John 8:1-12: 8 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might find something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 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. 10 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?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
INTRODUCTION: DROP YOUR STONES! OR JESUS WILL STAND YOU UP!
Let me talk about stones this morning. Very simple and common matter but very vital. But let me begin by saying that God requires us who are Christians to take care of each other. Not to pamper people in their wrongs, but to encourage them get back up when they do wrong or fall. This is what being a Christian is all about. We must have that Barnabas Spirit – to be willing to help each other when down.
1. Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
2. Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
3. Hebrews 13:3 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
4. Hebrews 5:18-19 19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Many In Our Churches Are Suffering In Silence Because They Have No One To Trust.
HISTORY OF STONES IN THE BIBLE AND THE PURPOSE FOR THEM
The Bible Talks A Lot About Stones - Stone which the builders rejected; Peter being the rock; about us being precious stones (diamond, crystal, pearl); suffering in Christ is gold making process, stones as memorial, man built his house on stones, etc. Stones show the wonders of God. They symbolize endurance, stability, permanence. They represent the ability to be grounded & connected. They are strong & easily accessible. So when that which is used to demonstrate strength & stability is used as a missile to attack someone for wrongs committed, it can have debilitating effects. It can break apart, degrade, and demean a person. Galatians 6:10: Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
SOME THINGS TO NOTICE IN THE PASSAGE
1. Notice What Time It Was (When). The story took place early in the morning. The accusers were not in church early like the disciples, but came early only when they wanted to accuse. It’s amazing how many showed up at church to throw stones. That means something brings them early. The text says that Jesus was in the temple teaching. Oh to God that people would be like those there with Jesus, to hear the Word, instead of spreading a bad word. We can be on-time for work, our community meetings, even on black Friday we can make it out at 5am to the sales, and we will take our friends and loved ones with us to all these events, but when it comes time to make it to the house of God on time, we can’t make it! If there is a stoning going on we will car pool, credit money to go there. Why do we like to see people down?
2. Notice Where It Took Place. John 8:1-2 show us that Jesus was busy in the Temple. you can always find Jesus busy for the Father. Are we? Did you know that you could find rock throwers in the same place as Jesus? They might be there before Jesus to make sure they have the perfect spot. Christ came there to be the Light of the world. They came to kill, steal, and destroy. What a contrast. People are not afraid of God anymore. They come to church to fight, attack people, etc.
3. Notice Who Was Bringing The Accusations. John 8:3 points to the Scribes and the Pharisees as the accusers. They are supposed to be the religious leaders of that day. They were versed in the law, they fully knew what was to be done, but they brought her to Jesus. Two (2) Passages Addressed This Sin: Leviticus 20:10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. Deuteronomy 22:22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel. Adulterous Women Who Were Engaged Were Stoned To Death, married women were strangled, and the daughter of a priest was burned to death. The Scribes and the Pharisees knew what the Law said, and how to carry it out if they found one breaking it, but they wanted to see what Jesus would do and say to this one caught in the very act. We Know This Was A Setup. It was an attempt to trap Jesus in an effort to get rid of Him. Either they could discredit Him with the people, with Rome, or in His relationship to the Law.
This Brings To Mind A Couple Of Questions. First, how did they catch these two in the very act? Did they follow them thru the night to try and catch them? Did they orchestrate the adultery simply as a means to destroy Jesus? If so, this would explain the lack of an accused male. The man could very well have been one of their numbers. Second, how were so many men able to witness such obscene situation? Three, where was their compassion? Was this merely a gossip believed by so many? It’s sad that they would use this woman to achieve their selfish ends with no regard for the condition of her soul. She needed help. They didn’t care. All they cared about was destroying Jesus and His ministry & they did not care who they destroyed in the process. People are evil. Some will destroy an entire church just to get back at one person.
4. She Was Charged With A Deadly Crime. They said they caught her in the very act. The punishment for this crime was to be stoned to death. Graciously for her, they brought her to a loving Judge. Because what many have been through in ministry, they are afraid to trust. Pray to fall in God’s hand – He is merciful. Again, unfortunately for them, they were guilty themselves of sins – sins unto death. Like this woman, people who are in bondage are looking for love & acceptance. That woman was betrayed by whatever man he was. The woman thought that she had found a man who truly loves her, but instead, he abandoned her. Many of us are like this woman. We look for love & acceptance but all we get is brokenness & rejection.
Let Me Say This About Adultery – It Is Sin. I Am Not Covering Or White-Washing It. We have whitewashed it & call it “An Affair” – “event that has been previously referred to”. God calls it adultery & says it is a sin! It’s easy to see why. It violates marriage vows. It breaks hearts, destroys families, cheapens sex, destroys trust, shatters dreams. It is inexcusable. This should never happen, but it did. Yet, as horrible as the sin of adultery is; it is no worse, in the eyes of God, than other sins. James 2:10: 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. The difference is that some sins carry greater consequences than others. But sin is sin.
No Matter How Skillfully Sin Is Hidden From Others, Jesus knows all about it. One day hidden sins will be revealed. Luke 12:3 “Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops”. These types of execution sound harsh, but they were instituted to protect the sanctity of sex, holiness of marriage, and moral purity of the nation of Israel.
