img1 img2
Hello World

Sermon

The Kiss of Truth and Mercy

by Rev. Kirby Williams

Finding the balance between righteousness and compassion.

Text: John 7:53-8:11
Date: 07/02/2017, the Traditional service.
Series: "John: Encountering Love" Part 56

Share Email

Description:

After the dramatic events of the Feast of Booths, Jesus continues to teach the people of Jerusalem in the Temple. His confrontations with the Jews continue, as early one morning He is interrupted with a woman caught in the act of adultery. The Jews think they have trapped Him in a dilemma between the Law and mercy when they demand to know whether Jesus would see the woman stoned. In a powerful and dramatic response, Jesus not only forces the accusers to take a long look at themselves, but establishes that truth and mercy are not mutually exclusive but come together in Him. We will first discuss the authenticity of this story and then use the familiar analogy of "the falls" to look at it from a modern perspective-- as we try to discern and apply the delicate "kiss" of truth and mercy.


View:  Options: 

I. Introduction
A. The "dilemma" of truth and mercy, 1Pet. 2:9, Matt. 5:48, 10:8, 9:13, 5:7, Psa. 85:10, John 1:14.
B. The analogy of the falls.
II. Exposition of the text, John 7:53-8:11.
A. Context
1. Determining the context of the story.
2. Determining the authenticity of the story.
a. The amazing wealth of New Testament manuscripts.
b. A few variations.
B. The story of the woman caught in adultery.
1. Setting the scene, vs. 7:53-8:2.
a. Going home, vs. 7:53, 8:1.
b. An early morning encounter, vs. 2.
2. The accusation, vs. 3-4.
a. Identifying the players.
i. The scribes and Pharisees.
ii. The adulteress.
iii. The witnesses.
iv. The missing man.
b. Analyzing the circumstances.
c. When mercy confronts truth.
3. Trying to trap Jesus, vs. 5-6.
a. Putting Jesus on the spot, vs. 5-6a.
i. Holding to the truth, Deut. 22:22.
ii. Extending mercy.
b. The diabolical plan, vs. 6b.
c. Writing in the dirt, vs. 6c, Jer. 17:13.
d. The dilemma between righteousness and compassion.
4. Jesus' powerful and dramatic response, vs. 7.
a. The eyes of righteousness.
b. Analyzing the response, Deut. 17:7.
b. The message to those at the top of the falls.
5. The aftermath, vs. 8-9.
a. The stunned silence.
b. The legalist leave, vs. 9.
6. The instruction to the woman, vs. 10-11.
a. A day for grace, vs. 10.
b. A message to those at the bottom of the falls, vs. 11.
i. Words of forgiveness, John 3:17,18.
ii. Words of repentance, Matt. 9:5-6, 4:17.
III. Application
A. Truth and mercy "kiss" in Jesus, John 1:14-17, Psa. 85:10.
B. Revisiting the analogy of the falls.
1. Working at the top of the falls.
2. Working at the bottom of the falls.
IV. Conclusion: Our unique opportunity

The Preaching Ministry of Kirby Williams
Sermon Audio

Now Playing: The Kiss of Truth and Mercy


Having trouble downloading the message? Click Here!


Automatically download a new sermon each week by subscribing to our iTunes podcast or RSS feed.