Grace Community Church
Preparing for the Future (Haggai 2:20-23)
Big Idea: Our lives have eternal significance when they are lived in simple obedience.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
9755 N La Cholla Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85742, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:45 AM
Space For Grace
Space for Grace grows and equips our campus as God builds His church. Our efforts focus on adding classroom space for children on Sunday mornings, youth on Sunday night and adults on Sunday, as well other activities during the week. We are optimizing the office so that the Grace staff and volunteers have room to work and interact with the community. The increased growth impacts the available parking which is also part of our expansion program. To read more, and cast your vote by June 30, click here.
http://www.gracetucson.org/spaceHaggai 2:20-23 (NLT)
20 On that same day, December 18, the Lord sent this second message to Haggai: 21 “Tell Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, that I am about to shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overthrow royal thrones and destroy the power of foreign kingdoms. I will overturn their chariots and riders. The horses will fall, and their riders will kill each other. 23 “But when this happens, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, I will honor you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant. I will make you like a signet ring on my finger, says the Lord, for I have chosen you. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
2 Kings 24:8a (NLT)
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months...
2 Kings 25:27 (NLT)
In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of King Jehoiachin of Judah, Evil-merodach ascended to the Babylonian throne. He was kind to Jehoiachin and released him from prison on April 2 of that year.
Haggai 1:12 (NLT)
Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of God’s people began to obey the message from the Lordtheir God. When they heard the words of the prophet Haggai, whom the Lord their God had sent, the people feared the Lord.
Haggai 2:4 (NLT)
But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Jeremiah 22:24-25 (NLT)
24 “As surely as I live,” says the Lord, “I will abandon you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. Even if you were the signet ring on my right hand, I would pull you off. 25 I will hand you over to those who seek to kill you, those you so desperately fear—to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and the mighty Babylonian army.
Zechariah 4:8-9 (NLT)
8 Then another message came to me from the Lord: 9 “Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me.
Article - History and Symbolism of the Signet Ring
Sometimes called seal ring, the signet ring remains a strong symbol of social and cultural identity. If, at first, it may represent the belonging to the nobility or to a certain class, its use has evolved over time. Mentioned at least 6 times in the Old Testament, these rings designated authority, honor and ownership. Learn more about the history and symbolism of the inconic signet ring here.
https://www.jweel.com/en/blog/p/2015/history-and-symbolism-of-the-signet-ring/Article - What Does it Mean that Zerubbabel was the LORD’s Signet Ring?
What did God mean when He said Zerubbabel was His signet ring? Find out here!
https://www.gotquestions.org/Zerubbabel-signet-ring.htmlArticle - The Chain of Events Leading to Billy Graham's Conversion
As of 2008, Billy Graham’s estimated lifetime audience, including radio and television broadcasts, topped 2.2 billion. That means that approximately 2.2 billion people have heard the gospel from Billy Graham’s mouth. That’s hard to wrap your mind around. It actually is a series of events that has been traced over the years and starts out with one volunteer Sunday school teacher named Edward Kimball. Read more of this incredible story here.
http://www.travisagnew.org/2013/07/22/the-chain-of-events-for-billy-grahams-conversion/BAPTISM VIDEO: Anya Wulfing
video shown when she was baptized this Sunday
https://youtu.be/jF1Kq5BNS2MBAPTISM VIDEO: Addyson Varcoe-Tighe
video shown when she was baptized this Sunday
https://youtu.be/fs4gL3XZXdgBAPTISM VIDEO: Jenna Sullivan
video shown when she was baptized this Sunday
https://youtu.be/e74K11kI44kCatch Up Here
If you've missed any sermons in our current series, Build Your Kingdom Here, you can catch up by clicking here.
http://www.gracetucson.org/sermonsMy Next Step
How is God calling me to serve Him in my life, right now? Is God asking something of me that I have not yet done? How can I be obedient to that call? Click here to take one step closer to Christ today.
https://form.jotform.com/61595517299167[#1] Read Haggai 2:20-23. What sticks out to you from these passages? What does God say to Zerubbabel to encourage him? Zerubbabel stopped being a servant of God for 16 years, but he was convicted to serve God again and complete his mission of rebuilding the temple. Do you feel as if you are avoiding God’s main mission for your life? If so, why? What is preventing you from serving God? Why not ask God to help you remove that obstacle?
[#2] Look at Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 29:11, and Ephesians 1:3-5. What do these passages teach about God’s plans for his people? What areas of your life, personality, and background do you struggle to accept as part of God’s plans? What can you do daily to become more aware of God’s plans for your life?
[#3] God responds to the repentant hearts of His people and is a reminder to us that perfection isn’t expected of God but a heart trying to be so before God is expected. Is there any sin in your life that you need to repent of right now? What examples of God’s blessing have you seen on display in your own life after repentance? How have you experienced God’s promise of peace?
[#4] You can read more about signet rings (Genesis 41:42; Numbers 31:50; Esther 3:10; 8:2,8,10; Isaiah 3:21; Jeremiah 22:24; Daniel 6:17). What was the significance of this ring and what does it mean for us personally?
[#5] Pray about the decision laying ahead of us as a community this month, to expand and improve our campus here for future ministry. Ask God to give you clarity and peace, even if it means strength and courage, and perhaps personal sacrifice, will be involved. Speak to leaders at Grace about any questions or concerns you might have that they could answer. If you haven’t yet filled out a ballot and shared what you think God is saying, do so by June 30 at gracetucson.org/ballot.
How can we pray for you?
Our Grace prayer team is ready to join with you in prayer for whatever concerns you have. We take your requests seriously and would be honored to stand with you as you bring your concerns before our heavenly Father. Click here to submit a prayer request. All submissions are kept confidential unless you request otherwise.
http://www.gracetucson.org/needprayerOnline Giving
Help us make a kingdom difference by giving through our secure, online giving portal. IF YOU HAVE a login in Realm already, please use your login email address so that your gift will be attached to your other giving records.
https://onrealm.org/gracetucson/Give/MZGXNRCFCPHow was your experience today?
What helped you connect to God, and what could our teams have done even better? If you have any questions, please leave them here along with a way to contact you. We will be glad to do so this week .
https://form.jotform.com/60788528795173