1. A House of Prayer
Mark 11:15-18

2. Background
Jesus enters the temple (the hieron, the court of Gentiles) and cleanses it (Mt. 21:12- 13; Mk. 11:15-18; Lk. 19:45-47)
The moneychangers were present to exchange foreign currency for the temple tax (Ex. 36:30; Mt. 17:24)
The ones who bought and sold (doves) animals & supplies were present for the sacrifices (Lev. 1:14; 5:7; 12:8)

3. Background
A bazaar of merchant booths and tables was set up a few days before the Passover
Anyone who came to the temple would find it hard to concentrate on worshipping God with all the noise and commotion going on (compare with Mt. 21:14-16)
The local priesthood refused to keep out the merchants

4. Temple in Jerusalem

5. The House of God The “house of God” was the tabernacle (Mt. 12:4)
The “house of God” was the temple (Acts 7:49)
The “house of God” is the Lord’s church (Heb. 10:21; 1 Pet. 4:17)

6. The House of God
We learn something about the right purpose for assembling: the house of God is to be a “house of prayer” (Isa. 56:6-8), not a place of merchandise
We must remember our purpose as the Lord’s house: to offer up spiritual sacrifices (1 Pet. 2:5-9)
Are we about spiritual worship or carnal, material activities when we come together?

7. The House of God
We learn something about the right lifestyle when assembling: the house of God is to be a place of purity, not a “den of robbers” (Jer. 7:1-11)
We must remember our lifestyle as the Lord’s house: the way we ought to behave (1 Tim. 3:15)
Are we about godly living or hypocritical immorality when we come together?

8. The House of God
We learn something about the right attitude about assembling: the “zeal for thy house” (Jn. 2:13-17; Psa. 69:9)
We must remember our attitude toward the Lord’s house: zealous for purity; zeal to change (Rev. 3:19)
Are we about zeal or indifference when we come together?