[0:00] This message was recorded at Vision Baptist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. This is the next message in our series on the book of John entitled, Jesus is God.
[0:14] Well, praise the Lord. Jesus saves. Amen. We were on our way to hell. We died without, we would have died without any remedy for our sin. But Jesus died on a cross, took our sin debt, made it possible for us to be saved.
[0:28] I'm so excited that you're here today, that you get to hear the gospel message. If you have not yet believed, I want you to know that Jesus paid your sin debt. You can be saved today. You can know for sure that you would go to heaven if you were to die.
[0:42] I hope that you'll know that today before you leave. Hope you'll understand that you sinned against the Holy God. When we say Jesus saves, the reason we say that is because we sinned against the Holy God.
[0:53] For all have sinned to come short of the glory of God. It's written there's none righteous, no, not one. Every man has sinned against the Holy God. We have sinned and we deserve punishment.
[1:05] The Bible says in Romans chapter 6 and verse 23, the wages of sin is death. The wages of sin is death. Your sin, my sin earns us death.
[1:16] Death in the Bible speaks of physical death. That we will all one day physically die. Death came into the world because of sin. But after death, there's the judgment. So we all die physically and then we die spiritually.
[1:29] We spend eternity in hell in a place that was prepared not for us, but for the devil and his angels. But Jesus died on a cross and God placed the sins of the world on Jesus.
[1:42] And when he died, he paid your sin debt that you might be saved. You could trust what Jesus did today and be saved. And I hope that you'll do that. Go with me if you would to John chapter 13.
[1:54] John chapter 13. And we'll be in verse 18. And I'm going to read you verses 18 and 19. Now don't forget the question is, are you a true believer or just a hypocrite?
[2:05] Are you a true believer or just a hypocrite? You see, Judas, if we could have gone back and we would have seen a church meeting, we would have seen Judas as one of the leaders in the church.
[2:16] He did not have some ugly, horrible scowl on his face. He didn't walk around all the time saying cuss words and making fun of the things of God. You would have thought, man, that is one good man.
[2:29] He is one super fine man. He's won the respect of everybody in the church. Peter likes him. In fact, it is in the story today when Jesus says, one of you will betray me.
[2:40] Not everybody. In fact, it is no one looked at Judas. And we tend to think that Judas looks so bad that all the guys in the room would have gone, we knew it all along, Judas. You're the bad guy.
[2:52] But that's not what happened. Instead of that, what happened is that they all started saying, well, who is it, Lord? Is it me? And even Judas said, are you talking about me? He's going along with the whole thing.
[3:03] And nobody even knew. Nobody thought. It's Judas. The fact is, after Jesus even says in the story, it's going to be the guy I hand the sop to, the bread I've dipped in the broth.
[3:16] It's going to be that guy. They still didn't put it together. And Jesus looks at Judas and says, well, what you're going to do? Go ahead and get it done. Do it quickly. And Judas leaves the room.
[3:27] And the Bible says the apostles were all thinking. They said he must be going out to buy some things for the feast we're going to have. Or maybe he's going out to give some money to the poor.
[3:38] He is our treasurer in our group. He's the guy that carries the bag. And that must be why he's going out. Not a one of them thought that he was the betrayer. But Jesus knew that he was the betrayer.
[3:51] Because he sees our heart. And he knows every last one of us all the way down to the core. There is absolutely nothing hidden from him. He knows you as you are, where you are, the way you are.
[4:02] He knows what no one else knows about you. He knew about Judas. And he knew what Judas was about to do. So the question is, are you a hypocrite? Now, what's a hypocrite? We use that word flippantly.
[4:13] But what a hypocrite is, is a guy who says he's a Christian that's not a Christian. It's a guy who says he's a believer who's not a believer. It's a guy who acts the part, but he's not for real. It's a guy who is an actor.
[4:25] He's acting out as though he were a believer and a Christian, and he's not. So go with me through the passage of Scripture and answer the question for yourself. Look at what happened in Judas' life and look at the truths that you might could learn from there.
[4:37] Read with me John chapter 13, if you would, verses 18 and 19. And Jesus is about to use prophecy, Old Testament truth that was foretold.
[4:48] He's going to use that to prove who he is. He is going to quote Old Testament. He's going to go back and say, now everything that's going on here is already stated in the Old Testament.
