CROSS TO COMMISSION | Mercy For The Villain | Matthew 27:2-10 | Arik Hayes

Summary

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Podcast Summary: CROSS TO COMMISSION | Mercy For The Villain | Matthew 27:2-10 | Arik Hayes

Podcast: 2819 Church
Speaker: Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell (with Elder Frank)
Date: December 23, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this emotionally resonant sermon, Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell examines the story of Judas Iscariot—the quintessential “villain” of the Gospels—through the lens of mercy, grace, and the nature of sin and repentance. Drawing from Matthew 27:2-10 and other gospel passages, the message explores how the seeds of sin grow, why even the most notorious figures are not beyond the reach of grace, and urges listeners to extend compassion—both to others and to themselves. The talk is both challenging and pastoral, offering hope to anyone feeling isolated by guilt or despair.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Villain in Our Stories (03:54–06:22)

• Humanizing the Villain: Pastor Philip opens by reflecting on our cultural tendency to “hate the villain,” in movies and life, while also recognizing that everyone has played the villain in someone else's story.

  • “In somebody’s story, you may be the villain…You may have played the villain, and you can forget the main character, but you can remember the villain.” (05:35)

• Judas as the Iconic Betrayer: Judas’s betrayal is widely cited in culture as the definition of treachery; the sermon sets up to explore not just what he did but how he got there.

Judas’s Backstory: Seeds of Betrayal (10:03–20:44)

• A Sneaky Thief: Startlingly, Judas was revealed to be embezzling from the money bag (John 12:4-6).
  • “Judas was revealed as a thief. He was stealing the church's money.” (11:21)
• Spiritual Warfare: Scripture describes how the devil influenced Judas’s heart before the betrayal (John 13:2).
  • “Satan put the thought in his heart… Judas is dealing with Satan himself in a warfare he is not prepared for.” (13:18)
• Possession by Satan: Eventually, Judas is described as being fully possessed—“satan entered into him” (John 13:27).
• The Danger of “Pet Sins”: Reflection on how tolerating “small” sins can grow into spiritual disaster.
  • “Every night you sleep in a sleeping bag… you actually put that pet viper right at the bottom… That’s how some of us look spiritually.” (24:54)

The Limits of Human Repentance (28:05–33:05)

• Judas’s Remorse: After betraying Jesus, Judas attempts to return the blood money and confesses his sin, an act of greater contrition than some believers demonstrate.
  • “Judas actually did a better job repenting than some of us. He was broken in heart and brought the money back.” (29:05)
• Religious Leaders’ Failure: He is rebuffed by the chief priests—those meant to mediate between people and God.
  • “What do you mean ‘see to it myself’? You’re a whole chief priest, your primary job is to be a mediator…” (31:00)
• Despair and Isolation: With no one to mediate his guilt, Judas, overwhelmed by despair, hangs himself.

Grace for the Villain: The Gospel’s Answer to Despair (35:46–44:49)

• No Sin Too Great for Grace: Pastor Philip confronts the notion that one can “outrun” God’s grace.
  • “Where sin abounds, grace super abounds.” (36:45)
  • “You are never without Christ… never without the power of the Holy Spirit to sustain you.” (38:46)
• Contrast with Jesus’s Heart: The sermon highlights how Jesus would have received and forgiven Judas, as He did for other notorious sinners.
• A Call for Compassion: Believers are reminded that their own forgiveness should make them more merciful to others.
  • “Disciples shall be known by our love… There’s too many mean Christians running around here.” (34:49, 44:09)

Leaning In Like John: Knowing You Are Loved (15:22–19:02)

• Identity Rooted in Love: A memorable aside focuses on John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” and how that self-identity transforms life.
  • “How could your life change if you ran into situations… [thinking] I am one of the disciples that Jesus loves?” (16:06)
• Intimacy Gives Revelation: John’s closeness to Jesus opened the way for deeper understanding; listeners are invited to “lean in” themselves.

Sin and Idolatry: Betrayal Is a Process (20:22-27:58)

• It Starts Small: Judas’s betrayal didn’t spring up overnight; it began with small, tolerated sins.
  • “When he went to betray Jesus, it was already in seed form in his life. So I am asking you, what sin are you coddling in your heart?” (22:54)
• Growing in Discernment: As believers mature, they learn to detect and reject these “vipers” sooner.

