John 18:1-18:2
Disciples Of Christ
The other eleven disciples were used of God in amazing ways. Their lives prove that ordinary people can be used of the Lord in extraordinary ways. The life of Judas serves as a warning about the dangers of wasted opportunities, hardness of heart, wicked lusts, and spiritual carelessness. Judas played his part so well that no one but Jesus Himself knew that Judas was a fraud. Judas didn’t stand out. He was a false follower and no one ever noticed!
I would like to take some time and explore Judas’ biography and consider the thought “False Disciples Of Christ” ...Let's begin with:
I. The Comprehension Of A False Disciple
A. They Know The People - Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James … Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Judas was numbered with the other disciples. He had traveled with them… talked with them … lived with them! People recognized him as one of Christ’s followers.
Today there are men and women who:
o Are members of churches
o Have made professions of faith
o Have been baptized
o Teach classes
o Serve on committees
o Stand in pulpits
o Have multi-million dollar ministries
There are many who walk and SERVE alongside true disciples, They are numbered with the followers of Christ but they do not truly know Him!
B. They Know The Places - John 18:1 ¶When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. 2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
When it came time to betray Christ, Judas knew exactly where to find Him! Judas had been with Jesus and the others in this place several times before. He knew where to go!
This is very similar to many people today, they know the routine… When the time comes, they go where they are “supposed” to go! There are people who attend every time the doors are open but are as lost as Judas was! I am sure in the time that Judas spent with Jesus, He had a firm grasp on the “routine” Friend, you can know all of the rituals, routines and religious lingo and still die lost in your sins!
How sad to think that you know exactly where to find Jesus, but you refuse to TRULY SURRENDER YOUR HEART AND LIFE TO HIM!
C. They Know The Plan - Mark 3:14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
Judas was “ordained” by Jesus. This word has the idea of training. Jesus took the twelve and made them ready for the mission He was about to send them to accomplish. Judas witnessed the character and compassion of Christ. He heard Jesus’ words and saw His works. Judas hardened his heart against every attempt of the Lord to reach him. Imagine the miracles that Judas witnessed, consider the sermons that he heard from Jesus, think of all of those intimate conversations that Christ had with His disciples....Judas knew the plan of salvation, Judas was present with the Messiah for over 3 years!!!
You may be here and you know the plan.
oYou were raised in church
oYou attended Sunday School
oYou have heard thousands of sermons
oYou have prayed many prayers
oYou know the plan of salvation
oYou have studied your bible for years
None of these things matter if you have never surrendered to Christ! This is not about knowledge it is about a relationship!
II. The Capability Of A False Disciple - John 13:21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? 26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Jesus proclaims that one of his disciples… His closest followers would betray Him. All of the disciples began to look and consider who he was referring to. Peter even prompted John to ask Jesus who He was referring to. They did not say “I bet it is that hypocrite Judas”
What is the “Capability” of False disciples? They are capable of deceiving.
o They can deceive other disciples
o They can deceive a lost world
o They can even deceive themselves into thinking they are saved!
The problem is that they CANNOT DECIEVE GOD!
Consider what Jesus says on this subject - Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Notice also:
III. The Contradictions Of A False Disciple
Judas’ life was filled with contradictions. He had many opportunities to depart but he remained faithful…
He even remained when others left - John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. 70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
Jesus had just revealed some hard truths and many that were following went away. Jesus looked at His disciples and asked if they would depart… Judas REMAINED!
Judas also “appeared” to be concerned about the ministry - John 12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Maybe not the most spiritual of comments but notice that Judas used the ministry to the poor as a motive. Judas LOOKED AND PLAYED THE PART WELL! Eventually his true colors were revealed: Notice
Judas sought out the opportunity to betray Christ - Matthew 26:14 ¶Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Judas seized the opportunity to betray Christ - Luke 22:47 ¶And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
Judas went to the religious leaders because he wanted to “betray” Jesus. Like the rest, Judas was expecting Jesus Christ to overthrow Rome and deliver Israel He thought Jesus would immediately restore the kingdom in Israel, and reward His followers. When it became apparent that Jesus was not going to do those things, Judas became disillusioned with the Lord.
There are many people who fill churches today who, like Judas, live lives filled with contradictions. They appear to have honorable intentions. They seem to care about the work of the ministry. They play the game, talk the talk and in many ways walk the walk, but eventually their true colors will be revealed.
Maybe not in this life, but one day you will stand before the Christ you professed to know and you will hear the dreadful words “…Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels”
IV. The Condemnation Of A False Disciple
Matthew 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, what is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
After Jesus was arrested, Judas began to experience remorse for what he had done. He never came to a place of repentance, but Satan’s influence subsided and he realized what he had done.
He tried to return the money, but it was too late, they refused to take the money. Judas threw the money down in the Temple. Then and he went out and hanged himself - Acts 1:25 says that when Judas died, he went “to his own place”.
He went to a place prepared for him and people like him: he went to hell! Friend, if you die without Jesus… If you base eternity on your knowledge or your works you will follow Judas to this horrible place!
Judas went to Hell because of his unbelief, but he had to work hard to get there. Every sermon, every act of kindness, every miracle, Everything that Judas had witnessed in the past 3 years was a call from Jesus to repent & believe on Him.
Are you expecting to get to Heaven because you are a church member or because you serve in some capacity? It did not work for Judas and it will not work for you!
A lost man can do anything the saved man can do, and he may even do it better.
Just because a man - preaches, prays, witnesses, gives, works in the church and attends church ...does not prove that he is saved. A lost man can do all of that, and he may have success. You can’t base your relationship with Christ on what you do.
If you want to go to Heaven, you must be born again - John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. If you are not saved, come to Him today.
There must be a moment of conversion when you
come to Jesus Christ by faith
repent of your sin
call on Him for salvation.
If that moment is missing from your life, then you are lost! Don’t follow in Judas’ footsteps!. Don’t be a false disciple! Come to Jesus while there is time!
