“TAKE COURAGE, I WILL ACCOMPLISH MY PURPOSE THROUGH YOU”: BUILD GOD’S HOUSE (Haggai 2:20-23) I read about a church in Oregon that put the times of its services & the sermon title in the local newspaper. One Sunday they had more than their usual number of visitors, & the members seemed to be more attentive than normal. What had happened? The newspaper made a typographical error in the sermon title. It was supposed to read: “Our God Reigns”, but it actually read “Our God Resigns”.

A. If we’re not careful, we can develop a view of God that is greatly lacking, which does not acknowledge His total power & control of the universe. 1. As we look around us, it may seem that Satan is winning, & so far as the number of souls he has taken captive, he is winning. a. Most Americans used to agree with God’s moral standards, but now many “professing” Christians do not live by them. b. People now flaunt their sins as a badge of honor. 1

c. Few churches stand for the truth, whether in morals or in doctrine. d. The gospel has been changed from a message about salvation from sin to personal fulfillment!

2. And the work of the kingdom is not any easier outside this country. a. Many members of the church are openly attacked or under constant surveillance by their governments.

3. In addition, consider the evil you face in the workplace, in stores & restaurants, & maybe even in your homes – you may be tempted to wonder, “Is Christ truly reigning?” 4. If we focus too much on these problems, it’s easy to lose sight of a proper view of God! (Deut 4:39). B. Zerubbabel found himself in a similar discouraging situation.

1. He was the governor of the small group of Jews who had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. 2. The city was a desolate, dusty ghost town; the walls were rubble & the temple was in ruins. 3. They were under Persian rule & surrounded by hostile neighbors. 4. Sadder yet, most of the Jews were more concerned with their priorities than God’s. 5. And although there was a good response to Haggai’s call to rebuild the temple, their hearts were not in it (2:14). 6. So how was Zerubbabel supposed to govern in

such a bleak situation? a. Haggai was sent by God for that very purpose; let’s review what the prophet has said thus far. 2

C. Haggai provides sound advice from God to anyone, in the church today, who is trying to lead & motivate others to serve the Lord. 1. A Strong Challenge: In Haggai’s first message he rebuked the people for their misplaced priorities. a. He challenged them to put aside their selfish interests & build the House of God (1:1-15).

2. A Strong Encouragement: He followed that message with one of encouragement. a. “I know your work seems small, it’s hard work & it’s taking a long time, but you’re building toward a glorious future” (2:1-9).

3. A Strong Command: He then issued a strong command for purity. a. Haggai showed them that it’s not enough to seek God’s kingdom, you must do so with a pure heart & unselfish motives (2:10-19).

4. A Strong Assurance: He ends his message with a word of assurance. a. “Take courage, I WILL accomplish MY purpose through you” (Haggai 2:20-23).

[Governor Zerubbabel needed a word of encouragement in order to continue Building God’s House. Isn’t that true for all of us who are attempting to do the same work today (1 Cor 3:9-15)?

1. Do you think the LORD knew what He planned do, & that He fully expected to do it? a. The world isn’t just careening out of control with God desperately trying to grab the reigns. b. He has a plan or a purpose, & He is in the process of carrying it out.

2. And not only that - the LORD made promises to Zerubbabel so that he might know God’s plans.

When we look at the bleak circumstances around us, don’t we need some encouragement to continue leading others to Christ & to engage in the spiritual work of the church?

a. How certain are God’s plans? (Isa 14:24; 46:8-11).

What will keep us pressing forward this work?]

b. If His plans are that certain, then what does that say about His promises?

I.

WHAT KEEPS US WORKING ON GOD’S HOUSE?

A. God’s Promises. Notice how many times the LORD said “I will” to Zerubbabel (2:20-23).

3. Our lesson: Jesus has made promises to those of us who are Building His House today, and contained in those promises are His plans – BOTH ARE CERTAIN! a. The great commission (Matt 28:18-20).

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b. The Lord’s prayer (John 17:20-23). c. “Standing on the Promises” is not just a great hymn; it tells of the courageous way we live – “by faith”. d. When God makes a promise, you can count on it; it’s a done deal – nothing else in this life so certain!!!