Prophecy and God’s Perspective (45:21–47:09)

• God Sees the End: Even Judas’s betrayal was known and foretold; listeners are encouraged to trust God’s larger vision rather than be consumed by their limited perspective.
  • “Instead of trying to know all, just focus on knowing him. Say that again… He is the one that sees around all corners.” (45:21)

Addressing Listeners’ Despair and Loneliness (47:09–49:31)

• Holiday Struggles: Pastor Philip acknowledges that Christmas can deepen grief for those facing loss or hardship.
  • “…sometimes for some of you guys, it’s some of the most stressful time of the year… I understand how that can rattle your soul. But ultimately, our God sustains.” (47:09)
• God Will Meet You: Through prayer and “leaning in,” listeners are assured of God’s presence even in their darkest moments.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “This is a place where you absolutely can belong before you believe.” – Pastor Philip (00:24)
• “Judas actually did a better job repenting than some of us.” – Pastor Philip (29:05)
• “Every night you sleep in a sleeping bag… you actually put that pet viper right at the bottom and zip up and just go to sleep… That’s how some of us look spiritually.” – Pastor Philip (24:54)
• “Where sin abounds, grace super abounds.” – Pastor Philip (36:45)
• “If you judge other people like that, you’re not going to give them grace and forgiveness and compassion.” – Elder Frank (33:34)
• “God, you did bad math. You left me out.” – Pastor Philip (37:53)
• “Lean in like John, one of the disciples Jesus loves.” – Pastor Philip (40:36)
• “I hope… we’ll start to give a little more mercy to the villain, even if the villain is you.” – Pastor Philip (48:28)

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Important Timestamps

• Intro, Welcome, and Opening Prayer: 00:00–03:08
• The Concept of ‘Villains’ and Judas as Betrayer: 03:54–07:01
• Judas’s Origin Story: Sin and Temptation’s Beginnings: 10:03–20:44
• Discussion on Mercy, Repentance, and Despair: 28:05–36:45
• The High Priests’ Rejection and Cancel Culture: 31:00–34:49
• Encouragement to Lean in to God’s Presence: 40:06–41:29
• Prophecy, Providence, and Letting Go of Control: 45:21–47:09
• Conclusion and Call to Compassion: 48:28–49:31

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Tone and Style

The episode is open, warm, and unflinchingly honest—balancing scriptural exegesis with practical and pastoral counsel. The tone is direct yet compassionate; Pastor Philip uses contemporary references and humor to make deep theological points accessible and relatable.

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Takeaways for Listeners

• We all have villainous chapters in our lives, but God’s grace is bigger than our worst moments.
• Even “small” sins, tolerated over time, can lead to disastrous consequences—confront them early.
• Do not put limits on God’s capacity to forgive and restore; despair thrives in isolation and shame, but Christ’s love is constant.
• Give others (and yourself) the mercy and compassion God has given you—shunning a “cancel culture” approach.
• During seasons of grief and heaviness, lean deeply into Christ’s love rather than hiding in shame or busyness.

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For further encouragement or prayer, Pastor Philip invites those struggling—especially during the holidays—to reach out for ministry and community.

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Transcript

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Welcome to 2819 Church. Amen.

[Elder Frank]

Thankful and grateful for.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

For those that came out to join us today. We are a church that is a house of prayer, presence and proclamation. I want to welcome our online community, Digital Disciples. Clap it up for them.

[Elder Frank]

Some may actually be in the building. No doubt there are those in the chat.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Hi. In the chat.

[Elder Frank]

Beloved, we love you.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

And I also want to welcome the unbeliever. This is a place where you absolutely can belong before you believe.

[Elder Frank]

Clap it up for the unbeliever in the building. Tuning in, questioning the claims of Christ.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

It is our hope and prayer and planning to support the development of your faith, man. In hopes that the Holy Spirit, the same one that already pricked our hearts, will prick yours one day. That you would come upon the ark of safety and get to know the truly living God, have everlasting life. Amen. Amen. And I actually want to pause right now. I want to honor the pastor of this ecclesia, Philip Anthony Mitchell. Amen. Amen.

[Elder Frank]

Just want to take time to do that.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Pause, pause and honor the pastor of this house. I know you haven't seen him in a couple of weeks. You are not forgotten. He loves you. With that being said, we. If you've been here or been following us online or even even join us at Westside, it's been a tough year. Amen. All right. We had to vacate premises, and that wasn't on our timeline. All right. Back at Westside, but the Lord provided the space that we're in today. And typically he actually takes the sabbatical again sometime in the summer. But we were heavy in the middle of ministry, so we actually did that during December. And I just want to say. And you could take this for yourself. Rest is holy. Say it again on this side of the room.

[Elder Frank]

Rest is holy.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

All right. So we want to definitely give him and his family the time to be able to do that. So as a church, we are continuing to walk through the book of Matthew in a series we've titled Cross to Commission. And I have the honor and privilege of preaching this sermon that I've titled Mercy for the villain. Mercy for the villain. Amen. By your head. Please allow me to pray for us again. Holy Father, I just thank you for just your grace and your goodness, for your written word, for your scriptures, for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the scriptures, God and truth that we can come back to and meditate on and actually help to conform us into the image of Christ and give us an anchor in our souls in a. In a Weary land. Oh God, in a world that preaches everything against what we believe. Thank you for the scriptures, God, I thank you for everybody that's in the building on the way to the building that just logged on across this camera.

