Laying Low… vs. 15-22

• 1^st – Great Multitudes… vs. 15
  • Walking away…
    • When Jesus knew [they wanted to kill Him] – He withdrew from there. 
    • Jesus KNEW He had pushed the PHARISEES to a breaking point…
    • He was threatening their POWER by challenging their RULES…
    • But it was NOT His time [crucifixion] – so He walked away to try and DEFUSE the tension!
  • Real power…
    • [But] great multitudes followed [Jesus] – and He healed them all!
    • The PHARISEES refused to HELP a man because of their SABBATH rules…
    • But Jesus broke the RULES – because He wanted to HELP the man…
    • Therefore a LOT of people ended up following Jesus…
    • Because He was NOT giving them EMPTY religion – He was CHANGING lives…
    • And He had compassion on them – and HEALED [θεραπεύω] them ALL [πᾶς]!
    • People walk away from church – when all they hear is empty RULES…
    • But people will come to Jesus – when they see CHANGED lives!
• 2^nd – Tell no one…vs. 16-21
  • Fulfilling prophecy… vs. 16-17
    • [Jesus] warned them not to make Him known.
    • That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet!
    • Jesus urged the people to NOT talk [ἐπιτιμάω] about what He had done…
    • Not wanting to draw too much attention from the already agitated PHARISEES…
    • But this also fulfilled the PROPHECY of the prophet – Isaiah 41:1-4
  • The Trinity… vs. 18
    • Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen. My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased.
    • I will put My Spirit upon Him – and He will declare justice to the Gentiles!
    • The FATHER speaking about His SERVANT [Son] whom He LOVES [ἀγαπητός]
    • Declares He would put His SPIRIT [πνεῦμα] on Him…
    • So He can bring the MESSAGE [ἀπαγγέλλω] of JUDGEMENT [κρίσις] to the NATIONS [ἔθνος]
    • There are those who argue the TRINITY is not in the Old Testament…
    • While it is true the WORD is not used – the description of the nature of God certainly is…
    • It is one of the ESSENTIAL doctrines of salvation [separates denomination from cult]
    • There is ONE God in THREE persons: the Father who sent the Son in the power of the Spirit!
  • No arguments… vs. 19
    • He will not quarrel nor cry out – nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets!
    • The SERVANT [Jesus] did NOT come arguing to make His point…
    • He did NOT stand in the streets yelling to get attention…
    • He did NOT need to prove who He was with WORDS – He used ACTIONS!
    • We are NEVER going to ARGUE anyone into the Kingdom of God…
    • All we are going to do if we YELL on the streets – is annoy people…
    • The POWER of the Gospel is seen in what we DO – people seeing we are DIFFERENT!
  • Dying ember… vs. 20
    • A bruised reed He will not break – and smoking flax He will not quench!
    • The SERVANT [Jesus] did NOT harm those He came to help!
    • If we are BRUISED – because of poor choices and sin…
    • Jesus will always take us in – He heals the broken hearted…
    • If we just have a wisp of smoke for God in us – barely a hint of a flame left…
    • Jesus does NOT put us out – He takes that little flame and fans it to a fire!
  • Victory… vs. 20-21
    • Till He sends forth justice to victory – and in His name Gentiles will trust!
    • The SERVANT [Jesus] continued bringing the TRUTH [אֱמֶת] – Isaiah 42:3
    • UNTIL He gave the VICTORY – and the NATIONS [ἔθνος] put their hope in His NAME!
    • The TRUTH Jesus came to give – was that SIN had to be JUDGED [κρίσις]
    • There is only ONE way to pay for sin – the WAGES of SIN is death – Romans 6:23
    • But Jesus came to give us VICTORY [νῖκος] – by PAYING our debt for us…
    • And anyone [ἔθνος] who puts their HOPE [ἐλπίζω] in His name – will be SAVED!
    • Acts 4:12 – “There is no other name under heaven… by which we must be saved.”
• 3^rd – Blind and Mute… vs. 22
  • Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed – blind and mute.
  • [Jesus] healed him – so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw!
  • One of the men the people brought [passive] to Jesus to heal – was POSSESSED [δαιμονίζομαι]
  • As a RESULT – the man was both BLIND and DEAF [mute]
  • The main goal of satan – it to keep people from SEEING and HEARING Jesus…
  • He does it by keeping people DISTRACTED – they do NOT know they are BLIND and DEAF…
  • He uses SOCIAL media – ENTERTAINMENT – and AMBITION [money]
  • People are so caught up in this LIFE – they never stop to ask about ETERNITY!
  • II Corinthians 4:4 – “Whose minds the god of this age has blinded – who do not believe lest the light of the gospel… should shine on them.”

