Monthly Archives: February 2021

Mark 3- Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

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Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Mark 3:28-29

There is one sin that Jesus said he will not forgive “Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit”, this should obviously be a dire warning to everyone, God will not be mocked. So the obvious question is “What is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit”?  The dictionary defines Blasphemy as “ Act of insulting , showing contempt, or lack of reverence towards God” or “Acting or claiming the attributes of a deity”

I think it’s interesting because in this statement, Jesus is basically declaring that the Holy Spirit is God. If the Holy Spirit wasn’t God, then blaspheming against him wouldn’t really be a sin. Notice the punishment, eternal damnation, Hell. 

When you understand that we are dead in our sins (Ephesians 2) its the Holy Spirit that convicts us of our sin and leads us to Christ. If you reject this conviction or calling , this would be one example of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Many of the religious leaders knew the scriptures, they witnessed the miracles performed by Christ, yet they still rejected him, they rejected the Holy Spirit, which leads to eternal damnation

Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. Mark 3:30

Notice Jesus charged the religious leaders with blasphemy because they accused him of being possessed with demons. Again this displays that Jesus is God also, if Jesus wasn’t God, then it really wouldn’t be blasphemy. But because God is Triune, Father , Son , and Holy Spirit, any rejection of the three is blasphemy and eternal damnation

Why did religious leaders reject Christ? Was it due to lack of evidence, no? Was it due to their lack of knowledge with scripture?, No, It was because they have hardened their hearts and loved their religion more than they loved the true living God. They made an idol out of their traditions and statuses, and rejected the calling of the Holy Spirit

Many even today have rejected the Holy Spirit, they claim not to know God or understand his direct revelation. But God knows their hearts, God knows their thoughts, God knows they have committed blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and will be eternal damned!

Through The Wilderness

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As we are now officially in the “Lent Season” heading towards Easter, it’s time to reflect upon what is Lent? And how does it pertain to us? So what is Lent season? It’s 40 days before Easter, it’s a time to reflect and prepare for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Typically Lent is symbolic of the 40 days Jesus spent in the Wilderness. (Matthew 4)

Now while Jesus was in the wilderness, he not only fasted but he was tempted by Satan to fall into Sin. Notice how Jesus responded to each temptation, he said “It Is Written” meaning God had already declared and promised Satan’s defeat. Through Christ we already have victory over sin and death.  Also notice the power of the Word of God, as Jesus used it each time to fight off Satan

Think about the Israelites, when Moses led them from the slavery of Egypt, they wandered through the wilderness for 40 years, (Exodus 14) Again we see that symbolic number of 40, which in the Bible means a “period of testing” Just as Moses delivered the Israelites from the slavery of Egypt, Jesus delivered us from the slavery of Sin and Death (Romans 6:20)

Maybe you’re “Going Through The Wilderness” today? We live in difficult times and many people are struggling mentally and physically. Just remember this, after the Wilderness comes the Cross and then the Empty Tomb. Meaning Jesus has already given us victory because of what he has accomplished, as Jesus declared on the cross “It Is Finished” (John 19:30) You have victory because of Jesus Christ!

So as you’re going through this Lent season, maybe you’re in the Wilderness, remember God is with you and the victory is already yours in Jesus Name Amen!

Mark 3- A House Divided

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And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself. And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. Mark 3:20-22

Jesus began healing many people, casting out demons, teaching with authority, you would think the people would be impressed, right? His family said “He is out of his mind”, the religious leaders said “he is the prince of the devils” Obviously signs and wonders were not convincing enough for everyone, as many have rejected Christ for different reasons.

When we think about Jesus’ family, think about how difficult this must have been for him to leave his family behind and begin his ministry. Even though Jesus was born to be the Lamb of God and he is Christ, he was also human. He loved his family and grew up with them. And now , except for his mother, they rejected him and called him crazy! Most famously his brother James, who didn’t believe Jesus until after the resurrection, then went on to establish the Christian Church in Jerusalem.

Then you have the religious leader, who had their own agenda. They didn’t seem to care if Jesus was the Messiah, they wanted him killed because he made them look bad. These men were supposed to love God, yet killed his Son to maintain their lifestyles, does that sound familiar today?

And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. Mark 3:23-26

Jesus tried to reason with them “If he was Satan why would he drive out Satan”? The logic of the religious leaders didn’t make any sense, yet they continued to hold to their belief for their own benefit, does that sound familiar today also? Jesus also made another statement “A house divided against itself can not stand”

We wonder why the Church today has so many problems, well because we are a house divided. How can we fight against Satan, when we spend most of our time fighting against each other? Jesus said “Satan doesn’t fight against himself” so why are we the Church fighting against ourselves? Its time to get back to the Law of Christ, Love God and Love your Neighbor

No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house Mark 3:27

Nobody can rob someone’s house who has a loaded shotgun and is standing of the front porch, right? Jesus is saying “Satan can’t overcome the Church if the Church is alert and ready” However when we are spiritually asleep and divided, we become very weakened

The New Covenant has come, Jesus has the power and authority over Satan and all evil, its time for the Church to wake up and come together in Jesus name Amen!

