Advent in Haggai: Part 1, Misplaced Priorities

ADVENT IN HAGGAI

Haggai 1:1-15

Part one- “Misplaced Priorities”

Haggai is a very important little book in the Old Testament. It’s really the rest of the story. They have been in captivity for 70 years for their unbelief; but what happens next? Is there a future hope? Can and will they rebuild their lives?  The answer to that prayer came in 520 BC when the Persian Empire allowed the captives from both Israel and Judah to return to their homes.  These folks have packed their things and returned. They’re home.

Haggai prophesies over four months. Haggai is a book of Advent and there are four truths that I would like to set forth in the next four weeks that will hopefully help us in our Advent celebrations. Misplaced Priorities (1:1-15), Shattered Expectations (2:1-9), Bad Company (2:10-19), and Aimless Living (2:20-23).

MISPLACED PRIORITIES- (1:1-15)

Haggai accuses the returnees of misplaced priorities because they were rebuilding their houses while the temple still lay in ruins.  The issue is how do we spend our time and resources? The Temple has been in ruins for 70 years. We are looking at spiritual neglect. SPIRITUAL PRIORITIES MUST BE OUR FIRST PRIORITIES.    Do I live my life putting Christ first in everything?

CONSIDER YOUR WAYS- v.6 Regarding the futility they have experienced- Haggai does a summary of the effects of God’s displeasure. There would be covenant curses if they failed to worship Yahweh rightly (Deut. 28:15-40). Israel read these warnings like fine print in their sales contract, before they drove away in their new car.

We have similar warnings in the New Covenant too. Mark 8:38; 1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 Peter 3:7; Heb.21:25-29; THE LORD CARES. This comes down to where our allegiances really lie.

CONSIDER YOUR WAYS- v.7 Notice how the LORD steps in and stirs the hearts of the people- Christmas is a great time to reset your priorities. God seeks your heart to take pleasure in it and to be glorified (v.8). When your priorities are set right you WILL experience a genuine joy in life. There is no real loss in following the LORD, but great delight and great benefit to your own life and work.

APPLICATIONS

All of Christ for all of life

Personal- Are you putting Christ first or the world? Romans 12:1

Marriage- Are you going to live your life seeking God first in everything or are you going to place God into your life as some add-on? 1 Peter 3:1-7

Raising our children- Are we trying to prepare them for a life of success at the expense of a life of service to Jesus Christ? Ephesians 6:1-4

In business-  Are you going to run after the world or the mighty dollar or are you acutely aware of the calling to bring your business into a place where God is glorified? Colossians 3:23

In the church- Are we caring more about getting people into the building or into a saving relationship to Jesus Christ? Do you know what Jesus said right after he said, “Ask anything of me and I will do it”- He declared, “If you love me, keep my commandments”? John 14:15