Rev’s Rap | Templar Church

Rev. Johnson’s Rap

THOUGHTS TO HELP THE POOR

Being Christian has never been easy for anyone from the begining . Infact being Christian is a very hard undertaking . This is how we have terms such as ” your cross to bear ” “taking up the cross “. Being Christian is everyday of our lives constantly questioning our selves ,second guessing our selves. Have we made the right decision in our daily lives ? Praying to god on our decisions for the preceous wisdom King Solomen so asked for .

king james 2 timothy 3-12
” Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

I would like to talk about helping the poor . more specificaly the “bum on the street “. Im going to start off talking about my self .I always find my self helping the poor , I dont like to give cash so ill usualy buy a drink and some food and give it to them . At a local gas station there was a guy everyday holding a disabled Vet sighn . So several times I bought him some food .later I found out he had public housing and about as much money as I was making working full time . There was no need for him to be our there everyday begging . He made alot of money off it to .

A few years ago I was coming home in Newark Airport . A gentleman approached me said his daughter died and he needed money to get a cab . I did not have any cash on me at the time .I was also out side the building already . So I told him “sorry I do not have any money ” . He then said very emotionaly (crying ) polightly ok no problem sir thank you . When I got into my ride home I felt the holy spirit inside me tell me I should of went back in side to the atm to help this man , but I did not I dismissed him . In the moment he was nothing more to me than all the other bums in new york scaming there next dollar . Ill tell you I wish i could go back in time and help that man .

When we walk our everyday lives and we see many people begging on the streets it is very important for us to understand the greatest weapon the Devil has is for the evil deeds of street hustlers to make us turn a blind eye to someone who truly needs help . I hope and pray when my children go away for the first time that they do not find them selves in a bad way or if they do . The Holy spirit will compel the lords servents to help them in there time of need .

Always rember our bodys are a vessel for the Holy spirit . We as christians are all ambassadors of christianity no matter what the demonation . We are representatives of our Lord and Savior .The next time you find your self walking by a begger thinking of all the reasons not to give help . Instead pray to the LORD for wisdom then think of reasons why you should help . When you do that and find there not to be a reason to help then perhaps it will be easier to sleep at night . Also keep in mind for every 1 begger we pass who truly needs help dismissing him/her as all the many other street hustlers . Satan laughing spreads his wings .There is nothing more glorious for the Devil but for a christian to walk coldly by and dismiss one of gods children in need . When a Church runs a food pantry there are always people who can afford there own groceries going there for free food . The churches dont turn them away . I would like to believe 1 serving the lords will and mainly in part for the fear of making a mistake and turning a innocent away . Rember Christs church is in all of us wherever we go speaking the gospel .

OK . OK .OK . I know were are all in hard times . I know none of us can afford to be a walking ATM . None of us can afford to be a walking charity .I do understand . ….When the Almighty asks us WHY we havent helped his children . We will most certainly say we couldnt afford to . HOW will we answer when were asked about our ciggeretts , beer , cable ,internet , exotic animals as pets . expensive cars , expensive shoes , expensive clothes .IPHONES .IPADS ????

One year ago I shattered my leg . I was out of work for nine months . I would of lost my house everything . My injury happened at home so i had no pay . For nine months my co workers donated there time so i had a pay check . Nine months the Holy spirit compelled my co workers to assist me and they payed my mortage that hole time and none of them knew it . I would like to think this is testimony to the Lord .

proverbs 19:17

” Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. ”

Thank you all for taking the time to read this . if you like this there is more at

REV. JOHNSONS RAP http://templarchurch.org/rev_rap/

REV Johnson

Below are bible references where the bible says to help the poor .

BELOW IS A LINK TO THE WEBSITE WHERE THESE FOLLOWING QUOATS ARE FROM IT IS A GREAT WEBSITE PLEASE CHECK OUT .

http://www.openbible.info/topics/helping_those_in_need

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Acts 20:35 ESV / 839 helpful votes

Proverbs 19:17 ESV / 607 helpful votes

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Thank you for your vote.

