What's the Problem?
1. The Problem of Being Disinterested
2. The Problem of Being Discouraged
3. The Problem of Being Dissatisfied
Old Testament:
The books of the law — Gen., Ex., Lev. Num., Deut.
The books of history — Josh., Judg., Ruth, 1 & 2 Sam., 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chron., Ezra, Neh., Est.
The books of poetry — Job, Ps., Prov., Eccles., Song.
Major prophets — Isa., Jer., Lam., Ezek., Dan.
Minor prophets — Hos., Joel, Amos, Obad., Jonah, Mic., Nah., Hab., Zeph., Hag., Zech. Mal.
New Testament:
The life of Jesus — Mt., Mk., Lk., Jn.
Church history — Acts
Paul’s letters to the churches — Rom., 1 & 2 Cor., Gal., Eph., Phil., Col., 1 & 2 Thess.
Paul’s letters to individuals — 1 & 2 Tim., Titus, Phm.
Letters by other — Heb., Jas., 1 & 2 Pet., 1, 2, & 3 Jn., Jude, Rev.
Jeremiah 29:4-7 (NLT) This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives He has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: 5 “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NLT) This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
Ezra 1:1-4 (NLT) In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophecy He had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it through his kingdom: 2 “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build Him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Any of you who are His people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild the Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you! 4 Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem.”
“No promise comes without opposition.”
“Every promise from God will sooner than later attract opposition from the Enemy.”
John 16:33 (NLT) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Disinterested — “Not having the mind or feelings to engage.”
How do we know if we’ve become disinterested?
“When we begin to neglect God’s voice, it’s an indicator that we are actually neglecting God Himself.”
Haggai 1:1-4 (NLT) On August 29 of the second year of King Darius’s reign, the Lord gave a message through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 2 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The people are saying, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.’” 3 Then the Lord sent this message through the prophet Haggai: 4 “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?”
1. Consider what they had done
Are you making any excuses?
Haggai 1:5-8 (NLT) This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: “Look at what’s happening to you! 6 You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! 7 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: 8 Look at what’s happening to you!
2. Consider the results they were getting
Because they had misplaced priorities they were being robbed of God’s blessing.
Haggai 1:9-11 (NLT) You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses. 10 It’s because of you that the heavens withhold the dew and the earth produces no crops. 11 I have called for a drought on your fields and hills—a drought to wither the grain and grapes and olive trees and all your other crops, a drought to starve you and your livestock and to ruin everything you have worked so hard to get.”
Who has been the first priority? You or God?
3. Consider what they should do now
Haggai 1:7-8 (NLT) “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: 8 Look at what’s happening to you! Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord.
Haggai 1:12-15 (NLT) Then Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the whole remnant of God’s people began to obey the message from the Lord their God. When they heard the words of the prophet Haggai, whom the Lord their God had sent, the people feared the Lord. 13 Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave the people this message from the Lord: “I am with you, says the Lord!” 14 So the Lord sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the whole remnant of God’s people. They began to work on the house of their God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, 15 on September 21 of the second year of King Darius’s reign.
The problem was resolved when…
a. They took responsibility for their action
b. They put their priorities back into order
c. God reminded them of His covenant
d. They chose to obey
e. His blessings on their lives returned
What is God saying to you right now?