WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:20.960 Open God's Word with me this morning, if you will, to the message from the prophet Haggai. 00:00:20.960 --> 00:00:29.960 God has been challenging and encouraging me so much in this book. 00:00:30.060 --> 00:00:33.280 I can't wait to dive in together this morning. 00:00:33.380 --> 00:00:34.359 We're doing the whole thing today. 00:00:36.480 --> 00:00:47.020 As we do, see if you can picture yourself in a scenario similar to one of these that I've found myself in before. 00:00:47.020 --> 00:00:54.240 Imagine you're on your couch with your calendar open in front of you. 00:00:54.859 --> 00:01:02.900 You've felt a desire for yourself or your family to spend more time on relationship with Jesus. 00:01:03.180 --> 00:01:06.140 Praying, reading together. 00:01:07.180 --> 00:01:11.879 Several people have encouraged you to get your middle schooler involved in a small group. 00:01:11.879 --> 00:01:20.039 But you're staring at your calendar and it's a wall of events and activities already. 00:01:20.439 --> 00:01:25.879 School, work, volunteer at kids' school, ballet, soccer, piano, swimming. 00:01:26.199 --> 00:01:28.099 Can we get a meal together one night this week? 00:01:28.519 --> 00:01:30.079 God, I don't know what to... 00:01:30.079 --> 00:01:31.340 I mean, I need to sleep, right? 00:01:31.419 --> 00:01:31.699 Don't I? 00:01:31.719 --> 00:01:32.379 That's important. 00:01:33.859 --> 00:01:37.079 Maybe next year we'll have more time for God then. 00:01:37.079 --> 00:01:53.239 Imagine you're at your kitchen table with your budget open in front of you and you've just gotten another email from the missionary you love asking for some end of year financial assistance. 00:01:54.060 --> 00:01:57.859 You've already thrown away the annual giving letter from your church. 00:01:58.500 --> 00:02:04.980 And there you are with this email and you open up the budget and you're not seeing how you can help. 00:02:04.980 --> 00:02:07.079 I mean, it's just the basics, right? 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:16.879 Mortgage, car payment, insurance, Netflix, groceries, bath remodel, kids' activities, clothes, new clothes for the wedding, vacations coming up. 00:02:17.259 --> 00:02:18.659 I mean, I've got to save for college. 00:02:18.759 --> 00:02:19.500 That's important. 00:02:19.960 --> 00:02:20.300 Weddings. 00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:21.180 I've got three girls. 00:02:22.199 --> 00:02:26.539 God, even tithing seems nearly impossible. 00:02:27.900 --> 00:02:29.020 Now this? 00:02:31.219 --> 00:02:33.060 I guess others must have more margin. 00:02:33.060 --> 00:02:35.659 Maybe next year I'll be able to help out. 00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:43.979 Or imagine you're in your church pew with your Bible open in front of you. 00:02:44.379 --> 00:02:44.860 Imagine. 00:02:46.920 --> 00:02:54.140 You've been coming here a couple of years and you're kind of involved, but it just doesn't seem very exciting. 00:02:55.719 --> 00:02:59.539 You really want to see great things happen in your community. 00:02:59.539 --> 00:03:04.799 I mean, revival sounded exciting at first, but you've never prayed to God for it. 00:03:05.179 --> 00:03:11.739 You've complained politely to a couple leaders, but nothing changed immediately. 00:03:12.979 --> 00:03:17.899 Honestly, it doesn't feel like anything remarkable would ever happen here. 00:03:17.900 --> 00:03:21.939 I mean, my heart gets pumping at work when I make a big sale. 00:03:22.280 --> 00:03:25.540 It gets pumping on Saturday when I'm watching the big game. 00:03:25.879 --> 00:03:29.800 It gets pumping about being with some of my friends and hanging out. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:33.000 But, God, what do you want me to do? 00:03:33.439 --> 00:03:36.500 It doesn't seem worth it to invest my energy here. 00:03:36.500 --> 00:03:48.860 I mean, I'll come sometimes, but for now, other things are just more exciting than gospel community and experiencing grace and kingdom prayer. 00:03:49.580 --> 00:03:51.259 I mean, okay, God. 00:03:51.259 --> 00:03:58.439 You've been somewhere like one of those, haven't you? 00:03:59.579 --> 00:04:00.639 Some of us in all three. 00:04:02.459 --> 00:04:16.639 Imagine you're sitting there feeling those things, asking those questions, and God actually speaks and answers you. 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:25.379 Thus says the Lord of hosts, these people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord. 00:04:26.779 --> 00:04:30.419 Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet. 00:04:30.979 --> 00:04:40.099 Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies in ruins? 00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:52.699 Father, that's a piercing question about priorities. 00:04:55.339 --> 00:05:02.000 So we bow before you, our creator, our savior, our king. 00:05:03.060 --> 00:05:13.139 And we confess that we need to hear from you about what's first and what's best and what's most important. 00:05:13.139 --> 00:05:18.959 So thank you that we hear here the word of the Lord. 00:05:19.079 --> 00:05:20.419 The word of the Lord came. 00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:23.500 The word of the Lord over and over. 00:05:24.479 --> 00:05:27.979 Speak, Lord, to us. 00:05:30.060 --> 00:05:31.360 May your servants listen. 00:05:33.500 --> 00:05:33.800 Amen. 00:05:33.800 --> 00:05:33.919 Amen. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:42.560 Let me tell you about Haggai's context just a little bit. 00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:48.060 So we see why Haggai speaks so directly to you and me. 00:05:48.540 --> 00:05:51.980 We've been walking through some minor prophets, right? 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:55.939 And we've heard of these guys, Micah and Zephaniah. 00:05:55.939 --> 00:06:04.399 They've been calling God's people over many years, warning them about God's discipline coming through exile. 00:06:04.399 --> 00:06:21.819 And indeed, Babylon comes in 586 B.C. and ransacks Jerusalem, destroys the temple, and carries off most of the Israelites into exile, out of the promised land. 00:06:22.819 --> 00:06:23.699 It's not looking good. 00:06:23.699 --> 00:06:31.060 And decades later, God raises up a Persian king named Cyrus to defeat Babylon. 00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:35.439 And Cyrus releases the Jews to return to Jerusalem. 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:39.300 And he sends them with supplies to rebuild the city and the temple. 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:41.120 A marvelous provision. 00:06:41.919 --> 00:06:44.579 They begin the temple rebuilding with zeal. 00:06:44.579 --> 00:06:46.300 They finish the foundation. 00:06:46.500 --> 00:06:47.099 They're going great. 00:06:47.199 --> 00:06:50.300 And then they get distracted. 00:06:51.939 --> 00:06:56.039 They run into opposition from other peoples. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:07:01.399 They leave the temple alone for several years. 00:07:01.799 --> 00:07:02.799 Just a foundation. 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:12.480 Until Haggai shows up in 520 B.C. and says, 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:14.560 Get back to work! 00:07:16.860 --> 00:07:18.400 We just heard it, right? 00:07:19.660 --> 00:07:21.819 Why was that so important? 00:07:22.040 --> 00:07:23.540 Building the temple. 00:07:24.060 --> 00:07:26.360 I mean, is the temple just a building? 00:07:28.660 --> 00:07:29.139 No. 00:07:29.319 --> 00:07:31.800 It means so much more than that. 00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:37.379 Listen, if you miss this, you'll miss the whole point of Haggai, and you'll think it's about a building program. 00:07:37.860 --> 00:07:38.579 And it's not. 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:43.540 In the Old Testament, the temple is God's house. 00:07:43.860 --> 00:07:49.199 It's where he lives, his very presence, right in the midst of his people. 