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Lesson 19 Matthew 2020
Verses | Matthew 12:22-50
Key verse | Matthew 12:29

Unless He first ties up the Strong Man

"Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.”

Each of us has a problem that doesn't change, a problem from sin. We have bad habits. We have weakness that makes it difficult for ourselves and for those around us. Behind all our sins and weakness is the power of demons. Like today's title, the devil is the 'strong man'. So we are stuck in front of the devil. But when we rely on Jesus, who is stronger than the devil, and repent, the devil who afflicts us and makes us miserable will be driven out. I pray that we will hold on to Jesus, "the stronger man", through today’s verse, and win the spiritual battle.

See verse 22. "Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see." Some people brought in front of Jesus a man, who had been possessed by a demon that he was blind and could not speak. How pitiful is this man because he can't see anything and can't speak? It was because of the demon. The demon made this person to be like that. Demons destroy and make a noble human being with the image of God miserable. It disconnects the relationship with God and with people. Jesus took pity on this man and healed him by casting out the demon. As the demon cleared out, his eyes saw a beautiful world, and he spoke with loud voice and sang songs as much as he wanted. How happy and grateful he was? Many people who saw this were astonished and recognized that Jesus was the "Son of David," or Messiah.

But there were people who were spiritually frustrated. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” Beelzebul is the nickname of Satan. They said that Jesus used the power of Satan to drive out demons. The Pharisees are those who are not governed by God, but by Satan. Jesus also says about them in John 8:44 like this: "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

Jesus tells us in what respects the Pharisees' words about Jesus driving out the demon by the help of Beelzebul were contradicting. See verses 25-27. "25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges." A group or family divided against itself will not stand. The work of the Holy Spirit is to become one. Ephesians 4:2-3 says. "2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." On the other hand, Satan's work is to divide. Satan keeps causing trouble, causing wars, breaking gatherings, and destroying families. He encourages others to fight by slandering and criticizing each other's weaknesses. At the same time, demons unite to maintain and expand the kingdom of Satan. If they fight each other, the kingdom of demons will collapse by itself, right?

"And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.” Jesus asks back by whom do the disciples of Pharisees drive the demons out, if Jesus drives out demons by Beelzebul. According to scholars studying ancient literature, there were very few records of exorcism in Judaism at the time. If the Pharisees insist that Jesus pursues demons by the power of demons, their disciples will blame and condemn them.

See verse 28. "But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." Jesus driving out demons through the Holy Spirit is a concrete proof that the kingdom of God has come upon them. The kingdom of God is not far away, but within us now. God's kingdom is in the heart of God's reign. There are 214 countries in the world, but spiritually there are only two kinds. It's the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. The kingdom of Satan is a kingdom ruled by Satan. We were brought to the kingdom of God by faith in Jesus from the reign of sin and Satan. When we were ruled by Satan, we rebelled against God and lived by the desire of the flesh. We were obsessed with the power of sin and death and always lived by vanity, futility, lust and selfishness. We were arrogant. Demons are attached to people. In severe cases, the demon enters into a person and oppresses and drags him around. It prevents the person from getting out of the addiction of cigarettes or alcohol. The demon is good at lying without feeling guilty. If you are possessed by a demon, you will become depressed and have the urge to die. It seduces us to think or act abnormally. Therefore, we must discern and fight the demons. If you believe in Jesus as a Savior, the demon goes out and cannot use strength on you. We find joy, satisfaction, meaning and vitality of life after being forgiven by Jesus. After that, you should live by learning from Jesus, who is gentle and humble, with the burden Jesus gave you. We gain freedom from the influence of demons, gain joy, and live in grace.

How did this become possible? See verse 29. "“Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.” In this parable, "the person" refers to Jesus, "strong man" refers to Satan, and "possessions" refers to people caught by Satan. If a person wants to enter a house and carry off the possessions, he or she must tie the owner. Jesus bound Satan and drove out the demons and saved the people. Jesus came to this world and overpowered Satan with the help of the Holy Spirit and drove out demons. He also died on the cross and resurrected, destroying Satan's power and ultimately prevailed against him. Jesus, who bound Satan, is now saving each of Satan's men. So heaven is being invaded by those who believe in Jesus as Savior. Those who believe in Jesus were given the power to be the children of God. We must drive out the demons with that power.

Ephesians 6:11,12 says, "11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." In order for us to beat the devil, we must wear God's armor. We also have to fight spiritual battles to save the souls caught by Satan. If you fight with the sword of the Word and the shield of faith, you can defeat force of Satan. This is because Jesus gave power to the believers who are faithful. We must serve the work of salvation by driving out demons in the name of Jesus.

See verse 30. " “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." There is no neutral zone when fighting. It is either you oppose Jesus or you fight on His side. He who is with Jesus is on His side and actively tries to gather people to Jesus. They lead the people to Jesus by planting faith in Jesus and loving them. On the other hand, those who are not with Jesus are those who are against Him. They slander Jesus and his followers and disperse them so that they cannot gather in Him. Which side are you on? I pray that we will actively gather people at the online conference as those on Jesus' side. The Pharisees stood on Satan's side and scattered people. They tackled and criticized everything Jesus had done. They interrupted the gathering of people to Jesus. Jesus gives terrible warnings to them.

