John 2:17 (Zeal
for His House)
RD V.13-17
We saw in our study last time that the first miracle that
Jesus performed in His public ministry, was turning water to wine.
A)Well as John
continues here in Ch.2 he Chronicles
the first ministry visit of Jesus to
B) He traveled
up to
1) Upon his
arrival he went to the temple and was grieved by what He saw. [Herod’s
Now the original
temple was constructed by Solomon in 960 BC
A)That
temple took seven years to
build, & it was built from stone
to withstand the effects of the passage of time.
B)
Solomon’s temple was a Beautiful sight to behold and people traveled from all
over to see it.
C)
But the beauty of Solomon's temple was not in its size, but in its magnificent details.
1) Many Pools / engravings and its gold!
D) That
temple was destroyed by
Zerubbabel sought to
rebuild the temple in 520 BC and completed the work in 515 BC.
A) Although
the reconstruction was a much simpler form
of what Solomon had built .
B)
That temple was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes in 167 BC
Along comes Herod
the Great.
A)In the 18th year of his reign 19BC he
decided to rebuild the temple. [ The
B)He went even
beyond the grandeur of Solomon.
1)It took 60
years to complete the project
2)and in the
time of our reading here in John Ch.2 the temple had been under construction for 46yrs
C) It would be
completed in 66 AD and destroyed by the Romans in AD 70 and remains destroyed
to this very day.
1) It is interesting to me that
the enemies of God were always seeking to destroy
or desecrate this temple.
D) See the
enemy hates to see people seeking God and worshipping God.
That was the problem here in our text:
A)See even
though there was still work being done on the temple at the time here of Jesus
/
B) the temple
was functional at this point.
1) the problem
had to do with the functions taking place in the temple.
C) The temple courtyard had been turned into a swap meet of
sorts.
1) Not only
was it an improper use of God’s building
D) The whole
set up was one that took advantage of people and was RUN
by the religious leaders.
1) When Jesus
saw it – His heart was greatly grieved.
E) That which
was supposed to be a place for seeking God was turned into a den of thieves
That is what bothered Jesus and so filled with a righteous
indignation at what he sees –
A)He makes a
whip and drives out those who had desecrated the temple in this way.
B) It is a
view of Jesus that we don’t normally see or even talk about.
Now on Wed nite we are going to look at
A)As we do I want
to point out why I believe the HS inspired John to put these two stories back to back in his gospel.
[There is a lesson there for us]
B) But for
today I want to consider the reaction of the disciples to this event
1) And draw
some application for this Church / our lives.
C) We are told in v.17 that when they saw this they
remembered what was written in Psalm 69,
1) Messianic Psalm
quoted often in NT
2) This is what they remembered: There it reads : "Zeal for Your
house has eaten Me up."
The word ZEAL = Heat, it speaks of a fervency in mind or
heart.
A) American
Heritage Dictionary: Enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal and tireless diligence
in its furtherance. Also Passion
B) Eaten =
Consumed or Devoured.
C) Jesus had
an enthusiastic devotion and passion for the temple that consumed Him
See Jesus didn’t care who built this temple –
[Herod was a Pagan Kind ]
A)Jesus was
concerned about it’s function. What was supposed to take place there
B)
D)SO when Jesus comes to this temple a Holy Zeal, a fervency
begins to well up within his heart – over this place
1) A Passion
consumes him to right the wrong.
E) So He
drives out the money changers and those who were taking advantage of God’s
people.
Note: Jesus did this here in the beginning of his ministry and
he would do it again 3 yrs later in the end of his ministry.
A)The
cleansing of the temple takes place in all
four of the gospels / accept in the other three the account is at the
end of the story. REASON?
B)Happened
twice- They didn’t get the message –
1) So Jesus
came back 3 yrs later and had to deal with the same problem.
C)Is that what
happens in your life – 3 yrs later Jesus is still dealing with the same
problems – same issues
Here is what I want us to consider in the remainder of our time today.
{ Jesus is the same …..forever!
