The Story Behind The Story

All right, I want to really dig into a sermon today, and we've got a lot of material to cover. I'm not going to read all of this. Let me encourage you. You might jot down, go home sometime and read Genesis chapter 37 through 50. Go home and read that. And read Luke chapter 22. I'm going to talk about those today and try to bring forward what I entitled the story behind the story. Sometimes, and all of you could, if you looked at your life and wrote a biography of your life, you would say, you know, there was a story behind the story going on in my life sometimes. And sometimes there's a story going on in the background that is propelling and creating the story in the foreground. Can I get an amen on that? you know what I'm talking about, don't you? So I want us to look at Luke 22, verses 1 through 6. It sets the very foundation for the whole chapter of Luke chapter 22. And I want to read it to you. We're going to pray, and then we're going to jump into this idea that this six verses presents here. All right, Luke 22, verses 1 through 6. Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called Passover, was approaching. And the chief priests and scribes were seeking how they might put him, this is talking about Jesus, him to death. For they were afraid of the people. And Satan, underscore this. And Satan entered into Judas, who was called Iscariot. That's a family name. That was his family name, belonging to the number of the twelve. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. Underscore that word betray. how he might betray him, Jesus, to them. And they were glad and agreed to give him money. How much did they give him? 30 pieces of silver. 30 pieces of silver. It wasn't a great deal amount of money. It was some money, but it wasn't a great deal. It didn't make him rich. he sold Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver. And he consented and began seeking a good opportunity to betray him to them apart from the multitudes. Let's pray together. Lord it's been amazing because we've been looking at the second coming of Christ and he is coming back as king of kings and lord of lords it's amazing how the Holy Spirit directed Luke to write about that and then to begin the last week the last journey of Christ on this earth and to unfold the things that were necessary for our redemption.

So Lord, as we look at this today, help us understand the importance of this in our lives in Jesus name amen let me just say this word to you a few times betrayal betrayal betrayal Tess and Carol Ann were asking this morning we talked about what I was going to preach on and I said well I'm preaching on betrayal we might ought to leave right now you know most of us have a rise of emotions in our hearts when we hear this word betrayal why why does this emotional rawness still prick at our souls and our consciousness does it connect us to a painful event or events in our lives from the past perhaps a friend dragged your name through the mud behind your back that ever happen to you or a spouse betrayed you physically cheated on you or maybe they just betrayed you by listen to this dismissing their sacred vows they made at the altar through mental and verbal abuse.

Constantly argumentative and browbeating. Well, there's a lot of that in our culture today.

Or a parent betrayed you by not protecting your innocence where a moment of sexual abuse came to light. And for some reason, that parent ignored it. Maybe it was that parent that was involved in that.

Or maybe it's as simple as a superior at the place you worked who smiled at you one second and backstabbed you the next. you been there the list of betraying actions in this evil and perverse generation could go on and on and on if we had time I could I could just get with each one of you and you could give me a list where you've been betrayed or maybe you betrayed all kinds of stories could be told about actors of betrayal or the victims of betrayal we could spend hours doing that in our focus today in this sermon I want us to look at verse 4 and he went away Judas and discussed with the chief priest and officers how he might betray him to them you know guys suddenly and deceptively intentionally and willfully over a process of time betrayal was implanted in the heart of Judas Think about that. One of the twelve, one of the twelve, one that was commissioned and went out with the disciples preaching the gospel and healing and casting out demons.

At one time, a friend of Jesus, a part of that inner circle the ones Jesus had entrusted his life in ministry to.

Luke defines Judas' spiritual condition this way in verse 3.

And Satan entered Judas. the finality of this demonic possession was betrayal. Do you see that?

It did not just happen overnight. Step by step Judas willfully opened himself to the works of the devil, his demons, and ultimately the devil himself.

