WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:04.320 Well, good morning, everyone. Let me encourage you to come expectantly to Haggai chapter 2. 00:00:06.020 --> 00:00:10.720 And let's just pray, shall we, just before we come to God's inspired word. 00:00:12.939 --> 00:00:15.860 Heavenly Father, we were thinking about last week in this book of Haggai, 00:00:17.080 --> 00:00:20.019 about what you do as your word goes forth. 00:00:20.660 --> 00:00:23.440 Thank you that your word does not return to you empty. 00:00:24.359 --> 00:00:28.140 Thank you that it is living and active. It is sharper than a double-edged sword. 00:00:28.140 --> 00:00:33.020 Father, thank you that you call your people to tremble before your word. 00:00:34.100 --> 00:00:38.500 And so, Father, we ask that you would transform us as a community as your voice is heard today. 00:00:39.079 --> 00:00:43.960 Lord, help us to respond rightly, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:45.980 --> 00:00:50.640 Well, Haggai chapter 2. It's a famous story told about Sir Christopher Wren. 00:00:51.659 --> 00:00:56.140 If you've no idea who Sir Christopher Wren is, if you're a young generation, 00:00:56.140 --> 00:00:59.759 let me just tell you who he is, you'll know what he's famous for. 00:00:59.820 --> 00:01:04.840 His famous work was the fact that he was the guy that designed St. Paul's Cathedral down in London. 00:01:05.879 --> 00:01:08.280 And there's a story told about Sir Christopher Wren, 00:01:09.500 --> 00:01:12.780 about how one day he decided when this building was being constructed, 00:01:13.019 --> 00:01:17.500 he decided to go undercover because he wanted to understand and see 00:01:17.500 --> 00:01:22.379 the heart of the people who were building his vision. 00:01:22.379 --> 00:01:27.019 What was the mood like? So he goes undercover and he starts walking around the cathedral 00:01:27.019 --> 00:01:29.539 and he comes across three men. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:32.179 And he asks the three men the same question. 00:01:32.319 --> 00:01:35.219 He says, why is it that you're working? 00:01:36.399 --> 00:01:39.939 So he goes around the cathedral, number, man number one, he says, 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:41.679 tell me what you're doing, why are you working? 00:01:41.759 --> 00:01:44.759 And the man looks up at him and says, I'm just carving a bit of stone. 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:45.979 Which is true, right? 00:01:46.399 --> 00:01:48.919 Just carving, chipping away, chiseling a bit of stone. 00:01:49.859 --> 00:01:50.180 Fine. 00:01:50.900 --> 00:01:52.460 So he keeps on walking, going through the cathedral. 00:01:52.579 --> 00:01:54.460 He comes across man number two. 00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:56.180 He says, why are you working? 00:01:56.320 --> 00:02:00.460 And he says, well, sir, I'm working for five shillings, two pence a day. 00:02:00.540 --> 00:02:03.439 I don't know why that's worth today, but it sounds all right for me. 00:02:04.219 --> 00:02:07.760 The guy said, I'm working to put bread on the table for my family to eat. 00:02:07.820 --> 00:02:09.560 Another brilliant reason to work. 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:13.300 So he keeps on walking through the cathedral and he comes across man number three 00:02:13.300 --> 00:02:14.539 and he asks him the same question. 00:02:14.620 --> 00:02:16.420 He says, tell me, what is it you're doing? 00:02:16.539 --> 00:02:17.539 Why are you doing it? 00:02:17.539 --> 00:02:21.060 And of course, this man is doing exactly the same as the other two. 00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:22.659 He's got a family to feed. 00:02:22.739 --> 00:02:25.159 He's chiseling away at a bit of stone. 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:29.840 But this man looks up at Christopher Wren, looks him in the eye, not knowing who he is. 00:02:30.259 --> 00:02:36.459 And he says, why, sir, I'm helping to build Sir Christopher Wren's beautiful cathedral. 00:02:37.939 --> 00:02:39.579 So this man had seen the blueprints. 00:02:39.579 --> 00:02:40.780 He'd seen the drawings. 00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:47.580 But more than that, he bought into the bigger picture of what's going on, what's ahead. 00:02:47.979 --> 00:02:55.300 And there's a world of difference, isn't there, between fulfilling a task and understanding the bigger picture of why you're doing the task. 00:02:55.300 --> 00:03:01.240 And this morning is all about buying into God's big plan for the future. 00:03:02.660 --> 00:03:04.240 Big plan for the future. 00:03:04.580 --> 00:03:10.360 And it's so important that we know as followers of Jesus why we're doing what we're doing. 00:03:11.540 --> 00:03:13.040 What's the end game? 00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:14.379 Why are we doing this? 00:03:14.459 --> 00:03:16.000 Why do we meet on a Sunday? 00:03:16.359 --> 00:03:18.159 Why do we bother with evangelism? 00:03:18.259 --> 00:03:19.319 Why do we pray? 00:03:20.219 --> 00:03:22.340 Because I don't know whoever you are here today. 00:03:22.459 --> 00:03:23.359 Maybe you're a Christian. 00:03:23.479 --> 00:03:26.719 Maybe you're a non-Christian coming in thinking, what is this all about? 00:03:26.799 --> 00:03:31.879 And we all come here having watched the news this week and seen the things that have gone on. 00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:35.719 Okay, we've seen the devastation in Tonga. 00:03:35.719 --> 00:03:43.539 Maybe you've read the stories this week about the two richest men in the world whose net worth has somehow doubled during lockdown, 00:03:44.039 --> 00:03:48.379 while the rest of the world is struggling to make ends meet. 00:03:48.740 --> 00:03:50.579 Or maybe it's just like me this week. 00:03:50.680 --> 00:03:55.960 I filled in, I did my gas and electricity prices this week, did my meter readings, 00:03:56.079 --> 00:03:59.020 and I could not believe the sum that came back. 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:02.759 Never seen a figure like that before in my life. 00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:07.319 All of these things, don't they, come at our hearts and cause us to ask the question, 00:04:08.039 --> 00:04:09.620 who's at the steering wheel? 00:04:10.319 --> 00:04:11.679 Who's in control? 00:04:12.199 --> 00:04:14.719 Is there a plan for where the world is going? 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:20.500 And this passage today would tell us that history is going somewhere. 00:04:21.339 --> 00:04:25.740 It would tell us that God has a plan for his people's good. 00:04:25.740 --> 00:04:34.740 Now the question we need to ask ourselves in the context of Haggai is why do these people at this time need to know that? 00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:36.620 And this is where we join the action. 00:04:36.740 --> 00:04:38.460 Come with me to verse 1 of chapter 2. 00:04:41.639 --> 00:04:43.540 And the chronology is really important here. 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:49.340 So this is near two months after the prophet Haggai has begun to speak. 00:04:49.420 --> 00:04:51.360 So two months, get that figure in your head, two months. 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:58.580 And it's nearly one month since the people started rebuilding the temple at the end of chapter 1. 00:04:59.660 --> 00:05:04.259 So the maths is that they have been building this thing for nearly 30 days. 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:05.939 Okay. 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:09.040 And I remember having some friends who are really into the gym. 00:05:10.020 --> 00:05:12.600 And they always used to say, we're never going in January. 00:05:13.740 --> 00:05:14.900 Never going in January. 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:16.439 Because you have to queue for the machines. 00:05:16.860 --> 00:05:18.340 You have to wait for a shower. 00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:19.780 We're not going in January. 00:05:19.920 --> 00:05:20.960 We're going in February. 00:05:21.739 --> 00:05:22.639 Do you know why we're going in February? 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:28.859 Because all the people that came in January hoping that this was something they could do this year have given up. 00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:31.120 Because it's quieter in February. 00:05:31.979 --> 00:05:36.979 And the enthusiasm of the people who came in January has totally dwindled. 00:05:37.159 --> 00:05:39.199 And we know that feeling, don't we, all of us? 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:42.159 Just losing enthusiasm. 00:05:42.939 --> 00:05:47.000 Just feeling the reality of what's in front of us. 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:48.879 Of running out of steam. 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:51.319 And that's what's going on on the streets of Jerusalem. 00:05:52.360 --> 00:05:53.920 The honeymoon period is over. 00:05:54.040 --> 00:05:56.040 The reality of the project has set in. 00:05:56.199 --> 00:06:00.920 The sheer size of the task of rebuilding the temple has got them down. 