The Minors: Haggai | Rev. Seann Duffin

Let us pray. Let us pray. God, thank you for being with us even God, thank you for being with us even God, thank you for being with us even now. and by the power of your Holy now. and by the power of your Holy now. and by the power of your Holy Spirit, open our ears and our eyes, our Spirit, open our ears and our eyes, our Spirit, open our ears and our eyes, our hearts and our minds, so that we might hearts and our minds, so that we might hearts and our minds, so that we might truly hear your word and walk in your truly hear your word and walk in your truly hear your word and walk in your ways. And God, may the words of my mouth ways. And God, may the words of my mouth ways. And God, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of all of our hearts be and the thoughts of all of our hearts be and the thoughts of all of our hearts be acceptable and pleasing to you. For you acceptable and pleasing to you. For you acceptable and pleasing to you. For you are our rock and our redeemer. Amen. You are our rock and our redeemer. Amen. You are our rock and our redeemer. Amen. You may be seated. may be seated. may be seated. All summer, we've been working through All summer, we've been working through All summer, we've been working through the minor prophets. The minor prophets the minor prophets. The minor prophets the minor prophets. The minor prophets are a series of 12 books in the Old are a series of 12 books in the Old are a series of 12 books in the Old Testament. each one named after a Testament. each one named after a Testament. each one named after a different prophet from Israel's history. different prophet from Israel's history. different prophet from Israel's history. And prophets, their whole goal is to And prophets, their whole goal is to And prophets, their whole goal is to help God's people be faithful to God. help God's people be faithful to God. help God's people be faithful to God. And usually prophets have a word of And usually prophets have a word of And usually prophets have a word of correction for the people. Often it's correction for the people. Often it's correction for the people. Often it's because they've been mistreating others, because they've been mistreating others, because they've been mistreating others, the poor, the immigrant, the orphaned, the poor, the immigrant, the orphaned, the poor, the immigrant, the orphaned, or those who are otherwise vulnerable in or those who are otherwise vulnerable in or those who are otherwise vulnerable in society. And the prophets remind us that society. And the prophets remind us that society. And the prophets remind us that our love for those others, our love for those others, our love for those others, our love for our neighbor is a our love for our neighbor is a our love for our neighbor is a reflection of our love for God. This reflection of our love for God. This reflection of our love for God. This morning, we're going to read from the morning, we're going to read from the morning, we're going to read from the prophet Haggi. And as you'd expect, prophet Haggi. And as you'd expect, prophet Haggi. And as you'd expect, Haggi has a message of correction for Haggi has a message of correction for Haggi has a message of correction for the people. But it's not because they've the people. But it's not because they've the people. But it's not because they've been neglecting or mistreating their been neglecting or mistreating their been neglecting or mistreating their neighbors. It's because they've been neighbors. It's because they've been neighbors. It's because they've been neglecting, mistreating God. This is neglecting, mistreating God. This is neglecting, mistreating God. This is from Haggi chapter 1. Listen for the