[4:59] I am who I say I am because even the guys who wrote the 39 books of the Old Testament, they knew. They wrote it, and it's true. Read with me if you would, John 13, 18.
[5:10] I speak not of you all. I know whom I have chosen, but that the Scripture may be fulfilled. He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that when it's come to pass, you may believe that I am he.
[5:26] You see, Jesus has been saying all kinds of good things about them. He's been talking about how Jesus died for them. And then he says, but I'm not talking about all of you. I'm not talking about all of you because I know exactly who I picked to be one of my apostles.
[5:38] And one of you is a devil. One of you did not accept me. One of you didn't believe me. And though you all act like you did, you didn't. And he says, now I want you to know that the Scriptures already said all that.
[5:51] Not all the apostles were saved, and the Scriptures had warned them. And notice what he says. Notice what he says in verse 18. I speak not of you all. I know whom I've chosen, but that the Scripture may be fulfilled.
[6:05] So Jesus says something's about to happen that the Old Testament said. Something's about to happen that the Old Testament said. The Scriptures are true, and whatever they say will happen, will happen.
[6:18] You need to understand. Would you look this way just a second? When we come together in our church, and every Sunday we open the Bible, and we go verse by verse, and we go to the next verse, and we keep on reading and saying the Bible.
[6:28] You know why we do that? Because we believe we have the very Word of God in our hands. This is not an accidental book we study. This is God's Word.
[6:39] And Judas is going to betray Jesus, and nobody knows it's going to happen but Jesus. And when Jesus gets ready to explain it, he says, guys, I'll just go ahead and tell you, this is in the Bible. This is what the Old Testament said.
[6:51] And the Scriptures won't be broken. It's true. If God said it, it's true. Now, all the Scriptures are going to come past. Let me just say something to you. Judas is about to betray Jesus, and the Scriptures will be fulfilled.
[7:05] But Judas did not commit sin. He did not commit suicide. He did not betray Jesus to feel prophecy, like personally picked to do that. That was his decision.
[7:16] He was responsible for his own decisions. You are responsible this morning. But he prophesied, he tells us, if you do not trust Jesus Christ, you will receive his judgment.
[7:31] God is not the author of sin. Never has been. Never will be. He didn't make Judas sin, and he doesn't make you sin. You choose.
[7:42] The decisions Judas made did fulfill Scripture. Jesus says, quoting Psalm 41, 9, where David wrote, Yea, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
[7:59] Here's the story real quickly. David had a son named Absalom. And he had this counselor that worked with him that was called Ahithophel. And this guy works with him, and he's one of his counselors.
[8:12] And when David gets thrown out of his kingdom, Absalom stays and takes over. His son kicks him out. And this counselor stays with his son and raises a rebellion against him.
[8:23] And David writes and says, I can't believe it. We were friends. We ate bread together. And he knew me. And I loved him. And he loved me. And he has hurt me.
[8:35] And then Ahithophel went out and hung himself after he got his house in order. This is just a lesson for those that attend church all the time and say, the Bible, you know what happens? A lot of times, Old Testament prophecy, David was talking about something he saw and understood.
[8:49] But God above him was telling us something that was going to happen and telling us about what would happen with Judas and how that somebody familiar would do that. A perfect picture of how the prophet often wrote about something else while God was still giving prophecy.
[9:03] Second thing I want you to look at. Look into your Bible, if you would, at Matthew 24, 35. I want you to understand something. Please look this way just a second. Look here. Jesus in the passage that you're reading today is magnifying Scripture.
[9:16] He is magnifying his word. He is holding his word up and saying, this is true. Did you know no church could ever magnify this book too much? This is the word of God.
[9:27] You got a copy of the Bible in your hand. Would you hold it up real quick? Hold the Bible up. This is the word of God. And Jesus is magnifying it. And he's saying, this is the word of God. And the Bible always comes true.
[9:38] And as a Christian, you ought to be a believer in the word of God. The Bible says in Matthew 24, 35, heaven and earth shall pass away. But my word, my words shall not pass away.
[9:49] In Matthew 5, 18, he said, not one jot. He said, he said, for verily I say to you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled.
[10:01] God gave us a book to study, to learn and to know him. Say amen right there. He gave us a book. How do you know God? You know it through his word.
