Behold the King: But Which Kingdom Does He Rule?
Notes
Transcript
Who do you suppose people take more seriously?
Who do you suppose people take more seriously?
Jesus or Satan
Jesus or Satan
Clap if you think it’s Jesus. For those watching online write in the comments; Jesus for sure!
Say booo if you think its Satan! Online write booo in the comments if you think the world takes Satan more seriously than Jesus.
With 47 % of Americans claiming to be religious and 33% claiming to be spiritual but not religious we have a new dynamic in America. We have people that believe in the supernatural but not all believe in the Jesus of the Bible.
They may believe in a Jesus, or what some had called “the historical Jesus” but the denial of the supernaturally given Word of God does not allow them to see Jesus as the Messiah.
Satan is a whole other story, some claim that Satan is just a metaphor for all the evil in the world. Tv Shows tend to make satan more powerful than he really is or try and prove that our society is to sophisticated to believe in Satan.
It is clear that the Pharisees, the Jews, and Jesus believed in the inspired Word of God and because they did they believed in a real Satan and a real Messiah. But Jesus draws out the division of the two kingdoms and helps us this morning choose the right kingdom.
Jesus was still mingling with everyone and healing them when this man that had been overpowered by a demon that caused him to be blind and unable to speak.
This individual would have been to the most skilled physicians and have been subject to the most advanced treatments of the day to no avail. His eyes were in perfect condition, and his voice box was in working order and yet he could not speak or see.
We see no magic words or waving of hands, but we see the compassion of the God man on his wayward creation.
Jesus’ kingdom is marked by mercy and grace
Jesus’ kingdom is marked by mercy and grace
The Lord is good to all: And his tender mercies are over all his works.
We as Followers of Jesus are commanded to
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
This act of grace did not just effect the demon possessed man, but it was used to cause the Jews to use their minds to think back to all the wonderful miraculous proofs God had shown their nation throughout their entire existence.
The plagues of Egypt that only the Israelites survived, The parting of the Red Sea, the mana, water and pillar of fire by night and pillar of cloud by day.
The shakina glory of God during the dedication of the Temple. The fire from heaven, the many times armies that sought their destruction were confused and either killed or driven away. And now the worst case of Demon control they had ever seen eradicated in a moments time.
Faithway, we have seen God’s miraculous power over and over again! We have a supernatural book given by the mouth of God, we have a congregation of Christ followers 2000 years after Jesus lived on this earth. We have seen lives changed, marriages saved, rebellious children return to the Lord.
Why do we doubt Him, why do we stay uncommitted to Him? Why do we get distracted by the next shinny thing that passes our eyes?
Satan’s Kingdom is marked by deception and false pleasure
Satan’s Kingdom is marked by deception and false pleasure
We do not know the events that proceeded this mans blindness and mute state. But we know that when the devil attacks it is through deception and false pleasure.
The Pharisees were so prideful and blind to the working of God that they attributed the grace and mercy given to this demon possessed man to Satan.
Satan will never show mercy!
Illustration Here
In a bustling corner of Chicago, where the neon lights flicker and shadows dance, there resides a cunning figure known only as "The Informant." This modern-day trickster, once ensnared in the throes of addiction, has transformed his life into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with drug dealers. With the police backing him, he walks a tightrope between danger and deception, all while feeding off the very vices that once held him captive.
His secret weapon? A masterful manipulation of ego. As he approaches the dealers, he leans into their self-perception, tossing out taunts that ignite their pride. "Everyone talks a big game about delivery," he smirks, eyeing a young dealer. "But you? You look a bit too green for this turf." The dealers, eager to prove themselves, bite the bait, believing they are the ones pulling the strings.
Unbeknownst to them, they are mere pawns in a larger game, orchestrated by a force far more sinister—Satan himself. This ancient schemer knows the human psyche all too well, playing on insecurities and desires. Just like The Informant, he whispers challenges into the ears of the unwary, convincing them they are in control. “Go on,” he tempts, “embrace that thrill. You deserve it.”
But as the smoke clears and the consequences unfold, the illusion shatters. The dealers, once confident and defiant, realize they’ve been outsmarted, trapped in a web spun from their own pride. The Informant walks away, leaving behind a trail of broken egos and shattered dreams, a testament to the dangerous dance between temptation and control.
In this modern parable, the message rings clear: beneath the glimmer of power lies the peril of surrendering to sin, where the victor often becomes the victim, and the true puppeteer remains unseen.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The “mercy” that Satan shows only leads to more suffering.
The humanistic philosophy behind releasing criminals and allowing people to suffer on the streets is spurred by a false sense of mercy that will eventually do more harm to the individuals and city. Because it neglects the reality of human nature left to itself. Mankind needs the Grace of Jesus to become better. Without it our city will become blind and unable to speak.
Faithway, the only sin that is unforgivable is the disrespect of God’s Word and Work of the Holy Spirit.
God’s Word teaches us that we need to Worship Him, we need to intentionally be a part of His community, we need to be committed to Jesus and Jesus’ people, we need to serve people, we need to evangelize those who do not know the name of Jesus.