Church Newsletter Sample
The Newsletter
Graeagle Community Church October 2015
In Luke 11:14 Jesus heals a man who is unable to speak by casting out the demon that is
holding this man in his grip. As is usually the case there are different responses to Jesus’ heal-
ing. One group is amazed at what Jesus did. A second group accuses Jesus of casting out the
demon by the power of Satan (Beelzebub). A third group wants a further sign – a “sign from
heaven.” It is interesting to note that no individual or group declares that he did not do a mi-
raculous thing. Clearly the miracle was undeniable. Jesus’ response to these three groups is protracted and ad-
dresses each of them specifically. However, I would like to just take a brief look at His initial response which is
primarily directed to the group which accuses Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan or Beelzebub,
“the prince of demons.” In this response Jesus gives insight into the “ultimate cosmic war” (Darrell Bock)
which takes place to establish His kingdom and bring about the rescue of fallen humanity.
Jesus begins His response/teaching by pointing out the absurdity of the assertion that He would cast out de-
mons by the power of Satan. Indeed, “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided
against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand?” His second line of re-
sponse is to point the hypocrisy of their position. He then says, “…if I drive out demons by the finger of God,
then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” This is an incredible statement with rich and far reaching impli-
cations. For right now I will simply say that Jesus is declaring that what He is doing, what they are witnessing is
the kingdom of God imposing itself on the kingdom of this fallen world over which Satan has a certain sway
(cf. Ephesians 2:1-2; 1 John 3:8). This is the very thing implied in Luke 10:17ff, when the 72 disciples returned
from their commissioned ministry.
Jesus then poses a hypothetical situation which illustrates the ultimate victory over Satan which He Himself
will achieve. He says when a strong man who is well armed guards his house, all within it are kept safe by his
strength. However, should one stronger come along and attack the strong man and overpower him, he will take
away the armor upon which the first strong man depended and plunder and divide his possessions. This is a ref-
erence to His ultimate defeat of Satan. Satan is the initial strong man in the story and Jesus is the stronger man.
This speaks of the cosmic victory Jesus was about to win over Satan, a victory alluded to in the fall (Gen. 3:15;
Luke 10:17ff) as well as that which is taught by Paul in Romans 5:12-21. It is that spoken of by John (1 John
3:8) and the author of Hebrews (Hebrews 2:14ff). What is magnificent in glory is the means by which Jesus
achieves this victory. He asserts His superior strength in the most unexpected way – by His entering into weak-
ness, that is, becoming man (Hebrews 2:5-18; 5:7-11). He became all that we are so that He could fully redeem
and rescue us and ultimately conquer the curse on our behalf. He became sin to do away with sin and bring for-
giveness of sin. He suffered to do away with suffering. He submitted to the malice and hatred of the enemy in
order to destroy the enemy. He died to destroy death and He was raised to bring life to all of us held captive by
death. Remember that we are the “spoils” of Jesus’ victory as he rescues us from the kingdom of darkness and
has transferred us into His kingdom. He endured our shame and ignobility so that we could share in His glory!!
Jesus will one day return in incomprehensible power to finally destroy every enemy, establish His kingdom,
and subdue all things placing them once again in right submission to His Father. However, for now what this
means, as Darrell Bock wrote, “Jesus overcomes the
presence and power of evil in the world. His power is greater than that of demons. He is stronger than Satan.
His power and authority reverse the effect of sin. This exercise of power through Jesus is why Paul can call the
gospel ‘the power of God’ in Romans 1:16-17.” He goes on to write, “Jesus’ work means that Satan is no longer
in control of the palace.” Let’s keep that in mind as this world continues to slip into the chaos of the
enemy – the victory has been won and it is ultimate!!
Rejoicing in and laboring to keep my eyes on Him!!
Mike
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