Matthew 25:35-40 ESV / 507 helpful votes

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and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 356 helpful votes

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Deuteronomy 15:11 ESV / 349 helpful votes

For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

Matthew 5:42 ESV / 209 helpful votes

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Proverbs 14:31 ESV / 186 helpful votes

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

Luke 6:38 ESV / 184 helpful votes

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Luke 12:33-34 ESV / 139 helpful votes

Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Proverbs 22:9 ESV / 128 helpful votes

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

Proverbs 28:27 ESV / 111 helpful votes

Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

1 John 4:7-8 ESV / 100 helpful votes

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Isaiah 25:4 ESV / 97 helpful votes

For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,

Matthew 10:8 ESV / 91 helpful votes

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

Psalm 82:4 ESV / 91 helpful votes

Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Mark 12:31 ESV / 78 helpful votes

The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Hebrews 13:16 ESV / 77 helpful votes

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Acts 20:35-38 ESV / 76 helpful votes

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

James 1:27 ESV / 62 helpful votes

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Matthew 6:24 ESV / 58 helpful votes

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

1 John 3:17-18 ESV / 50 helpful votes

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Mark 10:21 ESV / 49 helpful votes

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Galatians 2:10 ESV / 47 helpful votes

Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Philippians 2:4 ESV / 44 helpful votes

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 41 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

2 Corinthians 9:12 ESV / 38 helpful votes

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV / 38 helpful votes

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Acts 9:32-43 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 37 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Galatians 6:7-9 ESV / 37 helpful votes

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Matthew 5:1-48 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Isaiah 1:17 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

1 Peter 1:22 ESV / 31 helpful votes

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

James 1:1-27 ESV / 31 helpful votes

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Job 30:25 ESV / 27 helpful votes

Did not I weep for him whose day was hard? Was not my soul grieved for the needy?

Luke 16:1-31 ESV / 24 helpful votes

He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

Matthew 19:24 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Jeremiah 18:1-7 ESV / 24 helpful votes

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then the word of the Lord came to me:

Luke 10:25-37 ESV / 23 helpful votes

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Luke 6:20-21 ESV / 22 helpful votes

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

Matthew 26:11 ESV / 22 helpful votes

For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.

Leviticus 19:9-10 ESV / 21 helpful votes

“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 20 helpful votes

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

Ephesians 2:1-22 ESV / 19 helpful votes

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

2 Corinthians 8:9-11 ESV / 19 helpful votes

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.

Ephesians 5:20 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

John 3:16 ESV / 18 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Psalm 118:7 ESV / 17 helpful votes

The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV / 16 helpful votes

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

James 2:5 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?

Romans 12:13 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Psalm 1:1-6 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

Psalm 126:1-3 ESV / 14 helpful votes

A Song of Ascents. When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.

Galatians 6:1-18 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.

Matthew 25:31-46 ESV / 13 helpful votes

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

Romans 5:2-5 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Ephesians 4:28 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Romans 3:23 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Ezekiel 23:20 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And lusted after her paramours there, whose members were like those of donkeys, and whose issue was like that of horses.

Matthew 25:35-46 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

Psalm 121:1-8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

———————— Previous Rev.’s Rap —————————

Mathew 5:39 Turn the Other Cheek!

King James Bible Matthew 5: 39 “…but I say unto you, that ye resist not evil but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

This is a very controversial topic in which I want to discuss with you. I think the topic that is about to be discussed at the end of the day, the only thing that you can hope for is for everyone to agree to disagree. You can go to many different churches of different Christian faiths and they will all have their own interpretation of the Scripture. Interpretation of the Scripture is going to vary from faith to faith, church to church, Minister to minister.

The purpose of this study is not to change anybody’s faith or opinion. This study is more to get Christians who don’t always open up their Bible to go back into the Bible open it up, read it and see how the Scripture speaks to them. Being that I said that. The only advice that I’m giving in this study is to trust the interpretation and the direction of your minister at the church in which you attend.

