August 18, 2013

 No Partying At The Church

Luke 19: 45 - 48

Luke

Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the merchants from their stalls.  He told them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be a place of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves."

After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him.  But they could think of nothing because all the people hung on every word he said. 

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Thoughts.....

Helloooooo out there in cyberspace!  I pray that the day is going well for you thus far, and that the day will be one to rejoice over...oh that you would have Life and have Him abundantly!  God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit love you and are excited that you seek to learn more about them....today and everyday!  Let's begin....  

The reference to the event outlined today is also found in Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11, 12-19, and John 2:13-17, however the reference in John was to the first clearing of the Temple, and the others, including todays reference, refer to a second clearing according to notes from The Life Application Bible New International Version 1991.   

I'm going to quote the notes from The LAB NIV 1991 John 2;13-17...even tho' we are studying Luke. The info applies.  I will intersperse my thoughts throughout and then wrap up with how this plays out in our lives today, whether what is done today in the name of the Lord is really good or bad.  If you will be following along with the notes, I am on page 1875.  Let me first say, I do not presume to be on any level near the historians who provide profound depth of foundation to the Word and understanding therein.  Truly I am grateful and bow down.  Ok.  Here we go....

Did you know.....

2:13  The Passover celebration took place yearly at the temple in Jerusalem.  Every Jewish male was expected to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem during this time (Deuteronomy 16:16).  This was a week-long festival - the Passover was one day, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread lasted the rest of the week.  The entire week commemorated the freeing of the Jews from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:1-13).  [Many times we have heard about these events, but many have not understood what they are....the why.] 

2:13  Jerusalem was both the religious and the political seat of Palestine, and the place where the Messiah was expected to arrive.  The temple was located there, and many Jewish families from all over the world would travel to Jerusalem during the key feasts.  [Ever wonder how large the 'world' was then?]  The temple was on an imposing site, a hill overlooking the city.  Solomon had built the first temple on this same site almost 1000 years earlier (949 B.C.), but his temple had been destroyed by the Babylonians (2 Kings 25).  The temple was rebuilt in 515 B.C., and Herod the Great had enlarged and remodeled it.   [PBS did a documentary about this archeological dig.  Have you seen this?]

2:14  The temple area was always crowded during Passover with thousands of out-of-town visitors.  [Ever wonder how many 'thousands' there really was back then?]  The religious leaders crowded it even further by allowing money changers and merchants to set up booths in the court of the Gentiles.  They rationalized [thought they could justify, believed falsely they were right....but they were NOT right in the Lord's eyes] this practice as a convenience [For whom?] for the worshipers and as a way to make money for temple upkeep.  [In a greedy world someone has to 'get something' for their money, so they saw giving someone something 'tangible', something they could put their hands on, would allow the church an income.  It was a way to receive money.  But GOD DOES give us something tangible....we can hold and read the Bible.  More so, we can hold onto our LIFE by accepting Jesus as our Savior and making him LORD of our life!  Money should be pouring into churches for this gift of life in thanksgiving!]  But the religious leaders did not seem to care that the court of the Gentiles was so full of merchants that foreigners found it difficult to worship.  And worship was the main purpose for visiting the temple.  No wonder Jesus was angry!  [Note exclamation point to this.  Jesus' righteous anger is the foundation for our title today.]

2:14  The temple tax had to be paid in local currency, so foreigners had to have their money changed.  But the money changers often would charge exorbitant exchange rates.  The people also were required to make sacrifices for sins.  Because of the long journey, many could not bring their own animals.  Some who brought animals would have them rejected for imperfections.  So animal merchants would do a flourishing business in the temple courtyard.  The price of sacrificial animals was much higher in the temple area than elsewhere.  Jesus was angry at the dishonest, greedy practices of the money changers and merchants, and he particularly disliked their presence on the temple grounds.  They were making a mockery of God's house of worship.  [I'm so glad Jesus paid the price once and for all for all creatures.  As the sacrificial Lamb of God, no one has to be sacrificed anymore.]

2:14ff  John records this first clearing in John 2:13-17, or cleansing of the temple.  A second clearing occurred at the end of Jesus' ministry, about three years later, and that event is recorded in Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:12-19; Luke 19:45-48 [where we are today in our study].  [Keep in mind if there are no notes for what you are trying to learn or understand, see if they cross reference elsewhere, where you may find notes, like as occurred today.] 

