Where can you find
hope for the hopeless?
00:00:02.90\00:00:07.67
Opportunity for transformation?
00:00:07.70\00:00:11.41
Peace amid life's storms?
00:00:11.44\00:00:15.28
Only in God's free
gift of eternal life.
00:00:15.31\00:00:20.38
From New York, join us
on the Pathway of Hope.
00:00:20.42\00:00:24.69
How often do we take
our blessings for granted?
00:00:30.46\00:00:34.36
We sometimes
don't know the value
00:00:34.40\00:00:36.60
of what we have
until it is gone from us.
00:00:36.63\00:00:40.14
Then and only then do we realize
00:00:40.17\00:00:43.07
how blessed we are.
00:00:43.10\00:00:45.81
It was Steve Shepherd who said,
00:00:45.84\00:00:49.11
if our power is shut
off, as it was in recent times
00:00:49.14\00:00:53.42
in this
beautiful city of New York,
00:00:53.45\00:00:55.82
suddenly we are
thankful for electricity.
00:00:55.85\00:01:00.19
If we lose a
friend, or loved ones
00:01:00.22\00:01:02.69
to the enemy of death,
00:01:02.72\00:01:04.33
suddenly we discover how
much he or she meant to us.
00:01:04.36\00:01:09.20
If our water becomes
too polluted to drink,
00:01:09.23\00:01:12.37
then suddenly we
appreciate having good water.
00:01:12.40\00:01:16.67
Someone once said that you
can consider yourself blessed
00:01:16.71\00:01:20.88
if you have health and wealth.
00:01:20.91\00:01:23.48
Speaking of wealth, I could
do with some of that right now.
00:01:23.51\00:01:29.22
The Bible records
numerous accounts of people
00:01:29.25\00:01:32.49
who have had great blessings.
00:01:32.52\00:01:35.52
When I think of
the blessing of health,
00:01:35.56\00:01:38.26
we think of the woman
with the issue of blood
00:01:38.29\00:01:41.63
who touched Jesus by
the hem of His garments
00:01:41.66\00:01:44.60
and received the
blessing of healing.
00:01:44.63\00:01:48.47
When I think of
the blessing of wealth,
00:01:48.50\00:01:51.24
I think of Job's riches
00:01:51.27\00:01:52.67
being multiplied
after he lost it all.
00:01:52.71\00:01:56.28
And finally, when I
think of the blessing of life,
00:01:56.31\00:02:00.98
I think of Lazarus,
00:02:01.02\00:02:03.28
who had the joy and privilege
of being resurrected to life
00:02:03.32\00:02:07.72
by the giver of
life, Jesus Christ.
00:02:07.76\00:02:11.39
Join us now as Dr.
Abraham Jules highlights
00:02:11.43\00:02:15.36
how you can get your
blessings and keep them.
00:02:15.40\00:02:18.63
Ride on, King Jesus
00:02:25.51\00:02:30.01
No man can a-hinder me
00:02:30.05\00:02:34.65
Ride on, King Jesus, ride on
00:02:34.68\00:02:38.99
No man can a-hinder thee
00:02:39.02\00:02:42.69
No man can a-hinder thee
00:02:42.72\00:02:48.00
Ride on, King Jesus
00:02:48.03\00:02:52.60
No man can a-hinder thee
00:02:52.63\00:02:57.07
Ride on, King Jesus, ride on
00:02:57.11\00:03:01.54
No man can a-hinder thee
00:03:01.58\00:03:05.28
No man can a-hinder thee
00:03:05.31\00:03:09.95
In that great getting up morning
00:03:09.98\00:03:13.96
Fare thee well, fare thee well
00:03:13.99\00:03:18.46
In that great getting up morning
00:03:18.49\00:03:22.80
Fare thee well, fare thee well
00:03:22.83\00:03:27.04
When the roll
is called up yonder
00:03:27.07\00:03:31.67
Fare thee well, fare thee well
00:03:31.71\00:03:35.84
When the roll
is called up yonder
00:03:35.88\00:03:40.22
Fare thee well, fare thee well
00:03:40.25\00:03:44.65
When the last
trumpet has sounded
00:03:44.69\00:03:48.89
Fare thee well, fare thee well
00:03:48.92\00:03:53.09
When the last
trumpet has sounded
00:03:53.13\00:03:57.37
Fare thee well, fare thee well
00:03:57.40\00:04:01.64
There's a better day a-coming
00:04:01.67\00:04:06.11
Fare thee well, fare thee well
00:04:06.14\00:04:10.25
There's a better day a-coming
00:04:10.28\00:04:14.55
Fare thee well, fare thee well
00:04:14.58\00:04:19.05
In that great getting up morning
00:04:19.09\00:04:23.12
Fare thee well, fare thee well
00:04:23.16\00:04:27.50
In that great getting up morning
00:04:27.50\00:04:31.70
Fare thee well, fare thee well
00:04:31.73\00:04:36.14
In that great getting up morning
00:04:36.17\00:04:40.28
Fare thee well, fare thee well
00:04:40.31\00:04:44.68
In that great getting up morning
00:04:44.71\00:04:48.88
Fare thee well, fare thee well
00:04:48.92\00:04:54.29
No man can a-hinder thee
00:04:54.32\00:04:57.86
No man can a-hinder thee
00:04:57.89\00:05:02.16
No man can a-hinder thee
00:05:02.20\00:05:06.67
No man can a-hinder thee
00:05:06.70\00:05:12.21
Ride on, King Jesus
00:05:12.24\00:05:16.31
No man can a-hinder...
