Bible Study - Hard (1) - GOD Won't Forgive this SIn - Matthew 12 vs 22-32 - April 14, 2019

Bible Study – Hard (1) – GOD Won’t Forgive this Sin – April 14, 2019

This is lesson one (1) in our series entitled “HE Said What? Hard Sayings of JESUS.”

Our focus scripture is Matthew 12:22-32.

GOD does not forgive those who reject JESUS and never seek HIS forgiveness.

We begin a new series of study “JESUS said what?” We have seven (7) lessons in this series of study. Our first lesson is on the unpardonable sin, followed by:

“You’ll Never Die,” “Sell Everything You Own,” “Love Your Enemies,” “Let the Dead Bury Their Dead.” “Hate Your Family,” and “Exploit Your Friends.” Before you take these titles literally, we need to explore what JESUS was teaching.

Many people fear that they have committed the unpardonable sin. What is the sin that GOD will not forgive or referred to as the unpardonable sin? Some say it is suicide. Others say blasphemy against GOD or the Holy Spirit. What do you say?

The good news is, if you are worried or fear that you have committed this sin, guess what? You haven’t!

So, what is the unpardonable sin? It is rejecting JESUS over and over and the Holy Spirit so much that you have hardened your heart or your innermost being that you can no longer sense or know the call of GOD to accept JESUS as your Savior.

We know of friends that told us that when they die, they were going to hell. We exclaimed, WHAT!!! All the talking we could do would not change their minds. Whatever it was, they believed GOD would not forgive them. One of these friends has since died.

We must keep in mind that GOD made us with a freewill. Every person has the freedom to choose and every person must choose to either accept or reject JESUS as his or her Savior.

Let’s explore!

In Matthew 12:1-8, we read that Pharisees were birddogging JESUS. They were critical of JESUS and HIS disciples for harvesting grain on the Sabbath - 1 At that time Jesus passed through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick and eat some heads of grain. (Which was legal)

2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, "Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!" (Why did the Pharisees get so upset? Picking the heads of grain was considered harvesting and then they ate the grain without ceremonial washing of their hands.)

Matthew 12:9-14 JESUS healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. Again, they criticized JESUS for healing the man on the Sabbath because that was considered work. JESUS knew these religious leaders were not seeking truth but were trying to discredit HIM and what he was doing in an effort to reveal truth to them. It was truth that only the promised Messiah could perform such miracles. JESUS was attempting to connect the dots for these religious leaders.

Many of us who sought JESUS often refused to acknowledge everyday miracles all around us and connect them with the hand of GOD at work around us. Satan blinds us to truth. JESUS demonstrated HIS power but those who witness miracles have a choice to make – was it a true miracle, a trick or it was going to happen anyway? The attitude of our heart often dictates how we interpret what is going on around us.

It is like the account I heard. A pastor was asked, “How was your church service today?” The Pastor replied, “We had one young boy to come forward and accept JESUS and join the church. I think his name was Billy and his last name was Graham.” We never know what GOD has instore for those who accept the call of GOD.

JESUS’ desire was for the religious leaders in Israel to compare what HE was doing among them with the attributes of the promised Messiah as recorded in the scriptures. After all, the religious leaders are the ones who should be looking for the coming of the promised Messiah. Are the Spiritual leaders today looking for the second coming of JESUS? Are we who are Christians looking for HIS return? Are we working to present JESUS to those who are without JESUS or have stopped serving HIM? JESUS’ teaching continued -----

Let’s read Matthew 12:22-23:

A House Divided

22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak was brought to Him. He healed him, so that the man could both speak and see.

23 And all the crowds were astounded and said, "Perhaps this is the Son of David!"

The miracles JESUS performed revealed HIM as the true Son of GOD, the promised Messiah. Here was a man who was blind and could not speak. Was this a setup? Who brought this man to JESUS? Were they believers or those testing JESUS? Likely, those witnessing this event had seen this blind and dumb (meaning he could not speak) man begging for alms around or near the temple.

JESUS cast out the demon and the blind and dumb man could see and speak. The crowds were astounded and made a connection “"Perhaps this is the Son of David!"

Yes, JESUS performed miracles but did the crowds see HIM as the deliverer from that which they could never deliver themselves from, sin and its consequence or they see HIM as a political deliver? How do we see JESUS? A good man who lived upon earth, a lunatic or the true SON OF GOD?

To see HIM as the true SON OF GOD requires a step of faith. You will never figure it out through deductive reasoning. How do I know that? I tried and never could. I had to take a step of faith. “LORD here I am as I am, take my life like it is and give me the strength to live the Christian life.” Faster than the blink of my eye my life changed from seeking to knowing that JESUS was my Savior. I had to exhaust all of my efforts to yield to what JESUS had already done for me.

