HAGGAI Sermons – Mircheal Jones

Haggai Sermons by Rev. Mike Jones [Revised October 29, 2021]

HAGGAI DEALING WITH DISCOURAGEMENT

OUTLINE OF HAGGAI

Haggai 01:5 CONSIDER

Haggai 01:5 CONSIDER THE CAUSE

Haggai 01:5-6 CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES

Haggai 1:5-6 WHAT SIN DOES

Haggai 1:13 GOD IS WITH US

HAGGAI DEALING WITH DISCOURAGEMENT

THE POST-EXILE PROPHETS: The last 3 Minor Prophets (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi), like the last 3 Historical Books, deal with Judah after the Captivity in Babylon. They are mainly concerned with rebuilding the Temple and preparing for Messiah to come.

Haggai (“My Feast”) ministered during one of the most important times in the history of God’s Chosen People. His messages only cover about 4 months’ time but they came at a pivotal time in Israel’s relationship with God. The Remnant had returned from captivity in 536BC under a decree issued by Cyrus. The first thing they did was begin construction of the Temple so that everyone would realize that God must have first place in the Nation (They didn’t want a repeat of the sins that had carried them into captivity). But almost as soon as the work began the neighboring Samaritans began to oppose it. They finally wrote King Artaxexes and he sent back a decree for the work to cease (See Ezra 4).

For 16 years the temple lay unfinished and the people set about to establish their own homes and lands. Haggai comes on the scene in 520BC and rebukes and encourages the people until the work is begun again. The Lord had sent a famine on the land to get the people to see that they had neglected HIS work for THEIR work. Sadly, instead of causing them to return to God’s work they used it as an excuse to delay the work longer. Who knows what God would have done if Haggai hadn’t rebuked the people and the work began again.

While Habakkuk dealt with the problem of DOUBT, Haggai deals with the problem of DISCOURAGEMENT.

All of Haggai’s messages are specifically dated and the last date is very important:

1. Sixth month, First day 1:1-15 To Arouse the People to work

2. Seventh Month, 21st day 2:1-9 To Encourage the People

3. Ninth Month, 24th day 2:10-19 To Confirm God’s Chastening

4. Ninth Month, 24th day 2:18-23 To Assure the People/Governor

It is not time (1:2). The Problem the Returned Remnant had was that they had failed to rightly divide the Word of God. Jeremiah had prophesied TWO 70 year periods in connection with Babylon’s captivity of Judah. One was a 70 year period of Captivity that began in 606BC when Nebuchadnezzar carried the first Jews captive (Daniel and others) (See Jer 29:10). This ended in 536BC with Cyrus’ decree freeing the Jews to return home.

The Second 70 year period (Jer 25:8-12) was a 70 year period of desolation on the land that began when the King of Babylon set seize to Jerusalem (Ez 24:1-2). This period ended on the 24th day of the Ninth month of 520BC.

The people thought there was only ONE 70 year period and so they did not understand why they were still suffering after their return. All too often in history people have made the same mistake- The Jews rejected Jesus because they only read the Scriptures about Messiah as King and ignored those about Him as the “suffering Savior”. Today people need to beware lest they read only about God’s Redemption and fail to see the need of Repentance.

OUTLINE OF HAGGAI

I. DISCOURAGEMENT BECAUSE OF SIN’S PUNISHMENT 1:-

A) The Sin Exposed- Human Wisdom vs God’s Plan It is not Time

B) The Results Proclaimed- Consider your ways, you have sown much and bring in little, you earn money to put it into a bag with holes.

C) The Response- The People fear, God Presence is proclaimed, The Work begins

THE ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM– Repent and come back to God’s Plan

II. DISCOURAGEMENT BECAUSE OF COMPARISON 2:1-9 (They that compare themselves among themselves are not wise. II Corinth 10:12).

A) The New Temple was as nothing compared to Solomon’s Temple

) God Promises HIS Presence in this Temple.

C) God Promises a GREATER Glory to come to this Temple (When God became Flesh and dwelt among men He came to This Temple!!)

THE ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM– Our Weakness is God’s Strength (II Cor 12:9)

III. DISCOURAGEMENT BECAUSE SIN’S POLLUTION PROLONGED BLESSINGS 2:10-19

A) Pollution takes time to get out of the system (You cannot give someone else your Holiness or Health but you can give them your uncleanness and sickness!!)

B) God’s Blessings will come if you continue with Him.

THE ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM– Holiness is Spiritual Health. You can “wash” instantly but you need time to return to Health.

IV. ENCOURAGEMENT IN GOD’S PROMISES 2:20-23

A) God is Lord of all the Earth- Therefore don’t let anything get you down (See John 16:33)

B) God has a Plan for YOU!!! So be Patient until HE needs you.

Discouragement due to Problems and Lack of Progress can sap the strength of any worker. Like John the Baptist, we can start out strong but grow discouraged when things don’t progress the way we assume they should. If we are to be effective workers for God we must learn to make sure we are doing His Will in His Way and then live by FAITH.

