Matthew 12:22-32
IMPACT
LIFE OF CHRIST #23
Words that people say will often have impact on our lives. In preparing this message three specific times came to mind when my life was impacted for good by the words that were spoken.
Growing up, I was the skinny, picked on kid at school. I wasn’t athletic, and didn’t have a whole lot of friends. We had a loving, caring, home, but being the oldest, my Dad expected more of me than he did of my siblings. This added pressure to me. Mom was never one to express her feelings very much at all. One day, out of the blue, for no apparent reason, my Mom came over to me, gave me a hug and told me she loved me! Those few words still have impact on me today even now when Mom is gone.
The second significant time that words had impact on my life was when I was dating Dottie. She said those magic words, “I love you,” for the first time. And thankfully after all these years, she is still saying them.
The third significant time that words had an impact in my life was when I was pastoring my second church. I offended a deacon and his wife. We ended up having a meeting with the church council. In the process of their heated attack, through which I was devastated, I asked if they wanted me to resign. The couple refused to say one way or the other. I think their answer was “yes”. But the man’s brother, Glen, spoke up and said something like this, “Pastor, I think you’re going to be a great preacher some day, and if we can’t tolerate a mistake or two, there’s something wrong with us.” Those words gave me the encouragement to go on.
The words of others have impacted us all. Sometimes the impact was positive and other times the impact was negative. Sometimes the words of others have blessed us and other times they have hurt us deeply.
Our words have also had impact. The words we say often have a positive or a negative impact on others.
After a long layover, we return to our systematic study of the life of Christ. We are trying to study His life in a chronological way. The last time we studied the Life of Christ, Jesus had been invited to the home of a Pharisee where a repentant woman washed his feet with her tears, dried them with her hair and anointed Him with expensive perfume. Jesus’ host, a Pharisee, was the exact opposite and showed none of the common courtesies that a host of that day was supposed to show.
A short time after this event there was a miraculous healing.
In Matthew 12:22, we are told of a demon possessed man who was brought to Jesus. As a result of demon possession he was blind and couldn’t speak. Jesus healed the man so that he could see and speak.
As a result of this event all sorts of words were used. This morning let’s look at the impact of these words.
THE IMPACT OF INQUIRING WORDS – Vs. 23
THE IMPACT OF INCRIMINATING WORDS – Vs. 24
THE IMPACT OF INSTRUCTIVE WORDS – Vss. 25-29
THE IMPACT OF INDICTING WORDS – Vss. 30-37
THE IMPACT OF INQUIRING WORDS – Vs. 23
Vs. 23 – The people are amazed! They are in awe.
In our vernacular, we might say the miracle “knocked their socks off!”
They start to ask questions. They asked, “This couldn’t be the Son of David, could it?”
The term “Son of David” was a term used in reference to Israel’s coming Messiah. The people were beginning to think of Jesus in terms of His being their Messiah.
They were on the right track! In fact that was one of the purposes of the miracles was to show that He was their Messiah.
It was good that they were making inquiries. It was good that they were trying to figure out His identity.
It is good that you and I make inquiries into things.
Sometimes the Lord is trying to teach us something through our circumstances.
Proverbs 3:11-12 - My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: [12] For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
When we suspect that the Lord might be disciplining us, we need to inquire, “Lord, what are you trying to tell me.”
My first new car was a 1969 Opel. I loved that car, but it seemed to have a sign on it that said, “Hit me!” After numerous fender benders it dawned on me that the Lord was telling me that I loved the car more than I loved Him!
Another type of inquiry we should make is concerning the Scriptures. It is good for us to ask questions. It is good for us to inquire about the meaning of passages we are reading.
It is good for us to ask questions that help us apply the Word of God to our own lives.
2 Timothy 2:15 - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
When Paul and Silas were on the second missionary journey in the Book of Acts, they were forced to leave Thessalonica because of persecution. From there they went to a town called Berea.
Acts 17:11-12 - These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. [12] Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Perhaps you are one who has heard the message of salvation, that you need to trust Jesus as your Savior, but you are yet to make up your mind to do so. I encourage you to inquire, to talk to me, to search the Scriptures. This could help you make that very important decision to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.
