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Hindrances
to Rebuilding the Ministry
September
01, 2002
September
1 is a turning point at Emmaus Bible Fellowship Center. Sensing
the need for a change, Pastor Nicky Joya exhorted the members of the
church to move on, literally and spiritually, to where they can seek
and save the lost more effectively.
After
several years of holding the Sunday worship service at Alay Pagasa
building at Arayat street in Mandaluyong City, Pastor Nicky saw the
need to hold the service nearer to the people, where distance would
not be a hindrance to worshipping the Lord.
"Let
us rebuild the ministry!" Pastor Nicky said. "God has a
special plan for Emmaus Bible Fellowship Center. Let us do it!"
He put an utmost importance in being faithful in doing the work of
God.
In
his message, Pastor Nicky recalled how the people of Israel during
the time of the prophet Haggai responded to the enormous task of
rebuilding the Lord's Temple. Taking this as a lesson, Pastor
Nicky cited the importance of obeying God's plan, no matter how
immense the involved task maybe.
A.
Hindrances to Rebuilding the Ministry
1.
Satisfaction with the status quo (Haggai 1:2)
This
is what the Lord Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has
not yet come for the Lord's house to be built.'"
2.
Misplaced priorities or a lack of passion for God
(1:3-4)
Then
the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: "Is it a
time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while
this house remains a ruin?"
3.
Fear (1:1-3)
4.
Discouragement over the immensity of the task (2:1)
5.
Preoccupation with comparison. (2:1-3)
B.
God's Solution to Overcome the Hindrances
1.
Repent. Set your priorities straight. (1:7)
This
is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your
ways..."
2.
Just do the will of God. Build! (1:8)
"Go
up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so
that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the Lord.
3.
Focus not on the immensity of the task, but on God's enabling presence.
(2:4-5)
"But
now be strong, O Zerubbabel," declares the Lord. "Be
strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all
you people of the land," declares the Lord, "and work. For
I am with you," declares the Lord Almighty. "This is what I
covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. and my Spirit remains
among you. Do not fear."
4.
Be preoccupied with God's mission for you. He has a specific plan
for you. (2:9)
"The
glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the
former house," says the Lord Almighty. "And in this place I
will grant peace," declares the Lord Almighty.
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