“Christ or Satan?”
by Pastor Edwin Lehmann on March 10, 2023 in Luke 11:14-28
The Third Sunday in Lent – Oculi March 12, 2023
Text: Luke 11:14-28 Historic Series 23:2373
Theme: Christ or Satan?
We live in a day when many deny the existence of the devil. In some circles if a person declares his belief in the reality of a personal devil, it will mean that he is labeled ignorant, old fashioned, or a believer “in old wives” tales. But if people just stop and look around at the world and all the evil that goes on, one cannot help but believe in a devil corrupting everything that he can get his hands on.
So much happens day in and day out that defies any other explanation: deeds disgustingly repulsive against God’s creative design like homosexuality or gender-altering surgery; crimes so heinously wicked like the slaughtering of 4 Americans by a Mexican drug cartel; acts so bestial like the murder and brutal dismembering of a mother’s son with whom I met with this past week. What other horrific things are taking place in our society from the beginning of the Covid pandemic in medical laboratories to the present day placing of pornographic materials in grade school libraries. If Satan isn’t behind such absurdities to plain common sense, let alone violation to God’s Word, then human beings who do or defend such deeds have sunk to the level of devils themselves.
Scripture constantly calls Satan and his demons “unclean spirits.” Their delight is to befoul everything, to upset and knock everything to pieces. Isn’t that taking place in so much of society today? How can anyone, except those who wish to remain blind or foolishly mock God by following their own evil desires, how can anyone deny the existence of Satan and the work of his kingdom of darkness?
But our Christian belief in the devil’s real existence does not rest just on deeds like these. It rests on the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Himself. They diligently warn us “to resist the devil, remaining firm in the faith (1Pt.5:8). What will you do? Whom will you choose to follow? Christ or Satan?
I. The nature of the struggle and Satan’s defeat.
When Jesus walked on the earth, He did not have to argue with people over the reality of the devil. They saw the reality, and they saw Jesus deal with it.
Long, long ago, when God made the earth and hung the sun, moon, and stars in the sky, He also made the angels. They were His servants, His messengers. They watched Him work; they sang His praise. But among their great ranks there was one who did not wish to be a servant. Satan rebelled against the loving rule of God. He persuaded other angels to join Him in his revolt. And so Satan and all his followers were thrown out of heaven, separated from God forever. There is no more terrible punishment than this for God is the only source of joy, light, and love.
In retaliation, they sought to destroy God’s creation, especially the souls of men, women, and children. They came to earth, tempted Adam and Eve to disobey God. When they succeeded, they rejoiced and laughed at the destruction they had brought upon God’s fallen creation. But God set a plan in motion to save us from sin and death.
Fast forward to Jesus’ day when Satan seemed to become most active in seeking to thwart God’s plan to save us through the Lord Jesus. Many times, like here, Jesus overcame the devil in people’s lives, healing the demon possessed. You would think that everyone who saw Jesus releasing this man from Satan’s possession would praise Jesus highly. Instead, some blasphemed Him, claiming that He was able to do this because He was on the devil’s side.
How absurd and malicious was that accusation! I’m surprised that Jesus would answer it. But He did for our assurance and comfort: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. Likewise, if Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand?”
His argument to those who blasphemed Him was this: “You believe in the devil. He is certainly not as stupid as you. Men fight against each other, and countries fall into civil war against their own people. They destroy themselves with it. But the demons are never guilty of such folly. They create factions and fighting among men, but they never fight against each other. That would be to their own defeat, which would be the case if what you say about me is true.”
Jesus continued, “If I drive out demons, I do it by the finger of God. Then the kingdom of God has come to you.” Jesus spoke with the authority of God, and the demon was gone from this man’s life.
This is a beautiful Gospel from which we learn many different things. Most of all, it presents Christ to us as a loving Savior and Helper in every need to those who are afflicted. And it tells us that those who believe this are saved, for He crushed the devil’s power just by wiggling His divine little finger. Later, when He hung on the cross, He stripped Satan of his right and power to accuse men of their sins. And with His resurrection, he robbed death of its sting and Satan of his joy. By this Christ draws us to Himself, leads us to look to Him for every blessing, and to go to Him in every time of need.