Look at verses 31,32. “And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
Jesus said that all sin and blasphemy against Son of Man can be forgiven. It was also said that those who rebelled against Jesus in words can also gain forgiveness. No matter what sin you have committed, you can be forgiven if you realize your sin and repent. Jesus prayed on the cross. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34).” All sins in the world can be forgiven. But there is only one sin that cannot be forgiven forever. That sin is a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. It is a sin deliberately rebelling against the Holy Spirit. What the Holy Spirit does is to reprove the sin and makes people to repent their sins.  When we hear the word of God, we get touched and feel the guilt of conscience in our hearts that He helps us to repent and accept Jesus as our Savior. However, there are people who know and feel the work of the Holy Spirit but refuse to believe with a solid heart. There are 'people who hate to accept forgiveness'. That is why they are not forgiven.

The Pharisees blasphemed the work of the Holy Spirit and refused to be forgiven. They aren’t good trees. Look at verses 34,35. "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him." Man expresses his being by his words. Those who speak evil words naturally speak evil words because their hearts are full of evil. Those who speak good words speak good words unconsciously because their heart is full of good things. Whenever the Pharisees spoke, they spoke harsh words. They spread the seeds of doubts and skepticism in people's hearts. They say harsh words because they are ‘brood of vipers.’

Jesus warns them again. “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (36,37). Words must affect others. Good words give people comfort and courage, but bad words hurt others' hearts and lead them to sin. There are many celebrities and sportsmen who committed suicide due to negative comments. Ko Min Jung, a volleyball player, said that she even heard one internet troll saying “I'll do better than you even with my feet". She couldn’t withstand it and she ended up taking her life away. What people say is important because our brain tells us to do what they say. Also, when God judges, he judges based on what people say. Jesus said, "For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Man's words are the basis for judgment. On the last day of judgment, not only the evil words that were aggressively spoken, but also the careless words that were spoken without thinking will be condemned. Therefore, we must not talk carelessly. Words of faith, words of love, and words of grace must be spoken. We must preach the gospel to people so that they can know the truth and know God. We must speak words of comfort and courage. Colossians 4:6 said, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." To say this, we must fundamentally change our inner world. Just as we must be a good tree to produce beautiful fruit, we must be born again and become new people. The inner person must grow into a person of God who resembles Jesus. We pray that we will hear the Word, be reborn, speak as the salt that has its’ saltiness, and be recognized as righteous by God through words.

What are the hallmarks of the wicked and adulterous generation? Look at verses 38,39. "Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” 39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." Jesus has shown many signs so far. Even though they saw and criticized the amazing signs, they asked again to Jesus to show the signs. Jesus says their condition is wicked and adulterous. They were spiritually unfaithful to God like a woman who committed adultery. They did not follow the truth, but followed their greed. Jesus tells them that none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Jonah's sign refers to the case that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried on the ground for three days, and resurrected, just as Jonah had been in the belly of a fish for three days. The case of Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection on the third day is the greatest sign in human history. This cross and resurrection clearly show us that Jesus is the Messiah.

Those who do not believe in the cross and resurrection will be condemned. The men of Nineveh repented when they heard Jonah's reluctance to preach. The Queen of the South came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom. Those who do not believe even after hearing the words of Jesus, who is greater than Solomon, will be condemned. Jesus warns against the wicked and adulterous generation again. Look at verses 43-45. “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” The Pharisees kept the law thoroughly and organized their hearts in an orderly manner. It is cleaned. However, if they leave their hearts in this statement, the seven evil spirits will enter and dwell, and the future will be worse than before. After we hear the Word, repent and are cleansed, we must not remain still. We must actively fill our hearts with the Words and fulfill our mission faithfully while being ruled by the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, if we just clean our heart and remain still, our heart will become empty again and be filled with the desires of sin. Therefore, we must fill our empty heart with the Words of God. Colossians 3:16 says. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” God's word is the spiritual nutrient that revives our souls. When we read the Word of God, our heart becomes warm and our strength rises. We must strive for fellowship with the Lord through prayer and praise. Then the Lord gives a hope and a vision to our hearts. He gives us passion and allows us to participate in God's work.

Those who are ruled by God are God's children. People who live with God as their master are one family. While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers came to him. Jesus was asked to return to his home and behave like the first born. At this time, a man came to Jesus. “Look, your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” Then Jesus said to the man. “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” He reached out and pointed to his disciples, saying, “Look, here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Jesus takes those who do the will of the Father in heaven as brothers, sisters, and mothers, and does God's work with them. In a world with many enemies, they are Jesus' comfort and joy. He gained strength by being with them and was able to withstand the mission that God gave Him. We must love, respect, and serve the spiritual families we share. In a world of many difficulties and tribulations, the co-workers who fear God and do God's will are so lovely and precious. In a wicked generation where we cannot have hope, we can have hope because of our disciples. As the family of Jesus, we must become the hope of this age while doing God's will. In addition, we must cherish the co-workers and sheep who do God's will as spiritual families.

In conclusion, we learned of Jesus who worked with the power of the Holy Spirit. Even now, Jesus wants us to fight the forces of demons that tempt us. He also wants to use it in the history of saving those who are possessed by demons. Let's invite the sheep to this online summer conference and pray for the powerful Word to work. We pray that God will empower the speakers of the Word with the power of the Holy Spirit to deliver the Word powerfully and save souls suffering from the power of the devil.