Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. -James 1:16-18 (NIV)
I was -and am- full of pride..much more than I realized, which makes it even more dangerous. 🙂 You see, I was this good little Christian girl. I hadn’t ever done anything seriously wrong. Maybe you can see where this is going, even if I didn’t at the time?
I was proud of things that were good things! I was proud of my emotional strength, I was proud when people would compliment my maturity or physical beauty, I was proud of my purity, my writing, my ministries, my physical ability, my ability…
This may seem a little different than my other posts. I usually focus on sermons I’ve preached, or heard preached. But frankly, I’m very disappointed. I could hardly wait until the newest Marvel Movie on Wolverine came out, a movie called “Logan”.
Don’t waste your money.
The previous X-Men/ Wolverine movies were great fun with little cursing, nudity, or even bloodiness. Not so this movie. “Logan” portrays Wolverine as an older, drunken, washed up old man who drives a limo for a living. Though Professor X (Dr Xavier) died in an earlier movie we are introduced to a resurrected character going through some type of dementia, a pitiful relic of a deluded director.
And cursing. I lost count of the number of “F Bombs” dropped in the movie, starting within minutes from the opening credits and to the very end. I have come to one conclusion.
Hollywood just can’t make a good movie anymore. And that’s sad.
Just the other day I watched a few of the old Hollywood Classics. El Dorado with a young James Caan, John Wayne, and Robert Mitchum. Clean, no cursing, wonderful plot, great acting. Or what about Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca. Oh, but David, these are old movies. Hollywood could do good movies if they would. Consider The Hunger Games (2012) or Safe House (2012), the latter only having one curse word in it. The Avengers (2012) was a fun movie, worth watching, clean, and with great actors and acting. We Bought A Zoo (2011) was clean, with great acting from Mat Damon. Battleship (2012) was a great action movie devoid of filth.
Hollywood has gone to the dogs in morality. From a washed up comedian holding a gory Presidential head for laughs, to groups gathered together to support the murder of innocent children, Tinseltown has not only lost its moral compass, it has lost its mind. And it’s lost my business. To sit nearly three hours watching garbage is ridiculous.
I’m done being part of the ridiculous. We are told in …
Proverbs 14:34 (NLT) Godliness makes a nation great,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Hollywood is a disgrace. On television and in the theater it glorifies rudeness, cursing, tobacco, and drugs. Children are taught to smoke and drink and sleep around by Hollywood. It’s time to just say NO.
In the last scene of Logan a little girl stands over the dead “hero’s” grave. At the head of the grave is a crudely formed Christian Cross. The little girl pulls the Cross up, turns it sideways like an “X” and puts it back over the grave. This is symbolic of modern Hollywood. Anything decent is “X’d” out. Lines between the sexes are blurred. That which is abnormal is triumphed as normal and absolutely acceptable. Why? Because sin sells in the movies and on television. Sex sells. Blood sells. Drugs sell. But the consequences of these bad sells are destroying our families and our nation.
Preached at Riverview Baptist 798 Santa Fe Pike, Columbia TN on June 21, 2017
Psalms 27:1-14 (KJV) A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? [2] When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. [3] Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. [4] One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. [5] For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. [6] And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. [7] Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. [8] When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. [9] Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. [10] When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. [11] Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. [12] Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. [13] I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. [14] Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
King David was the most successful monarch that Israel had ever seen.
He was not the first King of Israel. The first King was God.
But in time Israel drew away from God and cried out to Him saying:
Give us a King, so we will be like the other nations! (1 Samuel 8:5)
When the elders of Israel demanded this of Samuel the Prophet he had the three D’s. He was …
Samuel’s first reaction was “What shall I do about this?” Do you know what God told him to do? He said …
1 Samuel 8:7-9 (ESV) … “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 8 According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. 9 Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”
Sometimes God in His grace allows us to do things our own way.
Our forefather Adam in the Garden of Eden rejected God as King, choosing instead to follow a snake. Now God’s Israel rejected the Almighty God Who is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” in order to follow a mortal king. They replaced God with man. They rejected His Word and instead chose man’s word. God warned Israel that the human king would abuse them. God warned Israel …
1 Samuel 8:11-18 … “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. 12 And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. 15 He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. 16 He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys, and put them to his work. 17 He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. 18 And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”
This is what happened. Israel chose Saul to be their King and rejected the Almighty. Israel chose Saul over God. The Bible says that Saul was …
1 Samuel 9:2 …. a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.
Rejecting God they chose the lesser. And Saul did just as God said. He damaged the nation. Alexis de Tocqueville (pronounced Alexi De Tokville) the famous 19th century French statesman, historian and social philosopher wrote of America:
“I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors… in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution. … Not until I went INTO THE CHURCHES OF AMERICA AND HEARD HER PULPITS FLAME WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. The safeguard of morality is religion, and morality is the best security of law as well as the surest pledge of freedom.
