INTRODUCTION
A. Let’s Go! is a phrase we use for someone who is not moving. It is a statement that causes us to get up, get out and get going. Haggai, a prophet in the Old Testament, had to mobilize the people of Israel to get their priorities right. The people of Israel had stopped focusing on God’s agenda, and instead they began to focus on their own agenda.
B. Haggai teaches us about having the right priorities. He served as a megaphone for God to help Israel recharge and realign themselves to God’s priorities. God has a way of awakening lethargic, discouraged, disinterested followers to motivate them to follow Him again. God used Haggai to wake up His people from a spiritual slumber. Haggai helped the people keep their eyes and focus on the bigger picture.
C. In this little book, we have four messages from Haggai, and each message has a specific strategy to motivate God’s people. In each message, Haggai points out a particular sin that keeps us from accomplishing and finishing God’s work.
D. In this collection of talks we will focus on 5 strategies that help us stay focused on God’s work and the mission at hand.
January 3 - Let’s Go and Recommit (Introduction and Communion)
January 10 - Let’s Go and Rebuild (Haggai 1:1-11)
January 17 - Let’s Go and Reengage (Haggai 1:12-15)
January 27 - Let’s Go and Renew (Haggai 2:1-9)
January 31 - Let’s Go and Remember (Haggai 2:10-23)
Text: Haggai 1:1-15 (CSB, Old Testament)
Today’s Takeaway: Revival leads to reform.
I. GOD’S
TO REBUILD (1:2, 4–11)
A. The people
“Now the construction of God’s house in Jerusalem had stopped and remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.” —Ezra 4:24
“Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” —Proverbs 21:3
“There is a way that seems right to man but in the end is death.” —Proverbs 14:12
B. The Lord’s
His
a. The people were consumed by
“But when the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them,” —Ezra 5:1
“Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal.” —Matthew 6:19-20b. The people’s misery was caused by
“Whenever the Israelites went out, the Lord was against them and brought disaster on them, just as He had promised and sworn to them. So they suffered greatly.” —Judges 2:15
His
“So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.” —Ephesians 2:19-20
II. GOD’S
FOR THE REBUILD (1:1, 3, 12–15)
A. Revive your heart towards
“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” —Psalm 37:4
“Test me, Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind.” —Psalm 26:2
You revive your heart towards God by:
B. Revive your heart towards
“Have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
24 Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy..” —Jude 22-24
CONCLUSION: What steps will you take for spiritual revival in 2021?
DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS
Read Proverbs 14:12. How have you seen the truth of this verse become a reality in people’s lives?
Pastor Gary talked about how the people of Israel were consumed with materialism. What are some of the dangers of materialism?
God promised the people if they built, He would bless. Read Ephesians 2:19-20 and discuss the foundation that has been laid for God’s household.
Read Psalm 26:2 and talk through the ways that we can revive our hearts towards God.
Missing a fill-in? No problem! Just select the email option below and the notes will arrive to you all filled in.