00:05:16.34\00:05:20.15
Thee
00:05:24.92\00:05:27.22
Ride on, King Jesus, ride on
00:05:27.26\00:05:31.39
No man can a-hinder thee
00:05:31.43\00:05:34.86
No man can a-hinder thee
00:05:34.93\00:05:40.30
Ride on, King Jesus
00:05:40.34\00:05:44.54
No man can a-hinder...
00:05:44.57\00:05:47.74
Thee
00:05:53.08\00:05:55.18
Ride on, King Jesus, ride on
00:05:55.22\00:05:59.49
No man can a-hinder thee
00:05:59.52\00:06:02.99
No man can a-hinder thee
00:06:03.02\00:06:07.30
No man can a-hinder thee
00:06:07.36\00:06:11.70
No man can a-hinder thee
00:06:11.73\00:06:16.14
No man can a-hinder thee
00:06:16.17\00:06:20.34
No man can a-hinder...
00:06:20.38\00:06:24.48
Thee
00:06:29.25\00:06:30.35
God's word has been
given to us as a guide.
00:06:40.83\00:06:45.00
Certainly is a means of comfort
00:06:45.03\00:06:47.84
over the years,
but more importantly,
00:06:47.87\00:06:50.74
God intends for
each of us to be blessed.
00:06:50.77\00:06:52.81
I found a word in the
Book of Haggai, the 1 chapter.
00:06:52.84\00:06:59.75
And I'll read and you're hearing
00:06:59.78\00:07:01.15
verses 2 through 7.
00:07:01.18\00:07:04.49
These verses form the
foundation of everything
00:07:04.52\00:07:07.39
we shall say this evening.
00:07:07.42\00:07:09.89
And the Haggai says,
00:07:09.92\00:07:11.19
"Thus speaketh the
Lord of hosts saying,
00:07:11.23\00:07:16.10
'The people say
the time has not come,
00:07:16.13\00:07:20.37
the time that the
Lord's house should be built.'
00:07:20.40\00:07:24.81
Then came the word of the Lord
by Haggai the prophet saying,
00:07:24.84\00:07:28.88
'Is it time for you, O ye,
00:07:28.91\00:07:31.98
to dwell in your ceiled houses,
00:07:32.01\00:07:35.62
and this house lie waste?'
00:07:35.65\00:07:38.55
Now, therefore, thus
sayeth the Lord of hosts.
00:07:38.59\00:07:42.02
Consider your ways.
00:07:42.06\00:07:44.53
You have sown much,
and bring in little.
00:07:44.56\00:07:48.26
You eat, but
you have not enough,
00:07:48.30\00:07:51.40
you drink, but you
are not filled with drink.
00:07:51.43\00:07:55.44
You clothe you,
but there is none warm.
00:07:55.47\00:07:59.47
And he that
earneth wages earneth wages
00:07:59.51\00:08:03.88
to put it into a bag with holes.
00:08:03.91\00:08:07.28
Thus sayeth the Lord of hosts.
00:08:07.32\00:08:10.29
Consider your ways."
00:08:10.32\00:08:12.99
I want to bring to
you a message tonight,
00:08:13.02\00:08:16.56
obsessed with being blessed.
00:08:16.59\00:08:21.10
I invite you to
bow your heads with me.
00:08:21.13\00:08:22.56
Loving Lord, we know
00:08:22.60\00:08:24.97
that it is Your
intent to bless Your people.
00:08:25.00\00:08:29.87
We know that Your desire
for us is good and good only.
00:08:29.90\00:08:34.21
We pray as this
word is brought forth
00:08:34.24\00:08:37.18
that the conditions
up on which our blessings
00:08:37.21\00:08:39.21
shall be received and retained
00:08:39.25\00:08:41.45
will be
understood by your people.
