ENCOUNTERING JESUS
Part 4 – Loving The Outcast
(John 8:1-11)
June 9, 2024
Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor
1. JEALOUSY AND ENVY CAN CAUSE US TO DO TERRIBLE THINGS.
A. John 8:3 As He was speaking, the teachers of religious law and Pharisees brought a woman they had caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
B. John 8:5 “The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
C. John 8:6 They were trying to trap Him into saying something they could use against Him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with His finger.
D. John 8:7-8 They kept demanding an answer, so He stood up again and said, “All right, stone her. But let those who have never sinned throw the first stones!” 8 Then He stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
E. John 8:10-11 Then Jesus stood up again and said to her, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
2. What do we learn from this story?
A. Envy or jealousy will destroy us on the inside. (John 8:6)
1. Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh, but envy the rottenness of the bones.
2. Jealousy describes a person with full hands fearful that someone else may take it from him.
3. Envy describes a person who has empty hands and who wants them full. He sees what others have and becomes envious.
4. Here are the religious leaders trying to do away with Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed of God…and they do it in the Name of God.
B. Adultery is always wrong in God’s eyes. (John 8:11)
1. The word adultery is simply the Greek word “pornea” which actually means any kind of sexual involvement outside of marriage between a man and a woman.
2. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control your body and live in holiness and honor— 5 not in lustful passion as the pagans do, in their ignorance of God and His ways. 6 Never cheat a Christian brother in this matter by taking his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. (NLT)
C. God has called us to be a people of Truth and Grace.
1. John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ.
2. Galatians 6:1-2 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (NIV)
a. Restore with a gentle spirit.
b. Get involved in the person’s life.
c. Part of restoring a person is bending down and helping to shoulder some of the load.