5. Christ Speaks To The Accusers. In John 8:6 they were tempting Him, to accuse Him. In John 8:7 He asks them “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her”. We are not as holy as we think we are, when the Savior puts light upon or sin. There Are Four Theories As To What Jesus Wrote On The Ground That Day: 1) Jesus wrote down the sins of the people who were standing there with stones in hand. 2) Jesus wrote out the Ten Commandments. 3) Jesus wrote a special message to the Pharisees. 4) Jesus wrote the phrase, “If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to cast the first stone.”
Jesus Is Able To Do All That & More Because He Stooped. Think about it! He stooped to be born in a manger! He stooped to live in poverty! He stooped to work as a carpenter! He stooped to eat with sinners! He stooped to be hungry, tired & thirsty! He stooped to sleep in a boat! He stooped to sit on a well! He stooped to spend time with tax collectors! He stooped to touch lepers! He stopped to be beaten! He stooped to be spit upon! He stooped to be ridiculed & mocked! He stooped to be nailed to a cross! He stooped to be crucified for our sins on the cross! He stooped to die & be buried! Three days later, Hallelujah, He stood up! When He did, everything changed! When He stooped and stood up, sin, death, Hell, Satan, and the grave were all defeated! Praise the Lord! Our God is the God Who stoops, and then stands again! When Jesus stooped and stood up in the Temple, a woman was set free from sin & certain death. When Jesus stooped to die & stood up three days later, He delivered His people from their sins!
Kinds Of Stones To Drop: Drop That Stone!
a) Envy & Jealousy
b) Pretense, Hypocrisy & Deception
c) Rejoicing When Others Are Hurting
d) Lies, Gossips, Bearing False Witness
e) Pride & Arrogance
f) Anger & Vexation
g) Unforgivingness, Bitterness, Hate
h) Childishness, Immaturity & Visionless i) Playing Church & Fooling Around
j) Confusion & Conflict
k) Wastefulness & No Plans In Life
l) Moving With Wrong Crowd & Following Others
m) Forming Cliques
n) Nosiness & Busybodies In People’s Businesses
o) Unmerited Criticism & Judgment
p) Witchcraft & Sorcery
6. That Question Hits Home For Them All. John 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their OWN conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. It could be said, from the highest ranking of the Scribes & Pharisees to the least of the people were walking out of the room, convicted of their own sins. So that means their conscience were dead before. Their conviction does not lead to conversion but leaving the scene. Conviction must lead to conversion. Sin was present in everyone there, except Jesus. As they all left the room, she was left alone with Jesus. As They Left The Room, They Dropped Their Stones At The Door. Who were they going to throw them at - themselves? Sin brought them to the Temple that day. Sin caused them to leave the Temple that day. They came and went the way they were. Sin brought her to the temple that day. Forgiveness taught her to sin no more. If you came with any kind of stones today, leave them at the altar before you leave.
7. Christ Turns Their Entrapment Around. The trap they laid for Jesus was turned on them; there sins were brought to the forefront of discussion, not the sins of the women. Do you recall the same thing that happened to Haman in the book of Esther? He thought he would have hung Mordecai in the gallows, but he himself was hung in his own gallows that he made for Mordecai. Church, Christ has called us to love one another, not to throw stones. Some Churches & Peoples could change their names to “stone throwers”. They are more known for their throwing of stones then they are of their witness for Jesus.
8. Christ Shows His Grace. Jesus would rather be with the woman stooping on the ground where they had placed her. He stood to confront them but His place was with the woman. This is grace friend. He came down to my level when I couldn’t get up to his. 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. Romans 6:1-2 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
BIBLE VERSES TO HELP CLOSURE
1. 1 PETER 1:22: 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living & enduring word of God.
2. 1 PETER 2: 1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
3. JUDE 1:24: Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.
CONCLUSION: STEPS TO TAKE WHEN DEALING WITH EACH OTHER AS BELIEVERS
We Need To Drop Our Stones At The Door, And Pick Up The Cross At The Altar & Follow Jesus. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. John 8:11 Go and sin no more. When You Leave From Here, Leave With No Stones.
1. Hug People Like You’ll Never See Them Again - Holy Kiss. Romans 16:16 (Hugs).
2. Be Careful How We Address Each Other: Titles with which We Greet Each Other Matters.
3. Encourage Each Other. Hebrew 10:24-25; 3:12-13.
4. Demonstrate Personal Interest & Care. Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 12:25-26.
5. Refrain From Gossip. James 1:26; Proverbs 6:16-19; 16:27-28; Romans 14:19.
6. Care For People In Crisis & Pray For Them - Matthew 25:34-40.
7. Show Tolerance & Forgiveness. Ephesians 4:2, 32; Colossians 3:13.
8. Restore The Erring. Galatians 6:1.
9. Give & Commit Your Life To God: Everything will pass, what you do for Christ will last.
PRAYER / INTERCESSION FOR PEOPLE
Those Dealing With Above Issues And Personal Issues Or Standing In Gap For Someone.