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:54.439 And so, rebuilding the temple means reestablishing that relationship. 00:07:55.840 --> 00:07:58.500 Temple is about relationship. 00:07:58.500 --> 00:07:59.699 Okay? 00:07:59.699 --> 00:08:03.480 Less structural, more personal. 00:08:05.220 --> 00:08:07.019 It's where they worshiped God. 00:08:07.160 --> 00:08:08.639 Brought their sacrifices. 00:08:08.860 --> 00:08:11.120 Heard him speak to them through the priest. 00:08:12.139 --> 00:08:16.920 It testified to the greatness and glory of Yahweh, their God. 00:08:16.920 --> 00:08:24.540 It was to be the place from which the nations experienced the reality and the majesty of Yahweh. 00:08:25.180 --> 00:08:26.500 So, Haggai says, 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:29.879 This temple is of first importance. 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:34.100 That you may know your great God and make him known. 00:08:34.460 --> 00:08:35.519 That's what it's about. 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:45.620 So, just as God delivered his wandering, idolatrous people back then, and brought them back to himself, and said, 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:48.919 I'm putting you here to live for my glory. 00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:52.340 God's done the same with us, hasn't he? 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:56.799 God has delivered us from our idolatry. 00:08:57.100 --> 00:09:00.179 Brought us back to himself through his son, Jesus. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:01.100 Praise the Lord. 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:01.300 God has delivered us. 00:09:01.300 --> 00:09:01.700 God has delivered us. 00:09:01.700 --> 00:09:02.800 He's done that. 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:10.220 And now he calls us to live for his glory in Huntsville and among the nations. 00:09:10.700 --> 00:09:14.019 To fulfill the purpose for which we were created. 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:18.340 Created truly to know him in intimate relationship. 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:23.019 And continually to make him known to those around us. 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:26.899 That his kingdom would be great. 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:32.259 See how we're in such a similar circumstance to them? 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:36.159 Having experienced God's amazing grace. 00:09:36.919 --> 00:09:40.279 And being called to delight in him. 00:09:40.459 --> 00:09:42.179 First and foremost. 00:09:43.059 --> 00:09:45.819 Just as Haggai calls God's people to then. 00:09:48.340 --> 00:09:53.480 But that great purpose wasn't their first priority, was it? 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:55.860 Verse 2. 00:09:56.899 --> 00:10:02.899 These people say that time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord. 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:04.659 Verse 4. 00:10:05.559 --> 00:10:11.939 Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies in ruins? 00:10:13.539 --> 00:10:14.539 Verse 9. 00:10:14.919 --> 00:10:22.779 My house lies in ruins while each of you busies himself with his own house. 00:10:23.740 --> 00:10:24.939 They're busy. 00:10:24.939 --> 00:10:24.980 They're busy. 00:10:26.899 --> 00:10:32.819 Something else has become first for God's people, hasn't it? 00:10:33.279 --> 00:10:35.179 Their own little kingdoms. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:36.819 Paneled houses. 00:10:37.079 --> 00:10:39.279 That's luxurious upgrades. 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:41.659 The comforts of life. 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:47.039 Much easier than fighting opposition to work on God's house. 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:52.959 We'll get back to that when we're not so busy with our own. 00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:58.720 The call of the prophet Haggai is clear, isn't it? 00:11:00.420 --> 00:11:06.320 Relationship with God must be our first priority. 00:11:07.180 --> 00:11:08.800 You know, that's why God delivered you. 00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:10.480 To be with him. 00:11:10.800 --> 00:11:13.379 Not to make sure you have a comfy home in life. 00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:14.759 It's not what it's about. 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:19.779 Nothing else is right unless this is right. 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:26.159 As I learned from my dad quite often, the main thing is what? 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:30.299 To keep the main thing the main thing. 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:31.100 There you go. 00:11:31.139 --> 00:11:32.580 That's your puzzle on your bulletin. 00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:38.280 It sounds simple, but we really struggle with that, don't we? 00:11:39.700 --> 00:11:41.220 That's hard for us. 00:11:41.340 --> 00:11:46.759 It's why we confessed earlier in the service as Ron was leading us through Matthew 6. 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:54.340 We worry about what we eat, what we drink, what we wear, how our lives will go. 00:11:54.340 --> 00:11:56.320 That's what we're consumed with. 00:11:56.960 --> 00:11:58.639 And God says, what? 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:01.360 Seek ye first. 00:12:03.259 --> 00:12:09.280 Seek ye first the kingdom of God, the main thing. 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:13.360 And I'll take care of all those other things for you. 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:18.420 But don't lose track of priority number one, the main thing. 00:12:18.419 --> 00:12:25.919 There are a lot of things wrong with the world in Haggai's day. 00:12:26.579 --> 00:12:29.779 Bad people out there doing bad things. 00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:31.799 Corrupt leaders. 00:12:32.339 --> 00:12:33.839 Warring nations. 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:36.979 Who's God going to call out for all of this? 00:12:38.719 --> 00:12:40.219 His rebuke is for whom? 00:12:41.839 --> 00:12:43.240 For his people. 00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:46.059 He says, look inside. 00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:52.939 What's at the root of what's wrong with this world is that I've designed things to start with you. 00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:55.299 And to flow out to others. 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:56.939 For you to know me. 00:12:57.339 --> 00:12:58.739 And to make me known. 00:12:59.059 --> 00:13:05.419 And what's wrong is you're focused on your own little kingdom. 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:13.779 Friends, we need to hear this in our day every bit as much as they did. 00:13:13.779 --> 00:13:18.399 What seemed normal to God's people then. 00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:22.639 What seems normal to us now. 00:13:23.220 --> 00:13:24.559 It's just the way things work. 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:25.480 It's the way life goes, right? 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:29.439 It's not the way it's supposed to be. 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:38.040 We were made for so much more than we pursue, weren't we? 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:42.259 We were created to know God. 00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:43.860 We were redeemed. 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:47.759 Delivered from our slavery that we might worship God. 00:13:48.259 --> 00:13:51.240 We're indwelt by the Holy Spirit. 00:13:51.699 --> 00:13:55.740 That we might restore God's kingdom in this world. 00:13:56.259 --> 00:14:00.919 We are to be committed to our relationship with God first. 