Just a Stones Throw Away

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Today was a very special day at Pineville First Baptist Church. It was "Friend Day." Many gathered bringing friends from far and wide. Jessica Cole, who brought 12 friends, won the "Rainbow Colored Bible," and Steve Hartman won with bringing a total of six friends.

We stood in opening praying and began our message from the Book of John 8:1-11 using the King James version of the Bible. The Choir sang a special entitled "Bow the Knee." Amanda and Ryan Crawford brought us a special entitled "Jesus Never Fails."

Our message majored on the woman and her standing with Christ. We also centered our thoughts on the Scribes and Pharisee's and their standing with Christ. Of course, this is in the midst of some very good teaching. In fact, chapter seven and eight are on the subject of judging which comes up quite often.

Why did Jesus speak so often, as well as other New Testament writers? Because it's easy to get to that place. "Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth." "And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know." 1 Corinthians 8:1-2.

To judge means to set one's self as authority. To condemn means to judge and disapprove and reject to sentence. In other words, to be the Judge and Jury.

What did He write and why did He write? This is the only time we see that Jesus wrote something. The finger that wrote on the ground was the same finger that wrote on the Tablet of stone for Moses.

Things we can learn.

One is that it was the religious folk that were judging and condemning. They even came quoting scripture. "Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?" John 8:5. They attempted to make others look bad to make themselves look good. They majored on "exposing." He majored on "restoring."

What Jesus did.

He wrote on the ground. "This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not," John 8:6. "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him," Proverbs 18:13. We are reminded in Proverbs 29:26 "Many seek the ruler's favour: but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord."

What did He write?

I believe He wrote their names. "I wonder how He knows my name?" "Now that you know that I know who you are..." "Then they reminded Jesus that adultery was punishable by stoning under Mosaic law and challenged him to judge the woman so that they might then accuse him of disobeying the law. Jesus thought for a moment and then replied, "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone," John 8:7.

Then again, He writes what? A personal sin list? The crowd around him were so touched by their own conviction that they departed? Can you hear the stones falling to the ground? One by one. From the oldest person in the crowd to the youngest. Until there were only two left. The sinner and the Friend of sinners.

The only one who could have thrown a stone at her didn't! He wrote in the dust of which man was made. Psalm 103:14 reminds us that, "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." He did not reject her nor condemn her. If we have the tendency to judge and condemn others we're not too close to Jesus' heart.

Want to be more like Jesus and not of the world where so many have self-esteem issues. How often have you heard "you should be ashamed of yourself?" He was willing to take our sins. Have you asked him to forgive you? So, you no longer need to be ashamed such as the lady in our story today. "She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more," John 8:11.

If you do not have a home church, please join us for church. Our Sunday school starts at 9 a.m. immediately followed by Morning Worship at 10 a.m.

The Nursing Home Ministry meets at McDonald County Living Center in Anderson, at 2:30 p.m. every other Saturday.

Our Wednesday night Awana group meets at 6 p.m. in the gym. A meal is provided.

We have Wednesday evening Bible study at 7 p.m.

Our business meeting for this month is Nov. 12 after morning service and potluck dinner.

We will be having fall cleaning and work day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11.

Religion on 11/09/2017