His Time Was At Hand

Intro:

President Wilson once received a call in the middle of the night from a civil servant who informed him that one of his appointees had just died.

The caller said, “While I’m sure we are all saddened by this news, I would like to know if I can take his place.” There was a pause at the other end of the line before the president replied, “It’s all right with me, if it’s all right with the undertaker.”

Today's story is not about the greed of a man, but rather the destiny of his time on this earth. It was once said that all good things must come to an end. While the life of Jesus, was filled with goodness, blessings, and the great hardship, it had to come to an end so that the glory of God could be revealed.

Go with me this morning as we explore, “his time was at hand.”

Seeking For Ill Intended Gains

John 18:1–3 NKJV

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. 3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

Judas came seeking Jesus in a place where they had been before for his own gain.

Always seeking after Jesus for personal gains can turn to evil.

Our wants can turn into greed.

The progression of Judas’s down fall didn’t start that day.

John 12:6 NKJV

6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

2. Notice he was not with Jesus and the Disciples.

Do not get caught wandering away from the Master.

He was in a place that lead him to make a life decision that would lead him to everlasting destruction.

Again, the process started didn’t start that day!

Evil has a subtle in row into the heart of a person.

So subtle is self that scarcely anyone is aware of its presence.

A. W. Tozer

Nothing Passes By The Master

John 18:4–5 NKJV

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.

The heart of a person is reveled to Jesus long before the person ever knows of their own sin.

He confronts their motives.

There is nothing that we hid from Him.

Our deepest secretes are an open book to our Lord.

The Gospel’s of Matthew and Mark tells us that Judas kissed Jesus as to let the troops know who Jesus was.

This often called the kiss of betrayal.

How often have we kissed the face of Jesus with an anterior motive?

He ask them a pondering question.

Whom are you seeking, the question was not so much for the guard as much as it was for Judas.

We know what happen to Jusas later in the Gospel.

I am convinced that his guilt drove him to hang himself.

Guilt from sin has an escape if dealt with.

Jesus has given us a way to be released from from the pain of our sin.

Repent and an be set free.

John 8:36 NKJV

36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Jesus Spoke With Powerful Authority

John 18:6–7 NKJV

6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

In what looked to be a moment of weakness Jesus demonstrates his authority.

Always remember, Jesus is always in control.

The guards fell to ground due to the fact the presents of Jesus was so powerful.

Even when the moment looks out of control, Jesus is still in control.

He willingly went with the troops, not because He had to, rather because he the moment required it.

There will be times when Jesus allows things in our life.

It’s because the Glory of God requires it, that the Father may be Glorified!

Even in the Vally, God is still faithful.

His faithfulness to Jesus required the pain of the cross.

Pain will give way to Glory!!

7    Your pain has a purpose. Your problems, struggles, heartaches, and hassles cooperate toward one end—the glory of God.

Max Lucado

It’s Not About Me (2004)

Max Lucado

His Protection Over Shadows Their Evil

John 18:8–11 NKJV

8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

Peter pulls a sword and cuts off the ear of the guard. His intentions were noble, but his actions was not needed.

Jesus has to remind Peter that is was ok what was about to happen.

Jesus in Luke’s Gospel healed the enemy before he was taken by touching his ear.

Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel tells them, “ do you not know that I could call for twelve legions of Angels to rectify the problem.

There is not one moment in time that our Lord is not in control of!

Knowing the authority that Jesus has, should confort us in knowing that the evil of this world will not have victory over the Believer.

Victory comes when:

You recognize the Lordship of Christ in your life.

You walk in the promises that Jesus has laid out for the believer.

I have the promise of eternal life.

Hebrews 9:15, “And for this cause he [Christ] is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

1 John 2:24-25, “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.”

I am a child of God.

John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Galatians 4:6-7, And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

I have access to God.

Romans 5:2, “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Ephesians 2:18, “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

Ephesians 3:11-12, “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”

I have been adopted into God’s family and can call God my Father.

Romans 8:15, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

I am loved by God.

John 15:9-10, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”

Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

Ephesians 3:17-19, “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

1 John 3:1, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”

1 John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us.”

Revelation 1:5, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”

I have been chosen by God.

John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

Ephesians 1:4, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”

1 Peter 2:9-10, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people [a precious possession belonging to God]; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

He created and fashioned me and gave me a purpose to fulfill. I am not an accident.

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

I am accepted.

Ephesians 1:6, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved [Christ].”

He cares for me when I’m weak.

Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

I am forgiven.

Romans 8:33-34, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

Colossians 2:13-14, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”

I am free from condemnation.

Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

I am a new creature in Christ. I have been transformed.

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

God will strengthen me to do all I need to do.

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

I have peace with God. My peace is based on Christ, not my emotions

Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

God will not leave or forsake me

Hebrews 13:5-6, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

I am an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ

Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

I have an inheritance in Heaven

John 14:2-3, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Philippians 3:20, “For our conversation is in heaven [we are citizens of Heaven]; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”

Colossians 1:12,” Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet [qualified] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”

I am able to overcome

2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

1 John 4:4, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Jude 24, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,”

Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to me

Romans 4:23-25, “Now it was not written for his [Abraham’s] sake alone, that it [righteousness] was imputed to him [Abraham]; But for us also, to whom it [righteousness] shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

Colossians 1:21-22, “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:”

Colossians 3:3-4, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

I have an advocate

1 John 2:1-2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

God is working in me

Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

God has given me a lively hope

1 Peter 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

He will protect me to the end

John 10:27-29, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

2 Timothy 4:18, “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”

I can have a full assurance of faith

Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Hebrews 10:22, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

1 John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

I am complete in Christ

Colossians 2:10, “And ye are complete in him [Jesus], which is the head of all principality and power:”

Nothing can separate me from God’s love.