The Coming of the Kingdom of God

Living Hope Presbyterian Church

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Matthew 12

Matthew 12: 22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 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. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 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. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 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.

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

ESV: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ©2011 Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Sermon Summary: The sermon delves into a passage from Matthew chapter 12, focusing on the growing conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees. It highlights Jesus’ healing of a demon-oppressed man and the subsequent accusations by the Pharisees that Jesus’s power comes from Beelzebul. The sermon emphasizes the power struggle between Jesus and the forces of darkness, portraying Jesus as the victor who binds the strong man (Satan). It explores the themes of spiritual warfare, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the consequences of careless words and actions.

Key Points:

• Conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees intensifies.
• Jesus demonstrates power over demons, leading to accusations by the Pharisees.
• Jesus highlights the greater conflict he is involved in against spiritual forces.
• The importance of recognizing the Kingdom of God through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• Matthew 12:22-37

Humor and Anecdotes:

• The speaker shares a humorous anecdote from his college tennis days, illustrating the inevitability of defeat against superior opponents.

Key Quotes:

• “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
• “By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Themes:

• Spiritual warfare and the victory of Christ over evil.
• The work of the Holy Spirit in revealing the Kingdom of God.
• Consequences of careless words and actions, emphasizing the importance of speaking with grace and truth.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the sermon’s portrayal of spiritual warfare impact your understanding of the ongoing battle between good and evil?
2. In what ways can we discern the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the lives of others?
3. Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced the consequences of careless words. How can we strive to speak with grace and truth in all situations?

Metaphors and Stories:

• The metaphor of Jesus binding the strong man symbolizes his victory over Satan and the forces of darkness.
• The analogy of demons and spiritual oppression highlights the reality of unseen battles and the need for discernment in recognizing God’s work.

This comprehensive analysis provides a deep dive into the sermon’s core messages, encouraging reflection on spiritual warfare, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the power of words in shaping our faith journey.