Sermon Central
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Free Pass
Contributed by Jim Caswell on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: We are given a Free Pass on our past, but does this give us a license to continue doing what we want when we want with who we want. Jesus makes it clear that in Him we are not condemned but must sin no more.
Jesus rises back up and says, “I guess if you have never made a mistake than you have the right to stone this woman.”
Jesus kneels down and writes again.
Someone cleared their throat as if they were about to speak but no one said a word.
Then we hear the sound of rocks falling to the ground at the feet of these respected religious men. They had rushed in as one but walked away slowly one by one.
Jesus told the woman to look up and said. “Is there no one to condemn you?”
Maybe she expected to be scolded or even punished. But neither happened.
What she got was a promise and a commission.
The promise, “Then neither do I condemn you.”
The commission, “Go and sin no more.”2
(2 Max Lucado, Book of John Life Lessons, p.55-56)
This is not what I had intended to preach this week. I made the mistake of turning on Facebook first thing Monday morning. There was a picture that had been shared of three former first ladies and one picture of Mrs. Trump completely naked. The photo is so bad I would not dream of showing it here. My first reaction was, how could something like this be approved, to be shown on Facebook, but then I noticed the first comment and even though I know better I made a comment myself. Asking for trouble I guess but Jesus did say “speak” and be His witness. (Names with held)
[Screen 5]
Comment Person 1: Evangelical voters love her, right?
[Screen 6]
Me: Jesus would love her and he would ask those who condemn her and are sinless to throw the first stone. John 8.2-11.
[Screen 7]
Comment person 2: Wow, so is that like a free pass? Man, I got some sinnin' to do!
ME: Actually this “comment” by person 2 is correct. There is a free pass for all of our past in Christ. If this wasn't so political this would make a great sermon illustration. The point is Jesus gives us all second chances and then offers us a new life following Him. His biggest command is to love God and just as important, love one another. If we follow these two commands we will as Jesus says in the text, "Then neither do I condemn you, go now and leave your life of sin."
Good thing our Lord continues to give us new mercies each and every morning. Lamentations 3.22-23, The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning. (End comments)
This way of believing is nothing new. People have always wanted to find loopholes to justify their actions. We tend to want to do what we want when we want with whom we want disregarding the consequences. What frightens me is that there may be some followers of Christ who believe this. My “nip it in the bud” reflex kicked in and I had to change my sermon today.
Grace and forgiveness are wonderful things. Jesus showed grace and forgiveness to this woman who had been brought out and exhibited in front of them all to be ridiculed and then stoned. This text came to my mind as soon as I saw the Facebook post picture.
