You may have noticed that David's voice was nearly giving in this morning.
! My own's not much better, so that's why there's three of us in the pulpit this evening.
If I fail, David will take over. If he fails, we can call on Roddy John.
But we are going to share out the load this evening, so I'll be doing the first part, just introducing the singings,
and then David will take over when it comes to the reading and the sermon part.
So we just pray for David as he leads us this evening, as his voice will hold out, and also as we go into the fellowship too.
So we're going to begin our worship, and I just want to think of the words of, we're not going to sing these words,
but the words of Psalm 126. We're going to sing in Psalm 100, but the words of 126 remind us that as we come this evening,
we come just thankful to the Lord's goodness to us. The psalmist says,
When Sion's bondage God turned back, as men that dreamed were we, then filled with laughter was our mouth, our tongue with melody.
As we reflect on this weekend, as we reflect on new members coming in, as we reflect on being under God's word,
we thank God who is the one who is able to turn his people back to himself, to bring his people home, as it were.
And we pray that this evening, as the word of God goes out, the call to come will be heard,
and that there will be much rejoicing in our midst again this evening.
And so we're going to begin by singing in Psalm 100, the Scottish Psalter, the first version.
You find it on page 362.
We'll sing the whole of this psalm, Psalm 100, the first version.
Again, the psalm just reflects the theme of coming to the Lord with praise.
All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice,
and say with mouth his praise forth tell,
Come ye before him and rejoice.
We'll stand to sing the whole of this psalm to God's praise.
Amen.
All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice,
and say with mouth his praise forth tell,
Come ye before him and rejoice.
Show that the Lord is God indeed.
With the giant he in the spring,
We are his hope he doth us see,
And for his sheep he doth us take.
O enter then his gates with praise,
Approach with joy his course and doom,
Praise God and bless his name always,
All of his mercy be upon him and glory his name always,
For why the Lord our God is good,
His mercy is forever sure,
And shall promise to his mercy endure.
Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer.
Let us pray.
Lord our gracious God, as we gather in your name this evening, we thank you for these words of praise that we have sung,
That we are reminded of how we enter into your presence,
How we come before you in all our different needs and in all our different circumstances,
Yet able to come,
Because you have prepared a way for us,
That you are the one who has invited us into your very presence,
Indeed who calls us to come.
And we pray that we would have the joy of this psalm even in our hearts this evening,
That we would be able to sing to the Lord with that cheerful voice,
The one who has heard us,
The one who knows us,
That we would come to know that you are the Lord indeed,
That you are God over all,
That without you, Lord, we are nothing,
That you are the one who has made us,
Created us,
Formed us,
The one who has kept us,
The one who has prepared a way for us,
In all your providence towards us as a people, Lord.
So often there are times of joy, but also times of sorrow,
And yet, O Lord, we can look to you as the one who has plans and purposes in them all.
And so we do come leaning upon you.
We come in our own weaknesses, our own frailties.
And yet, Lord, we thank you that the joy of the Lord is our strength.
And we pray to know you with us this evening.
We thank you for every way that you have reminded us that you are God in these days.
That as we have come into this communion season,
We have come praying to know your blessing.
And we thank you that as we come to the close of this season,
That we can look back in these days and truly rejoice and give thanks that you are one who has answered prayer.
That you have given us so many reasons to rejoice.
You have given it in individual situations and homes and families.
You have given it to us as a congregation.
You have given it to us even as a community, a wider community even than our own town here.
For we thank you that in every way, Lord, that we have been encouraged.
That we have been built up and even challenged and convicted by your word.
For your word is truth and your word is powerful.
And, oh Lord, in every way that we have been reminded of that.
From the outset of our services, Lord, even to this evening hour,
We thank you for your word that shall always endure.
That your truth is what stands firm and endures from age to age.
And we thank you that that truth is what we so need this evening.
What we all need is a people.
And we pray that through the ministry of your word and by your power of your spirit,
That you would meet us in all our needs.
We thank you for all who are here this evening.
We thank you for every home and family represented here.
We pray that we would just know your peace, your presence over us again here tonight.
That we would know what it is to be still.
And to know that you are indeed God.
And we just ask that, Lord, for all of us here, from the youngest to the oldest together.
That your voice which we have heard and which we continue to hear would resonate in our hearts.
That it would be a word that leaves us, doesn't leave us unchanged as we go from here this evening.
