Sermon Title: “Lord… or Just Rabbi?”
- Terry W. Bailey
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Text: Matthew 26:20–25
Pastor Terry @ docbmedia.com
🎙️ Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, We thank You for the privilege of standing on holy ground this morning. Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight. Open every ear to hear, every heart to receive, and every soul to be convicted and comforted by Your Word. Let no one leave here uncertain about who Jesus is.
In Jesus’ mighty name
Amen.
📖 Text: Matthew 26:20–25 (ESV)
“When it was evening, He reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, He said, ‘Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.’ And they were very sorrowful and began to say to Him one after another, ‘Is it I, Lord?’ … Judas, who would betray Him, answered, ‘Is it I, Rabbi?’ He said to him, ‘You have said so.’”
🧭 Introduction: A Question That Reveals the Soul
I want to speak this morning on the subject: “Lord… or Just Rabbi?”
Now this ain’t your average church question. This is the kind of question that reaches down past your Sunday clothes, past your church smile, and grabs hold of your eternal soul. Because at some point in life—when temptation strikes, when the heat’s on, when it’s no longer popular to follow Jesus—you will have to answer this:
“Is Jesus my Lord… or is He just my Rabbi?”
The disciples all sat at the same table. They all heard the same sermon. But only one called Him “Rabbi.”And that man walked away from the table… and into the arms of hell.
🔍 Point 1: They All Sat at the Same Table, But Not With the Same Heart
Notice something: they were all invited to the Passover table.
That includes:
Peter, who would deny Him
Thomas, who would doubt Him
And yes, Judas… who would betray Him
But when Jesus said, “One of you will betray Me,”—Eleven men said, “Is it I, Lord?”—But Judas said, “Is it I, Rabbi?”
You better believe every word in this Bible counts.The Holy Ghost didn’t waste ink here.
✍️ Word Study: Lord vs. Rabbi
“Lord” – Kyrios (Greek): Master. Owner. Supreme Authority. God.
“Rabbi” – Rabbi (Aramaic): Teacher. Instructor. A man with knowledge.
Judas acknowledged Jesus’ wisdom, but denied His divinity. He honored His words, but rejected His Lordship.
Judas admired the Teacher but never surrendered to the Lord.
Let that sit heavy.
💔 Point 2: Judas Had the Seat… But Not the Savior
Beloved, Judas had a front-row seat to every miracle:
He saw Lazarus walk out of the grave.
He saw blind eyes opened.
He even held the money bag for the ministry.
But none of that saved him. Because Salvation does not come through association—It comes through submission.
You can be close to the Cross…And still be far from Christ.
There will be many who sit at the table… but never give Him their heart.
🔒 Illustration: No Room in the Mansion for Those Who Deny the Son
Jesus said in John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you.”
We love that verse!But Jesus also said in John 8:24:
“Unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
There is no room in the mansion, no seat at the eternal table, for those who deny the Deity of Christ.
It’s not enough to say:
“He was a good man.”
“He was a wise prophet.”
“He was a moral example.”
No, no. That won't do.
You must declare with your mouth and believe with your heart: He is Lord.
🛑 Point 3: You Can Call Him Rabbi Today and Still Betray Him Tomorrow
Judas didn’t become a traitor overnight.
He let bitterness grow. He let his love for money outrun his love for the Master. He stayed close in body, but far in spirit.
And when it came down to it, he called Jesus Rabbi…
Then kissed Him on the cheek…And sold Him for the price of a slave.
That’s what happens when Jesus is only your Rabbi. When He’s just a good idea, not your God.
🔥 Point 4: The Difference Between "Almost Saved" and "Born Again"
You can sit in church, Sing the songs, Even carry a Bible…
But if you haven’t made Him Lord of your life, You’re no different than Judas with the bread still in his hand.
There’s no Salvation in calling Him “Rabbi.”Only in calling Him “Lord.”
Romans 10:9 –
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
🙏 Altar Call: Who Is Jesus to You?
So I ask you today, as humbly and firmly as I know how…
Is He your Rabbi… or your Lord?
Because one leads to redemption.The other leads to ruin.
And just like that night at the table, Jesus is walking the aisles today, saying:
“One of you will betray Me…”
Don’t wait until it’s too late to find out you only knew His teachings—but not His heart.
Come to the altar. Call Him Lord.Make Him not just your Savior, but your King.
📍 Closing
“It’s not your seat at the table that saves you…It’s who you say Jesus is.”
Pastor Terry
One Truth At A Time
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