sept_28_2026_MATT_1_through_16_When_the_spirit_leave_the_room.docx

of the Sermon**

In this sermon, we explored Matthew 21:1–16, focusing on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His cleansing of the temple. The crowd expected a conquering king, but Jesus arrived humbly, intent on liberating hearts rather than overthrowing governments. When He found the temple corrupted, He overturned tables and declared it a house of prayer, not profit. After this, Jesus left the temple—signifying that God’s presence would no longer dwell in a building, but in people. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled ordinary believers, making each of us the new temple. The challenge is personal: will we allow Jesus to cleanse our hearts, or will we resist His reign? The King seeks not a throne in a building, but in our surrendered lives.

**K

Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus Overturns Our Expectations, Not Just Tables The people of Jerusalem wanted a Messiah who would meet their political and personal agendas, but Jesus came to address a deeper need—the liberation of the heart from sin. We often approach Jesus with our own expectations, hoping He will fit into our plans. True discipleship means letting Jesus be who He truly is, even when it disrupts our comfort or challenges our assumptions. The question is not whether Jesus will meet our expectations, but whether we will surrender to His.
• 2. The Cleansing of the Temple Is a Call to Personal Holiness Jesus’ act of driving out corruption from the temple is not just a historical event—it’s a mirror for our own lives. As temples of the Holy Spirit, we must ask what tables need overturning in our hearts. It’s easy to tolerate compromise or clutter our lives with distractions, but Jesus desires a dwelling place marked by prayer, worship, and integrity. Allowing Him to cleanse us is an act of trust and surrender, not shame.
• 3. God’s Presence Has Moved from Buildings to Hearts When Jesus left the temple, it was a profound statement: God’s presence would no longer be confined to a physical structure. At Pentecost, the Spirit filled ordinary people, making each believer a living temple. This means our daily lives—our thoughts, actions, and relationships—are sacred spaces where God desires to dwell. The challenge is to live with the awareness that we carry His presence wherever we go.
• 4. Superficial Religion Cannot Substitute for Surrendered Relationship It’s possible to bear Christ’s name, display religious symbols, and participate in rituals, yet resist the deeper work of transformation. Jesus is not interested in outward displays or checklists; He seeks to reign in hearts that are open and surrendered. The difference between ritual and relationship is whether we allow Him to truly “move in” and take authority over every area of our lives.
• 5. Letting Jesus Reign Means Letting Him Clean House Inviting Jesus into our lives is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process of allowing Him to confront and cleanse what doesn’t belong. This may be uncomfortable, as it means facing our sin, pride, and need for control. Yet, it is only when we let Him “flip the tables” that we experience the fullness of His presence and peace. The King is not looking for a throne in a temple—He’s looking for a throne in you.

1. What did the crowd expect Jesus to do when He entered Jerusalem, and how did His actions differ from their expectations?
2. In Matthew 21:12–13, what specific actions did Jesus take in the temple, and what reason did He give for doing so?
3. According to the sermon, what was the significance of Jesus leaving the temple after cleansing it?
4. How does the passage describe the shift from God’s presence in a building to His presence in people?

1. Why did Jesus choose to enter Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a warhorse, and what message was He sending to the people and religious leaders?
2. What does Jesus’ cleansing of the temple reveal about what He values in worship and in the lives of His followers?
3. The sermon mentions that at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled ordinary believers, making them the new temple. What does this mean for how Christians should view their daily lives?
4. The crowd wanted a Messiah who would meet their personal and political agendas. How does this reflect the ways people today might approach Jesus with their own expectations?

1. The sermon challenges us to let Jesus “overturn tables” in our hearts. What are some specific “tables” (habits, attitudes, or sins) in your life that you sense Jesus wants to address or remove?
2. Are there areas where you have tried to fit Jesus into your own plans or expectations, rather than surrendering to who He truly is? What would it look like to let go of those expectations?
3. Since God’s presence now dwells in believers, how does this change the way you think about your everyday actions, thoughts, and relationships? Can you think of a recent situation where you forgot or remembered this truth?
4. The sermon warns against settling for superficial religion—outward displays without inward surrender. Are there any religious routines or symbols in your life that have become empty rituals? How can you move from ritual to real relationship with Jesus?
5. When you think about Jesus “reigning” in your life, what area is hardest for you to surrender—control, comfort, reputation, or something else? Why do you think that is?
6. The temple was meant to be a house of prayer. What practical steps can you take this week to make your heart and home a place of prayer and worship?
7. If Jesus were to “walk into the temple of your heart” today, what do you think He would find? What is one thing you want to invite Him to change or cleanse in you this week?