Matthew 12:15-37 "Pharisees Blaspheme the Holy Spirit"

Matt 12:15-37 "Pharisees Blaspheme the Holy Spirit" Marc Transparenti / General Opposition to the King / Blasphemy; Unforgivable Sin / Mt 12:15-21 Pharisees Blaspheme the Holy Spirit Good Morning Calvary Chapel Lake City! Quick Announcement: The Men's Advance Retreat hosted by Horizon Fellowship in Indy in coming up in about 2 months. May 21-23. Keep an eye on the FB page for more details. It will be a great weekend for the guys... great fellowship with one another and the Lord. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please turn in your Bibles to Matt 12. In Matt 11 and 12, we observe increased opposition towards Jesus. Last time we saw that Jesus was chastised by the Pharisees for working on the Sabbath. His disciples picked grain and ate on the Sabbath, which God would consider an act of mercy, but the Pharisees saw it as harvesting, threshing, & winnowing...work violations against Sabbath. Jesus also healed a man with a withered hand, and cited numerous scriptures, to the Pharisees, how this act of mercy was permissible on Sabbath. But even more, Jesus declared, "For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."- Through this phrase, Jesus declared three things...He is divine, He authored and has authority over the Sabbath, and Sabbath was intended to bring rest and refreshment to mankind, not to oppress them in rules and regulations. Between Jesus' declarations, and healing the man with the withered hand, the Pharisees were enraged, departed the synagogue and plotted with the Herodians how they might destroy or kill Jesus. And, that's where we pick up today. And, we will see that the Pharisees cannot deny that Jesus has power, so they slander Him and His source of power. Today's message is entitled, "Pharisees Blaspheme the Holy Spirit." Let's Pray! Matt 12:15-21 "But when Jesus knew it [that the Pharisees were plotting to kill Him], He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. 16 Yet He warned them not to make Him known, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: 18 "Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory; 21 And in His name Gentiles will trust." 1. In V15, you see a slight glimpse of the divine discernment of Jesus...we read "Jesus knew..." of the Pharisees plots, so He withdrew...which was wise in general, but this was also not God's appointed time for Jesus to die...the Passover of His third year of ministry was the appointed time, a. Thus, Jesus left their synagogue...many followed Him and He healed them all. If it was still Sabbath, Jesus' mercy ministry would only have further enraged the Pharisees since, according to their tradition, healing was not permissible on Shabbat. 2. Several times in Jesus' ministry He heals and then essentially states, "don't tell people about me"...we see this in V16...Jesus "...warned them not to make Him known..."...one reason is so the multitudes don't attempt to elevate Jesus as their King who would conquer Rome...but, Matthew also states V17 "...that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet..." a. This prophecy is Isa 42:1-4...a Messianic prophecy where Isaiah describes Messiahs' ministry...starting in V18...this is the voice of the Father/ Yahweh... b. "Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!" Jesus is the Suffering Servant of Yahweh. Jesus does the Father's will, even to the point of His death on the cross and bearing the full cup of God's wrath on sin...all for us. i. In this, Jesus is also the Father's Beloved Gk. agapētŏs Root word agapaō...Jesus is unconditionally loved by the Father. The Father is "well pleased" or "content" with Jesus. c. "I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles." The Trinity is in light here. The Father speaks about the Son in whom He baptized with His Spirit. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And, Jesus would speak truth to the Jews and Gentiles alike. i. Numerous OT verses prophesied that Messiah would go to the Gentiles (which He has...just look around), but the Jews hated the Gentiles, so this thought was incomprehensible...spiritual blindness and hard heartedness kept the Jews from embracing Jesus as their Messiah. d. V19 "He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets." Jesus did not come to quarrel or fight in His 1st Coming...His voice won't be heard in the streets...reflecting His character..."gentle and lowly in heart [humble]..." (Matt 11:29). i. This stumbled the Jews, since they associated Messiah with the Conquering King of the Second Coming. But, the Jews overlooked Messianic prophecies like Isa 42, that stated Messiah would not quarrel. e. V20 "A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory;" Reeds grew near rivers (I have a slide to help you visualize)...if a reed was bent...say by the wind...forever it had a weak spot...a bruise...and was susceptible to break. i. Flax refers to the flax wick of an oil lamp...if the wick was low or if the oil was low...instead of the wick burning, it would smolder. ii. Both illustrations refer to something that has been weakened...considering the context...these illustrations point to Jesus' ministry to the weakened...perhaps the sick, but likely broader as He brought salvation to all the "weary and scattered" sheep with no Shepherd (Mt 9:36)... to all who "labor and are heavy laden" (Matt 11:28 )...Jews and Gentile alike. iii. D.A. Carson sums it up nicely, "What is pictured is a ministry so gentle and compassionate that the weak are not trampled on and crushed till justice, the full righteousness of God, triumphs." f. V21 "And in His name Gentiles will trust." Messiah came first to the Jews, but as they did not receive Him, He went to the Gentiles. i. Isa 42:4 phrases this... "And the coastlands shall wait for His law." Coastlands...Gentile territory. ii. In Rom 15:9-12, Paul cites 4 verses in the OT all pointing to God reaching out to the Gentiles...with this purpose "...that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy." g. So, altogether, Isa 42:1-4...a beautiful picture of Jesus' ministry...loved by the Father...gentle and humble...a ministry extended to all. 3. The Pharisees knew Messianic prophecies, such as Isa 42, thus they were without excuse for their next offense.. Matt 12:22-23 "Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, "Could this be the Son of David?" 1. Starting in V22, chronologically this would be a little further in Jesus' 2nd year of ministry, but thematically right on topic regarding the Pharisees opposing Jesus. 2. A demon-possessed, blind and mute man is brought to Jesus... We don't have a lot of details about this man's history of affliction or Jesus' methodology for healing, but the focus is upon the response. a. The multitudes are amazed by Jesus and begin to connect Jesus' ministry and His Messiahship..."Could this be the Son of David?"...a Messianic title. i. This title stems from a promise to king David, from God in 2 Sam 7:12-16. "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." b. The people are beginning to connect that Jesus is the Son of David... Messiah...who's throne would be forever. A spark of faith was beginning in their hearts. i. I remember the first time I had that spark. During my first honest prayer...I asked God for a sign...to help me remember something that was eluding me for 2 weeks, and as soon I asked...I remembered. ii. A simple sign that sparked faith... just like this healing in Matthew, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Heb 13:8 He is still instilling faith in the hearts of people by various signs. 3. Just as there was a spark of faith...the Pharisees nay-say... likely jealous of Jesus' large following...threatened they will lose their place and positions...enraged that Jesus violate their customs (especially Sabbath work), so they respond with further accusation against Jesus...which only condemns themselves. Matt 12:24 "Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons." 1. The Pharisees cannot, at this point, deny that Jesus was able to perform miracles, so they employ a different strategy to discredit Him...to insinuate that His power is not from God, but from Beelzebub...Heb. baʿal zĕbûb, the name of a Philistine god (2 Kgs 1)...also known as Beelzebul. A name synonymous with Satan, "the ruler of the demons." Matt 12:25-26 "But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?" 1. The Pharisees likely make a quiet accusation, but "Jesus knew their thoughts..." another sign of His divinity. Amazing how even divine knowledge does not penetrate the hearts of the Pharisees. But, when a person hardens their heart...even miraculous and supernatural signs will not have an effect. Moses performed great miracles before Pharaoh...yet he hardened his heart... 2. The parallel account in Mark 3:23 tells us Jesus speaks to the Pharisees "in parables." A teaching method Jesus reserves for the spiritually blind. Matt 13:13 "...I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." a. What does this say about the Pharisees? Hard hearted and spiritually blind. 3. Jesus responds by pointing out the flaw in their accusation...a kingdom, city, or house divided will come to ruin...it will fall. A key reason not to be "unequally yoked with unbelievers", especially in marriage. a. Satan, if he was giving Jesus power to cast out demons, then Satan would be coming against his own demons...thus against himself. He would be divided. b. The logic of this accusation is flawed. c. Jesus continues... Matt 12:27-28 "And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you." 1. Jewish exorcists, like the sons of the Chief Priest...Sceva in Acts 19, travelled and cast our demons as well...so who was the source of their power? Why were they not accused? a. Perhaps the Sons of Sceva is a bad example...if you recall they attempted to exorcise demons in Jesus' name and the demon beat them naked because they had no relationship with Jesus. But, even there...they were not calling on Satan. b. Jesus says "Therefore they shall be your judges"...even the Jewish exorcists would condemn the Pharisees logic as flawed. The exorcists would not attribute their power of exorcism to Satan...they would say they are doing God's work. c. Jesus truly did God's work with ultimate authority, yet He was accused of being empowered by the Devil...which is flawed logic. 