Our 40th President Ronald Reagan said: “If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”
Israel rejected God under Saul and suffered for it. I believe in America we have rejected God and are close to going under because of it. But God saved Israel by raising up a shepherd named David.
David loved the Lord. His son Solomon would one day write in ….
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (ESV) And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
David was a friend of God. He was a man after God’s own heart. He stood with the Almighty Three in One. He loved His Heavenly Father, and I believe David knew of the Messiah Jesus and the Holy Spirit. David was not ashamed of His Savior.
2 Samuel 6:14 (KJV) David danced before the Lord with ALL his might ….
Saul eventually died by his own hand, but David loved the Lord and became the greatest King Israel would ever see outside of Jesus Christ.
David Was Bound To God By A Threefold Cord
A “threefold cord is not easily broken”, and David was bound to God by a threefold cord. We read:
Psalms 27:1 (KJV) … The LORD is my LIGHT and my SALVATION; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the STRENGTH of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
David was bound to God by three strong cords. Notice these cords.
The LORD (YAHWEH) was David’s LIGHT.
The LORD (YAHWEH) was David’s SALVATION.
The LORD (YAHWEH) was David’s STRENGTH.
The order of these things are very important.
LIGHT Is The First Cord
The first command that God ever gave on our created world was:
“Let there be LIGHT” (Genesis 1:3)
It is God Who is the Giver of Light. God created Light before He made the Sun or the Moon. God created Light before He made the stars. Without Light there can be nothing else. NASA studied this and came to the conclusion that if the Sun just went out, the average global temperature in one week would be be below zero degrees Fahrenheit. All plant life would die in a week. In a month or so all oxygen would be depleted. The planet would cease.
Light is important to life. When David said “the LORD is my LIGHT” he was saying that “God’s Word brings light. What God says is true is Light.” David focused on God’s Word as Light. Hear these words:
1 John 1:5-7 (KJV) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Our God is the God of Light. His Word is Light. We are told:
Psalms 119:105 (KJV) NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
The Word of God is Light. God has a written Word, and He has a Living Word. The written Word is our Bible, God’s written revealed Will for us.
Psalms 119:130 (KJV) The entrance of Thy WORDS GIVETH LIGHT; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
To those who will hear God’s Word, they walk in light.
Psalms 19:8 (ESV) the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, ENLIGHTENING the eyes;
God has given us His Light inj His Word. The Apostle said:
2 Peter 1:19-21 (KJV) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: [20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. [21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy {Spirit}.
It is God’s Word that teaches usa right from wrongt. It is God’s Word that gives us light. It is God’s Word that gives us stability in life. It is the Light of God’s Word that brings us to salvation. I want you to notice that LIGHT comes BEFORE SALVATION.
It is the Word of God that tell us we are all sinners.
It is the Word of God that tells us that we all need a Savior.
It is the Word of God that tell us Christ is our Savior.
It is the Word of God that tell us that …
John 1:4-5 (KJV) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Darkness cannot perceive Light. To be saved we must first turn from the Darkness and turn toward the Light. We must hear the Word. We must hear Jesus.
Without LIGHT there is NO SALVATION.
Salvation Is The Second Cord
Those who reject the Light of God will never be saved. Light shines, then salvation comes. David was a good man, a humble man, but he still needed to be saved. He needed to respond to the Light and move toward God.
Psalms 18:27-28 (KJV) For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. [28] For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
God blesses those who humble themselves before Him. When a person hears God’s Word and says:
“I know what You said,
But I’m not doing it”
You have light but not salvation. The Scripture declares:
Acts 2:21 (KJV)… WHOSOEVER shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 10:43 (KJV) To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name WHOSOEVER believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Romans 10:9-13 (ESV) because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. [11] For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” [12] For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. [13] For “EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
There are many who have LIGHT but have never been saved. God has given them LIGHT, but they ignore that which they have been given. David not only received LIGHT, but he acted onj that LIGHT. He called on the Name of the Lord and was saved.