Now the reason I say this is because we have indication in scripture of Judas willfully and drifting away from Jesus before this actual event at Passover. You can go back and look at John 12, verses 1 through 6. Let me just read it to you. Jesus, therefore, six days before Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made him supper there, and Martha was serving. Now Martha was always the server, wasn't she? But Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with him. Now put yourself in that spot. Here is a guy that had been dead, and Jesus raised from the dead. One of his best friends, Lazarus. many therefore took Mary therefore took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair and the house was filled with the fragrance of perfume but and here's a big but listen to this Judas Iscariot one of his disciples who was intending to betray him. Now I don't know when John is writing this if he's being prophetic or if he's just looking back on the scene and writing it in this story. Whatever it is John puts Judas in a pretty dark light here who was intending to betray him. There's an intention there. There's something going on and Judas his life that's opening the door to betrayal.

Way before the very event of Satan entering his life.

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, who was intending to betray him said, why was this perfume not sold for 300 denarii and given to poor people? Now 300 denarii here would be twice the amount of the 30 pieces of silver that he sold Jesus out for. He's the treasurer of the disciples And so it gives the appearance that he concerned about feeding the poor But listen to what the next statement says Now he said this not because he was concerned about the poor This is John's commentary. But because he was a thief.

And he had the money box. And he used to pilfer what was put in it. Satan was already at work in this disciple's life and that's a warning to you and me Judas is mentioned at least 11 times in the New Testament 10 times in the Gospels and once in the book of Acts in the very first sermon of the church and when mentioned he was always placed last in the order of the twelve go and look placed last it's almost like they didn't want to mention him and connected with the betrayal of our Lord all those instances say that Judas betrayed him you know there's a great story of betrayal in the old testament that that really ties into this story and it it's the it's in genesis 37 through 50 i encourage you to go and read his story about joseph and in the betrayal of his brothers in his life in summary joseph's story is a betrayal that illustrates the God factor. I want you to hear this. The God factor that human betrayal cannot thwart or destroy the plans and purposes of God. You hear what I'm saying there? You know, sometimes we think when we've been betrayed, well, it's a scar on our life and I can't move forward. what did I do that created all this we just carry all this shame and guilt on ourselves let me tell you human betrayal cannot destroy the plans and purposes of God let me give you a quick summary of Genesis 37-50 Joseph had a father named Jacob Joseph had 11 brothers Joseph was Jacob's favorite son he was presented with a coat go and read the coat of many colors Joseph was a dreamer and he shared with his brothers that he would reign over them now he wasn't bragging when he shared this he was just saying this is what God's revealing to me. It's not going to be enmity between us, but it created enmity.

They hated him and they hated his dreams. They hated that he was their father's favorite son. And so they threw him in the pit of Dothan. I could preach a whole lesson on the pit of Dothan. They threw him in the pit. You ever been in the pit where you just got betrayed and you felt like you'd been thrown into a pit? They threw him there expecting him to die.

They dipped his coat in lamb's blood and presented it to the father, telling him that Joseph had been killed by animals.

Fortunately, and if this wasn't the timing of God, I don't know what is, a caravan of Egyptians, slave drivers, came by, heard Joseph down in the pit, and they pulled him out of the pit, and took him to Egypt, and sold him into slavery. Joseph is a blessed man of God and the Pharaoh recognizes that God's favor is on his life and makes him a ruler in Egypt but the Bible says it's interesting the Bible says Joseph was very good looking wouldn't you like that to be said about you he was very good looking and guess who had the hots for Joseph Pharaoh's wife and Joseph would not have anything to do with her and so she gets mad and she lies to Pharaoh and Joseph gets thrown into prison years later Joseph is remembered as one who could interpret dreams and Pharaoh brings him out of prison And Joseph provides the right advice to fix the problems that were destroying Egypt. He is restored to a ruler of Egypt. Actually, he's the governor. He's the second man in charge in Egypt. You hear that? During this time of famine, a famine covered the face of the earth in the region all over the area there. Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to get food to survive.

Except Benjamin.

They are interviewed by Joseph.

But they did not recognize him. Years had passed. You know how long the saga was? 22 years. 22 years. Through a bit of trickery. and go read it. It's a really interesting story. Through a bit of trickery and then honesty, Joseph blesses and forgives his brothers.

