SATAN BEGINS JESUS MINISTRY WITH HIM · I. Satan Attacks Our Lord, (Luke 4:1-13) A. Satan Attacks Jesus in the Wilderness, (vv. 3, 4) Then Jesus, being filled (influenced) with the

SATAN BEGINS JESUS’ MINISTRY WITH HIM

I. Satan Attacks Our Lord, (Luke 4:1-13)

A. Satan Attacks Jesus in the Wilderness, (vv. 3, 4)

Then Jesus, being filled (influenced) with the Holy Spirit, returned (withdrew, departed)

from the Jordan (river after His baptism) and was led (guided) by the Spirit into the

wilderness (of Judah, which is mostly an uninhabited barren

wasteland), 2 being tempted (proven, harassed, troubled,

solicited to sin) for forty days by the devil (one of his many names

such as: Lucifer, Satan, the slanderer, the accuser, the

adversary, the dragon, a snake, the evil one, the god of this

world, the prince the power of the air, a roaring lion, the

tempter, the father of lies and a murderer…..The devil is not

very pleasant company for our Lord). And in those (40) days He

(Jesus, as He was continually filled with and led by the Holy

Spirit) ate nothing (Matthew 4:2 says that Jesus was intentionally fasting during this

time …..certainly preparing Himself for the unprecedented ministry before Him),

and afterward, when they (the 40 days) had ended, He was hungry (in a physically

weakened and vulnerable state).

A.T. Robertson, a noted Greek Scholar said about this fasting, “The entrance of

Jesus upon his Messianic ministry was a fit time for this solemn and intense

consecration. This mental and spiritual strain would naturally take away the

appetite and there was probably nothing at hand to eat. The weakness from

the absence of food gave the devil his special opportunity to tempt Jesus

1which he promptly seized.”

1. Satan’s Strategy, (v. 3)

a. The Bait/Snare

3 And (at Jesus’ lowest point at the end of the 40 days) the devil said to

Him, (notice in a mixture of truth and deception) “If (or since) You are the

Son of God (Satan may be referring to God the Father’s words here at

Jesus’ baptism about Jesus being His Son, in whom He is well

pleased), command this stone (a specific stone to which Satan was

probably pointing at or handing to Him) to become bread”

1 Robertson, A. (1997). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Lk 4:2). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.

b. The Leverage

The inferences are:

It would not be beyond the power of the Son of God to turn a stone into

bread. (Catch the slyness here; the real issue isn’t the power, but it’s

appropriate use!)

It is unsuitable and unnecessary for the Son of God to be hungry, especially

after such a long fast. (Again, a crafty snare.)

It is even an improper image to portray to the people of Himself. (I mean

really, Jesus, what would people think! You are the Son of God, for crying

out loud! The Messiah of the world, and you look like this!? Yea, right.)

c. The Objective

Jesus’ loyalty to the Father regarding His love in taking care of His Son in

whom He is well pleased concerning Jesus’ physical state. (read Wibberley

sheet)

2. Jesus’ rebuff, (v. 4)

4 But (seeing the devil’s snare and replacing the deception with the truth) Jesus

answered him (quoting Deut. 8:32), saying, “It is written (thus saith My Father), ‘Man

shall not live (be sustained) by bread (food) alone, but by every word of God (His

commands, His principles, His promises, His instruction, His encouragement, His

timing, even His silence).’ ”

Habakkuk 3:17–18 – Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines;

though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock

may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in

the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Matthew 6:31–33 – “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What

shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles

seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek

2 Deuteronomy 8:3 – He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which

you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not

live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.

first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be

added to you.

Philippians 4:11b–12, 19 – …I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I

know how to be [in need], and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things

I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

…19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by

Christ Jesus. (Sin really makes a person stupid. Wibberley: not even on the

radar)

B. Satan Attacks Jesus on the Mountain, (vv. 5-8)

1. The Bait/Snare

We are going to see here, that the bait Satan uses is a mixture of truth and lies.

It’s sort of like:

“Two [passionate] fishermen [who] met on their vacation and began swapping

stories about the different places they had fished, the kind of tackle used, the best

bait, and finally about some of the fish they had caught. One of them told of a

vicious battle he once had with a 300-pound salmon. The other man listened

attentively. He frankly admitted he had never caught anything quite that big.

