HOW DO YOU SEE?

(Haggai 2: 3-7)
A Message by Rev. Dr. Vincent Leoh on 6 & 7 January 2001

Notice the question in the middle of the third verse, “And how do you see it now?” [NKJV] or “How does it look to you now?” That is a good question to ask during the first few weeks of a new year, “How do you see it now?”

Behavioral scientists have discovered that we usually see things we are prepared to see, and that is all centered in a network of nerve cells called the “Reticular Activating System.”

So let’s ask the question, “How does it look to you now?” and consider it in 3 different areas.

I. HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF?

God instructs Haggai the prophet to speak to Governor Zerubbabel, and to Joshua the high priest.

“…out of Egypt” [Haggai 2:5]. Physically the Israelites were out of Egypt; but in almost very other areas of life, Egypt was still in them! Everyone is vulnerable to the slave mentality.

So how do you see yourself?

1. As weak slaves, under bondage to bad habits, slavery to time, job, circumstances? OR
2. As liberated, empowered people of God?

Can you “win souls, touch lives and reach nations?”

SOLDIERS
“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier.” [2 Timothy 2: 3-4]

• I am a soldier in the army of God! The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer!
• The Holy Bible is my code of conduct! Faith prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare!
• I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience.
• I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity!
• I will be promoted at His coming because I will be at my post!
• I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.
• I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable.
• If my God needs me, I am there! If He needs me in Sunday school, I am there! If He needs me to teach children, I am there.
• To work with youth, I am there. Help adults, I am there.
• If He wants me to sit down and learn, I am there. He can use me because I am there.
• I am a soldier, I am not a baby! I don’t need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.
• I am a soldier! No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.
• I am a soldier! I am not a wimp! I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name and building His Kingdom! No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts.
• I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, care for, or catered to!
• I am committed! I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannt be discouraged enough to turn aside. I cannot lose enough to quit.
• When Jesus called me into His army, I had nothing! If I end up with nothing, I will still be ahead because I win!
• My God supplies all my needs! I am more than a conqueror! I will always triumph!
• I can do all things through Christ! Devils cannot defeat me! People cannot disillusion me! Weather cannot weary me! Sickness cannot stop me! Battles cannot beat me! Failures can only teach me. Money cannot buy me! Governments cannot silence me! Hell cannot handle me!
• I am a soldier! Even death cannot destroy me! For when my Commander calls me from this present battlefield, He will promote me to Captain and I will rule with Him forever!
• I am a soldier in His army, marching in rank, claiming victory! I will not give up!
• I will not turn around! I am a soldier, marching toward the gates of hell which will not stand!!!

II. HOW DO YOU SEE CHURCH?

Our text is an exciting passage in Haggai. God instructs the prophet to speak to all the people. How do you see the church? As you look around, what do you see? Do you see just a beautiful building, or do you see a room full of people with the potential to make a difference in the lives of men and women, boys and girls, for the glory of God?

How do you see our church? I see four visions of the church.

1. “Be Strong” God says. I see GTPJ as a strong church – strong in missions, discipleship and caring cell. I see GTPJ as strong in winning souls, touching lives and reaching nations.

2. “Work” God says. I see the church mobilized as an army of God to work and serve the King of kings.

3. “I AM with you” God says. I see a church where the presence of God is manifested. Where He is present, there is salvation, healing and deliverance.

4. “I will fill this house with glory” God says. I see a church where the strong “shekinah” glory of God is manifested in our midst. I see church in revival!

III. HOW DO YOU SEE THE WORLD?

How does the world look to you?

1. A world of doom and gloom, filled with greedy people out for selfish gain? OR
2. A world filled with lost souls to be won and redeemed for the Lord?

The Bible teaches us that God so loves this world that He gave His only Begotten Son; God sees the world as redeemable, and He sees each of us as channels through whom His redemptive message might travel.

CONCLUSION

How do you see? It is an important question, people, because we see the things we are prepared to see, and how you see will color your life; and many times, what you see is what you get.