00:08:41.48\00:08:44.09
Thank you for
this word and thank you
00:08:44.12\00:08:46.39
for Your love
and mercy toward us.
00:08:46.42\00:08:49.16
In the name of Jesus we pray
00:08:49.19\00:08:50.63
with joy
abundant and thanksgiving.
00:08:50.66\00:08:53.86
Amen, amen.
00:08:53.90\00:08:56.77
As Christians we
have a marvelous calling
00:08:56.80\00:09:02.07
and we're called
to an inheritance
00:09:02.10\00:09:04.04
that is not only for
time but for eternity.
00:09:04.07\00:09:10.95
God is in the blessing
business and He wants more
00:09:10.98\00:09:16.28
than anything
else for His children
00:09:16.32\00:09:18.85
to be in right
relationship with Him
00:09:18.89\00:09:22.22
so that the blessing
blockers will not be able
00:09:22.26\00:09:25.93
to retard their growth
00:09:25.96\00:09:27.93
and ultimately
deter their destiny.
00:09:27.96\00:09:32.67
Now the Book of Haggai gives us
00:09:32.70\00:09:34.37
a vivid portrayal
of the man or woman
00:09:34.40\00:09:38.34
who receives the
blessing and favor of God
00:09:38.37\00:09:42.28
and in turn gets
hold of the secret
00:09:42.31\00:09:45.61
to keeping the blessings
flowing into their lives.
00:09:45.65\00:09:50.29
So in utter
simplicity, Haggai now outlines
00:09:50.32\00:09:54.19
how God's
children can live and walk
00:09:54.22\00:09:57.36
under God's
continual blessing and favor.
00:09:57.39\00:10:01.83
Yet, Haggai also
shows the causes and reasons
00:10:01.86\00:10:05.43
why God's people, why
God's people lose God's blessing
00:10:05.47\00:10:12.71
and how they can
find their way back
00:10:12.74\00:10:14.81
in covenant
relationship with Him.
00:10:14.84\00:10:17.61
How precious the
promise that God blesses
00:10:17.65\00:10:21.35
those who walk in faithfulness.
00:10:21.38\00:10:24.92
He shows favor to
those who favor Him.
00:10:24.95\00:10:28.86
Isn't it a wonderful experience
00:10:28.89\00:10:30.29
to be in the presence of someone
00:10:30.33\00:10:32.39
who has the
exuberance of Christ above them?
00:10:32.43\00:10:35.93
I love to be in the
company of blessed people.
00:10:35.96\00:10:39.60
You can sense a
subtle peace about them,
00:10:39.63\00:10:43.24
a steadiness in them,
a Spirit filled attitude.
00:10:43.27\00:10:46.91
They are simply blessed.
00:10:46.94\00:10:50.48
You know, no nation
00:10:50.51\00:10:52.18
was ever so blessed
as the nation of Israel.
00:10:52.21\00:10:54.98
God told them, "I picked you out
00:10:55.02\00:10:57.52
of all the
peoples of the nations.
00:10:57.55\00:10:59.89
I carried you in My
own arms, I found you,
00:10:59.92\00:11:03.99
I bathed you and I clothed you,
but then you turned sour on Me.
00:11:04.03\00:11:09.20
You turned on Me
committing spiritual adultery."
00:11:09.23\00:11:13.23
Do you know,
ladies and gentlemen,
00:11:13.27\00:11:14.47
that nations and
families and individuals
00:11:14.50\00:11:17.91
sometimes lose
the blessings of God
00:11:17.94\00:11:21.54
and Haggai gives three reasons
00:11:21.58\00:11:23.55
why they forfeit
the favor of God.
00:11:23.58\00:11:27.05
Number one, God's interest
is replaced with self interest.
00:11:27.08\00:11:34.12
Haggai 1:2 says,
00:11:34.16\00:11:35.79
"This people say,
the time has not come,
00:11:35.82\00:11:38.73
the time that the
Lord's house should be built."
00:11:38.76\00:11:42.06
The Israelites gave up
building the Lord's house
00:11:42.10\00:11:45.23
in order to
build their own homes.
00:11:45.27\00:11:48.47
Now this scene
takes place 68 years
00:11:48.50\00:11:51.67
after Solomon's
Temple was destroyed.
00:11:51.71\00:11:54.84
A remnant had
returned to Jerusalem
00:11:54.88\00:11:57.48
out of Babylonian captivity,
00:11:57.51\00:11:59.85
specifically to
rebuild God's house.
00:11:59.88\00:12:03.39
And indeed they laid
the foundation of the temple
00:12:03.42\00:12:05.92
with zeal and excitement.