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:07.800 And you've got to understand that the energy and enthusiasm levels that once were there in shed loads have completely dwindled. 00:06:08.580 --> 00:06:10.140 And they're just spiritually spent. 00:06:10.139 --> 00:06:22.819 And so if the issue, if you follow with me, if the issue in chapter one is apathy and God challenges that, the issue in chapter two is despondency. 00:06:22.819 --> 00:06:24.959 And God encourages. 00:06:26.399 --> 00:06:27.219 They are weary. 00:06:27.339 --> 00:06:27.980 They are discouraged. 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:28.819 They are disillusioned. 00:06:30.420 --> 00:06:30.819 They're discouraged. 00:06:32.540 --> 00:06:33.279 Now here's the thing. 00:06:33.819 --> 00:06:37.060 One of the last time, when the last time was it, you walked into Waterstones. 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:38.839 Or Amazon. 00:06:39.079 --> 00:06:39.740 Or something like that. 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:42.740 You know how you walk into Waterstones and you go in and there's the table. 00:06:43.819 --> 00:06:45.719 And it just says bestsellers on it. 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:46.019 Right? 00:06:46.159 --> 00:06:49.240 The ones that are flying off the shelves that week, that month. 00:06:49.339 --> 00:06:50.060 The bestsellers. 00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:52.060 You ever wondered what makes a bestseller a bestseller? 00:06:53.160 --> 00:06:57.660 I reckon it's because it clicks with where people are at. 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:02.340 Now let me just, whoever you are here today, let me just tell you about a Christian bestseller. 00:07:03.480 --> 00:07:04.879 It was written by a man. 00:07:05.560 --> 00:07:07.720 It was a book rather called Pilgrim's Progress. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:10.579 Written by a man called John Bunyan way back in the day. 00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:13.399 And it remains a bestseller to this day. 00:07:13.980 --> 00:07:17.459 And it was this allegorical book that he wrote about the Christian life. 00:07:17.459 --> 00:07:21.139 A central character, a man called Christian, however he came up with that. 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:21.599 I don't know. 00:07:21.719 --> 00:07:24.099 But he's journeying towards heaven. 00:07:25.060 --> 00:07:26.319 He's journeying towards heaven. 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:29.419 And on the way to heaven, he's coming across all these different characters. 00:07:29.560 --> 00:07:32.879 And one of the characters he comes across is the giant of despair. 00:07:33.539 --> 00:07:37.419 The giant of despair who lives in Doubting Castle. 00:07:37.420 --> 00:07:43.319 So Christian, on the way to the promised land, on the way to heaven, encounters the giant of despair. 00:07:43.540 --> 00:07:47.500 And somehow he's ushered into the castle of Doubting Castle. 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:53.200 And he becomes so overwhelmed by the size of the giant, it almost causes him to give up. 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:59.340 And Christians over the years have bought that book because it clicks. 00:07:59.339 --> 00:08:03.299 It's a bestseller because there's something in it. 00:08:03.359 --> 00:08:08.459 There's something that John Bunyan was saying all those years ago that we know to be true in our lives. 00:08:09.259 --> 00:08:12.139 That we become discouraged on the Christian journey. 00:08:12.719 --> 00:08:17.899 That the size of the task, the size of the giant becomes overwhelming. 00:08:17.899 --> 00:08:23.159 And this is how it's going to play out in our day-to-day lives. 00:08:23.239 --> 00:08:23.819 We know it, don't we? 00:08:23.859 --> 00:08:26.699 That relationship in your family that's wearing you down. 00:08:28.159 --> 00:08:33.439 That job that so many in our world are in and will be exactly the same. 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:35.279 That job that seems dead end. 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:38.959 You're at a career cross loads. 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:43.019 You're wondering what life is going to look like after university. 00:08:44.179 --> 00:08:45.439 Applications, what's going to happen. 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:48.420 There's a niggling health issue in your life that's not going away. 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:51.560 You just keep getting it wrong with the kids. 00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:55.660 The sin that dominates your life repeatedly just keeps coming up. 00:08:55.700 --> 00:08:57.640 You don't feel like you're making any progress. 00:08:58.560 --> 00:09:02.280 That test result that came back that has left you flat. 00:09:02.420 --> 00:09:06.640 There's all sorts of things in our lives as Christians that can cause us to doubt. 00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:11.600 And think, can I, should I, can I keep going? 00:09:12.140 --> 00:09:13.040 Can I keep going? 00:09:13.040 --> 00:09:13.300 Can I keep going? 00:09:15.440 --> 00:09:16.740 And this is what we need to say here. 00:09:16.820 --> 00:09:18.140 God speaks to encourage. 00:09:19.180 --> 00:09:21.280 He spoke last week, a couple of weeks ago, to challenge. 00:09:21.520 --> 00:09:22.780 This week he speaks to encourage. 00:09:23.180 --> 00:09:25.620 And you've got to understand that the Lord here is the good doctor. 00:09:25.780 --> 00:09:27.720 There's a reason why Jesus is in the Gospels. 00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:29.860 He's the great physician. 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:35.700 And here's what we need to do as we draw alongside these people in chapter 2. 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:42.399 I want us to be honest about two things that can cause us to give up what God's called us to do. 00:09:42.519 --> 00:09:44.379 Two things that will cause us to give up. 00:09:45.500 --> 00:09:49.379 And then I want us to be strengthened by three things I think should cause us to keep going. 00:09:49.379 --> 00:09:50.519 Okay. 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:53.679 And here's really simply what I want us to see. 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:57.519 I want us to see that three is greater than two. 00:09:58.500 --> 00:09:58.879 Okay. 00:09:58.939 --> 00:10:01.259 Three is greater than two. 00:10:02.200 --> 00:10:07.559 Because here is two things in the text, or sorry, two things in this passage that can cause us to give up. 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:08.759 Okay. 00:10:08.899 --> 00:10:09.460 Ready for these? 00:10:09.539 --> 00:10:10.120 Here's number one. 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:11.559 The present feels messy. 00:10:12.899 --> 00:10:13.940 Present feels messy. 00:10:13.940 --> 00:10:16.640 And this is kind of what's going on behind the text. 00:10:16.780 --> 00:10:19.180 The people have been at this for nearly 30 days. 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:22.220 You know what that's like to be at something for a month, don't you? 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:25.280 And remember, this is 520 BC. 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:28.580 So this is not high cranes at the St. James's Quarter kind of gig. 00:10:28.660 --> 00:10:32.880 This is not civil engineers and world-class architects coming together to join forces. 00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:34.860 This is just ordinary people. 00:10:36.160 --> 00:10:41.220 Ordinary people having a go at doing what God's called them to do and build the temple. 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:47.560 And all the likelihood, all they've got to show for it so far is just they're looking at a pile of rubble. 00:10:49.800 --> 00:10:56.000 And this thing that God has told them to do looks seriously unimpressive compared to their panelled houses. 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:57.600 Do you remember when we met them in chapter one? 00:10:58.580 --> 00:11:00.440 Seriously unimpressive what they're looking at. 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:04.320 And it's like that, isn't it, in the Christian life. 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:05.279 It can feel messy. 00:11:05.420 --> 00:11:08.379 It can feel unimpressive all the time. 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:10.539 All the time. 00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:11.179 Praying. 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:12.720 In your room. 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:14.179 Doing what God's called you to do. 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:14.980 Right? 00:11:15.059 --> 00:11:17.039 We met last month upstairs hall. 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:18.299 It was freezing up there. 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:20.639 There was something like six or seven of us with the windows open. 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:23.259 Thinking to myself, this looks so unimpressive. 