The Divine Priority
Haggai 1:1-15
In any construction project there is usually a question of priorities, which determines the eventual outcome. Responding to the increasing destructiveness of high winds in the Midwest, one developer in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offered an optional tornado-safe room in the new homes he was selling. Nine of the first ten buyers opted to pay the extra $2,500 for the room—which can also be used as a closet, bathroom, or vault when not needed for safety. According to the developer, the 10th couple was 75 years old and opted for a hot tub instead.
A question of priorities finds itself into the debate regarding possible reconstruction of the WTC complex. Certain factions consider “ground zero” to be sacred ground, which should honor the memory those 2850 people, who lost their lives. Others have a different viewpoint. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., says the federal government should do "whatever is necessary" to help rebuild the World Trade Center to “show the world we are not afraid -- we are defiant.” Making reconstruction of New York City’s 110-story twin towers a federal project “underscores our nation’s purpose” and is a “matter of honor,” says Kerry.
The words of the prophet Haggai underscore the priorities of another construction project, the rebuilding of the house of God. Haggai fits into a larger context of fascinating OT history. I want to take you on a journey through this OT period.
· 2 Chronicles 36:15-21 records the disastrous consequences, which enveloped Jerusalem. The Babylonians, who deported them into captivity, destroyed their temple and burned the city.
· Jeremiah 29:10-14 reminds us of God’s compassion, as He promised deliverance to the Jews by raising up a Persian King, who would fear and obey Him.
· In 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Cyrus, who worshiped God, decrees the release of the Jews. God’s purpose is revealed in these words. It is a lesson in Divine faithfulness…
In 538 BC, Israel was allowed to return from Babylon to her homeland under the civil leadership of Zerubbabel and the spiritual guidance of Joshua, the High Priest. About 50,000 Jews returned. Two years later, they began to rebuild the temple, but opposition from neighbors and personal indifference caused the work to be abandoned in Ezra 4:24. The work ceased for 16 years, which brings us to Haggai 1.
God’s will in Haggai foreshadows His initiative in the NT: to build His House.
· Matthew 16:18 …I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
· 1 Peter 2:4-5 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
There are lessons here, which are vital to our understanding of our role in the body of Christ.
1 An Inappropriate Concern 1-4
Haggai’s message uncovers the consequences for dismissing that Divine priorities. God’s purposes were threatened in Haggai 1. After 70 years of captivity with the hope of rebuilding their homeland and the provisions to do the work. Yet, the work on the Lord’s house ceased with the growing concerns of the people and they lost sight of the Divine agenda.
First, they faced the opposition of nearby enemies. Ezra records the efforts of Israel’s neighbors in Ezra 4:4-5: They troubled them in building, and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose. As a result, the people became discouraged and the work ceased for 16 years.
Even our spiritual enemies provide no excuse for the unfinished work of the Kingdom. To build this house for the Lord, we are expected to put on the whole armor of God and stand clothed in the power of the Holy Spirit and constant prayer. The gates of hell cannot prevail against this house of the Lord’s design and priority.
God indicted them for another reason. Though propelled by the hostile opposition of their neighbors, their reluctance lay ultimately in their selfish indifference to the Lord. They had placed personal comfort ahead of His objective. He used their own words in verse 2…
The time has not come… Is it time for you to build your paneled houses and this house to lie in ruins?
We should note God’s displeasure when He addresses the returning Israelites as “these people” and not “My people.” Our uniqueness as the people of God always follows our commitment to His ways. The church is a body separated to God. It is His possession and to excuse ourselves from our best commitment to the body of Christ is to dishonor the Lord.
Larry Crabb says, “Whenever we place a higher priority on solving our problems than on pursuing God, we are immoral.” It may seem “necessary” to bypass a worship service, a revival service, a prayer service, an outreach opportunity, a opportunity for fellowship – but a consistent pattern of that for personal convenience is displeasing to the Lord. Because you and I follow Christ, we are bound by the Spirit to build up the body. We are called into fellowship with the saints to build the Lord’s house.
As believers, you and I are called to belong in relationship with the body to make up a spiritual house, which brings glory and honor to God. The church is all of you! Commit your life and family to build His house! Get a vision for your family contributing to the work of God through your church. Commit to this Divine priority.
When the Israelites failed to follow the Divine agenda they incurred…
2 An Inevitable Consequence 5-6, 9-11
There is an immediate result to having the wrong priority. It is spiritual principle and the outcome is unavoidable. To abandon the will of God is to forfeit His covering and provision for our needs.
