Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

A reminder - Please:  Turn off your cell phone or set to vibrate only  Turn off sound to all electronic devices  Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy  Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early)

The Danger of Blasphemy Matthew 12:22-32; Mark 3:20-30 There has been a continuing decline in the relationship between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees The people are also fickle - they like Jesus’ miracles, but relatively few heed His message to repent

The Danger of Blasphemy Matthew 12:22-32; Mark 3:20-30 There is a direct correlation between the depth of sins forgiven and the depth of love for Jesus

Busy in Ministry Mark 3:20-21; Luke 8:1-3 Jesus had returned to His itinerant ministry in Galilee Mark 3:20  Jesus was so busy with the crowd that He did not even have time to eat

Busy in Ministry Mark 3:20-21; Luke 8:1-3 Mark 3:21  Jesus’ mother and brothers came down to try and intervene

The Amazed Multitudes Matthew 12:22-23 It was not unusual for Jesus to heal demonized people, but it was to heal a man both mute and blind They are amazed - ejxisthmi / existēmi: “to be so astounded as to be practically overwhelmed”

The Amazed Multitudes Matthew 12:22-23 The people begin to wonder if Jesus is the “Son of David” - a title for the Messiah Their question is stated from the negative because they are afraid of the scribes and Pharisees

An Evil Response Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22 Most of the Jewish religious leaders hated Jesus for many reasons - mostly He was a threat to their power They should have rejoiced, instead they are threatened and make false accusations against Jesus

An Evil Response Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22 Beelzebul is a name used for Satan - arising from Baal worship it means: “Lord of the flies.” They were cowards who accused Jesus surreptitiously

Jesus Rebukes the Religious Leaders Matthew 12:25-30; Mark 3:23-27 Matthew 12:25-26  Their accusation was illogical - Satan would not be divided against himself Matthew 12:27  Their accusation was inconsistent - they approved of their sons casting out demons

Jesus Rebukes the Religious Leaders Matthew 12:25-30; Mark 3:23-27 Matthew 12:28  Their accusation was insurrectionary - Jesus cast out demons by the Spirit of God Matthew 12:29 –  Their accusation was inane - Jesus could not cast out Satan unless He was stronger

Jesus Rebukes the Religious Leaders Matthew 12:25-30; Mark 3:23-27 Matthew 12:30  There is no neutral ground - you are either with Jesus or against Him

Jesus Condemns the Religious Leaders Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-30 The gospel message is that God “good and ready to forgive” (Psalm 86:5) - through Jesus Christ God does not limit His forgiveness according to severity of the sin - Jesus forgave those who crucified Him

Jesus Condemns the Religious Leaders Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-30 The volume of sin does not end of God's merciful forgiveness - even an old wicked man is forgivable The particular kind of sin also does not cancel God's grace in extending forgiveness - David, Saul, Peter, etc You are not beyond the redemption God has made for us in Christ Jesus

Jesus Condemns the Religious Leaders Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-30 The exception is blasphemy - defiant irreverence - against the Holy Spirit It is unforgivable because the witness of the Holy Spirit is rejected and the person refuses to repent

Jesus Condemns the Religious Leaders Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-30 A person who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be afraid of having done this sin or be convicted of any sin

Jesus Condemns the Religious Leaders Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-30 Beware:  Grieving the Spirit ➔  Resisting the Spirit ➔  Quenching the Spirit ➔  Having a seared conscience

Conclusions The time to repent is as soon as the Holy Spirit convicts you of your sin (you feel guilty) Non-Christian: 1) Consider the wretched nature of your sin before our Holy God 2) Consider what Jesus did for you on the cross to redeem / forgive you of your sin

Conclusions Christian: Confess your sins as the Holy Spirit convicts to walk in intimacy with Him

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