Jesus found that God’s people had lost sight of what was central to the faith. Are we being faithful, or is our practice cluttered with things that don’t belong?
Worship with Holy Communion this week:
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in the chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School, Adult Bible Study and fellowship
10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship
Devotions for this week:
Jesus Cleanses the Temple, John 2:13-25 January 21, 2018
SHARE: What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding
Sunday, John 2:13-25, Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Monday, Psalm 127:1-2, God’s Blessing in the Home
Tuesday, Psalm 127:3-5, God’s Blessing in the Home
Wednesday, Psalm 128:1-2, The Happy Home of the Faithful
Thursday, Psalm 128:3-4, The Happy Home of the Faithful
Friday, Psalm 128: 5-6, The Happy Home of the Faithful
Saturday, Psalm 129:1-8, Prayer for the Downfall of Israel’s Enemies
TALK: Consider some of these ideas:
In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. (John 2:14-15)
Cattle, sheep, doves—all for sale. Just another day at the temple. But today, money changers had better be on their guard. Jesus is in town and he’s not pleased with what has become of his Father’s house.
- What questionable behaviors or customs does your community practice that are so embedded in your community, they have not been examined for a long time?
- How could you begin to effect change?
- Clean your house. Get rid of things that are bogging you down. Lighten your load. Simplify.
PRAY: Merciful Lord, you are at once full of mercy and righteousness. Rouse us from complaisance and light your fire within us again, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
BLESS: May God shake up your status quo. Amen.
