The Unpardonable Sin Series

Several weeks ago, I asked for your help in your choice of today’s sermon. Your top choice was “When Will Jesus Return to Earth?” But a little analysis of the results led us to understand that it was really only this early service that asked for this topic. So … at 9:30, 11 and at Cross Church, our sermon will be on focused “What is the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?” Or, “What is the Unpardonable Sin.”

Anxiety comes in all forms. It’s the call from your child’s school asking you if you can come to meet with the principal. It’s the feeling you get when looking over your retirement savings and then you realize you don’t have that many more years left to work. Few things can cause anxiety like spiritual anxiety. The Unpardonable Sin is a particular teaching that has really haunted people for a long time. As a pastor, people often ask if they have committed the sin that cannot and will not be forgiven. Some here today have a paralyzing fear they have committed the “unpardonable sin.” The thought that there is something I might have done that would forever exclude me from the presence of God. So if this is you today, listen carefully.

“Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 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. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 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. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 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.” (Matthew 12:22–32)

What Would it Take to Convince You? Imagine with me the most skeptical person you know. Think of the most skeptical person when it comes to Christianity and Jesus. It might even be you. Now, hold this person in your mind for a moment. What Would it Take to Convince You? Miracles? Incredible Teaching? Magnetic Personality? Perhaps is has less to do with the evidence for Jesus and more to do with the eyes/heart of the one examining the evidence. Today, I want you to see What the Unpardonable Sin is Not, What the Unpardonable Sin is, and lastly, How Do I Know?

1. What It Is Not

Again, people are really haunted by the unpardonable sin. And there is so many “false starts” and myths that have grown up around Jesus’ statement here. It’s important to see what it is not.

1.1 Suicide

The Bible never tells us that suicide is unforgivable. This has come from the Roman Catholic Church and it is unfortunate.

1.2 “Big” Sins

When we consider a sin that God will not forgive, many of us think of “big sins.”

1.2.1 Sexual Sins

Is it a big sexual sin? Adultery? Homosexuality?

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9–11)

It’s not big sexual sins, because we see the Bible teaching us they can be forgiven. I think of David, who committed adultery, and I remember how he was forgiven.

1.2.2 Murder

Moses, David, and even Paul were complicit at some level in another person’s murder. No, it’s not murder. Every one of these “big sins” are covered by the blood of Jesus. The sweetest news for a sinner to hear is the news that God has forgiven you.