[Worship Leader]

God.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

If it happens to be the recording, go up. God, I just thank you for everybody attentive here. God, I. I seek to decrease that you would increase, That your son will be glorified, that your love would be made known by your precious holy Spirit. Have your way in this experience, oh God, for these people with this sermon, since Jesus name I pray. Amen. Amen. Hey, Frank. Mind hanging out with me, brother? I appreciate you. Appreciate you. I'm not a movie buff, but it.

[Elder Frank]

Doesn'T take a lot or a lot.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Of dedication to know that. Especially in movies and sometimes in real life, We don't like the villain. If I could use language, my mom, you know, gotta catch the language. Like, I'm gonna use the H word.

[Elder Frank]

The hate. We hate the villain.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Is that true?

[Elder Frank]

We hate the villain. Those are our movie buffs, right?

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

If I.

[Elder Frank]

If I say you to picture one of your favorite movies that you look.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

At all the time, and I have.

[Elder Frank]

I say, hey, man, you know, tell me about the villain. A lot of times there's. Especially if you love the movie or if it was written in the way that you love the main character, you really have a visceral reaction to the villain.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

No, man.

[Elder Frank]

Like, nowadays, it wasn't always like that. Now you have, like, Instagram, you can, like, follow the actor, like, and you can see this person and you just forget. They got a whole real life. They got, like, kids and a wife or whatever. When you see them, you see the villain. You can see them in the airport. You look at them, you get a scowl on your face. Why? Because you was the villain and you hurt the main character. Some villains played their part so good, you cannot wipe it out of your mind. It could actually. It could actually hurt them when they get recast with someone like in another movie. If you play that villain very well, it could take you out of business. We can't just cast you as a loving father over here. It's not even believable. You played that so well because you were the villain.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Some of us have played the villain. I know we like to talk about how the villain was played to us.

[Elder Frank]

But in somebody's story, you may be the villain. I know you don't like thinking about it, but if I asked somebody that knew you, they don't necessarily have the.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

The.

[Elder Frank]

He's blessed and highly favored testimony. They have the villain story about you, not the person sitting next to you. I'm talking about you. I know you sweet now, but in somebody's life, you may have played the villain, And you can forget the main.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Character, but you can remember the villain. With that being said, beloved, you can be saved.

[Elder Frank]

You can be a disciple, new convert.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Or not even know God. Most of us have heard of the villain named Judas.

[Elder Frank]

In raps, in songs, in pop culture. It's very well known. When you say Judas, you talking about snakish behavior and the way that he did it too. He was betrayed. He didn't come up and steal off on Jesus nut like that. He actually came and betrayed with a kiss. With a kiss.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Least let me know you coming. Least be straight up say, I don't like you.

[Elder Frank]

We. I know what I'm dealing with. You gonna portray with a kiss.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

And back to the movies, man. The reality is, like, they'll give you, like, a really, like, serious villain.

[Elder Frank]

But sometimes what they'll do is, after that, the success of that movie, they'll back up and give you, like, a part two. But it'll be a prequel to give you, like, the backstory of. Of the villain. And a lot of times with that, you'll start to see the villain in a different way. Like, you start to see why they got there, how they got there, like their origin story. 5, 6, 7, what happened to them to make them so evil.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

And as we dive into Matthew 27, 1:10, we're going to talk about the villain, Judas, But I'm also going to give you a prequel in scripture to let you know how we got there. You with me, beloved? All right, Amazing. Let's go jump into verse one and two, Matthew 27, and I'll actually be turning with you on some of this, and we gonna look at the Scriptures together. Amen. All right. Verse one, it says, when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate, the governor.

[Elder Frank]

Now, in my last sermon two weeks.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Ago, we saw where Christ was put through.

[Elder Frank]

He actually submitted through what I would call a mock. It was like the mockery trial. It was a corrupt trial where they actually sentenced him to death. Now, in fact, though, when they sentenced.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Him to death, because they were under Roman rule at that time, they didn't even have the power to do.

[Elder Frank]

How wicked are you? How you gonna send somebody to something you don't even have the power do it.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

But since they conspired and they. They came together and gave him a sentence, they're actually taking him over to Roman court now, because at that times, the Romans did have the power to execute. And I'll jump into verse three. It says, then when 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.

[Elder Frank]

Now, the last experience, somebody yelled out, well, too late.

[Worship Leader]

Right?

[Elder Frank]

Some of y', all, you didn't yell it out. You probably feel that way, like, okay, you done brought it back. My crisis already in prison. Whoop dee doo. I don't care.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Right? But now I actually want to. I want to take you back to the prequel, and let's talk about the villain story. All right, I'm gonna jump into a couple of verses. The first one starting with John 12:3 6. John 12:3 6. It reads as Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. So you got this amazing worship moment where Mary broke her alabaster box on the feet of Jesus. But here's Judas. In verse 4, it said, But Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples, he who was about to betray him, said, why was this ointment not sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor? Verse 6 tell you exactly why he.

