Note: (CL) = Controling Lesson (OT) = Old Testament (OTA) = Old Testament Alternative (NT) = New Testament (NTA) = New Testament Alternative (G) = Gospel (GA) = Gospel Alternative (Ps) = Psalm; one of these will follow all lessons for the week.

Note: Please be sure to look at previous posts because some of the week may have already been posted.


Monday, May 21, 2012

The Day of Pentecost (GA)

Matthew 12:22-32
22 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. (ESV)

The Spirit of God verse the Spirit of the Devil could bring us to a very interesting point.  Jesus Christ points out that these two Spirits are warring with one another.  The Spirit of God has the power to cast out the spirit of Satan.  The Spirit of God is a very powerful spirit to speak great things to the people of God.

"Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."  How can the one who has died for the forgiveness of all sins say this?  How can a man plunder a Rich Man's house?  Jesus comes like a thief in the night.  He comes and ties Satan up or binds him.  He casts out demons of Satan as an act of binding this strong man.

Likewise, the Satan has been in the world.  He is a thief trying to steal and condemn the people of God.  So he tries to bind up the Holy Spirit.  He tells lies to limit the power of the Holy Spirit.  He teaches people blasphemous ideas concerning the Holy Spirit.  Satan has convinced a great number of Christians that they can believe in God by their own reason and strength.

God tells us the Holy Spirit gives us the gifts of Faith, hope, and Love.  The greatest of these gifts is Love, because God first loved us.  God sent his Son into the flesh to die for the forgiveness of all your sins.  The Holy Spirit also has given us Hope in Jesus Christ's Resurrection that we will Rise to new life on the Last Day.  But He has also given us the first precious gift of Faith.

The Holy Spirit is the one who grants faith to fallen and corrupt creatures of the flesh.  Humans by their own reason or strength can not come to Faith on their own.  But the Holy Spirit has given them faith by which they are saved.  

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