Mark 3:22-30 A House Divided
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From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”
From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”
House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text
House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text
Pray
The scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.” And He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. “If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished! “But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. “Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Introduction and Review:
Introduction and Review:
As Jesus continues His ministry, He is becoming more and more popular - Israels religious leaders, the Scribes and Pharisees fear that, because He is truthful and authentic, they will lose power and position. They are resorting to different tactics to try to discredit Him.
Everyone knows how painful and frustrating it is to be misunderstood and to have our words twisted when doing right
Happened to Jesus continually while He was on earth. Still happens with His word the Bible.
That’s what is happening in this passage
Scribes came from Jerusalem, saw the miracles, could not deny what was happening
Their response?
Accused Jesus of working with the devil
“He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.”
Jesus gives a serious answer to this wicked accusation - we need to pay attention. Lessons for our use!
Mark 3:22-26 - The Problem of Division
Mark 3:22-26 - The Problem of Division
Mark 3:22-26
The scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.” And He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. “If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished!
The evil of conflict and divisions is great
Scribes comments are ridiculous, Jesus uses their silliness to make a point
Makes no sense - Satan casts out Satan - destroys his own power
Whether friendly or enemy - they have no strength when a group is divided: If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
This point has caused much evil and trouble for the church
Conflicts between Christians weaken the church and cause of Christ - bring shame to God, not glory
They waste time, energy that can be put to better use
They give unbelievers and Satan ammunition to argue against the truth of Christianity
Satan’s objective: destroy Christianity or, if not possible, cripple it - get Christians to fight, rather than love
Devil knows - divide and conquer - Jesus point is Satan knows this.
Let us: as much as possible avoid differences and conflict
Be jealous of the true Gospel
Lets not be petty about small differences - don’t separate from a church over small differences - Gospel is prime
We should concede what we can and sacrifice what we can, for unity and peace
Mark 3:28-29 - The glorious promise of forgiveness
Mark 3:28-29 - The glorious promise of forgiveness
Mark 3:28 ““Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; “
Note this text - it is so important to us if we are followers of Christ!
Many people don’t see the importance of these words
If you understand and grieve your own sinfulness, they take on special meaning
Sins of youth and age
Sins of head, hand, tongue, thoughts
Sins against commandments
Sins of persecutors - Saul
Sins of idolaters
sins of the enemies of Christ - those who crucified Him
Sins of backsliders - Peter
All can be forgiven
Blood of Christ cleanses all
This is the crown and glory of the Gospel.
Offers free pardon, full forgiveness, complete remission, without price
“and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.”
New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ac 13:39). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation
This teaching is essential to us - if you never believed it, or understood it - grasp it today!
Isaiah 1:18 ““Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.”
If you have received this teaching, hang on to it firmly
Sometimes we feel depressed, unworthy - no need for that!
Rejoice! if we have come to Jesus by faith, our sins are clean, forgiven - blotted out of His book,
Believe this truth and don’t be afraid
Mark 3:29-30 - The risk of damnation
Mark 3:29-30 - The risk of damnation
but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Make no mistake, it is possible for our soul to be lost forever in hell.
Jesus words are clear and distinct
Someone who blasphemes the HS has no forgiveness
This is a terrible truth - we cannot ignore it - repeated over and over in Scripture - many different ways to make sure it is clear
If there is no “eternal damnation”, the Bible is not true - words have no meaning
Its important to remember this awful truth today
False teachers attack the doctrine - try to explain it away
Tickling of ears - love of God!
Some teach that these words can mean anything
Hold to old truths
Call it what it is - eternal heaven, eternal hell, eternal God
God makes the rules - Sin is infinitely evil - needs atonement of infinite value (sacrifice of God’s son)
Infinite loss to the unbeliever who rejects the sacrifice of Jesus
This text is plain, worth a thousand false arguments
Bringing it home
Bringing it home
Since damnation is enternal - let’s make sure that we don’t fall into it.
We must run for our lives - not wait - Lesson of Lot’s wife
The Gospel is our hope, our hiding place, our fortress, we must believe it and know we are safe
Never be ashamed of seeking that safety
Be ashamed of sin, love of pleasure, worldliness
Never be ashamed of seeking to be saved from hell
Prayer
Prayer Requests
Prayer Requests