Sermon on Judas Iscariot | Priceless Lessons from Judas
Categories: Biographical Sermon Outlines, Sermon OutlinesSermon on Judas Iscariot
Date written: June 3rd, 2006
Scripture ref: Matthew 26:14-16
SUBJECT: Apostasy, Biography
TITLE: Lessons from the Life of Judas
PROPOSITION: To look at the life of Judas as we know it. He was 1) An apostle. 2) A betrayer. 3) Regretful.
Objectives: That each would be familiar with the life of Judas and the mistakes he made.
Aim: That we understand what the Bible says about Judas.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Matthew 26:14-16
2. About the Text:
1) The name Judas lives in infamy.
2) You will not find a child named Judas because of the reputation associated with that name.
3) Most know him as the man who betrayed Jesus, and so he was.
4) In recent news, however, a certain “Gospel of Judas” was published.
5) This gospel presents Judas as a hero instead of a disreputable man.
6) What does the Bible have to say about the life of Judas and what lessons can we learn from his life.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: Who was Judas? He was…
I. An Apostle
1. He was listed among the twelve.
1) Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:19, and Luke 6:16 all list him among the twelve apostles.
2) Matthew 26:14, 27, Mark 14:10, 43, Luke 22:47 say he was one of the twelve.
3) The implication is clear. Jesus specifically chose Judas to be one of the apostles.
4) Was Judas part of Jesus’ ministry and apostleship? He was until he transgressed and fell (Acts 1:25).
2. He sat at Jesus’ feet and learned of His teaching.
1) He was taught the gospel and heard about the kingdom of God according to Luke 8:1.
2) He heard the meaning of the parable of the sower according to Mark 4:10.
3) He was taught that the last shall be first according to Mark 9:35.
4) He was foretold about Jesus betrayal and death according to Matthew 20:17, Mark 10:32, and Luke 18:31.
3. He was one of those sent out to preach to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and given power to confirm the word.
1) He was given power over unclean spirits. Matthew 10:1 “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”
2) He preached the gospel to Israel. Matthew 10:5-7 “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
3) He was among those sent out two by two. Mark 6:7 “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits….”
4. Before he was a betrayer, he was a faithful disciple of Jesus.
5. Judas life proves that men can fall from grace and be lost. Acts 1:25 says, “That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”
6. 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
II. A Betrayer
1. He is referred to as a betrayer (Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:18) and a traitor (Luke 6:16).
2. The Jewish leaders needed someone to reveal Jesus’ evening repose to them because they didn’t want to take him in the presence of the multitude according to Luke 22:6.
3. Luke 22:5 says that Judas made them glad.
4. He was motivated by greed.
1) When Jesus was blessed by a woman with an expensive ointment, Judas questioned its use saying that it could have been sold and used for the poor.
2) John wrote regarding Judas statement, “Now this he said, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the bag took away what was put therein” (John 12:6).
3) There was, then, prior evidence of Judas covetousness. This was then used by Satan to motivate Judas to betray Jesus.
4) Thus Judas said to the chief priests, “What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.” (Matthew 26:15-16).
5) Judas covetousness motivated the betrayal of Jesus.
6) Luke 12:15 “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
5. Jesus predicted his betrayal by Judas.
1) In John 6:70-71, “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? (slanderer, false accuser) He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.”
2) In Matthew 17:22 Jesus said, “The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:”
3) In Matthew 26:21 we read, “And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.”
4) In Matthew 26:25 “Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.”
5) In John 13:26-27 John records, “Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.”
6. Judas left to betray Jesus at the last supper.
1) Mark 14:10 “And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.”
7. Judas allowed Satan to enter his heart.
1) John 13:2 “And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;”
2) Luke 22:3 states, “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.”
3) When we give in to the temptation of sin, we allow Satan into our heart.
8. He then lead the band of guards to Jesus place of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.
1) John 18:2-3 says, “And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.”
2) Matthew 26:47 “And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.”
3) Mark 14:43 “And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.”
9. Judas then identified Jesus with a kiss and the betrayal was complete.
1) What was normally a sign of affection was used as a sign of betrayal.
2) Matthew 26:48-49 states, “Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.”
3) Mark 14:44-45 says much the same.
4) Luke records Jesus as saying, “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48).
5) It was after this that Jesus was betrayed.
III. A Regretful Man
1. He was regretful that Jesus was going to be killed because he knew him to be innocent.
1) Matthew 27:3-4 “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood….”
2) The Greek word used here is not METANOIA, but METAMELOMAI. The idea is not one of a change of heart that results in a reformed life, but rather, simply regret without any true change of character.
2. To his credit, Judas did try to restore the money that he had taken but the priests refused it.
1) After he tried to give the money back, the priests said, “What is that to us? see thou to that.” (Matthew 27:4).
2) Judas then cast the money down in the temple. Matthew 27:5 “And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple”
3) The betrayer was himself betrayed. Here is a lesson: Satan may make some sin look good to us, but in the end, he will betray us.
4) The chief priests then took the money and used it to buy a field to bury the unclaimed dead.
3. Judas then went and hanged himself, died, and fell.
1) Matthew 27:5 “and he went and hanged himself.”
2) Acts 1:18-19 says, “Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.”
3) Judas had regret, but he didn’t have godly sorrow. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
CONCLUSION:
1. Let us understand the Bible’s teaching regarding Judas. He was…
1) An Apostle
2) A Betrayer
3) A Regretful man.
2. Invitation
1) We are all like Judas in a way. When we sin, we betray Jesus.
2) How will we handle our sin?
3) Will we simply be regretful? Or will we repent?
4) Repent today and turn to God.