Passage: Matthew 21:12-17
Intro: This is a story that we are a little uncomfortable with.
1. because we are a little bit taken aback by the strength of Jesus’ behavior.
2. He is knocking over tables and chairs, hitting people with a whip.
3. if we would be honest, we would almost expect him to apologize after this display.
4. but he doesn’t, and in fact defends his actions with strong words.
5. so we have to ask ourselves two questions in the face of this explosion.
6. what caused it?
7. how does it apply to a group of Gentile believers 1979 years later.
8. because when our Lord talks so forcefully, we need to listen.
9. and in light of this powerful event, we need to ask ourselves some questions.
I. Are We Obscuring or Promoting God’s Purpose?
1. it was just another normal pre- Passover day in the Temple.
2. lowing of cattle, bleating of sheep, cooing of doves, people haggling.
3. Jesus thunders in, drove out “all who were buying and selling” Why?
4. standard response; price-gouging, stealing from the people.
5. only two problems with this theory.
6. first, drove out buyers too. The very people who were being abused get his wrath as well as the abusers.
7. second, his statement in v13 makes it clear that the problem is a discrepancy between what God’s purpose was, and their activity.
8. what was the God’s purpose of the Temple?
9. “house of prayer” – a place where people could talk with God, hear from God
10. and because of the sin problem, which restricts our communion with God, it was the place where that sin was dealt with, however briefly, so that God’s presence might be enjoyed.
11. so the question needs always to be asked of any activity within the Temple, “Is this part of God’s plan and purpose”
12. and in response to the commercialization of the Temple, Jesus’ loud answer was No!
13. because commerce is wrong? No
14. but because commerce in this place obscured the clear picture of God.
15. it was a competing entity in a place where God’s nature was supposed to shine brightly!
16. this same “cleansing” happened in the OT as well. King Josiah went on a rampage!
PP 2 Kings 23:4
17. these idols obscure the glory of God, compete with it.
18. How does any of this pertain to a church without a Temple?
PP 2 Corinthians 6:16-17
19. God’s presence in the world now much broader, in His people throughout the world.
20. so when God’s people meet, we ask these questions.
21. principle: that which competes with the clear proclamation of the righteous truth of God cannot be tolerated. Why?
22. because it clouds what God seeks to be clear. “If it clouds, it’s not allowed”
23. “what works” is no longer the question. Pragmatism is not our goal.
II. Are We Promoting Reconciliation?
1. now that is what the Temple is not
2. so how about what it is?
3. v14, now “in the Temple”, these blind and lame come to him, and he heals them
4. by action, then, Jesus is making a statement about what is appropriate in the Temple.
5. look in the OT, and there were many activities that took place in the Temple, and most of them dealt with sin.
6. sacrifices, offerings, healing,
7. the Temple was a place where sin and its effects were not welcome, except for the purposes of forgiveness and its result: Reconciliation to God!
8. the Temple was a place where sinners could come and be reconciled to God, and where those suffering one of the results of living in a sinful world could find healing.
IL) Read 2 Chronicles 30:18-23
9. Look at this!! God overlooks the rules to accomplish reconciliation!!
10. He extends grace!! And the response is joy!
11. so the Temple of God is a place where reconciliation to God and to men is practiced!
12. so we preach the gospel of reconciliation, and deal with the effects of sin, which includes the need to reconcile with one another.
III. Are We Celebrating God’s Truth or Just Partying?
1. there was a group of kids carrying on in the Temple.
2. but look at what they were saying
” Hosanna to the Son of David.”
3. now there were some there who considered this activity inappropriate.
4. “indignant” = “to be unwilling”
5. so they were opposed to the message
6. but Jesus approved the message, and even the mini-messengers!
Il) I love it when our kids and big kids play those bells!!
Il) this is why we leave the children here until we are done singing. To keep them out is pragmatism at its worst!
7. because they were worshipping God for His plan of salvation, and worshipping the one through whom that salvation would be provided.
8. celebration is an appropriate activity for the people of God, but it has to have a purpose.
9. the heart of our celebration/worship is the truth of God. What we are celebrating is critical to its appropriateness
10. we don’t celebrate a style or a mode, but the truth that the style proclaims.
Il) people call me and ask what our “style of worship” is.
11. we may find that the truth is offensive to the non-believing world.
12. so we may change the content of our worship to attract the non- believer with a certain style, but in doing so we have lost the God- honoring purpose of the celebration.
13. musical style is insignificant. It is the content that matters.
14. and when the body of Christ meets to celebrate, the “what” we are celebrating takes great precedent over the “how.”
15. anything else is just a party.
16. and parties are fine, but not if they obscure the message.
God has chosen His church to be the main arm of proclamation of His truth.
1. that means we need to be careful that we don’t cloud the message, that the message is paramount
2. that means that we need to make sure we are promoting God’s wonderful gift of reconciliation. That is our focus
3. we need to be sure our “celebration” is fixed in God’s wonderful truth.
