Cleansing The Temple

Cleansing the Temple

March 29, 2015 (Palm Sunday) Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We must realize that now, WE are the Temple of God!

Focus Passage: Matthew 21:12-13

Introduction: Relate a personal experience of seeing someone use something for which it was never intended.

I. Entered the Temple

a. The court of Gentiles

b. People came from all over Israel to sacrifice

c. They needed a half-shekel coin, but only had Roman coins

d. They needed to sacrifice birds and animals, but it was easier to buy one there

e. The moneychangers and merchants were taking advantage of the travelers

II. Drove Out Moneychangers

a. He overturned their tables and chairs

b. He disrupted their “business as usual”

c. For zeal for Your house has consumed me. (Psalms 69:9a NASB)

III. Set Them Straight

a. He told them that the temple was for holy things, not deceit and unholy things

b. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19 NASB)

c. (1 Corinthians 3:17 NASB) If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.

d. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB)

Application/Invitation: For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17 NASB)