Message Video & Notes

There Is Hope in the Lord's House

Matthew 21:12-17

This is the last week of Jesus’ life. It is Monday and the first thing Jesus does is go into the Temple. This is His priority. He calls it His house. Jesus finds His house corrupted by the religious authorities. They are using the Temple as a place to make business.

Animal sacrifices were required at that time (since this was before the crucifixion of Jesus). They would sell animals to people at exorbitant prices and make money. They also exchanged money at exorbitant rates. The people's donations had to be in the temple money - the temple shekel. If they brought Roman coins, these coins would have to be exchanged and they charged a high commission to do that.

The blind and lame were excluded from the temple since they were seen as sinful and impure.

The temple represents our church, our home, our lives. What would Jesus do if He came to your church, your home, or your life? What would he want changed?

As you follow Jesus in these verses, think about the application to your church, your family, and your life.

Ask:

• What does it look like for a church to be a house of prayer?

• What does it look like for a home to be a house of prayer?

• What does it look like for a person to be a person of prayer?

Let’s follow 3 movements of Jesus:

1. Jesus goes to the church (the temple). — Matthew 21:12

2. Jesus demonstrates what He demands of His church. — Matthew 21:13-15 

3. Jesus leaves the church. — Matthew 21:16-17

Jesus goes to the church (the temple). — Matthew 21:12

• Key Concept: Only turning God’s house into a house of fervent prayer will reverse the power of evil so evident in the world today. —Pastor Jim Cymbala

• Key Verse: I Peter 4:17 — For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

• Community Group Application: We remind ourselves that our church, our community groups, and our homes belong to Jesus, and we are ready for His visit anytime.

Jesus demonstrates what He demands of His church. — Matthew 21:13-15 

• Key Concept: Once a church becomes a house of prayer, healing and deliverance and praise break out.

• Key Verses: I Kings 8:29-30 — May you watch over this Temple night and day, this place where you have said, ‘My name will be there.’ May you always hear the prayers I make toward this place. May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive.

• Community Group Application: Evaluate yourself: What is your reputation in your job and in your neighborhood? Are you a guidepost for Jesus?

Jesus leaves the church. — Matthew 21:16-17

• Key Concept: The Church is the Church only when it exists for others. —Dietrich Bonhoeffer

• Key Verses: John 12:20-21 — Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”

• Community Group Application: We are the pleasing aroma of Christ to broken and lost people and families.