00:12:05.95\00:12:08.56
But then they began
running into some hard places,
00:12:08.59\00:12:12.53
difficult
times, discouragements.
00:12:12.56\00:12:15.46
Do you know, friend of mine,
00:12:15.50\00:12:16.63
what happens in
our lives is this,
00:12:16.67\00:12:18.83
whenever we face difficulties
and discouragements,
00:12:18.87\00:12:21.67
it's a way of
Satan getting a hold
00:12:21.70\00:12:24.31
of our lives
and turning us back.
00:12:24.34\00:12:28.21
The devil will
use your circumstances
00:12:28.24\00:12:31.25
to control you,
if you allow him.
00:12:31.28\00:12:34.38
Slowly, the Bible says,
00:12:34.42\00:12:35.75
they lost
interest in the work of God
00:12:35.78\00:12:38.79
and they said, this
just isn't the time.
00:12:38.82\00:12:41.89
We are having too many problems.
00:12:41.92\00:12:44.79
I want to suggest
you, ladies and gentlemen,
00:12:44.83\00:12:47.03
that's what the devil does.
00:12:47.03\00:12:49.93
We're going through tough
economic times in this country
00:12:49.96\00:12:53.07
and, may I say,
around the world.
00:12:53.10\00:12:55.50
And there are
folk who are determined
00:12:55.54\00:12:57.67
to remain faithful to God
00:12:57.71\00:12:59.61
in their giving in
these difficult times.
00:12:59.64\00:13:03.08
What the devil
does, he says, well,
00:13:03.11\00:13:04.48
you got to hold
on to what you have.
00:13:04.51\00:13:06.35
Forget God's
church, forget God's house.
00:13:06.38\00:13:09.02
May I remind you,
ladies and gentlemen,
00:13:09.05\00:13:10.79
we live by faith and we ought
to be faithful stewards of God.
00:13:10.82\00:13:15.52
Can you say amen, somebody?
00:13:15.56\00:13:16.76
And you can't beat God giving,
no matter how hard you try.
00:13:16.79\00:13:22.06
Problem with the Israelites
00:13:26.07\00:13:28.30
in this text was
their self-interest
00:13:28.34\00:13:33.34
had possessed
their every thought.
00:13:33.38\00:13:36.61
Now today many of
us come to God's house
00:13:36.64\00:13:39.65
and we just sit by,
too busy in our careers
00:13:39.68\00:13:43.55
and too busy with our families,
too busy with our own interest.
00:13:43.59\00:13:48.56
Some say someday I'll have
time when my mortgage is paid,
00:13:48.59\00:13:53.53
then I'll be able to put
the Lord's interest first.
00:13:53.56\00:13:56.10
As soon as I've paid my bills
00:13:56.13\00:13:57.70
and put aside a little nest egg,
00:13:57.73\00:14:00.40
then I'll give more
time to spiritual matters.
00:14:00.44\00:14:03.17
Jesus in the Book
of Revelation says,
00:14:03.20\00:14:05.17
we are lukewarm, giving less
00:14:05.21\00:14:07.98
and less of our
time and our resources
00:14:08.01\00:14:10.98
to the cause of
the Kingdom of God.
00:14:11.01\00:14:14.68
Perhaps at one
time in your life,
00:14:14.72\00:14:17.85
you are filled with zeal.
00:14:17.89\00:14:21.16
For the things of God,
00:14:21.19\00:14:22.26
you were filled with the Spirit.
00:14:22.29\00:14:24.53
Christ was your
all, your everything.
00:14:24.56\00:14:29.53
But now you've got a problem,
00:14:29.56\00:14:31.93
you've become
wrapped up in making money,
00:14:31.97\00:14:34.34
trying to
improve your lifestyle.
00:14:34.37\00:14:36.77
And suddenly your interests
00:14:36.81\00:14:38.41
have overwhelmed
the interest of God.
00:14:38.44\00:14:41.14
It begins very subtly, friends.
00:14:41.18\00:14:44.18
You have pushed His priorities
for you on the back burner.
00:14:44.21\00:14:49.35
What are the consequences
00:14:49.38\00:14:51.05
for replacing God's
interest with self interest?
00:14:51.09\00:14:54.59
God says you're
gonna pay a high price.
00:14:54.62\00:14:58.53
Haggai 1:6 says, "You have
sown much, and bring in little.
00:14:58.56\00:15:03.80
You eat, but
you have not enough,
00:15:03.83\00:15:06.57
you drink, but you
are not filled with drink,
00:15:06.60\00:15:09.50
you clothe
yourself, but nobody is warm,
00:15:09.54\00:15:13.21
but he that
earneth wages earneth wages
00:15:13.24\00:15:15.81
to put them in
a bag with holes."
