LESSONS FROM JUDAS

-Introduction

-One thing that amazes me about the scriptures is that every page is full of great lessons for us.

-Lessons are available to us by way of instruction and example.

-In regards to examples, we can learn from both good and bad examples.

-Tonight, I would like to consider an unlikely source for some valuable lessons.

-Let’s consider the apostle Judas, the betrayer of Christ.  Let’s learn from him.

            -In John 12, six days before the Passover (vs 1), Jesus and the apostles were in Bethany at

              the house of Lazarus, Mary and Martha.  It was on this occasion that Mary anointed Jesus

              with an expensive ointment.  The apostles, primarily Judas (vs 4), complained by saying

              the ointment could have been sold and used to help the poor.  Verse 6 provides us with

              Judas’ actual reason for complaining - he was a thief.

            -Mark 14:10-11 - Judas then went to the chief priests and agreed to betray Jesus.

-Last Sunday evening, we looked at John 13 - the passage in which Jesus washed the feet of the

  apostles - including the feet of Judas.

            -After washing the apostles’ feet, Jesus then indicated that His betrayer was amongst them.

            -He identified Judas as the betrayer and Judas left.  Indeed, that very night, he would betray

              Jesus with a kiss.

-Judas’ Significant Statement

-Let’s notice what Judas did following his betrayal of Jesus.

-Matt 27:1-5

            -Notice Judas’ statement, “…I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood”.

-There is no doubt that Jesus lived here on this Earth.  He is a fact in history.  And, isn’t it

interesting that our system of time revolves around His existence here!

          -However, there are different viewpoints regarding Jesus.

                      -Matt 16:13-16

          -Some say Jesus was no more than a good man.  Some say He was just a radical who

            accumulated a big following.  Some say He was a prophet.  Others understand that He is

            the Son of God, the Christ, the Messiah, our Saviour and Lord.

-The fact that Jesus was perfect proves His Deity.  It separates Him from all others on Earth.

            -1 Pet 2:21

            -2 Cor 5:21

-Now, if anybody would have ever pointed out wrongdoing by Jesus, it would have been Judas.

            -If Jesus was guilty of anything, Judas could have made it known in an attempt to justify his

              actions.

-If anybody would have had knowledge of any wrongdoing on the part of Jesus, Judas would

have been a likely candidate.

          -He was an apostle.  He had been in close contact with Jesus for approx. 3 years.

-Yet, Judas proclaimed, “…I have shed the innocent blood”.

          -Being filled with regret and guilty, he hanged himself.

          -Unfortunately (and tragically) Judas failed to repent and do works meet for repentance.

                      -Acts 26:20

-Judas’ Fall

-Only 13 people were selected directly by Jesus – the original 12 and Paul.

-Judas was part of a very elite group but he fell.  Why?

-Judas and Worldliness

          -First of all, let’s remember that Jesus knew what was going to happen – even when He chose

            Judas.

          -Some have tried to say that Judas was “predestined” to be the betrayer.  In other words, he

            had no choice.

                      -This is not a valid claim.  Rom 2:11 – We all have the freedom of choice.

                      -Judas was chosen because of the choices he would make.

          -Unfortunately, Judas could not separate himself from worldliness.

-Now consider the following passages (teaching of Christ that Judas would have heard):

          -John 6:66-71

          -Matt 6:20

          -Luke 12:1-2

-Summary and Invitation

-As an apostle, Judas had a special relationship with Jesus.  Unfortunately, he abandoned that

  relationship due to worldliness.  (Acts 1:15-17, 24-25)

          -We, too, can have a special relationship with Christ.  We can be considered his brethren.

                      -Heb 2:11, Matt 12:48-50

          -We can be in fellowship with Christ – 1 John 1:3

-Unfortunately, many people fail to enter into that relationship with Christ through obedience to

  the Gospel – because they love the world too much.

-Unfortunately, some like Judas, after having a relationship with Jesus then forfeit it due to the

  ways of the world.

          -2 Cor 6:17-18

-Let’s learn from Judas:  1. Jesus was indeed free from sin;  2.  We have a wonderful

  opportunity to have a relationship with our Savior.  Let’s not neglect it or forfeit it.

-How about you?  Have you obeyed the Gospel of Christ? 

          -If not:  Believe (John 3:16), Confess (Rom 10:9-10), Repent (Luke 13:3,5), Be Baptized

                  (Mark 16:16, Luke 13:3,5), Walk in Newness of Life (Rom 6:4)

-Have you remained faithful?  Have you put spiritual things first? 

-Or, have you allowed worldliness to interfere with your relationship with Christ?  If so, renew

  your commitment to the Lord – 1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24