For we thank you that as we gather in this place tonight, when we know a place of peace,
When we know the stillness of your word ministering to us.
We know that power.
But we know too, as we look to our week ahead, that there will be the many challenges that come our way.
That as we go home this evening, as we go into the week ahead, with all that it might entail to us.
Many of the plans that we have made, Lord, they may come to fruition.
We may go about our daily ways, whether it's school or work or whatever we are doing.
We can do all these things, Lord, thinking that we have plans in place and we know what is ahead of us.
But we know too, Lord, that there are so often reminders that circumstances change.
That things change in our lives or the lives around us, in our communities, even in our nation and the world.
There are so many things that come that we do not see.
And we, at times, Lord, we do not even understand.
And we know that for individuals in this week ahead, there will be maybe many challenges that we have to face up to.
News that will come as a shock to us, whether it's personal or something around us.
And we know that things can leave us, Lord, in that state of looking to try to understand and many questions being asked.
And we just pray for your wisdom and for your help, for your grace to be with us.
We think that even looking back over this last week, as we have prayed so often over these days for the family in Braga.
We continue to remember them this evening, Lord, and especially in these days ahead with the funeral to take place on Tuesday.
We see a community, O Lord, that has been so impacted by that tragedy.
But we especially remember the family, Lord, and we just commit them to you.
That they would know, Lord, that you are near.
That they would know that, as a people, there are many praying for them.
And that they would know the power of your grace and your help towards them.
And we just pray, Lord, that as we see so much happening in our world, that may it leave us with questions.
That we would come to the one who has the answers for us.
Even the ones that are difficult to understand and believe at times.
Even the words that we read so often in Scripture, that all things work together for good.
For those who believe.
We can see, Lord, how difficult these words are at times.
And yet they remind us that you are a Lord and God who is able to bring good out of all things.
And so we do pray, Lord, for your goodness and mercy to be with us.
We pray, Lord, for us all together this evening.
Thankful for the ministry we've enjoyed over this weekend.
Thankful for David and Roddy John who have been with us.
Thankful for their preaching to us.
And for the fellowship we've enjoyed.
And for all that we've heard.
We pray, Lord, that these words that have ministered powerfully to us.
Would be ministering to us even in the days, weeks, months and even years ahead.
That we'd be able to reflect on what we have heard.
And to remember the words that spoke to us.
It may be that in many years time we are able to testify that God was good to us.
Even in these days.
And so we pray, Lord, that you will open hearts.
And ears this evening to hear what you have to say to us.
Bless us together and bless the ministry of your word far and wide.
Even as we think of our town just now as this communion weekend.
We pray for all the congregations of your people gathered together.
And we pray for the communions to come as well in different parts of our island.
That we would see and hear great and wondrous things that the Lord is doing.
And that we would rejoice and say this is the doing of the Lord and wondrous in our eyes.
So may, Lord, you fill us with that hope that you are to your people.
That you would fill us with that prayerful spirit.
To know you leading us as our Lord, as our shepherd.
Hear our prayers. Continue with us.
Pardoning all our sin is all we ask.
We ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
We'll sing again to God's praise.
This time we're singing in Psalm 103.
And let's sing Psalm's version.
Psalm 103.
We're going to sing from verse 1 down to verse 11.
Praise God, my soul, with all my heart.
Let me exalt his holy name.
Forget not all his benefits.
His praise, my soul, in song proclaim.
The Lord forgives you all your sins and heals your sickness and distress.
Your life he rescues from the grave and crowns you in his tenderness.
We'll sing from verse 1 to 11.
And then at that point, David will lead us in the rest of the service.
Jesus says.
He satisfies you all your sins and heals your sickness and distress.
Your life he rescues from the grave and crowns you in his tenderness.
Unkind to end his tenderness.
He satisfies your deep desires.
From his unending stores all good.
So not just like the eagle's strength.
Your youthful name of his renewed.
The Lord is known for righteousness.
And justice to them, God and once.
Till Moses he may know his ways.
His mighty deeds to Israel's sons.
The Lord is merciful and kind.
To anger slow and full of praise.
He will not constantly reprove.
All in his anger hide his grace.
He does not punish our misdeeds.
For give our sins.
For give our sins their just reward.
Our greatest love must hide at heaven.
To watch all those who fear the Lord.
