There Will Be Glory After This! Series

Sermon: There Will Be Glory After This! Scripture Text: Haggai 2:1-9

Haggai 2:1-5 “Then on October 17 of that same year, the Lord sent another message through the prophet Haggai. “Say this to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of God’s people there in the land: ‘Does anyone remember this house—this Temple—in its former splendor? How, in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all! But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.’

6-9 “For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”'"

Introduction: Haggai begin God’s Promise of Renewal. No Matter what it looks like, something new and glorious is on the way! The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory. A renewal, a refreshing, a rejuvenation, a renovation, and a complete restoration is coming. Renewal is the process of shedding the old outer covering and putting on the new. This takes place in the 'spirit of your mind'. As we come to know God, our minds are renewed in accordance to the knowledge of Him. In Romans 12: 2 Paul speaks of 'proving' what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. Paul speaks of inward Renewal. “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The first message of Haggai to the people encouraged them to consider their ways and then reprioritize their lives. Misguided priorities had led the people of God away from their assignment. The work was neglected 18 years. After the first message from the Prophet Haggai, the whole nation repented and returned to the work. The first order of business was to secure the needed materials and start to build again. The enemy of our souls works continuously to pull us away from our God-given assignment. What Satan failed to do through misguided priorities and outward opposition, he tries to accomplish through discouragement. The world is going through a lot of pain. But in dark times, we also see that people stand together as bright torches shining through the blackest night. When people in great suffering cannot keep their faith and bow down in discouragement, let us faithful believers share our confidence, faith, and courage with them.

A long time ago, there was a rumor that the devil was going out of business, and he was selling his tools to whomever bids the most for them. One night he opened doors to his customers and showcased all his tools: hate, jealousy, fear, deceit, and many more. But somewhere in a dark corner of the room was a very old, harmless-looking and worn-out object, looking as if it has been used throughout eternity. It had the highest price of all. Somebody asked the devil what that instrument was and why was it so expensive.

"Discouragement," answered the devil. "It is the most expensive tool because it is the one, I use most on people. When nothing else works, I can enter slowly in their minds and hearts, and nobody notices. Once I am there and get them discouraged, I can do whatever I want with them. This tool is so worn out because I've been using it since the dawn of humanity, and it works with everybody."

"Very few people know this tool belongs to me. When they get discouraged and lose hope, they think it's themselves to blame, other people and the world around them," laughed the devil. “Sometimes, they even blame God. People hit obstacles in life, they encounter problems, but when they get discouraged, when they lose hope, that's just me doing my job."

The second message of Haggai was sent to combat the high level of discouragement among the people. The present difficulties created by the pandemic has discouraged many. First because of how long it has impacted our lives with no end in sight. The mixed crowd in Haggai were made up of young and old, many who could remember the former temple and temple worship with all its beautiful form, rituals, and glory. The former temple had a glorious history and drew people from all over the world. The floor was black and white marble, the walls were the finest cedar overlaid with pure gold, the curtains were made of fine linen with embroidered work of angel wings. The veil was made of woven materials nine inches thick, and all the instruments of the temple were forged and beaten from fine gold and silver. The returning exiles had no fine gold or silver, no fine linen cloths, or embroidered works. The temple that they were building was only a shadow of its former self. They were discouraged and started losing hope. But God sends a word of encouragement.