Are You a Blessing Or a Lesson?

TOPIC: ARE YOU A BLESSING OR A LESSON?

PREACHER: PASTOR J.T. KALEJAIYE

Everyone we come across in life is either a BLESSING or a LESSON to us. Everyday, we come across many people for a Reason, a Season and for either a blessing or a lesson.

In Luke 19:1-10, Jesus went to Zaccheaus’ house for a reason, for a season and for a blessing.

In 1 Kings 17:8-16, God sent Elijah to a widow in Zarephath for a reason, a season and for a blessing.

Talking about season, Eccl 3:1 tells us that “To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under Heaven.

Our focus today is on one of Jesus’ disciples who is a big lesson to us as Christians. His name is Judas Iscariot.

Jesus chose him for a reason; he was chosen to evangelize like other Apostles. Judas was not elected, he was selected by Jesus. Judas had a limited life/season

to affect lives positively; unfortunately, he chose to be a lesson rather than being a blessing. There are several lessons to be learnt from the life and acts of Judas Iscariot.

1.       It is possible to start well and end badly: Judas started well but he ended badly. Like Judas, King Saul started well but he ended badly. So also is Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, he started well but ended badly.

2.       Any river that disconnects from its source will dry up: Judas was once connected, he became disconnected fro Jesus. Unfortunately, he failed to reconnect.

3.       The first can be the last and the last can be the first: Judas was one of the 12 Apostles that Jesus called when he started his earthly ministry. Yet, many that started after Judas finished strong while he ended badly. “It is not how long but how well”.

4.       Satan is a seeker; He is seeking those to devour 1 Peter 5:8. He wanted to have Peter but Jesus prayed for Peter – Luke 22:31&32. When Satan failed over Peter, he descended on Judas.

5.       Money is good; it is a basic necessity but it can be a bait or snare: Judas betrayed Jesus because of money. Do not put your trust in money but put your money in trust – 1 Timothy 6:10.

6.       It is possible for anyone to fall from grace to grass: Judas Iscariot fell from grace to grass.

7.       Evil association/communication corrupts good manners: Judas cooperated with unbelievers in order to betray Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16.

8.       Beware of the Unfriendly friends: Not all close associates are friendly. Jesus appointed Judas but Judas disappointed and betrayed Jesus.

9.       You must reject the devil’s offer in order to go far: Judas has a but/weakness (love of money). That but led him to his downfall. Gehazi and Samson also had their weaknesses; Gehazi was greedy while Samson loved strange women.

10.   Judas was very close to Jesus; he only carried position without possession: Proximity but no encounter, title without entitlement, closeness but no benefit.

11.   Watch and pray: Judas might have prayed without watching or vice versa. Matthew 26:41.

12.   God has substitutes; No one is indispensable. When Judas failed, God replaced him. When king Saul failed, God replaced him.

13.   Opportunity can be lost forever: Some people were privileged to have a second chance but Judas never did. He lost the opportunity forever.

PRAYER POINTS

1.       Father, please give me the grace to finish well in Jesus’ name.

2.       Father, please let me be a blessing to my family and everybody around me in Jesus’ name.

3.       Father, deliver me from the snare of my enemies in Jesus’ name.

4.       Father, please pray for me; don’t let me fall in Jesus’ name.

God bless you and may your payers be answered in Jesus’ name. You can drop your prayer requests in the comment box below. See you next week. SHALOM!!