"The Real World"
Luke 11:14-23
A sermon for 7/3/22 – Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Pastor John Bright
Luke 11 “14 And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
16 Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven. 17 But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”
Pause right there. Those words I just read; they were “Breathed by God”! God wants you to hear His Word right now! So, what is your response? Do you want to transformed by that Word or do you want to be informed about the words? You have to choose.
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What is real?
Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Person asked a young accountant who was fresh out of school, "What starting salary were you thinking about?" The Accountant said, "In the neighborhood of $100,000 a year, depending on the benefits package."
The interviewer said, "Well, what would you say to a package of 5 weeks’ vacation, full medical and dental, Company Retirement Fund to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every 2 years - say, a 5 series BMW?"
The Accountant sat up straight and said, "Wow! Are you kidding?"
The interviewer replied, "Yes, but you started it."
SOURCE: Victor Yap in “Hope for the Unemployed.” http://www.funs.co.uk/jokes/ac1.html.
We have to be discerning in this day to search out the real because there are scams EVERYWHERE! How many times a day does you cell phone ring and the voice on the other end is telling you the warranty on your car is running out and he can help?
We usually have a “rose-colored” view of the world. We tend to look at the world as a generally God place where occasionally evil breaks in. That’s a view in which folks are quick to blame God, but that’s not the real world. We live in a fallen world where satan reigns and it’s only by God’s grace that so many blessings break into that world. The real world is a place of conflict – like we see in today’s reading.
Conflict over Jesus’ authority, v. 14-16
“14 And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
16 Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven.”
We have seen Jesus do this miraculous work of casting out demons over and over. I have told you that there were Jewish exorcists that did the same thing in that day – Acts 19:13-17. It has been clear all throughout Luke’s gospel that Jesus has authority over all of the created order. That’s exactly what we read at the beginning of John’s gospel:
“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
It’s here we also see the source of the conflict – the world is a place of darkness. The people in this world live in darkness – then and now. Into this world of darkness came the miracle man showing the Light of God’s Love and Mercy for all to see. They could only see darkness so they thought Jesus’ authority was demonic. Others wanted a sign from God – maybe like Moses and the burning bush. These are all accusations that Jesus is NOT who He claims to be.
Exposing the lie, v. 17-19
“17 But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.”
At the beginning of this reading we heard about a miracle – the man who had been unable to speak is healed. We are told that the cause was a demon. Jesus’ ministry was healing and setting folks free from oppression. What is the goal of satan?
• John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
• 1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
• John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
The works of satan are the exact opposite of what we have seen Jesus doing in our journey through the Gospel of Luke. Back in chapter 4, Jesus has won the battle against temptation – you know, that battle we lose every day – and then He goes to the synagogue in Nazareth and reads His “mission statement”: “18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
We could not find two more opposite descriptions of what will come to the people of this world. If it is a work of satan – WE MUST REJECT IT! If it is a work of Jesus – WE MUST JOIN HIM IN IT! I don’t really think your feelings and opinions should enter into this. We need to be on the side of saving life and seeing folks set free from the lies and oppression of this God-less culture. Can I be any clearer on this?
This is Kingdom work, v.20
“20 But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
The power of God Almighty was the power by which Jesus cast out demons. He spoke the words of God to them. He healed the sick and raised the dead. In this way, the Kingdom of God broke into this world. This is not what satan wanted to have breaking into the world he was ruling. He tried to turn Jesus to his way of thinking and doing. That’s what satan is still trying to do in this day with every follower of Jesus Christ. We are his target today.
Now, this is where I remind you that you have the Holy Spirit living within you, if you have been saved by the blood of Jesus shed on Calvary. In comparison, the power of satan is like a little firecracker and the power of the Holy Spirit is like a nuclear bomb. That would be a loud noise verses the greatest power ever unleased. In other words, no comparison.
With that much power, could we cast out demons? Sure.
With that much power, could we pray and see folks healed? Sure.
