LOC #35: SEEING JESUS (John 7:53-8:11)

(This message may be used as an individual sermon or as part of the series.)

JOHN 7:37-39 – IS IT REAL?

LIFE OF CHRIST #34

JOHN 7:53-8:11 – SEEING JESUS

LIFE OF CHRIST #35

There are at least two different kinds of learning. There is a kind of learning that can quote an answer and understand nothing. There is another kind of learning that may be short on facts and big words, but long on understanding.

We have been studying the Life of Christ, and our goal is to know Him better. As we enter our next event in the life of Christ, which directly follows the great invitation of the Lord Jesus for those who are thirsty to come to Him and drink, we find there is a great opportunity for us to know him better by just observing Him. As we look at this story about a woman caught in adultery, we want to take our eyes basically off of the woman and the accusing scribes and Pharisees and simply see Jesus. This will help us to learn by seeing Jesus. This morning we want to:

SEE JESUS AS COMMUNICATOR – John 7:53-8:2

Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, the great harvest feast that remembered the wanderings of Israel in the wilderness.

He had been teaching during the feast, in spite of the opposition of the Jewish leadership. On the last day of the feast He had communicated his offer to those who were spiritually thirsty. John 7:37-39

Jesus’ offer is still valid today. To anyone who will place their faith and trust in Him as their Savior, He will give them the “rivers of living water, or the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Vs. 2 – After a night on the Mount of Olives, Jesus returned to the temple. The people gathered to Him. He taught them. Jesus was and is a communicator.

As you read the Gospels you will find Jesus communicating. There are great sermons like the Sermon on the Mount, the Upper Room and the Olivet Discourse.

There are great parables like the Lost Sheep and The Good Samaritan. The Lord taught how to pray, how to forgive and how to be humble.

Jesus communicated or taught by example. 1 John 2:6

Jesus communicated God, because He is God! John 1:1,14, John 14:8-9

John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 – And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

There is no more important communicator to follow than the Lord Jesus! Mark 13:31, John 14:21, John 15:7

And let us remember that the whole Bible is the Word of God. And Jesus is God. So, in a real sense, the Bible is the Word of Jesus.

Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17:17, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

If we are going to grow as Christians we must see Jesus as communicator, through This Book!

His Words are to be learned.

His Words are to be obeyed!

SEE JESUS IN CONFLICT – Vss. 3-6a

Vss. 3-4 – The Scribes were copiers and teachers of the Law. The Pharisees were the religious fundamentalists of their day.

They were zealous for the Law of God but in many ways were hypocritical.

They brought a woman caught in adultery before him.

She had been taken in the act of adultery.

She was guilty.

There were witnesses.

Of course, we wonder, where was the offending man in all of this? He should have also been brought before Jesus.

Vss. 5-6 – So these accusers who brought the woman before Jesus reminded Jesus of the Law of Moses. Moses said those caught in adultery were to be executed.

The whole reason this woman was brought before Jesus was not for the sake of justice on the part of the scribes and Pharisees. They were in conflict with Jesus and wanted to trap Him.

How did they think to trap Jesus?

Jesus was known as compassionate and taught compassion.

He was known as the friend of tax collectors and sinners.

If Jesus said to stone her for her sin, He would have lost His influence on the common people who loved Him. He also would have created problems with the Roman Government because the Jews were not allowed to execute anyone without Roman permission.

If Jesus said to let her go and not stone her, He would have created another problem. He would have been viewed as opposing or violating the Law of Moses.

The rules for accusing someone of adultery were so strong that it is very possible that this woman was “set up” to be caught. They victimized this woman just to get at Jesus.

These scribes and Pharisees were out to destroy Jesus.

The religious leaders were out to destroy Jesus.

Jesus explained that there were people who hated Him and subsequently hated those of us who follow Him. John 15:18-21

Why are Christians persecuted by Moslems in some parts of the world? It is because Moslems are in conflict with Jesus.
Why is there a movie called the DaVinci Code that claims that Jesus was not God? Because people are in conflict with Jesus. They want to destroy Him.
Why do people attack the Bible? Because they are in conflict with Jesus.
Why is Christianity demeaned and mocked on television and in the movies. Because people are in conflict with Jesus.
Why are prayer and witnessing disallowed in most public schools? It is because people are in conflict with Jesus.

The world is in conflict with Jesus. If you are a follower of the Lord Jesus, expect conflict. Matthew 5:11-12

SEE JESUS AS CONVICTING – Vss. 6b-9

Vs. 6b – Jesus didn’t answer right away.

Instead he wrote in the ground. Nobody knows what He wrote. God doesn’t tell us what Jesus wrote, so it was not important.

I believe he wrote, so he would have a reason to be silent.

