WHAT IS YOUR PROB-A-LUM?

HAGGAI 1

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

The title of this message comes from a video in which a girl toddler is apparently exasperated by her mother and exclaims, “What is your prob-a-lum?” The mother responds “What?” and the girl, now closing her door mutters, “What is your prob-a-lum?” I don’t know the whole story behind that video, but I do know we have a problem, and God addresses it in Haggai chapter 1.

 

I. THE PROBLEM [v. 1-6]

1. A Lack of Interest in God’s Will [v. 1-2]

2. A Lot of Interest in Man’s Comfort [v. 3-4]

3. A Lessening of God’s Blessings [v. 5-6]

 

II. THE SOLUTION [v. 7-11]

1. Do Right [v. 7-8a]

2. Do Right for the Right Reason

[v. 8b, John 15:8, 1 Cor. 10:31, Col. 3:17, 23]

- Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

-Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

- And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

- And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

3. Do Right or Forfeit God’s Blessing [v. 9-11, Mt. 6:33]

- But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

III. THE RESULT [v. 12-15]

1. The Right Attitude Toward the Word [v. 12a]

Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

Acts 13:7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

2. The Right Attitude Toward the Lord [v. 12b, Pr. 14:26-27]

- In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death

3. The Change God Brings in Our Lives

[v. 13-15, Neh. 8:10, Mk. 12:30]

- Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

-And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.