00:15:15.84\00:15:17.95
If God is out of your
line-up and your priorities,
00:15:17.98\00:15:21.65
whatever you do will fall flat.
00:15:21.68\00:15:26.25
You will fail.
00:15:26.29\00:15:30.16
Listen to the counsel of
our Savior in Matthew 6:33.
00:15:30.19\00:15:33.33
"But seek first the kingdom
of God and His righteousness,
00:15:33.36\00:15:37.63
and all these things
shall be added onto you."
00:15:37.67\00:15:43.00
But Haggai gives
us a second reason,
00:15:43.04\00:15:45.24
why people lose God's
blessing and God's favor.
00:15:45.27\00:15:49.68
That is, they refuse to give
up comparing and contrasting.
00:15:49.71\00:15:55.02
First reason why they
lose God's blessing is,
00:15:55.05\00:15:57.49
God's interest is
replaced by self-interest.
00:15:57.52\00:16:00.39
The second reason is they refuse
00:16:00.42\00:16:02.36
to give up
comparing and contrasting.
00:16:02.39\00:16:05.66
Verses 12 to 14,
00:16:05.69\00:16:07.36
the people did
fear before the Lord
00:16:07.40\00:16:10.00
and they came and they'd work
00:16:10.03\00:16:11.87
in the house of the
Lord of host, their God.
00:16:11.90\00:16:14.34
Finally the
people were convicted
00:16:14.37\00:16:16.50
of their
self-interest and returned
00:16:16.54\00:16:18.87
to working on the temple.
00:16:18.91\00:16:20.94
As they stood before the
foundation of the temple,
00:16:20.98\00:16:23.51
the walls started going
up, but something was wrong.
00:16:23.55\00:16:28.45
Many of the older
people began weeping. Why?
00:16:28.48\00:16:31.45
Because they had seen
00:16:31.49\00:16:33.39
the splendor of
Solomon's Temple,
00:16:33.42\00:16:36.06
68 years earlier and this
new one did not measure up.
00:16:36.09\00:16:43.16
Comparison seemed as nothing.
00:16:43.20\00:16:47.20
They began to
talk about past glory,
00:16:47.24\00:16:49.57
saying this
temple has no ark in it.
00:16:49.60\00:16:52.07
There is no mercy
seat, no cherubim.
00:16:52.11\00:16:55.48
There is no
consuming fire on the altar.
00:16:55.51\00:16:58.38
No Shekinah glory
coming down on the house.
00:16:58.41\00:17:01.48
After all our hard work,
00:17:01.52\00:17:03.18
all our sacrifice and obedience,
00:17:03.22\00:17:05.35
all our putting
God's interests first,
00:17:05.39\00:17:07.86
we don't measure up.
00:17:07.89\00:17:12.06
A lot of people are giving up
00:17:12.09\00:17:13.13
because they don't think
they will ever measure up.
00:17:13.16\00:17:18.07
Like the Israelites
they have gone back to God
00:17:18.10\00:17:20.47
putting Him first, seeking
His will, building His house,
00:17:20.50\00:17:24.01
but when they look
at their lives they say,
00:17:24.04\00:17:25.67
I have so little to
show for my struggles.
00:17:25.71\00:17:28.68
I have so little
of God's holiness,
00:17:28.71\00:17:30.45
so little of
the glory in my life
00:17:30.48\00:17:32.38
compared to other Christians,
I'll never measure up.
00:17:32.41\00:17:37.35
I'll never have victory.
00:17:37.39\00:17:40.02
Ladies and
gentlemen, I'm convinced
00:17:40.06\00:17:42.09
this is why so many
Christians give up the fight.
00:17:42.12\00:17:45.23
They compare
themselves to other believers
00:17:45.26\00:17:47.73
and they become discouraged
00:17:47.76\00:17:49.26
because they feel
hopelessly inferior.
00:17:49.30\00:17:52.23
Haggai showed Israel,
00:17:52.27\00:17:53.90
they were focused
on the wrong object.
00:17:53.94\00:17:56.47
They had lost sight of the fact
00:17:56.50\00:17:58.57
that God's glory hadn't
been drained or depleted.
00:17:58.61\00:18:02.11
What God has done in the
past, He can do it again.
00:18:02.14\00:18:06.21
God sent this word to them,
00:18:09.32\00:18:12.29
chapter 2 verses
4 and 5, He says,
00:18:12.32\00:18:14.49
"I am with you,
said the Lord of hosts,
00:18:14.52\00:18:17.43
be strong, all ye
people of the land,
00:18:17.46\00:18:21.43
and work, for I am with you,
00:18:21.46\00:18:24.47
My spirit remaineth
among you, fear ye not."
