Matthew 12:43-45 [43] "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. [44] Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. [45] Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation."

Matthew 26:26-29 [26] And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." [27] Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. [28] For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. [29] But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

The Empty House. Matthew 12:43-45

The disciples are being accused! Our next parable can be found in Matthew 12 Matthew 12:2... “And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!” The disciples are being accused!

Every miracle that Jesus performed has Matthew 12:10... “And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse Him. Every miracle that Jesus performed has been tested.

Jesus is being accused of in the name of Beelzebub Matthew 12:24... “Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” Jesus is being accused of casting out demons in the name of Beelzebub

Now they are asking for a sign so that they can accuse Jesus Matthew 12:38... “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” Now they are asking for a sign so that they can accuse Jesus with the "authorities"

This is the frame, in which Jesus is going to present our next parable. They have never believed in him. He has always been a bad teacher. He has always violated Moses' law. Tired of all these accusations, Jesus said:

Matthew 12:43-45 [43] "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. [44] Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. [45] Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation."

After all of the accusations, now Jesus is going to reprove them all.. This is our parable for this afternoon... After all of the accusations, now Jesus is going to reprove them all.. I would like to say that this is a very frightening story.

The Story Detailed: Matthew 12:22... Jesus said that an unclean spirit has just inhabited a man Matthew 12:22... ”Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. They very well knew about this in Jesus' times.

For some reason, the unclean spirit went out from the man. But why did he leave the man?

Jesus said that the spirit went through dry places. There was a common belief that demons inhabited dry places.

“So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” It is important to note what is described in the parable. Matthew 12:45... “So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” This was the problem that Jesus faced in his days.

House = The man in which it had once lived. The spirit decided to return to its former house. Who is the house? House = The man in which it had once lived.

... “he finds it empty, swept, and put in order” He found the "house" but in a particular condition: ... “he finds it empty, swept, and put in order” The house has been repaired.

Then the evil spirit does something it has not done before. What does he do? It found seven demonic roommates...

It is easy to see why Jesus said the last state was worse than the first.

“So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” Again, lets try to understand what Jesus is saying... Matthew 12:45... “So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” What Jesus is saying to these people is: You are like this man...

Do we have something to learn from this parable? Let's see...

The evil spirit considered the body of a man as "his house". Ephesians 6:12... For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

The reality of demon- possessed people. 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, Can this happen to me?

Did you know brother, that there are other kinds of evil possessions? When does this occur? When we leave the door of the soul open...

Ephesians 4:26,27... 26“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27nor give place to the devil. Possessed?

When we become careless... 1 John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Can we be children of Satan?

Is it marvelous to see people possessed nowadays? 2 Cor.11:14,15 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Can we be possessed by Satan? Acts 5:3,4 3But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4“While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Possessed?

Getting rid of the evil, is only half of the battle. We make a great mistake in thinking that all we have to do is eliminate the devil from our lives. But why do many fail?

Reformation - and - Transformation True success in handling evil is not over until we replace the evil with something different. How? There is a big difference between: Reformation - and - Transformation

Romans 12:2 To be Transformed is: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. To Change To Turn To make new To be Transformed is:

We need to renew ourselves Ephesians 4:20-24 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 that be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. We need to renew ourselves

How do we overcome Satan's attacks? But what is the mistake of many? Trying to underestimate the power of Satan. How do we overcome Satan's attacks?

This is the cause and reason Romans 12:21. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. This is the cause and reason why many fall.

Keep in mind that the evil spirit of Jesus’ parable returned with seven evil partners... 2 Peter 2:20-22. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

My question is: Jesus saw a serious problem with the generation of his day. My question is: Have the problems changed?

The people who condemned Jesus had refused to take a good look at themselves Are we like that? Do we search ourselves constantly?