John 2:13-25 is one of the most difficult pages in the Bible. The content is not the difficulty, but rather, the placement in John’s Gospel. Both historically and in the other Gospels it is agreed that Jesus cleansing the temple occurred during the holy week leading to his crucifixion. It is also agreed that there were not two occasions when Jesus cleansed the temple, but only one. Why then does John place this account at this point in His Gospel? The New American Commentary sheds light on this dilemma: “Given this dilemma, then, readers of John need to consider that the problem may be one of perspective and false expectation. Why should John have to write his Gospel as a modern newspaper reporter? His purpose was not to report but to proclaim and persuade (20:30–31). He was a great inspired artist and theologian who organized his episodes from the life of Jesus in such a way as to bring people to faith in Jesus as the Son of God.”[1] The placement of John’s account of the temple cleansing in his writing should not really surprise us. He used a method that is often used by authors throughout history. He used a literary method known as medius res which means, ‘in the middle of things.’ Have you ever watched a television show that began with a scene toward the conclusion of the story and then went back to the beginning to provide greater detail? This is often done to get your attention and to get you interested in the story. John’s Gospel is not a chronological account of Jesus’ life and ministry. The purpose of this Gospel is to introduce us to Jesus and draw us closer to Him. John’s purpose was to compare light from darkness and life from death. Thus, he used accounts in the life of Jesus in order to achieve that purpose.
The Discovery. The first thing we see in this passage is the discovery of the corruptness taking place in the temple. He discovered a temple that had become worldly. Worldliness in the house of God is not unfamiliar to us today. Many churches today have become so like the world that you cannot tell any difference between the church and the world.
The Response. Jesus responded by cleansing the temple. He overthrew the money changers and drove out those who corrupted the house of God. Just as Jesus cleansed the temple, so the church is desperately in need of cleansing today. If we desire for God to do a work in and through us, then the church must be cleansed.
Using the cleansing of the temple as a basis for our study, let us consider the differences between a worldly church and a holy church. Such a comparison will enable us to repent of our worldliness and strive to be the holy church that God desires us to be.
Characteristics of a worldly church. A worldly church is not what we may think it is. In our humanity we tend to focus on appearance rather than the heart. We tend to focus on perception rather than reality. Some will look at a church and say it is a worldly church because of the manner in which they worship and the methods they use. For example, some will say that a church that uses contemporary styles of worship is a worldly church. Some may walk into a church and see people dressed in t-shirts and shorts and make the claim that it is a worldly church. Some will consider a church that uses the latest technological tools and methods of communication as a worldly church. Some will say that a church that engages in creative efforts to reach people is a worldly church. Some may say that if the preacher uses any version of the Bible other than King James, then it is a worldly church. However, none of these things are true characteristics of a worldly church. Just because a church uses contemporary music, does not mean it is a worldly church. Just because the church uses creative and modern methods, does not mean it is a worldly church. Just because people wear jeans with holes in them does not mean it is a worldly church. So, what makes a church worldly? What makes a church worldly has nothing to do with appearance, but rather, with attitude. The characteristics of a worldly church is found in the three aspects of sin found in 1 John 2:16. “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”[2] Worldliness is not defined by appearances or practices, but by the sinfulness of the heart. With this in mind let us consider three characteristics of a worldly church.
The first characteristic of a worldly church is selfish or self-centeredness. This corresponds with the lust of the flesh. A worldly church is one that is filled with people that are consumed with themselves. They have no regard for others. All they care about is having their wants satisfied. They think that because they are a tithing member of the church, then the church should revolve around them. When something happens that they don’t like they get all upset and threatened to leave the church if they don’t get what they want. They want the church to be what they want it to be without any consideration of what God wants it to be. They refuse to listen. They are set in their ways. There is no way of convincing them. They want their music. They want their style of preaching. They want their version of the Bible read. They want everyone to dress the way they do. They want everyone to be involved in their pet projects as if what they do is more important than anything else. They have no regard for church leadership. They think they are exempt from all church policies. They want everything and everyone to fit in the mold that they have created. This is nothing but pure selfishness. It is the lust of the flesh. It is the pleasing of oneself. This is what makes a church worldly. Not musical styles or methodology, but just plain ole’ selfishness. This is how the world lives. Everyone is looking out for their own interests. They have no concern for anyone else and no regard for God and His Word. They want what they want and if they don’t get what they want then they will make everyone else miserable. Sadly, this worldly attitude is most often seen in the church. When will we ever get over ourselves and get back to making Jesus the center of the church and not ourselves?
The second characteristic of a worldly church is to be money hungry. This corresponds with the lust of the eyes. The scripture says that the ‘love of money is the root of all evil.’ This lust of the eyes in a worldly church can go one of two ways. One, it can be a lust for what other churches have. They see that a church down the road has a playground, so we must have a playground. The church down the road has a new LED sign, so we must have a new LED sign. A worldly church has the attitude of constantly wanting more. Rather than wanting more of Jesus, they want more things that will make them look good. Pastors can often get caught up in such lust. They visit a bigger church and see how they do things. They read a book and think that if they do what is in that book then their church will grow. They try to make the church they pastor something it is not by trying to be like someone else. Two, it can be a lust for a big nest egg. I have seen churches with millions of dollars that will not spend a dime. They create all kind of red tape so no money can be spent and nothing can be done. They have a desire to hold on to that which does not belong to them in the first place. The lust of the eyes. Wanting more. Wanting to be like someone else. Money hungry.
