This document discusses the intended purpose of temples according to several Bible passages, contrasting it with flawed realities. It begins by explaining how temples were meant to be houses of prayer for all people according to passages like 1 Kings 8:41-43 and Isaiah 2:2-3. However, passages like Jeremiah 7:9-11 and John 2:13-14 show how temples had become places of corruption and commercialism rather than holiness. Jesus cleansed the temple to restore its intended purpose as a holy place of prayer and teaching. The document suggests we should reflect on whether churches today truly fulfill their intended roles.

1. Extreme Makeover:
Temple Edition
Luke
19:45-48

2. The Intended Ideal
I Kings 8:41-43

3. 1Kings 8:41 “As for the foreigner who does not
belong to your people Israel but has come from a
distant land because of your name — 42 for men will
hear of your great name and your mighty hand and
your outstretched arm — when he comes and prays
toward this temple, 43 then hear from heaven, your
dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of
you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know
your name and fear you, as do your own people
Israel, and may know that this house I have built
bears your Name.

4. The Intended Ideal
I Kings 8:41-43
Isaiah 2:2-3

5. Is. 2:2 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s
temple will be established as chief among the
mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all
nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come
and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the
LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach
us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”

6. The Intended Ideal
I Kings 8:41-43
Isaiah 2:2-3
Isaiah 56:6-7

7. Is. 56:6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the
LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and
to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without
desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant — 7
these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them
joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and
sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house
will be called a house of prayer for all nations.

8. The Flawed Reality
Jeremiah 7:9-11

9. Jer. 7:9 “‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery
and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other
gods you have not known, 10 and then come and
stand before me in this house, which bears my Name,
and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these
detestable things? 11 Has this house, which bears my
Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have
been watching! declares the LORD.

10. The Flawed Reality
Jeremiah 7:9-11
John 2:13-14

11. John 2:13 When it was almost time for the Jewish
Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the
temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and
doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.

14. Jesus cleansed the temple
To make it a holy place

15. Jesus cleansed the temple
To make it a holy place
To make it a house of prayer

16. Jesus cleansed the temple
To make it a holy place
To make it a house of prayer
To make it a place where He could
teach

17. What about today?

18. I Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is
a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you
have received from God?

19. The Intended Ideal
I Peter 2:9

20. I Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,
that you may declare the praises of him who called
you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

21. The Flawed Reality
A holy place?

22. The Flawed Reality
A holy place?
A house of prayer?

23. The Flawed Reality
A holy place?
A house of prayer?
A place where He can teach?

24. He still cleanses temples