014-Mark 3:22-30
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The phrase “the unpardonable sin,” to any spiritually sensitive person, strikes terror and fear.It is like hearing the words “Antichrist,” “false prophet,” “great tribulation,” or “lake of fire.”
They all serve as striking reminders that sin is real and judgment is sure.
Actually the phrase “the unpardonable sin” does not occur in the Bible. However, the concept is identified in our text as “an eternal sin” (3:29). This does not soften the impact of the words.This denotes a sin that, once committed, will never be forgiven and will condemn us eternally to hell—the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15).
Is there really an unforgivable/unpardonable sin? If there is, what exactly is it? Also, can a Christian commit this sin?
Is there really an unforgivable/unpardonable sin? If there is, what exactly is it? Also, can a Christian commit this sin?
Whatever this sin is, we must approach it with the greatest possible gravity and seriousness.
When God effectively says, “Commit this sin and I will never forgive you,” there is then no longer any hope for heaven and eternal life.When God says “never,” He really means never! A billion years from now, His judicial verdict will stand like stone.
John Piper is correct: “If forgiveness is withheld for eternity, guilt is sealed for eternity. God is never neutral to sin. He either forgives it or punishes it. . . . Not to be forgiven by God forever is to suffer His wrath forever” (Piper, “Beyond Forgiveness”).
This concept is discussed directly following the accusation by Jesus’ family that “He’s out of His mind” (Mark 3:21).An official religious delegation from Jerusalem has just arrived to investigate this young Jewish rabbi.In the midst of their harsh judgment and criticism, we see the general characteristics of the sin that can never be forgiven.If ever there was a warning that would compel us to run from sin with fear and trembling and to flee to Jesus in faith and repentance, surely this is it!So, what do we learn about the unpardonable sin?
BIBLE VERSE
22 The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and, “He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons.” 23 So he summoned them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is finished. 27 But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. 28 “Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for all sins and whatever blasphemies they utter. 29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—30 because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
1. It Reveals a Hardened Heart That Calls Good Evil
1. It Reveals a Hardened Heart That Calls Good Evil
EXPLANATION
22 The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and, “He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons.”
Jesus is preaching, healing, and casting out demons around the clock.
The crowds are growing daily. His family wants to stop Him and take Him home because they fear He is losing it (3:21)!
Meanwhile, some scribes have come down from Jerusalem to check Jesus out.
Apparently they reached an instantaneous verdict: Jesus was a demon-powered apostate who should be silenced quickly.
The scribes claim, “He has Beelzebul in Him!” Beelzebul was the prince of demons, whose name could possibly mean “lord of the flies/carrion.”
He was lord of that which is rotten and repulsive, lord of the dung heap.
They couldn’t deny Jesus’ ability so they tried to invalidate His ministry by demonizing His power
The scribes at no point deny He has cast out demons!
In addition, this unpardonable sin is characterized by consistently rejecting the obvious and logical conclusion that these spiritual works are done by the Spirit of God.
Attributing the work of Jesus as evil is the first step towards the unforgivable sin.
Such actions reveal a hardened heart that calls evil good and that will not celebrate the works of God in Christ.
2. It Reveals Spiritual Blindness That Is Willful and Intentional
2. It Reveals Spiritual Blindness That Is Willful and Intentional
BIBLE VERSE
23 So he summoned them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan?
He first makes a simple observation in verse 23. Why would Satan act against himself?
The logic is inconceivable! If what they say is true, Satan is destroying himself.
And Jesus states the obvious:
24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Satan is attempting to build a kingdom.“Satan extends his kingdom by sowing chaos and enslaving humans, not by setting them free” (Arnold, Mark, 26).
It is ridiculous to suggest that Jesus was fighting for Satan by releasing his captives.
To not see this reveals intentional spiritual blindness: “My mind is made up! Don’t confuse me with the facts!”
24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Pick your context—marriage, family, business, sports, church the truth remains: a division in the ranks will cause the institution to fail, destroying itself.
Jesus states things so explicitly in verse 26:
26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is finished.
ILLUSTRATION
Jesus gives them another parable:
27 But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.
Satan is the “strong man,” and Jesus is the One breaking into his house, his realm, to bind and plunder.
Satan is indeed a strong man in this world.His house is a house of horrors, filled with sin, sickness, death, demon possession, and all that is evil and wicked.
His possessions are human beings, enslaved by all these evils.
No one but Jesus can invade his realm and carry away his possessions.
No one but Jesus is more powerful than this strongman. Jesus’ point is that He has come, and He can and will bind Satan.This is what Jesus is doing and will do climactically at the cross.
In denying this truth, the scribes reveal their intentional spiritual blindness.A hardened heart often leads to irrational logic.
3. It Involves a Verbal Declaration That Is Continual and Unforgivable
3. It Involves a Verbal Declaration That Is Continual and Unforgivable
EXPLANATION
28 “Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for all sins and whatever blasphemies they utter.
Jesus now begins to conclude the matter by saying, “I assure you,” literally “amen.”
This word is found only in the Gospels.In every case the word is said by Jesus.
It is a serious and solemn affirmation.
Jesus declares the gracious forgiveness and mercy of God in forgiving sins.
“All sins,” literally, “whatever blasphemies they may blaspheme,” will be forgiven.
All sinners can find the forgiveness of God if they will come to Him in repentance and faith.
29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—30 because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
If someone speaks against the Holy Spirit verbally and continually, with willful and malicious intent that reveals a hardened heart beyond the possibility of repentance, there is no forgiveness, and they are “guilty of an eternal sin.”
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the unforgivable sin.
“the blasphemy against the Spirit” was something more serious and irremediable. It not only reflected unbelief, but determined unbelief-the refusal, after having seen all the evidence necessary to complete understanding, even to consider believing in Christ. This was blasphemy against Jesus in His deity, against the Spirit of God who uniquely indwelt and empowered Him. It reflected determined rejection of Jesus as the Messiah against every evidence and argument. It reflected seeing the truth incarnate and then knowingly rejecting Him and condemning Him. It demonstrated an absolute and permanent refusal to believe, which resulted in loss of opportunity ever to “be forgiven . . . either in this age, or in the age to come.”
The unforgivable sin is defiantly and ultimately refusing to accept the Holy Spirit’s declaration that Jesus is Lord.If you are concerned that you have committed the unforgivable sin, that almost guarantees that you have not.
CONCLUSION
The unpardonable sin is to knowingly, willingly, and persistently attribute to Satan the works of God done by and in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, who testifies to these truths in your heart.
It is a sin of full knowledge.It is an ongoing disposition of the heart that resists the conviction of the Holy Spirit.It is a verbal act that attributes the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan.It is a willful rejection of God’s grace in Jesus.It is rooted in unbelief.It is a sin a Christian cannot commit.It is a sin not committed by one who is concerned that he may have committed it.
Despite this last point, this unpardonable offense should still awaken all of us to the seriousness of all sin committed against a holy and righteous God, who never winks at sin.
There is a boundary of sin where once passed, there is no possibility or hope of return.
Do not even think of going there. Instead, run to Jesus in faith and repentance.