Sermons

Luke addresses the ‘unforgiveable sin’ in the context of Jesus’ teaching about persecution. In order to understand this oft-debated passage, one must place it in the context of the Pharisees’, Lawyers’, and Scribes’ infuriation over Jesus’ condemnation of their hypocrisy and arrogance. Luke’s purpose for writing his Gospel is again found here as he seeks to steady those God-lovers whose faith has become wobbly because of their persecution for proclaiming Jesus or their passing denial of Jesus when suffering persecution.

The Pharisees, Lawyers, and Scribes were infuriated by Jesus’ condemnation of their hypocrisy and arrogance. As part of a buildup of Jesus’ rejection by all mankind, they sought to trap Him in words to warrant His arrest. The core reason for Christ’s rejection is His call for the Holy Spirit’s transformation of our darkened, sin-filled thought and emotional life. Today, Christ’s foundational teachings continue as we consider God’s eternal care for those who, because of their profession of Jesus as Lord, are persecuted by the unbeliever.

A Pharisee invited Jesus to have breakfast with him some time after the Beelzebul confrontation. Jesus caused His host bewildered wonderment by purposely violating the ceremonial hand washing ritual before the meal. His purpose was a wake up call to the host’s spiritual deadness.

Biological life is a gift purposed for bearing witness to the presence of God and, although respected, it is not sacred in and of itself. Biological life is seen as an opportunity to re∙present Christ by means of service or labor to the ‘other.’ Sometimes that labor includes a loving sacrifice of our physical life on behalf of others for the glory of God.