[10:11] In 2 Timothy chapter 3, verses 15 through 17. Paul says to Timothy, that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, which is in Christ Jesus.
[10:25] And all scripture is given, all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction and righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
[10:39] Now I just want you to listen to me. Listen to me real quick. Please look here. Some of you may think, well, that Gardner guy and those people that attend that vision church, they're weird.
[10:49] They really believe the Bible. They really believe they got a copy of the very word of God and they really make too much of the Bible. We're not making any more of the Bible than Jesus made of the Bible that day.
[11:02] Jesus said, Judas is about to betray him and a prophet said it. It's in the word of God. By the way, how did you get the Bible? How did you get the Bible? You ought to know, write this verse down so you can look it up later.
[11:13] In 2 Peter chapter 1 verses 20 through 21. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures of any private interpretation for the prophecy came not at old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
[11:29] Now look, wait just a second. There are 40 authors over 1500 years that wrote the Bible down. 40 different guys, 40 writers that put it down over a period of 1500 years.
[11:40] No contradictions, but we call them writers and the Holy Spirit is the author. These are the words of God. Could you say that with me? These are the words of God.
[11:52] Repeat that with me. You ready? These are the words of God. You see, when those men went to write that down, I don't know exactly how he did it. I certainly don't understand God. I'm not that big. But somehow he moved on them and said, write this down.
[12:05] And they wrote down the very words of almighty God. Now, if that's the case, you know what your attitude ought to be? Your attitude ought to be number one, that you will hide his word in your heart, that you might not sin against him.
[12:21] As believers, we are Bible people. Can you say amen? We're Bible people. Man, we want the word of God. We want in our heart, Psalm 119 verse 11. We want to transform ourselves by the renewing of our mind.
[12:34] We think too much like Americans think. We think too much like a nation thinks or a group of people or a social level or a social strata thinks. But we need our minds renewed and we do that by the word of God.
[12:47] Romans chapter 12 and verse 2. We need to be washed by the word. Ephesians chapter 5 verses 25 through 27. By the washing of the word. It's God's word that he uses to change and transform my life.
[13:01] I get into his word. You got to look this verse up with me. James chapter 1 verse 21. Some of you have accepted Christ and yet you've seen no real change in your life. You've accepted Christ and you see no real change in your life.
[13:14] Let me explain something to you. When you're born again, you need the word. When you're born again, you need the word of God. When you're born again, you need the Bible. You know what? You don't turn out.
[13:25] I was 8 pounds and 22 inches long when I was born. I am 6'1 and 260 pounds. I think it was 262 this morning. 262 pounds big. You know, I didn't get that way by just laying around.
[13:38] I got that way by eating and laying around. Say amen. It takes putting it in to grow up. Well, you know what? Some of you got saved and you're not seeing God do much of a work in your life. And the reason you're not seeing God do much of a work in your life is because you're not taking in the word of God.
[13:52] Look at James 1 21. Memorize this. Put it in your heart. Look what he said. Lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness the engrafted word.
[14:04] Look at that underline. Engrafted word which is able to save your souls. How do I become all that I am? How do I live up to who I am? When I got saved, I became a new creature.
[14:16] When I got saved, I got eternal life given to me. When I got saved, I left my old life and I got my new life. But I don't know how to do it. I got to grow. Well, here's how you do it. Take in the word.
[14:27] Take in the word. Take in the word. Most of our churches have quit giving out the word. Most of us have quit reading the word. Most of us have quit memorizing the word. Most of us have quit studying the word.
[14:38] And so we don't grow. Now this is what I'm going to tell you. This is what I'm going to tell you. When I went to live in a foreign country, you know it took a whole lot to learn how to live there. I had to learn a different language.
[14:50] I had to learn different cultures. I had to learn a different way of shaking hands. I had to learn a different way of everything I did. You know how you do it? You study it and you study it and you study it until you get it in your heart. And here's what God wants you to do.
[15:01] How many of you are born again? Say amen. Are you really born again? You know what? You are not going to live it out. You won't even know how to live. You don't know the language. You don't know the handshakes. You don't know the hugs.
[15:12] You don't understand what we're doing until you get the book in your heart. You don't know until you get the book in your heart. Until it's engrafted. Until it becomes a part of you. Amen. God's words in me. Changes the way I think.
