Recording His Vision
Haggai 1:1-7
1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built.
3 Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,
4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?
5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. {with holes: Heb. pierced through}
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
Pr 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
I am entitling this today: Recording His vision
According to Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish:
As a church we need to make sure that we are a people of vision.
When we are a people of vision there will be restoration.
Where there is vision (His Vision) the people will live.
If you want to stay happy in your walk of faith do what Jesus shows us that we need to do.
Recording His vision
What kind of vision do you have for your own personal life?
Haggai had a vision for the people this morning.
With the Babylonian exile in the past, Gods people had returned to their homeland with full intentions of rebuilding the temple.
After building the foundation their work came to a screeching halt.
The book of Haggai records the unwillingness of the returned exiles to build.
Hag 1:2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built.
Unbelief never fails in arguments and always has the capital defect of leaving God out.
The religious argument was that the seventy years of captivity was not yet expired, so the building of the temple should wait.
An excuse they had was they did not have the king’s permission.
Hag 1:3 Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,
The phrase Then came the word of the LORD, this was by design by the Holy Spirit to let the people know the severity of their situation and the depth of their sin.
God raised up a man in the generation that they were in that was not going to be ashamed of what “Thus saith the Lord.”
Hag 1:4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?
The question, Is it time for you, has the emphasis on the pronoun you…
It is used in derision as the phrase, this people say, in verse two, instead of my people.
The phrase “O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses,” has the Holy Spirit comparing their houses with His house.
The comparison is not very favorable towards the people.
Hag 1:5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
The word consider means to set your heart upon.
Hag 1:6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
Seldom does the Holy Spirit so clearly and plainly show what the reason for lack of progress as He does here.
Among other things He shows us that to divert money away from Gods work to personal use causes poverty of the soul and often times the pocket.
They had fine houses to live in and they had the best Chariots and horse’s money could by but they were neglecting the building of the temple.
These people started to go droughts and they started to have health problems.
God wanted the people to consider their ways.
The people were worried more about personal things than what Gods House needed.
How many of us are a people of vision?
Wednesday night if you remember we asked God to give me a message.
5-31-12
I dreamed Dave Williamson was speaking. He passed out cards and was talking about Haggai. He entitled his message “recording His Vision”
Interpretation
God wanted us to go to the book of Haggai this morning and talk about giving unto the Lord to do his work.
Haggai recorded Gods vision for us this morning.
Some might say God does not expect us to give, can you show me where it says that.
The Lord gave me another dream.
I dreamed that I was observing and then I was reading the message Bible. I was reading in Malachi about tithing. I was then examining between the testaments. I was comparing it to my Message Bible. I knew that it was the same.
The Lord has been giving me dreams about preaching on tithing for a while now.
I have not preached on it since we were at Wind of Faith.
Its not that I wanted to but God wants me too.
Interpretation
Some will say tithing is not for today.
Some will say that it was under the Law.
How many knows that tithing was before the law? Abraham practiced it.
Malachi 3:6-10
6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not
7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
Some will say it is not recorded in the New Testament?
Wrong answer
Mt 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Lu 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Jesus was not telling the Pharisees not to tithe, they already did this and Jesus is affirming that they should.
Is Jesus telling us that we don’t need to?
No, he is telling us that we should.
Some will say I can’t afford to tithe, I say I can’t afford not too.
For the last 16 years Susan and I have tithed 10 percent and God has opened up the windows of Heaven and poured out a blessing upon us.
Tithe is still 10 percent.
We were about 10 thousand dollars in the whole, but God brung us out, why because we trusted Him and tithed when it looked like we could not afford it.
Some might say that we live high on the hog, which we don’t we are just doing what we know that we should.
God has just saved us 12 years of payments on our house! 90 thousand dollars!
He is pouring out blessings upon our lives.
If things got tight I promise you we would tithe, Gods tithe will come before our house payment, car payment and any vacations that we take, or any luxuries that we have.
When God gave me my message I was and am nervous but if I don’t tell you then I will be held accountable for not telling you the truth.
The people were now moved to rebuild.
Hag 2:3 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
Some who were there had saw the Temple in the former glory, and now all they see is nothing.
Some of us were here when I was younger and God was pouring out his Spirit in this valley.
We talk about the good old days.
I have heard people talk about what was so real, it was but why did it stop?
Because the people chose to get out of the boat.
What we have now is just as strong and maybe even more powerful, the Miracles that have taken place.
We need to be a people of His vision and continue to believe that God is going to continue to take us further in Him.
We as children of faith must see with our spiritual eyes.
It might look bad, but God is in control.
A man said to me once God does not pay my bills, I had to think about that and I remembered this Scripture.
Hag 2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
God does pay my bills because it is already His money.
He has let me use it while I am here.
What we need to remember is that everything that there is including money is not really ours it is Gods and He is supplying all of our needs.
If the silver and Gold is his why not give back the part that he expects so He can and will pour out a blessing upon your life?
The reason for 2:8 is because the people were thinking what this present temple would be in comparison to Solomon’s temple.
The former had much silver and gold, Zerababbels would have little or none.
God wanted them to know it was about His Spirit moving in their present day situation.
