John 7:53–8:11 - Cameron Jungels - Sun AM, April 27, 2014

“No Condemnation” (John 7:53–8:11)

Eastside Baptist/Sun AM/April 27, 2014

 

53 Then they all went home,  1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.  2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.  3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group  4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.  5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"  6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.  7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."  8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.  9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.  10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"  11"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."  (John 7:53–8:11, NIV)

 

1.      Where did this story come from?

 

2.      What is the meaning of this story?

a.     Hypocritical Accusers

                                                              i.      Scheming

                                                           ii.      Hateful and Judgmental

                                                         iii.      Showing Favoritism

                                                          iv.      Hypocritical

b.     A Humble Woman

                                                              i.      Humiliated Publicly

                                                           ii.      Standing Silent before Her Accusers

                                                         iii.      Dependent on a Merciful Savior

c.      A Holy Savior

                                                              i.      Just

                                                           ii.      Merciful

1.        Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Romans 8:1, NIV)

2.      31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.  34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died-- more than that, who was raised to life-- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Romans 8:31-34, NIV)

                                                         iii.      Holy

1.        Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,  2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.  (Romans 8:1-2, NIV) Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation-- but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.  13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.  14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (Romans 8:12-14, NIV)

 

3.      How does this story apply to me?

a.      Perfect justice and perfect mercy come together in the person of Jesus Christ. His life of perfect righteousness makes up for my lack of righteousness. Jesus’ atoning death wipes away the guilt of my sins.

b.      Through humble faith in Christ, every sin is forgiven, and there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

c.       Standing in the forgiveness of Christ, we leave our life of sin and seek to walk in the holiness of life in the Spirit, not life in the flesh.

d.      Standing in the forgiveness of Christ, we seek to be merciful as our Savior is merciful and trust that his grace can save the worst of sinners (including us).

 

Main Idea: Forgiveness for sin is found in the mercy of Jesus Christ; those who have been forgiven leave their life of sin and demonstrate mercy as they have been shown mercy.