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:25.039 So unimpressive. 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:29.000 That relationship as we walk with one another through life. 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:31.639 That relationship that seems to not be going anywhere. 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:33.019 That seems to be getting harder. 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:38.360 Instead of, it's going to emotionally cost you. 00:11:38.440 --> 00:11:41.779 To choose the road of saying sorry and being right with somebody. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:46.200 Seeking reconciliation rather than choosing the easy road of just walking away. 00:11:46.299 --> 00:11:48.460 It feels unimpressive. 00:11:48.460 --> 00:11:52.960 I know many of you tomorrow are going to go to the fanciest offices. 00:11:54.600 --> 00:11:59.960 And you come in here and as wonderful a building as this is, the truth is that the roof leaks and it's cold. 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:06.900 You know, you can go on the internet and you can look at snazzy TED Talks complete with graphic design. 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:13.319 And you come in here on a Sunday and we try our best and we seek for Christ's glorifying excellency. 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:20.779 But I'm so aware in a world that looks slick and impressive that we come in here and we're devoting ourselves to listening to an ancient text. 00:12:22.459 --> 00:12:25.679 It can feel like the world is so much trendier. 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:27.139 It can feel as we come in here. 00:12:27.199 --> 00:12:28.319 It can feel, isn't it? 00:12:28.579 --> 00:12:29.939 It can feel messy. 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:32.759 It can feel unimpressive. 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:37.360 But this is going to challenge us not to judge things by how we see them. 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:39.019 It's to judge them. 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:39.759 Keep on going. 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:43.480 And like, well, in light of what God has said is true about the future. 00:12:43.559 --> 00:12:44.419 But it's true, isn't it? 00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:46.659 That the present feels messy. 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:47.919 It's where these people are at. 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:49.159 The present feels messy. 00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:52.519 And number two, the past feels rosy. 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:56.580 And this is what's specifically mentioned in the text. 00:12:56.659 --> 00:12:57.519 Look at verse three. 00:12:58.799 --> 00:12:59.600 God says, 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:12.300 Now let me just point out there, isn't it wonderful that God asks questions? 00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:13.700 Rhetorical questions. 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:17.920 Yes, this is about submitting to the lordship of God. 00:13:18.180 --> 00:13:20.920 That he is Lord over every area of his people's lives. 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:25.300 But this lordship comes in the context of relationship. 00:13:25.800 --> 00:13:27.779 The Lord asks them questions. 00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:34.279 And you see, what's going on here is what the people are doing is that they're taking what they're seeing in front of them, the rubble. 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:42.279 And many of them, probably an older generation, who remember what the temple was like in Solomon's day, all those years before exile, 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:46.620 are looking at it and thinking, this is nothing compared to what it was before. 00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:49.620 Nothing compared to what it was before. 00:13:51.419 --> 00:13:55.000 And the younger generation who are perhaps enthusiastic thinking, well, what's the point? 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:57.059 What's the point? 00:13:57.779 --> 00:14:03.500 You know, like Uncle Albert from Only Fools and Horses, if you're in a generation, remember that, grew up on that show. 00:14:04.039 --> 00:14:04.819 What was his line? 00:14:05.839 --> 00:14:07.679 He always said, during the war, didn't he? 00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:08.559 During the war. 00:14:09.059 --> 00:14:11.740 Always loved telling a story about what it was like back in his day. 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:13.259 How good he had it. 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:16.240 And it's true, isn't it, friends, that nostalgia can get us down. 00:14:17.339 --> 00:14:18.559 It can get us down. 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:22.099 Being pessimistic about the present. 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:28.519 Particularly when it's coming from a place of where we're rose-tinted spectacles about the past. 00:14:28.859 --> 00:14:30.500 Particularly as things change. 00:14:31.819 --> 00:14:34.699 I hear it all the time as we look out at our country. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:38.119 And people say we used to be the land of the book. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:39.199 Right? 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:40.700 We used to have Billy Graham here. 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:42.400 Celtic Park was packed. 00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:44.780 Revival was going on everywhere. 00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:46.780 And now look at us. 00:14:47.800 --> 00:14:49.759 I'm not unsympathetic to that view. 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:51.940 People say, John Knox, remember what he said? 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:54.120 He said, give me Scotland or I die. 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:57.180 That was his rallying call to his generation. 00:14:57.179 --> 00:15:04.759 And the thing is, if we want to recapture something of that, give me Scotland or I die, let's go for it. 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:05.599 Absolutely. 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:11.199 That spirit of revivalism that is expecting God to move in magnificent ways. 00:15:11.339 --> 00:15:18.659 That has a passion to take the news of Jesus out of our comfort zones to the suburbs and the schemes of our nation. 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:21.159 If that's why we're quoting it, absolutely. 00:15:23.459 --> 00:15:26.259 But what so often happens is we quote it and we look out. 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:29.200 And we retreat. 00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:36.559 And what we end up doing is we end up casting judgmental stones at a culture that seems to be so different from the one that we're used to. 00:15:37.939 --> 00:15:40.360 And that cannot be God's heart for his people. 00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:46.779 To be so caught up in the past that we're failing to get involved in the present. 00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:49.840 Yes, I'm concerned about the state of our nation. 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:51.919 But our God would say, I'm bigger than that. 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:55.679 He has not ceased to be Lord over our nation. 00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:57.239 We saw about it last week. 00:15:57.319 --> 00:16:01.019 Jesus Christ, the risen Jesus, is Lord over all things. 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:02.819 That will never change. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:07.419 The present feels messy. 00:16:08.959 --> 00:16:12.079 And this generation, the past feels rosy. 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:18.379 And those are two things, if we're really honest about it, that can cause us to give up. 00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:21.340 Remember what I said? 00:16:22.160 --> 00:16:24.600 Start three is greater than two. 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:30.720 So God, I think, gives them three things to be strengthened by. 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:34.519 Three reasons that they need to keep going. 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.379 With this building project. 00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:38.040 Remember we said it was so much bigger than a building. 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:40.399 It was about their heart for the Lord. 00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:41.480 I mean, about who he is. 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:43.879 The heart for his presence. 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:45.019 Wanting him. 