However, he told about the time his hook snagged a lantern from the depths of a

lake. The lantern carried a tag proving it was lost back in 1912. But the strangest

thing of all was the fact that it was a waterproof lantern and the light was still lit.

For a long time the first man said nothing. Then he took one long deep breath. "I’ll

tell you what I’ll do," he said slowly. "I’ll take 200 pounds off my fish, if you’ll put

out the light in your lantern."” [Jacob M. Braude, Braude’s Treasury of Humor, (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1964)]

5 Then (not willing to give up) the devil, taking Him (Jesus) up on a high mountain,

showed Him all the kingdoms of the world (either in a supernatural way, or

symbolically from the perspective of as far as the eye could see

from their vantage point) in a moment (a very short period) of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority (meaning here

territory, domain) I will give You, and their glory (all the benefits

and privileges they can provide….. You can be King and bypass

all the agony and work you are expecting to have to go through

in Your attempt to gain them); for this has been delivered to me

(which is a lie as he is only temporally allowed to dominate the

world systems of this world and its subjects which he corrupted), and I give it to

whomever I wish (another lie, as God alone determines the times, existence and

boundaries of the nations and their subjects). 7 Therefore, if You (my Creator) will

worship (prostrate Yourself and give reverence) before me (Your creation), all will

be Yours (Satan still desires to be worshiped and set his throne above God’s).”

b. The Leverage

The inferences are:

Jesus can be a King without going through any work.

Jesus can still rule over the nations and receive the glory of the nations by

just a simple change in His approach.

It’s very interesting in this temptation that Satan doesn’t call the Jesus “the Son

of God” as he does in the other two temptations. I believe for obvious reasons.

No one can “MAKE” Jesus Lord, He “IS” Lord.

One interesting thing to watch from the window of an airplane is the winding path of a river below. No two waterways are alike, but they all have one thing in common: they are all crooked. And the reason is simple--rivers follow the path of least resistance. They flow around anything that blocks their eroding work. Yes, rivers are crooked because they take the "easy way."

When you stop and think of it, that's why some Christians get that way too.

Because they fail to overcome temptation, resist the devil, or tackle the enemy

head-on, they deviate from the straight path God would have them follow.

c. The Objective

Jesus’ loyalty to the Father regarding His will and service for His Son in

whom He is well pleased concerning Jesus’ kingdom work.

Christians must beware of the temptation to lose faith in God’s plan, particularly

when they are enduring difficult circumstances. There are no shortcuts; God’s way

is always the best. His infinite wisdom guarantees that any plan of His is perfect

and cannot be improved upon. Believers must, therefore, wait patiently for God to

act on their behalf and refuse the temptation to take matters into their own hands

(Pss. 37:1; 40:1; Heb. 6:12; James 5:7–8, 10).3

2 Samuel 22:31–33 – As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven;

He is a shield to all who trust in Him. “For who is God, except the Lord? And who

3 MacArthur, J. (2009). The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Luke 1-5 (259). Chicago: Moody Publishers.

is a rock, except our God? God is my strength and power, and He makes my way

perfect.


8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me (back off), Satan! For it is

written (thus saith My Father4), ‘You shall worship the Lord your God (the Creator,

not His creation), and Him only you shall serve (as one’s Master…..one cannot serve

another or two).’ ”

I can have fulfillment my way, not the Lords.

Jesus refused to step outside of God’s plan. There would be no deal with the

devil; no shortcut to glory. He would follow His Father’s plan whatever the cost to

Him.5

C. Satan Attacks Jesus on the Temple, (vv. 9-13)

1. The Bait/Snare

9 Then he (Satan) brought Him (Jesus) to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the

temple (probably on the side of the Kidron Valley where the steepest drop off is),

and said to Him, “If (or since) You are the Son of God (in whom the Father is so

pleased), throw Yourself down from here (jump off the pinnacle…..”If You are so true

and trusting of the Your Father and He loves You so much, give me a

demonstration; prove it to me,” Satan is saying. Talk’s cheap,

put some action to Your words. ….. Like a boy sometime says

to a girl—it’s a cheap attempt of showing real love and trust.

