Drop the Stone
John 8:1–3 (NLT)
Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning He was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and He sat down and taught them. As He was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
John 8:4–5 (NLT)
“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do You say?”
HOW DOES GRACE RESPOND TO GUILT?
1. RELIGION NAMES YOU BY YOUR WORST. GRACE NAMES YOU BY YOUR WORTH.
John 8:3–4 (NLT)
The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery.”
God does not consult your past before deciding your future.
Romans 3:23 (NLT)
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.”
HOW DOES GRACE RESPOND TO GUILT?
1. RELIGION NAMES YOU BY YOUR WORST. GRACE NAMES YOU BY YOUR WORTH.
2. RELIGION SEES THE PROBLEM. GRACE SEES THE PERSON.
John 8:3 (NLT)
As He was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
Religion judges from a window. Grace reveals through a mirror.
Luke 6:37 (NLT)
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.”
Grace always leans toward the one the room has already discounted.
John 8:4–5 (NLT)
“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do You say?”
John 8:5–6a (NLT)
“The law of Moses says to stone her. What do You say?” They were trying to trap Him into saying something they could use against Him…
The moment we begin caring more about proving a point than restoring a person, we’ve totally missed the heart of God.
Pharisees will destroy a life to win an argument. But disciples are OK losing the argument if it saves one.
Exodus 31:18 (NLT)
“When the Lord finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two stone tablets of the covenant, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.”
John 8:6b (NLT)
…but Jesus stooped down…
HOW DOES GRACE RESPOND TO GUILT?
1. RELIGION NAMES YOU BY YOUR WORST. GRACE NAMES YOU BY YOUR WORTH.
2. RELIGION SEES THE PROBLEM. GRACE SEES THE PERSON.
3. RELIGION TRIES TO STAND OVER YOU, GRACE KNEELS TO COVER YOU.
John 8:7b–8 (NLT)
So he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
John 8:9 (NKJV)
Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
John 1:17 (NLT)
“For the law was given through Moses, but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.”
Truth without grace creates a gospel of judgment. Grace without truth creates a gospel of toleration.
John 8:10–11 (NLT)
Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
Maybe you made a decision to follow Jesus today, or maybe you’re curious what life with Him is all about. Wherever you are on your journey, we invite you to share with us so we can help you discover your next step.