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:49.480 You see, verse four, God says, be strong, says the Lord. 00:16:50.779 --> 00:16:56.919 And if you're thinking of the wider Bible story, you'll recognize echoes of what God said to Joshua and his generation. 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:59.919 When they were thinking about, can we take the promised land? 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:01.139 Is God good for his word? 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:04.299 And God would say to Joshua, no, be strong and courageous. 00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:05.720 Do not be discouraged. 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:08.559 For the Lord, your God, is with you. 00:17:09.379 --> 00:17:10.359 Echoes of that here. 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:13.859 Do you see how God, verse four, he addresses Joshua. 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:15.439 He addresses Zerubbabel. 00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:16.819 He addresses the people. 00:17:17.219 --> 00:17:20.359 You know, in sport, they always talk about a good man manager. 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:28.179 Somebody, they always said this of Alex Ferguson, that he would go around a dressing room and he would know exactly the right thing to say to every individual player. 00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:30.819 Do you see how God here is the ultimate man manager? 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:33.619 Knows what to say to the people. 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:39.139 And it's almost as if he could, he would have gone around every single individual person and said, be strong, be strong. 00:17:39.139 --> 00:17:40.059 Do not fear. 00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:42.659 Keep working. 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:43.479 Keep building. 00:17:43.659 --> 00:17:43.939 Why? 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:45.159 Here's our three reasons. 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.879 First two will be really quick. 00:17:46.979 --> 00:17:48.659 And the last one, we'll think about it a little bit more. 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:51.439 Number one, because the Lord is in your corner. 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.359 He's in your corner. 00:17:53.479 --> 00:18:02.579 Do you see six times, if you've got the text there, six times in quick succession from verse four, God says, I am the Lord Almighty. 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:04.699 It was in our second song, I think. 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:07.559 Who can stop the Lord Almighty, right? 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:09.899 So he is the God of angel armies. 00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:11.180 It's a warrior term. 00:18:11.300 --> 00:18:13.140 This is who this God is. 00:18:13.580 --> 00:18:15.360 He is the all-powerful God. 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:22.000 He's the God who will not be thwarted in accomplishing the purposes that are in his heart for the good of his people. 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:25.460 It's the Lord Almighty who's in your corner. 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:32.559 And while it looks unimpressive here, you've got to understand that sitting above this is a God who reigns over all things. 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.539 You know, I love this story. 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:36.539 I've told it before, but I'm telling it again, okay? 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:39.160 Love the story of the old Quaker Hall down in Birmingham. 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:43.140 Sitting on a bit of prime real estate. 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:46.660 And there's something like a handful of members in this little Quaker Hall. 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:54.259 One day they receive a letter from John Lewis, big department store who are next door, offering to buy their land. 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:58.720 The Quaker Hall sent one back saying, thanks, but no thanks. 00:18:58.799 --> 00:19:02.559 But while we've got you, we'd like to make an offer to buy your land. 00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:07.640 You're sincerely John Cadbury, right? 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:14.700 John Cadbury, the owner of the vast Cadbury's Chocolate Empire and who was one of the handful of people in that Quaker Hall. 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:17.660 It matters that you know who's on your team. 00:19:18.060 --> 00:19:21.300 It matters who you know has got your back. 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:26.220 And God is saying to the people here, it's the Lord Almighty who's in your corner. 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.700 And here's reason number two. 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:34.020 You keep going because the Lord is in your corner, yes, but the Lord is by your side. 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:38.259 Verse five, do you see how God takes them on a history lesson? 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:43.759 He says, I'm the same God who brought your forefathers out of Egypt all those years before. 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:46.700 Sure, they would have heard about that in exile. 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:53.339 But how God had come through for them in the past and made these glorious promises to his people about the future. 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:56.680 He says, I'm the covenant gods. 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:58.879 L-O-R-D, the covenant gods. 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:04.000 Covenant, just meaning this binding commitment that God makes to his people. 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:07.339 His promises to them that he will be their God. 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:09.079 They will be his people. 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.879 He knows where he's taking them. 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:13.859 He will take them to the promised land. 00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:16.039 What's so special about the promised land? 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:18.759 It's not just that this is a nice place. 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:21.039 It's because God is there. 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:23.180 He is with his people. 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:30.460 And this shows us the determination of the God of the Bible to win and bring his people home to himself. 00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.660 He is with them. 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:35.880 And then really quickly, number three. 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.940 Why keep going? 00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:42.000 The Lord is in our corner. 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:43.660 The Lord is by our side. 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.580 And here's number three. 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:46.900 Because the Lord has got our future. 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:49.040 He's got our future. 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.080 Verse six. 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:54.460 And just look at how many times God says, I will there. 00:20:54.560 --> 00:20:55.600 Just stop and have a look at it. 00:20:55.620 --> 00:20:56.800 I didn't see it until Friday. 00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:59.159 He says, I will. 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:00.399 I will. 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:01.279 Do you see? 00:21:01.419 --> 00:21:01.919 I will. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:03.259 It's wedding language here. 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:06.220 God is binding himself to his people. 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:08.659 It's almost as saying, sorry. 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:11.799 Do you see how the initiative is all of the Lord here? 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:17.839 It's almost as if he's saying, stand back and see what I will do for you. 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:21.720 Stake it all on me, knowing that I will come through for you. 00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:23.859 Now, here's what I want us to understand. 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:27.659 This is about who the Lord is. 00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:31.059 This is not about these people. 