Matthew 5: 39 You have heard that it was said, an eye for eye a tooth for tooth. But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.

There have been several times that I have come in contact with and had great discussion regarding this topic. Several Christians whom I spoke to have said that if they were being robbed or their house burglarized and the criminal was going to kill them and/or their children in some cases that they would allow this to happen because our Lord and Savior tells us to turn the other cheek.

I think this statement is more dealing with religious persecution in peaceful protests rather than the literal sense of someone trying to murder you. I also believe it is very good life lesson to be peaceful and better yourself as a human being in the way that you walk through life for promoting non-confrontation nonviolence and I do believe the Lord always bless all who follow that example. Following that example with individuals who have a (bully mentality) later on in life that bully might look back at your example and the Holy Spirit might touch them this is one of my many interpretations for the meaning of this bit of Scripture.

Corinthians 6:19 or no ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? And ye are not your own for ye were brought with a price glorify God therefore in your body

It is our obligation to take care of our body for it is a temple of the Holy Spirit. It’s our obligation to protect that body the vessel. Lots of ministers and pastors use Corinthians 6:19 as of verse to help people who might be alcohol or drug abusers. Maybe they participate in activities which is harmful to the body. Surely to allow somebody to destroy the body by means of murder has some confliction with this.

Ezekiel 33 but if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned and a sword comes and takes a person from them he is taken away and his iniquity but his blood I will require from the watchmen hand

We have a responsibility to warn each other of danger to warn each other of violence to keep each other safe . It clearly states we are responsible for non- action that results in the harm of another.

PSALM 82: 4 …rescue the weak and needy deliver them out of the hand of the wicked

Rescue! There are so many words to define rescue so many thoughts that come to mind when we think of the word rescue to come to somebody’s aid. If someone needs to be rescued there probably in the situation they have no control over. They need an outside force not involved with the current situation to step in and alter the course of that situation they have no control over. And then deliver take them up out of the hand of the wicked. What a very powerful statement and if you are a parent I believe if your children are in a very bad way it is our responsibility as parents to rescue them and to deliver them out of the hand of the wicked and not standby and turn the other cheek.(time and place ) I believe there’s a time and place for everything and again this is my own personal opinion which does not reflect the views of any church.

Proverbs 2 4: 11 …deliver those who are drawn toward death and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.

Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He said to them, “It is written, my house shall be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a robbers den.

As our Lord and Savior said turn the other cheek apparently he has also turned some tables in his time. Again pointing out proper time and place. Now I know it’s very, common for people to speak of the old covenant versus the new covenant. And of course there is plenty of things in the old covenant that the new covenant now cancels out. Such as animal sacrifice.. Again I do believe that the Old Testament or the Torah should not be canceled out entirely because of the new covenant. I do believe the 10 Commandments are still very valid laws in the eyes in God. There are lots of valid counter arguments that can just as easily explain using Scripture why we should just lie down and allow ourselves to be victimized I’ve seen some very well put together studies on that. In addition to ex (not allowing blood transfusions/medical care for children ) etc. But without representing any church and only my personal opinion when it comes to allowing yourself to be murdered or someone else I disagree.

I think at the end of the day the Lord knows what’s in your heart. Whatever actions we may make whether the government’s law says it is self-defense. At the moment of that action our hearts don’t lie. Reading scripture trying to understand and interpret it and following the examples that Christ has set before us is the best way to keep our bodies as a vessel for the Holy Spirit within us. We always hear in the news about the teenagers who were being bullied then it escalated to a fist fight and after the fistfight escalated to a kid going home and getting a gun. Well if both kids that participated followed Matthew 5:39 and turn the other cheek then there never would’ve been conflict to begin with. This is why it’s important that we open up our Bibles we read them we participate in Bible study and discuss the Scriptures and freely share what the Scripture says to us when we read. We need to sit down with our children and conduct Bible studies with our children so they can understand what the Scripture what the message of Christ is.

