Message Title: Between Law and Grace
Series: The Gospel of John
Key verse: John 8:1-11
Verses used: John 8:1-11, Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22, Matthew 5:17, John 3:16-17
Sermon Notes:
Background
1. Textual Background: The passage is not found in the earlier manuscripts.
2. A crime was committed. That was not the proper venue for a judicial hearing. Jesus was not a civil magistrate. He had no jurisdiction in legal matters. Clearly this was mob action, a public lynching with an agenda.
3. The agenda was a trap for Jesus. If Jesus said stone her, he would be violating Roman Law which prohibits capital punishment without the Roman governor’s approval. If he said no to stoning, he would be going against the Torah. Deuteronomy 22:22, Lev 20:10.
4. No respectable Rabbi would side with an adulterer, let alone defend her. And yet Jesus did. Why?
Who was on trial?
In the eyes of the crowd the woman was on trial. In the eyes of God, the religious leaders were on trial.
Jesus sees sinners with compassion, seeking to save them, and not condemn.
Application:
Jesus died so those condemned can be set free.
Some Questions for Your Group This Week:
1. What was something you learned or what stood out to you from the sermon on Sunday?
2. The woman caught in adultery was clearly guilty of the crime. What was wrong with the way the religious leaders handled her case? v.1-5
3. Legalism is the intent to harm others in the guise of righteousness. In what ways were the actions of the religious leaders evil and how did they cloak it in righteousness? v.6
In what ways can people today use the bible to harm other?
4. Why do you think the crowd didn’t stone the woman? v.9
5. Grace is defined as undeserved favor. How was grace demonstrated in this passage?
What are the possible ways the woman could have responded to Jesus? v.10-11
6. The ultimate act of grace is forgiveness. How did Jesus forgive the woman? v.11
7. How do show love and grace to people who are difficult to love? (Hint: begin with your own heart’s attitude!)