00:21:31.219 --> 00:21:35.639 This is not about you and I bringing our spiritual A-game to the party. 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:40.459 God is saying, if only you could reach the spiritual threshold, then I'll be able to do things. 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.799 But if you don't, I can't. 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:43.019 No, that's not what he's saying. 00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:45.199 He's saying, I will do this. 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:46.099 I will do this. 00:21:46.139 --> 00:21:48.979 This is not about you and I getting our moral act together. 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:51.639 This is about God being who God is. 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:55.720 And what will God do for them? 00:21:55.820 --> 00:21:56.420 Two words. 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.580 He will fill. 00:21:59.300 --> 00:22:00.240 See that, verse 7? 00:22:01.300 --> 00:22:02.320 God will fill. 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:08.240 He will fill the temple with his glory. 00:22:10.340 --> 00:22:15.300 His people will experience and know his presence and his grandeur and his greatness 00:22:15.300 --> 00:22:19.880 in a superior way to anything that they've ever known before. 00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:21.520 Even greater, verse 9. 00:22:22.540 --> 00:22:25.920 Than anything that their ancestors had ever experienced before. 00:22:26.100 --> 00:22:29.560 God will fill this temple with glory. 00:22:29.800 --> 00:22:31.420 God will be with them. 00:22:31.840 --> 00:22:33.320 And how will he do that? 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:35.759 He will shake. 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:39.259 See the word twice there? 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:41.220 Verse 6 and 7. 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:44.680 God is saying he will act. 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.700 He doesn't just make promises. 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.640 He acts. 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.440 He will act. 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:49.620 He will do something. 00:22:50.360 --> 00:22:55.579 I take it that word shake just means he will do something so unmistakable in the eyes of the world 00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:59.220 to bring about his people knowing his glory. 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:02.860 And because he does it, because he acts, 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:04.220 his people, 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:07.600 the end of verse 9, 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:09.680 will know his peace. 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:13.180 That's what God says he will do 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:15.120 to this people 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:18.460 who are currently looking at a pile of rubble. 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:21.460 And this is what he will do 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:23.200 in the years to come. 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.380 And of course, 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.480 what does he want them to say? 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:27.220 He wants them to say, 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.660 if he was to walk around, 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.480 why are you building? 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:32.259 For them to say, 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.500 because our God, 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:35.160 we're going to fill this temple with glory. 00:23:37.360 --> 00:23:39.160 I don't know if you've ever had that experience of 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:42.880 looking out over a mountain range. 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:46.019 And you look out, 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:48.339 and all you can see is peaks in the distance. 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:50.500 The thing is, 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.299 as you look at the peaks, 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:52.440 they look wonderful, 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:56.299 but you just don't know the distance between the peaks. 00:23:57.099 --> 00:23:57.759 You know what I'm talking about? 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:59.720 You just don't know the distance between the peaks. 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.879 It's kind of like that with fulfillment 00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:03.240 when it comes to the Old Testament. 00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:06.359 Because this promise that God is saying 00:24:06.359 --> 00:24:07.180 that he will act 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:09.339 to be with his people, 00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:10.160 it's got two peaks. 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.259 And the thing is, 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:12.980 we know one of them. 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:15.299 So Jesus Christ, 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.500 God's son lived. 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:19.319 He died on the cross. 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:22.059 And what do the gospel writers 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:23.879 record as having happened 00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:25.299 as he dies on the cross? 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:27.180 Darkness, 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:28.500 this unexplainable darkness 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.759 falls over the land. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:32.580 It's an unmistakable act. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.380 What is happening is 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:36.000 Jesus is bearing the full weight 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.820 of God's anger against our sin 00:24:37.820 --> 00:24:39.539 on himself 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.860 as he hangs on the cross. 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:43.620 It's an unmistakable act. 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:45.580 Now what happens? 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.900 The camera pans to the temple. 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:48.000 What happens in the temple? 00:24:48.640 --> 00:24:50.019 There was a huge curtain there, 00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:51.380 this big no entry sign 00:24:51.380 --> 00:24:52.080 that says 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:53.720 that sinful mankind 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:55.839 cannot enter the presence 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:56.919 of a holy God, 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.879 the very place 00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:58.699 where God lived. 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.559 And what happens is 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:00.399 Jesus dies. 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.939 The camera pans to the temple 00:25:01.939 --> 00:25:03.480 and this curtain 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:04.439 is torn in two 00:25:04.439 --> 00:25:05.519 from top to bottom. 00:25:05.699 --> 00:25:07.279 It's an unmistakable act. 00:25:09.859 --> 00:25:11.539 And you can know peace with God. 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:13.439 You can know access 00:25:13.439 --> 00:25:14.339 to this God. 00:25:14.439 --> 00:25:15.099 You can know him 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:15.859 as your father 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:19.019 because of the crucified Christ. 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.979 And if you're here today 00:25:20.979 --> 00:25:22.179 and you haven't put your faith 00:25:22.179 --> 00:25:22.919 in this Jesus, 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:24.079 you need to know 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.699 that this is what 00:25:24.699 --> 00:25:25.519 you're turning down. 00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:26.419 This is what's on offer. 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.500 Peace with the God 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.139 of the universe. 00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:30.139 We are justified. 