Untitled Sermon

Haggai

I. Why Should You Put God First?

God Commands It.

God Blesses It.

The Wise Understand It.

II. How Do You Put God First?

1. It Takes Courage to Put God First in Your Life.

Haggai 2:4–5 NKJV

Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’

(1) It Takes Courage To Say No to Sinners

(2) It Takes Courage When You Are Outnumbered or alone to Stand for God and His Word

(3) It Takes Courage To Stay focused and Consentrate on God's Word. "His delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in HIs Law he meditates, day and night." Psalm One.

2. It Takes Holiness of Life to Put God First in Your Life.

The Temple was the place were God's presence dwelt. It was there in His presence that righteousness were found. That is why God was so concerned that the people rebuild the Temple.

Holiness and Righteousness in one's life are directly related to one's closeness to God. Paul said that his greatest desire was to have the closest relationship possible with Jesus. He counted everything loss for the excellency of knowing Chirst.

3. It Takes Faith in God to Put God First in Your Life.

After Haggai had delivered the message from God about rebuilding the Temple, the people believed Haggai and abeyed God's message. But it was not easy. Opposition came.

(1) You Must Have Faith in His Word.

(2) You Must Have Faith to Trust God in the Difficult decisions of Life.

When You Don't Understand Why Sone Things Happen.

When God Says, "No."

III. What Happens When You Put God First?

God Is with You.

Haggai 1:13

13 Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s message to the people, saying, “I am with you, says the Lord.”

Matthew 28:20 NKJV

teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

(1) If God Is with You, You Do Not Need to Fear the Storms.

Mark 4:40 NKJV

But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

(2) If God Is With You, You Do Not Need to Fear That You Will Not Be Taken Care of.

Luke 12:7 NKJV

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

(3) If God Is with You, You Do Not Need to Fear Imprisonment and Death.

Revelation 2:10 NKJV

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

2. Your Life Takes on a Purifying Quality to It.

Matthew 5:13–15 NKJV

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.