from Haggi chapter 1. Listen for the from Haggi chapter 1. Listen for the word of God. word of God. word of God. In the second year of King Darius in the In the second year of King Darius in the In the second year of King Darius in the sixth month on the first day of the sixth month on the first day of the sixth month on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the month, the word of the Lord came by the month, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggi to Zerubbabel son of prophet Haggi to Zerubbabel son of prophet Haggi to Zerubbabel son of Shieliel, governor of Judah, and to Shieliel, governor of Judah, and to Shieliel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehosedac, the high Joshua son of Jehosedac, the high Joshua son of Jehosedac, the high priest. Thus says the Lord of hosts. priest. Thus says the Lord of hosts. priest. Thus says the Lord of hosts. These people say that the time has not These people say that the time has not These people say that the time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord's house. yet come to rebuild the Lord's house. yet come to rebuild the Lord's house. Then the word of the Lord came by the Then the word of the Lord came by the Then the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggi, saying, "Is it a time for prophet Haggi, saying, "Is it a time for prophet Haggi, saying, "Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your panled you yourselves to live in your panled you yourselves to live in your panled houses, while this house lies in ruins?" houses, while this house lies in ruins?" houses, while this house lies in ruins?" Now therefore, thus says the Lord of Now therefore, thus says the Lord of Now therefore, thus says the Lord of Hosts, "Consider how you've fared. You Hosts, "Consider how you've fared. You Hosts, "Consider how you've fared. You have sown much and harvested little. You have sown much and harvested little. You have sown much and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough. You eat, but you never have enough. You eat, but you never have enough. You drink, but you never have you your fill. drink, but you never have you your fill. drink, but you never have you your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is You clothe yourselves, but no one is You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And you that earn wages earn wages warm. And you that earn wages earn wages warm. And you that earn wages earn wages to put them into a bag with holes. to put them into a bag with holes. to put them into a bag with holes. Thus says the Lord of Hosts, consider Thus says the Lord of Hosts, consider Thus says the Lord of Hosts, consider how you've fared. Go up to the hills and how you've fared. Go up to the hills and how you've fared. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house so that I bring wood and build the house so that I bring wood and build the house so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored, may take pleasure in it and be honored, may take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord. You have looked for much, says the Lord. You have looked for much, says the Lord. You have looked for much, and lo, it came to little. And when you and lo, it came to little. And when you and lo, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why brought it home, I blew it away. Why brought it home, I blew it away. Why says the Lord of hosts, because my house says the Lord of hosts, because my house says the Lord of hosts, because my house lies in ruins, while all of you hurry lies in ruins, while all of you hurry lies in ruins, while all of you hurry off to your own houses. Therefore, the off to your own houses. Therefore, the off to your own houses. Therefore, the heavens above you have withheld the dew, heavens above you have withheld the dew, heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce.

and the earth has withheld its produce. and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the And I have called for a drought on the And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the land and the hills, on the grain, the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the soil new wine, the oil, on what the soil new wine, the oil, on what the soil produces, on human beings and animals, produces, on human beings and animals, produces, on human beings and animals, and on all their labors. This is the and on all their labors. This is the and on all their labors. This is the word of God for the people of God. word of God for the people of God. word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. I have exactly one Thanks be to God. I have exactly one Thanks be to God. I have exactly one good habit. I wish it were more, but good habit. I wish it were more, but good habit. I wish it were more, but I've been thinking about it and that's I've been thinking about it and that's I've been thinking about it and that's really all I can come up with. One good really all I can come up with. One good really all I can come up with. One good habit. It's not the only good thing I habit. It's not the only good thing I habit. It's not the only good thing I do, but it is perhaps the only good do, but it is perhaps the only good do, but it is perhaps the only good thing that I make sure to make time to thing that I make sure to make time to thing that I make sure to make time to do every single day. You see, every do every single day. You see, every do every single day. You see, every night I brush my teeth. That's my one night I brush my teeth. That's my one night I brush my teeth. That's my one good habit. And perhaps this is good habit. And perhaps this is good habit. And perhaps this is something we have in common. Every day something we have in common. Every day something we have in common. Every day we make sure to set aside time to do we make sure to set aside time to do we make sure to set aside time to do this thing that's good for us, that this thing that's good for us, that this thing that's good for us, that promotes health and prevents decay, that promotes health and prevents decay, that promotes health and prevents decay, that that models for our children how to do that models for our children how to do that models for our children how to do the same. the same. the same. My other primary habit is scrolling on My other primary habit is scrolling on My other primary habit is scrolling on my phone.

