2025.05.11. Sermon Notes. MATTHEW 12.22-50 REJECTION, SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS, OCCUPATION OF THE HEART
WILLIAM AKEHURST, HSWC
SCRIPTURES: Matthew 12:22-50, Acts 19:13-16, 1 Timothy 1:13, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 2:2, John 19:30, John 5:24, John 16:8-11, 1 Timothy 3:16, Romans 1:3-4, John 16:12-14, John 15:26, Acts 3:14-15, Acts 3:17-19, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 3:17, John 6:40, Hebrews 2:11
BIG IDEA: 1. The religious leaders' continued rejection of Jesus reveals their hardened hearts, leading to their spiritual blindness and condemnation. 2. OCCUPY your heart with JESUS.
REJECTION AND SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS LEAD TO CONDEMNATION
1. JESUS' POWER AND THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS' REJECTION (vs. 22–24)
22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man (Verses 22–24):
• Jesus healed a man who was blind and mute because of a demon.
Theory: a demon must say its name to be cast out. Man was mute by demon, couldn’t say name.
• The people were amazed and wondered if Jesus was the Messiah (“Son of David”).
• The Pharisees accused Jesus of using Satan’s power (Beelzebub) to cast out demons.
• Point: Instead of worship, they choose to accuse.
2. JESUS EXPOSES THE FLAW IN THEIR LOGIC (vs. 25–29)
25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
Jesus Responds to the Accusation (Verses 25–29):
• Jesus said it’s illogical for Satan to fight against himself.
• If He casts out demons by God’s Spirit, it means God’s Kingdom has come.
• He explained He is stronger than Satan, and He’s taking back what Satan had claimed:
A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.
If Satan casts out Satan, his kingdom is falling.
Jesus is stronger than Satan: binding the strong man to plunder his house.
• Point: Jesus demonstrates His authority as Messiah and Deliverer.
Acts 19:13-16
13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
3. THE UNFORGIVABLE SIN: BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT (vs. 30–32)
Matthew 12:30-32
30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.
The Unpardonable Sin (Mark 3:28–30)
31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him,
Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit (Verses 30–32):
• There’s no neutral position: you're either with Jesus or against Him.
• All sins can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
• This sin is a full and final rejection of the Holy Spirit’s witness about Jesus.
1Timothy 1:13 Paul says I was a blasphemer
1 Timothy 1:12-14 Paul writes…
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
Forgiveness
1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
Every Sin will be forgiven
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Full payment for sin of the world
1 John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
It is finished.
John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
JESUS speaks to the Pharisees.
JESUS is saying, Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven.
But Speaking against Holy Spirit, there is no forgiveness.
Many Supernatural events were occurring but they were rejecting.
This was HIS Warning. Believe and it will be settled.
HEAR ME AND BELIEVE TO EVERLASTING LIFE. Otherwise there is judgment
John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
WORKING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 16:8-11 8And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.
THE UNPARDONABLE
• HS was speaking about Jesus
• Their Unbelief was Speaking against the HS.
• Jesus warns and gives them opportunity to change and turn. Not too late.
• Willful rejection of HS WORK TESTIFYING OF JESUS = too late.
Romans 1:3-4 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
John 16:12-14
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
John 15:26
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
WHEN IS IT TOO LATE?
Acts 3:14-15, 17-19
Acts 3:14-15
14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
Acts 3:17-19
17 “Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, Repent and be converted.
• You thought you’re right. But not. Change before it’s too late.
• TAKE AWAY: Don’t give up on people.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 Pray for All Men
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
POINT: Warning. You can come to a point where you are seared. Rejecting HS Evidence of JESUS.
No neutrality with Jesus – You are either with Him or against Him.
Blasphemy against the Spirit: Final and total rejection of the Spirit’s testimony about Jesus.
• Warning: This rejection leads to eternal consequences.
• Encouragement: The desire to repent is evidence you haven’t committed it.
4. HEARTS EXPOSED BY WORDS (vs. 33–37)
Matthew 12:33-37 - A Tree Known by Its Fruit
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
• Poisonous speaking from evil overflow of heart of unbelief.
• Foul words. Foul heart.
• Off-color jokes. Perverted heart.
• Profane words. Profane heart.
