Insights from This Passage

Haggai 1:12-15 is a passage of Scripture which confronts people who have:

Too large a view of themselves

Too small a view of God

An inflated view of self and./or a deflated view of God expresses itself in one of two ways:

Legalism: “I am big enough (or, God is small enough) to be bought-off with my actions.”

License: “Because God is so small (or, because I am so mighty), I can be blessed on my own apart from God’s ways. I will live as I please.”

In response to these distorted views of God and of self, Haggai 1:12-15 introduces us to "the fear of the Lord." In Scripture, "the fear of the Lord" consistently involves three aspects:

Wow (i.e. holy reverence)

Woe (i.e. humble confession in light of God's greatness)

Willingness (i.e. saving faith expressing itself in obedience)

Accordingly, the fear of the Lord frees the people of God in three unique ways:

Freedom TO Fear (Haggai 1:12)

Freedom FROM Fear (Haggai 1:13)

Freedom to WORK from FAITH (Haggai 1:14-15)

As the people of God, we are not made right with God by our works. We are made right with God as we trust the saving work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. And as people who are freed to work for God's glory, our calling is the same as the people to which Haggai was writing thousands of years ago. We are called to make the presence of God and the pardon of God manifest on earth: not by building a brick-and-mortar temple, but by expanding the Body of Jesus Christ - God's New Temple - as we make disciples by the power of the Spirit.

Insights from This Passage

Haggai 1:12-15 is a passage of Scripture which confronts people who have:

Too large a view of themselves

Too small a view of God

An inflated view of self and./or a deflated view of God expresses itself in one of two ways:

Legalism: “I am big enough (or, God is small enough) to be bought-off with my actions.”

License: “Because God is so small (or, because I am so mighty), I can be blessed on my own apart from God’s ways. I will live as I please.”

In response to these distorted views of God and of self, Haggai 1:12-15 introduces us to "the fear of the Lord." In Scripture, "the fear of the Lord" consistently involves three aspects:

Wow (i.e. holy reverence)

Woe (i.e. humble confession in light of God's greatness)

Willingness (i.e. saving faith expressing itself in obedience)

Accordingly, the fear of the Lord frees the people of God in three unique ways:

Freedom TO Fear (Haggai 1:12)

Freedom FROM Fear (Haggai 1:13)

Freedom to WORK from FAITH (Haggai 1:14-15)

As the people of God, we are not made right with God by our works. We are made right with God as we trust the saving work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. And as people who are freed to work for God's glory, our calling is the same as the people to which Haggai was writing thousands of years ago. We are called to make the presence of God and the pardon of God manifest on earth: not by building a brick-and-mortar temple, but by expanding the Body of Jesus Christ - God's New Temple - as we make disciples by the power of the Spirit.

Insights from This Passage

Haggai 1:1-11 is an encouragement for the people of God to prioritize the right worship of God. God promises that as His people seek Him first, every other pressing concern will be put into place. The New Testament perspective on this promise is found in Matthew 6:33, when Jesus assures His followers: "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything else will be added to you." The difference between the true gospel - which assures blessing and provision for those who follow Jesus - and the so-called "Prosperity Gospel," is simple. The Prosperity Gospel invites us to come to Jesus to be blessed on our terms. The true gospel invites us to come to Jesus in order that we might be blessed on His terms. Join Pastor Davis for this installment of the "First Things First" series!

Insights from This Passage

Haggai 1:1-11 is an encouragement for the people of God to prioritize the right worship of God. God promises that as His people seek Him first, every other pressing concern will be put into place. The New Testament perspective on this promise is found in Matthew 6:33, when Jesus assures His followers: "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything else will be added to you." The difference between the true gospel - which assures blessing and provision for those who follow Jesus - and the so-called "Prosperity Gospel," is simple. The Prosperity Gospel invites us to come to Jesus to be blessed on our terms. The true gospel invites us to come to Jesus in order that we might be blessed on His terms. Join Pastor Davis for this installment of the "First Things First" series!

Insights from This Passage

The main message of the Book of Haggai, the Old Testament, and all of Scripture: God is faithful to faithless people.

I. Faithful in blessing.

God blesses his people as they enjoy a right relationship with him. (Gen. 1:28, Gen. 12:1-3)

II. Faithful in grace.

Key Term: “Substitutionary Atonement” (Gen. 3:21)

The Temple:

1.     Place of God’s Presence (See 1 Kings 8:12, etc.)

2.     Place of God’s Pardon (1 Kings 8:5, 30-53)

III. Faithful in discipline.

5 Misplaced Priorities that Led to Exile

1.    Misplaced Worship

(Amos 2:4-5; The descriptions of the Kings of Israel and of Judah in 1 Kings and 2 Kings…)

2.    Misplaced Obedience

(Isaiah 1:10-20 and 66:1-6)

3.    Misplaced Standards (for Success)

(Amos 6:1-8)

4.    Misplaced Influences

(1 Kings 11:1-8 – Cause of Divided Kingdom)

5.    Misplaced Hope (for the Future)

(2 Kings 24:1 – Initial Babylonian Captivity)

(2 Kings 24:1-17: 3 yrs, rebellion, then Exile)

(2 Kings 24:18-25:21: another rebellion, another Exile, and destruction of Temple).

