Mark 11:15-17
“On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’””
Mark 11:15-17 NIV
Can you imagine how Jesus felt about the temple? God gave the Jews the temple as a place for them to reconcile their relationship to him. It was a place where sins could be atoned, sacrifices and offerings made, and relationship with God could be strengthened through prayer.
But God’s people found a way to make the worst of the best of what God had to offer. The temple became place vendors to made money and God’s people made minimal preparations for the sacrifice of worship.
Today I want to talk to you about worship. The God of the Bible is worthy of all the worship, adoration, and praise we can give Him. He deserves our undivided attention, complete loyalty, and enduring faithfulness. He is worthy of worship.
He is worthy of worship because He is a loving God, a faithful God, a merciful God, and a forgiving God. He deserves to be adored because He is majestic, full of splendor, and amazingly awesome. He is worthy of worship.
He merits all the respect we can give Him because He is all knowing, all powerful, and ever present. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is your Creator. He is our Heavenly Father. He is our refuge and shelter. He is Savior. He is our God. He is worthy of worship.
He is worth changing our schedule for. He is worth all the sacrifices He requires of us. He is worth every dollar we give, every prayer we pray, every blessing we give, every word of encouragement we share.
He is worth giving up a vacation for. He is worth getting up out of bed and going to church for. He is worth setting aside some time every day to read His word and talk with Him about your day. He is worthy of worship.
Jesus entered the Temple to restore it to its purpose. The Temple was to be a place of prayer. This place was to be open to all the nations. This place wasn't about making a profit off people seeking God. This place wasn't about merchandising the grace of God.
While Jesus actions were bold and shocking to those of His day, we have a tendency to let the distance in both time and culture soften the implications.
When Jesus enters our hearts, our worship, and our religious places and times, what customs, ideas, and behavior will He drive away? Are we open to other nations and cultures?
Are we about being a place and people of prayer? How have we sold out our Savior and our worship of him to our over commercialized culture? How have we let religious charlatans fleece God seeking people?
Let us not abuse the relationship we have because of Jesus sacrifice. Let us not fall into the rut of the money changers profiting off of the religious system, or the lazy worshipers who refused to bring God their best to worship.
Let us have the courage to stand up to righteous injustice and bring give our best to God in all we do especially worship!!!
Father thank You for this day and for the breath of life we have in Jesus. Lord let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family’s portion today. Lord help us see anything in our lives that is not pleasing to You and You Jesus drive those things out of our lives. Lord humble gently as You lovingly, but completely, remove the idols and vestiges of false religion that inhabit our hearts. Lord please guide us to live and to serve You and others as You desire. Lord use my friend to be a blessing to all that need it today. Daddy we love You. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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