Sunday, 23 August 2020
Duration: 30 mins 29 secs
To submit is to give way, a voluntary act where we choose to be obedient, accepting another's authority, a laying down of our will. We need to recognise God's authority in our lives, placing ourselves willingly under God. Jesus is our Shepherd and He wants us to return to Him. We are to grow more like Him. For the Lord's sake, how can we submit in a way that points people to Jesus?
Sunday, 16 August 2020
Duration: 12 mins 50 secs
Disunity can occur in churches but we are a people of hope, holiness and harmony. Our spiritual unity is found in oneness, not sameness. We are living stones, precious to Him and each individual stone needs a relationship with Christ. Together there is strength, aligning ourselves with Jesus. When a stone is missing from a building, it is noticed and missed. May we stand in the gap for people who do not know God, connecting others with Jesus.
Sunday, 09 August 2020
Duration: 20 mins 12 secs
To be holy means to be different, set apart. As Christians, we are different from the world, different from the way we used to be. The world tries to conform us, but instead we are transformed by God's renewing of our minds. We need however, to keep our minds alert, be sober with clear thinking and be obedient to what we believe. Our minds should be on things above and our actions must follow God's grace. Are you alert to how you are living in the light of what God had done for you? Are you apathetic? Fill your mind with God's goodness. Be shaped by Jesus.
Sunday, 02 August 2020
Duration: 24 mins 59 secs
As Christians, we have a living hope, because of Jesus' resurrection from the dead, and an inheritance in heaven that will never perish, spoil or fade. Our faith is protected through the shield of God's power but can be tested in times of difficulty in our lives. We need to trust in Jesus in the tough times and turn these trials into triumphs. Where is your faith anchored? Is it strong in Jesus?
Sunday, 26 July 2020
Duration: 17 mins 32 secs
However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. Where there's life, there's hope (Stephen Hawking). Christian hope comes not from within ourselves, but from God, from Jesus' death & resurrection. Our hope is not wishful thinking, but a sure and certain hope. As a Christian, what does it mean for you to have a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Sunday, 19 July 2020
Duration: 20 mins 33 secs
Zerubbabel is a governor of Judah, a humble servant of God, leading a struggling remnant. In the line of David, it must have been hard for this royal to see His people suffering, his city a ruin, his temple only a shadow of its former glory. God is sovereign over the surrounding nations and He will care for His people. Israel still had to wait many centuries for the Messiah but God always brings about His purposes. He is always moving towards salvation, always wants us to come to Him. Zerubbabel was one humble player in God's salvation plan for His people. We can become enslaved in our own pleasures and entangled in worldly wisdom, yet God saves us through His grace and mercy, not any goodness we may think we have. Look and see what God has done. Look ahead and trust in God for what He will do in the future of your life.
Sunday, 05 July 2020
Duration: 20 mins 51 secs
A healthy person cannot pass on their health to another, but germs can be passed on to others. In the same way, we cannot impart holiness to another but we can transmit sin and spread it, just like a sickness or virus. When the people in Haggai's time built for themselves and ignored the rebuilding of God's house, God withheld blessings and prosperity. When the people repented and turned away from living for themselves and aligned themselves with God's purpose, God blessed them. We need to remember that we serve Jesus, not to be saved, but because we are saved.
Sunday, 28 June 2020
Duration: 27 mins 52 secs
In this passage, God speaks to Haggai to remind the people of God's presence, faithfulness, promise and provision for them and that the people be strong and work in rebuilding the temple. If you feel timid, shying away from boldly proclaiming the gospel, you have company. But God says to be strong, be courageous, and remember God promises to be with us, to be faithful and to provide for us.
Sunday, 21 June 2020
Duration: 31 mins 36 secs
The people of God had not seen the rebuilding of the temple as a priority. We displease the Lord and disgrace His name when we do not put His kingdom first. We have God's Word and we have His promises in our lives. His word will accomplish His purpose. Do we believe it and live it? How much of our resources go towards building our kingdom rather than God's kingdom? Often, we don't say no to God, we just say later. Too often we question, when we should simply obey. We need to ensure that we are seeking God first for His direction in our lives.
Sunday, 14 June 2020
Duration: 35 mins 59 secs
The Jewish people, returning from being exiled in Persia, do not have God's blessing because they are busy in their panelled houses and have left God's temple only partly rebuilt. The new temple does not have the wealth and majesty of Solomon's temple, yet God will be there. The people's obedience in rebuilding the temple brings God's blessing and He will show His glory there. Zerubbabel, the Governor, who is in the line of David, is chosen by God to be His signet ring, His ambassador to the people.
