Give us clean hands

Give us clean hands

This morning I was talking in my message about being the witness that God has called us to be.  In like fashion I had prepared more than I could cover.  And rather than stretching out words for another week I have decided to post my thoughts on this blog for those who are interested in further studying the subject of being a witness as we were discussing this morning.

So what follows is the conclusion of my sermon…  Who knows maybe one day I will pick it up and preach it?  But for now it is what it is.

As you read keep in mind the prophet Haggai had been sent to the nation of Israel to challenge the people to align their walk, their wealth, their worship and their witness with the kingdom of God.  Many times if we are not careful our witness will be diminished.

II. Your witness for God may be diminished

The reason Haggai and Zechariah preached their messages was to correct the people of God, especially as it related to their failure to make God’s work the main priority. Their failure to work on the Temple was a negative witness. Several truths are apparent.
A.  The witness was diminished because the work was unfinished (1:4)

Work, which had begun at least fifteen years before, had not been completed. The Temple, the place signifying God’s presence among the people, was in ruins.  The two hardest parts of any project is getting started {well} and then finishing {well}.  Finishing our work can bring glory to God. Jesus stated that his purpose was to do the will of God and to finish what He had been given to do (Jn. 4:34). Among Jesus’ last words on the cross was the phrase “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30). Paul too stated that his aim was to finish his course (Acts 20:24). In 2 Tim. 4:7, Paul declared that he had finished the course. He had ran well and fought a good fight.

B.  Their witness was also diminished because the work was unimportant (1:2-4)
Not only was it not finished, but also there was no urgency to move ahead. Years had passed, but the people failed to be motivated to do the work. They were satisfied with the status quo. Keep in mind they were facing battles of apathy.  Apathy is a state of indifference; perhaps it's the suppression of our emotions. Sometimes it is seen as a lack of concern, excitement or motivation and maybe even a loss of passion. Apathy is a real and it weakens our sense of purposes. Many times apathy creates within us a lack or a sense of meaning.  It causes us to be insensible and sluggish.

C.  The witness was diminished because their work was unimpressive (2:3)

The work they had completed was not impressive, at least compared to what it had been at an earlier time. According to Haggai, it was as nothing (Hag. 2:3).  The point was not that their work compared to the work of a previous generations, but that they did their best unto the Lord!  Your best unto the Lord is always most important!   Someone can always do better or more than you can do – that was not to be their consideration.  Rather, god promised to supply what they lacked!

D.  The witness was diminished because work was unholy or unclean (2:14)
Years of corrupt living did not change overnight because the unholy people began to work on the holy Temple. The people thought their witness would change quickly because they were now living to honor God. Haggai reminded the people that unholy things do not become holy just because they touch the holy thing. In fact, unholiness is quick to make the holy become unclean. Their corrupt lives had not changed simply because they had begun work on the Temple. We cannot expect that God will be pleased with our lives until they are clean.

Sadly, the failure to take care of the Lord’s work was a recurring theme throughout this era of Isreal. Years after the Temple was completed, Ezra and Nehemiah came to Jerusalem and found that God’s work was neglected. A renewal of the covenant under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah ended with the commitment: “We will not forsake the house of our God” (Neh. 10:39). Yet only a few years later when Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem he is forced to ask the rulers, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” (Neh. 13:11).  We like the people of Israel are filled with good intentions…  but what we need is a faithful witness!  Later Malachi condemns both the priest and the people for despising God’s name, polluting His altar, wearying Him with their words, and withholding the tithe. Believers today must be vigilant to be a positive witness for God.
III. The third important truth as we consider our witness is that our witness for God must be dramatized

A watching world cannot merely peer into the hearts and minds of believers and see their love and devotion to God. A watching world sees our testimony by what we do.  The positive response to Haggai’s message served as a witness for the Lord (1:12-15). The response of the people resulted in:

A. New Energy

For the work and new evidences of their devotion to God. When the people began to work, the Lord “stirred up” the spirit of Zerabbabel, the spirit of Joshua, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people (1:14). The verb “stirred up” refers to God’s active role in moving the affections of his people. God energized His people to continue what they had newly begun. Zechariah, who preached at the same time as Haggai, encouraged Zerubbabel by declaring,  NIV Zechariah 4:6  “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty...  The Lord Jesus Himself promised the believers a new power in the Holy Spirit to be witnesses (Acts 1:8). At Pentecost, the church became empowered to witness to the world (Acts 2:4; 4:31). Believers today can be witnesses for God as they allow Him to energize them for the work (Eph. 1:15-23).

Not only was their witness dramatized by a new energy, it was demonstrated by…

B.  New Evidences

One evidence of their commitment and devotion to the Lord was their Turning to the Lord. Haggai and Zechariah both urged the people to turn from their apathy and self-concern and serve the Lord. The people responded in obedience. A second evidence was their Toiling on the Temple. Suddenly, that which had seemed unimportant became most important. They commenced the work, which can often be the most troublesome part of the task. They continued the work, even when they faced opponents, obstacles, and objections.  Finally,

C.  Completed the Work

A reconstructed Temple was the most dramatic kind of outward witness of their inner faith and commitment. A third evidence was their Togetherness. They had become a true community of faith, united in purpose and spirit to honor God. Jesus prayed that his church would be one (Jn. 17:21-22). Paul explained that the church, at its best, is one body with each member cooperatively fulfilling his or her role (1 Cor. 12:12-14). The church gives a most powerful witness when it unifies to honor Christ.

Statement of Truth: As the people of God, we are witnesses to a watching world, whether we intend to be or not.

We have been given the responsibility and blessed with the power to be His ambassadors. Therefore, we must consider our witness.