Lie #1: Judas Did Jesus A Favor Part 1

One reason for us to Jesus so ancient Gospel of Judas surfaces Judas is a hero and Jesus as a principal being taking on many forms as the need arises. Written by not the gospel of Judas is only the latest attempt to debunk the Christian faith for the truth about this. Why from the Moody Church in Chicago.

This is with Erwin looks her was clear. Teaching helps us make it across the finish line. Master loser briefly tell us the Gnostics were the Gnostics, people who had a synthesis between Christianity and Greek mythology. They blended the two. As a result, they came up with all kinds of theories about Jesus the idea that Jesus was perhaps married to Mary Magdalene. Also the notion that Jesus Christ really did not rise from the dead, literally. They were very confused people, but they had a great deal of impact in the early church, especially after the time of Jesus and the reason I wrote the book entitled slandering Jesus, which I think is going to be a great blessing to those who receive it. I wrote the book.

With this in mind, how do we answer these kinds of objections. For example, one of my chapters is titled the idea that Judas did Jesus a favor that's widely believed by people so that's why if you are interested in the book slandering Jesus. Here's what you do you go to RTW offer.com that's RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337 for a gift of any amount you can receive slandering Jesus and now we go to the pulpit of Moody church where we have a defense of the Jesus of the New Testament. His name is Judas and the word Judas means praise last name Iscariot, possibly from the town of Thierry off which is in the southern. Let's keep in mind that Judas was at one time, a teenager filled with all kinds of dreams and aspirations and ready to take on the world. One time he was also the baby, and we can imagine that parents in those days who used to name their children in a court with what they hope their child would become as they would call a man from play.

They hope that someday their little baby boy would become a man whom people would pray they were wrong and could I say candidly young woman young man you have no idea what baby you're holding in your arms today could be a milligram could be a Florence Nightingale could be an Adolf Hitler could be Judas. Surely those parents had no idea that their child that they had such high hopes for would become a man whose name is derision and symbolic of being a traitor. We don't know where he and Jesus met but maybe it was because Jesus was in the southern part of the. The area that they connected and after one night of prayer, Jesus is interceding regarding the 12 disciples and who should select and Judas is select is one of the inner circle. The inner sanctum of friendship with Jesus now. Throughout history, Judas has been synonymous with that being a traitor.

As I mentioned, and yet there are those who have tried to rehabilitate him and to try to get us to think differently of him number of years ago a man by the name of William Clawson, wrote a book in which he says that the idea of betraying handing over is a neutral term and Judas handed Jesus over to the authorities for inspection and evaluation, and there was nothing really fundamentally wrong with that problem is it's very difficult to come out of the New Testament and have a neutral opinion. Judas in the gospel of Luke chapter 6. He is specifically spoken of as being a traitor. For example, he has spoken of as the son of destruction, the son of perdition. He's also spoken of as one who had Satan inhabit him as we shall see in a few moments and so very difficult to put a positive spin on Judas in the New Testament, but there's been another attempt to do that and that is in the so-called Judas document or the Judas gospel. The gospel of Judas. Let me read to you from my James Robinson just to introduce the topic.

He is the editor of the nog Hammadi library, and is America's leading expert on ancient texts in his book the secrets of Judas. He writes this, the gospel of Judas, a long-lost second century fictional account that elevated Judas to hero status in the story has been rediscovered, but it has been kept under wraps until now to maximize its financial gain for its Swiss owners. The grand exposé is being performed by the National Geographic Society time for the greatest impact right at Easter those on the inside of been bought off, no doubt with considerably more than 30 pieces of silver, and they been sworn to silence on a stack of Bibles or maybe a stack of papyrus leaves. He goes on to say that what is going on in this moneymaking venture is not a pleasant story about how all of this has been sprung upon us. The reading and the viewing public.

You have a right to know what is going on in the rest of the book is the story of what really went on when the Judas document was released.

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry felt like doing both simultaneously. I need to tell you that the only reason for the hype. The only reason for the height has to be because of the basis of motives, yet there are those who say that it's the most important archaeological find since the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Others say it will change our minds about Judas from bad guy good guy other state also changes argue about Jesus. He's presented not as divine but actually he just exists in a different realm. He's the laughing Jesus who believes in more than one God, why assume that most of you have not read the Judas document. I read it all is in the book that was published in height with the essays that go along with it. So let me just give you a little flavor and then were going to make some comments and show how silly it is to think that this document could change our view of Judas. It begins by saying the secret account of the revelation that Jesus spoke in conversation with Judas Iscariot during the week. Three days before he celebrated the Passover by the way, that's with the Gnostics always used to do delis remember the word Gnosticism means knowledge. We have some hidden sight. Jesus revealed something to Judas.

This great secret.

Jesus spoke to his disciples about mysteries beyond the world and what would take place at the end off and he did not appear to his disciples as himself, but he was found among them as a child, Jesus morphed because remember they didn't believe that Jesus had become flesh, many of them believe that he only appeared to the flesh. One day he was with his disciples and pious observance when he approached his disciples gathered together and seated and offering a prayer of thanksgiving over the bread. He laughed.