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:31.139 We are right with him 00:25:31.139 --> 00:25:32.719 because of who Jesus is. 00:25:33.379 --> 00:25:34.259 And on the third day, 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.099 Jesus rises. 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:36.699 What is it? 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.979 What do the gospel writers 00:25:37.979 --> 00:25:38.619 recall? 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.139 They recall 00:25:40.139 --> 00:25:42.679 a violent earthquake. 00:25:42.879 --> 00:25:44.799 God literally shook the world. 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:47.519 At the resurrection of Jesus, 00:25:47.699 --> 00:25:50.939 it is an unmistakable sign. 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.119 God has acted 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:55.079 in the crucified 00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:57.279 and in the risen Christ. 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.719 That's one mountain peak. 00:26:01.939 --> 00:26:03.059 Second mountain peak 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:05.439 still to come. 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:08.599 When this Jesus returns 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:12.259 and there is a great trumpet call, 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.139 I take it that just means 00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:14.539 there is another shaking. 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.899 Unmistakable. 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.799 As he ushers in 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:18.440 the new heavens 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.299 and the new earth, 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:20.180 this kingdom 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:22.940 of peace. 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.659 Now it's a kingdom of peace 00:26:25.659 --> 00:26:27.619 because there is no more death. 00:26:28.159 --> 00:26:29.659 There is no more tears. 00:26:30.379 --> 00:26:31.899 There is no more sadness. 00:26:32.159 --> 00:26:33.000 There is no mourning 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:35.220 because there is no sin. 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:37.440 Because God has defeated 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.539 his enemies. 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.399 And for Christians, 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.379 we understand that 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.980 Jesus has paid for our sin 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:43.660 on the cross. 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.660 This is not about 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:45.380 being a Christian, 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.740 being a perfect person. 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:48.480 This is about trusting yourself 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:50.079 to Jesus who died for you. 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.860 But if your hope isn't 00:26:51.860 --> 00:26:52.740 in Jesus, friends, 00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:54.039 this peace 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:56.360 should come as a loving warning 00:26:56.360 --> 00:26:57.019 from heaven 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:58.299 that either Jesus 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:59.620 is paying for our sins 00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:01.779 or we're paying for our sins. 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:03.599 And if our trust isn't in Jesus, 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:04.980 then there is 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.640 the thought of facing 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.720 the almighty God, 00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:10.059 eternally having to be punished 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.920 for our sins. 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:12.080 Stuart was saying it earlier, 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.360 we love people enough 00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:14.200 that we want to tell them 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:14.820 about that. 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.779 But this is where 00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:20.720 history is gloriously going. 00:27:22.800 --> 00:27:23.920 And so God says to this people, 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:25.820 do not fret over the rubble. 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:27.920 Keep building. 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.660 Keep building 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:32.060 based on what I say 00:27:32.060 --> 00:27:33.019 will happen in the future. 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:35.680 Let me just tell you 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:37.019 one of my favorite stories 00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:37.840 that Jesus tells 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:38.579 in the Gospels. 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.699 And it's this parable 00:27:41.699 --> 00:27:43.439 of the mustard seed. 00:27:44.699 --> 00:27:44.819 Right? 00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:45.980 And he tells his two disciples 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:46.919 who are facing up 00:27:46.919 --> 00:27:48.919 to the reality 00:27:48.919 --> 00:27:50.899 of what it is 00:27:50.899 --> 00:27:51.720 to follow him. 00:27:52.659 --> 00:27:53.279 And they're just 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:54.220 watching this happen. 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.159 They're thinking to themselves, 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:56.779 why are the religious leaders 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.779 in the Gospels 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:59.259 not interested in Jesus? 00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:01.319 Why are the crowds 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:02.220 disappearing, 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.079 grappling with the 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:05.959 unimpressive nature 00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:06.920 of following Jesus? 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:08.160 And Jesus takes him aside 00:28:08.160 --> 00:28:08.620 and he says, 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.380 the kingdom of God 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:10.640 is like dot dot dot. 00:28:10.840 --> 00:28:12.279 You get this in Matthew 13. 00:28:13.100 --> 00:28:13.980 Think, top of my head. 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.620 The kingdom of God 00:28:15.620 --> 00:28:15.860 is like, 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:16.799 don't you ever play this game? 00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:17.480 I often play it 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.059 in the Gospels. 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:18.600 I don't know whether 00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:18.960 it's good, 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:19.920 but it's called, 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:20.539 if I were Jesus, 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:21.240 how would I finish 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:21.740 the sentence? 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:25.160 I'm speaking to my followers 00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:26.420 and I'm saying, 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.120 the kingdom of God 00:28:27.120 --> 00:28:27.539 is like, 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.579 I want to encourage them 00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:29.120 in the journey. 00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:29.860 What am I saying? 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.019 I would have gone 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:32.500 for something like, 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.200 the kingdom of God 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.299 is like Kilimanjaro. 00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:36.259 It looks huge. 00:28:36.399 --> 00:28:37.200 It's impressive. 00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:38.220 It's massive. 00:28:38.919 --> 00:28:39.419 Or I would have gone 00:28:39.419 --> 00:28:39.859 like something 00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:40.659 the kingdom of God 00:28:40.659 --> 00:28:41.319 is like, 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:44.019 an impressive yacht 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:45.059 in Monte Carlo. 