[15:23] Changes the way I talk. Changes the way I walk. I got the word of God in me. Jesus said, guys, I'll tell you something. Judas is going to betray me. Now he could have stopped at this. He could have just said, I'm God and I can say that.
[15:36] And that would have been true. And that would have been good. But he stopped to say this. Judas is going to betray me. I'm God and I say that. But let me go one step further. It's in the book. It's in the book.
[15:47] You know what he was saying that for, don't you? Austin, you got a book. And you can read the book. And you can ask the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit will teach you from the book. And the word of God will transform you and change you. Will you say amen right there?
[15:59] You see, Jesus knew Jesus would betray him. He knew the word. And he wanted me to know the word. He was also magnifying himself. You got to read this passage.
[16:09] Go with me to John chapter 13 verse 19. He's magnifying himself. I love this. Watch this verse 19. Now I tell you before it has come. That when it has come to pass. You may believe that I am he.
[16:21] Now watch this. Look up here a second. Judas is about to betray Jesus. We'll get to that in a minute. But here's what Jesus said. He looks at him and says. Let me go ahead and tell you all what's about to happen. I can tell you what's going to happen.
[16:34] I can tell you that one of the guys that's with me is going to betray me. And I can tell you all the things that are about to happen. He said I'm going to tell you before it happens. So that when it does happen.
[16:44] You'll know that I really didn't know what was going to happen. Which will let you know I ain't regular guy. Say amen. You'll know I'm not a regular guy. I am God. And I know what's going to happen tomorrow.
[16:55] So he was magnifying his word. But he was magnifying himself. Jesus was not. Listen to me. Jesus was not a great prophet. He was a great prophet.
[17:06] But that's not all he was. Jesus was God. In human flesh. Jesus was God. Come down from heaven. Jesus was God incarnate.
[17:17] God in flesh. Jesus came to die for us. He said I'm going to let you know. I really am who I said I am. Only God can know what will happen before it happens. Jesus had known all along that Judas was going to betray him.
[17:30] Jesus knew it long before Judas knew. Jesus knew before Judas knew. That Judas would betray him. But it was Judas' decision. The apostles should realize that though one of them messed up.
[17:42] God was still in charge. Now watch this. Look, look. Twelve guys. Three and a half years been talking about a plan. Three and a half years. Twelve guys been working with Jesus. About the kingdom of God and all that.
[17:53] And now one of those guys messes up big time. And maybe the other apostles would have gone. Hey, it seems to have fallen apart. One of us is bad. Maybe Judas is bad. Maybe Peter's bad.
[18:03] Maybe Judas is bad. Somebody else is bad. Maybe the whole scheme's not right. And Jesus said, so let me just help you all understand something. Everything's all right. We've already known this was going to happen.
[18:14] No shock. No surprise. I knew it was going to happen. Get ready for that. And you are still being sent by me. Look at John chapter 13 if you would at verse 20. Verse 20.
[18:24] He said, verily, verily, I send you. He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me. And he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He said, guys, when you leave to go out to preach in just a little while.
[18:38] Now listen to me. He's about to die. He knows that. In just a few minutes, they're going to grab him. And they're going to start his trials and his persecution. They're going to pluck his beard from his face.
[18:49] They're going to place a crown of thorns on his head. They're going to spit in his face. They're going to hit him with the reed on top of the thorns. They're going to punch him and ask him who hit him. They're going to take a cat of nine tails and beat him until he's nearly dead.
[19:02] Many men didn't even live through the beating that came when they were scourged. He knew all that was about to happen. And he says, guys, don't be shocked by anything that's about to happen. I've told you I'm going to die.
[19:13] I've told you that they're going to do all this stuff to me. I'm telling you now that one of you guys is going to betray me. And just know this. If they receive you, they'll receive the one that sent you, and that's me.
[19:24] The Father sent me. You received me. They'll receive you, and they'll know the Father sent you. The plan is well underway. Because in your mind, Easter Sunday is a good day.
[19:38] But Friday, Thursday, Wednesday, all those days, all this week of Holy Week may seem like a bad thing. It was like Jesus had this great plan, and Jesus was walking along, and Jesus was doing good. Everything was going right.
[19:48] And all of a sudden, they grabbed Jesus, and they crucified him. And it's like, man, the story changed real quick in the middle of the story. I wasn't expecting that. I thought the hero would be victorious.
