Introduction: We have two small puppies in our home. These puppies are petrified of storms. Whenever a storm is brewing and they hear the thunder they immediately pursue a safe place. If it is in the middle of the night the safe place is in the bed with us. Even though it gets a little frustrating being awoken by two petrified puppies, it makes you feel good. Those tiny little creatures come to us for comfort and protection. I see a parable in this story. Jesus offered people a safe place. When people were in pain they came to Him. When people were hurting they came to Him. When people were discouraged they came to Him. When people were hopeless they came to Him. He offered a safe place. I see a flattering compliment in this concept. Jesus wants us to offer people a safe place.
Over the years people have come to me looking for a safe place. A man once came to me and asked if I would accept him, in spite of his social drinking. Another lady once asked if I would accept her in spite of the fact that she had had an abortion. Several years ago a lady said to me, “I would attend your church but I do not fit in with all of those people. They look like they have it all together.” A ten year old girl once walked forward, during the altar call, and asked me to pray for her. Do you know what she wanted me to pray about? She asked me to pray for her because she wet her pants. I later found out that she was being physically abused by her father. Several years ago, in a church I served, a man stood up in a men’s gathering and confessed that he was a homosexual. He told how he had been sexually abused as a boy. He told how his uncle brain washed him into thinking he was born as a homosexual. He told how his father and mother were both alcoholics. He cried as he poured out a tale of pain and heartache. Do you know what felt good in each of those situations? Those people came to church looking for a safe place. Jesus offered a safe place to which hurting people could turn. Even so, he wants churches to be a safe place to which people can turn.
In John 8 we find a story where Jesus offered a safe place. “Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” (John 8:3-1l. NKJV)
What did Jesus do that provided this safe place? He displayed two attitudes that provided a safe place. I want our church to be a safe place. I want my home to be a safe place.
Before I start I want to point out something. Today is sanctity of life Sunday. There are pregnant girls and ladies out there who need a safe place to turn for guidance during this time of their life. Also, there are girls and ladies out there who have already experienced an abortion. They need a safe place where they can turn to move beyond the condemnation and guilt they feel. This sermon applies to their situation.
The first attitude Jesus displayed was compassion. Notice verse 12. Jesus said “neither do I condemn you.” God never intended that faith be used as a sledge hammer. Jesus said “I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.” (Jn. 12:47) “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (Jn. 3:17)
Illustration: Several months ago I failed to record some checks I wrote on my checking account. The bank sent me two overdraft notices. I have a problem with those overdraft notices. When you overdraft you are already embarrassed in that you made a mistake. Then, the bank adds to your grief by penalizing you for your mistake. That is the way life treats you. First, you make the mistake and then you get penalized.
All of us have feelings of self condemnation. This lady did not need a moral policeman to point out the ere of her ways. She did not need salt rubbed into the wound. Conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Pharisees used this lady as a pawn. They wanted to catch Jesus in a wrong and condemn Him. They condemned her. They judged her. They were hypocritical even by their own standards. You will notice there was nothing mentioned about a man. It takes two to commit adultery. However, they only pointed at the woman. She was lonely. She was hurting. Jesus looked at her with compassion.
Illustration: When you look at Britney Spears, what do you see? Some people see a beautiful young lady. Some people see a young person who is throwing away her life. Some people see a person struggling with drugs and emotional problems. I see a young lady who is a prisoner to the public. Everywhere she goes there is a camera stuck in her face. She has been placed on a pedestal that nobody deserves.
Illustration: This same thing happened to Elvis Presley before he died. I remember reading the words of a newspaper reporter. He said Elvis was a prisoner to his public. You can be a prisoner and never go behind bars. You can be a prisoner and possess a million dollars.
I want to point out a couple of things about compassion. First, compassion should be unconditional.
- It should not be conditioned upon our agreeing with the person’s actions.
- It should not be conditioned upon them meeting our approval.
- It should not be conditioned upon them living up to a certain standard.
Illustration: Years ago I cut an interesting story from one of Richard DeHaan’s daily devotionals in “Our Daily Bread.” This story occurred at the church where Samuel Colgate attended. Samuel Colgate is the son of William Colgate who established the company that produces Colgate toothpaste. During an evangelistic campaign a prostitute came forward and accepted Christ. The lady was broken and showed signs of open repentance. The lady felt such guilt she indicated she would gladly sit in a back corner of the church. When the pastor presented this lady for membership one member suggested that they delay her request. Obviously some members were struggling with acceptance of the woman. When that happened Samuel Colgate stood up and said with an undertone of sarcasm, “I guess we blundered when we prayed that the Lord would save sinners. We forgot to specify what kind. We’d better ask Him to forgive us for this oversight. The Holy Spirit has touched this woman and made her truly repentant, but apparently the Lord doesn’t understand she isn’t the type we want Him to rescue.” Many in the audience blushed with shame. Needless to say, the lady was warmly welcomed.
Second, compassion should see the potential in the other person.
Illustration: In October 1988 I cut an article from Reader’s Digest about a dog named Winston. Winston was a drug enforcement dog. During his six year career he helped confiscate over $52 million worth of cocaine, heroin and marijuana. He also sniffed out $14 million in drug-tainted money. Along the way, Winston won 12 official commendations. He did not start out that way. As a puppy he tore apart his first owner’s house and garden and after two months was returned to the breeders. In his second home, he smashed vases, chewed shoes and rugs, and dug up flower beds. His third and fourth owners were field dog trainers who planned to knock out his bad traits. In frustration they returned him to the kennel. Finally drug enforcement realized Winston’s potential. There are people, like Winston, all around us. Compassion can see the potential in them.
Jesus displayed a second attitude that provided a safe place for this lady. He extended an encouraging challenge. Jesus said “go and sin no more.”
A. Jesus gives second chances. In our text it is obvious Jesus believed she could change. He said “go and sin no more.” He believed she could change.
Illustration: During the recently completed college football season, I saw an inspiring sight. A player for one team dropped a pass when he was wide open in the end zone. A few minutes later the coach called the player’s number again. The second time, the player scored a touchdown. That is how God treats us. He throws us a pass. Sometimes we drop those passes. However, he calls our number again. That is the kind of challenge we need.
B. Jesus gives second chances but he also challenges you to take responsibility for your actions. Jesus does not condone inappropriate behavior. He challenges us to make a change. He challenges us to be responsible.
Illustration: When I was a teenager I had acne real bad. My mother had compassion for my situation. I wanted to get rid of the acne. My mother wanted me to get rid of the acne. However, she could not solve my problem. I had to take responsibility for it. She would buy medicines from make up companies. She would buy skin packs. Ultimately I had to take responsibility and use them.
Notice what Jesus tells this lady. “Go and sin no more.” She had a responsibility. If you have an anger problem you have to take responsibility. If you have an alcohol problem you have to take responsibility. If you have a pornography problem you have to take responsibility. God will forgive you for any sin. God will treat you with grace. God will help you.However, you must take responsibility and admit your problem.
The adulterous woman turned to Jesus for a safe place. There are people here today looking for a safe place. Let Him fill your need. He can make a difference.
