Healthy Eyes:

Context:

• Jesus cast out a demon.
• The authority and power of Jesus were on display.
• The authority and power of the Pharisees didn’t compare.
• The Pharisees accused Jesus of operating demonically.
• Not everyone has eyes that see.

Luke 11:33-37 “...No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table...”

What are the advantages of having a healthy eye?

• You can see the world around you.
• You can navigate the world around you.
• You can minister to the world around you.
• You can avoid dangers in the world around you.

What are the disadvantages of having an unhealthy eye?

• You can’t see things correctly.
• You can’t navigate the world around you correctly.
• You can’t minister to the world around you well.
• Darkness brings great danger.

Deuteronomy 4:19 “...And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven...”

Do the eyes in this passage see?

• They see the world around them.
• They don’t have the proper context for what they see.
• They are unhealthy.

2 Kings 6:17 “...Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha...”

Did the young man in this passage have eyes to see?

• He initially saw the world without kingdom eyes.
• His eyes were then opened to see things as they really were.

How can a person see things the way they really are?

• Psalm 119:104-105 “...Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path...”
• John 3:3 “...Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God...”
• The reference book is the word of God, which shows us where we stand and where we should go.
• The kingdom can’t be seen without a born again experience.

What difference does seeing things correctly make in a person’s life?

• People respond to what they see.
• If people don’t see correctly, they don’t respond correctly. 
• Without a healthy eye, people will walk in darkness.

The Sign:

Context:

• Jesus cast out a demon.
• The authority and power of Jesus were on display.
• The authority and power of the Pharisees didn’t compare.
• The Pharisees accused Jesus of operating demonically.
• Jesus gives a brief description of demonic activity in people.

Luke 11:29-32 “...When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here...”

Matthew 12:39-42 “...But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here...”

Why is it an evil and adulterous generation that seeks a sign?

• Evil would imply actions inconsistent with the goodness of God.
• Adulterous would imply unfaithfulness.
• When people start telling God what He should do, they have moved from faithful good to unfaithful evil.

What sign had already been given?

• Jesus had done many, many miracles that were clear evidence of His Authority.
• Jonah spending three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish was good enough evidence for the people of Ninevah that Jonah was divinely appointed.

Would there be no other sign given?

• Jesus wasn’t done doing miracles.
• Jesus would be raised after three days and nights in the heart of the earth.

What did the people of Nineveh do that the scribes and Pharisees were unwilling to do?

• Repent.

Why are people reluctant to repent?

• Pride. Arrogance. Haughtiness. Self satisfaction. Ignorance.

What is the result of failure to repent?

• Judgment.

How are people today similar to the scribes and Pharisees?

• They know what they know.
• They don’t know what they don’t know.
• They won’t surrender their position.
• They demand things on their own terms.
• They won’t repent.
• They will be judged.

Unclean Spirits:

Context:

• Jesus cast out a demon.
• The authority and power of Jesus were on display.
• The authority and power of the Pharisees didn’t compare.
• The Pharisees accused Jesus of operating demonically.

Matthew 12:28-30 “...But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom 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? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters...”

Mark 3:27 “...But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house...”

Luke 11:20-23 “...But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters...”

What was Jesus able to do that the Pharisees misunderstood?

• Exercise authority over the demonic world.

How was He able to do what He did?

• He brought the Kingdom of God to bear on the situation.
• The demonic world has no authority in the presence of God.
• The demonic world is overthrown by the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 12:43-45 “...When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation...”

Luke 11:24-26 “...When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first...”

What do these passages tell us about unclean spirits?

• They can occupy a person.
• They can be ordered out of a person.
• They are restless when roaming.
• They can return to occupy a person, with additional spirits.

How would you describe an unclean spirit?

• A disruptive, negative power that resists and perverts the intentions of God.
• A force that holds people captive, holds people back, and prevents them living healthy and whole as God intended.

Does our culture believe in the unclean spirits that Jesus mastered?

What is the problem with failure to believe in unclean spirits?

