Title: "A Bad Case of Jealousy"
Introduction: On Sunday nights we have been studying the miracles performed by Christ. Tonight, we will make our study on the miracle of Jesus casting out the demons.
Question: Is casting out a demon from someone a miracle? Answer, have you ever heard the line, "Don’t try this at home?" Only God can cast out a demon.
The theme that I have chosen to go with regarding the text is that of jealousy. Jesus could out preach and teach the local scribes and Pharisees of the local synagogues. This would make them jealous of his ministry. On meditating on these verses, let me suggest seven probable areas of jealousy.
1. Jealous of his influence over people.
(Mark 1:21 KJV) And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
From what I have been told, the local synagogues were not large assemblies. Whenever Jesus attended, I assume that he brought at least twelve others with him. It would have been impossible to not have noticed the crowd of people that Jesus brought with him.
We can be jealous of other Churches that have a larger attendance than we do in our Church, or we can rejoice in that others have chosen to worship him!
2. Jealous of his boldness.
(Mark 1:21 KJV) And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
The form of worship in the local synagogue allowed for the men of the village to choose a text and render a word regarding it. Jesus boldly took this right for himself.
3. Jealous of his knowledge of the Word.
(Mark 1:21 KJV) And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
(Mark 1:22 KJV) And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Jesus was called the Word. He was in essence, the Bible itself. Can you imagine the great insights that Christ made as he unfolded the scriptures?
4. Jealous of his preaching.
(Luke 4:32 KJV) And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
When Christ took the pulpit, the people were not in for another boring lecture from the local minister. His word was with power. Following one of his sermons, the people were in awe. That could have left local scribe humbled. Jesus had made an impact.
5. Jealous of his miraculous power.
(Luke 4:35 KJV) And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.
I would equate what happened in the time of Christ, very much likened unto a genuine revival service, or an evangelistic crusade. When Christ gave the invitation, the altars were full of repentant sinners. Christ had come to seek and to save that which was lost. The demons of hell were cast out, and the gates of heaven had been flung open wide.
6. Jealous of his Sabbath Day joy.
(Luke 4:31 KJV) And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
It is noted that all of this excitement was happening on the Sabbath. Christ had brought new life to this ordinary sleepy laid back day. Whenever Jesus is lifted up, worshippers are released to vent with praise. There was no “silence in the sanctuary†on that day!
7. Jealous of his fame.
(Luke 4:37 KJV) And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.
>On Monday morning at work, Jesus would have been the talk at the water cooler. Everyone had an opinion of Jesus of Nazareth. No one was talking about the wonderful ministry of the scribes and the Pharisees. Christ was on the lips of every conversation.
Conclusion: You could remain jealous:
(Mat 27:18 KJV) For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
The Pharisees would arrange for the crucifixion of Christ.
Or you could join him!
(John 1:11 KJV) He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
(John 1:12 KJV) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
Let us die to self by promoting and praising the only true King. Jesus alone is worthy to be praised.
Let me conclude today’s message with the prophecy of these verses:
(Rev 19:1 KJV) And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
(Rev 19:2 KJV) For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
(Rev 19:3 KJV) And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
(Rev 19:4 KJV) And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
(Rev 19:5 KJV) And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
(Rev 19:6 KJV) And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
(Rev 19:7 KJV) Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
(Rev 19:8 KJV) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
(Rev 19:9 KJV) And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
(Rev 19:10 KJV) And I fell at his feet to worship him... Amen!
