In a powerful and timely message during Passion Week, Reverend Denise Brown brought a soul-stirring word to the Life  Church Riverside. Rooted in the raw humanity and divine authority of Jesus, her message titled “Flipping Tables” explored what it means to embody passion, righteous anger, and spiritual action in a world often marked by injustice and complacency.

This wasn’t just a prayer—it was a charge.

Centering Scripture: Mark 11:15-17 (NLT)

“Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, ‘The Scriptures declare, My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations, but you have turned it into a den of thieves.’”

This passage set the foundation for the message: righteous anger is not only biblical—it’s holy. Jesus flipped tables. He was emotional. He was passionate. And Reverend Denise challenged us to examine our own spiritual temperature: Are we passionate for what matters to God? Or have we become numb, disconnected, lukewarm?

A Passionate Jesus, A Passionate Faith

Reverend Denise reminded us that Passion Week is not just about Jesus’ suffering—it’s about His intensity, His emotion, and His urgency. He cried, He cursed fig trees, He flipped tables, and He expressed deep disappointment with His disciples. All of this points to a Savior who felt, who cared, and who acted.

“It’s okay to feel your feelings,” she said. “They are part of how God made us. Anger is not the problem—it’s what we do with it that matters.”

She called on us to reclaim righteous anger and channel it into action. What breaks God’s heart should break ours. What stirs God’s spirit should stir ours. And if we feel nothing in the face of injustice, then we might have become the very “lukewarm church” warned about in Revelation 3:16.

Supporting Scriptures:

📖 Revelation 3:16 (NIV)

“So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
A sobering reminder that apathy is a spiritual danger zone.

📖 Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

“‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
The call to care for others is not optional—it’s kingdom work.

📖 Romans 12:11 (NLT)

“Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.”
Our spiritual fire should be visible in how we live, love, and serve.

A Blessing and a Commission

Reverend Denise’s message didn’t end with words. She poured out a blessing over all who listened—a powerful declaration of purpose and provision for those walking in faith. She called forth wisdom, self-discipline, healing, financial restoration, and divine comfort for the grieving and weary.

She declared over the community:

“You are blessed. You are anointed. You are equipped for this season. And God is not done with you yet.”

The Takeaway

Jesus flipped tables. He didn’t do it out of rage—He did it out of love for His Father’s house and His passion for righteousness. As we reflect during this Holy Week, may we be stirred, not just emotionally—but spiritually. This is a season to reclaim our passion. Not just to feel, but to act. To pray. To serve. To flip tables where justice is absent and to stand boldly for the Kingdom of God.

Call to Action

What are you passionate about in this season? What “tables” is God calling you to flip? What action is He calling you to take?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join us for the next Oikeo Prayer Call. Let’s keep the fire burning—and let’s not be lukewarm. Not now. Not ever.

Here’s the message below: