Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• When God is at work, so is satan
• There will always be opposition following conversion
• The church might go through a challenge
• There is a battle in the heavens (satan opposing God), which we cannot see
• We can see the world's doubt and scorn
• For example - that Christian's are not real, been duped, become religious or even gullible
• For example - most people think Christianity is irrelevant, the cause of many problems, that the Bible is unbelievable
• Here the Lord Jesus has performed a wonderful miracle
• Casting out a demon of muteness
• There are different types of demons described in the Bible
• Imagine if you woke up and suddenly could not speak
• Jesus casts out the demon causing muteness
• Immeadiately evil words are being spoken about Jesus
• A lie - Christ's marvellous work is attributed to Satan
• Satan is involved in undoing all that is good and calling it evil
• Others tested Jesus and wanted to see a sign (having just seen a miracle)
• Satan is seeking to oppose Christ, but He counteracts all that satan says

The Response of Jesus Christ

He does not let the situation go unchallenged

• Jesus exposes conversation and thoughts He has not physically heard
• He knows people's hearts
• He knows when His ministry and the Church is attacked
• He is able to protect His people
• Jesus shows the folly of the slanderous attack against Him
• v17-18 - How can satan cast out demons - it is a fallacious argument
• We must ask for the wisdom of God
• To show falsehoods for what they are
• Division brings ruin
• v19 - Others were casting out demons (including disciples and the pharisees)
• Jesus asks what power they used
• v20 - It is by God's power
• Jesus was made manifest
• 20th Century - we accept evil but not the personification of evil (i.e. the devil)
• The devil is not the caricatured figure with horns and a pitchfork
• The bible teaches he is a fallen angel
• The bible teaches the devil blinds the eyes of those who do not believe
• Done in the power of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:38

Application

• What is the connection between the previous passage on prayer and this passage?
• The Holy Spirit
• v13 - ask for the Holy Spirit
• Jesus did all in the power of the Holy Spirit - examples
• Jesus heals a man in the power of the Holy Spirit
• He encourages His disciples that they need to be filled with the Holy Spirit - so that they (and we) can do all the things that God calls us to do
• That Jesus has all power
• v9
• He can save from the worst cases
• This should encourage us to pray
• We need to pray for God to be at work in our community to save people
• When God works, we must expect opposition, which may be due to the devil
• The devil is a strong man - but Christ is stronger
• Some demons can only come out with prayer and fasting
• The devil is an accuser of the brethren
• To cast aspersions on Christians
• Example of Paul and Elijah
• Example of Jesus
• 1 Cor 4:3 - God is our judge
• Personal example
• We stand in the grace of Christ
• We must have a good conscience before God and men
• We must be careful not to have a judgment spirit
• If we are not with Jesus, we are against Him
• We cannot be neutral, we cannot sit on the fence
• We must side with Jesus
• Quote from JC Ryle

Closing Remarks

• Be for Jesus