No More Shame
Lakewood | Pastor Jonathan | 2-12-2017
John 8:1-11
Introduction
From our earliest childhood most of us have had to deal with shame. It’s instilled in us by statements like, “You should be ashamed of yourself” or “Shame on you!” This message is about Jesus bearing our shame! You are going to find out today that you can be free from shame!
I. The Scribes and the Pharisees brought this woman to Jesus at The Temple (the Church house) and accused her there! Paint the Picture…
¥ It was early morning… The dawning of a brand new day. (Coffee Time!)
¥ Jesus had been to the Mount of Olives no doubt praying and now He was in the temple teaching.
¥ The Scribes (Writers of the Law) & Pharisees (Enforcers of the Law) had “TAKEN” a woman caught in adultery and were attempting to SHAME HER by putting her on public display.
¥ They attempted to prosecute the woman and entrap Jesus at the same time. (The venom of religion)
¥ Jesus didn't speak… Just wrote on the ground so they “continued to ask Him”. (Satan always tries to create chaos)
¥ Jesus writes again… They get convicted and begin leaving
¥ Jesus spoke to the accused and set her free!
II. God - the Ultimate Legislator!
John 8:6-8
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
A. Jesus responded with one statement and by simply writing on the ground.
1. The finger of God - Signifying that God is the ultimate legislator!
2. With the finger of God the Mosaic Law was written on tablets of stone.
¥ Jesus was conveying to them that the very law they were inscribing and enforcing was introduced by Jehovah - His Father)
3. Maybe the “Finger of God” was writing this time about Grace!
IT WAS TIME FOR GRACE TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THE EARTH!
2 Corinthians 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
Ephesians 2:11-17
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
B. JESUS WAS COMMUNICATING THROUGH SILENCE! The mostly “Silent Conversation” that Jesus had with those present was more powerful that any words He could speak.
1. The only words that Jesus spoke to the scribes and pharisees were, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” - John 8:7
2. He communicated that He was not interested in accusations.
3. He communicated that He was not interested in arguing and debating.
4. He taught us:
¥ Sometimes its best to just ignore accusers (background noise)
¥ Silence can be deafening! Eventually they will run out of things to say.
¥ To love even the broken,
¥ and He taught us to “avoid foolish and unlearned questions because they gender (procreate) strife.
2 Timothy 2:23-24
23 But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.
III. What a Beautiful Morning! NO MORE SHAME!
John 8:10-11
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Shame - A painful sensation excited by a consciousness of guilt, or of having done something which injures reputation; or by of that which nature nature or modesty prompts us to conceal. Webster’s
A. The first Biblical reference to shame is found right after creation. “The man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed.” - Gen. 2:25. God originally intended for us to live free of shame!
1. YOU were not created for shame. YOU were created to be crowned with Glory & Honor and to have Dominion!
Psalms 8:4-6
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
2. Man was introduced to the emotions of shame after The Fall. (After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit)
Genesis 3:7-8
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (Hiding their shame)
¥ Sensing rejection before God, Cain kills Abel.
¥ When Noah’s nakedness and drunkenness was exposed by Canaan, Noah curses his own so with shame.
¥ The Prodigal son experienced shame
B. Shame is satan’s bully… (Shame is satan’s threat to your self-identity)
1. Shame only controls and defines us when we live in fear of it.
Romans 10:11 AMP The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed.
Psalms 34:22 AMP The Lord redeems the lives of His servants, and none of those who take refuge and trust in Him shall be condemned or held guilty.
C. Shame will influence your actions and opinions towards others
1. Shame will cause you to try and pull others down so you can feel better about your situation. (It clouds your reality)
2. Revelations 12:7-10 refers to satan as a dragon, serpent and accuser of the brethren who was constantly trying to destroy our reputation before God our Father.
D. The Cross removed our shame
1. When they plucked the beard of Jesus and smote him upon the cheek, He was paying the price to free us from shame!
Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
2. Jesus bore our shame
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
IV. Closing: God is saying to us today that I have taken away your shame!
A. Shame comes from many things.
1. Failed Business, Bankruptcy, Divorce, Moral Failure, Addictions, Unrealistic Expectations on ourselves (to name a few).
B. Question: HOW DOES GOD SEE ME?
1. Saved, Delivered, Healed, Set Free, As a Son,
2. Redeemed, Justified, Sanctified (Set apart for His pleasure)
C. How should I see myself? THE SAME WAY GOD SEE’S ME!
1. Anything less cheapens Calvary and is disrespectful to the sacrifice of Jesus!
D. How should I live? With Joy!
Altar Call: You can be free from Shame!