A person who always has to prove their love to someone, falls

out of love pretty quickly.) 10 For it is written: (Satan tries to use

Jesus’ tactics against Him by quoting Scripture too, [Psa. 91:11-12] ) ‘He (God

the Father who loves You so much) shall give His angels charge over you, (the

responsibility) to keep you (to serve and protect You [Mat. 26:53…12 legions of

angels—Heb. 1:14…ministering servants]),’ 11 and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you

4 Deuteronomy 6:13 – You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall

take oaths in His name.


up (stop your fall), lest you (should) dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

(Satan is trying to take the sword out of Jesus’ hand.)

Another idea here is that Jesus is carried here because He is too

weak to walk there Himself. In His weakness, Satan hangs Jesus

on the wall, too weak to pull Himself up, and Satan is saying, “Just

let go, the Father will catch You.”

2. The Leverage

Jesus’ physical weakness and thus vulnerability to stand or hang long on the

pinnacle

It was unsuitable an unnecessary for the Son of God to be in, but especially

remain in His precarious position being God.

3. The Objective

Since Jesus would not deviate from His obedience to the plan of God, Satan

offered Him an opportunity to allow God to fulfill His word.6


12 And Jesus (doesn’t pit one verse of Scripture against another, He compares

Scripture with Scripture thus shedding light on both and) answered and said to him,

“It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” (in the sense of arrogantly,

presumptuously or brazenly demanding or expecting things from God as a master

would his slave…..Jesus is quoting here Deut. 6:16 referring to the instance in

Exod. 17:7)

Deuteronomy 6:16 – “You shall not tempt the LORD your God as you tempted

Him in Massah.

Exodus 17:7 – [The Israelites were complaining bitterly about not having water

and Moses] called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the

contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying,

“Is the LORD among us or not?”

[The Israelites complained here] in the bad situation in which they found

themselves. They did it by [a] presumptuous lack of trust. They said virtually: “If

God does not do what we demand as help, then there is no God among us, then


his promises amount to nothing.” In this negative way they tempted or tried him

out. And this was their sin.7

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False confidence and assumptions can be dangerous.

When God told the Israelites not to enter into the promised land after their

previous whining about it.

When the Israelites took the ark of God out to battle against the

Philistines assuming that there would be no way they could loose the

battle then. But, the Philistines not only defeated them, but took the ark.

(Hophni & Phinehas)

13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation (whether it was just these 3 of a

myriad of temptations over the entire 40 days), he departed from Him (defeated for

now) until an(other) opportune time (availed itself for another attack—Matthew 4:10a

tells us that Jesus told Satan to leave Him, “Jesus said to him, “Away with you,

Satan!...”).

God tells us in Matthew 4:11 that when “the devil left [Jesus], behold, angels came

and ministered to Him.”

In Luke 22:28, Jesus said to the disciples, “You are those who have stood by

Me in My [temptations].” Satan would through Peter tempt Jesus once again to

avoid the cross, resulting in the Lord’s stern rebuke, “Get behind Me, Satan! You

are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests,

but man’s” (Matt. 16:23).8

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Temptation is Satan’s weapon to defeat us, but it can become God’s tool to

build us (see James 1:1–8, 13–17).9

James 1:1–4 – James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the

twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. 2 My brethren, count it all joy

when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces

patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and

complete, lacking nothing.

7 Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of St. Luke's Gospel (241). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.


9 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Lk 4:1–13). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

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There is no freedom from temptation in this life. There was not for Jesus and there is not for us. ---Leon Morris10 (One of the leading NT Scholars)

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Several lessons may be drawn from observing Satan’s assault on Christ.

1. First, he uses the same strategies to tempt believers that he used on Christ. He attempts to get them to distrust God’s love, doubt His plan, and presume on Him, and will twist Scripture to do so.

2. Second, Satan takes advantage of specific circumstances to launch his assaults. He tempted Jesus after the spiritual high point of His baptism, when the Spirit and the Father publicly affirmed Him. He also assaulted Jesus when He was physically weak after forty days without food and isolated from other people.

3. Finally, along with watchfulness and prayer (Matt. 26:41), Scripture is the essential weapon believers must wield to defeat temptation. To do so effectively requires both knowledge of the Bible and a commitment to obey it.

