The Miracles and the Ministry of the Messiah in the Book of Mark
Week 3: ‘United We Stand Divided We Fall’
Mark 3:22-27
Crossroads Community Church
Rev. Ricky A. Rohrig Sr., Founding Pastor
March 22, 2015
I think everyone likes to be part of a family, an organization, something where they feel they belong. There are many organizations, clubs, fraternities, sororities, social groups, and other areas that people belong to for various reasons. One of the reasons people join these organizations is that because they have the same mindset, or they believe in what they stand for.
How many people like confrontation? Not very many of us, but at times it’s inevitable. Why because even though we may be very similar in certain areas of our lives, we are very different in others. Sometimes peoples mindsets are so different you could ask 10 different people the same thing, or their opinion and you may get 1,2 5, or even 10 different responses. The world we live in many people vary on different things. I think the reason is because of our culture we are trained, taught, or told to look out for number 1, make yourself happy, and do what’s best for you. This is what the world’s ideology is, but we are not to be like the world. Scripture tells us in
1 John 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
The world has its own set of ideals, standards, and thought process’. But we called, commissioned, and commanded to be different then the world.
I am going to minister about division and unity today, but let me start by asking you a few questions:
• What is your definition of division?
• What are things that you think are ‘divided’?
• Who wants the church divided?
• Who wants the church you united?
• Which side are you on?
• The opposite of united is divided or division
The Greek word for division is σχίσμα schisma meaning: tears, cracks, and severs, to break, a gap, discord.
• (This is all the devil needs is a slight one to get in)
Let’s look at an example that the Apostle Paul gives us in
1 Corinthians 12:25-26
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
• The debate over Christian leaders has destroyed the unity of the local congregation and led to antagonisms. (mutual resistance or opposition of two forces in action) (one doing one thing, another doing another)
• Like tug-of-war. As Paul points out the unity of the body is essential for spiritual growth and the exercise of spiritual gifts in: (1 Corinthians 12:25-26)
The significance of division in scripture is prevalent:
Division listed as a sinful act in (Galatians 5:19-21) under the word variance taken from the Greek word ἔρις eris which means:: dissensions, discord, quarreling, debating,; and disputes Galatians 5:21b, they that which do these things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Now let’s talk about unity:
• What is your definition of unity?
• Why is unity important?
• What happens if there is not unity?
• Why is it important for the church to be united?
• What are the dangers of a church that is not united?
The Greek word for unity is: νότης henotēs meaning:
1) unity
2) unanimity, agreement
As the church it is inevitable that we will not agree on everything, but we need to be united as the Church, if we are going to be able to fulfill the great commission by unanimously agreeing to believe in God, make Jesus Christ the most important personal relationship we have, and yield and succumb to the Holy Spirt to gives us discernment, direction, and help us decipher right from wrong in our daily lives.
So it is important that be become united as ‘one’ in the body of Christ.
As we continue on in the book of Mark let me tell from last week to this week what is going on to get us up to speed:
Last week I ministered about the paralytic man and his friends focus, faith, and fortitude to get to Jesus.
In the rest of Chapter 2 of the book of Mark we have the following events occur:
• The Call of Levi or Matthew (Mark 2:13-17)
• Jesus Answers John’s Disciples (Mark 2:18-20)
• Parable of the garment and bottle (Mark 2:21-22)
• Jesus is the Lord of Sabbath (Mark 2:23-28)
• Jesus heals a withered man’s hand on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-6)
• Jesus heals multitudes (Mark 3:7-12)
• Twelve disciples ordained (Mark 3:16-19)
• Jesus accused of insanity (Mark 3:20, 21)
So today I am going to minister from this thought, ‘United We Stand Divided We Fall’ from mark 3:22-27
Mark 3:22-27
22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
27 No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
The two scriptures preceding this scripture Jesus is so busy that he does not even have time to eat and Jesus is accused of insanity
Mark 3:22
22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
• Now the scribes
o SCRIBES (Heb. sōp̱erîm; Gk. grammateis, nomikoi (lawyers) and nomodidaskaloi (teachers of the law)). Scribes were experts in the study of the law of Moses (Torah). At first this occupation belonged to the priests. Ezra was priest and scribe (Ne. 8:9); the offices were not necessarily separate. The chief activity of the scribe was undistracted study (Ecclus. 38:24). The rise of the scribes may be dated after the Babylonian Exile. 1 Ch. 2:55 would suggest that the scribes were banded together into families and guilds. They were probably not a distinct political party in the time of Ben-Sira (beginning of the 2nd century BC), but became one by the repressive measures of Antiochus Epiphanes. Scribes were found in Rome in the later imperial period, and in Babylonia in the 5th and 6th centuries AD. Not until about AD 70 are there detailed facts concerning individual scribes. They were mainly influential in Judaea up to AD 70, but they were to be found in Galilee (Lk. 5:17) and among the Dispersion.…
• So they have traveled to Jerusalem and accusing of Jesus of being a man possessed.
o This is the first time someone has come from beyond Galilee’s borders to challenge Jesus.
