OUR STRONG MAN, JESUS CHRIST

LUKE 11:14-26


      When Jesus came the first time, He took on a world full of demons. Much can be learned concerning evil spirits from this parable (ruler, organization, possession, tactics–1 Tim. 3:7, unity, abode, levels). Above all, Jesus demonstrated His strength, His victory over all other powers.


Col. 2:15 [GNB]. And on that cross Christ freed himself from the power of the spiritual rulers and authorities; he made a public spectacle of them by leading them as captives in his victory procession.


  I. Miracle (11:14-16)


      A. Speechless exorcism (14)


Mk. 7:37 [ESV]. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”


      B. Senseless explanation (15)


          1. Inability


Mt. 17:21 [MKJV]. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.


      David Smith wrote, “The reality of the miracle was beyond dispute, but some objection they must raise in order to stay the tide of popular enthusiasm and discredit Jesus. . . .” Endnote


          2. Insinuation


Mt. 10:25 [ESV]. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.


      Robertson wrote, “What is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? These Pharisees had already committed it. They had attributed the works of the Holy Spirit by whose power Jesus wrought his miracles (Mt. 12:28) to the devil.” Endnote


Mk. 3:29 [ESV]. but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin


      The Holy Spirit came to give witness to Jesus. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit meant to resist the Holy Spirit’s witness concerning Jesus. A person might blaspheme the Son of God in ignorance (1 Tim. 1:13), but if a person rejected the Spirit’s revelation of Jesus–an irrevocable blasphemy occurred. The Holy Spirit came as God’s final voice (Jn. 15:26; Acts 7:51; Heb. 10:28-29). The conviction of the Holy Spirit can depart in this life (Gen. 6:3).


      Wiersbe said, “God cannot forgive the rejection of His Son.” Endnote


      C. Sensational evidence (16)


Lk. 23:8 [GW]. Herod was very pleased to see Jesus. For a long time he had wanted to see him. He had heard about Jesus and hoped to see him perform some kind of miracle.


          1. Subtle


Jn. 8:6a [HCSB]. They asked this to trap Him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse Him.


          2. Sophisticated


Mt. 16:3 [GW]. And in the morning you say that there will be a storm today because the sky is red and overcast. You can forecast the weather by judging the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.


 II. Messiah (11:17-20)


      A. Spiritual war (17-18)


Col. 1:13 [CEV]. God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son,


          1. Family crisis (Gen. 3:16-17, 4:7; Lincoln–a house divided)


      Steve Farrar stated that Satan’s first strategy was “to effectively alienate and sever a husband’s relationship with his wife.” Endnote


Gen. 12:3 [GW]. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you, I will curse. Through you every family on earth will be blessed.


      Keil and Delitzsch wrote, “The expression ‘all the families of the ground’ points to the division of the one family into many (10:5-20-31), and the word adamah to the curse. . . (3:17). The blessing of Abraham was once more to unite the divided families, and change the curse. . . .” Endnote


          2. Kingdom conflict


Gen. 10:9 [MSG]. He was a great hunter before GOD. There was a saying, “Like Nimrod, a great hunter before GOD.”


      The name Nimrod meant violent resistance to God Endnote or a “rebel.” Endnote Nimrod began to be mighty–magnified himself; behaved proudly Endnote (Gen. 6:4; 1 Sam. 17:51). He hunted men by strategy and force to establish a kingdom “in defiance of Jehovah.” Men spoke a proverb about the hunter because he committed cruelty even in God’s presence [Geneva notes].


      B. Stronger warrior (19-20)


Jn. 12:31 [ESV]. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.


          1. Satanic powers


Acts 8:9 [GW]. A man named Simon lived in that city. He amazed the people of Samaria with his practice of magic. He claimed that he was great.


          2. Spirit’s power


Lk. 10:19 [MKJV]. Behold, I give to you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the authority of the enemy. And nothing shall by any means hurt you.


III. Master (11:21-22)


Mk. 3:27 [GNB]. No one can break into a strong man’s house and take away his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man; then he can plunder his house.


      A. Secure castle (21)


          1. Armed (Mt. 16:18)


          2. Acquired


2 Tim. 2:26 [MSG]. enabling them to escape the Devil’s trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.


      B. Superior conqueror (22)


1 Jn. 4:4. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.


          1. Defeat


Rev. 12:10 [MKJV]. And I heard a great voice saying in Heaven, Now has come the salvation and power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night.


          2. Divide


1 Jn. 3:8 [ESV]. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.


 IV. Meaning (11:23-26)


      A. Lordship of Christ (23; no neutrality, Jos. 24:15)


Mt. 6:24 [ESV]. No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.


There is a time, I know not when,

A place, I know not where,

Which marks the destiny of men

To heaven or despair.

There is a line by us not seen,

Which crosses every path;

The hidden boundary between

God’s patience and His wrath.


      B. Lukewarmness of compromise (24-26)


          1. Dwell (Mk. 5:13)


2 Cor. 2:11. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.


          2. Danger


2 Pet. 2:20 [GNB]. If people have escaped from the corrupting forces of the world through their knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and then are again caught and conquered by them, such people are in worse condition at the end than they were at the beginning.