To be successful in their struggle against temptation, believers must follow the

pattern set by the Lord Jesus Christ. They must

trust God’s love,

submit to His plan,

and refuse to presume on His promises and grace. By doing so, they will successfully “resist the devil” and see him “flee from

[them]” (James 4:7).11

Tim Stafford tells in his book Unhappy Secrets of the Christian Life about the Thresher. It was a nuclear submarine that traveled under the Arctic ice to the North Pole. However, it went too deep and water pressure became so great that the sub's hull collapsed and imploded. At great depths like that even thick steel bulkheads cannot withstand the tremendous pressure--but certain species of fish can. It would seem like these thin-skinned creatures would be crushed by the weight of the water. They aren't simply because they have within themselves an equal and opposite pressure. When we face the pressure of the world and all its temptations, we don't need to try to protect ourselves with thick steel walls. We just need to have an equal and opposite pressure inside us: the power of the Holy Spirit.

"Charisma & Christian Life." Oct 1991. Page 82.

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10 Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Osborne, G. R. (1997). Luke. Life application Bible commentary (92). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.


Jesus’ First Evangelistic Meetings

I. He sets out in the power of the Holy Spirit

14 Then (after the 40 days in the wilderness and the temptations of the devil) Jesus

returned in the power of the Spirit (Jesus fulfilled the Father’s will in the same way we

are to, “in the power of the Holy Spirit”….. Acts 1:8 – you shall receive power

when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in

Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” …..Jesus

never grieved or quenched the Holy Spirit, but we do at times.)

II. He is led first to the area of Galilee

to Galilee and news of Him (as He ministered to the people in the

power of the Spirit) went out through all the surrounding region (of

Jesus’ Person and work…..who He claimed to be and what He was

doing).

III. He begins teaching in the Synagogues

15 And He taught (mostly at this point) in their synagogues, being glorified (praised) by

all. (People were anxious to hear Jesus speak.)

[A]fter the Babylonians destroyed the temple when they sacked Jerusalem in 586

B.C., the Jewish exiles began gathering in small groups to hear the teaching of

God’s Word (cf. Ezek. 8:1; 14:1; 20:1; 33:31). Those informal gatherings

eventually developed into the synagogues of Jesus’ time.

In a synagogue Sabbath service, a passage from the Old Testament would be

read, followed by a teacher explaining its meaning to the congregation.

Since the minimum number of Jewish men required to form a synagogue was ten,

most, if not all, of the 240 cities and villages in Galilee would have had at least

one. Some of the larger cities may have had dozens of them (according to the

Jerusalem Talmud there were 480 in Jerusalem, though that number is

disputed).12


The order of worship in a typical synagogue of Jesus’ day may be reconstructed as follows:

1. Thanksgivings or “blessings” spoken in connection with (before and after), the Shema: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”

2. Prayer, with response of “Amen” by the congregation 3. Reading of a passage from the Pentateuch (in Hebrew, followed by

translation into Aramaic) 4. Reading of a passage from the Prophets (similarly translated) 5. Sermon or word of exhortation 6. The Benediction pronounced by a priest, to which the congregation

responded with “Amen.” When no priest was present a Closing Prayer was substituted for the Benediction. (William Hendriksen, New Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1975], 75–76)13

IV. He is rejected by those who knew Him the best

A. Jesus announces His ministry

16 So He came to Nazareth (the first of the two times Jesus would come), where He

had been brought up (raised as a child).

And as

His custom (regular practice) was, He went into the synagogue on the

Sabbath day (Saturday until sunset), and stood up to read (the Scriptures). 17 And He

was handed (He didn’t ask for) the book of the prophet Isaiah.


And when He had opened the book, He (unrolled it until He) found the place where it

was written: (Isaiah 61:1-2; 58:6)

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, (fills Me and empowers Me) because He has

anointed Me (set Me apart for special service, which is)

B. Jesus describes His ministry

to preach the gospel to the poor; (the physically and spiritually poor…..The

Speaker in Isaiah was thinking of the destitute, those who know themselves to be

such.14 …..like the tax collector who would not even raise up his head but beat

upon his chest and said, “God be merciful to me a sinner” [Lk. 18:13) He has sent

