04.13.2022 | THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE
THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE
Matthew 21:10-11 – “And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, ‘Who is this?’ So the multitudes said, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.’”
Jesus is more than a Carpenter, more than a Prophet; He is the divine Son of God. He is the King of all Kings and the Lord of all Lords.
He wants to come into our city, our nation, our lives, and our families at an increased level.
We want Him to move in our city and we want our city to be moved by the power of Jesus Christ.
How can this happen?
The Holy Spirit wants to do a great work in us so He can do a great work through us.
He wants to bring revival to the church so He can bring awakening to the nation.
1. The Holy Spirit is Calling Us to Purity
Matthew 21:12 – “Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.”
These activities were hindering many of the common people from worshipping the Lord.
Under the New Covenant, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 3:16 – “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”
Proverbs 6:16-19 – “These six things the Lord hates, yes seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.”
1 Corinthians 6:19 – “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God and you are not your own?”
Galatians 5:19-21 – “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry., sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like, just as I told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Ephesians 4:30 – “And do not grieve the Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
2. The Holy Spirit is Calling Us to Prayer
Matthew 21:13 – “And He said to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer,” but you have made it a den of thieves.’”
The Holy Spirit is calling us to pray!
“When God is getting ready to do an extraordinary work, He first calls His people to extraordinary prayer.” – Jonathan Edwards
2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you did not know.”
3. The Holy Spirit is Calling Us to Walk in His Power
Matthew 21:14 – “Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.”
Purity + Prayer = Power Released for the Glory of God
Jesus wants to heal the sick through His people.
Jesus wants to set people free through His people.
Mark 16:15-16 – “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.’ He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Mark 16:17-18 – “And these signs will follow those who believe: in My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
4. The Holy Spirit is Calling Us to Give God Praise
Matthew 21:15-16 – “But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’, they were indignant, and said to Him, ‘Do you not hear what these are saying?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Yes, have you never read, “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise”?’”
We are called to be a people of praise.
1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”