[So on the 24th day of the month nothing had changed in the life of Zerubbabel. Everything was just like it was the day before, except – NOW he had a promise from God! What else keeps us working on God’s House?] B. God’s Power. Notice how many verbs of power the LORD used in describing His plans to Zer. (2:20-23). 1. Despite knowing the LORD’S plans & promises, do think Zerubbabel might still have had some cause for doubts about the task at hand: Building God’s House? 4

a. They were so few in number, no king, no army, no weapons, no wall for defense, surrounded by hostile & powerful nations. b. But the Lord explained that He didn’t need their puny resources to accomplish His plan. c. Not only that, but when God makes a plan, then all human plans are nullified – if they conflict with His.

2. Our lesson: We should push all doubt aside as we’re Building God’s House, because His power is at our disposal! a. God power overcomes human plans (Matt 16:18). b. God’s power will work: -

Through His Spirit (Zech 4:6-10; Rom 8:9-11; Eph 3:16-17a; Phil 4:13; 2 Tim 4:17).

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Through His Word (Eph 6:10, 17).

c. God’s power will give us courage (Jer 32:17, 27; Gen 18:14; Matt 19:26).

[What motivates us to Build God’s House? His Promises to His servants & His Power to carry out His plans! But there is one more motivating factor…]

3. A second lesson: God chose His Eternal Word to be His Son & our Savior & Lord. a. Zerubbabel was a type of Christ:

C. God’s Choice. The LORD encouraged Zerubbabel by telling him that he had a role in God’s plan (2:23).

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Like Jesus, he led God’s people out of captivity (Eph 4:8; Heb 2:15).

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Like Jesus, he oversaw the building of God’s house (Matt 16:18; Eph 1:22-23).

1. A “signet ring” was used by kings as a stamp to indicate that something belonged to them.

b. Because God chose Jesus to be our Savior & Lord: a. So Zerubbabel should not be worried; he belonged to the LORD (see addendum).

2. Our lesson: God has chosen us (in Christ) to carry on the work of Building His House. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. 5

To bear fruit (John 15:16) To come out of this world (John 15:19). To be holy (Eph 1:4). For salvation (2 Thess 2:13). By God (1 Pet 2:4) Generation (1 Pet 2:9). Sealed (2 Cor 1:22; 5:5; Eph 1:14).

CLOSING

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We can overcome sin & death (1 Cor 15:56).

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We can enjoy every good spiritual & physical blessing from God (Eph 1:3; Jas 1:17).

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We can be co-inheritors with Jesus of God’s promise (Rom 8:17; 1 Pet 1:4).

A. Zerubbabel would not live to see the fulfillment of

these promised the LORD made to him. 1. He would have to take God at His word, & trust His wisdom & perfect timing.

2. The Governor simply had to get on with the task of governing & Building God’s House.

3. The same is true for us.

B. The prophecy of Haggai teaches us a number of important lessons; mainly, that there is no good reason to neglect the work of God. 1. Personal ambitions must be set aside (one).

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C. The theme verse is (2:4), which, for us, corresponds to (Matt 6:33). 1. We have the great privilege of participating in God’s plan for the ages (Rev 5:9), but to be effective, we’re going to have to take the lessons taught in this Book.

2. God’s purpose will prevail! His Word is true & our work in Christ Jesus is not in vain (1 Cor 15:58)!

Addendum: Zerubbabel’s grandfather, Jehoiachin (Coniah), was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian captivity. He was such a wicked King that God said, “As I live," says the Lord, "though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, were the signet on My right hand, yet I would pluck you off; 25 & I will give you into the hand of those who seek your life, & into the hand of those whose face you fear — the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon & the hand of the Chaldeans.” (Jer 22:24, 25).

2. Excuses must be overcome (two).

In Haggai, God is reversing that judgment & restoring the Davidic line through Zerubbabel. God’s promise to David (2 Sam 7:12-13) would be fulfilled through him! However, Jesus Christ would reign over a spiritual kingdom.

3. The heart must be purified (three).

Zerubbabel did not reign on a throne, but he is included in both of the genealogies of Jesus Christ, the son of David (Matt 1:12; Luke 3:27).

4. God must be trusted implicitly (four).

So God’s choice of Zerubbabel as His signet ring should have brought great comfort & encouragement to this discouraged man in these difficult times.