• 2^nd – Casting out Demons… vs. 22-29
  • 1^st – Kingdom Divided… vs. 23-26
    • Son of David… vs. 23
      • All the multitudes were amazed and said: Could this be the Son of David?
      • When the people SAW the MIRACLE they were [imperfect] SHAKEN [ἐξίστημι]
      • And they began to SAY [imperfect] – might this be [indicative] the Son of David…
      • Son of David – one of the TITLES given for the MESSIAH – II Samuel 7:11
        
    • Beelzebub… vs. 24
      • Now when the Pharisees heard it they said:
      • This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub – the ruler of the demons!
      • The moment [aorist] the PHARISEES heard the people calling Jesus the MESSIAH…
      • The quickly corrected them – Jesus cast out demons by BEELZEBUB…
      • BEELZEBUB [בַּעַל זְבוּב] – the LORD of the FLIES [leader of demons] another name for satan!
      • God gave the name BEELZEBUB to the gods of the Philistines as an insult – II Kings 1:2
      • FLIES are synonymous with MANURE – they hang around piles of it…
      • BEELZEBUB was a pile of a manure – and his worshipers the FLIES that stuck to him!
    • Knowing the heart… vs. 25
      • Jesus knew their thoughts – and said to them:
      • Jesus KNEW [perfect] their thoughts – He saw the MOTIVE behind their words…
      • They did NOT believe that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of satan…
      • They were just trying to discredit Jesus – because He threatened THEIR power…
      • In response to the PHARISEES – Jesus gave them THREE reasons they were WRONG!
    • Cannot Stand… vs. 25-26
      • Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation.
      • Every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
      • If Satan casts out Satan – he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
      • Any [πᾶς] NATION [βασιλεία] that splits into factions [μερίζω] – will end up in a CIVIL war…
      • Any [πᾶς] HOUSE [οἰκία] that splits into factions [μερίζω] – will NOT be able to STAND…
      • Therefore – if satan [Σατανᾶς] is casting himself out – he is DIVIDED [μερίζω]
      • And his KINGDOM [βασιλεία] at war with itself – would NOT be able to STAND!
      • When I was young – there was a LOT of debate about WORSHIP music…
      • There were those who argued that DRUMS were an instrument of satan…
      • He was the worship leader in heaven they argued – Ezekiel 28:13 
      • But what they could never answer – is why would satan want us to worship God!
      • Whenever people do NOT like something – the easy argument is it is NOT from God…
      • People will go so far as to blame it on the ENEMY…
      • But if we stop and think about it – the argument often makes no SENSE!
  • 2^nd – The sons… vs. 27
    • If I cast out demons by Beelzebub – by whom do your sons cast them out? 
    • Therefore they shall be your judges!
    • SECOND – if Jesus cast out DEMONS by BEELZEBUB – what name did their SONS use…
    • Their SONS knew the ONLY power was in Jesus name – so they would JUDGE the Fathers!
    • When the SEVEN sons of Sceva [a priest] – tried to cast out a DEMON – Acts 19:15
    • They cast him out in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches…
    • But the spirt answer: Jesus I know – and Paul I know – but who are you?
    • If I had a picture of a police officer in my house – a thief would not be afraid…
    • But if I had the officer living in my house – the thief would NOT come in…
    • The power over the ENEMY is NOT just in knowing the name of Jesus…
    • It comes from having the LORD make His home in our HEART!
  • 3^rd – Spirit of God… vs. 28-29
    • Kingdom of God… vs. 28
      • If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God – surely the kingdom of God has come upon you!
      • SINCE [indicative] Jesus cast out DEMONS by the power of the Holy SPIRIT [πνεῦμα]
      • It meant the KINGDOM of God had come to the PHARISEES!
        
    • Strong Man… vs. 29
      • How can one enter a strong mans house and plunder his goods.
      • Unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house!
      • Satan [strong man] would NEVER let someone go free if he has control [possessed]
      • Someone STRONGER has to first come in and BIND him…
      • Only THEN can that PERSON be SNATCHED away [ἁρπάζω] – RAPTURED!
      • I sometimes get asked if people still get possessed by demons today…
      • There is no reason to think the tactics of the enemy have changed…
      • Notice that the possession of this man resulted in physical infirmities [blind and mute]
      • It is likely that many who are diagnosed as CRAZY or SICK – have a spiritual problem!
      • But we as believers have NOTHING to fear from the enemy…
      • Because Jesus came to set us free [STRONGER] – the Spirit is within us – we are untouchable!
      • Luke 10:19 – “I give you the authority… over all the power of the enemy – and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

