Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Good evening and welcome back!

If you would start turning in your Bibles back to .

Tonight we are going to be looking at what I would call A Hodge-podge of Truth.

And the reason I call it this is because in the passage from , Jesus is going to be confronting the Jews on several different topics .

And for each one it seems as if Jesus gives a different example that seem to be just a mix of thoughts and truth.

It is almost as if Jesus is fed up with the Jews at this point and just sort of lets them have it for their unbelief.

And if you will remember from this morning we were looking at Jesus’ confrontation of the Pharisees for their overly legalistic view on things and how everything to them was pretty much black and white according to the Jewish Law.

There was no room for any deviation whatsoever, even through the Pharisees were inconsistent and hypocritical of their own view of things.

And we ended this morning with Jesus healing yet another person and the Jews being so enraged by the fact that Jesus, once again, showed them up, that . . .

And apparently this wasn’t a plot of how they could eventually kill Jesus, they were actually plotting to do it right then, that day.

We know this because immediately after this . . .

So, the plot was actually getting serious at this point.

They had reached the point that they were now beyond rhetoric and arguments and their hate and anger was now going to start turning violent.

However, another thing about this though was the plot itself and these actions were one more confirmation of Jesus as the Messiah.

Matthew goes on to tell us that . . .

Matthew 12:17-

So, the time is drawing very near for Jesus’ sacrifice and things were now going to escalate to a new level, and instead of retreating and hiding Jesus in a way doubles-down on them, which is what we are going to talk about this evening.

So, if you have found in your Bible, I’d invite you to stand with me if you are able.

I will be reading the end of the passage, but we are going to try and cover it all tonight.

Again, that is , starting in verse 30.

Matthew writes . . .

Scripture Focus

He’s of the Devil!

So, I read the end of the passage there that really sums up the whole conversation that Jesus is having with these people, and it also shows us the actual tone of the conversation as well.

But to get the full gist of it, we need to back up to verse 22 and see the whole passage in context.

So, back up in verse 22, we find this . . .

Matthew 12:22

And again, all of this trouble that Jesus is having starts around him actually healing someone.

Him helping someone.

Him delivering someone.

And the only reason that this causes trouble that makes sense is that the Pharisees were #1 Jealous and #2 Threatened by Jesus.

Because Jesus was amassing a great following and they were seeing their power erode away, which is what is going on here.

This whole time Jesus has been claiming to be the Messiah, which could also be translated as the “Son of David” or the “decedent of David,” which is now what the people were beginning to really consider.

And the Pharisees knew that if the people started believing that Jesus is the Messiah, their reign was over.

Which also speaks to their spiritual condition in itself.

If these Pharisees were really God fearing Jews they would have embraced the fact that the Messiah had came to rescue them.

They wouldn’t have fought against it.

But their problem was they had turned their religion into a business.

It was making them rich and powerful.

After all the people couldn’t even question them, so they could pretty much do and say whatever they wanted.

And anything that did not fit in their narrative or anything that did not paint them in a favorable light, they rejected and fought against.

So, they had to put a spin on things, and this is their genius plan . . .

Matthew 12:

They were so disconnected with the people, they thought they could come up with anything and the people would buy it.

The fact that they are claiming that Jesus is driving out demons by the power of Satan is dumb when you dig under the surface.

But they were so used to the people just taking them for their word, they thought they would try it.

And we chuckle but it happens today as well.

Some charismatic and smooth talking preacher comes to town and everybody jumps on the bandwagon.

But sooner or later the truth comes out.

I’ve heard them described as sort like a rocket, they burn really hot and really fast for while, but when the fuel runs out they fall off into the ocean.

And really the reason the people fall victim to it is because they are chasing the person and not chasing God.

They get all excited, but do not listen to the Holy Spirit.

But Jesus here isn’t going to let them get away with their nonsense.

Matthew writes next. . . .

Matthew 12:25

So, once again Jesus squashes their narrative and makes them look foolish in the process.

And the principle can be applied to any aspect, or any group in live.

If our nation is divided against itself, it will eventually fall.

If our community is divided against itself, it will eventually be destroyed.

If our church is divided against itself, eventually it will split.

If our family is divided against itself, eventually it will be destroyed as well.

Division causes separation and separation on any level is destructive.

That is why it is so important that we be in tune with the Holy Spirit, who teaches us and helps us to come together.

We will never all agree on everything, but through the Spirit, we can typically agree on and do what is right.

And what happens in churches is when the Spirit is replaced by spirits.

When the focus moves from God and moves toward getting rich, making a name, following a certain leader, and the list goes on and on and on.

We’ve all seen and read about the church right now in Lexington.

They took their pastor to court just to get rid of him.

He had removed the entire board and appointed himself, his wife, and one other person.

And then kicked everyone in the church who opposed him out.

Folks, God is nowhere in that place.

Satan has rooted himself there and has destroyed a church and a ministry all because those people were divided against themselves.

So, Jesus points this out but also points out a point of contention with the Jews as well.

Next he says . . .

Matthew 12:26

Good question.

If a kingdom cannot be divided against itself, and if I am driving out demons by the power of Satan, then how are the demons that you are driving out getting done?

Hmmm....They have to think about that one.

And while they are thinking about it, Jesus concludes . . .

Matthew 12:28

So, now Jesus has them cornered using their own logic against them.

And just to shore up any more questions . . .

And those possessions are souls.

So, in essence Jesus is saying, if souls are being taken from Satan by me, wouldn’t I first have to be more powerful than Satan and not subject to him?

Are You For Me or Against Me?

So, now that Jesus has established that he isn’t working for Satan, and in fact is in complete opposition of Satan he makes a declaration . . .

Matthew 12:30

We are either with Jesus or we are with Satan.

There is no in between.

There is no neutrality, we are on one side or the other.

And to respond to this whole notion that Jesus is doing these things from the power of Satan and not the power of God . . .

Matthew 12:31-32

And we have often heard it debated in church circles what is the “unforgivable sin” or what is “blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.”

Well, here is the main example, taking credit for God’s work.

Giving credit to Satan for God’s work.

Calling good evil and evil good.

Rejecting God on each and every turn.

And, we don’t really need a big debate or chart to tell us who is God’s and who is not.

Jesus tells us plainly that . . .