QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (108)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   One of the purposes of a question is to clarify.

1.    Are you George Pumpernickel?

2.    Is this 312 George Street?

3.    Is Dr. George in today?

4.    Why isn’t George in class today?

5.    Where was George Washington born?

 

B.   The answers to these questions give us some clarity regarding unknown things.

 

C.   One of the purposes of our Q&A sermons is to provide some clarity with regard to various subjects about which you have questions.  Hopefully, our answers do not just muddy the waters even more.

 

D.   In this lesson, let’s consider three of your questions.

 

I.             QUESTION #1:  Matthew 12:43-45

 

A.   State:  Please give some insight to Matthew 12:43-45.

 

B.   Answer:

1.    Matthew 12:43-45

 

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.  Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.  Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there:  and the last state of that man is worse than the first.  Even so shall it be unto this wicked generation.

 

2.    In the context, the Jesus is in a discussion with the Pharisees.

a.    Jesus cast out a devil, and the Pharisees accused Him of casting out devils by Beelzebub prince of the devils (Matt. 12:22-30).

b.    Jesus accused the Pharisees of committing blasphemy against the Holy Ghost (Matt. 12:31-32).

c.    Jesus confronted the evil hearts of these religious leaders (Matt. 12:33-37).

d.    The Pharisees then ask a sign from Him, but the only sign He promised involved His being in the heart of the earth three days and three nights (Matt. 12:38-40).

e.    Jesus told the Jewish leaders that both Nineveh and the queen of Sheba would rise the judgment to condemn that generation (Matt. 12:41-42).

f.     It is at this point that Jesus introduces the passage under discussion. 

1)    The Departure of the Spirit (v. 43)

2)    The Desire of the Spirit (v. 44a)

3)    The Discovery of the Spirit (v. 44b)

4)    The Dwelling of Eight Spirits (v. 45a)

5)    The Declaration of Jesus (v. 45b)

g.    Please note the last words of verse 45.  “Even so shall it be unto this generation.”  The principle He was teaching could be applied to the entire nation of Israel.

3.    Jesus lived in the first century during what some refer to as “The Age of Miracles.”

a.    Miracles were works that controlled the laws of nature.

b.    Miracles were also works that manifested power over the devil and his forces. 

1)    God allowed demons upon the earth.

2)    These demons could take up residence in a human body and inflict harm upon the individual:  physical ailments, disease, and even physical harm to the individual.

3)    When Jesus came into contact with these demonic spirits, He was always able to control and conquer them.  This was one of the proofs that He was the divine Son of God.

4.    Jesus used the demon possession of that day to teach a spiritual lesson that could be applied in many ways.

a.    A demon would leave a body.  In the course of time, he would return to that individual.  The person’s life had been cleaned up, but nothing was there to keep the demon from entering him again.  Instead of the demon himself entering the individual, he would find seven others to bring with him.  “…and the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Matt. 12:45).

b.    If something evil departs from our lives, and we fail to fill our lives with something of substance to protect us, that evil can return with greater evil in the future.

1)    NOTE:  The presence of literal demons inhabiting the bodies of human beings is not happening today.  The age of miracles came to an end when the complete written Word of God was revealed (1 Cor. 13:8-10).

 

Charity never faileth:  but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophecy in part.  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

 

2)    This can happen to individuals in a spiritual way.

a)    I rid myself of drugs, but I do not put Christ into my life.

b)    I rid myself of sensual thoughts, but I do not fill my mind with the Word of God.

c)    NOTE:  The drugs and the evil thoughts can invade one’s life with a vengeance.

3)    This can happen to nations.  It was what had happened to the Jews. 

a)    The Jews had sinned against God in the past.

b)    God cleansed them by means of the Babylonian captivity.

c)    However, by the time of Christ, evil permeated the nation again.

d)    They had become so corrupt that they rejected the Son of God when He came into their presence in the flesh.

5.    Each of us needs to constantly be filling our lives with those things which are good.

a.    The fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)

b.    Good thoughts (Phil. 4:8)

c.    The Christian graces (2 Pet. 1:5-9, esp. vs. 8-9).

1)    Peter begins by telling us to add positive things to our faith.

2)    He lists seven (7) graces to add to our lives.

3)    The results of whether we do or whether we don’t are recorded in verses 8-9).

