A House Divided

Intro: Today we are going to discuss a very interesting passage of scripture. In it is found “demons possession” Demon behavior, and the mention of the “lord of the flies. In it is some very strange information. In fact some of it seems so strange to us that many times the strange statements are ignored all together.

But I want to remind you that the statements made in this passage of scripture that seem to so foreign to us. Were not at all foreign to the original audience.

The people of Jesus day had a better understanding of this subject matter. What we call the supernatural was accepted as part of reality. They did not have media to warp their understanding and categorize these events as fantasy. The first century Jew recognized demonism, witchcraft, and the occult as being in direct opposition of God.

Those who were attempting to follow the true God would have steered clear of these things. They would have never seen these concepts as forms of entertainment.

In other words to a 1st century jew. This stuff hit to close to home to be fun. The demonic realm was considered real and evil, and played a part in the suffering of man and the Kingdom of Satan. I would suggest to you this is still true today.

Jesus uses this opportunity to teach on singleness of mind.

Luke 11:14–28 CSB

14 Now he was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon came out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “He drives out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” 16 And others, as a test, were demanding of him a sign from heaven. 17 Knowing their thoughts, he told them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges. 20 If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he takes from him all his weapons he trusted in, and divides up his plunder. 23 Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not gather with me scatters. 24 “When an unclean spirit comes out of a person, it roams through waterless places looking for rest, and not finding rest, it then says, ‘I’ll go back to my house that I came from.’ 25 Returning, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that person’s last condition is worse than the first.” 27 As he was saying these things, a woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the one who nursed you!” 28 He said, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”

Lets pray.

I. A Slanderous Accusation Luke 11:14-15

Luke 11:14–15 CSB

14 Now he was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon came out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “He drives out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.”

Here we see that Jesus comes up against one of the enemies main tactics. We know that satan is called the accuser. Scripture tells us the he is a liar and a slander. It is interesting that often we find the religious of Jesus day had more in common with satan than they did the Son of God because they would often employ the tactics of the enemy in slandering Jesus.

Trans: lets look at the accusation. Here we see that this man has a demon that is causing him to be unable to speak. Can you imagine one day suddenly losing this ability to speak. It is unclear weather this man recognized the reason for his handicap as demonic but either way Jesus the great physician knew exactly what was wrong. In his mercy he responded by driving this demon away.

Just recently I was talking to a gentleman and he was recounting to me a similar experience. He was trying to read the bible aloud and yet he physically could not speak the words. This happened twice to him. His pastor being a witness to it recognized it as spiritual battle.

So instead of giving God glory for the work that was done they accuse Jesus of being an agent of evil.

He drives out demons by beelzebul. this word has a variant spelling

Ba’al-zebul

- In ancient near eastern culture the god Ba’al became a close representation of satan. The Jewish people in an effort to insult this false deity would add zebul to the end of his name. This name meant the “The Lord of the Flies” or The lord of a dung heap.” So here they are accusing Jesus of calling of the power of Satan to drive our a demon.

Application: How often does the enemy or those who are employed by him accuse the brethren of evil. If he can’t get you to do evil the next best thing is to have people accuse you of it. So we see Jesus clearly doing good by freeing this man from the hold this demon had in him, yet they accuse him of evil.

Isn’t this how are world works today. We are warned about such people

Isaiah 5:20 CSB

20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

Trans: But look how Jesus turns this around.

II. Refutation

Luke 11:17–20 CSB

17 Knowing their thoughts, he told them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges. 20 If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Here we see Jesus employ simple logic. Does it seem right to you that ruler of the demons would turn against those who are working for Him. If an army begins to fight within itself can it stand?

Then he ask them an interesting question . If I do it by the power of Ba’al or satan than by whom do your sons or Jewish exorcist drive them out?

Look at this next statement found again in verse 20.

Luke 11:20 CSB

20 If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

The term finger of God is used to denote God’s power in action in a visible way. In Exodus 8:19

Exodus 8:19 CSB

19 “This is the finger of God,” the magicians said to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.

when Pharaoh’s magicians and sorcerers could not replicate the work wrought by God through Moses. They recognized it as the finger of God.

Exodus 31:18 CSB

18 When he finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the testimony, stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God.

Jesus was ascribing his source of power to the same God that brought them out of Egypt.

Then He tells them a parable about the kingdom of God.

Luke 11:21–22 CSB

21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he takes from him all his weapons he trusted in, and divides up his plunder.

What is Jesus saying here. He is saying that another kingdom has come. It has overcome the current domain. It has taken and broken the weapons of the enemy. He has taken all that the evil one has claimed. There is now a new ruler and His name is Jesus.

