A HOUSE OF PRAYER 3

 

A HOUSE OF PRAYER 3

Matt. 21:14-17

We notice some interesting things that happened as a result of Jesus clearing out the merchants from the Temple area. First of all, Jesus regained control of the Temple. 14 Before the Lord can be restored to His rightful place as Lord of the church, and before prayer can become a vital part of the church, there must be a purging of God’s house.

Sin must be confessed and forsaken. Jesus must be allowed to be Lord of God’s house. Anything less and Jesus has been stripped of His authority in the church. He is Lord of the church, but when we resist His lordship and leadership, we essentially are stripping Him of His lordship of the church and assuming it for ourselves.

When Jesus is Lord, He welcomes those who were banished from the church and Kingdom of God. The church should welcome all into her fellowship. Salvation is for all. It does not mean we embrace the known sins of all. We must never compromise Biblical truths or values. If we don’t stand for what the Bible declares, we cease to be the true church of God.

We must regularly and consistently examine the church. Is there known sin in the house? Is there an attitude of rebellion against God’s holy standards? Are we standing strong or trying to appease people?

It is time for the purging in the church. We need to get back to our roots where prayer was important, and holiness was expected. But, before the church can be restored, we must individually get right with God. The church is falling into disrepair, but the key to fixing what is wrong begins with you and me.