my phone. my phone. And this is not a good habit. And I do And this is not a good habit. And I do And this is not a good habit. And I do it much more than once a day. I do it it much more than once a day. I do it it much more than once a day. I do it when I'm walking and I do it when I'm when I'm walking and I do it when I'm when I'm walking and I do it when I'm talking. I do it when I'm by myself. I talking. I do it when I'm by myself. I talking. I do it when I'm by myself. I do it when I'm with others. I do it when do it when I'm with others. I do it when do it when I'm with others. I do it when I'm at home. I do it when I'm out. I do I'm at home. I do it when I'm out. I do I'm at home. I do it when I'm out. I do it when I've got nothing to do and when it when I've got nothing to do and when it when I've got nothing to do and when I've got something I should be doing. I've got something I should be doing. I've got something I should be doing. It's it's a ton of time that I invest It's it's a ton of time that I invest It's it's a ton of time that I invest every day, every week, every month into every day, every week, every month into every day, every week, every month into something that ultimately means nothing. something that ultimately means nothing. something that ultimately means nothing. And my point is not that we need to And my point is not that we need to And my point is not that we need to optimize every minute of every day. My optimize every minute of every day. My optimize every minute of every day. My point is not that we need to achieve point is not that we need to achieve point is not that we need to achieve peak efficiency. peak efficiency. peak efficiency. My point is that you get to choose how My point is that you get to choose how My point is that you get to choose how you spend your time. You get to choose you spend your time. You get to choose you spend your time. You get to choose whether or not to prioritize the whether or not to prioritize the whether or not to prioritize the meaningful work, the things that promote meaningful work, the things that promote meaningful work, the things that promote health and holiness, or whether you'll health and holiness, or whether you'll health and holiness, or whether you'll join me in scrolling on your phone. Our join me in scrolling on your phone. Our join me in scrolling on your phone. Our scripture this morning starts in a very scripture this morning starts in a very scripture this morning starts in a very particular, very specific way. It says, particular, very specific way. It says, particular, very specific way. It says, "In the second year of King Darius, in "In the second year of King Darius, in "In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the the sixth month, on the first day of the the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the month, the word of the Lord came by the month, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggi." It's not often that we prophet Haggi." It's not often that we prophet Haggi." It's not often that we know exactly when something in the Bible know exactly when something in the Bible know exactly when something in the Bible happened, but thanks to this first happened, but thanks to this first happened, but thanks to this first verse, we know exactly when Haggi verse, we know exactly when Haggi verse, we know exactly when Haggi delivered his message. When you delivered his message. When you delivered his message. When you transpose it onto our standard calendar, transpose it onto our standard calendar, transpose it onto our standard calendar, it's August 29th, 520 BC. It's a really it's August 29th, 520 BC. It's a really it's August 29th, 520 BC. It's a really lovely reminder that that God is at work lovely reminder that that God is at work lovely reminder that that God is at work every day. Yes. But some days take on every day. Yes. But some days take on every day. Yes. But some days take on particular importance in our memories

particular importance in our memories particular importance in our memories because of the some particular thing God because of the some particular thing God because of the some particular thing God did that day. I can tell you the day I did that day. I can tell you the day I did that day. I can tell you the day I felt God calling me to ministry. I can felt God calling me to ministry. I can felt God calling me to ministry. I can tell you the day that each of my tell you the day that each of my tell you the day that each of my children were baptized. You could tell children were baptized. You could tell children were baptized. You could tell me about a day that that you received me about a day that that you received me about a day that that you received God's grace in a new in a different in a God's grace in a new in a different in a God's grace in a new in a different in a deep and wonderful way. a day that deep and wonderful way. a day that deep and wonderful way. a day that you'll never forget because of what God you'll never forget because of what God you'll never forget because of what God did that day. So, not only does God work did that day. So, not only does God work did that day. So, not only does God work in general in the world, God works at in general in the world, God works at in general in the world, God works at specific times with specific people. The specific times with specific people. The specific times with specific people. The fir second year of King Darius the sixth fir second year of King Darius the sixth fir second year of King Darius the sixth month, the first day of the month, the month, the first day of the month, the month, the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggi to word of the Lord came by Haggi to word of the Lord came by Haggi to Zerubbabel Zerubbabel Zerubbabel son of Shialiel and to Joshua son of son of Shialiel and to Joshua son of son of Shialiel and to Joshua son of Jehoshed. Specific people in a specific Jehoshed. Specific people in a specific Jehoshed. Specific people in a specific place. This message from Haggi is for place. This message from Haggi is for place. This message from Haggi is for Zerubbabel the governor. It's for Joshua Zerubbabel the governor. It's for Joshua Zerubbabel the governor. It's for Joshua the high priest. Both of them are real the high priest. Both of them are real the high priest. Both of them are real people from history. Both had returned people from history. Both had returned people from history. Both had returned from exile leading the people back to from exile leading the people back to from exile leading the people back to Jerusalem after the exile in Babylon.

