A Call to Build God's Temple: Prioritizing the Local Church (Haggai 1:1-11)
1 In the second year of Darius' reign, on the first day of the sixth month, the prophet Haggai delivered the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: These people say, 'The time has not come; it is not yet time to build the temple of the Lord.' 3 The prophet Haggai receives the word of the Lord and delivers it.
4 "The temple is in ruins like this, and you are living in a nicely decorated house?"
5 “Think carefully about the days of your life,” says the Lord Almighty: 6 You have sown much seed, but you have gathered little; you have eaten, but you have not had enough; you have drunk, but you are not satisfied; you have clothed yourself, but there is no warmth; the hired hand has earned his wages, but his money has holes in his pocket.
7 “Think about what you have done,” declares the Lord Almighty. 8 “Go up to the mountains, cut down trees, and build a temple. I will be pleased with it and display my glory there,” declares the Lord. 9 “You hoped for much, but you gathered little; you gathered what you had, but I scattered it. Why is this?” declares the Lord Almighty. “My house is in ruins, and you are all busy with your own affairs.” 10 Therefore, because of you, the sky has withheld its dew, and the land has withheld its crops. 11 I have called a drought on the land—on the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, and the oil, on all that the field produces, on people and animals, and on all the things you have worked to raise.
I. Introduction: The Challenge of Haggai (Understanding the Text)
1. Historical Background (Haggai 1:1-3)
In 538 BC, King Cyrus issued a decree ordering the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. A return party of about 50,000 people arrived in Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel (governor) and Joshua (high priest). The temple site was surveyed but not immediately rebuilt.
537 BC: Second year of the return, February: Rebuilding of the temple begins, laying of the temple's foundation stone.
536–520 BC: Construction halted for about 16 years due to interference from neighboring peoples and the edict of King Artaxerxes.
520 BC: In the second year of King Darius' reign, the word of God was delivered through Haggai to Zerubbabel (governor of Judah) and Joshua (high priest).
2. The Prophet Haggai's Rebuke (Haggai 1:4-11)
Key questions: “The temple is in ruins like this, and you are living in your well-decorated houses?”
Key points: People are busy taking care of their homes. A rebuke for indifference in rebuilding the temple.
Situation: A life where no matter how hard you try, you will not reap much, even if you sow much seed, or if you eat but are not satisfied, etc.
Cause: "My house is in ruins, and each of you is busy with your own household." (wrong priority)
II. The Absolute Importance of Rebuilding the Old Testament Temple
The restoration of the temple signifies the restoration of the identity and center of life of the people of Israel.
Restoration of God's Presence: The temple is God's "dwelling place" where He dwells among His people (Exodus 25:8).
Restoration of God's Rule: The temple was the 'palace' of God, the King of Israel, and its destruction signified the collapse of the ruling order.
Restoration of Worship and Relationship with God: The temple was the center of atonement, thanksgiving, and seasonal worship, and its restoration signified the restoration of our relationship with God.
Restoring the Identity of the Covenant People: The temple (the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies) is the center of life as God's covenant people.
III. In the New Testament, the Christian Life is Described as “A Life of Building a Temple Together”
1 Peter 2:4-6: “When you came to him, you were like living stones, rejected by people but chosen by God and precious. Like living stones, you are being built as a spiritual house, to become a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Scripture says: “Behold, I have chosen a precious cornerstone, one who will be placed in Zion, and everyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
Ephesians 2:20-22: “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone, in whom the whole building is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Christ you too are being built together by the Holy Spirit into God’s dwelling place.”
1 Corinthians 3:11-16: “No one can lay any foundation other than the one laid by Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each person's work will be revealed, for the day will bring it to light. It will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test each person's work. 14 If someone's work built on that foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 16 Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
1. Key Points
The Church: A "spiritual house," a "holy temple," a temple of God under construction.
Foundation/Cornerstone: Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11, Ephesians 2:20)
Building materials: Believers, 'Living Stones,' the gifts of believers and the fruit of the Holy Spirit
2. Temple = Local Church
Key phrases: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
1 Peter 2:5: “Like living stones, "you" are being built as a spiritual house.”
Ephesians 2:22: “In Christ "you" too are being built together by the Holy Spirit into God’s dwelling place.”
Paul’s Emphasis: Paul refers to the local church (Corinthian church) as the temple of God.
Conclusion: Building a local church is participating in the construction of God’s holy temple today.
3. The Importance of Participation in Local Churches
Biblical Principles: The biblical way to seek the kingdom of God is, first and foremost, to be faithful to your local church.
