A Sermon by Dr Bob Griffin, Pastor/Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
We who love the Lord see Him like God does. But we must understand WHY others cannot accept this and why we must continue to share the Gospel – no share Jesus – with them.
I. DEMONSTRATION OF THE MESSIAH
A. REVELATION OF THE MESSIAH
Matthew 12:22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the man spoke and saw.
1. Open Miracle – All could see man demon-possessed who was blind and mute – verifiable to crowd
2. Special Miracle – Performed by Jesus in front of crowd and Pharisees, forcing them to make a verdict on whether He was the Son of God
B. REACTION TO THE MESSIAH
Matthew 12:23-24 And the crowds were amazed and asked, “This couldn’t be the ‘Son of David’, could it?” But the Pharisees, having heard this, said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons that this man casts out demons.”
1. Reaction of the Multitude – Questioned if this could possibly be the Messiah, the Son of David
Amazed = existemi = “Knocked out of your senses”
2. Reaction of the Pharisees – Panic at thought of crowd turning to Jesus
II. DEFENSE BY THE MESSIAH
A. REPLY BY THE MESSIAH
Matthew 12:25-27 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
1. Principle: A House Divided Cannot Stand
2. Application: If Satan is divided, how will HIS kingdom stand?
3. Illustration: Jewish Exorcism
4. Conclusion: Envy causes persons often to condemn in one, what they approve in another
B. RESPONSE OF THE MESSIAH
Matthew 12:28-29 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the king-dom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong [man]? Only then can he plunder his house.
1. Power of the Spirit of God to Build the Kingdom
Cast out demons by the Spirit of God
The Kingdom IS upon them
2. Power of the Spirit to Bind Satan
Using an analogy that He was the stronger man
Jesus is plundering the kingdom of Satan one life at a time
RESPONSE? No one believed
III. DECISION ABOUT THE MESSIAH
A. RESISTANCE AGAINST THE MESSIAH
Matthew 12:30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
1. No Neutralism – Jesus removed illusions about any neutral response to Him/His work
2. False Ideas about our Decision/Action
From Religion
From Society
B. RESULT OF ATTITUDE TOWARD THE MESSIAH
Matthew 12:31-32 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven to men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or the coming one.
1. Some Sins are Pardonable
Regular Sins 12:31
Blasphemy 12:31
Against Jesus 12:32
May Be Forgiven
2. Sin that is Not Pardonable
C. RESOLUTION OF THE MATTER
1. Making the Correct Choice
Based on Evidence from the Word of God
Based on Finished Work of Calvary
2. Making the Incorrect Choice
Rejecting God’s Spirit Working in Your Heart
God Rejects you
Conclusion: So the message and the miracle continue to go out today. Some will see and hear and have faith to believe; some will not. But the sovereign God who planned the universe allows us that freedom – free to make wrong choices as well as right.