Mark 3:22-30 A House Divided

From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”

House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text

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Mark 3:22–30 NASB95

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.” And He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? “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. “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 binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. “Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; 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.”

Introduction and Review:

As Jesus continues His ministry, He is becoming more and more popular - Israels religious leaders, the Scribes and Pharisees fear that, because He is truthful and authentic, they will lose power and position. They are resorting to different tactics to try to discredit Him.

Everyone knows how painful and frustrating it is to be misunderstood and to have our words twisted when doing right

Happened to Jesus continually while He was on earth. Still happens with His word the Bible.

That’s what is happening in this passage

Scribes came from Jerusalem, saw the miracles, could not deny what was happening

Their response?

Accused Jesus of working with the devil

“He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.”

Jesus gives a serious answer to this wicked accusation - we need to pay attention. Lessons for our use!

Mark 3:22-26 - The Problem of Division

Mark 3:22-26

Mark 3:22–26 NASB95

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.” And He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? “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. “If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished!

The evil of conflict and divisions is great

Scribes comments are ridiculous, Jesus uses their silliness to make a point

Makes no sense - Satan casts out Satan - destroys his own power

Whether friendly or enemy - they have no strength when a group is divided: If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

This point has caused much evil and trouble for the church

Conflicts between Christians weaken the church and cause of Christ - bring shame to God, not glory

They waste time, energy that can be put to better use

They give unbelievers and Satan ammunition to argue against the truth of Christianity

Satan’s objective: destroy Christianity or, if not possible, cripple it - get Christians to fight, rather than love

Devil knows - divide and conquer - Jesus point is Satan knows this.

Let us: as much as possible avoid differences and conflict

Be jealous of the true Gospel

Lets not be petty about small differences - don’t separate from a church over small differences - Gospel is prime

We should concede what we can and sacrifice what we can, for unity and peace

Mark 3:28-29 - The glorious promise of forgiveness

Mark 3:28 ““Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; “

Note this text - it is so important to us if we are followers of Christ!

Many people don’t see the importance of these words

If you understand and grieve your own sinfulness, they take on special meaning

Sins of youth and age

Sins of head, hand, tongue, thoughts

Sins against commandments

Sins of persecutors - Saul

Sins of idolaters

sins of the enemies of Christ - those who crucified Him

Sins of backsliders - Peter

All can be forgiven

Blood of Christ cleanses all

This is the crown and glory of the Gospel.

Offers free pardon, full forgiveness, complete remission, without price

“and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ac 13:39). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation

This teaching is essential to us - if you never believed it, or understood it - grasp it today!

Isaiah 1:18 ““Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.”

If you have received this teaching, hang on to it firmly

Sometimes we feel depressed, unworthy - no need for that!

Rejoice! if we have come to Jesus by faith, our sins are clean, forgiven - blotted out of His book,

Believe this truth and don’t be afraid

Mark 3:29-30 - The risk of damnation

Mark 3:29–30 NASB95

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.”

Make no mistake, it is possible for our soul to be lost forever in hell.

Jesus words are clear and distinct

Someone who blasphemes the HS has no forgiveness

This is a terrible truth - we cannot ignore it - repeated over and over in Scripture - many different ways to make sure it is clear

If there is no “eternal damnation”, the Bible is not true - words have no meaning

Its important to remember this awful truth today

False teachers attack the doctrine - try to explain it away

Tickling of ears - love of God!

Some teach that these words can mean anything

Hold to old truths

Call it what it is - eternal heaven, eternal hell, eternal God

God makes the rules - Sin is infinitely evil - needs atonement of infinite value (sacrifice of God’s son)

Infinite loss to the unbeliever who rejects the sacrifice of Jesus

This text is plain, worth a thousand false arguments

Bringing it home

Since damnation is enternal - let’s make sure that we don’t fall into it.

We must run for our lives - not wait - Lesson of Lot’s wife

The Gospel is our hope, our hiding place, our fortress, we must believe it and know we are safe

Never be ashamed of seeking that safety

Be ashamed of sin, love of pleasure, worldliness

Never be ashamed of seeking to be saved from hell

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