Open your Bible to the book of Ezra

Ezra 5:11-16

Where are you? –Are you in Christ? –Are you serving Him faithfully? –Are you serving Him daily? –Are you serving Him diligently? –Are you serving Him gladly? –Are you serving Him passionately? –Are you serving Him acceptably? Haggai 1:5, 7

Where are you? How is your relationship with God? –Are you where you need to be? –Are you where you should be? –Are you where you want to be? –Are you where you thought you’d be? –Are you where you are thought to be? –Are you where you are going to be? –Are you where you can be? Haggai 1:5, 7

Where are you? How is your relationship with God? Where is God in your life? –Where are your priorities? –What place does God truly have in your life? –Is He where He wants to be and demands to be?  In the way you spend your time, money, energy, etc.?  In the commitments, plans, investments you make? Haggai 1:5, 7

Where are you? How is your relationship with God? Where is God in your life? Are you prospering? –Physically? –Financially? –Intellectually? –Emotionally? –Relationally? –Spiritually? Haggai 1:5, 7

Where are you? How is your relationship with God? Where is God in your life? Are you prospering? How much are you doing? –Do you think it is enough? –Can you do more? –How much more can you do? –How much more will you do? –When? Haggai 1:5, 7

God says: –“Consider your ways” – Hag. 1:5, 7 –“Let us search out and examine our ways” – Lam. 3:40 –“Examine yourselves…prove yourselves” – 2 Cor. 13:5 –“Let each one examine his own work” – Gal. 6:4 –“Measuring/comparing” to others not wise –2 Co. 10:12 –The Lord knows “your works” – Rev. 2:2; 3:15 –God will not “forget your work and labor” – Heb. 6:10 –He’ll “give to every one acc. to his work” – Rev. 22:12 –The word of God is the only “mirror” that will give us a true reflection of our ways – Jas. 1:23; 2 Cor. 3:18 Haggai 1:5, 7

True strength comes from: –The Lord – Josh. 1:9; Eph. 6:10; Ezra 5:5 –Trusting in the Lord with your all – Prov. 3:5-6 –Numbers (surrounded by brethren) – 1 Pet. 2:4-5 –Dealing with & overcoming resistance – 1 Jn. 2:14 –Doing right – Prov. 10:29; Isa. 45:24 Haggai 2:4-5

Work, in God’s eyes, is not an option! –We are created for good works – Eph. 2:10 –Our faith is made perfect by works – James 2:22 –God wants us to:  Be prepared for every good work – 2 Tim. 2:21  Be ready for every good work – Tit. 3:1  Be useful for every good work – 2 Tim. 2:21  Be doers of the work – James 1:25  Maintain good works – Titus 3:8, 14  Be fruitful in every good work – Col. 1:10  Be zealous for good works – Titus 2:14  Abound in the Lord’s work – 1 Cor. 15:58  Be a pattern of good works – Titus 2:7 Haggai 2:4-5

Work, in God’s eyes, is not an option! –We are created for good works – Eph. 6:10 –Our faith is made perfect by works – James 2:22 –God wants us to be a pattern of zealous workers –We will be judged by our works – Rev. 20:12-13 –God gives us the strength to do His work  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Phil. 4:13  “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” – 2 Cor. 9:8  “All Scripture is given…that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Tim. 3:16-17 Haggai 2:4-5

God calls us to work and serve Him through: –Evangelism Mark 16:15 –Edification Eph. 4:12-16; Rom. 14:19 –Benevolence Galatians 6:10 –Worship John 4:23-24 –Education Matt. 28:19; 2 Tim. 2:2 Haggai 2:4-5

God’s blessings are conditional! –We must consider our ways & work for Him! God’s blessings are guaranteed! –He will bless our work/efforts for Him! –He will bless our homes! –He will bless our lives! –He will bless Palm Beach Lakes! God’s blessings are innumerable! –Count your blessings, name them one by one! –Count your blessings, see what God hath done! –And it will surprise you what the Lord has done! Haggai 2:15-19

Believe Jesus is God’s Son – Acts 16:31 Repent of your sins – Acts 3:19 Confess your faith in Jesus – Matthew 10:32 Be immersed in water – Mark 16:16 –Sins are forgiven – Acts 2:38 –Added to His church – Acts 2:47 –Registered in heaven – Hebrews 12:23 Be strong & maintain good works – Titus 3:8