Me to heal the brokenhearted, (those who have been crushed under the weight of

this broken world and sin) to proclaim liberty to the captives (the exiles, those the

conqueror dragged away from their own homeland and transported into a foreign

country where they endure many grievous hardships. This captivity symbolizes

enslavement to sin and Satan. But Messiah was divinely commissioned to

proclaim and to bring about release from this captivity.15) and recovery of sight to the

blind, (to bring the people out of their physical darkness as well as spiritual and

into the light) to set at liberty those who are oppressed; (These are people

overwhelmed by life’s painful circumstances, especially the wearying burden of sin

and the inability to keep God’s law ... Jesus promises such people, “Come to Me,

all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon

you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest

for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28–30).16

19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (the year of Jubilee, the fiftieth

year, when, according to Lev. 25:8ff., the trumpet must be sounded, and “liberty

throughout all the land” must be proclaimed. This is a symbol of the Messianic

[Kingdom],17)

C. Jesus calls for a response in light of His Ministry

20 Then He closed the book (the scroll of Isaiah), and gave it back to the attendant and

sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him (wondering

what message Jesus might give). 21 And He began to say to them, “Today (right now

at this moment) this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing,” (meaning I am the

14 Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 11: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke. New Testament Commentary (253). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.


16 MacArthur, J. (2009). The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Luke 1-5 (272–273). Chicago: Moody Publishers.


fulfillment of the Isaiah passage, I am the One prophecy says will do all these

things.)

1. The emotional response was favorable

22 So all bore witness to Him (spoke well of Jesus, expressed approval towards

Him), and marveled (were impressed, astonished) at the gracious (wonderful,

appealing) words which proceeded out of His mouth.

2. The intellectual response was skepticism

And (then) they said, (hey wait a minute) “Is this not Joseph’s son?” (He can’t be the

Messiah! He’s a son of fornication [Jn. 8:41] not the Son of God.)

Mark gives even more information in his account in Mark 6:3 “Is this not the

carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And

are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.”

V. He admonishes them concerning their lack of faith

A. They don’t need more evidence, they need open hearts

23 He (Jesus) said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me (thinking I am no

one special in an of myself and thus could never do anything special like the

prophecy in Isaiah), ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in

Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’ ” (You are going to have to prove Yourself

to us, because we don’t believe a word You say.)

If He wanted them to accept His claim to be the Messiah, then let Him perform the same signs that had reportedly been done in nearby Capernaum.

The question, however, was not lack of evidence, but hardness of heart. There were never enough miracles to satisfy. No one in Israel, not even the leaders (John 11:47), ever questioned the reality of Jesus’ miracles, but neither would they accept what they proved. Rather, they continually demanded more signs as a condition of their belief (Matt. 12:38; 16:1–4), or even attributed His miraculous power to Satan (Matt. 12:24). 18


B. They don’t need status, they need humility.

24 Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted (recognized and

respected) in his own country (by his own peers). 25 But I tell you truly (the fact of

the matter is), many (numerous) widows were in Israel in the days of (the prophet)

Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months (during wicked King

Ahab’s reign), and there was a great famine throughout all the land (a lot of people had

a lot of needs); 26 but to none of them was Elijah sent (by God) except to (the Gentile

widow) Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. (Jesus’ point,

which must have shocked and outraged the audience, was that God would save

an outcast Gentile woman who admitted her poverty, bondage, blindness, and

oppression (cf. 1 Kings 17:18), but not a Jew who would not.19 The implication

was clear to the hearers. Unless they admitted their great spiritual need, God

would move on to those who would.) 27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of

Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except (the foreign Gentile and now

leprous outcast) Naaman the Syrian” (an enemy of Israel. The message is the

same, but even more distasteful to the hearers. God is willing to save any who

will listen, no matter their position, nationality or state, but those who are not

willing to admit their need and seek God to meet it, will be passed by).

VI. He leaves them to the consequences of their final decision

28 So (as a result of the presentation of truth that was meant to set them free) all

those (without exception) in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled

with wrath (concerning Christ instead of humility and repentance before Him), 29

and (intent upon killing Jesus they) rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led

Him to the brow (edge) of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw

Him down over the cliff.

30 Then (because this was neither the time nor the means of Christ’s

death, he left) passing (miraculously) through the midst of them, He went His way,

(They finally got their miracle, only it was one they neither expected nor wanted.)

(Like the story of the good Samaritan only this time God was the good Samaritan.)


