Play

Betrayal

Wayne Galloway
11/25/18 - Sunday Evening Worship

Betrayal

Psa. 55:12-14

 

Introduction:

 

1.  Friendship is truly one of the most magnificent of all of life’s blessings.

2.  To know that we are accepted, loved, respected and even cherished by another may be the greatest of all feelings.

3.  It gives us a sense of identity, belonging and connectedness.

4.  Indeed Sydney Smith may be right when he says, “To love, and be loved, is the greatest happiness of existence.”

5.  But alas, the greater the joy, the greater the pain, when a friendship is betrayed.

6.  In Psa. 55:4-7 David describes his pain.  Then the reason for his pain--12-14 . . .

 

Discussion:

 

I.  We have different expectations of friends than of enemies.

 

     A.  We expect our enemies to reproach us (to speak evil against us).

     B.  We expect our enemies to exalt themselves against us.  I expect my enemy to act from

           selfishness and empty conceit.  I expect him to regard himself as more important than me. 

           I expect him to look out for his own personal interests (Phil. 2:3-4).

     C.  When our enemies reproach us we “consider the source.”

     D.  We expect our friends to speak kindly of us and to us.  We expect them to come to our aid

           when we are in trouble.  Job 6:14:  “For the despairing man there should be kindness from

           his friend.”  We expect them to ally themselves with us against our enemies.

     E.  Re-read 12-13.

 

II.  We have even greater expectations of those with whom we have walked in the house of the Lord (v. 14).

 

     A.  There is no sweeter fellowship than that between Christian friends.

     B.  The commonality of their relationship with the Lord brings then into closer intimacy than

           the regular friendships of the world.

           1.  Evidenced throughout Scripture.

                a.  Willingness to sell property and share with those in need (Acts 4:34-37).

                b.  Paul said that the Galatians received him as an angel of God, that they would have

                     plucked out their eyes and given them to him (Gal. 4:15).

                c.  Paul shared just such a relationship with the Philippians (1:3-8).

           2.  Evidenced in our lives as well.

     C.  When these expectations are violated it is a bad hurt.  There is no greater disappointment

           than the betrayal of a Christian friend.

           1.  Jesus asked Judas, “Do you betray me with a kiss?” (Matt. 26:50; Lk. 22:48).

           2.  After swearing allegiance  (Matt. 26:35) Peter denied even knowing Jesus.  The hurt is

                captured by Luke when he says, “The Lord turned and looked at Peter . . . and Peter

                went out and wept bitterly” (Lk. 22:61-62).

 

III.  What I expect from my Christian friends.

 

        A.  I expect a severe commitment to the Lord.

              1.  Peter said, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You” (Matt. 26:35). 

                   That’s the kind of commitment I expect from my Christian friends to have toward the

                   Lord.

              2.  That’s what I mean by a “severe” commitment.

              3.  I hope that’s the kind of commitment I have.

              4.  I want it to go beyond this to a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1).

              5.  Such a commitment involves giving up . . .

                   a.  Friendship with the world (James 4:1-10).

                   b.  The way of pleasure (1 Pet. 4:1-3; Heb. 11:25).

               6.  I feel betrayed when my Christian friends do not evidence such commitment.  I can

                    only imagine how betrayed the Lord must feel.  Why should I feel betrayed? 

                    Because this is what we have given our lives to as Christians.  When you act as

                    though it has less value to you than it does to me I feel betrayed.  Illustrate with

                    soldier of Viet Nam fighting for a worthy cause in his estimation, but unsupported

                    by his homeland, his government, his commander.

        B.  I expect a severe commitment to encouraging my relationship to the Lord (Job 6:14-15).

             1.  I am in a bloody battle against the enemy.  Your lack of enthusiasm, your hesitation,

                  your indifference, much less your withdrawal is a betrayal to me.

             2.  This is what David did to Uriah, the Hittite.  Put him in the hottest part of the battle

                  and then withdrew from him.

             3.  Sometimes you see Christians wavering in their faith.  They gradually involve

                  themselves more and more in the affairs of the world.  They diminish their

                  association with the Christian family.  They become infrequent when the family

                  assembles.  We may graciously ask, “Are you leaving the Lord?”  But maybe what

                  we are really feeling is betrayal.  “Are you leaving me (and the Lord)?”

             4.  I need a lot of reassurance.  I will go in and fight but I need to know that it’s the right

                  thing to do.  I need to know that the cause is worthy.  If you put me into the battle

                  don’t withhold your blessing from me.  Don’t forsake me to the enemy.

        C.  I expect your active involvement in doing what you can for the Lord ((Rom. 12:4-8).

             1.  Once we have given ourselves to the cause of the Lord we can expect each other to

                   do what we can in this cause.

             2.  We can expect that when an opportunity arises that we can count on one another to

                   rise to the occasion.  We do not expect foot-dragging, indifference, nor resistance.

             3.  This is what we signed on for.  If we join the military to defend the country when the

                  country needs defending we should be the people for the job, trained, equipped and

                  ready.  Anything less is not only a betrayal of the Lord, but also a betrayal of all the

                  others who are counting on you doing your part.

              4.  Jesus’ parable of the big dinner reveals the decision of some (Lk. 14:16-24), but

                   surely these are not the people of God.  But Jesus does warn that the commitment

                  demanded of a disciple is great (Lk. 14:25-33).

 

Conclusion:

 

1.  Read again Psa. 55:4-7, 12-14.

2.  Friendship is a marvelous thing.  It is one of the most powerful blessings ever.

3.  Friendship with the Lord and His people is the greatest of friendships.  It is sweet.

4.  But its sweetness is turned to pain when betrayed.

5.  Peter wept bitterly, and rightly so. 

6.  Judas hanged himself.