A Kingdom Divided Against Itself
Series: Gospel of the Kingdom
Speaker: Lead Pastor Dustin Aguilar
Scripture: Matthew 12:22-28, Matthew 9:33, Amos 4:2-3
What to Believe
Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand
Although Old Testament figures were able to engage in some form of spiritual warfare at times, the Israelites were able to see that when Jesus cast demons out, it was unlike anything that had been seen before in Israel. Instead of the demons simply leaving, only to return later, as they had done before, Jesus was able to defeat them to the point that they weren’t able to return
The Pharisees were able to recognize that what Jesus was doing wasn’t some kind of trick, and real spiritual power, but they attributed his power to Satan
When Jesus says a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, it can be confusing, because we see those who practice witchcraft do things that seem to also have positive spiritual effects. While miracles in the name of Christ and miracles done by unbelievers may look similar the difference we must recognize is that if and when those practicing witchcraft cause something to change spiritually they’re not doing it under the authority of anyone, but when Jesus or the apostles did it it was with authority because they were doing so in the name of Christ. So because Jesus is doing this as one with authority he can use the logic of “a house divided against itself cannot stand” in a way that an unbeliever cannot. If Jesus were casting demons out in His name but it was really by the power of Satan that would be contradictory, while if an unbeliever does it they’re not doing so in the name of God, so there’s no contradiction
A practical example is when the sons of Sceva tried casting out demons, they were using the name of Christ as a formula or spell, as Israelites had done before them, rather than acknowledging his authority as the means by which the demons would leave, so the demons didn’t listen
Jesus equated the coming of the kingdom with the coming of the spirit. The apostles didn’t ask people if they had received the kingdom, they asked if they had received the Spirit
When people say they appreciate Jesus for being a good teacher but that he isn’t God it’s a contradiction because Jesus taught that he is God
The power of Jesus demanded a decision. You’re either for him or against him and there’s no room for mere appreciation
Manifestations of the spirit right now are manifesting of the physical kingdom of heaven that is yet to come
The kingdom of God comes with life for those who are in Christ and judgement for those who reject it