Now, imagine if you could, that instead of Jerusalem it is the town of Milltown that has been destroyed and rebuilt.  That you are not looking at the ruins of the temple of Jerusalem, but the remains of St. Paul’s.  Where there once stood, God’s House, a very, very, very fine house, you find, crumbled walls, shattered stain glass, splintered beams.  You, also find no signs of restoration, no evidence of rebuilding.

If you can picture that scene in your mind, then you have a glimpse of what Haggai saw.  You can understand him asking,

"Is it time for you yourselves
to live in your paneled houses,
while this house
(that is the temple of God)
lies in ruins?"

Through Haggai, God was asking His people how they could live in luxury when His house was lying in ruins.  The temple, the focal point of Judah’s relationship with God was still demolished.  Instead of rebuilding it, the people put their energies into beautifying their homes and city.

What caused the rebuilding of the temple, to be forgotten or postponed?

While the Israelites were in exile in Babylon, all they dreamed and talked about was returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.  What happened?

Haggai points out in verse 6 what happened.  They became more concerned with their own needs than with doing God’s will.  They were busy sowing seeds, busy making clothing, busy working, busy getting food.

Sound familiar?

Pressures, demands, expectations and tasks push in from all sides.  Do this!  Be There!  Finish that!  It seems as though everyone wants a piece of you - family, employer, school, church, clubs, community, sport teams.

Our life isn’t really very different than the Israelites.  The problem was not and is not a volume of demands.  It is not a problem which will be solved by learning scheduling skills. The problem was and is one of values and priorities.

Isn’t it true that our values and priorities are reflected in how we use our resources - time, money, and talent?  Like the Israelites, do we say God is number 1, but then we relegate Him to a lesser number on our ‘to do’ list?  Jobs, homes, vacations, and leisure activities do they rank higher on your list of importance than God?

"Is it time for you yourselves
to live in your paneled houses,
while this house lies in ruins?"

As we celebrate our 127th birthday as a church.  We remember the spirit and devotion of past members.  Men, women and children who shared their resources to build not one but two edifices on this corner.  Who had a vision of what God wanted them to do.  A vision which included preaching and teaching the Word of God, sharing the love of God, and serving God.

It was two years ago, that you were challenged to commit to a two phase restoration project of restoring our sanctuary and education building.  To complete this task it would require close to a half a million dollars.  To complete the first phase, the restoration of the sanctuary, we would need $283,000.  The challenge was not without questions. Questions as to how and where were we going to get this money?  How could we meet the financial demands of our operating budget and a restoration budget?

How?

By the same way the Israelites were able to restore the temple of Jerusalem.  By heeding the call of Haggai.  A call which was much more then a call to rebuild the temple but a challenge to reorder priorities in accordance with God’s will.  A call which had a promise attached. That promise from God was and is,

"Take courage...
work, for I am with you."

We celebrate the complete restoration of the interior of our sanctuary today.  With the exterior painting, the installation of new Plexiglas over the stained glass window, and painting of the stairway projected to be completed this Fall.  Phase one of our two phase restoration of our church buildings will be completed with the necessary funds in hand to pay for it.

We celebrate the faithfulness of God.  We celebrate, your faithfulness to God, your willingness to provide your resources in the past year to make the restoration of God’s sanctuary a reality.  Your efforts bring glory and honor to our God.  Let us not however think that our work is down. The work I speak of is not just Phase two. The work I speak of is greater than that.

God wants to not just rebuild His temple, but to rebuild His world.  God has given you a job to do in the church, at your home, at your sports team.  God has chosen you and me to do His work.  God is constantly challenging you and me to reorder our priorities, our lives our wills to reflect God’s.

May the restoration of this sanctuary be a statement of our commitment to allow God to use us, you and me, in restoring our lives, our families, our friendships, our communities with the very resources God has given.  The beauty and presence of God will be as evident as God is within the beauty of this sanctuary.  The challenge is great but remember God said,

"Take courage...
work, I am with you."

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