The Unforgivable Sin (Mk. 3:22-35)

Introduction

· Please turn to Mark 3

· Context of passage – Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, choosing of Twelve, already opposition from religious leaders

· Read Mark 3:22-35

· Certain words speak of such serious danger that they send a shiver down our spine. Terminal cancer. Venomous spider. Unforgivable sin.

· THREE LESSONS ABOUT THE NATURE OF THE UNFORGIVABLE SIN…

A Verbal Sin

· Read verse 29

· Blasphemy – to speak lightly or profanely about sacred things. To speak irreverently about God.

· James 3:5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

· Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. Broader than taking the Lord’s Name in Vain, but certainly never less than that.

· There are many sins of the tongue – gossip, slander, criticism, complaining, silence, failure to encourage. Blasphemy, irreverence.

· Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

· Ephesians 5:3–4 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

· In this passage, we discover four tests for our speech: Is it pure? Will it build up? Is this the best time? Will it give grace? If it does not pass all these tests, then don’t say it!

· >>Your words matter. Sins of the tongue are quite common, and yet that is not exactly what Jesus is getting at here. But this is not just any sin of the tongue. It is a specific kind...

A Unique Sin

· Their Objection – verses 22, 30

· Jesus’ Two Parables (vv. 23-27) – Civil War, Strong Man

· Jesus’ Works were clearly done by the power of the Holy Spirit.

· ESVSB: When a person persistently attributes to Satan what is accomplished by the power of God—that is, if one makes a flagrant, willful, decisive judgment that the Spirit’s testimony about Jesus is satanic

· Is it murder? No. Adultery? No. Suicide? No. All of those are serious sins, but not the Unforgivable Sin.

· Can it be committed today? Perhaps. I don’t want to find out!

A Deadly Sin

· God’s Forgiveness – east vs. west, deepest ocean.

· Description of Hell – absence of God’s presence, Absence of comfort, Absence of Hope.

Closing Application

· God takes All Sin Very Seriously. Many people never commit the Unforgivable Sin, but any sin is worthy of death and in need of his forgivness.

· What You Do With Christ Has Eternal Consequences. Turn to him now. John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

· Beware of False Teachers. They are much more prevalant than you may realize, and they seek to destroy Christ and his church.