Worship Gathering 11/01/2020

How much I enjoyed having Ron Bush and his wife Amanda here with us? How do I really enjoyed having him around Hank? Luke said it I wish that we had a place here for him.

And I just so you know, that is the gold one day that we will have an opportunity to have our own missionary here that will go out and then when I do come home on furlough Come here. And this be their home. That's the goal.

Until that time. We'll just love on Ron and Amanda. And hopefully one day we'll get to meet their five children. and then so pray for them. Okay, if you have your bowel what I'd like for you to turn to Luke chapter 22 and let stand for the reading of God's word Luke chapter 22.

Luke chapter 22 starting a verse 1 the Festival of unleavened bread, which is called Passover was approaching the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put him to death because they were afraid of the people then Satan. entered Judas call the scariest who was numbered among the 12 he went away in disgust with the chief priests in the temple police how he can hand him over to them. They were glad and and agreed to give him silver. So we accept the offering and started looking for a good opportunity to betray him to them when the crowd was not present. This is the word of the Lord.

What spray Father in heaven we ask you now to preach to the hearts of your people? Father may we handle the text correctly? hottest behind the cross and may we be found in crafts close to you father? Your son's name for a sec. We pray. Amen. You may be seated. You know life is full of surprises is it? Are you are you are you awake this morning? Life is full of surprises, right I'll give you one. We don't get a lot of sleep at night right now. It's okay 5:30 this morning about 5 this morning. We had a little surprised we would have gone for a couple days Inn in Tennessee and come back home to find out that are hamsters gone Mark has his name and so we didn't know where he was. We thought that maybe the the Rapture occurred. We all missed it and Mark left. Anyway, the hamster is gone. So Heather tour the cage down and cleaned it all up put it away. This morning about 5 Martin needed a bottle.

Heather is in there and and I go in the room. And get the bottle to put some in it and I look over and standing on his hind legs as Mark. Staring me right in the eyes. toys to make now I can scream like a girl like I want to. And wake everyone up in my house, which would be a really really bad thing. Or I can try to do the best I can so I don't know why I'm telling you all this story. So I got to go in and fill the bottle of Tippy Toe back in there. I can see Mark still over here give the bottle I go over and I think I've got mark Where I want him and I reached down to getting marks ever been anybody in Martin bites me. And I'm done with it like it's it so I go to Heather Heather is asleep. And I said Heather Mark is alive, and he's bit me. And Heather says it's caused his blood sugar is low.

Heather defending her babies So I wrestled my pregnant wife up out of the bed. She helped me. We got Mark had to put a case together at 5 this morning footmark in the cage and hopefully he's there when we get back. I'll tell you that to tell you this life is full of surprises, isn't it?

I had planned on preaching versus one. All the way to verse 30 today.

That was the goal. My idea was to preach and really put it in for cyst on the Lord's Supper. And that's what I study for last night about 10:30. Heather asked me. What are you preaching about tomorrow? And I said, I don't know yet. And that she was she gave me that look.

I can't get away from this first 6 verses.

Every verse I have a word for you to put beside it in your Bible. These words will be our anchors. These will be our flag that we put down as we work our way through the text.

the first verse you should put decided the Passover.

Luke gives us the the setting to what's getting ready to go down. This is the this is when Christ's passion begins now, you know from our studies so far that Jesus has went over into Jerusalem. They looked over Jerusalem many weeks and you remember this Grand entry that he makes and then you remember that that he's going to the temple during the day and there's these confrontations in and we study that end up that way these confrontations people are coming to Jesus in there and the scribes and the Pharisees and the and the teachers are there coming to him and want to trip him up and they're wanting to to try to prove him wrong and they can't do it.

