We are looking at Haggai’s 3rd message today, from 2:10-19
Both the 3rd and 4th messages were given on the same day.
Two weeks ago, we learn from Haggai not to underestimate what God can do through one man.
- His short and simple ministry turned the whole nation back to worshipping God.
- His first message was clear – you can never find fulfilment and satisfaction in life apart from God.
- There is a correlation between the blessings in life and the worship of God.
- We are blessed when we seek Him.
We also learn that when God speaks, He is addressing a need He sees in us.
Haggai’s second message is an encouragement to us - be strong and work hard.
- Look at the need of the hour and put your heart into the work God has called us to do.
- John Piper says, “How could we ever belittle a work when God says He is with us in it? When God is working at your side, nothing is trivial.”
Whatever God has called you to do – do it with all your heart.
- Don’t be discouraged. The work is not easy but it is the Lord’s work. Be strong and work.
- Only one reason was given – for God is with you and will help you to finish His task. This will be the anchor you need in ministry.
- Many in the past have done their part. We are called to do our part today, in this generation.
Our concern should not be about the past (how glorious it was) or the future (how daunting the task).
- Our concern should be NOW – what does God want to see done now - in our time, in our church, in the ministry, and then put our whole heart and soul into it.
- Ask Him, Lord, what do you want me to do today?
Now let’s look at God’s third message – 2:10-19
Two questions the Lord wants Haggai to ask the priests.
- Read 2:12. In burnt or sin offering, the meat offered to God as a sacrifice is carried in the fold of the priest’s garment. The meat is consecrated, so is the garment.
- If the garment touches other items, it does not make them holy.
- Read 2:13. In the case of a contact with a dead body, anything that comes into contact with it is defiled. (Many of the laws were given basically for cleanliness and hygiene reasons.)
The questions are object lessons.
- The message was this - holiness is not transferable.
- In other words, touching things that are holy or being near to holiness does not make you holy.
- Building the Temple, serving God, does not make you holy.
But on the other hand, uncleanness can be transferable. It can be passed along.
- Throwing a clean shirt into the laundry bag will not make the rest of the shirts clean.
- But throwing a dirty shirt in and stain the clean ones.
- If you are healthy and strong, you cannot impart it to sick people around you.
- If you are sick, you can pass on the disease to those you come into contact with.
The issue now is not about whether they are doing the right things. They are.
- They are working on the Temple. They are serving the Lord.
- God is now addressing what is inward - the issue of sin in their lives.
- God is asking, “Can any of you, by virtue of working on my Temple, or doing the Lord’s work, become clean? Does working for Me make you holy?” Answer: NO.
Doing Christian things will not make you righteous.
- Nothing outward can cleanse what is ‘defiled’ inside of us. Nothing religious you do will change you. You need God’s grace and forgiveness.
- Jesus said the Pharisees: “You clean the outside of the cup but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” (Luke 11:39)
- Attempts at doing right so that you’ll be right, will never do. You’ll never be right by doing right.
And the other question is, “When the unclean serve Me in My house, will not the defiled desecrate my holy Temple?” Answer: YES.
- The Psalmist says (Ps 24:3-4) “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol, or swear by what is false.”
Remember this parable Jesus taught us in Luke 18:10-17.
- Two persons can come into the Temple doing exactly the same thing but with completely different heart.
- 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.” The Pharisee boasted about himself and his good deeds.
11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: `God, I thank you that I am not like other men-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ Nothing outward can change your heart.
13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, `God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God...." What has he done to be justified? Nothing. Simply confess, repent and seek mercy.
And that’s the message God is giving to the people here.
- God is stirring in them an appetite for Him - they need to turn to Him, seek His forgiveness, and simply receive His mercy and grace.
- Life is more than doing the right things, but being right with God. And God wants to forgive them, and grant them mercy and grace, if they would only turn to Him.
- Haggai 2:17 “…yet you did not turn to me,” declares the Lord.
- Even after many signs that God has been showing shown through their daily experience.
TURN TO ME! God did not give them a list of do’s and dont’s.
- Just turn to me, and acknowledge your need of my grace and mercy!
- “…yet you did not turn to me,” declares the Lord.
Let’s not repeat the same mistake.
- Nothing you do can bless your life; it’s the Lord who blesses you.
- You need to come to God, confess your sin and appropriate His grace, and allow the divine Surgeon to work on you.
- It is by grace you can be saved, through faith!
Cry out to Him like the tax-collector: “Lord, have mercy on me. Help me!”
- 1 John 1:9-10 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
- We experience joy of forgiveness, the freedom from guilt, when we confess to God.
- There is great power in confession. It is the key that unlocks the door of your heart to your God.
Whenever you make a mistake, don’t allow it to fester. The issue has already been settled by Jesus on the cross. Come to God and appropriate His grace.
- Someone puts it, “What is the time lapse between your sinning and then confessing?”
Don’t repeat the mistakes of the Pharisees.
- Your attempts at holiness will never do. Going to church, doing religious things will not do.
- Don’t rationalise. Don’t try to make things right by your own efforts. Confess and allow Him to do His work with your heart.
- Don’t hide. John says 1:10 “If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives.” We are locking Him out – the very power, the grace that I need most.
Joel 2:12-14
12`Even now,` declares the LORD, `return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.`
13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
14 Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing - grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God.
Your relationship with God is everything.
- It’s good that they are working on the Temple. It’s good that they can serve God.
- But the relationship with Him is everything. God’s intention is that you experience His mercy and grace, every day of your life.
Peter Youngren says, “Is it hard to be a Christian? No, it’s not hard. It’s impossible, if we do it our own way.”
- We were never meant to live it in our own strength. Stop trying and allow Jesus to live in and through us.
- Believe on Him that He is enough, that His righteousness is credited to you, and His grace is more than sufficient for you.
