Honor God's House Series

Respect God’s House | John 2:13-22+Matthew 21:12-13

Exodus 12:1-8

• The Passover Review: This was an annual feast where Israel sacrificed animals as a reminder of God’s deliverance. ((Remember, the animal had to be perfect ‘without blemish’)

• The Issue

o Merchants were selling sacrificial animals to Israel and foreigners who made the journey to the temple to sacrifice (legitimately). Over time, the merchants began to sell off these animals as “perfect” or “more perfect” than what was brought – all in an attempt to make profit.

o The temple was of great importance to the nation of Israel because the Temple was God’s dwelling place (where his presence rested). In the holy of holies. Only the priest was allowed in this area and this is where the sacrifice would occur.

• The Encounter

o Jesus quotes from the Old Testament books of Isaiah 56:7 + Jeremiah 7:11 and it said that the disciples remembered (in verses 17 + 22). What the disciples remembered where the prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and they were beginning to understand Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. They were putting the pieces of the puzzle together (it was coming together). The more time they are spending with Jesus, the more they coming to know him as the Messiah.

o When Jesus referred to these OT quotes, he was revealing himself as a Prophet + Priest + King.

Jeremiah 7:11 & Hebrews 3:1-6

i. Prophet: One who speaks for God. OT prophets foretold of the coming Messiah. Jesus is the better prophet because he is God’s final messenger.

Isaiah 56:7 & Hebrews 8:1-7

ii. Priest: One who sacrifices for God. Jesus is the better priest because his sacrifice was ONCE and FOR ALL!

2nd Samuel 7:8 & Hebrews 1:1-3

iii. King: One who rules/governs under the authority of God. The ONE who can and will deliver! (Heb. 1:1-3) Jesus is the BETTER KING because he rules for all time.

• If the Temple was temporary, why did Jesus protest?

o The Temple was a foreshadow of the church!

1st Corinthians 3:16

• Ecclesia = assembly / called out ones. The church is a people, not a place.

• Ecclesia does include location but the primary definition relates to those who are called out.

• Do we need the local church? YES!

• Lots of Christians like to say “I love Jesus but not the church” “I love Jesus but I don’t like organized religion.”

• There are at least 27 “one another” commandments in the NT (love one another, care for one another, pray for one another, bear one another’s burdens, etc.) Thus it is impossible to live out what Jesus called us to do without doing life with one another.

Hebrews 13:7

• The NT also tells believers to submit to the authority that is placed over us because they are keeping watch over you.

1st Corinthians 12:27

• Being a follower of Jesus means being part of his body.

John 13:35

• The unbelieving world will see the life of Jesus in us if we love one another.

Acts 2:42 – 47

(1) They were devoted (personal responsibility).

a. Discipleship (Teaching)

b. Community (Fellowship)

c. Intimacy (Communion; families are messy and imperfect).

d. Connection (Praying to God and praying for one another).