TITLE: NOT IN MY HOUSE!
SCRIPTURE: ST. MATTHEW 21:10-14 / I PETER 4:17
We have entered into our Third Sunday of Lenten season and preaching around the central theme – “MARCHING TOWARDS CALVARY.” When I read this text a few weeks ago in preparation of this morning’s message, my mind immediately began to focus on our local NBA Team OKC Thunder. Although this season has been filled with injury, the team made strong trades to help turn the season around and make the playoffs. They have subsequently had a tremendous second half amassing the longest winning streak in the NBA which did come to an end on last Thursday.
After one particular home game two weeks ago – Serge Ibaka – who plays a Power Forward and Center position was interviewed after a tremendous win. He was asked why is it that he and the OKC Thunder play so well at home at the Chesapeake Center? Ibaka in essence stated that other teams don’t come to his home court and beat the Thunder, he ended the interview by saying – Not In My House.
• That implied some things are not allowed in their house
• That implied there is a different standard in their house
• That implied that take special pride in their house
• That implied they don’t lose – Not In My House
When I view the text for examination this morning, I believe we see the same principle at work – Not In My House! Let’s travel through the text together. The shouts of Hosanna still rang loudly in ears of the citizens of Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday. A large gathering of people were on hand to see Jesus as he rode into the city as the King of Peace on the back of a colt. Jesus continued down the dusty streets while the disciples and the rest of crowd fell in behind him in a long processional until he finally came to the Temple.
I think that it is worthy to note as Jesus came to the Temple that it was to the place that was built according to His own design and by His own Order and that was dedicated to his worship, where the glory of God rested upon the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies.
• He did not go to the Tower of David which was the stronghold of Zionism in the city to set up a garrison of power
• Jesus had no designs to build an earthly kingdom
• But he did have great plans for his own house
• After all, this was his house and he entered the temple through the Eastern Gate, or the King’s Gate, because he was the King, reigning over his own kingdom
Upon entering the temple grounds Jesus’ first encounter was with the Court of the Gentiles.
• This was the area of the temple grounds where Gentiles could come to shop - to pay homage to the God of Israel - or satisfy their curiosity
• But they were allowed to go no farther without obedience to all of the ceremonial law
• In the Court of the Gentiles the Jews had set up a marketplace - a mall of sorts, where all manner of sacrificial animals and offerings could be purchased
It was at that moment that we read what happened next. I have often wondered just what Jesus would have seen that day that caused so much righteous anger to rise up within him? Surely these Moneychangers and Shopkeepers were no more frustrating to Jesus than so many of the religious leaders he had encountered throughout His ministry! Why did Jesus lash out with such force against these business people who seemed to be actually doing a service to those who came to worship at the temple?
The one thing that keeps coming to mind is the scripture in 1 PETER 4:17, "FOR THE TIME IS COME THAT JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD: AND IF IT FIRST BEGIN AT US, WHAT SHALL THE END BE OF THEM THAT OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL OF GOD?" I think that here we find the key to why Jesus acted the way he did that day.
• God’s House is meant to be a house of prayer
• This building, this sanctuary is appointed by God, through the hearts of his people to be place where we can come together collectively, or individually, to meet with the Lord and to hear his Word
• And ultimately a Place of Prayer
The problem was these business men, those who ran the tables, who bought and sold sacrificial merchandise, had absolutely lost their reverence for the temple and what it stood for. They had turned something sacred and beautiful into a money-making scheme that took advantage of anyone who came into the temple area empty-handed.
Can I tell you it disturbs me whenever going to conference. I go for classes, Preaching, good fellowship. It is always disturbing to me to see all the vendors in the Vestibule or Fellowship Hall –
• Selling Suits
• Selling Hats
• Selling Jewelry
• Selling Watches
• Selling Shoes
I know that most of you have travelled to different locations for a vacation or business trip. It seems that we never go anywhere away from home without making a discovery that we have left something very important at home. Sometimes it is as simple as –
• Forgot to pack Toothbrush
• Forgot to pack whatever Michelle needs for her Hair
• Once I forgot to pack all my shirts
Needless to say there were no outlet malls or discount stores around and so we were forced to go wherever we could and pay whatever price was posted for the item or items we forgot to pack. We had no choice and to try to get around paying that price would have cost more than just biting the bullet and paying the higher than reasonable cost for what we needed.
