Cleansing All The House of The Lord

Bible References: 2Chr. 29:18b, Isa. 56:7, Jer.7:11-12, Mal.3:1-4, Mk.11:15-16, ICor.3:16-17
Bible Teaching Prepared and delivered on 7th August, 2024 by Pastor Oyeleke D. A TACN Oke-Otubu Area Superintendent During TACN 48th LAWNA International Convention on 3rd Over 9th August, 2024 by 5:30am

Introduction:
Right from history, it has been the demand/desire of God the only approved object of worship in the name of Jesus Christ Jn. 14:6 that, His house both physically and spiritually be made clean, free from dirt and filthiness and be according to His attribute/nature (Holiness) Isa.57:15. He has given this duty to man not the Angels even all His worshipers (Both clergies and laities) 2Chro 29:15-16, Jam.4:8 The Levites, chosen by God to serve in the Temple had been kept from their duties by king Ahaz’s wickedness 2Chro.28:24. But, King Hezekiah (a reformer) called them back into service, reminding them that the Lord had chosen them to minister to Himself. It is so pathetic, because so many in the Church contemporarily have been rendered inactive and ineffective because of pressures, responsibilities, and even oppositions from the gate of hell; they have been barricaded from the exhibition of their to God-given duties.

For acceptable service, cleansing MUST be holistic; worshipers must be clean, as well as the house of the Lord, for God’s presence to rule and reign, for the priests to perform their God- given assignments, for the benefits of worshipers and for the glory of God Rom. 15:31, Mal.3:1-4, 2Chro.29:15 After all, we all know that, cleanliness is next to godliness-Exd.19-10-11 In the past years, The Apostolic Church have not been taking the duty of cleansing of the house of worship with levity hands, as well as the life of holiness of her members.

Of course, there MUST be a great difference between the God’s house and a club house, Shrines, or a market place as it happened during Jesus’ earthly ministry. The clergies should be careful of what they install in the house of God, in order not to incur the wrath of God. Also, that we should all awake to the noble duty of making the house of God clean including our hearts which is the Temple of God as we are in this decaying, dilapidating and dying world “Cleansing All the House of the Lord” 2Chro.29:15-18b in order to make it conducive, attractive, and habitable for the owner. Also, for our well-being as humans hygienically and for the perpetual move of the Holy Spirit to R-A-I-S-E us and prepare us pure and clean to appear holy before the judgment seat of Christ and inherit His kingdom after all our services to on earth.

Aims/Objectives of the Teaching:
A. To make known that there is Physical – Spiritual aspect of a Christian life called Eco- Theology which cannot be divorced from his/her Spiritual life – Gen.2:15 (KJV/NIV) it is of a great importance like other Theologies – God-Nature-Man-His duties to take care.

B. That the house of God /worship must be made clean like God the owner – Holy God and it is ONLY for the service of God the Almighty.

C. That God will judge, dessert or destroy any Temple that is not meant for or have desisted from genuine worship of the Lord – 2Kgs. 25:12-17. “Jesus also had a great respect for the House of God (Temple). For example, He visited it at age of twelve- Lk.2:41-25, He attended the Jewish feast there. Also, He taught and healed there. However, He cleansed and called it the house of God/prayer – Mt. 12-4, Jn.2:16. He is never pleased whenever it is being abused”

D. That we as the Temple of God must be clean and pure to make our individual life habitable for God that our hearts be controlled by His Spirit while we are on earth.

Meaning of some Technical Words:
Cleansing – From the word ‘clean’ According Oxford Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary 8th Edition: it means to keep something or people neat or spotless. To remove things that are not necessary or wanted, to be free from offensive or illegal things. It can be used to ask someone to start behaving morally and in a responsible way.

House of the Lord- El-beth or Bethel in Hebrew language, the dwelling place of God (Jacob) Gen. 28:10-22. It is the house of God/Worship-TAC Rules of conduct No8, a Church building, a Temple, a meeting place of humans and divinity (e.g. Garden of Eden), a house of Prayer- Isa.56:7a Sanctuary, Chapel, a place of reference. Spiritually, it is our hearts the dwelling place of the Triune God.

The Temple (House of the Lord) in History:
The issue of having a place of meeting (fellowship) of divinity with humans is not a recent phenomenal. In fact, is as old as Eden. In Genesis Chapt.2:15, 3:8 God made Garden of Eden where He put the first man (Adam & Eve) where He did meet them, in the time of Noah, He commanded an Ark Gen. 6:13ff, in the time of Moses Exd.25-40 He (God) ordered for Tabernacle and in the time of David/Solomon the idea of Temple emerged. What is Temple? According to Unger, it is simply a building set apart for the worship of a deity. But our concern/focus is the Temple set apart for worship of the Almighty God; it also means a sacred place. (In John 2:19, 21 Jesus metaphorically used it as His body) In the First Testament (OT), the Temple has been known as a building built for the Lord God to dwell, where He put His name- Deut. 12:5-8,11-14 purposely to receive the worship, fellowship and relationship of His people- Israelites, ‘The temple was the symbol of God’s presence with Israel’ To demonstrate His glory and power, to speak and manifest Himself to His redeemed, to guide and guard, to direct and control and to prepare them for Himself ready to be used for every good works and be rapture ready at His second return. Deut. 12:5, 11, 16:2, 1Kgs. 8:17, 5:5, 2Chro. 7:16 So, essence of using the Temple as a place to worship Jehovah in our time cannot be over emphasized because of the above reasons.


Historical Context of the Temple:
The first usually believed to be the most famous, is known as Solomon Temple- 1Kgs 5-8. It was begun in 961BCE and took some seven years to be completed. It was, however, destroyed in 587BCE. when Jerusalem was fired by the army of Nebuchadnezzar and her treasures were plundered and carried to Babylon because of their transgressions. The second Temple, also known as Zerubbabel’s Temple, was completed by returning exiles in 515 BCE. It was built on the same site as the first one, though it was not as glorious as Solomon’s Temple. And in the second century, it was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanies who not only despoiled it of its gold but also went ahead to set up in its court an “abomination of desolation”. By this, he set up an altar to the Greek god Zeus, where the Jewish altar of burnt offering stood. He also went ahead to sacrifice swine on the altar and thus defiled the Temple. Judas Maccabaeus led his people in revolt and by 165 BCE the Temple had been recovered, cleansed and restored to normal worship. The third temple, built by King Herod, was begun in 19BCE and completed in 64CE by his son. It was a complex building with the court of the Gentiles, the court of women, the court of Israel and the court of Priests including porches gates as well as the burnt offering, the Holy place and Screened one Jesus went to cleanse during His earthy ministry. off Holy of Holies. It was essentially Greek in design and general outlook and that was the

The National Temple:
In Nigeria, The Apostolic Church LAWNA Territory has built a Temple; called “National Temple” at Olorunda Ketu community, Lagos State. ‘A glorious edifice reputed as the world’s single largest Church Auditorium’, a Temple of Multimillion naira. On the 6th August, 1978, the first foundation was laid by our father Pastor S.G Adegboyega the first National leader of TAC, first African Superintendent and first LAWNA Territorial Chairman. Although, the said temple was not built on that foundation because it was not approved may be by geologists. On 10th May, 1986, Baba Pastor I.G Sakpo the 2nd LTC laid the second one upon which the temple is built. In 1994, Baba Pastor S.S Jemigbon, the 3rd LTC, made the rapid progress in construction of the structure of the Temple and did the partial dedication in 2001. The Temple was completed and officially dedicated on Saturday 19/11/2011 under the Chairmanship of Baba Pastor G.O Olutola, the 4th LTC, who also described it as “the house built with prayers (and for Prayers) and a symbol of Churches unification”. Meanwhile, the prophecy about the building of the National Temple was delivered by Baba I.G Sakpo on August, 1957 during the old Lagos Area Convention at Ebute Metta. So, we have not done wrong for having a Temple (House of the Lord/worship) as Territories, Metros, Areas, Districts and Assemblies for the genuine worship of our God in our time.

Yet, the values of this said temple (National Temple) is what matter most, it is a temple where God answers prayers, accepts worship, where the power of God is being demonstrated for healings, blessings, victory over the enemies, for breakthrough, fruitfulness, sustenance and succor spiritually, where hope and life are given to the weak and dying. A Temple where genuine voice of the Lord (Prophecy) is being received (Motto for each new year) and undiluted word of God is being taught to guide and direct us, a house of God where we see and feel the glory of the Triune God and possess joy unspeakable, where the perfect will of God is being revealed for our lives individually and collectively every time observed. we gather to worship Him. Hence, it must not de defiled, polluted, dishonored and desecrated by any and for any reason, but be made clean, holy and pure, even ready for acceptable services all the time. “How amiable is thy tabernacle O Lord” Psl 84:1 All the above values are applicable to and available in all our Church buildings if the necessities are ols What the House of God and the Dedicated Vessels Therein Stand for:

(1). For the praise and worship of and prayer to God the Almighty Lk.24:53
(2) A place to have communion with God
(3) A place of healing Mt.21:13-14
(4) A place to have fellowship with God
(5) A place to exhibit love and godly relationship with fellow saints
(6) A place of spiritual refinery and of remolding
(7) A place for ministry
(8) A place where wonderful things are to be done
(9) A place of true and accurate judgment of sin through the application of the written word of God not to entertain people
(10) A place of preparation for eternity with Christ – 1Tim.2:15.

The Expected and Acceptable Dispositions of Christians While in the House of God: d) bes
(1). Faith – Mt.8:10, Rom.1:12, Heb.6:11
(2) Repentance from sin
(3) Readiness to change from sinful ways (Conversion)
(4) Obedience to word of God
(5) Belief in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for Salvation
(6) Exhibition of humble worship
(7) Demonstration of heart of thanksgiving for God’s mercy and grace.
(Exd.19:10-11) What the House of God Does Not stand for and should not be Exhibited Therein:

(1) Should not be used as a Multipurpose hall
(2) It should not be used as a reception/a place to eat after any ceremony/service or a place to take refreshment
(3) No cooking should take place inside
(4) It is not a place for tribal, community or family meetings
(5) Not a place to demonstrate diabolic prowess (Burning of incest/candles for prayers etc.)
(6) Partiality and nepotism must NOT be found therein
(7) it is not a place for preachers to attack one another
(8) It Should not be used as a secular school
(9) Unnecessary meeting /discussions must not occur especially during the service Habk.2:20
(10) Cursing of fellow members of the Church must not take place
(11) Usage of Hand-set unnecessarily must not happen during service to God
(12) The dedicated vessels (Public address system, bells, cloth, musical instruments, Holy communion utensils, chairs and tables etc) are for God’s use alone
(13) Not a place for indecent dressings
(14) Our individual heart which is the temple of God is NOT a place of transaction of lusts or immorality-All the aforementioned points are capable of defiling the Temple of God and may allow the glory and presence of God to depart. Jer.2:7, 7:11-12, 2Kgs. 25:12-17. In the days of Prophet Ezekiel – Ezek. 8-11, the house of God was misused and the glory of God departed completely.

Prophet Ezekiel was taken into a vision from Babylon to the Temple in Jerusalem to see the great wickedness of people being practiced there. The people and their religious leaders were thoroughly corrupt.
“When they refused to repent and change; God’s glory departed from the Temple Ezek. 10:18 and never completely present again until Christ Himself visited it in New Testament times” So, polluting the house of God is dangerous and the results have never been friendly – Isa.56:11-12, Mk. 11:15-16.

Spiritual and Physical Cleaning of the House of God:

1. Purification and dedication of each worshiper’s spirit, soul and body- Psl.24:4, 95:3, APP.112 by the word of God and the blood of Jesus.
2. Application of the R-A-I-S-E agenda which God has given to our father the 6th LTC.
3. Provision of foot mats at the entrances of all our Assemblies to prevent some dirties
4. Provision of dustbins or waste baskets to avoid the Church auditorium being littered 5. Provision of conveniences (Toilets) in the Church premises- Deut. 23:13
5. Regular floor cleanings which can extend the lifespan of a church building floors and leave a polished and professional appearance for members and sweeping of both in and out of the Temple-2Chro 29:15
6. Removal of dust, cobwebs etc. and this is one of the reasons both morning and evening prayer meeting are important and essential.
7. Washing of altars’ clothes, decoration clothes and dusting of other vessels in the house of the Lord- 2Chro. 29:18
8. Disinfection. In-house janitorial services may not be enough to keep the house of God looking clean, but it can be disinfected regularly for our health as we kill the germs that seem to be invisible.
9. It is the duty of all members of the Church including the clergies – 2Chro.29:16. Of course, cleansing of the house of God is a rewarding service in the Church; some do it directly while some use their money to do it. It is also necessary, to spiritually disinfect our heart regularly by the word of God and blood of Jesus for spiritual cleansing.

Jesus’ Action and Importance of Cleansing the Temple:
Jesus Christ has never been friendly to whoever abuses the Temple of God because, He knows the value and what it is established for. The issue of cleansing all the house of the Lord is a very serious issue with Jesus because, He knows what the Temple of God is built for “A house of prayer” – Jer.17:11, Lk. 19:45-46 all the four Gospel writers recorded the event- Mt. 21:12-14, Mk.11:12-19, Lk.19:45-48 & Jn. 2:13-16 “When cur Lord entered Jerusalem, He did not go up to the palace of the king nor to the courts of the rulers, but He went up straight to the Temple, the House of God. His kingdom was not of this world, not physical, but spiritual. His authority and rule were in the Temple of God and in the hearts of men. Therefore, He went up to the Temple of God to cleanse it and to teach men how the temple was and is to be used”

The Importance:
A Church is not just a building for its members but a place where they come to connect with their faith and build community. The crowd that a Church attracts to its services and other gathering that may disturb the move of the Spirit is precisely why is important to keep it physically clean.

1. To restore the lost/departed glory of God.
2. To restore people back to the true worship of Jehovah.
3. To fulfill the purpose for which it’s built.
4. To bring people back to the obedience of the Lord their God.
5. To re-establish the laws of God.
6. To put an end to Satanic manifestations.
7. To make it resemble its owner (God) and make Him to have His rightful place.
8. To make it clean and habitable hygienically – Deut. 23:13
9. To rescue it from becoming deserted or abandoned by God thereby, render it to a mere building.

Man’s Heart as the House (Temple) of the Lord:

As earlier said, there is physical and spiritual house of the Lord. God loves to dwell in our individual heart and make it His abode, but before He could do that the only condition is that remembered “- such heart be made clean R.H 579 stanza 3, The word of Apostle Paul in 1Cor. 3:9 must be And you are God’s field. You are God’s building” Also, in 1Cor. 3:16-17 he further says that, Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? -NLT. So, it can be deduced that, our individual heart is the house of the Lord and must be cleansed from: (Isa 57:15)

(1) Different types of filthiness, abominations, corruption and secret sins
(2) Immorality of different types
(3) Tribalism, hatred and lack of unconditional love
(4) Love of money and exploitation of members by clergies.
(5) Deceit and lies
(6) Covetousness and desperation for position
(7) Oppression and extortion
(8) Stealing and unfaithfulness
(9) Unhealthy rivalry
(10) Backbiting and character assassination
(11) Disobedience to parents, God and Church constituted authorities.

The aforementioned Demons are capable of defiling/polluting a Christian believer, whose body and heart are the Temple of God Psl.66:18, Prov.15:8 Therefore, God is calling us in this year Holy Convocation to abstain from making the house of the Lord dirty and to make it so conducive for the Holy Spirit. Also, to desist from those abominable things that are capable of God abandoning you as we are being reminded that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ for accountability.

Conclusion:
Let us rise now to do that which is right in the sight of the Lord like king Hezekiah and Phinehas the reformers Numb. 25:1-12,2Chro.29:2-8 to reform the Church of God, to set things right, and restore the Church back to her original purpose. (House of prayer) We should make all the house of the Lord spiritually and physically clean, in order to R-A-I-S-E it (Church) to the expected standard, because we shall all one day appear before the Judgment seat of Christ to give proper account of all our stewardship and services and be rewarded accordingly Eph.5:26-27, 2Cor.5:10.