00:18:24.50\00:18:29.07
"The glory of this latter house
00:18:29.10\00:18:31.17
shall be greater
than of the former,
00:18:31.21\00:18:33.14
saith the Lord of hosts."
00:18:33.17\00:18:34.94
God was saying to them,
00:18:34.98\00:18:36.08
"You may have thought the glory
00:18:36.11\00:18:37.31
of the first
house was something.
00:18:37.35\00:18:39.98
But it was nothing compared
to the glory that's ahead.
00:18:40.02\00:18:44.25
You'll have My peace upon you,
00:18:44.29\00:18:46.32
My glory will flood your soul.
00:18:46.35\00:18:50.06
Just stay in the
precious fear of the Lord.
00:18:50.09\00:18:52.96
Keep going, keep
doing the work of the Lord.
00:18:52.99\00:18:55.63
No matter how you feel,
be strong for I am with you."
00:18:55.66\00:19:01.77
God's interest...
00:19:01.80\00:19:05.77
is replaced with self
interest that will destroy you.
00:19:05.81\00:19:09.58
Comparing and contrasting
00:19:09.61\00:19:12.68
will rob you off
the blessings of God.
00:19:12.71\00:19:15.48
And the third reason we lose
God's blessing and favor is,
00:19:15.52\00:19:18.95
number three,
the touch of death.
00:19:18.99\00:19:21.86
Jewish law had said, "He
that toucheth the dead body
00:19:21.89\00:19:24.89
of any man shall
be unclean seven days.
00:19:24.93\00:19:28.36
Whosoever toucheth the dead body
00:19:28.40\00:19:30.43
of any man that is dead,
and purifieth not himself,
00:19:30.47\00:19:33.60
defileth the
temple of the Lord."
00:19:33.64\00:19:35.87
Numbers 19:11, 13.
00:19:35.90\00:19:37.64
Now listen to
Haggai's word to Israel.
00:19:37.67\00:19:41.01
Haggai 2:13, 14, he
says, "Then said Haggai,
00:19:41.04\00:19:46.18
if one that is
unclean by a dead body
00:19:46.21\00:19:49.72
touched any of these,
shall it not be unclean?
00:19:49.75\00:19:56.52
And the priests answered
and said it shall be unclean.
00:19:56.56\00:20:00.50
Then answered Haggai,
and said, so is this people,
00:20:00.53\00:20:04.53
and so is every
work of their hands,
00:20:04.57\00:20:09.50
and that which
they offer is unclean."
00:20:09.54\00:20:12.91
Now Haggai was saying,
00:20:12.94\00:20:14.48
"If at any point death
touches you or you touch death,
00:20:14.51\00:20:18.45
you have become defiled.
00:20:18.48\00:20:20.98
You're unclean, you
have defiled the whole body,
00:20:21.02\00:20:24.49
the temple of God."
00:20:24.52\00:20:25.55
Now God had
imposed these strict laws
00:20:25.59\00:20:28.62
for health purposes,
to protect the people
00:20:28.66\00:20:31.93
against the spread
of contagious diseases.
00:20:31.96\00:20:35.03
Yet to the Jewish mind,
00:20:35.06\00:20:36.80
death was always a
type of corruption and sin.
00:20:36.83\00:20:40.74
Even the New
Testament ties death to sin.
00:20:40.77\00:20:44.37
Ephesians 2:1 says,
"And you hath He quickened,
00:20:44.41\00:20:48.18
who were dead in
trespass and sins."
00:20:48.21\00:20:51.31
According to Ezra and Nehemiah,
00:20:51.35\00:20:54.18
the death touching
Israel was sensuality
00:20:54.22\00:20:57.72
and mixture with the world.
00:20:57.75\00:21:00.06
Israelite men had lusted
00:21:00.09\00:21:02.26
after heathen Canaanite
women and married them.
00:21:02.29\00:21:06.19
They had children who didn't
even speak the Jewish language.
00:21:06.23\00:21:09.80
There was an unholy mix
and may I suggest to you today,
00:21:09.83\00:21:13.44
ladies and gentlemen,
00:21:13.47\00:21:14.84
that God is still
holding His people
00:21:14.87\00:21:17.57
to high and holy
and pure standard.
00:21:17.61\00:21:25.05
When you're
thinking about marrying,
00:21:25.08\00:21:26.45
you ought to think
about marrying someone
00:21:26.48\00:21:27.95
who loves the Lord.
00:21:27.98\00:21:30.92
I know everybody is interested
in Mr. Cute and Miss Pretty.
