Catch-up questions

I've missed out posting my sermon notes since the end of September, so this is to catch things up!

Questions Jesus Raised: "Has no one condemned you?" (October 5th, 2008)
The background scripture for this message is John 8:8-12. The setting is Jesus in the Temple area during one of the Jewish festivals. The 'religious leaders' dislike Him because He has healed on the Sabbath--for these legalists, a major "No-No!" So they set a trap!
They bring to Jesus a woman allegedly taken in the very act of adultery. They state, "Moses said we should stone such a person to death. What do you say?" The trap is this, if Jesus says to let her go, they can condemn Him for opposing the law. If He says to condemn her, they can report Jesus to the Romans as one who's breaking the Roman law by taking capital punishment into His own hands.
There are some things we should wonder about this situation:
1. Where's the man? If the woman was taken 'in the very act,' the man had to be there too...and is just as guilty. Where is he?
2. Where's the husband or betrothed (the 'wronged' party)? The Law called for the person to whom an adulterous woman was betrothed to be the one who brought the charges. The Jewish leaders had contradicted the Law themselves in this matter!
3. How common was Moses' prescribed punishment in Jesus' day? It's probable that it may have been applied--'honor' killings are common even today in some countries. But it also probably was a mob action, not something sanctioned by the religious leaders.
Instead of replying, Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground! What did He write? The truth is, no one knows for sure, since the Bible doesn't say. Here are some scholars' suggestions:
*He was listing the sins of the accusers.
*He was 'just doodling' (I think this is unlikely)
*He was giving the crowd time to cool off
When the accusers pushed Jesus for an answer, He pronounced judgment...in a way that did not violate the Law, but which argued for grace. He said, "Let the one without sin throw the first stone."
The Bible reports that they left, from the oldest to the youngest. They just slunk away! He asked, "Does no one accuse you?" And He, who was the only one who could have stoned her, since He was without sin, instead dealt with her through grace, "Neither do I condemn you."
Finally, Jesus dealt with the woman...notice that He defended her publicly, but instructed her privately..."Go, and sin no more."

"What's the Meaning of This?" (October 12th--Morganton Baptist 140th anniversary)
This sermon (based on Joshua 4:19-24) is of course not part of the "Questions Jesus Raised" series, but was a sermon to celebrate our 140th church anniversary, and the burning of our note of indebtedness.
It's the story of Israel crossing the Jordan "on dry ground." It was a significant event. And the people showed a conspicuous obedience. The event had a greater purpose, that the world would know the greatness of God, and that God's people would remember His works.
God commanded Joshua to have the leaders bring 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan, and set them up as a continuing remembrance. But this event not only was a look back, it was a foundation laid for the future as well.
Christ is our sure foundation, and we will be tested as to how we build on the foundation. May we be found faithful!

"Do you have faith in the Son of Man?" (Questions Jesus Raised, John 9:1-41)
This is the well-known story of Jesus healing the man born blind.
The first question was raised by the disciples, "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
Assumptions:
Somebody sinned, because bad things happen because of sin.
Had to be this man or his parents.
But Jesus teaches that their assumptions are wrong, but that this was allowed within God's will so that God could be glorified. Then he spits on the ground, makes mud to annoint the man's eyes, and sends him to wash in the pool of Siloam. The obedient man receives his sight!
Now people question if the man is really the person who used to be a blind beggar! Then religious leaders get involved, since he'd been healed on the Sabbath. They almost seem to accuse the man himself of sin, since he was healed on the Sabbath.
They accuse Jesus of being a sinner, but the man stoutly sticks to his story, to the point that the frustrated Jewish leaders throw him out of the synagogue.
Jesus finds the man, who comes to confess Jesus as Lord...
What about you? Do you have a faith that's words only, beliefs 'about' Jesus only, or do you have a personal relationship with Him?