Still to this day Jesus defeats the devil in our lives through Word and Sacrament. What joy and comfort that is for all who believe it, as we look about us at the devilish atrocities in the world. These things may take place, but Satan’s power over us through sin is crushed so that he cannot possess our souls when in faith we turn to Christ for the help He provides. As the hymn states: “He can harm us none; He’s judged, the deed is done. One little word can fell him.”
The Kingdom of God has risen against the kingdom of Satan and has overcome it for the Stronger One defeated the strong one. We can summon the omnipotent Christ to our aid and defense, for God “gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Christ or Satan? There is no question. Christ has defeated him.
II. Still, there is a warning. Without faith in Christ, the spoils of His victory are not enjoyed. How sad is that when Satan still holds sway in people’s lives through unbelief. It is bad enough never to come to faith, to be in the devil’s possession, and just remain so. Yet, there is something even worse. It is seven times worse to have been saved through faith and then to fall back into the devil’s power through negligence and turning one’s eyes away from Christ.
Jesus gives a very clear warning of this when He said, “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest but does not find any. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house, the one I left.’ When it returns, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and dwell there. The last condition of that man becomes worse than the first.”
The condition of a person’s soul is pictured as that of a house for rent. Everything is in proper order, but there is no tenant. The house is vacant. The devil was expelled, but that was all. The renovation was only a half-way action. Christ was not received to fill the heart and soul, so the inner power necessary to resist the devil is lacking. When the devil returns, since he constantly “prowls about seeking whom he may devour,” he does not need to break in. The soul’s emptiness without Christ is an invitation for him to enter and bring along more demons to upset and destroy everything.
Yes, Christ has defeated Satan, no question. But, if one does not live in Christ and fill his soul with Christ, he leaves himself open. And the devil never takes a vacation. He never sleeps for his whole purpose is to destroy. Therefore, it is necessary for us to watch, to fill ourselves with the Word of God, and to not become secure and weary of it. You cannot keep out both Jesus and the devil and remain neutral and sweetly empty. It’s either Christ or Satan. Neutrality is impossible.
Often, we say of a person that we do not know where he stands on a matter. Such an attitude is difficult in the case of the Lord Jesus. To not be with Him is already clear proof of being against Him.
It was not easy for Him to bind Satan and to rescue us whom Satan had enslaved in darkness. Jesus had to die to do it. It cost Him His life. But that He gave most willingly to crush Satan’s power.
So, when Satan whispers in your ear, when he tempts you to join him in his rebellion against God, remember this story. God has set it down in his Word so that we can always know for sure that Christ is stronger, that Christ has vanquished him, that Christ rose from the grave to prove Satan has no power over Him. And this Christ is yours in faith – a most loving Savior and Helper in every need. God grant that we fill our “house” with Him, for His name’s sake. Amen
The Third Sunday in Lent – Oculi March 12, 2023
Welcome in our Savior’s name. May the Stronger and Greater One that is in you by faith, bless your life as you hear His Word today.
The deeper into the lessons of Lent we go, the greater becomes the struggle between sin and righteousness, the forces of darkness and those of the light. The greatness of the struggle reaches its height in the intensity of the Savior’s Passion. Our eyes need to be upon Him (Ps.25) that we might understand and hold in faith to the greatness of the victory over sin, death, and the devil that He won for us.
Indeed, our eyes must ever be upon Him if we are to gain the benefits of His victory. Likewise, we are admonished to look upon ourselves that we may see in our hearts and lives where we stand in faith, with Him or apart from Him. One is either for or against Christ. There is no neutrality, no middle ground. What we do in our lives with His Word will reveal where we stand. May the Stronger One, Christ, prevail in our hearts and forever disarm the powers of darkness which would make us fall. On Him we rely and turn our eyes for the help that we need which only He can give.
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My Eyes Are Ever on the Lord. He Is the Stronger One.
The Preparation
Opening Thoughts on the Service
The Entrance Hymn: “Sweet the Moments, Rich in Blessing” #400
Order of Worship: Service: Setting One without Communion: pages 154-160
Prayer of the Day
The Ministry of the Word
(The Lessons for the Day are taken from the Historic Pericope Series of the Christian Church.)
