Beyond Series, Part 3: H.O.P.E.
“Beyond Series, Part 3: H.O.P.E.”
by Pastor Kent Munsey
November 10, 2019
“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty. - Haggai 2:6-8
Over the past couple of weeks, we have been studying church building projects throughout scripture. First, we see the children of Israel delivered out of Egypt, and God asks them to build him a tabernacle. It was the world’s first mobile sanctuary. We see how God uses these works to establish His presence.
Last week, we learned how David was tasked with raising the resources for Solomon to build the temple. The children of Israel had now been established; they were no longer nomads, and God had settled them in the promised land. Solomon’s temple can be recognized as the most magnificent building in human history.
We also see in scripture how Jerusalem was destroyed as a result of the people’s rebellion. Eventually God asks them to rebuild his temple, but the children of Israel were discouraged.
In Haggai 2:6-8, the Lord was encouraging his people to stay focused on the task at hand. He wanted them to know that they were building something for the one who was and is to come. They were building something for Jesus.
We see a pattern of God asking his people for a temple. God asked again for his people to build a house to glorify Him. When God calls us to do something for his glory, he always goes beyond. In Ezra 1:1-6, we see God moved the heart of the king. He moves the hearts of kings, and he moves the hearts of people (Proverbs 21:1).
Here at City Church, God is calling us to expand our church. We are believing God for miracles to move the hearts of people around the city. Every single person here has talents and gifts and abilities to offer God! Everyone has something that God is going to ask them to do.
However, we see in scripture that once the children of Israel got started, they were delayed. They became discouraged, divided, and distracted. We’re part of something that God is doing, and it’s all about Jesus getting the glory. When we become a part of this great work, we will find ourselves discouraged, disconnected, and divided.
There is a spiritual resistance that is very real. We know that our enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). There are distractions that are devastating that will stop the work God is doing in our lives.
Our enemy is looking for opportunities to separate us from the work that God is doing. When God is with us, we have to consider your ways. We have to consider our opinions, our emotions, our responses. If God is with us, it changes everything. When we’re discouraged, we must remember that God is with us.
The acronym H.O.P.E. gives us a guidepost on how to glorify God with our actions.
Hear God’s heart: Embedded in the word “heart” is the word “hear.” It’s impossible to love someone and not hear them. Multiple times in scripture we see this guidance: “those who have ears, let them hear what the spirit of the Lord is saying,” (Matthew 11:15, Revelation 2:29). The problem is not that God isn’t speaking; the problem is that most of the time we’re not listening. We must be still and listen to what the Lord is saying (Psalm 46:10).
Obey God’s voice: It’s so hard to believe because it’s so hard to obey. When God asks us to do something, we need to obey his voice.
Prioritize his purpose: God asks us to consider our ways. He says to “seek first the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 6:33). We often prioritize the wrong thing. The children of Israel were brought out of slavery to build God’s house, but they got distracted and started building their own houses. It’s not that God didn’t want them to have their house; it’s that he first wanted them to have a hope.
Expect God’s blessing: When we hear God’s heart, obey his voice and prioritize his purpose, we can expect his blessing. The Bible says that God is “a rewarder of those who diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). When our priorities are out of line, we miss God’s best. God wants us to have hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11), and that begins with prioritizing his house and what he has asked us to do. God blesses us as we glorify him.
When God is with us, we have a hope, and it is secure. Jesus is our sure foundation (Isaiah 33:6).
Discussion Questions
1. What is God whispering to your heart in the stillness of his presence?
2. What is God asking you to do with your gifts and talents for his glory?
3. How can you prioritize God’s purposes in your life?
4. How have you seen God bless you, and where can you believe him for future blessing?