Are You Ashamed of the Lord?
Intro:
1. Paul said, I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes - Rom 1:16.
2. He was eager to preach the gospel in Rome.
3. But how about you? When you have the opportunity to share your faith, do you find yourself ashamed of it?
Matt 26:47-50, 69-75
I. Judas was Ashamed & Betrayed the Lord
A. Because he was a thief.
1. Matt 26:6-9. Judas criticized the woman who anointed the Lord.
a. She poured a box of precious perfumed ointment on the Lord’s head - v7.
b. Judas was indignant because he felt she had wasted what could have been sold & given to the poor - Jn 12:4-6.
c. But expressions of true love rarely count the cost. ILL: A woman preparing a gourmet candle- light dinner for her husband.
2. Jn 12:6 says he said this because he was a thief!
B. Because he was a schemer.
1. Matt 26:14-16. ILL: Judas bargains with the Chief Priests.
a. The plot was well planned - v14-15.
b. Judas was well paid - v15. Thirty pieces of silver was the going price for a slave.
c. From then on, he looked for the opportunity to betray - v16.
2. Judas knew that the Lord knew what he was going to do! Jesus told him twice at the Last Supper:
a. By dipping the bread in the same bowl - v23.
b. By plainly telling him - v25.
C. So - Judas was in character to become the betrayer!
1. He leads the mob directly to the garden - v47-50.
2. His betrayal is very obvious.
a. He calls out “Hi Rabbi” very loudly.
b. v49 - Kiss (καταφιλέω) = to kiss forcefully!
c. The same word used when the woman, anointing the Lord, kissed His feet (Lk 7:38).
d. The same word used when the father kissed his prodigal son (Lk 15:20).
e. The same word used when the elders at Miletus kissed Paul (Act 20:37).
II. Peter was Ashamed & Denied the Lord
A. Because he was not aware of the enemy!
1. Matt 26:31-35 - Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: ”‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never dis- own you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
a. v31 - Fall away (σκανδαλίζω) = to stumble, be entrapped. (KJV = Offend)
b. We get “scandal” from this word.
c. The Lord implied their faith would stumble because of Him that night!
d. But Peter bragged, Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will - v33.
2. Peter wasn’t fighting against flesh & blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms - Eph 6:12.
3. He couldn’t resist these spiritual powers on his own, & neither can you!
B. Because he was not aware of how to resist the enemy.
1. Matt 26:38-41 - Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
2. You can resist the enemy!
a. By remaining with the Lord & staying watchful - v38.
b. By praying that you won’t enter into temptation - v41.
C. Because he was not aware of the power of God.
1. He tried it on his own by cutting off Malcus’ ear. Matt 26:51 - With that, one of Jesus’ companions reach- ed for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
2. Trying to fight Satan using man’s methods is sure defeat! Look at God’s power available to you!
a. Satan’s forces (probably the size of this crowd) was 1 cohort = 400 soldiers.
b. v53 - God’s forces were 12 legions = about 48,000 angels.
c. The power of God overshadows the power of Satan 120 to 1. You’re on the winning side!
D. Because he was not aware of his own weaknesses.
1. Matthew 26:69-75 - Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
2. Notice the progression of these denials!
a. Response to the first girl, I don’t know what you’re talking about - v70.
b. Response to the second girl with an oath, I don’t know the man! - v72
c. Response the 3rd time was calling down curses on himself & answering by swearing, I don’t know the man! - v74.
3. But - this same Peter preached the sermon on the Day of Pentecost!
4. On your own you will be defeated - but with the power of God you will be victorious!
III. Are You Ashamed of the Lord?
A. Both Judas & Peter failed the Lord.
1. Judas was a coward but at that moment became brave - v47. He had a crowd behind him.
2. Peter was brave (he cut off Malcus’ ear) but at that moment became a coward - v51. He was alone surrounded by soldiers.
B. How might you deny the Lord today?
1. When you neglect the fellowship & worship of the church to sleep in or play with your favorite idol.
2. When you are afraid to share your faith when the opportunity presents itself.
3. When you fail to yield your life completely to the Lord.
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