Sermon 60
Series: Matthew
Title: “My House Shall Be Called The House of
Prayer”
Text: Matthew 21:12-22
Subject:
Christ’s Cleansing The Temple
Date: Tuesday Evening- October 10, 1995
Tape: #85
Introduction:
In
the passage we have just read we have two of the most remarkable events in our
Lord’s earthly life and ministry. They are remarkable in that they are displays
of the wrath and judgment of almighty God.
Judgment is God’s strange work.
Therefore our Lord’s works primarily display the love, mercy, grace, and
goodness of God toward sinners. But judgment is as truly the work of God as
redemption. Christ came both to redeem and save his people and to establish
judgment in the earth (Isa. 42:4) Usually, we see him displaying works and
miracles of mercy. But here we see him
displaying wrath and judgment. Both in driving the money changers out of the
temple and in cursing the fruitless fig-tree, our Savior shows his willingness
and his power to execute judgment.
Proposition:
He
who is our God and Savior is both furious in wrath and glorious in goodness.
As we go through these verses together, I want you to see seven things her recorded by divine inspiration for our comfort, learning, and edification.
I. The
Cleansing of The Temple (vv. 12-13).
We
saw our Lord do a similar thing in the beginning of his ministry (John
2:14-15).
During
those days The Temple of God, the priesthood, and all the ordinances of divine
worship had degenerated into nothing but a sham, a show, a pretense – Religion
was nothing but an outward service. Religious leaders were money-grubbing,
self-serving professionals who made a business out of doing what men called
“The work of the ministry,” “The work of God.”
When
our Lord came into the temple, he found that house built in God’s name, the
place where God’s glory was revealed, the place of sacrifice, the place where
the law of God was read, expounded, and displayed, was disgracefully proponed.
Everything was out of order. Our Lord saw it all with utter indignation. In
fury, he drove out the religious merchandisers, anxious to make a profit on
God!
A. Here
is a display of his holy sovereignty and power in judgment – No one resisted
him!
When the Son of God comes to judge the wicked name will have the power to resist him – (Mal. 3:2).
B. There
is a day coming when the Son of God will purge and cleanse his church and
temple thoroughly.
· “He will thoroughly purge his floor!”
· The chaff shall be burned – The wood, hay, and stubble.
C. The Church of God, the assembly of God’s saints in public worship is a place of worship – “The House of Prayer!” (Isa. 56:7)
· Prayer is put for the whole business of worship.
· In the worship of God, small things matter (I Chron. 15:13)
1. This is the place where Christ meets sinners – (Mt. 18:20).
2. This is the place of worship
· Preaching
· Singing
· Reading
· Prayer
· Hearing
· Baptism
· The Lord’s Table (Heb. 10:25).
II. The Compassion of Our Savior – (v. 14).
In wrath, he remembers mercy! Do not imagine that our Savior is not merciful because he is just and true. Not at all – He is full of compassion to needy souls. He simply has no tolerance for religious con-men and husketers.
NOTE: The place of mercy is still the church and temple of God. We too once came here as blind, lame, helpless souls. Christ healed us in the house of worship, where his word is preached. If you are interested in men’s souls get them to the place where Christ heals men’s souls!
III. The confession of The Children (v. 15).
· Psalm 8:2
A. Our Lord Jesus received worship from the children in the house of God. An open claim that He is God!
B. The scribes, Pharisees, and priests were infuriated!
Nothing that glorifies the Lord Jesus escapes the eyes of religious legalists and ritualists. Wherever Christ is honored as Savior alone, religionists are soon enraged! Ecclesiastical pretenders are enraged by the simple preaching of Christ crucified, which is the constant exaltation of Christ in his house.
IV. The Confusion of the Religionists (v. 16).
The chief priests and scribes were amazed as well as angered by the fact that our Lord accepted the simple sincere praise of children and showed such contempt for their ornate, educated, well prepared services. They were confused because they understood nothing concerning the things of God. They did not understand that worship is spiritual, a matter of the heart.
· Isaiah 1:10
· Philippians 3:3 - “The Lord looketh on the heart!”
· Luke 16-15
V. The Contrast between Sinners (v. 17)
A. “He left them” – Reprobation is God’s response to man’s unbelief.
B. “He went into Bethany and lodged there.”
· With Mary } What a blessing to them!
· With Martha } What happiness to him!
· With Lazarus
VI. The Curse of the Fig Tree (vv. 18-20).
The fig tree is an unusual fruit tree. It first bears fruit and then puts forth its leaves. So when the Savior came, he saw leaves on the tree, a sign that it had put forth fruit early – But there was none.
A. Here is a picture of our Lord’s humanity – “He hungered!”
B. Here is a picture of God’s coming judgment upon all who have a
form of godliness but no substance of life, no fruit of grace.
1. He cursed the fig tree!
2. It withered!
3. Is your religion all leaves? (Gal. 5:22-23).
VII. The Concern of Prayer – (vv. 21-22).
· John 14:13-14
· James 4:3
· I John 5:14
Three things are involved in true prayer.
A. Faith in Christ.
B. The Will of God – God’s Revelation
C. Self-Resignation – “Thy will, not my will be done!”
Application:
· II Corinthians 13:5