CONSIDER THE CAUSE

CONSIDER #2/3 A Study through Haggai February 7, 2010 MW
Stockwell Road MBC
CONSIDER THE CAUSE
Haggai 2:1-9
INTRODUCTION:
A. Today is Super Bowl Sunday pitting the Indianapolis Colts against the New Orleans Saints in Miami, FL. Around here you would think the Saints have been everyone’s favorite team forever but we all know that isn’t the truth. There are a lot of people who have jumped onto the proverbial bandwagon. The online urbandictionary defines bandwagon as, “When someone adopts a popular point of view for the primary purpose of recognition and/or acceptance by others.” I am glad they have jumped on but the problem is they are usually the first ones to jump off. Where were they when they were known around the league as the New Orleans Aints whose fans wore bags on their heads? Worse than that is where will they be come tomorrow morning if they don’t win tonight?

B. I feel like there are some aspects of bandwagonism today in the Lord’s Churches. When that is the case we all need to pause and consider the cause. Many young Christians get on board and find things do not always go as they first envisioned. They thought a lot of things would change but they don’t. As a result they hop off the bandwagon. Many more mature Christians get tired of staying the course and maintaining the cause. They want to hand off to the next generation and just rest and take it easy. When we find ourselves feeling this way we need to stop and consider the cause!

C. This is where we find the returning Jews in the Book of Haggai. In v. 3, we find many who were working who were discouraged in the work. They were about to hop off of the bandwagon they had jumped on in the preceding chapter. Many of these men could remember the beauty and glory of Solomon’s Temple. When they looked at this Temple only 3 weeks into construction it paled in comparison. The Jews note four points of inferiority: The absence from the second temple of (1) the sacred fire; (2) the Shekinah glory; (3) the ark and cherubim; (4) the Urim and Thummim. These issues were beginning to wear down the older which was causing the younger workers to be discouraged. Haggai comes with the message of encouragement for them to CONSIDER THE CAUSE.
God’s message to them for consideration was “CONSIDER THE CAUSE!”

BODY: When we consider the cause we need to pay close attention to…

I. THE PURPOSE OF ACCOMPLISHING THE CAUSE vs. 1-3
Note: For these Jews the cause was completing this Temple and they were motivated to do so because of the Chapter 1 sermon. They were building a Temple to replace the previous Temple however they were not replacing the purpose of the Temple. It was always to be a place for the proper worship of God. Zerubbabel’s Temple was going to stand for the same purpose…it was unchanging. What is our cause? It hasn’t changed either!
A. Our Purpose is STILL to Worship God
B. Our Purpose is STILL to Glorify God
C. Our Purpose is STILL to Witness for God

II. THE POWER FOR ACCOMPLISHING THE CAUSE vs. 4-5
Note: If you want your vehicle to go anywhere you must put gas in the tank. God gives us the fuel we need to accomplish His purposes for us.
A. The Requirements of this Power
1. His placement—I am with you not against you!
2. His presence—I am among you!

B. The Realities of this Power
1. strength and courage(3x He tells them to be strong)
2. stronger faith—fear ye not

III. THE PROSPECT OF THE ACCOMPLISHED CAUSE vs. 6-9
Note: Sadly we often pay more attention to the here and now and fail to focus on the big picture. What would happen if we stayed the course and endure the difficulties, heartaches and let downs and considered the prospect? We would be more faithful!. We would be more focused! We would find ourselves on fire for the Lord! So consider the prospects that God had for this Temple…
A. A Place Where People Come v. 6-7a
B. A Place Where God is Experienced v. 7b-9a
C. A Place Where Needs are Met v. 9b

CONCLUSION:
I guess you have figured out what I believe the “cause” is? It is the Church…it is us! We live in a day when the cause is belittled and many see her as unnecessary!
The “cause” is too great for her to be considered a bandwagon to be jumped on? This morning, will you consider the cause?