Family Worship Center - Raton, NM
This four-week series will discuss God’s emotions—namely, his anger, mercy, love, and empathy. Through four different narratives found in the Gospels, we can see Jesus acting as his Father would and displaying unique attributes that we can both experience and extend as we live out the gospel.
Illustration:
There’s a certain restlessness that comes in those times we find ourselves waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
In the article, “Hope For Waiting Hearts”, Courtney Doctor talks about her own struggles with waiting. She writes, “I had a horse named Carson who was practically perfect in every way—as long as she was moving. The minute she had to stand still and wait, she would pace back and forth, stomp her feet, and throw her head. I would run back and forth to the tack room to hurry and saddle her because she would create such a restless ruckus. As long as she was moving, she was calm, obedient, and a joy. But when she had to wait, she was a night‘mare.’ Honestly, I empathized with her. I’m not good at waiting either.” She closes her article with these words: “If your hope is set on getting what you want, then you stand the chance of being deeply disappointed, even disillusioned. But if we hope in the One who is utterly good, completely for us, whose Word is sure, and whose ways are perfect, then that hope will never disappoint. So when the trials come and you are called to wait and be patient, wait well by anchoring your hope in the One whose promises are sure and whose character never fails”
John 2:13-25 NLT
Big Idea: Jesus’s passion for the temple pointed to his demand for righteousness and holy living. His anger burned not because he was vindictive or capricious but because he saw his sacred space being used for personal gain and not worship.
1) God's Justice Shouldn't be a Surprise
(Write notes below)
2) God Will Grab Our Attention
(Write notes below)
3) God's Anger is Just
(Write notes below)
4) God's Answer was Jesus
(Write notes below)
Application Point: How we worship with our lives paints a picture of our understanding of God’s essential character. Our failure can taint the image others will have of God.
-Jesus’s turning over of the tables in the temple is a reminder to us that he is concerned both by the way God is glorified and by how people are treated.
-As Christians, we should acknowledge that we are responsible for pointing people to Jesus, and when we fail to do so because they cannot see beyond our show, then he has every right to get angry with us.
What tables is he turning over in our lives today?
Romans 5:8-9 NKJV
This space left open to write notes as Pastor Josh seems to go down rabbit trails...
Luke 15:7 NLT