Untitled Sermon

Lessons from Judas

EX - In the life of Judas, we see several lessons that show us that just because someone says they are a Christian, it does not mean that they actually are followers of Christ.If you remember a few weeks ago, I pointed out that when in it says that “Satan entered into Judas” it was not a hostile takeover.Judas saw that he was on the “wrong side of history” so he was preparing his escape route.And he thought that if he betrayed Jesus, he would be doing his nation a favor and he might make a little money on the side.So, Judas, this treacherous man, knew where Jesus would be and what he would look like so he said, “I’ll go up and embrace Jesus, then you’ll know who to arrest.”Judas’ life is tragic in so many ways. But I want us to focus on perhaps the most tragic way and that is that Judas Rejected Jesus.And not just here at the end, it was evident early on.

​ ESVJesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

​ ESVBut Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.

These are just a couple of examples from John’s Gospel that show us that Judas was not truly born again. He rejected Jesus.I want you to think about that for just a moment. Judas was picked by Jesus. He walked with Jesus, ate with Jesus, listened to the teaching of Jesus.And it never changed his life or his heart. IL - Denying JesusEven recent history is littered with story after story after story about men and women who have studied the words of God only to reject them.Names like Dan Barker, Bart Ehrman, Rob Bell … all men who led churches only to reject a Biblical Christianity.Closer to home, at Iowa State, Dr. Hector Avalos recently wrote a book titled “The Bad Jesus” where he makes the case that Jesus wasn’t such a nice guy after all.Dr. Avalos, Dr. Ehrman, Mr. Barker … all people who have studied Scripture to a varying degree or another and rejected Jesus.And we are all familiar with others, maybe a friend or a family member who has rejected Jesus despite what we have told them or taught.The point is that there are plenty of people who have sat under the teaching of Jesus who have rejected the teaching of Jesus and even then worked AP