Risk: Neglecting the local church and only focusing on the universal church is like ‘appreciating the temple from afar without participating in its construction.’
Today's Absolute Mission: Just as rebuilding the temple was an absolute necessity for the people of Judah in the Old Testament, building local churches is an absolute necessity for Christians today.
IV. The Christian Life = The Mission of Building the Church
1. The Importance of a Life Where the Local Church is Established as a Temple
In the Old Testament, the temple was the core of Israel's identity. In the New Testament, the local church is the core of Christian identity.
Your identity as Christians cannot be complete without the local church. Establishing a local church is establishing our identity and mission.
After Jesus came, God's presence was no longer limited to a building called the temple; He is present in the church community gathered in the Holy Spirit. Therefore, a temple cannot be built with individualistic faith; a temple must be built together.
The Church is the Church of Christ: “All the churches of Christ send you greetings” (Romans 16:16). A community built around Jesus Christ, with Jesus as Lord.
Because the church is the body of Christ, of which Jesus himself is the head, each of us is called to be a member of that body—a community that needs one another and grows together.
As the flock of Christ (1 Peter 5:2-4), as the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27), as God’s family, and as God’s temple, we have an identity as members of the community.
The church is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, a community where the kingdom of God is revealed and experienced (Romans 14:17), and a community of God’s people who reveal God.
2. The Meaning of Local Churches Being Established as Temples
1 Peter 2:6: “The Scripture says: ‘Behold, I have chosen a precious cornerstone, one who will be placed in Zion, and everyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.’”
Ephesians 2:20: “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.”
Jesus Christ is the Foundation of the Church
The church community is built only on Jesus (the church cannot be built without Jesus).
The church must be centered on Jesus and established based on His person and the gospel.
Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone of the Church
The cornerstone sets the direction and standard to prevent the entire building from tilting.
All the walls of the church (ministry, teachings, relationships) are aligned with Jesus as the cornerstone.
A church built around a cornerstone has stability and unity.
How the Church Being Built as God’s Temple: Following One Another’s Commands
Love, forgive, serve one another humbly, encourage one another, rejoice with one another, do not be discouraged with one another, repent, accept one another humbly, bear one another's burdens, honor one another, be kind to one another, do good to one another, encourage one another, make peace with one another, be patient with one another, pray for one another, bless one another, admonish one another in love, teach one another, comfort one another, protect one another.
Each believer, as a member of the body of Christ, depends on one another and grows.
Each believer, as a sheep of Christ, follows the shepherd together.
Each believer, as the Bride of Christ, achieves holiness and devotion.
Each believer, as a member of God’s family, grows in love and mutual dependence.
The church is a community filled with peace, joy, and harmony, revealing the kingdom of God.
3. Specific Ways to Contribute to Building Local Churches
Among the commands below, those not being performed are encouraged, and those performed passively should be performed actively:
Love, forgive, serve one another humbly, encourage one another, rejoice with one another, do not be discouraged with one another, esteem one another better than yourselves, confess your sins to one another, accept one another humbly, bear one another's burdens, honor one another, be kind to one another, do good to one another, encourage one another, make peace with one another, be patient with one another, pray for one another, bless one another, admonish one another in love, instruct one another, comfort one another, protect one another, rejoice together and weep together, be like-minded, of one mind, and be like-minded in love.
V. God’s Standard of Judgment (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)
“No one can lay any foundation other than the one laid by Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each person's work will be revealed, for the day will bring it to light. It will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test each person's work to see what it is. 14 If someone's work built on that foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss, yet he himself will be saved, but so as through fire.”
What is the Foundation of Christ that We Build Our House On?
Judged by what you invest in building the church:
Gold, silver, and jewels (eternal materials, precious materials)
Symbolizes eternal spiritual fruit and the fruits of the Holy Spirit that God is pleased with.
Actions that demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in life and ministry.
A life that pursues God’s kingdom and righteousness, not self-centeredness.
Wood, grass, and straw (perishable and temporary materials)
Symbolizes worthless things that God will never recognize.
Represents acts that are outwardly pleasing but lack intrinsic value in building up the church.
Examples: outward acts of service or offerings without love and truth, ministries for self-glorification, doctrinal emphasis unrelated to biblical truth, formalization of religious life, or life focused on outward rituals.
“Faithful and high-quality participation in the local church is the biblical foundation for building the kingdom of God.”
Building a local church is building a temple for God.
The most fundamental way to serve the Kingdom of God and the universal church is to serve the local church.
Every member’s contribution is important, and God evaluates it with perfect wisdom and justice.
