2. Demons, Beelzebul, and Christ
It’s Not Who You Say You Serve,
It’s Who You Serve
Luke 11:14-26
10/23/16

3. The Story The Demon-Possessed Man Was Mute and Blind (Mt. 12:22).
There Were 3 Reactions (14,15,16).
Jesus Addresses The Doubters Who Claimed To Follow God.

4. The Mysterious World of DEMONS
The Origin of Demons Is Not Recorded In The Bible.
They Are Almost Absent In The Old Testament.
It Appears That In N.T. Times God Allowed Them Certain Freedom.

5. The Mysterious World of DEMONS
Demons Were Evil Spirits Who Were Allowed To Posses Bodies.
Luke 8:31-32, “And they were entreating Him not to command them to depart into the abyss.”

6. The Mysterious World of DEMONS
Demons Not Only Possessed Bodies, But Sought To Injure or Even Destroy The Body.
Mark 1:26, “And throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice, and came out of him.”

7. The Mysterious World of DEMONS
Mark 5:4-5
“Because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. And constantly night and day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out and gashing himself with stones.”

8. The Mysterious World of DEMONS
Mark 9:22
“And it has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!”

9. The Mysterious World of DEMONS
Demons Believe, But Are Not Saved.
James 2:19-20
“You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?”

10. The Lesson
It’s Not Who You Say You Serve, But Who You Serve. WHO IS IN YOUR HEART?
The Pharisees Did Not Believe That Jesus Could Cast Out Demons By The Power of God Because He Didn’t Serve God Like They Did.
Their Answer Was Both Illogical and Hypocritical.

11. Verses 23-26???
These Verses Are Often Confusing. What Is Jesus Saying?
A Demon Leaves His “House” (the Man He Possesses).
It Passes Through Waterless Places Seeking to Rest.
When It Doesn’t Find a Resting Place It Returns to Its Original “House.”

12. Verses 23-26???
The Man, Without the Demon, Has Put His Life Back Together (swept and ordered).
For Some Reason, the Demon Takes Along 7 Other Demons and Possesses the Man Once Again.
Thus, He Is Worse Off Then His Original Possession.

13. Verses 23-26??? The Keys to Understanding Verse 23
Most Believe Jesus Is Using Demon Possession to Instruct About Choosing Sides.
There Is No Neutrality in Morality.

14. Verses 23-26???
His Life Becomes Orderly Once Again, But He Fails To Fill His Heart With God.
Therefore, He Is Possessed With Demons Once Again, But Worse.

15. The Lesson
The man's body was the demon's “house”…For some unknown reason, the demonic tenant decided to leave his “house” and go elsewhere. The man's condition improved immediately, but the man did not invite God to come and dwell within. In other words, the man remained neutral. What happened? The demon returned with seven other demons worse than himself, and the man's condition was abominable.
The Bible Exposition Commentary.

16. The Lesson
Who Are You Serving?
God
No One
Satan