So then why does it seem like evil is winning?

I am reminded of a story that I loved very much as a a kid. The story of Robin Hood. As a kid you could often find me running around with a toy sword and bow pretending to do battle with the Sheriff of Nottingham in Sherwood forest.

In the story King Richard leaves on a crusade to capture the Holy land.

While Richard was away prince John began to rule. Pretending to be king he tormented his own people. He put into place high taxes and oppressive rules. The people many believing that Richard was dead and not returning submitted to the imposters rule. To the people under this imposters authority it seemed like evil had one.

Then one day Richard returns. The true king returns. He sets all things right and rewards his faithful servant of Sherwood forest.

This is the same picture we have today. Satan's rule and authority has been broken and defeated. His kingdom is in shambles due to his oppression of the people. Yet often from the perspective of its inhabitants the evil is winning. This is the plan of the enemy. To make God’s people forget the victory that has already been one.

The enemy wants us to be fearful of his oppressive rule. He wants to silence all those who remember that they have been freed.

Yet one day the true king will return to set all things right and to reward those who have faithfully served him despite the oppression of the enemy. Despite the lies that he is in control. The true King is returning to rule and reign!

We cannot be scared into silence. The victory has already been one.

Trans: But then Jesus gives those who would listen a warning

III. The warning Luke 11:23

Luke 11:23 CSB

23 Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not gather with me scatters.

We see that Jesus draws a line in the sand. It would seem that in this war between two kingdoms there can be no middle ground.

One cannot be kind of with Jesus. If one is not settled in his or her heart Jesus makes it clear that you are not on his side.

He goes on to draw another line in the sand. If you are not gathering you are scattering.

The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Ten: Learning Life’s Lessons (Luke 11))

It is impossible to be neutral in this spiritual war, for neutrality means standing against Him. There are two spiritual forces at work in the world, and we must choose between them. Satan is scattering and destroying, but Jesus Christ is gathering and building. We must make a choice, and if we choose to make no choice, we are really choosing against Him.

One cannot be at war with something with someone or something without having a hostile disposition toward the person or object.

Church family then why do we who are on the winning side often seem so apathetic to the cause of Christ? Why does the defeated kingdom have such a sway on our lives?

You may say pastor I’m not apathetic I don’t do this, that, and the other.

In the last few weeks I have had the privilege of substitute coaching Noah’s Soccer team. In rec league soccer we practice once a week and have one to two games a week. I have noticed that I could divide the kids up into three categories.

The first category is those who practice hard but are afraid to be in the game. These are the faithful church goers, always learning but fearful to step out into the war.

The second category are those who show up to the game ready to play, but do not show up to practice. These are the people who have big dreams for God yet are unwilling to put the time into knowing him through his word.

Then there is a third category. Those who are committed to the sport. They both practice and show up ready to fight for the victory. These are those who are both spiritually training and putting into practice those things they have learned. Any other state is a form of apathy.

But Christ asks us to choose to make up our minds.

He asks us to be all in. There are no divided hearts in God’s kingdom.

To those who sought the benefit of the kingdom yet were unwilling to choose a side Jesus uses this unusual illustration.

Luke 11:24–26 CSB

24 “When an unclean spirit comes out of a person, it roams through waterless places looking for rest, and not finding rest, it then says, ‘I’ll go back to my house that I came from.’ 25 Returning, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that person’s last condition is worse than the first.”

It is in this passage that we learn a little bit about the behavior of demons. Again remember that Jesus used illustration that were from everyday life. The people recognized the problem of evil spirits in their day to day living and so should we.

A. Demons seek to people to inhabit. The word demon means disembodied spirit.

Not a disembodied spirit of a past loved ones, but rather these are the spirits of the nephilim killed in the flood. (For more info on that subject read Genesis 6)

Yet Taking sides with Jesus is more than saying the right things.

Luke 11:27 CSB

27 As he was saying these things, a woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the one who nursed you!”

Luke 11:28 CSB

28 He said, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”

Application:

So my question for you today is this “Whose side are you on? Have you truly given your life to Christ?

If you have given your life to Christ are you living in apathy? Are you truly training and engaging in the battle? If the gospel message for the next generation was dependent upon your current pattern of life would they ever get a chance to hear the good news?

If the future of Park Circle was based on us to hear the gospel message would they ever hear it?

If the future of Cooper River Baptist was based upon your actions to share Jesus Christ, would we survive.

Church family there is a gravity to the mission in which God has placed us into.