He was allowing his silence to be part of the convicting process.

Vs. 7 – They continue to ask, and I think they probably got a bit testy. “Come on, Rabi, Give us an answer!” They probably got worked up into a fevered pitch.

Then Jesus said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

When someone was to be stoned for sin, the first ones to throw stones were to be the accusers. But they could not be guilty of the same sin. It would be like a thief condemning a thief or a murderer condemning a murderer.

So Jesus was saying, “You who have no guilt in this area, you cast the first stone!”

He had not excused the woman from her guilt.

He had not disallowed the Mosaic Law.

He had not even gone against the Roman Government.

But he had convicted these men of their own sin, and from the oldest to the youngest they left!

Jesus is God.

God convicts.

God convicts through His Word and Jesus the Son of God did in this incident.

God convicts today through His Holy Spirit. John 16:8-11

What right does Jesus have to convict us of sin?

He is God! He is sinless.

He has every right to convict us of our sins.

Aren’t you glad that He does convict?

If we weren’t convicted our sins we would not turn to Jesus for forgiveness and eternal life.

And conviction of sin for those of us who are saved, helps us to confess, repent, and live the Godly lives that God wants us to live. 1 John 1:9, Titus 2:11-12

SEE JESUS AS COMPASSIONATE – Vss. 10-11

Vs. 10 – All the accusers left. Only the woman remained.

I think it was with a smile that Jesus said, “Woman, where are your accusers? Hasn’t anyone condemned you?”

Vs. 11 – The woman answers, “No man, Lord.”

Jesus now shows His compassion.

“Neither do I condemn you.”

Could Jesus have condemned the woman?

Yes he could have.

He was the only one who was without sin. Jesus is sinless God.

Wait a minute! God is not only sinless, but He is righteous.

How could Jesus let the woman go without condemning her?

He could let the woman go without condemning her for the same reason that Jesus will let every person go free if they want to.

Jesus would die for that woman’s sin. He bore the penalty for it on the cross.

It is on the basis of Christ’s death on the cross that God shows compassion on you.

2 Corinthians 5:21 – For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Faith in Christ brings forgiveness and eternal life.

Romans 5:1– Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

SEE JESUS AS CONSISTENT – Vs. 11

The woman received compassion.

But then she is told to “Go and sin no more.”

Jesus is consistent as God. He does not condone sin.

He hates sin but loves the sinner!

Those of us who have been forgiven of our sins are to live lives victorious over sin in His power!

Romans 6:1-2 – What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

1 Peter 1:15-16 – But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

As we allow God’s Holy Spirit to control us, we will experience victory over sin in our lives.

Galatians 5:16 – This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

When we do sin, we are to confess and forsake sin.

SEE JESUS AS COMMUNICATOR – John 7:53-8:2

SEE JESUS IN CONFLICT – Vss. 3-6a

SEE JESUS AS CONVICTING – Vss. 6b-9

SEE JESUS AS COMPASSIONATE – Vss. 10-11

SEE JESUS AS CONSISTENT – Vs. 11

(This message may be used as an individual sermon or as part of the series.)

MATTHEW 9:23-27 – STORMY WEATHER

LIFE OF CHRIST #24

We all face trials and troubles often. It is what Cole Porter called “Stormy Weather” in a song that he wrote.

There were a couple of times when the disciples faced storms on the Sea of Galilee.

As we look at this story about literal storm, we also learn lessons about the figurative storms that cause trials and troubles in our lives. Let’s see what lessons we can learn this morning about stormy weather.

STORMY WEATHER IS BEST FACED WHEN JESUS IS IN THE BOAT

Vs. 23 – Think of the boat as our lives.

Although God is present everywhere, there is a special sense in which God is present in our lives. When He indwells us, He has taken up special residence inside of us. John 14:16-17

God the Holy Spirit dwells inside of the Christian.

He is there to guide us, protect us, keep us, teach us, and comfort us.

And God has promised the Christian that this presence is unending! Hebrews 13:5-6

You have heard people say, and might have said yourself, “I wouldn’t want to face this problem without the Lord!”

How true! If God is willing to take up residence in our lives through his Holy Spirit it would be dumb not to avail ourselves of His presence.

When you trust Christ as your payment for sins, you are what the Bible calls, born again, by the Spirit of God. And God the Holy Spirit takes up residence in your life. Romans 8:9

If you have truly trusted Christ as your Savior, you have God’s presence in your life no matter what the storm may be. Make sure that you have Christ in the boat that is your life!

STORMY WEATHER RESULTS FROM OBEDIENCE

Vs. 23 – The Lord Jesus entered the boat. The disciples followed Him into the boat. It was the Lord Jesus who decided where they were going. Luke 8:22

The disciples ended up in a storm on the Sea of Galilee because they were following Jesus in obedience.