00:21:30.95\00:21:36.49
But God is interested not
only in the external beauty
00:21:36.52\00:21:39.16
but what's on the inside.
00:21:39.19\00:21:43.00
Beloved, if at
any point in your life
00:21:43.03\00:21:45.60
you have a touch of the
world, a tinge of compromise,
00:21:45.63\00:21:48.97
a desire that is pulling at you,
00:21:49.00\00:21:50.97
that is a touch of death
00:21:51.01\00:21:52.24
and it will
cost you the blessing
00:21:52.27\00:21:54.01
and the favor of God.
00:21:54.04\00:21:56.18
Haggai posed another
question to the people
00:21:56.21\00:21:58.18
in chapter 2 and verse 12.
00:21:58.21\00:22:00.32
He says, "If one bear holy flesh
00:22:00.35\00:22:02.08
in the skirt of his garment,
00:22:02.12\00:22:04.32
and with his
skirt to touch bread,
00:22:04.35\00:22:06.32
or pottage, or wine, or oil,
or any meat, shall it be holy?
00:22:06.35\00:22:10.46
And the priests answered
and said, it shall be unclean."
00:22:10.49\00:22:14.93
Now Haggai pictures
a priest carrying home
00:22:14.96\00:22:18.50
a cut of sanctified meat
from the altar of sacrifice.
00:22:18.53\00:22:22.10
The prophet asks,
"Does that holy meat
00:22:22.14\00:22:24.47
transfer
holiness to the garment?"
00:22:24.51\00:22:27.44
Now here is Haggai's point.
00:22:27.48\00:22:30.11
Being around holy things
00:22:30.15\00:22:32.61
does not
transfer holiness to you.
00:22:32.65\00:22:37.05
These Israelites thought
the land itself was holy,
00:22:37.09\00:22:39.99
so living on the
land made them holy.
00:22:40.02\00:22:43.06
Likewise today, many
Christians convince themselves
00:22:43.09\00:22:46.83
that they are right with God
as long as they come to church.
00:22:46.86\00:22:51.77
They have
confused church membership
00:22:54.77\00:22:57.27
with being a
part of the kingdom.
00:22:57.31\00:23:00.11
They think that
through the sanctifying praise
00:23:00.14\00:23:02.94
and prayers of God's people,
00:23:02.98\00:23:06.01
somehow the holiness of God
will be transferred to them.
00:23:06.05\00:23:10.39
Yet singing in the
choir, doing good works,
00:23:10.42\00:23:13.99
sitting at the Lord's table,
none of these spiritual things
00:23:14.02\00:23:17.63
in themselves can
make you righteous.
00:23:17.66\00:23:20.16
You can sit in a
Holy Ghost filled meeting
00:23:20.20\00:23:22.76
and soak in all of
the blessings of God,
00:23:22.80\00:23:25.13
but it would not make you
holy if death is touching you.
00:23:25.17\00:23:29.47
On the other hand, death
00:23:32.67\00:23:35.44
and corruption of
sin are transferable.
00:23:35.48\00:23:38.55
Sin is a communicable disease.
00:23:38.58\00:23:42.05
It spreads to
everything it touches.
00:23:42.08\00:23:45.05
If sin is
touching you at some point,
00:23:45.09\00:23:47.16
it begins to spread
through your whole body.
00:23:47.19\00:23:50.39
And if there is something
of the world in your heart,
00:23:50.43\00:23:53.29
if the touch of
death is not purified,
00:23:53.33\00:23:55.86
you are in God's
disfavor and all you do
00:23:55.90\00:23:59.03
is unclean in His sight.
00:23:59.07\00:24:01.80
But thank God
tonight, ladies and gentlemen,
00:24:01.84\00:24:04.77
this is the bad news how
you can lose your blessing.
00:24:04.81\00:24:08.11
But thank God tonight
that He has made provision
00:24:08.14\00:24:12.18
for the cleansing
of every touch of sin.
00:24:12.21\00:24:15.82
Are you battling a secret sin?
00:24:15.85\00:24:18.52
Has that sin hindered the
flow of God's blessing to you?
00:24:18.55\00:24:22.49
Do you feel
empty, dry and lonely?
00:24:22.52\00:24:25.43
Listen to God's
word to you tonight.
00:24:25.46\00:24:27.86
"My little
children, these things
00:24:27.93\00:24:30.57
write I unto you,
that you may not sin.
00:24:30.60\00:24:34.00
And if any man sin,
00:24:34.04\00:24:35.50
we have an
advocate with the Father,
00:24:35.54\00:24:37.54
Jesus Christ the righteous,
00:24:37.57\00:24:39.74
and He is the
propitiation for our sins."
