Build God’s house

(Message by Pastor Joseph, Founder NLMI)

It’s a privilege to be in God’s house, once more! During the time of singing, there was a picture representation of the whole world covered by two hands. Many years back, we used to sing a song that goes “He’s got the whole world in His hands; He’s got the whole wide world in His hands…” The question arises, “Now where are God’s hands that hold the entire world?” Beloved, you and I are God’s hands in this world… if you read john 17, we read and know that God in Jesus, has picked us out of the world, gave us His word of truth, sanctified us, made us one with Him in the spirit and put us here on earth for a purpose. And that purpose is to hold the world in His hands… not to go after roti, kapda and makhaan (food, clothing and shelter); providing us the basic necessities is His responsibility; proving His love to the world speaking that God indeed sent Jesus is our responsibility.

I know when I speak of 53 years of service in the Lord – it is small compared to eternity; what we speak in Jesus’ name is of eternal consequence. Peter declares, that there is no other name given among men, but the name of Jesus, by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12). Jesus said… “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14: 6). Yes, nobody else-but Jesus, and nothing-but the finished work of Jesus on the cross, can take you to God, the Father – no religion, no denomination, no culture, no ritual can take you there!

There is a world out there waiting to hear this good news from you-in Vashi and in Navi Mumbai. As long as you keep this good news to yourself, no one else will be benefited. Our responsibility is to share the good news of salvation in Jesus’ name; but the work of conviction, correction and conversion belongs to the Holy Spirit. Therefore, let your light shine; let your salt be with taste-for you are the visible (light) and invisible (salt) influences on this earth! As someone said, ‘The tragedy of life is not death in itself; but, rather what we let die inside of us while still alive’.

God Will Build Your House

Today, I would like to tell you this: If you build God’s house, God will build your house. If you leave houses for the sake of Jesus or the gospel, you will receive a hundred-fold in this age, and in the age to come-eternal life (Mark 10:29). This I can testify from my own life, that I have houses open for me in many places; because of the gospel that I carry.

If I ask you, “Are you born-again?” many of you will respond “Yes”; but if I ask, why are you still here on earth? Many do not have an answer! But my beloved brothers, the important question is: “Born again…yes; Now what?” Are you satisfied with God’s love, joy, peace for yourself alone? You see, after you are born again-born of God, you must seek after God and His kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy! If we live the right way, there is righteousness; we have peace and joy bubbles out from inside of us. This is the witness we share when we say ‘Jesus loves you’. A fanatic for Jesus (as the YWAM founder put it) – that’s who we are when we love Jesus more than any thing! This is what happens to me as I hand out salvation tracts in traffic signals, and keep a stock of New Testament in different languages to give away.

As you mature, grow in the knowledge of Him who loved us, God answers our prayers in ways we could never have imagined… Galatians 4:1 says this: Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all… Maturity and growth is essential in the Christian life, else you would be no better than a slave! But when we grow, all things will be ours; and we are Christ’s and Christ is of God.

Psalm 127:1, 2 read: Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.

God makes us rich and adds no sorrow with it. There is a version which says ‘God gives even while you sleep’ (v2). This verse hit me one night as we were winding up a gospel meeting, where we had shared a burden of having a bus for the ministry-for social work. I had it all in my mind how the bus would look like-white color with a blue border (somewhat as Mother Teresa). After the final meeting, I was due to leave the next morning out of that country to another place. Nobody came forward with any kind of offer for the bus I had imagined. A young couple (with four children) met me after the meeting, talked with me and left. That night, I went to bed a little early skipping dinner, when God spoke to me this verse. I told Him, “How can it be? I’m leaving tomorrow early in the morning.” But around 10:30 pm there was a telephone call from that young couple, who said that they had gone home and talked over it and God had impressed an amount for them to give. I told them, I was about to leave the next day, and whether it will be possible for them to meet me before 7:30 a.m. They said they would, and as I slept the whole night, God worked through them and they came and met me at 7:00 a.m, and handed over the amount sufficient to buy the bus! I know I can trust Him.

God tests us and our faith is tested. But do you know you can test God? Would you trust him at any cost? ‘Count the cost, pay the price and follow me’ is what God is telling you. In Malachi, God says “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.” (Mal. 3:10)

Also, I will ask you to read the book of Haggai, in your homes. The children of Judah is returning from captivity-there is jubilation and a sense of expectation in the air. Zerubbabel, literally takes his harp down from the willow tree… there is singing and rejoicing. There is freedom, and they see the destroyed temple of God; will they build God’s house? Yes, but it was not an easy thing to advocate building God’s house! People seem to be giving these reasons then- that there are others to do the work and that they themselves have no time; and that they are busy with their own work and earnings.