If I could ask you now please to turn in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 12.
Page 983 of the Bible that I have here.
Matthew chapter 12.
And we will read this section from verse 22 to verse 32.
Verse 32.
Then a demon oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus.
And he healed him so that the man spoke and saw.
And all the people were amazed and said,
Can this be the son of David?
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said,
It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.
Knowing their thoughts, he said to them,
Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste.
And no city or house divided against itself will stand.
And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself.
How then will his kingdom stand?
And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out?
Therefore they will be your judges.
But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons,
Then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods?
Unless he first binds the strong man, then indeed he may plunder his house.
Whoever is not with me is against me.
And whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people.
But the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven.
But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
Either in this age or in the age to come.
Amen.
And may God bless that reading of his word to us.
We'll sing again now from the Scottish altar,
The traditional version of Psalm 119 on page number 407.
Psalm 119.
And we will sing from verses 89 down to the end of verse 94.
Psalm 139.
when, as my troubles did abound,
thy precepts I will ne'er forget,
thy quickening to me brought.
Lord, I am thine, O save thou me,
thy precepts I have sought.
These verses we stand to sing to God's praise.
The Lord, I am thine, O save thou me,
thy best, and as my mortgings,
on all thy servants be.
Unless in thy most perfect law
my soul delights have found,
I should have perished yet
when, as my troubles did abound,
thy precepts I will ne'er forget,
they quickening to me brought.
Lord, I am thine, O save thou me,
thy precepts I have sought.
If you could turn back with me, please,
to Matthew chapter 12.
And as we go there, let's again
unite our hearts in prayer.
Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word.
We thank you that your word is truth.
Your word is reliable.
Your word is enduring.
We thank you that your word is life-giving.
We thank you that eternal life is found only
in turning to your word
and looking to the Lord Jesus.
We thank you that that eternal life is promised
to all who will come
in response to the call of Christ,
to all who will call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.
We thank you that you are the Savior.
We thank you for all that we have remembered today
that he did on our behalf
to make it possible for us to be saved.
We praise you for the fact, Lord Jesus,
that the work of salvation is done.
It is finished.
And we pray that you would enable us to see that,
each one of us,
and enable us to come
with empty hands,
with humble hearts,
asking for the grace
that we can never work to earn,
but you have promised
that you will freely give to all who ask.
So be at work, Lord, amongst us, we pray.
We pray especially for anyone here
who does not yet know Jesus
in that personal, saving way.
We pray for any who may be here
who have heard the message of the gospel many times,
who have heard time after time
the call of Jesus to come,
and who have hesitated,
and who have reflected,
and who have made up excuses,
and who have sometimes been so busy
and distracted
that they have said,
well, maybe another day,
maybe another week.
You have promised, Lord,
that you will not always strive with us.
The Spirit will not always strive with man.
And we see that even in the passage
that's before us this evening.
We pray that you would strive, Holy Spirit,
with each one of us here,
and that tonight,
there may be some
who even for the first time
respond by
asking Christ to be their Savior
and their Lord.
So help us, Lord, we pray,
in preaching,
in listening,
in responding,
that you would speak
into our lives,
and that you would give us the faith
to respond in a way
that brings salvation,
rest, peace,
to our souls,
and glory to your name.
Hear our prayers.
Continue with us,
we ask in Jesus' name.
Amen.
It's good to see quite a number
of young people
here this evening,
and I'm conscious
with the young people
that this is the time of year
where exams loom large.
I've got teenage girls
in my house back in Harris,
and they've just finished
their prelims,
and now there's the prospect
of other exams coming,
and so there's studying
that's done,
and there is preparations
that are made
because there are questions
that are set,
and students,
in each of the subjects
that they study,
they have to think carefully
about how they answer
these questions that are set
because the way they answer
the questions
determines how they will be judged
by examiners,
and sometimes it can even
determine the direction
that life takes.
So questions are important,
and how we answer questions
are important.
And with Matthew chapter 12 open,
I want to zoom in
on a question
that is at the heart
of this chapter,
a question that all the people
were asking about Jesus.
and it's a question
that was being asked
all these years ago,
and yet this is a question
that not just them,
but every one of us
will have to answer.
And the way that we answer
this question
will impact
not just how we live
in this world,
although it will impact
how we live in this world,
but how we answer
this question
will have an impact
that will determine
where we spend
eternity,
whether it's heaven
or hell,
with Jesus
or apart from him.
