What House are You Building?

Sunday, 16 October 2022 by

Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 16 October 2022

What House are You Building?

Haggai turns to the leaders of God’s people, and states the excuse God’s people have for not building God’s house, the Temple: ‘It is just inconvenient, and not the right time’’ (vs.2). It’s not as if God’s people doubt His importance, or the significance of the symbolism of the Temple, do they? And, as we will see, the circumstances are tough: there has been prolonged drought, crops have failed consistently, finances are tight, and the local political opposition is quite fierce. Haggai then turns to God’s people, though, and points out the problem: ‘Your houses look pretty fine, but God’s house is in ruins. Your priorities are exposed by your personal lives’ (vs.3-4). It is an incisive and exposing statement. And it is not so much a statement about the city-planning of Jerusalem, but a statement about how God’s people view the significance of God, the significance of His desire and promise to live with them, and the significance of sin. In their paneled houses, these people make a statement: God is not that important! Such a 2022 book for God’s people…

Scripture References: Haggai 1:1-15, Deuteronomy 28:1-6, Deuteronomy 28:15-19, Matthew 6:25-34

From Series: "Haggai"

More From "Haggai"

Powered by Series Engine

Sunday, 20 April 2025
Moments that Define History
from Dan Rowe
As dawn breaks on Sunday morning, women go to view the tomb…but what they see is far greater. An angel announces.. “He is not here. For he has risen..” What wonderful, good news! Some in our passage are gripped with fear, still others are shocked, displaying unexpected joy. But should we be surprised? Isn’t this what Jesus was saying all along? As we come to Easter, as we come to Jesus, be expectant that Jesus will do all he says. We can have complete confidence that what Jesus says.. Jesus does! “He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come see the place where he lay”. Death is defeated, the tomb is empty, and for those who trust in Jesus we have the promise of life after death because Jesus has gone before us. Celebrate today that God is faithful and that Jesus now reigns!
Friday, 18 April 2025
A Man Leaving His Mark
from Bernard Gabbott
The events of Good Friday have significant impact. Jesus, the outsider deals with sin in the only way possible. It involves an excruciating death, burial and is final. There are insults and mockery, confusion and speculation abound. Jesus, the outsider has left His mark.
Sunday, 13 April 2025
A Substitute
from Andrew McClenaghan
In today’s passage it’s Good Friday, the saddest day in human history. But hidden amongst the lies and deception and betrayal are glimmers of hope. The great African American preacher S.M. Lockridge wrote a reflection on this time in Holy week. Here’s what he has to say in part, “It’s Thursday, and Jesus is praying. Peter is sleeping, Judas is betraying, but Sunday’s coming. It’s Friday, Pilate’s struggling. The council is conspiring, the crowd is vilifying. They don’t even know that Sunday’s coming. It’s Friday, the disciples are running like sheep without a shepherd. Peter is denying, Mary is crying, but they don’t know that Sunday’s a coming. It’s Friday. The Romans beat my Jesus. They robe him in Scarlet, they crown him with thorns, but they don’t know that Sunday’s coming. It’s Friday, see Jesus walking to Calvary, his blood dripping, his body stumbling and his spirit burdened. It’s Friday, only Friday, but let me tell you something: Sunday’s a coming!” The Son of Man is more ‘outside’ than ever before. Betrayed, rejected, beaten and handed over to be crucified. Majestically silent, confident in his father’s plans. So much more than just a king of the Jews, he’s King of all Kings.