2:14-16  God's temple was being misused by people who had turned it into a marketplace.  They had forgotten, or didn't care, that God's house is a place of worship, not a place for making a profit.  Our attitude toward the church is wrong if we see it as a place for personal contacts or business advantage.  Make sure you attend church to worship God.  ['Listen up'....more on this in a bit.]

2:15,16  Jesus was obviously angry at the merchants who exploited those who had come to God's house to worship.  There is a difference between uncontrolled rage and righteous indignation - yet both are called anger.  We must be very careful how we use the powerful emotion of anger.  It is right to be angry about injustice and sin; it is wrong to be angry over trivial personal offenses.

2:15, 16  Jesus made a whip and chased out the money changers.  Does his example permit us to use violence against wrongdoers?   Certain authority is granted to some, but not to all.  For example, the authority to use weapons and restrain people is granted to police officers, but not to the general public.  [This seems to be a topic of debate in the world today based on self-serving laws as opposed to God-centered, God-serving laws.]  The authority to imprison people is granted to judges, but not to individual citizens.  [It seems this is also up for debate with those who abuse others.  Thank God the WHOLE of God's world is not totally out of control.]  Jesus had God's authority, something we cannot have.   [I steadfastly debate this last sentence based on all Jesus, Paul, and others told us throughout the New Testament.  We are to walk in and with his authority in casting out Satan and his demons.  In preaching and teaching the Gospel.  We are also told we are to 'do greater things than He'.]  While we want to live like Christ, we should never try to claim his authority where it has not been given us.  [This I agree with, and yes, it is very close to being in contradiction to the previous statement, but it appears they 'pulled it out', giving validity to authority....WHEN and WHERE given by GOD, JESUS, HOLY SPIRIT.]  

2:17  Jesus took the evil acts in the temple as an insult against God, and thus he did not deal with them halfheartedly.  He was consumed with righteous anger against such flagrant [outright without restraint or foundation] disrespect for God.  

Okay....here end the notes.  Now you get to read what Holy Spirit through me has to say.....and me, too....what I have to say.

Starting with the title of todays message:  No Partying At The Church.  This phrase was meant to get your attention.  If you have gotten this far in reading....apparently it worked.  'Smiley face.'   Can you have parties at the church?  Yes.  I would not presume to exclude a wedding reception, a birthday party, the ladies annual, bi-annual, monthly, or weekly events....heaven forbid....off with my head should I try.  Nor should the guys not be able to have their barbecues or pancake breakfasts (thank you), or the kids their Christian fellowship endeavors.

What Jesus is referring to is the church bazaars, which I personally loved as a kid.  He does not want the world to believe that the church is operating in a deficit and needing money to survive.  How would that give testimony to him?  Unless, the testimony is as a result of those stepping up for him.  Hmmmmm.  He's objecting to those coffee houses set up at a variety of churches which have become makeshift pick up joints, rather than a draw to bring folks in for worshiping him.  Is fellowship important?  Hek yes.  But the greater fellowship is with God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  If you can't invite him to the party, you shouldn't be there either.

Jesus is objecting to money being brought in for a means other than as an opportunity to say thank you to him, God, Holy Spirit.  He's objecting to the draw of a party, when you should be worshiping him.  He is very clear.  We learn from him in Luke and elsewhere as he says, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be a place of prayer,' [Isaiah 56:7, Jer 7:11] but you have turned it into a den of thieves."

In Isaiah 56:1-8, God is telling the people that all are welcome to WORSHIP....HIM....in HIS house of prayer.  God is calling us to a life of dedicated worship to the Lord.  In fact, to those who take it to an extreme of dedicating themselves solely to him...becoming a eunuch....he tells them he will give them - in his house, within his walls - a memorial and a name far greater than the honor they would have received had they had sons and daughters.  The LORD God says, 'For the name I give them is an everlasting one. It will never disappear."

