How Judas Lost His Soul
Matt 26:14-16
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Matt 26:24-25
24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Matt 26:47-50
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.
48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
Introduction
Years ago while I was in college, my Pastor preached a sermon on “How Judas Lost His Soul”. That morning over 50 adults were saved. Many of them were students who had been brought up in Christian homes. Several were the sons and daughters of pastors. How is it that a person can grow up being constantly exposed to the gospel and yet not really be a Christian?
The Bible tells us of a man that spent over three years at the feet of Jesus and yet never believed.
I. What Do We Know About Judas?
1. Jesus and the Twelve - Lk. 6:12, 13
A. Jesus spent the night in prayer and then called his 12 disciples of whom Judas was included.
Simon Peter –-- James –-- John --- Andrew –-- Philip –-- Nathaniel (Bartholomew)
Thomas --- Matthew (Levi) --- James the Less --- Judas Thaddeus --- Simon the Zealot ---
And Judas Iscariot
B. Two Characteristics are notable every time the twelve are mentioned:
1.) Simon Peter is always listed first
2.) Judas Iscariot is always listed last and it is always noted that he betrayed the Lord.
2. The Disciples and Judas
A. None of the disciples knew who would betray Jesus.
B. One of the disciples was Judas’ partner when Jesus sent them out ‘two by two’.
II. Why Preach On Judas?
Judas shows us just how close a person can get to Jesus and not be a Christian.
1. He saw Jesus walk on water.
2. He saw Jesus raise the dead.
3. He was there when Jesus opened the eyes of the blind.
4. He heard all the divine wisdom which Jesus used to silence His critics.
5. He walked by Jesus side all across Palestine.
6. He heard Jesus pray many times and perhaps even prayed with Him.
7. He saw the love for people that Jesus had in His eyes.
8. He saw Jesus walk among sinful men for over three years and yet he never say Him do
anything wrong.
9. He sat with Jesus as the Last Supper and broke bread with Him.
10. He knew Jesus was the Son of God and yet he never trusted Him as Savior.
11. He betrayed Jesus with a kiss.
Someone said: “Judas kissed the door to Heaven but died and went to Hell.”
12. He was so close to Jesus, but so far.
III. Just How Did Judas Lose His Soul?
1. Judas shows us the depravity of the human heart and how hard it can get.
A. There is no record of Judas ever being converted.
B. There is no record of his ever being convicted of his sin.
2. Judas pretended to be something that he wasn’t.
A. Judas was a Hypocrite – “hypocrite” means “actor” – It is playing a part.
Illustration – A Greek actor would use a mask when acted. When he changed characters he would
simply change masks.
B. There is a difference between a weak or backslidden Christian and a Hypocrite. - A Hypocrite never
knew the Lord.
3. Judas betrayed Jesus because, among other things, he loved money. He betrayed Him for money.
4. Many held Jesus in highly – yet Judas held Him in low esteem.
5. Judas was the greatest traitor in human history. He had a part in the greatest injustice that was ever done.
IV. “I Have Sinned” – The Three Hardest Words To Say - Matt. 27:1-10
At least seven times in the Bible, men have said these three words.
1. Pharaoh
Ex 9:27
27 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.
2. Balaam
Num 22:34
34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
3. Achan
Josh 7:19-20
19 And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.
20 And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
4. Saul
I Sam 15:24
24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
5. David
II Sam 12:13
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
6. The Prodigal Son
Luke 15:18-21
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
7. Judas Iscariot
Matt 27:3-4
3 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,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
Conclusion
When Judas said, “I have sinned” it was only one of remorse and despair – not of conviction.
Illustration – The prisons are filled with men who are sorry. Sorry that they are in prison. Sorry that they got caught, but not necessarily sorry for what they did. They are sorry for the consequences of their actions and not for the actions themselves.
Who is sin ultimately against? It might be against a person or even against our own bodies or our own best interests. And yet sin is ultimately against God.
King David when he had sinned said with true remorse and godly repentance, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
Judas said, “I have sinned.” But there was no turning to God. Jesus was right there. He could have turned to the very one he had betrayed and had forgiveness but he didn’t.
What have you done with Jesus?
