Building the Lord’s House – Making Disciples: A Discussion on the Words of Haggai
A few days ago I was reading through Haggai and jotted down a few questions as I read. What a goldmine of application for us to
draw from! There so much in this little book of Haggai that it would take a
long article to reflect on it all. What I wish I could do is be sitting in a
living room with you somewhere and discuss through Haggai verse by verse and
talk about what we observe and can learn. So instead of me writing down a
lengthy overview and commentary of what I think, let’s do this: we read through
Haggai several times and let’s start the discussion right here. Yes, I could
write down my view, but it would be long and probably would not be read that
much. Are you game to enter into a discussion regarding what Haggai is saying
to us regarding making disciples?
First let me give some definition to my assumptions so that our observations will be applicable to the topic of making disciples:
· The
Lord’s House – in the Old Testament, Haggai’s
context, the temple of the Lord. In the New Testament, our context, the Body of
Christ.
· Your
House – not our personal residence as assumed in Haggai’s
context, but the houses we build to hold the ministry that we do. It is more
than just the real estate or buildings we build, but it also the ministries we
start, and the things we do to build those ministries. To put it simply what we
call “my ministry,” “my church” etc.
· The
Crops – The fruit of the gospel, harvest, disciples of
Jesus.
· Signet
Ring
– Given as a sign of royal authority and personal ownership, Zerubbabel becomes
the Lord’s signet ring.
Now read through the book (only 38 verses) and while you do here are a few questions to ask to get us started as you read. (You certainly will discover more – be sure to share them).
1. What is the difference between the Lord’s House and Your House?
2. What are “Your Ways” that he asks us to give careful thought to?
3. How do we build the Lord’s house?
4. How do we grow the crops in verse 10.
5. Who grows the crops?
6. What are your thoughts about the application of the defilement mentioned in 2:10-14 in the context of making disciples?
7. What does it mean to be his signet ring?
Okay – who will be first to chime in? Just keep in mind to keep the discussion in the context of making disciples and the issue of
building our house and building the Lord’s house. This will keep us from going
all over the place in our discussion.
I will post this on my blog at http://dondavis.wordpress.org , www.house2harvest.ning.com and the facebook group Making Disciples and see how the dialogue goes – hope to see you there!
Views: 8
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bill Wood on -
guess I'm the first to chime in here.
I'll begin by addressing this question: How do we build the Lord's house?
Answer: We don't. For in Zech. 6:12 we have these very profound words, "Behold the man who is called the Branch, for He will grow up out of His place and He will build the temple of the Lord. Even He will build the temple of the Lord and He will bear the glory. He will sit and rule on His throne. And upon His throne He will be a priest. And there will be harmony between the two."
These words were spoken to Joshua the high priest right after crowns of silver and gold were placed on his head. These words speak to a future day, which I believe we are in.
Jesus is the Man Who is named the Branch. Interesting though that He Himself makes us kings and priests to His God.
In Him we are priests, He being the High Priest. In Him we are kings, He being King of kings.
And Zerubbabel, who was in charge of rebuilding the temple was given this word, "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, that's what I the Lord say."
And of course we all know , "Unless the Lord build the house, they that labour, labour in vain."
And Jesus was asked by some what they must do to do the works of God. Jesus replied, "The work of God for you is to believe into the One Whom He sent." John 6:28&29
It begins believing INTO the One Whom God sent, and remaining/abiding. A branch abiding in the True Vine is the only thing that will bring an expression of God's full thought, and bear fruit that endures.
Yes there is much work to be done, but first and foremost we must remember that it's God's work, not ours. They were finished from the foundations of the world. And they are ONLY accomplished from His rest.
God rested for the first time on the seventh day. However, He had to go back to work because of the transgression of Man in the garden. God rested a second time when His Son took a seat at the right of His throne. God's final resting place will be in those that have entered into His rest. Jesus at the right of God's throne seated spells so much. God's at rest, why are we so moved to do? Let us come into complete agreement and cooperation with Him and enter into His rest. From the place beside our Father IN His Son in their rest, we will see that we truly are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which were predetermined that we would walk in.
I know that this might seem contrary to going out and doing this and that, cuz there's so much need in this dark world. Dead works I say, if they aren't done by the Lord. Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing.
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