John 8:1-11 Sin condemns, but Jesus forgives Go and Sin No More John 8:1-11 Sin condemns, but Jesus forgives Purpose of the Scribes and Pharisees Test Jesus “that they might have something of which to accuse Him” (vs. 6). Note: Commandment to stone (Leviticus 20:10), “The man who commits adultery with another man's wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.” What Jesus accomplished in His response He shamed the woman’s accusers for their hypocrisy (7-9) Note: There was a special burden upon those who would witness against a sin worthy of death. These witnesses were to be (in effect) the executioners! (Deuteronomy 17:6-7), “Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness. 7 The hands of the witnesses shall be the first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So you shall put away the evil from among you.” He showed a spirit of compassion and forgiveness to the woman! Consider, Jesus WILL, ultimately JUDGE HER for her actions on earth! [Nothing about this indicates that unrepented sin will be ignored] (Romans 14:10b-12), “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” But, His agenda (and ours as well) is an agenda of FORGIVENESS toward sinners! (vs. 11)

Jesus demands we choose not to live in sin John 8:11 James 1:13-15; Colossians 3:5-9 The important words for our consideration in this account (John 8:11), “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” He did not condemn her to be stoned at that time (Her accusers were not willing to press their case. Legally, He was not an eyewitness to the sin. Additionally, He demanded she no longer continue in that sin! Sin Is Not Forced Upon Us, It Is Chosen (James 1:13-15), “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” Put Sin To Death In Your Life (Colossians 3:5-9), “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds…” Next Slide: Some questions to ask yourselves to assist in putting sin to death in your life…

Ask These Questions Will this conduct honor God? Is it something I would do if Jesus were present? Is it something I can recommend to others as godly? Will I draw closer to God by doing it? -Ask these questions: Will this conduct honor God? (Be careful not to rationalize!) (Proverbs 14:34), “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Is it something I would do if Jesus were present? (Because He most certainly is aware…) (Acts 1:24), [prayer of Apostles re: who would replace Judas], “And they prayed and said, ‘You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all…’” Is it something I can recommend to others as godly? (Takes discernment, “those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”, cf. Hebrews 5:14) Will I draw closer to God by doing it? (James 4:8), “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Put On The New Man (Colossians 3:9-10), “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” Ceasing from sin, we develop a new character. We are no longer characteristically unrighteous!

Go and Repent the nature and effect of repentance 2 Corinthians 7:9-10, 11 (cf. John 8:11) Christ calls upon us to REPENT! What is genuine repentance? (Note: it comes from a godly sorrow, and leads to salvation! (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” By its nature it is an obvious thing – to self, others and God! (2 Corinthians 7:11), “For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” Repentance Is A Change Of Mind Which Causes Us To Live Differently [ i.e., we “go and sin no more” (John 8:11) ]

Go and Live for God Matthew 6:24; 12:30 Joshua 24:15 Ultimately, We All Live For Either God Or Satan – (Matthew 6:24), “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 12:30), [Jesus said] “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” What Will Your Choice Be? (Joshua 24:15), [Joshua, as a final charge as Israel took possession of the land of Israel], “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Conclusion: Jesus did not ignore the seriousness of the woman’s sin, or excuse any wrong behavior He called her, and He calls us, to repentance May we all live lives of righteousness before Jesus, so that in that day He does stand in judgment over us, He will accept us into eternity!