1st – When we abandon a Divine priority, we incur a puzzling loss on all of our investments. The Lord points out five losses, which the Israelites bring upon themselves.
· A Lean Harvest; You have sown much, and bring in little.
· An Endless Hunger; You eat, but do not have enough.
· An Inescapable Misery; you drink, but you are not filled with drink.
· An Insufficient Clothing; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm.
· Economic Distress; He, who earns wages, earn wages to put into a bag with holes in it.
2nd – When we abandon a Divine priority, God withholds His provision… Vv. 9-11…
While the Israelites were baffled from their losses, God draws attention to the reason: You looked for gain, but I blew it away!
Consider the lesson. The blessing of God does not fall on our ventures, which leave Him out. Just as the rain never comes to provide a fruitful harvest, God withholds the blessing of Heaven on the work, which ignores His house.
Jesus checks the selfish motives and worries regarding our personal welfare…
· Luke 1:15 Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.
· Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
The more we invest in even noble enterprises, which disobey Divine priority, the further we prolong God’s sufficient resources to supply our need. Heaven remains shut. We often pray, Lord, bless us in this. We are looking for Your favor. God, bless what we are doing! Rather, it is our responsibility to come into what God is blessing, that we might know His blessing.
That is the encouragement of Haggai’s word. It demands…
3 An Important Consideration 7-8
Haggai’s word begs us to consider our ways. In the Hebrew, the phrase comprises an expression, which is translated, Lay your heart on the road. In other words, Bring your heart into your present course and examine what you are doing.
The Lord’s agenda could only be met with deliberate obedience. Go up... bring wood… build… A deliberate response to a divine priority is in order: I recognize the Jesus is building His church, lively stone upon lively stone, and my ambition is to be part of the process.
· I’ll commit to the fellowship of my church in worship and prayer.
· I’ll commit to the maturity of my church by personal discipleship & building relationships.
· I’ll commit to ministries of my church through my spiritual gifts and my giving.
· I will commit to outreach of my church through personal evangelism & missions support.
This consideration is one of motivation. God’s agenda is His people working on His house. Consider the motivation: that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified.
Are these being considered? Am I pleasing the Lord? Am I bringing Him glory? The motivation for the Disciple is never, What am I gaining out of this, but, What am I giving in this?
Early in his career, Matt Redman, the popular Christian musician in Britain, was singing with his church’s praise band when his pastor confronted them. They were proud of their musical performance, he said, but they were neglecting true worship. Insulted by the charge, the members of the band left the church—all, that is, except Redman. Shortly afterward, he wrote his a new chorus, which has been embraced by thousands of believers, entitled, “The Heart of Worship.” The 2nd verse of the song says, “King of endless worth, no one could express how much You deserve. Though I’m weak and poor, all I have is yours, every single breath. I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about you, Jesus."
Is the quality time with family giving God glory? Am I pleasing Him with my commitment to the body of Christ? Am I pleasing God with obedience on the Lord’s day? Is my life giving worship to Him? We must cling to God and to the things of God. This must be our major effort, this must be the road that the heart follows.
There is a great promise associated with our repentance; a promise o…
4 An Empowering Partnership 11-15
Once the leadership and the people of Israel heard the prophetic word of Haggai, they were moved to repentance. They responded with obedience and a new reverence for the presence of God. Then, as though responsive to the movement of the people, the Lord gave a powerful promise: I am with you!
What we miss and sorely lack by disobedience and indifference toward God’s house is restored with genuine repentance and submission. The commitment to His agenda meets the provision of His Presence.
Jesus promised His disciples, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me... …to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The chief idea in come upon (eperchomai”) is our life being immersed in a new reality.
In other words, the Holy Spirit wants to reshape our perspective on the world, our passion for the lost and our priorities of ministry to people. With the Spirit’s presence comes His empowering for the work demanded by a divine priority.
With God’s presence came the revived spirits of the leadership and the people. The truth is when we work then God will work. When our hearts are committed to His voice and our lives to His work – He empowers by His Spirit.
Conclusion
Two “calls” grip my heart today. The first is to me; an invitation of the Spirit to a fresh empowering for the Kingdom work, which requires pastoral leadership. I am believing in the coming days for God’s release to speak to this body regarding things, which the Lord has planted deep within me; things born of fasting & prayer, things regarding the direction of CLC.
As for the second, I’m calling you, in Jesus’ name, to be baptized afresh in the Holy Spirit and be enabled to build His house! Experience the fresh coming upon of the Spirit to enable the fulfillment of His divine priority. Would you answer that call?
