What Judas Missed

"What Judas Missed"

Matthew 27:1-10

April 20, 2003 Chester’s FBC Chester, IL Mike Fogerson, Speaker

Introduction: (Play clip of Jesus Christ Superstar of Judas, the scene where Judas returns to the high priest and then hangs himself.)

A Jesus had 12 disciples, but perhaps the most infamous is arguably Judas.

a He is the only one of the 12 disciples that made it into Collin’s English Dictionary. Judas Iscariot: The disciple who betrayed Jesus, a traitor or betrayer.

b Jesus had a ½ brother named Judas. He didn’t want to be identified with Judas Iscariot, so when he penned letter that in the N.T., he used the diminutive of his name...which was Jude.

*We don’t have I & II Pete, I, II, & III Jack

*You’ve heard of St. Paul’s, St. John’s, St. Luke’s....Never have you seen St. Judas Baptist Church.

B A few years ago, naming kids biblical names was the flavor of the month.

a Joshua’s, Josias’, Obediah, Jeremiah, Aaron’s, Levi’s but never have you ever heard someone name their boucing baby boy...Judas.

b Judas wasn’t/isn’t a highly respected person of antiquity/scripture.

C 1 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. [2] They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. [4] "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That’s your responsibility." 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." [7] So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. [8] That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. [9] Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, [10] and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me."

a Judas missed out on what came from Christ’s Cross and resurrection. (ETS)

b We can acquire what Judas missed out on. (ESS)

D I hope you’ll know how to avoid making the mistakes that Judas did. (Objective)

a Who has what Judas missed? (Probing Question)

b Let’s look at three things that Judas missed when he killed himself.

As Jesus was hanging on the cross, Luke 23:34a "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing...."

I The first thing that Judas missed when he hung himself was...forgivenss.

(Judas was already dead at this point.)

A Judas’s sins could have been forgiven.

a Even betraying Jesus? YES! 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

*The Lord doesn’t want anyone to perish...NOT EVEN JUDAS!

b Just as Judas chose to betray Christ, so it was Judas’ chose to die w/o forgiveness and go to hell.

*Judas came close to being forgiven.

B In order to know God’s forgiveness there are 3 requirements.

a 1 Admit we’ve messed up. (Matt. 27:4) "I have sinned." -Judas

*Judas didn’t make excuses (I have sinned!)

2 A sense of remorse for our sin. (Matt. 27:3) "remorse" -Judas

*Felt bad (King David felt bad when Nathan confronted him about adultery and murder. Jimmy Swaggert felt bad when he was caught a hooker)

3 Acceptance of the forgiveness offered us, by faith. (MISSING)

*Judas had 2 out of 3. (Alright in most cases, but it doesn’t cut it when it comes to eternity.)

*Judas never asked Jesus for forgivenss.

b There are people all over Chester (maybe even here this morning) who agree with Rms. 3:23 (For all have sinned...), feel bad/remorseful about their sin, YET they can’t bring themselves to accept God forgivenss?

*Why? Pride, stubbornness? You don’t have to hang yourself to miss God forgiveness. (Miss it by not asking for it, accepting it)

Three days after Jesus & Judas died, Jesus rose again, but Judas was still dead. Jesus appeared to his disciples and made a statement that will never apply to Judas.

John 20:19 "Peace be with you."

II The second thing Judas missed when he hung himself was...peace.

A Peace eluded Judas’ life and it appears he died without it.

a Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27 ), just hours before Judas’ lips would touch his check in betrayal.