WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:27.120 With New Year's Eve being tomorrow, and New Year's just a day away from that, I would guess maybe some of you have been contemplating New Year's resolutions. 00:00:27.980 --> 00:00:29.240 ! New Year's resolutions. 00:00:29.240 --> 00:00:29.240 00:00:29.239 --> 00:00:33.939 And we're going to start by talking about some of the history of New Year's resolutions. 00:00:34.859 --> 00:00:41.099 You may or may not know that the Babylonians are attributed with the beginning of New Year's resolutions. 00:00:41.780 --> 00:00:51.359 They would make commitments to their deities, primarily about paying any debts they owed or returning things they borrowed. 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:56.099 But for Babylonians, the New Year started in March. 00:00:56.100 --> 00:01:09.599 It wasn't really until the Romans that New Year's resolutions began to happen at January, when they would make commitments to Janus, which you might recognize as the deity for which January is named, 00:01:09.599 --> 00:01:15.539 because he was able, supposedly, to see both forward and backwards in time. 00:01:15.540 --> 00:01:26.300 And so the Romans would make these commitments to him to try to appease him for anything they'd done wrong or to try to gain his favor for the coming year. 00:01:26.299 --> 00:01:36.280 It was not really until 1775 that we kind of see New Year's resolutions get sort of a Christianized twist. 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:44.859 And we see that with John Wesley starting his covenant renewal services or watch night services. 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:49.640 And those would happen on the Sunday closest to January 1st. 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:55.579 And it would be an evening of usually multiple hours where there would be preaching and prayer. 00:01:55.719 --> 00:02:06.039 There would be singing, times of meditation and reflection, so that the church could reflect on how they could best continue in their growth in the coming year. 00:02:06.939 --> 00:02:16.819 But as I'm sure you're aware, at this point in history, most of New Year's resolutions are kind of devoid of any kind of religious connection. 00:02:16.819 --> 00:02:24.780 Research tells us 40 to 50% of adults make at least one New Year's resolution. 00:02:25.840 --> 00:02:41.560 And as you can see up here, the top New Year's resolutions for last year were that I'm going to eat better, exercise more, spend less, do better with self-care. 00:02:42.439 --> 00:02:45.159 Self-care is a new term my son had to teach me about. 00:02:45.159 --> 00:02:47.020 I'm going to read more. 00:02:47.919 --> 00:02:49.039 I want to learn a new skill. 00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:50.060 Get a new job. 00:02:50.199 --> 00:02:51.379 Make some new friends. 00:02:51.900 --> 00:02:53.199 Or get a new hobby. 00:02:54.340 --> 00:02:56.740 Those were the top New Year's resolutions last year. 00:02:57.180 --> 00:03:04.719 As you can also see, though, unfortunately, by February, 80% of New Year's resolutions have failed. 00:03:06.139 --> 00:03:06.659 80%. 00:03:06.659 --> 00:03:13.699 And by the end of the year, 92% of those resolutions have failed. 00:03:13.699 --> 00:03:19.639 Now, I know that's probably a little discouraging for you coming into New Year's resolution time. 00:03:19.800 --> 00:03:24.479 But we are going to watch a short video that hopefully will encourage you. 00:03:24.719 --> 00:03:26.460 This little girl seems to have it right. 00:03:26.460 --> 00:03:30.580 I have a problem with New Year's resolutions. 00:03:31.060 --> 00:03:35.760 Not because they often fail or because they're too difficult. 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:38.120 And not because I'm bad at them either. 00:03:38.439 --> 00:03:41.620 I mean, I've only been in line for four new years. 00:03:42.020 --> 00:03:42.280 No. 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:48.120 I have a problem with resolutions because people think that that's it. 00:03:48.460 --> 00:03:50.979 It's the wrong time to change. 00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:52.979 Now, don't get me wrong. 00:03:53.099 --> 00:03:55.879 We definitely all need change. 00:03:56.699 --> 00:03:59.659 I have no idea how to ride a bicycle. 00:03:59.939 --> 00:04:04.000 And my little brother has no idea what a toilet is for. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:06.180 And some of you. 00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:10.020 Yeah, you probably should get out of the house more. 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:14.300 But one big solution probably isn't going to do it. 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:15.199 Sorry. 00:04:15.860 --> 00:04:17.019 So, now what? 00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:22.740 Flush your resolutions down the toilet for one my little brother can't use? 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:24.660 Of course not. 00:04:24.980 --> 00:04:28.660 Keep your resolutions but go easy on yourself. 00:04:29.160 --> 00:04:30.000 Will you change? 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:30.980 Maybe. 00:04:30.980 --> 00:04:34.520 What probably won't happen in one big moment. 00:04:34.740 --> 00:04:38.259 It'll happen in thousands of little moments. 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:46.460 Every time you choose to forgive or slow down or be grateful or stay calm. 00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:51.020 Each little moment that you choose what's right instead of what's easy. 00:04:51.800 --> 00:04:53.640 Faith instead of doubt. 00:04:54.140 --> 00:04:56.000 Love instead of hate. 00:04:56.480 --> 00:04:58.740 That's where the change happens. 00:04:58.740 --> 00:05:03.620 Even if you fail one or two or thirty times. 00:05:03.819 --> 00:05:04.460 It's okay. 00:05:04.900 --> 00:05:08.019 You've got thousands of more little moments ahead of you. 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:09.879 You'll get better. 00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:11.620 So, Happy New Year. 00:05:11.860 --> 00:05:12.480 God bless. 00:05:12.900 --> 00:05:15.620 And I'm off to ask my dad to get a book. 00:05:16.180 --> 00:05:17.460 If they're a whole pony. 00:05:18.100 --> 00:05:18.540 Bye. 00:05:18.540 --> 00:05:18.860 Bye. 00:05:21.300 --> 00:05:24.920 So, if you don't pay attention to the rest of the sermon, that's a pretty good summary right there. 00:05:26.760 --> 00:05:29.939 Personally, for me, I have a birthday in July. 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:41.839 And so, a habit that I've had for many years now is that usually the month before my birthday, I take time to reflect and meditate on some particular passage of Scripture. 00:05:42.100 --> 00:05:47.159 And consider what kind of mid-course corrections need to be made for the rest of the year. 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:49.879 And then in December, I tend to do the same. 00:05:50.159 --> 00:05:57.980 Find a passage of Scripture that I can meditate on and seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit about what needs to change for the coming year. 00:05:57.980 --> 00:06:01.280 And this December, it's been on the book of Haggai. 00:06:01.860 --> 00:06:10.900 And so, really, what I'm sharing with you this morning are the reflections that I have had personally looking at coming into this new year. 00:06:11.980 --> 00:06:15.200 But before we start that, let's take a moment and pray. 00:06:16.540 --> 00:06:18.520 Heavenly Father, we thank you for your grace. 00:06:19.620 --> 00:06:23.520 And we thank you that, indeed, you are a merciful God. 00:06:23.519 --> 00:06:29.279 And that, as often as our resolutions fail, your mercies never fail. 00:06:30.459 --> 00:06:31.959 And Father, we come now to your word. 00:06:32.419 --> 00:06:34.879 And we ask that you would give us eyes to see. 00:06:35.359 --> 00:06:37.199 That you would give us ears to hear. 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:40.299 That by your Spirit, you would speak to us through your word. 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:43.680 And by the power of your word, you would transform us. 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:45.219 You would challenge us. 00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:48.099 You would help us to grow in Christ-likeness. 00:06:48.519 --> 00:06:49.939 That we might love one another. 00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:51.199 And that we might love you. 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:55.099 Father, I pray that you would help our time to be fruitful. 00:06:56.180 --> 00:06:58.680 That you would guide and direct me as I speak. 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:00.139 That it would be your words. 00:07:01.180 --> 00:07:12.560 That, Father, you somehow, through your great and mighty hand, would use this small token in a way that will bring glory to Christ for generations to come. 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:14.839 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:15.500 Amen. 00:07:15.500 --> 00:07:15.579 Amen. 00:07:17.259 --> 00:07:20.920 So, looking at the book of Haggai, let me give you a little introduction. 00:07:21.100 --> 00:07:24.199 You may or may not be very familiar with Haggai. 00:07:24.300 --> 00:07:26.060 Haggai is one of the minor prophets. 00:07:26.860 --> 00:07:32.759 And, as you remember, we've talked about the fact that they're called minor prophets not because they're unimportant. 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:35.360 They're just shorter than major prophets. 00:07:35.699 --> 00:07:39.519 So, Haggai is only two chapters, most of which we'll cover this morning. 00:07:39.519 --> 00:07:41.939 Which is why we're not singing another song, I guess. 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:45.040 And so, it's a minor prophet. 00:07:45.579 --> 00:07:49.040 And it's really very good timing for us to look at this. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:55.779 Because this coming year, Pastor Andrew is going to be preaching through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. 00:07:56.500 --> 00:07:59.100 And Haggai ties right in. 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:01.379 You'll see Haggai fits in perfectly. 00:08:01.540 --> 00:08:03.600 Eventually, you'll see it in the book of Ezra. 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:05.939 And so, that gives you a little context. 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:10.420 Let me give you a little historical context, if you didn't read all the points already. 