• 3^rd – Rejecting the Spirit… vs. 30-32
  • 1^st – No middle… vs. 30
    • He who is not with Me is against Me – and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad!
    • In a TWIST – Jesus turns the accusation against the PHARISEES…
    • Since He was on the side of GOD – because He was casting out the ENEMY…
    • ANYONE who was NOT with Him – must be on the side of the ENEMY…
    • The PHARISEES were NOT drawing people to God – they were trying to SCATTER them!
    • SCATTER [σκορπίζω] – where we get the word SCORPION…
    • I had a friend who was traveling in BELIZE on a missions trip…
    • Some kids thought it would be funny to throw a SCORPION on his lap [no stinger]
    • You have never seen someone jump up and run so fast [scatter]!
    • There is NO middle ground when it comes to Jesus…
    • Do we encourage people to look to the LORD – confidently declare He is the answer…
    • Or are we PLAYING games – coming to church but looking to the WORLD!
    • James 4:4 – “To be a friend of the world… makes [us] an enemy of God.” [NLT]
  • 2^nd – Unforgivable sin… vs. 31-32
    • Every other sin… vs. 31
      • Therefore I say to you – every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men!
      • FIRST – Jesus gives us an incredible HOPE…
      • ALL [πᾶς] kinds of SIN [ἁμαρτία] can be FORGIVEN [indicative]!
      • If we ever wonder if God can FORGIVE us – the answer is YES…
      • It does NOT matter what our SIN is – or HOW many times we have failed…
      • The GRACE of God is greater than our SIN – and He can SAVE us!
      • Romans 5:20 – “Where sin abounded – grace abounded much more!”
    • Blasphemy… vs. 31-32
      • The blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
      • Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man – it will be forgiven him.
      • Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit – it will not be forgiven him.
      • Either in this age or in the age to come!
      • There is ONE exception – the BLASPHEMY of the Holy Spirit…
      • The PHARISEES could say what they wanted about Jesus – it could be FORGIVEN…
      • BUT – whoever spoke a word AGAINST the HOLY [ἅγιος] Spirit – would NOT be FORGIVEN!
      • The PHARISEE knew that Jesus was from God – but He threatened their power…
      • Therefore They hardened their hearts to the TRUTH – committing the UNFORGIVABLE sin!
      • Knowing the TRUTH about Jesus – and still REJECTING Him – is UNFORGIVABLE…
      • Because there is ONE hope of salvation for us – there is only ONE way to heaven…
      • And if we REJECT the only answer – there is no other way to be FORGIVEN!

• 4^th – Known by Fruit…  vs. 33-37
  • 1^st – Good or Bad… vs. 33
    • Either make the tree good and its fruit good.
    • Or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad. For a tree is known by its fruit!
    • For the SECOND time Jesus teaches about FRUIT – Matthew 7:15-20
    • A GOOD tree [καλός] – will have GOOD [καλός] external fruit…
    • And a BAD tree [σαπρός] – will have BAD [σαπρός] external fruit…
    • Therefore – we will KNOW [γινώσκω] who kind of tree it is by the FRUIT!
    • If a tree has a SIGN that says – KALAMANSI…
    • But we clearly see there are ORANGES growing on the branches…
    • Then regardless of what the sign SAYS – it is for sure an ORANGE tree!
    • The point is POWERFUL – FRUIT does NOT lie…
    • No matter what a person SAYS – they can CLAIM to be a CHRISTIAN…
    • But all we have to do is look at their FRUIT – and we will see if what they say is TRUE!
  • 2^nd – Heart Check… vs. 34-35
    • The Serpent… vs. 34
      • Brood of vipers! How can you being evil – speak good things? 
      • The PHARISEES were a generation [from] of VIPERS – Matthew 3:7
      • Connecting them to the SERPENT [satan] – Genesis 3:1
      • And the evidence of WHO they belonged to – was seen in their WORDS!
    • Look at the words… vs. 35
      • For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks!
      • A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things.
      • An evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things!
      • Anyone who is GOOD [ἀγαθός] – would say GOOD [ἀγαθός] things…
      • But anyone who is EVIL [πονηρός] – will say EVIL [πονηρός] things…
      • Because whatever is in the HEART – will come out [ἐκ] of the MOUTH…
      • Therefore – the PHARISEES lacked the POWER [δύναμαι] to say GOOD [ἀγαθός]
      • Because they were they were EVIL [πονηρός] – they were of satan!
      • John 8:44 – “You are of your father the devil and the desires of your father you want to do.”
      • We cannot see the HEART – we do NOT know the MOTIVE…
      • But what we can see if what they SAY – their mouth is a window into their soul…
      • If we want to KNOW who someone is – listen to what they WORDS!
  • 3^rd – Judgment… vs. 36-37
    • I say to you for every idle word men speak – they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
    • For by your words you will be justified – and by your words you will be condemned!
    • Words MATTER – because we will have to answer for EVERY one…
    • EVERY [πᾶς] careless word spoken – we will have to PAY for [debt] on the JUDGEMENT day…
    • From our WORDS we will either be SAVED [passive] or CONDEMNED [indicative]!
    • WORDS have the POWER to express our FAITH – Romans 10:9
    • But WORDS also have the POWER to reveal a wicked heart [Pharisees]
    • Do not throw out words carelessly – it ends up costing us dearly…
    • Better to think first about what we are going to say – the consequence of our words…
    • It is easy to say something – it is almost impossible to take our words back!

Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth…”