Since this morning we want to especially say thank you to all of our visitors for being with us. Uh, you are our honored guests. We do encourage you if you will, leave a card in the back of the Pew or in the collection. If you haven’t, if you’ve already done that so we might have a record of your visit. We appreciate your presence very much.
Something that I dare say Every single one of us has experienced to some degree. If we’ve reached an age where we’ve interacted with people long enough Is betrayal. Maybe it was small, a secret told to someone who then tells it to someone else and we find out about it. Or maybe it was large, but in some form or fashion. I imagine every single one of us at some time in our life have experienced betrayal.
There’s some words in the old and new Testament that deal with this idea. One of those words is treacherous. The old Testament describes Israel and Israel’s relationship to God when they would so often betray their covenant with him as dealing treacherously. The old Testament also describes the way an individual would deal with another in business when they would be dishonest as being treacherous. I want to spend some time in our lesson this morning with this idea of being betrayed.
As you look through the old and new Testament, you will find occasions. You will find examples of betrayal and we’re going to notice a number of them, a lot of them from the old Testament, but we’re going to begin in the book of Obadiah, Obadiah, one of the smallest books in scripture. Here we find a betrayal. We find a betrayal.
That is the trail of allies. If you’ll notice as we turn to this book, one of the things that is going on here in the book of Obadiah, we’re going to notice verse seven is a condemnation that the prophet is giving against Edam. Edam was the descendants of Esau, so they are descendants of Abraham through Esau, but they are those who have departed from God.
They were given an inheritance. They were given a portion of land. They were given a Mount sear and that area and God told Israel when they came into the land of Canaan, you don’t mess with Esau. You don’t mess with Edam. They are in their inheritance and you leave them alone. But God will bring judgment on Edam for their sins and for their departure from him.
But we notice if we look in verse six of Obadiah all how Esau shall be searched out. The searching here that God is talking about is not that, Hey, I’m going to go look for somebody. It’s the searching out. When judgment comes when an army comes against them and all of their possessions are searched through to find everything of value, everything that they had that was valuable is going to be taken.
It is going to be gone. They will be searched out. Yeah. Oh, how? He’s all shall be searched out. How his hidden treasure shall be sought after all the men in your Confederacy shall force you to the border. The men at peace with you shall deceive you and prevail against you. Those who eat your bread shall lay a trap for you.
No one is aware of it. Here comes the prophet of God and he gives this declaration. He makes this prophecy. Now have they listened? Had they adhered to the prophecy? Had they been warned by it? Things could have been different, But their sin was so great that they were beyond that point. They would not hear. They would not listen.
They would not turn. They would not repent, and God says, you will be dealt with through betrayal. It is your allies who will set a trap for you, a snare for you. Those who you think you are safe with will turn against you. Those who have eaten at your own table Will destroy you. Betrayal, betrayal can come in our lives from allies,
from those who we think are on our side. How many times Have we seen in occasions in countries where one country believes that another is on their side and then they find out they’re not? They find now that they’re doing things against them in secret. Betrayal is hard to deal with, but betrayal from allies turns your heart, turns your stomach. But notice Luke chapter 21 Luke chapter 21 and in verse 12 we find the betrayal that’s a little closer to home.
In Luke chapter 21 and in verse 12 we read this<inaudible><inaudible>. I’m actually going to back up to verse 10 then he said to them, nation will rise Against nation and kingdom against kingdom and there will be great earthquakes in various places and famines and pestilences and there will be fearful sites and great signs from heaven. Now Jesus is declaring his prophesizing the end of the Jewish nation.
He is prophesizing the destruction of Jerusalem and he’s giving them signs and warnings of what would come, but notice verse 12 but before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before Kings and rulers for my names Sake, Jesus tells his apostles, he tells his disciples,
he warns them in advance. They’re going to come for you. The people are going to come for you because you hold fast to my name because you declare my name because you claim to be a Christian. Your own people, the Jews, they will be Trey you up. They will give you up And you will be brought into the synagogues. Now,
the synagogues were supposed to be a place of teaching. They were supposed to be a place where people would gather together and they would hear the word of God proclaimed and they would hear the old Testament scriptures being read and they would have an opportunity to join and fellowship and in worship and instead they would be turned into a place of betrayal. But he says,
not only will they deliver you up into the synagogues, but into prison before the coming of the destruction of Jerusalem. Before this event arises, there will be a betrayal from among your own nation. It’s bad when it’s allies. It’s even worse when it’s your own countrymen. But notice another example of betrayal in Jeremiah chapter 20 Jeremiah chapter 20 and in verse ten four I heard many mocking Fear on every side report they say,
and we will report it. All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling saying perhaps he can be induced, then we will prevail against him and we will take our revenge On him. Jeremiah has been prophesizing. He’s been proclaiming the word of the Lord. He’s been trying to encourage his nation to repent, to restore themselves to a right relationship with God before judgment comes against them and now even his own acquaintances,
those who are close to him, those who pretend to be his friends Are looking for an opportunity to betray him, An opportunity to find fault, to see stumbling In his way when it’s your allies, it’s one thing when, when it’s your nation, it’s another. When it’s your acquaintances and those close to you, it’s all together. Something different, But sometimes it’s even closer to home.
