The Destiny of Judas, time to make a choice

 Introduction: As hard as many try to deny it, our choices and the actions that follow them will determine our destiny.

 A. Self deception is far easier than most realize! Gal 6:7-8

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

1. It is very possible to know a principle of righteousness but then "reason" in such

a way as to not apply it to yourself.

2. We can become overconfident because we have hidden things from those

around us or even worse have surrounded ourselves with people who dare not cross us!

 B. The lesson of Judas is one of destiny. How did he end up where he did?

1. After the ascension of Jesus the first order of business was to replace Judas. (Acts 1:15-17)

2. Very pointedly the destiny of Judas was stated. Acts 1:24-25

And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

3. And so it will be true with us that we go to our "own place." Where will it be?

 I. What kind of man was Judas?

 A. Was Judas a puppet of God or did he make a choice?

1. God knew that there would be a betrayer before Judas was born. Zech 11:12-13

So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter" — that princely price they set on me

Psa 41:9  Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

2. Judas demonstrated his character long before he betrayed Jesus. John 12:4-6

But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, 5 "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii 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 money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

3. God did not make Judas evil but rather chose to put an evil man there for His own means.

B. How could Judas then be blamed by God?

1. If the event was determined, then how could Judas be blamed? Luke 22:21-22

But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table.  And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!" 

2. Judas was used the same way God used Pharaoh. Rom 9:17-18

For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

C. How does God harden hearts?

1. Does he take a good man and make him a bad one and then send him to hell?

2. Consider how God hardened Pharaoh:

a. He made demands of a proud man. His reaction was predictable: "You

cannot tell me what to do!"

b. He did not punish immediately. Pharaoh then though he could get away.

c. He allowed Pharaoh to go the wrong way. If God does not dominate our lives, sin will. 2 Tim 3:13      But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

 II. Judas went to the place he chose.

A. Did Judas choose to go to hell?

1. He did not verbally or directly think that he was.

2. As Joshua pointed out to Israel, your actions will choose a destiny. Josh 24:15

choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

B. He chose a course of action in which the only result would be punishment by God.

1. This is how the majority of the world chooses hell.

2. Did Adam and Eve say: "Let us be cast out of the garden and die!"

3. Did Lot want the fate his family experienced? He still made a choice!    Gen 13:10

And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar

4. Did king David want the misery that plagued him the latter part of his life?

5. Pilate was a man of poor character suited for the role he would play.

6. Judas may have thought he could do evil and bring about good and be right with God! Rom 3:8   And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?

C. Moses made a choice to be with God. Heb 11:24-25

By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,

D. Consider destinies people choose.

1. The drunkard never saw his end when he took that first drink rather he saw the

drink! Prov 23:31-32

Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; 32 At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper.

2. The drug addict never imagined the slavery that would follow.

3. Parents who think more of their ideal of parenting than of God's will have a

destiny. Prov 17:25  foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.

4. The Christian that soften stands on spiritual principles to find immediate relief from conflict but do not see the end result for the church. (1 Cor 3:9-10) 

III. Judas was well suited for the place he went.

A. Our lives and their destinies are not accidents.

1. There is a "fitness" concerning our destiny. Luke 9:62                        No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

2. When one falls away and is marked they have made a choice in spite of God.

3. Who does not enter the kingdom? Consider the foolish virgins. Matt 25:10

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 

B. What is your attitude about God and His gifts?

1. Does worship bore you? This may be an indication that you are not fit for heaven?

            a.  hang around with the party-ers, etc rather than hang up stars all day

2. Has the unseen become more important to you than the seen? Judas failed

miserably here. 1 Tim 6:6-7

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

3. Our desire for heaven is not automatic! Col 3:1-3   If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

a. It takes work!

b. On the other hand Pharaoh did what he wanted to and went to the place that suited him.  Rom 9:22    What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,

IV. Judas went to the place Divine justice demanded.

A. Divine justice is something the world does not want to think about.

1. God will render unto us according to the morality we choose. 2 Thess 1:6-10

since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

2. Will God be fair? Yes!  

B. Look at God's justice in our salvation.

1. Look at what He did to save us. Rom 3:23-26

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

2. Will God's love overlook our sins?  

Conclusion: What place have you chosen? 

A. It is folly to say you are living one way today but will somehow find a different destiny

1. How many who choose adultery return?

2. Sin is deceptive and powerful.  

B. When we daily choose God we will have a rich life free from the terrors of the hypocrites. Prov 28:1

The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.   

1. Take one day at a time and deal with all issues as God's will dictates.  

2. If we will slow down and choose rather than be so busy to do what comes

naturally, we will find the Lord's way.