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:46.159 That's what I would have 00:28:46.159 --> 00:28:46.579 gone for. 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:47.980 Impressive. 00:28:48.379 --> 00:28:48.740 Grand. 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:49.980 I know the world 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.639 can't see it, 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.319 but it's grand. 00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:52.539 Jesus says, 00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.339 the kingdom of God 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:53.919 is like, 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.740 it's like a mustard seed. 00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:57.659 Next time you're in 00:28:57.659 --> 00:28:58.039 Dobby's, 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:58.899 have a look for one. 00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:01.579 The smallest seed 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:02.480 that you can imagine. 00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:02.740 It's like a mustard seed. 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:04.899 Jesus said, 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.440 the kingdom of God 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:05.919 is like that. 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:10.139 But when that mustard seed 00:29:10.139 --> 00:29:10.879 goes to the ground 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:11.539 and dies, 00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:14.519 and it begins to grow, 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.579 over time, 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.460 at the end of the day, 00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:18.319 that is growing 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.419 into the largest 00:29:19.419 --> 00:29:20.539 of garden trees. 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:25.139 And what looks to you 00:29:25.139 --> 00:29:25.919 like the kingdom of God 00:29:25.919 --> 00:29:27.019 looks unimpressive now, 00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:29.539 but it will be 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:30.839 anything other 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:32.619 than unimpressive 00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:33.639 on the final day. 00:29:35.639 --> 00:29:36.739 Here is the mustard 00:29:36.739 --> 00:29:37.519 shaped king 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:40.899 calling his people 00:29:40.899 --> 00:29:42.399 to adopt 00:29:42.399 --> 00:29:45.179 a mustard seed life, 00:29:46.179 --> 00:29:47.000 all because 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:48.039 they have been captured 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:50.239 by a mustard seed 00:29:50.239 --> 00:29:51.339 vision of the future. 00:29:52.679 --> 00:29:54.379 Your life feels messy now? 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:55.179 Your life feels 00:29:55.179 --> 00:29:56.239 unimpressive now? 00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:56.839 Absolutely. 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:58.039 So did Jesus's. 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:59.319 As he dies on the cross, 00:29:59.379 --> 00:30:00.419 that looked anything 00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:01.840 other than impressive. 00:30:02.060 --> 00:30:02.300 And yet, 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:03.080 what would he say? 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.240 Mustard seed kingdom. 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.259 Working away, 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.820 buying into God's plan 00:30:11.820 --> 00:30:13.440 for the future, 00:30:14.060 --> 00:30:15.740 not being discouraged 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:17.060 by how things look now, 00:30:17.320 --> 00:30:18.600 but buying into 00:30:18.600 --> 00:30:20.820 this glorious vision 00:30:20.820 --> 00:30:21.400 as God says, 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:22.420 I will fill the temple 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:22.940 with glory. 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:25.759 And just as we close, 00:30:25.840 --> 00:30:26.320 let me tell you 00:30:26.320 --> 00:30:27.539 about an older lady 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.639 I visited recently. 00:30:29.899 --> 00:30:30.899 An older couple 00:30:30.899 --> 00:30:33.339 finding it more 00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:34.639 physically difficult 00:30:34.639 --> 00:30:35.259 to get out 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:35.859 on a Sunday. 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:38.460 And I'm sure 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.619 that they could have 00:30:39.619 --> 00:30:40.659 easily tapped out 00:30:40.659 --> 00:30:42.200 the present. 00:30:43.159 --> 00:30:43.879 And as well, 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.619 because I recognize 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:45.259 the church will have 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.159 changed a lot 00:30:46.159 --> 00:30:47.819 in their time here. 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:48.680 Particularly, 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:49.399 I'm sure as they come back, 00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:49.819 they will look out 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:50.480 and many of you 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.539 will not have seen them 00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:52.079 before. 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.740 All these new faces. 00:30:53.899 --> 00:30:54.539 But let me tell you 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.440 when I visited them, 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:58.180 what encouraged me 00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:59.259 massively? 00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:00.920 What they did 00:31:00.920 --> 00:31:02.759 is that they told me 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.480 they very much 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.840 have a heart 00:31:04.840 --> 00:31:06.000 to be involved 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.640 in the present. 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:08.019 They can't physically 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:08.799 be here as much 00:31:08.799 --> 00:31:09.539 as possible 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.140 as they want, 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.440 but they want to be here 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:13.360 spiritually speaking. 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:13.640 Do you know 00:31:13.640 --> 00:31:14.279 how they do it? 00:31:15.600 --> 00:31:16.220 They go and 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:17.019 they bring it out, 00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:18.600 they keep a scrapbook. 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:20.279 Right? 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:22.100 They keep a scrapbook 00:31:22.100 --> 00:31:23.340 and it's a prayer 00:31:23.340 --> 00:31:23.980 scrapbook. 00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:25.360 What they do, 00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:25.920 every month 00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:26.940 we produce a newsletter. 00:31:27.360 --> 00:31:28.559 They get the newsletter, 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.700 any new members, 00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:30.400 cut them out 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:31.720 into the scrapbook. 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:33.000 So if you've been 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.519 a member here 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.779 in the last two years, 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:35.400 three years, 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:36.440 your picture's been in there, 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:37.779 you're in the scrapbook. 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:38.440 Right? 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:40.120 New member, 00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:40.980 scrapbook. 00:31:41.360 --> 00:31:42.099 Prayer request, 00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:42.980 scrapbook. 00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:45.339 Mission report, 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.019 scrapbook. 