Verses 20-35 form a “Chiasm”

a The crowds come to Jesus (3:20)
b Jesus’ family thinks that he is beside himself (3:21)
c The scribes’ accusation (3:22)
d Jesus’ response (3:23–29)
c The scribes’ accusation restated (3:30)
b Jesus’ family comes to take charge (3:31–33)
a The crowds sit around Jesus as his new family (3:34–35)

Big Idea: How expansive is God’s forgiveness?

God’s forgiveness is so expansive that…

#1 You can think Jesus was crazy and he’ll forgive you

#2 You can believe all kinds of lies about Jesus and God will forgive you

Beelzebul = “Lord of the house / dwelling place”

The world is described as a place Satan has a large measure of control or influence (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Verse 27 means Jesus is STRONGER than Satan, is binding him

Taking his possessions = saving people from their slavery to sin and death

#3 You can sin in action, thought, motivation and word and he’ll forgive you

Our lack of affection for God is often a direct result of our lack of understanding the depth of his forgiveness

If your affections are cold toward God, ask that he warm them by helping you grasp his magnificent love in forgiving you!

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit…
- The Holy Spirit’s role is to testify about Jesus being the Savior, the Son of God (John 16:13-15

- The Holy Spirit’s role is to convict us of sin and lead us to repentance (John 16:8-11)

- Continually rejecting the inner testimony of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the Son of God and that we must turn to him for salvation

Verse 28 is “external” - all sins committed can be forgiven
Verse 29 is “internal” - No forgiveness will be extended to the person who continually rejects the Holy Spirit. It is an eternal sin

What is the will of God?
- First and foremost, to obey the message of Jesus - repent and believe the gospel!
Mark 1:15 - “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

Have you repented?
- Agree with God about your sin against him, turn from self and sin toward Jesus

Have you believed in the gospel?
- Romans 10:9 “… if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."