I know not all are called to the journey and life of a eunuch.  And there is a 'song and dance', if you will in the relational steps of life....just don't do it in such a way as to get in the way of worship to the God who made you, and the Lord who saved you....who is supposed to be living within you.  Love in marriage (eros), love of a brother, sister, friend (philos), love of a Christian brother or sister (agape) was instituted by God.  Lust was not....that comes from Satan.  Coffee houses, when used for Christian fellowship, are great for after church fellowship where you continue the discussion of Scripture, the chat about getting together for a Christian endeavor, even the planning of it.  Even getting to know your BROTHERS and SISTERS in Christ.  GET my point here folks....brothers and sisters do not go on to have adventurous (or adulterous) sexual relationships.

God speaks not only to the Jews, but goes on to say that he will bless the Gentiles, too, who commit themselves to him and serve and love his name, who worship him and do NOT DESECRATE the SABBATH day of rest....worship....and who have accepted his covenant.  He says, "I will bring them also to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy IN MY HOUSE OF PRAYER.  I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because MY Temple WILL BE called a HOUSE of PRAYER for all nations."  

In Jeremiah 7:1-15 God says one can't go 'play' one minute, run over and pretend one is worshiping him, and then run back to 'play'.  He calls that 'play' as evil.  And isn't that what is done in many churches with the proverbial coffee house?  PRune feathers.  Flirt.  PLume your feathers.  Go to church.  Look around to see who is watching you, or, in an attempt to appear so devoted and church-like [What is that even?] stay fully frontal regardless of where your thoughts are.  Pretend.  Leave church.  Be coy.  Try not to appear to be too excited as you venture over to the coffee house.  I don't need to continue, you know the drill.  And the money from these actions coming through the coffee houses is used for what?  Why is it even used?  It's dirty money according to Scripture.  That money was NOT brought in as a way of giving thanks to the LORD in the midst of WORSHIP.  Certainly not in any way of worship he intended....worship directed at him.  The same can be said for the money coming from bazaars and similar.  Unfortunately....I had so much fun playing 'go fish' as a kid.

The point is you can lose your land.  More importantly, you can lose your LIFE!  Why?  Because you may be dishonoring God, not worshiping him, by having made the church, or the temple, into something it was never intended to be.  Church should not be a business venture.  It should be a place to come together to WORSHIP the ever living, ever loving, life giving, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  EVERYthing done under it's roof and on it's grounds should relate 'simply' to THEM.   Jesus loved you enough to die for you.  Why aren't you WORSHIPING him with everything you've got...in you, around you....your mind, body, soul, strength?

God's words in Jeremiah are very strong words.  Please remember that you became God's temple when you invited him into your life.  Are you ready to say 'bye bye' to the world and everything in it?  Why would you want to say 'bye bye' to GOD who gave it to you?  

Fortunately, our God is a forgiving God....up to a point.  I remind you once again that we learned in John 15 that a reprobate minded individual can be cut off from God and tossed away to be burned in the fire....of hell.  If you do not obey God as he indicates throughout the New Testament....and Old....you can be dust mighty fast.  Jeremiah indicates God said he will send into exile those who do not honor his name.  Exile?  Hell?  Have you had a chance to consider your choices?  Choose this day whom you will serve....obey....and how.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit so want to love you and wrap their arms around you.  Carry you when the going gets rough, but they must know that you really do love them.  You show them that you love them and how much you love them by your actions. 

Years ago, in a small town, there was a church and a bar.  They may still be there today.  At the time appointed for church service across the street on Saturday evening, the boys at the bar stepped off their bar stools, put on their cowboy hats and asked the bartender to hold their drinks and places....saying they'd be back.  And off they would go to church to repent and pray.  And afterwards, they would return to the alcohol, their friends and friendly jabs, raucous jokes.  This is not God's ideal for anyone's life.  Although I am sure he was grateful for the worship, albeit brief.

Worship shouldn't be just about worshiping God, Jesus, Holy Spirit in church.  Every moment should be an act of worship as we love God, Jesus, Holy Spirit and act out our gratitude for all they have done for us, given us.  Oh, gosh, I better go vacuum again.

It is not ideal for a church to become an 'income producing business' in the context of all that means IN the world.  It is ideal for a church to receive gifts of thanksgiving for all God has done.  That money should then go into the church and the community, and the world around to continue to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ for God and with God.  The bills should be paid to secure and maintain the property.  Money should go to insure there is a Bible for everyone in the church, a newsletter or bulletin, advertising to welcome folks to the family of God.  Paychecks should go to all who help maintain the church and work as supporting members.  The Pastor should be paid for doing his job of leading, preaching, teaching.  There should be a fund to help folks in crisis.  There should be tithes sent to seed and support other churches.  And money available for world crises.