00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:01.219 First. 00:14:04.459 --> 00:14:10.379 But we say, yeah, sure, I'll prioritize God. 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:12.919 When... 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:21.879 Kids, it's easy to think that God will be there once your life gets settled. 00:14:21.959 --> 00:14:23.740 For you to get to know Him then. 00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:29.180 You know, once that special relationship comes along. 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:34.139 Once your career is really well established. 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:37.220 You've got the job and the money that you need. 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:39.879 Kids, listen. 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:43.120 That's not what's most important. 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:50.100 Forgive us for teaching you that those things matter more than getting to know God. 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:52.639 Get to know God first. 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:52.840 First. 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:53.539 Now. 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:54.600 Now. 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.860 You can know Him now. 00:14:58.199 --> 00:15:03.319 Because what happens is you grow up and you're a young person, young adult. 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:10.519 You're starting to look at your beginning salary and say, you know, I'll tithe once I get a promotion. 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:12.939 After we get the house decorated. 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:16.340 Y'all, I'm not old, but I'm older than I was yesterday. 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:19.899 There's always something else. 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:21.559 Isn't there? 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:27.519 There will always be another reason, another something that's more important. 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:30.860 God is reminding you to put Him first now. 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:32.819 Families. 00:15:33.819 --> 00:15:38.259 Are your kids' activities what comes first and drives everything else? 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:43.639 What do our Sundays tell our kids about what's most important? 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:46.919 Is God always the one getting sacrificed? 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:53.080 Or does anything else ever get sacrificed to know Him more? 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:57.620 Those of you a bit older. 00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:01.639 What's first in retirement? 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:05.639 Finally, yourself, right? 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.400 Your home. 00:16:08.400 --> 00:16:09.360 Your trips. 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:11.500 Right? 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:17.600 Or do you start with how you'll give your time away? 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:21.179 How you'll invest it for God's kingdom. 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.279 Is that first? 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:25.200 What's first for us? 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:27.100 Actually, practically. 00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:29.539 Not what we say when we sit in here. 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:30.919 I mean, we say things. 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:33.899 I long to see great things from God. 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:35.759 His kingdom advance. 00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:36.959 Revival come. 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:44.519 Not sharing the gospel with my friends. 00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:50.299 I mean, I'd love to see more adult baptisms, but not doing anything about it. 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:54.439 I wish there were more materially poor people in our church family. 00:16:57.139 --> 00:17:00.279 But I'm not befriending them in my own life. 00:17:01.079 --> 00:17:06.720 What's first for me, practically, is my own house. 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:12.180 My own comfort or family or plans. 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:15.559 You know what's remarkable about this, too? 00:17:15.899 --> 00:17:18.539 Our priorities don't actually work, do they? 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:22.940 We're not actually getting what we want, if we're honest. 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:26.539 Surveys tell us this throughout our country, throughout churches. 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:31.799 But I'd rather you just be honest about your own heart this morning. 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:35.799 Don't you find that even when you rush all over the place all the time, 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:40.299 you don't actually find peace and rest? 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:45.819 Don't you find that even when you prioritize work and money, 00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:47.099 you still don't have enough? 00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:51.699 Don't you find that even when you get all the stuff that you thought you wanted, 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:53.299 you still aren't fulfilled? 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:55.119 Don't you feel that? 00:17:55.639 --> 00:17:57.339 Why does it work that way? 00:17:57.579 --> 00:18:00.859 Why does life with those things first never fulfill? 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:01.719 You know why it is? 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:04.659 Because God made it that way. 00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:11.179 God designed it that way so he could call you back to himself. 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:14.740 He's been doing it for generations with his people. 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:17.400 Notice what Haggai tells them. 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:21.500 Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:23.200 consider your ways. 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:24.800 Think about your life. 00:18:25.860 --> 00:18:28.700 You've sown much and harvested little. 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:31.040 You eat but never have enough. 00:18:31.120 --> 00:18:32.840 You drink but never have your fill. 00:18:33.040 --> 00:18:35.400 You clothe yourselves but no one is warm. 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:39.420 And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:41.540 It doesn't fulfill. 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:45.639 Thus says the Lord of hosts, consider your ways. 00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:50.619 Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house that I may take pleasure in it, 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:53.139 that I may be glorified, says the Lord. 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.480 You looked for much. 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:55.579 Behold, it came to little. 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:58.180 When you brought it home, I blew it away. 