00:08:10.420 --> 00:08:18.480 Starting in 586 BC, Babylon comes in and destroys Jerusalem and the temple. 00:08:19.060 --> 00:08:28.020 Now, actually, at that point, it's really the third time King Nebuchadnezzar, who you probably remember by name, has led an attack against Jerusalem. 00:08:28.580 --> 00:08:29.800 And it's the third time. 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:32.960 But, really, at this point, everything's pretty much decimated. 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:35.379 I mean, everything is just left in ruins. 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:37.120 The temple is gone. 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:42.259 The majority of the people at this point have been carried off into exile in Babylon. 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:52.299 And then, about 47 years later, in 538, no, 539, Persia comes in and conquers Babylon. 00:08:52.299 --> 00:09:08.500 And as Persia takes over, King Cyrus, king of the Persians, issues a decree that allows those people that had been brought in because they had been conquered by the Babylonians to return to their homelands if they chose to do so. 00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:14.039 And so, we see then, in 538, almost 50,000 Jews. 00:09:14.139 --> 00:09:16.820 It's a little less than 50,000, but that's an easy number. 00:09:17.100 --> 00:09:23.120 About 50,000 Jews decide to leave Babylon and leave the lives they've developed. 00:09:23.259 --> 00:09:26.480 They're returning home to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:39.700 By 536, the Jews that have returned have successfully cleared away the rubble of the old temple and laid the new foundation for this new temple. 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:47.399 But then, as you'll see when we get to Ezra, some opposition kind of rises up from the surrounding areas. 00:09:47.399 --> 00:09:53.879 Some of the people that are living around Jerusalem begin to put some pressure on them to stop building. 00:09:54.259 --> 00:10:00.379 And then, the new king of Persia kind of gets involved, and there's governmental pressure to stop building. 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:08.199 And the Jews stop, and for about 16 years, the foundation just lays there, bare. 00:10:08.579 --> 00:10:10.699 And the Jews go about their lives. 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:16.799 And it's at that point, about 520, that Haggai begins his prophecy. 00:10:18.079 --> 00:10:24.620 And I think a good summary for all of this is given by James Montgomery Boyce, 00:10:24.819 --> 00:10:32.079 where he talks about the fact that Haggai is about the right people, this remnant of Jews, in the right place. 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:36.379 They've returned to Jerusalem, doing the right work. 00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:43.379 They're there to rebuild the temple specifically and help restore Jerusalem with the right heart. 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:53.399 And I think that's important for us to keep in mind that these Jews have left an established life in probably the leading civilization of the time. 00:10:53.559 --> 00:11:01.720 I mean, they were leaving a life of affluence, comfort, ease, to return to Jerusalem, which is completely devastated. 00:11:01.720 --> 00:11:07.800 I mean, there's, it's really, there's, well, we'll talk some more about it momentarily, but things are bad. 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:13.200 And so, the right people, in the right place, doing the right work with the right heart. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:17.540 And that's where we start with the book of Haggai. 00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:22.799 If you are using one of the Bibles that's in the seat back in front of you, you can turn to Haggai. 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:24.599 It's on page 791. 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:26.120 791. 00:11:26.699 --> 00:11:30.659 And like I said, it's two chapters, so if you turn too quick, you'll definitely miss it. 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:34.399 But if you want to, you can turn there and read with me. 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:39.059 We're going to begin in chapter 1 and read verses 1 through 4. 00:11:39.059 --> 00:11:47.839 And the first thing we're going to see in this message from Haggai is the conscience of the people revealed as their excuses are exposed. 00:11:48.659 --> 00:11:48.939 Okay? 00:11:49.179 --> 00:11:49.879 Let's read. 00:11:50.319 --> 00:11:50.739 It says, 00:11:50.739 --> 00:11:56.359 In the second year of Darius, the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, 00:11:56.779 --> 00:12:03.259 the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel, the son of Sheltiel, governor of Judah, 00:12:03.599 --> 00:12:07.239 and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:09.560 Thus says the Lord of hosts, 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:15.419 These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord. 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:18.779 Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet. 00:12:19.399 --> 00:12:25.560 Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies in ruins? 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:28.680 Now remember what we just talked about. 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:31.360 You know, the right people, right place, right work, right heart. 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:35.360 You know, these people have sacrificed greatly to come back to Jerusalem. 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:38.360 And they've done this work of laying the foundation. 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:42.080 And then as opposition arose, they let it go. 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:48.279 And for 16 years, they're walking by the foundation bare day after day. 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:54.340 Day after day, they're reminded that they're not doing what they had been called to do. 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:56.220 And I don't know about you. 00:12:56.340 --> 00:12:57.280 Well, I do really. 00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:58.680 But I'll say I don't know about you. 00:12:58.920 --> 00:13:06.220 But if you're like me, when you're not doing something you're supposed to, it doesn't take long before you kind of start to justify that. 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:08.860 You know, you can't just go, I'm not doing the right thing. 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:10.420 You come up with some excuses. 00:13:10.780 --> 00:13:12.139 And that's what we see here. 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:20.519 And that's what we see exposed here when they say, the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord. 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:22.620 You know, their conscience was working on them. 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:26.879 And they had to give a reason for why they weren't doing what they were called to do. 00:13:27.179 --> 00:13:29.600 But let's just be honest for a second. 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:33.319 They have some pretty legitimate reasons, right? 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:35.919 I mean, there's some pretty legitimate concerns here. 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:44.639 I mean, first and foremost, there was this opposition from the people surrounding them and from the government that was trying to persuade them to stop building. 00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:46.379 And that was serious. 00:13:46.979 --> 00:13:51.120 But on top of that, you know, they've come back to this area where everything's devastated. 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:53.339 There's not a Home Depot. 00:13:53.699 --> 00:13:57.559 I mean, they can't just run to Home Depot to pick up a few things to build the temple, right? 00:13:57.860 --> 00:14:00.459 And on top of that, they have all their personal needs. 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:02.659 They all need houses to live in. 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:04.899 I mean, that's a reasonable need. 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:08.379 And they have to have food, which, again, the area is devastated. 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:19.899 So that involves clearing land that's been overgrown for at least a generation and then begin to plant and harvest and create some kind of source of food for them. 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:22.100 Then commerce has to be restored. 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:28.019 They have to find some shops, get some shops set up and try to get the economy moving again. 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:32.100 I mean, there's lots of challenges that are very real here. 00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:39.579 And honestly, I mean, if it was me, I could easily see myself going, you know, if God was in this, it wouldn't be so hard. 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:40.879 Okay? 00:14:41.059 --> 00:14:44.719 So they're making excuses, but they're pretty valid excuses. 00:14:45.079 --> 00:14:52.299 But I think the thing we see here is that even great excuses don't release us from the call of God on our life. 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:53.639 Right? 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:53.679 Right? 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:58.580 Even great excuses don't release us from the call of God on our life. 00:14:58.699 --> 00:15:00.840 And we see that as God speaks. 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:01.240 Isn't it? 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:02.460 Isn't this interesting? 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:05.960 He says he doesn't address all of their underlying concerns. 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:06.600 Right? 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:08.620 He doesn't talk about all of the challenges. 00:15:08.699 --> 00:15:10.159 He really just asks a simple question. 