The Weal and Woe of the Holy Spirit
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Analyzing the "weal" of the Holy Spirit's promise to His saints, and the "woe" of the "unforgivable sin".
Text: Luke 12:10-12
Date: 11/12/2023, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 126
Description:
Having already presented the weal and woe of fearing the Father, and the weal and woe of confessing the Son, Jesus completes His discussion of the Trinity by revealing the weal and woe of each person's relationship with the Holy Spirit. In one of the most difficult doctrines of Scripture, Jesus reveals that God in His compassionate mercy will forgive every sin known to man except one-- the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. We will closely analyze, define and try to comprehend what this all-important statement means. This will lead us into three of the great mysteries of the faith, namely the inner-relationships within the Holy Trinity, the dual natures of Christ, and the simultaneous truths of God's sovereignty and human responsibility. Ultimately the "woe" of this harsh doctrine will be balanced with the "weal" of the Spirit's promise of presence, comfort and protection as His saints face persecution throughout the Church Age.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 12:10-12.
A. Context
B. The "woe" of the Holy Spirit, vs. 10.
1. Overview
2. The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, vs. 10.
a. Another clear distinction, Luke 12:8-9.
b. Words spoken against Jesus.
i. Understanding "everyone".
ii. Sins against Jesus.
1) Another way to say "blaspheme".
2) The blasphemy of Peter and Paul, Matt. 26:74, Acts 9:1.
3) Comparing the blasphemy of Peter and Judas, Luke 22:62, Matt. 27:4.
iii. Sins against the Son of Man.
iv. What it means to be "forgiven".
c. Defining the unforgivable sin.
i. Another personalization.
ii. Explaining "blasphemy" against the Holy Spirit.
1) What it does not mean, Ex. 20:7, Mark 3:28.
2) Understanding the work of the Spirit.
a) In the context of the Trinity.
b) Some plain talk.
3) A little help from Hebrews, Hebrews 6:4-6, 10:28-31; Acts 5:3.
4) The "Beelzebul controversy".
a) The blasphemy against Jesus, Luke 11:14-20.
b) The blasphemy against the Spirit, John 12:37-40.
d. The mystery of human responsibility, Rom. 1:18-20.
B. The "weal" of the Holy Spirit, vs. 11-12.
1. The inevitable persecution, vs. 11a.
a. In the Jewish synagogues, Matt. 10:17.
b. By both Gentile and Jewish leaders, Acts 12:1-2, 4:1-3, 5:17-18, 6:12, 16:19-23.
2. The promise of Presence, vs. 11b-12, 1Cor. 1:26.
a. What this promise does not mean.
b. What this promise does mean, Luke 21:12-15, Matt. 10:19-20.
c. Examples from Scripture, Acts 4:19-20, 4:13, 6:15.
III. Application
A. A profound warning to the godless.
B. A doctrine for the integrity of the church.
C. An encouragement for the saints, John 14:26, 15:26.
IV. Conclusion, John 16:13,33.
