Dissatisfaction with the present

Comparative Disappointment doesn’t just look backward, it also looks around us - and it distorts how we see what’s right in front of us.

God was present in this new work. The people had repented, their hearts were stirred, and the rebuilding had begun. But what do the people say about the temple?

“it is nothing”

*** Last week we saw that one consequences of spiritual complacency was never having enough. *** well this week we see that one of the major hindrances to working for God is never feeling like it's enough.

That constant sense that what we’re doing doesn’t measure up—whether it’s our ministry, our obedience, our service to God — that can paralyze us from doing anything.

Often times, when things dont look the way we want them to, or dont go the way we’re hoping, its easy to want to toss in the towel.

And it plays out in all kinds of ways:

You step into ministry:

maybe you’re serving in an area at church,

maybe leading a small group

or mentoring someone

You prep, you show up, you do your part—and then people stop coming, or that person stop responding, or drift away, or don't seem to care. You wonder, “Is this even making a difference?” Why am i doing this?

You finally commit to being consistent with God—reading your Bible, praying, getting back into church—but it doesn’t feel as powerful or exciting as you hoped. No big emotions, no clear “word.” And you start to think, “Maybe this just isn’t working.”

Maybe you tried to share your faith with someone. You prayed for courage, opened your mouth—and it landed flat. Or they brushed you off. And now you’re discouraged to even try again.

Or you’re rebuilding something in your life after failure—after moral compromise, broken trust, or a season of drift. You’re trying to walk in obedience, but all you can see is the wreckage. And you start to believe, “It’ll never be what it was. So why try?”

It is so easy to miss what God wants you to do in the present, because things don't look the way you want them to -

Often our comparison of our own expectations robs of us satisfaction in the present.

Yet, what we see in this text, and what's true in our lives - is that just because something doesnt look big, just because something doesn't feel right, just because its know going how you expected it to go -doesnt mean God isn't working in it.

God was with the people in Haggai - the people just didnt see it.

The second hindrance to the people doing the work of God good has called them to do is:

B. Defilement (vv. 10–14)

Haggai 2:10–14 ESV

On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: ‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?’ ” The priests answered and said, “No.” Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It does become unclean.”

So the second section - God goes off on this theoretical levitical case study. If you’re reading through haggai on you own, your’re probably thinking - what is he talking about? holy meat in pockets and stews? what is happening?

God is using a familiar priestly example to make a theological point:

Holiness isn’t contagious. But impurity is.

Let's unpack this a bit a second.

So whats it trying to show? Holiness is not contagious, but impurity is. In our fallen world, we naturally corrupt the things we touch.

Haggai 2:14 ESV

Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the Lord, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean.

the second thing that will get in the way of us doing the thing that God has called us to do is our own defilement.

The people were trying to build God’s house, they were bringing materials, bringing offereings, doing the work - but their hearts were still defiled.

So i think what we’re supposed to see is that -you can’t build something God honoring on a foundation of unrepentance.

Often times we think that religious activity is enough to make us clean. If we just do x or y thing, thats enough to appease God’s anger, and get on his good side for the day. Yet - what this text shows us is that if you’re doing a good thing, with a corrupt heart and corrupt hands - God doesnt care about the good thing you’re doing.

yet its so easy to do this - its easy to show up to church, to serve, to give, to post Bible verses, to lead ministries, but still be hiding bitterness, unconfessed sin, or spiritual apathy.

But God isn’t looking for performance. He’s looking for purity.

Before we can do any holy work for the Lord, we need clean hands and a right heart before him.

The Warning and the Invitation:

The warning is this: You can’t cleanse yourself through religious motion.

The invitation is this: When we come with repentant hearts, God responds with blessing.

II. Help for the People

These hindrances are hard. They make doing the thing God has called us to do very difficult - and honestly, if left to our own power - we would literally never overcome them.

But what we see in this text, is that God has not left us to our own devices, or our own power - he gives the people his help. and he does this in 4 ways.

