Haggai 2:20-23

Sermon Summary

In Haggai 2, God teaches His people that obedience matters, but it cannot reverse the curse that grips the world. Only God can do that. In restoring Zerubbabel as His “signet ring,” God previews a greater reversal that comes through Christ. In Jesus’ resurrection, the direction of the world changes. Death still lingers, but it grows in borrowed ground. The Church now lives as the King’s signet ring, spreading the life of the risen Christ.

Reflection Questions

1. Where does it appear that death still has the “home-field advantage” in your own experience?

Relationships? Health? Work? Culture?

2. What is the difference between the world that Jesus was born into and the world that ascended from?

3. How does Jesus’ ministry (healing, cleansing, raising the dead) demonstrate the reversal of Haggai 2:11–14?

4. What would change in your daily life if you truly believed that death is now operating in “borrowed ground” and that life now spreads as readily as death?

5. What does it mean for the Church to function as God’s “signet ring” in our local context?

Midweek Family Devotional Option (Short Form)

Big Idea:

The direction of contagion has changed.

Scripture:

Haggai 2:23

Romans 8:11

1 Corinthians 15:20–26

Read Together:

Explain that in the Old Covenant, uncleanness spread by touch. But when Jesus came, life spread by touch.

Ask:

• What are some things that spread easily in our world? (sickness, gossip, fear)

• What does Jesus spread?

• How do we spread life as His people?

Pray:

“Lord Jesus, thank You that death no longer rules. Help our family spread Your life wherever we go.”

Prayer Prompts

• Thank God that He does not burden us with saving the world ourselves.

• Ask the Spirit to make your obedience an announcement of resurrection.

• Pray that Christ’s life would spread through your church into your community.

Key Takeaways

• The law teaches us what’s wrong with the world—it doesn’t fix it.

• God reverses what we cannot.

• Jesus inaugurates new creation.

• The Church does not initiate resurrection—it announces it by living a new life.

• Death still fights—but not as the home team.