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Encouragements from Haggai to Finish the Work on God’s House Time To Build Encouragements from Haggai to Finish the Work on God’s House Presented by Chris Reeves * Southside Gospel Meeting * August 28, 2019

Background God’s people returned from Babylonian Captivity c. 538 B.C. (Ezra 1-2) They laid the foundation of the temple c. 536 B.C. (Ezra 3), but soon stopped their work (Ezra 4)

Background Haggai and Zechariah were sent to stir up the people to resume their work c. 520 B.C. (Ezra 5) The Temple was finished c. 516 B.C. (Ezra 6)

Background What caused the Lord’s work to stop for sixteen years (Ezra 4:24)? There was external opposition from non- Jews (Ezra 4:1-5, 24) There was internal distraction from God’s own people (Haggai 1-2)

Four Hindrances to Work 1. Neglecting time (1:2-5; Eph. 5:16) 2. Misplaced priorities and materialism (1:4, 7-9; Mt. 6:33; Lk. 8:14; 9:57-62; Jn. 4:34; 9:4; 2 Cor. 8:5)

Four Hindrances to Work 3. Resting on past accomplishments (2:3-5; 1 Cor. 15:58) 4. Personal uncleanness (2:11-14; 2 Cor. 6:14 – 7:1)

Encouragements The word of the Lord (1:1, 3; 2:1; etc.) The Lord’s past punishments (1:6, 9-11; 2:15-19) God will help (1:13; 2:4) Be strong and do not fear (2:4)

Encouragements The leadership is encouraged (2:4-5, 20-23) The Lord’s future promises (2:5-9, 19b) Help from Haggai and Zechariah (see Ezra 5:1-2)

What is needed? Consider (1:5, 7; 2:15, 18) Go (1:8) Obedience (1:12) Fear/reverence (1:12) Stirring up (1:14)

The Lord’s Work of Building The time is now to be busy building God’s house – the church (Mt. 16:18; Ac. 15:16; Rom. 15:20; 1 Cor. 3:10ff; Eph. 2:21; 4:12,16) Let us use our time better, reset our priorities, don’t rest on the past, and remain pure