Theological Proposition/Focus: The greatest encouragement any of us can have is the knowledge that we serve the God of the Universe!
Homiletical Proposition/Application: Make sure that your are finding your encouragement in God
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Setting the Stage:
Two prophecies in one day! Last week we ended with the hope of blessing. Today's prophecy from Haggai came on the same day.
As we study the words of Haggai we must remember the context.
Haggai is speaking to a people who are struggling to finish the temple and now he wants to give a great encouragement.
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Consider the fact that we are serving the God who rules the entire universe (21).
Verse 21 contains what is called a merism, that is a rhetorical device in which two extremes are used to refer to the whole.
In this case heavens and earth is representative of the entire universe. We are serving the God of the universe and it is important that we consider the fact that our Lord is Lord of all creation.
Image: Shaking the playground/bridge as an act of control
I can be a pain at time, just ask Emily. One of the things that I like to do is to shake a foot bridge when we cross. At the zoo, at a park, at a playground... I like stomping and making it move as much as I can. Partly to be a pain, but partly as a show of might. Some of you all know this feeling. Shaking the universe is something that is beyond anything we can imagine and this is what God is capable of.
Me shaking the bridge is nothing compared to what Darius the great accomplished.
After the death of Cyrus the great the Persian empire was led by Cambyses II he received a wound in his thigh which became infected and ended up killing him.
=The brother of Camyses, Bardiya took the throne in 522 BC but was overthrown shortly there after by Darius the great.
That same year there were significant revolts against Darius throughout the Empire
Darius did not appear to have the support of the populace but he did have a loyal army
Darius suppressed and quelled all revolts within a year.
=The Jews, under the mighty Darius would have some idea of what it looks like for a single individual to exercise incredible strength but even the might Persian empire was not an empire that covered heaven and earth!
God's plans are bigger than we can imagine.
God's power is bigger than we can imagine.
God's scope is bigger than we can imagine.
MTR: Carefully consider God's plans, power, and scope while reflecting on your life.
Consider the fact that we are serving the God who sovereignly directs (22).
Earthly rulers are subject to God's control (Prov. 21:1).
Human events are subject to God's control (Isa. 14:25, 27; 55:11).
The spiritual realm is subject to God's control (Col. 1:15-16).
MTR: Take a minute to pray and admit to God that while you often seek control you in fact do not have control.
Consider the fact that we are serving the God who has made us a promise (23).
Zerubbabel was promised a degree of glory, the Messiah would fulfill all glory.
The New Covenant looked forward to a time when God's law would be written on the hearts (Her. 31:31-33).
The New Covenant is with Israel but brings blessings on the church.
The blessings of the New Covenant are experienced in the church through the Holy Spirit (1 Tim. 1:14)
The New Covenant has been inaugurated.
Conclusion: Consider your Lord
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