Happy 150th Church Anniversary!
Matt. 21:12-16; Selected Scriptures
By
D.Z. Cofield, D. Min.
March 27, 2022
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 21:12-16 (NKJV) – Then Jesus went into the temple of
God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple,
and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of
those who sold doves. 13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My
house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a
‘den of thieves.’ ” 14 Then the blind and the lame came to Him in
the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and
scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children
crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of
David!” they were indignant 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what
these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never
read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have
perfected praise’?”
1. YOU must become a person of PURITY.
Matthew 21:12 (NKJV) – Then Jesus went into the temple of God
and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and
overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of
those who sold doves.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) – Or do you not know that your body
is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from
God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price.
So glorify God in your body.
In order to purify your life you must be willing to do at least
TWO THINGS.
A. Put WRONG things OUT of your life.
1 Corinthians 6:18a (ESV) – Flee from sexual immorality. . . .
Hebrews 12:1 (ESV) – Therefore, since we are surrounded by so
great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and
sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race
that is set before us,
B. Put the RIGHT things INTO your life.
Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV) – Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any
excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these
things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen
in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with
you.
2. YOU must become a person of PRAYER.
Matthew 21:13 (NKJV) – And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My
house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a
‘den of thieves.’ ”
Isaiah 56:7 (ESV) – these I will bring to my holy mountain, and
make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and
their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be
called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
Jeremiah 7:11 (ESV) – Has this house, which is called by my
name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself
have seen it, declares the LORD.
Luke 18:1 (NLT) – One day Jesus told his disciples a story to
show that they should always pray and never give up.
I Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV – “pray without ceasing,”
3. YOU must become a person of POWER.
Matthew 21:14 (NKJV) – Then the blind and the lame came to
Him in the temple, and He healed them.
Psalm 3:8 (NLT) – Victory comes from you, O LORD. May you
bless your people.
4. YOU must become a person of PRAISE.
Matthew 21:15-16 (NKJV) – But when the chief priests and
scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children
crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of
David!” they were indignant 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what
these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never
read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have
perfected praise’?”
Luke 19:39-40 (NLT) – But some of the Pharisees among the
crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like
that!” 40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road
would burst into cheers!”
Matthew 21:8-9 (ESV) – Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on
the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them
on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that
followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the
highest!”
Perfected –
Praise –
Psalm 8:2 (NKJV) – Out of the mouth of babes and
nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your
enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
Strength –
Questions to Consider
1. What reputation do most churches have today?
2. What gets you really angry?
3. When do you tend to lose your temper?
4. If Jesus came into our church today, what’s the one thing
you think He would want to immediately change? Why?
5. What or who do you need to remove from your life that’s
hindering your spiritual progress?
6. Do you find it difficult or easy to pray? Explain.
7. When is the last time you witnessed the power of God
operating in your life? Explain.
8. Do you find it difficult or easy to give God audible praise?
Explain.
9. Why is it important to teach and train children and youth to
praise God for themselves?
10. What impure actions (behaviors), attitudes (thoughts) or
associates (people) do you need to remove from your life this
week?
