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Learn from the book of Haggai how to overcome hindrances and receive encouragements in building God's house. Discover the importance of time, priorities, accomplishments, and purity in God's work. Be inspired to take action, obey, and trust in God's promises for the future.
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It Is Time To Build Encouragements from Haggai to Finish the Work on God’s House
Background • God’s people returned from Babylonian Captivity c. 538 B.C. (Ezra 1-2) • They laid the foundation of the temple c. 536 B.C. (Ezra 3), but soon stopped their work (Ezra 4)
Background • Haggai and Zechariah were sent to stir up the people to resume their work c. 520 B.C. (Ezra 5) • The Temple was finished c. 516 B.C. (Ezra 6)
Background • What caused the Lord’s work to stop for sixteen years (Ezra 4:24)? • There was external opposition from non-Jews (Ezra 4:1-5, 24)
Background • There was internal distraction from God’s own people (Haggai 1-2) • God’s people suffered from four things: time, priorities, accomplishments, and uncleanness
Four Hindrances to Work 1. Neglecting time (1:2-5; Eph. 5:16) 2. Misplaced priorities and materialism (1:4, 7-9; Mt. 6:33; Lk. 8:14; 9:57-62; Jn. 4:34; 9:4; 2 Cor. 8:5)
Four Hindrances to Work 3. Resting on past accomplishments (2:3-5; 1 Cor. 15:58) 4. Personal uncleanness (2:11-14; 2 Cor. 6:14 – 7:1)
Encouragements • The word of the Lord (1:1, 3; 2:1; etc.) • The Lord’s past punishments (1:6, 9-11; 2:15-19) • God will help (1:13; 2:4)
Encouragements • Be strong and do not fear (2:4) • The leadership is encouraged (2:4-5, 20-23) • The Lord’s future promises (2:5-9, 19b)
Encouragements • Help from Haggai and Zechariah (see Ezra 5:1-2)
What is needed? • Consider (1:5, 7; 2:15, 18) • Go (1:8) • Obedience (1:12) • Fear/reverence (1:12)
What is needed? • Stirring up (1:14)
The Lord’s Work of Building • The time is now to be busy “building” God’s house – the church (1 Cor. 3:10ff; Eph. 4:12,16) • Let us use our time better, reset our priorities, don’t rest on the past, and remain pure