Jerusalem after the exile in Babylon. Jerusalem after the exile in Babylon. King Cyrus of Persia in 538 BC had King Cyrus of Persia in 538 BC had King Cyrus of Persia in 538 BC had granted them permission to return home. granted them permission to return home. granted them permission to return home. Had encouraged them to begin rebuilding Had encouraged them to begin rebuilding Had encouraged them to begin rebuilding the temple that had been destroyed. And the temple that had been destroyed. And the temple that had been destroyed. And they do they begin that good work and they do they begin that good work and they do they begin that good work and they leave it unfinished. they leave it unfinished. they leave it unfinished. That's the problem. That's the problem. That's the problem. You see, when Jeruba when Zerubbabel and You see, when Jeruba when Zerubbabel and You see, when Jeruba when Zerubbabel and Joshua and all the rest returned from Joshua and all the rest returned from Joshua and all the rest returned from exile back to Jerusalem, they knew that exile back to Jerusalem, they knew that exile back to Jerusalem, they knew that their primary task was to rebuild the their primary task was to rebuild the their primary task was to rebuild the temple. And they started on it pretty temple. And they started on it pretty temple. And they started on it pretty much as soon as they got there. But they much as soon as they got there. But they much as soon as they got there. But they soon discovered that that they also had soon discovered that that they also had soon discovered that that they also had to rebuild the city walls and their to rebuild the city walls and their to rebuild the city walls and their homes and the wine presses and the grain homes and the wine presses and the grain homes and the wine presses and the grain mills and the storehouses and the mills and the storehouses and the mills and the storehouses and the fields. There were lots of competing fields. There were lots of competing fields. There were lots of competing priorities. priorities. priorities. And you might imagine how this could And you might imagine how this could And you might imagine how this could happen. how it how that very important happen. how it how that very important happen. how it how that very important work of rebuilding God's temple could work of rebuilding God's temple could work of rebuilding God's temple could take a backseat to the other very take a backseat to the other very take a backseat to the other very important work of building shelter for important work of building shelter for important work of building shelter for their families and making sure there was their families and making sure there was their families and making sure there was food for the winter. We'll get to the food for the winter. We'll get to the food for the winter. We'll get to the temple tomorrow. I'm sure they said and temple tomorrow. I'm sure they said and temple tomorrow. I'm sure they said and it's reasonable because today today we it's reasonable because today today we it's reasonable because today today we have to build the city walls. Today we have to build the city walls. Today we have to build the city walls. Today we have to plant the grain fields. Today we have to plant the grain fields. Today we have to plant the grain fields. Today we have to educate the kids and care for have to educate the kids and care for have to educate the kids and care for the sick and take care of the widows.

the sick and take care of the widows. the sick and take care of the widows. They they had all sorts of important They they had all sorts of important They they had all sorts of important work to do and they prioritized their work to do and they prioritized their work to do and they prioritized their time and their resources in a way that time and their resources in a way that time and their resources in a way that made very good sense. made very good sense. made very good sense. And God is not upset by that. God And God is not upset by that. God And God is not upset by that. God understands that they need to rebuild understands that they need to rebuild understands that they need to rebuild the city walls in order to be safe. God the city walls in order to be safe. God the city walls in order to be safe. God knows that they need homes to live in. knows that they need homes to live in. knows that they need homes to live in. God knows all the demands they're God knows all the demands they're God knows all the demands they're juggling. juggling. juggling. God knows all the demands we are God knows all the demands we are God knows all the demands we are juggling today. God knows that we face juggling today. God knows that we face juggling today. God knows that we face competing priorities. There are things competing priorities. There are things competing priorities. There are things we need to do and things we want to do. we need to do and things we want to do. we need to do and things we want to do. There are things that are fun to do and There are things that are fun to do and There are things that are fun to do and things that are good to do. There are things that are good to do. There are things that are good to do. There are things that we need to do and things things that we need to do and things things that we need to do and things that would be better if we did them. that would be better if we did them. that would be better if we did them. Maybe maybe all these things don't Maybe maybe all these things don't Maybe maybe all these things don't conflict, but they do compete because conflict, but they do compete because conflict, but they do compete because each of these things requires time or each of these things requires time or each of these things requires time or energy or space or money or some other energy or space or money or some other energy or space or money or some other such thing of which we have a finite such thing of which we have a finite such thing of which we have a finite amount. amount. amount. So, we have to decide what it is that So, we have to decide what it is that So, we have to decide what it is that we're going to do. We have to decide how we're going to do. We have to decide how we're going to do. We have to decide how we're going to spend our time. Let's go we're going to spend our time. Let's go we're going to spend our time. Let's go back to verses 2 and three. Verse two back to verses 2 and three. Verse two back to verses 2 and three. Verse two says this, "Thus says the Lord of Hosts.

