Luke 10:17-20

This morning I invite you to turn with me to the book of Luke chapter 10. The book of Luke chapter 10. And we want to look at verses 17 to 20 for our text and study this morning. Luke chapter 10 reading verses 17 through 20. and the 70 returned again with joy saying Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. May God bless to us His sacred and holy. holy word this morning. Many Christians are like the woodpecker who was pecking on the trunk of a dead tree. Suddenly lightning struck the tree and splintered it. And the woodpecker flew harmlessly away. Looking back to where the dead tree had stood, the proud bird exclaimed, look what I did. Luke is the only event. that gives you an account of Christ sending forth the 70 to preach the gospel. We’ve already looked at the appointment of the 70 and the mission of the 70. And now we want to look at the success of the labors of the 70. Now, you’re not informed how long this mission took, but it would seem that it would not very long. It was rather short in duration. But we want to talk about success and pride from this text of scripture this morning. Now let me begin by saying this, saying this. How readily you can be puffed up with success. Now you’ll notice verses 17 and 18. And the 70 returned again with joy saying Lord even the devils are subject unto us through thy name and he said unto them I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven your success in gospel work can lead to pride the 70 returned to give an account to Christ of what took place the success of their mission and they were in a very joyful mood as we can see here. They had the power over evil spirits to cast them out of people. The devils were subject under them when Christ’s name was used to cast them out. That name demonstrated what authority and power the Lord had given over these evil demons. No resistance was possible. The 70 rejoiced in the miraculous power they wielded when Christ’s name was evoked. There was a sense of self-satisfaction and pride as they reported their achievements. Christ could see how puffed up they were becoming by their victory over Satan. And he wisely checks here their joyous triumph. Now, the lesson we should learn here is this. Your success in gospel work may lead to prime. There is the danger of thinking just like the woodpecker, look what I did when the tree falls down when it struck with lightning. Well, you really didn’t do anything. at all. God worked through you to accomplish his purpose. For God we’re told works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Remember Christ’s words in John 15. Without me, he can do nothing. And I think that’s very important that we keep that in mind. Your success in gospel work may lead the pride. Now, Your success may be dangerous to your souls. Verse 18 would indicate to us. Success is with all faithful ministers in the gospel desire. You want to see the kingdom of God advance. You want to see people saved, brought to Christ. Sometimes we get too depressed. When we labor and it produces nothing, and it appears that our labor is in vain. And that would be wrong. However, when God grants success in our labors, then you may become unduly exalted and take credit for it, and that would be wrong too. So you need to avoid both extremes. We need to learn two things. One, be patient and wait for God to work. And two, be humble and realize that God produces all success that we may have. Now, Christ’s response, at first, here, may seem out of place when he talks about Satan and his fall. Common day, commentators provide two different views on how to interpret this passage. Many of your modern commentators, think that Christ is speaking of the effect that was produced on Satan’s kingdom by the work of the 70. In other words, Christ saw Satan’s power declining and his loss of dominion over the souls of men because of the ministry of the 70. In my opinion, however, this view does not seem to be seen. satisfactory. I think that Christ’s strong language hardly seems to fit with the figurative explanation that is given. Many of your older commentators think, and I agree with them, that Christ is speaking of what he witnessed when Satan and his angels rebelled against God and were cast down from heaven. More of the literal explanation. You remember Russell read for our scripture reading from Isaiah chapter 14, verses 12 to 15, where we see Lucifer saying, I shall be like the most high, and exalting himself, and he’s brought low by the Lord God. And the point then would be this. Don’t be puffed up because these demons are subject to you. Remember that says, Satan fell through pride. Now this view seems to be confirmed to us by Paul’s warning to Timothy concerning the elders. When you read the qualifications for elders, 1 Timothy chapter 3 and verse 6, do you remember what he said? One of the qualifications is this. He must not be a novice. Less being living. up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Just as Satan was lifted up with pride and was brought low, we can’t have people entering into the ministry here that are not fully mature and still novices, lest they be lifted up with pride. in this very danger occur. From Greek mythology, we have the story of Icarus and his wings. And it’s a lesson about pride. Icarus was the son of Didalus. He needed to escape the island of Crete to get away from the wrath of Minus. Well, with with the help of his father, wings, like a bird were made and they were attached to Icarus’ arms. And he was enabled to fly and escape crepe. However, he so exalted in his ability to fly that he soared higher and higher into the sky. And the story goes that he foolishly got too near the sun, which melted the wax, which held the wings to his arms, and the wings fell off and he plunged down into the sea. So there was a lesson about pride being exalted and having a fall because of it. Be forewarned then that success has its own dangers and pride may