WEBVTT

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 In studying to preach every week in my personal preparations, it's not uncommon for me to read a number of commentaries on a particular passage or even listen to a few sermons from other pastors to try to get an idea of the best way to communicate the truth of a particular text.

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 And this week, regarding this section of verses, everyone that I read, everyone that I listened to, in some way referred to C.S. Lewis' famous statement about Jesus either being a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord.

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 When Lewis wrote that, if I remember correctly, it was in Mere Christianity.

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 When he wrote that, he was frustrated by the all-too-common notion that people would take that said that Jesus was really nothing more than a good moral teacher.

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 But he thought that an honest, thoughtful reading of the New Testament would make such a conclusion intellectually incoherent.

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 It just doesn't make sense if you were to read through that and really give your mind to what is happening in Jesus' life and what he's doing and what he's saying.

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 It doesn't make any kind of intellectual, coherent argument to say that he was just a good moral teacher.

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 C.S. Lewis determined that only three possibilities exist for us.

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 When we're considering Jesus, only three possibilities can be at play.

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 One, Jesus is a liar.

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 And as a liar, he has constructed the most successful deception that the world has ever known.

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 Secondly, he said that Jesus is a lunatic.

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 Lewis said that the third option is that he's actually the Lord of all, to whom everyone will give an account at the end of her life.

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 Those are really the only three options that are on the table for us when we consider who Jesus is.

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 Now, it's difficult to read through these ten verses, or maybe even you could go all the way down to verse 35,

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 and not think that it was the content of this passage that inspired Lewis' words.

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 When we get to this particular text, Mark is using a sandwich technique in writing about these events.

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 He starts by relaying an event that was taking place in regards to Jesus' family.

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 And then he pauses momentarily and fits a story within the story.

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 And it's the story about the scribes and what assessment they had made about Jesus and his miracles.

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 And then when we come to verses 31 to 35, Mark circles back around to the story that he started in verse 20.

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 And he deals again with Jesus' family.

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 But more than just being a creative way to tell a story, Mark's placement of these two events together speaks to a common theme.

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 And here's the theme.

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 Both groups made a wrong assessment of Jesus.

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 Both of them.

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 One group loved Jesus.

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 The other group hated Jesus.

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 But they both ultimately rejected his true identity and purpose.

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 As we go through this text, the text reveals these three possible conclusions that C.S. Lewis made famous.

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 And then it tells us here at the end that the assessment that we make of Jesus has eternal consequences.

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 And so let's look at what these assessments are.

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 First, we see his family's assessment.

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 We see his family's assessment.

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 Look with me at verse 20.

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 Then Jesus went home and the crowd gathered again so that they could not even eat.

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 Now remember, crowds are not presented favorably in Mark's gospel.

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 And in this instance, the crowds are preventing Jesus and his disciples from even having a moment to eat a meal.

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 And as frustrating as this must have been for Jesus, he never shows anything but compassion for these people.

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 Everywhere he goes, these massive crowds come.

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 He's got to have a boat on the side of the seashore because he's in so much danger.

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 He's got to have an escape plan.

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 Now he's just maybe snuck back into Capernaum.

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 He's in Peter's house and somebody hears a whole crowd's there.

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 He can't even have a meal.

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 Yet Jesus never, he never rebukes people for coming to him.

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 He always shows compassion no matter how much inconvenience comes as a result.

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 He persistently suffered inconvenience for the sake of others.

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 This wasn't because Jesus was a good guy that had difficulty telling people no.

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 His heart was for sinners.

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 His whole purpose in coming was to save sinners.

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 And his toleration of inconveniences and difficult circumstances was the overflow of what we sang last week

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 to be his magnificent, marvelous, matchless love.

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 Christians demonstrate the heart of Christ best when they live their lives for others rather than themselves.

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 Look at verse 21.

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 When his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, he is out of his mind.

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 Now word had gotten back to Jesus' family and friends in Nazareth of the things that had taken place in his ministry.

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 And what we see happening here is they set out from Nazareth to actually stop him.

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 The word here in verse 21, seize or laid hold on it, literally means to arrest.

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 It implies a physical altercation to where his family had set out to go and find Jesus and then physically restrain him in order to stop him from what he was doing.

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 They had concluded that Jesus had lost his mind.

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 Now, why would they want to stop him?

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 Their fundamental motive here is a motivation of love.

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 Before we give them too hard of a time, they're only coming to help Jesus or what they thought would be a help to Jesus because they cared about Jesus.

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 No doubt they had become aware of the dangerous mobs that he had become subject to.

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 Perhaps they had heard about the murderous plots of the Pharisees to destroy him and the Herodians.

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 Maybe somebody had told him about he's pinned down in Peter's house again in Capernaum.

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 We can't even get any bread and wine to him at this point.

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 He can't even have a meal because the people are pressing against him.

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 And like any loving family, Jesus' family was concerned about the physical well-being of their brother and son.

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 The problem, though, is that their love was coupled with unbelief.

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 They agreed with the crowds that there was something significant and special about who Jesus was.

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 But for them, he had become just too radical.

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 It was one thing for him to say that he had the power of God.

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 It was one thing.

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 There was no denying that he had some type of significant power.

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 It was one thing for him to say that.

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 It's a completely other thing for him to say that he was one with God.

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 That he himself was God.

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 For him to refer to himself as being the fulfillment of all these Old Testament prophecies.

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 That's what Jesus was preaching.

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 That's what he was teaching.

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 And his family had come to the conclusion that he's just gone too far.

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 He's just become too radical.

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 They assessed that he had lost his mind.

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 And they thought they needed to stop him before he got himself killed.

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 Now, some people have always considered Christianity to be insane.

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 And it continued on through the New Testament.

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 Remember in Acts 26, Paul was in Caesarea.

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 He was arrested in Jerusalem.

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 He was taken to Caesarea.

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 And this would begin his four-year stint in prison.

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 In the process of being in Caesarea, the procurator of Judea changed.

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 And it became a man named Festus.

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 And he brought in Paul to preach the gospel, to have a hearing.

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 And so Paul preached the gospel.

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 And after preaching the gospel, the death and the resurrection of Jesus,

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 Festus looks at Paul in Acts 26, 24.

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 And here's what he says.

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 He says, Paul, you are out of your mind.

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 Your great learning is driving you out of your mind.

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 You're just too radical, Paul.

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 This is crazy.

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 To the Corinthians, Paul wrote,

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 The Jews demand signs and the Greeks seek wisdom.

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 But we preach Christ crucified,

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 which is a stumbling block to the Jews and its foolishness to the Gentiles.

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 But to those of us who are called,

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 it is Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

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 For the foolishness of God, he writes, is wiser than men.

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 And the weakness of God is stronger than men.

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 There will always be people that consider Christianity to be insane.

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 Perhaps you have family and friends that think you've just taken this too far.

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 It's one thing for you to be religious.

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 It's one thing for you to want to follow some of the moral teachings of Jesus.

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 But to go so far as to say that he rose from the dead, really?

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 That's crazy.

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 Kent Hughes said this,

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 If Christ is who he says he is,

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 then the sanest thing in the world is to follow him.

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 If Christ's call to us is total commitment,

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 anything else is crazy.

