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 (CSB, Old Testament)

“In the second year of King Darius,[a] on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest:” —Haggai 1:1

Today’s Takeaway: If you only focus on the immediate, you’ll lose sight of the ultimate.

I have watched many people lose focus on the ultimate or the end, the final result or what’s ahead because of the immediate circumstances right in front of them. 2020 has been the year of the pivot and the reshuffle. Reshuffling people, reshuffling priorities, reshuffling purpose, and reshuffling the plan.

We can’t let our immediate problems or our immediate circumstances cause us to lose hope and passion. We have to keep our focus on the ultimate – what’s up ahead.

The book of Haggai can help us with this.

Two Leadership Traits Found in Haggai

I. LEADERSHIP TAKES

Reveal Answer

A. Those that returned were

and had the right

Reveal Answer

. (Ezra 1:2-4)

“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” —Ezra 1:2-4

B. After opposition grew, they became

and

Reveal Answer

. (Haggai 1:2)

C. The weak leaders abandoned their highest

and settled for their lowest

Reveal Answer

.

1. Highest Priority: Think
   Reveal Answer
2. Lowest Preference: Think
   Reveal Answer
   
   

II. LEADERSHIP TAKES

Reveal Answer

A. The people abandoned God through their

and

Reveal Answer

.

1. They failed to consider how their actions contradicted their faith. (v 3-5)
2. They worked hard with few results. (v 6)
3. They spent a lot of energy for no return. (v 6)
4. They felt discouragement through their actions. (v 7-9)

Before you can implement the right priorities, you must understand them first.

The book of Haggai is going to be a study where we unpack these priorities and focus on getting moving.

B. We need to press on for the Kingdom of God through our

and

Reveal Answer

.

Let’s Go and press on for Kingdom Impact!

I believe 2021 is going to be a comeback year. I am getting ready to lead our church into our next phase. But it’s going to take strong leaders that have a hunger, are humble, and are willing to hustle to do whatever it takes to see Jesus’ name known in New England.

YOUR LET’S GO! ACTION STEPS:

Commit to City United Church with the Right Priorities for 2021

1. I will attend faithfully (campus/online).
2. I will teach others what I know about Jesus.
3. I will grow as God’s leader.
4. I will give faithfully (tongue, treasure, time, and tenacity).
5. I will serve and help rebuild God’s work.
6. I will reach the next generation.
7. I will reach outside my circle.
8. I will deny self and live pure before God.
9. I will share the Gospel in trying times.
10. I will be available for God to work in me.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” —Matthew 6:33

CONCLUSION: What are you going to seek in 2021? What kind of a leader will you be for Jesus?

DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS

1. Leadership takes sacrifice. How can you demonstrate selflessness this week?
   

2. It’s a new year! What are you asking God to do in your life in the new year?
   

3. Pastor Gary asked us to commit to 10 right priorities in 2021. Which ones do you need to work on this next year?
   

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