The question is found
in verse 23.
We hear
the people asking,
can this,
as they look at Jesus,
say, listen to what he's saying,
as they see these signs
and miracles,
they ask the question,
can this be
the son of David?
Or if we were to put it
into modern day language,
they're asking the question,
who is Jesus?
Can this be the saviour?
Can this be
the son of God?
Three points in the time
that we have
this evening.
The first point
is
the blind man.
We're introduced here
to a blind man.
And we learn
in this passage
that the blind man
sees Jesus.
It's the first point.
The blind man
sees Jesus.
The second thing,
the second point
that we come to
is
we once more
encounter
these religious leaders
in this passage
and we can observe
that the seeing men
or the so-called
seeing men,
they're blind to Jesus.
So the blind man
sees Jesus,
but the so-called
theologically educated
seeing men,
they're blind to Jesus.
They can't see Jesus.
And the final point
that we come to
is
it's not the most concise
heading I've got here,
but it's
dealing with the teaching
that Jesus
expounds here
and it's to
say that
blasphemy against
the Holy Spirit
is to refuse
to believe
in Jesus.
So that's the structure.
That's where we're going
in the time
that we have.
So we begin
with this
blind man
who sees Jesus.
Look at verse 22.
Then a demon
oppressed man
who was blind
and mute
was brought to Jesus
and Jesus
healed him
so that the man
spoke
and saw.
So what Matthew
does here
is he shares
with us
a very short
testimony.
He tells us
about a man
who was both
blind
and mute.
He couldn't see
and he couldn't speak.
But Matthew
tells us
not just about
the symptoms
the struggles
that this man
had.
He tells us
also the reason
behind the struggles.
He tells us
in verse 22
that he was
demon oppressed.
That's what was
going on
in this man's
life.
He was under attack.
One of Satan's
agents
had this man
under a
dark oppression
and so he's
suffering.
Who is the man?
Well we don't
know much about
the man.
We're not told
his name.
We're not told
anything much
about him.
But maybe that's
a purposeful
thing.
because as we
look in at
this man
spiritually
speaking
we're looking
into the mirror
and we're
seeing a
reflection
of ourselves.
Spiritually
speaking
we are
this man.
Psalm 51
verse 6
we sang
from Psalm 51
this morning
and that
psalm makes
it clear to
us that
we are
each one
of us
born with
a condition
called
sin.
And sin
makes us
blind.
We can't
see God.
We can't
see our
need of
God.
That's what
sin does.
We can see
everything else.
Our eyes
are distracted
and drawn to
lots of
shiny things
in this
world.
Our eyes
focus in
on ourselves
but sin
is like
scales
that
cluster
around
our eyes
and we
can't
see God
and our
need of
him.
And sin
makes us
mute.
It's sin
that causes
us not
to want to
speak to
God.
It's sin
that causes
us to
be speaking
to everybody
else
whether
it's in
conversation
or these
days it's
in message
form
and yet
never
praying,
never
speaking to
God.
So spiritually
speaking,
as we look
in on this
man, we
are with
this man.
So what
happened
next?
Well, what we
see here is
that this man
was brought
to Jesus
and Jesus
healed him.
We're not
given the
details.
We're not
given much
in terms of
the details
of how that
healing happened.
We're just
told that
Jesus healed
this man.
man.
And the
good news
is that
what Jesus
did for
this man
in the
passage,
he can
do for
us by
his power
and by
his grace.
You
know the
hymn that
is often
sung,
Amazing
Grace,
how sweet
the sound
that saved
a wretch
like me.
I once
was lost
but now
I'm found,
was blind
but now
I see
the testimony
in song
form of
this man.
Jesus
made this
blind man
see and
Jesus can
still make
spiritually blind
people see.
Jesus can
still take
us from
that state
of
darkness
into light.
He can
take us
from
death
into life.
So come
to him
says Matthew
repeatedly.
We've been
in this
all weekend.
There's that
recurring
call,
the gospel
call.
It's
come to
Jesus.
It's
great that
you're
coming to
church
but it's
possible to
come to
church and
never come
to Jesus.
It's
possible to
come to
Sunday
school,
Sunday
after Sunday
and come
to YF
and go to
fellowships
and never
come to
Jesus.