I hope this study has intrigued you and motivated you to open up your Bible and examine this topic for yourself. I hope it has motivated you to bring this topic up at your next Bible study and to see opinions and perspectives of your fellow brothers and sisters of your fellowship. I hope this study will bring you to your pastor, minister or priest and asked them what they feel about it. Is it okay to protect yourself and your children if that means breaking the commandment thou shall not kill.????? A very controversial topic indeed.

Of course, the answer to this question is found in the study of scripture roots and Hebrew. We will be wise to research the Greek and Hebrew root words to get a firmer grasp of the meaning of words and verses we struggle with.

Lexicons are our spiritual tools! We should sharpen daily… Study this Hebrew root and definition of, “…thou shalt not Kill”. Perhaps it will shed some light on your understanding. http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H7523&t=KJV

English uses one word, when Hebrew and Greek use different words to describe different things.

Again I would like to clearly state that my personal opinions in the study are not a reflection of Templar church or any church but only that of my personal opinion and the purpose of the study is to get you the reader to open your Bible and examine the Scripture for yourself and to seek the proper guidance from your minister at your church which you belong thank you for reading this study I have really enjoyed going over this topic

I hope you’ve all enjoyed this study

God bless you all

REV. Johnson

………………………..previous Rev. Johnson’s Rap……………………………………….

BIBLE STUDY JUDAS ISCARIOT

I would like to talk about the romanticizing of Judas Iscariot. We have all seen Judas Iscariot shown in the light of the apostle who tried to do the right thing but ended up on the wrong side of the wall. The depiction of this is in the movie Jesus Christ superstar. Also the Gospel of Judas. Which mainly entails that Christ had asked Judas to betray him and that Judas was the closest one to Christ. Along with other of Gospels not included in the holy Bible that depict Jesus as being very witty and had never died on the cross. But instead was able to sneak away. That is an amazing thought because the Romans were engineers of death. I do not think that most people understand the technology and mathematical equations that are used in crucifixion. There’s no doubt in my mind the Romans were very capable of knowing whether man was dead or not. Today I would like to go over what the Scripture says about Judas Iscariot son of Simon Iscariot.

PSALM 41/9 even my close friend in whom I trusted who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me

Mark 14/43 – 45 and immediately while he was still speaking, Judas came one of the 12, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief of priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign saying ” the one I will kiss is the man, sees him and lead him away under guard.” And when he came he went up to him at once and said “Rabbi” and he kissed him.

John 6/67 – 71

so Jesus said to the 12, “do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the holy one of God.” Jesus answered them, “did I not choose you, the 12? And yet one of you is a devil” he spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the 12, was going to betray him.

Matthew 26/14 – 16

then one of the 12 whose name was Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and said “what will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him 30 pieces of silver. And from that moment he saw an opportunity to betray him.

Luke 22/3 – 6

then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was the number of the 12 he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them and they were glad, and agreed to give him money so he consented and saw an opportunity to betray him and the absence of the crowd.

—In the movie Jesus Christ superstar it was portrayed that Judas said I don’t need your blood money I don’t want your blood money but then decided to take anyway. But Scripture shows Judas Iscariot asked what they will give him if he delivers him over to the priests.

John 12/6

he said this, not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief, and having charge of the money bag he used to help himself to what was put into it.

—–In the movie Jesus Christ superstar is portrayed when Mary Magdalene had very expensive oil to rub Jesus feet Judas was upset stating this money could have been used for the poor. Which is a great portrayal of a noble man calling out Jesus as a hypocrite but as you see in John 12/6 the movie’s portrayal is not the case of the true intentions of Judas Iscariot son of Simon.

John 13/27

then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him “what you are going to do, do quickly”

John 6/70

Jesus answered them,” did I not choose you, the 12? And yet one of you is a devil”

John 13/2

during supper, when the devil had already played into the heart of Judas Iscariot Simon son to betray him.