The Lord Is Also My STRENGTH
Psalms 27:1 (KJV) The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
David didn’t just hear God’s Word for salvation, but he heard God’s Word for LIFE. He lived by God’s Word. As He goes through this Psalm David says:
Psalms 27:2-3 (KJV) When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. [3] Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
David didn’t say “IF the wicked come against me”, but “WHEN the wicked come against me”. If you are standing with God Who is Light the darkness will attack. If you are doing NOTHING for God, you are no threat to the darkness. But if you are serving Him the devil and his forces will attack. Yet David was not afraid. Why? Because David said:
Psalms 27:4 (KJV) One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
Because David “dwelt in the HOUSE of THE LORD ALL the days of his life”. What is “the HOUSE OF THE LORD”. The word HOUSE is used in Scripture for a dwelling place. But the word HOUSE is also used for AUTHORITY. To be “In the HOUSE of” means “to be under the AUTHORITY of”. David said:
The ONE THING I desired of the LORD …..
The ONE THING I sought after ….
Is to DWELL in the HOUSE OF THE LORD ALL the DAYS OF MY LIFE.
This is not a reference to Heaven, the place where God is. This is not a reference to the Temple. David couldn’t stay in the Temple all the days of his life. As King he had to go out and rule. But this one thing David did. He strove to stay under the authority of God. He didn’t define his life by what the world thought, nor what was politically correct.
David defined his life by God.
David sought to please God.
David sought to honor God.
And so God blessed David.
I wish I had time to preach every line of this text, but I do not. Perhaps we will return here one day soon. David hid himself in God. He immersed himself in the Word of God.
Psalms 27:5 (KJV) For in the time of TROUBLE he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle SHALL HE HIDE ME; HE SHALL SET ME UP UPON A ROCK.
When God is your strength, nothing and no one can overthrow your life. David ended this Psalm with:
Psalms 27:14 (KJV) WAIT on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: WAIT, I say, on the LORD.
The word WAIT doesn’t mean to do nothing, but to SERVE. To live your life for God. To do as God said:
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (ESV) Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? [15] What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? [16] What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [17] Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, [18] and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
Waiting on God means putting God first. Serving God. Loving God above all others.
David put God first, and was blessed. May we all strive to do the same.
Matthew 21:10-11 (KJV) And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
Preached at Riverview Baptist 798 Santa Fe Pike Columbia Tn on June 18, 2017
Who Is This?
The City of Jerusalem turned out to see Jesus. The Bible tells us that “all the city was moved”.
Some were moved to worship Him. Others were moved to despise Him. But everyone asked “Who is this?”.
Who is this Man that can move a city, move a country, move a whole world?
Who is this Man Who commanded His disciples?
Matthew 21:2-5 (KJV) … Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an {donkey} tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an {donkey}, and a colt the foal of an {donkey}.
As Jesus and His disciples entered Bethphage (the House of Figs) He ordered two of His disciples to go retrieve a donkey and her young colt. If there was any objection from the owner they were to say
THE LORD hath need of them; and straightway he will send them
Jesus would enter Jerusalem riding not on a white horse, but on a donkey. In fact, the Scripture says that Jesus said …
Mark 11:2 (KJV)… ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.
Jesus would ride into Jerusalem on a young donkey, but the colt would not be separated from its mother. Jesus did not go to Jerusalem to hurt nor to harm anyone, not even the lowly donkey. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem the crowds went wild, cheering and applauding Him. Most of the commentaries call this the “Triumphal Entry of Christ”, though it is no where called this in the Bible. “Triumphal” in the dictionary is an adjective that means “to carry out or celebrate a great victory or achievement”. People were excited because Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. This man had done many great works.
Matthew 11:5 (ESV) … the BLIND receive their sight
and the LAME walk, LEPERS are cleansed and the DEAF hear, and the DEAD are raised up, and the POOR have good news preached to them.
The thought in the minds of many in the city was that Jesus had come to overthrow Rome and restore Israel to its former glory. They saw Jesus coming to restore God’s people.
They thought that His Millennial Reign had come.
Psalms 24:8 (KJV) Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
The Romans – world conquerors – they would finally get their comeuppance. Caesar was supposed to be a god, Rome a nation led by Gentile gods and goddesses. But here comes the Solution – it is Jesus.
They believe that Jesus will cast down the evil.
They believe that the valleys would run red with blood.