I wrote down from the pit to palace, from prison to power, from betrayal to redemption, from resentment to forgiveness. Verse 20 says this. As for you, You meant it for evil against me, but God meant it for good. And listen why. In order to bring about this present result to preserve many people alive. what you meant for evil God meant for good let that soak for a second the portrayal you guys did lying you did to my daddy what you meant for evil towards me, guess what? My God meant it for good.

In Luke 22,

the story behind the story is the illumination that Judas action of betrayal now listen to me, unleashed the greatest divine action of redemption the world has ever seen. what Satan his demon possessed friend and his followers meant for evil God meant for good human betrayal cannot and will not destroy the plans and purposes of God's redemption.

some of you have been there and you have been in the pit of Dothan but God sent his angels by to hear your voice.

What Judas,

Satan inspired, religious leaders motivated meant for evil. God meant it for good.

Luke 22. Let me give you a quick summary so you can see the backdrop story that provides the real story of redemption. Verse 1, the leaders conspire against Jesus to kill him. Verse 3, Satan enters Judas and equips him to betray Judas. Judas opened the door to this possession. When the Bible talks about how Judas was predetermined for this, it's a good explanation. It's simply to say, you can call it predetermination if you want to, because he willingly chosen, he choicefully opened his heart to Satan.

The apostles prepared the Passover meal, verse 7, verse 19. Jesus institutes, listen to this, the new covenant meal ratified by his body and his blood. He is the meal. You see that?

Verse 21, Jesus identifies his traitor and tells him to be quick about his deceitful, willful actions of betrayal. Can you imagine in that room when he said the one that dips the sup is the one who betrays me? go and do quickly what you must do.

Verse 24, Jesus rebukes the rest of the disciples. You know, they should have been horrified at what was taken in that place in that room. And you know what? They get into a big battle over who's going to sit on the right and the left of Jesus. You know, I'm hoping if I'd been in that room, I'd been charging Judas like a wild man. What do you mean betraying my Lord? But that's how we are sometimes. We just, we want to sidestep that issue.

Jesus predicts Peter will deny him. Jesus withdraws to the Mount of Olives to pray, literally sweats of blood. He bleeds while he praying His capillaries are exploding under the stress Judas betrays Jesus identifying him for the chief priest in Temple Guard as the insurrectionist with a kiss.

Can you imagine how that hurt Jesus? he went and kissed him.

The kiss of death.

Does that grip your heart like it does mine?

Judas betrays Jesus identifying him for the chief priest in Temple Card as the insurrectionist with a kiss. Peter denies him three times before the cock froze thank God Peter came back home Jesus experienced shameful abuse I could go into the details of that but it's too gory I don't need to do that Jesus here's the thing I want you to see We started in verse 1 where they were conspiring to kill him. And it ends in verse 66 where Jesus claims, I am the Son of God.

What you meant for evil, God has chosen for good. you know I my religious professors would really be proud of me I drew a flow chart from Judas betrayal to Jesus redemption I want you to listen to this from the perditious betrayal of Judas Judas is called the son of perdition lostness willfully was bent on destroying his own soul the Bible says it would have been better if he'd never been born. He actually fulfills David's prophetic word of Christ's betrayal in Psalm 41.9 where it says, listen to this, even my close friend whom I trusted who ate my bread has lifted his hill up against me. From the perditious betrayal of Judas to the presentation of the new covenant of redemption.

This is my body. This is my blood of the new covenant.

You know, surely the disciples are going, what is this all about? When he was taking the bread and dipping in the cup, they must have been thinking, this is not the Passover script. This is not written in the Passover script. his body, his blood? What's he talking about here? The presentation of the new covenant of redemption. That's what he's talking about. To the predictability of the clouded-minded disciples.

What a diversion tactic.

Let's quit talking about all this dying and death, Jesus. Let's argue about who's going to be seated on the right and the left. You know, we're good at diverting what's right in front of us, aren't we? This is my body This is my blood Judas go and do what you got to do quickly

Two, listen to this.

The proclamation of the I am.

You remember the burning bush? God said I am that I am and what is Jesus saying right here to their question yes I am I am I am the son of God what you meant for evil.

