Pastor's Nightmare

Today we have read the terrifying account of one Judas Iscariot, a man chosen to be one of twelve men that would turn the world upside down for the glory of God. We find them receiving the power that was needed, (apostolic power, not prevalent today, to some this is a matter of debate, but I personally believe that this is evident from the passage in which Christ gives the apostles power to cast out devils; speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Many will go for the tongues, the healing, and believing, baptizing, but what about the serpents, and deadly drink?) to go and spread the good news of the Christ. They cast out demons, healed the sick, and all manner of disease. But then a travesty takes place (14-16) Judas makes plans to betray Christ. How sad to see some one of whom you have labored for in pray and supplication have such devastating ending to life. All the while Christ was praying, for them, teaching them, caring for them. Only to have that person have such a tragic end to life (Acts 1:18). This too is a nightmare to a Pastor who has prayed over people, seen them gather time and time again, only to see that person's life heading in the same direction in life as Judas. While it is true that many will not sell out as openly as Judas, nevertheless, they sale out to the world, the flesh and the devil (John 13:27). Both roads lead to hell! Did Judas sin away his day of grace? It is something to think about isn't it. Judas was given ample opportunity to repent, but failed to. This could be the scenario of someone here today. Not everyone that sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven. Again we see the problem of someone who is justified in the eyes of man, and not in the eyes of God. Judas was a "Pastor's Nightmare" because of the:

I. DISLOYALTY- (Mt. 22:14) "For many are called, but few are chosen."

a.) How tragic to see someone be a candidate for salvation to only turn it down because they have chosen to be a counterfeit, like the rich young ruler they have seen the cost of discipleship to be too great.

b.) A pastors night mare when someone whom Christ died for rejects him.

c.) Even more nightmarish is to see someone who has received Him to deny Him total access to their lives.

d.) Don't be a Judas in character, if you're saved then start living like it.

II. DECIETFULNESS- (Mt. 26:14; John 13:26-29)

a.) Judas had everyone else deceived, because we can only know people by the fruit that they bear, but God knoweth the heart of man.

b.) Judas fooled those whom he walked with day in and day out, but this proves another great doctrine, man must be justified in the eyes of God to make it to heaven, and not in the eyes of man. That person must appropri-ate by faith the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ, in other words we are saved by grace and not by works. Justification in the eyes of man is right but it won't get you to heaven.

c.) Pastor's nightmare justified in the eyes of men, deceitfulness.

III. DECIEVED- (Mt. 26:25; James 1:22) "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

a.) I can't help but think that Judas had so long walked and seen what Christ had done that he developed a head knowledge of the Lord Jesus. A pastor's nightmare is when folk have a form of godliness, but have denied the power thereof.

b.) Many have lived a lie so long that they even believe it themselves.

c.) You must be born again, and this means to repent, true repentance has fruits, a person who is truly saved is justified before God and man.

d.) Don't be deceived for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

e.) Pastor's nightmare- deceiving them own selves

IV. DAMNED- (Mt. 27:3-5)

a.) What a tragic way to end life, suicide, suicide usually comes when a person feels they have no worth, that they are useless, or reality sets in such as in the case of Judas, he realized what he had done and couldn't bear the thought, a saved man could be forgiven, if they only will repent.

b.) But on the other hand I believe Judas realized that he had betrayed the Son of God, and knew his day of grace was gone, I have talked to people like this, saying the things of the bible used to concern them but that it no longer did.