ZEAL IN THE HOUSE
- What Makes Jesus angry?
- #1. No fruit, fig tree.
- In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. Matthew 21:18–19
- Being “hangry” is biblical.
- There is a sermon or 2 wrapped up in this short text based on OT history, but the bottom line is not living as you are designed makes Jesus mad…
- In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. Matthew 21:18–19
- #2. No Faith, Disciples couldn’t deliver a demon
- And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?” Matthew 17:17
- It bothers Jesus when we don’t believe him at his word.
- Mustard seed; it’s not a level of spirituality, like chi. It’s simple, do you believe Jesus’ words? Then you can move mountains.
- And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?” Matthew 17:17
- #3. God’s kids
- It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Luke 17:2
- Abortion is not a republican platform, nor a women’s rights issue, it’s a Jesus thing. But it’s not just an unborn thing, it’s an orphan, discipleship, and an example thing to the youth.
- It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Luke 17:2
- #4. God’s house
- Before we examine our text, those mis-representing “God’s House” also makes Jesus mad.
- “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. Matthew 23:13–15
- White washed tombs and brood of vipers
- Pastors, teachers, cults, anyone who hypocritically and falsely represents Jesus and his house, it’s ok to be mad at and call out them out.
- #1. No fruit, fig tree.
- What makes you angry?
- In so much as it is up to us, we are called to be mad at the things Jesus is mad at.
- whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 2:6
- Jesus walked on water, so….
- #1. Try it, Peter did it. #2. In so much as it’s up to us, we are to align ourselves with Jesus. We represent his policy as ambassadors.
- But is anger a sin? No, only sinning in your anger.
- Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Ephesians 4:25–27
- Guru Jesus
- As we look at our text this morning, we are learning who Jesus is, that we may believe truly who Jesus is, and that by believing, we may have life!
- MAIN POINT- Zeal in the HOUSE!
Scene, Read vs. 13
- People would come from all around, and for the Jewish male over 20, it was mandated.
- But what should have been worship was turned into a corrupt system of profit.
- Passover- One of the clearest indicators of our need to be rescued.
- In bongage, slaves in Egypt, blood of the lamb, first born died so the people could be set free. Gospel!
- It kept people from seeing the Gospel.
- Our zeal in the House is for the Gospel!
Read vs. 14
- Ever been to a laundry mat? When I was 17 living in SC, the biggest issue I had to deal with was should I stay or should I go? If I go, will my clothes be there when I get back?
- Imagine a state run laundry mat. The only place to do laundry, and you put a dollar in the coin exchange and one get one quarter back.
- If people wanted to worship, this is what they got.
- Priest rejecting sacrifices so they had to purchase theirs, inflated pricing, etc.
- How many times would you go if this was the case? But what if you had to? Would it be worshipful? No!
- God’s house should be inviting!
- The second “cleansing” of the temple
- And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” Mark 11:17
- All Nations.
- Parking lot to the pulpit
- Our Zeal in the house is inviting!
- So what does Jesus do?
Read vs. 15-16
- Whip of chords.
- Psalm 69, Overwhelmed, surrounded by enemies, this is not your normal “ZEAL”!
- Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. Psalm 69:1–3
- Honest. Earnest.
- Zeal in the house in all circumstances
- Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. Psalm 69:1–3
- Psalm 69, Overwhelmed, surrounded by enemies, this is not your normal “ZEAL”!
Application
- “Take these things away”
- What’s in the way of your zeal for God’s house?
- What keeps you from seeing the Gospel?
- How can we invite others to the House?
- What circumstances keep you from God the house of God?
- What tables need to be kicked down in your life so NOTHING keeps you from God?
- What areas do we need to align ourselves with Scripture to walk as Jesus walked?
- LEAD INTO COMMUNION
Advent: Hope