Christian, real growth will come as you start to study the Word of God for yourself. Like the Bereans, you should respond to the preaching the Word of God by searching it out for yourself, and making sure that what you are being taught is accurate. Also in studying for yourself, you will find additional blessings in the Word of God.
The more you inquire into Spiritual things the more you will learn. The more you learn and apply your findings to your own life, the more Christ-like you will become!
THE IMPACT OF INQUIRING WORDS – Vs. 23
THE IMPACT OF INCRIMINATING WORDS – Vs. 24
Vs. 24 – There were those who were in opposition to Jesus. They were constantly trying to find reasons to discredit Him and to incriminate him as a wrong doer.
The Pharisees, the religious fundamentalists of their day, were often at the forefront of offering criticism.
A notable miracle had been accomplished. An exorcism had taken place. Often those performing exorcisms would use all sorts of interesting means.
Michael J. Wilkins said, “In the ancient world, exorcists used a variety of incantations and spells, potions and herbs, rings and earrings as magical things in an attempt to manipulate the spirit world.” Michael J. Wilkings, The NIV Application Commentary, Matthew, (Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan, 2004), p.446
Jesus was different. He directly exorcised demons. He had more power than any would-be sorcerer ever did.
The Pharisees could not deny the miracle, so they cried to incriminate Jesus by saying that He was casting out demons in the name of the prince of demons, Beelzebub. They accused Jesus of performing his exorcisms in the name of the Devil! They were saying that Jesus’ ministry was not of God, but of Satan!
Those were demeaning, incriminating words!
Do we ever use them?
Do we ever criticize a ministry or another church, without really knowing what’s going on there?
Do we ever criticize another brother or sister in Christ, with information we think is true, but we’re not sure?
Do we ever evaluate another person’s motives, ministry or behavior in such a way that incriminates them?
Romans 14:4 - Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
James 4:11-12 - Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. [12] There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
“It is said that when the British and French were fighting in Canada in the 1750s, Admiral Phipps, commander of the British fleet, was told to anchor outside Quebec. He was given orders to wait for the British land forces to arrive, then support them when they attacked the city. Phipps’ navy arrived early. As the admiral waited, he became annoyed by the statues of the saints that adorned the towers of a nearby cathedral, so he commanded his men to shoot at them with the ships’ cannons. No one knows how many rounds were fired or how many statues were knocked out, but when the land forces arrived and the signal was given to attack, the admiral was of no help. He had used up all his ammunition shooting at the “saints.” Our Daily Bread, October 6, http://www.bible.org/illus.asp?topic_id=347
Let’s be careful, let’s not use our ammunition on others!
Words can hurt! Let’s make sure that we are not using incriminating words when we shouldn’t be.
THE IMPACT OF INQUIRING WORDS – Vs. 23
THE IMPACT OF INCRIMINATING WORDS – Vs. 24
THE IMPACT OF INSTRUCTIVE WORDS –
Vss. 25-29
Jesus was falsely accused. The attack against Him was brutal. But the first thing Jesus did was to instruct. He showed how ludicrous it was for the Pharisees to say that He was casting out Satan’s demons in the name of Satan.
Vs. 25 – Jesus begins by saying a divided house can not stand. That’s great advice for all situations. Something that’s divided can not stand.
A divided church can not stand.
A divided marriage can not stand.
A divided work force can not stand.
A divided family can not stand.
Vs. 26 – If Satan is casting out Satan, his kingdom will not stand. If Satan were casting out his own demons, he would have been working against himself! Satan is too smart for that!
1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Vs. 27 – The Pharisee’s evidently had disciples, children if you will, who cast out demons and somewhat successfully.
If Jesus was casting out demons in the name of the devil, did that mean that their disciples were doing the same thing?
Vs. 28 – If Jesus was not casting out demons in Satan’s power, then it would mean that he was doing it in God’s power. That would mean the Kingdom of God had arrived.
And if the Kingdom of God had arrived, the one who had arrived was God’s King, the Messiah! He was the “Son of David”. The crowds had the right idea.