[20:00] And Jesus said, he is. I knew all along I was going to die. I knew all along that I was going to be betrayed. I knew all along what was going to happen. And I know right now I'm going to rise again.
[20:12] By the way, he's been telling them that all along. He kept telling them, you didn't pay attention when he was going through the story. You apostles hadn't heard what I said. But I've been telling you I'm going to die. I've been telling you I'm going to be persecuted. I've been telling you I'm going to be buried.
[20:23] I've been telling you I'm going to rise again. I've been telling you that all along. Not only have I told you that, the Old Testament has told you that. You should know. You should know.
[20:34] Could I just quickly remind you that as you go out and tell people about Jesus, you're also going in Jesus' place to tell people. If you're a true born-again believer, it ought to be in your heart to share the gospel. It ought to be in your heart to share the gospel.
[20:46] The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5.20, Now then we are ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us. We pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God.
[20:59] Do you know what it means to pray you in Christ's stead? It means to beg you in the place of Jesus. It is the idea of the ambassador of the United States walking in to the Kremlin and talking to the leadership there.
[21:12] And when he stands to talk, he doesn't speak for himself. He speaks for the president of the United States of America. You and I, you and I stand in his place. We tell people about a wonderful God and a wonderful book and a wonderful Savior and a wonderful plan and salvation that God has.
[21:31] And when they receive our message, they receive him that sent us. Go to verse 18 with me if you would. Verse 18. I just want you to know this. Now hang on. This is the real story.
[21:42] You should have seen so far that Jesus magnified his word. And what happened was what the word said. You should have seen that Jesus magnified his word. But I want you to come to this.
[21:53] Not everybody that's in a member of the church is really saved or going to heaven. But in the southeast of the United States of America, that's almost blasphemy.
[22:05] We tend to think that if our name is written on the church roll, it's written in the Lamb's Book of Life. We tend to think if the Baptist brethren accept us, then everybody accepts us.
[22:16] But that's simply not true. So look at your Bible in John chapter 13 and verse 18. The Bible says, Now just listen to some facts.
[22:33] Judas was a member of the original church with Jesus himself as the pastor. Judas was a member of the original church with Jesus himself as the pastor.
[22:44] Judas was one of the apostles from the very beginning. Judas was intimately personal with the Lord Jesus. Judas, that scene in their eating together. For three and a half years, Judas and Jesus and the other 11 guys have all been walking around.
[22:59] They've all been having conversations. They've all sat around the campfire at night. They've all eaten together. They've preached together. They've prayed together. Judas has been at prayer meeting. Judas has been right in the middle of it.
[23:10] Judas has won the confidence of all the men in the group. He has won the confidence. Peter thinks Judas is a good guy. James thinks Judas is a good guy.
[23:21] John thinks Judas is a good guy. They all think Judas is a good guy. He has the confidence of all. And nobody suspects him of being a betrayer. Look at this in John chapter 13 and verse 22.
[23:34] Then the disciples looked one on another doubting of whom he spake. They were like, what? Somebody's going to betray him. Well, who would he be talking about?
[23:46] He's talking about me. Who's he talking about? I don't get it. We tend to think. We tend to think that there were 11 guys that had halos and angelic faces.
[23:57] And one of them, it looked like a demon. And everybody's walking around going, whoo, that's the wicked guy. Whoo, that's the wicked guy. Well, no, no, no, no. Judas, nobody even had any idea.
[24:09] In Mark chapter 14, verses 18, 19. The Bible says, and as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, verily I say unto you, one of you which eats with me shall betray me. And they began to be sorrowful and to say unto him one by one, is it I?
[24:24] And another said, is it I? They're all sitting around a table. They're all eating. And he said, one of y'all is going to betray me. And everybody's going, me? You're talking about me? Is it me? Who's going to betray you?
[24:35] In Matthew chapter 26 and verse 25. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, master, is it I? He said that unto him. Thou hast said.
[24:46] You see what happened? Oh, Judas is like, I'm going to cover my tracks. Judas, because they're all trying to figure out who's going to betray him. In Luke chapter 22, verses 22 and 23.
