Kingdom Reality 2: Jesus is Stronger!
Luke 11:14-23
Big Idea: As we await the coming of the Great King, we ought to live embracing the reality the Jesus is Stronger!
The Kingdom of God is God’s authority and ability to rule over any and all realms within the created order and beyond in order to bestow the blessings of his good and gracious kingdom on unworthy subjects for the purpose of displaying his glory to all peoples.
10 Kingdom Realities:
God’s Kingdom takes priority.
Jesus is ____________________.
Luke 11:20-22 (ESV) 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.
Colossians 1:16 (ESV) — 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
3 Questions concerning the exercise of Jesus’ authority over the demoniac:
What does it mean that the Kingdom of God is __________ ________?
20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
The exorcisms performed by Jesus provided strong evidence that God’s Kingdom, long anticipated and hoped for, had at last entered history in a transforming way. In fact, the words and works of Jesus as a whole revealed the fact that the Kingdom of God had actually arrived in the person of Jesus of Nazareth… Yet, there was still the future time when the purposes of God would be fully realized and consummated, and so the disciples were taught to pray, “May your Kingdom come soon” (11:2; Matt 6:10). The Kingdom’s nearness and imminence (Mark 1:14–15) called for repentance in preparation for its final realization, when the Son of Man would come in power (Mark 14:62; Matt 26:64; cf. Luke 21:36; 22:69). Both the “already” and the “not yet” dimensions of the Kingdom must be affirmed and kept in careful balance to do justice to the present and future dimensions of the Kingdom theme.
Jesus is both exercising his authority now, and he will exercise his authority in the future in a way that he isn’t exercising his authority now.
How is Jesus exercising his authority ___________________?
Luke 11:14 (ESV) — 14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled.
Matthew 12:22–23 (ESV) — 22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?”
Jesus is stronger than Satan! There is no force of hell that can thwart Jesus’ agenda, he will advance his Kingdom.
What about us who do not ______________ the kingdom of God like this first century audience?
1Cor. 1:18-25
Romans 1:16–17 (ESV) — 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
