WHAT JUDAS MISSED-VIII—John 13:31–14:11(John 13:18--17:26)
OR--‘WHILE YOU WERE OUT/AWAY’
Attention:
My Children Are Not My Children:
In Washington State ca. 2002, when a parent applied for state benefits for their children, DNA tests were required for proof of parentage. But when a woman(Lydia Fairchild) fell on hard times(she & the father of her children separated), the DNA test claimed that none of the children she was claiming were really hers. She had two children & was claiming them as her own. She was pregnant with a third supposedly by the same father.
Lydia received a call from a prosecutor who wanted to talk with her about the test results. He assumed she was using a false name, & was hiding the fact that ‘her’ kids were really someone else’s. She explained her name was not falsified & that she was not married but had had all of the children thru him, & that they were all her biological children. The prosecutor responded that they knew the kids belonged to the father but also knew that Lydia could not have given birth to the children. The DNA test results were 99.9% the stated father’s(Jamie Townsend), but 0.00% Lydia’s. She was told that there is no way possible that she was the mother of the children!
They did another test & the result was the same! Lydia was told that Social services was going to take her children away. She was facing charges fraud & kidnapping her own children!
Attorney Alan Tindell looked into Lydia’s case. His job was to prove that Lydia was not a criminal. Or to discover whose children they really were.
Since Lydia was nearing her birthdate, Mr. Tindell had the court order someone to be in the delivery room as Lydia gave birth. DNA taken from Lydia & the baby immediately at birth, again revealed that her new baby was the father’s but was not her own! Obviously the baby was hers but the DNA test said otherwise.
The obvious conclusion was that the DNA tests were wrong, which could threaten the entire DNA testing regime/system. After all, people have been sent to prison & to even death based on DNA results!
Lydia’s case baffled the experts. Near the same time, Attorney Tindell became aware that a lady in Boston needed a kidney transplant but none of the three sons born to her showed any maternal DNA compatibility!
Other tests were ordered for Lydia, including a cervical smear. It turned out that Lydia’s cervix, fallopian tubes & ovaries were not her own!
It seems that unbeknownst to Lydia she had started life in the womb as a twin. Early on in her mother’s pregnancy, her twin never fully developed & Lydia’s developing body absorbed her twin’s cells without destroying them., The result was that that Lydia was made up of two separate sets of DNA. It was discovered that her ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, & cervix were composed entirely of her sister’s DNA to the exclusion of her own! Technically Lydia was not the biological mother of her own children!
There are only 30 people in the U.S. known to have this condition, but then again not many people have their DNA tested.
*The initial prosecutor missed out on the astonishing truth because he had turned a blind eye to possibilities that were ‘outside his own box.’
*Judas missed the entirety of Jesus’ example & teaching which took place from the time of his prematurely leaving their gathering in the upper room(13:30; Mk. 14:15) until he arrived in the Garden of Gethsemane, with the detachment of soldiers, chief priests & Pharisees to arrest Jesus!(18:3; Mat. 27:27)—[Roman cohort(speira—the tenth part of a legion=600 soldiers)]
Need:
God’s People Practice...
*Gathering with the Church!
*Allowing God to use them despite their faults!
*Follow God’s plain direction for them!
*Are an encouragement to others!
*Fulfill their God-appointments!
...In doing so, they will never miss out on something vital & life-changing for themselves, their spouses, their children, & others!
We have previously found that Judas Missed vital life lessons because of his unbelieving heart attitude AND as a result, Judas Missed his life’s focus due to his physical absence...
JUDAS MISSED...
13:18-27—
•The PRIVILEGE Of BEING CHOSEN.
•EVIDENCE Of MESSIANIC FULFILLMENT.
•His ANCIENT WARNING.
•A MEMORABLE MISSION.
•His REPRESENTATIVE CALLING.
•The TRUE GOD.
•The WARNING Of BEING A HINDERANCE TO GOD.
•The WARNING Of DENYING PERSONAL SIN.
•The EASE & BLESSING Of SEEKING The LORD’s WISDOM.
•The CONFIDENCE Of ALTHOUGH LIMITED Yet TRUE KNOWLEDGE.
•The WARNING Of BEING OUT For YOURSELF.
•The WARNING Of GAINING ‘PERMISSION’ RATHER THAN FOLLOWING GOD’s ‘DIRECTION.’
13:28-30—
•The WARNING ABOUT The DAMNING VOICE Of AVARICE
•The WARNING That SIN TAKES SELFISH ADVANTAGE Of OTHER PEOPLE’s STRUGGLES
•The DANGER of PREYING Upon OTHERS
•The WARNING That SIN PROMOTES The DIFFICULTIES Of OTHERS In ORDER To PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY For SELF
•The WARNING SIGNS Of HIS OWN RUSE(Cf.-:22)
•The WARNING Of The INSATIABLE LUST/DESIRE Of The FLESH
•The WARNING Of the CONSTANT COMPULSION Of FLESH
•The PHYSICAL REPRESENTATION(Darkness) Of HIS SPIRITUAL REALITY
•The WARNING In DARKNESS
13:31-32—
•His PERVERSE ROLE In GLORIFYING GOD
•The FACT That GOD’s GLORY IS IN JESUS & VICE-VERSA.
13:33—
•A FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING CURVE
•.JESUS’ FINAL WORDS.
•The IMPORTANCE Of GOD’s TIMING.
•The IMPORTANCE Of PERSONAL PATIENCE.