[24:57] And truly the son of man goeth as it was determined, but woe unto him that man, that man by whom he is betrayed. And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
[25:08] Now, I want you to look this way. Judas is the treasurer. Who do you let carry the money bag at the church? You don't look around and find the guy with horns. You don't look around and find the guy that has a police record for being an embezzler.
[25:24] You're looking for the guy that has the greatest character. You want a guy that you can say, that guy would never steal. That guy is honest as the day is long.
[25:34] That guy is not selfish. He would never take anything. Look, if you would, in John chapter 12 and verse 24. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him.
[25:46] Why was not this ointment sold for 300 pence and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief. And he had the bag. And he barely that was put therein. You know, they didn't exactly have Quicken and Mint and ATM cards and bank records.
[26:03] And they weren't giving receipts a lot. And so whenever money got put in the bag, Judas would just reach in there and get some. John chapter 13 and verse 24. Simon looks across the room and John has got his head kind of laid on Jesus' chest.
[26:15] Because they tended to rest on their left arm, eat with their right hand, and their feet would be stretched out. And they didn't sit at a table like we do. And so everybody was like head, head, head, head. And legs stuck out in the back. And John's got his head laid on Jesus' chest.
[26:28] And Peter looks over and says, ask him. Who's he talking about? Ask him. So John says, no problem.
[26:39] Hey, Jesus. Who are you talking about? They thought Judas was going to go out and buy something. Or give something to the poor. They thought Jesus and Judas had had a private, personal conversation.
[26:51] And they didn't know about it. But let me just say this to you. If you don't receive Jesus, you choose to reject him. You need to say amen right there. If you're in this room and you're not born again, don't blame that on God.
[27:06] He didn't choose for you not to get saved. John chapter 13 and verse 27. And after the sop, Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, that thou doest, do quickly.
[27:19] But can I just tell you, when did Satan go into him? While they were, listen, you got to look. Are you looking at me? Listen to me. They're at the table eating. And after he takes the sop, then he's going to go do the mess.
[27:30] But before he ever got there, before the evil ever got into him, he had already gone out and made a plan on his own. That's found in Matthew chapter 26, verses 14 through 17.
[27:42] Then one of the 12 called Judas Iscariot went unto the chief priest and said to them, what will you give me? And I'll deliver him to you. And they covenanted with him for 30 pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity.
[27:52] So see what happened before they ever got to the supper, Judas had already gone over and said, hey guys, what would y'all pay me if I turned him in to you? So he already knows what he's going to do. He chose.
[28:04] Now I say that, you got to listen to me. I say that because some of you might have bitten into this bad fruit that tells you you can't get saved today. Because you ain't among the elect and you ain't chosen and you can't get saved.
[28:17] Well, just let me give you a hint. Old Judas made his choice. Old Judas made his choice. Judas had already gone. Now the devil has come into him.
[28:27] But don't forget he's already been over talking and talking to the priest and working it out. Judas didn't get saved because he refused to believe the miracles and all that Jesus said.
[28:38] In John chapter 12 and verse 37. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him. Judas, listen to me. Judas saw the truth.
[28:48] Judas saw him turn water into wine. Judas saw him feed the 5,000. Judas saw him feed the 4,000. Judas saw him raise Lazarus from the dead. Judas saw Jesus in all of his glory.
[29:00] And all along he would say, that's good and I like it and I believe in you for a political leader maybe. But I don't trust you to save me and I won't accept you. Old Judas had ulterior motives.
[29:13] I think old Judas was a political guy. And he was trying to pick his presidential candidate. And he was hoping his presidential candidate would throw the Romans out. But I want you to look at me and listen to me a second. I'm just about finished.
[29:24] So you need to look at this. Some of you know all the stories about Jesus. You know all the stories. You can tell them as good or better than I can. And I've been preaching 45 years.
[29:36] You know all the stories. You know all the stories. You know all the stories. You know the stories so well. You carry a Bible. You come to church. You're a good man. You love your wife. You're a good woman. You love your husband.
[29:46] And you're at church. And nobody ought to be better than you. And you believe. You believe in Jesus. You believe in Mary. You believe in the saints. You believe in the Bible. You believe in the church. You believe. And you believe a whole lot of stuff.
[29:58] But you've got to understand. Old Judas didn't believe that he was a sinner. And that he needed Jesus to pay his sin debt. Old Judas didn't understand.