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:16.620 Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in paneled houses while this house lies in ruins? 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:23.820 Now, I really don't know if it's like this with you, but often the Holy Spirit deals with me that very same way. 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:27.220 He doesn't really deal with all of the minutia of my excuses. 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:31.100 He just asks a simple question that makes me go, yeah. 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:38.120 The reality is I'll find some way to do whatever's important or whatever I really want to do. 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:40.139 I'm really just making an excuse. 00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:43.799 And we see God do that very same thing here. 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:51.279 And so as I'm reading through this passage and beginning to reflect on it personally, the question that I'm asking is this question. 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:54.799 What excuses am I making to avoid God's call? 00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:58.720 What excuses am I making to avoid God's call? 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:03.559 And just take a minute and consider that for yourselves. 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:17.879 You know, for me, some of the things that came to mind were, I know I should spend some more time in prayer, but, you know, I'm just so busy. 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:28.419 Of course, you know, the Holy Spirit then says, well, you have time to watch that show or you have time to go to the gym or you have time to read a book or, you know, there's always something you have time for, but it's just not prayer, right? 00:16:28.419 --> 00:16:32.740 Or I know I should get up earlier to have more quiet time, but I'm just so tired. 00:16:33.319 --> 00:16:39.740 But if we have to get up for work or go play golf or to do something enjoyable, it's no problem to get up early, right? 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:45.220 What about I know I should volunteer to help with this or that or the other, but I'm just too busy. 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:48.860 I know that I should help this person or I should love this person. 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:53.299 I should try and take care of this person, but they really just drive me crazy, yeah? 00:16:53.600 --> 00:17:00.899 I know that I should give more of my time or more of my money or more of my effort, but excuse after excuse after excuse. 00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:09.440 So take time to just consider what excuses are you making to avoid God's call in your life. 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:16.599 The second thing that we see here in Haggai is the command, the command to consider your ways. 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:19.680 Verses 5 and 6, verses 5 and 6 says, 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:25.620 Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, consider your ways. 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:29.339 You have sown much and harvested little. 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:36.220 Sorry, lost my notes here. 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:37.919 It's going to be a little quiet for a moment. 00:17:38.379 --> 00:17:39.199 Just be patient. 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:40.019 It'll come back. 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:41.459 I hope. 00:17:42.179 --> 00:17:43.799 Or we'll have a lot of time for singing. 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:49.459 I have to start over now. 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:49.799 Okay. 00:17:50.699 --> 00:17:51.819 Going back to the beginning. 00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:53.399 You guys must not have paid attention. 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:56.500 Consider your ways. 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:58.620 You have sown much and harvested little. 00:17:59.220 --> 00:18:00.820 You eat, but you never have enough. 00:18:01.100 --> 00:18:03.380 You drink, but you never have your fill. 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:06.560 You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:12.019 And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:21.400 I can honestly tell you that these two verses have troubled me as much in my spiritual life as probably anything in Scripture. 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:28.240 I guess I'm slow because the Holy Spirit continues to bring me back here time and time again. 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:33.299 Think about how harsh, how sad these words are. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:37.019 You know, it talks about the fact that they've sown much. 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:39.000 And again, remember what that means. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:44.799 They've come back to this desolate place with this overgrown land that's set for a generation or longer. 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:46.960 And so they've had to clear all of that. 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:48.259 And they've had to plow it. 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:49.619 And they've had to till it. 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:51.259 They've had to plant the seeds. 00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:53.640 And all of that's without tractors and stuff. 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:55.180 I mean, I can't even imagine. 00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:58.619 I can't imagine doing it with a tractor, but let alone without a tractor. 00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:00.319 So they've sown much. 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:01.539 They've done all this work. 00:19:01.640 --> 00:19:03.480 But there's just no reward. 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:05.759 The harvest has been small. 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:09.519 They says, you eat, but you never have enough. 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:16.359 Even what they've gained, whatever crops they've gotten, whatever they've gotten from their labor isn't satisfying to them. 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:20.059 There's no satisfaction from their labor as well. 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:24.420 Then it talks about, you drink, but you never have your fill. 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:32.880 And if we are going to translate that a little more accurately, what it really says is, you drink, but you can't even get tipsy. 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.980 Can't even get drunk. 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:42.779 So even as they're seeking to find some comfort for the harshness of their life in alcohol, there's no satisfaction in that. 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:44.299 There's no comfort in that. 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:46.160 It talks about you have clothed. 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.940 You clothe yourself, but no one's warm. 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:52.579 I mean, all of the effort that they have, and whether it's the clothes they brought with them from Babylon, 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:58.599 or whether, again, it was in making new clothes, as much as they worked on that, as much as they would put on, 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:00.500 it still didn't comfort them. 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.360 There was no warmth. 00:20:01.359 --> 00:20:05.799 And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.839 I mean, talk about inflation. 00:20:08.219 --> 00:20:13.479 You work all day, you get your money, and by the end of the day, it's worth less than it was when you started that day. 00:20:14.199 --> 00:20:19.159 I mean, they're working, and they're doing all they can, but they're not making any headway. 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:25.819 And so the area of reflection that this leads me to, that I've asked myself many times, is, 00:20:26.199 --> 00:20:28.819 what areas of my life fit this description? 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:31.639 And I'd ask you to just consider that. 00:20:31.899 --> 00:20:34.960 What areas in your life fit this description? 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:37.139 Is it in your job? 00:20:37.419 --> 00:20:41.819 Is it that you're working as hard as you can, but you don't seem to be making any progress? 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:43.619 Maybe it's in your finances. 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:45.019 You know, you're trying to save. 00:20:45.139 --> 00:20:46.960 You're trying to get ready for retirement. 00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:51.759 You're trying to save up for something, but you just don't seem to be making any headway in it. 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:53.720 Maybe it's in your relationships. 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:55.220 Maybe with your spouse. 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:57.740 You're trying to help restore things with your spouse. 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:59.379 Or maybe you're seeking a spouse. 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:02.059 You're not having any progress in that area. 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:06.980 Maybe it's with your parents or with your children, other family members or friends. 00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:12.839 But in your relationships, as much as you try to do, there doesn't seem to be any benefit from it. 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.620 Maybe it's in your health. 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:17.740 You know, this is one of the things that you guys have heard me say this year. 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:23.720 Just has really been a struggle for me in eating and exercise and trying to do better about my health. 