•The IMPORTANCE Of JESUS’ PHYSICAL ABSENCE.
•The IMPORTANCE Of PREPAREDNESS BASED On PRESENT KNOWLEDGE.
JUDAS also MISSED...
13:34-35—
•A ‘NEW’ COMMANDMENT Of GOD.
•LOVE For The FAMILY OF GOD....
•The TELLING EXAMPLE & APPLICATION Of GOD’S LOVE.
•His OPPORTUNITY For LIFESTYLE WITNESS.
•The WITNESSING POWER Of LIVING OUT GOD’s LOVE.
13:36-37—
•TRUST In JESUS’ WORDS.
•CONTENTMENT With JESUS’ WORDS.
•The SATISFACTION In JESUS’ PROMISE.
•The WARNING Of SPIRITUAL IGNORANCE.
•The WARNING Of PIOUS PRIDE.
13:38—
•The WARNING Of MISINFORMED Or POORLY THOUGHT-OUT INTENTIONS.
We encourage you today to put the godly knowledge you receive into practice for the sake of yourself, your family, your community, your country, & for the sake of & betterment of the world.
CONT...13:38
13:38—“Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.”
•Judas missed...The WARNING Of DENYING/MISJUDGING ONE’s PERSONAL POTENTIAL For FAILURE.
Do not be too quick to assume that you ‘have arrived’, or--that you are beyond failing in regard to particular sins.
Argumentation:
Gal. 6:1-5—“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, & so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, & then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, & not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.”
The motive for anything you do is vital!
CONT...13:38
•Judas missed...The TELLTALE SIGNS Of REALITY ROOTED In CHRIST JESUS.(cf.-Mat. 26:69-75)
13:38—“Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.”
cf.-:37—“Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”
Peter’s denial:
Mat. 26:69-75—“Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him & said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” And a little later those who stood by came up & said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” Then he began to curse & swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out & wept bitterly.”
Our Warning:
1Cor. 10:7-14—“And do not become idolaters as were some of them[Israelites]. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat & drink, & rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, & in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, & were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, & were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, & they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”
Rom. 5:1-2—“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, & rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Acts 2:22—“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, & signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know--”
14:1a—
•Judas also missed...REAL FREEDOM From ANXIETY.
14:1a—Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
Argumentation:
Jn. 14:25-27—“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, & bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Php. 4:6-7—“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; & the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts & minds through Christ Jesus.”
The reality is, that there is no cause for any child of God to be anxious, knowing that God Himself has commanded for your moment.
Lk. 12:13-34—“Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” And He said to them, “Take heed & beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. “And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ “So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns & build greater, & there I will store all my crops & my goods. ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, & be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, & is not rich toward God.” Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. “Life is more than food, & the body is more than clothing. “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; & God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? “And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; & yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. “If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field & tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. “For all these things the nations of the world seek after, & your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, & all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have & give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
*Some/Many are tempted to push their situation...To help God out a little bit—as if God was on your own timetable. What they are revealing about themselves—in their anxiety—is a lack of trust in God for whatever reason—whether from childlike, self-centered disobedience or from outright lostness.
Mat. 10:19-22—“But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, & a father his child; & children will rise up against parents & cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”
Ps. 85:7-10—“Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation. I will hear what God the LORD will speak, For He will speak peace To His people & to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. Mercy & truth have met together; Righteousness & peace have kissed.”
Lam. 3:22-23—“Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
1Pet. 5:2-11—“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; & when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, & be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, & settle you. To Him be the glory & the dominion forever & ever. Amen.”
2Cor. 1:3, 4—“Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies & God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Jn. 16:33—“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Many people choose temporary/temporal freedoms from anxiety over Christ Jesus as escapes from reality...Work, Secular Counseling(worldly wisdom), Pills, Books(fantasy), Booze, Sex, Money, Possessions(clothes, cars, houses), Education, Power over others, Prestige, etc.
An EXAMPLE/Illustration for Christians, God’s people, Saints, Brothers & Sisters in Christ, Church People, etc.:
Example/Illustration:
I know of someone who was anticipating a particular scenario or chain of events in a business meeting. They had oogled & ogled about it for much longer than a month. They had prepared themselves thru prayer. They had ‘done their homework’ as it were, in anticipation of questions that might come up. They knew it was the right thing to do, but knew too well the attitudes of some in the congregation. They prepared for negative consequences...
However, when the time actually arrived—there was no fallout, no ill feelings, nobody complained, nobody was hurt, everybody was fully in agreement with the action needed!
And I say this jokingly...’How dare that happen, after all I’ve put myself thru!’
Don’t we all do that?!! God took all the difficulty away! God answered prayer & in a manner that was unimaginable.
Somehow thru all the preparations & sleepless nights & worry & fretting...Praise God that God took control & did it His way!
A huge weight was lifted off of their shoulders & the person was reminded of their ever-present need to trust God —A Real Freedom From Anxiety is experienced when God answers prayer!
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
The initial prosecutor missed out on the astonishing truth because he had turned a blind eye to possibilities that were ‘outside his own box.’
Action:
JUDAS MISSED...
13:38—
•The WARNING Of DENYING/MISJUDGING ONE’s PERSONAL POTENTIAL For FAILURE.
14:1—
•REAL FREEDOM From ANXIETY.
!You must not miss what Judas missed!
Jn. 13:38-14:1a Presented 09/23/2018pm to:
FBC Cbelle
206 Storrs Ave. SW(SE Ave. A)
Carrabelle, FL 32322