 

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ.  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

 

II.           QUESTION #2:  Unforgiveable Sins

 

A.   Stated:  What sins are unforgiveable?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    Any sins that are not cleansed by the blood of Christ will not be forgiven.

a.    The purpose of Jesus’ blood was to cleanse sins.

1)    Matthew 26:28

 

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

 

2)    Ephesians 1:7

 

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

 

3)    Revelation 7:14b

 

…And he said to me, These are they which came out of the tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb.

 

b.    Our sins are not simply forgiven because Jesus died.   There are conditions which must be met in order to obtain the benefits of the cleansing blood.

1)    Initial obedience to the gospel that culminates in baptism.

a)    We are baptized into the death of Christ (Rom. 6:3-4).

b)    It was in His death that He shed His blood.

c)    When we are baptized, we are washed from our sins by the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16).

 

And now why tarriest thou?  arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

 

2)    A child of God can and will sin.

a)    When we sin, we have an Advocate with Father (1 John 2:1-2).

b)    For this Advocate to act on our behalf, we must repent of the sin, confess it, and pray to God for forgiveness (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9).

 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

2.    There is another sin Jesus mentions that is unforgiveable.  It is the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

a.    Matthew 12:31

 

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men:  but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

 

b.    There are two major thoughts regarding this sin.

1)    One says that this sin can no longer be committed today.  It was a sin committed by the Jewish leaders when they attributed the miracles of Jesus to the devil rather than acknowledging it was the power of God manifested by the Holy Spirit.

2)    Others believe that Jesus is speaking of all those who rebel against the Word of God which was spoken by the Holy Spirit.  If this is the interpretation, that sin can be committed today.

a)    This interpretation removes it from its first century context.

b)    A person can repent and be forgiven of having rejected the Word of God in time past.  Thus, it isn’t unforgiveable. 

 

III.         QUESTION #3:  OceanSide’s focus in the month of March

 

A.   Stated:  What will OceanSide focus on in the month of March with regard to all the funds collected over budget?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    This month all funds over budget will go to the construction of five new handicapped parking spaces for our members who need them.

2.    The cost of these parking spaces, along with the repair of the entire driveway will be about $12,000 to $14,000 dollars.

3.    When a church builds a building and a preacher’s house, they are also responsible for maintaining that property.  If they do not, they are not being good stewards (See 1 Cor. 4:2).

 

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

 

4.    Too, it is proper for a congregation to provide for its needs through the freewill offerings of the members.

a.    Acts 2:44-45

 

And all that believed were together, and had all things common;  and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

 

b.    We see a similar example in Acts 4:32-37.  The opening words of verse 34 are interesting:  “Neither was there any among them that lacked…”

c.    Do we have a need for more convenient parking for our members? 

1)    Right now we have at least three of our members who use walkers.

2)    There are another two or three who need canes to steady themselves.

3)    There are others who are elderly and have difficulty walking.

4)    Better parking closer to the building would be of great assistance to these individuals.  Walking through the grass and walking a good distance to the door of the building often presents a danger to some.

5)    Thus, the elders have decided to have 5 parking spaces poured on the right side of the awning as you exit the building.

a)    These men have been given the rule over the congregation (1 Tim.5:17: Heb. 13:7).

b)    Their rule is in matters of option.  They cannot legislate where God has already legislated.

c)    If they make a decision, we are commanded to obey and submit to their decisions (Heb. 13:17).

6)    Keep in mind:

a)    The church purchases cleaning supplies for our messes.

b)    The church pays a lawncare service to care for the yard.

c)    The church often pays for some of the food at our fellowship meals.

d)    The church purchased a baptistry so we do not have to baptize in the ocean.  It requires a baptistry, electricity, water, chemicals, cleaning supplies, and repairs when needed.

e)    The church building has padded pews and carpets for the comfort of the members.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   In this lesson, we have

1.    Looked at a Bible text found in Matthew 12:43-45.

2.    Considered the idea of what sins are unforgiveable.

3.    Reminded the congregation about the project to give us additional handicapped parking spaces in our parking lot.

 

B.   Let’s…

1.    Fill our lives with the Word of God so evil does not enter into our hearts.

2.    Seek the forgiveness of God by being obedient to the simple conditions of forgiveness provided in His Word.

3.    Be generous in our giving in order to assist those in this congregation who need handicapped parking.