Sunday Monday and Tuesday are gone. I don't know exactly what day this is, but I have an idea that it's either Tuesday evening or it's Wednesday which Wednesday we don't have any record of but we know this this is the Passover. Look what it says verse 1 the Festival of unleavened bread, which is called Passover was approaching it. So what we see here is this Feast of unleavened bread with us a whole week 7 complete days of Celebration and it followed immediately after the Passover night that you remember we just read INXS didn't wear the Passover meal. We know what the Passover is, right what we know that the death angel comes but the Blood on the doorpost what happens? Yo, son by four generations for every generation. After that. We know that that these people the children of God the people of God or supposed to celebrate and re-enact what happened that day. So the Feast of the unleavened bread with his week-long celebration after this one meal which is the Passover. In fact, the two feasts were we're really treated as one If if Luke was writing to a group of Jews here, he would say the Passover or he would say the Feast of unleavened bread, but but Luke's not writing to Jews Lucas riding Sophie off listen to the early church. And so he puts the two together the Feast of the unleavened bread, which is called Passover was approaching and that's why the wording is the way it is. These two festivals these two feasts these two celebrations commemorate Israel's deliverance from Egypt. During which all the firstborn of Egypt died in the firstborn of Israel was passed over. The next day is for beginners Journey to the promised land. The Passover is the time of the nation reflected on this Deliverance. What will we read all that next 11 and 12, didn't we? And what we have to understand is now Jerusalem is smack. I'm in completely full of people. No matter where you go. People are there next week will learn that the priests will be lined up and no no sound that the shofar no shut the the temple doors and they're out in the court bill. It's like an assembly line of killing the animals killing the Rams and the blood is Flowing everywhere. They're taking these basins of blood passing it down and throwing it over on the altar. They're taking the organs and throwing them on the altar as well as it's just a massive massive site. We're talkin about close to over a half a million close to a million people crammed in Jerusalem during this time. This is the Passover. How you say I don't know why you were doing so much detail about that where you have to know the setting. Cancel the context you have to know right now. This is the setting of Christ's passion begins. Can you feel the weight of the situation? It's the first week of April a D30 and Jesus has hours to live.

first ever won the Passover verse number two is the plot look with me the chief priests and the scribes another city. It doesn't say Pharisees does it it's the chief priests in the scribes were looking for a way to put him to death.

Notice what it says they're they're looking for a way. The question is not if he should die. But when and how should he died the verdict has already been rendered they've already found Jesus guilty in a court of their own opinion and their own minds all beloved. I want you to know today though, though these men Found Jesus guilty. He never ever sent.

That's good news for you. It is good news for me. Do you know why because we've all sinned and fell short of the glory of God. In the court of opinion in the in the end of court of the religious leaders, they Mark him guilty and here is the plot. They're looking for a way to kill him and look what it says there because they're afraid. I want other people.

There's a great problem isn't there. They want Jesus dead want to just kill him. What else might just take him out back and killing?

Weather is it a million people there in the city?

There's a boy there and it's Mommy. His mommy was on a funeral one day. And Jesus walks by puts his hand up. A little boy. That's whether he was dead now he lives.

There's a bunch of guys that were cast out for the longest. Of time that they were worthy quarantined. I had leprosy

been wrote off by Society they're in the crowd clean now because of this man Jesus. But you can't forget Mary and Martha. Can you? Or or or what about Lazarus? Didn't we read your obituary? Wasn't your name in the paper? Didn't you die?

Jesus and then there's the guy with the withered hand. Stop Twitter handle more.

They were afraid of the people because the people knew the power of Jesus. They were afraid of people because of the half a million people. At least 20,000 have been fed by Jesus.

buy miracle they were afraid of Jesus because popular opinion was he's the one that will deliver us. but the plot is this they want him dead and they have to figure out a way to do it without the people knowing

it's very hard to do especially cuz Jesus comes to the temple during the day all those people are there and then he goes somewhere at night. Are we seeing the Passover inverse one? We seen the plot in verse 2 and this is our Focus today in verse 3. I want you to see the person. The person whose name is Judas. No one name is our children, Judas.

