A Cracked Mirror
Notes
Transcript
John 13:21–31
Introduction:
My hair is such that I often need a mirror, and I find myself looking at some amazing things seeking a reflection. No matter how flawed, something is better than nothing. Judas was flawed to the ultimate degree, but he does serve as a mirror that reflects two very important things.
I. Judas Reflects Human Depravity (A graphic illustration of Jer. 17:9)
I. Judas Reflects Human Depravity (A graphic illustration of Jer. 17:9)
A. The tendency to miss opportunity.
A. The tendency to miss opportunity.
1. He was constantly faced with tremendous opportunity.
1. He was constantly faced with tremendous opportunity.
2. He wasted those opportunities along with his natural gifts and his life.
2. He wasted those opportunities along with his natural gifts and his life.
3. He is proof that no gifts can ensure grace.
3. He is proof that no gifts can ensure grace.
4. He was blinded to the true value of life.
4. He was blinded to the true value of life.
B. The temptation of half-hearted following.
B. The temptation of half-hearted following.
1. He was never really committed to Christ.
1. He was never really committed to Christ.
2. He shows how close one can be and still be lost.
2. He shows how close one can be and still be lost.
C. The power of covetousness.
C. The power of covetousness.
1. He was “mastered by money” (Matt. 26:15).
1. He was “mastered by money” (Matt. 26:15).
2. He didn’t forsake his “master”—he served it faithfully.
2. He didn’t forsake his “master”—he served it faithfully.
D. The degenerative process of sin.
D. The degenerative process of sin.
1. Sin’s hold grows gradually: guest, friend, master.
1. Sin’s hold grows gradually: guest, friend, master.
2. Sin caused him to go against trust and confidence.
2. Sin caused him to go against trust and confidence.
3. Sin made him fail to hear repeated warnings.
3. Sin made him fail to hear repeated warnings.
4. Sin brought him to seek out his own temptation.
4. Sin brought him to seek out his own temptation.
E. The inadequacy of conscience.
E. The inadequacy of conscience.
1. He evidently had one—something caused him to hang himself.
1. He evidently had one—something caused him to hang himself.
2. His conscience was not sufficient to keep him from trouble.
2. His conscience was not sufficient to keep him from trouble.
II. Judas Reflects Divine Graciousness
II. Judas Reflects Divine Graciousness
A. Notice Christ’s knowledge of Judas.
A. Notice Christ’s knowledge of Judas.
1. He knew who he was—predicted betrayer.
1. He knew who he was—predicted betrayer.
2. He knew what he was—an unbeliever in the group.
2. He knew what he was—an unbeliever in the group.
3. He knew what he would do—in significant detail.
3. He knew what he would do—in significant detail.
B. Notice Christ’s treatment of Judas.
B. Notice Christ’s treatment of Judas.
1. Gave him repeated warnings in His teaching.
1. Gave him repeated warnings in His teaching.
2. Incredible story of final night.
2. Incredible story of final night.
a. Kissed him upon entry (custom).
a. Kissed him upon entry (custom).
b. Gave him seat of honor on left hand.
b. Gave him seat of honor on left hand.
c. Washed his feet.
c. Washed his feet.
d. Gave him sop—token of friendship.
d. Gave him sop—token of friendship.
e. Spoke words of warning (John 13:10–11).
e. Spoke words of warning (John 13:10–11).
f. Used quotation identifying him (John 13:18; Ps. 41:9).
f. Used quotation identifying him (John 13:18; Ps. 41:9).
g. Spoke final word of warning (Matt. 26:24).
g. Spoke final word of warning (Matt. 26:24).
3. Until the very end Jesus protected Judas and gave him opportunity to repent.
3. Until the very end Jesus protected Judas and gave him opportunity to repent.
4. Judas could doubtlessly have found forgiveness and restoration even at the end.
4. Judas could doubtlessly have found forgiveness and restoration even at the end.
C. Notice Christ’s example with Judas.
C. Notice Christ’s example with Judas.
1. His kindness and courtesy to him.
1. His kindness and courtesy to him.
a. Judas was unbeliever.
a. Judas was unbeliever.
b. We have trouble with brothers with whom we disagree.
b. We have trouble with brothers with whom we disagree.
2. His concern for an unbeliever.
2. His concern for an unbeliever.
3. His tremendous love for the lost.
3. His tremendous love for the lost.
a. If you have never trusted Him, He loves you.
a. If you have never trusted Him, He loves you.
b. No matter what you have done, He loves you.
b. No matter what you have done, He loves you.
Conclusion:
Judas speaks loudly and clearly and says, “Don’t trust yourself!” Judas also becomes a mirror reflecting the graciousness of a loving Lord. Have you experienced His grace? If not, why not? If not, when?
Wood, C. R. (1994). Sermon Outlines on The Easter Season (pp. 21–22). WORDsearch.