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For whatever reason, people have a hard time accepting the fact that someone

can grow beyond their expectations.20

Mark tells us in Mark 6:6 that when Jesus Returned to Nazareth at another time,

that Jesus “marveled because of their unbelief.”

St. Augustine said concerning this verse, “They love truth when it enlightens them,

but hate truth when it accuses them.” 21

James tells us in 4:6b – …“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Everyone responds to the gospel and teachings of Jesus, the Nazarenes

responded with wrath. How do you respond?

Atheist German Philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche said, "Which is it, is man one of

God's blunders or is God one of man's?"

James A. Haught in "Honest Minds, Past and Present" said, "Christianity is the most

ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion that has ever infected the world."

Listen to Ravi Zacharis’ interesting words as he talks about Pilates response to Christ, “Pilate … muttered, “What is truth? and never waited for the answer. I suspect he knew the answer but was a power-seeking slave to the system and to his own political ambition. Pilate really desired no solution–he merely sought an

escape (see John 18:28-19:16). p. 98 When you are confronted with truth, do you

wait for the answer to reveal itself or does some part of you that you are a slave to, kick in and merely seek a way of escape?

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Thought 1. The Lord will not continue to strive after a man, not forever. A person can go

too far too often, and face eternity without the presence of God. A person must surrender

to the Spirit of God while there is still time.

Genesis 6:3 – the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is

indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”

Proverbs 28:14 – Happy is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens

his heart will fall into calamity.

20 Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Osborne, G. R. (1997). Luke. Life application Bible commentary (96). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

21 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Lk 4:14–30). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

http://atheistempire.com/greatminds/quotes.php?author=13

Proverbs 29:1 – He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be

destroyed, and that without remedy.

Romans 2:4–5 – Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and

longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are

treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the

righteous judgment of God,

Hebrews 3:12–14 – Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of

unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while

it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of

sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our

confidence steadfast to the end,

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Thought 2. A people or a person may wish to silence Jesus and His followers, but their efforts will be to no avail. The message of the gospel will never be silenced.

Matthew 16:16, 18 – Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the

Son of the living God.” … And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this

rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Luke 21:33 – Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means

pass away.

1 Kings 8:56 – “Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel,

according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good

promise, which He promised through His servant Moses.

Psalm 111:7 – The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are

sure.

Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Luke.

Jesus Confronts the Demon Forces

VII. Jesus Goes to His Home Away from Home

31 Then (after He escaped the crowd that wanted to kill Him) He (Jesus) went

down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee,

Jesus’ adopted hometown – Matthew 4:13 – Leaving Nazareth, He came and

dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,

Capernaum was a significant enough city to have had a Roman centurion and

a detachment of soldiers stationed there (Matt. 8:5). That the centurion had been

there long enough to have built a synagogue for the Jewish inhabitants (Luke 7:5)

suggests that he was permanently assigned there. A royal official (most likely in

the service of Herod Antipas) also lived in Capernaum (John 4:46).

several of the apostles were associated with Capernaum, including Peter and

Andrew (Mark 1:21, 29), who moved there from Bethsaida (John 1:44), and

Matthew, whose tax collector’s booth was in or near the city (Matt. 9:1, 9).22

VIII. Jesus Follows His Same Pattern of Outreach

and was teaching them on the Sabbaths (in the Synagogues).32 And they were

astonished (shocked, dumbfounded, awestruck) at His teaching, for His word was with

authority (it commanded ones attention and created tremendous conviction).

IX. Jesus Encounters Spiritual Opposition

A. The demon asks for an explanation concerning

Jesus’ intentions

33 Now in the synagogue there was a man who had (was indwelt by) a spirit of an

unclean demon (which made the individual ritually or ceremonially unclean as well

as in bondage to its bidding23). And he (all angels are masculine gender) cried out

with a loud voice (this is a piercing scream of fear, dismay and terror or of surprise,

disgust, and hostility), 34 saying, “Let us (the collective fallen angels) alone (leave us

be)! What have we to do with You (‘What business do we have with each other?’