• You can’t defeat something if you disavow its existence.
• “...the last state of that person is worse than the first...”
• Troubles increase when the real problem isn’t addressed.

How can you keep unclean spirits out of your life?

• Having the house empty, swept and put in order is apparently not enough.
• Jesus needs to reside in the house.

1 John 2:24 “...Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father...”

It’s pretty important to have Jesus around.

Blasphemy:

Context:

• A demon oppressed blind and mute man is brought to Jesus.
• Jesus heals him, allowing him to see and hear.
• All the people were amazed.
• The Pharisees heard about it and immediately resisted.
• They accused Jesus of demonic activity.

Matthew 12:25-30 “...Knowing their thoughts, he 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. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom 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? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters...”

Mark 3:23-27 “...And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house...”

Was Jesus doing supernatural things?

Why would the Pharisees assume the activity was demonic?

• They had already made up their minds about Jesus.
• They weren’t about to change their minds about Jesus.
• They had to have an alternate explanation for the reality that couldn’t be denied.

Why do people staunchly hold to opinions, even in the face of evidence to the contrary?

• People make up their minds about something.
• People refuse to change their minds once they’re made up.
• People can always come up with alternate explanations even when reality is right in front of them.

Does everyone believe that Jesus still does supernatural things?

Can you convince a person about the reality of Jesus?

• John 3:3 “...Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God...”
• John 6:44 “...No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day...”
• John 6:63-65 “...It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father...”
• Acts 16:14 “...One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul...”

Who “...gives life...” so a person can come to Jesus?

• It is the Spirit who gives life. No one can come unless it is granted by the Father.
• The trinity is involved in the born again process.
• The Father grants it. The Spirit gives life. A person comes to Jesus.

Matthew 12:31-32 “...Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, 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 in the age to come...”

Mark 3:28-29 “...Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin...”

What is the “...blasphemy that will not be forgiven...”?

• Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness.

Is it blasphemy to say the work of the Holy Spirit is the work of the devil?

At what point does denying the work of the Holy Spirit become blasphemy?

Why would someone commit the unpardonable sin?

• People make up their minds about something.
• People refuse to change their minds once they’re made up.
• If the work of the Holy Spirit is ascribed to Satan, a person will not allow themselves to be led by the Spirit.
• If a person is not led by the Spirit, they will not find the way, the truth, and the life. 
• If a person doesn’t find the way, the truth, and the life, they will not find the forgiveness that leads to eternal life.

Galatians 5:16-18 “...But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law...”

Will you walk by the Spirit if you attribute the work of the Spirit to Satan?

Choose the Good Portion:

Context:

• Jesus had just explained to the lawyer how to live, how to love, and who to love.
• He then entered Bethany, a village on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives.
• He was welcomed into the house of Martha and her younger sister Mary.
• Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to his teaching.

Luke 10:40 “...But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me...”

What was Martha’s problem?

• She wasn’t sitting at the Lord’s feet because she was distracted.
• She didn’t want her sister Mary to sit at the Lord’s feet either.
• She wanted Jesus to fix the problem.

Have you ever had a problem you wanted Jesus to fix?

Luke 10:41-42 “...But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her...”

Did Jesus fix Martha’s problem?

• Jesus didn’t do what Martha wanted Him to do.
• Jesus identified Martha’s distraction.
• Jesus revealed that choices can be made.

How does Jesus respond to your problems?

• He doesn’t necessarily do what we want Him to do.
• He helps us see our issues more clearly.
• He directs us toward choices that are ours to make.

What is the one thing that is necessary?

• Matthew 6:33 “...But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you...”
• Nothing of a worldly nature would seem to be more important than providing for the needs of Jesus.
• Nothing is as important as being in the presence of Jesus.
• If a person loves God and has an interest in His Kingdom, lesser things do not easily distract them.

How can the cares of this world distract us from being in the presence of Jesus?

How can we become irresponsible regarding things of this world?

Psalm 119:30-31 “...I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame!...”