There were 12 disciples. Jesus called to help him Simon Peter Andrew James his brother John. Philip Thomas Matthew James the son of alphaeus Thaddeus Simon Judas and Bartholomew, you know someone that's named their kid every one of those names but no one names their kid, Judas. And here it is the person then Satan entered Judas. Call the scary the surname to let you know where Judas is from. Jesus had a brother with the same name who was numbered among the 12. I want you to see the person. That betrayed Jesus possession cuz that's exactly what happens. Right? He becomes possessed. Are you with me? What's it say there in verse 3 then Satan entered Judas. Is that what it says? I don't believe though that the but the focus here is Satan entering Judas. I think the focus here should be who Judas actually is and what to find this out. Let's let's do some flipping go over to John chapter 6. John chapter 6 in will start in verse 70 Who is this man named Judas? John chapter 6 verse 70 say Amen when you're there.

John chapter 6 verse 70 let's get Johns take on who Jesus is.

Simon Peters just answered. Jesus has a mass Exodus of people that they're leaving him. And and and she's asking do you want are you going to go to and he says where else we're going to go you are the one that has the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God and Jesus replied to them didn't I Choose You The Twelve yet. One of you is a devil. He was referring to Judas. Simon Iscariot son one of the 12 because he was going to betray him.

So we can learn right here in this text it that Judas was what he was chosen wasn't he? He was chosen to be part of the 12. But we also learn here that he was what one of you is a devil another word for that Jesus speaking here. Another word for that is one of you is the enemy One of you is diabolical. He was referring to Judas. What's the move further go over to John chapter 12 with me really quick. We'll just paint the picture of how John describes Jesus or John describes Judas John chapter 12 verse 1. This is the same account that what we're reading over and Luke actually, but but Luke leaves out this the anointing at Bethany because he actually puts one similar thing in earlier in the in his book. Look at verse 1 6 days before the Passover. Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was the one Jesus had raised from the dead so they gave a dinner for him there Martha was serving them and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with him. Think about this Lazarus the one who died now lives. Did Mary took a pound of perfume pure and expensive nard anointed Jesus feet and wiped his feet with her hair. So the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who is about to betray and this is this is the same time. Said. Why wasn't this perfume sold for 300 to naira? And given to the poor now, don't get it twisted Judas cares nothing about the four. How do you know that Chris? Verse 6. He didn't say this because he cared about the poor. And that because he was a thief all he was chosen. There's an enemy in the camp. Miss judicita Thief

He was in charge of the money bag.

And we still part of it. What was put in?

She's better leave her alone. She's kept it for the day of my burial. I think it's interesting over and Matthew just says what a waste.

In fact, he was the worst.

John doesn't leave us there though Chatfield chapter 13. verse 10

Jesus is now washing his disciples feet looking verse 10. One who is Bay's Jesus told him doesn't need to watch anything except his feet, but it's completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you for he knew who would betray him. This is why I said not all of you are clean. We've learned just John's short depiction of Judas. What we know of Judas is that he was chosen yet. He was the enemy that he was a thief he was selfish. He was greedy. He was stealing from the money back. He was stealing from God himself and he was not clean. He was not regenerate. He was not saved.

I don't base of your idea of the Christian Life pulling a couple verses out and put them in your pocket and not how you read the Bible. This does not prove that a man loses his salvation Baptist never believe that

in 1689 the second London Baptist confession of faith. Is this the perseverance of the Saints? That's eternal security. That's the that's the stick-to-it-ness of the believer. That's the one always be saved. What what did you say? Now I can tell by looking at this crap. You better believe in the perseverance of the Saints. It's all right.

The perseverance of the Saints does not depend on their own free will. But on the unchangeableness of the decree of election. Which flows from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father? It's base on the efficacy of the Merritt and intercession of Jesus Christ and the union with him the oath of God the abiding of his Spirit the seat of God within them and the nature of the Covenant of Grace the certainty and infallibility of the perseverance is based on these things. Why do we believe in the security of the believer? Because we believe in a God that does not change. Now it says they may fall into Grievous sins and continue in them for time. Due to the Temptation Of Satan in the world the strength of the corruption remaining in them and then neglected the means of their first preservation in doing so they incur God's displeasure in grief is always Spirit. Their Grace isn't comfortable coming pay or their hearts are hardened. Their consciences are wounded they hurt and scandalize others and bring temporary judgments on themselves nevertheless. They will renew their repentance year that nevertheless they will do their repentance and be preserved through faith in Jesus Christ of the end. How do you know that but this is true Chris cut the Bible teaches us Did all those who make it to the end make it by the grace of God.

