Living Word Live! The Unforgivable Divide

Today, we gathered to set aside our worries and focus on the goodness and presence of God, seeking to let go of the burdens that cling to us from the world—family struggles, financial concerns, health issues—and instead, to sit at the feet of our Lord in worship and prayer. We turned our attention to Matthew 12:22-32, where Jesus heals a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. This miracle, a clear sign of God’s power breaking into a broken world, left the people astonished and questioning if Jesus was truly the long-awaited Messiah. Yet, the Pharisees, unable to deny the miracle but unwilling to accept its implications, twisted the truth and accused Jesus of working by the power of Satan.

Jesus, in response, exposed the absurdity of their logic: a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. If Satan were casting out his own demons, he would be sabotaging his own cause. Jesus made it clear that his works were by the Spirit of God, and that the arrival of God’s kingdom was at hand. He then issued a sobering warning about the unforgivable sin—blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—which is not a momentary doubt or a slip of the tongue, but a willful, persistent rejection of the Spirit’s work, calling good evil and closing one’s heart to God’s grace.

This passage is not just a historical account; it speaks directly to our divided world today. We see the same spirit of division in our society, especially in the political realm, where hatred and bias can blind us to truth and goodness, causing us to twist or ignore what is right simply because it comes from someone we dislike. This is not just a political problem, but a spiritual one—a hardening of the heart that can infect every area of our lives, families, and churches.

God’s forgiveness is vast, but persistent rejection of the Spirit leads to spiritual blindness and separation from the life God offers. We are called to recognize good wherever it appears, to remain sensitive to the Spirit’s voice, and to be unifiers rather than dividers. As we go forth, may we ask God to soften our hearts, forgive our divisions, and help us to be agents of unity and truth in a fractured world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The miracle of Jesus healing the blind and mute man is a vivid reminder that God’s power breaks into our darkness, not just to heal physical ailments but to restore our spiritual sight and voice. Jesus consistently overturns our expectations, inviting us to see the world—and ourselves—through the lens of his grace and authority. When we encounter the miraculous, we are called to respond with awe and openness, not skepticism or cynicism. [41:18]
• 2. The Pharisees’ reaction reveals the danger of a hardened heart: when confronted with undeniable good, they twisted it into evil to protect their own power and biases. This is a warning for us to examine our motives and be wary of the subtle ways pride and self-interest can blind us to God’s work around us. True spiritual discernment requires humility and a willingness to let go of our preconceptions. [45:27]
• 3. Jesus’ teaching on the unforgivable sin—blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—underscores the seriousness of willfully rejecting God’s truth. It is not about a single act or word, but a persistent, deliberate refusal to acknowledge the Spirit’s work, even when it is clear. This hardening of the heart is a self-chosen separation from grace, and it serves as a sobering call to remain receptive to God’s voice. [49:27]
• 4. The spirit of division that Jesus warns against is not limited to ancient religious leaders; it is alive in our culture, politics, and even our families and churches. When hatred or tribalism blinds us to good, we risk calling light darkness and missing God’s presence in unexpected places. We must resist the temptation to let our biases dictate our perception of truth, seeking unity and reconciliation instead. [59:40]
• 5. God’s patience and forgiveness are immense, but they are not to be taken for granted. Persistent rejection of the Spirit leads to spiritual numbness and self-inflicted separation from life. The invitation is always open: to repent, to recognize good wherever it blooms, and to allow God to soften our hearts so we can be agents of healing and unity in a divided world. [64:13]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:17] - Opening Prayer and Worship
• [18:10] - Letting Go of Regrets
• [33:48] - Announcements and Community Life
• [35:53] - Blessing Each Other with Grace and Peace
• [37:03] - Turning to Matthew 12:22-32
• [38:21] - Jesus Heals the Demon-Possessed Man
• [41:18] - The Crowd’s Amazement and the Pharisees’ Accusation
• [44:09] - The Danger of Hardened Hearts
• [46:45] - Jesus’ Logical Response to the Pharisees
• [48:49] - The Warning about Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
• [51:30] - Division in Our World Today
• [59:40] - The Pharisaic Spirit and Modern Echo Chambers
• [61:29] - The Nature of the Unforgivable Sin
• [64:13] - God’s Patience and the Call to Repentance
• [68:02] - Closing Prayer and Sending Forth
• [69:42] - Farewell and Blessing for Evan and Alexa

Bible Reading

Matthew 12:22-32 (ESV) —
> 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.

Observation Questions

1. What was the reaction of the crowd when Jesus healed the demon-possessed man who was blind and mute? ([41:18])
2. How did the Pharisees explain the miracle that Jesus performed? ([42:42])
3. According to Jesus, what is the logical problem with the Pharisees’ accusation that he casts out demons by the power of Satan? ([46:45])
4. What does Jesus say about the seriousness of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? ([49:27])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the Pharisees, despite witnessing a clear miracle, chose to accuse Jesus of working by Satan’s power? What does this reveal about the condition of their hearts? ([45:27])
2. Jesus says, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined.” How does this principle apply not just to Satan’s kingdom, but to families, churches, and even nations? ([47:36])
3. The sermon described blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as a “willful, persistent rejection” of God’s work. Why is this different from a moment of doubt or a single mistake? ([49:27])
4. The pastor compared the Pharisees’ attitude to modern political and social divisions. In what ways can our own biases or pride blind us to God’s work or goodness in others? ([59:40])

Application Questions

1. The sermon began by inviting us to set aside our worries and focus on God’s presence. What is one specific worry or burden you are carrying right now that you need to lay down before God this week? ([00:39])
2. When have you seen or experienced something good, but found yourself doubting or dismissing it because of who it came from? How can you be more open to recognizing God’s work, even in unexpected places or people? ([59:40])
3. The Pharisees twisted a clear act of God into something evil to protect their own interests. Are there areas in your life where pride or self-interest might be blinding you to truth or goodness? How can you invite God to soften your heart in those areas? ([45:27])
4. The sermon warned about the danger of a “hardened heart” and spiritual numbness. What are some warning signs in your own life that your heart might be growing hard or closed off to God’s voice? ([50:09])
5. Division is not just a political problem, but a spiritual one. Is there a relationship in your family, church, or workplace that is strained by division or misunderstanding? What is one step you can take this week to be an agent of unity and reconciliation? ([59:40])
6. Jesus’ warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is sobering. Are there ways you have resisted or ignored the Spirit’s prompting in your life? What would it look like to respond with humility and openness instead? ([49:27])
7. The pastor encouraged us to “recognize good wherever it blooms.” Who is someone in your life that you tend to view with suspicion or negativity? How can you intentionally look for and affirm the good in them this week? ([01:07:47])