Jesus' Power Source - Pastor Justin Miles

From someone in the pew:

The sermon this morning started with Jesus healing a mute man. Jesus was good with blessing the mute man; he was happy to do it! The man was obviously glad to be healed and the crowd marveled at the miracle - all good, right? Not according to the naysayers. There are always naysayers. In this case the naysayers were the Pharisees who tried to "demonize" Jesus by claiming his power was from Satan. As Pastor Justin unraveled the story, I couldn't help but think I've seen this narrative before. Then it dawned on me: political attack ads on television; that is where I've see the Pharisees' tactics.

Just like political attack ads, the Pharisees didn't care about truth; they just wanted control. Oh, not control over Jesus; they knew better than that. They wanted control over the crowds who were watching Jesus' miracles with wide eyes and awe. And like political attack ads, they would sway the masses using whatever tactics they had. The Pharisees wanted the "vote" of the public. They wanted to keep Jesus' influence to a minimum at any cost! So let's smear him by accusing him of working with Satan!

Jesus responded with truth and logic by stating it makes no sense for Satan to cast out Satan. Case closed...or not? I wonder how many in the crowd believed Jesus versus how many believed the Pharisees?

Is it really any different in today's times? The naysayers are still among us - still smearing the name of Jesus with lies. Will we recognize the spiritual battle? We won't if we aren't watching for it!

Sermon Summary Bullet Points:

Luke 11:14-26 (Also Matthew 12:22-45 and Mark 3:23-27)

How Things Are in His Kingdom

Are we constantly praying for the advancement of his Kingdom - or ours?

vv. 14-16 Man had a demon that made him mute (unable to speak) so he was unable to speak/confess. Detrimental to his own salvation and possibly others.

1) Immediately the people marveled

2) Some accused Jesus of consorting with Satan (punishable by death)

3) Some tested Jesus by demanding more miracles (came to be entertained and to get more evidence of his wrongdoing)

The people had become complacent and hard-hearted about God's work in their midst.

vv. 17-20 Jesus wasn't working with Satan: a divided house cannot stand! He was driving out demons with the power of God!

vv. 21-22 Jesus attacks/overpowers Satan

v. 23 If you're not with Jesus, you are against Him

vv. 24-26 Demons prefer to live in a body and will try to return if nothing else lives there.

Jesus has overcome and can bring rest and order instead of turmoil and disbelief.

Need a life of confession and belief!

Example of Christian life: From 6-6-44 (D-Day landing at Normandy during WWII that signaled the end of the war) to May 9, 1945 (The actual end of the war), even though the peace was won there was still pockets of fighting and battles to be fought. Our battle with the spiritual world is the same: we are on the winning team, but there are still some battles to fight.