00:31:46.599 --> 00:31:47.559 Anything else going on, 00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:48.220 scrapbook. 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:49.180 So they have this 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:50.180 scrapbook at home 00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:51.920 and they just pray. 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:53.580 They just pray. 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.700 Can't physically be here. 00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:56.860 They want to still be involved. 00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:58.320 They want to still be active 00:31:58.320 --> 00:31:59.279 with what God is doing 00:31:59.279 --> 00:31:59.880 in our nation 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:01.140 all in the scrapbook. 00:32:01.340 --> 00:32:01.779 It's amazing. 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:03.259 Scrapbook. 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:05.519 In the scrapbook. 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:06.640 I'm driving home 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.680 and reflecting on it, 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.800 picturing them, 00:32:10.340 --> 00:32:10.660 praying, 00:32:11.620 --> 00:32:12.380 their age, 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.580 in the room, 00:32:13.800 --> 00:32:14.120 thinking, 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:15.380 that is the mustard 00:32:15.380 --> 00:32:16.039 shaped life. 00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:17.019 Right there. 00:32:18.120 --> 00:32:19.080 Anything other than 00:32:19.080 --> 00:32:19.539 impressive. 00:32:20.060 --> 00:32:20.900 Anything other than 00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:21.200 impressive. 00:32:21.300 --> 00:32:21.780 But what is it 00:32:21.780 --> 00:32:22.560 that keeps them going? 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:24.140 What is it that keeps them 00:32:24.140 --> 00:32:25.519 wanting to be involved 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.180 in the present? 00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:28.420 Because they understand 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:28.900 the future. 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:30.820 They understand the future. 00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.519 The mustard 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:33.480 shaped life. 00:32:34.780 --> 00:32:35.180 Knowing 00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:37.300 the best is yet to come. 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:38.580 So here are these people, 00:32:38.700 --> 00:32:39.519 Haggai's generation, 00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:40.740 looking at a pile of rubble, 00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:41.980 thinking about giving up. 00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:43.800 And God says, 00:32:43.880 --> 00:32:44.240 keep going 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:44.860 because what I'm doing 00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:45.380 in the future. 00:32:45.800 --> 00:32:46.320 Keep going. 00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:47.920 Blow you away 00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:48.780 what I'm going to do. 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.040 God says to our 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:50.799 generation today, 00:32:50.879 --> 00:32:51.659 making disciples, 00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:52.839 keeping on speaking 00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:53.420 for Jesus, 00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:54.680 seeking first the kingdom 00:32:54.680 --> 00:32:55.059 of God. 00:32:55.159 --> 00:32:55.539 Keep going. 00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:55.899 Why? 00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:57.599 Because Jesus 00:32:57.599 --> 00:32:59.019 is with you. 00:32:59.319 --> 00:32:59.799 Keep going 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.639 because of the future. 00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:02.159 And so here's what 00:33:02.159 --> 00:33:03.019 I want you to do today. 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:03.759 If you're weary 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:06.519 and you're tired 00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:09.039 and you're spent 00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:11.339 and you're discouraged, 00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:14.200 come and drink in 00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:15.319 these precious promises 00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:16.539 from God, 00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:17.079 your father. 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:19.439 and here's what 00:33:19.439 --> 00:33:19.720 we're going to do. 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.299 We're just going to be silent 00:33:20.299 --> 00:33:20.819 for a moment 00:33:20.819 --> 00:33:22.039 and I want us all 00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:22.740 to do that 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:24.799 and just bring him 00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:25.819 our requests 00:33:25.819 --> 00:33:27.339 and let's pray 00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:28.759 that God by his spirit 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:30.639 would take these promises 00:33:30.639 --> 00:33:31.379 and would they be 00:33:31.379 --> 00:33:31.960 furnace, 00:33:32.639 --> 00:33:34.759 fuel for the furnace 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:35.299 of our hearts. 00:33:35.379 --> 00:33:35.980 That's what I'm saying. 00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:36.740 Let's pray, 00:33:36.819 --> 00:33:37.099 shall we? 00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:44.559 It is grace 00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:46.399 that has brought us 00:33:46.399 --> 00:33:47.399 safe thus far 00:33:47.399 --> 00:33:49.859 and it is grace 00:33:49.859 --> 00:33:50.839 that will see us home. 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:53.259 And we just thank you, 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:53.559 Father, 00:33:53.619 --> 00:33:54.719 for who you are today. 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:55.799 Who can stop 00:33:55.799 --> 00:33:57.059 the Lord Almighty? 00:33:58.480 --> 00:33:58.859 Oh, Father, 00:33:58.959 --> 00:33:59.699 help us 00:33:59.699 --> 00:34:01.879 with the eye of faith 00:34:01.879 --> 00:34:03.159 to keep on doing 00:34:03.159 --> 00:34:04.480 what you've called us to do. 00:34:05.440 --> 00:34:05.880 Father, 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:06.980 furnace the fire 00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:07.799 of our hearts 00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:09.240 with a burning desire 00:34:09.240 --> 00:34:10.219 to serve you 00:34:10.219 --> 00:34:11.039 in this nation. 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:12.500 Father, 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:13.139 for those who are 00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:13.960 discouraged today, 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:15.000 I pray that you would 00:34:15.000 --> 00:34:15.699 draw alongside. 00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:17.159 Father, 00:34:17.240 --> 00:34:17.780 for those who are 00:34:17.780 --> 00:34:18.619 hurting today, 00:34:18.740 --> 00:34:18.880 Lord, 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:20.240 would you be the God 00:34:20.240 --> 00:34:21.480 of all comfort to them? 00:34:22.199 --> 00:34:22.460 Lord, 00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:23.219 those who are struggling 00:34:23.219 --> 00:34:23.880 with sin, 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:24.380 would you bring 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:25.860 a fresh understanding 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.619 through your 00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:28.280 indwelling Holy Spirit 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:30.840 of just who Jesus is, 00:34:31.480 --> 00:34:32.240 what he's done 00:34:32.240 --> 00:34:33.320 for us on the cross 00:34:33.320 --> 00:34:34.820 and the fact 00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:35.480 that in him 00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:37.360 he will get us home. 00:34:38.740 --> 00:34:39.019 So, Father, 00:34:39.059 --> 00:34:39.600 we praise you 00:34:39.600 --> 00:34:40.700 for who you are today 00:34:40.700 --> 00:34:42.140 and we pray 00:34:42.140 --> 00:34:43.180 in Jesus' name. 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:44.320 Amen. 00:34:44.320 --> 00:34:44.500 Amen.