August 30, 2009
Morning Worship
Text: Haggai 2:1-9
Subject: Building the Church
Title: Moving Forward With a New Vision
It is good to be back home from vacation. For the first time in recent memory we have come back really refreshed. Now it is time to get back to the work of God in the church. I have to tell you, though, that the work of God didn’t stop while we were gone. All the while, as we were on the road, the thought kept coming to my head, “Where does the church go from here? What is our next step?” I believe that God was revealing His purpose for this church to me all the time we were traveling.
Let me bore you a little with our travels. I love driving because I enjoy seeing the different types of scenery that you find in various parts of the country. This was my first time driving across southern Nebraska. Larry Harlan told me it would be flat and it was. You can be going down the interstate and look in any direction and see – flat! It didn’t bore me, although it didn’t bother me when it got dark and we kept on driving. It changed when we got into northwest Colorado and all the way to Denver. That is the one thing that amazed me – how different everything is. I love the rolling hills and vast prairies that lead up to the foothills of the Rockies. Then it was the Back Hills of South Dakota – and then across I-90 and then south through Iowa on I –29. As we made this gigantic loop the one thought that kept coming back to me was how vast God’s creation is. Almost everywhere we went you could see as far as the horizon in any direction.
The closer we got to home the more that began to change. The one thing that strikes me about Missouri as compared to many of the other parts of the country that we have traveled was the trees. You see, when we were in the other states you could look out and the view was endless. There seemed to be no limitations on your vision. But back in Missouri the highways are tree lined and often your vision is obscured so that you cannot see beyond the edge of the road. We found that to be specifically true as we traveled down Highway 19 to Eminence, MO. The highway is built on the tops of ridges in the Ozark Mountains and you very seldom get a view past what is right in front of you. Now for me that was the most boring part of our trip. I knew that there was a beautiful view waiting for me beyond the tress, but I couldn’t see it from the road.
What it did for me, though, was to make me think about the church. Too often the vision of the church is obscured by the people, events, or circumstances that are close to us, to the point that we fail to remember that beyond those things there is a limitless horizon waiting for us to view.
That is where I want to take you today. I want you to see the limitless possibilities that God has in store for you as individuals, and the church collectively.
Lord, Open my eyes to see and my ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
I. THE WORK OF GOD IN THE PAST. I want you to see what is happening in Israel at this time. King Cyrus of Persia has authorized the release of fifty thousand captives from Babylon just as Isaiah had prophesied would happen back in Isaiah 45:13, 13 I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness: I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not for a price or reward, says the LORD Almighty…” These people came back with the intent of re-inhabiting the city and rebuilding the temple. But when opposition from Samaria arose the Israelites backed down from their temple construction and concentrated on building their own homes. Sixteen years after the foundation for the temple had been laid no more work had been accomplished. Even though it was clear what God had done for them in the past, they could only see the here and now. Here is what was happening in Jerusalem. Go back to chapter 1. 1) The people could not see past their own circumstances – the threats of their enemies – so they blamed their lack on God’s timing. Verse 2, This is what the LORD Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come for the LORD’S house to be built.’” . 2) The people could not be motivated past the comfort of their own homes. 1:4, “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” 3) God reveals the results of their sinful attitudes and actions. 1:6, You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” After their enemy had risen against them with threats the only thing they became aware of was their own comfort. 4) God calls the people back to work. 12Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. You understand, don’t you, that the work of rebuilding the temple is about who God is and not about who we are? If God spoke to His people then He still speaks today. 5) God encourages His people with the promise of His presence. 13Then Haggai, the LORD’S messenger, gave this message of the LORD to the people: “I am with you,” declares the LORD. 14So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the LORD Almighty, their God, 15on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius. Now we get to chapter two. God continues to speak to His people. One of the excuses that the people used to keep from rebuilding the new temple was that the old temple was so magnificent there is no way we could ever match it. Maybe they were sincere in their doubt. Maybe they thought in their hearts, “If this is going to be God’s home then it has to be the best, and we just can’t do it” 2:1-3, 1On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 2“Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? Look, God is calling the church, both here and everywhere else, to rebuild the temple. Are you concerned that this church can’t match the church that was here under Pastor Skinner or other pastors who were here when the church was flourishing? Are you afraid that revival now can never be the same as what it was for you in the past? God isn’t asking you to match what has happened in the past. He is asking you to rebuild. He isn’t making any demands for the best materials – He is just asking you to give your best – the best of your efforts, your time, your offerings. He isn’t concerned that we have the largest, most up-to-date sanctuary. He just wants a heart that is willing to serve. Colossians 3:23-24, 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
II. THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PRESENT Do you know that in spite of your failings and inadequacies that God has given you everything you need to be the man and woman of God for this time and this place? 4But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. Have you ever heard people say that the God of the Old Testament is different that the God of the New Testament? When I read my bible I see a God who is the same. He is the God who encourages and empowers His people. His words to the remnant were the same as they were to Joshua when he was preparing to cross over into the Promised Land some twelve hundred years earlier. Joshua 1:6-9, 6“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Now let’s look to see what God has spoken to us through the great apostle Paul. Ephesians 6:10-13, 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. How is it that God’s people can stand firm and be strong in this present life? It is because He has promised us – has given His word – that He is with us. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. God’s word from the old to the new testaments, from the Genesis to Revelation assures us of God’s abiding presence with His people. 5‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’ You see, the remnant of Israel wasn’t going to build the temple and stand against a powerful enemy in their own power. In Zechariah 4:6 the Lord spoke through the prophet, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. We have God’s word that if we stand in His strength and in His authority to build the church with the best we have to offer something great will happen.
