In 538 BC, Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Judah from Babylon after 70 years of captivity. King Cyrus supported them financially and gave them the gold and silver instruments from the Temple that Nebuchadnezzar had taken. Zerubbabel (the governor) and Jeshua (the high priest) led many of the people back to Jerusalem. When they got to Jerusalem, they saw that the previous Temple and city had been destroyed. See Ezra 1-5.

However, the leaders and people were ready to rebuild the Temple and city. The first thing they did was to build the Brazen Altar and to offer sacrifices to God. Over the next two years they gathered materials and completed the foundation for the Temple. They had a big celebration with praise and singing to God.

Then came opposition from the people of the land. Those people wrote a letter of complaint to the new king and succeeded in getting Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the workers to stop building the Temple. For at least 14 years no more construction took place at the Temple. Instead, the people built themselves nice homes. Over the years the people lost interest in building the Temple. God sends a drought, but the people ignore God, so he sends two preachers: Haggai and Zechariah. The people listened to the preachers and built the Temple. There was great rejoicing.

We are like those Jews who enthusiastically returned from Babylonian captivity and started building the Temple. We have seasons of excitement and enthusiasm. However, because of our fallen condition (sin nature) we tend towards spiritual depression that includes apathy, indifference, discouragement, and unhappiness; hence: unbelief. We begin to get our greatest enjoyment doing our own thing – but it does not satisfy. We experience spiritual drought.

This is exactly why we need a preacher to challenge us. If we listen to the preaching and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us, God can use preaching to ignite our divine nature and bring a season of blessing to us. Because of our fallen nature we need to hear preaching often. Preaching promotes faith and turns away unbelief.

If you are keeping away from church for Covid-19 reasons, let me encourage you to watch or listen to the sermons online. Give your full attention to the message as if you were in church. Try not to be distracted by other things such as cooking and cleaning. Those of us who are in church need pay close attention to the sermon for our own spiritual growth.

We all need to have time each day that we spend with God in the Word and in prayer, but that is not enough according to the Bible. We also need preaching to help us see our own fallen condition and maintain our walk with God. That is why God gave the church preachers: Ephesians 4:11.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:



2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

We all need preaching. Yes, even spiritually strong Christians need preaching.