• Remember people already thought he was insane and not they are trying to convince others not only is he insane but the power, the prophecy, and the message He proclaims is not from God.
• They say he has BEELZEBUB—(Gr. form Beel’zebul), the name given to Satan, and found only in the New Testament (Matt. 10:25; 12:24, 27; Mark 3:22). It is probably the same as Baalzebub (q.v.), the god of Ekron, meaning “the lord of flies,” or, as others think, “the lord of dung,” or “the dung-god.” Beelzebul A Canaanite deity whose name means “Baal the Prince” (see 2 Kgs 1:1–6). Considered the ruler of the demons, this figure later came to be identified with Satan.
o So the accusation is that he is getting his power and ability from Satan.
o They are trying to minimizing His effectiveness by discrediting the source of His power
Mark 3:23
23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
Jesus was a man that made people think, he simply asks them a question ‘How can Satan cast out Satan?’
• The problem was that the scribes, the ones that knew the promised one would come one day, were not smart enough or have the common sense to realize that the one that was prophesied, the one that they were preparing for, and was proclaimed was right there in front of them.
• If Jesus is delivering people from the evilness of this world, of those that are following after Satan, and Jesus gets his power from Satan it makes no sense.
• Remember Jesus was the one who was being accused of being crazy, out of his mind, and making no sense.
o But now Jesus is challenging them to try to make sense of what they are accusing Him of
Mark 3:24
24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
• Referencing 2 different kingdoms
o Kingdom of God (the Godly)
o Kingdom of Satan (the wordly)
• When you are not on the same page there is going to be division and whenever there is division there is a different of opinion, whenever there is a different of opinion there is not unity, and whenever there is not unity there is no clarity of vision and when there is no clear vision, scripture says the people perish.
Mark 3:25
25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
• I want you to think about two things here:
o House of God a local or individual church
o Your own household
Mark 3:26-27
26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
• God will ultimately destroy Satan once and for all
27 No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
The strong man is intended to represent Satan. To cast out demons is to enter his house and spoil his goods. Christ was asserting that instead of being in league with Satan, He was engaged in combat against him.
• This is why we need God
• Why we need Jesus
• Why we need the Holy Spirit
Isaiah 54:17
17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
The way God reaches people is through His people. The way we reach people is by being God’s people, and the way be are changed and transformed is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. None of this occurs if we are not willing, able, and ready for the Holy Spirit lead us, guide us, use us, and trust in the power and ability of the Holy Spirit.
Practical Application
Is there unity in every area of your life or is there some divisions?
• How is relationship with God?
• Have you been completely transformed by Jesus?
• Is the Holy Spirit, your spiritual compass
Are you living and leading the life the Lord has called you to?
Is there division in your house today?
Is there division in your spirit today?
Is there sin that you have not dealt with?
Are there idols in your life? (things that you put before God)
Are you angry?
Depressed?
Unsure of yourself?
Not treating your husband or wife right?
Not treating your kids correctly?
Not caring for your neighbors?
Not loving your enemies?
Not being the best person and representative for Christ you, could, want to, and ought to be?
During our moment of reflection and time of decision you know what you need to do, you should know what God has called you to do, and you know what areas of your life that you have not completely trusted and given over to God.
Today if we want to be about church that is united we need first need to be united.
Moment of Decision
So whatever you need to do to be right with God, to be united with God and whatever sin or problem area you need to turn over to God, today is the day, and now is the time.
Right now is the day of your deliverance whatever you have been holding onto today, I pray that you will repent, let God deliver you from it, and be free, finally completely free of every addition, temptation, sin, and thing(s) that have kept you bound, and preventing you to be powerfully transformed by Jesus Christ.
John 8:36
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
I am praying that God is going to give you deliverance right now. Be honest with yourself, transparent, and usable today for God and His kingdom! Because you are redeemed!