[Elder Frank]

Said he said this.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Not because he cared about the poor.

[Elder Frank]

But because he was a thief.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

And having charge of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. All right, so at the beginning of this story here, talking about his backstory, listen, he was. Judas was revealed as a thief. Come on, family. He was stealing the church's money.

[Elder Frank]

Like we going to judge sins. That's got to be some of the lowest of the low, right? In our human estimation, a thief acting like he cares for the poor. Hey, man, we could have done something for the poor. You have no care for the poor. You are a thief.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

We could have done something for.

[Elder Frank]

You have no plans for them. No outreach plans in your back pocket. You just want to take the money. And my guess is he wanted enough in there, so now he can pinch off. There's not a lot in there. We got eyes on it. So I can't pinch off. So now you're being sneaky with your thievery. A sneaky thief.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

All right, let's jump into John 13:1 and 2. John 13:1 and 2 reads verse 1. It says now, before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. Verse 2 says, during supper, when the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him. So, so. So this is another point in the story.

[Elder Frank]

Yes, he was a sneaky thief.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

But now we see that Judas is dealing with warfare that he don't know how to deal with.

[Elder Frank]

It said Satan put the thought in his heart. Notice it didn't just say a regular demon. Judas is dealing with Satan himself in a warfare he is not prepared for. And if I can stop right here, some of us are doing the same thing. You out here trying to battle a thought with a thought. And you are losing, losing left and right. Satan or demon put a thought right because he can suggest to you everything that comes to your soul does not originate with you.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

You need to know that, beloved.

[Elder Frank]

You have to have discernment. That is, that is not me. That may be the enemy. That may be my flesh.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

But I don't think Judas has that theological understanding. Mercy for the village. All right, let's drop down in that same chapter. John 13:21, 27, John 13:21 through 27. And it reads, after saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit and testified, Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.

[Elder Frank]

The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

One of his disciples whom Jesus loved was reclining at a table at Jesus side, at the same table to Jesus. Let me stop here.

[Elder Frank]

Right?

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

So this is interesting, right?

[Elder Frank]

Like y' all ever dealt with somebody that speaks about themselves in the third person. Some of y' all are the people that speak about themselves in the third person. We just gotta look at you weird. I want you to say, myself, right? John did the same thing. John wrote the Gospel of John. And in the middle of that, he says, one of his disciples in 23.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Whom Jesus loved was reclining at the.

[Elder Frank]

Table at Jesus side, right? And it's a little funny. But let me tell you something. If you keep meditating on the truth, it'll start to change you. Many of you identify yourselves as many things, but is not one of the disciples that Jesus loves.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

How could your life change if you ran into situations? I don't care what's going on. I don't know what's going on. But I am one of the disciples that Jesus loves.

[Elder Frank]

I know it. Don't look right now, but I know one thing. I am one of the disciples that Jesus loves. I don't know how it's turning out right now, but he's gonna work it out for my good. Because I am one of the disciples that Jesus loves.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Look at me sideways. You feel like it. John didn't care, and we shouldn't care. E. Keep reading. Verse 24. It says, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So Simon Peter motioned to John to ask Jesus, you know, what does he mean here? So that disciple speaking of John, this third person stuff.

[Elder Frank]

So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Said to him, lord, who is it? And Jesus actually answered. He said, it is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it. So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

[Elder Frank]

Two things. Two things.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Two things.

[Elder Frank]

There's something about being close to Christ.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

That is underrated, right?

[Elder Frank]

Even Peter, right? And I'm breaking down, right? So. So I understand just being, like, positionally close, right? It wouldn't make sense that Peter is sitting right beside him for him to motion to John, right? So John, positionally, like in real life, was sitting close. Actually, I'm gonna say in like, to amplify it, say he actually leaned back on his chest right here. That's how close he was. And he got special information that nobody else got. Some things you don't know because your soul is not leaning against Christ. It's not because he doesn't want you to know, right? You think you don't want me to know? No, no, no, no. He was in a position to ask. Oh, my goodness. As disciples, we are in a position to ask. It says he who wants wisdom. I said, ask him. You know what I love about it?

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

He didn't say, ask him. He said, he actually gives it liberally. You get to know stuff about that. Leaning into the Scriptures. Don't make us preach all the Scriptures to you.

[Elder Frank]

Go get to know them for yourself, And he will tell you things. Why?

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Because you.

[Elder Frank]

One of the disciples that he loves.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Verse 27, where I want to land, it says, then after he had taken the morsel speaking of Judas, it said, satan entered into him. Jesus then said to him, what you are going to do, do it quickly.

[Elder Frank]

So we went from a sneaky thief.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

To being courted by Satan in your soul with your thoughts and spiritual warfare. And now we see Judas has full on been possessed by the devil.

