What Is Blasphemy?
Watch livestream here. | Sermon notes here
Scripture Reading
Read Matthew 12:31-37 and consider making some observations about the passage.
Sermon Recap
Review the sermon with your group, highlighting the following:
1. “Words Reflect the Heart”: Our words are an expression of our hearts, so focus your heart on Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
2. “Living with Soft Hearts”: Live open-heartedly towards God rather than adopting the Pharisees' hard-heartedness, which separates us from God.
3. “Victory Through Christ”: 1 Corinthians 15:57 assures us that Jesus gives us victory despite life's challenges—our journey is like a marathon.
4. “Inviting the Holy Spirit”: Invite the Holy Spirit daily to prevent spiritual stagnation, as a tree sheds old fruit to make way for new growth.
5. “Forgiveness and Sin”: Every sin, including severe acts, is forgivable except the complete rejection of God and attributing His actions to Satan (blasphemy).
Group Discussion
1. How do our words reflect the state of our hearts according to Matthew 12:33-37, and what can we do to align our hearts more closely with Jesus and the Holy Spirit?
2. Discuss the outcome of living with a 'soft heart' towards God. How can we prevent spiritual hard-heartedness in our daily lives?
3. Considering 1 Corinthians 15:57, how does the belief in victory through Christ give us strength in life's marathon-like journeys?
4. Reflect on the metaphor of shedding old fruit. How does letting go of past hurts and renewing ourselves through the Holy Spirit encourage new spiritual growth and transformation?
5. How does understanding the seriousness of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and the importance of forgiveness shape our view of sin and redemption?
Digging Deeper
Read Ezekiel 36:26 and compare it to the discussion about having a soft heart towards God. What does this passage say about God's role in transforming our hearts, and how does it relate to the theme of taming the tongue within the sermon series on the power of our words?
Guided Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Grant us hearts that are soft, open, and receptive to Your word. Help us to focus our hearts and minds on Jesus and the Holy Spirit so that our words reflect Your love and truth. We invite the Holy Spirit into our lives to lead us in shedding past hurts and to cultivate in us the fruit of the Spirit. May we speak with grace and truth, aligning our hearts with Your will and purpose.
Forgive us for our sins and guide us to live by the example of Jesus, embracing the forgiveness and redemption You offer. Give us the courage to recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and to rely on Your guidance in all we do. In Jesus's Name Amen.