Vs. 29 – You can’t rob a strong man’s house unless you restrict the strong man. Satan’s demons can not be evicted unless Satan is restricted in his power.
Jesus bound the strong man, Satan, and had the victory.
The Pharisees’ accusations were ridiculous, and Jesus gave instruction to prove it.
The instructive Words of the Lord Jesus showed how foolish the incriminating words of the Pharisees were.
We as Christians should remember that our instructions are to come from God and His Word.
The Lord Jesus is God, we should learn from His Words as recorded in Scripture.
The whole Bible is the inspired by God. We are to learn from God’s Word.
Let us also remember that the words we use are to be instructive words. We are not to go around tearing down but building up.
Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
When you wonder if you should share a certain tidbit of information with another, remember that God says, “If it isn’t edifying, don’t share it!”
THE IMPACT OF INQUIRING WORDS – Vs. 23
THE IMPACT OF INCRIMINATING WORDS – Vs. 24
THE IMPACT OF INSTRUCTIVE WORDS – Vss. 25-29
THE IMPACT OF INDICTING WORDS – Vss. 30-37
If anyone can indict, or charge with wrong doing, or accurately accuse, it is our Lord. He uses indicting words here.
Vs. 30 – Jesus is blunt. “If you not on my side. If your faith is not in Me, then you are opposed to me. You are against me.”
There is no such thing as being neutral about the Lord Jesus!
Someone may say, “I’m not opposed to Jesus, I just haven’t trusted Him as Savior the way you do.”
My friend, if you haven’t trusted Jesus, you are opposed to Jesus whether you think so or not.
And if you are not gathering with Him by serving Him in ministry, you are scattering. You are hurting His ministry.
By doing nothing for the cause of Christ you are hurting His ministry.
Vss. 31-32 – These are heavy words. These are disturbing words of indictment. These are words, which I, for one misunderstood at one time.
Remember, first of all, that our God is a forgiving God.
Ephesians 1:7 - In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Psalm 32:5 - I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
God is very gracious in the scope of His forgiveness. God forgives even sins against the Lord Jesus, the Son of Man.
The sin that did not receive forgiveness was the sin against the Holy Ghost. That sin was attributing the works of the Spirit of God done through Jesus Christ, to the devil.
It was calling the works of the Spirit of God done in Jesus the work of the Devil.
I believe that this sin was unpardonable because someone that hard-hearted would never repent and turn to the Lord Jesus in faith.
Is there any unpardonable sin today?
The only unpardonable sin is refusing to place your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. If you fail to do that, there is no Heaven for you!
John 3:16-19 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. [18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
There is a day in the life of each person who does not know Jesus Christ as Savior, when there is no more opportunity to receive Christ. God will take his or her life, and he or she will go into eternity without Christ. We don’t know when that day is, so it behooves you if you do not know Christ as Savior to trust Him this morning. He died for your sins. He was buried. He rose again. All you need to do is make a full faith commitment to Him.
John MacArthur – “During World War II, an American naval force in the North Atlantic was engaged in heavy battle with enemy ships and submarines on an exceptionally dark night. Six planes took off from the carrier to search out those targets, but while they were in the air a total blackout was ordered for the carrier in order to protect it from attack. Without lights on the carrier’s deck the six planes could not possibly land, and they made a radio request for the lights to be turned on just long enough for them to come in. But because the entire carrier, with its several thousand men as well as all the other planes and equipment, would have been put in jeopardy, no lights were permitted. When the six planes ran out of fuel, they had to ditch in the freezing water and all crew members perished into eternity.
“There comes a time when God turns out the lights, when further opportunity of salvation is forever lost.”
John MacArthur, The Mac Arthur Commentary, Matthew 8-15, (Chicago, Moody Press, 1987), p.314
Words have impact!
THE IMPACT OF INQUIRING WORDS – Vs. 23
THE IMPACT OF INCRIMINATING WORDS – Vs. 24
THE IMPACT OF INSTRUCTIVE WORDS – Vss. 25-29
THE IMPACT OF INDICTING WORDS – Vss. 30-37