The Responses following each lesson are on page 160
Jeremiah 26:1-15 The Prophet Jeremiah admonished Jerusalem and its rulers to turn from their evil ways and set their eyes on the Lord. If they continued to walk apart from Him and remain in their wickedness, destruction would fall upon them. For this warning that God told the prophet to give the people, Jeremiah was threatened with death.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 25 “To You, O Lord, I Lift my Soul”
Ephesians 5:1-9 Those whom the Spirit has brought to faith in the Savior, set their eyes on Christ and His heavenly Kingdom. They strive to put off the evil one with his deeds of darkness in which they at one time walked. Instead, they walk in Christ-like love, imitating His redeeming love for them and living as children of light, not darkness.
Hymn Response: “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” #713
The Gospel Acclamation for the Lenten Season bottom of page 161
Luke 11:14-28 Christ shows that He is the Stronger One as He heals a demon-possessed man. But His enemies blaspheme Him, claiming that He is in league with Satan. Refuting such nonsense, the Lord calls us to vigilance against backsliding from faith and returning to live in Satan’s kingdom of darkness in a worse state than we were before. One cannot have a divided heart. Our eyes are either on Christ or on the devil.
The Sermon Hymn: “Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray” #873
The Sermon: “Christ or Satan?” Luke 11:14-28
Our Response to the Word
The Confession of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed page 163
Prayer of the Church page 164
The Offering
The Lord Blesses Us
The Closing Prayer and Blessing page 171
Closing Hymn: “Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus” #704
Silent Prayer
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The Organist: Jane Rips
The Preacher: Pastor Edwin Lehmann
Points to Ponder: On this day in the past, the new converts to the faith, who were being instructed in the Word, were given a thorough examination to see that their eyes were fixed on the Lord. This was followed by a public renunciation of the devil and a declaration that Christ, the Stronger One, occupied their lives, for one cannot leave his soul empty. Either Christ fills it and the believer walks in the Kingdom of Light or Satan comes with even more wickedness to reclaim it for his kingdom of darkness.
“We should take heed that we not only refrain from blaspheming the Gospel and Christ, who does such great things for us and drives the devil out, but with zeal and fear hold fast to them, in order that we may not become possessed of seven worse devils….for the devil does not slumber.” — Martin Luther on “If the Kingdom of Heaven Is to Come to You”
Lent 3 – Oculi (“My Eyes Are Ever on the LORD”) – Historic Series
Old Testament Lesson: Jeremiah 26:1-15 Jeremiah Is Threatened
1In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, the following word came from the Lord. 2 This is what the Lord says. Stand in the courtyard of the Lord’s house, and speak to people from the cities and towns of Judah who have come to worship at the House of the Lord. Tell them everything I have commanded you to tell them. Do not hold back a single word. 3 Maybe they will listen, and everyone will turn from his evil way. Then I will relent and not bring about the disaster that I was planning because of the evil things they have done.
4 You are also to say this to him. This is what the Lord says. If you will not listen to me and follow my law, which I have set before you, 5 and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (but you have not listened), 6 then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make the name of this city a curse word for all the nations of the earth.
7 The priests, the prophets, and all the people listened as Jeremiah spoke these words at the House of the Lord. 8 When Jeremiah had finished saying everything the Lord had commanded him to say to all the people, then the priests, the prophets, and all the people seized him and said, “You must die! 9 Why do you prophesy in the name of the Lord that this house will be like Shiloh and that this city will be desolate with no one living here?” All the people crowded around Jeremiah in the House of the Lord.
10 When the officials of Judah heard about these things, they came up from the king’s house to the House of the Lord and sat in the entrance of the New Gate of the Lord’s house. 11 Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, “This man deserves the sentence of death because he has been prophesying against this city, as you heard with your own ears.”
12 Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and to all the people, “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the things that you have heard. 13 Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring about the disaster he has pronounced against you. 14 But as for me, look, I am in your hands. Do with me whatever seems good and right in your eyes. 15 But you can be certain of this. If you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live here, for it is true that the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.”
Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 5:1-9 Walk in Love As Followers of God
1Therefore, be imitators of God as his dearly loved children. 2 And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But do not let sexual immorality, any kind of impurity, or greed even be mentioned among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse joking are also out of place. Instead, give thanks. 5 Certainly you are aware of this: No immoral, impure, or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, who is God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words. It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7 So do not share in what they do.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, 9 for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.
Gospel Lesson: Luke 11:14-28 Jesus Drives Out a Demon
14 Jesus drove out a demon, which was mute. After the demon had gone out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “He drives out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” 16 Others were testing him by demanding of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is destroyed. And a house divided against itself falls. 18 If Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? You say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 But if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So they will be your judges. 20 Yet if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks him and defeats him, he takes away that man’s full armor, in which he had trusted, and divides up his plunder.