III. THE WILL OF GOD FOR THE FUTURE We finished up in verse 5 by reading that God assures us that That His Spirit remains among His people. That has never been so evident and so important as it is now in the church. 6“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty. These verses have dual meaning. First, there was a shaking that took place in history that has changed history. It wasn’t the birth of Mohammed, or Buddha, or Joseph Smith. It was the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the desired of all nations. They just may not know it yet. The shaking intensified when God poured out His Spirit on all flesh on the Day of Pentecost. That same Spirit is at work in the church and is still shaking the world today. Second, it refers to the second coming of Christ, when He steps down out of the clouds and begins His Millennial reign on earth. At that time His presence will fill the temple more gloriously than ever. In verse 8 God reminds us who the source of all things is, 8‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty… it doesn’t matter how the church looks on the outside, it is what is taking place on the inside that is important. You see, the old temple was adorned with gold and silver decorations. It was impressive. But that’s not what God is looking for. He is looking for the inner beauty of a church that is setting its heart to know the heart, word and will of God for their lives and then that is willing to accept. It is this model of church that the prophet refers to when he says, 9‘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 love to hear the stories of great revivals of the past. I have read the history of Azusa Street. I know about the revivals of Charles and John Wesley. I know about the Great Awakening of the 1700’s. We’ve all heard of the healing revivals of the 50’s and 60’s and the Charismatic movement of the 70’s and 80’s and the revival in Pensacola and Toronto and Seattle. Perhaps you have a personal memory of great revival in this church. Maybe you even remember some of the great moves of the Spirit that we have had in the past eight years. Let me say this. It is OK to look back at the past, but it is never OK to dwell in the past, because God’s plan for the future of this church is far greater than anything that has happened in the past. I think that sometimes we fail to look past circumstances that are occurring around us and think, “We can never grow beyond what we are today.” Be honest now, how many of you have caught yourself looking at the present economic state of the nation and said to yourself, “Oh what will the church do? We know that this downturn will just bring ruin.” Let me tell you this. As long as we continue to be faithful to the Lord with our finances He will continue to bless us. The word does not say that He will provide for our needs except during a recession. It doesn’t say that God will bless us except when there is an economic disaster. It doesn’t say He will heal us except when there is cancer involved. It does say that the glory of the latter church will be greater than the glory of the former church. Why? Because God is calling the church more and more to trust and believe the word. Thus sayeth the Lord!!!!! Jesus said, in Matthew 16:18-19, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Who is that for? The church!!!!
So here we are going down the Interstate of life, and the question is, “What are you seeing as you go?” Is your vision limited to what you are able to do? Can you see past the trees to the endless possibilities that God has for the church or do you just see the trees? What vision do you have for the church?
Let me briefly share my vision for the church and then I hope you can get on board with where God is taking us.
1. God wants us to be an outreaching church. (witnessing, providing for needs, caring, nurturing)
2. God wants us to be an outspoken church. (knowing what you believe and standing for it)
3. God wants us to be a growing church. (in numbers and in maturity)
4. God wants us to be an expanding church. (that requires looking beyond what you think we can be and look to what God is telling us to be, taking steps of faith.)
5. God wants us to be a faithful church. (faithful with what He has given us – individually and as a church)
6. God wants us to be a loving and compassionate church. (reaching out to the lost and hurting and undesirables)
7. God wants us to be a Holy Ghost church. (operating in the gifts of the spirit, in the Baptism in the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit and the power of the Spirit)
8. God wants us to be a forward moving church. (always running toward the prize and looking for His return.)
Can you see the horizons that wait beyond the trees? Are you ready to look past your problems to see all God’s promises? Are you willing to say, “I can do this cause I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me?” Are you ready to step out in faith to bring in the lost, to teach a Sunday school class, to be involved in a ministry? Are you ready to see the glory of God in this temple?
Who will stand with me today and say, “We’re moving forward in the things of God. The promises of God and the power of God?”
9‘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.”
