Today were going to wade into the deep weeds. We are going to be taking a look at the spiritual world and how it intersects with this world; the conflict that is going on with Satan and his demons against humanity and against you, and the response from Jesus himself to these attacks. Matthew 12:22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. Luke 11:20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Matthew 12:28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. I want you to understand something. Jesus is using an illustration here. In fact, in the book of Mark, it says that this is a parable. And his illustration is this; if you are going to go and rob the house of a fully armed strongman who is actively guarding what he owns, that is going to be a bad decision.… Unless… You are much stronger. The apostle Paul would write about this later in this way… Colossians 2:15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. The kingdom of darkness is no match for the kingdom of God. The power of Jesus binds the enemy. The forces of the kingdom of God are far superior then the forces of the enemy. Jesus, in this illustration, calls Satan a strong man who is armed, who is actively guarding his possessions. What do we know about Satan? - We are told that he is an accuser. - We know that he’s a liar. - Jesus said he’s a killer. - Jesus said that he’s a thief. - Jesus said that Satan is a destroyer. - He operates as a seducer a tempter. - The devil is so arrogant that he met Jesus in the wilderness three times and tempted him. He just wants to watch the world burn. He could almost seem like an unbeatable foe. 1 John 3:8 The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. Jesus came to plunder and destroy the strongman. Why in the world are we talking about this today? 1. I want you to know that plundering power is still available. 2. Hit the weight room. 3. Go to war. Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me….20 And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. This morning close all doors to the enemy and open all the doors to King Jesus especially in four areas. 1. Make your home a sanctuary for Jesus. 2. Make your heart a sanctuary for Jesus. 3. Make all of your serving a sanctuary for Jesus. 4. Make your church in a sanctuary of Jesus.