says this, "Thus says the Lord of Hosts. says this, "Thus says the Lord of Hosts. These people say, "The time has not yet These people say, "The time has not yet These people say, "The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord's house." In come to rebuild the Lord's house." In come to rebuild the Lord's house." In other words, we'll get to the temple other words, we'll get to the temple other words, we'll get to the temple tomorrow. There's other important stuff tomorrow. There's other important stuff tomorrow. There's other important stuff to do today. But verse three, then the to do today. But verse three, then the to do today. But verse three, then the word of the Lord came by Haggi, saying, word of the Lord came by Haggi, saying, word of the Lord came by Haggi, saying, "Is it a time for you yourselves to live "Is it a time for you yourselves to live "Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your panled houses, while this house, in your panled houses, while this house, in your panled houses, while this house, the temple, the Lord's house, lies in the temple, the Lord's house, lies in the temple, the Lord's house, lies in ruins? Is it a time for you to live in ruins? Is it a time for you to live in ruins? Is it a time for you to live in your panled houses?" Panled houses your panled houses?" Panled houses your panled houses?" Panled houses doesn't mean fancy. Panled houses means doesn't mean fancy. Panled houses means doesn't mean fancy. Panled houses means finished. It had been 18 years since finished. It had been 18 years since finished. It had been 18 years since Zerubbabel and Joshua had returned to Zerubbabel and Joshua had returned to Zerubbabel and Joshua had returned to Jerusalem. a whole generation. Their Jerusalem. a whole generation. Their Jerusalem. a whole generation. Their homes were rebuilt, the city walls were homes were rebuilt, the city walls were homes were rebuilt, the city walls were rebuilt, the fields were replanted, the rebuilt, the fields were replanted, the rebuilt, the fields were replanted, the wine presses restored. Life was back to wine presses restored. Life was back to wine presses restored. Life was back to normal. normal. normal. But the temple, the temple, the place But the temple, the temple, the place But the temple, the temple, the place that represented their love, their that represented their love, their that represented their love, their adoration, their honor for God adoration, their honor for God adoration, their honor for God was in ruins.

was in ruins. was in ruins. And God had been incredibly patient with And God had been incredibly patient with And God had been incredibly patient with them. God was not distressed by the them. God was not distressed by the them. God was not distressed by the other very important work that they had other very important work that they had other very important work that they had to do. But eventually that ruined temple to do. But eventually that ruined temple to do. But eventually that ruined temple became a very visible sign that they had became a very visible sign that they had became a very visible sign that they had chosen not to honor God in their daily chosen not to honor God in their daily chosen not to honor God in their daily living. The the ruined temple became a living. The the ruined temple became a living. The the ruined temple became a very visible sign that they had chosen very visible sign that they had chosen very visible sign that they had chosen not to make honoring God part of their not to make honoring God part of their not to make honoring God part of their daily routine. Two different times in daily routine. Two different times in daily routine. Two different times in this story, there's a command to the this story, there's a command to the this story, there's a command to the people. Twice, Haggi says, "Consider how people. Twice, Haggi says, "Consider how people. Twice, Haggi says, "Consider how you've fared." you've fared." you've fared." And then he outlines a series of And then he outlines a series of And then he outlines a series of contrasts. You've swn much but harvested contrasts. You've swn much but harvested contrasts. You've swn much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. little. You eat but never have enough. little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You You drink but never have your fill. You You drink but never have your fill. You clothe yourselves but no one is warm. clothe yourselves but no one is warm. clothe yourselves but no one is warm. The consequence The consequence The consequence of failing to honor God in their daily of failing to honor God in their daily of failing to honor God in their daily living is that their daily living is living is that their daily living is living is that their daily living is full of frustration and it's without full of frustration and it's without full of frustration and it's without satisfaction.