2. V28 is essentially stating 'since it has been ruled out that Satan is not the source,' the source must be "the Spirit of God (alternatively phrased "with the finger of God" in Lk 11:20...same idea), and if the Spirit of God is Jesus' source of power then "the kingdom of God has come upon you." i. Enter the Messianic age...Jesus is claiming Messiahship. ii. The Pharisees would have recognized this reference...the 'Spirit of God' upon a man was a mark of the Messiah. Isaiah prophesied of this: 1. Isa 11:1-2 "There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD." (So, the "Seven Spirits of God" which is also spoken of in Revelation). 2. Isa 42:1 "Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles." 3. Isa 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD..." 4. The Pharisees knew Messiah would have the Spirit of God upon Him, and if Jesus is casting out demons by the Spirit of God...who does that make Him? Messiah. a. But, just to make sure they get it...Jesus continues... Matt 12:29 "Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house." 1. The strong man is Satan. He that binds the strong man is a "stronger man"...Jesus binds Satan. 2. Understand this...Satan will be bound in phases, and truly by Jesus, not by us: a. Stage One was at Jesus' 1st Coming. During Jesus public ministry He entered the world...the strong man's house...and Jesus began to plunder Satan's goods. There were people possessed by Satan and his demons, and Jesus healed them by binding Satan. i. Binding means "to tie, to imprison." Every time Jesus exorcised a demon, Jesus demonstrated His authority...the enemy was losing ground. ii. And, I guess in one sense, when a person "binds" Satan in prayer...if they are casting out a demon...maybe there is some legitimacy to binding Satan in that sense. Freeing an unbeliever from demon possession. 1. Know that a believer cannot be possessed by a demon because God's Holy Spirit in-dwells the believer "...He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." 1 Jn 4:4 2. God is not going to share His temple...your body...with demons. "...what accord has Christ with Belial? [Satan]...For you are the temple of the living God." 2 Cor 6:16 iii. BUT, too often, when a person is binding Satan in prayer they are attempting to bind demon oppression, and I don't see that as biblical. 1. Remember Jesus said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail..." Lk 22:31-32. If anyone could have bound Satan from oppressing a believer, Jesus could have, but He didn't. 2. When Jesus Himself was tempted for forty days by Satan in the wilderness, Luke 4, Jesus didn't bind Satan...He quoted scripture "It has been written..." 3. Peter acknowledges Satanic oppression "...your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, [not bind him...remain in faith and resist him] knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." 1 Pet 5:8-9 4. Paul wrote, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil." Eph 6:11 "...taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." Eph 6:16. [Not bind him...take the shield of faith]. 5. And, very clearly in Rev 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Not binding, but victorious because of Jesus' sacrifice, the believers testimony of faith in Christ even unto death. 6. If the binding prayer was effective...why does Satan keep getting out? Reality is...we may experience some demon oppression, but we are to remain steadfast in faith, we are to resist him, and keep our eyes on Jesus. b. Stage Two of Satan's binding was the death and resurrection of Christ. Satan pulled out all the stops to end Jesus...and Jesus indeed died, but conquered sin and death. Why next week we will say, "He is risen!" He is risen indeed!" i. 1 Cor 15:55 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" There is NO Sting of death for the believer. c. Stage Three of Satan's binding is seen during the Millennial Reign of Christ in Rev 20:1-3 "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit [abussŏs- holding place for demons...not hell] and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while." [Because God has a purpose for Satan's release...] i. Rev 20:7-9 "Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them." ii. So, even in the perfect governmental system...with Jesus ruling and reigning on earth during His millennial reign...perfect justice...peace on earth...even in that system, there will be people who align themselves with Satan and come against God and His people. A strong proof for the depravity of man and that God is just in the final judgement...the Lake of Fire. d. In Stage Four...Satan's binding is final and permanent...God is done with Satan. Rev 20:10 "The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." e. So, ultimately Satan is bound, but in God's timing and by Jesus...and some unnamed Angel. Presently, God has granted Satan authority, he does not seem to be bound today, but Satan's end is coming. i. Rev 12:12 declares "Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time." Jesus will bind the strong man, and plunder his house. 3. Jesus concludes his comments to the Pharisees with a stern warning... Matt 12:30 "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad." 1. The Pharisees were speaking blasphemies against Jesus...accusing Him to be operating by the power of Satan. Ironically, they were coming against Messiah...coming against the work of God, and in effect they were acting as agents of Satan. 