This is Judith though. He was not clean kid not been washed. It had not been a change of heart that had not been a change of mine there. There was nothing new inside of him. He was dead in the sins in his trespasses. He was unclean John tells us in centuries before David Rice even my close friend someone I trusted one who shared my bread has turned against me. And guess what?

He was predestined to do it.

Naturally W2 objections when thinking of Judas and the idea of predestination. Well, just get him out the way you want to. Objection ever won since Judas was predestined to do this since Judas was predestined to to betray Jesus into selling for 30 pieces of silver that he shouldn't be held responsible.

And here's the answer that God did not make Judas do anything that his heart wasn't already inclined to do. God used judas's rebellion and hatred in his ultimate plan to bring Redemption to his people.

Now you can you remember that on our Old Testament reading we we read from xs-11 didn't we but right before that I'll include the two verses from Exodus 11. We references 1202 vs from Exit 11. I read those two verses in Exodus 11 because I needed to use them right here. Are you ready?

God hardened Pharaoh's heart. And he did it for a purpose. the show his glory

since Judas was predestined to do this. He shouldn't be held responsible. She Chris turn with me and your Bible over to Acts chapter 2 real quick for me. Are you sleeping around too much today? I'm sorry if you are. Acts chapter 2 verse 22 Luke record this book as well, doesn't he? Luke 2:22 fellow Israelites. Listen to these words. This is Peter speaking. This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with Miracles wonders and signs that God did among you through him. Just as you yourselves know though, he was delivered up. Listen, you would delivered up according to the determine plan and foreknowledge of God. God determine the plan God set the plan in motion God if he acted he willed it. He made it happen. This was God's plan. Jesus being delivered at work studying today was God's plan all along.

And what to say you used Lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him and what is that teaches Chris? Well it teaches us this.

The Judas is absolutely responsible for the choices that he made.

use all of people to nail him to a cross and kill him God raised him of any of the Pains of death because it was not possible for him to be held by Death Judas was predestined to the ACT. And yet he is absolutely responsible for the ACT. Because God didn't make Judas do anything that he wasn't already wanting to do. Well objection number two. I told you those two objections injection. Never to Judas didn't have a choice in the matter. Did he Chris Satan overtook him and he couldn't help it. What was our texts say there in 22 verse 3 then Satan enter Jerusalem surely that the Prince of Darkness is was was too much for Judas.

And I've heard someone say I don't know. I can't I can't tell you who it was. But here's the answer to that objection.

Satan entered Judas by invasion Satan entered Judas by invitation

Satan did not overtake, Judas and Judas is a innocent Pawn in the game.

No, Judas was a thief.

Judas hated Christ in his heart

Judas is the human heart on display without God's restraining Grace. And Satan entered route in Judas.

Let me read the text of scripture we're studying. on the Sunday nights James chapter 1 listen to what? It says verse 12 blessed is the one who endures trials goes when you stood the test. He will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. No one undergoing a trial should say I'm being tempted by God since God is not tempted by evil and he himself does not tempt anyone.

God does not tempt anyone with evil. But each person is tempted Nellis and he's not explain it to us when he's drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. You can't blame God for sinning. if inside you People say I just had to have a big heart. You're a big simple heart. Don't follow your heart. Your heart will lead you to hell. The heart is desperately wicked who can know what the Bible says. Each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires then after the desire has conceived it gives birth to sin. And When sin is fully grown it gives birth to what? to a man hanging in a tree

he gives birth to death. Is the Snowball Effect this is what happens the hardest is it it draws his weight is we're in taskbar own evil desires and Anna twins conceived that gives birth to sin and When sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. This is what happened to Judas Judas is free to choose evil, but he cannot determine the consequences of that evil. We don't know what Jesus Judas hope to accomplish. But we do know this at The Sovereign god of the universe used his betrayal to save a Wretch like Me.

