ReCreate Church’s Podcast

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, Sunday, October 30, 2022

Are Some Sins, Unforgivable? Today, Pastor Michael is continuing his study in the Gospel of Mark. Our subject matter this Sunday is, unforgivable sin. Everyone has their list of super hard to forgive, almost "unforgivable" type of things we cannot tolerate; we’re not sure how we would ever get over it. God’s ability to forgive is greater than ours. But is there something that God cannot forgive? Yet the Gospels mention the “Unforgivable” (Unpardonable) Sin. Ultimately the Unforgivable Sin is refusing forgiveness. (CSB: Disciple's Study Bible Notes) Ultimately, all sin is against God. Sin against the Holy Spirit is serious because the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts us of sin. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven. Conviction precedes repentance. Without the convicting Spirit, we cannot find forgiveness. Blasphemy against the Spirit is the willful and blatant act of attributing to Satan that which is clearly a work of the Holy Spirit. This terrible sin occurs when a person consciously rejects the truth, believing Satan rather than God. God will not forgive such blatant rebellion. The nature of the problem is debated. Has the heart become so hardened the person cannot distinguish good from evil or cannot repent? Or does God of his own free choice close the door to any possible repentance? Some have attempted to give a catalog of “unforgivable” sins, but the NT does not list any other sins beyond forgiveness. We must be cautious not to apply the doctrine in the wrong way. People sometimes fear they have committed the unforgivable sin. People who feel such a yearning for salvation may be sure the Spirit continues to work in their lives. Where the Spirit works, grace for forgiveness is available. Some people in desperation or anger shake a fist and complain to God. They are simply repeating the actions of many of the psalmists. They are not guilty of the unforgivable sin. The doctrine of the unforgivable sin is a warning against overconfidence and religious blindness, not of temporary wrongdoing. Verses can be found today in Mark 3: 28-30. The story above is also in Matthew and Luke. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Broadcast on:: 30 Oct 2022

Are Some Sins, Unforgivable?

Today, Pastor Michael is continuing his study in the Gospel of Mark. Our subject matter this Sunday is, unforgivable sin. Everyone has their list of super hard to forgive, almost "unforgivable" type of things we cannot tolerate; we’re not sure how we would ever get over it. God’s ability to forgive is greater than ours. But is there something that God cannot forgive?

Yet the Gospels mention the “Unforgivable” (Unpardonable) Sin.

Ultimately the Unforgivable Sin is refusing forgiveness.

(CSB: Disciple's Study Bible Notes) Ultimately, all sin is against God. Sin against the Holy Spirit is serious because the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts us of sin. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven. Conviction precedes repentance. Without the convicting Spirit, we cannot find forgiveness. Blasphemy against the Spirit is the willful and blatant act of attributing to Satan that which is clearly a work of the Holy Spirit. This terrible sin occurs when a person consciously rejects the truth, believing Satan rather than God. God will not forgive such blatant rebellion. The nature of the problem is debated. Has the heart become so hardened the person cannot distinguish good from evil or cannot repent? Or does God of his own free choice close the door to any possible repentance? Some have attempted to give a catalog of “unforgivable” sins, but the NT does not list any other sins beyond forgiveness. We must be cautious not to apply the doctrine in the wrong way. People sometimes fear they have committed the unforgivable sin. People who feel such a yearning for salvation may be sure the Spirit continues to work in their lives. Where the Spirit works, grace for forgiveness is available. Some people in desperation or anger shake a fist and complain to God. They are simply repeating the actions of many of the psalmists. They are not guilty of the unforgivable sin. The doctrine of the unforgivable sin is a warning against overconfidence and religious blindness, not of temporary wrongdoing.

Verses can be found today in Mark 3: 28-30. The story above is also in Matthew and Luke.

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.