A. God’s Presence (both past and present)

Haggai 2:4 ESV

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts,

There’s a reinforcement of presence in the present. It’s so easy to think God isn’t with us—especially when:

Things aren’t going our way,

We hit challenges in our jobs, lives, or ministries,

Or we feel like we’re failing—whether it’s falling into sin or feeling spiritually dry.

You might think:

“Maybe the Lord isn’t in this ministry anymore.”

“Maybe God doesn’t want to do anything in my life.”

But God’s message to His people then—and to us now—is this:

Be strong and work—“For I am with you.”

But how do we know this?

Sure, he promised that he was with them Ben, but how do i know he’s with me?

we can be confident of God’s presence in the presence, because of God’s faithfulness in the past - Look with me in verse 5

Haggai 2:5 ESV

according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.

God points them back to His faithfulness in the past:

“Remember Egypt? Remember how I brought you out? How I split the Red Sea, fed you in the wilderness, and brought you into this land? I haven’t changed. My Spirit hasn’t left."

His faithfulness in the past can give us confidence in our present. When we remember His track record—His covenant love, provision, mercy, and power—we’re reminded that He is the same God now.

Real-life examples:

When we feel forgotten, when you feel like God isnt doing anything- look back at the times God provided, rescued, and guided you in so many similar situations

That time God answered a prayer you’d given up on.

That season where He provided just what you needed, right when you needed it.

That breakthrough, healing, reconciliation, or moment of clarity that was undeniably His hand.

When we can’t see Him in the fog of the present, we can anchor our hope in his incredible faithfulness in the past.

so the first help God gives his people is his presence. the second help he gives them is his power and provision

B. God’s Power and Provision

even though they say the temple is nothing

Haggai 2:6–8 ESV

For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts.

How do we fight the hinderances of discouragement and defilement? Gods power and god’s provision.

So often we feel that we arent enough to do the things God is calling us to do.

“I don’t know enough to lead.”

“i dont have the right words to say to this person”

But - when we say these things - we are actually trusting our own power and not Gods.

How many of you have seen the original star wars? 1977 - one of the most iconic films of all time

do you guys remember at the end - Luke is flying down the trench of the death stat (the big weapon thats about the blow up the entire planet) - and he pulls out his little computer that is going to help him target the tiny little whole that he needs to shot his lasers down to blow up the death star.

But - as he pulls out this computer - he here’s a voice - anyone remember what its says? “Use the force Luke”

Luke is reminded that - if he tries to do this himself, he wont be able to do it. He doesnt have the ability in himself to do this.

He need to tap in to a higher power -

Similarly - if we want to do the things God is calling us to do - both big and small - we have to rely on his power and his strength - not ours. You cant shake the heavens and earth - you cant bring the treasures of the nations in. But God can.

its tempting to think we bring things to the table.

That God needs our skill, he needs our talents - and he’s just waiting for us to get it together so that he can use us.

Yet - God doesn't call the equipped - he equips the called

last week - we talked about how all God asked the people to bring was wood - even though the temple needs silver and gold and various fine metals - God didn't ask the people to bring all this - he said simply “bring wood”

and what we see in this chapter is the resources and provision that we could never bring to the table - God says he will provide “the silver is mine and the gold is mine” -

I’ve seen this in my own life

I remember about a year ago, I got convicted about my current giving. Yet - when i went to do my budget, the math just wasn't mathing. And yet, after taking that step of obedience, I found that somehow - my budget just kept balancing. God provided.

When take steps of faith - without feeling like we have the power or provision - that's often when God shows up the most.

Stop waiting until you feel like you have enough “gold and silver” - to do the thing God is calling you to do.

the power, and provision that you need - you may not have right now. Yet He has promised to provide everything we need. all we’re called to do is to trust his power, and his provision and simply walk in obedience.

—- and Gods power and provision doesnt just help us overcome discouragement—it’s also His way of dealing with our defilement.

Haggai 2:19 ESV

Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.”

God says - though you have nothing left - I’m going to bless you.

Notice in that section, there isnt a command. Theres not call to “Clean yourself up, then come to me.”

How does God respond to our defilement in Haggai 2? he responsed with blessing.