There's the person Judas.

called to be 1 / 12 but never really saved.

Look with me now verse for moving quickly. first float for the plan he went away in disgust with the chief priests and Temple Police how he could hand him over to them notice Genesis personal responsibility is made clear by the fact that he initiated the Betrayal They didn't come to Judas. Did they Judas went to them and here's the plan? Judas goes and discusses with him how to hand him over. Noticed verse 5 price they were glad and agreed to give him silver Matthew tells us it's 30 pieces of silver. You should know that's Thirty pieces of silver was the price of a common slave during the day. Judas sold Jesus for the price of a common slave

Who had the Passover didn't we we had the plot we had the person we had the plan we had to price. What about verse 6?

Write this down. pray not pray p r e y

So he accepted the offer and started looking for a good opportunity to betray him to them when the crowd was not present. This is the whole rub. There's too many people around they can't kill Jesus out in the open. So now she just comes to them. Now. They've got a plan Judas knows where he goes at night. He knows what he goes and he does He knows that Jesus has an alone time and there. That's when they'll get him. And now Jesus is being hunted. He's being stalked by all the forces of evil. You see the chief priests in the scribes here. You see the temple police but beloved. All of Hill was on the hunt for this man Jesus one router says heaven and hell are interested in the fate of Jesus in the great chess match. This is Satan major move to remove Jesus from the game. All of evil did not understand then and does not understand today is this fact listen close. They did not have to hunt for Jesus. He was not the prey. Didn't have to apprehend Jesus. He would lay down his life willingly the fact that Jesus the God man Perfection and Beauty need not be overtaken or apprehended but he laid his life down freely in the place of sinners. This is Jesus.

Evil did not understand at the end and evil does not understand it now.

And So It Begins

Over the next eight weeks or so. We are going to really really really Dive In there's so many good doctrinal things that that Luke teaches us through this section.

Before we close though. Let's let's think of some applications. I think of some warnings that the text gives us today. number one There is a great danger and assuming the spiritual health of someone else.

because proximity

to Jesus is not the same thing as a position in Jesus.

There's great danger in assuming the spiritual health of someone else because proximity to Jesus Christ is not the same thing as a position in Christ.

Moms and dads. Listen close to me.

your children does not need you to think because they made a profession of Faith. They're on their own.

your children dad's me talk to you specifically everyone in your home Dad. You cannot assume that they are where they need to be spiritually. You might be here all the time. And you might come here or you might you might. Do all kinds of different things Judas done those things.

You cannot assume someone's position in Christ just because they're close to this kind of thing.

Don't assume. But your children okay, because they walk to aisle one time. Don't assume that your wife is okay because she made a profession of Faith one time that has no bearing or meaning on their life right now.

What do you do?

Will you start by doing this?

Catechism for boys and girls you go back to the book store here in a minute there free. I'm not trying to sell you anything. You go back to the bookstore every home should have one of these and every home should read to a question answer and talk about that every day of your life is I don't have kids good. You can read it to your wife. You say I I live alone. I live by myself. You still need one. You need to do it yourself.

Heard her person say one time. their child was baptized and she said I feel so much better. My job's done.

Not it man. That's not the perseverance of the Saints.

Would you promise with me to not assume?

The spiritual health of someone inside your home without being active in their life about it you teach your children how to brush their teeth, right you teach your children how to walk you teach your children not to do this and not to do that at least in some of you or look at me like you don't do that now cuz they're older I hear you yelling at your kids all the time. You're always trying to teach him something, right? Why in the world we leave this to chance? Why would we put her hands behind her back and say well? When you grow up, let me know how it goes.

Don't assume.