Psalm 41 Psalm 41 David writes these words<inaudible>. Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted who ate my bread has lifted up his heel against me. David speaks concerning one who would eat at the table of someone else who would be a friend, But who would betray that friendship. If you turn to second Samuel chapter 15 Second Samuel chapter 15 David experienced something very much like this,
but he experienced a dual betrayal. He would be betrayed by a friend who would be an advisor who would be one who would sit at his table and eat his meat and who would betray him, but he would also in coordination with that be betrayed By a son. In second Samuel chapter 15 verse one after this, it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses and 50 men to run before him.
Now, Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate, so it was whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the King for a decision, then Absalom would call to him and say, what city are you from? And he would say, you’re serving is from such and such a tribe of Israel. Then Absalom would say to him,
look, your case is good and right, but there is no deputy of the King to hear you. Moreover, Absalom would say, Oh, that I were made a judge in the land and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me. Then I would give him justice. And so it was whenever anyone came near to bound down to him that he would put out his hand and take him and him.
And this manner, Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the King for judgment. So Absalom stole the Hearts of the men of Israel. David’s own son in the previous chapter will be brought back to Israel, back to Jerusalem by Joe AB. Joe lab will use an individual to come to for David and encouraged David through slight of words to be able to bring about Absalom’s return.
Absolutely, of course was the one who was sent out, was sent away was because he killed his own brother and so or half-brother. But as a result of this, Absalom, his backs and Absalom is there. But the King says, Absalom, you are not allowed in my presence. You can come back to your house. You can come back to this nation,
but you cannot come before me. Ultimately, he will finally end up before him. But through all of this, Absalom Is plotting betrayal. And then chapter 15 in verse one he begins to act out that betrayal. He begins to turn the hearts of the people away from his father. Then in verse 12 Absalom will send for a hit of fell. The Guyland night,
David’s councilor from his city, from guy haunt from guide lawn, where while he offered sacrifices and the conspiracy grew, Absalom will not only as David’s son turn against him and betray him and seek his throne, but he will even call for David’s own councilors. David’s own friends Will betray David and Side with Absalom. Verse 13 now a messenger came to David.
The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom. So David said to all of his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, arise and let us flee or we shall not escape from Absalom. David realizes that it’s not just the throne that Absalom wants. The only way Absalom gets the throne is if David is dead. His son, his counselor, his people,
his nation betrayed him and he flees. Betrayal by allies, betrayal by countrymen, betrayal by acquaintances, betrayal by a friend, betrayal by a son. Micah chapter seven Micah chapter seven Micah writes and prophesies to Israel In chapter seven in verse five Micah says, do not trust in a friend Israel. Your condition has become such that it is so sinful that the best advice that I can give you is do not trust in a friend.
Do not put your confidence in a companion. Guard the doors of your mouth for from her who lies in your bosom. The sin had become so great in Israel, their iniquity so pervasive that the admonition from God and from his prophet to the people is do not even trust your spouse Or you will be betrayed. The one who even shares Your bed will betray you.
But you know, there’s another betrayal that I dare say most of us have also experienced. And we’ve gotten a little closer and a little closer and a little closer in. And here’s kind of the worst one. Turn to Romans chapter seven Romans chapter seven Verse 10 Paul writes to the church at Rome trying to deal with a position that some of them had that they could continue in sin.
And as a matter of fact, the more they continued in sin, chapter six verse one the more they would get grace. And so that was good. They, the more grace you had, the that that was better. So they would sin more. So they received more grace. Paul corrects that viewpoint, shows them how this sin is slavery is bondage and that they needed to live a life separate from sin.
And those who were baptized in Christ are those who are to be free from sin. But then he goes on to talk about the law being free from the law and being free from the sin and the bondage that is brought by the law. But notice what he says in verse 10 he says in the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death for sin,
taking a kid occasion by the commandment deceived me and by it killed me. Paul is looking at the law and he’s saying the law is good. The law is the commandment of God. The law is what he gave to me. Speaking by the way, in context of the old Testament law saying the commandments were given and they were good and they were those that were sufficient,
but they made it visible. When I sinned, the law showed me sin. And when sin was shown, it brought forth death. Paul has already said in Romans chapter six verse 23 that the wages of sin is death. Yeah, Romans chapter three verse 23 for all of sin and fallen short of the glory of God. So he says, all lives in Jew,
Gentile, alike, and the wages of sin is death. And now he says the law was what told me The law was what in a sense, Guild me. But then verse 12 therefore the law is Holy and the commandment Holy and just and good. He says, don’t, don’t confuse this. Don’t misunderstand. It’s not the law that’s evil. It’s my inability to perfectly keep it.
But then notice verse 13 has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not, but sin that it might appear. Sin was producing death in me through what is good. So that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful for we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin for what I am doing. I do not understand for what I will to do that I do not practice.
