Saturday, September 4, 2021

Weekly Bible Study: September 6, 2021; Judas Iscariot had every opportunity, and yet made the decision to betray Jesus.

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Scripture References, Word & Phrase descriptions: the “Logos Reftagger” scripture links are hover pop-up active, meaning the scripture reference will just pop-up if you hover your cursor over it (don’t click on the link, just hover your cursor over it), when finished reading, hover your cursor off the scripture reference link. If the Reftagger pop-up doesn’t show all the verses, left click on the “More” button in the Reftagger pop-up window and it will take you to the online bible. If RefTagger pop-ups don’t work on your computer, that’s OK, try right clicking the link then open in new tab or window; or if that doesn’t work, you can always use your Bible to look up the verses. Word or Phrase definition links may not have a website that opens.

Prepare yourself for learning the Word of God!

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is; you have believed [trusted] in Him for His promised gift of eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to learn God's Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge [confess] your known unconfessed sins privately to God (i.e.; with your thoughts directed only to God the Father).

1 John 1:9, says—“If we confess [simply name, cite or acknowledge to God the Father] our sins [known sins], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins [known sins] and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [all unknown and forgotten sins];” NKJV (New King James Version); we call this REBOUND, read the full doctrine as to “why” we need to use 1 John 1:9 to grow spiritually. Left click the following link to learn more and fully understand the doctrine of Rebound; why do I need to keep confessing my sins all the time: REBOUND

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is to simply exercise faith alone in Jesus Christ alone eternal life; when you do, you will instantly receive Eternal Life: John 3:16, 5:24, 6:47, 20:30, 31.

John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life." NKJV [italics added]

Notice again what Jesus said in John 6:47: "…he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." It doesn't say, "will have"; it says, "has." Therefore, the very moment you believe in Jesus Christ for His promise of everlasting life, you have it (it's really just that simple; nothing more and nothing less), and it can never be taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift (Ephesians 2:8c) of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-15, 16, 17, 18, says: "14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God's Word. If there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Study to show yourself approved to God!

35929761866_72b3191cfb_o

Grace Bible Church Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary: God’s Word is taught Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday

STUDY TITLE:

God no longer dwells in temples made with human hands; He now dwells with Theandric Action alive in those who live in that relationship.

cross-1-2

Scripture References, Word & Phrase descriptions: the “Logos Reftagger” scripture links are hover pop-up active, meaning the scripture reference will just pop-up if you hover your cursor over it (don’t click on the link, just hover your cursor over it), when finished reading, hover your cursor off the scripture reference link. If the Reftagger pop-up doesn’t show all the verses, left click on the “More” button in the Reftagger pop-up window and it will take you to the online bible. If RefTagger pop-ups don’t work on your computer, that’s OK, try right clicking the link then open in new tab or window; or if that doesn’t work, you can always use your Bible to look up the verses. Word or Phrase definition links may not have a website that opens.

Prepare yourself for learning the Word of God!

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is; you have believed [trusted] in Him for His promised gift of eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to learn God's Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge [confess] your known unconfessed sins privately to God (i.e.; with your thoughts directed only to God the Father).

1 John 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (known sins) and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [your unknown or forgotten sins] ." NKJV [New King James Version] [italics added]; we call this REBOUND, read the full doctrine as to “why” we need to use 1 John 1:9 to grow spiritually. REBOUND

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is to simply exercise faith alone in Jesus Christ alone eternal life; when you do, you will instantly receive Eternal Life: John 3:16, 5:24, 6:47, 20:30, 31.

John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me [Jesus Christ] has everlasting life." NKJV [italics added]

Notice again what Jesus said in John 6:47: "…he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." It doesn't say, "will have"; it says, "has." Therefore, the very moment you believe in Jesus Christ for His promise of everlasting life, you have it (it's really just that simple; nothing more and nothing less), and it can never be taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift (Ephesians 2:8c) of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-15, 16, 17, 18, says: "14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God's Word. If there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Study to show yourself approved to God!

35929761866_72b3191cfb_o

Grace Bible Church Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary: God’s Word is taught Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday

STUDY TITLE:

Judas Iscariot had every opportunity, and yet made the decision to betray Jesus.

