Dear Christian friends:

We know that Jesus died on the cross to pay for all sins. 1 John 1:7 says, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son, cleanseth us from all sins."

Yet Jesus himself explained about one sin which can't be forgiven: Mark 3:28-29 "28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:"

And another time Jesus said, "whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." (Matthew 12:32)

So we see there is a sin which if a man does it he can't receive forgiveness. Some of you have heard about this sin before and may be troubled and wonder if you have done this unforgivable sin. If you have not yet heard about it you surely will, and then it will scare you and harm you if you don't know the truth about it. Our text today tells about some men who did this sin. So let us attend to our text and learn more about

What is that sin? Is it murder? Sometimes people suspect that. They think, "Anyone who shoots and kills another man can't have forgiveness." Sometimes a murderer in prison feels like that and gives up hope. But it is not murder. Is it adultery? Sometimes people think, "If I do adultery, (break holy marriage vows) then God can't forgive me." Is that true? No! It's not adultery. Judas thought that he had done that sin when he loved money more than Jesus and betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. And when he saw them condemn Jesus to death he gave up all hope. He thought he had done that sin and went out and hanged himself. But he did not do that sin. God could even forgive Judas.

Sometimes you maybe think that your sin is too bad and God can't forgive you. You stay away from church and are afraid to come to the Lord's Supper because you think you have done that sin. But you have not done that sin.

What is that sin? Often it is called the sin against the Holy Ghost. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is God's teacher. His office and work is to prove God's truth to us and He does prove God's Word.

Now if after the Holy Spirit has proved to someone the truth about the Triune God, especially truth about sin and forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ and after someone knows that truth He still denies it and fights against it although he knows better in His heart and mind he sins against the Holy Spirit.

The Jews here in our lesson did that. Jesus clearly showed to them the truth from the Old Testament Scriptures. (Read verses 46-48) 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. 48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

Jesus proves to them the truth and they know in their hearts that He tells them the truth, but they hate the truth and say He has a devil.

These Jews are much like the devil the Bible says, "The devils also believe and tremble" (James 2:19) The devil knows the truth about God and Jesus better than you and I do. He knows the Bible perfectly. The devil also believes it is true, but he trembles and hates God and fights His true Word.

So do these Jews here in our text. Jesus tells them that anyone who keeps His Word will not die, etc. (Read John 8: 51-59) 51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? 54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

He the wonderful Son of God stands before them and they see Him and know Him that He is true, yet they throw rocks at Him. They do the unforgivable sin, the sin against the Holy Spirit.

Do people do that sin today? I think so. I think many in the Jehovah's Witness Church are like that. Many Communists who once loved Jesus now fight Him. They have left the light and truth of God and went again to darkness and terrible wickedness.

This should be a warning to us. When the Holy Spirit teaches us the truth in God's Word we must not fight against it, no matter if our vain and proud heart doesn't like it. Put away pride and vanity and humbly hear and accept the truth of God which the Holy Spirit teaches.

True our reason and pride can't agree with God's Word. But the Holy Spirit shows us that is true anyway. If we refuse one teaching and fight it later we'll refuse more and after a while we don't care anymore and strongly work to destroy God's truth.

Also this teaching about the unforgivable sin is much comfort to us. We know that no other sin is too bad. Not murder, not adultery or stealing. Not even betrayal like Judas or like Peter who denied Jesus three times or Paul who killed the Christians in ignorance or David with Bathsheba. God's mercy is very large, larger than any man's sin. Only those who stubbornly, like the devil refuse His mercy and forgiveness and don't want it and hate it! Only those will not be forgiven.

But for all who confess their sins and want His mercy and forgiveness for them there is plenty.

Amen.