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:58.859 Why? 00:18:58.979 --> 00:19:00.679 Why did God make it like that? 00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:02.639 The Lord of hosts says, 00:19:02.919 --> 00:19:05.339 Because of my house that lies in ruins, 00:19:05.459 --> 00:19:08.199 while each of you busies himself with his own house. 00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:11.919 Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew. 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.959 The earth has withheld its produce. 00:19:14.439 --> 00:19:17.059 And I've called for a drought on the land and the hills, 00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:18.879 the grain, the new wine, the oil, 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:23.559 what the ground brings forth on man and beast and on all their labors. 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:26.359 God has done all of this, 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:28.839 so you'll see the emptiness and come back to him. 00:19:29.219 --> 00:19:31.479 Consider your ways, he says. 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:33.839 Aren't you longing for more? 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:36.359 Don't you find this world empty? 00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:39.019 Doesn't there have to be something better? 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:42.559 God says, yes. 00:19:43.939 --> 00:19:44.459 Yes. 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:48.500 See, he's committed to the priority of this relationship, isn't he? 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:52.959 Look at all the things that he would do to have us come back to him. 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:55.019 He says, repent. 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:56.860 Come back to me. 00:19:57.160 --> 00:20:00.259 Trust that I know what you were made to be fulfilled by. 00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:02.279 Live for me first. 00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:08.220 I've committed to you living for my glory first. 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.759 Build my temple. 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.840 Know me. 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:14.319 Pursue my kingdom. 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:18.839 Do you hear him calling to you today? 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:23.139 It's what repentance is, right? 00:20:24.379 --> 00:20:26.019 We've said it nearly every week. 00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:28.679 Repentance is about relationship. 00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:33.980 Repentance is about returning from all of these things. 00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:37.259 We've unwisely prioritized these relationships 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:40.500 and turning back to our primary relationship 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:42.559 and saying, it's primary. 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:42.759 Wow. 00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:49.599 It actually happens in Haggai's day. 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:51.240 Verse 12. 00:20:53.139 --> 00:20:55.220 Then Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:58.539 Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, 00:20:58.700 --> 00:21:01.619 with all the remnant of the people, did what? 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:05.960 Obeyed the voice of the Lord their God. 00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:07.519 The words of Haggai the prophet, 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:09.139 as the Lord their God had sent him. 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:13.120 And the people feared the Lord. 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:14.900 They heard. 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:17.100 They returned. 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:19.340 They obeyed. 00:21:19.560 --> 00:21:20.380 Back to God. 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:23.580 Back to building his temple just three weeks 00:21:23.580 --> 00:21:25.460 after Haggai's first sermon. 00:21:27.780 --> 00:21:28.700 Wouldn't that be glorious? 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:32.020 Whether you're sitting in front of your calendar 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:36.079 or your budget or right here this morning? 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:38.920 Hearing God speak. 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.379 What would he say? 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:41.740 How would he direct me? 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:45.740 And actually turning back to him, 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:47.920 living by his priorities, 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:49.720 it's not complicated, is it? 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:52.519 It's not hard to figure out what would God say. 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:54.180 He speaks. 00:21:58.180 --> 00:21:59.740 But it's also not easy 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:03.160 for our selfish hearts. 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:07.640 This repentant, obedient response 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:10.740 is almost unheard of in the prophets. 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.339 Right? 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:13.660 We don't usually get sentences like that. 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:15.420 It never happens. 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:17.000 Our hearts are so selfish. 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:20.539 Oh God, help us this morning. 00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:23.420 Send your spirit in this generation 00:22:23.420 --> 00:22:25.460 to this community. 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:28.559 That's what we need. 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:33.160 I want you to hear me this morning 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:36.019 heaping one more to-do 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:38.960 onto your already overwhelmed list. 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:41.059 That would be easy to hear. 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.160 Just add it on there. 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:44.660 Do more spiritual stuff. 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:47.640 Go to church things more. 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:48.540 Right? 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:50.519 I just got one more thing. 00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:52.259 I'll write it at the top of the list. 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:56.519 I'm actually calling us 00:22:56.519 --> 00:23:00.160 to something a bit more radical than that. 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:02.360 How about wipe the list clean? 00:23:03.540 --> 00:23:04.720 Could we start that way? 00:23:05.080 --> 00:23:06.080 Just clean it off. 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:09.360 And say, what comes first? 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:12.359 What's most important? 00:23:12.479 --> 00:23:13.939 What's really first? 00:23:14.959 --> 00:23:15.979 Really, truly? 00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:17.899 It's all about knowing God 00:23:17.899 --> 00:23:18.979 and making Him known. 00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:21.579 It's all about experiencing 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:23.559 and expressing His grace 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:26.839 in relationships that will impact eternity. 