CONVERSION OF A BLASPHEMER

Matthew 27:38, 41-44.

Amazing! Lowly thieves are railing and blaspheming the only begotten Son of God. The first thing that amazes us is that this is a thief being crucified. Nevertheless, he puffs up enough gall to rail upon another who is in the same predicament. You want to say, “Hey, fellow! Look where you are! You are hanging on a cross!” Here is something that is still yet even more amazing: This blaspheme is allowed. God does not strike the men dead on the spot with the foul words still in their mouths. Jesus does not call an army of angels to cut out their tongues or cut off their heads. That’s what we would do!

I.     THE BAHURIM BLASPHEMER (2 Samuel 16:5-13)

        A.    The blasphemer’s nerve (2Sa 16:5-13); Abishai responses the way we would (v. 9).

        B.    Later, the blasphemer backtracks (19:18-20); Abishai still says off with his head (v. 21).

II.    BAHURIM”S BLASPHEMERS STILL BOASTING

        A.    Marilyn Manson – “The only good god is a dead god. The only god good for me.”

        B.    Mark Lawrence Bakke – God *is* a liar & ... Man is suffering for it.

        C.    God’s Exboyfriend – “God is a Terrorist, ....

III.  BLAST THE BLASPHEMERS. What If God Refused to Forgive Blasphemers?

        A.    Paul would not have been saved (1Ti 1:13-15)

        B.    Therefore, we would not have 14 of the NT books. Missing verses, Rom. 11:33-35; 8:17-19; 2Cor. 4:16-18.

IV.   BLAMABLE FOR BLASPHEME? HOW?

        A.    Thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? (Rom 2:21-24).

        B.    Do not they blaspheme the honorable name by which ye are called? (Jam 2:7).

        C.    Train the young women ... that the word of God be not blasphemed (Tit 2:3-5).

        D.    Sadly, God hath said, “[M]y name continually every day is blasphemed” (Isaiah 52:5).

V.    BLASPHEMER BECOMES BLAMELESS

        A.    All their sins shall be forgiven ... but (Mark 3:28-29).

        B.    Must not abuse God’s good graces (Lev 24:15-16; Hebrews 10:26ff).

        C.    Therefore, seek forgiveness now. The blasphemer repented (23:38-43).

                1.     Blamed and rebuked his fellow thief

                2.     Believes in law and justice

                3.     Believes in God

                4.     Believes in Jesus and His power to reign

                5.     Beseeches the King

        D.    Blessed of God: Forgiven. Jesus exonerated the thief, promising him Paradise (Luke 23:39-43).

CONCLUSION:

I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to his service; though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief: (1Ti 1:12-15).

Once you fully understand and commit, you will not regret! “For 80 and 6 years I have served Him, and He has never once wronged me. How can I blaspheme my Lord and King who has saved me?" Polycarp (c.69-c.155)