Choosing Sides

Choosing Sides Choosing Sides Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Spiritual Warfare; Victory; Neutral; Unforgivable Sin / Luke 11:14-28 Introduction 1. Maybe you all remember in 1938 Orson Welles terrified Americans across the country a. He did it by narrating over the radio H.G. Wells' - War of the Worlds i. Without warning that he would be narrating a book ii. The drama was so realistic many actually thought our planet was under invasion intent on destroying the human race. b. It was only fiction and no one was under attack 2. The Bible clearly teaches that there is a heavenly war fought in the spiritual realm a. The combat and the enemies are unseen with physical eyes but it is there and this enemy is bent on destroying humankind. › SLIDE Ephesians 6:12 CSB 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. i. It may be a frightening truth - but it is a truth none the less - we should not doubt or ignore it 3. Spiritual Crossfitness requires us to be ready for this battle - the first of which comes knowing which side you are on a. Lives and eternal destinies are at stake - the stakes of the war are too important to ignore b. Sides must be chosen and which side you choose has eternal consequences. › SLIDE Luke 11:14-16 CSB 14 Now he was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon came out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, "He drives out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons." 16 And others, as a test, were demanding of him a sign from heaven. › SLIDE Luke 11:17-19 CSB 17 Knowing their thoughts, he told them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges. › SLIDE Luke 11:20-22 CSB 20 If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he takes from him all his weapons he trusted in, and divides up his plunder. › SLIDE Luke 11:23-25 CSB 23 Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not gather with me scatters. 24 "When an unclean spirit comes out of a person, it roams through waterless places looking for rest, and not finding rest, it then says, 'I'll go back to my house that I came from.' 25 Returning, it finds the house swept and put in order. › SLIDE Luke 11:26-28 CSB 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that person's last condition is worse than the first." 27 As he was saying these things, a woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you and the one who nursed you!" 28 He said, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it." › SLIDE A Spiritual War Is Raging Luke 11:14-16 CSB 14 Now he was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon came out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, "He drives out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons." 16 And others, as a test, were demanding of him a sign from heaven. 1. Scripture teaches - and Jesus also spoke of Satan as a real spiritual being a. Satan is not just a description of evil - a name given to an impersonal force - Satan is an angel who rebelled against God and is in command of a host of other evil spirits i. We know these other hosts as demons - who also rebelled against God b. demon or demons occurs in Luke 16 times and evil or unclean spirit occurs 8 times i. Jesus always had authority over them ii. Demons themselves recognize this authority 1. Luke 4:31-41 2. Luke 8:28-31 iii. Jesus gave others the power over demons - Luke 9:1 iv. His authority over the demons always amazed people 1. He spoke with authority unlike the other exorcists 2. He didnt need the name - as we will see 2. Jesus is now driving out a demon here in Luke 11 a. This is not chronological anymore - in fact some would believe this incident happened back at the beginning of Jesus ministry - but Luke has it here thematically i. This is the height of the rejection of Jesus and His message ii. A potential case of the unpardonable sin b. Jesus cast out the demon and the man who was mute spoke i. Mute people do not speak - how could Jesus cast out the demon if He couldnt know its name? ii. Jesus exercises complete authority of demons c. Jesus driving out this demon - demonstrates that there is an oppressor - Satan and One who frees - Jesus - this is the spiritual war in totality - Good versus Evil - God vs Satan i. Satan and His demons possess and oppress and Jesus frees and drives them out ii. We have seen Jesus drive out demons before - whats different now- why the spiritual war? 3. The spiritual war may be Good vs Evil - but it involves us as people as well a. Look at the responses from the people i. The crowds were amazed - they marvelled, they were astonished, their minds were blown! › SLIDE Miracles of themselves do not convict anyone of sin or produce saving faith - merely causes one to marvel ii. Some said - He drives out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of demons 1. Beelzebub - ruler of the demons, prince of the demons 2. One of the names for the Philistine god Baal - it was a popular term to refer to Satan used frequently by the Jews and the Sanhedrin iii. Others as a test - demanded a sign from heaven 1. Instead of earthly miracles they wanted heavenly proof b. The significance in this response from the crowd was that despite the miracle Jesus just did they rejected Him. i. They didnt believe He was from God - those who might have were shut down by the Pharisees accusing Him of working power through Satan ii. Accusing Jesus of being on the side of Satan - imagine that blasphemy › SLIDE Victory Is Assured In Christ › SLIDE Luke 11:17-19 CSB 17 Knowing their thoughts, he told them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? For this reason they will be your judges. › SLIDE Luke 11:20-22 CSB 20 If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he takes from him all his weapons he trusted in, and divides up his plunder. 1. Jesus responds to the claims - of the crowds - knowing their thoughts a. The accusations are ridiculous in nature and Jesus uses this opportunity to display the weakness of their arguments against Him. i. The approach is rather than openly denounce what they said Jesus chooses to take it to its logical conclusion ii. Lets go on as if this claim is true - why would Satan drive out his own demons? 1. If its true that a kingdom divided is headed for destruction 2. A divided house falls against itself 3. If Satan is divided against himself how will his kingdom stand? 4. This what you are saying when you say I drive out demons by Beelzebub - that Satan is fighting against himself. iii. If I drive out demons by Beelzebub - who do your sons/kinsmen drive them out by? 1. If I need Satan power or authority to drive out demons - then your fellow Jews are driving them out by the same power b. They believe it is by the power of God - so too for Jesus - for the Spiritual War is God vs Satan - Good vs Evil - there are only two sides in this war! i. We see here that belief in Jesus is not merely having enough evidence ii. They couldnt dispute the miracle (a mute demon cast out and man talks again) so instead they attributed the miracle to Satans power 1. But if by the finger of God - meaning if not by Satan then it must be by God › SLIDE God and Satan are not equal in power it is not a struggle between the two, Satan is no match even for the finger of God 2. Jesus overpowers Satan in victory a. The kingdom of God has come upon you - as I cast out demons recognize the kingdom of God has come upon you i. Satan is not a counterpart to Jesus - more likely to Michael the Archangel - but even then Michael has victory of Him because of Jesus b. Jesus illustrates His complete victory in parable form i. Likening the situation to a Strong man and a Stronger man 1. The Strong man fully armed is strong and secure 2. Until a stronger man comes along and attacks and overpowers and takes all he has ii. Satan is the strong man and Jesus is the stronger man 1. Jesus divides up the plunder of Satan's 2. No one disputed Jesus being the stronger man a. Satan has been overpowered by Jesus › SLIDE • Temptation • Resurrection • Judgment b. Consider what Paul writes in Colossians › SLIDE Colossians 2:15 CSB 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him. iii. Their accusation was actually a testament to the power of Jesus - for He could not defeat Satan if He were not stronger. 1. They refused to recognize Jesus power and authority 2. He may not be Satan - but they wont say He is God › SLIDE Neutrality Is Not An option › SLIDE Luke 11:23-24 CSB 23 Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not gather with me scatters. 24 "When an unclean spirit comes out of a person, it roams through waterless places looking for rest, and not finding rest, it then says, 'I'll go back to my house that I came from.' › SLIDE Luke 11:25-26 CSB 25 Returning, 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 settle down there. As a result, that person's last condition is worse than the first." 1. These analogies and parables of Jesus portray a common theme of conflict and strife - an ongoing war a. In this Spiritual War - there is no place for neutrality - you are either on one side or the other. i. Jesus said anyone not with Him is against Him ii. There are exactly two sides - with Jesus or against Jesus on the other side 1. To not be on one side is to be on the other side b. You cannot straddle the fence - to be undecided is to be decided › SLIDE No decision is a "NO" decision for Christ i. Choices are pro Jesus or con Jesus - yes or no, heaven or hell, righteous or unrighteous ii. To gather or to scatter 1. Neutrality with respect to Jesus is impossible c. This is in no way a contradiction to what Jesus said in Luke 9:50 › SLIDE Luke 9:50 CSB 50 "Don't stop him," Jesus told him, "because whoever is not against you is for you." One deals with salvation and the other (verse 9:50) deals with service. d. The crowds watching seeing and hearing Jesus must make up their minds i. If you think Jesus is working with Satan then you are not for Him but against Him 2. Jesus gives a picture of what happens when one tries to remain neutral a. A person has evil driven from them - a demon driven out - but instead of bringing Jesus in says I dont want either i. Not for Satan or demons ii. Not for Jesus either b. The unclean spirit roams through the desert waterless place looking for rest - finding none it decides to return. i. Upon returning - the house is swept and in order - it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself ii. They enter and settle down there iii. The condition is now worse than at first c. The seven other spirits represent completion or perfection - totality of possession i. A vacant body is an open body - open to the demonic --- BECAUSE IT IS LEFT VACANT 3. Jesus did not come merely to sweep the house and improve conditions a. He came to fight evil and clean our lives so that we could bring God into our house - into our hearts. b. There are also a lot of things that we can use to clean our house and seemingly get put into order - but unless Christ comes and resides in us then eventually evil will overtake us once again i. Jesus is the only one who has defeated Satan's power - therefore you must commit your life - yourself to Him and Him alone › SLIDE Get On Jesus' Side › SLIDE Luke 11:27-28 CSB 27 As he was saying these things, a woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you and the one who nursed you!" 28 He said, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it." 1. We must choose sides and the only side that doesnt end with evil overtaking us is the side of Jesus a. Despite popular billboards - God is not on "OUR" side - but we better make sure we are on His side! › SLIDE Joshua 5:13 CSB 13 When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua approached him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" › SLIDE Joshua 5:14 CSB 14 "Neither," he replied. "I have now come as commander of the LORD's army." Then Joshua bowed with his face to the ground in homage and asked him, "What does my lord want to say to his servant?" i. we must get on the side of Jesus, we must choose to change sides › SLIDE Unless you choose to change sides; your side has already been chosen ii. The default side is the side opposing or against Jesus and God b. Someone during Jesus talk and explanation - called out blessed in the womb that bore you and the one who nursed you i. Speaking of His mother and of her relationship to Jesus c. Jesus replied rather blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it i. Blessed is the one who hears and obeys God ii. Jesus essentially saying that Mary was blessed more so by believing in Jesus and following Him than by being His mother. › SLIDE We side with Jesus when we hear His word and obey it 2. Spiritual relationship is more important than physical relationship a. In this we again see and understand the overarching theme - salvation in Christ is not limited to the Jews but is open for all who would trust in Jesus b. The crowd wanted to bring attention to Mary for what she did for Christ - but what Christ did for Mary was more significant › SLIDE What you do for Christ doesnt matter, what matters is what you have done with Christ - thats where you will switch sides to His Conclusion 1. We must be careful not to call evil good and good evil - this is a danger to our very souls a. In this we become in danger of committing the unpardonable sin - in which we attribute works of of the Holy Spirit to Satan 2. More destructive and deceptive than open hostility is attempted neutrality a. To remain neutral is to remain empty - and empty life is room and opportunity for Satan to take residence instead b. We are either for or against Christ to not be for Him is to automatically be against Him c. Reform is not enough - without embracing Jesus - without being born again - things will just get darker - because only Jesus is eternal and lasting 3. Jesus only had one mother - but He has many in His family - a position available to all who would receive Him a. John 1:12 - As many as had received Him to them He gave them the right to become children of God - His brothers and sisters 4. To choose Jesus - is more than saying good things about Him - it means listening and obeying a. Jesus calls on us all to repent and believe in Him for the forgiveness of sin Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 7:21 PM August 15, 2020.