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:29.059 Your relationship with God 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:30.419 first and foremost. 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.539 Then with each other, 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:34.959 practicing His presence 00:23:34.959 --> 00:23:37.000 in your life in gospel community. 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:38.759 and then with your neighbors 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:41.140 that everyone might feel 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:42.680 and know the glory 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:44.559 of God's presence with them. 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:44.839 Right? 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.920 That's why the temple 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.720 had to be rebuilt. 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:49.079 It wasn't just for these few people. 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:49.920 It was for everybody 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:51.460 to know that God was here 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:53.700 and that His glory was greatest. 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.539 See, this is actually 00:23:58.539 --> 00:24:01.019 permission to say no 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:04.079 to all the other things 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:08.099 besides those relationships. 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:10.619 In fact, it is God 00:24:10.619 --> 00:24:11.980 through Haggai 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:13.460 directing us 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.779 to say no 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:16.960 to all other things 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:20.779 to have Him first. 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:23.639 Just one thing on the list so far. 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:27.500 Because that's what we're created for. 00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:28.420 He knows it. 00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:30.680 See, seeking first His kingdom 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:32.740 is not the doing 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:34.740 of some great deeds. 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:37.120 It begins 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:39.940 with trusting the King. 00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:47.400 Now sometimes we start doing that. 00:24:47.600 --> 00:24:49.900 We start living for God 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.759 and for His kingdom 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:53.799 and things still don't seem easy, 00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:54.180 do they? 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:57.500 Well, the rest of Haggai's 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:59.019 very short prophecy 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.779 is a couple more sermons 00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:03.900 that he delivers to God's people 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:05.400 over the next couple of months 00:25:05.400 --> 00:25:07.400 as they start obeying 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:09.279 and rebuilding the temple. 00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:11.740 Remember, they've started before 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:13.400 and they've allowed something else 00:25:13.400 --> 00:25:14.200 to distract them 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.240 and become more important 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:17.200 and more of a priority for them 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:18.960 than the work they were called to. 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.460 So like a good pastor, 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:22.039 he walks alongside them 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.480 and keeps pointing them back 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:26.119 to the worthiness of God 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:28.139 and of His kingdom work. 00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:29.599 Don't lose your focus. 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:31.279 Remember, He's worth it. 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:34.379 First, 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:35.980 he says, 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:38.099 prioritizing God is worth it 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:40.920 because God's presence with us 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:42.639 ensures future glory 00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:44.779 and true peace. 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:47.859 Have you ever gotten weary 00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:51.399 pursuing God first? 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:54.460 Maybe because others 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.480 don't really care 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:57.559 or they even oppose you 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:59.220 when you try to do that? 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:00.960 Because it doesn't really seem 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:02.500 to make a difference anyway, 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:04.099 spitting on a fire? 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.980 Haggai 2 verse 3, 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:09.259 God's people feel this. 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:11.119 Who is left among you 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:12.240 who saw this house 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:13.539 in its former glory? 00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:16.420 He's talking to the 70 plus crowd. 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:18.799 They've seen the temple. 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:20.619 How do you see it now? 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:22.859 Is it not as nothing 00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:24.379 in your eyes? 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:27.200 They're discouraged, aren't they? 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:30.599 This temple will never match 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:32.139 the one Solomon built on. 00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:34.539 Not worth the effort? 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:38.799 Yet now, 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.019 be strong, 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:41.000 O Zerubbabel, 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.119 declares the Lord. 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:43.659 Be strong, O Joshua, 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:44.799 son of Jehozadak, 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:45.519 the high priest. 00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:46.359 Be strong, 00:26:46.439 --> 00:26:47.879 all you people of the land, 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.919 declares the Lord. 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:49.699 Work, 00:26:49.899 --> 00:26:51.699 for I am with you, 00:26:52.459 --> 00:26:54.019 declares the Lord of hosts. 