Preaching portion: Haggai 1:2-14

Subject: Revival.

Theme/Proposition: How did God turn retreat into revival?

Introduction:

Last year some 3700 churches in the United States died. Every one of those churches meant well when they started--they didn't plan to fail. The pastor and members had high hopes for their work. But something happened during the life of those churches--something that set each church on a course leading to destruction.

In the book of Haggai, chapter one, God has His prophet to stimulate work on the unfinished temple. Cyrus, the king of Persia, had allowed the Jews to return to their land from captivity in Babylon in order to rebuild the temple. He not only let them go, but ordered that the Persian treasury was to spring for all materials needed during the rebuilding. Only the foundation was laid, the work was stopped, and fifteen years later nothing else had been done on the temple. Now, God was about to hold a mirror up to His people, by one of His prophets, and reveal to them their pathetic condition.

1A By exposing their character

1B Not the right time v. 2

1C "This people," not "My people"--in displeasure

2C Time is not come--wrong interpretation of Jer. 25 (Persian decrees could not be altered--what Cyrus decreed was final)

3C People will always have an excuse for neglecting the work of the Lord.

2B Time to dwell in ceiled houses v. 4

1C Ceiled houses--luxurious homes with fine woods

2C Lord's house lies in waste--only partially restored

3C How many make it a practice to work in their lawns on a Sunday during Church services? Home repairs, T.V., etc.?

4C The foundation was already laid there in Jerusalem--our foundation is already laid, also.

2A By judging their indifference

1B Sowed bountifully, harvested little v. 6

-They did not realize why this was happening. God had to tell them, "You neglect my work, you pay the price."

2C Not enough to eat, drink, or wear v. 6

-These are the basic necessities of life

3C Never enough wages--bag with holes v. 6

1D They made less than what it took to live on

2D When we deposit treasures for ourselves on earth, our money disappears--it is a cycle of indulgence and replacement.

4C No dew or fruit v. 10

1D Stayed--to restrict or to hold back

1E Dew--it replaced the rain in the dry summer months

2E Fruit--none, because no dew

2D When we direct all our attention on ourselves, God holds back His power--don't expect any fruit.

5C A draught v. 11

-Nature and animals had to suffer because of man's disobedience.

3A By blessing their obedience v. 12

1B All obeyed

1C Leaders--C. Sumner Wemp: "Everything rises or falls on leadership"

2C The people--they followed the leader

3C When the pastor goes soul-winning, so do the people. Reading the Bible, supporting missions, praying, etc.

2B They feared the Lord v. 12

1C Fear--to revere or respect.

2C Prov. 9:10--"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"--they finally got wise.

3B The Lord was with them v. 13

-Mt. 28:19-20--A conditional promise

4B The Lord inspired them v. 14

1C Stirred up--opening the eyes; to wake

-Ammonia Caps

2C They did the work

Conclusion:

How did God turn retreat into revival? He exposed the character of the people and showed them what they really were. Then He judged their indifference. But when Israel finally decided to obey the Lord, He blessed them.

Are you completely sold out for the work of Christ? Or will God have to grab you by the scruff of your neck and march you to the mirror just so you can see the real you? God motivates repentance by cutting off blessings that were once considered commonplace. And when repentance expresses itself through obedience, them God will be with you and the work will get done.