Monday 4/14/14 The Temple

Dear Father in Heaven:  I confess I am a sinner and I also confess that I need to repent of my sins.  I confess also that I love You very much, Jesus, and I ask that You forgive me of my sins and shortcomings and help me to repent and not sin again.  Please be with those who we have listed on our prayer list last week, and today, Lord, I ask Your healing hand upon Nancy Guyler who has leukemia, and on Gospel singer Buck Rambo who is in a rehab hospital.  Also, Lord, please keep Your h and upon Pastor Tim Beitzel as he steps through the door You have opened for him.  Be with his family also.  Lord, thanks for the blessings of the weekend, and now, Lord, please watch over our family, our ministry, and also be with our Matthew, wherever he is.  Place Your healing hand on Dolores and also, I could use that touch.  Now, please help me with the message and then please help me dispatch it.  In the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters.  What a great day, The Son and the sun are both out bright this day, as they are each day.  Some days the clouds cover the brightness of the sun, and some days our blindness covers the brightness of The Son.  This week will be very busy and go past fast.  So let me get right to the message, The Temple.

Monday:  April 14, 2014, The Temple (One).

Mark 11:11 - Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple.  He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, He went out to Bethany with the Twelve.  (NIV)

Luke 19:45 - Then He entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling.  46 "It is written," He said to them, "'My house will be a house of prayer,' But you have made it a den of robbers."  (NIV)

I wanted to show you how Jesus went into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday, and after that He went to the Temple.  But the main point of the day's message is Jesus going into the Temple and what He found.  In the Temple He found people selling things, exchanging things for money.  And He got upset, and He drove out those who were selling, referred to as money changers.  I think it also shows us that Jesus can get upset when someone goes against what His Father, our Father, wants for all of us.  Think about it, folks.  I also want you to think about what might go on in churches today.  In the sanctuary areas.  While I pastor a retirement community, one that does not have a chapel, the room is used for many things.  However, some of the church-sponsored retirement homes, as the Church of God in Carlisle, PA, have a chapel inside the home.  I have never seen that chapel used for anything other than "the Lord's work."  But what about you where you go to church?  Is the sanctuary used for other things that are not for the work of God?  I have been in some where the church things are cleared and the kids have basketball or other games as the building was built for more than one purpose.  And I have also seen where things are sold, a flea market is held to raise money, and while it is for the church, DOES THAT MAKE IT RIGHT?  While I know money needs to come in to float the bills of the church and other workings for God, I also think there is a line that can be crossed.  I think that when the deacons of churches sit down and talk about events that might be going to go on in the church sanctuary this scripture needs to be brought forth and used in making the decision.  If money is to be raised it should be raised by what goes in the offering plate, and then if additional funds are needed, maybe a tent should be rented.  I think crossing the line, and using the "Temple" for other than God's work is a line you might not want to cross.  I will hear about this, but maybe if "churches" would get back to doing what God wants according to His Word found in the Bible, there might not need to be so many fund raising things going on.

One time when I was doing the cooking for the Bus Museum and selling the food, and this was for fund raising, I decided to sell all the food by donation.  I had a sign up that said by donation and if you could not afford anything, I would put in the donation.  More money was raised with less help that year than any other year.  God is good, and when we do things for Him, He will surely bless the event.  When we go against Him, well, go back and see what He did in the Temple.

Now go forth and share your blessings, and please remember that if you go to church, the church has bills to pay.  Share your blessings and watch your blessings grow.  Love ya, and please pass on my love.

Pastor Dan