00:26:54.139 --> 00:26:55.019 According to the covenant 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.879 I made with you 00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:56.959 when you came out of Egypt, 00:26:57.379 --> 00:26:59.679 my spirit remains in your midst. 00:27:00.179 --> 00:27:00.959 Fear not. 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:04.500 Don't fear. 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:06.920 I'm with you. 00:27:07.599 --> 00:27:09.779 And as a result of that, 00:27:09.880 --> 00:27:10.460 verse 6, 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:12.700 yet once more in a little while 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.980 I will shake the heavens 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.619 and the earth 00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:15.220 and the sea 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:16.079 and the dry land. 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:17.500 I will shake all nations 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:19.039 so the treasures of all nations 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:19.779 shall come in 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:21.420 and I will fill this house 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:22.240 with glory, 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.619 says the Lord of hosts. 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:25.859 The latter glory of this house 00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:27.299 shall be greater than the former, 00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:28.599 says the Lord of hosts. 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:30.139 And in this place, 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:32.899 I will give peace, 00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:36.679 declares the Lord of hosts. 00:27:37.899 --> 00:27:39.659 He's pretty clear on that 00:27:39.659 --> 00:27:40.899 from him, isn't he? 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.539 Y'all, it's already begun here 00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:44.819 with King Cyrus 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:45.740 sending treasures 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.859 from pagan nations 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:48.480 to build Yahweh's temple. 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.439 That's crazy. 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.859 But it will take generations 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:54.079 and the coming of the Messiah 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:55.659 to shake the nations 00:27:55.659 --> 00:27:57.699 and bring all their treasures in 00:27:57.700 --> 00:27:59.900 for the glory of Israel's God. 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:02.420 But it's all his, 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.180 all of it. 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:06.380 He is bringing the true peace 00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:07.960 you're working for. 00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:09.319 It's in him. 00:28:09.860 --> 00:28:12.860 He is making his people together 00:28:12.860 --> 00:28:14.759 a glorious temple 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:16.500 full of his presence. 00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:17.880 That's what he's doing right here. 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.460 Did you know that? 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:21.559 So keep putting him first. 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:24.640 It will be worth it. 00:28:25.640 --> 00:28:27.039 He guarantees it. 00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:31.960 Next, Haggai encourages them 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:33.819 with another remarkable promise 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.819 of God. 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:36.759 Let me try to explain briefly 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:38.319 what he says about 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:40.640 the Old Testament ceremonial law. 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:42.799 It's a bit confusing for us. 00:28:43.360 --> 00:28:46.600 He says that one clean thing 00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:50.039 doesn't make all the unclean things 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:51.539 it touches clean 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.660 all of the sudden. 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:54.299 Perhaps, although a little bit different, 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:56.180 think of it like a disease. 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:59.000 Someone who's sick 00:28:59.000 --> 00:29:01.059 has a disease. 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:03.299 If a clean person touches them, 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:05.059 that doesn't clean them, does it? 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:07.339 The disease doesn't go away. 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:09.099 They're still sick. 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:11.700 But it does work the other way. 00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:13.500 Doesn't it? 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:16.079 The unclean things, 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.919 when they touch the clean things, 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:20.259 think of the contagious disease now, right? 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.539 Moving the other way, 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:24.259 it does make everything unclean, 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:26.259 everybody sick. 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:30.140 Verse 14, 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:33.559 so it is with this people 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:35.839 and with this nation before me, 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:37.200 declares the Lord. 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:40.619 And so with every work of their hands, 00:29:40.920 --> 00:29:42.859 and what they offer there 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:44.579 is unclean. 00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:47.359 Even what happens in the temple 00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:49.079 is unclean 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:51.659 because of what's unclean in here. 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:53.379 When your heart is dead 00:29:53.379 --> 00:29:55.220 and turned after other priorities, 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:56.759 coming into the temple of God, 00:29:56.919 --> 00:29:59.279 generally a good thing does no good. 00:30:00.439 --> 00:30:02.099 It doesn't make your heart holy 00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:03.960 to walk in and touch the temple. 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:08.099 And we are that sinful, 00:30:09.659 --> 00:30:11.659 that unclean, aren't we? 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:16.060 Reasonable personal concerns 00:30:16.060 --> 00:30:18.360 like providing for my family 00:30:18.360 --> 00:30:21.200 become unreasonable priorities 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:23.900 in my idolatrous heart. 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:26.340 We build our own houses 00:30:26.340 --> 00:30:27.900 rather than God's. 00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:31.220 Our sinfulness messes up everything. 