Digging In - Week 1
DIGGING IN
a weekly MAKE ROOM devotional
WEEK ONE
Sermon Series Description:
“The temple wasn’t just a building. It was where God said he would meet with his people. It was his reach of love into the lives of people as well as a way to proclaim the glory of God and extend the reach of God to the nations. So when the temple was destroyed and God’s people were taken away as exiles, something had to be done. God orchestrated the release of his people from captivity so they could return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. They began the work as God commanded them to, but over time “life” happened, resistance arose, and the mission was set aside. Enter the prophet Haggai. He was sent by God to help the people refocus and make room for God’s mission in their generation. Haggai points ahead to Jesus – the ultimate temple – the ultimate meeting place between God and sinners. In this series, we’ll see that today the mission of Christ is extended through us, the Church; we are his temple. As we make room for others, Christ’s mission advances in our generation as well!”
“The temple wasn’t just a building. It was where God said he would meet with his people. It was his reach of love into the lives of people as well as a way to proclaim the glory of God and extend the reach of God to the nations. So when the temple was destroyed and God’s people were taken away as exiles, something had to be done. God orchestrated the release of his people from captivity so they could return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. They began the work as God commanded them to, but over time “life” happened, resistance arose, and the mission was set aside. Enter the prophet Haggai. He was sent by God to help the people refocus and make room for God’s mission in their generation. Haggai points ahead to Jesus – the ultimate temple – the ultimate meeting place between God and sinners. In this series, we’ll see that today the mission of Christ is extended through us, the Church; we are his temple. As we make room for others, Christ’s mission advances in our generation as well!”
The following are some thoughts from elder John Austin on the sermon and the devotional.
Re-read the text and use the following DIGGING IN guide to reflect on the message from Sunday. Use this individually, as a couple, family or group.
- Read Haggai 1:1-11
- What does this scripture passage reveal about God?
- What does it reveal about us? (people)
- In Sunday’s message Pastor Dave said: “The temple was God’s way of reminding people: ‘I’m here! I’m right here with you! On your darkest day I want you to know that I’m not going to leave you. When your sin overwhelms you, look up and see the sacrifice offered and the blood shed for the forgiveness of all your sins! When you wonder who you are, remind yourself – you are the one loved by God and set free to live with him in the land of promise forever.'"
Pastor Dave also said that Jesus came to be the ultimate “temple.”
Read John 2:13-22
How do both the temple building and our Lord Jesus communicate the love and commitment of God to his people? - Rev. John Piper comments on how the focus of God’s people on their own houses and priorities resulted in a life of frustration. He writes:
“Both then and now the real problem is not the neglect of a building but indifference to the glory of God. The temple of the Old Testament existed for the glory of God. And the Church today exists for the glory of God. Indifference to the growth and spiritual prosperity of the Church and its mission is always a sign of failure to love the glory of God. And the sour fruit of this failure is a life of chronic frustration.”
As you consider you own life, in what ways are you led to confess selfish ambition?
In what ways is God leading you to Make Room for his priorities in your life and in the life or our church? - As you confess your sin to the Lord, what does 1 John 1:8-9 say is true?
- How is God leading you to Make Room for him and his mission in our life?
Interested in using this devotional for your small group? Download the PDF of this devotional below and print on 8.5x11 (front and back).