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:26.360 And as hard as you try, you're not making any progress. 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:29.940 Or maybe some of you young people, it's in your education. 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:31.160 You're trying to study. 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:32.559 I hope you're trying to study. 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.500 You should try to study. 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:35.900 But you're not making any progress. 00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:37.240 You can't seem to get it. 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:39.640 Your schooling doesn't seem to be successful. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.380 Or maybe it's in ministry. 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:44.519 Maybe it's in trying to do something here at the church. 00:21:44.619 --> 00:21:47.859 Or something in your own spiritual life or your own spiritual growth. 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:53.500 What areas of your life do you feel like you're trying and trying and trying and working and working and working, 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:55.259 but all to no avail? 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:57.559 It's worth considering. 00:21:57.980 --> 00:22:00.680 Now, let me just give you a disclaimer, okay? 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:05.920 I'm not saying that just because there's some obstacles in your life, 00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:10.100 that that definitely means you're not making God a priority in some area. 00:22:11.080 --> 00:22:17.100 But what I am saying is, if you have this sense that you're trying and doing all you can, 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:19.160 but you're not making any progress, 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:24.900 it's worth taking the time to get alone with God and ask Him by His Holy Spirit 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:31.340 to show you if there might be an area in your life where you are not making God a priority. 00:22:32.800 --> 00:22:34.259 So that's the second thing. 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:38.180 The third thing we see here is the call. 00:22:38.600 --> 00:22:41.700 The call to put God's pleasure first. 00:22:42.300 --> 00:22:43.900 To put God's pleasure first. 00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:48.420 In Haggai chapter 1, verses 7 and 8, it says, 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:50.440 Thus says the Lord of hosts, 00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:52.380 Consider your ways. 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:55.880 Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:57.840 that I may take pleasure in it, 00:22:57.980 --> 00:23:00.640 and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. 00:23:01.100 --> 00:23:03.040 Now, I think it's worth noting here, 00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:05.160 God doesn't leave them guessing. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.240 Right? 00:23:06.300 --> 00:23:09.220 He doesn't leave them guessing what they should do to help restore things. 00:23:09.540 --> 00:23:12.960 He's pretty clear with them about what they need to do next. 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:19.160 But I think it's important for us to take a moment and just realize 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:22.240 this isn't about God needing a temple. 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.500 Okay? 00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:26.600 This isn't about God needing a temple. 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:28.799 God's not like pouting and going, 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:31.960 Oh man, you guys are spending all your time working on your house. 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:33.660 Why don't you build me a house too? 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:35.220 It's not like that. 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:35.740 Okay? 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:38.700 God's delight here is not in the building. 00:23:38.920 --> 00:23:40.120 It's about His people. 00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:43.219 God delights in His people pursuing Him. 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:46.419 And God's concerned because here the Jews are. 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:48.059 They've just come back from exile. 00:23:48.239 --> 00:23:48.559 Remember? 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:53.179 And already, we're only 16 years into them being back. 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:56.019 And their hearts are already starting to slip. 00:23:57.099 --> 00:24:00.639 They're already starting to set aside God as their priority. 00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:05.199 They're already starting to set aside God's calling in their life and let it go. 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:07.279 And God's calling them back and saying, 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:10.480 Don't you realize you're starting to forget me already? 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:15.000 You see, God's concern here is not the building. 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.180 It's the people. 00:24:16.840 --> 00:24:18.860 Here's a couple of psalms which, 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:22.980 Well, the first one is Psalm 149, verses 1 through 4. 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:28.660 And interestingly enough, in some of the Greek copies of the Bible, 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:32.200 this psalm is attributed to Haggai as the writer. 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:35.440 The evidence is a little up in the air, 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:39.279 but it is interesting for the point of the sermon today. 00:24:39.620 --> 00:24:40.500 But it says this, 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.900 Praise the Lord. 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.880 Sing to the Lord a new song. 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:46.559 His praise in the assembly of the godly. 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:49.279 Let Israel be glad in His maker. 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:52.500 Let the children of Zion rejoice in their king. 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:54.859 Let them praise His name with dancing, 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:57.839 making melody to Him with tambourine and lyre. 00:24:58.160 --> 00:25:01.059 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people. 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:04.460 He adorns the humble with salvation. 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:08.619 You see, the Lord takes pleasure in His people. 00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:11.720 Look at Psalm 147, verse 11, 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:14.799 which also is sometimes attributed to Haggai. 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:15.480 It says, 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:18.420 But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:21.980 in those who hope in His steadfast love. 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:27.200 See, God's call to them here in putting His pleasure first 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.940 isn't about this building. 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:31.360 It's not that He needs a temple. 00:25:31.620 --> 00:25:33.079 God doesn't need a temple. 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:35.900 God's bigger than every temple, right? 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:41.099 Anyway, the point here is that He is calling them back to Himself. 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:44.500 God delights in His people delighting in Him. 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:49.799 And so, one of the things that is the reflection for me at this point is, 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:54.419 what could I change today to give God greater pleasure? 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:59.080 What could I change today to give God greater pleasure? 00:25:59.300 --> 00:26:04.980 And this is a question I would encourage you to take time to consider, to think about. 00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:08.100 I mean, every day, I would encourage you to stop and ask yourself, 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:10.800 what could I do today to bring God greater pleasure? 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:12.980 Imagine how that would change your life. 00:26:13.919 --> 00:26:16.099 But especially as we go into this new year, 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:17.259 asking yourself this, 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:19.899 if you could just make one change, 00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:23.539 what could you change to bring God greater pleasure? 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:25.980 Maybe it would be giving Him more time, 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.099 time in prayer, 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:28.339 or time in His Word. 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:32.599 Maybe it would be time that you spend in meditation of His Word, 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:36.159 or time that you spend sharing the Gospel with others. 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:38.740 Maybe it's time ministering and caring to others, 00:26:39.060 --> 00:26:40.620 building up the body of Christ. 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:45.240 What are some things that you could do to help increase God's pleasure, 00:26:45.340 --> 00:26:46.220 to give Him pleasure? 