23 “The one who is not with me is against me. The one who does not gather with me scatters. 24 When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places, seeking rest, but does not find any. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house, the one I left.’ 25 When it returns, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and dwell there. The last condition of that man becomes worse than the first.”
27 While he was saying these things, a woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, “Even more blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019
Calendar & Announcements for Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
A member congregation of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
4717 S Farm Rd 135 (Golden Avenue), Springfield, MO 65810
Church phone: 417.887.0886 www.zionluthchurch.com
Pastor’s cell phone: 417.693.3244 email: revelehmann@gmail.com
You can also find us on Facebook
| Today
March 12 |
Monday
March 13 |
Tuesday
March 14 |
Wednesday
March 15 |
Thursday
March 16 |
Friday
March 17 |
Sat.
March 18 |
Next Sun.
March 19 |
| 9:00 am
Divine Worship Service online -Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study
Oculi – Lent 3 |
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4 pm
Confirmation
7 pm Church Council Meeting (No Elders Meeting this month)
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11 am
Midweek Bible Class 5:45 pm Supper 6:30 pm Midweek Lent 4 We Preach Christ Crucified |
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9:00 am
Divine Worship Service with Holy Communion online – Facebook 10:15 am Fellowship & Bible Study Laetare – Lent 4 |
A Brief Bible Study on God’s Word for Today
With Adam and Eve’s fall into sin, the perfect world that God created was cast into darkness. It was put under constant attack by Satan and his demons. But the promise came immediately after the fall. God would send a descendant of Eve to crush Satan’s power. Jesus, the Stronger One, came and showed His authority over Satan. Now we are called to walk in Christ’s Kingdom of Light lest we return to Satan’s kingdom of darkness. We dare not hesitate.
The Gospel Lesson: Luke 11:14-28 (answers are found on the back side)
- What accusation did the religious leaders level against Jesus?
- How did He counter their argument?
- Is there any sin for which people will not be forgiven?
Those We Remember In Our Prayers: Greg Miller; William & Laurie Moon; Pauline Jaeger; Kirsten Jaster (Laurie Moon’s sister); Greg Pierson (the Long’s son-in-law); Libya, Jodi Milam’s granddaughter; Lucille Huston; Barbara Long; Lois Wiese; Barbara Breidel.
Forward in Christ’s present issue for March has arrived and may be found in the narthex. There are also plenty of copies of Meditations daily devotions there if you have not yet taken one. There are enough copies for family and friends.
Continuing in Lent At the middle of the Lenten Season, our mid-week suppers and services at Zion continue to be held on Thursday evenings; at Peace in Marshfield on Wednesday evenings. The Lenten theme this year is drawn from Paul’s words, “We Preach Christ Crucified” (1 Cor. 1:23). The events and people of the Passion History are worked into Paul’s grand theme. This week’s focus is The Reason to Endure – Hebrews 12:1-3. The supper theme at Zion is Irish.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, March 16 – Midweek Lenten Service 4 at 6:30 pm; an Irish Supper will precede the service at 5:45 pm
Friday, April 7, 7 pm – Combined Maundy Thursday/Good Friday Worship at Zion (at Peace on Thursday, April 6)
Saturday, April 22 – LWMS Spring Rally at Christ Alone LC, Dardenne Prairie – Mission Speaker from Indonesia
The Week in Review
Last Sunday Worship: 40; Communed: 32; Bible Class 22; Midweek Bible Class: no class; Offerings: $3,733.
Midweek Lent 3: Supper and Worship: 9; Offerings: $200..
Next Sunday’s Lessons:
Lent 4 – Laetare: Isaiah 52:7-10; Galatians 4:21-31; John 6:1-15 (Historic Pericope Series)
Answers to Today’s Gospel Lesson Brief Study:
- They said that Jesus was demon-possessed and in league with the devil (Beelzebub—“Lord of the Flies”). Jesus must be with him, if He was able to drive the demons out.
- Satan couldn’t survive if he were working against himself: “A kingdom divided against itself is destroyed; it falls.”
- Those who turn against God’s Kingdom or remain empty of Christ and the Holy Spirit’s working shut them out. They have emptied themselves of the thing that could save them, the free and full forgiveness Christ has won by defeating Satan.
This week I am praying for……
