SERMON INSIGHTS

 The Divine Summons to Self-Examination

Central Spiritual Truth: God requires His people to set themselves apart to seek His direction and rediscover their true life’s purpose.

• A specific command was given to find a time apart, away from family and daily routines, to pray and seek the Lord. This dedicated time is necessary to think through the vision, purpose, and goal of one’s life.
• This season is a critical opportunity for every believer to evaluate their individual lives and the state of their families. It is a time to look closely at children, businesses, and the collective progress of the church.
• Ministers especially must find time afresh to determine where they stand while everything in the world is being shaken. They must move beyond merely responding to job situations or income loss to seek spiritual direction.
• The shaking of the world is a sign that everyone must consider who they are and where they are going. This examination is presented as an opportunity to align one’s dreams with God’s fulfillment and joy.

The Peril of Personal Sovereignty in Ministry

Central Spiritual Truth: When convenience and personal plans replace God’s will, the calling becomes a personal enterprise rather than a divine mission.

• Pastors and ministers are often tempted to forget their true callings when faced with rejections and challenges. They may begin to wonder if their venture is worth pursuing when people do not allow them in or follow them.
• The example of Peter illustrates how the fear for one’s own life can lead to denying Christ when the cost of following becomes too high. Peter chose his own life over the Lord because he did not want to be crucified with Him.
• A “personal calling” is often just a person’s own plan for what is good for them, where God ceases to be the purpose of the work. In these cases, the minister becomes the “God” of their own ministry, doing only what pleases them.
• True obedience is tested by whether a servant will go to a village in the Sahara Desert or a remote island if God says, “this is where I want you”. Many would refuse such a call because it does not fit their own view of life or the comfort of their family.
• If a ministry is only done according to what is convenient, it is no longer being done as God wants it. This self-centered approach turns the work of God into a personal company or business.

 The Church’s Role as a Beacon of Hope

Central Spiritual Truth: The church must not merely conform to the world’s crises but must arise as the salt, light, and prophetic voice of God.

• Many preachers are merely giving “lectures” on how to conform to the “credit crunch” instead of providing the voice of God. They focus on managing personal affairs rather than giving leadership to the nation in troubled times.
• The church is failing to confront the spiritual significance of the national crisis and has largely lost its sense of mission. It has been commissioned to be the light and salt of society but is currently following worldly trends.
• The church is called to be the “army of God,” the “spokesman of God,” and the “temple” through which God reigns over the nation. It must re-determine its role and purpose to establish righteousness and the will of God.
• During past crises like September 11th, churches filled up, but they were not ready to sustain the souls who came seeking hope. The church must be ready now to bring souls into the fold and give them eternal life rather than just worrying about tithes.
• This shaking is the time for the “star of the church” to rise and for the gospel to be preached with renewed urgency. It is the time for the glory of the latter house to be greater than the former.

 The Cry of Hope and Divine Reassurance

Central Spiritual Truth: A cry of distress is not a sign of abandonment but an affirmation that God is the only remaining hope.

• “And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts”. Haggai 2:7:  This shaking is God’s way of drawing people back to Himself as their ultimate goal.
• God declares in Haggai that “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,” reminding the church that He provides when money fails. When these worldly things are unable to fulfill their purposes, God’s glory is revealed.
• Even when Christians cry out “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”, it shows that their trust in other things has been stripped away. This cry affirms that the only answer to the situation is God Himself.
• When Jesus cried on the tree, He ended by commending His spirit into God’s hands. This demonstrates that the only place to find true hope and security is in the person of God.
• God offers a definitive promise to those who feel forsaken: “Behold, I am with you. I will never forsake you”. This reassurance is meant to renew the faith, love, and hope of the believer in Jesus Christ.

Call to Action: Renew your faith, love, and hope in Jesus Christ today. Take this opportunity to examine who you are, what you are, and where you are going. As you go home, consider your ministry, your business, and your place in the church, and do not forsake the God who has not forsaken you.

AMEN