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"'When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.' As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, 'Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!' But he said, 'Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!' When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” Luke 11:24-36

When a person's inner disposition is right towards Christ and is led/energized by the Holy Spirit, his entire personality will be illuminated because he is treasuring the strong reality of Jesus. He will possess the true knowledge of God, will experience peace of mind that passes understanding (Philippians 4:6-7) and will be able to thank the Lord for joy unspeakable and be full of glory (1 Peter 1:4-5). In this passage, Jesus warns us to watch that the light within us is not darkness (v. 35). The question we must ask is whether the light of the gospel has brought about a deep and inner change of heart, and is it continuing to do so?

How to Fill Our Lives with the Kindling/Propellant that Calls for the Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit:

 1. Understanding that true blessedness (happiness) is found in hearing and keeping the Word of God (v. 28).

"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality."  1 Timothy 5:21

"If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."  John 13:17

"But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." James 1:25

2. The ultimate apologetic /proof regarding the majesty of Christ is the “sign of Jonah” (v. 30).

"For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."  Matthew 12:40

And therefore, we glory and rejoice in the forgiveness of sins alone by the cross of Christ alone (Galatians 6:14, Romans 8:1).

We are glad in and mesmerized by the wonder of the eternal God who became a man. The one who is the strong man and has overcome our adversary (v. 22). The one who is greater than King Solomon (v. 31). The one whose message is greater and more glorious than Jonah’s (v. 32). 

3. We understand the importance of the ongoing, illuminating, clarifying presence of Jesus in our lives (v. 33).

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12

We learn from this passage the value of the single and undivided heart in the religion. The single heart is a heart which is not only changed and renewed, but thoroughly, powerfully, and habitually under the influence of the Holy Spirit. It is a heart which seeks to abhor all compromises and lukewarmness. It sees one mighty object: the love of Christ dying for sinners. It has one mighty aim–to glorify God and to do His will. It has one mighty desire: to please God and to be commended by Him (J.C. Rowe, Luke).

APPLICATION:

1. Be c_______ (vv. 35-36).

2. Choose i________.

3. The message of Jonah (and the prophets): “Repent and A________”. The message of the gospel is “Repent and B________”.

Answers: careful, imbalance, Anticipate/Behold