On Sunday we took a break from our Sent series in order to briefly look at the book of Haggai. Today we’ll look at the first prophecy that Haggai gives to the people.
Please read Haggai 1:1-12
God’s people had been taken into exile in Babylon because they had refused to listen to God about their sin.
‘The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy. He brought up against them the king of the Babylonians…’ (2 Chronicles 36:15-17).
However, God had promised that after 70 years they would return to the Land.
‘This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years.’ (Jeremiah 25:11)
Having returned, they quickly become fearful and discouraged and the rebuilding of the house of God ceases for 15 years. God stirs them to start building through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah.
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’” (Haggai 1:2)
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honoured,” says the Lord .“ (Haggai 1:7-8)
We are not called to build a physical temple of stone and gold. In this era, God’s church - His people - are His temple. God wants all of us to be devoted to building His community.
RESPONSE
We all have time, talents and treasure to invest in building God’s house. In response let’s do these two things:
1. GIVE CAREFUL THOUGHT TO YOUR WAYS
Each of us is to prayerfully seek God for how we are to be involved in building the local church. Giving careful thought to our ways means prayerfully aligning our hearts with God’s word.
2) GO UP AND BRING DOWN
Like them, we are to do the hard work of providing what we can to build God’s house. We all have different measures of time, talents and treasures to put to good use among God’s people.
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - IT'S TIME TO BUILD
Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Suggested opener/Ice-breaker
Have you got any funny DIY stories to share?
Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group
Please read Haggai 1:1-15
God’s people had been taken into exile in Babylon because they had refused to listen to God about their sin. However, God had promised that after 70 years they would return to the Land. Having returned, they quickly become fearful and discouraged and the rebuilding of the house of God ceases for 15 years. God stirs them to start building through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah.
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’” (Haggai 1:2)
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honoured,” says the Lord .“ (Haggai 1:7-8)
Commentaires