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House of Prayer vs Den of Thieves

Matthew 21:1-17
Focus verse 13
(same story in Luke 19:45-48 and Mark 11:17)

Initial

The Temple of God is meant to be a “House of Prayer”

  • A place to come to God
  • A place of teaching, and therefore a place to learn
  • A place of healing (body, mind, soul)
  • A place to give praise to God
  • Humilty
  • Meekness
  • Compassion
  • a desire to learn
  • with reverence, respect (understanding our frailty)
  • light
  • quiet
  • private

Being described as a “Den of Thieves” removes the glory we are meant to give to God, and the temple becomes a place of convenience, an extension of our natural life, removing the opportunity of spiritual growth and the ability to focus on God.

Thinking of a “Den of Thieves”

  • To rob, steal, collude
  • be a reprobate
  • steal from each other
  • steal from God (time, praise, effort)
  • Darkness
  • Rowdy
  • Secretive
  • with Attitude (own thoughts/thinking)

When we look in the scriptures to see an example of approaching the Lord
Luke 18:9-14 – Pharisee vs Publican

Ecclesiastes 7:4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

An example of HoP vs DoT

Scriptures that Jesus used

House of Prayer

Isaiah 56:7

Chapter 55 and 56 further expand on the point that Jesus Christ is trying to illustrate.

  • 55:1 Those that trust …
  • 55:3 Incline your ear …
  • 55:6 Seek the Lord …
  • 55:7 Forsake unrighteousness …
  • 55:8-9 God is above, His thoughts are higher
  • 56:1 Righteousness to be revelaed
  • 56:2 Blessing in doing
  • 56:7 House of Prayer, for all people

Den of thieves

Jeremiah 7:11

The whole chapter is a reminder of the blessing of God, and a warning for those that walk in there own ways

  • v11 the Lord sees what happens and asks the question of us
  • v13 called and answered not
  • v15 cast out
  • v16 will not hear

Whats next?

So how do we pray? When Jesus gave his sermon on the mount, he gave direction of the way we should approach prayer.

Matthew 6:5-13 (Example of prayer)
Matthew 6:19-24 (Don’t follow the thieves example)

Perfected Praise

Matthew 21:15-16

Once again Jesus Christ refers to another scripture to give an answer and direction.

Psalms 8:1-9

King David is showing admiration of God, recognising the small unworthy stature that mankind has. So when Jesus refers to this scripture, he not only declares that the simplicity of a child’s praise, but he also reminds those that life themselves up of the minute stature they really have.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Supporting Scriptures

Matthew 10:34
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Luke 12:40
Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

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Gossiping

Dictionary

Casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details which are not confirmed as true

Titus 2

1. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2. That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4. That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8. Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

There is a strong emphasis on the older being an example to the younger. There is also a call for the younger to observe the older and learn (the good) from them.

This can only work if everyone has the desire and purpose to walk in the Spirit.

Romans 2:1-11

1. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6. Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8. But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9. Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10. But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11. For there is no respect of persons with God.

This warning is to be careful how we judge another person, and if we find ourself contentious we are in danger of the wrath of God.

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Colossians 3

Theme:

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts …
Let the word of God dwell in you richly…
Colossians 3:15,16

A brief rundown of Colossians 3:

  • God has made all things
  • He redeemed us through the Blood of His Son
  • We are now free from our old life, thoughts, and judgement of others
  • Noe we should seek things from above, get rid of the old and put on the new and let God work in our life.

LET

  • Not prevent or forbid
  • Allow
  • Allow to pass in a particular direction

PEACE

  • Freedom from disturbance
  • Tranquility
  • A state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended
  • A state of being free

RULE

  • One of a set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct
  • Principle/code that works within a particular area

HEART

  • Regarded as the centre of a persons thoughts and emotions, especially love or compassion
  • The central or innermost part of something

WORD

  • A single distinct meaningful element or speech or writing
  • A command, password or signal
  • One’s account of the truth

DWELL

  • Live in or at a specified place
  • (Dwell on/upon) think, speak, write at length, linger

RICHLY

  • Elaborate, generous, or plentiful way
  • Fully

PEACE

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

James 3:18
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Psalms 122:7
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

Romans 15:33
Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Jude 1:2
Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

Matthew 10:34
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Ephesians 6:15
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace …

Exodus 14:14
The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Job 13:5
O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.

Psalms 29:11
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

Psalms 34:14
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Psalms 37:11
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Psalms 37:37
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

Psalms 119:165
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Romans 5:1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 3:11
Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Psalms 4:8
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

WORD

Luke 8:11
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Matthew 13:23
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Luke 4:4
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

1 Thessalonians 4:18
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Psalms 33:6
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Psalms 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Luke 11:28
But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

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Alcohol

The Nature of Alcohol

Proverbs 20
1. Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Proverbs 21
17. He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

Proverbs 23
29. Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30. They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
31. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
32. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
33. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
34. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
35. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Ephesians 5
18. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Christians and Alcohol

Romans 13
13. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

Galatians 5
19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Peter 4
3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

1 Corinthians 5
11. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

Habakkuk 2
15. Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!

Christian Testimony

Romans 14
21. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Leadership

1 Timothy 3
3. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
8. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

Proverbs 31
4. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5. Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

Titus 1
7. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Thoughts

It shouldn’t be about what WE want to do, but rather how does this reflect on the Church, and more importantly, on Jesus Christ! Keeping our testimony does require discipline at time, and abstaining from negative aspects of life.

One way to frame it could be; should the question be “Can a Christian drink alcohol?” to “Should a Christian drink alcohol?”.

Reference

https://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/298190-can-christian-drink-alcohol.html

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Sunday 18th March 2018

Meeting notes from the Sunday Meeting at Elizabeth (18 March 2018)

2 Visiting Pastors from PNG for the first meeting, with Pr David giving a short presentation for the second meeting.

Pr Wilson (PNG)

  • Hebrews 4:12
  • Ephesians 3:20

Pr Tony (PNG)

  • John 6:65
  • Romans 8:9
  • Psalm 90:10
  • 2 Kings 6:13-17
    • Not Alone
    • Let us humble ourselves
  • 1 Peter 5:6-7
  • 1 Peter 2:9-11
    • I’m going to stay on the battlefield until I die
    • Narrow, not easy road; but take confidence
  • 1 John 4:4
  • Ephesians 6:14-16
    • Spiritual Battle
  • Romans 8:31
  • Genesis 1:2
    • The Spirit moves
  • 1 Corinthians 4:17
  • 1 Peter 2:5
  • Daniel 7:27

Pr David K (Elizabeth)

  • Genesis 1
    • And the Lord saw it was good
    • v31 VERY good
  • Proverbs 20:12
  • Hebrews 11:#
  • Job 26:14