Message Title: Casting Stones
Scripture: John 8:7-11
John 8:7
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up
himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first
cast a stone at her.
Here we have a women who was caught
in adultery. The Pharisees and scribes wanted to make use her to one, make
Jesus go against the Law of Moses or uphold the Law of Moses and not look so
merciful in front of the crowd. Instead, Jesus out smarts them and says let the
first stone thrower be the one without sin. Knowing full well he was the only
one without sin.
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.
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.
There are a few things we should
notice in this passage.
1.
Jesus not only condemn her of her
sin. He didn’t point out to the ones you left their sin. He left that to their
own convictions.
2.
He did not condone any of their sins.
He never says to them,
“It’s o.k. don’t worry about.”
Or try, “Try better
next time.” Instead he heeds a warning. “Go and sin no more.”
Now, there is a whole
other sermon in that but, I want to concentrate today on the Pharisees
and scribes not throwing stones. Nowadays, we would think it was absurd to
throw rocks at anyone for committing a crime let alone any sin the Bible told
us not to do. Can you imagine, go to church or any religious event in America
and John Smith gets caught looking at a choir girl to long and they stone him
for having lust in his heart. How about a child talking back to his or her
parent during the Church pot luck and dragging them outside and stoning them.
Now, remember I said America, things like this still happen in other countries.
Now maybe, we have evolved from throwing literal rocks but, our we still in a
sense throwing rocks with our words to people that don’t look like us or think
like us.
We post things online
about anyone or anything we don’t like and agree with. We use hurtful words and
have truths to get others to join in with us. Friendships end, families stop
talking to each other. Indeed we still throw stones. We don’t have to agree and
definitely not condone things we don’t believe in. But, our words should always
be used carefully and with thought of Christ behind it.
Which is, he’s the only
one that can condemn. We are not going to agreed 100% of the time with 100% of
the people. And by no means am I saying to never say anything. It’s just when we
do speak on these tough subjects remember to speak with the love of God,
through the word of God and let him bring the conviction.
Music Worship Leaders:
JW & Sharon Peck
Songs:
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