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 And then he said,

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 Christianity needs more of Christ's madness.

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 His family's assessment reminds us that closeness to Jesus

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 is no substitute for allegiance to Jesus in faith and following.

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 It's not unusual for us to give lip service to the lordship of Christ,

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 but how many of us actually are following Jesus as Lord?

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 His family loved him.

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 They recognized the power in his life.

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 They recognized even that he was from God,

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 but they just thought he'd gone too far.

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 So his family that loved him and appreciated him were lost.

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 You can be close to Jesus today.

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 Even love and admire him.

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 Yet you may not actually be following him.

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 Appreciation is not the same as belief.

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 I don't ask you.

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 Is it that you appreciate Christ?

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 Is that you even maybe love the dynamic of his life

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 and some of his teachings?

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 Or are you actually,

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 is he lord in your life?

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 Because there's a difference.

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 That's his family's assessment.

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 Secondly,

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 we see the scribes assessment.

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 Look with me at verse 22.

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 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying,

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 he is possessed by Beelzebul.

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 And by the prince of demons,

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 he cast out demons.

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 Now we've seen the scribes oppose Jesus several times already in the gospel of Mark.

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 Jewish society had no natural division of church and state.

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 And the scribes were the experts on the law.

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 The scribes' goal was to persuade the people that were following Jesus

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 or were being influenced by Jesus.

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 They weren't questioning him directly.

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 And there were two dynamics.

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 There was a two-fold assessment that they made.

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 The first thing was this.

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 They said that Jesus was possessed by Satan.

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 Beelzebul here is a synonym for Satan.

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 It means master of the house.

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 Or potentially, based on its Old Testament translation,

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 it means the house of Beel the prince.

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 Beel being an Old Testament Canaanite god.

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 And so master of the house or Beel the prince, his abode.

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 So they said Jesus is actually possessed by Satan himself.

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 That was the first part of their statement.

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 The second part was connected to it,

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 but they said that it was demonic power that Jesus used to cast out demons.

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 Now, Matthew 12 and Luke 11 both say that it was Jesus casting out a demon

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 that prompted this statement from the scribes.

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 These men were essentially claiming that Jesus was using sorcery or witchcraft to perform his works.

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 So while his family thought that he was a lunatic,

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 the scribes actually thought that he was a liar from hell.

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 Interestingly enough,

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 neither Jesus' family nor the scribes ever denied the reality of his miraculous power.

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 Have you noticed that?

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 Nobody ever says that Jesus didn't really do the things.

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 Nobody ever says or denies the power.

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 It wasn't a part of anybody's argument.

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 There was no denying it.

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 His family said,

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 Yeah, this power comes from God.

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 They just wouldn't accept that he himself was God,

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 that he was Messiah.

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 The scribes, on the other hand,

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 credited his mighty works and his mighty deeds to satanic forces.

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 And that brings us to an interesting point.

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 There is a mistaken notion

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 that if we could witness the miracles of Jesus ourselves,

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 we would believe and follow him.

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 Maybe you've heard somebody say that before.

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 Maybe you've thought that yourself.

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 You know, my faith would be so much stronger.

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 My doubt would be so much more minimalized.

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 If I could have actually been there,

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 if I could have just seen him do these things with my eyes,

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 if I could have witnessed it myself,

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 then I would be stronger.

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 Maybe you've witnessed to someone

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 and they've said,

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 Yeah, I just, you know,

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 I don't know that I can trust the Bible.

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 You know, maybe if I had actually seen it myself,

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 I would believe.

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 But seeing doesn't automatically equate to saving faith.

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 The scribes were eyewitnesses of his power,

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 but they did not believe.

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 When Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16,

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 he said that people will even witness the resurrection of the dead

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 and still not believe.

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 Luke 16, 31.

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 He said to him,

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 If they do not hear Moses and the prophets,

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 that is the Old Testament,

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 if they do not listen to the Old Testament,

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 neither will they be convinced

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 if someone should rise from the dead.

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 But what if Jesus raises himself from the dead?

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 Maybe that would make a difference.

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 But it didn't.

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 Because in Matthew 28,

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 we're told that when the guards who were guarding the tomb

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 came and told the religious leaders in Jerusalem

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 that Jesus had risen,

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 they concocted a lie

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 so that people wouldn't believe it.

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 They knew it was true.

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 But they rejected it.

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 Here's what it says.

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 Matthew 28, verse 11.

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 While they were going,

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 behold, some of the guard went into the city

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 and told the chief priest all that had taken place.

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 And when they had assembled with the elders

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 and taken counsel,

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 they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers

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 and said,

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 Tell people,

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 His disciples came by night

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 and stole him away while we were asleep.

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 And if this comes to the governor's ears,

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 we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.

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 They knew the resurrection was real.

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 But they didn't believe it.

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 In the end times,

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 many, many people

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 will see magnificent demonstrations of God's power.

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 And yet they will still reject him.

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 They will acknowledge his existence.

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 They will acknowledge his sovereignty.

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 They will acknowledge his power.

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 They will acknowledge his truth of the gospel.

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 But they will still reject him.

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 Seeing is not believing.

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 Both Jesus' family and scribes saw,

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 but they didn't believe.

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 Faith is not a matter of witnessing the spectacular.

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 It is a matter of believing the word of God.

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 And if you will not believe the Bible,

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 you certainly won't believe due to witnessing a miracle either.

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 The refusal to repent

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 and the corresponding refusal

00:18:00.119 --> 00:18:01.759
 to believe the gospel

00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:04.019
 is not due to a lack of evidence.

00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:06.960
 It's due to a hardened heart.

00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:10.279
 If you struggle with doubt today,

00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:12.359
 it's not because the evidence is not there.

00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:15.240
 It's not because you can't see it in the words

00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:16.619
 and in the pages of scripture.

00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:18.859
 It's because your heart is hardened

00:18:18.859 --> 00:18:20.419
 to the truth of the gospel.

00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:23.860
 And we read in Psalm 95

00:18:23.860 --> 00:18:25.039
 at the beginning of our service,

00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:27.680
 it's quoted in Hebrews chapter four and verse seven.

00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:30.380
 Today, if you will hear his voice,

00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:32.160
 do not harden your heart.

00:18:32.820 --> 00:18:34.220
 The evidence is there.

00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:36.620
 There's no denying it.

00:18:37.840 --> 00:18:39.240
 You hear his voice today?

00:18:40.320 --> 00:18:42.860
 You recognize the evidence of the scripture today?

00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:46.639
 Is the Holy Spirit convicting your heart today?

00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:48.579
 Do not harden your heart.

00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:52.199
 Look at verse 23.

00:18:53.219 --> 00:18:54.859
 This is Jesus's response.

00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.179
 And he called them to him

00:18:56.179 --> 00:18:57.459
 and said to them in parables,

00:18:57.699 --> 00:19:00.199
 how can Satan cast out Satan?

00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:03.740
 If a kingdom is divided against itself,

00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:05.339
 that kingdom cannot stand.

00:19:05.919 --> 00:19:08.500
 And if a house is divided against itself,

00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:10.839
 that house will not be able to stand.

00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:14.079
 And if Satan has risen up against himself

00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:14.939
 and is divided,

00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.699
 he cannot stand,

00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:18.619
 but is coming to an end.