00:26:46.540 --> 00:26:49.320 Maybe it would be regrouping in your own life, 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:52.000 and trying to tackle an area of sin again, 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.420 that you've been overlooking, 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:58.000 or an area that you felt like you haven't been able to find some success, 00:26:58.220 --> 00:27:00.920 and you've kind of gotten discouraged and given up in. 00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:05.980 Maybe regrouping and trying to deal with that area of your own sin, 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.960 and to give God pleasure. 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:11.819 Maybe it's about giving God something more out of your life, 00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:14.900 whether you're giving more sacrificially of your time to something, 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:16.819 or giving sacrificially of your money, 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:18.799 giving sacrificially of your skills, 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:23.220 in some way that you're doing it just to bring pleasure to Him. 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:25.000 So what could you change? 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:30.059 What one thing could you change to bring God greater pleasure? 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:34.819 The fourth thing we see here is the consequence. 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:39.119 The consequence of being self-centered. 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:41.419 The consequence of being self-centered. 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:44.919 In verses 9 through 11, it says, 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:48.539 You looked for much, and behold, it came to little, 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:51.840 and when you brought it home, I blew it away. 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:54.480 Why? declares the Lord of hosts. 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:56.640 Because of my house that lies in ruins, 00:27:56.800 --> 00:27:59.779 while each of you busies himself with his own house. 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:03.279 Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, 00:28:03.840 --> 00:28:05.960 and the earth has withheld its produce, 00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:09.420 and I have called for a drought on the land and on the hills, 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:11.980 on the grain, the new wine, the oil, 00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:14.340 on what the ground brings forth, 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:16.400 on man and beast, 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:18.480 and on all their labors. 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:23.380 We see here God reminding them 00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:27.560 of the consequences of living a self-centered life. 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:29.679 And you need to understand, 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:31.700 it probably doesn't strike you, 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:35.159 hopefully, the way that it would have struck the Israelites 00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:36.339 when they hear these things. 00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:39.319 But these things are not just a random list. 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:41.159 You know, God's not just randomly going, 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:42.339 Hey, how can I get them? 00:28:42.419 --> 00:28:43.819 You know, I'll bring a drought on them. 00:28:43.899 --> 00:28:44.679 Ha, that'll teach them. 00:28:44.919 --> 00:28:46.039 It's not like that. 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:46.460 Okay? 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:50.379 God is very specifically addressing things here 00:28:50.379 --> 00:28:51.899 that they should recognize. 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:54.420 We could go back in Deuteronomy chapter 28 00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:56.280 and read about the curses 00:28:56.280 --> 00:28:58.200 that from the very beginning, 00:28:58.540 --> 00:28:59.960 God said to the Israelites 00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:01.700 as they came into the promised land, 00:29:02.100 --> 00:29:04.180 If you turn away from me, 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:06.120 this will be what happens. 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:08.440 If you turn away from me, 00:29:08.600 --> 00:29:10.980 this is how you'll know your heart has moved, 00:29:11.120 --> 00:29:13.519 because these are the things I will do. 00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:15.360 And so even here, 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:18.160 where the prophet Haggai is speaking 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.600 these very things, 00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:21.640 the Jewish mind should go, 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:23.259 those are the curses. 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:27.740 We're suffering God's loving discipline. 00:29:29.040 --> 00:29:30.880 And that's really the point here. 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:32.280 God reminds them, 00:29:32.380 --> 00:29:33.420 if they're going to continue 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:35.180 living self-centered lives, 00:29:35.300 --> 00:29:36.820 that he will be faithful 00:29:36.820 --> 00:29:37.860 to what he's promised, 00:29:38.320 --> 00:29:40.759 and he will lovingly discipline them 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:42.840 to bring them to the point of repentance. 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:46.519 And so, the point of reflection, 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:48.980 are there areas in my life 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:52.200 where I'm experiencing God's loving discipline? 00:29:53.380 --> 00:29:55.160 Are there areas in my life 00:29:55.160 --> 00:29:57.799 where I'm experiencing God's loving discipline? 00:29:57.799 --> 00:30:00.940 And this kind of goes back to the list 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:02.799 from verses 5 and 6, 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:04.299 where we talked about things 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.259 that you might be facing 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:07.339 where you're working as hard as you can, 00:30:07.399 --> 00:30:08.960 but you're not making any progress. 00:30:09.680 --> 00:30:10.919 Those might be some areas 00:30:10.919 --> 00:30:12.619 that would help you see that, 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:14.119 but I would encourage you 00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:16.559 to take time to think about this. 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:18.839 Are there areas in your life 00:30:18.839 --> 00:30:21.919 where you're experiencing God's loving discipline? 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:23.400 You see, God is faithful. 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:25.460 If you're his child, 00:30:25.800 --> 00:30:27.920 he will not let you just do whatever you want 00:30:27.920 --> 00:30:29.039 and ruin your life and go, 00:30:29.140 --> 00:30:30.240 hey, you know, it's up to them. 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:31.480 Okay? 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:33.320 That's not what we see in Scripture at all. 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.480 What we see is, 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:36.620 God's commitment to us as our Heavenly Father 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:39.900 is that as we are seeking to turn away from him, 00:30:40.120 --> 00:30:41.700 to forget him, to run from him, 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:43.360 to rebel and disobey 00:30:43.360 --> 00:30:45.539 and do the things that ultimately will destroy us, 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:47.740 he lovingly disciplines us 00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:49.420 and chastises us 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:51.440 and brings things into our life 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:52.759 that will break us 00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:54.799 and remind us of our need, 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:56.039 our need for him. 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:58.820 So, time to reflect on that. 00:31:00.080 --> 00:31:00.920 Something else. 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:07.880 I'm having a difficult time with technology today. 00:31:09.120 --> 00:31:10.080 And the funny thing is, 00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:12.240 I really already knew that that was going to happen. 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:15.860 I felt like the Holy Spirit told me that, 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:16.900 but I thought, 00:31:17.100 --> 00:31:18.620 Lord, what do you want me to do about it? 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:19.779 I don't have another plan. 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:21.920 I guess I could have printed it or something. 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:26.019 Maybe that was a point. 00:31:26.139 --> 00:31:26.799 I don't know. 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:28.519 Is this God's loving discipline? 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:34.079 So, we get to the next section, 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.980 the application. 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.900 The application. 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:40.680 So, the message that Haggai has brought to them, 00:31:40.879 --> 00:31:42.759 we now see how it applies 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:44.579 or how it's worked out in their lives. 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:47.180 We look at the first thing here 00:31:47.180 --> 00:31:48.639 in verse 12, 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.240 where it says, 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.480 consider your ways. 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.819 Consider your ways. 