Our choices and the actions that follow them will determine our destiny.

1. Our choices and the actions that follow them will determine our destiny. • Self deception is far easier than most realize! (Gal 6:7-8)

2. Our choices and the actions that follow them will determine our destiny. • Galatians 6:7-8 (NKJV) - Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

3. Our choices and the actions that follow them will determine our destiny. • It is very possible to know a principle of righteousness but then "reason" in such a way as to not apply it to yourself.

4. Our choices and the actions that follow them will determine our destiny. • We can become overconfident because we have hidden things from those around us or even worse have surrounded ourselves with people who dare not cross us!

5. Our choices and the actions that follow them will determine our destiny. • We can become overconfident because we have hidden things from those around us or even worse have surrounded ourselves with people who dare not cross us! • The lesson of Judas is one of destiny. How did he end up where he did?

6. Our choices and the actions that follow them will determine our destiny. • We can become overconfident because we have hidden things from those around us or even worse have surrounded ourselves with people who dare not cross us! • The lesson of Judas is one of destiny. How did he end up where he did? • After the ascension of Jesus the first order of business was to replace Judas. (Acts 1:15-17)

7. Our choices and the actions that follow them will determine our destiny. • Acts 1:15-17 (NKJV) - And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16“Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”

8. Our choices and the actions that follow them will determine our destiny. • Very pointedly the destiny of Judas was stated. (Acts 1:24-25)

9. Our choices and the actions that follow them will determine our destiny. • Acts 1:24-25 (NKJV) - And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”

10. Our choices and the actions that follow them will determine our destiny. • And so it will be true with us that we go to our "own place." Where will it be?

11. What kind of man was Judas? • Was Judas a puppet of God or did he make a choice?

12. What kind of man was Judas? • Was Judas a puppet of God or did he make a choice? • God knew that there would be a betrayer before Judas was born. (Zech 11:12; Psa 41:9)

13. What kind of man was Judas? • Zechariah 11:12 (NKJV) - Then I said to them, “If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.” So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.

14. What kind of man was Judas? • Psalm 41:9 (NKJV) - Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

15. What kind of man was Judas? • Judas demonstrated his character long before he betrayed Jesus. (Jn 12:4-6)

16. What kind of man was Judas? • John 12:4-6 (NKJV) - But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

17. What kind of man was Judas? • God did not make Judas evil but rather chose to put an evil man there for His own means.

18. What kind of man was Judas? • God did not make Judas evil but rather chose to put an evil man there for His own means. • How could Judas then be blamed by God?

19. What kind of man was Judas? • God did not make Judas evil but rather chose to put an evil man there for His own means. • How could Judas then be blamed by God? • If the event was determined, then how could Judas be blamed? (Lk 22:21-22)

20. What kind of man was Judas? • Luke 22:21-22 (NKJV) - But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”

21. What kind of man was Judas? • Judas was used the same way God used Pharaoh. (Rom 9:17-19)

22. What kind of man was Judas? • Romans 9:17-19 (NKJV) - For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. 19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?”

23. What kind of man was Judas? • How does God harden hearts?

24. What kind of man was Judas? • How does God harden hearts? • Does he take a good man and make him a bad one and then send him to hell?

25. What kind of man was Judas? • How does God harden hearts? • Does he take a good man and make him a bad one and then send him to hell? • Consider how God hardened Pharaoh:

26. What kind of man was Judas? • How does God harden hearts? • Does he take a good man and make him a bad one and then send him to hell? • Consider how God hardened Pharaoh: • He made demands of a proud man. His reaction was predictable: "You cannot tell me what to do!”

27. What kind of man was Judas? • He did not punish immediately. Pharaoh then though he could get away.

28. What kind of man was Judas? • He allowed Pharaoh to go the wrong way. If God does not dominate our lives, sin will. (2 Tim 3:13)

29. What kind of man was Judas? • 2 Timothy 3:13 (NKJV) - But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

30. Judas went to the place he choose. • Did Judas choose to go to hell?

31. Judas went to the place he choose. • Did Judas choose to go to hell? • He did not verbally or directly think that he was.

32. Judas went to the place he choose. • Did Judas choose to go to hell? • He did not verbally or directly think that he was. • As Joshua pointed out to Israel, your actions will choose a destiny. (Josh 24:15)

33. Judas went to the place he choose. • Joshua 24:15 (NKJV) 15And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

34. Judas went to the place he choose. • He chose a course of action in which the only result would be punishment by God.

35. Judas went to the place he choose. • This is how the majority of the world chooses hell.

36. Judas went to the place he choose. • This is how the majority of the world chooses hell. • Did Adam and Eve say: "Let us be cast out of the garden and die!“

37. Judas went to the place he choose. • This is how the majority of the world chooses hell. • Did Adam and Eve say: "Let us be cast out of the garden and die!“ • Did Lot want the fate his family experienced? He still made a choice! (Gen 13:10-11)

38. Judas went to the place he choose. • Genesis 13:10-11 (NKJV) - And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.

39. Judas went to the place he choose. • Did king David want the misery that plagued him the latter part of his life?

40. Judas went to the place he choose. • Did king David want the misery that plagued him the latter part of his life? • Pilate was a man of poor character suited for the role he would play.

41. Judas went to the place he choose. • Did king David want the misery that plagued him the latter part of his life? • Pilate was a man of poor character suited for the role he would play. • Judas may have though he could do evil and bring about good and be right with God! (Rom 3:8)

42. Judas went to the place he choose. • Romans 3:8 (NKJV) - And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

43. Judas went to the place he choose. • Moses made a choice to be with God. (Heb 11:24-26)

44. Judas went to the place he choose. • Hebrews 11:24-26 (NKJV) - By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

45. Judas went to the place he choose. • Consider destinies people choose.

46. Judas went to the place he choose. • The drunkard never saw his end when he took that first drink rather he saw the drink! (Prov 23:31-32)

47. Judas went to the place he choose. • Proverbs 23:31-32 (NKJV)- Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; 32 At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper.

48. Judas went to the place he choose. • The drug addict never imagined the slavery that would follow.

49. Judas went to the place he choose. • Parents who think more of their ideal of parenting than of God's will have a destiny. (Prov 10:1, 17:25)

50. Judas went to the place he choose. • Proverbs 10:1 (NKJV) -The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.