00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:21.500
 I think it's fascinating here

00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:24.619
 that Jesus called the scribes to him

00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:26.859
 and initiated this confrontation.

00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:29.319
 Did you pick up on that as you read?

00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:32.919
 These scribes weren't addressing Jesus.

00:19:33.459 --> 00:19:34.240
 That's not what they were doing.

00:19:34.419 --> 00:19:35.919
 They didn't see him cast out a demon

00:19:35.919 --> 00:19:36.980
 and then go and confront him

00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:38.279
 and say, you're doing that

00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:39.220
 through the power of Satan.

00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:41.420
 No, they went around to everybody else.

00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:43.420
 It was all the people

00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:44.360
 that were being influenced

00:19:44.360 --> 00:19:46.920
 and impacted by what Jesus was doing.

00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.140
 They started going to them

00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:48.839
 and they were saying,

00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.940
 this is Satan's power.

00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:51.039
 This is sorcery.

00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:52.200
 This is witchcraft.

00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:53.519
 Don't follow this guy.

00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:54.559
 He's bad news.

00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:57.440
 He's casting demons out of people,

00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.620
 but he's bad news.

00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:00.720
 He's healing people with leprosy,

00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:01.600
 but he's bad news.

00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:02.660
 It's all Satan's work.

00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.860
 Don't follow him.

00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.539
 He said, what does Jesus do?

00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.539
 He calls them to him.

00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:10.319
 Hey, fellas, come here.

00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:12.480
 Let me ask you something.

00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:16.440
 He never shied away from confronting error, did he?

00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:19.940
 Especially when it regarded as gospel purpose.

00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:22.579
 Now, this was true of the Old Testament prophets.

00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:25.559
 It was true of the New Testament apostles as well.

00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:30.519
 Christians are often too quickly silent

00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:34.660
 in a culture that preaches tolerance.

00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:40.119
 Sometimes we think that confronting error is unkind.

00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:44.779
 We get this idea that we just gotta let people do their thing.

00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:46.460
 We just gotta let people live how they're gonna live.

00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.180
 I'll do my thing.

00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:48.019
 They can do their thing.

00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:49.359
 We'll try to be at peace with everybody.

00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:52.440
 And it would be unkind for me to confront error

00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:53.799
 in someone else.

00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.680
 But in reality,

00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:58.319
 there's not actually anything more loving

00:20:58.319 --> 00:21:01.519
 than sharing the gospel with someone.

00:21:05.139 --> 00:21:08.220
 The least kind thing that we can do for somebody

00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.960
 is let them remain in their sin.

00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:13.539
 Is to let them continue in unbelief.

00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:20.359
 Nothing about this exchange between Jesus and the scribes

00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:23.819
 indicates at all that Jesus was angry

00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:25.559
 or that he was sarcastic

00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:28.700
 or that he was insulting to them.

00:21:30.139 --> 00:21:32.460
 It was his love for the scribes

00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:34.139
 and those underneath their influence

00:21:34.139 --> 00:21:36.539
 that led him to confronting their error.

00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:39.819
 And we need to follow that example.

00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:43.180
 We need to love people enough

00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:45.140
 to tell them the truth.

00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:49.340
 If people are offended,

00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:53.480
 let it be an offense against the gospel,

00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:57.140
 not an offense against the way

00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:58.400
 that we present the gospel.

00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:02.600
 Jesus didn't insult these men.

00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:06.180
 He wasn't angry with them.

00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:06.880
 He loved them.

00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.600
 He's trying to help them.

00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:13.819
 We really need to be careful

00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:17.059
 that we don't fall into this dynamic

00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:22.179
 of Facebook-based evangelism

00:22:22.179 --> 00:22:26.639
 that doesn't actually care enough about people

00:22:26.639 --> 00:22:28.759
 to lovingly share the truth,

00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:31.959
 but it just desires to be insulting

00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:33.920
 and angry and belligerent

00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:36.640
 under the guise of truth.

00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:41.579
 We offend people all the time,

00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:43.500
 but it's not because of the message that we preach.

00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:45.500
 It's because of the way that we carry the message.

00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.920
 Jesus didn't do that.

00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:50.140
 If people are going to be offended at us,

00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:51.460
 let it be because of the gospel,

00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:54.000
 not because we've treated them insultingly

00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:55.759
 or because we've been hateful

00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:57.340
 or actually unkind,

00:22:57.339 --> 00:23:00.059
 but let us develop a love for people

00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:01.279
 in our hearts so much

00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.959
 that we will actually be willing

00:23:02.959 --> 00:23:04.559
 to confront them with the gospel,

00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:07.119
 to actually share with them the truth,

00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.639
 to actually warn them

00:23:08.639 --> 00:23:10.419
 of the judgment that is to come,

00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:12.859
 to actually invite them to our homes

00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:14.240
 to study the Bible together,

00:23:14.399 --> 00:23:16.240
 to actually invest in their lives.

00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:18.019
 Let's love people enough to do that,

00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:19.019
 but in doing that,

00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:19.980
 let's do it in a way

00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:22.039
 that is godly and Christ-honoring

00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:23.259
 and follows his example.

00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:26.299
 Jesus gave two parables

00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:28.639
 that confronted the illogical nature

00:23:28.639 --> 00:23:29.680
 of these men's argument.

00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.460
 First, he said,

00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:33.720
 a nation cannot survive

00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:35.839
 if its people fight against one another.

00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:38.180
 Secondly, he says,

00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.940
 a family cannot survive

00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:42.619
 if its members are constantly fighting

00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.559
 with each other.

00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:45.299
 In the same way,

00:23:45.879 --> 00:23:47.759
 Satan's purposes would be hindered

00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:49.740
 if he fought against himself.

00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:51.659
 It just doesn't make sense.

00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:55.599
 Why would Satan fight against himself?

00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:57.899
 Why would he do this

00:23:57.899 --> 00:23:59.599
 against his own purposes?

00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.500
 And furthermore,

00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:02.539
 Satan doesn't heal.

00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:05.200
 Satan doesn't help.

00:24:06.379 --> 00:24:07.419
 He doesn't love people.

00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:09.019
 He doesn't teach with authority.

00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.619
 All the things that Jesus were doing,

00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.500
 those are not things

00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.779
 that Satan would ever do.

00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:14.000
 It was illogical

00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.119
 what they were saying.

00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:17.680
 These are the experts.

00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.879
 They're the experts.

00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:21.259
 Nobody knew the Old Testament

00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:22.079
 like they knew it.

00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:23.779
 Honestly.

00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:26.500
 They were the experts in the law.

00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.460
 They were the ones

00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:29.460
 that helped teach people the law.

00:24:30.419 --> 00:24:32.319
 And yet they still had an argument

00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:34.359
 that was so foolish.

00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:37.480
 And again, Paul tells us

00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.419
 this is what happens

00:24:38.419 --> 00:24:39.720
 when we harden our hearts.

00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:42.259
 For the word of the cross,

00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:42.720
 he said,

00:24:42.919 --> 00:24:44.899
 is foolishness to those who are dying.

00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:47.100
 But to those of us

00:24:47.100 --> 00:24:48.080
 who are being saved,

00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:49.240
 it is the power of God.

