Men Jesus Called: Judas Iscariot

Judas Iscariot (Men Jesus Called – Part 7) by Mike Campagna on Vimeo.

This is supplement #7 to the Bible study: “Men Jesus Called” ~ with a bonus quiz at the end!

It’s amazing that somebody could be with you for so long and be pulling the wool over your eyes.

That’s exactly what was happening with Judas and the other eleven disciples.

Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the Less, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot ~ every last one of them had no idea Judas wasn’t Christ’s.

But Jesus knew.

(You can’t fool God. Some think they can, but you can’t.)

And a hypocrite is simply a pretender. It comes from the Greek word which means a stage actor, one who pretends to be what he is not.

That sums up Judas.

In fact, Scripture records he was the treasurer for the disciples and in charge of the money for our Lord’s ministry while at the same time he was stealing from the funds.

And the “big sin” is never committed in a vacuum. It is the culmination of many little sins.

Judas is a case study as Satan himself will ultimately take possession of him.

No, the devil did not make Judas betray Christ. He just recognized a person already living a life of betrayal and exploited it.

Thus, “the devil made me do it” is false thinking. You and I are responsible for our actions.

And we’re all susceptible to hypocrisy. Our little sins will be our downfall.

“It’s okay if I flirt with that guy (or gal).”

Or, “That little peek at pornography won’t hurt.”

Or whatever it might happen to be for you, rid yourself of it.

It’s the purpose behind the following bonus Hypocrisy Quiz to help you rid yourself of the little sins so you won’t commit the big sin.

Oh, and by the way, one “yes” answer is a flunk.

(Don’t worry. I flunked, too.)

THE PRIDE / HYPOCRISY QUIZ (not scientific)

(1) Have you ever been asked, “How are you?” and you answered, “Fine,” when you weren’t really fine at all?

(2) Have you ever portrayed yourself as something else spiritually when you were really living far from what you were portraying?

(3) Do you have a hard time asking for help?

(4) Have you ever felt like the sermon was just for you and you should go forward to the altar like the Pastor was inviting you to do, but you were more worried about what people would think so you didn’t go?

(5) Have you ever not admitted a wrong because it would be embarrassing/bruising to your ego?

(6) Do you think you’re quote “something” because you give to the poor or because you pay tithes or are a part of a certain ministry in your church (or outside your church)?

(7) Have you ever been impressed with your own “spirituality”? (For example, you find out how long someone else has been a Christian and since you’ve been a Christian longer, well…)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins.” (1 John 1:9a)