They didn't put Jesus on that cross. That evil didn't put... He had set his mind and heart to go to Jerusalem and willingly went to the cross at Calvary. I am the son of God what Satan and his followers and Judas meant for evil God in his sovereign plan of redemption meant it for good for you and me I want to tell you this is good stuff guys this is real I thought well how do you conclude a sermon like this John 10 the first part of John 10 says the thief the devil comes to steal kill and destroy how did Judas life end committed suicide he opened that door subtly and willfully and Satan entered into his heart and he stole everything that was righteous.

He destroyed him.

It'd been better if he'd never been born.

What a sad indictment.

1 Peter 5, 8.

Be of sober spirit. Be on alert. adversary, the devil prowls about like a lion seeking to devour. Do not ever dismiss the reality of the devil.

He will come and attack. You've got to understand that you've got to put on the full armor of God.

John 10, 10b says, I came that they might have life and have abundantly. You see what Jesus is saying there? What the devil meant for evil, guess what guys? I meant for good. I've come to give you life.

In 1 Peter 5, 9 through 11, listen to this. It says,

but resist him firm in your faith that's your choice knowing that the same experience of suffering i enjoy this verse are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world you're not the only one under attack you're not the only one that the devil's jumping on to the brethren the devil hates us he wants to steal from us he wants to kill us he wants to destroy us Peter says and after you suffer for a while if you go to battle there's going to be some pain you've heard it there's no gain without pain you're going to have to go to battle there'll be some suffering for a little while and then the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ what will he do? He will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

And then listen to what it says. To him dominion forever and ever. Amen. What's that saying is?

you may feel like you're in the pit of Dothan, but guess what? The caravan's coming.

His sovereign grace is coming for you. You may be struggling in your family and think, there's no look out of this. Yes, there is.

He has dominion over your family. When you surrender to Christ, your family is under his lordship. What somebody has meant for good, God can take it and use it. For evil, God can take it and use it for good in your life.

This is rich stuff guys It is good stuff for all of us 1 John 3 8c says The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Put him out of business.

Here's our takeaway.

Proverbs 4, 23. Listen to this. Guard your hearts with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life.

You've got a responsibility in this spiritual walk with Christ to guard your hearts. But you say, that's too much for me. Well, listen to this verse, Philippians 4, 7. And the peace of God, when you come to Christ, he'll put peace in your heart. Listen to what it says. And the peace of God, which passes all comprehension, all understanding, it makes absolutely no sense to you,

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

When you come to the place where you can't do it on your own, you say I can't walk in the power of the spirit guess what the guardian of our faith Hebrews talks about that the guardian of our faith is protecting you.

You're not by yourself. You're not alone in this battle.

The guardian is surrounding you with his angels and guarding your heart You hear that They conspired to kill him

And he said, hold on.

I am the son of God.

What you throw at me, I will overcome. Because I am the sovereign Savior.

By my body and my blood I have covered you and protected you.

And who can snatch you out of my hand?

I don't know about y'all. when I got high, golly, I started studying this and it was just like the Holy Spirit.

I got really emotional about this because I know that the devil's real, but how big is your God?

Amen.

Lord, I know there's been a lot of upheaval and attacks and things thrown at just this small group sitting in this building this morning. and that roaring lion thought he thought he had them but then the line of Judah stood up and said get your hands off my people I am the son of God

You're out of business.

Lord, I claim that for every family in this room.

For these young people.

For the tough times that some of them have gone through and are going through that they'll know the guardian is surrounding their lives. I pray for the adults sitting here that know the tact of Satan that they'll understand that Jesus has dominion over their lives.

Lord, I speak freedom and life and love and peace and power into the hearts of these believers.

Lord, we're not just sitting here by chance. You put us here today to hear this and to know this reality.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Can you imagine we got through a whole chapter?

Amen. We're moving forward. But it's a good chapter, wasn't it? Amen.

May the Lord surround you and go with you and in you and through you this week. And may he be, listen, look at me, the sovereign God in your life. you're not alone.

In your battles, you're not alone.

He will guard you.

Amen. Amen. I love you. God bless you. Have a good day. Amen. Happy Father's Day.