Summary
In this sermon from Haggai chapter 2, Pastor Chris explores the concept of being 'contagious' in our faith and daily interactions. The message centers on the Israelites who had returned from exile to rebuild God's temple but became distracted by building their own homes instead. Through Haggai's prophecy, God calls them back to prioritizing Him first, promising blessing when they do. The pastor challenges listeners to examine what they carry into every room - whether it's hope, joy, and purpose, or something negative. He emphasizes that Jesus flipped the script on ritual purity, making the clean able to cleanse the unclean, and calls the church to be vessels of hope and transformation in the world.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather together today, we invite Your Holy Spirit to be present among us. Open our hearts and minds to receive what You want to teach us through Your Word. Help us to set aside our own agendas and distractions, and focus our attention on You. Search our hearts, Lord, and speak to us in ways that will transform our lives and draw us closer to You. We ask that You would use this time to shape us into the people You've called us to be. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
If you could choose to have either an introvert or extrovert Uber driver for a long ride, which would you pick and why?
Key Verses
Haggai 2:10-14
Haggai 2:18-19
Haggai 2:20-23
1 John 4
Psalm 139
Questions
Pastor Chris shared about wanting an introvert Uber driver but getting Maurice, an extrovert who brought joy to his day. How do you typically respond when God gives you something different than what you expected?
The Israelites stopped building God's temple and focused on their own homes when they faced pressure. What are some modern-day 'pressures' that can cause us to shift our focus away from God's priorities?
The pastor mentioned that whether we're having a good day or bad day, we're all contagious. What do you typically 'carry into' rooms and interactions with others?
God promised to bless the Israelites 'from this day onward' once they refocused on Him. How have you experienced God's blessing when you've made Him a priority in your life?
Jesus flipped the script on ritual purity - instead of clean things becoming unclean when touched by the unclean, Jesus made unclean things clean. How does this change the way we should approach people who are struggling or far from God?
The sermon mentions that many people today struggle to trust institutions, including the church. How can we as individuals help restore trust in the church through our daily lives?
Pastor Chris challenged people to look at their calendar and banking app to see their true priorities. If someone looked at yours, what would they conclude are your top priorities?
God promised to make Zerubbabel like a 'signet ring' - a symbol of authority and authenticity. How does knowing that God has 'sealed' us with His Spirit change how we should live?
Life Application
This week, intentionally focus on being 'contagious' in a positive way. Before entering any room or interaction, pause and ask yourself: 'What am I carrying into this space?' Choose to bring hope, joy, kindness, or encouragement to at least one person each day. Additionally, examine your calendar and spending to see if they align with putting God first in your priorities.
Key Takeaways
We are all contagious - we carry something into every room we enter, whether positive or negative
When we put God first in our priorities, everything else in life begins to make sense and God promises His blessing
Jesus flipped the script on purity - now the clean makes the unclean clean, empowering us to bring hope to others
Our daily interactions and character matter for the reputation of the church and the gospel
God has sealed us with His Spirit like a signet ring, marking us as carriers of His presence and authority in the world
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the reminder that You have called us to be carriers of Your presence in this world. Help us to be contagious in the best possible way - bringing hope, love, and Your light wherever we go. Forgive us for the times we've carried negativity or put our own priorities above Yours. Give us the courage to examine our lives honestly and make the necessary changes to put You first. Seal us afresh with Your Spirit and use us to make a difference in the lives of those around us. May our lives be a reflection of Your love and grace. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.
