Walking with Jesus - #9 Jesus CLEANSED the Temple
The focus of this series is to look at the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. We'll slowly and simply examine the life of the Lord, from His first movements to His last and it will be as though we were walking alongside Him.
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held March 23rd following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
We invite you to Grace Church every Wednesday night for some mid-week fun and fellowship. CJ's coffee shop will be open and we'll have a featured game available from 6:00-7:30 pm each week. Bring a snack to share if you wish. This is a great opportunity to bring someone you want to spend time with, get to know better, or introduce to other Christians. Contact Lisa Sterkenburg if you have questions ([email protected]).
March Schedule
March 5th: Uno
March 12th: Bingo
March 19th: Word Games (Scrabble/Boggle)
March 26th: Apples to Apples
March Schedule
March 5th: Uno
March 12th: Bingo
March 19th: Word Games (Scrabble/Boggle)
March 26th: Apples to Apples
Are you trying to get more steps in but don't want to walk in the cold? Come on in where it's warm and walk inside the church! We'll make sure the building is open and ready for you...
Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12:00-3:00 pm
Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12:00-3:00 pm
Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Monday, March 3rd - Kelly Kerby
Tuesday, March 4th - Isaiah Bolinger
Wednesday, March 5th - Sherry Knauss, David Dykhouse
Saturday, March 8th - Jackson Sams
Tuesday, March 4th - Isaiah Bolinger
Wednesday, March 5th - Sherry Knauss, David Dykhouse
Saturday, March 8th - Jackson Sams
Cards
The focus of this series, Walking with Jesus, is to look at the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. We're slowly and simply examining the life of the Lord, from His first movements to His last and it will be as though we were walking alongside Him.
Pastor Don started us off with Jesus INCARNATED on Earth.
Ryan shared with us how Jesus PREPARED for Ministry.
Nick covered how Jesus was COMMISSIONED by the Father.
Jeff looked at how Jesus was TEMPTED in the Wilderness.
Aaron presented about how Jesus was RECOGNIZED as the Lamb of God.
Gary explained how Jesus CALLED His First Disciples.
Pastor Joel brought a unique perspective to how Jesus TURNED water into wine but also turned the disciples faith and their idea of ministry.
Nick shared a simple verse that conveys how Jesus JOURNEYED to Capernaum.
Today Jeff looks at how Jesus CLEANSED the Temple and the difference between conviction and preference.
Ryan shared with us how Jesus PREPARED for Ministry.
Nick covered how Jesus was COMMISSIONED by the Father.
Jeff looked at how Jesus was TEMPTED in the Wilderness.
Aaron presented about how Jesus was RECOGNIZED as the Lamb of God.
Gary explained how Jesus CALLED His First Disciples.
Pastor Joel brought a unique perspective to how Jesus TURNED water into wine but also turned the disciples faith and their idea of ministry.
Nick shared a simple verse that conveys how Jesus JOURNEYED to Capernaum.
Today Jeff looks at how Jesus CLEANSED the Temple and the difference between conviction and preference.
What makes you angry? When and why is it appropriate?
Anger: A strong feeling of annoyance, irritation, or hostility.
What is God's purpose in human anger?
Anger is designed to motivate us to take positive action when we encounter injustice.
Movie: Just Mercy
Anger: A strong feeling of annoyance, irritation, or hostility.
What is God's purpose in human anger?
Anger is designed to motivate us to take positive action when we encounter injustice.
Movie: Just Mercy
In the Old Testament, God typically sent a Prophet to proclaim to the people His displeasures with their evil deeds and call them to repentance. If the people repented, God's anger subsided and all was well. If they did not repent, God took additional action.
Jonah in Nineveh
Jonah in Nineveh
The disciples have now seen Jesus perform His first recorded miracle. Then they travel with Jesus and His family to Capernaum. Today we find them in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. This is the first of two times that we see Jesus cleansing the temple. The other time occurs at the end of Jesus' ministry.
John 2:13-22
John 2:13-22
John 2:13-22
BSB
13 When the Jewish Passover was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14 In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables.
15 So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.
16 To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!”
17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.”
18 On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?”
19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.”
20 “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?”
21 But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.
22 After He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. Then they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
14 In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables.
15 So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.
16 To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!”
17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.”
18 On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?”
19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.”
20 “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?”
21 But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.
22 After He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. Then they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
BSB
The Temple Mount would have set on 35 acres. Only the priests could enter the Temple (Holy of Holies) which was surrounded by three courts. Israelite men in the closest court, Israelite men and women in the next court. The furthest court from the Temple was the Court of the Gentiles which was the closest any non-Jew could get. This is probably where the vendors were selling oxen, sheep, doves, and where the money changers would have been set up.
The sacrificial animals were sold for a price and the money changers provided a service. But what had begun as a service to the worshipers became price gouging and misuse of the Temple system of worship and this angered Jesus. This sacred place turned into a flea market which left Jesus appalled and outraged.
Look at Jesus' actions here. Were they a conviction? A preference? Or a casual belief?
