Pastor Marshall Ochs | September 28, 2025
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Haggai. The book addresses the Israelites’ failure to rebuild God’s temple after returning from exile, confronting their misplaced priorities and calling them to “consider their ways.” God challenges the people to stop focusing on their own homes and instead get to work on the temple — a call that now applies to us as we build up God’s kingdom within ourselves and our communities. When the people responded with obedience and reverence, God promised renewed blessing, showing that faithful “temple work” leads to fruitfulness and ultimately points us to Jesus Christ.
Watch
Listen
Reflect
Examining Your Priorities
Take a moment to consider what matters most in your life. If you were to make a list of your current priorities, what would you put at the very top? Reflect honestly on how your time and energy are being spent.
Time with God: Is It a Priority?
Ask yourself whether spending time with God holds a significant place in your daily routine. If it does not, try to identify the reasons behind this. What excuses have you used to justify not making God a priority in your everyday life?
Investing in What Truly Satisfies
Now, pause and ask God to show you if there are areas in your life where your priorities need to shift. Take a moment to seek His guidance in identifying distractions or habits that may be keeping you from fully pursuing Him. Surrender these things to the Lord and invite Him to realign your heart and schedule according to His will.
Think about where you have been investing your resources, time, and energy. Have you noticed that investing in the things of this world often leaves you feeling unsatisfied or empty? In contrast, investing in your relationship with the Lord brings blessings and fulfillment to your heart.
Building the Lord’s Temple Within
The Lord desires to build His “temple” within each of us. At this stage in your life, reflect on whether you are constructing a temple for the enemy or for the Lord inside your heart and mind. Consider the influences and motivations driving your thoughts and actions.
Responding to God’s Call
As believers, it is essential to take action. Repent from laziness, selfishness, and complacency, and surrender your will to the Lord. Consider and list the ways you can become more productive and invested in fulfilling what the Lord is calling you to do. (Refer to Marshall’s notes for deeper insight.)
Transformation Through Spiritual Disciplines
Reading God’s word, listening to sermons, and praying are important spiritual disciplines. However, if these practices do not lead to transformation within you, they are done in vain. Reflect on whether you read God’s word simply to check it off your “to do” list, or pray without listening and acting on what God is telling you. Remember, praying without action is simply speaking empty words.
Finding Encouragement in Adversity
In the time of Haggai, the people became weary and discouraged within just a couple of months. The Lord reminded them not to fear, and encouraged them to persevere. Have you ever been in a situation where you were following God’s instructions, only to face adversity? Reflect on your response during those times.
Continuing in Faithful Obedience
The Lord calls us to persevere, reminding us that blessings are on the way. God consistently rewards obedience. Keep seeking Him and keep working for Him, knowing that the greatest blessing is a deeper relationship with Jesus—which is all that truly matters!