A few passages as our introduction to this one called Judas Iscariot in Jn 13:15-18, “For I gave you an example [model or a pattern to follow] that you also should do as I did to you.

Truly, truly [Amen, Amen = point of doctrine, pay attention], I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent [Jesus in His human nature] greater than the one who sent him [God the Father]. If you know or are established in these things, happinesses are yours if you do or if you apply them. I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen or elected; but {it is} that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’’

The phrase “has lifted up his heel against me” is an idiom meaning to try and over-throw or discredit one’s authority, to seek one’s destruction. So, there is one disciple here at the Last Supper who not only rejected the authority of Jesus Christ but also, he was used by Satan to betray our Lord.

Judas Iscariot was known as the traitor by his last name because there are at least seven other men in the Bible who went by the first name Judas, but they were not known as the betrayer or traitor.

In fact, there were two Judas’ in the group of disciples, only Judas Iscariot can fit in the definition of being a traitor. One of the disgusting traits of Judas Iscariot, is that not only did he betray our Lord, but he also pretended to love the Lord when all he really loved was himself. His lust for approbation, recognition, money, power, and authority is about to be brought to the surface.

Now, even though we quickly read it last time, look at Jn 17:12, “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Thy name which Thou hast given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

To be the “son of perdition” means that Judas is a man identified with eternal destruction, whose destiny is the Eternal Lake of Fire. Furthermore, remember in Ac 1:25 Judas went “to his own place” meaning the place that he chose on his own.

This is an important principle because it is not that Judas was predestined from eternity past to betray our Lord and to go to hell without opportunity to be saved, but that he had every opportunity and yet made the decision to betray.

Judas chose to reject Jesus Christ and will suffer the consequences of any person who rejects the Savior.

Now a question merges concerning what Judas experienced as soon as Jesus selected him?

1) He experienced the privilege of selection into the unique circle of the “12,” becoming an apostle;

2) Judas also observed great crowds flocking to our Lord Jesus Christ as He was becoming more and more popular every day.

3) Judas saw Christ’s own family thinking Him crazy.

If you don’t believe me, believe Mk 3:20-21 where our Lord’s family had an intervention for Him. And He came home, and the multitude gathered again, to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal.

Mk 3:21, And when His own people heard {of this,} they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.”

This is something Judas observed that even our Lord’s family thought that He was going crazy and taking this “savior thing” a little too far. We would call that today an intervention, that’s what our Lord’s family thought about the Lord. Including His mother.

Nevertheless, Judas was no fool.

4) He observed that Jesus had extraordinary charisma and attracted large crowds, which meant potential political power, influence, and wealth and Judas wanted in on the action. Linking with Jesus seemed to be a fast track to success.

We might have supposed that Matthew would handle the money needed to sustain the Lord’s ministry because he had been a tax collector and well acquainted with money matters. Judas, however, was the treasurer of the Lord’s group of apostles indicating that he was no imbecile; (Jn 12:5-6; Jn 13:29.

Jn 12:5, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to poor {people}?” Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.

Jn 13:31-14:1, When therefore he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately. “Little children, I am with you a little while longer.

You shall seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, I now say to you also, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you shall follow later.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a cock shall not crow, until you deny Me three times. (No chapter break in the original) “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

Let me give you some of character traits of this man Judas.

Character trait #1: Judas did not care about the poor. He was a hard-hearted man, too concerned with feathering his own nest while others, less fortunate, suffered around him.

Character trait #2: He was a thief, pilfering funds from the Lord’s money box, which exposes that Judas was full of avarice, or greed.

Judas was not a traitor according to the Word of God, Judas became a traitor because the verb that is mentioned is known as the aorist-middle-indicative of the Greek verb ginomai which means to become something that one was not before.

Now, I do not believe that the Lord chose Judas to fulfill a prophecy of damnation. This is unfortunately the type of conclusions that those who are influenced by Hyper-Calvinism adhere to.

Hyper–Calvinism is a branch of Protestant theology that denies the universal duty of human beings to believe in Christ for the salvation of their souls.

Those who take these principles to the extreme teach that man is either chosen by God to go to heaven and live with Him forever, or man is chosen by God to go to eternal damnation. These types of believers usually function under what they call TULIP which is an acronym of five essential tenets or points concerning the Sovereignty of God and the depravity of man.

