Fitting God's Priorities

Jamil W. Ghanayem

Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

0 ratings

· 7 views

Notes

Transcript

Text: Haggai 1:1-8

Introduction:

I want to walk us back prior to the pandemic, just to before we moved into this building. The thing that I distinctly remember God putting us exactly where he wanted us in providing this building for us, etc.

We we moved in started renovating the building, putting things in order, started up ministries, thinking about how we could reach the community for Christ, and then

Covid hit

When the pandemic hit and pretty much the only things I had to do or could do was prepare a few messages a week for Zoom, my attention shifted to spending time with my family, fixing up my home, making a garden, working out, I cleaned out my entire basement, made craft area that for our kids to figure out some hobbies while they were in a lock down, and had a ridiculous amount of zoom meetings to figure out how in the world we were going to apply the ever changing guidance we kept getting from the state on how to re-open. In short, we were in survival mode -- etc.

Background:

Reason for the captivity was disobedience to the Mosaic covenant 1st deportation to Babylon was in 606; the last was in 586.

In 559, the Persian Cyrus took the throne and defeated the Babylonians in 539 Persians had a liberal foreign policy,

.so in 538, Cyrus allowed the exiles to return to their home and rebuilt their city and temple. After they had begun, opposition came from the Samaritans and they stopped the work. They then became consumed with building their own houses rather than the house of God

Haggai presents four messages to the remnant in order to encourage them to rebuild the temple and live holy lives thereby putting themselves in the position to enjoy the blessings of the presence of God thus showing their faith in the promises of God in the future establishment of his kingdom. - Dr. Jerry Hullinger

Proposition: God wants us to adjust our focus to fit His priorities.

Interrogative: How do we adjust our focus to fit His priorities?

I. Identify misplaced priorities (1:1-4)

1 In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to dJoshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, 2 “Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built.” ’ ”

3 Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this 1temple to lie in ruins?”

A. The setting is described: 1a

- Zerub. was a descendant of David. Joshua was a descendant of Aaron. The Lord gave this day on the 6th day of 5th month (August 6th)

- Zerubbabel/Joshua are addressed regarding the people's indifference: 1b-2

· 14x’s the phase “the Lord of hosts” is used. He refers to the nations as “this people”, as if he is attaching himself from his people.

· They did not think that it was the right time to build the temple

1. Financial situation was not quite right

2. they were Receiving opposition from the Samaritans.

B. The people are addressed for their selfishness and impoverishment: 3-4

o It was given directly given to the people

o vs.4- Their priorities were mixed up, just like when it is nothing to give up our money for a meal, but we think about it when we must give money for tithe

Transition:

II. Consider your ways (1:5-7)

5 Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways!

6 “You have is own much, and bring in little;

You eat, but do not have enough;

You drink, but you are not filled with drink;

You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;

And he who earns wages,

Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”

1. They were sowing much seed, but bringing in little

2. They had drink, but still thirsty (just enough to fill their minimal needs)

3. Their clothing was thin, because they had so little fiber.

4. Their purses has holes in them. ( they just had enough; couldn’t meet needs)