"The Expectations of Christ"

Text: Mark 11:12-19

Introduction...
How would Jesus feel if He were to visit the Churches in America Today? Would he feel welcomed or would He clean house? Did Jesus ever display anger and disgust? Absolutely! When?
When He went to Church. He cleansed the Temple. (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all recorded it).
What are the expectations of Christ that "All" Christians should fulfill today? Christ expects certain things from His Church.
 

• Christ expects "Unity" in His Church.
  
  Eph. 4:1-3 "I implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called...How?
  
  vs 2 "With all humility, gentleness, and patience, showing "Forbearance" for one another in love".
  
  vs 3 "Being diligent to "Preserve the Unity" of the Spirit in the bond of peace"
  
  vs 4 for "there is one Body and one Spirit".
  
  Why? Why does He desire Unity? In the body of Christ? Because God has chosen us as Christ's representatives on Earth.
  
  Paul challenges us to live life worthy of the calling we have received. The awesome privilege of being called Christ's very own.
  
  We are His Children. We should walk, act, and live like it. IN UNITY
  
  This includes being humble, gentle, patient, and understanding, and peaceful. "Why? Because people are watching your lives. Can they see Christ in you?" Are you a good reflection of Him?
  
  How well are we doing as His representatives?
  
  Unity does not just happen! We have to work at it. unity is not automatic. It takes work, hard work! It takes diligence!!
  How can we protect the Unity of our Church?

1. By Acting in love towards other members. 1Peter 1:22 "Have a sincere love for other believers, love one another earnestly, with all your heart."
2. By refusing to gossip or even listen to gossip. Eph. 4:29 says; "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs."
   Am I building others up...or am i ripping them apart and tearing them down with my tongue?
3. By submitting to following my leaders, (Spiritual Submission) Hebrews 13:17 "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority for they keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy and not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."
   Romans 14:19 "So let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and on the growth of our fellowship together." OR "Let us pursue the things that make peace and the building up of one another."
   Christ expects Unity in His Body. So let's protect the Unity of our Church.

• Christ expects "Fruitfulness" (Mark 11:12-19)
  The cursing of the Fig tree shows that Christ expects fruitfulness from His people. Jesus cursed the Fig tree because it was not producing any fruit. It was barren and useless.
  The Fig tree symbolizes "Israel". (Jer. 8:13, 29:17, Hosea 9:10) But this serves as a warning to ALL believers.
  
  Romans 11:21 "If God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either." you see, the Fig tree "Showed Promise" of Fruit, but produced none. It looked like it was healthy and producing, but it wasn't. It was "Outward Show" only. It gave the appearance of being fruitful...All show like Israel.
   
• Jesus ' anger was directed at "Religious Life" without substance. (All talk but no action)
  Jesus expects us as Christians to produce some fruit. Eventually!
   
• How can I share in the Fruitfulness of my Church? 
• By Praying for it's growth! He wants His house to be a house of prayer. So we need to pray the Harvest in.
• By Inviting the Un-churched to attend. 89% of all Church visitors come because a family member or friend invited them.
• By Warmly welcoming those who do visit. Show them kindness. Overwhelm them with love. Be true!
   
• Luke 14:23 "The Master said to the servant, go out to the roads and country lanes and urge the people to come so My House will be full."
  He wants His House to be full. God can't save seats, but He can save Souls...
   
• Romans 15:7 (L.B.) "So warmly welcome each other into the Church just as Christ has warmly welcomed you, then God will be Glorified."
  Christ expects "FRUITFULNESS" from His people. Remember "All fruit doesn't ripen the same season". So we can expect "Fruitfulness" all year long.
  Pray and ask God to help you bear fruit for His Kingdom.
   
• Christ expects "HOLINESS" in His Church. (vs 15-19)
  The cleansing of the temple shows that Christ expects "Holiness" from His people. Jesus was angry over the desecration of the Temple. His House was to be a house of worship and prayer but they were making it a den of thieves. Jesus would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.
  Jesus was angry over the exploitation of the pilgrims and the poor. They were taking advantage of the poor and needy. They were charging exhorbant rates for the exchange of currency. Jesus got very upset.
  His House (Temple), was to called of all Nations..."The house of Prayer" but you have made it a robbers den. A den of theives. (vs 17)
  you see, they had become a "Hindrance" and a "Distraction" to those who wanted to truly worship God. (Be careful not to be a hindrance and distraction to those around you).
   
• Holiness disrupts all dishonesty.
  A.   The Church should not be used for "Social Status" or "Social Club"
  
  B.   The Church should not be used for "Business Contracts"
  All business and professional people come here to Worship God without becoming swamped or stampeded by well meaning Christians who don't know any better...Stop using God's House for business, contact them on Monday!
  
  C.   The Church should not be used for "Worldly Entertainment".
  The Church is becoming too Worldly and the World is becoming too Churchy.
  
  D.   The Church should not be used for "Selfish Showmanship"
  Since we are the Temple of God, we should fulfill the expectations of Christ.
  " Be Ye Holy as I Am Holy" the word says.
  We should walk and act and live as Christ lived. We are His representatives on Earth. How will the world ever see and Holy Living if we do not walk in Holiness?
  
  E.   In the Old Testament, God had a Temple for His people. In the New Testament, He had People for His Temple.
  We are the Temple of God! We are to live Holy Lives set apart for Him. Consecrated and Dedicated unto Him...
  "LORD PREPARE ME" should be our daily prayer.
  
  F.   We are expected to align ourselves with Holiness. 1Cor. 3:16-17 "Do you know that you are a Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the Temple of God,  God will destroy him, for the Temple of God is Holy and that is what you are..."HOLY"
  The Church is not to be destroyed and ruined by "Divisions', Controversy, or any other sins".
  Phil.1:27; "What ever happens, make sure that your every day life is worthy of the Gospel of Christ". Or, "Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
  Are you walking in Holiness?
  
  
  Conclusion...Christ expects...
  1.   Unity...are you protecting the Unity of your Church, or are you a part of the problem?
  
  2.   Fruitfulness...are you producing? or are you simply "Appearing to be fruitful"?
  
  Pray and ask God to help you be a Fruitful Christian. Make yourself available to God and He will use you.
  
  3.   Holiness...are you living a Holy Life? (1 Cor. 6:19-20) Or are you becoming more and more worldly?