To explain this complex doctrine, theologians often make use of the acronym T.U.L.I.P., which stands for:

(T) Total Depravity;

(U) Unconditional election;

(L) Limited atonement;

(I) Irresistible grace;

(P) Perseverance of the saints.

Our Lord also reveals that He would be betrayed by sighting certain prophecies in the Word of God, especially from those prophecies that were made in the Old Testament.

What prophecies are that?

It is the prophecy that our Lord prophesied to His disciples throughout His ministry. For example, after our Lord taught many doctrinal principles that challenged His listeners, we read; Jn 6:60-71, Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard {this} said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble?

What then if you should behold the Son of Man ascending where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.”

For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father.” As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.

Jesus said therefore to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and {yet} one of you is a devil?” Now He meant Judas {the son} of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.

We also know that because when our Lord was around adult believers, or Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes, all of them were astonished by His knowledge and spiritual strength.

Lk 2:40-52, And the Child continued to grow and become strong (spiritually), increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. And His parents used to go to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

And when He became twelve, they went up {there} according to the custom of the Feast; and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. And His parents were unaware of it, but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they {began} looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for Him. And it came about that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. And when they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s {house?”} And they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all {these} things in her heart. And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

All of these principles apply to betrayers and traitors who make a living by manipulation, lies, broken vows; broken promises; etc. However, in spite of all the dishonesty that goes on and on today in all realms of Life, it doesn’t really matter if you love our Lord, because if you love the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, there is divine blessing waiting just for you. Our Lord also reveals that He would be betrayed by sighting certain prophecies in the Word of God, especially from those prophecies that were made in the Old Testament. What prophecies are that?

Look at Zc 11:12-13.

It’s interesting that this passage was written to the shepherds who were not doing their job of feeding the people of Israel. In this section of the word of God, the Lord is rebuking the shepherds in those days for betraying the people of God by denying them doctrinal teaching and therefore, the Lord uses a prophecy that points to the ultimate betrayer, Judas Iscariot.

Zc 11:12-13, And I said to them, “If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!” So, they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages. Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.” So, I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the Lord.

This is a stunning text and a powerful example of the minute details that characterize the prophetic passages in the Bible that are so accurate and precise that any scientist or numerologist wouldn’t even think of denying it. But that requires some things that most people lack such as humility…especially the humility not to lie and say like so many do, and it does get sickening when you hear them lie and say; “I’ve read the Bible and I don’t agree with all of it because it was written by man.”

Our Lord fulfilled many passages before. Try some humility before you eat humble pie.

Instead say something like this: “I was not telling the truth when I said I studied the Bible myself and I said I don’t believe it because it was written by man and not by God:” — I was just saying what I heard others say.” And that is the beginning of rebound and recovery.

If you are honest, sincere, open to truth, and most of all you are looking for the reason why you exist, the Bible has all the answers if you give it a chance. The only real barrier to truth is the arrogance of presumption whereby one presumes that they already have it.

Psa 19:12-13, “Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. Also keep back Thy servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.”

We were all born spiritually dead and that is why in our Lord said to the Pharisee Nicodemus in Jn 3:3, Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Now, notice the confusion on the part of this Pharisee who was a teacher in Israel, Jn 3:4, Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Man can he be born again which means that he would be born twice, once physically, the other spiritually.

Jn 3:5-7, Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh [that was your physical birth], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.”

If you are born once that is only physical birth, then you will die twice, which refers to physical death followed by the second death.

Rev 2:11, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

Rev 20:6, “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”

Rev 20:14, “And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.”

Rev 21:8, “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Now, none of us our exempt and we have no excuses because in Rm 14:10-12, But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.

God is going to ask you the same question every day.

Do you believe Him?

Do you Love Him?

Do you trust Him?

Do you respect Him?

In fact, consider the odds of the prophecy of the cross in the Jewish Bible, being fulfilled by The Lord Jesus Christ. Think of the odds of these things being fulfilled. The Bible is a supernatural book! If individuals would only take some time to examine the evidence, they would discover that the Bible is the Word of God!

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can receive eternal life: Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.

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