So come to
him,
says Matthew.
Jesus can
take our
sin away.
He can
break the
hold that
Satan has
in us.
He can
make our
hearts
well.
He can
heal our
hearts.
So come
to him,
says Matthew,
as he
tells us
about this
account here
because notice
that's what
happened here.
In verse
22,
we can
see that
the demon
oppressed
man,
he was
brought to
Jesus.
He
himself
couldn't
see Jesus.
And he
couldn't
see his
need of
Jesus,
but he
had friends
who could
see that
he needed
Jesus.
And this
man, he
couldn't
speak to
Jesus,
but his
friends could
speak to
Jesus on
his behalf.
And so
they brought
him.
I don't
know how
he felt.
Maybe he
was reluctant.
Maybe there's
people here
tonight.
You've been
brought to
church.
You
wouldn't have
chosen to
come,
maybe.
You'd
maybe be
rather
watching the
football.
But you've
been brought
to church
by parents
who know
that you
need
Jesus.
And you
know,
that's our
calling,
not just as
parents,
but if we
are Christians,
we are to
bring people
to Jesus.
We're to
tell people
about Jesus,
but then
before we
speak to
people about
Jesus,
we first
have to
speak to
Jesus about
them.
We have
to pray
for them.
We have
to tell
Jesus about
the friends
that we
love,
that we
have concern
for,
and ask
him
to heal
their hearts,
to open
their eyes,
to unblock
their ears,
to loosen
their tongues
that they
would come
to Jesus.
So,
just before
we move
on,
maybe I
could just
pause to
ask those
who are
Christians
here tonight,
a very
practical
question.
Who are
you praying
for?
I want you
to think
about that
for a
moment.
And in
your minds,
in your
hearts,
in the
silence,
bring the
names.
What
friends,
what family
members,
what
colleagues
are you
praying for?
hear the
names,
as you
think
through in
your minds.
We should
all be
praying for
two or
three or
four or
five or
ten people.
Who are
you burdened
for?
Who do
you want
to bring
to Jesus?
Jesus,
let's
ensure
that we
are
specific,
that we
are personal,
that we
are praying
day by
day for
these people
and asking
the Lord
to give
us
opportunities
to tell
them
about
Jesus.
The
blind
man
sees
Jesus,
that's
the first
point.
The
second
point is
the
seeing
men or
the so
called
seeing
men.
They're
blind to
Jesus.
We saw
something of
this on
Friday night.
We see
it again
in verse
23 and
following.
We see
first of
all in
verse 23
we overhear
all the
people.
All the
people were
amazed.
They've
just witnessed
!
This
healing!
And the
people are
amazed and
they said,
can this
be the
son of
David?
So the
people were
the crowds.
The
people were
the ordinary
people.
They're just
like us.
They knew a
bit of the
Bible,
but the
people,
the crowds,
they didn't
have a
theological
education.
And yet
they know
enough of
the Old
Testament to
be starting
to get
excited about
Jesus.
And so
they say,
can this
be the
son of
David?
The
son of
David was
a title
that was
reserved for
the Messiah.
So they're
asking,
could this
Jesus be
the Messiah?
Could he be
the promised
one of
God?
Could he
be the
Savior?
Could he
be the one
that we've
been pointed
forward to,
that we're
looking for?
Could this
be the
Savior?
Isaiah
chapter 35
verse 6
made clear
that the
Messiah would
open the
eyes of the
blind,
that he
would open
the ears of
the deaf,
that he
would loosen
the tongue
of the
mute,
that he
would heal
those who
were crippled.
And this
is exactly
what Jesus
had been
doing.
So they
joined the
dots.
In their
minds,
they say,
this must
be the
Messiah.
There's
that tangible
excitement that
is moving
through these
crowds.
But then
the so-called
seeing men,
then the
theological
heavyweights
come in,
the Pharisees,
and they
step in.
Verse 24.
But when
the Pharisees
heard it,
they said,
it is only
by Beelzebul,
the prince of
demons,
that this
man casts
out demons.
Now,
stop for a
moment and
think about
this.
These men
who say
that,
they are the
most qualified
people to be
able to see
the Messiah.
These are
the theology
professors.
These are the
Old Testament
experts.
And yet,
here is the
son of
David.
Here is the
Messiah.
Here is the
son of God.
And he's
looking them
in the eye.
And they
can't see him.