lead to one’s downfall as it did to Satan long ago. So your success may be dangerous to your soul. So we see here you need to pray for humility. So pride does. doesn’t arise. Man is prone to pride. Humility is not a natural gift. It’s a spiritual gift. We don’t have humility naturally. Pride is sort of like your beard, if you’re a man. You have to keep it under control. You have to shave it every day. So you get the razor out or the electric razor and use it. Well, you have to do the same with pride and it’s shaved every day in our lives. We need to pray for a humble spirit, especially in times when God is giving us success. The successful servant of Christ needs to be reminded that it is not his doing, that any success is really the finger of God in action. Someone has said this. There are a few Christians who can carry a full cup of God’s blessing with a steady hand. Perhaps that is a very humbling truth for all of us. Paul talks about serving the Lord with all humility of mind in Acts chapter 20 and verse 19. Now remember, for Paul. to do that the Lord saw fit to give him a thorn in the flesh why lest he should be exalted above measure so God had to keep Paul humble because of all the visions that he had because of his ability to be guided by the Spirit and give so much of the New Testament scriptures to us in the epistles that were written. So Paul was physically weakened so that he would fully realize that all that he was doing in the work of God that he really wasn’t sufficient for it. That he needed the power of Christ and the grace of Christ to rest upon him. And that is a lesson for all of us. Christ promised him. And I think we can band us to our own selves. My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Sometimes God uses suffering to keep our spirits in check so that pride does not take over. The pride does not rear its ugly head. Some of you may know that C.H. Spurgeon, the pastor in London, had a pastoral college. We trained young men for the ministry. And there were different young men that would have to get up and preach in front of the other trainees there and people would evaluate how they did. Well, one of Spurgeon’s ministerial students went in the pulpit with every expression of confidence. They did an extremely difficult time preaching. Nothing went well. So he came down from the pulpit distressed, almost broken-hearted. And he went to talk with Spurgeon afterward. And Spurgeon’s advice was this. If you had gone up as you came down, you would have come down as you went up. If you had gone up with humility of mind, you would have come down much more confident. So how readily you can be puffed up. with success. This is the danger I think he mentions to us here. Secondly, he says your gifts and abilities are very inferior to grace. Now notice verses 19 and 20 with me this morning. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding, and this rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. It is an honor if you were able to do marvelous things for the kingdom of God. Jesus had given them power and they vigorously used it against Satan. Demonic forces here are portrayed as scorpions and serpents. Indeed, every malignant spirit could be included in this, even Satan himself, over all the power of the enemy. It says. Christ seems to be alluding here to a passage in Psalm 91, verse 13, if you want to flip there this morning. Psalm 91. in verse 13. We read here, thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder. The young lion and the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Now, this particular passage, if you read it carefully, is indeed about Christ. But in a secondary sense, in Christ, I think it would also have application to his people. Now, think about these expressions that we have here. We have the idea of serpents and scorpions and dragons and lions and lions and so forth. Remember that Satan is said to be that old serpent in Revelation chapter 20 and verse 2 referring back to Genesis in the Garden of Eden. Satan’s agents the scribes and the Pharisees, whose father is the devil, as John 8 tells us, partake of his nature. And they are called, ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, in Matthew 2333. So Satan and his agents here would be all classified as serpents. Scripture says your adversary, the devil is a roaring lion. walketh about seeking whom we may devire. So, lion is also a referring to Satan. And all those who instigated and engaged in Christ’s crucifixion are described in this manner also. From Psalm 22, verse 13, they gaped upon me with their mouths as a ravening and roaring lion. So here we have lion. Satan is agents or lions. Now, dragon shouldn’t be too hard for us to figure out if we’ve read the book of Revelation. Satan is portrayed as the great red dragon, is he not? In Revelation 12.3. The demons that are let loose from the bottomless pit in the book of Revelation chapter 9 are portrayed as locusts who had tales like scorpions. And we read there were stings and their tails and their power was to hurt men. Those indeed who oppose God’s ministers are also classified as scorpions. And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them. Neither be afraid of their words. Though briars and thorns, be with thee. Thou dost dwell among scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor dismay, at their looks. So Ezekiel’s enemies, those who opposed Ezekiel, are said to be scorpions. So Satan, his demons, all his agents, are included here in the enemy, and these different phrases that are used. Now, the tread upon these enemies means their total defeat. It’s as if we had read this, Come, set your feet on the necks of these enemies, you shall trample them underfoot. And the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. We read in Romans chapter 6. and verse 20. There is a promise in Genesis chapter 3 and verse 15 that the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head. All the