Friday, October 10, 2008

Preparation for Serving in the House

It has been said that the most introverted person will influence approximately 10,000 in their lifetime. So, whether we like it or not, we have an influence on others. What we do has an effect on others.

Against this background, when we serve in the House, we have an effect on others, but not just in our friendships, and physical labour.

In Haggai 2:10-14, God spoke to the people who were serving in the House. In fact, the people of Israel were on a project to re-build the temple of God. They were building a place for the presence of God to dwell.

It says this: 10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month (again, this was in the second year of Darius), God’s Message came to Haggai: 11 “God-of-the-Angel-Armies speaks: Consult the priests for a ruling. 12 If someone carries a piece of sacred meat in his pocket, meat that is set apart for sacrifice on the altar, and the pocket touches a loaf of bread, a dish of stew, a bottle of wine or oil, or any other food, will these foods be made holy by such contact?”The priests said, “No.”13 Then Haggai said, “How about someone who is contaminated by touching a corpse—if that person touches one of these foods, will it be contaminated?”The priests said, “Yes, it will be contaminated.” 14 Then Haggai said, “‘So, this people is contaminated. Their nation is contaminated. Everything they do is contaminated. Whatever they do for me is contaminated.’ God says so.

This may seem cryptic, but here is what one commentator says:

"Haggai contends that the temple workers cannot claim to be righteous simply because they are working on the house of the Lord. In fact, if their personal lives are not holy, their involvement in the temple's construction will actually desecrate the holy sanctuary"

People who serve in the House each week are creating a place for God's presence to dwell, just like the people of Israel.

It is our responsibility in that role to keep our personal lives in order. If we don't, it has an effect beyond our own lives. It has a negative effect on what we're building.

Just because we're serving, doesn't make us holy, or cover up disobedience.

We need to take the time each Sunday morning and get our hearts right with God. He can't deal with issues in our life if we don't spend time with him daily and allow Him to speak to us - which God often does through His word.

We also need to take time out, like David, and say, "search my heart, O God. Let me know if there is any uncleanliness" Are there any issues of unforgiveness, pride, jealousy, anger.. I find that I can't think of any until I ask God to show me, and then the list comes out!

Serving in the House doesn't make us holy, but failing to get our hearts right can hinder all that God wants to do in our lives, and others' - especially in the House.

1 comment:

livinglife said...

Hey - this would preach!