Or they
won't see him.
They're
willfully
blind.
They don't
want to see
Jesus.
And there's
a warning
here that we
must take
note of.
And the
application is
straightforward.
You know,
it is possible
for us
to know
the Bible
and to
attend church
week by
week.
and to
be members
of the
Sunday
school and
the YF.
It's
possible for
us to be
active in
the life of
the church.
It's
possible to
be a
minister or
a bishop or
an archbishop
and be
lost.
Actually be
an enemy
of Christ.
Like the
Pharisees
were.
your salvation
and mine
is not
dependent
upon how
much we
know about
Jesus.
Our
salvation
is dependent
on knowing
Jesus
personally.
Trusting
him
as our
saviour.
following
him as
our
lord and
king.
Having a
relationship,
a living
relationship
with him
where we
walk with
him and
we talk
with him.
We spend
time day
by day
in his
presence.
The
Pharisees,
as we see
them here,
they were
resisting
Jesus.
They were
rebels
against
Jesus.
They had
no
relationship
with
Jesus.
So what
about you
and what
about me?
Do we
know
Jesus?
Are we
in relationship
with him?
have we
come to
him?
We've
heard the
call
repeatedly
even over
these days.
Come to
me,
those who
are weary,
those who
are burdened,
those who
are sinners.
Ask
for
forgiveness.
Ask
for
cleansing.
Receive
rest.
Call
upon
my
name.
have we
done it?
Have we
come to
him?
The
seeing men
are blind
to Jesus.
The
blind man
sees
Jesus.
And the
final thing
this evening
is the
whole
teaching
that
Jesus
presses
home
at this
point
that
blasphemy
against
the
Holy
Spirit.
This
term,
this
teaching,
this
sin
that
so
troubles
us.
Blasphemy
against
the
Holy
Spirit.
What is
it?
It's
refusing
to
believe
in
Jesus.
There
are
some
places
that
we
would
just
rather
not
go
because
they
unsettle
us.
I
lived
for a
few
years
over
in
Skye
when
my
dad
was
a
minister
and
we
lived
in
a
place
called
Kensel
Eyre.
There
was a
wee
burn
in the
back
of our
house
just
up
on
the
man's
croft
of
Glebe.
And
apparently
over
the
years,
over
the
decades,
even
over
centuries,
there
was
books
written
and
stories
told
that
people
saw
ghostly
things.
They
saw
disturbing
things
around
this
burn.
And I
used to
walk the
dog
out the
back
of this
croft.
And I
have to
say,
I never
saw any
ghostly
things.
but
when I
was
walking
the
dog
after
dark,
I
tended
to
avoid
the
burn
because
it
just
unsettled
me.
And
this
next
passage,
the
verses,
if you've
got them
open
between
25
and
32,
it's
an
area
that
many
people
tend
to
avoid
because
it's
unsettling.
Jesus
talks
in these
verses
about
an
unforgivable
sin.
And
he calls
that
blasphemy
against
the
Holy
Spirit.
Don't
want to
think about
this for
just a
few
moments,
but
just
before we
consider
what
Jesus
says
specifically
about
this
sin,
let's
just
recap
and
remind
ourselves
of
what
has
just
happened
because
the
context
is always
important
for us
to
understand
the
teaching.
So
what
has
just
happened?
Jesus
goes on,
he teaches
this about
the
unforgivable
sin,
but what
has he
just
encountered?
What has
he just
faced?
What has
just
happened
here?
Well,
he's
just
clashed
with
the
Pharisees.
The
Pharisees
just
watch
Jesus
heal
this
blind
and
mute
man.
They
had
seen
the
supernatural
power
of God
the
Holy
Spirit
working
with
and
working
through
God
the
Son.
They'd
witnessed
a miracle.
They'd
seen
God
at
action.
And
how
do they
respond?
Well,
they respond
in verse
24
by calling
the Holy
Spirit
and
the
work
of
the
Holy
Spirit
they
call
they
attribute
that
work
to
Beelzebul
the
devil.
So we
have here
the most
crass
sinful
case
of
mistaken
identity.
They point
the finger
at Jesus
and talk
about
the devil.
And so
Jesus
just
using
very
basic
reason
he
shows
how
flawed
their
thinking
was.
