1. Grace: Around 70 years ago a conference on comparative religions was held at Cambridge University. Theologians and scholars from around the world came together to explore various religious ideas. One topic was: Which belief (or doctrine) is unique to the Christian faith? Many of the things that Christians believe, other religions believe, too. So the question was: What is unique about the Christian faith?
C.S. Lewis was a professor at Cambridge and was part of that conference. He walked into the room and someone said to him, "What do you believe is Christianity's unique contribution among the world religions." Lewis quickly replied, "Oh, that's easy. It's grace."
After some discussion and debate, those at the conference agreed. Christianity is the only religion which believes God's love is offered to us for free, with no strings attached, and that His grace and mercy are available to everyone.
2. We want God’s grace and mercy for ourselves, but how quickly are we willing to give it to others?
3. John 8:2-11
I. On Our Maps – The People in the Story
A. Sin is On Our Maps
1. Woman CAUGHT in Adultery – Violation of one of the “Top 10” with severe consequences – Leviticus 20:10 “If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
a. Obvious injustice – where’s the man?
b. Face it, we pick and choose who we want to condemn and who we want to let “off the hook.” We say, “O, that’s just the way so and so is.”
• The woman was of little value.
• Far reaching consequences of sin; what about her family?
c. BTW, you and I are the woman in this story – Romans 3:23; 6:23
• May not be adultery but you bear the scars of sin
• We must deal with people and with Jesus
2. This was a test for Jesus – what will you do with the Torah and this woman?
B. Condemnation is On Our Maps – Pharisees and Scribes
1. Responses to Sin – light or heavy? Theirs is heavy:
a. Stone her – right by Torah (Leviticus 20:10); usual method throw bound from a hill; each witness drops a stone; one shot
b. “Bloody Sanhedrin”
2. Our response to Sin?
a. Often we pet our own sins and condemn sins of others
b. A proper response: Galatians 6:1-5
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.5 For each will have to bear his own load.
II. Off Our Maps -- Jesus
A. See the Wisdom of Jesus (He’s fully in control of the situation)
1. Writing in the dust
• 10 commandments?
• Names? – Jeremiah 17:13
O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water.
2. “Finger of God” = Holy Spirit
B. See the Delight of Jesus in Mercy – John 8:10-11a 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you;
C. See the Direction of Jesus in Regards to Conduct – John 8:11b, “. . .go and do not sin again.”
D. Determine Our Response
1. “Hang ‘em!” or “Forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing”?
2. Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
3. Be careful – the law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7-8)
1. Unforgiving Steward – Matthew 18:23-35 (especially 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”)
2. If this was an AA meeting we would be ENCOURAGING one another to a better walk with God, knowing that we may be the one to fall next week. We’re not anonymous here, but we are an association of sinners bought by the blood of Jesus and trying to walk worthy of him. One of our jobs is to encourage one another on the walk, considering ourselves as we do.
3. You were given a stone this morning. Take it with you and put it in your pocket or a prominent place. Every time you touch it or see it, remember you stood condemned to die before God, deserving of stoning. However, in his great love for you (Romans 5:8). He gave you grace and mercy instead of the stone.
In dealing with others, you have a choice with that stone as well. You can hurl the stone or put it down and practice mercy and grace.
