Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• There might be different types of temptations that affect you at different ages
• Youth - lust and ambitions
• Middle age - cynicism, compromise
• Old age - indulgence, no longer fighting against sin (example of Solomon)
• We have read of someone whose last state was worst than their first state
• Terrible degeneration
• 1 Peter 2:22
• People don't stand still - we either progress or regress
• This passage teaches a startling truth - morality does not help
• v24-28 is a continuation of the passage last week
• Casting out of a mute demon
• The pharisees cast aspersions on Jesus saying the source of His power was from the devil
• Jesus response was gracious
• Illogical
• Inconsistent
• Incontravertible
• v24-28 is a continuation of His reply
• No parabolic language
• What does it mean for a demon to leave and go through dry places, to return to his own house with seven other demons?
• Acts - glimpses of what can happen to people
• Example of Annias and Sapphira, Simon Magus
• We need to speak about sin and about satan - in general terms
• Overview:
• v24-26 A vivid picture and a stark warning
• v27-28 An unexpected interruption and Jesus' deeper teaching

A vivid picture and a stark warning (v24-26)

• Example of the struggle with alcohol, the sexually immoral man and the financially fraudulent man
• The Lord Jesus is teaching that morality does not help
• The man sweeps his house, puts it in order - outwardly looks good
• Unless he is transformed by God, things will go from bad to worse
• Example of the Apostle Paul
• Quote: "morality is more dangerous than immorality"
• Explanation
• Inoculated against the gospel
• Jesus was speaking to the propagandists
• The had committed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
• cf v39-40, v46
• v53 - their response was to "assail Him vehemently"
• Yet these were the moralists of the day
• Christianity is not about 'morals' but the gospel message
• Explanation of the gospel message
• It is not about reformation (improving yourself through religion or morality) but transformation
• Old wineskins won't do - they must be changed on the inside
• The demon has gone
• They need to go somewhere
• The man has an emptiness, a void
• Unless the man comes to know Christ, the demon will return
• Example of King Saul
• Reading 2 Peter 2:20-22
• A stark warning
• Application:
• Is there anyone playing with sin?
• Are you compromising?
• God sees your heart
• Morality will not help - you need Jesus Christ

An unexpected interruption and Jesus' deeper teaching (v27-28)

• A woman interrupts Jesus - v27b
• It seems a of word of thanks and praise
• A Jewish compliment
• Jesus does not rebuff her but uses the opportunity to give a deeper teaching
• "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it" (v28)
• Reading Luke 6:46-49
• Those with a firm foundation will stand in the storms of life
• Doesn't the moralist try to do this?
• 'Hear the word of God'
• Hear what God says - you are a sinner
• Hear the invitation of Christ - I am the bread of life
• Luke 7:50 - the woman obeyed the word by coming to Christ
• The blessed and truly happy are those whose sins have been forgiven
• If He has started a work in you, He will complete it; even if you are
• Blessed are the poor in Spirit
• Blessed are the meek
• Blessed are the pure in heart
  
• Application:
• Which is more important to you - reformation or transformation?
• Come to Christ