00:24:49.840 --> 00:24:50.440
 For it is written,

00:24:50.600 --> 00:24:52.340
 I will destroy the wisdom of the wise

00:24:52.340 --> 00:24:53.620
 and the discernment

00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:54.300
 of the discerning

00:24:54.300 --> 00:24:55.040
 I will thwart.

00:24:55.780 --> 00:24:56.560
 Where is the one

00:24:56.560 --> 00:24:57.200
 who is wise,

00:24:57.320 --> 00:24:57.820
 Paul said?

00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.040
 Where's the scribe?

00:24:59.540 --> 00:25:01.160
 Where's the debater of this age?

00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:03.080
 Has not God made foolish

00:25:03.080 --> 00:25:04.240
 the wisdom of the world?

00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.980
 For since in the wisdom of God,

00:25:07.040 --> 00:25:08.300
 the world did not know God

00:25:08.300 --> 00:25:08.840
 through wisdom,

00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:10.400
 it pleased God

00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.880
 through the foolishness

00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:13.000
 of what we preach

00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:14.759
 to save those who believe.

00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.259
 Just because somebody's

00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:18.200
 got a bunch of credentials

00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:19.039
 doesn't mean that

00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:20.019
 every argument they have

00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.500
 is logical.

00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:20.940
 In fact,

00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:22.039
 the more that their hearts

00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:22.980
 are hardened toward Christ,

00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:23.920
 the more illogical

00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:25.140
 their arguments are going to become.

00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.819
 Trust the word.

00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:30.440
 So there's the family's assessment,

00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:32.220
 there's the scribe's assessment.

00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.200
 Thirdly,

00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:35.079
 there's a true assessment.

00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.859
 Look at verse 27.

00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:39.059
 No one can enter

00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:40.380
 a strong man's house

00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:42.140
 and plunder his goods

00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:44.100
 unless he first binds

00:25:44.100 --> 00:25:44.980
 the strong man,

00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.640
 then indeed he may

00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:48.480
 plunder his house.

00:25:49.360 --> 00:25:50.040
 Now remember,

00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:52.680
 C.S. Lewis gave three options

00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:54.759
 when assessing

00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:56.140
 who Jesus really is.

00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:58.720
 Jesus' family had concluded

00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.600
 that he was a lunatic.

00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.780
 The scribes had concluded

00:26:01.780 --> 00:26:03.080
 that he was a liar.

00:26:03.780 --> 00:26:05.820
 But the only logical conclusion

00:26:05.820 --> 00:26:07.680
 is that he's actually

00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:08.759
 the Lord.

00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:12.640
 Jesus uses this third parable

00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:14.099
 in verse 27

00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:15.539
 to set the record straight.

00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:17.440
 In this parable,

00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:19.720
 Satan is represented

00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:20.920
 by the strong man

00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:22.879
 and his house

00:26:22.879 --> 00:26:25.019
 is this fallen world,

00:26:25.140 --> 00:26:26.119
 the realm over which

00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:28.099
 he currently rules.

00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:30.740
 2 Corinthians chapter 4.

00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.099
 Paul says,

00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:32.879
 in their case,

00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:34.559
 that is in unbelievers' case,

00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:36.659
 the God of this world,

00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.980
 that's a reference to Satan,

00:26:38.399 --> 00:26:40.079
 has blinded the minds

00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:41.240
 of unbelievers

00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:43.119
 to keep them from seeing

00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:44.359
 the light of the gospel

00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:45.839
 of the glory of Christ

00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:47.279
 who is the image of God.

00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:48.079
 And then he says

00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:49.299
 in Ephesians chapter 2,

00:26:49.679 --> 00:26:50.519
 you who were dead

00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:52.039
 in trespasses and sins

00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:53.659
 in which you once walked,

00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:55.359
 following the course

00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:56.179
 of this world,

00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.700
 that is the house,

00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.700
 the world system

00:26:58.700 --> 00:27:00.019
 that Jesus is referring to,

00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:01.759
 following the prince

00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:03.279
 of the power of the air,

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:05.660
 the spirit that is now at work

00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:07.879
 in the sons of disobedience.

00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.779
 The Bible says

00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:10.000
 that Satan is the ruler

00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.799
 of this world,

00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:12.359
 not insofar

00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:14.519
 as he is greater than God,

00:27:15.099 --> 00:27:17.220
 but he rules this world.

00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:18.460
 This is his domain.

00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:21.099
 What's Jesus saying?

00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.519
 I'm not of Satan.

00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:26.019
 I have come to bind Satan.

00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:28.539
 And I have come to bind Satan

00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:30.559
 in order that I might set free

00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:32.659
 the captives of Satan

00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:34.240
 to spoil his house,

00:27:34.359 --> 00:27:36.259
 to plunder his house,

00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:37.159
 Jesus says.

00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:39.059
 Well, there's only one being

00:27:39.059 --> 00:27:39.960
 that can do that.

00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:41.460
 And it has to be one

00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.799
 that's greater than Satan.

00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:44.379
 And there's only one being

00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:45.339
 greater than Satan.

00:27:45.659 --> 00:27:46.359
 Who is that?

00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.859
 God himself.

00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.159
 Jesus is setting

00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:50.960
 the record straight.

00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:54.099
 Casting out demons

00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:55.799
 was a shadow

00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:58.279
 of how he would ultimately

00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:59.279
 defeat Satan

00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.619
 through his death

00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:01.319
 and resurrection.

00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:03.799
 Would you turn just quickly

00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:05.160
 with me to Luke chapter 4?

00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:06.319
 I just want to show you

00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:07.079
 one other place.

00:28:07.399 --> 00:28:08.099
 I don't want to just read

00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:08.700
 this one to you.

00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.299
 Luke chapter 4.

00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.220
 And would you look with me

00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:15.399
 at verse 17?

00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:18.680
 Jesus is in Nazareth.

00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:21.180
 He'd gone back to his hometown.

00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.299
 He was in the synagogue.

00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:24.399
 And he was asked to speak.

00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:27.419
 And here's what Jesus did.

00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.799
 Pay attention to this.

00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:29.659
 Luke chapter 4.

00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.419
 Verse 17.

00:28:33.119 --> 00:28:34.960
 And there was given to him

00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:37.180
 the book of the prophet Isaiah.

00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:40.019
 And when he had opened the book,

00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:41.480
 he found the place

00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.799
 where this is written.

00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.819
 The Spirit of the Lord

00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.579
 is upon me.

00:28:46.379 --> 00:28:47.419
 He hath anointed me

00:28:47.419 --> 00:28:48.559
 to preach the gospel

00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:49.220
 to the poor.

00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.720
 He hath sent me

00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.960
 to heal the brokenhearted.

00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.420
 He has preached

00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:55.019
 deliverance to the captives

00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:56.620
 and recovering sight

00:28:56.620 --> 00:28:57.319
 to the blind

00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:59.100
 and to set at liberty

00:28:59.100 --> 00:29:00.840
 those who are bruised

00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:02.480
 to preach the acceptable

00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:03.340
 year of the Lord.

00:29:04.340 --> 00:29:05.799
 And he closed the book

00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:07.240
 and gave it again

00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:07.940
 to the minister

00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:09.539
 and sat down.