IV. Faithful in restoration.

Haggai is the first prophet to speak after the end of the 70-year Exile. His five oracles address the five misplaced priorities that led God’s people into captivity.

1.     Misplaced Worship (Haggai 1:1-11)

2.     Misplaced Obedience (Haggai 1:12-15)

3.     Misplaced Standards (Haggai 2:1-9)

4.     Misplaced Influences (Haggai 2:10-19)

5.     Misplaced Hope (Haggai 2:20-23)

V. Faithful in Christ (New Temple, John 2:19-22)

1.     Christ is the ultimate place of God's presence (John 1:14; Matt. 1:23)

2.     Christ is the ultimate source of God's pardon (Romans 5:9; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:4-8)

Insights from This Passage

The main message of the Book of Haggai, the Old Testament, and all of Scripture: God is faithful to faithless people.

I. Faithful in blessing.

God blesses his people as they enjoy a right relationship with him. (Gen. 1:28, Gen. 12:1-3)

II. Faithful in grace.

Key Term: “Substitutionary Atonement” (Gen. 3:21)

The Temple:

1.     Place of God’s Presence (See 1 Kings 8:12, etc.)

2.     Place of God’s Pardon (1 Kings 8:5, 30-53)

III. Faithful in discipline.

5 Misplaced Priorities that Led to Exile

1.    Misplaced Worship

(Amos 2:4-5; The descriptions of the Kings of Israel and of Judah in 1 Kings and 2 Kings…)

2.    Misplaced Obedience

(Isaiah 1:10-20 and 66:1-6)

3.    Misplaced Standards (for Success)

(Amos 6:1-8)

4.    Misplaced Influences

(1 Kings 11:1-8 – Cause of Divided Kingdom)

5.    Misplaced Hope (for the Future)

(2 Kings 24:1 – Initial Babylonian Captivity)

(2 Kings 24:1-17: 3 yrs, rebellion, then Exile)

(2 Kings 24:18-25:21: another rebellion, another Exile, and destruction of Temple).

IV. Faithful in restoration.

Haggai is the first prophet to speak after the end of the 70-year Exile. His five oracles address the five misplaced priorities that led God’s people into captivity.

1.     Misplaced Worship (Haggai 1:1-11)

2.     Misplaced Obedience (Haggai 1:12-15)

3.     Misplaced Standards (Haggai 2:1-9)

4.     Misplaced Influences (Haggai 2:10-19)

5.     Misplaced Hope (Haggai 2:20-23)

V. Faithful in Christ (New Temple, John 2:19-22)

1.     Christ is the ultimate place of God's presence (John 1:14; Matt. 1:23)

2.     Christ is the ultimate source of God's pardon (Romans 5:9; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:4-8)

At the time this sermon was delivered, Kyle Wade was preparing to enter into his final year of engineering school at the University of Georgia. As is evident in this recording, Kyle is passionate to see people live in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This was the first time he ever preached for a local church during a corporate worship gathering. Autumn Ridge Community Church is thrilled to give budding pastors and ministry leaders opportunity to further develop their God-given gifts.

Insights from This Passage

"We are in a spiritual battle."

"We are wearing borrowed armor in a finished fight."

At the time this sermon was delivered, Kyle Wade was preparing to enter into his final year of engineering school at the University of Georgia. As is evident in this recording, Kyle is passionate to see people live in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This was the first time he ever preached for a local church during a corporate worship gathering. Autumn Ridge Community Church is thrilled to give budding pastors and ministry leaders opportunity to further develop their God-given gifts.

Insights from This Passage

"We are in a spiritual battle."

"We are wearing borrowed armor in a finished fight."

Insights from This Passage

 

Fruitful Families Live from the Faithfulness of God.

Verses 1-3: Children, even if you're earthly parents aren't perfect or wise, your Heavenly Parent - God the Father - is. Your eternal welfare is based on the perfect faithfulness and the perfect love you receive from Him. You can obey and honor your parents in response to His goodness.

Verse 4: Parents, you don't have to be perfectly in all aspect of parenting. Your call is first and foremost to entrust your children to the care of the Faithful One, Jesus - and to parent in response to His perfect faithfulness.

Insights from This Passage

 

Fruitful Families Live from the Faithfulness of God.

Verses 1-3: Children, even if you're earthly parents aren't perfect or wise, your Heavenly Parent - God the Father - is. Your eternal welfare is based on the perfect faithfulness and the perfect love you receive from Him. You can obey and honor your parents in response to His goodness.

Verse 4: Parents, you don't have to be perfectly in all aspect of parenting. Your call is first and foremost to entrust your children to the care of the Faithful One, Jesus - and to parent in response to His perfect faithfulness.