[30:09] And he refused to believe that. I personally think there's a very good chance that Judas thought. If I turn him into the Jewish leadership. He'll have to rise and fight and save Israel.
[30:21] As a nation. Politically. I don't know that he really meant for him to get killed. I think he meant for him to draw his sword. By the way Peter and a couple of guys took swords. And Peter chopped one guy's ear off if you remember.
[30:35] You listen to what I'm about to tell you. It's not about what you've seen. You say well I've been baptized. Good. So I took a bath this morning too. Say amen. You say well I go to church.
[30:48] Hey so do the Mormons. And so do the Muslims. You say. You say but I'm a good guy. So are the Mormons and so are the Muslims. You say.
[31:01] No don't say. Just say this. I have sinned against the holy God. And I deserve to go to hell when I die. Only Jesus can save me. That's what he had to come to.
[31:12] But not proud Judas. He was religious. In Peru. They burn Judas. They have this ceremony.
[31:25] And they make Judas like a person in effigy. And they beat him. And they burn him. They burn him. And what they don't know is they're burning themselves. Because just like Judas.
[31:36] They hold fast to their religious beliefs. But they're not trusting in Jesus. As the only way to get saved. Now you listen to what I'm going to tell you. You say I do believe Jesus.
[31:47] But I also believe. No no no no. When you get saved. You believe Jesus and Jesus alone. True salvation is Jesus and Jesus alone. It's not Jesus and my good works.
[31:58] It's not Jesus and my baptism. It's not Jesus and the church. It's not Jesus and the saints. It's honestly a pride crushing thing to admit. You stink.
[32:08] You stink. And you deserve to go to hell when you die. And you have to go. I do deserve that. Oh God.
[32:19] Forgive me. I will no longer hold on to my goodness. Some of us are like. I've got to be saved. How could you get so good as I am. Without being saved.
[32:30] How could you be as good as me. Without being saved. Oh the devil's all into your morality. The devil's all into your morality. You say I don't drink, smoke, cuss, dance. Go within the do.
[32:41] I don't commit adultery. I don't get drunk. I'm a good guy. Good. You can go to hell being all that. Well I'm a Baptist. I've been baptized.
[32:52] I got baptized with the most famous Baptist preacher alive. Well you can go to hell being wet. Say amen. You see Judas looked the part.
[33:04] And so do you. But are you born again. Let me ask you some questions. You know. Where are you on the issues.
[33:16] Do you realize it's an easy to be part of an organized religion. And not know Jesus as your personal savior. Did you know it's easy to quote scripture. And know scripture without believing. That's completely 100% true and authoritative.
[33:27] Do you know that it's easy. To fake. Being saved. You could even fake yourself out. But you can't fake him out.
[33:41] He. Knows. Then for those of you that are born again. What are you doing with the Bible. Jesus made much of the Bible.
[33:55] Jesus made much of his word. It wasn't something that you came and heard regurgitated on Sunday morning. From a guy who stayed a long time in his study and learned more Bible. It was boy this is my life.
[34:07] The word of God. Do you have religion this morning. Or do you really know Jesus. Are you faking your relationship and love of the Lord Jesus.
[34:18] Or do you know Jesus. And let me just say this. If you've not come to the point in your life. That you knew. You sinned against God.
[34:30] And deserved hell. And there was no answer for you. But Jesus. You're not saved. If you have not come to the place that you realized.
[34:46] That you failed God. I don't care who your mom and dad were. I don't care where you were raised. I don't care how good you've been. According to this holy book. If you have not realized that you sinned against the holy God.
[34:59] And there's no. Absolutely no answer for your problem. But Jesus. You are not. Born again. Would you today. Trust Jesus. Father in heaven.
[35:10] I love you. And I thank you for the opportunity to preach your word. And I pray God. For some people that I love in this room. That I'm afraid may not know you. I pray dear God.
[35:20] That you'd be with our guests. And those that are here for the first time. And I pray you'd help them to see that it's you. And you alone. I pray you'd help your people to trust you. And believe you. And I'll give you all the praise. And all the honor.
[35:31] You have been listening to Austin Gardner. Pastor of Vision Baptist Church. For contact information. Location.
[35:42] Service times. Or more audio and video recordings. Log on to www.visionbaptist.com Thank you. Thank you. you