‘Why do you meddle with us?’), Jesus of Nazareth? (The demons know exactly who

Jesus is.) Did

You come to destroy us (to abolish, bring us to ruin, to bring an end to us)? I know

who You are— the Holy (pure and virtuous, unlike the unclean deamon speaking—

You are the holy) One of God!” (God the Son, the seed of the woman, man’s

Messiah)

The demon knew the truth

The demon spoke the truth

The demon was convinced of the truth


23 Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Vol. 1: Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament : Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (146). New York: United Bible societies.

The demon was helpless against the truth

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.

Matthew 25:41 – “He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me,

you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

B. Jesus doesn’t feel the need to explain anything

35 But Jesus rebuked (commanded) him, saying, “Be quiet (lit., “be muzzled” –

muzzle your lips!), and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their

midst, (according to Christ’s command) it came out of him (left him) and did not hurt

him (Luke being a doctor would certainly be concerned for this persons physical

health too). 36 Then they (the others in the synagogue) were all amazed (stunned, in

wonder) and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word (message, command) this

is! For with authority and power (the idea being “authority and power” which cannot

be contradicted or resisted) He commands the unclean spirits (demons), and they

come out.” 37 And the (amazing) report about Him went out into every place in the

surrounding region.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The amazement wasn’t so much the casting out of the demon, that had

happened before, but the ease, simplicity and immediacy of doing so with simply a

few words.

Later on in Jesus’ ministry, Matthew 9:33 tells us “When the demon was cast

out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never

seen like this in Israel!”

The rabbis and spiritists of the day would use special formulas and/or rituals in

their endeavor to cast out demons, but Jesus simply used His authority. There is

no power struggle, no discussing the matter, only quick and complete obedience.

[LISTEN] This demonstration of Jesus’ power over Satan and the demons

reveals His ability to deliver sinners from their grasp. Though the forces of hell

made an all-out assault on Him during His earthly ministry, Christ effortlessly

defeated them. And by His sacrificial death on the cross, He accomplished the

redemption of His people, delivering them forever from the kingdom of darkness

(Col. 1:13). 24

Colossians 1:13 – [Jesus] has delivered us from the power of darkness and

conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

Martin Luther expressed that truth in his hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”:

The Prince of Darkness grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo, his doom is sure; One little word shall fell him.25

In the New Testament, … demon possession was never confused with insanity.

The demons were always rational when they spoke;

they understood who Jesus was

and that He was going to destroy them.

Even when a demon addressed unbelievers he spoke rationally, saying to some would-be exorcists, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15).

Demon possession was a widespread … during the earthly ministry of the Lord

Jesus Christ and, … During the future time of tribulation, demonic activity will … increase

dramatically. Some of the demons now bound in the bottomless pit will be released to join those already operating on earth and they will wreak havoc (Rev. 9:1ff.).

biblical evidence that Christians cannot be demon possessed:

There is no clear example in the Bible where a demon ever inhabited or invaded a true believer.

Never in the New Testament epistles are believers warned about the possibility of being inhabited by demons.

Neither do we see anyone rebuking, binding, or casting demons out of a true believer.

The epistles never instruct believers to cast out demons, whether from a believer or unbeliever.

Christ and the apostles were the only ones who cast out demons, and in every instance the demon-possessed people were unbelievers.



James 4:7–8 “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you

sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

[Believers are called to:] to submit to God, [our] new Lord, is to resist the devil, [our] old lord. Resist translates anthisētmi, which means literally “to stand against,” “to oppose.” 26 We are to resist the devil’s influence and ways. There is nothing in Scripture that says a gospel believer needs to resist his possession. If there was the possibility of being possessed, we would certainly be warned of it.

The collective teaching of Scripture is that demons can never spatially indwell a true believer.

A clear implication of 2 Corinthians 6, for example, is that the indwelling Holy Spirit could never cohabit with demons:

2 Corinthians 6:15–16 – What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a

believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with

idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in

them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

In Colossians 1:13, Paul says God “delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” Salvation brings true deliverance and protection from Satan.

In Romans 8:37, Paul says we overwhelmingly conquer through Christ.

Romans 8:37 – In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him

who loved us.

In 1 Corinthians 15:57, he says God gives us the victory.

1 Corinthians 15:57 – Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our

Lord Jesus Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 2:14, he says God always leads us in triumph.

26 MacArthur, J. (1998). James (204). Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press.

2 Corinthians 2:14 – Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in

Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every

place.