00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:11.880
 And the eyes of all of them

00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:12.840
 that were in the synagogue

00:29:12.840 --> 00:29:14.220
 were fastened on him.

00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:15.519
 Now watch verse 21.

00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:18.059
 And he began to say unto them,

00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:21.299
 Today, this scripture

00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:22.700
 is fulfilled

00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.460
 in your ears.

00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:26.240
 What is Jesus saying?

00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:31.000
 You are captives to sin.

00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:34.759
 You are captives

00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.339
 to Satan,

00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.579
 the prince of this world.

00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:39.500
 But the Bible said

00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.019
 that there would

00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.279
 one day come one

00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.559
 who will set

00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.659
 those captives free.

00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:46.500
 One day there will come one

00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.859
 that will restore sight

00:29:47.859 --> 00:29:48.500
 to the blind.

00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.339
 And that's not just

00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:50.299
 about physical sight,

00:29:50.359 --> 00:29:50.859
 even though that was

00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:51.279
 a part of it.

00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.420
 That's spiritual sight.

00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.740
 There is one that will come

00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:56.160
 that will make all things right.

00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.319
 And then Jesus sits down

00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:57.859
 and he says,

00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:59.519
 I am that one.

00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:01.359
 I am that one.

00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:04.279
 It's the only logical conclusion

00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:05.839
 that we could come to.

00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:07.480
 It's a true assessment

00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.480
 of who Jesus is.

00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:10.740
 Finally,

00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:11.599
 fourth,

00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:14.000
 what is your assessment?

00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:16.920
 What is your assessment?

00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:21.140
 His family said

00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:21.940
 he was a lunatic.

00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:24.160
 The scribes said

00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:24.759
 he was a liar.

00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:28.200
 Jesus set the record straight.

00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:30.599
 But now Jesus,

00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:33.839
 in verses 28 to 30,

00:30:33.839 --> 00:30:35.980
 puts the decision

00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:37.019
 to you.

00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:40.459
 In his final statement,

00:30:40.679 --> 00:30:41.559
 he made it clear

00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:44.419
 that our assessment of him

00:30:44.419 --> 00:30:46.839
 has eternal consequences.

00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:49.699
 Look with me at verse 28.

00:30:51.159 --> 00:30:52.359
 Truly I say to you,

00:30:52.459 --> 00:30:53.699
 all sins will be forgiven

00:30:53.699 --> 00:30:54.599
 the children of man.

00:30:54.699 --> 00:30:55.279
 Praise the Lord

00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:55.980
 for that statement.

00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:56.980
 We're going to come back to it.

00:30:59.279 --> 00:31:00.559
 Whatsoever blasphemies

00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:00.959
 they utter,

00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:02.579
 but whosoever

00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:04.740
 blasphemes against

00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:05.799
 the Holy Spirit

00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:08.980
 never has forgiveness,

00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:11.480
 but is guilty

00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.720
 of an eternal sin,

00:31:13.360 --> 00:31:15.000
 for they were saying

00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:16.840
 he has an unclean spirit.

00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:20.559
 Do you see the weight

00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:21.799
 of Jesus' words here?

00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:24.860
 What you decide about Jesus

00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:27.299
 affects your eternity.

00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.940
 If you come to the right conclusion,

00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.519
 Jesus said,

00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:33.860
 all your sins will be forgiven.

00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:37.160
 If you reject him as Lord,

00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.240
 none of your sins

00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:40.500
 will be forgiven.

00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:43.700
 An eternal sin

00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:45.400
 is one which God judges

00:31:45.400 --> 00:31:46.920
 for all eternity.

00:31:48.340 --> 00:31:50.019
 Jesus said that this sin

00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:52.819
 is blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:55.120
 But what does that mean?

00:31:57.299 --> 00:31:59.120
 What does that mean?

00:31:59.119 --> 00:32:02.039
 Is there a chance

00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.839
 that you have committed

00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:03.419
 this sin?

00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:07.439
 And if you have,

00:32:08.399 --> 00:32:10.259
 does it really mean

00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:11.319
 that God will refuse

00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:12.059
 to forgive you?

00:32:14.679 --> 00:32:16.399
 There's just three simple notes

00:32:16.399 --> 00:32:16.879
 I want to make

00:32:16.879 --> 00:32:17.779
 that bring some clarity

00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:19.139
 to what Jesus is teaching here,

00:32:19.159 --> 00:32:19.359
 okay?

00:32:19.359 --> 00:32:20.839
 First,

00:32:21.719 --> 00:32:23.139
 blaspheming the Holy Spirit

00:32:23.139 --> 00:32:24.939
 is rejecting

00:32:24.939 --> 00:32:26.559
 what he has clearly revealed.

00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:27.979
 That's what it means

00:32:27.979 --> 00:32:29.279
 to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.

00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:31.459
 It's to reject

00:32:31.459 --> 00:32:33.959
 what he has clearly revealed.

00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:35.420
 Now,

00:32:35.420 --> 00:32:36.579
 the role of the Holy Spirit,

00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:37.420
 one of the roles,

00:32:38.140 --> 00:32:39.140
 is to testify

00:32:39.140 --> 00:32:40.340
 of the truth of Jesus.

00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:42.220
 Jesus said as much

00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:43.100
 in John 15,

00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:43.539
 he said,

00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.660
 when the helper comes,

00:32:45.100 --> 00:32:46.220
 whom I will send to you

00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:46.940
 from the Father,

00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:48.120
 the Spirit of truth,

00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:50.240
 he will bear witness

00:32:50.240 --> 00:32:51.480
 about me.

00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:52.980
 He will bear witness

00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:53.200
 about,

00:32:53.340 --> 00:32:54.220
 that's his role.

00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:56.940
 The Holy Spirit's role

00:32:56.940 --> 00:32:57.759
 is not to draw attention

00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.440
 to himself.

00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:00.500
 The Holy Spirit's role

00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.220
 is to draw attention

00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:02.079
 to Jesus,

00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:03.279
 to bear witness

00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:04.620
 of Jesus

00:33:04.620 --> 00:33:05.660
 and the truth

00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:06.720
 of the gospel.

00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:08.140
 He does this

00:33:08.140 --> 00:33:09.480
 by convicting our hearts.

00:33:10.100 --> 00:33:11.680
 He enlightens our minds

00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:12.860
 to the truth of the word.

00:33:13.880 --> 00:33:15.600
 We see the examples

00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:17.779
 of his spectacular work

00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:19.019
 in the scriptures as well.

00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:21.059
 To blaspheme

00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:21.960
 the Holy Spirit

00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:23.720
 is to willfully

00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:24.779
 reject

00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:26.500
 what he has made clear

00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.480
 in your conscience

00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:28.759
 through the word.

00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:32.579
 It's unbelief.

00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:35.259
 It's I see the truth,

00:33:35.400 --> 00:33:36.480
 I have heard the truth,

00:33:36.640 --> 00:33:37.839
 I reject that truth.

00:33:39.299 --> 00:33:41.000
 It's willful unbelief.

00:33:41.839 --> 00:33:42.720
 And Jesus said

00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:43.500
 in verse 30

00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:44.519
 that it was the fact

00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:45.799
 that the scribes

00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:47.759
 attributed to Satan

00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:49.539
 what was the work of God

00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:50.620
 that equated

00:33:50.620 --> 00:33:51.539
 to blaspheming

00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:52.120
 the Holy Spirit.

