6.03.25 Luke 11:14-28

Prepare 

Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 

Take a moment to pause and marvel at the power of the name of Jesus. 

Read – Luke 11:14-28 

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, ‘By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.’ Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. 

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: ‘Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 

‘When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armour in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder. 

‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 

‘When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, “I will return to the house I left.” When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes 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.’ 

As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, ‘Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.’ 

He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’ 

Reflect 

Someone said to me not that long ago that “God uses ALL of his word, the Bible, to speak to us.” Here Jesus challenges us to not only hear, but to act. Imagine you have bought a new set of IKEA drawers. It has come with the instructions, and you read them. Now you wait…  

Of course, they’re not going to magically build themselves! You need to read the instructions but then also follow them! It is then that you are able to build and see the results.  

What might God want to build with you if you hear the word of God and obey it? 

Become 

I don’t know about you, but I find it astonishing that despite seeing Jesus driving out demons before their own eyes, there were many who still did not see that Jesus was God. 

Lord, help us to see you for who you are, in all your power. Uncover our eyes and open our hearts to see where you are working in our lives. 

Do 

God, let me not be distracted by so many things. Show me what is important and help me to hear your word and obey, trusting you, and knowing you have authority over everything. 

Practice 

Reflect on things in my life that I have seen God do. 

Ask God to reveal to me how I can obey His word each day.