Of course, being obedient to God as a Christian and following Jesus’ leadership in our lives is the right thing to do. Luke 9:23-24

Following Jesus after trusting Him for forgiveness does not mean that it will be an easy life. In fact, we will have storms. 2 Timothy 3:12, James 1:2-4

The storms that Jesus leads through will make us strong and mature. And I’d rather follow Jesus in the middle of a storm than to not follow Jesus. Being in the center of the Lord’s will is always the safest place to be.

But you’ll also face storms if you’re not obedient to God.

Would you rather face storms being in the center of God’s will, or out of God’s will? Which makes the most sense?

STORMY WEATHER IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS

Vs. 24 – I don’t have to tell you how dangerous storms can be. Just consider last year’s tsunami and hurricanes Ivan and Rita.

This storm was a very violent storm, and even seasoned fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James, and John were having trouble with it.

The storms of life which we face are also dangerous.

Sometimes we will be in physical danger because of persecution, accidents or illness.

Other times we are in emotional danger with our “storms” threatening to overwhelm us with fear and/or depression.

Other times we are in Spiritual danger, with Satan’s attacks challenging us to give up or to sin.

And this verse alludes to another danger. We might be concerned because in the midst of the storm God appears to be asleep. He does not seem to be responding to our problems during the storm. He seems to be silent.

Our Lord Jesus was able to sleep because He had a human body that got tired. He was also able to sleep because, being sinless, He had a clean conscience. He was also able to sleep, because He quietly allowed Himself to rest in the hands of His loving Heavenly Father.

If you are doing what is right before the Lord, confessing your sins as a Christian, and striving to live for Him, don’t panic when God appears to be asleep. He’ll show Himself to be very much alive at just the right time.

STORMY WEATHER INVOKES FEAR AND PANIC

Vs. 25 – When storms come we tend to fear. And sometimes when storms come we will go into a panic. The situation seems to be absolutely hopeless!

Humans tend to be fearful. If we didn’t tend to be fearful, God would not have put so many verses in the Bible telling us not to be afraid. I’ll just give you two samples, but there are many more “do not fear” verses in the Bible. Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 41:10

We tend to fear and worry about what might happen but hasn’t happened.

We tend to fear and worry about the future.

We tend to fear and worry about the opinions of others.

We tend to fear and worry about our children, our parents, our spouses.

Then comes the times our problems are so real to us that they tend to overwhelm us. We hit the panic mode.

Yes, many fears are justified. But there is a proper way to handle fear.

These seasoned fishermen were literally in over their heads and they knew it, coming to Jesus in panic.

STORMY WEATHER REQUIRES PRAYER AND FAITH

Vs. 25 – The disciples awoke the Lord Jesus.

Their anxious prayer was an indication that they had come to the end of themselves, and that they had at least a little faith that Jesus could help.

I personally think that they waited too long to ask Jesus for help. The moment things got a little stormy, I think they should have come to Him.

We are like that. If things seem to be just a little stormy or troublesome, we’ll just worry over it and try to solve it ourselves, instead of bringing it to God right away.

But when problems get full blown, we come in a panic with a little, but not much faith that God can help. Philippians 4:6, James 1:5-8

Vs. 26 – Note that Jesus did not rebuke the disciples for waking Him up. Like I said, I feel that He would have welcomed being woken up sooner.

Notice our Lord’s calm rebuke in the midst of the storm.

He was not in a panic. He’s totally under control. He can even take the time to rebuke the disciples before He did anything. He is master of the situation.

Let’s remember when we give our stormy problems to God He is not in a panic. He can solve the problem leisurely if He chooses to. There is no reason to get in a dither or bent out of shape.

STORMY WEATHER REVEALS THE GLORY AND POWER OF GOD

Vs. 26 – Jesus said the word and there was perfect calm. It was like there had been no storm. There was no rocking of the waves that normally follow a storm. There was perfect peace.

When Jesus speaks the Word there is perfect peace.

Sometimes the problem totally disappears, but more often than not the place where the greatest miracle has occurred is inside of us.

We are at peace.

God has calmed the ragging in our souls.

Vs. 27 – The disciples were absolutely amazed! The Lord Jesus had done what they had never seen before. A human being told the storm to cease and it did. The winds obeyed Him! The waves obey Him.

They had a new appreciation for the power of Jesus!

They had a new appreciation for the glory of Jesus!

And when Jesus calms our storms, we too, should have a new appreciation for the power and glory of the Lord Jesus.

We should be amazed!

We should be filled with praise and worship.

We should be ready to trust Him when an even bigger storm comes.