00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:52.640
 In other words,

00:33:52.640 --> 00:33:54.360
 they knew their argument

00:33:54.360 --> 00:33:55.240
 was illogical.

00:33:56.320 --> 00:33:57.420
 They knew this.

00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:59.640
 They knew who Jesus was.

00:33:59.780 --> 00:34:00.600
 They knew better

00:34:00.600 --> 00:34:01.100
 than anybody

00:34:01.100 --> 00:34:02.040
 who Jesus was.

00:34:02.360 --> 00:34:03.820
 They just wouldn't

00:34:03.820 --> 00:34:04.620
 accept it.

00:34:05.660 --> 00:34:06.720
 The Holy Spirit

00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:07.460
 made it clear

00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:08.800
 and they willfully

00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:09.640
 rejected

00:34:09.640 --> 00:34:11.360
 the truth of Jesus.

00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.619
 So blaspheming

00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.220
 the Holy Spirit

00:34:13.220 --> 00:34:13.820
 is rejecting

00:34:13.820 --> 00:34:14.760
 what he's clearly revealed.

00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:15.619
 Number two,

00:34:16.700 --> 00:34:18.260
 blaspheming the Holy Spirit

00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:21.580
 is not a single sin

00:34:21.580 --> 00:34:24.440
 that eternally disqualifies you

00:34:24.440 --> 00:34:25.080
 from forgiveness.

00:34:26.800 --> 00:34:27.800
 It's not something

00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:28.860
 you do in one moment

00:34:28.860 --> 00:34:30.600
 and then that's it forever.

00:34:31.280 --> 00:34:32.480
 That's not what Jesus

00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:33.560
 is communicating here.

00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:35.940
 He was referring

00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:37.920
 to the continual rejection

00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:38.960
 of the gospel,

00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:42.120
 not a single occurrence of it.

00:34:43.260 --> 00:34:43.900
 Now Kent Hughes

00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:44.560
 is helpful here.

00:34:44.640 --> 00:34:45.500
 I want to just read you

00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:45.980
 what he wrote

00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:47.320
 because he framed it better

00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:48.199
 than what I thought

00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:48.679
 that I could.

00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:50.340
 Very simply,

00:34:51.099 --> 00:34:52.500
 it is the ongoing

00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:54.159
 continual rejection

00:34:54.159 --> 00:34:55.380
 of the witness

00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:56.300
 of the Holy Spirit

00:34:56.300 --> 00:34:58.019
 to the divinity

00:34:58.019 --> 00:34:59.880
 and the saviorhood

00:34:59.880 --> 00:35:00.539
 of Christ.

00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:03.199
 It is the perversion

00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:04.119
 in the heart

00:35:04.119 --> 00:35:05.159
 that chooses

00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:06.260
 to call light

00:35:06.260 --> 00:35:07.059
 darkness

00:35:07.059 --> 00:35:08.800
 and darkness

00:35:08.800 --> 00:35:09.760
 light.

00:35:10.900 --> 00:35:12.119
 It is continuing

00:35:12.119 --> 00:35:12.900
 rejection

00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:13.619
 of the witness

00:35:13.619 --> 00:35:14.480
 of the Holy Spirit

00:35:14.480 --> 00:35:15.679
 whether that witness

00:35:15.679 --> 00:35:16.799
 be a quiet witness

00:35:16.799 --> 00:35:17.739
 of the conscience,

00:35:18.359 --> 00:35:19.639
 the rational witness

00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:20.379
 of the word,

00:35:20.899 --> 00:35:22.199
 or even miracles

00:35:22.199 --> 00:35:23.699
 and wonders.

00:35:24.619 --> 00:35:25.619
 And there are many people,

00:35:25.759 --> 00:35:26.179
 I think,

00:35:26.339 --> 00:35:27.199
 many believers

00:35:27.199 --> 00:35:29.759
 who have become anxious

00:35:29.759 --> 00:35:31.099
 about whether or not

00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:31.980
 they have committed

00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:33.419
 an unpardonable sin

00:35:33.419 --> 00:35:34.879
 that has disqualified

00:35:34.879 --> 00:35:35.779
 them from God.

00:35:36.539 --> 00:35:37.960
 But this is not about

00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:39.099
 a one-time sin.

00:35:39.219 --> 00:35:40.500
 This is the continual

00:35:40.500 --> 00:35:41.879
 hardening of the heart,

00:35:42.259 --> 00:35:43.619
 rejection willfully

00:35:43.619 --> 00:35:44.339
 of the gospel

00:35:44.340 --> 00:35:44.980
 of Jesus.

00:35:45.220 --> 00:35:46.180
 A person who has done

00:35:46.180 --> 00:35:47.019
 this is completely

00:35:47.019 --> 00:35:48.019
 indifferent to the fact

00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:48.960
 that they have done it.

00:35:49.140 --> 00:35:50.120
 So if you're anxious

00:35:50.120 --> 00:35:50.680
 today,

00:35:51.059 --> 00:35:52.019
 well maybe I've done

00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:52.720
 something that

00:35:52.720 --> 00:35:53.920
 disqualifies me

00:35:53.920 --> 00:35:54.440
 in this way,

00:35:54.539 --> 00:35:54.780
 maybe,

00:35:55.240 --> 00:35:56.620
 but you desire Christ.

00:35:56.740 --> 00:35:56.880
 Okay,

00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:58.059
 a person that has

00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:59.120
 blasphemed the Holy Spirit

00:35:59.120 --> 00:35:59.960
 or is blaspheming

00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:00.539
 the Holy Spirit

00:36:00.539 --> 00:36:01.960
 is indifferent to that.

00:36:02.180 --> 00:36:02.780
 They don't believe

00:36:02.780 --> 00:36:03.920
 that that's even the case.

00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:04.620
 Okay?

00:36:05.079 --> 00:36:06.180
 It's just not a single sin

00:36:06.180 --> 00:36:07.440
 that disqualifies you forever.

00:36:07.640 --> 00:36:08.440
 It's the continual

00:36:08.440 --> 00:36:09.380
 rejection of unbelief.

00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:09.980
 Third,

00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:12.800
 no one

00:36:12.800 --> 00:36:14.579
 has ever

00:36:14.579 --> 00:36:15.820
 sought forgiveness

00:36:15.820 --> 00:36:16.640
 from God

00:36:16.640 --> 00:36:18.680
 and been denied.

00:36:19.640 --> 00:36:20.800
 No one.

00:36:21.760 --> 00:36:22.559
 Ever.

00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:25.039
 Not one time

00:36:25.039 --> 00:36:25.559
 in the scripture

00:36:25.559 --> 00:36:27.200
 has anyone come

00:36:27.200 --> 00:36:27.559
 to God

00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:28.460
 seeking forgiveness

00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:30.079
 and God said,

00:36:30.740 --> 00:36:31.000
 nope.

00:36:33.780 --> 00:36:34.860
 You see this

00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:35.660
 in verse 28.

00:36:35.659 --> 00:36:38.099
 Look at it again.