With that much power, could we see folks set free and enjoy the peace of God? Sure.
Here’s the rub – we need a new view of the real world.
Another Parable, v. 21-23
21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”
I have told you that we have to figure out who the folks in a parable represent. The first strong man is satan. The stronger man in the parable is Jesus. You have to choose which of these you stand with in this epic battle for the hearts and minds of those within the prevailing culture. That’s what happened back in the American Colonies when they declared their independence from the English Empire. Folks had to choose sides and join in the battle.
I think it’s time for a new Declaration of Independence! We need to choose a side in the battle that rages in our day. I would expect you to ask - “What battle?” Well, you won’t see it if all you look at as real is this physical realm. Is this microphone real? What about the angels in this room right now – the ones doing battle against demonic forces that do not want you to be transformed by the Word of God? There is a spiritual realm side-by-side this physical realm. I am one of those folks that believe the spirit realm is just as real as the physical realm and it has a greater impact on folks every day.
There are times when we get a glimpse into the spirit realm. There is a story about John Paton, who was a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came, they were amazed to see their attackers leave.
A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ. Remembering what had happened, Paton asked the chief what had kept him from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, "Who were all those men with you there?" Paton knew no men were present--but the chief said he was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords circling the mission station. (Source: Today in the Word, MBI, October, 1991, p. 18)
Ephesians 6 directs us to be in this battle – “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
God has already provided all that we need to stand with Him in victory today – right here in this real world where satan seems to be winning every day. I do not believe the full power of God has been realized in this world because we appear to be sitting on the sidelines, just watching as more and more of those we love are consumed by this culture. This is wrong! So wrong! We all need to get into the fight! Will you join me in a new Declaration of Independence for a great victory in our real world? When Jesus comes back, I want to be found in the battle – neck-deep in the battle. Will you join me? Amen
TEACHING SHEET
The Real World"
Luke 11:14-23
7/3/22
We usually have a “rose-colored” view of the world. Is our world:
• a generally good place where occasionally evil breaks in?
• or
• a fallen world where satan reigns and it’s only by God’s grace that so many blessings break into that world?
Conflict over Jesus’ authority, v. 14-16
Jesus is doing what He has been doing all along and that others were doing – casting demons out of people – Acts 19:13-17. Jesus has authority over all of the created order - John 1:1-5.
The world is a place of darkness. The people in this world live in darkness – then and now.
Exposing the lie, v. 17-19
What is the goal of satan?
• John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
• 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
• John 8:44 “44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
The works of satan are the exact opposite of what we have seen Jesus doing in our journey through the Gospel of Luke.
Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus’ “mission statement”
If it is a work of satan – WE MUST REJECT IT!
If it is a work of Jesus – WE MUST JOIN HIM IN IT!
This is Kingdom work, v.20
You have the Holy Spirit living within you, if you have been saved by the blood of Jesus shed on Calvary. In comparison, the power of satan is like a little firecracker and the power of the Holy Spirit is like a nuclear bomb. In other words, no comparison.
With that much power, could we cast out demons?
With that much power, could we pray and see folks healed?
With that much power, could we see folks set free and enjoy the peace of God?
Another Parable, v. 21-23
The first strong man is satan. The stronger man in the parable is Jesus.
I think it’s time for a new Declaration of Independence! We need to choose a side in the battle that rages in our day. I would expect you to ask - “What battle?” Well, you won’t see it if all you look at as real is this physical realm. Is this microphone real? What about the angels in this room right now – the ones doing battle against demonic forces that do not want you to be transformed by the Word of God? There is a spiritual realm side-by-side this physical realm. I am one of those folks that believe the spirit realm is just as real as the physical realm and it has a greater impact on folks every day. Ephesians 6:10-13
Will you join me in a new Declaration of Independence for a great victory in our real world? When Jesus comes back, I want to be found in the battle – neck-deep in the battle. Will you join me?
