Sermon Tone Analysis

Text: Haggai 2:20-23

Theme: There are many things in this world that we have absolutely no control over, but there is nothing that God does not have control over.

Date: 01/22/2017 File name: MinorProphets_15b.wpd

ID Number: 236

There are many things in this world that we have absolutely no control over.

The stock market frequently bounces up and down like a pogo stick, the economy has been stagnant for eight years, and old state rivals are posing new threats.

Our national debt is over 19 trillion dollars, and they tell us that social security is going bankrupt.

Healthcare is unaffordable and jobs are scarce.

ISIS is on the march, North Korea is testing missiles and Iran is building nuclear weapons.

Our country is becoming increasingly divided.

We live in a world filled with trouble, turmoil, difficulty and uncertainty.

As Christians we deal with the same personal issues everyone — lost or saved — deals with ... a wayward child, bills that you can't pay, problems at work, health issues or any of a host of other situations and problems that consume your life.

This weekend, Linda and I learned afresh the truth of Ecclesiastes ... “[As] no man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death.

“ (Ecclesiastes 8:8, NIV84)

Many times we are blinded by circumstance and often we forget who is really in control.

When this happens, doubt enters our minds and fear begins to consume our lives.

If that is the case for you, Haggai comes bearing good news.

God Almighty is, always has been and always will be in control!

When you are tempted to fear remember that your Heavenly Father is sovereign in His authority!

He is Omniscient, which means that He knows all.

He is Omnipotent, which means He is all powerful.

He is Omnipresent, which means He is everywhere at all times.

Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 10:29-30 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?

and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

What a comforting promise form our Savior.

As we conclude our study of the Book of Haggai we come to a passage of scripture that reminds us just Who is in control.

God sends Haggai to speak to Zerubbabel and deliver a message of great encouragement.

In His message to His servant we see that God Has A Sovereign Plan, God Possesses Supreme Power and God in His infinite wisdom has Selected some Special People.

I invite you to join me as we examine abundant evidence that "God Is In Control".

The first piece of evidence that proves that God Is In Control is:

I. GOD'S SOVEREIGN PLAN

“The word of the LORD came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: 21 “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I will shake the heavens and the earth.”

(Haggai 2:20–21, NIV84)

1. sovereignty is defined as supreme power or authority

a. God is the supreme authority over creation, He is the supreme authority over History, and, He is the supreme authority over our lives

2. through His prophet, God sent a direct message to His servant Zerubbabel

a. remember, at this point the rebuilding process of the Temple was in it's infancy

1) there were a lot of unknowns

b. perhaps Zerubbabel was dealing with some uncertainty concerning the future

1) he was God's chosen man to lead this rebuilding process

2) imagine the great responsibility that rested upon his shoulders

A. GOD REMINDS ZERUBBABEL THAT HE IS IN CONTROL

1. Zerubbabel was the head of the tribe of Judah during the time of the return from the Babylon exile

a. he was the prime builder of the second Temple, which was later re-constructed by King Herod

b. he led the first group of captives back to Jerusalem and began rebuilding the Temple on the old site

c. but after the foundation was laid, opposition and other distractions took their mind and effort away from the Temple, and it construction lagged for 19-long years

2. urged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1-2), Zerubbabel resumed work on the Temple and the work was finished four years later, and dedicated with great pomp and rejoicing

a. Zerubbabel discovered that God was in control

1) God thunders, I will shake the heavens and the earth

2) the shaking would especially include the political world.

“I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms”

b.

God is still in control today and He still has a sovereign plan

1) God has a sovereign plan for this world, for the Bride of Christ, for the future, and for eternity

2) God has a sovereign plan for this church and God has a sovereign plan for each of you

3. Zerubbabel was simply a willing vessel that God would use to carry out His sovereign plan

a. that is what we must be! — willing vessels that God can use to carry out His sovereign plan

4. a legitimate question is, "how can we know God's sovereign plan for our lives?"

a. Zerubbabel learned of that plan through THE WORD OF THE LORD

b.

Haggai went to him with a direct message from the Father

c. and we will learn of His plan for us the very same way... on the pages of HIS HOLY WORD!

5. when you search the scriptures you will hear the words that come from your Heavenly Father!

a. perhaps God has already revealed His plan for your life to you

1) maybe the task seems impossible

2) you look at what He has called you to do and you think that there is no way that you will ever be able to accomplish His purpose for you

b. if you will simply be a willing vessel and trust in Him...

He will use you to fulfill His sovereign plan!

c. we are able to put our faith in God because He has the power and ability to do anything that He pleases — GOD IS IN CONTROL!

6. a sovereign plan is great, but it would mean nothing were it not for God's power to accomplish that plan

a.

I am glad to report that God has the power to accomplish anything that He desires

II.

GOD'S SUPREME POWER

“Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I will shake the heavens and the earth.

22 I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms.

I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.”

(Haggai 2:21–22, NIV84)

1. in these verses we get a glimpse of God's sovereign plan

a.

He tells Zerubbabel that the time is coming when He would shake the heavens and the earth, overthrow royal thrones and destroy the kingdoms of the heathen

b.

He would overturn their chariots, the horses would fall and the riders will kill one another

2. there has been much debate over what specific conflict God is referring to in this text

a. many look at it as an eschatological passage telescoping to the end times

b. but what I would like for us to take away from this discourse is the fact that God retains supreme power

c. in every battle and conflict throughout history, God is, always has been and always will be in control!

3.

He is so powerful in fact that He can even use His enemies to accomplish His sovereign will

A. BECAUSE GOD IS IN CONTROL We Can Be Confident in God's Supreme Power

1. no matter what comes our way... no matter how bad things get, God's power will never fail

a. consider the scope of God's Supreme Power ...

1) He Has Power Over Nature - He can "shake the heavens and the earth".

2) He Has Power Over Rulers - Our God is able to "overthrow royal thrones" and "destroy the kingdoms of the heathen"

3) He Has Power Over Our Enemies - Romans 8:31 ... If God be for us, who can be against us?

b. we have no need to fear anything in nature... for God is more powerful!

c. we have no need to fear Governments and rulers... for God is more powerful!

d. we have no need to fear those who would come against us and persecute us... for God is more powerful!

2. whatever comes our way we can be confident in God's supreme power!