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MISSING HEAVEN BY A LITTLE

INTRODUCTION

The Bible teaches that during eternity of hell, the cries of the tormented will ascend up forever.

I believe if we could open up the gates of hell and listen to the cries of those in Hell, there would be one word heard on a regular basis of those who dwell there--that is the word “almost”.

              “Almost, I got saved.”

              “Almost, I became a Christian.”

              “Almost, I went to heaven.”

I wonder if there are any in this room right now will spend an eternity crying, “Almost, almost, almost I got saved.”

How many will miss heaven by a little.

We had a saying as kids about the word almost. We would say “almost only counts in horseshoes, handgrenades, and nuclear warfare.”

If you miss heaven by a lot or miss it by a little, you still miss it.

There are the lives of six people mentioned in Scripture who I believe are crying “almost” in hell today. I would like to share their lives with you over the coming weeks and so that we may see the characteristics of an “almost” Christian.

FIRST WE SEE THE LIFE OF JUDAS ISCARIOT–I CALL HIM “THE UNSAVED CHURCH MEMBER!”

I.           JUDAS HAD A NAME THAT HE BELONGED TO CHRIST!

He was numbered with those who were genuine, but he was a phony.

A.        He Was Known As A Disciple And An Apostle Of Christ. (Acts 1:17)

                          1.         His Call. (Mark 3:13-19)

                          2.         His Ministry. (Judas ministered with the others.)

B.        There May Be Some Here Who Have A Name That You Belong To Christ, But In Reality You Are Lost.

You are numbered with those that are saved here at this Church.

1.        It Is Not What You Are Called, But Rather What You Are That Is Important.

2.        You Can Be Known As A Christian Or A Disciple And Still Be Lost.

                          3.         You Can Even Do Good Things In The Name Of Christ And Still Be Lost.

              JUDAS HAD A NAME THAT HE BELONGED TO CHRIST!

II.        JUDAS WAS IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS!

In fact, he was with Jesus on many occasions over about a three year period.

              A.        He Was Where The Action Was Going On.

                          1.         Judas Was Called By Jesus.

                          2.         Judas Was Baptized.

                          3.         Judas Heard The Teachings Of Jesus.

                          4.         Judas Observed The Miracles Of Jesus.

                          5.         Judas Observed The Life Of Christ.

6.        Judas Was A Witness To The Mighty Power Of God.

B.        It Is Possible To Be In The Presence Of Jesus Without Being In Him.

Matthew 18:20-- “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

                          1.         You can be called by Christ without being in Him.

2.        You can be baptized in His name without being in Him.

3.        You can hear the teachings of Jesus without being in Him.

4.        You can observe the miracles of Jesus without being in Him.

5.        You can observe the Life of Christ in others without being in Him.

6.        You can be a witness of the mighty power of God without being in Him.

              JUDAS HAD A NAME THAT HE BELONGED TO CHRIST!

              JUDAS WAS IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS!

III.        JUDAS OUTWARDLY APPEARED OK!

In fact he appeared OK so much so that he was placed in a trusted position. (John 12:4)

A.        His Deception Was So Great That He Deceived His Fellow Disciples.

Not only was he a disciple, an apostle, and a preacher (he was given power to preach, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils), but he was also the treasurer.

B.        Having A Position In The Church Does Not Guarantee You Heaven!

IV.        JUDAS WILLINGLY BETRAYED CHRIST WHEN THE PRICE WAS RIGHT. (Matthew 26:14)

              “And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.”

              He betrayed Christ with a gesture of love and affection, a kiss.

              If you are not real, the truth will eventually come out.

1 John 2:18-19–“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

V.        JUDAS RECEIVED WARNING FROM CHRIST TO NO AVAIL. (Matthew 26:20-25)

There is many a lost Church member who has received warning after warning from Christ, but to no avail.

VI.        JUDAS’ PROBLEM IS THAT HE ALLOWED SATAN TO HAVE CONTROL OF HIS LIFE RATHER THAN CHRIST.

              John 6:70-- “Have not I chosen you and one of you is a devil”

              Luke 22:3–“Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot.”

John 13:2–“. . .the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him.

              He rejected Christ’s control over his life!

              Who has control over your life? 

VII.       JUDAS DIED A TRAGIC DEATH. (Matthew 27:3ff)

              Anyone who dies without Christ dies a tragic death!

              All who go to hell go there needlessly!

Conclusion

Judas missed heaven by a little. He was so close to Christ, yet so very far away. You may say that you know Christ today, but the important question is does He know you?

Paul told the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 13:5–“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”

Don’t just have a name that you know Christ! Know Him!

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!