Oh Beloved, Jesus is coming again. The first time He rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey. That is not what a conquering King would ride. John the Revelator saw the return of Christ – and He is coming again – and wrote:
Revelation 19:11-15 (KJV)… behold A WHITE HORSE; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and IN RIGHTEOUSNESS HE DOTH JUDGE AND MAKE WAR. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and HIS NAME IS CALLED THE WORD OF GOD. 14 And the ARMIES WHICH WERE IN HEAVEN FOLLOWED HIM UPON WHITE HORSES, CLOTHED IN FINE LINEN, WHITE AND CLEAN. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
John saw the Conquering Jesus, the Jesus Who will establish His Kingdom. He is coming again. When He comes again He will be on a White Horse, and the armies of Heaven will follow Him. But now He heads into Jerusalem on a young donkey. He does not come to conquer the world, but to save the world. The world doesn’t know it, but here is our Savior!
Isaiah 63:1 (KJV) Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
Riding into Jerusalem He comes, not to kill and conquer, but to be killed so that He can conquer sin and death. He is on a donkey because He comes in fulfillment of prophecy.
Who Is This Man Who Fulfilled Prophecy?
The Word of the Father says …
Zechariah 9:9 (KJV) Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; LOWLY, AND RIDING UPON AN {DONKEY}, AND UPON A COLT THE FOAL OF AN {DONKEY}.
Jesus was riding into Jerusalem in fulfillment of prophecy.
He was born of prophecy.
He lived to fulfill prophecy.
He was born of a virgin to fulfill prophecy. Christ Who “was in the beginning with God” entered this world at the request of His Father. Matthew quoted Isaiah 7:14 when he wrote:
Matthew 1:22-23 (ESV) All this took place to FULFILL WHAT THE LORD HAD SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
God would come to walk amongst us. The Word would become flesh and dwell with us. He was not coming to Jerusalem to overthrow Rome. He was not there to war or make war, but He was coming for another reason. He was coming to bring salvation to the world.
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem the city celebrated. It is said that a broke clock is right twice a day, and periodically even the lost will get something right. They worshiped Jesus as He entered Jerusalem.
Matthew 21:8-9 (KJV) …. a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strewed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
The crowd recognized this Jesus as “the son of David”. Only the descendant of King David can sit on the throne of Israel. Herod, an Idumean, now sits on that throne. The crowd cries out “Hosanna to the son of David” which literally means “save us, oh Son of David”. Again they wanted Jesus to conquer, to overthrow. They cried out “Hosanna in the Highest”, meaning “God save us!”. God was going to save us, but not how we thought.
Could Jesus have conquered Rome? Yes, He could. He said in another place:
Matthew 26:53 (ESV) Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
If Jesus had but whispered “Father, save Me” twelve legions of angels – 12,000 invincible warriors – could have come and destroyed this earth. But Jesus did not come the first time to destroy, but to save. He did not come to make war, nor to tell us to make war. Jesus came to bring PEACE. If human government has taught us anything it has taught us that man is utterly corrupt. If Jesus had cast down Rome, and let unregenerate man rule, it would not have been long before there was another ROME, another HEROD, another CAESAR.
Ephesians 2:13-16 (ESV) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
Jesus rode into Jerusalem to conquer sin and death on the Cross. The crowd that now cheered Him and worshiped Him would in just a few days despise Him and misuse Him. The cries of “Hosanna to God, glory in the highest” would change to “Crucify Him. Release Barabbas, but Crucify Jesus!”
Who Is This Brazen Man?
The people cheered Jesus, but He did not ride to the Palace to cast out Herod but instead rode to the Temple. Who is this BRAZEN Man, who fearlessly goes into the Temple?
Matthew 21:12-13 (KJV)12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Jesus went into the Temple where God should be worshiped, but the Jews had made that place into a commercial establishment. Which was God angrier with?
Was He angrier at Rome and her lost citizens for worshiping false gods? Or was God angrier at His people who forsook worship top worship money?
God was angrier at His people. He was angry at the leaders of the Temple that forsook His Word and turned His worship into a money making scheme. Israel was suppose to come to the Temple to offer sacrifices and offerings to God. The people were to bring lambs without blemish and doves without blemish to be sacrificed, their blood temporarily atoning for their sins.
Apart from the shedding of Blood there is no remission of sin. Apart from the shedding of Blood your sin is not covered. The animals sacrificed were but a temporary teaching tool. Until Someone Better came.
Jesus entered the Temple and in righteous anger, and as His disciples and the crowd incredulously watched, He toss money changers and tables to the floor. He chased out sacrifices that were being sold for profit. And as He did so Jesus quoted:
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.”
Religion had made a business out of God.
But God’s Business was to save souls. The Temple was to be “a house of prayer for ALL PEOPLES”.
It was to be a place where all people have access to the Father Who loves them.
