Rebuild Series

Several weeks ago, NBA superstar LeBron James tweeted, “It’s a weird feeling to feel so alone sometimes!” He received over 140,000 likes and 4,000 replies from people expressing sympathy, disbelief, and from some, criticism. I appreciated John Stonestreet’s insight: “It can be difficult to understand how rich, famous celebrities, like LeBron, could be lonely. Doesn’t he have it all? Four NBA championships, two Olympic gold medals, a $23 million LA mansion…and still, he feels lonely…”

A recent study reports: “Teens and tweens today have unprecedented access to technology, and yet many report they’ve never been so bored.” USA Today calls loneliness, with its well-documented ill effects on health, an epidemic. This has only deepened since the pandemic. Young people today are the most digitally connected while also the most isolated, lonely, and depressed. The percentage of Gen Z that identifies as atheist is double that of the U.S. adult population. Sadly, only 4% of this generation has a biblical worldview.

Related to this, when churchgoers were asked if they’ve heard of the Great Commission, 51% indicated they had never heard of it. Only 17% knew what it was and could explain it.

Considering these trends, it behooves us to know the Great Commission and to grow in our discipleship by making disciples who make disciples among all nations, especially among our youngest generations. We’ll circle back to this at the end of the message.

Our focus today is on the word “Rebuild.” To “rebuild” means to “build up, to fortify or reinforce, to construct again.” One dictionary defines it this way: “To build (something) again after it has been damaged or destroyed.” Here’s our main idea: The best time to rebuild is right now.

Please turn to the Book of Haggai. It’s the second-shortest book in the Old Testament so it’s a bit difficult to locate. It’s right between Zephaniah and Zechariah, which probably is not all that helpful. The easiest way to find it is to go to Matthew and hang a left three books.

We must begin with a bit of background to understand the book. Because of decades of disobedience, the Assyrians conquered Israel and the northern tribes were scattered, becoming known as the “ten lost tribes of Israel.” Many years later the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem, decimated the Temple, and deported the Jews to what is now modern-day Iraq. This period is called the captivity or exile.

Many of God’s prophets predicted the captivity would last for 70 years after which God’s people would be allowed to return home. 50,000 Israelites returned to Judah with Zerubbabel and rebuilt the altar and began offering sacrifices. Two years later, they finished the foundation of the Temple. Unfortunately, they became discouraged and distracted. God sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to call them to finish the project. Also, Ezra was enlisted to help restore their spiritual fervor and Nehemiah rallied them to rebuild the walls.

After 16 years of spiritual lethargy, God told them it was time to get back to building again. Before he called them to action, he addressed their attitudes.

Attitudes to Adjust

If you’ve gotten off track, here are three attitude adjustments to make.

1. Put God in His proper place. We see this in verse 2: “Thus says the Lord of Hosts…” Before hearing what Haggai proclaimed about rebuilding, God’s people needed to revere God.

This name for God is “Jehovah Sabaoth” which references Him as the commander of all the armies of Heaven. It’s used over 270 times in the Bible and 14 times alone in this short book! The title “Lord” refers to God as the covenant-keeper. He is the self-existent one who is personal, present, powerful, and the ultimate promise-keeper. Do you approach God with reverence and awe?

2. Proceed, don’t procrastinate. Even though the people faced some mounting problems, the God of the angel armies summarized their lame excuse in verse 2: “These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.” By referring to them as “these” people and not “my people,” God was indicating they were not acting like His people because they only focused on themselves for 16 years! The God who created time, and stands above time, because He is timeless, exposed their excuse of saying they didn’t have enough time.

None of them were claiming it wasn’t important to build God’s house. They just didn’t think the time was right. That’s how it happens for each of us. When we put something off, we think we’ll get to it later…and then a month goes by... a year… a decade...and then a lifetime.

Their excuses sound familiar, don’t they?

• I have too much going on to gather with God’s people every weekend.

• I have some things I need to tackle around the house.