Grace in practice

GRACEInpractice

John 8:1–11 1 Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery.

Grace in practice They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

Grace in practice But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger [as though he did not hear them]. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

Grace in practice 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first [being convicted by their own conscience], until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and [seeing no-one except the woman] asked her, “Woman, where are they, [those who accused you]? Has no one condemned you?”

Grace in practice 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Grace in practice THE GUILTY WOMAN 1.THE REALITY OF PERSONAL FAILURE 2.THE SHAME OF PUBLIC DISCLOSURE 3.THE FEAR OF PERSONAL CONSEQUENCES

Grace in practice THE HYPOCRITICAL ACCUSERS 1.THEIR DISHONESTY 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. 2.THEIR CHALLENGE

Grace in practice THE UNBELIEVABLE JESUS 1.JESUS IS SHOWING US WHAT GOD IS LIKE Hebrews 1:3 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being

Grace in practice Colossians 1:15 & He is the image of the invisible God … 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him THIS IS WHAT GOD IS LIKE

Grace in practice When facing your private failure do you not long to hear God say: Neither do I condemn you

Grace in practice John 3:16–17 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Grace in practice 2.JESUS IS SHOWING US WHAT WE ARE TO BE LIKE Hearing us say to one another: Neither do I condemn you

Grace in practice James 2:12–13 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

Grace in practice “Neither do I condemn you” “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Go and start over again

Grace in practice GRACEInpractice