members of Christ also are included in that promise of victory, though Christ is the chief victor in this regard. So, though the people of God may be exposed to hatred and the wrath of Christ’s enemies, ultimately their souls are kept safe, and no physical harm can come to them until they complete the task that has been given to them by the Lord. Now, it’s wonderful to have these divine gifts. It’s wonderful to have great abilities to assault Satan’s kingdom. You are wonderful. more than conquerors through Jesus Christ, and so God’s people can stand against them and defeat them. The dragon, the lion, the serpent, the scorpion, and so forth, are all able to be defeated. It’s an honor for you to be able to do than marvelous things. It is much greater honor, however, to have your name written in heaven. Christ sees their joy. Christ sees that joy needed some moderation or was apt to degenerate into pride. Now, Jesus is not saying you shouldn’t rejoice because you had the power over Satan in his kingdom, but he’s saying this. Nevertheless, and this implies a comparison, here’s something far greater to rejoice over, and what is that? It is better for you to know that you’re one of God’s elect people and have your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Knowing, brethren, beloved, your election of God, you can know, you can know you are elected of God. Brother, and give diligence to make your calling an election sure, the scripture says in 2. Peter 1.10. What a joy it is to know then, that your name is written in the book of life, and it was written there before the foundation of the world for God has purposed to save you, as one of his elect people. To have your name written in heaven, means you’re precious to the Lord, and means indeed you have been set apart for salvation. This is the Father’s will which has set me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, Christ says. He promises to secure the salvation of every one of those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life before the foundation. and you will hear at the last day these words from Christ on the day of judgment, come ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, Matthew 25, 34. We read of those whose names are not written in the Bent Lamb’s Book of Life from the foundation of the world in Revelation 138. What a sad case that is, not to be one of God’s elect, not to be in the Lamb’s Book of Life, not to have the Lord as your Savior. But the Bible says that whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire. Oh, what a blessing did belong to the Church of the Firstborn, which are written in heaven then. Hebrews. 1223. Friends, whatever gifts we may have, whether it comes to preaching, when it comes to mental vigor, when it comes to good memory, when it comes to eloquence, when it comes to the power to reason, they’re often unduly admired by men when we have these kind of gifts. But these abilities, even such abilities, to cast out demons, such as abilities to heal the sick, are also thought of too highly. Don’t forget that gifts and abilities are not a sign in and of themselves of divine grace. Gifts and abilities are good things, but they’re not the grace of God. And they will not guarantee you a place in heaven. Remember, one of the 12 disciples, Judas, had such gifts and abilities. He went out to preach. He evidently cast out demons, as we studied earlier, when the 12 went out, and yet he ends up, as we see, the son of perdition. Many on the day of judgment are going to say to Christ as Matthew 722 tells us, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied thy name, and in my name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works, they pled their gifts and abilities. And what does the Lord say to them? I never knew you. Depart from me, ye that work of iniquity, and they are cast into hell. Receiving divine grace, will land you safely in heaven. Receiving gifts without divine grace will leave you still in your sins and land you in the lake of fire. So grace is better than wealth, human knowledge, high honors, worldly power, bodily health, and religious privileges such as preaching or even casting out, devils. Rejoice then, if you are one of God to elect people. That’s the key. Be glad in the Lord, ye righteous, and shout for joy, all ye that are upright and heart. So your gifts and abilities are certainly inferior to grace. Let us keep that in mind. When lightning struck and splintered the tree, the pecking woodpecker, Flew away, and he proudly exclaimed, look what I did. Man is always too quick to be prideful when it is God that enables you to do anything of value or success in the kingdom of God. How readily we can be puffed up, but actually that can be dangerous to your soul. Remember how Satan’s pride led to his downfall and keep that in mind. So you need to pray for humility. So pride does not arise. Give it a daily shave. Be thankful and rejoice, though, if you’ve found grace, and you have your name written in heaven. Because, indeed, if it’s in the Lamb’s Book of Life, you have eternal life, which can never be snatched away from you. Let us bow for prayer. Father, we do give you thanks for your goodness and grace to your people. We pray, Lord, do you would give us success in our labors, that we would not faint, but we would keep plowing away, and eventually, Lord, that you’d give success to our labors. But we also pray, Lord, that you’d keep us humble, that we might not think that we are really accomplishing anything. and our own power and ability. For what have we that we have not received from you, and what do we accomplish, that you have not worked through us to accomplish? May we indeed keep that fully in mind. Bless your word to your people, we ask. In the name of Christ, we pray these things with Thanksgiving. Amen. Let’s stand for the benediction. Now the Lord of God, of peace himself give you peace always, by all means. The Lord be with you all. Amen.