Worship Preparation - August 9, 2026
Read the sermon text: Luke 11:14-26
Read the sermon summary: Jesus performs a miraculous healing, expelling a demon from a mute man. The crowd is astonished, but the reaction is mixed. Some identify the source of Jesus’s power with Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Others are putting him to further testing by seeking a sign from heaven.
Moving quickly beyond the miracle itself, Luke presents the responses of the crowd. Their responses focus on the identity of Jesus by pointing to the source of his power.
Jesus responds with a combination of logic and parable. This exposes the spiritual condition of the crowd. Jesus corrects their views of the source of his power, which has implications for their view of his identity. As a result, the crowd is now faced with a critical question: With whom will they identify? Neutrality is not an option.
Luke draws us in to answer the question for ourselves: Who do we say that Jesus is, and what are we prepared to do about it?
Read the following song lyrics in relation to the sermon:
Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
Verse 1
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy my righteousness and freedom
My steadfast love my deep and boundless peace
To this I hold my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to his
Oh how strange and divine I can sing all is mine
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Verse 2
The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side the Saviour he will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need his power is displayed
To this I hold my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley he will lead
Oh the night has been won and I shall overcome
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Verse 3
No fate I dread I know I am forgiven
The future sure the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And he was raised to overthrow the grave
To this I hold my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released I can sing I am free
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Verse 4
With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For he has said that he will bring me home
And day by day I know he will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
To this I hold my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to him
When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Ending
When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Yet not I but through Christ in me
CCLI Song #7121852
Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, Rich Thompson
© 2018 CityAlight Music; Farren Love And War Publishing; Integrity's Alleluia! Music
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License #11078052