The sacrificial animals were sold for a price and the money changers provided a service. But what had begun as a service to the worshipers became price gouging and misuse of the Temple system of worship and this angered Jesus. This sacred place turned into a flea market which left Jesus appalled and outraged.
Look at Jesus' actions here. Were they a conviction? A preference? Or a casual belief?
Conviction: A solid, immovable belief based on confidence in God's Word, being so thoroughly convinced of its absolute truth that we are willing to take a stand regardless of the consequences. A conviction is something that you will die for.
Faith - is standing on God's promises that are unshakable and unchangeable
Family - is God's idea, regardless of how we want to redefine it
Freedom - is to have a choice
Faith - is standing on God's promises that are unshakable and unchangeable
Family - is God's idea, regardless of how we want to redefine it
Freedom - is to have a choice
Preference: A personal liking or choice for one thing over another. Beliefs we hold at present, but are changeable and may vary throughout our lifetime. Preferences depend on circumstances, which can be altered if something better comes along, and easily abandoned in the face of temptation.
Casual Beliefs: Refers to a belief held without deep commitment or serious consideration. Someone may claim to believe something but not actively integrate it into their life or decision-making process.
The difference between a conviction and a preference according to the U.S. Supreme Court:
Preference: A very strong belief held with great strength. You can give your entire life in a full-time way to the service of the preference as well as your entire material wealth in the name of the belief. You can energetically proselytize others to your preference and the Supreme Court will still rule it as a preference. A preference is a strong belief, but a belief that will change under the right circumstances.
Conviction: A belief that you will not change. Why? A man believes that his God requires it of him. Preferences aren't protected by the Constitution but convictions are. A conviction is not something that you discover, it is something that you purpose in your heart. To violate this conviction would be a sin.
In the Bible, we see Noah as a man of conviction. Genesis 6:9
Preference: A very strong belief held with great strength. You can give your entire life in a full-time way to the service of the preference as well as your entire material wealth in the name of the belief. You can energetically proselytize others to your preference and the Supreme Court will still rule it as a preference. A preference is a strong belief, but a belief that will change under the right circumstances.
Conviction: A belief that you will not change. Why? A man believes that his God requires it of him. Preferences aren't protected by the Constitution but convictions are. A conviction is not something that you discover, it is something that you purpose in your heart. To violate this conviction would be a sin.
In the Bible, we see Noah as a man of conviction. Genesis 6:9
Genesis 6:9
BSB
9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God.
BSB
We may claim that our convictions are a private matter, but they are constantly on display for all to see because we live them out every day with our words and actions. As Christians, we should have Godly convictions that define who we are and determine our lifestyle and choices.
Let's look at six keys to developing Biblical convictions...
Let's look at six keys to developing Biblical convictions...
1. COMMITMENT to the teachings of Scripture.
Psalm 119:105
Psalm 119:105
Psalms 119:105
BSB
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
BSB
2. CONSTRUCTION of actions and attitudes that align themselves with Scriptural teaching (habits).
Mark 12:30-31
Mark 12:30-31
Mark 12:30-31
BSB
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
BSB
3. CONSISTENTLY living out these truths in the real world.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NLT]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NLT]
2 Timothy 3:16-17
BSB
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
17 so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
BSB
4. CHECK-UP or evaluation with accountability.
Proverbs 27:17
Proverbs 27:17
Proverbs 27:17
BSB
17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
BSB
5. COURAGE to model these in our daily lifestyle and if need be, to stand alone.
Daniel 3:16-18
Daniel 3:16-18
Daniel 3:16-18
BSB
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
17 If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king.
18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”
17 If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king.
18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”
BSB
6. CONFIDENCE in the character and competency of God.
John 3:16
John 3:16
John 3:16
BSB
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
BSB
Jesus cleansing the Temple should challenge us to examine our own hearts and practices in worship. Like the merchants in the Temple, we can easily allow worldly concerns to distract us from our true reverence and devotion to God. Just as Jesus overturned the tables, we should invite Him to overturn any selfish motives or distractions that hinder our worship and service to God.
This week:
Read and pray over John 2:13-22 until you can answer three questions:
a) What did God say? (The meaning of the passage in your own words)
b) What is God saying to you? (Specifically, what is God telling you to do?)
c) What will you say about this passage to someone? (Think of one person)
How would you explain the difference between a preference and a conviction? What are some of your preferences? What are some of your convictions?
How has the Bible helped you develop a specific conviction you hold?
When have you made a decision that was not based on your convictions? What was the results of that decision?
On what issues do you need to take a stand based on your convictions?
Read and pray over John 2:13-22 until you can answer three questions:
a) What did God say? (The meaning of the passage in your own words)
b) What is God saying to you? (Specifically, what is God telling you to do?)
c) What will you say about this passage to someone? (Think of one person)
How would you explain the difference between a preference and a conviction? What are some of your preferences? What are some of your convictions?
How has the Bible helped you develop a specific conviction you hold?
When have you made a decision that was not based on your convictions? What was the results of that decision?
On what issues do you need to take a stand based on your convictions?
