Scripture:
Haggai 2:4 4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the LORD of hosts. (NKJV)
Illustration:
Searching for a vessel
The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many—which one would He choose?
Take me, cried the gold one, I’m shiny and bright,
I’m of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the best!
Unheeding, the Master passed on to the brass,
It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.
Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I will do,
Place me on Your table for all men to view.
Look at me, called the goblet of crystal so clear,
My transparency shows my contents so dear,
Though fragile am I, I will serve You with pride,
And I’m sure I’ll be happy Your house to abide.
The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
You may use me, dear Master, the wooden bowl said,
But I’d rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!
Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.
Ah! This is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.
I need not the vessel with pride of itself;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor the one who is big-mouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;
Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might.
Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.
Spoke to it kindly. “There’s work you must do,
Just pour out to others as I pour into you.”—Author Unknown
Intro: Background of text
It ain’t what it used to be…but God sees it differently…
1 Samuel 16:7 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Body:
1. Be strong:
• Ephes. 6:10 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
• Ps. 119:28 My soul melts from heaviness;
Strengthen me according to Your word.
• Phil. 4:13 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
• Isa. 40:28-31 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
• 1 Chronicles 28:10 10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it.”
How can you be strong when anxiety attacks?
Def. A panic attack is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes and includes at least four of the following symptoms: Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate. Sweating. Trembling or shaking. Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering.
Philippians 4:6 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication (plead humbly), with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I have no problem working for Christ…but what do I do? Where do I start?
• First you got to be filled up...
Gal. 5:22 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control.
• Second you got to pour it all out…
Romans 12:2 2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. (AMP)
• Repeat…
Hebrews 13:16 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. (NLT)
Luke 6:38 38 For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you.” (TLB)
Deuteronomy 15:13 11 For there will never cease to be poor people in the land; that is why I am commanding you, ‘You must willingly open your hand to your afflicted and poor brother in your land.’ (HCSB)
Conclusion:
Why am I here?
Luke 2:49 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Why am I spending so much time here?
2 Timothy 2:15 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Matthew 9:36-37 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Jesus is our example:
He came down from glory to show us the way
He came down from glory to show us the truth
He came down from glory to show us the light!
He died for the sins of every
man, woman, boy and girl.
black, white, yellow, tan.
He died for over 230 nationalities that speak over 7,000 languages
AND
Soon and very soon, every knee shall bow and EVERY tong shall confess that JESUS is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings!
SO get up…get out…and tell everybody and somebody that can save everybody…JESUS!!!!
Joshua 1:9 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Saint’s be strong in your faith, do the work of an evangelist, and know that Jesus is with you every step of the way…He is with you always…even until the end of the world.