Haggai 01:5 CONSIDER

Consider- “To reflect upon carefully, to deliberate seriously” Today I want us to look at some things God has told us to “reflect upon” (consider) and then let these reflection drive us to action.

LET US CONSIDER:

I. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD- Deut 4:39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath; there is none else. “The final authority in your life is your God”. While many people do not raise up “graven images” in their homes they do have “idols” in their heart! Pubic Opinion keeps many from coming to Christ for Salvation. Pleasures keep many from committing their life to God. Societies Values have replaced Scriptural Principles. CONSIDER: Who is your GOD?? Don’t be like the people Isaiah preached to- Is 1:3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

II. THE WONDROUS WORKS OF GOD- Job 37:14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

A) In Space- Ps 8:3-4 When I consider thy heavens, the works of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

B) In Nature- Is 41:19-20 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

III. THE BLESSINGS OF GOD- I Sam 12:24 Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. Grumpy and Gratitude can’t stay in the same heart! How easy it is for us to forget the good things of God because the Devil sends a little bad our way. CONSIDER: The Lilies of the Field and the Ravens (Matt 6:28, Luke 12:24). If God cares for them don’t you think He cares for you.

IV. THE LIFE YOU’RE LIVING- Haggai 1:5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Consider your ways. Does your life contain Purpose and Peace or do you simply exist? (In Context here Haggai is telling the People to Consider their Ways in regards to Giving to the House of God. They were using God’s money to do what they wanted and as a result had “holes in their pockets” (vs 6))

A) In Regards to those around you-Heb 10:24 Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Do you boast people up or are you a Burden to those you come in contact with?

B) In Regards to Suffering- Heb 12:3 Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Remember that we have an Heavenly High Priest that knows what we’re going thru and is able to help us. It’s even important to Consider what God is trying to do when He punishes you-Deut 8:5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee. Heb 12 says Chastening comes as a result of Love and is intended to better us.

IV. THE END OF LIFE- Deut 32:29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end. You’d better consider where your road is going to end. It may seem alright to go merrily down the road you’re traveling but what will happen when you reach your destination?? Are you Saved??

Haggai 01:5 CONSIDER THE CAUSE

There are many things in life that God tells us to “Consider” (The word means “To reflect upon carefully, to deliberate seriously”). The problem we have, however, is that we are like the man James talked about, We see ourselves in the mirror and then forget what manner of person we are as soon as we leave the mirror.

I want us to look at some things God has told us to “reflect upon” (consider) and then let these reflection drive us to action.

LET US CONSIDER:

II. THE WONDROUS WORKS OF GOD- Job 37:14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

IV. THE LIFE YOU’RE LIVING- Haggai 1:5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Consider your ways. Does your life contain Purpose and Peace or do you simply exist? You need to CONSIDER:

A) Your use of Income (In Context here Haggai is telling the People to Consider their Ways in regards to Giving to the House of God. They were using God’s money to do what they wanted and as a result had “holes in their pockets” (vs 6). Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise Prov 6:6

B) Your Relationships.-Heb 10:24 Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. Do you boast people up or are you a Burden to those you come in contact with? An identifying mark of Christians is love; is that what people see when they “consider” you?

C) Your Reaction to Suffering- Heb 12:3 Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Remember that we have an Heavenly High Priest that knows what we’re going thru and is able to help us. It’s even important to Consider what God is trying to do when He punishes you-Deut 8:5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee. Heb 12 says Chastening comes as a result of Love and is intended to better us.

D) The Things you need to learn from those who preceded you (People who disregard the mistakes of history often repeat them!). Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee Deu 32:7.

There are 3 basis principles we must learn about the world in which we live- (1) Every effect must have a cause; (2) The Effect is dependent on the cause for its existence; and (3) Nature cannot produce itself.

Let’s look at the last one first- Nature cannot produce itself. This is the old “Which came first, the chicken of the egg?” question. In reality, the chicken had to come first. If the egg would have come first then it would have meant Nature could produce itself (No one to incubate or hatch the egg, or care for the chicklet).

This brings us to an important spiritual principle regarding this Physical principle- GOD ESTABLISHES AN ORDER THAT WE MUST ADHERE TO-

This Order does not always make sense- Is 41:19-20 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it. God wants us to consider that many different trees grow in places that they shouldn’t be able to grow. I’ve even seen trees growing out of rocks!!

While it is generally true that God Blesses those who follow Him, I’ve seen rotten men get filthy rich while good men struggle for a living and die of cancer.

This Order defeats our efforts- Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? (Eccl 7:13), Self Effort, “Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps”, and “Gritting your teeth and getting the job done” can only go so far. They are a needful part of our development but there are times and circumstances that go beyond our efforts and abilities- I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all (Eccl 9:11).