A)3
applications to this phrase Zeal for Your house has eaten me up.
#1
This temple: This building – I think
Jesus is Zealous for this place.
B) #2 This Body: We are a temple as a group of People. – Jesus is Zealous for
this Body
C) #3 Your Body: The Scriptures declare that You are
the temple of the HS
1) Jesus is
Zealous for you.
D) So let us
consider that statement from each one of those viewpoints for a few moments.
#1 Zeal for this temple: This building where the Church
meets/ where the family of God at CCV comes together.
A)I believe
Jesus is zealous for this place and he wants us to be as well. { Old & run
down.
B) But He is
Zealous for this place: Why? Because of what happens here!
1) Psalm 138:2 God
magnifies His word above His name.
2) Zeal for any
place where His word is held in high regard.
C)For 23yrs
CCV has been a place where the word of God has been faithfully taught.
D) The word of God is held in high regard here.
1) Doesn’t
matter – Sun am / PM Wed / Mon Womens / Tues D&A/ Youth Ministry /
Childrens –
You
are going to get a Solid Bible study
E)) He is Zealous for this place.
1) There is a
place where people love to learn about me.
ALSO WORSHIP: Spirit & truth seeks after
A)I believe that He is Zealous for this place
because of the worship that takes place here.
B)
1) Be enthroned
in our praise
C) A place
where we are not seeking to prop up a man –
1) Not be
enthralled by or entertained by great musicians
C) Place where
Jesus is exalted/ He is the focus –
1) A Where
worship in Spirit and in truth happens -
That blesses Him
D) He is
Zealous for this place – He shows up here – Knowing what to expect
But I also think that He is Zealous for this place Not just
because of what happens here:
A)Also because
of what comes out of here!
Fruitful ministry. {Our community
B) This is a
fellowship that is known around the world.
C)
For 15 yrs a major part of this ministry has been devoted to Planting Churches
around the world
1) Love
ministries like SEND –
2) Our focus
is planting
Bb) Ministries
started in 12 different countries of the
World and 10 Different states { your reward !
C) I was
reminded of it again this week at the Pastors conference. { Every time in that setting
1) So many guys
that came up to me – to say thanks for what we do here
2) Say thanks
for sending people and resources all over
the world
D) God has
also blessed us to have Musicians like
Jeremy Camp/
Phil W. Evan / Scott C. / Farewell down Guys
like Charlie Campbell
–
E) I love what
the Psalmist said in Psalm 111:1-2, 6
I will praise the LORD with
my whole heart,
In the assembly of the
upright and in the congregation.
2 The works of the LORD are
great,
Studied by all who have
pleasure in them.
6 He has declared to His
people the power of His works,
In giving them the heritage
of the nations.
F)God has
given us a great heritage. A heritage of the nations Rejoice in that !
So I believe that the Lord is Zealous for this building:
Because of what happens here.
A)His word is
held in High. His name is Praised
B)And because
of what continues to come out of here. Fruit
Now our new Facility will be a much nicer place –
{Things are looking like breakground in 2007]
A)Being nicer doesn’t
matter - I believe that He is Zealous for our New Facility as well.
B)Better
equipped to take care of the body here
More effective in Ministry.
1) An
opportunity to reach more people in our community.
C) About 6
months ago the Lord gave me Haggai 2:9 “The Glory of
the latter temple shall be greater than the former.”
He is Zealous for this place and I believe that He wants us
to be Zealous for this place as well.
A)What does
that look like?
B)Heart that
doesn’t take for granted the teaching of the Word. Come hearts ready to receive
C) Hearts that
don’t neglect worship – Come ready to give
Him honor
1) Remain a
place where the His name is lifted up.
PRACTICAL WAY! Be involved in the { Upkeep of His House
!
A)1985 Hired
to be a youth Pastor. Little Church Hacienda
B)What I
didn’t realize was that part of my Job description was also going to be a
Janitor/ grounds keeper.
C) Bad
attitude at first – Until reading – David saying I
want to be a doorkeeper……
1) Hit me !