[Elder Frank]

Am I making it up? It said entered into him. I didn't even say oppressed by. It says entered in. You are possessed by the devil. The devil.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Possessed. Can I insert here? I believe it made it easier for him to do that way back in seed form, when he just regarded iniquity in his heart with a little bit of. Still there. A coin here, a coin there.

[Worship Leader]

Right?

[Elder Frank]

I was just talking how. How beautiful would it have been if right beside Mary breaking her alabaster box, that Judas came right beside and confessed his sin and gave his life to the Lord there. But yet in the middle of a display of worship, the idolatry in his heart was highlighted. Hey, are you one of those that say, hey, man, it don't take all that. Maybe your idolatry in your heart has been highlighted. On the church every Sunday.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Don't take.

[Elder Frank]

No, no. Maybe that's your idolatry being highlighted. You're gonna forgive all. Maybe it is your idolatry in your heart being highlighted.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Sneaky thief. Courted by Satan himself. Possessed by Satan. Let's go to Matthew 26:14, 16. Matthew 26:14 16. Verse 14 says, I love to hear them pages turning. I'm going to wait a few seconds for you. All right? Verse 14. Then one of the 12, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, says, he went y' all and said, what will you give me if I deliver him over to you? And they paid him 30 pieces of silver. Verse 16. And from that moment, he sought an opportunity to betray him.

[Worship Leader]

Right.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

This is why, again, I believe it started here.

[Elder Frank]

Listen, when he went to betray Jesus, it was already in seed form in his life. So I'm asking you, what sin are.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

You coddling in your heart.

[Elder Frank]

Because you.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Think it'll never get that far?

[Elder Frank]

Do you think Judas thought it would.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Ever get that far when he was just siphoning off a little coin there for the poor?

[Elder Frank]

You know, one of the most arrogant things we do as believers, we actually try to predict how the sin will affect us. We justify the sin by saying, it's just a little white lie. It'll be okay. It's just a little money. It'll be okay. It's just a little adultery. Nobody will find out. That's just a little resentment. Not knowing that you may end up with a straight, cold heart.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

And unfortunately, beloved, especially those that are coming to the faith rededicated, we have had a habit of coddling sin like a pet viper. Just walking around your little Pet viper.

[Elder Frank]

Hey, what's that? It's my pet viper. Calm down. It's a viper. It wants to bite. It's not going to calm down. You keep feeding it, it will only grow. Just get the imagery. Every night you sleep in a sleeping bag, and every time you do it, you actually put that pet viper right at the bottom and zip up and just go to sleep. Just comfy.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Just go to sleep. That's how some of us look spiritually. We say, man, I ain't got to.

[Elder Frank]

Give up that, do I? It ain't that serious. Just a little envy. It ain't that bad, is it? Little jealousy? It's okay. I can look at other things. Little covetousness. These are all the little sins that nobody talks about. Little backbiting, little gossip. Jesus, Jesus, you can come to leadership. We preach and we just sound so judgmental to you. But all we hear, we look at. We look at you, we see. All we hear is you got a pet viper at the bottom of your sleeping bag. It's only a matter.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Only a matter of time, you see? But that's not judgmental, you know, but that's actually love. When you talk about sin. Elders, we look, hey, man, we look, we're trying.

[Elder Frank]

We're trying to be gracious. We, we talk. We. They got a pet viper. Elder pet and viper don't even go together. Pet viper. Put any rabbit, anything. Just don't put a viper there. It's going to bite. And this was tough. You know what makes it tough?

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

When sometimes you're counseling somebody, you're a little spiritual, mature, you realize, or you remember when you've been bitten yourself. I've had a pet viper before and it bit me too. The viper isn't going to change its nature. You have to change yours. By the power of the Holy Spirit and his grace and scriptures and truth and community conform to the image of Christ so that when you see a viper. Can I tell you something? It's not that I don't get tempted to sin.

[Elder Frank]

I just. I've been had that time with the Lord almost three decades that now I see more of the end from the beginning. Not perfect, but I can look at that. But although it may seem tempting, that's a viper. Once you come over here, I see it, it may appeal to my flesh. I'm still being conformed, but I'm like, nah, that's a viper. I'm good on that. I don't have to get as close anymore. As you mature, you start to sharpen your discernment you're like, I know they got a wig on, but that's a viper. Snatch that wig off you. A viper.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

The way that his flesh cracked and he betrayed Christ was already seed form in his life.

[Worship Leader]

And.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

And then he let. He let a thought be planted by Satan and then he was possessed by Satan and then the betrayal. It was just a matter of. Now let's jump back into the primary text. Let's go. Matthew 27, verse 3. Read it a little bit over again. Verse 3 again said then when Judas betrayer saw that Jesus was condemned, says he changed his mind and he brought back 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. Take that down. Listen, listen, can I keep it a buck? Judas actually did a better job repenting than some of us. He was broken in heart and he brought the money back.

[Elder Frank]

Some of us just would have been sorry, but we'd have kept the money or already spent it, right? But no, that actually cements to me how remorseful he was. I believe much like the parable in.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

The that Christ said about the prodigal son.

