There is an spiritually unhealthy fascination among many religious groups with all things Jewish. The evidence for that is the consistent use of transliterations of terms in Hebrew words, such as: Torah—law, Yeshua—Jesus, and Yahweh—Jehovah (there are others), also there is the delving into Jewish customs, and the adopting of certain symbols of Jewish origin. There is also a new emphasis on learning Hebrew, and favoring the Jews is considered important, due to a mistaken application of Genesis 12:3:

I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

All this is, without a doubt, is due to a misunderstanding that somehow there are yet unfulfilled prophesies made to the Jews, and that some day Christ will come an establish an earthly kingdom when the Jews finally return to Jerusalem. This explains why many so-called “Christians” seek the well-being of the Jews. This is regrettably affecting political policy as well, exacerbating the tensions between the United States and predominantly Muslim nations. This also has definite implications for true Christians’ efforts to take the good news of Jesus, the Christ, to such nations. If we are perceived to be in favor of the Jews, in opposition to to Muslims, how could our presence and teaching be tolerated?

True Christians, those who accept the truth of the New Covenant, know and accept that God’s covenant and association is no longer with the Jews. One who wishes to follow Christ can no longer have confidence in the teachings of the law (Torah) as related to the way of salvation. The Spirit of God inspired Paul, the apostle, to write these words to those of his day who tended to want to continue under the teachings of the Law given to Moses:

You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

The teaching and practice of Old Testament law meant that one was separated from the grace of God in Christ. This is because Christ’s sacrifice for sin was not available in the Old Covenant, but through faith in Christ. Galatians 3:23-28 makes it clear that we are no longer under the Old Covenant:

23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

From this we must learn that we are no longer under the law given to Moses, nor any of its precepts, and that we now make no distinction between Jew and Gentile. 1 Corinthians 9:21 tells us:

To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.

This verse tells us that we are to understand that we are under the law of Christ, not the law given to Moses. If we don’t understand which covenant we are under, we wouldn’t know how or what to obey, because the New Testament is different from the Old Testament.

Jeremiah 31:31-32 says:

Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD.

The Jews themselves, with whom God had made the first covenant, are the ones who broke the agreement that He had made with them, through their disobedience. Since it was broken, Christ has established a new covenant or testament, but, not just with the Jews alone, but with all people. Therefore, we are no longer under the Old Testament, but under the New Testament.

But, the Old Testament still has many things to tell us:

1 Corinthians 10:6-11 And these things were our examples, that we should not be lusters after evil, as they also lusted. 7 Nor should we be idolaters, even as some of them, as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 Nor let us commit fornication, as some of them fornicated, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9 Nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted Him and were destroyed by serpents. 10 Nor murmur as some of them also murmured and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 And all these things happened to them as examples; and it is written for our warning on whom the ends of the world have come.

In 2 Timothy 3:15 we read:

and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Since the New Testament Scriptures were recently being written, we must conclude that the Old Testament writings were what are here called useful to “make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” This would be because all the background and teaching had as its purpose to lead us to Christ, as we saw earlier in Galatians 3:23-28.

As true Christians, let us be wise, and not be misled into a fascination with all things Jewish. We are not Jewish, we are Christians. We do not have hope for a kingdom on earth, but for a place prepared in heaven for us by Christ. See John 4:3:

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

2 Peter 3:10-12 says the following:

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness, 12 looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

When Christ comes again, the world will be no more. We are not to wait for an earthly kingdom, but place in heaven with God.

Have no hope in things Jewish; set your hope in Christ. It is good to study the Old Testament, for its history, prophesies, and examples. We can see the goodness and faithfulness of God there, and how He planned from the beginning for our salvation though Christ. There is nothing wrong with learning the Hebrew language and studying the words that convey the meaning of the Old Testament. If people do not learn the languages of the Bible, how can new revisions be made as our modern languages evolve? But, we must always remember that our hope is in Christ, and for a place in his Father’s house, not here on earth. In that the Jews have no part, unless they come by faith and obey Him, just has been the case with Christians since the beginning of Christ’s church.

Introduction:
One of the greatest dangers to any cause, or country is the “sell-out.” That is the one who has been or appears to be a part of something important, but at some point decides to exchange his loyalty for something he wants more. This means that the person decides that his well-being and desires are more important than anything or anyone else.

This is very common and well-known in the political and business world, but we are going to see how this is also common in things related to Christ and His church. How sad it is when individuals decide that their own temporary well-being is more important than Christ and His church. How many people claim to be members of Christ’s church, but even though they are seen in worship and participate in activities related to the church, they have already sold their allegiance for something that more interesting or important to them.