By all means you read if Judas didn't that behind his name said the one that betrayed Jesus you would just think he was okay when he's with Jesus all the time. Don't send number to those in the ministry. Must remember that being a follower of Jesus is about a relationship with Jesus and not the job at hand. McCall's

oftentimes Satan targets those closest to Jesus

Do you know how I caught Mark the hamster?

Do you know how to call him?

I didn't wrestle him down and put him in a headlock. I went and got some food and I let him have a piece of it. And he went back. And then I put another piece of food up there and guess what he did. He came back out and if another piece. Now that piece first pieces big enough to feel him up.

But he had more.

His greed caused him to be caught and put in cage. And Judas is greed caused him to be what? punished eternally

young preachers teachers singers musicians What do you have an appetite for?

Maybe it's money. Maybe it's not money. Maybe it's control. One piece is not enough.

Or maybe it's attention.

maybe at 6 Maybe it's sleep. Jeremy Maybe it's R&R.

Satan targets those closest to Jesus and you have to guard your heart. Listen what James Jesus half-brother tells us therefore submit to God resist the devil and he will flee from you.

I read this I thought it was good. I've heard a few times. I want to share with you. Here's a letter to Jesus back in the day dear, sir. Thank you for submitting the resumes of the 12 men you pick for the manager's position in your new organization. All of them have now taken of our battery of tests and we have not only run the results through our computer but also arrange personal interviews for each of them with her psychologist and Vocational aptitude consultant the profiles of all the tests are included. Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew is absolutely no qualities of leadership the two brothers James and John the sons of Zebedee Place personal interest above the company loyalty Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale we feel it's our duty to tell you that Matthew, you know, Matthew the tax collector had been blacklisted by the greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau James the son of alphaeus and Thaddeus definitely have radical leanings and they both registered a high score on a manic depressive scale. One of the candidates though. shows really really great potential He is a man of ability and resourcefulness. Meet people will has a keen business mom. I have contacts in high places.

He's highly motivated ambitious and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right hand man. All the other profiles are self-explanatory wish you much success in your new adventure sincerely the Jordan management Consultants. I'm outside looking in man. That looks like Jesus had it didn't. He had everything. Sharp, he kept that money right down to the letter. He's good. He's on the 12.

Here's the warning.

You can profess faith and never possess it.

You can be here today and be baptized be a church member.

And have no relationship with the Risen Savior at all.

What did Judas do? Acts tells us that he goes out takes his money. He buys a field. He hangs it feel.

He's called the son of perdition. King James

the one who is fit for Destruction.

Search Your Heart

For those of you were here listening to me and you know, you know that your only hope is Jesus that you put all your trust in him and you have a relationship with him.

know this

He'll keep you to the end.

I keep you to bed. no matter what kinds

Judas was not a Christian going bad.

Judas is just a picture of the human heart without without the grace of God.

Our Father we love you and thank you

SOB sobering reminder

we're reminded in this text.

Pam when coming to a person's life and you give them faith in you change their heart and you make them new You never leave him you never forsaken. What was done before the world ever existed will be done when the world is gone?

Father we are reminded today. But there are those who are deceived and are being deceived.

Maybe they maybe Satan has an entered into them. But they're basing their whole.

salvation

on a false pretense

Oh God can victim break their heart. May they hit their knees and confess their sins. May we examine ourselves and examine it examine ourselves? May we praise your name? Because you are the one who holds us fast. You are the one who keeps us to the end if it was up to us, if if if our life our Salvation was up to us, we would all be lost. You did not give us a clean slate, but you gave us the righteousness of of your son. We didn't start out even and now we've got to keep up with it. But no you imputed to us you you put on us the perfect laugh at your son lived and here he is in your word. being railroaded

for our transgressions bruised for our iniquity

his chastisement brought us. Peace.

May we believe you that we trust in you.

We thank you for Jesus. So much different than Judas. So much different than Simon Peter. So much different than Earth.

It's in him we trust. And it's in his name we pray. Hey, man.