Haggai 01:5-6 CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES

People need to CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN- Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. (Haggai 1:5-6)

Sin is a horrible thing: It Destroys Lives, Divides Families, Distresses God, and Dooms a person to Hell. Sin means the UNSAVED have no relationship with God, No ability to produce meaningful change in their life (No Holy Spirit Power), and No hope of Heaven when they die.

Sin also has consequences for CHRISTIANS: Jesus died to pay our sin debt to God but there is still a cost for the sins you continue to sin. Here are 10 Consequences when a Christian sins:

Loss of Fellowship and intimate Relationship with God. Sin grieves God (Psalm 51).
Loss of Peace (mental and / or physical health). (Isa 48:22 No peace to wicked).
Loss of Blessings FROM God (Haggai 1:5-6)
Loss of Fruit FOR God / Loss of Rewards: Sin brings defeat, doubt, and delay in our service. (Holy Spirit has to work ON us instead of THROUGH us).
Possible Loss of Family (David 2Sam 12). Sin impacts those around the sinner
Captivity: One Sin leads to more sins- deeper and deeper you are drawn into its captivity
Sin invites God’s discipline (Heb 12:5-8).
Time spend in sin is forever wasted
Sin blocks my Prayer Power- If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: (Psalms 66:18)
Loss of Reputation Sin will find you out- But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out (Numbers 32:23). If you knew some things that people around you think or do you would be shocked and they would be ashamed!

FOUR WAYS TO AVOID SIN

I want to be sinless and I also want to sin less. The Bible describes the need of both- But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin [but] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:7-8). The Bible lists four ways to help me deal with my sin problem.

Remember to whom you belong – Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still (Psalms 4:4). God commands us to be holy because He is holy. Dislike sin because it hinders your walk with God.
Watch your mouth– I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me (Psalms 39:1). A thought before a word can be a sin saver.
Practice living Godly principles – Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame (1 Corinthians 15:34). Examine your daily activities. What can you do to produce a more holy life?
Regulate fleshly impulses– Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: (Ephesians 4:26). Do not allow a momentary impulse to produce permanent problems.

Haggai 1:5-6 WHAT SIN DOES

Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. (Hag 1:5-6)

Sin causes the UNSAVED to have no relationship with God, No ability to produce meaningful change in their life, and No hope of Heaven.

When a CHRISTIAN sins he loses Fellowship, Fruit, Rewards, Testimony, or Blessings. Jesus died for your sins but every time you sin something dies- your reputation or your relationship with God or the mental or physical health of your body.

Sin Destroys Lives, Divides Families, Distresses God, and Dooms a person to Hell.

Sin Hurts God- Sin is falling short of the Glory of God. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23).

Sin Impacts ALL Men: Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

We are always asking men to turn from sin to God – WHY??? First realize that “man does what he does because he is what he is”. Man is not basically good – He is a servant to sin and left to himself will only go deeper into sin. (Compare people without Christian influence to where Gospel preached)

I. DECEIVES PEOPLE Gen 3 – Eve was told she wouldn’t die but did. Liquor Ads – Look beyond – Drugs Same. Sin will take you father than you want to go.

Jesus gave a good illustration of sin-a Graveyard — Looks pretty but full of dead men’s bones. Matt 23:27

II. HARDENS HEART Heb. 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Prov. 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. (Pharoah hardened til God hardened) Parable of Thread – Wind small thread around hand until can’t break. The same sun that melts snow hardens concrete.

III. FINDS YOU OUT Num. 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out. (You think it’s hidden but it’s not) Samson – Arose as before but had no power. The Peanuts I thought I hid in the dirt until they Grew!- Led to tell about Cigarette Butts Stolen the night my mother decided to attend the revival!

IV. REPRODUCES SELF Gal. 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (What you put in mind you get back with interest) Plant peanut – Get Peanuts Plant Anger – Get Anger Gets bigger and bigger.

V. KEEPS FROM GOING TO HEAVEN Rev. 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh admonination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

The wages of sin is death – But the gift of God is eternal Life thru Jesus Christ our Lord

Turn from Sin to Christ

Haggai 1:13 GOD IS WITH US

Faith should not be foolish; but neither should it be fearful

During some of Israel’s darkest days God sent this message, “Then spake Haggai the LORD’S messenger in the LORD’S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD” (Haggai 1:13).

What a HELP to know God is with me as I WORK for Him: (Mat 28:19-20) “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, even unto the end of the world”. I can do All Things through Christ who is with me giving me the strength I need for each task God calls me to do- Glory!

What a JOY to know God is with me providing the PEACE I need to face whatever life throws at me: “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, fear not, nor be dismayed for the LORD will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17).

Finally, what a COMFORT to know God is with me even when I WALK through the Valley of the shadow of death: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for THOU ART WITH ME; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psa 23:4).

I refuse to be a “victim of the virus” filled with fear and anxiety when the God who conquered death, hell, and the grave is WITH ME.