In 1 John 2:13, John says we have overcome the evil one.

1 John 2:13 – I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is

from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome

the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the

Father.

And, in 4:4, he says the indwelling Holy Spirit is greater than Satan. How could anyone affirm those glorious truths, yet believe demons can indwell genuine believers? ([Wheaton, Ill.: Victor, 1992], 22–23)27

1 John 4:4 – You are of God, little children, and have overcome them,

because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

X. Jesus Affirms His Person and Mission

A. He performs many more signs and wonders

Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed

Matt. 8:14, 15; Mark 1:29–31

38 Now He (Jesus) arose from the synagogue (whose services usually ended

around noon) and entered Simon’s (Simon Peters) house (prior to his being called to

be one of Jesus’ disciples). But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever (she

was seriously ill – only Dr. Luke describes how sick Simon’s mother-in-law was),

and (having just seen Christ cast out the demon) they made request of Him

concerning her. 39 So He stood over her and rebuked the fever (as He did the demon),

and it left her (as did the demon. Not gradually, but immediately.) And immediately

she arose and served them (There wasn’t even any recovery time needed to get

strong again – When Jesus “says,” it is, and it is in the best possible way).

Jesus Ministers Throughout Galilee

Matt. 4:23–25; 8:16, 17; Mark 1:32–39


40 When the sun was setting (bringing an end to the Sabbath), all those who had any

that were sick with various (all kinds of) diseases brought them to Him (the news of

Christ’s signs and wonders traveled fast); and He laid His hands on every one of them

(none were turned away) and healed them (none were disappointed).

Christ had compassion upon all, without regard to their spiritual condition.

Christ touched each of them individually rather than healing them all at

once like the 10 lepers.

o Christ knows the power of touch

o Christ knows the power of making time for someone

41 And demons also came out of many (this does not mean that some did not

come out, it means that out of all the people who came for healing, many were

demon possessed), crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!”

And He, rebuking them (not only to come out, but Jesus also), did not allow them

to speak, for (the reason being) they knew that He was the Christ (their knowledge of

His Person and presence was not acknowledged and respected in a glorifying

manner).

B. His mission is promoting the kingdom of God

42 Now (following all of the signs and wonders that Christ had performed) when

it was day (Sunday morning), He departed (from everyone) and went into a deserted

(quiet, secluded) place. And (yet) the crowd sought (searched Him out) Him and came

to Him (when they found Him), and tried to keep Him from leaving them (they didn’t

want this new found resourse slipping through their fingers—they saw the miracles

as an end in and of themselves not simply the means to a greater discovery and

benefit);

Matthew 11:23–24 – And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be

brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had

been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to

you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of

judgment than for you.”

43 but He (Jesus) said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God (God’s provision

to bring sinful man into right relationship to Himself, God’s warning that all demons

and those who die in their sin will suffer eternal judgment, and God promise to

restore the broken world and universe.) to the other cities also, because for this

purpose I have been sent (Jesus’ time and agenda was not His own to choose. He

came to do His Father’s will, not His own or theirs.)” 44 And He was (thus

continually) preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

Seven Consistent Aspects Concerning Jesus’ Healings

1. First, Jesus healed with a word, as He did in the case of the centurion’s servant (Matt. 8:5–13) or, as here with Peter’s mother-in-law, a touch (cf. Mark 3:10; 5:25–34).

2. Second, Jesus healed instantly... Peter’s mother-in-law’s symptoms vanished at once…

3. Third, Jesus healed totally. Peter’s mother-in-law …went at once from being bedridden to serving a meal. … It was the same with all of Jesus’ healings; “the blind receive[d] sight and the lame walk[ed], the lepers [were] cleansed and the deaf hear[d]” (Matt. 11:5).

4. Fourth, Jesus healed everyone. 28 [Jesus wasn’t selective nor did anyone have to feel they didn’t have enough faith to be healed.]

5. Fifth, Jesus could heal anyone of anything, (whether physical, spiritual or demonic). He could even raise someone from the dead, as He did with children and adults.

6. Sixth, Jesus healed without fanfare or dramatics. 7. Seventh, Jesus healed people everyone knew. His healings were

uncontestable.

28 MacArthur, J. (2009). The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Luke 1-5

(292–294). Chicago: Moody Publishers.

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