John 8/44

you are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires he was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Matthew 22/29

but Jesus answered them, “you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God

Matthew 27/3 – 10

then was Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders saying “I have sent by betraying innocent blood” they said “what is that us? See it to yourself” and throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed and he went to hang himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said “it is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money” so they took counsel am brought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers.

———Now that we have examined what the Scripture says about Judas. I would like to address a question I get lots of times regarding the Gospel of Judas. Many people say well the Bible was assembled hundreds of years after Christ death. And that man picked and chose what was going to be in the Bible. So how do we know if the Gospel of Judas should have been in the Bible but it isn’t. My answer very simply in regards to the Gospel of Judas Iscariot is that it simply absolutely goes against Scripture in every way. If they had knowledge of the Gospel of Judas then yes it would’ve purposely been left out because it goes against the teachings of Christ and the Scripture. If you notice the different books above and Scripture speaking about Judas they’re all saying the same thing.

The romanticizing of Judas in the light that he is the victim in all of this truly amazes me. The only explanation for this is watching too many movies, discovery shows and not reading the Scripture.

So the Scripture is very clear that Judas was not a very close friend who was trying to do the right thing and made a mistake. There several direct references to him being a devil or having a devil in him or being the son of the devil. There are direct references of his character where he is a liar and that he lies so much that he is the father of lies. The Scripture says he betrayed Christ and he asked what he would be paid to do it. Afterwards the Scripture says when Judas gave the money back it would be unlawful for the priest put that money into the treasury because it is blood money so the participants were very, very clear in their actions and what that money was for. Judas knew neither the Scriptures nor the power of God Judas was never true believer in Christ which is the reason for his betrayal.

I would like to examine salvation I believe Judas would have been saved if he did not commit suicide. I believe that Christ died and paid for all our sins including Judas. Judas sins against Jesus were paid for. As Christ forgave the Romans who lashed him and nailed him to the cross for they did not know what they do. There is no doubt that Christ also would’ve forgiven Judas.

I think the true message of Judas is not that there are things that you can do to destroy your salvation but that Christ has already forgiven us. It is not that Christ does not accept us after our sin. It is that we do not accept his forgiveness for our sins. It’s not that Christ did not forgive Judas. Judas hung himself because Judas did not forgive Judas.

In our lives we all had a Judas or perhaps we were a Judas. At the end of the day Christ has commanded us to love one another as he has loved us. If we want to be forgiven we must learn to forgive. At the end of Judas’s life I believe he truly felt sorry for his sin. And I do not believe his sin is the exception for forgiveness. It is true some people their character may never change. That does not mean that we cannot forgive them and find peace within ourselves. We can learn to forgive people but still keep ourselves safe so we don’t get hurt again in the future. So let’s not confuse the two.

I have really enjoyed examining these questions during our study. Sometimes it is easy to romanticize the bad guy. Examples Billy the kid , Jessy James , Mafia movies .We love to take murderers, thieves and rapists and turn there evil deeds in to a noble mission that makes them a hero and victim . While the true victims are forgotten. I feel a reason we do this is because deep down inside all of us we can relate to the “bad guys “. Also we are all bearing the weight of our sins in our hearts. It is hard for us to relate to people who we view as (can do no wrong) or someone who is perfect. Well you do not have to try to make that standard of being perfect. You do not have to seek misery by idolizing the bad guy because you see a common bond. You do not have to bear the weight of your sin, your past. CHRIST is the only one who is perfect and no one can be sin less. That’s why he went to the cross for us . So when you fall short in your struggle to be good. Have no worries because as Christ dropped his cross many times. He picked it back up and he will pick you back up as well.

Thank you all. I hope you have enjoyed our study. I have enjoyed it so much I wanted to share it with all of you. God Bless you all! Always remember salvation is yours, all you have to do is talk to Jesus! Let him carry your cross!

REV Johnson