Sin that Leads to Death!
January 11, 2023 in Today's Prayer by TGV
40-BSG-12B: PRAYER GUIDE.
Matthew 12: Prayer Guide/ 40-BSG-12B (Matthew 12:22-37)/ Theme: Sin that Leads to Death! Hymn: O quench not the Spirit/ [Author] Laura E. Newell.
Key Text: “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.” (1 John 5:16, ESV)
Context: Pharisees oppose Christ’s work culminating in blaspheming the Holy Spirit (Mt 12:22-30) and committing the Unpardonable Sin (Mt. 12:31-37).
What is “a Sin that leads to Death”?
- A Specific, Deadly Sin. “This view maintains that there are certain sins which, if committed, are unforgivable. All sins are punishable, but some sins are so heinous that those who commit them have no hope of ever obtaining eternal life. The Old Testament makes a distinction between inadvertent sins committed in ignorance and deliberate sins committed arrogantly or “with a high hand” (Lev 4:2, 13, 22, 27; 5:15, 17–18; Num 15:27–31; Deut 17:12). Offering the correct sacrifice to God could cleanse the sinner of the sin committed in ignorance, but deliberate sins could only be removed by death.” – [Daniel L. Akin, 1, 2, 3 John, The New American Commentary, (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001), 38:208–209].
- Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:30-32). This sin “was a deliberate, open-eyed rejection of known truth.” It was verbal, knowledgeable, and continual. It was claiming that Jesus’ mighty works were done not by the Spirit of God but by the power of Beelzebub. Jesus states that such a sin “against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven;” he is guilty of an eternal sin.” This is a sin with eternal consequences.” (Mark 3:29, NLT) Similarly, we are warned, “If someone sins against another person, God can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede?” (1 Samuel 2:25, NLT) Hebrews 12:16–17 states that Esau hardened his heart to the point that repentance was impossible.
- Total Rejection of the Gospel. In the previous chapter, we saw an excellent example of this. Though Chorazin and Bethsaida (Mt. 11:20–22) had heard the gospel, they totally refused to repent. They ignored and neglected Christ. Thus, their judgment was to be much more severe than Tyre and Sidon, which never had the same opportunity. Beloved, if sin goes unrepented, there is a grave danger that a sinner can die in his sin and lose eternal life. (Read 18:20; Heb 6:4–6; 10:26–27).
Values to Build On: Repentance, Faith in God.
Sins to Avoid/ Confess: Apostasy; Blasphemy —showing contempt or irreverence toward God; Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit; Breaking the Sabbath; Adding/ Subtracting God’s word for your own advantage (cf. Pharisees); Questioning the authority (divinity) of Jesus Christ; Criticism against fellow believers; Plotting a murder (Mt 12:16); Demons possession; Denial of Jesus Christ; Opposition to God’s work; Opposition to God, Christ, Holy Spirit.
Thanksgiving to God: Christ’s acts of mercy and compassion; Christ’s control over deficiencies of the body: lameness, paralysis, blindness, deafness; Christ’s authority over Satan and his kingdom (Mt 12:22); Christ’s omniscient (Mt 12:25).
People to Pray For: Review Christ’s warnings to — (Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites, Teachers, and Experts of the law). Pray for those entrusted with the Gospel in your circle to teach and interpret God’s word correctly. And to have the courage, like John the Baptist, to spell out sin, and call out people to repentance –(for this is the will of God, cf. 2 Peter 3:9).
Issues to Pray For: A clear understanding of Demons (Demonology) — if the Spirit of God does not occupy the victim’s life, evil spirit(s) will find their way in. Pray for all those possessed by demons to be released, repent, and be used by God.
The Promise: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19, NKJV)
40-BSG-12Z: CLOSING PRAYER.
Closing Prayer/ Matthew 12, (40-BSG-12Z)/ Is there a Prayer for me to pray/echo in this chapter? Yes.
“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.” (Matthew 12:18, NLT)
Prayer: Father, we thank You for the clear word of Scripture to us in this chapter. We thank You for the gift of life, for another chance to hear the Gospel and make necessary changes in our lives.
Father, we saw a list of sins in this chapter. We acknowledge those sins and sincerely ask for pardon and cleansing from above. We thank You that Jesus Christ died and rose for us and that He wants to forgive our sins and save us as we come in repentance to Him.
We thank You for Jesus Christ and the wonderful truth He has taught us in this chapter. Help us to see clearly that there is no neutrality regarding Christ’s divinity. There is no middle ground. We either believe that Christ is of God or the Devil (Mt 12:24, “Beelzebub”). Help us, Father, to acknowledge Christ for who He really is — God, Saviour, and Lord.
Father, I pray that if there is anybody here who has not yet embraced Christ, they may do so now –(before it is too late). That they may not doubt or turn their back on Christ. That no one would fall away, no one would turn their back and walk away from Your kingdom.
As we journey through the gospel of Matthew, may we clearly see Christ, and may our lives be transformed forever. May Thy Name be glorified in our lives. And as a result of these study guides, may someone here be changed and saved.
We long for that Day when we shall see this Jesus face to face! Grant it our joy; we pray. We thank You Father, and we come in Christ’s powerful name, Amen.