00:36:40.219 --> 00:36:41.099
 All sins

00:36:41.099 --> 00:36:42.279
 shall be forgiven

00:36:42.279 --> 00:36:43.519
 unto the sons of men

00:36:43.519 --> 00:36:45.500
 and blasphemies

00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:46.879
 wherewithsoever

00:36:46.879 --> 00:36:48.440
 they shall blaspheme.

00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.659
 Not only

00:36:52.659 --> 00:36:53.719
 is forgiveness

00:36:53.719 --> 00:36:54.339
 available,

00:36:55.199 --> 00:36:56.039
 but God

00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:56.920
 delights himself

00:36:56.920 --> 00:36:57.420
 in it.

00:36:58.619 --> 00:36:59.639
 He delights

00:36:59.639 --> 00:37:00.399
 himself in it.

00:37:02.059 --> 00:37:03.259
 The warning

00:37:03.259 --> 00:37:04.539
 is about a danger

00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:05.420
 in not coming

00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:05.940
 to Christ

00:37:05.940 --> 00:37:07.139
 before you die

00:37:07.139 --> 00:37:09.000
 or Jesus returns.

00:37:10.720 --> 00:37:11.780
 It's not about

00:37:11.780 --> 00:37:12.960
 blackballing you

00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:13.460
 for the rest

00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:14.059
 of your life

00:37:14.059 --> 00:37:14.500
 saying that

00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.440
 even if you come

00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:16.380
 asking for forgiveness

00:37:16.380 --> 00:37:17.400
 he won't give it.

00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:18.039
 That's not what

00:37:18.039 --> 00:37:18.800
 Jesus is saying.

00:37:18.960 --> 00:37:19.579
 The opposite

00:37:19.579 --> 00:37:20.360
 is actually true.

00:37:20.480 --> 00:37:21.119
 Jesus is saying

00:37:21.119 --> 00:37:22.260
 anyone that will

00:37:22.260 --> 00:37:22.720
 come to me

00:37:22.720 --> 00:37:23.940
 I will forgive them.

00:37:24.019 --> 00:37:24.659
 If you will come

00:37:24.659 --> 00:37:25.240
 to Christ

00:37:25.240 --> 00:37:26.200
 in faith

00:37:26.200 --> 00:37:27.079
 and repentance

00:37:27.079 --> 00:37:28.039
 and follow him

00:37:28.039 --> 00:37:28.539
 as Lord

00:37:28.539 --> 00:37:30.200
 he will forgive

00:37:30.200 --> 00:37:31.920
 your sin.

00:37:31.920 --> 00:37:34.780
 the danger

00:37:34.780 --> 00:37:37.099
 is in continuing

00:37:37.099 --> 00:37:37.960
 in rejection

00:37:37.960 --> 00:37:38.920
 of Christ

00:37:38.920 --> 00:37:40.940
 until it's too late

00:37:40.940 --> 00:37:41.980
 to do anything else.

00:37:42.980 --> 00:37:43.559
 You say

00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:44.159
 I've got plenty

00:37:44.159 --> 00:37:44.760
 of time then.

00:37:45.900 --> 00:37:47.000
 No you don't.

00:37:48.780 --> 00:37:49.500
 Your life

00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:50.200
 is but a vapor.

00:37:50.599 --> 00:37:51.019
 It appears

00:37:51.019 --> 00:37:51.659
 for a moment

00:37:51.659 --> 00:37:52.300
 and then it

00:37:52.300 --> 00:37:53.200
 vanishes away.

00:37:55.139 --> 00:37:55.659
 Furthermore

00:37:55.659 --> 00:37:57.759
 Jesus has promised

00:37:57.759 --> 00:37:58.579
 that his return

00:37:58.579 --> 00:37:59.000
 is imminent.

00:37:59.279 --> 00:37:59.879
 He could come back

00:37:59.879 --> 00:38:00.420
 at any moment.

00:38:00.559 --> 00:38:01.420
 You may have

00:38:01.420 --> 00:38:02.159
 otherwise lived

00:38:02.159 --> 00:38:03.199
 for another 50 years

00:38:03.199 --> 00:38:03.779
 but if he comes

00:38:03.779 --> 00:38:04.319
 this afternoon

00:38:04.319 --> 00:38:04.920
 what good is that

00:38:04.920 --> 00:38:05.339
 for you?

00:38:06.339 --> 00:38:07.460
 You don't have time.

00:38:08.859 --> 00:38:09.719
 Today is the day

00:38:09.719 --> 00:38:10.399
 of salvation.

00:38:13.119 --> 00:38:14.159
 Can I encourage you

00:38:14.159 --> 00:38:15.159
 with a few verses here?

00:38:16.899 --> 00:38:17.819
 Acts chapter 3

00:38:17.819 --> 00:38:18.639
 and verse 19.

00:38:20.759 --> 00:38:21.739
 Repent therefore

00:38:21.739 --> 00:38:23.699
 and turn back

00:38:23.699 --> 00:38:25.219
 that your sins

00:38:25.219 --> 00:38:26.919
 may be blotted out.

00:38:28.859 --> 00:38:29.719
 Ephesians 1

00:38:29.719 --> 00:38:30.179
 7

00:38:30.179 --> 00:38:31.659
 In Christ

00:38:31.659 --> 00:38:32.619
 we have redemption

00:38:32.619 --> 00:38:33.659
 through his blood

00:38:33.659 --> 00:38:34.719
 the forgiveness

00:38:34.719 --> 00:38:35.899
 of our sins

00:38:35.899 --> 00:38:37.299
 according to the riches

00:38:37.299 --> 00:38:38.099
 of his grace.

00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:40.819
 Colossians chapter 1

00:38:40.819 --> 00:38:42.179
 and verse 14

00:38:42.179 --> 00:38:42.899
 In Christ

00:38:42.899 --> 00:38:43.819
 we have redemption

00:38:43.819 --> 00:38:44.899
 the forgiveness

00:38:44.899 --> 00:38:46.059
 of sins.

00:38:47.059 --> 00:38:48.099
 1 Corinthians

00:38:48.099 --> 00:38:49.099
 15 3

00:38:49.099 --> 00:38:50.439
 I deliver to you

00:38:50.439 --> 00:38:51.539
 as of first importance

00:38:51.539 --> 00:38:52.739
 what I also receive

00:38:52.739 --> 00:38:53.759
 that Christ

00:38:53.759 --> 00:38:55.379
 died for our sins

00:38:55.379 --> 00:38:56.439
 according to the scripture.

00:38:56.439 --> 00:38:57.559
 He was buried

00:38:57.559 --> 00:38:59.199
 and he rose from the dead

00:38:59.199 --> 00:39:00.139
 on the third day

00:39:00.139 --> 00:39:00.959
 in accordance

00:39:00.959 --> 00:39:01.939
 with the scriptures.

00:39:02.539 --> 00:39:03.639
 Galatians 1

00:39:03.639 --> 00:39:04.159
 4

00:39:04.159 --> 00:39:06.439
 Jesus gave himself

00:39:06.439 --> 00:39:07.339
 for our sins

00:39:07.339 --> 00:39:08.419
 to deliver us

00:39:08.419 --> 00:39:09.500
 from this present

00:39:09.500 --> 00:39:10.339
 evil age

00:39:10.339 --> 00:39:12.179
 according to the will

00:39:12.179 --> 00:39:12.779
 of God

00:39:12.779 --> 00:39:13.919
 and Father.

