Prepare to Hear Haggai 1:1-15 on 2/27/11 at CrossView Church

1. Read and pray over our text for this Sunday, Haggai 1:1-15. It would be a good idea to read with your family or people you’re meeting with. We’ll be studying Haggai for the next 4 Sundays, so you may want to read chapter 2 already since we’ll spend 3 weeks on that chapter and it’s not too long.

2. Read Ezra chapters 1, 3-6 for the background to the book of Haggai. Notice that Haggai is mentioned in 5:1 and 6:14.

3. Consider reflecting on these questions and pointers as you read Haggai 1 (feel free to email the group your thoughts or post on our facebook group page):

• What stands out to you from the text?
• What question popped into your mind as you read the chapter?
• What do you think and sense the Spirit saying to you? What does he want you to do?
• Why was God withholding blessing from his people?
• Where were the people’s priorities?
• What do we learn about God in this story? Do you see any connection to Jesus Christ in the text?
• Where do you see yourself in the story?
• Should we build a church building?

4. For the really hungry and motivated, read all of Ezra and Nehemiah to know what was going on in that time during the prophecy of Haggai after they returned from exile in Babylon.

Pray for our Sunday gathering. Consider how the Spirit wants you to stir people up this Sunday. If you’re not going to make it, email the church and let us know where God is sending you and how we can pray for you.

A Pastor's Reflection on this Sunday's Gathering with CrossView Church

Grateful for the members commitment to attend

We almost had all members in attendance today which is rare. We had all but 2 members attend (who still live in the area). That's the most we've had in a long time. I'm glad they patiently hear me preach God's Word to them and seek to strengthen each other as we worship God and converse. It's good to be in a church where we take our covenant commitment to each other seriously. I praise God that many of the members email the church or text me as their pastor when they can't make it so they are still connected to the body.

Sharing leadership to train leaders

Jun led the gathering today. He tried to do it all and his own, which is quite difficult and burdensome. I know because I do that every month or so. I'm glad that Jun could relieve me and others in serving our church through leading our gathering. Though we can always improve, his service relieves and makes my preparation to each much easier than most people realize.

Today's sermon

I preached on 2 Corinthians 3:7-4:6. The main point was, "Gospelize boldly." To "gospelize" is to announce, explain, and apply the gospel to another person or persons. Gospelizing is applying the gospel to both unbelievers AND believers. The text gave us four reasons to gospelize boldly: (1) because we've been given a new covenant ministry (2 Cor. 3:7-18); (2) because we're being transformed from glory to glory right now (2 Cor. 3:18); (3) because we've been shown mercy (2 Cor. 4:1-2); and (4) because God shines light in dark hearts through us (4:3-6). I planned on a different sermon with the main point being stare at glory and proclaim glory, but I think the sermon I actually preached more accurately communicates the main point of the passage. The biggest conviction and message from God to me in this, as best I can discern, is for me to boldly commend myself to others as I proclaim Jesus as Lord to others and proclaim myself as their slave for Christ's sake (4:2 and 4:5). I tried to boldly gospelize a member of my church that I've been neglecting and being timid about, but I'm only in the first step of obeying the Spirit in gospelizing my fellow church member.

Encouragement in preaching

One of our members encouraged me in my preaching today. I've felt this discontent with my preaching and dire need to for help from God. This feeling of inadequacy is good. But it was bordering on discouragement. So God, who is rich in kindness, used one of my brothers to encourage me regarding my preaching ministry in general. God knew what I needed. I know there's lots of room for me to grow and ground to regain that I think I've lost in this skill, but hearing a member of the church that has covenanted with me to our church and mission is the best encouragement I could hear. I'm off this Sunday at our church but I'm excited to jump back into the pulpit serving our members the message of Haggai in the weeks to come.

Momentum

I feel like CrossView Church is building momentum at this point. I may be wrong, but in my view men are being raised up and growing, relationships are deepening in the church and with our target community (the Shatto Rec Center neighbors), and the Easter celebration is in sight. With one mission team meeting weekly and learning how to engage our community together and two teams getting set to start, I'm excited to see what God is doing in our church fam.

Editor’s Note: This is a cross-post from PJ’s blog at God is Better than All.