McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1922-08-04


GOLDEN TEXT-My soul longeth. yea,
even fainteth for the courts of the Lord.
Psalm A:2
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Haggai i:
1928; Isaiah 50; Rev. 2l:1-225.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Joyfully Building
Gods House.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Rebuilding tho Temple.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Love for Gods House.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
What Gods House Should Mean to n
Community.
After becoming settled in the towns
surrounding Jerusalem the people
were called together for the purpose
of reestablishing the worship of the
Lord God. The leaders in this move
ment were Joshua the priest and
Zerubbabel the governor. In view Of
the fact that the clearing away Of the
debris Of the old city and temple and
the erection of the new temple would
take long time, an altar was erected
where sacrifice nigh. be offered at
once unto God.
!. The Foundation Of the Temple
Laid (3:S-13).
This was an suspicious occasion and
was celebrated with most impressive
ceremonies. 1t married an epoch In
the history of the nation. 1t brought
most wildly to them their bitter ex-
periences in the dark past, and yet
pointed them forward to the time Of
blessing when Gods favor would be
upon them again.
l. The priests In their apparel ".
10Y. In Exodus 80 The priestly gar
ments are described. These garments
symbolized their conservation to the
Lords service.
2. The priests with trumpets ". 10Y.
These trumpets were of silver and
were used in calling the, people to-
gether.
3. The Levites with cymbals ". 10Y.
These were to furnish the instrumental
music of the sanctuary. This was &C.
cording to the arrangement made by
David Il Chron. 10 :16-2I.
4. They sang together by course
". 11). This means that they sang
to one another responsibility. The one
company sang, "The Lord Is Good" !;
the other responded, "For His mercy
endureth forever"
8. Mingled weeping and shouting
wv. 12-13). Some of the older men
who had seen the magnificent AMI
glorious temple Of Solomon, which had
been destroyed, wept much when they
saw how far short the present founda-
ton came Of the former temple. 9th
ers were glad of the favor of God
which had brought them back and that
a beginning had been made in the new
house of worship.
II. The Building Of the Temple Hin.
dered (Ch. ~.
The three perils which put back the
building of the temple for some four
teen years reveal the persistent meth.
DDS which the enemy uses to hinder
the constructive building programs Of
Gods people in every age.
1. An unintelligent pessimism Is :12).
1t was no credit to priests, Levites
and chief Of the fathers" to mar this
glorious occasion with weeping. I'm
der the circumstances this was
glorious beginning and gave promise Of
great things for the future. Gods
promises looked to the future when
even greater glories should be to the
chosen people than ever had been en-
joyed In the days Of Solomon. Many
today, because things are not quite
what they should be, do not go for
ward with a constructive program, and
even hinder those who have the hope
full outlook. TITS true the Bible un.
questionably predicts an apostasy. The
forces of evil are at work--destructive
criticism, false philosophy gone mad.
and deceptive cults of every descrip-
ton are more pronounced than ever
In the history of the Christian church,
but the intelligent and believing Chris
tians will 60 forward with hopeful
outlook, knowing that the purpose Of
God cannot fail.
2. Worldly compromise t4:2. 81. 'Tet
us build with you, for we seek your
God" This Is Satan's most common
and effective method today. May the
courageous Zerubbabels declare anew,
aye have nothing to do with us to
build an house unto cur God"
8. Open opposition by the world a
24). When refused part in the work,
open and violent opposition was re-
sorted to. Intimidation and political
scheming were used to defeat the build
ing plan of Gods people.
III. The Temple Finished 10 1919.
Through the ministry of the proph-
cts. Haggai and Zezchariah, the peo-
pie were encouraged to resume the
work of building the temple. They
wrought with energy and enthusiasm.
How necessary are Gods prophets to
encourage and urge on the workers in
the Lords vineyard!
w. The Temple Dedicated (e:16-22).
The people were united In this build
ing and came together upon its com.
pletion and solemnly. dedicated 1t to
God. II was a joyous occasion and
they united In the observance Of the
passover with gratitude to God that
He had strengthened their hands In
their work.