2. By this saying, "He who is not with Me is against Me..." Jesus is telling the Pharisees that there is no neutrality with Jesus. You are either for Him or against Him. a. This application applies to all people of all ages...you are either saved or condemned. In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." b. There is no neutrality. You can't be kind of for Jesus. Or, accept just part of His teaching. It's all or nothing. 3. "...he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad." Numerous times in Jesus' ministry, He uses phrases referring to the harvest... a. "...look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" Jn 4:35. b. "He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn..." Mt 3:12 c. Jesus uses these analogies because He is the Master Teacher...this imagery made sense to His audience because it was an agrarian society. d. One can choose to be with Jesus, gathering grain, or working against Jesus and His ministry...scattering grain. i. The NLT renders this verse "Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me. ii. There is no neutrality. 4. Jesus continues to address the Pharisees blasphemous statements, addressing "The Unpardonable Sin." Matt 12:31-32 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come." 1. "The Unpardonable Sin" and "The Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" has confused Christians probably since Jesus spoke these words. 2. Some scholars explain that the Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was only possible when Jesus was physically present on earth and it was attributing His power to Satan, not to the Holy Spirit...thus impossible to replicate today because He is not physically present. i. I personally find that explanation confusing in context of scripture as a whole, and find it limiting to Jesus' present power to perform miracles. ii. But, if you like that explanation, at least segregate the terms "Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" and "Unpardonable Sin" where the Unpardonable Sin is a lifelong rejection of Jesus Christ...truly the only sin that cannot be forgiven. 3. I find the greatest clarity of understanding the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit by looking at the context. Context is king. Understanding scripture properly involves observation of the verse, the verses surrounding that verse (the segment), the chapter, the book, and the Bible as a whole. There is a consistent message...His message...history is HIS-story. a. A simple explanation of the Bible is it is the history of redemption. Man and God were in a relationship, man messed in up, and the rest of the Bible is how God is going to fix it...and He does it by faith in His Son Jesus Christ. If you have faith in Jesus, your relationship is restored and you go to heaven for all eternity...if you reject the Son, you stand condemned for all eternity. "He who is not with Me is against Me..." b. The context of these verses looks back at the previous verses... V31... "Therefore" looks back. And, the context is the Pharisees are opposing Jesus, but more specifically, V23...the people are wondering if Jesus is the 'Son of David'/ Messiah, and just as faith is potentially budding...the Pharisees speak against Jesus...claiming His power is from Satan...which is blasphemy (speaking offensively against God). i. Jesus corrects their error. What Jesus is saying in V31 is "every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven" except one. And, it's natural to think, "Well, what's the one?" ii. But, don't miss the amazing thing Jesus said...every sin, except for one, will be forgiven...isn't that amazing? 1. David was a murderer, adulterer, liar, thief...the list could go on...forgiven...called "a man after [God's] own heart" (Acts 13:22) ...none of His sins were unpardonable. 2. The Seven Deadly Sins (pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth)...Surely they are unpardonable...right? a. Nope. All pardonable. Interesting side note...the Seven Deadly Sins are not an official list from the Bible...moreso allusions from the Bible...in the 6th century the list was officially adopted by Catholic Pope Gregory the Great. The Seven Deadly Sins are also called "Cardinal Sins" or "Capital Sins" thought that if left unchecked, they will result in a other sins and destroy the soul. 3. But if you want a true Biblical list of what sins God hates, we read this in Pro 6:16-19 "These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren." a. These sins are an abomination to God, but still forgivable. For the believer...nothing can "...separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus..." Rom 8:39. For the unbeliever, there is one sin that can separate them from God... c. The Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. To understand this sin, you must understand the role of the Holy Spirit. Before salvation, He is with all people regenerating them...drawing that spiritually dead person to become spiritually alive. The Holy Spirit points the spiritually dead person to faith in Jesus...to be 'born again' spiritually. i. In V32, Jesus said, "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him..." A person can foolishly blaspheme Jesus' name and later repent, and God will forgive that person. But, to blaspheme the Holy Spirit is a lifelong, continuous rejection of the Holy Spirit's work...pointing to Christ as Savior...and rejecting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the only sin that is unforgivable "...either in this age or in the age to come." ii. This is the consistent message of the Bible. Faith in Messiah/Jesus Christ saves. Rejection of Jesus Christ condemns. It's that simple. Matt 12:33-34 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." 