00:39:14.779 --> 00:39:15.739
 1 Peter 3

00:39:15.739 --> 00:39:16.339
 18

00:39:16.339 --> 00:39:17.699
 For Christ

00:39:17.699 --> 00:39:18.699
 also suffered

00:39:18.699 --> 00:39:19.819
 once for sins

00:39:19.819 --> 00:39:20.759
 the righteous

00:39:20.760 --> 00:39:21.960
 for the unrighteous

00:39:21.960 --> 00:39:22.940
 that he might

00:39:22.940 --> 00:39:24.100
 bring us to God

00:39:24.100 --> 00:39:25.620
 being put to death

00:39:25.620 --> 00:39:26.460
 in the flesh

00:39:26.460 --> 00:39:27.440
 but made alive

00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:28.160
 in the spirit.

00:39:29.020 --> 00:39:30.100
 1 John 1

00:39:30.100 --> 00:39:30.540
 9

00:39:30.540 --> 00:39:32.040
 If we confess

00:39:32.040 --> 00:39:32.840
 our sins

00:39:32.840 --> 00:39:34.200
 he is faithful

00:39:34.200 --> 00:39:34.820
 and just

00:39:34.820 --> 00:39:36.240
 to forgive our sins

00:39:36.240 --> 00:39:37.600
 and to cleanse us

00:39:37.600 --> 00:39:39.100
 from all unrighteousness.

00:39:39.240 --> 00:39:40.480
 1 John 2

00:39:40.480 --> 00:39:41.100
 2

00:39:41.100 --> 00:39:43.280
 He is the propitiation

00:39:43.280 --> 00:39:44.400
 for our sins

00:39:44.400 --> 00:39:45.980
 and not for ours only

00:39:45.980 --> 00:39:46.860
 but the sins

00:39:46.860 --> 00:39:47.680
 of the whole world.

00:39:47.679 --> 00:39:48.659
 You know what the Bible

00:39:48.659 --> 00:39:49.139
 is about?

00:39:50.139 --> 00:39:51.099
 It's not just

00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:52.099
 a book of judgment.

00:39:52.699 --> 00:39:53.659
 Greater than that

00:39:53.659 --> 00:39:54.960
 it's a book of mercy.

00:39:55.500 --> 00:39:56.759
 It's a book of salvation.

00:39:57.359 --> 00:39:58.599
 And over and over

00:39:58.599 --> 00:39:59.179
 and over

00:39:59.179 --> 00:40:00.159
 God promises

00:40:00.159 --> 00:40:01.759
 if you will turn to me

00:40:01.759 --> 00:40:03.579
 if you will follow me

00:40:03.579 --> 00:40:05.579
 if you will follow Christ

00:40:05.579 --> 00:40:06.879
 your sins

00:40:06.879 --> 00:40:08.059
 will be forgiven.

00:40:08.319 --> 00:40:09.599
 But if you will not

00:40:09.599 --> 00:40:10.279
 turn to me

00:40:10.279 --> 00:40:10.980
 your sin

00:40:10.980 --> 00:40:12.000
 will not be forgiven.

00:40:13.639 --> 00:40:14.739
 You will be guilty

00:40:14.739 --> 00:40:16.019
 of an eternal sin.

00:40:16.019 --> 00:40:17.960
 rejecting

00:40:17.960 --> 00:40:19.480
 the gospel

00:40:19.480 --> 00:40:20.320
 that he has come

00:40:20.320 --> 00:40:21.780
 to provide for you

00:40:21.780 --> 00:40:22.739
 and know

00:40:22.739 --> 00:40:23.759
 you don't have time

00:40:23.759 --> 00:40:25.139
 to make the decision later.

00:40:28.980 --> 00:40:29.940
 Everyone makes

00:40:29.940 --> 00:40:31.039
 an assessment of Jesus

00:40:31.039 --> 00:40:32.079
 whether they realize it

00:40:32.079 --> 00:40:32.480
 or not.

00:40:33.900 --> 00:40:34.480
 C.S. Lewis

00:40:34.480 --> 00:40:35.199
 was right.

00:40:37.539 --> 00:40:38.440
 Seeing Jesus

00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:39.719
 as a good moral teacher

00:40:39.719 --> 00:40:40.559
 is not an option

00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:41.139
 to us.

00:40:41.539 --> 00:40:42.400
 That's a cop out.

00:40:42.400 --> 00:40:46.300
 Some think

00:40:46.300 --> 00:40:46.960
 he's a lunatic.

00:40:47.820 --> 00:40:48.340
 Others think

00:40:48.340 --> 00:40:49.559
 he's an imposter.

00:40:51.059 --> 00:40:52.380
 But what you decide

00:40:52.380 --> 00:40:52.980
 about him

00:40:52.980 --> 00:40:55.079
 has eternal consequences.

00:40:57.079 --> 00:40:57.980
 If Jesus

00:40:57.980 --> 00:40:58.700
 is Lord

00:40:58.700 --> 00:41:01.380
 then you will have

00:41:01.380 --> 00:41:02.320
 to answer to him

00:41:02.320 --> 00:41:03.420
 at the end of your life.

00:41:05.079 --> 00:41:05.960
 How do you think

00:41:05.960 --> 00:41:06.740
 that's going to go?

00:41:06.739 --> 00:41:09.759
 Today

00:41:09.759 --> 00:41:12.019
 if you hear

00:41:12.019 --> 00:41:12.879
 his voice

00:41:12.879 --> 00:41:15.799
 do not harden

00:41:15.799 --> 00:41:16.299
 your heart.

00:41:16.300 --> 00:41:16.820
 Well done.

00:41:16.820 --> 00:41:17.180
 Well done.

00:41:17.180 --> 00:41:17.780
 Well done.

00:41:17.780 --> 00:41:17.780


00:41:17.780 --> 00:41:18.300
 Well done.

00:41:18.300 --> 00:41:18.300


00:41:18.300 --> 00:41:18.300


00:41:18.300 --> 00:41:18.300


00:41:18.300 --> 00:41:18.820
 Well done.

00:41:18.820 --> 00:41:18.820


00:41:18.820 --> 00:41:18.820


00:41:18.820 --> 00:41:18.820


00:41:18.820 --> 00:41:19.539
 Well done.

00:41:19.539 --> 00:41:19.539


00:41:19.539 --> 00:41:20.200
 Well done.

00:41:20.200 --> 00:41:20.200


00:41:20.200 --> 00:41:20.900
 Well done.

00:41:20.900 --> 00:41:20.900


00:41:20.900 --> 00:41:20.900


00:41:20.900 --> 00:41:21.600
 Well done.

00:41:21.600 --> 00:41:21.600


00:41:21.600 --> 00:41:22.620
 Well done.

00:41:22.620 --> 00:41:22.620


00:41:22.620 --> 00:41:22.620


00:41:22.620 --> 00:41:22.620


00:41:22.620 --> 00:41:22.620


00:41:22.620 --> 00:41:22.620


00:41:22.620 --> 00:41:22.820
 Well done.

00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820


00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:22.820