Difference between revisions of "Sermon for November 6th, 2016"

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Haggai 2:1-9

1 In the second year of King Darius, in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai, saying: 2 Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, 3 Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? 4 Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts, 5 according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear. 6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; 7 and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the Lord of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of hosts. 9 The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts.

Who Is Left Among You?

The book of Haggai comes near the very end of the Old Testament. It is the third from the last book. And it's late in the story of God's people, too...to borrow a metaphor from baseball, you might even say that the prophet Haggai steps up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning.

In any case, God's people, the people of Israel, have been through a lot. Moses brought them out of Egypt and through the wilderness. Joshua led them into the promised land. King David forged them into a nation, and King Solomon built for them a glorious temple in Jerusalem. Then came a succession of not-so-great kings, and prophets like Elijah who tried to bring the hearts of the people back to God. Eventually came the Babylonian army; the temple was destroyed, and the people of Israel were taken away from their homes and forced to live in captivity. 40 years passed, and finally a small remnant of them were allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

And it is at this point, to these few, remaining faithful people, that Haggai speaks, saying "Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory?"

1. Ada Long ... teaching children, fpc preschool, visiting the sick and hospitalized, elder, deacon, tours of church, welcoming new members, military spouse, presbyterian women, decorating the bulletin board

2. Dr. John Wilbanks ... making people feel welcome, making the church look good, encouragement, usher/greeter

3. Elizabeth Ferguson ... keen intellect, study the bible

4. Frank Weidner ... Building and property, helped design/build sanctuary, trustee, deacon, usher, sound board

5. Jessica Nelson ... taking care of the sick, children, preschool mom, imparting cheer

6. Dr. Kenneth Bailey ... worship, planning, church historian, keeper of memories

7. Glendora McVey ... deacon, presbyterian women, love of worship, music, master gardener

8. Dr. Marjorie Graham ... educator, writer

9.

10.

Milton Colia ... man of prayer, generosity, kindness

Howard Holt ... man of prayer, servant, host, steadfast and bold faith, proclaimer of the gospel,