But what I hate that I do. Paul speaks here of a betrayal Of self. You see, because you and I may look at the law of God and we may look at the word of God and we read those commandments and we say, I want to obey them perfectly And then we’ll fail to do so. Okay, We’ll do things that we don’t want to do.
We’ll make decisions that we don’t want to make and will betray our faithfulness to God and we will sin. We will fall short of his glory trail, Val by allies, but trail by countrymen, the trail by acquaintances, friends, sons, spouses, and now ourselves. Can’t even trust myself. So then to whom shall we go before we get there,
turn to Luke chapter 22 Luke chapter 22 We read in the scripture reading John chapter 13 where we have the fulfillment of the prophecy from Psalm 41 the one who Sat at his table, The one who aided his food would be the one who betrayed him. In Luke chapter 22 We read beginning in verse 48 of that betrayal, Verse 47 and while he was still speaking,
behold a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the 12 went before them And drew near to Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, are you betraying the son of Man with a kiss? When those around him saw what was going on, they said to him, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? Yeah.
And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. But Jesus answered and said, permit even this. And he touched his ear and healed him. Yes. Then Jesus said to the chief priest captains of the temple and the elders who had come to him, have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs?
When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize me, but this is your hour and the power of darkness. Jesus identifies their wickedness, their betrayal, and their attempt to cover it up. Their willingness to come to him in the dark of night, to betray him in the dark of night, to betray him with one who is his own friend through an offering of money.
And this betrayal will put Jesus Christ on the cross, the greatest betrayal that has ever occurred in all of humanity. And here’s how I know, Because of all humanity that has ever been betrayed by allies, by countrymen, by friends, by family, by closest individuals, and by those who are afar, all of us Have ultimately mostly been betrayed by our own Sins.
But the one who was betrayed on that night had no sin. The one who was betrayed, who was brought with clubs and with sticks Never sinned And never deserved betrayal. So then I ask again, to whom shall we go? And I encourage you to turn to Hebrews chapter 13 if in this life we have experienced betrayal, If we have been betrayed by others and it hurts,
it stings. It damages our confidence in humanity and in our friends. If we have suffered betrayal by those who are closest to us, those who we fought had our confidence, those who we thought we could have trust in and we found out they would turn their back on us For nothing more than maybe reputation and pride. If we’ve been betrayed in a workplace or in a school,
we know the hurt that comes with betrayal, but there’s one who will never betray you. There’s one who will never turn his back on you. There’s one in whom you can always have confidence. And Hebrews chapter 13 we read verse five let your conduct be without covetousness. Be content with such things as you have for he himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.
So we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper. I will not fear what man can do to me. Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Yeah, There is one in whom you can have confidence.
There is one in whom you can rest assured he will never betray you. He will never turn his back on you. He will never depart from you. If you will continue in faithfulness to him, you will never be betrayed.<inaudible> Jesus Christ, the one who was betrayed has promised he will never depart, if you will, but remain with him.
Returned to Romans chapter seven<inaudible>. Romans chapter seven verse 24 Paul brings forward a lamb and Taishan Of his own sins, of his own iniquities, of his own struggles, And then ultimately his hope. He says in Romans chapter seven verse 24 Oh wretched man, that I am Who will me from The body of death. I thank God Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So then with the mind, I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh, the law of sin. There is therefore now no condoms Nation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh. But according to the spirit, Paul says, I as one who sin I as one who has betrayed myself. I as one who have brought upon my own self death and condemnation.
I have hope in Christ In whom there is no condemnation. So let us examine how it is that we can have a friend who will never betray us. If you turn back to Romans chapter six the precursor to chapter seven you find that those who are in Christ are those who have been baptized into Christ. They are those who have put on Christ, who have been resurrected,
who had been renewed in their heart and in their mind and in their spirit. They are those who have been buried with him and risen again to newness of life Through baptism. Yeah. They believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God because John chapter eight verse 24 Jesus said, except you believe that I am he you shall die in your sins. They are those who are willing to confess his name.
Romans chapter 10 verses nine and 10 willing to repent of their sins because repentance is that which brings us forward to salvation together with confession, Romans chapter 10 But then those who are willing to call on the name of the Lord, okay, Because it is the Lord who brings forth that salvation and it is the Lord who is willing to be that individual who will never Turn his back on you.
The one in whom you can know you will never be betrayed for. He is always the same yesterday, today and forever. If you’re outside the body of Christ this morning, if you’ve not put Christ on in baptism, if you’ve not become a friend of God, I have bad news for you. Feagins chapter two says, you’re not only not the friend of God,
the companion of God, you’re the enemy of God, But you can change that because faith through grace and obedience to the will of God can produce life in you. If you’re one who’s outside the body of Christ this morning, why not change that? Why not put Christ in baptism and have a relationship with someone who will never betray you for he was betrayed for you?
If you have needed the invitation, why not come now as we stand in as we sing? You’ve been listening to good news brought to you by the Collierville church of Christ. You can join us in person at five seven five Shelton road. Call your Ville, Tennessee on Sunday morning at 9:30 AM for Bible class and 10:30 AM for worship. Our afternoon services are at 1:30 PM.