God did not want the people to trust in what they thought mattered silver and gold, but in Him.
Ephesians 2:19-22
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
God is taking us somewhere this morning, do we want to go.
The believer stays focused on Him and keep on believing.
Trust and obey for there is no other way.
Hag 2:9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
It was talking about the temple, but let’s put this in context to our church.
Where Jesus is the Glory gets greater.
Jesus is running throughout our church and he is even here in this sanctuary wanting you to fill His glory.
A while back I preached the message:
Writing Down Your Request
Subtitle
Waiting On God To Give The Answer
Look what God has done since then.
Habakkuk 2:1-4
1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
The phrase I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower pertains to a watchtower.
The phrase and will watch to see what he will say unto me, means Habakkuk believed that a man could pray and God could and would answer him.
Habakkuk might have felt his questions addressed to the Lord might not be proper; he expects reproof but instead received an in-depth answer by the Lord.
Habakkuk 2:2
2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
The statement to write the vision and make it plain upon tables was carried out by the letter by Habakkuk in this book.
God not only wanted Habakkuk to hear the answer but all men for all time.
That he may run that readeth it, this speaks of those who are charged with a divine Message who were to use all dispatch in making it known.
I have entitled this today:
Recording His vision
Haggai recorded his vision that we who live today might be able to run with the message that God had given.
Some might say Old Testament we are living in the grace dispensation.
Jesus came to fulfill the law not to do away with it.
God has given me a dream about recording His vision and tithing.
Some of you God has shown you through a dream things also, maybe even dealing with Tithing.
My vision is to be a church that not only equips the saints, but also a church that mightily supports missions.
My vision is to be a church that is a giving church.
Our biggest thing that we support and always will is wings of eagles.
We are being obedient to Scripture we are sending Jews from Russia home to Israel and I believe that is why God is giving us so many miracles.
9-20-05
In Heaven with Jesus, Helping the Jews
I dreamed that I was in Heaven with Jesus. There were children all over the place. I was also a child. Jesus had on a white gown, and He had like a beanie cap on. He also had a brown beard. He would take a few of the children and He would show them what their job was. At this time I’m observing. As He takes some of the children, I notice that the rest, during their time of waiting, were playing with the other children. The children that He took first were shown that they were to make their own pants, they were sowing. Jesus now returns and it is my turn to find out what my job was. He takes me and a couple of other children to a room and is serving us, getting us what we need. During this time, I’m thinking about supernatural Miracles. He now says to me Come with me! He takes me to a perfectly built building and He places me on the roof. He is now seated in front of me and there is another man setting on the edge of the roof. This man is an older Jewish man. Jesus is in the middle. I knew if this Jewish man was not careful, he might fall. Jesus looked at this man and said it is your turn. This man had to make a decision to follow Jesus. Jesus said to the man that God sent Him to him. The man at first replied that he was too old. Then it was like he thought about what he had said, and asked what am I saying? Jesus now looks at me and tells me to lie back on the roof; it was like I was on air. As I am laying back I am waiting for Jesus to tell me what to do I’m now in my bedroom wide awake. I was literally waiting for Jesus to tell me what to do.
Interpretation
We are the children of God. God wants our church to support the Jews to go back to their homeland. (Jerusalem)
Jesus is telling us as a people to help.
This is a fulfilling of Prophecy, the Jews are returning home.
Recording His vision for our church, that’s what I did.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The Greek says all Scripture is God Breathed, which means that the Scripture is infallible.
Since it is infallible that means it can be used for whatever purposes that God intends.
Gods word is profitable for Doctrine-all that we believe and teach must be based squarely on the Scriptures.
For reproof-proclaims the use of the Word of God in setting direction.
For correction-this refers to restoration to an upright state.
For instruction in righteousness-this presents the Bible as the only guide for such instruction.
God wants us as believers to mature.
A believer is someone who is obedient to Jesus.
God wants us to be able to properly understand the Word which produces good works.
2 Timothy 4:1
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
A charge has the right of legal affirmation.
This is saying that everyone will stand at the Judgment seat of Christ.
We are all going to give an account of our lives.
Church I have to be willing to let the water flow.
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
I have to be willing to preach the Word in season and out of season.
When it says preach the Word, it reveals to the whole body of revealed truth, which means the entirety of the Word of God.
It is not pick and choose what messages you want to hear, but what thus saith the Word.
In season and out of season means to be ready at all times to speak his truths.
Reprove-a preacher has to deal with sin in both the lives of the unsaved hearers and to the rest of the congregation.
I have no choice but to give you what the Bible says, and if you get offended take your battle to God.
Rebuke-this can be a suggestion in some cases of in pending penalty.
Exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine-this tells us that the reproving and rebuking must be done with gentleness.
The Longsuffering-this refers to gentleness even when the message is met with rejection.
The Doctrine is not to change even though it is rejected.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Sound Doctrine pertains to overriding principles; people will get mad because they don’t want to hear what the Word says.
The people in Haggai’s day were moved by the Spirit of God to build, they listen and God blessed them.
Closing
Recording His vision
Pr 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Record His vision that He is giving you and keep on believing!
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