This is God’s house
D)That is an
interesting thing to have happen in a
1) My whole outlook Changed – I get to set up God’s
house ! Mow God’s Grass / Paint God’s walls – Set up God’s Chairs – WOW!!!!
Thanks Lord
E)Maybe you would
like to do some of that – Retired – have some time
1) We can use
you work to take care of God’s house
F) Time –
Print name -
#2 Zealous For This body!
FAMILY
A)He doesn’t
just see a Building: What really matters are the people meeting inside the Building.
2 Peter 2:5
declares that we are living stones who are being
built up into a spiritual house by God.
B) The Lord is Zealous for this Body: Ephesians 4 He gave Pastors and teachers evangelist and Prophets
1) Purpose of
teaching His Flock : Built up / Mature/ Stable / and equipped for Ministry.
C) Zealous to
see this group continue to grow / continue to mature / continue to bear fruit.
D) Zealous For
you as a Body: You are servants/ Prayer warriors /
1) Because you
love each other.
E) Reputation
for being a loving fellowship.
In His Zeal for this Body: The Lord commissions our Pastoral
staff to Feed and to tend.
A)Feed the
sheep and take care of the sheep. We try to do that.
B) 10 Guys and
2,000 adults – 200 pp per guy. Home
groups – Lay elders
1) Extensions
of the Pastoral staff –
C) Tend by
watching out for Wolves
1) Feed by
warning you of False teachers
D)I hope you
appreciate the family that God has allowed you to be a part of
1) Ken Graves
– Wonderful dysfunctional family.
Functional
dysfunctional { Not perfect
E) Some of you have your eyes on all that is wrong Change
that { See what God is doing
1) How blessed
we are.
So
I believe that the Lord is Zealous for this building:
A)Because of
what happens here. His word is held in High. His name is Praised
B)And because
of what continues to come out of here. Fruit
C) Zealous for
this Body: the hearts of those of you who have assembled here.
1) Wonderful
Family
But there is one more temple that we must consider: Your
Body / heart. Turn to 1 Corinthians
6:19-20
Or
do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,
whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a
price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
Your heart is the temple of the HS !
A)Think of
that/ Of all the places in the Universe ….. Your heart
B) He wants to
work in your heart – Allow His blessings to flow into your life.
C) But the thing that Paul is pointing out here is how sin
can hinder/ quench that work of the HS in the heart.
D) Problem in
John not only was it wrong but it was a distraction to the true ministry of the
temple.
The flow of the HS into the heart is almost like a river
flowing into a lake
A)The lake is
fed by the river – if there is going to be a fresh supply of water feeding that
lake then the river can’t get damned up
B) Sin is like
rocks in the dam that affects the flow of the water
C) My sin – bitterness/
Jealousy/ Pride/ lust/ Anger
Rocks in the dam
Another
analogy
A)The Heart is
like a room – Jesus wants to fill that room with his presence.
B)But when all
these are things are there – it crowds the room – limits the amount of his
presence –
C)A little of Jesus and a whole bunch of other stuff
All those things Crowd the house they need to be
emptied so Christ can Fill it.
D) Be glorified in your Body!
Because Jesus is Zealous for your heart personally – He will
lovingly point out – This is a problem – this needs to go – get rid of this
A)TV / Choice
of entertainment – Hindrance
B) Compromise – It is a Sin
C) He will come and
lovingly nudge – Conviction / HS
But if we ignore that – Come with more force – Turn over
tables
A)Turn life upside down – in order to get your
attention.
B) Hey there
is a problem here. – I am Zealous for you – that is why I died
1) You have a problem that needs to be surrendered
C) Choice – Listen and Change – or be like these
religious leaders keep on keeping on -
doing same stuff
1) Bringing into your temple everything that doesn’t
belong there – bringing that which only – quenches the HS
D) So that the
Lord has to come back – time and time again -
Close:
Problem with
some You are zealous For all The wrong things or for nothing at all.
Self
Jesus was so
Zealous For You His heart for you.
He died.