Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Plundering Satan's Kingdom

Bryan Schneider · October 15, 2022

Mark 3:7-35

sharonrpc.org/sermons/plundering-satan-s-kingdom

Summary

Crowds know Jesus can heal, and unclean spirits identify him as the Son of God, but Mark presses every hearer to decide who Jesus truly is.
Jesus appoints the twelve to be with him, preach, heal, and cast out demons, exercising divine and royal authority that he can delegate to his servants.
His family calls him out of his mind and the scribes accuse him of demonic power, illustrating radically mistaken responses to the work of God.
Jesus answers that a divided kingdom cannot stand: he is not Satan's ally but the stronger King who binds the strong man and plunders his house.
Christ's obedient path to the cross and victory in resurrection defeat the adversary and reclaim a people whose whole lives belong under his rule.
The warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit addresses hardened opposition that knowingly calls the Spirit's manifest work in Christ demonic.
Jesus defines his family around those gathered to hear him and do God's will, showing the deep spiritual kinship created by the Spirit and obedient faith.

Who do I say Jesus is when his claims confront my assumptions and preferred way of life?
Am I content to seek benefits from Jesus while resisting him as the Son of God and King?
Where do I need confidence that Christ is stronger than the adversary and is able to rescue and rule his people?
What part of my mind, family, work, or conduct am I treating as though it lies outside Christ's kingship?
Have I confused anxious concern about the unforgivable sin with the hardened hostility Jesus actually addresses?
Am I sitting near Jesus to hear his Word and responding with obedient faith?
How should belonging to Christ's spiritual family reshape my commitment to the church and my care for fellow believers?

Son of God: The title identifying Jesus as the divine King whose identity is fully displayed in his suffering, death, and victory.
Apostles: The twelve men appointed by Jesus to be with him and sent with delegated authority to preach and confront the works of evil.
Strong man: Jesus' picture of Satan as a powerful enemy who must be bound before his goods can be plundered.
Plunder: The stronger King's rescue of people and recovery of life from Satan's dominion for Christ's own rule and glory.
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit: Hardened, settled rejection that attributes the Spirit's evident work in Christ to an unclean spirit.
Family of God: The spiritual household gathered around Jesus, hearing his Word and doing God's will through Spirit-given faith.