It was not a place where you had to pay admission.
It is not a movie theater, a Disney World, or base entertainment.
The Temple as well as the Church is a place where God is accessable.
Where God can be approached.
Where everyone, regardless of race or background, can come to love and be loved.
God was angry. God the Father was angry. God the Son was angry.
My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
God is angry at the Jew who defile the Temple. He is angry at the Christian who defiles the Church. This, dearly Beloved, is a place where we gather to worship our Father, to seek answers, to gain a life of purpose and eternal life. Christ will cast out the impurities and return the Father’s House to a place where we can all gather and commune with Him.
Who is this Man Who enters the Temple and casts out the evil? He is the Son of God. Begotten of the Spirit, He was born in a manger. Worshiped by angels, Shepherds, and wise men, Jesus came to do His Father’s Business. He came to bring us to God, to restore mankind to communion with God, to cover our sins with His own Blood shed on Calvary.
Who Is This Man Who Lowers Himself?
Matthew 21:14 (KJV) And the BLIND and the LAME came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
Who is this Man Who fiercely ran off the blasphemers, but to whom it is said “the blind and the lame came to Him”? Jesus has both strength as well as compassion. A slave trader – responsible for killing thousands in the slave trade, stacking them like cord wood in his ship, met Jesus blinded by sin. This same man later wrote:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.
Sin blinds us and robs us of our joy. I saw a Church sign the other day that read:
Sin Wouldn’t Be So Attractive If The Wages Were Paid Immediately!
The blind and the lame came to Jesus and He healed them all. Jesus will heal you, too, if you will come to Him. Who is this Man? He is Jesus. He is the Son of God made flesh. He is the One Who came to be our Savior. Jesus rode into Jerusalem to die for you and I. Peter declares:
1 Peter 2:22-25 (ESV2011) {Jesus} committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
This Man Jesus rode into Jerusalem to stand in your place and mine. He is the Good Son Who gave His life a ransom for many. Jesus was not drug to the Cross, but willingly went, layiong His life down for you and I. Why?
Because we are sinners.
Because we are guilty.
He bore my penalty for me. Who Is This Man TO YOU?
Returning to our focal text we read:
Matthew 21:10-11 (KJV) And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
Who is Jesus TO YOU. To the world, to the multitudes He is “Jesus the Prophet of Nazareth of Galilee”. I had a friend once who told me that “Jesus is Prophet, Priest, and King”. I told him that I disagreed with him. Jesus never claimed to be a prophet. Let me say that again:
Jesus never claimed to be a Prophet!
Jesus said of John the Baptist “Luke 7:28 (KJV) …. Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist …
The multitudes – the world – sees Jesus as a Great Teacher, a Great Prophet, a Great Preacher. Jesus is Great. But He is not a prophet from a small town named Nazareth. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the Savior of the world. He is the Messiah, or as Peter once declared:
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God
Believing Him to be a great Teacher or Preacher is fine, but that is not what will save the soul. What saves us is that we receive Him as Lord and Savior. What saves us is that we believe that He paid our sins on Calvary. What saves us is that we believe what He said:
Luke 19:10 (KJV)10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus rode into Jerusalem for you. Jesus was beaten for you. Jesus was nailed to the Cross for you. Jesus suffered and died for you. Jesus bore your sins – and mine – and paid them all. Is this what you believe? How do you answer “Who is this Man?” I know how I answer.
He is My King and my Redeemer!
Once I was walking with my face toward the sun. I looked behind me, and my shadow followed without me doing the least thing to cause it to do so. When you are walking through this life with your face toward the Son of God, peace, joy, and blessing like a shadow follow you. But if you turn from Him you walk in darkness, not in light.
May God lead many to salvation through this His Word.
This may seem a little different than my other posts. I usually focus on sermons I’ve preached, or heard preached. But frankly, I’m very disappointed. I could hardly wait until the newest Marvel Movie on Wolverine came out, a movie called “Logan”.
Just the other day I watched a few of the old Hollywood Classics. El Dorado with a young James Caan, John Wayne, and Robert Mitchum. Clean, no cursing, wonderful plot, great acting. Or what about Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca. Oh, but David, these are old movies. Hollywood could do good movies if they would. Consider The Hunger Games (2012) or Safe House (2012), the latter only having one curse word in it. The Avengers (2012) was a fun movie, worth watching, clean, and with great actors and acting. We Bought A Zoo (2011) was clean, with great acting from Mat Damon. Battleship (2012) was a great action movie devoid of filth.
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