1. V33 Make the tree and it's fruit good, or make it bad...Jesus is telling the Pharisees to make up their mind. Be for Him or against Him...choose light or darkness...stop being inconsistent...hypocritical. a. In Rev 3, to the Laodicean church, Jesus said, "...because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." b. You can't have a foot in the world and a foot in Christ. It's not fair to Jesus, and you will be miserable. You won't enjoy sin, and you will be a terrible witness for Jesus. Just choose a side. 2. In V34, Jesus condemns the Pharisees as a "Brood of vipers" (essentially "Sons of Satan") because they were speaking evil against Him. They look good on the outside with their religious pomp, but inside they are evil. In Matt 23, Jesus pronounces a 'Woe' upon them for being like "whitewashed tombs...beautiful outwardly, but inside...full of dead men's bones...outwardly appear[ing] righteous to men, but inside...full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." a. How could they speak good? How could they be guides to the Nation of Israel about God with evil in their hearts? They couldn't! Because out of the abundance [the overflow] of their wicked hearts...their mouths spoke...their mouths reflected what was in their hearts. 3. This is a reminder for us to be mindful of our tongues. How many times have you had a feeling of conviction after saying something, and you just want to grab those words out of the air...rewind time... James says, "...the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity." James 3:6 a. "...be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." and let what comes out of your mouth reflect your changed heart. 4. Jesus continues... Matt 12:35 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things." 1. In V23...as soon as the multitudes began to recognize Jesus as Messiah/ the Son of David...they spoke against Jesus and the Holy Spirit. a. They were evil men with evil treasures... they reveal what is in their heart...jealousy, rage, murder...evil. 2. And, the reality is that we were all evil before Christ. This is why Jesus came and died for us... a. In Col 1:21-22, Paul wrote, "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight..." b. Prior to Christ, the only thing we had to offer was evil treasures. Even if you were a kind person...what eternal truth did you have to offer? What was your advice to people for how they would be reconciled to God and spend eternity in heaven? "Be a good person,... be kind to your neighbor, and ...don't forget to brush your teeth before you go to bed!" I mean...really...what eternal wisdom did we have to offer? c. We were alienated and enemies in our minds by wicked works, but Jesus reconciled us to the Father through His death...our faith in Him is transforming our minds and our hearts... 3. In an additional warning to the Pharisees, Jesus states... Matt 12:36-37 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." 1. The day of judgment for unbelievers is the Great White Throne judgment, where their works...and all their words will be tried before God. They will be found guilty. Their names will not be in the Lambs Book of Life, and they will be cast into the Lake of Fire...eternal hell for all eternity. 2. The day of judgment for believers is the Bema Seat Judgment, where their works...and all their words will be tried before God. Any work determined to have the wrong motive of self glorification...or careless words un-confessed will be unforgiven...salvation will not be at jeopardy...the believer will still be saved, but they may suffer loss of rewards. a. We all give an account of our words. It's a sobering thought. 3. V37, from an eternal perspective...words of faith in Jesus as Savior justify...words rejecting Jesus as Savior condemn. a. The Pharisees spoke evil against Jesus...they did not repent...and they were condemned. b. If you don't know Jesus, you don't need to make this same mistake. Rom 10:9-10 states, "...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." i. This is an outward expression of inward trust. If you truly believe in your heart that Jesus is God, you cannot help but confess Him verbally. ii. If you have never confessed Jesus, today can be your day of salvation. We'd love to pray with you and get you a bible to begin your journey of good fruit...good treasure. Worship Team Come. Let's Pray! Next week we will celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. Easter Sunday. Invite a friend! It's also the 1st Sunday of the month, so we will take Communion remembering our Lord's sacrifice on the Cross...which is remembered this Friday...Good Friday. Perfect timing! And, we will continue reading straight through Matt 12, as the next topic pertains to the Resurrection...the sign of the Prophet Jonah...read ahead. God's lining everything up! "The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." ' Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:40 AM June 8, 2021.