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!
As I was thinking through the God who rule the universe I got to thinking about three characteristics of God that are employed in his rule.
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.
Luke 24:27 demonstrates that the there is an overarching story of Scripture and that story is the story of redemption, the story of Jesus.
Luke 24:27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
God's plans are incredible, as one example, let's look at the story of Scripture.
This story highlights plans, power, and scope. Listen to the story of Scripture.
God created mankind in his image as his representatives and managers of creation.
Adam and Eve utterly failed to properly represent God in an act of rebellion.
God promised that despite mankind's failure, God would provide a solution, an anointed one who would redeem creation and properly rule over creation.
God chose a people, Israel, to represent Him as a Kingdom of priests, this people failed to properly represent God and fell into idolatry.
God provided prophets who called the people to repentance while also reminding people of and expanding upon the promise of an anointed one to redeem.
God provided the Savior who came as a man yet full God who lived a perfect life and was executed on the cross buying redemption for all who place their faith on the Savior.
God established the Church and tasked the Church with spreading the Good News of redemption.
God provided the Church with Scripture to guide the Church in how to properly spread the Good News and operate.
God will one day send the Savior to establish His Kingdom here on Earth to rule over creation in an ultimate act of redemption where that which is seemingly unredeemable is redeemed.
Scripture is the story of redemption and demonstrates that God's plans are bigger than we can imagine.
Sometimes I sit back an wonder what someone like Moses thinks now as he sees so much more of God's plans.
Then I reflect and think about my own life, what is God weaving together?
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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