August 20, 2023

The Gospel Message

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: John 8:1-12
Service Type:
  • Story of the King and the tribe
  • This leads us to the story in John 8
    • A beautiful story, a story of mercy
    • Not a story - but a historical event
    • Something that encapsulates the gospel message
    • Some mystery - what did Jesus write in the sand that caused the Pharisees to flee?
  • Context
    • The primary event - a showdown between the Pharisees and Jesus
      • They rejected His authority
      • They were jealous of the crowds drawn to Jesus
      • They tried to trap Him - often with questions from the law of Moses
        • Matt 22:23-46 – marriage in heaven
        • Mark 12:14-16 – whether to pay taxes to Caesar
        • Matt 24:34-37 – which commandment is greatest?
        • John 8:3-6 – the woman caught in adultery
          • The Pharisees do not care about the woman or her sin - only tripping up Jesus
          • They did not truly care about justice and righteous, as they did not bring the man (caught in the very act) - Lev 20:10
  • Three evidences of what Jesus was writing in the sand
  • Evidence 1 - writing
    • v6 - Jesus wrote with a finger in the ground
      • Dan 5:5-12
    • v8 - Jesus wrote twice on the ground
      • Ex 31:18
    • Jesus could have been writing the law - the 10 commandments
      • The first tablet - loving God
      • The second tablet - loving our neighbour
  • Evidence 2 - mysterious words
    • v7
      • 1 John 3:4 - sin is breaking of the law
  • Evidence 3 - response of the pharisees
    • v9
      • Rom 3:19
      • The older we are - the more sin we have committed
      • The laws they sinned against
        • Worship God
        • Not to make idols
        • No blasphmey
        • Keep the sabbath
        • Honour your parents
        • No murder
        • No adultery
        • No stealing
        • No false witness
        • No coveting
      • No one could cast a stone
  • How do you stand against the word of God?
    • People often think they are okay
      • James 2:10
      • Breaking the law even once - means you are a law breaker
    • v10-11
      • The righteous and the forgiven can stand before the law of God
      • Jesus alone is the righteous one of God
        • The Lamb without spot or blemish
        • He came to fulfil the law
        • He was without sin
      • The woman is forgiven
        • Jesus notes that adultery is sin - Matt 5:28
          • Even in the actions of his heart
        • The woman is to sin no more
  • How can the woman be forgiven her sin even though she was convicted by the law?
    • Because of the work of Christ on the cross
      • Jesus would redeem sinners to a holy God
    • Reading Isaiah 53:1-12
      • The righteous one was condemned in her place
      • Jesus bore her shame on the cross
        • Jesus bore the shame for our sin on the cross
      • What love and grace was shown to this woman
        • What love and grace was shown to us
      • Have you heard love and mercy like this?
        • That Jesus the punishment in our place
        • That we might be restored to God
      • What incomparable truths!
        • Our sin is highly selfish
        • Our sin is serious
        • Love demands judgment
        • Sin can only be expunged through sacrifice - the sacrifice of Jesus Christ Himself
  • Closing Remarks
    • The mystery writing - the law of God
    • There are only two people who can stand without fear before God - the Righteous (Jesus) and the forgiven
    • Forgiveness comes through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
    • Challenge: What is your defence on judgment day?
      • Can you say 'Jesus paid it all'
      • Do you know Jesus?
        • Receive the love and mercy of God
        • Take hold of Jesus
        • Ask Him to be commander of your life
      • You must be forgiven
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