Current Series - Haggai:
A series about rebuilding
“Give Careful Thought to your Ways”
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 2nd February, 2025
Passage: Haggai 1:1-15
Blurb: In this sermon we begin a 4 part series on the book of Haggai. A remnant of God’s people have returned from exile and they have begun rebuilding their lives. However, the temple remains in ruins after the Babylonian invasion. Through the prophet Haggai, God asks his people “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your panelled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” Come join us as we begin our explorations in the book of Haggai, and take seriously what it means for us to “give careful thought to our ways”.
[note: the sermon was preached three times, with a distinct application section for each congregation. To make it most accessible online, I’ve taken the body of the sermon from the 8.30am service, and I’ve included the application section from the 10am service. Quirky, I know, but hopefully helpful for this format. Kim]
2. ”Be Strong and Work, for I am with you”
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 9th February, 2025
Passage: Haggai 2:1-9
Blurb: Here in Haggai’s second prophecy, God encourages his leaders and people to “be strong and work". He addresses their doubts and concerns, particularly regarding the nature of the rebuild compared with what came before.
In this sermon, I use a couple of visual illustrations. Once again I use my son’s Ford Mustang (made of lego). In contrast, the second item is a tiny lego vehicle (a little go-kart). To a people concerned that the rebuild of the temple will be far less glorious than the previous temple, God brings an amazing promise.
This sermon was also preached on a day in which we presented an update on plans to build a universally accessible toilet, and on the weekend of a visit from Henry Olonga, former Zimbabwean cricketer, and singer.
3. A turning Point
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 16th February, 2025
Passage: Haggai 2:10-19
Blurb: In Haggai’s third prophecy, addressed to the priests, we learn that re-building in itself is not enough. The rebuilding of the temple must coincide with re-embracing God’s call to holiness. We discover how much easier it is for a thing to be tainted than it is for a thing to become holy. And without a transformation of the heart, the nation runs the risk of building a defiled temple. Come join us as we too respond to Haggai’s prophecy, the call to holiness, and discover how Jesus brings about an incredible reversal.