Journey Through Acts Lesson 4

Journey Through Acts

Lesson 4

Acts 1:15–20 “15 During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them. 16 “Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. 17 Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.” 18 (Judas had bought a field with the money he received for his treachery. Falling headfirst there, his body split open, spilling out all his intestines. 19 The news of his death spread to all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name Akeldama, which means “Field of Blood.”) 20 Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’”

Judas the Traitor (Apostle)

The Lessons of Judas

Judas betrayed Christ

i. Acts 1:16 (NLT) — 16 “Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David.

Acts 1:16 NLT

16 “Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David.

ii. Become the guide for Jesus’ enemies.

iii. Matthew 26:47–50 (NLT) — 47 And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. 48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” 49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. 50 Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

Matthew 26:47–50 NLT

47 And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. 48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” 49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss. 50 Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

iv. He should have guided people to receive Christ.

v. Judas had been a leader.

vi. He had held one of the highest positions.

vii. He was the treasurer for Jesus and the disciples.

viii. When someone claims to be Christian but give no outward signs.

Called by Jesus.

i. Acts 1:17 (NLT) — 17 Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”

Acts 1:17 NLT

17 Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”

ii. He had been given a part in the ministry.

iii. He had been numbered and counted by all as being an apostle.

iv. Yet, he had somehow refused God’s grace.

v. The grace that truly saves.

vi. Unless they person is truly saved, he is not acceptable to God.

vii. It is not enough…

1. To claim and profess God.

2. To hold an office in church.

3. To be a minister or a leader.

4. To be associated with other believers.

5. To be a faithful church member.

6. To be active in ministering.

Judas’ great sin.

Greed.

ii. What does Greed to do us?

1. Idolatry (Colossians 3:5)

2. Lack of Contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-8)

3. Neglect of Others (James 5:1-6)

4. Loss of Compassion (1 John 3:17)

5. Estrangement from God (Matthew 6:24)

6. Dishonesty and Unethical Behavior (Proverbs 28:25)

7. Temporal Focus (Matthew 6:19-21)

8. Strained Relationships (Proverbs 15:27)

Judas had died a terrible death.

iv. Acts 1:18 (NLT) — 18 (Judas had bought a field with the money he received for his treachery. Falling headfirst there, his body split open, spilling out all his intestines.

v. Matthew 27:3–10 (NLT) — 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”

Matthew 27:3–10 NLT

3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” 5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself. 6 The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.” 7 After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. 8 That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. 9 This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says, “They took the thirty pieces of silver— the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel, 10 and purchased the potter’s field, as the Lord directed.”

i. Two possible interpretations

1. One possible explanation suggests that the field overlooked a cliff, and as Judas hanged himself, the rope (or the branch) may have broken, with his body falling headlong over the edge of the cliff onto jagged rocks below.

2. Others have suggested that Judas’s body may have remained hanging for some time decaying and decomposing (“swelling up,” ESV footnote), eventually falling to the ground and bursting open in its decomposed condition.

3. The main is…

i. He had hanged himself in despair.

In both accounts the effect of Satan’s control over Judas’s life is clear, demonstrating the general principle that Satan brings total destruction and disgrace to the person who comes under his control, for “he was a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44).

Judas’ legacy is tragic.

i. Judas is infamous as a betrayer of Jesus.

ii. Betraying Christ? Is the most terrible legacy a man can ever have.

Judas' terrible fate was an eternal loss.

i. Acts 1:20 (NLT) — 20 Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.

Acts 1:20 NLT

20 Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’

ii. Acts 1:20 (LEB) — 20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his residence become deserted, and let there be no one to live in it,’ and, ‘Let another person take his position.’

Acts 1:20 LEB

20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his residence become deserted, and let there be no one to live in it,’ and, ‘Let another person take his position.’

iii. This verse is a quote from Ps. 69:25; 109:8 (compare Ps. 41:9; Zech. 11:12).

Things to remember.

As with greed…

i. We are all vulnerable to the sin of pride.

ii. Proverbs 16:18 (NCV) — 18 Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin.

Proverbs 16:18 NCV

18 Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin.

Proverbs 16:19 (NLT) — 19 Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.

Proverbs 16:19 NLT

19 Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.