Even now people give the same reasons, for not building God’s house: “But Pastor, I don’t have any time!” They think that preaching the gospel is for Pastors and evangelists alone. But Acts 1:8 says differently-that we will be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and utter most parts of the earth, because we will be endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49). Beloved, God is watching over your priorities… if you are too busy for God, you are too busy!

Consider Your Ways

Haggai 1:4 says: “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways!”

Haggai reminds the people of their priorities (Haggai 1:6) that were wrong. They had time to build and dwell in their paneled houses; but no time for building God’s house. The result was there for all to see: They had

1. Unproductive labor: You have sown much, and bring in little;
2. Unsatisfied livelihood: You eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm
3. Unpredictable losses: And he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.
4. Unprofitable lives (v10): the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit.

“Consider your ways!”- this is what I would like to tell you, too. The results that you see in your life are not because of the quality of effort, and quantity of time that you put in your work or businesses-but it is because of your priorities! Who is to blame? It’s easy to blame others; it’s easier to blame the devil. But God says: “…and when you brought it home, I blew it away.” (v9) and in v11 “For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”

What God gives you may become your blessing or a curse, depending on your priorities. Do you have time for every plan of yours, but no time for God? Or maybe you say, now is not the time for God… maybe you are thinking about retirement life to serve Him in any capacity! And when the time comes, there is sufficient time to call the strong men to carry you in the box to the grave!

Go Up the Mountains, Bring Wood and Build the Temple

Do you want to know what the right priority is? Go up the mountains and bring wood and build the temple… (v8). Mt. Moriah, where Abraham went up with his only son, Isaac to sacrifice… Mt. Sinai, where the commandments were given to Moses… Mt. Calvary where Jesus died for you and me… Mt. Zion of the glorious praise… Which mountain are you going to climb today? And bring wood; wood mean the people from even uttermost parts of the earth. Bring them all together to God who will build them. That they may be built up and God will be glorified. (Haggai 1:8).

The people in Haggai’s time responded when the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel-Two things happened: (i) they obeyed the voice of God and (ii) they feared the presence of the Lord. (Haggai 1:12).

Unfailing Presence:  People, who are far away from obedience, fear the presence of God. Not so with Isaiah, Joshua and Moses. God says to Isaiah, “Fear not, for I am with you”; to Joshua “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9); and to Moses “My presence will go with you” (Exodus 33:14) and the promise of Jesus “Rejoice! ... Do not be afraid…Lo, I am with you always” (Matt. 28: 10, 20). Therefore we can know the unfailing presence of the Lord. Remember, God has not promised money. But if the Lord be with us, do you want anything else?

Unlimited Power:  Haggai recounts that the people were moved into obeying God’s voice. As they came near in obedience, God promised “…My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!” (Haggai 2:5).

God’s Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is with us; Unlimited Power is among us as we spring to action in obedience.

Unfading Glory:  Haggai 2:7 read: and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory, says the Lord of hosts.

Moses as he went up to the mountain to receive the commandments from God, returned with glory on his face; he covered his face with a veil as he came to the children of Israel. But the glory on his face faded with time. But God’s glory is forever unchanging! Unfading glory!

Unending wealth:  Do you know why God promised His presence; and not money? Haggai 2:8 read: The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, says the LORD of hosts.

Inexhaustible riches are our portion, as we do God’s work; and when God is with us. You see, today’s money is based on printed paper; but the Lord’s wealth is inexhaustible silver and gold. In all my 53 years of ministry, I can testify to God’s faithfulness – we never went without food. Renew your mind; His word is truth. Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s word will remain.

Undisturbed peace:  The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, says the LORD of hosts. (Haggai 2: 9)

A peace that passes understanding; this is our portion in obedience to build God’s house. The world croons about peace… and peace of mind {or soul}- of emotions, intellect and will. But God’s peace is in our spirit. A peace that no one can take away-Undisturbed peace!

What the book of Haggai talks about is the zeal to build God’s house. Haggai-the prophet, Joshua-the priest, and Zerubbabel-the king (governor of Judah); all the three people instrumental in building God’s temple, are found in One person – Jesus Christ, the Prophet, Priest and King. "And on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." He is the builder of God’s house; the chief cornerstone.

And as you obey, God’s promise remains the same today; “…from this day I will bless you” (Haggai 2: 19). “I will take you…and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you”

Consider that! God will take you; God will make you; God has chosen you. Jesus said “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you” (John 15:16).

O Lord, enrich me and give Your word. I will not let you go unless You bless Me. Take me and make me and help me bear fruit-In Jesus’ name. Amen.