Haggai 3 Response to a Call

Ps John Rhodes - November 16, 2023

3. Response to a Call [Reading Haggai 1:12-15; Sunday Oct.15]

How would you respond to God’s call to do something? The LORD God had spoken persuasively through Haggai saying, “Build my house!” Israel “obeyed the voice of the LORD their God.” Here are three things to note before you respond:

1. Make sure God is in it. v12 Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the whole remnant of people obeyed “because the LORD their God had sent him.”

Prayerfully check it out when you hear of a new idea, mission, opportunity, or prophecy. Don’t be too quick to accept. Don’t be too quick to reject. Make sure God is in it!

1.1 Check with church leaders. The call to rebuild had support from the emperor. Rebuilding the temple, however, was neglected. The both leaders, governor and high priest, accepted the prophecy. When we heard of a potential location for our church, it seemed very appropriate. However, we checked it out, seeing it with all our leaders. Then we stepped out in faith and here we are today!

1.2 Have healthy fear of the LORD. The key to discern God’s will in any new venture is to have a healthy fear of God. The Good Shepherd still leads his sheep. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life” (John 10:27,28). If we fear God, we will more easily recognise and respond. The Gideon organisation was birthed in the friendship and prayer of three ordinary travellers who respected God. Their ideas had their pastors’ support. Gideons have now distributed over 2 billion Bibles around the world.

2. When you respond, expect God’s special presence. v13 “I am with you declares theLORD.”

When you respond to God, there is a special joy with the presence of God. Jesus said, “I am with you always.” (Matt.28:19-20). A revival broke out when an early founder of pentecostalism in Australia, Sarah Lancaster, obeyed the call of God. She moved their mission to a new location. She then became so busy in ministry that she had to send others to fetch her belongings!

3. Respond together willingly as a church. v14 The LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the whole remnant of the people. They began to work on the house of the LORD Almighty, their God.

Verses 14-15 recaps this event by emphasising the unitedness of Israel’s response. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). This would lead to a greater revelation of what God would bring– glory and peace. We will see this in the next message.