The disciples asked why he is laughing at Jesus replies he's not laughing at them because they're doing the will of their God, which is different from his God when they became angry.

Jesus asked anyone among them to bring out the perfect human to stand before him and only Judas was able to stand before him. I'm skipping a lot now because I'm only going to read two or three more lines.

Jesus says to Judas, you will become the 13th and you will be cursed by other generations and you will come to rule over them in the last days.

They will curse your assent to the holy generation. So Judas they're going to speak evil of you. But guess what, in the end you're going to be a hero when we find in this Gnostic document the same documents that we become so acquainted with because of the da Vinci code. A couple of things. First, there are many different gods reason why Jesus is laughing.

He's saying your friend to your God.

But you know I've got a different one over here. The Gnostics believed in between two and 30 gods you could kind of take your pick. Second, you see a blend of Greek mythology and the writing. Remember the Gnostics try to blend Greek thinking Christianity. That's why Jesus talks about stars in another text in the document Jesus laughs and explains I'm not laughing at you but at the error of the stars because these six stars wander about with these five combatants and they all will be at destroyed along with their creatures. So you have this reference to astronomy and astrology.

This laughing Jesus of the document is divine, but only in the sense that all of us are divine.

He was from a realm from above. He was not flesh and blood, but only appeared to be human is another text in which Jesus is laughing to. I'll refer to it in this series of messages. As you know this is a series entitled the Jesus deception lies being told about the son of God, and the first lie which were dealing with today is the lie. Judas was a hero that he did Jesus a favor now. Later on were going to be dealing with the Islamic view of Jesus and they believe that Jesus didn't die, but somebody else was crucified in his place. I will read at that time I Gnostic document that says Jesus was sitting on the branch of a tree and laughing during the crucifixion because he fooled them. They thought that they were crucifying him.

They were actually crucifying someone else. So why is it that Judas is the hero in the story will Judas is asked to to basically betray Jesus.

So Jesus could get out of his human body. I need to summarize, Jesus could get out of his human body, and most assuredly there would be no resurrection, because why would he want to come back from the dead, when the body was considered to be evil.

It was the kind of thing that you wanted to get out while that's a brief summary of the Judas document that I just and Frank today everybody okay with just being upfront.

There is so much height.

For example, you hear on the news it's unauthentic document you what they mean by authentic. It is an old document goes back, maybe the third or fourth centuries. In that sense it's authentic, but it is all scholars agree written 100 years after Judas and Jesus were on this earth, written by a bunch of Gnostics who were forever perverting the Scriptures let me tell you about the Gnostics, the people who wrote this letter were Canaanites. They were followers of Cain, they followed anyone who rebelled against the God of the Old Testament, the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah were their heroes.

Is it any wonder that these people would take someone who is against Jesus in the New Testament and make them into a hero hundred years after the time of Jesus. And this is going to change our perception of Jesus as you read in the news rather I mean, what are we going to do with this nonsense that is being I that's why began with the "it's a matter of money. It's a matter of height. It's a matter of publicity it has nothing to do with serious scholarship and yet there it is.

Well, I want you to contrast this with the Judas of the New Testament and in order to do that. I want you to take your Bibles and turn to the 13th chapter of John's gospel John chapter 13 everyone turned to it. Please John 13 Jesus is washing the disciples feet and he also washes the already when Jesus was doing that.

It says in verse two of chapter 13 during supper, when the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon son, to betray him. The devil had already put that idea into Judas's mind hang on to that, that's going to be important in about three or four minutes.

As we work through this text. So Jesus is there, the disciples's have had their feet washed and Jesus is all of you are clean, but not everyone. Judas never was a believer. He never came to trust Christ is not one who lost his salvation.

He was a hypocrite who played the part and what part he played, as we shall see now, let's take a look into his heart. What was going on.

First of all, Judas was had a covetous heart. He had a covetous heart. John chapter 12 verse five. If you turn back just one page or two in your Bible. Chapter 12 verse five.

Judas is complaining about Mary who is pouring this expensive ointment on Jesus and he says in verse five. Why was this ointment not sold for 300 and Mary and given to the poor.

He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief and having charge of the money bag used to help himself to what was put into it will apply that covetousness is going to get them into trouble.

His love of money we want to ask the question how did you do it Judas for three years without anyone knowing until after you died. How did you do it. How did you pull it off. Did you go to store the store and you were sent there and you said I spent $50 on sandwiches and actually you spent 40 and you pocketed the tan or did you just simply take stuff out and put it into your pocket directly at. We would like to know that, but we don't.

But he pilfered what was put therein very interesting parenthesis that I'm throwing in today. He says in another text in Matthew and Mark. He says why this waste. He said to Mary, did you know that the word waste is the word perdition in the 17th chapter of John were Jesus is praying and says all that you have given me I have Except the son of perdition except the son of waste. He complained about Mary wasting the ointment and he himself was the son of waste wasted life. Remember that he was such a skilled hypocrite that nobody knew the difference.