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:54.519 Haggai 1.12 says, 00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:58.139 Then Zerubbabel, the son of Sheltiel, 00:31:58.559 --> 00:32:02.119 and Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:04.259 with all the remnant of the people, 00:32:04.660 --> 00:32:06.619 obeyed the voice of the Lord their God. 00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:09.839 And the words of Haggai, the prophet, 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:12.759 as the Lord their God had sent him, 00:32:13.119 --> 00:32:15.460 and the people feared the Lord. 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:18.420 Now, if we actually, 00:32:18.620 --> 00:32:21.160 if you skip down to verse 15, actually, 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:21.840 and look at it, 00:32:21.840 --> 00:32:22.759 it gives you a date, 00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:25.079 and it might not mean anything to you 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:26.500 unless you took time to do the math. 00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:28.539 But it's interesting to me here 00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:30.680 that what we see is, 00:32:31.100 --> 00:32:33.039 it talks about the people obeying. 00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:34.240 But in verse 15, 00:32:34.360 --> 00:32:35.100 what we see is, 00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:37.240 it's 23 days later 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:39.579 that they actually begin work on the temple. 00:32:40.620 --> 00:32:43.319 And so, here we see it talk about their obedience, 00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:46.559 and yet they haven't started obeying. 00:32:47.179 --> 00:32:48.480 But I don't think that's accidental. 00:32:48.679 --> 00:32:50.059 I don't think that's a mistype. 00:32:50.299 --> 00:32:52.159 I think what we really see here 00:32:52.159 --> 00:32:54.240 is that the people are being obedient 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:57.480 to God's command for them to consider their ways. 00:32:58.599 --> 00:33:00.359 God's called them to consider their ways, 00:33:00.439 --> 00:33:02.119 to think about what's going on in their lives, 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:03.679 and the people obey that. 00:33:03.899 --> 00:33:04.779 They take time, 00:33:04.899 --> 00:33:05.819 and they stop and go, 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:08.599 hey, that Haggai guy is right. 00:33:09.579 --> 00:33:10.859 Look at our lives. 00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:12.399 What are we doing? 00:33:13.319 --> 00:33:15.779 We are experiencing God's loving discipline. 00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:18.240 And as they begin to look at that 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:20.200 and see the truth of God's word, 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:21.200 they're convicted. 00:33:21.539 --> 00:33:22.339 And that's why it says, 00:33:22.439 --> 00:33:23.519 the people feared the Lord. 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:25.000 They saw their own sin. 00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:26.460 They saw what was happening, 00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:28.039 and their hearts are convicted, 00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:29.059 and they repent. 00:33:29.379 --> 00:33:32.139 They begin to turn away from that way of living 00:33:32.139 --> 00:33:33.559 and begin to turn their hearts back 00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:35.299 towards pursuing God. 00:33:36.399 --> 00:33:38.779 And I think it's very interesting 00:33:38.779 --> 00:33:42.519 for us to take time and consider this same point. 00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:46.099 Am I willing to make the necessary changes in my life? 00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:50.519 As we see God working, 00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:53.399 as we see the truth of his word, 00:33:53.619 --> 00:33:56.519 as we hear his word applied in our lives, 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:58.319 as the Holy Spirit is working in us, 00:33:58.480 --> 00:34:00.459 are we willing to see that, 00:34:00.959 --> 00:34:02.559 to accept it humbly, 00:34:02.559 --> 00:34:03.619 and to repent, 00:34:03.879 --> 00:34:06.500 to turn away from those things, 00:34:06.639 --> 00:34:09.039 the areas where we're not making God a priority, 00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:11.219 and pursue him? 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:13.179 Are we willing to change 00:34:13.179 --> 00:34:14.699 whatever needs to change? 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.480 And that's a question, 00:34:16.759 --> 00:34:17.219 ultimately, 00:34:17.379 --> 00:34:18.379 that we all have to ask. 00:34:18.919 --> 00:34:19.119 I mean, 00:34:19.339 --> 00:34:19.539 you know, 00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:20.899 you come week after week. 00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:22.000 I come week after week. 00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:22.919 I get paid to do that. 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.799 You guys don't. 00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:25.299 But we still come, 00:34:25.339 --> 00:34:26.819 and we hear God's word preached, 00:34:26.879 --> 00:34:27.039 right? 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:28.399 Week after week after week. 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:29.739 But it doesn't do any good 00:34:29.739 --> 00:34:31.000 if we don't ask this question. 00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:33.079 Am I willing to change 00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:34.619 whatever needs to change 00:34:34.619 --> 00:34:35.939 for the glory of God? 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:39.000 That's what it always comes down to. 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:41.739 Am I willing to change? 00:34:43.059 --> 00:34:44.639 The next thing we see here, 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.820 the application of this truth, 00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:49.179 is the comfort of grace. 00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:51.139 The comfort of grace. 00:34:52.000 --> 00:34:53.059 This is my favorite part, 00:34:53.139 --> 00:34:54.019 just in case you wondered. 00:34:54.380 --> 00:34:55.840 You could pay more attention now. 00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:58.539 Verse 13 says, 00:34:58.639 --> 00:34:59.400 Then Haggai, 00:34:59.760 --> 00:35:00.800 the messenger of the Lord, 00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:01.900 spoke to the people 00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:02.980 with the Lord's message. 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.539 I am with you, 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:06.239 declares the Lord. 00:35:06.239 --> 00:35:09.539 Okay, now just take a second 00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:10.939 and remember what's been happening, 00:35:11.399 --> 00:35:11.639 right? 00:35:11.799 --> 00:35:12.799 These people came back. 00:35:13.059 --> 00:35:14.079 They started strong. 00:35:14.339 --> 00:35:15.639 And then for 16 years, 00:35:15.779 --> 00:35:17.539 they've been turning away from God. 00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:18.500 They've been pursuing 00:35:18.500 --> 00:35:20.219 a more self-centered life. 00:35:20.459 --> 00:35:21.479 They haven't been pursuing 00:35:21.479 --> 00:35:22.939 God's calling in their life. 00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:23.979 And for 16 years, 00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:24.779 they've gotten further 00:35:24.779 --> 00:35:25.819 and further from God. 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:27.399 He's been disciplining them 00:35:27.399 --> 00:35:28.699 more and more. 00:35:28.899 --> 00:35:29.699 It's been getting more 00:35:29.699 --> 00:35:30.479 and more severe 00:35:30.479 --> 00:35:31.239 in their lives. 00:35:32.179 --> 00:35:33.039 And suddenly, 00:35:33.359 --> 00:35:34.359 here they're presented 00:35:34.360 --> 00:35:35.180 with the truth. 00:35:35.480 --> 00:35:36.200 They see it. 00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:37.059 They repent. 00:35:37.320 --> 00:35:38.280 And what does God say? 00:35:39.120 --> 00:35:40.019 I'm with you. 00:35:42.160 --> 00:35:43.680 You guys aren't excited enough. 00:35:45.640 --> 00:35:45.940 I mean, 00:35:46.320 --> 00:35:47.620 isn't that the gospel? 00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:48.200 You see, 00:35:48.280 --> 00:35:49.539 they don't understand 00:35:49.539 --> 00:35:50.559 the fact that 00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:51.940 they're being forgiven 00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:53.660 even though there's no temple. 00:35:53.880 --> 00:35:55.180 There's no sacrifices. 00:35:55.400 --> 00:35:56.539 They haven't even started 00:35:56.539 --> 00:35:57.519 rebuilding the temple. 00:35:57.660 --> 00:35:58.539 They've just repented. 00:35:59.400 --> 00:36:00.079 And immediately, 00:36:00.300 --> 00:36:01.820 God grants them forgiveness 00:36:01.820 --> 00:36:03.539 and intimacy of relationship 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:04.120 where he says, 00:36:04.119 --> 00:36:05.900 I am with you. 00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:07.900 But you see, 00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:09.960 we know there's more 00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:11.219 to that story, 00:36:11.559 --> 00:36:12.299 don't we? 00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:13.699 Don't you? 00:36:15.019 --> 00:36:15.420 You see, 00:36:15.480 --> 00:36:16.380 it's because of Jesus, 00:36:16.639 --> 00:36:16.940 right? 00:36:17.940 --> 00:36:19.559 They didn't know yet. 00:36:20.199 --> 00:36:21.299 But we know 00:36:21.299 --> 00:36:22.599 their forgiveness 00:36:22.599 --> 00:36:23.839 is because of Jesus, 00:36:24.159 --> 00:36:25.019 the Son of God, 00:36:25.239 --> 00:36:26.059 willing to come 00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:27.739 to live a perfect life, 00:36:27.900 --> 00:36:29.000 to die and take 00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:30.940 God's wrath for them, 00:36:31.159 --> 00:36:32.039 that as soon as 00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:33.359 their hearts turn back, 00:36:33.360 --> 00:36:33.860 God says, 00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:34.740 I'm with you. 00:36:35.260 --> 00:36:35.860 You're forgiven. 