At Home with Jesus (2)

At Home with Jesus: Recognizing Division in the House.

Nobody enjoys dealing with conflicts but in life we always have to deal with conflicts. We have family… workplace… church conflict… on the road.

We can never avoid conflict but we can choose to deal with it or not to deal with it. Not dealing with conflict right away can often times doesn’t bring resolution, it only creates tension.

We are in the series called at home with Jesus where we see that Jesus in the places where HE is invited.

Simon the Pharisee’s house… This Pharisee responded to Jesus who was the focus of affection, love and worship by a woman of ill repute.

Jesus at at wedding… We saw Mary at a wedding getting Jesus involved in a wine shortage. We see the servants obeying Jesus as they were told to do something that didn’t make sense.

This morning, we see Jesus in a bit of a tense moment. Jesus dealing with family conflict and dealing with religious conflict.

Just like we live in tension and conflict… so did Jesus.

But in our passage, Mark 3:20 we see Jesus dealing with conflict. Jesus deals directly, Jesus deals clearly, and Jesus deals confidently.

Mark 3:20–35 (NIV)

20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”

23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”

33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

PRAY

The people came to Jesus, the crowds were present, lives were being changed, people healed, sins forgiven… Jesus was present for the people.

But, for some reason, His family objected… they said “He is out of HIS mind.” They wanted to take charge of Jesus and take HIM away. We don’t know why, or what Jesus did that offended them. This was not the typical behavior of HIS mom, or HIS siblings but apparently early on in Jesus’ ministry they did not approve of Jesus.

Maybe they thought he was saying to many controversial things…

Maybe they didn’t like the idea that Jesus was not at home taking care of HIS responsibilities. Jesus wasn’t taking care of Mom whom we believe is a widow. It’s likely that Joesph was dead.

Whatever the reason, Jesus had to deal with this family conflict.

The Pharisees - they just didn’t like Jesus, they thought Jesus was a blasphemer, a heretic… they were jealous of Jesus because of all the crowds that were coming to Jesus so they were upset. They couldn’t explain why Jesus was doing all these miracles so they said something without thinking.

Have you ever said something and then regret saying it?

They accused Jesus of being possessed by Satan. They said Jesus was the prince of demons.

They said Jesus was empowered by demons to cast out demons.

Jesus couldn’t just ignore that crazy accusation.

In Mark 3:23 Jesus taught them a lesson.

We see Jesus dealing with conflict by confronting the issue, explaining the consequences and teaching a lesson. When it comes down to it…

1. Our words matter

Our words are powerful.

Proverbs 18:21 NIV

21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

With great power comes great responsibility.

There are consequences to both what we say and what we don’t say but what we say can never be unsaid so choose your words wisely.

Try putting the toothpaste back in the tube.

Words can never be unsaid…

James 1:19–20 NIV

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Don’t say the first thing that comes to your mind we must be willing to practice restraint.

That goes with what we post, tweet, talk, text, no matter who you think is listening.

When something is said that shouldn’t have been said, own it and respond humbly asking for forgiveness on their terms.

Our emotions (anger, shame, jealousy, discontentment, boredom, sadness) those emotions can take us to a dark place if they are left unchecked.

God created us to be emotional beings. Even though emotions can be complicated, don’t just tuck away our emotional part be willing and able to identify our emotions so you can discover the why behind the what.

We think and say things for a reason and they are very much connected to our emotions. Jesus taught us that our words matter.

Here’s another lesson Jesus taught...

2. Allow Jesus to unify, not to divide.

As Jesus was dealing with conflict HE taught the people about division through a parable.

If there is division in a kingdom, it cannot stand.

The pharisees accused Jesus of having an impure spirit… they said HE was possessed by and evil spirit.

Jesus shut down that statement through simple Kingdom logic.

Mark 3:23–26 NIV

23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.

Division in a kingdom will destroy that kingdom. Therefore, the Kingdom of Darkness or the Kingdom of Heaven are not divided against themselves.

The Kingdom of God will win but Jesus want’s us to be for HIM, not divided against HIS Kingdom… do not oppose Jesus.

Jesus must always be what unite us.

When we stop focusing on Jesus all the other things that are constantly changing, and shifting will become distractions and sources of division.

Our preferences, our pet projects vs God’s Kingdom and HIS purpose. We must be on guard against those sources of division.

The solution… being close to Jesus and taking authority over those strongholds. Our fight is spiritual, our weapon is prayer, and people are not our enemy.

Mark 3:27 NIV

27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.

Be on your guard, be aware of division and take authority through the power of the Holy Spirit over the strong man.

If we do not deal with conflict immediately we will have bigger problems eventually.

Never compromise on the Kingdom principles Jesus taught. If it’s important to Jesus, it must be important to us as well.

Let Jesus continue to unite us, no matter who comes against us… no matter their position… personality… no matter what society or social media or political pundits say.

Jesus still is the truth… He still is our Rock… He still is the lamb of God… the savior of the world…

We must remain in HIM, stay united in Christ no matter what.

Allow Jesus to unify not to divide.

3. Surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit

Jesus, the one who was quick to forgive sins mentioned a sin that will never be forgiven… blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes believers worry that they have accidently committed this unforgivable sin.

Jesus said...

Mark 3:28–29 NIV

28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit refers not so much to a single action or word as to an attitude. Those who defiantly deny Jesus’ power and persistently refuse to believe that HE is the Messiah are blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

Jesus was not talking about rejecting him, but of rejecting the power behind him.

Jesus addressed directly to these teachers of the law because they blasphemed the Spirit by attributing the power by which Christ did miracles to Satan instead of to the Holy Spirit. This is the unforgivable sin—the deliberate refusal to acknowledge God’s power in Christ. It indicates an irreversible hardness of the heart.

It’s a deliberate and ongoing rejection of the work of the Holy Spirit. It is blasphemy because it is rejecting God himself.

What’s ironic is that the religious leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy, but they were actually the guilty ones when they looked Jesus in the face and accused him of being possessed by Satan.

Sometimes believers worry that they have accidently committed this unforgivable sin. But only those who have turned their back on God and rejected all faith have any need to worry.

Jesus said they can’t be forgiven—not because their sin is worse than any other, but because they will never ask for forgiveness.

Whoever rejects the prompting of the Holy Spirit removes himself from the only force that can lead him to repentance and restoration to God. Those who have seen the light and prefer the darkness are blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

Their stubborn refusal to believe can only lead to a hardness of heart that cannot be penetrated; thus, forgiveness never will be possible because it never will be sought.

That’s why we must always surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

We must be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit… listen to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and respond by being obedient to the Holy Spirit.

And allow the Holy Spirit to empower us to love, live and declare Jesus in our world together… in unity.

We need the Holy Spirit to give us the faith, the boldness, the strength to live in obedience to Jesus every day.

Jesus finished dealing with the pharisees and then in vs. 31 Jesus’ family came back.

Mark 3:31–35 NIV

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Discipleship is not about familial connections but a willingness to hear and obey God.

Why weren't Jesus' Family among those that listen to him?

Why would they be on the outside looking instead of on the inside listening?

Obedience to God is the mark of identifying as a disciple.

Where would we be in this situations?

On the outside seeking or on the inside sitting?

Jesus wants us on the inside but we have to make a decision.

Take Away

Stay close to Jesus or invite Jesus in your life.

Words have power… think before you speak.

Let Jesus unify and be aware of the little things that cause division.

Walk in step with Jesus relying on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Obedience is the true mark of a follower of Jesus.