“The Just Shall Live By Faith”
New King James Version Written by: David Hicks
Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."
“Articles of Faith"
An Orderly Account
Of The Greatest Story Ever Told
(A Study in Luke)
Chapter 11:14-23:
After the Lord's discourse on prayer (how to, how often, and the power of persistence), He now continues His demonstration, that He is the Son of God.
Text #1:
Luke 11:14-15 “And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
See also: Matthew 12:22-30; Mark 3:22 -27.
Casting Out a Demon: For a explanation of Demon possession see: http://www.plvcc.org/Luke431-37.htm
Here Luke records that the demon had caused this man to be mute, if we look at Matthew's account, we also find out that this man was mute and blind.
The Lord casting this demon out of this man, enabled him to both speak and see (Matthew 12:22).
The Multitudes Marveled: As was common upon the conclusion of these displays of power over the seen and unseen, the crowds marveled. This was due to the fact that these miracles were so obviously different than the claimed miracles of others who professed to be exorcists. They were so taken back by the power of the Lord that they even considered that He might be the Son of David (Matthew 12:23).
The statement “Son of David” is a Messianic designation that stems from the prophecy of Nathan concerning the seed of David to sit on his throne eternally – II Samuel 7:12-17; Isaiah 9:7. Here this term is being used by the witnesses as recognition of Godly power that may designate Jesus as the Son of David or the Messiah. The writers of the New Testament would designate that Jesus was truly the Son of David, leaving no doubt that He is the Messiah, as recorded by them and those they wrote about – Matthew 1:1; 9:27; 15:22.
But Some of Them Said: As was also common as the Lord demonstrated His power as the Son of God, there were those who didn't believe and often tried to detract from the attention He was receiving. Since they could not take away from the authenticity of the miracle, they tried to discredit Him by claiming the source of the power was not of God! These accusers are named in Matthew's and Mark's account as Pharisees and scribes (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22).
Beelzebub: This was the name by which Baal was worshipped by the Philistines of Ekron (II Kings 1:2-3; 6; 16). In New Testament times, the name was associated with the prince or ruler of demons (Matthew 10:25, 12:24; Mark 3:22); also know as, “god of flies” or “god of the fly”. Here in Luke's account, Jesus will also associate this name with Satan (Vs. 18).
Text #2:
Luke 11:16-23 “Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven. 17 But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”
Others: Here in Luke's account we have a different group mentioned than those who claimed His power from Beelzebub. These may have felt that the accusations of the Pharisees and scribes to harsh, yet also lacked the faith in the things that they had seen, to test Him with the request of more signs.
Knowing Their Thoughts: The ability of the Lord to know the hearts of men is best described in:
John 2:23-25 “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.”
The Lord is not going to respond to the requests for signs at this time; He will address these who continually ask for signs at a different occasion (Vs. 29-32).
Four Part Defense:
1) How can Satan cast out Satan?
The first part of His defense comes in Vs. 18 and in the last statement of Vs.17. Any kingdom or house that preys on itself will surely fall; good or evil! In Mark's account, Jesus would ask strait out:
“How can Satan cast out Satan? ” – Mark 3:23.
The claim of the Pharisees represents Satan as divided against himself; robbing himself of victories over individuals. Jesus argues that it wasn't that Satan could not do this, but that it was inconceivable, therefore absurd.
2) By Whom do Your Sons do it?
We know from the travels of the Apostle Paul that there were traveling Jewish exorcists (Acts 19:13), as well as the Lord here recognizing that the disciples of the Pharisees claimed to perform this function.
Since the Lord has already shown that it was against reason that Satan would cast out his own, but since they claim that this act is done by the power of Satan, does this mean that your disciples are claiming to do this by the same power? If so, they will be your judge (Vs.19).
3) If By the Finger of God?
Unless they are willing to acknowledge that their disciples have acted by the power of Satan, they then must recognize that the Lord demonstrates the power of God. This would then mean that the kingdom that Jesus is preaching as at hand has truly come upon them and repentance was necessary and demanded in order to prepare for it.
The term, “Finger of God” is a reference used in scripture to designate the movement of God in accomplishing His purposes (Exodus 8:19; 31:18; Psalms 8:3).
4) Satan has Great Power, But I Am Greater!
The Lord in this parable style defense (Mark 3:23), states that Satan is powerful, armed, and intent to guard that which is his. However, Jesus states that He has greater strength and the ability to overtake the strong man, strip him of everything and divide his spoils as He sees fit.
Conclusion:
“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”
For the benefit of the accusers and the bystanders, the Lord demands recognition that He is the One Greater and that neutrality is impossible! There are only two kingdoms; the one ruled by the ruler of this world and his citizens are those who do his bidding!
1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
1 John 3:8 “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
The greater kingdom is ruled by the greater power, which has power over this world and the ruler of this world.
1 John 5:1-5 “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
We are either with Him, or against Him!
Next: “Blessed Are Those Who Hear the Word of God and Keep It!”