The Time is Now: Part 2 - "Persevering Through Discouragement" with Craig Groeschel - Life.Church

Be Strong and Do the Work

Scripture References

Primary text

• Haggai 1:13-14
• Haggai 2:3
• Haggai 2:4

Other references

• Galatians 6:9
• Ephesians 2

Overview

God called His discouraged people to finish rebuilding the temple, and He does the same for us whenever we feel stuck. Through Haggai, the Lord reminds us, “I am with you,” stirs our spirits to act, and gives two clear orders: be strong and do the work. Because Christ now dwells in every believer, the greater glory of God lives within us, empowering steady obedience even when progress feels small.

Context

• After Solomon’s magnificent temple was destroyed and Judah spent 50 years in Babylonian captivity, a remnant returned to Jerusalem.
• They laid the new foundation and altar, but opposition and apathy froze the project for 14 years.
• God raised up Haggai to rekindle their purpose: rebuild God’s house first. Part 2 of the series focuses on the season when they restarted, grew discouraged again, and needed fresh direction.

Main Points

God stirs the spirit before He assigns the task

• Haggai announces God’s word:

  “I am with you.”

• The Lord “stirred up the spirit” of Governor Zerubbabel, High Priest Joshua, and the whole remnant, giving them fresh faith to build.

Why discouragement sets in

• Comparison: elders remembered Solomon’s temple and judged the new one “nothing.”
• Lack of visible progress: after one month of work, results looked pathetic, so they quit.
• Modern parallels: abandoned diets, budgets, gym plans, or spiritual goals when results lag.

Illustration: the one-ride cycling career

• Story: Pastor Craig bought elite gear, aimed for a 50-mile first ride, cramped, crashed, and quit. A vivid picture of early enthusiasm collapsing under discomfort and disappointment.

God’s loving, simple instruction

1. Be strong.
2. Do the work.

• Repeated to leader, priest, and people alike.
• Strength comes from God’s Spirit, not self-will: the same power that raised Christ lives in believers.
• Obedience is tangible: pick up another stone, set it in place, repeat.

• Principle: Successful people do consistently what normal people do occasionally.

Keep sowing; harvest will come

• Galatians 6:9—don’t grow weary in doing good; in due time you will reap if you don’t quit.
• Faithfulness shows up in everyday choices: pray again, serve again, love again, pay one more dollar toward debt, forgive one more time.

Jesus, the greater glory in a greater temple

• God promises the present temple’s glory will surpass Solomon’s—puzzling historically, but fulfilled spiritually.
• Old Testament: people traveled to a building to offer sacrifices hoping to meet God.
• New Testament: through Jesus’ final sacrifice, believers become the temple; God lives in us.
• Therefore we work with Him and for Him; we are never alone.

Key Truths

• God often begins renewal by stirring our spirit with fresh vision.
• Comparison and impatience drain courage; obedience restores it.
• Strength is supplied, not manufactured—the Holy Spirit empowers every step.
• Small, faithful actions done consistently build something lasting.
• Because Jesus dwells within us, the glory of the new temple (our lives) exceeds anything built by human hands.

Response

• Reject comparisons; measure today’s step only against yesterday’s obedience.
• Draw on God’s strength each morning before you act.
• Put down the next “stone” in your assignment—serve, give, forgive, study, or lead—today.
• Persist when progress is unseen, trusting God’s promise of harvest.
• Celebrate God’s presence in you and invite Him to shine through every task.

Closing

Discouragement loses its grip when we remember who is building with us. God’s charge is clear: “Be strong and do the work, for I am with you.” Keep laying stones, secure in the truth that the same Spirit who raised Jesus empowers your every faithful step, and the glory of His presence in you is greater than any outward achievement.

Prayer

The pastor asked God to strengthen wearied hearts, empower consistent obedience, and remind every believer that Jesus lives within them, finishing the good work He started.