Verse
25
Knowing
their
thoughts
Jesus
said to
them
every
kingdom
divided
against
itself
is
laid
waste
no
sithier
house
divided
against
itself
will
stand.
If
Satan
casts
out
Satan
he's
divided
against
himself
how
then
will
his
kingdom
stand?
And if
I cast
out
demons
by
Beelzebul
by
whom
do
your
sons
cast
them
out?
Therefore
they
will
be
your
judges.
But
if
it's
by
the
spirit
of
God
that
I
cast
out
demons
then
the
kingdom
of
God
has
come
upon
you.
How
can
someone
enter
a
strong
man's
house
and
plunder
his
goods
unless
he
first
binds
!
So
Jesus
he
just
shows
in
a
very
few
words
how
flawed
and
irrational
their
reasoning
was.
J.C.
Ryle
says it
quicker than
I can
he says
this was
an
absurd
charge.
Our
Lord
shows
that it
was
unreasonable
to suppose
that the
devil
would help
to pull
down
his own
kingdom
and
Satan
cast
out
Satan
but
there
is
nothing
says
Ryle
too
absurd
and
unreasonable
for men
to say
when they
are
thoroughly
set
against
Christ.
And
that was
the position
that the
Pharisees
held.
They
were
thoroughly
set
against
Christ
and
even
though
their
reasoning
as they
attacked
Jesus
even
though
it
was
illogical
and
unreasonable
they
held
it
because
they
were
against
Christ.
And
Jesus
underlines
that and
he shows
them that
they were
against
him.
In
verse
13
Jesus
says
to
them
and
he's
saying
to
us
because
this is
a word
for us
tonight
Jesus
says
whoever
is not
with
me
is
against
me
and
whoever
does
not
gather
with
me
scatters.
It's
very black
and white
isn't
it?
Jesus
says
clearly
that there
is no
middle
ground
when
it
comes
to
him.
We
had
an
illustration
of
that
even
this
morning.
There
are
those
at
the
table
there
are
those
who
are
not
at
the
table.
There's
no
in
between
state.
There's
those
who
are
at
the
table
with
the
Lord
and
there
are
those
who
are
saying
I'm
not
sitting there.
That's not for me.
No neutral,
no neutral place,
no area that we can go
in the church
where there's,
there's no,
there's neutrality.
With him,
without him,
for him,
against him.
That's what Jesus is saying.
Eric Alexander,
the Reverend Eric Alexander,
said,
imagine Jesus coming
to each of us personally,
moving through the church,
saying,
for me,
or against me.
Can we visualize that even now?
Jesus taking time
to move amongst us,
going from pew to pew,
person to person,
saying,
for me,
or against me.
Give me an answer.
How would you answer?
And this is a question
that's an answer
that will have
eternal significance.
We will all answer it.
And then Jesus goes on
to say,
therefore I tell you,
every sin and blasphemy
will be forgiven people.
But the blasphemy
against the Spirit
will not be forgiven.
And whoever speaks
a word against
the Son of Man
will be forgiven.
But whoever speaks
against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven.
Either in this age
or in the age to come.
So as we conclude,
what does this mean?
What is
the unforgivable sin?
Well, it's to do
what the Pharisees
were doing.
It's to decide
in our wills
not to believe
in Jesus.
even when
the Spirit of God
is striving with us
and giving us
every reason
to believe.
I mean,
think back
into Matthew's
Gospel record
as we see
what was going on
in the context
that Jesus
was speaking into.
Matthew tells us
in these chapters
that Jesus,
when he preached,
he preached
with otherworldly
authority.
And these men,
they heard it.
And Jesus healed
supernaturally.
There was no
natural explanation
for the healings
that he performed.
He performed
miracle after miracle
as he went
from place to place.
He reached out
to these Pharisees
day after day.
But they refused
to believe
in him.
They resist him.
They speak
against him.
And they speak
against the Holy
Spirit who was
resting upon him.
Think back
to Matthew 3
at the beginning
of Jesus'
ministry.
We see the Holy
Spirit coming
to rest
upon Jesus.
And so as
Jesus preaches,
as Jesus reaches
out,
as Jesus heals,
the Spirit
strives
with these
people.
He is
with Jesus.
And yet,
no matter
what Jesus
says,
or what Jesus
does,
these Pharisees
in particular,
they will not
repent
of their sin.
and that's
what it means,
I believe,
to blaspheme
against the
Holy Spirit.