00:30:31.880 --> 00:30:32.860 Like Adam and Eve, 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:34.200 we turn from the God 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:36.620 who made us to walk with Him 00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:38.180 and trust Him and obey Him, 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:40.380 and so we earn His curse. 00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:44.800 And we've been living under the curse 00:30:44.800 --> 00:30:46.620 that we deserve. 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:50.560 But God says, 00:30:51.360 --> 00:30:52.519 verse 15, 00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:55.000 from this day onward, 00:30:55.100 --> 00:30:55.900 something's changing, 00:30:56.320 --> 00:30:57.259 verse 18, 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:59.860 from this day onward, 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:01.380 verse 19, 00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:03.980 from this day onward, 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:06.440 I will bless you. 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:10.180 Watch how I wash you clean. 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:11.820 From this day on, 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:13.799 I will bless you. 00:31:14.140 --> 00:31:16.460 Did you need to hear those words today 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.920 from your father? 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:21.279 No matter how much of a failure you feel, 00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:24.380 no matter how you fail again in the future, 00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:26.720 those who trust in God 00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:29.799 can count on His gracious provision. 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:32.539 He takes the unclean and says, 00:31:32.840 --> 00:31:33.660 you're clean, 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:36.100 in a way that it never works apart from Him. 00:31:37.100 --> 00:31:38.279 That's His grace 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:40.320 to us. 00:31:42.800 --> 00:31:45.420 One final encouragement from Haggai. 00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:47.500 If it can get any better than that, 00:31:47.800 --> 00:31:49.300 this is the best. 00:31:50.800 --> 00:31:52.900 See, God had promised Israel 00:31:52.900 --> 00:31:54.960 that its glorious hope, 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:57.040 that the future and everything 00:31:57.040 --> 00:31:58.220 He had promised them 00:31:58.220 --> 00:32:00.880 was going to come through a king, 00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:03.480 through an anointed one 00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:05.140 in the line of David, 00:32:06.300 --> 00:32:07.220 a Messiah 00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:08.900 who would come 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:11.500 and rule righteously and justly 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:13.580 over them forever. 00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:15.240 That's their hope. 00:32:16.520 --> 00:32:18.700 But those hopes were dashed. 00:32:19.640 --> 00:32:21.900 The last guy 00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:23.240 in the line of David, 00:32:23.380 --> 00:32:24.060 Jehoiakim, 00:32:25.260 --> 00:32:27.840 because of his idolatry, 00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:30.419 God sent him into exile 00:32:30.419 --> 00:32:31.919 from the promised land 00:32:31.919 --> 00:32:33.759 and God pronounced 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:34.980 that that promise, 00:32:35.199 --> 00:32:36.879 that ring of authority 00:32:36.879 --> 00:32:37.819 given to the king 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:39.179 was taken away. 00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:41.059 God took it back 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:42.759 and sent the king himself 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.839 into exile. 00:32:44.919 --> 00:32:45.459 Promise 00:32:45.459 --> 00:32:47.579 apparently failed. 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.159 But 00:32:50.159 --> 00:32:52.179 God has a plan. 00:32:53.179 --> 00:32:55.039 The word of the Lord again. 00:32:55.039 --> 00:32:57.819 Speak to Zerubbabel. 00:32:58.059 --> 00:32:58.839 I'm going to shake 00:32:58.839 --> 00:32:59.920 the heavens and the earth, 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:01.500 overthrow the kingdoms, 00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:02.839 destroy the strength 00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:03.740 of the nations 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:05.839 and on that day, 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:07.259 verse 23, 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:09.240 declares the Lord of hosts, 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.960 I will take you, 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:11.980 O Zerubbabel, 00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:12.819 my servant, 00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:14.139 the son of Shealtiel, 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:15.119 declares the Lord, 00:33:15.379 --> 00:33:16.559 and make you 00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:18.440 like a signet ring 00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:21.119 for I have chosen you, 00:33:21.839 --> 00:33:22.460 declares 00:33:22.460 --> 00:33:24.619 the Lord of hosts. 00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:25.879 Zerubbabel, 00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:27.859 besides being one 00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:29.099 of the great names 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:31.079 to say in the entire Bible 00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:33.259 and the last word 00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:34.399 on your sermon words 00:33:34.399 --> 00:33:35.180 for today, kids, 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:35.859 that means we're close 00:33:35.859 --> 00:33:36.599 to the end, right? 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:37.700 That you pronounce 00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:38.500 that Zerubbabel 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:40.379 in American English. 00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:44.220 Guess what else he is? 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:47.579 An heir of David. 00:33:48.579 --> 00:33:49.819 They haven't had one. 00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:54.179 So this is huge news 00:33:54.179 --> 00:33:55.259 to Israel 00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:57.159 that God's signet ring, 00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:58.939 his stamp of authority, 00:33:59.139 --> 00:34:00.799 his kingly promises 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:03.779 are back with his people 00:34:03.779 --> 00:34:05.139 in Zerubbabel 00:34:05.139 --> 00:34:07.259 who, as you might suspect 00:34:07.259 --> 00:34:08.440 when you get to lineage 00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:09.360 in the New Testament, 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:11.679 is in the line of Jesus. 00:34:12.699 --> 00:34:14.039 What is God saying? 00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:16.019 Why do they need 00:34:16.019 --> 00:34:17.059 to hear this now? 