Found in the House of the Lord

Some things shouldn’t be there but are, and some things should be and are

found in God’s House.

Some things shouldn’t be found in God’s house…

But are there nonetheless, like:1. Robbers, Matt.21:12-13• A den is a place to hide, and in this case, the

hiding place was in the temple; but Jesus drove them out.

• There were similar occurrences then, 2Cor.2:17; 1Tim.6:3-5;

• And now- “churches” designed, built, and operated to make money rather than teach the gospel to the saving of souls, 1Tim.1:5-7.

Some things shouldn’t be found in God’s house…

But are there nonetheless, like:2. Hypocrites, Luke 18:9-14. • They give alms to be seen by men, Matt.6:1-2;• They pray to be seen/heard by men, Matt.6:5;• They wear their religion on their sleeves & faces

to be seen by men, Matt.6:16;• They see and condemn specks in others while

sporting logs their own eyes, Matt.7:1-5.

Some things shouldn’t be found in God’s house…

But are there nonetheless, like:3. Diotrephes-types, 3John 9-11.• They love to be first/foremost, v.9a; • Even if it means refusing truth, v.9b;• And those who stand for it, v.10.

4. Going through the motions Christians, Rev.2:1-7.• They did a lot of right things, vv.2-3,6;• Just not for the right reason, vv.4-5.

Some things should be found in God’s house,

And are:1. Jesus, Luke 2:41-50. • While a lot of things can be “found” in

some churches, sadly, “Jesus” is not always one of them, John 12:20-21. • May we ever be a house of God where

Jesus can be seen- both in teaching, Acts 5:42; 8:35; and demonstration of Him in our lives, Matt.5:13-16; Eph.5:1-2.

Some things should be found in God’s house,

And are:2. The Book of the Law, 2Kings 22:1-13. • Judah had endured a succession of evil kings, 21:19-22. • They became so devoted to idolatry that the Law of

God became lost.• When young king Josiah decided to repair the Temple

as a part of spiritual reforms, the Law of God was “found” in the Temple!

• While it is not always the case, surely the current Law of God (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) should be “found” in God’s house, 1Tim.3:15.

Some things should be found in God’s house,

And are:3. Christians who do the right things in the right ways for the right reasons, Matt.6:1ff. • They give alms this way, vv.3-4;• They pray this way, vv.6-15; • They wear their religion in their hearts and

on their souls, vv.17-18; and,• They judge with righteous, rather than

hypocritical, judgment, John 7:24.

Some things should be found in God’s house,

And are:4. Christians who are glad to go to and be in the house of the Lord, Psalm 122:1. • They are happy to sing, pray, commune with

Christ and their brethren, and hear and learn God’s word in God’s house, Psalm 42:1-4. • They are happy to be there, and are, like

Barnabas, willing to assist and encourage fellowship, Acts 4:36; 9:26-28; 11:22-23.

found in God’s house:

In which group are you?The robber, hypocrite, Diotrephes, and going through the motions type who shouldn’t be found in God’s house but are nonetheless?

Or,Those who want to see Jesus there, find God’s Law there, do the right things in the right ways for the right reasons type who not only love to go to the house of the Lord, but also encourage others to enter and maintain that fellowship?