JESUS still works within each of us to reveal Himself and woo us to accept HIM as our LORD with the goal of us making HIM the LORD of our lives.

Let’s read Matthew 12:24-29:

24 When the Pharisees heard this, they said, "The man drives out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons."

What caused the Pharisees to react? Verse 23 - "Perhaps this is the Son of David!" The crowd was making a connection and the Pharisees could not let that happen. So, what did the Pharisees do to change the conversation? Who in the world is “Beelzebub?”

Our scripture reveals that he is the ruler of demons. Beelzebul or Baalzebub is a Jewish term meaning “lord of the flies,” “god of the dung,” or a cryptic way referring to Satan. The Pharisees were afraid to call JESUS, Satan because they were afraid Satan would come into their midst. The Pharisees were discrediting JESUS by referring to HIM as Beelzebul. HE was working for Satan. WOW! DO we see this same sort of thing taking place in the political arena today?

JESUS knew what they were up to and again attempted to get them to see the error of their thinking as we read on ------

25 Knowing their thoughts, He told them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.

26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, who is it your sons drive them out by? For this reason, they will be your judges.

28 If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

29 How can someone enter a strong man's house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.

JESUS taught a lesson in logic. In essence JESUS said,” Come on, you religious leaders think about what you are saying. Does it make sense that Satan or Beelzebub would cast out demons from a person they already possess? They would be working against themselves. Even your sons cast out demons. Are you accusing your sons who cast out demons of being in league with Satan or Beelzebub?”

Yes, the Jews did cast our demons. We read in Acts 19:13-19 about such an incident:

13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”

14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.

15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?”

16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.

18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done.

19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.

Matthew 12:43-45 (JESUS was teaching)

43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.

44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.

45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

If you believe that you have encountered an evil spirit or demon, as a Christian, claim the blood of JESUS and rebuke the evil spirit or demon in the name of JESUS. If you encounter a person you believe is possessed or oppressed by a demon or evil spirit be careful to make certain that you have fellow Christians praying for you, your team and the possessed person. Make certain you have prayer warriors to be in prayer while you are ministering to the possessed or oppressed person. Take GOD’S Word with you, read scripture, claim the scripture and leave the Bible open as led by the Holy Spirit.

Yes, Christians live in a world where there are demons, evil spirits, rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

So, what are Christians to do? Suit up for battle! Let’s read Ephesians 6:11-20:

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Christians are not to fear the spirit world but to know about it and stand firm against it. JESUS defeated it and you, as a Christian, have the power to stand firm against all evil.

Let’s read Matthew 12:30-32:

30 Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters.

31 Because of this, I tell you, people will be forgiven every sin and blasphemy, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

32 Whoever 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 one to come.

Unity is vital. Christians must be in unity with JESUS meaning that we have no unconfessed sin. We are to put on the full armor of GOD and leave no part of the armor open for the arrows of Satan to penetrate. Folks, we are in a vicious battle. It is real and time is short. Fight!

Unity is the battle cry, as we march forward. Yes, the arrows of Satan will fall but our armor protects us. Stand firm because JESUS has already won the battle and will win the war for the souls of mankind. The days are evil. Just look around and see all that Satan and his army are doing to discourage Christians and those seeking the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

It is the Holy Spirit Who calls every person to repent, stop working against GOD and accept JESUS as his or her Savior. When we constantly reject that wooing or calling, we harden our hearts. When we no longer sense that call, we may be on the verge of blasphemy. Confess your true feelings about GOD and JESUS. If you just cannot wrap your mind around your need for salvation, tell GOD and ask HIM to reveal truth to you. Look with anticipation to what HE will do in your lives. GOD’S desire is for NO PERSON to go to Hell. HE has a plan for all people to follow. We all come by the way of the cross upon which JESUS gave HIS life for all who accept HIM to have eternal life through the miracle of rebirth e.g. exchanging our earthly dna for Spiritual DNA. What is the difference? Earthly dna equals eternal death whereas Spiritual DNA leads to eternal life through faith in JESUS and the miracle of Spiritual rebirth.

The way to avoid Hell is to accept JESUS as your Savior. Now, is the time to make that decision. When you do, tell a Christian friend and ask GOD to lead you to the church or Bible Study where you can be fed Spiritual food to grow Spiritually. Some may say, “Do you think there is a Hell?” JESUS said there is a Hell and HE does not lie. Believe it. JESUS also says there is Heaven and that is where all who place their faith in HIM will live until HE returns to earth.

Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:

The Comfort of Christ's Coming

13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep (dead), so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.

15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord's coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep (died).

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel's voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so, we will always be with the Lord.

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

You do not want to miss this and you will not if you have asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and asked HIM to come into your heart. Blessings!!!