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SABBATH & SUNDAY WORSHIP MESSAGE
JANUARY 3/4, 2026
{LX 628-01}
DECLARATION
For
[we are not] ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed
from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
{ Rom 1:16-17 KJV}
SABBATH MEDITATIONS
"VAYECHI"
Genesis 47:28-50:26, 1 Kings 2:1-12, Matthew 20-21
SUNDAY MESSAGE
"RESOLUTIONS AND VOWS"
Haggai Chapters 1 & 2
"Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: 'This people says, "The time has not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built." ' " Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "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!" (Hag 1:2-5 NKJV)
[Sing to the Lord, lift up your voices]
OPENING PRAYER
Our Father in Heaven, thank You for gathering all of us together as a congregation to fellowship and worship Your Holy Name. Grant us the favor of open ears, hearts and souls as we receive Your Word from on high and apply the teachings to our daily life in this brand new year of 2026, thank You Jesus for our salvation through Your great sacrifice and in Your name we pray, AMEN.
MESSAGE
Happy New Year! Welcome to our first congregational worship in 2026! Just as 2025 wound-up slowly to this very today, we all have been so blessed to celebrate the birth of our Lord, Savior, and King, observing His first introduction to the world through the lowly Shepherd!
We will spend some time in the book of HAGGAI, a preacher and prophet who became the Lord's instrument of accountability and motivation for the Jews who made VOWS and RESOLUTIONS to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem and were released early from captivity. These same folks quickly began dragging their feet on the Temple rebuild after being released. The Lord's house was no longer 1st, but was pushed to 4th position; Right behind ME, MYSELF, AND I.
The time period in this message runs from about 538BC to 520BC. This is a synopsis covering why God is intervening; "Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: 'This people says, "The time has not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built." ' " Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "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!"
(Hag 1:2-5 NKJV)
When the Lord said "Consider your ways", I remembered the fear that filled JOB when he continued pressing GOD with question after question, being encouraged to do so by his friends; Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: "Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me: (Job 40:6-8 NKJV) Job already had RELIGION, and his faith in the Lord was still strong. The early released Jews who did not include the Temple in their building plans are now cornered, by GOD to CONSIDER THEIR WAYS!
When Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt, for a 40 year journey that should have taken a few months to complete, it was due in part to the stiff-necked stubbornness of this people. Even Moses dealt with a "post captivity" mentality that almost resulted in God destroying them all. Moses pleaded with God for an alternate punishment, and God agreed.
By the Grace of God, Haggai was successful here in Jerusalem, and the Lord spoke again; Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified," says the LORD. "You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?" says the LORD of hosts. "Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. (Hag 1:7-9 NKJV)
Now fearing what manner of punishment might be on the way, the whole attitude and latitude of the people suddenly adjusted to SEE THE LIGHT! Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the LORD.
Then Haggai, the Lord's messenger, spoke the Lord's message to the people, saying, "I am with you, says the LORD." So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God. (Hag 1:12-14 NKJV)
SUMMARY
In 573 BC, King Cyrus, then later followed by King Darius, granted special dispensation and early release from captivity in order that skilled workman and leaders might rebuild the great Temple in Jerusalem. This was God's hand at work. It was expected that those chosen for this important favor would likewise realize the importance of the mission, and commit to a RESOLUTION or a VOW securing the best opportunity for success, especially since this was the will of God to do so.
Vows before God, or in His name are serious undertakings and not to be taken lightly. Personal prayed VOWS just between you and the Creator are the most precious VOWS, and HE takes each one directly to HIS heart with love. The VOWS of the Nazirite are a compelling; read {Num 6:1-27} and you will grasp the Holy nature of committing ones self to Almighty God for specific purposes and expected accomplishments.
Many of those selected and given freedom to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple --- so the glory and spirit of the Lord would return and be among HIS people, -- failed to follow through and committed error by placing their own home interests in higher priority than the Temple. God was watching.
The Lord called upon Haggai, Zerubbabel, and Joshoua, among others and were enlisted to remind God's people of their VOWS, and CONSIDER THEIR WAYS, placing God in first priority, therefore moving their own interests to a lesser position on that schedule. Soon after, the flock responded, got organized, then tears of joy and mighty singing were offered in thanksgiving to God for HIS mighty hand in the process.
Perhaps when New Years returns to welcome 2027 (Lord Willing) we should be a lot less cavalier about making and declaring the useless and /or the vital promises with absolutely no true intent to accomplish it.
Vows and Resolutions are not the same thing. Vow are a promise. A Resolution is a process of discovery, looking for other potential "solutions" to solve or mitigate an original issue. Thats why it is called a RE-Solution.
To take on a RESOLUTION or commit to a VOW before the Lord is serious business. Consider the words of Jesus as He delivered the Sermon on the Mount: "Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.' "But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. "Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. "But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil. (Mat 5:33-37 NAS95)
CLOSING PRAYER
O' Merciful God of all Creation, we are so quick to forget the magnitude of Your being. Our brains are not capable of grasping the length nor depth of Your power and presence. We are, however, well taught about Your mercies, love, and righteousness granted through Grace to each of us. Let us be cautious and deliberate, thoughtful and reverent in all potential vows or resolutions before Your throne. Let our YES be yes, and our NO be no, in reverential fear before You, in Jesus, AMEN
[THE LORD'S SUPPER]
[Sing a song to the Lord, lift up your voices]
DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, Ye heav'n-ly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
AMEN
THE CALL
If you have never invited Jesus to be your Lord and savior, or, if you have in the past yet remain unsure of salvation and forgiveness of sin, Please pray with me now: Lord Jesus I need to fill a hole in my life that follows me where ever I go. I am a long-time Sinner and I CONFESS and REPENT of all my sins. I believe that You JESUS are the Lord, that you were hung on a cross and died. I believe that you were raised back to life by God, Your Father, ascended into heaven and presently sit at the right hand of The Almighty. Please come into me, clean me, take me and make me Yours and let me serve from this day forward and forever, Thank-You Jesus, AMEN
If you sincerely prayed with me, your salvation has been assured. {Rom 10:9 KJV} -That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Waste no time in finding like minded folks, to fellowship with, who also know the lord Jesus. Be introduced to a church that preaches the BIBLE. Email me. Begin the journey that you will never tire of; the discovery of the Majesty, Beauty and loving Power of Jesus the Christ. Welcome to the family!
Chaplain Gary
BENEDICTION: Num 6:24-26 The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.'AMEN
Christ go with you now...until we meet again
Christ go with you now...keep praying on till then
It really doesn't matter what the weather...
Just as long as we all are TOGETHER...
Christ go with you now...Till we meet again!
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE Rom 1:16-17/Haggai 1-2/ Num 6:24-26
SABBATH & SUNDAY WORSHIP MESSAGE
(Published every Friday evening)
CHRIST ETERNAL SENIOR MINISTRIES
HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?
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