What’s Your Price?
Matthew 26:14-16 (NLT)
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests [15] and asked, "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?" And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. [16] From that time on, Judas began looking for the right time and place to betray Jesus.
Personally Chosen
•Judas was personally chosen by Jesus
• Matthew 10:1-4
Matthew 10:1-4 (NLT)
Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. [2] Here are the names of the twelve apostles:
first Simon (also called Peter),
then Andrew (Peter’s brother),
James (son of Zebedee),
John (James’s brother),
[3] Philip,
Bartholomew,
Thomas,
Matthew (the tax collector),
James (son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus,
[4] Simon (the Zealot),
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
Personally Chosen
•Judas was personally chosen by Jesus
• Matthew 10:1-4
•Judas had been sent out under the authority of
Jesus
•Judas would interact with Jesus on a close
personal basis
•Jesus demonstrates His love, even to those who
have unpure motives
The Heart is Exposed
•Judas’ actions revealed the true condition of
his heart
• John 12:3-6
John 12:3-6 (NLT)
Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance.
But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples—the one who would betray him—said, [5] "That perfume was worth a small fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor." [6] Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief who was in charge of the disciples’ funds, and he often took some for his own use.
[7] Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial.
The Heart is Exposed
•Judas’ actions revealed the true condition of
his heart
• John 12:3-6
•Jesus had known Judas’ heart all along
• John 6:64
John 6:64 (NLT)
But some of you don’t believe me." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.)
The Heart is Exposed
•Judas’ actions revealed the true condition of
his heart
• John 12:3-6
• Full of selfish ambition
•Jesus had known Judas’ heart all along
• John 6:64
•Jesus does not force his will upon us
An Open Door
•Judas surrendered himself to his sinful
thoughts and desires
• When we continue to live unrepentant lives we
give Satan a foothold in our lives
• John 13:21, 26-27
John 13:21, 26-27
Now Jesus was in great anguish of spirit, and he exclaimed, "The truth is, one of you will betray me!"
Jesus said, "It is the one to whom I give the bread dipped in the sauce." And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. [27] As soon as Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, "Hurry. Do it now."
An Open Door
•Judas surrendered himself to his sinful
thoughts and desires
• When we continue to live unrepentant lives we
give Satan a foothold in our lives
• John 13:21, 26-27
• Boundaries are easily crossed
• Principles are easily compromised
The Bargain Price of Your Soul
•Judas agreed to sell Jesus for 30 pieces of
silver
• Matthew 26:14-16
Matthew 26:14-16 (NLT)
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests [15] and asked, "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?" And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. [16] From that time on, Judas began looking for the right time and place to betray Jesus.
The Bargain Price of Your Soul
•Judas agreed to sell Jesus for 30 pieces of
silver
• Matthew 26:14-16
• The price for a slave
• Exodus 21:32
Exodus 21:32 (NLT)
But if the bull gores a slave, either male or female, the slave’s owner is to be given thirty silver coins in payment, and the bull must be stoned.
The Bargain Price of Your Soul
•Judas agreed to sell Jesus for 30 pieces of
silver
• Matthew 26:14-16
• The price for a slave
• Exodus 21:32
•We are often willing to sell out our
relationship with Jesus for a bargain basement
price
• Television
• Money and Possessions
• Good times
• Busyness
What is your price?
Leading A Double Life
•Judas greeted Jesus in the garden with a kiss
• Matthew 26:48-49
Matthew 26:48-49 (NLT)
Judas had given them a prearranged signal: "You will know which one to arrest when I go over and give him the kiss of greeting." [49] So Judas came straight to Jesus. "Greetings, Teacher!" he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.
Leading A Double Life
•Judas greeted Jesus in the garden with a kiss
• Matthew 26:48-49
• A sign of friendship and respect
•Judas was accompanied by an armed mob
• Are you leading a double life?
• Good churchgoer on Sunday
• Betraying with words and actions on Monday
The Short-Lived Gain of Sin
•Judas’ gain was short lived
• The consequences were greater than he had
anticipated
• Matthew 27:3-4
• Scare Jesus? Yes
• Force Jesus hand? Yes
• Put Jesus to death? No
Matthew 27:3-4 (NLT)
When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and other leaders. [4] "I have sinned," he declared, "for I have betrayed an innocent man."
"What do we care?" they retorted. "That’s your problem."
The Short-Lived Gain of Sin
•Judas’ gain was short lived
• The consequences were greater than he had
anticipated
• Matthew 27:3-4
• Scare Jesus? Yes
• Force Jesus hand? Yes
• Put Jesus to death? No
•The guilt was more than he could bear
• Matthew 27:5
Matthew 27:5 (NLT)
Then Judas threw the money onto the floor of the Temple and went out and hanged himself.
The Short-Lived Gain of Sin
•Judas’ gain was short lived
• The consequences were greater than he had
anticipated
• Matthew 27:3-4
• Scare Jesus? Yes
• Force Jesus hand? Yes
• Put Jesus to death? No
•The guilt was more than he could bear
• Matthew 27:5
Sin may be attractive for a moment, but the consequences are costly
Jesus Called Him “Friend”
Matthew 26:50 (NLT)
Jesus said, "My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for." Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.
Key Truths
We all face temptation to sell Jesus out
When we yield to sinful motivations we give
Satan influence in our lives
In spite of our actions, Jesus still calls us
“Friend”
**Powerpoint available on request