satisfaction. satisfaction. And this Haggi says should prompt them And this Haggi says should prompt them And this Haggi says should prompt them to listen to the word of the Lord to do to listen to the word of the Lord to do to listen to the word of the Lord to do that thing they hadn't yet done to go to that thing they hadn't yet done to go to that thing they hadn't yet done to go to the mountains gather the wood and be the mountains gather the wood and be the mountains gather the wood and be begin rebuilding the temple now. And begin rebuilding the temple now. And begin rebuilding the temple now. And it's a big thing to rebuild the temple. it's a big thing to rebuild the temple. it's a big thing to rebuild the temple. It was the largest building in the city. It was the largest building in the city. It was the largest building in the city. It was a huge undertaking, expensive, It was a huge undertaking, expensive, It was a huge undertaking, expensive, time-consuming, and overwhelming time-consuming, and overwhelming time-consuming, and overwhelming project. project. project. But imagine, But imagine, But imagine, imagine if instead of saying we'll get imagine if instead of saying we'll get imagine if instead of saying we'll get to the temple next, or we'll do the to the temple next, or we'll do the to the temple next, or we'll do the temple later, or we'll start on the temple later, or we'll start on the temple later, or we'll start on the temple eventually, it's easy to just temple eventually, it's easy to just temple eventually, it's easy to just keep pushing things down the road. What keep pushing things down the road. What keep pushing things down the road. What if they instead had made rebuilding the if they instead had made rebuilding the if they instead had made rebuilding the temple part of their daily living, their temple part of their daily living, their temple part of their daily living, their daily rhythm? In the mornings, we work daily rhythm? In the mornings, we work daily rhythm? In the mornings, we work on the temple, a good habit, as it were. on the temple, a good habit, as it were. on the temple, a good habit, as it were. And on Fridays, we work on the temple. And on Fridays, we work on the temple. And on Fridays, we work on the temple. First Sunday of the month, we work on First Sunday of the month, we work on First Sunday of the month, we work on the temple. That regular rhythm of work the temple. That regular rhythm of work the temple. That regular rhythm of work over the course of 18 years, how much of over the course of 18 years, how much of over the course of 18 years, how much of the temple would have been rebuilt?

the temple would have been rebuilt? the temple would have been rebuilt? This is the challenge for modern This is the challenge for modern This is the challenge for modern Christians. I think we hear in the Bible Christians. I think we hear in the Bible Christians. I think we hear in the Bible things like love the Lord your God with things like love the Lord your God with things like love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your all your heart, all your soul, all your all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, all your strength, and love your mind, all your strength, and love your mind, all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we think, I neighbor as yourself. And we think, I neighbor as yourself. And we think, I would like to do that, but that seems would like to do that, but that seems would like to do that, but that seems huge. Where do I even start? It's a huge. Where do I even start? It's a huge. Where do I even start? It's a massive undertaking. And we hear Jesus massive undertaking. And we hear Jesus massive undertaking. And we hear Jesus say that we should feed the hungry and say that we should feed the hungry and say that we should feed the hungry and clothe the naked and care for the sick clothe the naked and care for the sick clothe the naked and care for the sick and visit the imprisoned. and we want to and visit the imprisoned. and we want to and visit the imprisoned. and we want to do that, but we also have jobs and kids do that, but we also have jobs and kids do that, but we also have jobs and kids and lawns that need to be mowed and our and lawns that need to be mowed and our and lawns that need to be mowed and our parents are getting older and there's parents are getting older and there's parents are getting older and there's like a lot of competing priorities and like a lot of competing priorities and like a lot of competing priorities and we know that we should pray more and we we know that we should pray more and we we know that we should pray more and we know that we should read the Bible more know that we should read the Bible more know that we should read the Bible more often and we say, you know, when life often and we say, you know, when life often and we say, you know, when life slows down, I'll get started on that. slows down, I'll get started on that. slows down, I'll get started on that. But we never do because life never slows But we never do because life never slows But we never do because life never slows down. down. down. But the life that Jesus invites us into But the life that Jesus invites us into But the life that Jesus invites us into is not a life that requires is not a life that requires is not a life that requires a big grand magical thing that sets a big grand magical thing that sets a big grand magical thing that sets aside all the rest of life and earns aside all the rest of life and earns aside all the rest of life and earns God's love. God didn't want a temple.

