Today in our Lenten series, "The Cast of the Cross", Pastor David profiles Judas Iscariot, the treasurer among Jesus' disciples who came from Kerioth in southern Judea. Drawing from John 12:4-6, Pastor David reveals that Judas was a thief who embezzled from the ministry funds, demonstrating a character Marked by selfishness and greed. He explains that Judas likely expected Jesus to be a political messiah and may have betrayed Him to force a political confrontation, having his own agenda outside God's will.

The sermon's central warning focuses on spiritual warfare and demonic influence. Pastor David teaches from John 13:1-2 that "the devil had already prompted Judas" to betray Jesus, explaining that while believers cannot be possessed, they can be prompted by demonic forces. He emphasizes that unrepentant sin—particularly unforgiveness, anger, and bitterness—gives the devil leverage in believers' lives, citing Ephesians 4:25-27. The pastor warns that even trauma victims must allow Jesus to heal them, or the devil will use their pain to perpetuate cycles of abuse and destruction. He concludes with James 4:7-9, calling for genuine repentance during Lent and urging believers to submit to Jesus as Lord, not merely Savior, to resist becoming agents of Satan's schemes.

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