John 13:18-30
The story of Judas as it unfolds in the Gospels is interesting but tragic. It ends in total disaster. He was probably the only Judean in the little band of Galilean disciples that followed Jesus.
We do not know when he became a follower of Jesus—there is no record of his conversion. We do know that He was given the greatest opportunity ever offered to a man to become a true believer.
His name might have been immortalized forever, like the other disciples, and written on the foundation stones of the new Jerusalem. Instead, he has gone down in history as synonymous with treachery, treason and shame.
(1) First of all, notice that under a façade of profession he deceived his fellow disciples. He played his part as a disciple with profound skill. Consequently, he was accepted by them, and seemed to be in full fellowship with them in their love and loyalty to the Lord Jesus.
(2) Secondly, consider the part that Judas played in the Lord’s program.
a. He was one of the disciples sent out to do evangelistic work in the Gospel teams.
b. It is reasonable to assume that he healed the sick in Christ’s name.
c. He was given a position of honor and trust—that of treasurer. In fact he held the only office among them.
d. In all probability he, with the other disciples, cast out demons.
We do not find any evidence that the disciples suspected him of being a traitor. They believed him to be one of them. See Matthew 7. While Judas deceived the disciples—he never deceived the Lord. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked.”
Notice the Lord’s repeated appeals to Judas. He allowed Judas to sit at the table with Him. Passover Table. Giving the sop to him was the Lord’s last appeal to Judas. Favored quest. This was the traitor’s final refusal. The great tragedy.
Judas went out and it was night. In an agony of remorse he committed suicide. I have sinned by betraying innocent blood. Please note that this was remorse and not repentance.
This was a tragedy, considering the privileges he had in spending three years in the company of the Lord Jesus. What is God’s purpose in recording this story? He lives on the stage of Scripture as a solemn warning to the professing follower of the Lord Jesus. He leaves the Gospel story a doomed, and damned man. Eternal night.
He went to his own place—he actually prepared this place for himself. He has been there for almost 2,000 years suffering the tortures of the Christ rejecter. See Luke 16. “He that being often reproved” etc. “Flee from the wrath to come.”
For some it is easy to pose as a Christian, and then be accepted into the fellowship of a local church. Then to be baptized, and become active in the work, even to sit at the Lord’s Table, and to be like Judas not having a saving knowledge of Christ. Simon the sorcerer.
Appeal at this point for a searching of the heart…
Profession in the religious sphere
A professing and declaring of
faith in Christ—true or pretending.
Pretend to believe.
Act as if they believed.
This pretense can be demonstrated
on purpose.
On the other hand this pretense
can be displayed unintentionally.
One can appear to believe, and
act as if they did believe.
But being ignorant of God’s
claims and the true facts of
salvation make us appear
to be what we are not.
Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees—hypocrites.
Misery—wretchedness—sorrow—desolation—despair.
“For you are like white-washed tombs, which look well from the outside but within are full of all kinds of filth. Outside you look like honest men, yet inside you are brim-full of hypocrisy.”
Matthew 23:27-28.
He went out immediately—and it was night. This night is described in Luke 16. In hell this man was in torments=torture.There were various things that brought about these torments.
(1) There was the agony of sight and recognition. This man saw Lazarus enjoying the blessings of heaven. The inhabitants of hell will recognize friends in heaven.
(2) The agony of thirst—this man cried out in agony for a drop of water.
(3) The agony of memory—Son remember etc. Memories will haunt us—memories of every sin we committed—every Gospel message we ever heard—every opportunity we had to receive Christ as Savior, but turned Him down.
(4) This man was conscious of a great chasm that could not be crossed. Every doomed and damned soul will have the consciousness that he is beyond hope. That he is irredeemable—irrecoverable—and irretrievable. He will be tormented by the consciousness that he is lost and lost forever in a mad, violent and horrifying place. No one will have any rest day or night. Memory will be the worm that dieth not, tormenting the soul forever and ever.
(5) Finally, this man pleaded with God for his brothers—there were five of them on their way to hell, and one was in hell. But the heavens were as brass—there was no answer.
Beloved, there are countless millions of unanswered prayers stacked up on the inside of the gates of hell. There are multitudes from our own generation who are begging and pleading with God to send special messengers to persuade you to trust Christ.
Even this morning, if someone could speak to you they would say, “Trust Christ now. Do not come to this horrendous place.”
Flee from the wrath to come. Luke 3:7 Behold now is the accepted time, etc. 2 Corinthians 6:2.
The story of Felix
Acts 24:24-26
Felix was infamous for his profligate personal life.
Paul spoke to him of righteousness—self-control and coming judgment. In speaking of these things Paul was hitting the center of the target. The Spirits work Sin—Righteousness—Judgment.
Felix was known for his unrighteous rule. His total lack of self-control in his personal life. In the light of these things Paul confronted him with the fact that God would hold him accountable at the coming judgment.
As Felix listened he was troubled, terrified, but he did not trust the Savior. He trembled in fear as the Spirit convicted him.
Despite the privilege of listening to the most gifted evangelist of his day, he deferred making a decision for Christ. Instead he procrastinated—“Go thy way for this time” etc.
He put off the great question of his souls eternal salvation to a convenient season, and lost his soul in the process. There are many souls in hell today who did the same thing.
My dear friend is this how you have acted until this present time. Are you waiting for that convenient season?
2 Corinthians 6:2
“Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.”
Proverbs 27:1
“Boast not thyself of tomorrow” etc.
Hebrews 2:3
“How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation.”
Proverbs 29:1
He that being often reproved, hardeneth his heart, shall suddenly be cut off and that without remedy.
Matthew and Luke 3:7
Flee from the wrath to come.
Jeremiah 8:20
The harvest is past, the summer is ended and I’m not saved.
Almost persuaded now to believe
Almost persuaded Christ to believe
Seems now some soul to say
Go Spirit go Thy way
Some more convenient day
On Thee I’ll call.
Almost persuaded, come, come today;
Almost persuaded, turn not away:
Jesus invites you here
Angels are lingering near
Prayers rise from hearts so dear
O, wanderer come.
Almost persuaded, harvest is past.
Almost persuaded, doom comes at last
Almost cannot avail
Almost is but to fail
Sad, sad the bitter wail
Almost but lost.