Article

The Power of Repentance in Our Worship

March 19, 2024

Renewing our hope: The book of haggai

The opening verses of Haggai set the stage as it paints a picture of a people who have returned from exile and are tasked with rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Yet, amid the grandeur of Babylon, where they lived, and the allure of personal pursuits, they failed to prioritize God's house and, ultimately, their worship. Instead, they pursued the wisdom of man saying, "The time has not come, even the time for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt" (Haggai 1:2).


Sadly, this sentiment resonates with many today. Caught in the whirlwind of daily life, we may inadvertently sideline our spiritual commitments or place them on the back burner! Yet, Haggai's message penetrates our excuses as he cries out and challenges us to, "consider our ways" and repent (Haggai 1:5, 7). To combat the excuses, Haggai reminds the people that God has a purpose for them and they needed to return to Him!


First, he highlights the importance of them being the right people. The people who returned to Jerusalem were not a random assortment; they were individuals with a special devotion to the Lord, willing to forsake comfort and convenience for the sake of His house. Their example reminds us that God uses ordinary people, like us, with faith to accomplish His purposes. From Abraham to Paul, the Bible is full of flawed individuals whom God used mightily for his glory! 


Second, Haggai emphasizes the people are in the right place. Jerusalem held a unique place in the hearts of God's people, symbolizing His presence. Similarly, our lives are anchored in specific contexts and places, where God calls us to be ambassadors of His grace and truth. Whether in the bustling streets of a city or the quiet corners of a rural area, our mission remains unchanged: to proclaim the gospel and demonstrate God's love to those around us. Like the remnant who returned to Jerusalem, we must embrace our role in the places God has planted us and grow there!


Third, he draws our attention to the importance of the right project. The remnant wasted no time in prioritizing the reconstruction of the temple, demonstrating their commitment to God's work above their own interests. Their sacrificial giving and labor reflected a singular focus on honoring and pleasing the Lord. Just like the children of Israel, our lives should be marked by devotion to God's kingdom work through our willingness to work and witness, serve and sacrifice! 


Finally, Haggai directs our attention to the right priorities. The people's initial zeal waned over time, as they became entangled in their own pursuits, neglecting the house of the Lord. Yet, God's admonition to "consider your ways" reverberates through the corridors of history, compelling us to reassess our priorities in light of eternity, repent, and seek to worship God above all!


In a world consumed by temporal pursuits and fleeting pleasures, we are reminded of the fleeting pleasure of earthly endeavors. Like the people of Haggai's time, we may sow much but reap little, unless our labor is aligned with God's will and His glory. As we reflect on the timeless truths of Haggai's prophecy, may we heed its call to repent and renew our worship. Let us be the right people, in the right place, engaged in the right project, with the right priorities. In doing so, we fulfill our ultimate purpose! What is the chief end of man? Answer: To glorify God and enjoy him forever! (WCF SC Question 1)

share this

Related Articles

Related Articles

The Great Joy of Being Sent Out

By Sean Collins • May 6, 2026
There’s something both exciting and unsettling about being sent. I remember a short-term mission trip from my younger years—full of sincere effort, questionable preparation, and unforgettable moments (including a watermelon that didn’t survive the desert heat). Even now, I wonder what lasting impact we had. That tension—between obedience and uncertainty—is exactly where Mark 6 places us. Jesus sends out the twelve, not as polished experts, but as learners who had simply been with Him. Before they were sent, they sat under His teaching, watched His ministry, and walked closely with Him. Only then did He say, “Go.” And when He sent them, He stripped away their sense of control. No extra provisions. No backup plans. Just dependence—on God and on others. They were to trust that the One who called them would also sustain them. That’s where we begin to see the heart of this passage: there is deep joy in being sent because we are not alone. Jesus sent them out in pairs. Ministry was never meant to be a solo endeavor. We need one another—for encouragement, accountability, and perseverance. There’s a kind of strength that only comes from shared labor in the gospel. There’s also joy in the work itself. The disciples went out preaching repentance, serving the sick, and confronting darkness. Their actions confirmed their message: the kingdom of God had come near. And while we may not replicate their exact mission, the principle remains—we proclaim the gospel and we embody it. It’s both word and deed. Speaking and serving. Finally, there is joy in knowing the results are not up to us. Jesus made that clear in the way He sent them. They were to go faithfully, not successfully by worldly standards. If a town rejected them, they were to move on. Their responsibility was obedience; the outcome belonged to God. That truth frees us. We don’t need perfect readiness to begin. We don’t need guaranteed results to obey. God uses ordinary, often uncertain people to accomplish His purposes. Not because of their strength, but through their dependence. So whether it’s across the world or across the street, the call remains: go. And in going, we discover the joy we were made for—not in control, but in faithfulness.

The Best Seat in the House

By Sean Collins • January 10, 2025
The best seat is where god wants us to sit...

A Child of the King

By Sean Collins • January 7, 2025
Perhaps, I am the only one! When I get discouraged, overwhelmed, and even frustrated, if I am completely honest, I turn the attention from Him and wonder about myself. Again, perhaps, I am the only one, but on the off chance there is someone else who struggles with this let’s remind ourselves what the Scripture says, Romans 8:16–17 (NKJV) — 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. In case you missed it, Paul is saying that we are a child of the King!!! As children of the heavenly kingdom, we need to learn to enjoy and possess the rich spiritual blessings that belong to us as heirs of His riches. Let us think on these things: We have been justified and made acceptable to God We have been adopted into God’s royal family We have been given a citizenship in heaven We possess the indwelling Holy Spirit We have been placed into the kingdom of the Son of God’s love We have a promise that the best is yet to come- a heavenly home No matter your situation, no matter how great or small, no matter if you are rich or poor, if you have accepted Christ’s free pardon of sin, you are still God’s child. Let this old hymn ring true: My Father is rich in houses and lands; He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands! Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold, His coffers are full—He has riches untold. My Father’s own Son, the Savior of men, once wandered o’er earth as the poorest of them; but now He is reigning forever on high, and will give me a home in heav’n by and by. I once was an outcast stranger on earth, a sinner by choice and an alien by birth; but I’ve been adopted; my name’s written down—an heir to a mansion, a robe, and a crown. A tent or a cottage, why should I care? They’re building a palace for me over there! Tho exiled from home, yet still I may sing: All glory to God, I’m a child of the King. Chorus: I’m a child of the King! With Jesus, my Savior, I’m a child of the King!
ALL ARTICLES

STAY UP TO DATE

GET johntown'S LATEST

Receive texts and announcements from the church, and get a heads up on upcoming events.

Contact Us