[Elder Frank]

I believe when he saw, he saw.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Christ.

[Elder Frank]

And they were transporting him.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

I believe he came to himself. Now I may not be all in. You know what I'm saying? Let's call him teacher. He didn't call him Lord. That's conversation for another day. But, but man, I don't, I don't want this to happen to. He brought the 30 pieces of silver back to the chief priests and the elders. And this shows how remorseful he was. He says in verse four he says, I have sinned by betraying innocent blood. Stop here. Take that down. So now we have in word and in deed. Hey man, I don't want nothing to do with this no more. He's innocent man. We betrayed an innocent man. Hades chief priests go. End of verse four. After he said, I have sinned by betraying an innocent blood.

[Elder Frank]

Verse 4 he said, they said, what is that to us? See to it yourself.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

I really don't like these guys, man. What do you mean see to it myself? You a whole chief priest, your primary.

[Elder Frank]

Job is to be a mediator between the people and God and deal with their sins. What do you mean deal with it yourself? He has no way of dealing with it himself. That's not the way things are set up of which you teach.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

You have to bring a sacrifice, bring it to God. And the people were not allowed. They had to go to the chief priests, the high priests and the elders. Verse 5. After they said that to him. Verse 5 says, and throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. He went and hung himself, man. He was actually remorseful. I believe he tried to run it back.

[Elder Frank]

Like, I think.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Come on, man, let's. This is going too far. I've come to. I've come to try to make this thing right.

[Elder Frank]

I've come to the high priest, like, surely you guys care about righteousness, don't you? Here's even the money. I didn't even spend none. I'm a known thief. I didn't even spend none. Come on, come on, let's stop this.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

What's that got to do with us, fam? Go deal with that yourself. See how you can get a little more mercy. The villain. You know why this is big? We're gonna get into how he felt, right? Because if you judge him that way, when you get in the jam and you betray them, you're gonna judge yourself like that. And instead of running to Christ, you're gonna run away.

[Elder Frank]

If you judge other people like that, you're not gonna give them grace and forgiveness and compassion.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

You're gonna.

[Elder Frank]

People can come and actually apologize to you. What that got to do with me? You already did what you did.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

I'm done with you.

[Elder Frank]

Enter. Cancel culture. Hey, as disciples, we need to chill out. I understand the world, but how much have we been forgiven? No, no, no, no. Tally your sin. How much have we been forgiven?

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

I'm not saying all situations need. You need to come back and be in close. I understand there's abuse. I'm not minimizing what they did. But the scripture says, God, if you.

[Elder Frank]

Counted iniquity, who could stand? Yeah, if he counted iniquity. You mean you want to put them in line and you want to talk about all this is, don't you? Will you jump right behind them? Now, me, I want none of that smoke. Keep it all under the blood.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

And if we're wise, we would do the same.

[Elder Frank]

You know what?

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

That would make us much more gracious people, much more loving people after. By the way, it actually says that in the scriptures, disciples shall be known by our love. But as I was prepping, man, I feel like the Lord supernaturally just gave me a glimpse of, like, despair. And if he did that, no doubt some of us are just dealing with despair. I'm talking about your soul is dark. You're walking around probably like a thick, gray, dark, black cloud of sorts, because you believe what you're currently in is your end.

[Elder Frank]

And you either see no Way of escape? Or you think this the way of escape ain't there for you?

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Because what I believe about Judas is he was remorseful. He went to the high priest. He was trying to undo it. And I think what drove him into deep despair is that the one person he knew would hear him. He does not have access to him now. And not just that. He played a pivotal part in ushering him into imprisonment. How much despair you think he was dealing with? Now check me out now.

[Elder Frank]

If he's coming back and saying, I don't want to do it, the possession from the devil is over. Now he's come to himself. He's looked at what he's done. He's looked at what he's in. He's tried to repent. That didn't work. And Christ, the compassionate One.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Is no longer within his grasp. And some of you feel that way. I've gone too far. My sin is too bad. I have done too much evil. I have outrun the grace of God and beloved. I want to tell you that is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. It says, where sin abounds, grace super abounds.

[Elder Frank]

Again, I will reiterate, what you're saying is that God doesn't do good math. You won't say that out loud, but that's what you're saying. You're saying when he did all the calculation for all of the sin of all the world and all mankind.

[Worship Leader]

And.

[Elder Frank]

He nailed them to the cross in Christ Jesus and put the iniquity of the whole world on him, he left yours out.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

God, you did bad math. You let. See, you forgot something. Now none of us will say that out loud, but how many of us have felt that way? Maybe even God revelation just felt that way. I felt that way before I knew the gospel. I really said, where sin abounds, grace super abounds.

[Elder Frank]

Now, should we continue in sin?

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Absolutely not.

[Elder Frank]

But if we sin, we have an advocate with the Father.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

His name is Jesus.

