The Betrayal

Sermon Notes

INTRODUCTION

BETRAYAL – a violation of trust; an act of disloyalty; desertion in time of need; disloyal, treasonous, infidelity, backstabbing, 30 pieces of silver, traitor…

Judas intentionally betrayed Jesus to those who wanted to kill him.
(For 30 silver coins – he identified Jesus with a kiss)

Peter’s fear betrayed his strong desire to show his loyalty.
(Even if all other forsake you, I will not.)

The Jewish Ruling Council betrayed God by turning him over to the Romans.
(This is not the messiah we wanted.)

The people in Jerusalem turned on Jesus by lying to the Jewish ruling council.
(Jesus spoke out against the temple and the council.)

Jesus warned the disciples of the coming betrayals when he departed.
(Parents, brothers, sisters, relatives, friends)

Have you ever been betrayed?


We value and desire loyalty from those we associate with. (Friends and family)

We do not trust our enemy, so betrayal is sometimes expected. (From political parties to sports teams that cheat or is that sports parties and politicians that cheat… to trust everyone is unwise and sometimes harmful.)

Jesus says, “Be wise as serpents and gentile as doves…”

The most painful betrayal comes from those you know and love.

Jesus was betrayed by those He loved. He loved his disciples, He loved Jerusalem, He loved people, He even loved those who despitefully used Him


What DOES TRUTH AND LOYALTY TO JESUS LOOK LIKE?

If you love me, you must love your brother.
1 John 4:19–21 (NIV)
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

You must obey my commands.
1 John 2:4 (NIV)
4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.

Sacrifice for our brothers and sisters.
1 John 3:16 (NIV)
16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.


WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, CHRIST LOVED THE UNGODLY.

The way back from betrayal is love. Jesus loved us before we were good people.
Love your neighbor, your family, your friends…even love your enemies.

The way back from the fear of betrayal is love.
1 John 4:18 (NIV)
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Jesus forgave Peter and if Judas would have come back, he would have forgiven him too.

I am loyal to HIM because he was loyal to me.
1 John 4:19 (NIV)
19 We love because he first loved us.