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.400 If you're beginning 00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:20.860 to find the numbing routine 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:21.579 of life 00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:23.579 make you apathetic 00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:25.619 to the things of God, 00:34:26.159 --> 00:34:27.759 nothing exciting 00:34:27.759 --> 00:34:30.239 will ever happen here, 00:34:31.159 --> 00:34:32.860 then wake up, 00:34:33.259 --> 00:34:33.980 he says. 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:35.759 God is finishing 00:34:35.759 --> 00:34:36.980 what he started 00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:38.279 when he created us 00:34:38.279 --> 00:34:39.719 to fill the earth 00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:40.920 with his glory. 00:34:40.920 --> 00:34:42.700 He's sending his people 00:34:42.700 --> 00:34:43.940 who've returned to him 00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:45.220 a true king 00:34:45.220 --> 00:34:46.900 who will himself 00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:47.920 be the temple, 00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:49.800 God's presence among us 00:34:49.800 --> 00:34:51.579 and fulfill all of God's 00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:52.599 glorious promises 00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:54.599 beyond our wildest imagination. 00:34:54.920 --> 00:34:55.940 He's gonna do it 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:58.240 and he has done it. 00:34:59.079 --> 00:34:59.900 He'll come. 00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:01.019 He's gonna be one 00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:02.800 with his priorities straight. 00:35:03.940 --> 00:35:05.159 He'll love 00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:06.720 just to be with his father 00:35:06.719 --> 00:35:09.359 and then to do 00:35:09.359 --> 00:35:10.379 his father's will 00:35:10.379 --> 00:35:11.679 delights him. 00:35:13.399 --> 00:35:14.539 And though he's a king, 00:35:14.699 --> 00:35:16.659 he's gonna have no place 00:35:16.659 --> 00:35:18.739 to lay his head 00:35:18.739 --> 00:35:21.759 because he's a king 00:35:21.759 --> 00:35:22.639 of a kingdom 00:35:22.639 --> 00:35:24.379 marked by a cross 00:35:24.379 --> 00:35:25.699 where he'll ultimately 00:35:25.699 --> 00:35:28.179 sacrifice his own comfort 00:35:28.179 --> 00:35:30.019 for his people 00:35:30.019 --> 00:35:31.839 and in doing so, 00:35:32.279 --> 00:35:33.639 redeem his people 00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:35.779 and rescue them forever. 00:35:36.719 --> 00:35:38.339 That's what he comes 00:35:38.339 --> 00:35:39.259 to do. 00:35:39.459 --> 00:35:40.419 That's what happens 00:35:40.419 --> 00:35:41.699 when someone sees 00:35:41.699 --> 00:35:43.059 relationship with God 00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:44.179 as first priority 00:35:44.179 --> 00:35:45.859 and his kingdom work 00:35:45.859 --> 00:35:47.859 as worth any sacrifice. 00:35:49.199 --> 00:35:51.099 Jesus is the king 00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:51.739 we need, 00:35:51.779 --> 00:35:52.219 isn't he? 00:35:52.739 --> 00:35:53.079 Amen. 00:35:54.459 --> 00:35:55.559 He has accomplished 00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:57.179 what is required 00:35:57.179 --> 00:35:58.539 of us. 00:35:59.539 --> 00:36:01.899 He is our king. 00:36:01.900 --> 00:36:04.059 So keep working 00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:06.260 because God 00:36:06.260 --> 00:36:07.599 has sent this king 00:36:07.599 --> 00:36:08.519 and therefore 00:36:08.519 --> 00:36:10.240 all of his promises 00:36:10.240 --> 00:36:11.380 are sure. 00:36:11.740 --> 00:36:12.599 It's worth it 00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:13.740 to give your first 00:36:13.740 --> 00:36:15.360 and your all to him 00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:16.480 because he will 00:36:16.480 --> 00:36:17.920 take care of you. 00:36:20.079 --> 00:36:21.440 So keep fighting 00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:22.980 to know God 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:24.340 and to make him known, 00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:25.440 to live in the kingdom 00:36:25.440 --> 00:36:26.300 of the cross 00:36:26.300 --> 00:36:27.460 rather than the kingdom 00:36:27.460 --> 00:36:28.240 of comfort 00:36:28.240 --> 00:36:29.400 because that's what 00:36:29.400 --> 00:36:30.920 the kingdom of the true king 00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:31.599 looks like. 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:32.619 And guess what happens? 00:36:32.760 --> 00:36:33.780 As we live together, 00:36:33.880 --> 00:36:34.780 what's the true king doing? 00:36:35.079 --> 00:36:36.360 He's building us 00:36:36.360 --> 00:36:37.680 into that temple 00:36:37.680 --> 00:36:40.059 where he lives 00:36:40.059 --> 00:36:41.280 with us 00:36:41.280 --> 00:36:43.079 and where through us 00:36:43.079 --> 00:36:44.139 as he remakes us 00:36:44.139 --> 00:36:44.760 into his image 00:36:44.760 --> 00:36:45.740 with those priorities, 00:36:46.059 --> 00:36:47.360 his glory shines 00:36:47.360 --> 00:36:47.840 through us 00:36:47.840 --> 00:36:48.500 to the nations 00:36:48.500 --> 00:36:49.420 so that everybody 00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:50.820 sees how great we are. 00:36:51.460 --> 00:36:51.780 No. 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:53.860 How great the king is. 00:36:53.860 --> 00:36:58.180 So keep seeking him 00:36:58.180 --> 00:36:59.440 first. 00:37:00.500 --> 00:37:02.260 Seeking that relationship 00:37:02.260 --> 00:37:03.400 above all else 00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:06.620 because his presence 00:37:06.620 --> 00:37:07.960 is our peace. 00:37:08.680 --> 00:37:10.200 His grace 00:37:10.200 --> 00:37:12.300 is our hope. 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:14.180 His son 00:37:14.180 --> 00:37:15.740 is our king. 00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:17.620 Amen. 00:37:17.619 --> 00:37:18.659 Father, 00:37:20.239 --> 00:37:23.960 what grace 00:37:23.960 --> 00:37:27.920 that you would send 00:37:27.920 --> 00:37:28.480 the one 00:37:28.480 --> 00:37:32.319 who could finally 00:37:32.319 --> 00:37:34.500 seek you first. 00:37:37.960 --> 00:37:39.319 We thank you for him. 00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:43.000 We thank you 00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:44.219 for what he has done, 00:37:44.559 --> 00:37:45.880 for his presence 00:37:45.880 --> 00:37:46.740 even now 00:37:46.740 --> 00:37:48.000 by his spirit 00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:48.740 with us 00:37:48.740 --> 00:37:49.900 shaping us 00:37:49.900 --> 00:37:50.340 to that 00:37:50.340 --> 00:37:51.099 Father, 00:37:51.320 --> 00:37:52.320 we need to change. 00:37:52.480 --> 00:37:53.460 This is not something 00:37:53.460 --> 00:37:54.260 we can hear 00:37:54.260 --> 00:37:55.059 and walk away 00:37:55.059 --> 00:37:56.140 from the same. 00:37:56.640 --> 00:37:57.720 We need your spirit 00:37:57.720 --> 00:37:59.079 to change our hearts 00:37:59.079 --> 00:38:00.820 and make our lives 00:38:00.820 --> 00:38:01.740 different. 00:38:02.880 --> 00:38:03.780 That trusting 00:38:03.780 --> 00:38:04.380 in a father 00:38:04.380 --> 00:38:05.380 who's got everything 00:38:05.380 --> 00:38:06.119 else covered, 00:38:06.420 --> 00:38:07.240 we would have 00:38:07.240 --> 00:38:08.099 one thing. 00:38:09.820 --> 00:38:10.840 Seeking you, 00:38:11.579 --> 00:38:12.220 knowing you, 00:38:13.260 --> 00:38:14.320 glorifying you 00:38:14.320 --> 00:38:16.000 in everything. 00:38:17.880 --> 00:38:18.860 Work in our hearts 00:38:18.860 --> 00:38:19.559 to that end 00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:20.600 for Jesus' sake. 00:38:21.140 --> 00:38:21.400 Amen. 00:38:25.340 --> 00:38:26.519 For more information, 00:38:26.920 --> 00:38:27.840 visit us online 00:38:27.840 --> 00:38:29.120 at southwood.org. 00:38:29.180 --> 00:38:30.180 Thank you. 00:38:30.180 --> 00:38:30.680 Thank you.