[Elder Frank]

You are not the same situation as Judas is. You have access to the real high priest.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

So I'm not saying you won't have down times. You absolutely have to walk out the human experience. But you are never without the power of the Holy Spirit to sustain you. You are never without Christ, who redeems our Heavenly Father, who restores the One who heals the brokenhearted, the One who provides, the One who conforms us into the image of Christ, the One who sets the captives free. Me and my elder were talking. You know what our primary problem is? And one of our Primary problems. We put God on a time limit.

[Elder Frank]

So you got a self imposed time limit. You saying if God don't show up here, it ain't gonna happen. And it leads us to despair and we feel desperate.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

But that's not our God.

[Elder Frank]

The sister of Lazarus said, jesus, if you would have been here, he would not have died. But she did not know she was talking to the resurrection.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

He's never too late. You can die when he shows up. The resurrection is there. You can be in the middle of depression and he shows up. He's already there. I gotta watch my wording. That's the thing. You actually think that God needs to come. He's already there. In the middle of your closet, in.

[Elder Frank]

The middle of your car.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

He's already there. And much like John, one of the disciples whom Jesus loves, you can just lean in. I'm preaching right now. You can lean into his presence, beloved, and you can get freedom. But you got to lean in. Some of you are leaning in and it's not yet, but you're being sustained while you're leaning that steel.

[Elder Frank]

Holy Ghost power.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Give me verse six, man, The chief priest called him. So at the end of five, Judas still left the money.

[Worship Leader]

Right?

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

He threw it into the temple. So the chief priests, they taking the pieces of silver, said in verse 6, it is not lawful to put them into the treasury since it is blood money. The more and more I think about this thing, man, Judas was just left out to dry. He was used and abused and left out.

[Elder Frank]

And that is exactly what idolatry does. You think you're having a good time, you think it's too, you're winning and then it runs on a little longer and you see how it has destroyed your soul. And then, you know, sometimes we come back and jump right back in line and get used and abused again by another idol, God. Then we go to Jesus and he restores us and then we go on. And then instead of staying here, we get right back in line to get used and abused again.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

You know what the love of our souls, our. I'm included here. You know what the love of our souls does? He has compassion upon us. He embraces us because he knows our frame. He knows we're going to lose some. Now shall we purposefully lose some? No, it's called idol worship. Idolatry, sin, living in the flesh. No, we should walk in the spirit. But he's compassionate. That's the thing. Judas didn't have access to the compassionate one. He ran into the woman at the well, told her how many husbands she had? He didn't judge her. The woman caught in adultery, she was actually doing it. She was caught in it.

[Elder Frank]

She was guilty.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Where are your accusers? Neither do I accuse you. Hey, don't do that no more. There was no judgment. It was compassion. And we should be known as compassionate people. Beloved, there's too many mean Christians running around here.

[Elder Frank]

Come on. Beloved. Now.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

You know what that means. You haven't been leaning in.

[Elder Frank]

A byproduct of leaning into the presence.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Of God is a softened heart. So they're saying it's blood money. Verse 7. So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore, that field has been called the field of blood to this day. You know, our pastor said something. He said, I'm going to make my pain pay me. Can we learn from Jesus pain here? The very money that he used to justify betraying God, all of a sudden, nobody wants to touch it. But I gotta do.

[Elder Frank]

I don't want that. We can't put that with the real. That's blood money, man. You gave it to him. You supplied the blood money. Now we come back at your feet in the temple. Get it out the temple. We can't do that. You see how wicked that is?

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

You see how crazy we look when we bow to anything other than Jesus? I'm closing here. Give me verse nine. Since then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah saying. And they took the 30 pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter's field as the Lord directed me. It's actually a quote of an Old Testament prophecy. I want to lean in there and just draw the point. God knows the end from the beginning. And one of the things that absolutely will lead to despair is if you only really lean on your understanding. Like one of the most recent revelations I got from the Lord is he is the one that sees around all corners. He knows your end. So instead of trying to know all, just focus on knowing him. Say that again. Some of you trying to plan. You got stuff coming up that you did not plan for xyz. And we're stressing out and we're in despair because it's not adding up.

[Elder Frank]

AKA you going crazy for Christmas. And rent is due on the first. It's still due. I promise you it's going to be due. So instead of tying our identity and having to give a gift for people.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

And trying to save face why don't we just chill out on all that? The real gift is Jesus. Anyway. Some of us have extended ourselves financially, emotionally, or with relations or professionally or parentally, man, and it's driven us into despair. Got a thick cloud. And I understand, man. I mean, there's going to be a lot of good times had this holiday season. But we're not oblivious to the fact that, like, sometimes for some of you guys, it's some of the most stressful time of the year. This is your first, second, third Christmas without your father who passed, or your mother or grandmother, or you're going through a divorce. And maybe this the time you actually don't have your kids. Y' all doing the alternating thing. Or while everybody else is having fun, you're submitting resumes and you're trying to get. Listen, listen. I don't want to minimize that. Like, I understand how that can rattle your soul. But ultimately our God sustains.

