Introduction

Good morning, friends! Today we're going to dive into an encouraging message from the book of Haggai. This tiny book, often overlooked, is packed with powerful truths about endings, beginnings, and the stalwart promises of God.

We're going to focus specifically on Haggai 2:9, where God says,

"The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty."

I'm reminded of a quote by A.W. Tozer. He wrote, "God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves." It's a comforting reminder that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our expectations.

Let's pray.

Lord, we thank You for the opportunity to gather and study Your Word. Open our hearts and minds, Lord, to receive the truths You have for us today. Help us understand and apply these truths in our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Let's dive in.

The Blessing of a Necessary Ending

The concept of a necessary ending is one that we often struggle with. We are creatures of habit, and we tend to cling to the familiar, even when it's not beneficial for us. But sometimes, an ending is not only necessary, it's a blessing. This is the first point we're going to explore today.

The book of Haggai: the Israelites were faced with a necessary ending. Their beloved temple had been destroyed, and they were tasked with rebuilding it. This was a daunting task, and it was easy for them to become discouraged, especially when they compared the new temple to the glory of the old one. But God had a message for them in Haggai 2:9. He promised them that the glory of the new temple would surpass that of the old one. This was a necessary ending that led to a new beginning, and it was a blessing in disguise.

A timeless truth that applies to all of us: We all face necessary endings in our lives. It could be the end of a job, a relationship, a phase of life, or even a cherished dream. These endings can be painful and difficult to accept. But if we trust in God's promises, we can see these endings as blessings.

Can free us from a situation that is not beneficial for us: Sometimes, we are so caught up in the familiarity and comfort of a situation that we fail to see how it's holding us back. An ending can free us from this and open up new possibilities.

Can lead to personal growth: It's often in the face of endings and challenges that we grow the most. We learn to trust in God, to rely on His promises, and to find strength in Him. This growth is a blessing that comes from the necessary ending.

Can lead to a beginning that is even better than what we had before: Just like the Israelites who were promised a temple more glorious than the one they had lost, we too can look forward to a better future. God has a plan for us, and sometimes, that plan involves endings. But those endings are not the end of the story. They are the start of something new and better.

Our own lives: We can see the blessing of a necessary ending. It's not always easy to see it at the time, but in hindsight, we can often see how an ending was a blessing in disguise. It's a reminder that God is in control, and He is working all things for our good.

Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about a necessary ending in your life that turned out to be a blessing.

The Power of God's Promises

The power of God's promises is a reminder that God's Word is not just a collection of ancient texts, but a living, breathing testament of His unchanging nature and His unwavering commitment to His people ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO