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To set the stage for this week’s message, we must go to the beginning of Matthew 21. It is the final week of Jesus’ last lap as He enters Jerusalem, one week before His resurrection. Jesus said that He came to save the lost, and this marked the start of what is often called “Passion Week,” the final seven days of His earthly ministry leading up to Palm Sunday.
Here begins a “Rumble in the Temple” as the chief priests question Jesus’ authority. Jesus enters the temple courts, overturns the money tables, and leaves the city for the night. On the way back to Bethany, he sees a fig tree by the road, goes up to it, but finds nothing on it except leaves. Then he says to it, “May you never bear fruit again.” Immediately the tree withers.
The next day, he entered the temple courts again, and while he was teaching, the leaders began to question Jesus. “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority?” Jesus replied. “If you answer my question, I will answer what authority I have to do these things.” He asked, “John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” We find that Jesus wasn’t evading their question; he was brilliantly exposing the priests’ and elders’ moral bankruptcy. In essence, Jesus was saying, “You antagonists are not worthy of untying my sandals.”
The leaders discussed Jesus’ question and then said, “We don’t know.” Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” Beginning in verse 28, we read another parable about going to work in the vineyard: a man with two sons. The punchline centers on which one has the right credentials, so to speak, to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells the story of a man with two sons
tune into this week’s sermon to learn more.
Sunday School: 9:00 am
Worship Service: 10:30 am
Matthew 21:23-32
Rumble in the Temple
September 27, 2026
Pastor Gary Rebok
For over two centuries The Presbyterian Church Shippensburg has been serving Jesus Christ in both the social and spiritual needs of the community of Shippensburg, PA. We are a congregation within the Presbyterian denomination of ECO: A Covenant Order of Presbyterians, whose purpose is to witness in love the truth that Jesus Christ is Lord and the one true redeeming and healing presence in the world today. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, Presbyterian Church Shippensburg is a loving and committed church family where God’s Word is preached, faith is grown, relationships are built, and Christ’s work continues.
Upcoming Events
Nominating Committee Meeting
September 22, 2026
7:00PM