Peter says he had part with our ministry and none of the other disciples suspected him of being a traitor. Can you and imagine how people that did they preach he preached did they heal the sick, he healed the sick, did they cast out demons. He cast out the disable.

How did he do that the demons would cooperate in a situation like that anything to become a part of the deception and so there he was remembered. Judas wasn't the kind of person who comes into the service late sits at the back and then leaves before the benediction is over is not that kind of a guy is the kind of a guy who comes early because he's a deacon he's an elder. He's and I sure he's a pastor and he's doing the work of ministry, and he's a hypocrite to the core covetous heart. Secondly, how can we describe them a very deceitful mind and deceitful mind. Now where back in John chapter 13 I want us to look at this passage and then in a moment.

We shall turn to another passage, but here John chapter 13 verse 21 after these things Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified truly I say to you one of you will betray me. The disciples looked at one another uncertain of whom he spoke and give you chills to their everlasting credit.

Peter didn't nudge John or speak to John and Philip say and I have always thought it Judas, Judas in the Matthew account it says that all of them went around the table and said is that I know it.

Judas said he didn't say is that I he said Shirley not I Rabbi as smooth as oil right in the presence of Jesus. Shirley not Rabbi. Well we continue one of the disciples, whom Jesus loved, that would be John was reclining at the table close to Jesus. So Simon Peter motioned to him to as Jesus, of whom he was speaking so that disciple leaning back against Jesus.

He's close to Jesus said to him, Lord, who is that he whispers, and Jesus answered it. Is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I dipped it. So when you dip the morsel he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot to see Judas here is to the left of Jesus you get you dip morsel in the sauce. The month and you gave it to the honored guests to us to your left Judas is given the place of honor to the left of Jesus. So when he had dipped the morsel he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, and after he had taken the morsel Satan entered into him.

Remember this, you can be entered by Satan without a formal invitation, there are people who have been entered by Satan who don't even believe in the devil. You'll notice in this text. I pointed out earlier chapter 13 verse two during supper, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas to do this. So the idea was implanted by the devil but the devil didn't actually enter until he received the morsel, and as soon as he received the morsel Jesus said verse 27 what you are going to do do quickly see Satan isn't an honorable guest. He doesn't say all I will come in until you invite not all that you need to do is to be in his territory to do his work to do his bidding, and he'll take more and more and more and more of you without any permission-this is Pastor Luther that's Gary, isn't it, to think that Judas was a man who was a part of Jesus Christ Cir. He apparently ministered along with the other disciples. And yet Satan entered into him right in the presence of Jesus. And then of course he left to betray our Savior. Judas did not do Jesus Christ a favor.

The Gnostic Gospels, which are so confused, as I often mention are really a synthesis between Greek mythology and Christianity. They put Judas in very good light but the Bible doesn't sad story. A story with a very tragic ending. I wrote the book slandering Jesus in order that you might be able to handle and to be able to respond to various objections about Jesus Christ or those kinds of theories that float around oftentimes in our universities today, slandering Jesus can be yours for a gift of any amount.

Here's what you do you go to RTW offer.com that's RTW offer.com or you can call us at 1-888-218-9337. The subtitle of the book slandering Jesus is six allies that are believed today about the man who claimed to be the son of God, you want to be up-to-date on the way in which Jesus is viewed in contemporary culture joint ammunition to defend the biblical Jesus RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337 it's time again for you to ask pastor looks or a question you may have about the Bible or the Christian life.

One running to a listener want some details about the unseen supernatural realm. Carmen asks, I know that Lucifer took one third of the angels down with him.

Please explain. Is there a difference between a fallen angel and a demon. Carmen, the answer to your question is no. There is not a difference by the way, the fact that we believe that to Satan took 1/3 of the angels with him is based on the 12th chapter of the book of Revelation where it says that the dragon's tail drew one third of the stars, and because stars are sometimes referred to as angels and in that particular context.

It appears as if that's a historical reference to the past when Satan rebelled and took 1/3 of the angels with him, but the Bible speaks about the devil and his angels because the word angel means messenger.

But in answer to your question.

These are demons and that they decided to side with Lucifer in his rebellion, and of course they're going to pay the consequences of their disobedience throughout all of eternity.

Thanks for your question Carmen. God bless and keep standing for the truth and thank you Dr. Luther if you'd like to hear your question answered.

Go to our website@rtwoffer.com and click on ask pastor looks or or you can call us at 1-888-218-9337 that's 1-888-218-9337 you can write to us have run into when 1635 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago, IL 60614 running to win is all about helping you find God's roadmap for your race of life. Some say Christians cannot be demon possessed. Others say they can still be demonically influenced in any case, the nonbeliever is fair game for Satan to use as he did Judas next time I'm going to win more on slandering Jesus and what really happened during the Last Supper so long ago.

Thanks for listening for Dr. Erwin Luther this is Dave McAllister running to win is sponsored by the teacher