Sermon Info
Summary
Judas is the most disappointing person in all of history. Judas was so close to Jesus, and yet he was so far. Given every opportunity to follow and believe, Judas chose to live in his own sin and selfish ambition. His life was a miserable failure. We have all sinned, yet God’s grace is greater. Easter shows us that our failures are not final. Will you receive God’s grace and live in His love today? Judas set his eyes on money and power, and he lost it all. But, God invites us to set our eyes on Jesus, and in the process, we grow in His love, joy, peace and inherit eternal life. This Easter Season, let’s focus on Jesus.
Content
What we can learn from Judas...
1. The downward spiral of sin.
He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as the keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. John 12:6
- Judas was tempted, and we all are tempted.
- Being tempted is not a sin; sin comes as we act on that temptation.
- Judas continued to follow the way of sin and not the way of Jesus.
- Be a person of integrity - even in the little things.
2. You can be around Jesus and not follow Jesus.
Then one of the Twelve - the one called Judas Iscariot - went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:14-15
- Judas was one of the Twelve Disciples.
- Judas was so close, and yet so far!
- You can be around the church and around Jesus, and yet still miss Him!
- Judas betrayed Jesus.
3. When you are with Jesus, there should be a change in your life.
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Matthew 26:48-50
- You are known by the fruit of your life.
- Does your life look more like Jesus or like the world?
- Are you living for God’s agenda or your agenda?
4. Don’t live in guilt, but live in grace.
So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Matthew 27:5
- We have all sinned. None of us are perfect.
- Receive God’s grace today.
- Jesus loved Judas, and Jesus loves you.
- Learn from your mistakes and go forward in the grace of God.
- Set your eyes on Jesus.
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet to forfeit their soul.” - Jesus. Mark 8:36
