John 02:13-17 – Zeal for God – audio

Old - G E L N D J J R 1S 2S 1K 2K 1C 2C E N E J P P E S I J L E D H J A O J M N H Z H Z M
New - M M L J A R 1C 2C G E P C 1Th 2Th 1T 2T T P H J 1P 2P 1J 2J 3J J R - Topical - All - Archive

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Text: John 2:13-17 (Reading by Don Treadway) and Mark 11:15-17

Introduction

As the Passover Feast drew near, Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem. What He found caused Him to be angry! Instead of people reading the Law and praying, they were selling oxen, sheep, and doves! Thus, they made His Father’s house a “den of thieves.”

He quickly turned the tables on them, and drove them out. His disciples then remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” Jesus was obviously passionate about His Father’s house. They were not using it for its intended purpose!

All of His life, Jesus helped ensure God’s business was done properly in His own house. As He was growing up, He reminded His earthly parents that He must be about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49). Where was He? He was in the same place, same time of year, but just a little earlier in life. He was then listening and asking questions regarding the Law. He knew what its purpose was! It was also His custom to read in the synagogue on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16).

Body

I. David’s zeal.

A. The disciples remember what David wrote in Psalm 69:9:

“Because zeal for Your house has eaten Me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.”

1) Just as Jesus was passionate about working in His Father’s house, David was passionate about sin and its effect on his relationship with God.

2) Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), and David longed to be back in His presence.

3) Later God would send Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, which Jesus would point out to the Jews that questioned Him regarding His actions in the temple (John 2:18-22).

4) Jesus had a zeal for the physical and spiritual well-being of God’s people; do we?

B. In Psalm 122:1, David said:

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD.’”

1) Later in Psalm 122:9 he added, “Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek Your good.”

2) He had a zeal to be where God is; therefore, he wanted to do all he could for Him.

3) Are we the same way? Do we long to assemble with the saints on the first day of the week to worship God? Do we look forward to our midweek Bible study? Do we share that zeal with others and invite them? Do we proclaim the gospel of Christ?

II. The Psalmist’s zeal. Psalm 119:139-141:

“My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words. Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it. I am small and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts.”

A. Do we have the same zeal for the Word of God?

1) Do we read and study it as we should?

2) Do we teach it to others?

3) Do we live it every day?

III. Zeal for God’s temple.

A. King David wanted to build a house for God, but could not for he was a man of war and had shed blood (I Chronicles 22:8; 28:3).

B. Therefore, he assembled the people together and gave them instructions.

1) Solomon helped build it.

2) Everyone worked diligently. T

3) They all gave what they had zealously for God (1 Chronicles 29:1-6).

C. Do we do that today?

1) Are the elders zealously overseeing the Lord’s church (1 Peter 5:2)?

2) Are we as Christians giving zealously to God (2 Corinthians 9:7-13; 8:2-7)?

IV. Zeal for God’s tabernacle.

A. God’s message through Moses stirred the hearts of the Israelites. Many were willing to bring what they had (materials, skills, etc.) to aid in the construction of the tabernacle.

B. Do we have a zealous heart for God?

1) We should give our entire selves to the Lord (Romans 12:1) every day!

2) If we have a great zeal, it must also have knowledge (Romans 10:2).

3) If we do not have knowledge yet, God can supply it as He did to Paul (Acts 23:1).

Conclusion

A. Do we have a zeal for God?

B. Are we willing to carry on His will in our lives?

C. Others did, and so can we!