Mark 3- Lord of The Sabbath Part 2

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And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. Mark 3:1-3

The religious leaders once again are looking to trap Jesus, to try and charge him with any crime, so they could get rid of him. The religious leaders decided to use the Sabbath as their trap, as mentioned previously the Sabbath was abused by Israel as a yoke to burden the people rather than to free them as intended by God

There was a man with a withered hand and they wanted to see if Jesus would heal him. This was their trap, if Jesus heals the man he is “breaking the Sabbath” , anyone can realize that healing someone is not morally wrong it’s actually a blessing. Why would the religious leaders take a healing from God and make it a sin? It displays the wickedness of their hearts, it displays the arrogant pride of the religious leaders.

Jesus, who is Lord of The Sabbath (Mark 2) told the man to stand up. Jesus knew exactly what was in the hearts and minds of the religious leaders and was going to demonstrate true justice. Jesus is going to demonstrate, that not only does he have the power to heal, but he is also Lord of The Sabbath

And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. Mark 3:4-5

Jesus called them out, asking them a simple question, “Is it lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath” Common sense will tell you, you should do good on the Sabbath, such as healing, but these wicked religious leaders were blinded by their own pride. It says “They held their peace” meaning they couldn’t respond to Jesus because they knew they were hypocrites.

Jesus grieved at the hardness of their hearts, notice Jesus still loved these men but he mourned their wickedness. They claimed to love God and be teachers of The Law, yet had no love in their hearts. 

Christ healed the man right before everyone, he made him whole. But their was no rejoicing or joy coming from the religious leaders, their legalism has cut them off from God. They made themselves Lords of the Sabbath however there is only one Lord and it’s Jesus Christ

And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. Mark 3:6

Did witnessing this miracle change anyone? No the Pharisees and Herodians came together to try and plot to kill Jesus instead. People ask for signs and wonders, these religious leaders experienced it and still rejected Christ

Jesus is Lord of The Sabbath, as Jesus is Lord over everything. Jesus is our Rest and our salvation Amen!

Mark 2- Lord of The Sabbath Part 1

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And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? Mark 2:23-25

One of the great debates still in Christianity is the Sabbath, should Christians still keep the Sabbath? Was the Sabbath abolished? Jesus addresses the Sabbath and shows how it pertains to the New Covenant. The first thing to note, is Jesus never commanded us anywhere to “Keep the Sabbath in the New Covenant”. The Sabbath was a sign of the Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 31:13) Any Christian who says “You need to Keep the Sabbath” challenge them where this is in Jesus or the Apostles teachings!

We see in this story, the Sabbath being broken. The Pharisees try to charge Jesus with breaking the Sabbath, which is ironic because as Jesus reveals to us he is the “Lord of The Sabbath”. Jesus gives an example of David breaking the Sabbath, eating the showbread while he was hungry, which was unlawful in the Torah

Why didn’t the Pharisees condemn David for this? Jesus is trying to show how hypocritical the Pharisees are, they want to condemn Christ but say nothing about David. 

How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath Mark 2:26-28

Was David a High Priest? No therefore he broke the Torah laws yet was never condemned by the Pharisees. But yet they want to condemn Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, is this righteous judgement? No , Jesus also revealed “The Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath” God created the Sabbath as a sign for Israel to separate from the rest of the world, also to provide physical and spiritual rest. However the religious leaders took this Law and made it a yoke that nobody could  carry or maintain.

Jesus made another statement “The Son of Man is Lord of The Sabbath” How could Jesus fulfill the Sabbath? Easy, he is the Lord of the Sabbath, as he is the Lord of everything! If you want to keep the Sabbath, go ahead but don’t use it as a yoke or stumbling block for other believers. Through Christ we are no longer under the law but under grace (Romans 6:14)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

The word Sabbath means Rest, the only way to find Rest is in Jesus Christ! Jesus is your Sabbath , Amen!

Mark 2- Jesus Friend of Sinners

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And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. Mark 2:13-14

Here we see Jesus calling one of his disciples, Levi, wait who is Levi? Matthew is the greek translation of the name Levi. Its interesting because the name Levi actually derived from the priesthood name of Leviticus. It is possible Matthew came from the Levitical priest line , we don’t really know , but oh how the mighty have fallen

As you know Matthew (Levi) was a tax collector, the most disgraceful occupation an orthodox Jew could possess. Not only did Matthew work for the Roman Empire, but extorted taxes from his own persecuted people. Matthew was viewed as wicked as Caesar himself

But notice what Jesus did, he called this wretched tax collector, and not only provided him salvation, but made him an Apostle! This is the power of the gospel, this is what the blood of Christ can do, bring us alive from our trespasses and give us a new heart and new name!

And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? Mark 2: 15-16

Jesus came to set the captives free! This is a central message of the gospel story, notice it says “many followed him” Jesus took the people society threw away and made them born again! The religious people wouldn’t even associate with these people, but the power of the gospel can transform anyone!

One thing we want to point out, even though Jesus associated with sinners to save them, he never sinned with them! Alot of people like to justify their sinful lifestyle by pointing out Jesus associated with him. Jesus came to call for repentance (Mark 1:15)

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Mark 2:17

Jesus is the Great Physician, there is no other way to be made well except through Jesus Christ, why? Because we are dead in our sins (Ephesians 1), Jesus is the only one who can make us Born Again (John 3) 

If Jesus can save and use a wretched sinner like Matthew, he can save and use you also! Answer your calling and follow Jesus! Amen!