WORSHIP THRU THE WORD

"The 4 R'S"

John 8:1-11

Paraphrase

Jesus returned to the Temple the next day and while he was teaching the people the religious leaders brought a woman caught in adultery to him.

Placing her center stage and reminding him that the Law of Moses commands them to stone her they asked Jesus how he thought they should handle the situation hoping to accuse him of breaking the Law.

When he ignored them and wrote on the ground with his finger they asked him again at which point he told them whoever was without sin should throw the first stone at her.

After saying this as he went back to writing on the ground the religious leaders left one by one until Jesus was alone with the woman.

Standing up Jesus asked her where the accusers had gone and if any one had condemned her to which she replied no.
Jesus responded by telling her he also did not condemned her and that she should move on in her life and change the way she has been living.

I. John told his first century readers that
Jesus challenged the religious leaders' motives and hearts when they tried to use the Law to trap him by condemning an adulterous woman.

II. How did Jesus challenge the motives and hearts of the religous leaders?

III. Jesus had them:

1. Reiterate (what they said to him)

2. Reflect (on what they said to him)

3. Reconsider (what they said to him)

4. Release (the woman from their condemnation)


IV. John tells us today that Jesus challenges the motives and hearts of the self-righteous when they try to use the Gospel to trap and condemn sinners.

V. How does Jesus challenge the motives and hearts of the self-righteous?

VI. Jesus has them:

1. Reiterate (what they are saying)

2. Reflect (on what they are saying)

3. Reconsider (what they are saying)

4. Release (those they are condemning)


Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Forgive us when we use You, when we use Your Son, when we use Your Good News to trap You - to put You in a box, to limit Your Amazing Grace in any way, shape or form.

Forgive us when we use Your Good
News to condemn rather than to forgive.

We give You praise that You give us the opportunity to hear what we are saying by making us repeat ourself outloud.

We thank you for guiding us to rethink and reconsider what we are saying and doing in light of who Your Son is and what he has done.

We praise You for releasing others from condemnation as You have released us through the grace that comes Jesus
Christ our Lord and Savior in whose name we pray.

Amen.