God's love. God didn't want a temple. God's love. God didn't want a temple. God wanted the people to honor him every God wanted the people to honor him every God wanted the people to honor him every day in the way they lived. And the day in the way they lived. And the day in the way they lived. And the temple was the vehicle for doing that. temple was the vehicle for doing that. temple was the vehicle for doing that. The thing that Jesus wants for us is The thing that Jesus wants for us is The thing that Jesus wants for us is that we honor God every day through our that we honor God every day through our that we honor God every day through our daily living. daily living. daily living. And and the things that honor God are And and the things that honor God are And and the things that honor God are are pretty simple. It's things like are pretty simple. It's things like are pretty simple. It's things like prayer because every prayer expresses a prayer because every prayer expresses a prayer because every prayer expresses a desire to connect with God who made us desire to connect with God who made us desire to connect with God who made us and loved us. Like reading the Bible, and loved us. Like reading the Bible, and loved us. Like reading the Bible, because every verse we read is an because every verse we read is an because every verse we read is an opportunity to learn from God how God opportunity to learn from God how God opportunity to learn from God how God wants us to live in this world. Simple wants us to live in this world. Simple wants us to live in this world. Simple things like compassion, not a a project things like compassion, not a a project things like compassion, not a a project that solves all the problems, but being that solves all the problems, but being that solves all the problems, but being kind to the people we encounter in daily kind to the people we encounter in daily kind to the people we encounter in daily life, simple things like being generous life, simple things like being generous life, simple things like being generous and humble and helpful. These are all and humble and helpful. These are all and humble and helpful. These are all things that honor God things that honor God things that honor God because they mirror to the world who God because they mirror to the world who God because they mirror to the world who God is and what God is like.

is and what God is like. is and what God is like. Our kids just got back from summer camp, Our kids just got back from summer camp, Our kids just got back from summer camp, sleepa away summer camp yesterday, and I sleepa away summer camp yesterday, and I sleepa away summer camp yesterday, and I was joking with them on the ride home. I was joking with them on the ride home. I was joking with them on the ride home. I said, "So, so how many nights did you said, "So, so how many nights did you said, "So, so how many nights did you remember to brush your teeth?" And they remember to brush your teeth?" And they remember to brush your teeth?" And they said, "Oh, most of them." And I think said, "Oh, most of them." And I think said, "Oh, most of them." And I think they're joking because they're super they're joking because they're super they're joking because they're super responsible, but but it got me thinking. responsible, but but it got me thinking. responsible, but but it got me thinking. No matter how busy I am, no matter how No matter how busy I am, no matter how No matter how busy I am, no matter how tired I am, no matter how many other tired I am, no matter how many other tired I am, no matter how many other competing priorities there are at that competing priorities there are at that competing priorities there are at that moment, I do have that one good habit. I moment, I do have that one good habit. I moment, I do have that one good habit. I always every night brush my teeth. I always every night brush my teeth. I always every night brush my teeth. I suspect that you do, too. And it's not suspect that you do, too. And it's not suspect that you do, too. And it's not because I have a deep abiding passion because I have a deep abiding passion because I have a deep abiding passion for dental health. It's not because for dental health. It's not because for dental health. It's not because brushing my teeth is the most pressing brushing my teeth is the most pressing brushing my teeth is the most pressing concern in my mind. It's because I know concern in my mind. It's because I know concern in my mind. It's because I know it's good for me and I've decided I'm it's good for me and I've decided I'm it's good for me and I've decided I'm going to do it and I've made it part of going to do it and I've made it part of going to do it and I've made it part of my daily my daily my daily life, my daily routine. So, we can make life, my daily routine. So, we can make life, my daily routine. So, we can make space to honor our teeth every single space to honor our teeth every single space to honor our teeth every single day. I suspect that we can likewise find day. I suspect that we can likewise find day. I suspect that we can likewise find a rhythm that honors God every day a rhythm that honors God every day a rhythm that honors God every day through simple things like prayer and through simple things like prayer and through simple things like prayer and reading the Bible and being kind and reading the Bible and being kind and reading the Bible and being kind and offering help. Imagine the temple you'll offering help. Imagine the temple you'll offering help. Imagine the temple you'll build. If every day you honor God over build. If every day you honor God over build. If every day you honor God over and over for 18 years or 36 or 72, and over for 18 years or 36 or 72, and over for 18 years or 36 or 72, consider your life. That's the command consider your life. That's the command consider your life. That's the command that God gives through Haggi. Consider that God gives through Haggi. Consider that God gives through Haggi. Consider your life and how you've fared. Give your life and how you've fared. Give your life and how you've fared. Give careful thought to your ways. And know

careful thought to your ways. And know careful thought to your ways. And know that a full and fulfilling life flows that a full and fulfilling life flows that a full and fulfilling life flows from honoring