The final characteristic of a worldly church is one that is power hungry. This corresponds to the pride of life. A worldly church is one that is filled with people that want control. They have no respect or regard for God ordained leadership. They have no regard for what the Bible says concerning the structure of the church. There are those who attempt to have their hand in everything because they want control. They crave power. They want to control everything the church does. They want to control the pastor. They want to control the staff. They want to control the deacons. They are filled with the pride of life. A worldly church is a power hungry church.
A worldly church is not defined by appearance, but rather, it is defined by attitude. It is defined by what is in the heart. Jesus described the temple as a house of prayer. It is a place of worship. Jesus cleansed the temple because he desires that the church be holy.
A holy church. A holy church is the opposite of a worldly church. There are four characteristics of a worldly church that we should consider.
First, a holy church is one that is built on Christ. Sadly, many churches today are built on the wrong foundation. I have heard of churches that were started as a rebellion or reaction to the traditional church. Others were started as a church for young people and their whole way of doing things is just to attract young people. Some churches were started on the basis of being an interracial church. Other churches have been started as a reaction to other churches that in their mind have become too worldly. So they start a church with all types of man-made rules in order to not be like those other churches. Some churches were started with the sole purpose of being contemporary and relevant. Other churches were started with the sole purpose of being traditional. Many churches were started to promote a certain denominational label or brand. A Southern Baptist Church is started in a community where there are no Southern Baptist Churches. An Independent Baptist Church is started in a community where there are no Independent Baptist Churches around for miles as if Independent Baptist is the only church there should be. Some churches are planted in communities as a non-denominational church as a proud act of rebellion against denominationalism. My friend, none of these things are of God. I would dare say that a vast majority of churches were built on the wrong foundation. This is why churches have so many problems. It’s because they have the wrong foundation. A holy church is not one that is built upon self-made ideas or as a reaction or alternative to something they don’t like. A holy church is one that is built solely on Christ alone. How do you know if a church is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ? It is when there is no selfishness to be found. It is when everything is all about Jesus. It is all about lifting up Jesus and preaching Jesus. Personal preferences don’t matter, because it’s about Jesus. Musical styles are not an issue, because it’s about Jesus. Comfortableness does not matter, because it’s about Jesus. Having control, being elected to serve on a committee does not matter, because it’s about Jesus. Trying to be something you’re not or trying to pattern things after another church is not desired, because it’s about Jesus. Getting one’s way or winning an argument is not important, because it’s about Jesus. A holy church is built on Christ alone.
Secondly, a holy church believes the Scriptures. It is interesting how we tend to read into the scriptures our personal theological viewpoints rather than allowing the scriptures to speak into our lives. A holy church does not add to the scriptures or take away. A holy church takes the Bible at face value. They believe what the Bible says and they do not deter from it. There are some things we believe based on tradition rather than the Bible. We believe something because it is what we have always been taught, but is it really biblical? A holy church is one that has come to the agreement that they are going to follow what the Bible says. The Bible trumps everything. The Bible is our guidebook. The Bible is our rule book. The Bible is the only thing we hold to be absolute. If the Bible says it then that settles it!
Another characteristic of a holy church is one that is Spirit filled. To be filled with the Spirit is to be controlled by the Spirit. Many churches have all the right ingredients. They have a great staff. They have a good children’s and youth ministry. They have wonderful music. They have good preaching. They say all the right things and they do all the right things; but they are not Spirit filled. A Spirit filled life and a Spirit filled church is evident by the fruit of the Spirit. You know you are in a Spirit filled church when there is love, joy, peace (unity), patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness, and faith. A Spirit filled church is a loving church. A Spirit filled church is a united church. A Spirit filled church is a forgiving church. A Spirit filled church is a joyful church. A church can never experience God’s best if it is not Spirit filled.
A final characteristic of a holy church is a church that protects the saints. When Jesus cleansed the temple, He was protecting the people from the themselves. They were destroying themselves by desecrating the house of God. By driving them out, Jesus was protecting them from themselves. A holy church is one that protects one another. They are on guard against anything that would disrupt the unity of the church and the cause of Christ. They protect one another from sinful tendencies by holding each other accountable. A holy church is one that practices church discipline and they take it seriously. The mission and purpose of the church is too great to allow it to be destroyed by immature and carnal Christians. The church must protect itself from itself so that the cause of Christ would not be thwarted.
There is a big difference between a worldly church and a holy church. Just as Jesus cleansed the temple, so He desires that we be cleansed. That we would repent and free ourselves from the characteristics of a worldly church and that we would take on the characteristics of a holy church. May God help us to be a holy church.
[1] Borchert, G. L. (1996). John 1–11 (Vol. 25A, p. 161). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] The New King James Version (1 Jn 2:16). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
Pastor Chris Noland 