Fear Not = It Gets Better!
Setup:
After the first message of Haggai, the people under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua began working on the temple of God. The second message of Haggai was directed at the older generation of the group that was working. The message came about one month after the work began.
The older people who were working were getting discouraged. To understand why, you have to go back to
1st Kings 6.
The temple they are currently working on was to replace Solomon’s temple that was destroyed during the overtaking by Babylon.
Solomon’s Temple:
The building of this first temple was enormous which involved much planning and many workmen. We’re talking 30,000 people who were employed in cutting timber for this project, 80,000 cutters of stone in the quarries, 70,000 ordinary workers with superintendents.
No doubt many who are building under Haggai’s orders were some of the same ones who helped build the first construction. No doubt they were comparing one to the other. And the Lord noticed their faces that they were getting depressed.
The first temple had gold, silver and other precious stones imported from other lands. The temple was not know for its size since it was relatively small but rather for the quality of its elaborate workmanship.
Can you hear some of the comments?
This is not how we did it before
Can you believe they’re trying to make this one better?
I just don’t think this one will measure up
We just don’t have enough people to do this job
It just won’t be the same
It won’t be as fancy
So brings on Haggai to the stage to deliver yet another message from the Lord.
Read Haggai 2:3, 4
The same God that was with you during the first building of the temple is the same God that is with you today. Cheer Up! Smile! Rest Easy!
I, the Lord, am here and I am looking out for you.
To get the full effect of this message you have to think like the older generation would think. Put yourself in their shoes.
To the older generation:
First of all, thank you for your service. The work you have done for the cause of Christ has been tremendous! But here me today,
1. YOU ARE NOT DONE YET!!!!
Fear not, it gets better! You thought that since you are getting up in age that you had to quit? No Way! God has some great things in store for you.
What is there for me to do? (Glad you asked)
a. Encourage – to inspire with hope, courage or confidence. To give support to, foster.
Encourage your Pastor – important to know that you are praying for me that I can do what God has called me to do.
Encourage your Family – let them know that you are behind them and you want to help them in any way possible.
Encourage the Younger Generation –
Don’t let the young one’s zeal frighten you. Get with them and apply your wisdom to their zeal and get some work done.
How do I encourage all these people?
Lead by example
Encourage prayer – but only after you have prayed
Encourage service – but only after you have served
Encourage dedication – only after you are dedicated
Encourage giving – but only after you have gave
Titus 2:2-4
“Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.”
”Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good.”
v.4 “that they may encourage the young…”
b. Be a Mentor – a wise and trusted counselor, teacher
The young Christians someone like you to take them under your wing.
Paul led young Timothy and taught him the ways to go. Paul referred to Timothy as “…my true child in the faith”
He took him and taught him everything he needed to know about ministry. Young Christians in the faith need some people they can look up to. They need to have Godly examples of faithful living, faithful giving, and faithful serving until the very end.
The Promise of Christ:
Haggai 2:9 – “The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former…”
Fear not – It gets better!
To the younger generation:
2. You’re not there yet
Warning: You don’t know everything!
Many times in church work here’s what I hear:
The older ones are against us
The younger ones don’t care about us
Just as we need the older generation to lead us – we must also respect and follow the leadership.
They have wisdom and experience to share. Let’s learn from them.
1st Timothy 5:1 – “Do not sharply rebuke and older man, but rather appeal to him as a father...”
What can we do?
1. Encourage them – let them know that you need them. Let them know you care about their feelings. Don’t disregard them as “old fogies”.
2. Respect them – When they have something to say, Listen! Learn! Apply what you hear.
3. Take care of them – When you see them down, pick them up. When you see them sick, check on them. Let them know that not only we care but we need them well for the service they give us.
Examples of showing you care:
Take them to get an ice cream and talk
Take those who need a ride to get groceries
Go by and just spend time with them
Work next to them at the church
Send them a card of encouragement
Pick up the phone and call them
This church work needs the zeal of the younger generation but we need the wisdom of the older generation. Young People have zeal and they are wide open – That is a good thing!
Many times they spin their wheels because they have energy but no direction.
Look up to the older saints who have been fighting this battle a lot longer than you. You have too much to learn to ignore and disregard this generation.
