“THIS IS MY HOUSE” [A HOUSE OF PRAYER]
PASTOR MARK JOHNSON
JANUARY 1, 2012

TEXT: Matthew 21:12-15 (see also Mk. 11:15-18a; Jn. 2:13-17; Isa. 56:7)

INTRO: In our text, Jesus did something that at first may seem a bit out of character. Jesus is head of the church (Eph. 1:22; 5:23; Col. 1:18). What was His house intended to be? Why did Jesus react so violently?

I. A HOUSE OF PRAYER.

A. SUMMARY OF TEXT:
1. Jesus drove out all those who bought and sold (v. 12a).
2. Jesus overturned their tables (v. 12b; Jn. 2:15).
3. Jesus prohibited their wares in the temple (Mk. 11:16).
4. They had made the temple a den of thieves (v. 13b).
5. His house is to be characterized by prayer (v. 13a).
6. Jesus demonstrated the results of a house of prayer:
   a. The blind and lame are healed (v. 14).
   b. Jesus does wonderful things (v. 15a).
   c. The children cry out in praise (v. 15b).
   d. The people become joyful in His house (Isa. 56:7a).
   e. The offerings & sacrifices are accepted (Isa. 56:7b).
   f. The religious become indignant (v. 15c; Mk. 11:18a).

B. APPLICATIONS FOR THE MODERN CHURCH:
1. What does Jesus want to drive out and overturn today?
2. What does Jesus want to prevent in His house today?
3. What injustices does Jesus want to deal with?
4. May Jesus impart to us His zeal for His house (Ps. 69:9a)!
5. Can we legitimately be called a house of prayer?

My main goal for 2012 is for Jubilee to become a legitimate house of prayer, and see what God will do!
*It will be difficult for Jubilee to be a house of prayer if you don’t personally have a house of prayer!

C. OTHER SCRIPTURES: Ps. 127:1a; 1Cor. 3:11-15; 1Tim. 2:1-4, 8; Jer. 33:3; Heb. 4:16

II. C.G. BEVINGTON, “Remarkable Miracles” [NEW SHOES]

III. JEREMIAH LAMPHERE: Prayer Revival of 1857-1859, starting in New York City