We may have thought Judas was the only one who sold his Lord, but if we really think about it, we are also tempted to do so in several ways. How many double-agents walk among those faithful to Christ? This we do not know, but we must be aware, not only that there are such, that there are ways that each one of us can be tempted to do the same. Let us look at some things for which people “sell out”

1. For ease:

Let’s face it. Being a true Christian is not easy. It requires a lot of diligence and thought. Philippians 2:12-13 tells us:

2 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

It is not easy to be always thinking about what is right and figuring out what we should and shouldn’t do. Knowing the importance of all our decisions, it is not easy! The devil tells us, “Don’t worry about it so much. You deserve a joyous and carefree life.”

Carrying out Christ’s will in our life requires devotion, work, time, and self-sacrifice. Some find all this a bit too much. They want an easy life. Such people influence churches not ask too much of them and, when possible, to use paid staff to take care of the “church work.” They can then be free to enjoy life much more. They give their money and feel free to dedicate themselves to making their life what they want it to be.

Jesus mentioned one who thought he had made it to the “easy” life in Luke 12:19:

And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’

Verse 20 adds that this “well-to-do” person was told that he would die that same night. We must realize that this life doesn’t last forever. We would do well prepare for the next existence not just this one.

2. For pleasure:

Related to the motive above, pleasure is another reason why some sell-out. 2 Timothy 3:4 puts this sin among some really ugly sins saying: “treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,” This scripture makes us clear that we cannot devote ourselves to pleasure and God. We have to choose which we want more.

3. For riches, property, material things, and “security”:

Why do people desire these things so much? It is that they give the illusion of well-being and security. People feel like if they can get enough material things they will be okay. They see “rich” people protecting themselves, providing for themselves, and getting what they want. Whenever they get sick, they have a doctor and medicine. When things go bad, they can defend themselves. But, God says that riches are a delusion.

Do rich people get sick, do they ever go broke, do they suffer family problems, broken marriages, and do they ever require mental health care. Of course they do. Riches cannot ultimately protect us, as some believe. Notice what God tells us in Mark 4:19:

but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

This verse indicates that riches deceitful, that is they are not dependable, as they seem to be, and that if we are depending on them they will distract us and cause us to neglect doing what God says in his word. In that way, they are not only not dependable, but also potentially damaging.

Certainly the love of riches can cause us many problems and destroy us, as we see in 1 Timothy 6:10-11:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

Luke 12:15-21 says:

15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

In the end, riches are not dependable because they don’t last forever. When we leave this earth, we leave them here. They will not be helpful to us then. Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-20:

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

4. Because of fear:

There are many fears that threaten to take control of us and hinder us in doing what we know is right. There is fear of what others may say, fear of retaliation, fear of loss, fear of failure, fear of the future, fear of having what we need, fear of our own weaknesses, and fear of physical death.

Fear can paralyze us and keep us from doing what we know is right. But, 2 Timothy 1:7 says: for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. We must not be controlled by fear, but control ourselves so that we may be guided by God’s word. It is a choice!

5. For popularity:

There are those who want to be honored by others. They want others to say good things about them. They don’t want to do anything that might cause people to look down on them or say any bad thing about them. Such people are in danger of sacrificing their convictions to please others. Paul said in Galatians 1:10:

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Again, it is a choice. It is impossible to always please people. In our daily life, we must often do things that others do not like. It’s not that we seek to displease them, but rather because we seek to please God, and their desires are contrary to God’s will.

It is obvious that some have sold out in this regard. Where is the bold, but loving, teaching and preaching of God’s word concerning all the aspects of life. We live in a world that is filled with wickedness. This wickedness is flowing over into the lives of those who are called Christians. Yet, the teaching and preaching is often filled with platitudes and generalities. People are departing from true teaching and practice. But, do we hear the lessons that would help our brothers and sisters to understand God’s way and avoid false religious practices? By failing to warn and encourage with God’s word, we would be selling out, simply to maintain favor with people. If a preacher does this to maintain his position with a church, he is selling out as well!

6. For power:

There are those who want to control others around them. They are not content to persuade, instruct and encourage. They feel correct to use any methods necessary to accomplish their goals, and that the end justifies the means. Those who are willing to do things that are not according to God’s expressed will in the Bible in order to do what they want show that they do not respect God. The don’t say “Your will be done.” They say “my will be done, no matter what it takes! They hurt and destroy others, but they also destroy themselves!

7. For self:

There are those who just want to do what they wish. They cannot imagine obeying anyone or anything. Their pride is “being themselves” and doing it their way. This nature is mentioned in Isaiah 53:6:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned–every one–to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Did you notice the words, “to his own way.” This is why Christ died, because people had taken their own way. Only when the message of the loving sacrifice of Christ reaches the heart and causes it to break with sadness can the change  of heart take place (repentance) that will cause the person to leave his own way and turn to God’s way.

Conclusion:

They say that everyone has his price. Do you? That is what the devil counts on. Are you selling out? What does the devil have that you want? He will give it to you if you will just selfishly look out for yourself and do what he wants.

Resist selling out! It is not worth it. This life is not forever. Think about what God can give you if you are faithful to Him. Think about what can happen if you are not!