I am not sure about you but there have been times we found ourselves travelling on a limited budget to begin with. Can I tell you it is not a joy to find yourself in the position of paying way too much for items that you need when your funds are tight to start with. Now let’s go back to the Court of the Gentiles and see what upset Jesus so very much!
• Was it wrong for those who owned the shops to be there to supply the needs of those who came to worship
• I don’t think so
• Was it wrong necessarily that they had set up shop inside the temple complex?
• Well, that could arguably be wrong
• But I don’t think that this was the point that caused such anger to rise up in Jesus
What was it then? I believe that it was the “LOVE OF MONEY”, the root of all evil, that had found its place inside the very House of God. The Love of Money, specifically, the love of huge profits from the sale of sacrificial animals and offerings for those who arrived without any was what made Jesus so angry. The problem was that these men were price gouging everyone who came by. They cared less for those they were supposed to be helping and they only cared for their own welfare and profit margin.
I recall Hurricane Sandy that hit the East Coast in November 2012 – I remember it well as I was very concerned for most of my family members who still reside on the East Coast. Sandy, one of the largest storms ever to strike the U.S. mainland, made landfall with hurricane force winds, wreaking havoc along a stretch of coastline from SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY to NEW YORK’S LONG ISLAND and along the CONNECTICUT SHORELINE OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND. At least 113 people had died from storm-related causes in the United States and Canada, and 1.4 million homes and businesses were without power. The storm had caused widespread gasoline shortages.
The NY State Attorney General had launched an investigation into post-storm price gouging after consumers flooded his office with complaints about jacked-up prices for everything from gasoline to hotel rooms. The attorney general said his office had received hundreds of complaints from consumers in areas of the state hit hardest by Sandy - New York City, the Hudson Valley and Long Island.
So when Jesus walked into his own house, that was DESIGNED – PLANNED – PURPOSED FOR PRAYER AND WORSHIP - it’s no surprise that his temper was displayed in such a manner. Here were price-gouging merchants with over-priced merchandise to steal all they could from those who could afford it the least. It was as though the people had to buy the blessings of God and right to worship him. It’s no wonder Jesus became so angry.
• Jesus was coming into Jerusalem to freely give all that Heaven had to offer to purchase the souls of men at no cost to them
• While the money-changers were charging those that came to make a profit
Many of those who came from other nations were coming to see what this God of Israel and His Temple in Jerusalem were all about. They had come with money that had to be converted into the money of the local economy, just as we still do today.
• I wonder what the rate of exchange was and how much percentage was being overcharged to make that exchange?
• The price of the simplest of sacrifices was extreme
• Doves were very expensive
• Not to mention the bulls, goats and lambs that were necessary for some of the greater times of sacrifice
But let’s not get too judgmental upon those price gouging – overzealous moneychangers. There is a whole lot of this same kind of thing going on in churches across America right now.
• Since when should you have to pay the minister to come and pray with you?
• Since when do we have the Power or Authority to sell a Prayer Shoal that’s been Prayed over, now you wearing it and still sick!
• What gives the Pastor the right to demand W2 tax documents from its leaders in order to be a leader at the Church?
• What scriptural right does any church or any preacher have to offer a $50 or $100 prayer line?
• Since when did we think its ok to sell our books and tapes from the sacred desk in the pulpit before we Preach
• Show me one place in God’s Word where we are instructed to not allow anyone to be a member of good standing in our congregation unless they give in the offerings and give tithes!
God’s House was never designed for such foolishness. It was designed and commissioned to be a House of Prayer and a place where we can come together as a family to worship the Lord. But it’s not just those who “Charge” for the blessings of the preacher or the church either! I cannot begin to say how many people have come to the House of God, even as those who came to the Court of the Gentiles did, seeking after some reality.
• They were honestly seeking the truth, hoping that there was something real about Christianity!
• They walk into some of our local Churches and all they hear about is how the church needs money, money, and even more money!
• They hear this Prosperity Gospel
• Never hear the Gospel of Salvation
If we would –
• Get our eyes off of building huge institutions
• Get our eyes off of building large bank accounts
• Get our eyes off of building grand displays that bring glory to the leadership of the local church
• If We Could Only Get Our Eyes on Saving Lost Souls
• How many more people would be saved?