00:24:39.77\00:24:43.55
"If we confess
our sins," He says,
00:24:43.58\00:24:45.98
"He is faithful
and just to forgive us
00:24:46.01\00:24:48.68
and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness."
00:24:48.72\00:24:51.35
If you want to be
clean, run to Jesus. Amen.
00:24:51.39\00:24:57.26
Become faithful once more,
putting God's interests first
00:24:57.29\00:25:02.86
and seeking Him
with all your heart.
00:25:02.90\00:25:06.07
Start work again on the
temple of the Holy Ghost.
00:25:06.10\00:25:09.57
The Lord has promised you,
00:25:09.60\00:25:10.51
He says, "Mark it
down on your calendar."
00:25:10.54\00:25:13.38
God says, "From this day,
00:25:13.41\00:25:15.41
I'm gonna favor you
and I'm gonna bless you."
00:25:15.44\00:25:20.28
Somebody wants me to
pray for them tonight.
00:25:20.32\00:25:22.92
Somebody even out
looking at this broadcast,
00:25:22.95\00:25:27.59
you want for God's
blessings to rest upon you,
00:25:27.62\00:25:30.73
you want to be
in favor with God,
00:25:30.76\00:25:32.83
you want Him to bless
your life with abundance.
00:25:32.86\00:25:36.53
You want peace,
joy and happiness.
00:25:36.56\00:25:39.00
You want
contentment in our Savior.
00:25:39.03\00:25:42.10
At this time I
want to pray for you.
00:25:42.14\00:25:44.11
You can bow your
heads wherever you are
00:25:44.14\00:25:46.41
as we lift you up
before God Almighty.
00:25:46.44\00:25:49.71
Loving Lord and our Savior,
we know above everything else
00:25:49.74\00:25:53.62
that you want to
bless Your people.
00:25:53.65\00:25:56.22
Somebody has had the
touch of death in his life.
00:25:56.25\00:26:00.59
We have compromised,
00:26:00.62\00:26:01.69
we have allowed
the blessing blockers
00:26:01.72\00:26:04.09
to get in our way, but tonight,
00:26:04.13\00:26:06.43
we want to give You
free reign in our lives.
00:26:06.46\00:26:09.63
Forgive us of our sins,
00:26:09.66\00:26:12.00
give us the
empowerment of Your Holy Spirit.
00:26:12.03\00:26:15.20
Move upon our hearts and help us
00:26:15.24\00:26:17.57
to start putting your interest
above our own interests.
00:26:17.61\00:26:21.78
Help us to stop
comparing and contrasting
00:26:21.81\00:26:26.28
and help us, oh, God, to
keep our lives pure and clean.
00:26:26.31\00:26:30.59
Forgive us
where we've done wrong
00:26:30.62\00:26:32.19
and give us overcoming power
00:26:32.22\00:26:34.72
and becoming power
to be more like You.
00:26:34.76\00:26:38.06
Thank you for the
word of God tonight
00:26:38.09\00:26:40.33
and we pray that Your word
00:26:40.36\00:26:41.43
will never return unto You void,
00:26:41.46\00:26:43.16
but someone who
needs that word tonight
00:26:43.20\00:26:45.80
will respond in the
affirmative to Your call,
00:26:45.83\00:26:49.70
calling us out of the
world of darkness and sin.
00:26:49.74\00:26:52.41
Thank you, oh, God.
Again in the name of Jesus,
00:26:52.44\00:26:55.01
our Lord and our Savior.
00:26:55.04\00:26:56.78
Let everyone say,amen.
00:26:56.81\00:26:58.11
Amen. Amen.
00:26:58.15\00:27:01.78
Thanks for
watching Pathway of Hope.
00:27:01.82\00:27:04.89
If you would
like to be prayed for
00:27:04.92\00:27:07.19
or would like to
learn more about God's word,
00:27:07.22\00:27:10.33
please call 1-877-520-HOPE
00:27:10.36\00:27:16.67
or 1-877-520-4673.
00:27:16.70\00:27:23.91
You may also watch
more of our programs
00:27:23.94\00:27:26.44
online at www.pathwayofhope.tv.
00:27:26.47\00:27:34.05
If you would like to make
a tax-deductible love gift,
00:27:34.08\00:27:37.75
please send your
gifts to Pathway of Hope
00:27:37.79\00:27:41.29
at P.O. Box 280704,
00:27:41.32\00:27:46.86
Queens Village, New York, 11428.
00:27:46.90\00:27:51.77
Thanks for
watching Pathway of Hope
00:27:51.80\00:27:53.74
and may God's
blessings be yours today.
00:27:53.77\00:27:56.97