[Elder Frank]

And he.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Provides and he heals the brokenhearted and he loves. He's the lover of our soul. And he gives peace and he gives joy and he gives covering. And he gives wisdom. Try leaning in like John, one of the disciples. Jesus loves. And I hope with this beloved we'll start to give a little more mercy to the villain, even if the villain is you. By your head. Let me pray for us. Holy Father, I just thank you for today, the fact that you do give mercy to the villain. For the scriptures say you justified the ungodly.

[Elder Frank]

And that was us.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

And while we were yet sinners, Christ died on the cross for us. God, I pray for those that are heading to this season and they're feeling lonely. God, I pray you give them the revelation that they are never alone and that during this time they would spend time in this holiday season leaning into you. And God, I thank you for meeting them in that place. God, with sustenance of the soul and power of the Holy Spirit to change the human heart to the glory of God. Is there anybody in here you're dreading going into this holiday season? Like you? You may be depressed. I'm not trying to make a preacher moment. I. I just want to pause. You're dreading going into this holiday season. I see you, sister. I see you, sister. I see you, sister. I see you, brother. I see you, Holy Ghost. If you want prayer for that, come to the front. I just want to pray over you. Come to the front. Go ahead and move. I just felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit there. Start to worship.

[Worship Leader]

O come let us adore O Come let us adore him O come let us adore him. Christ the Lord O come let us adore him O come let us adore. Him. Praise the Lord is worthy for he alone is worthy for he alone is worthy for he alone is worth the Christ the Lord give you all the glory we give you all the glory. We give you all the glory. We give you all the glory Christ the Lord we give you all the glory. We give you all the glory glory we give you all the glory Christ the Lord we give you. Glory. We worship you. Are worthy to be praise we give you, we give you. The glory. We worship you we worship you our Lord. You are worthy to be praise we give you all, we give you oh. We worship you we worship you are worthy. You are worthy to be praised. We give you all, we give you love all the glory. We worship you all we worship you you are worthy to be glorified. We give you all we give you. God, we worship you Jesus. Lord you are wor. Say we give you we give you. God we worship you we worship our Lord you worthy. Worthy is your name Jesus you deserve to praise Worthy is your name worthy is your name Jesus you deserve to praise Worthy is your name Worthy is Jesus us you deserve to praise words be exalted be exalted now in the heavens as your glory fills this place. You alone deserve our praise. You're the name above all names Be exalted now in the heavens as your glory fills this place you will know deserve our praise. You're the name above all name. Be exalted now with heavens as you go. You alone deserve our praise. Your name above, your name above. As you close you alone deserve our praise. You're the favorable. As your glory. Jesus, you deserve the praise Worthy is your name worthy is your name Jesus you deserve praise. Worthy, worthy is your name worthy is your name Worthy is your name Jesus you deserve praise. Your name. Worthy is your name worthy is your name. Death could not hold you the veil joy before you silence the bo. The heavens are roaring the praise of your glory for you are raised to light through again. You have no rival. You have no rival. You have no equal. You have no equal that went forever Jesus. Yours is the kingdom, yours is the king. Yours is the glory. Yours is the glory. Yours is the. Just could not hold you just could not the vessel before you. The heavens are open, the heavens are over the heavens are rolling. The praise of your glory. Holy holy, holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy holy, holy, holy see holy is Your name. Worthy is your name. Jesus. Jesus, you deserve great. Worthy is your name. Worthy is on me. Worthy is your name. Worth your name. Be exalted. Be exalted now in the heavens. As your glory feels his place. You alone deserve our praise. You're the name above all names. As you glo this place, you alone deserve our praise. You're the lake of all. Be exalted now in the heavens. As your glory fills this place. You alone deserve our praise. Hear the name of all names. Let us become more aware of your presence. Let us experience the glory of your goodness. Let us become more aware of your presence. Let us experience the glory of your goodness. Let us become more aware of your presence. Let us experience the glory of your goodness. Let us become more aware of your presence. Let us experience the glory of your. Let us speak. We say. Change, fall, fear, bow here and now. Jesus, you change everything. Life heal. Hope is found right here, here and now. Jesus, you change everything. Change, change, fall, fall, fear, fear. Bow, bow. Here, here, now, now. Jesus, Jesus, you change everything. Lives are healed and whole. Hope is found is. Jesus.

[Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell]

Hey beloved. Hey beloved. I felt like the Holy Spirit asked me to ask that. So I want to give these people that have come room, right, to experience the Lord. So I just want to. I want to formally dismiss you guys if you do not want to stay for prayer. You are formally dismissed in the presence of the Lord. Hope you enjoy the holiday season and remember Christ during this time. Okay? Remember Christ and remember that he gives grace to the villain, right? I love you guys. God bless you.