We are in this all together.  But funds should come from the hearts of those giving thanks.  Every church....every collection plate or offering box, should be overflowing with that love and gratitude.  I do understand, as does God, that not everyone can give of money, having literally none.  But God gives us everything we have.  He only asks a tenth.....1/10 of what is brought into our lives....given us from and through him.  Did you find a dime today?  He only wants a penny.  Did you receive a hug today, feel his love, eat well, know his joy?  Could you give a tenth of that back in his name?  That's how the church should grow.  Not by bazaars and coffee bars. ETC.

Today, and everyday, consider what your actions mean as testimony to our Lord, and God, and Holy Spirit.  Consider whether the steps you take are indeed the steps they would want you to take for you, for the, and for the world to see....those who need to learn about him and those who are opposed to him.  Will we give the latter more fuel for their fire?  Will we open the door further for Satan to laugh and take advantage?  Or will we honor our Lord by teaching right things per HIS WORD, doing HIS WILL, living a life HONORING HIM?

Go ahead and party....with him....yes, even at the church.  As long as it is in alignment with God's word, we can do so many things that will bring joy, but more importantly will bring life....eternal life.  I wish today that you would realize how much he loves you, and that you will decide to love him back at least as much.  And honor him by the choices you make, so he knows for sure if you are a committed Christian loving him, or just someone using him.  In the latter case, KNOW THIS:  he will [Say WILL] remove you from the Kingdom of God....forever.  He doesn't want to....he wants you with him eternally!  He loves you dearly with a heartfelt love meant for eternity.  Will it mean that to you?   What do you have to say to him?  He's asking you now.   No more waiting, no more playing games.  Will you choose to follow Satan?  OR do you belong to God?  

If you are ready to turn to God or turn back to God, pray this prayer with me now:  God, I confess that I have sinned against you.  I have not loved you with my whole heart.  I have not loved my neighbor as myself.  I am humbly sorry and I heartily repent.  Please forgive me.  Thank you.  I believe in you, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  I thank you for giving me life, God, and for Jesus dying for me that I might have eternal life.  Jesus, please come into my heart, my life right now.  I know I cannot live this life successfully on my own, and learn more about who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are without the help of Holy Spirit telling me what you want me to know.  So I ask that you baptize me with your Holy Spirit, so I will be able to hear you and learn more about you day by day.  I want to love you as you love me.  Thank you so much for this gift of life.  May I never misuse the opportunity to worship you and may I do so with a full heart and focus daily.  Thank you.  Amen.

May you love him always and forever with a true heart.  If you need to know how to walk in this new life, or need to be reminded, a simple way to know is by assessing your fruits.  These can be found in Galatians Chapter 5.  And on the days you may slip up, the Apostle Paul will speak to your heart in Romans 7.  Be reaffirmed in his love by reading John 15, or be chastised.    May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's love....find Paul's prayer of empowerment in Ephesians 3:14-21.  Enjoy....and be blessed! 

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Let Us Pray   

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, thank you for the message that leads to hope, promise, life, if I just obey, loving you with my whole heart, and making my actions fit my thoughts, my thoughts fitting my actions, too.  May my commitment to you, the desire in my heart to make you LORD of my life be so fulfilling as to lead to a new heaven on earth in the Kingdom of God.  I am so grateful you haven't given up on me.  Help me....please.  Don't ever let me go.  Help me to live my life in a way that will always be pleasing to you....at least as I try my hardest....and even those days when I can't quite equal the task....continue to help me, please.   Know that even if I am not showing you I love you at all times....every moment of my breath, that I do love you all those times, and I will do all I can to show you better how much you mean to me.  And how grateful I am that you created me, lived and died for me, and dedicated your entire life to me....that I may have life and have it abundantly!  Lift up my heart, my spirit, my soul that we may truly become one.  Help me know how to best lift your heart, your Spirit, your soul.  Thank you.  I love you.  Amen.

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Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

Embrace....Respect....Encourage!

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It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!   

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