sf937 - The Danger Of A False Profession (Matthew 27 1-10)

Matthew 27:1-10

Introduction

A difficult text

How did Judas die?

Matthew tells us he hanged himself.

Luke (Acts 1:18-19) says he fell.

It would seem that having hanged himself that sometime later his body fell into a ravine. The money he returned would have been used to purchase the field.

Where is the verse in Jeremiah?

The verse quoted here is not found in Jeremiah, rather it is found in Zechariah 11:12-13.

The best possible explanation is that Matthew was referring to teaching that is found in Jeremiah 19 and Zechariah 11. These passages teach about the apostasy and rejection that Jesus would experience.

Difficult theology

Bible students have struggled with the case of Judas. Was he truly born again, if so did he die lost? If not how could he have been a disciple and not been saved?

We will examine these questions today.

A definite warning

Judas stands as a warning to each of us of the danger of a false profession.

2 Peter 1:10-11 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

1A. A Fatal Course

Judas did not arrive at this place in his life over night. As is always the case sin progresses downward. Notice the progression in Judas’ life.

1B. He was greedy (John 12:1-6)

He was the treasurer for the group.

John tells us he was thief.

Obviously he was not pleased with the management or direction of the ministry.

In fact his betrayal of Jesus was about the money.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

2B. He was self-centered

He cared only about himself that is why he betrayed Jesus and took the cash.

3B. He despaired and died

Judas surely justified his betrayal of Jesus by telling himself that Jesus had betrayed and misled him. Jesus was not going to be an earthly king, and Judas had wasted three years of his life.

However, the reality of Jesus innocence was more than Judas could take.

As is true with all men left to themselves, sin ultimately leads to despair and death.

Romans 6:23

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

2A. A False Confession

1B. Judas confessed he was a sinner (27:4)

Many people have confessed that they are sinners.

Ø Pharaoh (Exodus 9 & 10)

Ø Balaam (Numbers 22:34)

Ø Achan (7:20)

Ø Saul (1 Samuel 15 & 26)

Ø Shimiei (2 Samuel 19)

Ø David (2 Samuel 12, & 24; 1 Chronicles 21)

Ø The Prodigal son (Luke 15)

Judas

Ø Judas’s remorse was not repentance of sin, as the King James Version suggests.

Ø Matthew did not use metanoeo, which means a genuine change of mind and will, but metamelomai which merely connotes regret or sorrow.

Ø He did not experience spiritual penitence but only emotional remorse.

Ø Although he would not repent of his sin, he could not escape the reality of his guilt.

Ø Genuine sorrow for sin (metamelomai) can only be prompted by God in order to produce repentance (metanoeo) as Paul declares in

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Ø But Judas’s remorse was not prompted by God to lead to repentance but only to guilt and despair.

2B. Judas confessed that Jesus was innocent (27:4)

Pilate confessed that Jesus was innocent but that did not save him. (John 18:38; 19:4 & 6)

The crowds at the cross confessed that Jesus was innocent but that did not save them. (Matthew 27:54)

Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Application

Is there any hope?

Can anyone know if their calling and election is sure?

The Scripture answers, YES!

David’s repentance (2 Samuel 12:13-16; Psalm 51)

The prodigal’s repentance (Luke 15:17-21)

What should you do?

Call out to God for mercy

Luke 18:13 "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'

Repent

Acts 26:20 "but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

Turn from your sin and to Christ!

Mark 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."