BE STRONG

Text: Haggai 2
18 February 2007

(I) THE WORDS “BE STRONG” (Haggai 2:4)

” ‘Yet now be strong..,’ says the LORD…” Haggai 2:4

1. Given to Zerubbabel (governor of Judah)

2. Given to Joshua (high priest)

3. Given to the people of the land

(II) A FURTHER WORD FROM THE LORD

” ‘…be strong..,’ says the LORD, ‘and work…’ ” Haggai 2:4

1. Strength needed to serve the Lord

a) To commence

b) To complete

2. The work of the Lord given

a) The re-building of the Temple

b) The many challenges in this challenging work

3. Strength equal to the work and more

“…I am with you, says the LORD of hosts.
According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!”
Haggai 2:4-5

a) Covenanted Promise of the Lord

b) Compelling Power of the Lord

(III) THE STIRRING OF THE SPIRIT BY THE LORD

“So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel…
and the spirit of Joshua…,
and the spirit of all the remnant of the people;
and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God”
Haggai 1:14

1. A special work of the Lord

2. A special stirring of the spirit

3. Inspired to work

a) Surmounting all problems (Cf. Haggai 1 )

b) Sacrificing much for the sake of the Lord’s work

c) Significant progress made in the rebuilding program