This weekend Greg delves into Matthew 21, focusing on Jesus' cleansing of the temple. He begins with a reminder of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where He was hailed as the Messiah, the Son of David, and the great rescuer. This entry was marked by humility and peace, symbolized by Jesus riding on a donkey. However, the narrative quickly shifts as Jesus enters the temple and displays what is often referred to as "righteous anger."

Greg emphasizes that while we might be tempted to justify our own anger by comparing it to Jesus' actions, we must remember that we are not Jesus. Our motives are often mixed, and we must be cautious not to use this passage to justify unhealthy patterns in our lives. Instead, we should see ourselves as the temple, where Jesus desires to cleanse and fill with His presence.

This sermon highlights the scene in the temple where Jesus overturns the tables of the money changers and those selling doves. This act was not just about anger but about restoring the temple to its intended purpose—a house of prayer and a place for genuine connection with God. Greg points out that the religious activities in the temple had become a means of exploitation, turning it into a "den of robbers."

Jesus' actions were aimed at making room for those who truly needed Him—the blind, the lame, and the broken. The sermon underscores that the church should be a place for broken people to find healing and freedom, not a sanctuary for those who appear to have it all together.

Greg also addresses the importance of prayer, urging us all to participate in the Prayer Room gatherings. He emphasizes that the church should be a house of prayer, where people connect with God and seek His presence.

He concludes with a call to self-reflection. Greg challenges us to consider what tables Jesus might want to overturn in our hearts, how they can make room for the broken in the church, and how they are emulating Jesus to their children.

Small Group Discussion Questions:

Reflect on the Temple Cleansing:
How do you interpret Jesus' actions in the temple? What does this tell us about His priorities for worship and religious practice?

In what ways might we be guilty of turning our own spiritual practices into something that resembles a "den of robbers"?

Personal Reflection:
Greg mentioned that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. What areas of your life might Jesus want to cleanse or overturn?

How can you ensure that your relationship with God is genuine and not just a series of religious activities?

Prayer and Connection:
How can we as a small group become more of a "house of prayer"? What steps can we take to prioritize prayer in our gatherings?

Share a time when prayer has significantly impacted your life or the life of someone you know.

Welcoming the Broken:
How can our church and small group be more welcoming to those who are broken or in need of healing?

What practical steps can we take to ensure that our church is a place where people can find healing and freedom?

Emulating Jesus to the Next Generation:
How are you modeling the transforming power of Jesus to your children or younger people in your life?

What changes might you need to make in your own life to better reflect Jesus to those around you?

Action Steps:
What is one specific action you can take this week to align your life more closely with the teachings of Jesus in this passage?

How can our small group support each other in making these changes?