As I prepared for part 2 this last week, I started with the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple when both Simeon and Anna met Jesus and family in Luke 2:22-38. I then went into Haggai 2:1-9. Here are some points for your consideration. I would encourage you to go deeper on your own since I'm not delivering a sermon here today.
- Many great people met Jesus when He arrived. Shepherds, Magi and Simeon and Anna were the most notable...
- Simeon and Anna met Him in the House of God
- Great People can always be found in God's House... they are drawn to the Church
- Most historians believe that the Shepherds were Temple Shepherds in order to have been there at the time that Jesus was born
- Haggai prophesied in chapter 2, to a people who had been inspired by his previous prophesies in chapter 1 to finally re-build God's Temple, but they had lost heart in the midst of the building program.
- He asked, how does the temple look to you know? Does it seem like nothing?
- After more then 2,000 years of building the Church, it seems like we haven't accomplished much. I get discouraged if I look with my physical eyes for many reasons. I can relate to those who were rebuilding the temple in Haggai's day for sure.
- Winning the lost to Christ can be hard work for sure... especially since it's not just about getting people to pray a prayer but is actually measured by the words of Jesus in "making disciples." Wow...
- But Haggai tells us to be Strong and Work and that His covenant from the Exodus is still in-tact!
- If we will work, then God will be with us in a close Working Relationship!
- Wait a minute... Isn't He always with us? Yes... but not in the same way. You are always within reach of God if you will cry out for help. But if you want to experience His deep presence continuously in your life, side-by-side, the promise is that you will have it if you work for the advancement of His Kingdom. (Read Haggai 1 for more and look at the sequence on working and God saying He is with you. Also look at the sequence in the Great Commission Mt. 28:18-20)
- He says He's gonna shake things up (He already is!)! And the shaking is going to bring His desired into His house. He's pulling you... He's drawing your friends! It's harvest time!
- And as He fills the Church with people, He is filling it with His glory! There is glory when there is salvation!!
- He then reminds us... as the economy is reminding us, that the silver and gold all belong to Him. That's good news for those who trust in Him and are Heirs with Jesus Christ! Bad news for everyone else! Ooops! If you're hanging onto your wallet it will end up empty. But if you're a co-signer on God's account, you have nothing to fear but fear itself (watch out for that one...)!
- And finally... The glory of the Present House is greater then the Glory of the Former House! Hallelujah!! Thank God!!
- Not the Future House, but the Present House... Stop using the future as an excuse for mediocrity now.
- Fill the House of God with People now, today, don't hesitate! His glory is here, His presence is here, He will not leave us, He is with us as we work to build His house!
- The promise of God is that we can be like Simeon and like Anna who were mightily used by God in the Temple! We need to be God's agents... strategically planted in and building His Church, proclaiming the salvation of God Almighty through Jesus Christ! Amen!
Have a most excellent Christmas and may 2009 be the most amazing year so far!!