00:36:37.579 --> 00:36:39.460 That's the good news. 00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:40.740 And that's good news 00:36:40.740 --> 00:36:41.019 for you. 00:36:41.079 --> 00:36:41.960 That's good news for me. 00:36:42.260 --> 00:36:43.680 That's the good news. 00:36:43.740 --> 00:36:44.380 That's what we have 00:36:44.380 --> 00:36:45.480 to offer the world, 00:36:45.559 --> 00:36:45.940 right? 00:36:46.700 --> 00:36:47.320 That no matter 00:36:47.320 --> 00:36:48.660 how far we've moved, 00:36:48.720 --> 00:36:49.200 whether it's been 00:36:49.200 --> 00:36:50.460 16 years 00:36:50.460 --> 00:36:51.860 or it's been 60 years 00:36:51.860 --> 00:36:52.820 or it's been a lifetime 00:36:52.820 --> 00:36:53.740 that you've been 00:36:53.740 --> 00:36:55.140 turning away from God, 00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:56.019 that as soon 00:36:56.019 --> 00:36:57.280 as you turn back, 00:36:57.680 --> 00:36:58.400 God says, 00:36:58.400 --> 00:36:59.680 I am with you 00:36:59.680 --> 00:37:01.820 because of Jesus. 00:37:03.160 --> 00:37:04.260 And so you can see 00:37:04.260 --> 00:37:06.240 the point of reflection here. 00:37:07.619 --> 00:37:08.220 Am I willing 00:37:08.220 --> 00:37:09.440 to believe in faith 00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:10.920 that Jesus' death 00:37:10.920 --> 00:37:12.160 provides forgiveness? 00:37:13.579 --> 00:37:14.740 Am I willing 00:37:14.740 --> 00:37:16.260 to believe in faith 00:37:16.260 --> 00:37:17.519 that Jesus' death 00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:19.119 provides forgiveness? 00:37:19.119 --> 00:37:19.440 forgiveness? 00:37:21.799 --> 00:37:22.880 And when you really 00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:23.920 come face to face 00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:24.719 with your sin 00:37:24.719 --> 00:37:26.420 like these people had, 00:37:27.099 --> 00:37:28.619 that's the best news 00:37:28.619 --> 00:37:29.619 you can ever get 00:37:29.619 --> 00:37:32.679 that Jesus made a way. 00:37:34.119 --> 00:37:35.500 The next thing we see 00:37:35.500 --> 00:37:37.440 is the gift of obedience 00:37:37.440 --> 00:37:39.319 in verse 14. 00:37:39.900 --> 00:37:40.799 Just when you thought 00:37:40.799 --> 00:37:41.559 it couldn't get better, 00:37:41.679 --> 00:37:42.699 the gift of obedience. 00:37:43.359 --> 00:37:44.639 Haggai 1.14 says, 00:37:44.639 --> 00:37:46.699 And the Lord stirred up 00:37:46.699 --> 00:37:48.000 the spirit of Zerubbabel, 00:37:48.420 --> 00:37:49.739 the son of Sheltiel, 00:37:50.279 --> 00:37:51.279 governor of Judah, 00:37:51.599 --> 00:37:52.839 and the spirit of Joshua, 00:37:52.940 --> 00:37:54.000 the son of Jehoshadak, 00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:54.940 the high priest, 00:37:55.139 --> 00:37:56.259 and the spirit of all 00:37:56.259 --> 00:37:57.259 the remnant of the people, 00:37:57.440 --> 00:37:58.879 and they came and worked 00:37:58.879 --> 00:37:59.500 on the house 00:37:59.500 --> 00:38:00.559 of the Lord of hosts, 00:38:00.699 --> 00:38:01.299 their God. 00:38:02.539 --> 00:38:04.359 So God comes to them 00:38:04.359 --> 00:38:05.799 through the prophet Haggai, 00:38:06.099 --> 00:38:07.440 presents them with the truth, 00:38:08.279 --> 00:38:09.460 brings them to the point 00:38:09.460 --> 00:38:10.099 of conviction. 00:38:10.259 --> 00:38:11.259 They realize the truth. 00:38:11.559 --> 00:38:12.199 They repent. 00:38:12.500 --> 00:38:13.599 They turn back. 00:38:13.599 --> 00:38:14.719 And God says, 00:38:14.980 --> 00:38:15.539 I forgive you. 00:38:15.579 --> 00:38:16.420 I am with you. 00:38:17.319 --> 00:38:18.139 And then he says, 00:38:18.219 --> 00:38:19.039 okay, go do your work. 00:38:19.199 --> 00:38:20.400 No, it's not what's happened, right? 00:38:20.799 --> 00:38:21.480 It says right here 00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.739 that the spirit of the Lord 00:38:22.739 --> 00:38:25.299 then comes and stirs them up 00:38:25.299 --> 00:38:26.159 to obey. 00:38:26.920 --> 00:38:29.500 Even obedience is a gift. 00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:32.860 Even obedience is a gift. 00:38:34.960 --> 00:38:36.659 Isn't that great news? 00:38:37.119 --> 00:38:38.079 Aren't you encouraged? 00:38:39.400 --> 00:38:40.299 Aren't you blessed? 00:38:41.339 --> 00:38:43.279 The point of reflection for this 00:38:43.280 --> 00:38:45.460 is, 00:38:46.100 --> 00:38:47.540 am I willing to keep running 00:38:47.540 --> 00:38:48.260 to Jesus 00:38:48.260 --> 00:38:49.900 and allow him 00:38:49.900 --> 00:38:51.180 to stir up obedience 00:38:51.180 --> 00:38:52.280 in my life? 00:38:53.280 --> 00:38:54.240 Am I willing 00:38:54.240 --> 00:38:55.180 to keep running 00:38:55.180 --> 00:38:55.900 to Jesus 00:38:55.900 --> 00:38:57.640 and allow him 00:38:57.640 --> 00:38:59.240 to stir up obedience 00:38:59.240 --> 00:39:00.180 in my life? 00:39:00.680 --> 00:39:01.500 Brothers and sisters, 00:39:01.500 --> 00:39:02.200 if you think 00:39:02.200 --> 00:39:03.140 that you're going to obey 00:39:03.140 --> 00:39:04.120 and walk with God 00:39:04.120 --> 00:39:05.120 in your own power, 00:39:05.260 --> 00:39:06.560 I have really bad news 00:39:06.560 --> 00:39:06.980 for you. 00:39:07.580 --> 00:39:08.660 You are not going 00:39:08.660 --> 00:39:09.500 to be successful. 00:39:09.500 --> 00:39:11.159 I don't know 00:39:11.159 --> 00:39:11.800 if it's the best 00:39:11.800 --> 00:39:12.840 or worst case scenario, 00:39:12.840 --> 00:39:13.800 but you might end up 00:39:13.800 --> 00:39:14.860 a legalist. 00:39:16.119 --> 00:39:17.219 And you can decide, 00:39:17.320 --> 00:39:17.739 is that best 00:39:17.739 --> 00:39:18.659 or worst case scenario? 00:39:19.199 --> 00:39:20.239 But you won't walk 00:39:20.239 --> 00:39:21.360 in intimacy with him 00:39:21.360 --> 00:39:22.679 because even obedience 00:39:22.679 --> 00:39:23.719 is a gift. 00:39:24.079 --> 00:39:24.920 You have to run 00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:25.460 to Jesus 00:39:25.460 --> 00:39:26.639 and let him 00:39:26.639 --> 00:39:28.320 stir up obedience 00:39:28.320 --> 00:39:29.400 in your life. 00:39:30.099 --> 00:39:31.320 And so here's the summary 00:39:31.320 --> 00:39:32.079 that you already 00:39:32.079 --> 00:39:32.900 had a preview of. 00:39:33.519 --> 00:39:34.800 The application summary. 00:39:34.800 --> 00:39:38.060 One, consider your ways. 00:39:38.420 --> 00:39:39.200 Are you willing 00:39:39.200 --> 00:39:40.519 to see the truth 00:39:40.519 --> 00:39:41.420 of God's word? 00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:43.920 Two, repent. 00:39:44.420 --> 00:39:45.000 Are you willing 00:39:45.000 --> 00:39:45.620 to change 00:39:45.620 --> 00:39:47.300 whatever needs to change? 00:39:48.160 --> 00:39:50.539 Three, accept grace. 00:39:50.920 --> 00:39:51.340 Are you willing 00:39:51.340 --> 00:39:52.200 to believe in faith 00:39:52.200 --> 00:39:53.260 that God is with you 00:39:53.260 --> 00:39:54.220 because of Jesus? 00:39:55.280 --> 00:39:57.300 Four, pursue obedience. 00:39:57.920 --> 00:40:00.260 Come again and again 00:40:00.260 --> 00:40:01.519 and again to God 00:40:01.519 --> 00:40:04.160 and let him stir up obedience 00:40:04.159 --> 00:40:04.980 in your life. 00:40:05.299 --> 00:40:06.319 Give you the strength 00:40:06.319 --> 00:40:07.519 and the desire 00:40:07.519 --> 00:40:09.399 to obey him. 00:40:11.199 --> 00:40:12.279 Now this is probably 00:40:12.279 --> 00:40:13.079 where I should have 00:40:13.079 --> 00:40:14.019 stopped the sermon. 00:40:15.319 --> 00:40:17.139 But I just couldn't not 00:40:17.139 --> 00:40:18.039 tell you the rest 00:40:18.039 --> 00:40:18.739 of the story. 00:40:19.399 --> 00:40:20.779 So this is why 00:40:20.779 --> 00:40:21.359 we're not singing 00:40:21.359 --> 00:40:22.579 that extra song, okay? 00:40:23.000 --> 00:40:23.940 The epilogue. 00:40:24.139 --> 00:40:24.920 Okay, this is just, 00:40:25.259 --> 00:40:25.659 you know, 00:40:25.719 --> 00:40:26.599 I've told you guys before 00:40:26.599 --> 00:40:27.359 I do get caught 00:40:27.359 --> 00:40:28.359 on rabbit trails. 00:40:28.699 --> 00:40:29.379 This one's better 00:40:29.379 --> 00:40:30.940 than Elvis impersonators, okay? 00:40:31.659 --> 00:40:32.719 This is really, 00:40:33.139 --> 00:40:34.139 this is just amazing. 00:40:34.159 --> 00:40:35.639 Okay, let's look at 00:40:35.639 --> 00:40:36.879 Haggai chapter 2 00:40:36.879 --> 00:40:38.079 verses 1 through 9. 00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:39.000 And I just, 00:40:39.059 --> 00:40:39.960 I just have to show you 00:40:39.960 --> 00:40:40.239 something. 00:40:41.319 --> 00:40:42.199 You probably won't be 00:40:42.199 --> 00:40:42.960 as excited as me 00:40:42.960 --> 00:40:44.099 but maybe you will. 00:40:44.519 --> 00:40:44.719 Okay? 00:40:45.279 --> 00:40:46.259 Haggai chapter 2 00:40:46.259 --> 00:40:47.219 verses 1 through 9. 00:40:47.819 --> 00:40:48.259 It says, 00:40:48.260 --> 00:41:13.720 And when we go through Ezra, 00:41:13.800 --> 00:41:14.780 you'll get to see 00:41:14.780 --> 00:41:15.480 some more of that. 00:41:15.580 --> 00:41:16.740 But just let me stop 00:41:16.740 --> 00:41:17.480 for a second here 00:41:17.480 --> 00:41:18.580 and point out something. 00:41:19.100 --> 00:41:19.300 You know, 00:41:19.360 --> 00:41:20.600 when we get caught up 00:41:20.600 --> 00:41:22.320 in focusing on the results 00:41:22.320 --> 00:41:23.120 of our obedience 00:41:23.120 --> 00:41:24.340 or the product 00:41:24.340 --> 00:41:25.220 of our following 00:41:25.220 --> 00:41:25.940 after God, 00:41:26.100 --> 00:41:27.700 it usually ends badly. 00:41:28.380 --> 00:41:28.640 Okay? 00:41:28.820 --> 00:41:30.180 And if you get caught up 00:41:30.180 --> 00:41:31.060 in comparing, 00:41:31.620 --> 00:41:32.260 which is, you know, 00:41:32.320 --> 00:41:33.640 what he's talking about here, 00:41:33.720 --> 00:41:34.960 comparing the temple 00:41:34.960 --> 00:41:35.660 they were working on 00:41:35.660 --> 00:41:36.900 to Solomon's temple, 00:41:37.100 --> 00:41:39.240 it usually ends poorly as well, 00:41:39.300 --> 00:41:40.160 which is one of the reasons 00:41:40.159 --> 00:41:41.679 why I hate social media 00:41:41.679 --> 00:41:42.559 because that, 00:41:43.519 --> 00:41:44.839 we're a little early on that 00:41:44.839 --> 00:41:46.019 but anyway, 00:41:46.619 --> 00:41:48.940 so social media tends to get you 00:41:48.940 --> 00:41:50.199 to the point of all you do 00:41:50.199 --> 00:41:51.399 is compare all the time, 00:41:51.480 --> 00:41:51.719 right? 