And if that's
how we live
in this age,
Jesus
says
that in the
age to come,
there will be
no forgiveness.
There will be
no healing
of our souls,
there will be
no heaven.
There will be
only hell.
The commentator
Warren Weerspey
says,
is there
an unpardonable
sin today?
Then he answers,
yes.
The final
rejection
of Jesus
Christ.
Jesus made it
clear,
says Weerspey,
that all sins
can be forgiven.
Adultery,
murder,
blasphemy,
and other sins
can all be
forgiven.
They are not
unpardonable.
But God
cannot forgive
the rejection
of his son.
It is the
spirit
who bears
witness to
Christ
and who
convicts
the lost
sinner.
sin.
So as we
finish,
we can think
back,
each one of us,
into our
lives
and we can
perhaps,
you know,
have sins
that are brought
back to our
memories
that haunt us,
that are so
vast
and so
dark
in our
memories
and
our minds
that we
wonder,
can they be
forgiven?
And the
truth is,
every one
of them
can be
forgiven.
We often
sing the
lines from
the hymn,
the vilest
offender
who truly
believes,
that
moment
from
Jesus
a
pardon
receives.
The
unpardonable
sin,
the
unpardonable
sin
is to
resist the
Holy Spirit
as he
strives
with us.
And it's
to sit
in these
chairs
and to
go week
after week
and month
after month
and
communion
season
after
communion
season
refusing
to
believe
and
refusing
to
profess
faith
in
Christ.
!
So how
can we
avoid
committing
the
unforgivable
sin?
Because I'm
quite sure
it's a
danger for
some,
even in
the room
here this
evening.
How can
we go
out from
this place
tonight
knowing that
we are
avoiding
committing
the
unforgivable
sin?
There's
only one
way
and it's
by coming
to Jesus
today.
It's
by believing
in Jesus
today.
Psalm 95
today,
if you
hear his
voice,
do not
harden your
heart.
2
Corinthians
6,
behold
now
is the
day of
salvation.
Let's
pray.
our
heavenly
father,
we pray
that
today,
that now,
would be
the day
of salvation
for
someone,
perhaps
many here
this
evening.
We thank
you,
father,
for sending
your son
into this
world.
We thank
you for
the gospel
accounts that
we have
that record
for us
the words
and the
works of
Jesus.
We thank
you that in
some ways
we are
more
privileged
than the
Pharisees
ever were
as we
have the
word of
God
open before
us,
as we
hear the
voice of
Jesus
calling out
to us
week by
week in
the gospel.
We ask
that none
of us
here
tonight
would find
that we
cross over
into the
territory
of the
unforgivable
sin.
we pray
that none
of us
would
resist
and resist
until we
can no
longer see
or hear
anything of
the gospel.
Holy Spirit,
we pray that
you would
continue to
strive
with each
one of
us.
and we
pray that
none of
us
tonight
would walk
out the
door
still
resisting
and turning
away
from Jesus.
us.
But as
we hear
his voice,
we pray
that we
would come
and that
we would
find rest
for our
souls.
Life
that is
eternal,
that is
salvation.
And we
pray this
in Jesus'
name.
Amen.
We'll sing
to conclude
from Psalm
67.
The
Scottish
shelter,
I think,
is where
we are
singing from
the
traditional
version
on page
300.
Lord,
bless and
pity us,
shine on us
with thy
face,
that the
earth thy
way and
nations all
may know
thy saving
grace.
We'll sing
the whole
of this
psalm to
God's
praise.
thy
Let people praise thee, Lord.
Let people all thee praise.
Oh, let the nations be glad
in songs their voices raise.
Thou justly people shall
honor relations all.
Let people praise thee, Lord.
Praise thee, both great and small.
The earth, our God shall bless thee, send.
God shall us best, which shall end here,
and to earth at most end.
Amen.
Close in prayer.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your saving grace,
and we pray that each one of us would receive it.
Work in us, we pray, and help us.
And as we go from here now,
we pray that we would part with your blessing.
We pray for the time of fellowship
that we look forward to just now.
We pray for the food and the drink
that has been prepared for us.
And we thank you for it, Lord.
We pray that you would bless it to our bodies
as you bless your word as food for our souls.
And now we pray that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God the Father,
and the fellowship of God the Holy Spirit,
would be with us all now and forevermore.
Amen.