Isn't that the gospel.

We come with our defilement—and He supplies forgiveness and grace.

C. God’s Greater Plan

Haggai 2:6–9 ESV

For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’ ”

Here’s what I want us to see as we close today: The ultimate hope for help for our discouragement and defilement isn’t in us. It’s not in trying harder or doing more. Our true hope has to be in God’s greater plan—a plan that He’s been unfolding from the beginning, and that He continues to unfold, even when we can’t see it.

That was His message to His people in Haggai:

To a discouraged remnant, rebuilding a temple that looked small and insignificant, God says: “You think this is nothing—but I’m working something bigger. The glory ahead will far outweigh what you’ve lost.”

To a defiled nation, trying to make things right with offerings, He says: “You can’t fix this on your own. But I’m not done with you yet. I will bless you.”

And That’s Still His Message to Us

Maybe you’re in a season of discouragement—feeling like your efforts for God are falling flat, your ministry isn’t growing, your family or job feels stagnant.

Or maybe you’re battling spiritual defilement—stuck in patterns of sin, bitterness, or shame, wondering if God could ever use you again.

Here’s the truth:

God is working something greater than you can see.

If you can....somehow imagine this

Think of an older congregation—a small, faithful group who’ve seen the “glory days” of their church decades ago.

But now the glory days have passed, the sanctuary feels empty and the future is uncertain. That congregation might be tempted to wonder,

“Is God done here?”

I think the book of Haggai reinforces this message :

despite our discouragement, despite our defilement - God is not done building his kingdom. He is working out his plan, in his power and in his way.

He did it in Zerubbabel

In the final verses of Haggai, God speaks directly to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah:

Haggai 2:23 ESV

On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.”

Zerubbabel wasn’t a king; he was probably an discouraged leader of a discouraged people. Yet God chose him to be His signet ring—the symbol a king would use to represent his authority, ownership, and approval.

This is what God does:

He takes the discouraged and makes them courageous.

He takes the defiled and makes them clean.

He takes the weak and makes them His signet ring to the world.

And he doesn't just do it in Zerubbabel - he does it in Jesus

He did it in Jesus

All of Haggai’s promises:

the shaking the heavens and earth

filling the temple with glory an unprecedented Glory

and his promise to bring blessing on a defiled people

find their fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ.

He is the true temple—the ultimate symbol God’s presence with us.

He is the greater glory that would step into the temple in Jerusalem and die to bring peace to his people.

He is the true blessing for a defiled people— the perfect antoing sacrifice able to truly cleanse our defilement.

Even in Haggai - God was already planning the ultimate solution:

A King from Zerubbabel’s line who would come not to rebuild a building, but to rebuild broken hearts.

A Savior who would go up a mountain—not to carry wood for a temple, but to carry a cross for our salvation.

And God himself would shake the heavens and the earth—not in judgment for us, but to bear the judgment we deserve.

So What Does This Mean for Us Today?

When you’re discouraged by what you see—remember, God is working a bigger plan than you can imagine.

When you feel defiled and unworthy—remember, God has blessed us in Jesus and has made a way to cleanse and restore you.

as we strive towards building God’s kingdom - and doing the things he’s called us to do - WE WILL MEET hinderances.

We will often be confronted with discouragement, doubt, and own sinfulness.

But my reminder for you today is that when the hindernecs come - press in to the help that God provides.

Run to his presence, rely on his power and provision and rest in greater plan.

—————————————————— didnt use

God’s Plan Points to the Future

In Haggai 2:6, God promises:

“Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land.”

This shaking wasn’t just about rebuilding Jerusalem. It pointed to an even greater shaking—the cosmic renewal of all things.

Hebrews 12:26–27 picks up on this:

“At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ This phrase, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.”

This is a picture of the final eschatological fulfillment—when God will remove what is temporary and establish His unshakeable kingdom forever.

When the people in Haggai’s day looked at a small, unimpressive temple, God was whispering:

“You have no idea what I’m building. This is just the beginning. I’m preparing a glory that will fill the whole earth.”