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2. How Jesus Handled Sin John 8:1-11

3. He Ignored “Methods” Not Intended To Help vv. 1-7a • “TheSituation” • The scribes & Pharisees placed Jesus on the “horns of dilemma” v. 6a • Horn #1 Ù stoning would violate Roman law Jn 19:7 18:31

4. He Ignored “Methods” Not Intended To Help vv. 1-7a • “TheSituation” • The scribes & Pharisees placed Jesus on the “horns of dilemma” v. 6a • Horn #2 Ù letting her live would violate Mosaic Law Lev 20:10

5. He Ignored “Methods” Not Intended To Help vv. 1-7a • “TheSituation” • Jesus’ refusal to answer indicated His disapproval of their “method” v. 7a • The woman was only a “pawn” to them • How do we “handle sinners” today?

6. He Emphasized Following The Word Of God vv. 7b-9a • When Jesus finally answered, the Jews indicated their true motive • Their hypocrisy has been exposed • Witnesses cast the 1st stones Deut 17:2-7 • Where was the adulterer? Lev 20:10

7. He Emphasized Following The Word Of God vv. 7b-9a • When Jesus finally answered, the Jews indicated their true motive • Jesus encourages them to follow the Law’s demands as long as they were not guilty themselves cp. Mt 7:1-5 Rom 2:1-3

8. He Emphasized Following The Word Of God vv. 7b-9a • Jesus reveals the only proper way to deal with sin and sinners… • We must be guided by God’s word • We must see how His word addresses the behavior in question & follow what it says

9. He Desired Forgiveness Instead Of Condemnation vv. 9b-11a • This is why Jesus came to earth Jn 3:17 • The woman was guilty v. 3a • Jesus knew her guilt Jn 2:24-25 • Jesus also knew the Law Deut 17:6-7

10. He Desired Forgiveness Instead Of Condemnation vv. 9b-11a • As God in the flesh, He granted her forgiveness v. 11a • Equivalent to her not being condemned • Sometimes granted to others during His time on earth Mt 9:2 Lk 23:43

11. He Desired Forgiveness Instead Of Condemnation vv. 9b-11a • Condemnation is what each of us deserve because of our sin • Forgiveness is God’s merciful gift Eph 1:7 2:4-8

12. He Desired Forgiveness Instead Of Condemnation vv. 9b-11a • When everything is stripped away, each sinner is like this woman – • Alone in her guilt before the Son of God • Using His own “criteria” only Jesus was qualified to judge her v. 7b

13. He Desired Forgiveness Instead Of Condemnation vv. 9b-11a • When everything is stripped away, each sinner is like this woman – • He did not judge her for 2 reasons… (1) He was not a witness (2) He wanted to save her, not stone her

14. The Jews Jesus Notice the 2 ways this woman was treated: • Brought her in as a captive • Used her as a “tool” • Only saw her “dark past” v. 4b • Eager to stone her • Set her free • Treated her as a human being • Saw her “promising future” v. 11b • Ready to save her

15. He Demanded Repentance v. 11b • Forgiveness is a “wasted gift” if the pardoned sinner returns to the filth from which he was cleansed 2 Pet 2:20-22 • This woman was to “…sin no more” (a change in her behavior)

16. He Demanded Repentance v. 11b • The same is demanded of us today • Repentance is necessary Lk 13:3, 5 • Not sinning should be our goal 1 Jn 2:1a • God’s goodness (His salvation, mercy) should lead us to repentance Rom 2:4

17. He Demanded Repentance v. 11b • The same is demanded of us today • Our sorrow at being guilty of violating God’s will & disappointing Him should motivate us to repentance 2 Cor 7:9-10a

18. Conclusion • An “illustration” at how cruel & cold man can be to his fellow sinner…how tender & compassionate the is sinless God • We can and must follow this “formula re: modern-day sinners & their sin • We’ll not use you as a “pawn”

19. Conclusion • We can and must follow this “formula re: modern-day sinners & their sin • We’ll point you toward the word of God • We’re interested in your forgiveness, not your condemnation • We’ll stress your need for repentance

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