| OCR Text |
Show PUTTING GOD FIRST Haggai The Matthew 6: 33 1: 4 people of God had been taken away into exile, Israel by Assyria and Judah by Babylon they failed to put God first. There they were required by the enemy to sing the Lord's song in a strange land. However, they never because gave up and now some of them have returned in 538 B. C. They have laid the foundations of a new temple. Then for 18 years they concentrated on building their own houses while leaving the house 1 of They built them out of fine paneling but did nothing to complete the house of the Lord. So in this text the prophet Haggai urges the people to do things decently and in order, to put first things first, to build the house of God before building their own. Haggai reminds them that if they want to enjoy the blessings and win the promises of God, they must put the Lord unfinished. Him first in their lives. This is the message of the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007 . God has great things in store for us, for His children. He wants us to 2 plentiful blessings win His un failing promises. experience and to He wants His us to be blessed and to live the abundant life. In order to do that, the prophet Haggai 1: 4 raises the question "Is it time for you, 0 ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie in waste?" This question is the same issue Jesus raises in Matthew 6: 33 emphatic statement: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." This fall illustrates what happens with His 3 when . we decide to do our own things and fail to put God in His place while Haggai's preaching illustrates what happens when people get things in proper order and put god first. Gripped with excitement and enthusiasm, the people came back home and the first things they did was lay the foundation for a new temple of God. But after a while, the overgrown fields, the weeded crops, the briared vineyards, the dead orchards, and the fallen houses the need to survive overwhelmed. Instead of focusing 4 on God's emphasis house, they shifted their to working on their own houses. For 18 years, they strained and struggled trying to rebuild a society. They tried to reclaim the land, to plant the viable crops, to rebuild the houses. But the more they tried, the they seemed to You might say more fail and fall short. they took one step forward, they took two steps backward. That will discourage anybody. So God sent Haggai with a simple strategy and word of every time put God first. encouragement There are blessings , 5 ahead when you things decently and in order. When you find yourself like the children of God, ask yourself three questions: do 1. Did 2. Are our we we were 3. Has to way work? really better offer than before? setting God aside get ahead? I think you answer . are sure to all three helped us to find the questions is a resounding, "NO." The book of Haggai says we expect much but get little. "Y e looked for much, and 10, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. 6 Why? Saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye his own run house." every man (Haggai 7 1: unto 9) |
