The Kingdom Divided

Opening Prayer                                                                                                                       Pg.1
Father God, It is true that we live in a divided world. We know that there is a day coming when your kingdom will be brought together as one, and Satan will be bound and destroyed. We pray that this study tonight will impart to us that which you would have us learn from the words of Jesus. We pray that no word be spoken here tonight that is contrary to your will, and that each of us will leave this place with a better understanding of our place in your Kingdom. We pray this in Jesus name, AMEN
                                                                                                                 
                                The Parable of The Kingdom Divided

Mat 12:22  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.
Mat 12:23  All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
Mat 12:24  But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."

Jesus had already had a reputation as one who could heal both mind and body, and here is another instance where the crown responded and brought to him a deaf and blind man for him to heal. This  was a perfect chance for the Pharisees to learn more about Jesus, as they were seeking ways to destroy him. They were looking for ways to discredit him and cast aspersions on his work. The Pharisees react with derision and malice. Accusing Jesus of being in league with Beelzebub. How unfair people are! How constantly they judge themselves and their friends by  one rule, those from whom they differ by another! The Christian must aim at absolute honesty and impartiality.?

Q.1 What effect did the healing of this man have on those who witnessed it?
Q.2 This was Obviously a good thing that Jesus did but what did the Pharisees think?
Q.3 Why did the Pharisees criticize this merciful miracle by Jesus?
Q.4 Would they have been as critical of the matter had it been one of their own?
Q.5 What sort of circumstance would cause such a scene in our world today?

Mat 12:25  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.
Mat 12:26  If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
This answer by Jesus is very confrontational, and puts the Pharisees on the defensive, It is not the response that they were expecting.
Jesus is the Son of God and is God incarnate. Many people did not believe this and consequently did not regard him as anything more than an intruder into their faith and beliefs, a charlatan, someone who must be severely dealt with. He then challenged them with their own reasoning. God does that sometimes, challenges us on the basis of our reasoning. If we are so great, then why are we not able to deal rightly with our own forgiveness.

Q.1 What was said by the Pharisees to which Jesus took offense?
Q.2 What was the result that the Pharisees were expecting?
Q.3 What common phrase comes to mind when reading Jesus’ answer?  
                                                                                                                                                                        Pg.2

Mat 12:27  And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.
Mat 12:28  But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Here Jesus poses a reasonable theory, If he is in league with Satan by his act of healing then by what authority do the Pharisees disciples do the same. Surely Satan would assist them in the same way, and they too would be condemned, and would be judged just as Jesus is being judged. They then would also be Judges against the Pharisees.  Since Satan is doing the healing, through Jesus would he not also do the same for them. However since there is no good thing that Satan does, it would be fair to say that any healing of a person is by Gods Spirit, and not by Satan’s. So to sum it up, Jesus tells them that the Spirit of God has come upon them, and will be their Judge. God has Released this man from Satan’s power. And they have been witness to the work of the Spirit of God.

Q.1 By what authority is healing done in our world today?
Q.2 If one has an appendectomy is there a healing process? And how is that done?
Q.3 What is the Christians approach to health and wellness, and sickness?
Q.4 Why do some Christians believe they should refuse healing and medication as medical science offers it today?

Mat 12:29  "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 allegory Jesus puts to the Pharisees the description of a person who must first hold a stronger position than the owner of a house. Who then must defeat and bind the owner of the house, and after having done that he can then carry off all the possessions that he desires, and since the owner is bound, he can do nothing about it.
The Pharisees have met their match, Jesus is the Son of God and they refuse to accept that, which can only work against them. Jesus disarms them with reasonable logic, how can anyone defeat Satan that does not have a stronger position than Satan does. Jesus has come to bind Satan, and upon doing that, Jesus will then take from him those souls which Satan thinks he owns

Q.1 Jesus condemnation of the Pharisees is given in this verse. It sums up the whole parable,               How would you describe what has happened?
Q.2 Of what value for us today are the implications in this parable?






                                                                                                                                Pg3
Mat 12:30  "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters
 Jesus was showing them what their words really implied. Their words were not due to indifference to Him, nor were they just an observational opinion. Such a relationship to Jesus is impossible. He who does not help the true shepherd to gather his flock into the fold is, most likely, one who wishes to scatter them, that he may have the opportunity of stealing and destroying them. “The Kingdom divided” . Their words meant that they were directly opposed and were rejecting Him altogether. The total opposition of inner life and of outward energy. Thus their words denoted complete separation from him. This he brings out clearly in this last verse.
Q.1 What are the forces in our world today that seek to hold the world together.                                  Q.2 Should we consider that we too are part of that force which Gathers with Jesus?

Closing Prayer
Dear God, as we end this study tonight, help us to be responsive to Jesus’ words that we be with him in all that we do and say.  Be with us now as we leave this place and bring us peace                                    within our thoughts as we remember those of our loved ones, friends and acquaintances who are in need of your healing strength and comfort___________We pray your healing power and strength and comfort be with all those mentioned here tonight that you will make their lives secure in the knowledge that You are with them in their time of need. Give us your mercy as we travel to our homes and keep us until next we meet. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

Meditation:  The Lord assures us of his protection from spiritual harm. Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your habitation, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways (Psalm 91:9-11). Jesus' numerous exorcisms brought freedom to many who were troubled and oppressed by the work of evil spirits. Jesus himself encountered personal opposition and battled with Satan when he was put to the test in the wilderness just before his public ministry. He overcame the evil one through his obedience to the will of his Father. Some of the Jewish leaders reacted vehemently to Jesus' healings and exorcisms and they opposed him with malicious slander. Jesus retorted by saying that they also incriminate their own kin who cast out demons. If they condemn Jesus they also condemn themselves. It is not enough to banish evil thoughts and habits. We must also fill the void with God who is the source of all that is good and upright. Jesus makes it clear that there are no neutral parties. We are either for Jesus or against him, for the kingdom of God or against it. There are two kingdoms in opposition to one another – the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness under the rule of Satan. If we disobey God's word, we open the door to the power of sin and Satan. If we want to live in freedom from sin and Satan, then our house must be occupied by Jesus where he is enthroned as Lord