We all love a fighter, don’t we? Someone who isn’t afraid to mix it up when there is a need, especially when our champion is fighting for a just cause. And when we see our Lord and Savior showing His righteous indignation, it can give us goosebumps and we find ourselves cheering from His corner for Him to bring it on. And this is the scene that John paints with simplistic, yet powerful detail:
“And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” (John 2:15-16 ESV).
But before we get too caught up in cheering our Champion on, let’s consider what it is that’s making our Lord angry. If we are not careful, we can get so caught up in the fight that we might miss the object of His outrage. Is it possible that if Jesus were here today, He might be turning over some of the very tables at which we are sitting?
These Jewish leaders had evolved their marketplace to such an extent that they were gouging well-meaning worshipers in need, and then taking that money and lending it to land owners in lean times. When land owners couldn’t pay, they would quickly foreclose and take their lands and homes. This was a well-oiled money-making venture.
But that wasn’t the worst part. They had moved this market into the Temple, specifically into the Court of the Gentiles. This was a holy area that God had set aside for His glory to be seen by non-Jews who converted to Him. And yet, instead of being able to witness God’s glory when they made the trip to visit God’s house, these gentiles were greeted with a Black Friday event. And when Jesus witnessed what was happening in His house, He lost it.
Today, what are we doing to the Lord’s church on earth? The church He purchased with His precious and holy blood? Is our local congregation a destination for all those who are seeking and searching for salvation and redemption? Or are we turning it into a marketplace?
Elders, deacons, and preachers, are we content to work with a church that is focused on glorifying God, edifying the saints, and teaching sound doctrine? Or are we fretting over numbers and the size of our assembly? Do we strategize on how we can appeal to the largest number of Christians that we can attract? Do we place too much attention upon the personality and skills of a preacher that we lose sight of the power of the Gospel itself? Do we try to find the perfect program to cater to potential members rather than relying on God’s simple, 2000-year-old plan that transforms people? Or worse, is there a certain demographic that we feel is the sweet spot for our success? I’m sure we all want to lead as many to salvation as possible, but is it the saving we focus on, or the numbers?
Christians, how do we evaluate a church? Do we seek a congregation that meets our needs- Is the singing any good? What does your church have for my kids? How talented is the preacher? Are the worship times convenient to my schedule? Do we have a “5 Star” mentality as we blend our consumerism into how we evaluate the church? Or are we seeking one that glorifies our Lord, teaches the simple truth, allows us to serve and sacrifice for our fellow brothers and sisters, and exemplifies what it means to love one another?
Size has nothing to do with being a first century church. But how we choose to evaluate a church, whether as a leader or as a member, tells a lot about the tables at which we are sitting. None of the questions we discussed are necessarily wrong to ask in themselves, but it's our focus when we ask them that we should always be examining.
Have we turned the Lord’s church into a bastion of consumerism more concerned about meeting our needs and desires or do we truly want to worship where the people want nothing more than to glorify God and sacrifice self to Him? While church is a place where we can grow and be strengthened, this is a by-product of a church that is focused on Him, and not one that is focused on ourselves.
If Jesus were here today and surveyed how we treat His body, the church, would He find it a place of prayer, worship and submission to His glory and power, or would He start flipping our tables because we have turned it into an organization eager to please and cater to our own whims and appetites? We all love a champion, but let us make sure that we are truly on our Champion’s side, else we become the object of His indignation.
Social media has its fatal dangers that wisdom forces us to acknowledge. But God can also use it to achieve His purposes through us.
How great is it that we can deliver a sermon to someone with the click of a mouse?
How great is it that we can chat with a brother or sister thousands of miles away instantly and in real time?
How great is it that the brotherhood can be mobilized at a moment's notice to pray when a need arises?
How great is it that a brother or sister is right there when you need an encouraging word?
How great is it that you can confess Christ before man so easily?
I can only imagine how much Paul would have loved to have access to a Facebook or YouTube. Can you imagine what he could have done on social media?
Social media has its dangers. But wielded for God's glory, it can be an amazing blessing.
Assume that the Lord will return at 5pm today and live each hour of the day accordingly.
Why is it so important to show thankfulness to God? Because thankfulness is rooted in our beliefs about the nature of God.
1. He is fully able to sustain us. Thankfulness demonstrates our belief that He has the ability to provide all our needs.
2. He is sovereign. Thankfulness demonstrates that we do not rely on ourselves, but we submit to His sovereignty in our lives.
We have three choices on how to respond to God's goodness in our lives.
We can ignore Him and take God for granted.
We can deny He has anything to do with our blessings.
We can acknowledge His goodness and humbly thank Him for it.
Thankfulness, or the lack thereof, tells a lot about how we view God.
“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21 ESV).
My heartfelt thanks go out to our elders at Campbell Road, and to all shepherds of the Lord's people around the world.
Many of us will never know the sleepless nights they have because of their oversight.
We may never understand the patience they exhibit as they lead us back to the fold. Most of us would give up trying after running into brick wall after brick wall. But they persevere.
It takes a love for the Lord and His people to step into this role. It's certainly not for any reward they receive outside the spiritual one. Often, they sacrifice a lot more than they personally receive.
To my elders, and to those around the world, I love you. Thank you for watching out for my soul.
“And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Peter 5:4 ESV).
Do you have that special friend who you can bug anytime you need to talk? Someone who is eager to hear from you? Someone who will tell you what you need to hear, and not just what you want to hear?
If not, find one. To do that, you may first have to be that friend. This kind of trust and friendship doesn't happen without first investing into it. But once you find one, the burdens of life become much lighter.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17 ESV).
Here are three questions I humbly recommend that you consider as you start each day.
1. How can I confess Christ before man today?
2. What can I do to bring glory to God today?
3. How can I lift someone's burden, even if just a little, today?
I believe that it's in the striving of answering these three questions that will help us do more than we may feel that we are capable of doing.