00:41:51.779 --> 00:41:52.599 So don't do that. 00:41:53.079 --> 00:41:54.420 Look at verses 4 through 9. 00:41:55.119 --> 00:41:55.559 It says, 00:41:55.559 --> 00:41:57.239 Yet now be strong, 00:41:57.480 --> 00:41:58.219 O Zerubbabel, 00:41:58.500 --> 00:41:59.380 declares the Lord. 00:41:59.820 --> 00:42:01.119 Be strong, O Joshua, 00:42:01.320 --> 00:42:02.380 son of Jehoshadak, 00:42:02.539 --> 00:42:03.320 the high priest. 00:42:03.599 --> 00:42:04.219 Be strong, 00:42:04.340 --> 00:42:05.719 all you people of the land, 00:42:05.840 --> 00:42:06.579 declares the Lord. 00:42:06.960 --> 00:42:07.259 Work, 00:42:07.360 --> 00:42:09.019 for I am with you, 00:42:09.279 --> 00:42:10.599 declares the Lord of hosts, 00:42:10.860 --> 00:42:11.940 according to the covenant 00:42:11.940 --> 00:42:12.719 that I made with you 00:42:12.719 --> 00:42:14.139 when you came up out of Egypt. 00:42:14.539 --> 00:42:16.579 My spirit remains in your midst. 00:42:17.000 --> 00:42:17.820 Fear not. 00:42:18.639 --> 00:42:19.079 Verse 6, 00:42:19.279 --> 00:42:20.639 For thus says the Lord of hosts, 00:42:20.739 --> 00:42:21.779 Yet once more, 00:42:21.960 --> 00:42:22.880 in a little while, 00:42:23.000 --> 00:42:24.199 I will shake the heavens 00:42:24.199 --> 00:42:24.719 and the earth 00:42:24.719 --> 00:42:25.259 and the sea 00:42:25.259 --> 00:42:26.119 and the dry land, 00:42:26.239 --> 00:42:27.579 and I will shake all nations 00:42:27.579 --> 00:42:28.599 so that the treasures 00:42:28.599 --> 00:42:29.319 of all nations 00:42:29.319 --> 00:42:30.039 shall come in, 00:42:30.199 --> 00:42:31.480 and I will fill this house 00:42:31.480 --> 00:42:32.739 with glory, 00:42:32.839 --> 00:42:33.579 says the Lord of hosts. 00:42:33.799 --> 00:42:34.919 The silver is mine, 00:42:34.980 --> 00:42:35.699 the gold is mine, 00:42:35.759 --> 00:42:36.559 declares the Lord of hosts. 00:42:36.739 --> 00:42:38.619 The latter glory of this house 00:42:38.619 --> 00:42:39.659 shall be greater 00:42:39.659 --> 00:42:40.619 than the former, 00:42:40.959 --> 00:42:42.359 says the Lord of hosts. 00:42:42.719 --> 00:42:43.599 And in this place 00:42:43.599 --> 00:42:44.639 I will give peace, 00:42:44.779 --> 00:42:45.980 declares the Lord of hosts. 00:42:46.579 --> 00:42:47.319 In case you wondered, 00:42:47.480 --> 00:42:48.319 he says the Lord of hosts 00:42:48.319 --> 00:42:49.739 six times in those verses. 00:42:52.179 --> 00:42:52.839 Here's the thing 00:42:52.839 --> 00:42:53.679 I want to show you. 00:42:54.719 --> 00:42:55.699 From this. 00:42:57.239 --> 00:42:58.679 It's not about the product. 00:42:59.599 --> 00:43:01.019 It's about the person. 00:43:02.259 --> 00:43:02.419 Okay? 00:43:02.739 --> 00:43:03.399 Our obedience 00:43:03.399 --> 00:43:04.919 isn't about 00:43:04.919 --> 00:43:06.519 what we can produce. 00:43:06.799 --> 00:43:07.859 It's about being 00:43:07.859 --> 00:43:09.980 with Jesus. 00:43:10.439 --> 00:43:10.679 Right? 00:43:10.759 --> 00:43:11.599 Isn't that what he says? 00:43:12.079 --> 00:43:12.399 He says, 00:43:12.480 --> 00:43:13.119 I am with you. 00:43:13.299 --> 00:43:14.359 My spirit remains 00:43:14.359 --> 00:43:15.099 in your midst. 00:43:15.299 --> 00:43:16.079 Fear not. 00:43:17.000 --> 00:43:17.759 And so often 00:43:17.759 --> 00:43:18.799 we look at our lives 00:43:18.799 --> 00:43:19.179 and we think, 00:43:19.399 --> 00:43:19.699 you know, 00:43:19.799 --> 00:43:20.859 what I'm doing for God 00:43:20.859 --> 00:43:21.439 isn't enough. 00:43:21.659 --> 00:43:22.219 My efforts, 00:43:22.359 --> 00:43:23.179 just they don't really 00:43:23.179 --> 00:43:23.719 turn out 00:43:23.719 --> 00:43:25.079 or it's not very impressive 00:43:25.079 --> 00:43:26.199 or I'm not really 00:43:26.199 --> 00:43:26.819 doing anything 00:43:26.819 --> 00:43:28.159 that great for God. 00:43:28.239 --> 00:43:28.559 I'm just, 00:43:28.739 --> 00:43:28.960 you know, 00:43:29.019 --> 00:43:30.319 here living this little life. 00:43:30.440 --> 00:43:31.039 If I was, 00:43:31.199 --> 00:43:31.480 you know, 00:43:31.539 --> 00:43:32.659 a missionary in China 00:43:32.659 --> 00:43:33.159 that would be 00:43:33.159 --> 00:43:33.879 something impressive. 00:43:33.879 --> 00:43:34.679 But here, 00:43:34.799 --> 00:43:36.059 just living my life 00:43:36.059 --> 00:43:36.759 for Christ 00:43:36.759 --> 00:43:38.119 is just unimpressive. 00:43:38.559 --> 00:43:39.480 It's not big. 00:43:41.159 --> 00:43:42.859 But what we see here 00:43:42.859 --> 00:43:44.299 is a promise from God 00:43:44.299 --> 00:43:46.399 that if you will 00:43:46.399 --> 00:43:47.199 just be content 00:43:47.199 --> 00:43:48.480 to be with him, 00:43:48.839 --> 00:43:50.639 he will do big things. 00:43:50.639 --> 00:43:52.359 Now, 00:43:52.480 --> 00:43:52.779 I know, 00:43:53.000 --> 00:43:53.719 you don't get it yet, 00:43:53.799 --> 00:43:54.879 but you see the picture, 00:43:54.960 --> 00:43:55.159 right? 00:43:55.379 --> 00:43:55.900 You see the picture? 00:43:55.980 --> 00:43:56.379 Let me give you 00:43:56.379 --> 00:43:57.460 a little more history. 00:43:57.859 --> 00:43:59.019 A little more history 00:43:59.019 --> 00:44:01.019 on the very temple 00:44:01.019 --> 00:44:01.940 they were building. 00:44:02.460 --> 00:44:03.219 The very temple 00:44:03.219 --> 00:44:03.980 that they were building, 00:44:04.079 --> 00:44:04.579 which is called 00:44:04.579 --> 00:44:05.759 Zerubbabel's Temple 00:44:05.759 --> 00:44:06.759 historically, 00:44:07.159 --> 00:44:08.719 it really was insignificant. 00:44:09.339 --> 00:44:09.960 They're right. 00:44:10.359 --> 00:44:10.539 I mean, 00:44:10.559 --> 00:44:11.319 when they looked at it 00:44:11.319 --> 00:44:11.679 and they thought, 00:44:11.859 --> 00:44:12.739 this is a terrible 00:44:12.739 --> 00:44:13.319 little temple, 00:44:13.480 --> 00:44:14.259 they must be right 00:44:14.259 --> 00:44:14.980 because we really 00:44:14.980 --> 00:44:15.639 don't know anything 00:44:15.639 --> 00:44:16.279 about it. 00:44:17.059 --> 00:44:18.679 But what we do know 00:44:18.679 --> 00:44:21.679 is 500 years later, 00:44:22.399 --> 00:44:23.539 that little temple, 00:44:25.039 --> 00:44:25.899 Herod the Great 00:44:25.899 --> 00:44:26.759 comes in 00:44:26.759 --> 00:44:28.639 and begins to restore 00:44:28.639 --> 00:44:29.940 that little temple 00:44:29.940 --> 00:44:31.619 and expand it. 00:44:31.940 --> 00:44:32.239 And now, 00:44:32.359 --> 00:44:33.419 you can look at that picture 00:44:33.419 --> 00:44:34.359 and see 00:44:34.359 --> 00:44:37.339 that is Herod's temple 00:44:37.339 --> 00:44:39.719 and how it dwarfs inside. 00:44:39.819 --> 00:44:40.779 You can go to the next slide. 00:44:41.199 --> 00:44:41.759 Check this out. 00:44:41.960 --> 00:44:43.179 Look at the size comparison. 00:44:44.279 --> 00:44:45.379 They were looking back 00:44:45.379 --> 00:44:46.639 at Solomon's temple 00:44:46.639 --> 00:44:48.159 and thinking how great 00:44:48.159 --> 00:44:48.639 that is. 00:44:48.900 --> 00:44:50.159 But God is saying to them, 00:44:50.500 --> 00:44:52.039 you just walk with me 00:44:52.039 --> 00:44:54.000 and I will do great things. 00:44:54.339 --> 00:44:55.460 500 years later, 00:44:55.619 --> 00:44:57.179 he moves on Herod's heart 00:44:57.179 --> 00:44:58.099 to rebuild the temple. 00:44:58.420 --> 00:44:59.519 Look how much bigger it is. 00:44:59.920 --> 00:45:01.219 And that center section 00:45:01.219 --> 00:45:01.799 right there, 00:45:01.960 --> 00:45:03.319 that's the temple part. 00:45:03.639 --> 00:45:05.219 This is the temple mound, 00:45:05.639 --> 00:45:06.339 the complex 00:45:06.339 --> 00:45:08.500 that ends up 00:45:08.500 --> 00:45:10.639 being all of the temple. 00:45:12.779 --> 00:45:14.039 500 years later, 00:45:14.319 --> 00:45:15.659 God keeps his promise. 00:45:16.639 --> 00:45:18.339 And takes that little temple 00:45:18.339 --> 00:45:19.619 that they built in obedience 00:45:19.619 --> 00:45:22.460 and makes it something amazing. 00:45:22.960 --> 00:45:25.539 But that's not the best part. 00:45:26.559 --> 00:45:27.819 The best part 00:45:27.819 --> 00:45:29.359 was verse 9. 00:45:29.719 --> 00:45:30.539 Did you see what it says 00:45:30.539 --> 00:45:31.199 in verse 9? 00:45:32.779 --> 00:45:34.059 And in this place, 00:45:34.679 --> 00:45:36.099 I will give peace, 00:45:36.900 --> 00:45:38.319 declares the Lord of hosts. 00:45:39.219 --> 00:45:39.980 Do you get it? 00:45:39.980 --> 00:45:43.940 In this place, 00:45:44.000 --> 00:45:45.300 I will give peace. 00:45:45.300 --> 00:45:46.820 We just finished Christmas, 00:45:47.260 --> 00:45:48.420 so hopefully at this point 00:45:48.420 --> 00:45:49.019 you realize 00:45:49.019 --> 00:45:50.840 that this is the very temple 00:45:50.840 --> 00:45:52.860 where Jesus is presented. 00:45:53.960 --> 00:45:55.840 And God keeps his promise again. 00:45:56.139 --> 00:45:57.679 In this very place, 00:45:57.840 --> 00:45:59.380 I will give peace. 00:45:59.579 --> 00:46:00.500 That little temple 00:46:00.500 --> 00:46:01.400 that they thought 00:46:01.400 --> 00:46:02.480 was good for nothing 00:46:02.480 --> 00:46:03.960 was the foundation 00:46:03.960 --> 00:46:06.179 that God was laying 00:46:06.179 --> 00:46:08.019 for where his son would come 00:46:08.019 --> 00:46:09.820 and where he would be presented, 00:46:10.380 --> 00:46:11.559 where Simeon and Anna 00:46:11.559 --> 00:46:11.980 would say 00:46:11.980 --> 00:46:13.380 the salvation of Israel 00:46:13.380 --> 00:46:14.179 has come. 00:46:15.000 --> 00:46:15.840 Isn't that awesome? 00:46:16.599 --> 00:46:17.759 500 years later, 00:46:17.840 --> 00:46:19.059 they couldn't know, 00:46:19.599 --> 00:46:20.360 but of course, 00:46:20.780 --> 00:46:21.519 God knew 00:46:21.519 --> 00:46:22.800 and had a plan all along. 00:46:23.099 --> 00:46:24.420 So let me just encourage you 00:46:24.420 --> 00:46:25.920 in one last thing, 00:46:26.159 --> 00:46:26.860 and it's this. 00:46:27.500 --> 00:46:28.920 As you come into the new year, 00:46:30.019 --> 00:46:31.139 take some time 00:46:31.139 --> 00:46:32.319 and consider 00:46:32.319 --> 00:46:33.659 how your life 00:46:33.659 --> 00:46:34.619 might need to change 00:46:34.619 --> 00:46:36.639 to bring greater pleasure to God. 00:46:37.099 --> 00:46:38.980 Pursue being with him 00:46:38.980 --> 00:46:40.019 and trust 00:46:40.019 --> 00:46:41.539 that if you will be content 00:46:41.539 --> 00:46:42.579 to be with him, 00:46:42.819 --> 00:46:43.839 he will build 00:46:43.839 --> 00:46:45.239 a great and glorious 00:46:45.239 --> 00:46:46.519 trophy of grace 00:46:46.519 --> 00:46:48.059 out of that effort. 00:46:48.859 --> 00:46:49.379 Let's pray. 00:47:01.139 --> 00:47:02.139 Amen.