Rejection, Spiritual Blindness, Occupation Of The Heart. Matthew 12.22-50

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.