Luke 11:14-28

Notes
Transcript
During Pastoral Prayer may want to give some updates on SBC

Introduction

Good morning.
(( recap last week ))
Dirty politics is not new.
Gas-lighting is not new.
Definition - Gas-lighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which a person or a group covertly sows seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or group, making them question their own memory, perception, or judgment.
Before 2020 election I would sometimes hear...
(Trump was a poor businessman who squandered the fortune left to him by his father.)
(Trump took a great Obama economy and tanked it.)
Trump had plenty of actual weaknesses they could have attacked, so it was fascinating to see them attack his genuine strengths.
What do you do if you are the opponent of Jesus and you need to discredit him?
He doesn’t have any weaknesses, so the only option you have is to make up stuff.
We will see today that is exactly what his opponents did.
Let’s read today’s passage.
Luke 11:14–28 ESV
14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, 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 dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.” 27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
That’s a really long passage for us, but I think we can get through it.
==
Jesus here proves the old saying, “You can’t please all the people all the time.”
Even if you are literally perfect.
Doesn’t that make you feel better, Jimmy?
I got more criticism when I was picking out songs than I do now when I am the pastor.
Weird how that works.
The issue there is that the people who get worked up over the music don’t have any idea whether what I am preaching is right or not.
but...
Jesus was doing what was right and compassionate, and he was accused of operating via the power of Satan.
There was no way to deny the miraculous works Jesus was doing.
look with me at v. 14
Luke 11:14 ESV
14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled.
People were seeing these miracles live and in-person.
Then they were telling everyone what they had seen.
This is the craziest and most amazing thing that had ever happened to them.
So, denying the miracles was not an option, and Jesus’ opponents didn’t even try that approach.
Here is what they did try...
Luke 11:15 ESV
15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,”
People can fake supernatural occurences.
watch David Copperfield or some faith healer on tv
but...
When something genuinely supernatural happens, there are only two possible sources.
God or angels
Don’t let me give you the impression that these are possibly even close to equal forces. - They certainly are not.
(( Chris, me, gnat, fight ))
but...
demons can do impressive stuff
(( Moses, rod, serpent, magicians ))
Beelzebul - lord of the flies, or lord of dung - this is who they said that Jesus served.
They called God - the lord of dung.
It’s hard to imagine a more severe form of blasphemy.
==
The Pharisees had been putting out this fake news about Jesus - that he was doing his miracles by the power of Satan
Let’s check out this misinformation campaign...
It began with the Pharisees.
Matthew 12:24 ESV
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”
They taught it to the people.
John 7:20 ESV
20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?”
John 8:48 ESV
48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”
John 10:20 ESV
20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?”
The Pharisees slandered Jesus because they could not deny his miracles.
==
and then we see in v. 16 of Luke 11
Luke 11:16 ESV
16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven.
They wanted to see more tricks...
They did not want truth.
They didn’t want a sermon.
They wanted more miracles for their entertainment.
People haven’t changed much over the centuries.
They did not want to understand the deep truths of God - they wanted a good show.
==
Jesus was astonishingly patient with these folks.
He was so patient with them that he attempted to reason with them.
Christianity is a reasonable faith.
You do not have to lay aside your intellect to come to faith - you just have to lay aside your pride.
Let’s look at the logical case that Jesus presents here.

A divided kingdom cannot stand.

Luke 11:17–18 ESV
17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.
Because of the nature of sin and selfishness, I would guess that there is strife within Satan’s kingdom.
but...
as Jesus points out, Satan would be the worst strategist ever if he had his demons fighting one another.
This doesn’t make sense, and Jesus patiently points that out.

Why the double standard?

Luke 11:19 ESV
19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
You see the blatant double standard here.
More than that, Jesus was way more successful than the Jewish exorcists.
Why did the people marvel at Jesus in v. 14?...
Because this is not what they are used to seeing.
Demons recognize and are forced to comply with divine authority.
but...
look at what happens when you take on a demon without divine authority.
Acts 19:11–16 ESV
11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
What a difference!

They should have recognized the genuine article.

Luke 11:20 ESV
20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Notice this reference to the finger of God.
God is a Spirit and doesn’t have fingers...
but...
this is speaking metaphorically of the power of God.
It is also speaking in such a way that we see that it is a minor thing for God to cast out demons...
it doesn’t take his arm, just a finger...
just a little flick.
Jesus was familiar with this kind of language from Scripture.
Exodus 8:16–19 ESV
16 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’ ” 17 And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt. 18 The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast. 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.
These pagans recognized God’s power, but these Jews could not - or would not.

Jesus is the stronger man.

Luke 11:21–22 ESV
21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.
Jesus is explaining...
It’s simple guys, Satan is being overthrown because I am stronger.
==
I want us to really focus in on this verse...
because...
there are a lot of people that think.
I’m okay - God is okay - let’s just leave each other alone.
I won’t mess with him and he shouldn’t mess with me.
I’m not a Christian, but I am a good person - so I am okay.
Let’s realize from this verse that is not really how things work.
Luke 11:23 ESV
23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
There are only two meaningful categories of people.
with Jesus
and
against Jesus.
Now I know that is not how people think.
They are happy to be a fan of Jesus.
Glad to admit that he was a good guy.
Many lost people even think he was the Son of God.
but...
they have not repented and placed their faith in Him.
==
The thing we need to grasp in order to inform our evangelism is that...
the Satan worshipping maniac...
and...
the pleasant neighbor next door who is not a true disciple of Christ...
are headed for the same eternity in hell.
My understanding is that there are different levels of reward in heaven and different levels of punishment in hell...
but...
hell is going to be unspeakably horrible for all who go there.
==
If that disturbs you...
If that makes you concerned for your neighbor...
then go tell them about Jesus.
Tell them there is a way to be reconciled to God.
That way is repentance and faith.
Lot’s of folks forget the repent part, but Jesus didn’t - so you and I shouldn’t.

You cannot be saved through moral reformation.

Look with me at v. 24-26
Luke 11:24–26 ESV
24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, 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 dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”
Moralism without Jesus leaves you worse off than before you got your act together.
(( woman in lesbian relationship ))
(( she is way better off now than if she were going to a liberal church ))
Satan would rather send you to hell from the pew than from the gutter any day - better advertising.
((Elaborate))
==
Understand that Jesus brings moral reformation...
but...
moral reformation without Jesus is worse than no moral change.
==
What does bring blessedness and salvation?
Luke 11:27–28 ESV
27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
(( standard blessing and nice thing to say ))
You have been blessed to hear the Word of God - the Gospel
will you keep it - obey it?
not talking about a moral code bc that is not what the gospel is
How do you obey the gospel?
You repent… (explain)
and...
place your faith in Jesus… (explain)
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