TEXT: Mark 3:29

INTRODUCTION:

A.      "BLASPHEME," blapto, "to hurt," and phemi, "to speak."

B.      TO BLASPHEME IS TO "SPEAK TO HURT,"  "TO SPEAK AGAINST,"  "TO

          SPEAK IRREVERENTLY, IMPIOUSLY."

C.      IT MEANS TO PROFANE, TO SPEAK EVIL OF GOOD.

I.      BLASPHEMY AGAINST GOD.

A.      IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

          1.       The Egyptian( Lev. 24:11 ).

          2.       Death penalty( vs. 16 ).

          3.       Isa. 65:7;  2 Kings 19:6-22;  2 Sam. 12:14;  Psa.74:10-18;

                   Isa. 52:5;  Ez. 35:12.

B.      IN THE NEW TESTAMENT:

          1.       The Jews caused the Gentiles to blaspheme( Rom. 2:24 ).

          2.       We may be a stumbling block, too( Titus 2:5 ).

          3.       1 Tim. 6:1;  1:13;  Acts 26:11.

II.     JESUS CHARGED WITH BLASPHEMY.

A.      Mark 2:5-7.  USURPATION OF GOD.  REMEMBER, THE DEATH PENALTY.

B.      Mat. 26:65.  THE FINAL CHARGE.

III.    THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN BE BLASPHEMED.

A.      JESUS WARNS US( Mat. 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-29; Luke 12:10 ).

B.      THE "UNPARDONABLE SIN."

IV.   WHAT EXACTLY IS BLASPHEMING THE HOLY SPIRIT?

A.      IT IS THE ONLY UNFORGIVABLE SIN( Mat.12:31 ).

B.      CONSIDER THESE PASSAGES:

          1.       Heb. 10:26.  A "wilfull sin."  "...no more sacrifice."

          2.       1 John 5:16-17.  "Sin unto death."

C.      EACH CLAIMS TO BE THE EXCLUSIVE "UNPARDONABLE SIN." 

          COULD IT BE THAT THEY ARE THE SAME?  LET'S LOOK AGAIN:

          1.       1 John 5:16-17.  One continues till he dies.  No repentance!

          2.       Heb. 10:26.  Deals with one has experienced the ultimate in all that God has

                   to offer in this life( 6:4-5 ).  They are aware of the suffering of Jesus on the

                   cross( 10:19-24 ). Yet, they are unimpressed( 10:25, 26-31 ).  The "blood of

                   covenant" is an "unholy thing"( common, everyday )thing to  them, so they

                   "set at nought" Jesus' rule, then they fall  away( 6:6 ).  Specifically, the

                   problem is defined in 3:13 & 6:6-8.  It is a hardness that rejects God's best

                   blessing.

          3.       Mat. 12:31-32.  The best evidence God could give us is Jesus casting out

                    demons( vs. 22-26 ).  What better way to demonstrate the enmity between

                   Jesus and Satan.  They not only rejected the  evidence, but made accusation as well.

          4.       In all 3 passages, we deal with a hard, callused heart that

                   refuses to consider evidence or repent.  It cares not for God's

                   best.

V.    LIMITATIONS OF FORGIVENESS.

A.      NO LIMIT WITH GOD( Mat. 28:19 ).  For everyone( Heb. 8:12 ).

B.      EVERY SIN( 1 John 1:7;  1 Tim. 1:12-17 ).

C.      EXCEPT ONE( Mat. 12;  Heb. 10;  1 John 5 ).

CONCLUSION:  DON'T BE GUILTY OF THIS SIN!