Why Did Jesus Choose Judas?

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Why Did Jesus Choose Judas?

John 6:63-71

March 24, 2024 • Adrian Rogers • John 6:63–71

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Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: John 6:63-71

The name Judas is a name of infamy, disgrace, and treachery; yet Jesus chose Judas to be one of His twelve disciples. It was not a mistake, nor did Judas’s betrayal catch Jesus off guard.

The words of warning, assurance, and comfort in John 6 tell us why Jesus chose Judas.

First, it was a lesson about religious hypocrisy and the need for true salvation.

“‘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 would betray Him” (John 6:64).

Jesus knows the difference between a true believer and a hypocrite—those who have trusted in Him and those who have not. Judas serves as a warning for us because by all appearances, Judas appeared to be in the right. He had the right associations, reputation, and participation. But these outward things did not reflect what was within.

Hypocrisy can hurt, especially in ministry; but remember—the other eleven disciples didn’t stop serving Jesus because of Judas. Nor should we let others' scandals keep us from serving.

Second, Jesus’ selection of Judas as a disciple teaches us of God’s divine sovereignty and the reliability of Scripture.

Long before Judas made the decision to betray Jesus, it was prophesied in Scripture; we can rest assured, God knew. Nothing is out of God’s control.

Adrian Rogers says, “Where man rules, God overrules.”

Third, Judas’ story is a lesson of personal responsibility and the tragedy of sin.

Judas was not forced to betray Jesus; the Bible clearly reveals Judas’ shady character. Sin had deceived him; only after his betrayal did he realize what he’d done. Sin destroyed him. His soul was in remorse, and his mind was anguished. He was condemned by the very devil who enticed him.

Finally, Jesus chose Judas to illustrate the security of the believer.

Judas did not lose his salvation because he never had it to begin with. He was outwardly religious but had never been born again. On the other hand, Simon Peter, his counterpart disciple, was rough and spiritually clumsy; He denied knowing Jesus three times that same night. But Peter was eternally secure because he had been born again. God kept him, despite his sin, because Peter had put his faith in Jesus.

Apply it to your life

Have you trusted in Jesus Christ? Adrian Rogers says, “You need to put your faith where God has put your sins: right on Jesus.”

Knowing God Intimately

May 5, 2024 • Adrian Rogers • Exodus 33:11–16

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: Exodus 33:11-16 It is not enough to casually know about God; we were created to know God intimately and to enjoy Him personally. Yet many believers will settle with feeling infatuated with His works, and never know Him face-to-face. Adrian Rogers says, “To know about God is to see God’s works; to know God intimately is to know God’s way.” In Exodus 33:11-16, Moses demonstrates the beauty of knowing God intimately, seeing beyond an infatuation with His works to know His ways. To know God intimately brings tranquility and peace to our troubled souls. “And He said, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest’” (Exodus 33:14). If we only see God outwardly—His miraculous works—we will live with worry. We often disappoint ourselves when He doesn’t act how we think He should. But knowing God’s ways helps us recognize His presence in every situation, and that is what gives us rest. Knowing God intimately also gives us stability in our lives. By nature, feelings of infatuation are fickle. But Christians who seek the unchanging heart of God have stability in their faith, no matter their circumstances. Finally, knowing God intimately is necessary for victory. In Exodus 33, the Israelites had strayed in their devotion to God, and Moses was interceding on their behalf. He begged for God’s mercy, and in response, God promised His protection and provision, but He would not be with them. It is frightening to know we can have God’s protection and provision without His presence. Seeing how easy it is to be satisfied in worldly things, we cannot take anything as a substitution for knowing God intimately. We cannot know God intimately by human reason. We know Him by directly dealing with Him, turning to Him in every circumstance or difficulty. Adrian Rogers says, “To know Him is to love Him; to love Him is to trust Him. To trust Him is to obey Him; to obey Him is to be blessed, and to be blessed is to be a blessing.” Apply it to your life Adrian Rogers says, “You cannot know God by hearing sermons about knowing God; you can’t know anybody that you don’t spend time with.” Don’t take anything as a substitute for knowing God intimately. Turn to Him today, and spend some intimate time in His Word.

Jesus is God's Answer to Man's Death

April 28, 2024 • Adrian Rogers • John 11

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: John 11 The Book of John shares Jesus’ glorious miracles with great messages and spiritual truths. In John 11, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, revealing that He is God’s answer to Man’s death. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die’” (John 11:25-26). Many of us are alive but simply exist, fighting to live, while living to fight; but Jesus came, so that we may have life abundantly. Therefore, the only way to live abundantly is to first experience life in Jesus. In this passage, Lazarus had been physically dead for days; spiritually, he represents many of us who are dead in our sins. No amount of examples, encouragement, environment or education can bring a spiritually dead man back to life. He is resurrected the same way Jesus resurrected Lazarus: by His Word. Those who know Jesus Christ never truly die; instead, they have everlasting life. Second, living abundantly means exercising liberty through Jesus. We can be saved, and still not live in victory, caught up somewhere between the powers of Calvary and Pentecost. As Lazarus was taken out of his grave clothes, we must also discard our old lives and step into new lives of liberty. As the Church, we minister to each other by calling forth the spiritually dead and unwrapping the saints. Abundant life also means enjoying our love for Jesus. Lazarus dined with Jesus after he was resurrected, reminding us that fellowship with Jesus Christ is a reward in itself. Finally, abundant life means expressing loyalty to Jesus. After all he’d experienced, Lazarus was no longer afraid of death; He was loyal to Jesus, even when there was a threat made against him by the Pharisees. Adrian Rogers says, “No man is ready to live until he is no longer afraid to die.” When we experience life in Jesus, as well as liberty, love, and loyalty to Him, we begin to live the abundant life He promised us. Apply it to your life Do you have the abundant life Jesus promised those who live in Him? Consider your spiritual condition today, and step into a life of liberty, love, and loyalty to Christ.

Jesus is God's Answer to Man's Despair

April 21, 2024 • John 6:15

Sermon Overview Scripture Reference: John 6:15 Trouble is what draws us closer to Jesus and strengthens us to face life’s storms. In John 6, Jesus’ disciples were caught up in a treacherous storm, when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee. This passage reminds us that Jesus is God’s answer to Man’s despair. When we find ourselves tossed about by the storms of life, there are six anchors for the soul we can hold onto. “I am governed by His providence.” The storm the disciples faced did not take Jesus by surprise; nor were the disciples there by mistake. When we face unexpected storms, we must remember that even though it seems contrary to us, we are exactly where God has placed us and His providence is there, too. “I am growing by His plan.” When we look back on our lives, we will see that we grew the most in times of trouble; God engineers problems for our development. Adrian Rogers says, “Faith, like film, is developed best in the dark.” “I am graced by His prayers.” Before Jesus appeared to the disciples on the waves, He was alone on the mountain top, praying for them. From His vantage point, He could see the storm they were entering. Though the disciples did not see Him, He did not take His eyes off of them. Jesus sees us and prays for us, especially when we are in the midst of a storm. “I am gladdened by His presence.” John 6:20-21 says “But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.” More than miracles, we need Jesus. Many times, we are positioned to cry out to Him, so that we may know a deeper glory and grace when He arrives. “I am guarded by His power.” God’s will does not take us where His grace cannot keep us. Anything over our heads is already under His feet. He has overcome the world; the Great I AM will always be. “I am guided by His purpose.” We are predestined to be like Jesus; God has a purpose for every storm. He gets in the boat with us and sees us to the shore. Apply it to your life Are you going through a storm right now? Remember these six truths and trust in Jesus.