• Covetous words. Covetous heart.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
POINT: Words justify or give evidence of the heart.
Romans 10:9-10
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Words Reveal the Heart (Verses 33–37):
• Just like a tree is known by its fruit, our words show what’s in our hearts.
• The Pharisees’ words against Jesus revealed their evil hearts.
• We’ll be judged by our words, whether good or careless.
Good trees bear good fruit; bad trees, bad fruit.
Words reveal the heart – the Pharisees’ evil speech reveals their corruption.
Every idle word will be judged.
• Point: What we say reflects our standing before God.
• POINT: Some will stand before judgment by their words. It will all play back.
5. THE DEMAND FOR A SIGN AND JESUS' RESPONSE (vs. 38–42)
The Pharisees Ask for a Sign (Verses 38–40):
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”
COMMENT: WHAT?!? What about all the healings???
39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
• Religious leaders ask for a sign. They asked Jesus for a sign to prove Himself. – hypocrisy and unbelief.
• Jesus said the only sign they would get is the “sign of Jonah” (His resurrection).
NOTE: Jonah was in the fish for three days—Jesus would be in the grave for three days.
• Greater than Jonah and Solomon is here, but they refuse to see it.
• Illustration: Even Gentiles (Nineveh, Queen of Sheba) responded better.
Greater Judgment for Greater Light (Verses 41–42):
41 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.
• Went to Nineveh. Many believe and receive.
• Death burial resurrection
42 The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.
• Jonah and Solomon.
• Men of Nineveh and Queen of the south. Both gentiles. Believed and repented.
Pharisees had evidence and didn’t believe. Didn’t want to believe.
• People in Nineveh repented after Jonah’s preaching.
• The Queen of Sheba traveled far to hear Solomon’s wisdom.
• Both will condemn this generation because Jesus (greater than Jonah or Solomon) is being rejected.
6. WARNING: SPIRITUAL EMPTINESS INVITES GREATER DANGER (vs. 43–45)
An Unclean Spirit Returns (Luke 11:24–26)
43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”
Generation. Illustration applied to the generation. Wickedness will come back worse 7X.
POINT. Only after being occupied with JESUS and Holy Spirit can you change.
WE MUST BE OCCUPIED!
Ephesians 3:17
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love…
A person freed from evil but left empty is vulnerable.
Without Jesus filling the heart, worse bondage can return.
• Warning: Religious reform without true faith in Christ leads to ruin.
• Historical Fulfillment: Points toward Israel’s devastation in A.D. 70.
The Danger of Rejection (Verses 43–45):
• The religious leaders stubbornly rejected Jesus despite clear signs.
• Jesus warned them that rejecting the Holy Spirit and not turning to God would lead to greater evil, judgment and destruction.
• Evil can return stronger if someone doesn’t fill their life with God.
• This was especially true of the generation that rejected Jesus—they would end up worse off.
• True faith must involve the heart, not just outward appearances or demands for signs.
7. TRUE FAMILY: THOSE WHO DO THE WILL OF GOD (vs. 46–50)
46 While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. 47 Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.”
Expectation. Expecting access privileges. Escorted to the front.
48 But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” 49 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
Jesus redefines family: those who hear and obey God’s Word.
• Encouragement: We are invited into this intimate relationship through faith and obedience.
• Jesus loved his family.
• Teaching moment.
• Those who do Father’s Will have access to be close to JESUS.
John 6:40
40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
• Fathers will for you to believe in Jesus.
Hebrews 2:11
11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
• Nearness and access to JESUS. Those who seek to do his will.
• Contrast.
• Those who receive and believe have access, freedom, forgiveness.
• Those who reject him. Will be held accountable.
Good news. You can change today.
It’s not too late or you wouldn’t be here today.
It’s not too late for you. He wants you.
Jesus showed his love, even to those who were rejecting him by giving them opportunity to change and be forgiven.
We must be OCCUPIED with CHRIST JESUS.
APPLICATION POINTS:
• Don’t mislabel God’s work due to hard-heartedness.
• Watch your words – they reveal your spiritual state.
• Signs won’t convince a heart set against God – only repentance and faith will.
• Mere moral reform isn’t enough – we must be filled with Christ. (OCCUPIED)
• True belonging to God’s family comes through obedience.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Pastor Bill
