Law and Order
Preached on February 27th, 2005 at 11:00AM by Pastor Brian Greene - 00:38:58
Part of the "People of John" series
Listen to the sermon: Law and Order
John 8:1-11 (New Century Version):
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. (2) But early in the morning, he went back to the temple, and all the people came to him, and he sat and taught them. (3) The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They forced her to stand before the people. (4) They said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught having sexual relations with a man who is not her husband. (5) The Law of Moses commands that we stone to death every woman who does this. What do you say we should do?” (6) They were asking this to trick Jesus so that they could have some charge against him. But Jesus bent over and started writing on the ground with his finger. (7) When they continued to ask Jesus their question, he raised up and said, “Anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone at her.” (8) Then Jesus bent over again and wrote on the ground. (9) Those who heard Jesus began to leave one by one, first the older men and then the others. Jesus was left there alone with the woman standing before him. (10) Jesus raised up again and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one judged you guilty?” (11) She answered, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “I also don’t judge you guilty. You may go now, but don’t sin anymore.”
A key verse here is John 8:5 (KJV) “NOW Moses in THE LAW commanded us, that such should be stoned: BUT WHAT DO YOU SAY?”
Life Applications Bible Notes: The Jewish leaders had already disregarded the law by arresting the woman without the man. Deuteronomy 22:22 states, “If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, BOTH the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.”
The leaders were using the woman as a trap so they could trick Jesus. If Jesus said the woman should not be stoned, they could accuse him of violating the law of Moses, as well as lying because He said, “He came to fulfill the law not disregard it.” If Jesus had urged them to execute her, they would have reported him to the Roman authorities, who did not permit them to carry out their own executions (John 18:31).
The Law and Grace
The LAW is neat, orderly, and nicely packaged! GRACE unravels and frustrates! I remember a police officer stopping me because I went through a red light. The law neatly stated that I should receive a ticket. However, I had two children in the car who almost on cue said they were afraid of what the police officer was doing. The officer was so moved (frustrated and embarrassed) that he administered grace to me instead of the law. He told me to go and sin (don’t run red lights) no more.
The word CONDEMN has two definitions: 1. Here in chapter 8, it means “to judge; decide against.” 2. In John 3:16-17, it means “to try, to punish, to decide judiciously.”
Our English Dictionary provides us with The Key to CONDEMNATION:
- To “express” disapproval of.
- To “pronounce” judgment against.
- To “declare” unfit for use.
And UNFIT means:
- Not the proper size or shape.
- Not equipped for
- Not acceptable for a (GOD) given purpose - Ephesians 1:6
The word condemn comes from the Latin word “Condemnare” which means “To Prosecute Successfully”. How often do we prosecute those who have done wrong whether it’s on purpose or by mistake? Like lawyers in a court room, we bring evidence from their past offenses. Here’s exhibit A from 1986 and here’s exhibit B from 1992, and don’t forget how they did exhibit C in 2001. We build a case against the offending party until we can with a “free conscience” prosecute them successfully, pronouncing our judgment against them, and thus declare them unfit to be used, and unacceptable to both God and mankind. Worse yet, how many of you build a prosecutor’s case against yourselves? Declaring words over your own lives such as, “I stink!” or “I’m so stupid!” or “I always mess up!” I imagine you may even use words about your own lives which are far worse than what I’ve just stated.
Please Notice These Words: Express, Pronounce, Declare, and Prosecute
If the main instrument of condemnation is one’s Tongue, one’s Mouth, and one’s Words, then the main instrument of ministering grace will also be the Tongue, the Mouth, and Words!
Again: CONDEMNATION also means to “declare” unfit (not acceptable) for a God-given purpose. People are coming into our Church and Ministry Groups SCARRED by others! Therefore the main objective of our Ministry Groups is to minister “GRACE” to lives that are prosecuted on a daily basis.
When Jesus told her to “Go and sin no more”, he meant “Go and don’t do anything to sabotage your purpose!” He knew that all sin does is destroy one’s destiny (Romans 6:23).
Application
Spend this week disciplining your tongue to not speak words of criticism and condemnation over yourself, children, friends, or even your enemies. Speak words of grace (favor) over people’s lives. Compliment your roommate regarding a trait of theirs that you appreciate but rarely state. Write a card to someone- maybe a parent, who you remember invested in you and you need to remind them again of how their lives contributed to yours in such a positive manner. Discipline your tongue to speak words of affirmation and life. I guarantee that you will eventually see positive results (fruit) from your positive words (seeds).
Now you may be saying, “But what if they do something bad? What do I say?” Speak words regarding the offending action and not the person. For example: Instead of saying you’re always late! Ask them, “How can I help you to be one time or remind them of how their actions have an affect on others?” In other words there’s a difference between a correction and a condemnation and that difference can be recognized in the attitude of our hearts (Proverbs 4:23).