JUDGMENT MUST AND HAS BEGUN IN THE HOUSE OF GOD. Jesus has already begun to throw over some of the moneychangers in the modern day temple and he will raise up new voices, obedient to His Word that aren’t seeking to build their own empires, only to save the lost.
• Judgment in the House of God begins when Jesus discredits those that use his House for their own profit
• It begins when Jesus silences the voice of those who will misuse and abuse God’s own people and who will cheapen the gospel to make themselves rich
• It begins when Jesus exposes those who are living in unrighteousness while putting on a front of holiness
• It begins when Jesus gives his people wisdom to recognize those preachers who are nothing more than wolves in sheep’s clothing or who are hirelings unfit to minister at all
Now, lest we point fingers at everyone but ourselves - I have one all important question for each of us too.
• What does Jesus need to cleanse from your temple right now?
• Has he already begun the cleansing process?
• I CORINTHIANS 6:19 - "WHAT KNOW YE NOT THAT YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS IN YOU, WHICH YE HAVE OF GOD, AND YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN?"
• If our body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost, then that means whatever there is that is hanging out in our lives that is displeasing to God makes us no better than the moneychangers
Our own self-righteousness is like Filthy Rags in God’s sight. If we aren’t being reverent to the presence of the Lord in our own hearts, or we are cheapening the gospel message through our own lives, then get ready because Jesus is going to throw over our tables too.
• God expects nothing less than complete obedience
• I have said it before and I will say it again, “Partial obedience is still disobedience” and God will not allow us to continue in disobedience
Are you giving God all that is due to him?
• Not just your finances but your heart, your life, your talents and skills and your time
• Are you short changing God?
• Do people see the reality of salvation in you?
• Do they see Jesus in you, or do they see the same attitudes and actions that Jesus saw that day?
• It’s time for us to cleanse our Temple before the wrath of God cleanses it for us!
If we look at this event more internally, we can see many personal applications and considerations in our approach towards the Lord. Each one of us is a unique temple. And the phenomenon of the Lord cleansing the temple can be an occurrence that can happen continually to each one of us. The more the Lord can cleanse our inner motivations and attitudes, the more He can enlighten our understanding of truth and give us the strength to move forward in our spiritual lives. As we move forward, our worship of the Lord becomes more sincere. It transforms from just consisting of a set of rituals to one in which there is a real expression of joy and praise towards the Lord.
According to our Lord, the temple, the house of God, was designed to be the House of Prayer. If you look at everything that went on in the temple, there were more activities than simply prayer.
• We know that there were many sacrifices offered
• We know that there was music
• We know that in some parts of the temple precincts, teaching took place
But it is interesting that our Lord does not say –
• “My house is the house of sacrifice”
• “My house is the house of music”
• “My house is the house of teaching”
He says, “MY HOUSE IS THE HOUSE OF PRAYER.” Why does he characterize the temple as a house of prayer above all else?
• The temple was, first and foremost a place where people were to gaze upon the glory of God and worship Him
• Prayer is our act of devotion whereby we lift the soul to God and seek his face and behold His glory
• In Solomon’s prayer when he dedicated the temple, he used language that indicated that prayer was to be the central activity connected with this place of worship
--What was the temple but a place where God was to be sought?
--Even the sacrifices that were offered in the temple were designed to purify the people of God so that they might approach him in prayer
--The incense that was offered was a symbol of the prayers his people arising to heaven
--The central act of devotion in the temple was prayer
--Christian worship is no different
--The reason we gather in our churches is to pray
--Sometimes, we put even legitimate things ahead of prayer
--For example, it is right to sing praises and have beautiful music in the house of God
--But music is not the primary reason we are here, though the baby-boomers of my generation have made it the primary reason to attend a church service
--It is right to preach and teach in the house of God
--But we must not elevate even preaching above prayer
--The church that emphasizes prayer may not be very popular
--Such activity is not very exciting to most people
--Such worship is not very likely to draw the crowds, because for most people, nothing could be more boring and tedious than prayer
--It takes discipline to pray
--It takes focus and concentration to pray
--It takes a heart that loves God and truly wants to draw near to him to pray
--We may attract crowds with activities other than prayer, but if the house of God is not primarily the house of prayer, then it has no claim at all to being called the house of God
