Untitled Sermon

A House divided cannot stand (CR)

Bible Passage: Mark 3:22-30

Mark Chapter 3 speaks about Jesus entering the synagogue again on the Sabaath. At the end of Chapter 2 In Mark 2:27–28 “Jesus said to them, (Pharisees)“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even of the Sabbath.” a man was there with a withered hand. The Scribes and pharisees was watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabaath.

in Mark 3:4–5 “And He said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do harm, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent. After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.”

Mark Chapter 3 speaks about how the pharisees and scribes were watching Jesus.

Mark 3:6 “The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians( they supported the roman ruler Herod the great) as to how they might put Him to death.” Mark 3:10 “for He had healed many, with the result that all those who had diseases pushed in around Him in order to touch Him.” Mark 3:11 “And whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, “You are the Son of God!

The scribes were stirring up accusations Mark 3:22 “The scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.””

In Mark 3:22-30, Jesus responds to the accusation that he is possessed by Beelzebub, Mark 3:23 “And so He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?”

What does it mean? The demons are in the same kingdom so how can they be cast out from each other.

emphasizing that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Mark 3:24–25 “And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”

The answer is found in Mark 3:26 “And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished.

Jesus speaks about The strong man

Mark 3:25–27 “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished! But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.”

1- The “strong man” = satan

2- the one who binds him = Jesus

3- “the plundering”= freeing people from demonic oppression.

My takeaway:

The Scribes (law) saw The miracles and heard of how He had authority over the unclean spirits and how they bowed to Him. They were stirring up the people bringing accusations against Jesus to have Him put to death.

Jesus' warns against blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Mark 3:29 “but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” —”

Because they were saying He has an unclean spirit.

Breaking into a strong man’s house requires first binding him, overcoming divisions through Christ’s power. strength found in unity under Christ, binds the power of division and discord, enabling His people to stand strong and fulfill their mission.

We are called to reflect Christ's unifying love, which conquers division and brings reconciliation. Unity is foundational for any community—be it a family, church, or nation. Division can lead to destruction, we are called to unity through Christ's love and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.