TWO GUYS, SAME SIN
Judas gets a bad rap, and rightly so - he betrayed Jesus. But peter did pretty much the same thing. He denied even knowing Jesus 3 times, the last he did with curses. Similar sins but way different outcomes: One killed himself out of guilt, and the other wept and repented. Why were their responses so different? Peter looked to the Lord and so had hope. Judas not only sinned against Jesus, he also turned away from Him. Without hope (Christ in you - Colossians 1:27) there is no reason to go on. This is Satan’s plan: For you to believe that you are a bad person, who is unworthy and therefore, there is…
NO HOPE FOR YOU…
“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.” Matthew 27:3
One would think the fact Judas was filled with remorse was a good thing. The truth is, remorse (regret) is what leads us to a place of no hope. Feeling bad for what we’ve done does not alleviate sin. Judas also mistakenly thought going to the church would undo his wrong. But this made it worse. There is nothing we can do (good works) or the church (absolution) can do to take away our sin.
“I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’ ‘What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.” Matthew 27:4
Judas said he betrayed innocent blood. But a Roman Centurion and a thief confessed Jesus as the son of God. Because Judas made no such declarations, he had no hope.
…SO JUST GIVE UP.
“So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.” Matthew 27:5
Sadly, the suicide rates are increasing daily. There are many causes for this, but only one reason - lost hope. If someone still believes something good might happen or their situation could change, they will press on. Satan wants you to believe you are a lost cause so just end it. God wants you to know in Christ, there is always hope. Our culture wants to increase awareness of a problem. What we need is increased awareness of the solution - God: Whose arm is not too short to save or deliver; who has immeasurable grace and love and patience beyond belief.
“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18
from sermon notes May 15, 2022
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