Betrayed!

BETRAYED!

John 13:21-30

S: Judas Iscariot

C: Betrayal of Jesus

Pr: WE MUST FACE OUR BETRAYALS OF JESUS.

Type: Inductive

PA: How is the change to be observed?

• We must examine ourselves.

• We must repent of our betrayal.

• We must choose to live in the light.

Version: ESV

RMBC 13 February 05 AM

INTRODUCTION:

Have you ever felt deceived?

ILL Deceit: Lemon Car

Some of you, I am sure, have bought a car that has disappointed you and you recognize that you bought a lemon. In case you don’t know it, there are sure “Signs The Car You Bought Is a Lemon.”

1. As you leave the used car lot, you see the owner rush out with a gigantic smile and high-five the salesman.

2. You notice that the car phone they threw in "for free" has a direct line to Moe’s Towing Company.

3. The booster cables are not in the trunk but are permanently soldered to the battery.

4. The hood has been equipped with a push-button device for quick and easy opening.

5. The "Purchased From" sticker on the back of the car has been removed.

6. You get a "Good Luck" card from the previous owner.

7. As you drive up to a service station for gas, the mechanic opens the big door and waves you in.

8. When you leave for work the next morning, you notice a tow truck parked about a block from your driveway. As you go by, it silently falls in behind you.

9. The little "Service Engine" warning signal in the dashboard comes on and reads "Me Again."

It is one thing, though, when a car betrays us.

It is another when it is a person.

ILL Betrayal: Benedict Arnold

In his youth, he was a brilliant and courageous American patriot. For five years, he fought valiantly to throw off the tyranny of British rule in the colonies. He had been wounded twice in battle and had been rewarded for his daring by being made a brigadier general (a one-star general).

After being appointed commandant of Philadelphia in 1778, however, he became an embittered man, disdainful of his fellow officers and resentful toward Congress for refusing to promote him more quickly. He believed that he was entitled to a higher rank, more privileges, and a larger pension from the government.

While he grew more and more disdainful, he also fell deeper and deeper into debt. Faced with financial ruin in 1780, he conceived a scheme to sell his patriot’s soul for money. Thus, with calculated malice, he set about to and did convince General George Washington to give him command of the fort at West Point.

Once in command of the fort, our man initiated correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton, the commander of the British fleet, and promised to surrender West Point to the British for the sum of 20,000 pounds sterling (approximately $1 million in today’s currency).

His plan eventually failed, however, and he fled to Britain where was given a stipend and the rank of general. While serving the British army, he returned to American soil to wage war against his former comrades in arms and burn towns.

In the end, he was reviled in America, and held in contempt in Britain, as a man who betrayed his principles for money. Now the name of Benedict Arnold is synonymous with betrayal and treachery because of his treason against the American people.

You know, when we are betrayed, it elicits much negative emotion.

We feel angry.

We feel angry, because it is only a friend that can take true advantage of our vulnerability.

Friends are designed to defend, love and support us.

We trust them.

So when they take advantage of our trust, we will always be visibly shaken.

THE STORY:

As we return to John 13 today, we find this is the very type of situation Jesus was facing…

(21) After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." (22) The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. (23) One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table close to Jesus, (24) so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. (25) So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, "Lord, who is it?" (26) Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. (27) Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly." (28) Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. (29) Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor. (30) So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.