Jesus’ grace writes the final word

The Book of John  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Jesus offers a transformative identity that releases us from shame and empowers us to live in the freedom of His forgiveness, encouraging transformation instead of condemnation.

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From Accusation to Redemption: A New Identity in Christ

Bible Passage: John 8:1–11; 36

Summary: In John 8:1-11, we witness a powerful interaction where Jesus intervenes in a situation of legalism and shame, turning the attention from the woman caught in sin to the hearts of her accusers. This passage illustrates the conflict between the law’s condemnation and Christ’s grace, providing a moment of clarity on identity and acceptance in Him.
Application: This sermon challenges Christians to confront their past mistakes, understand their identity in Christ, and embrace the forgiveness He offers. It encourages an attitude of grace when dealing with others, fostering a community that edifies rather than condemns, empowering them to be agents of change and support for those who feel trapped by their sins.
Teaching: The teaching focuses on the fact that, in Christ, believers are no longer defined by their failures or sin but are given a new identity as forgiven children of God. It implores the audience to recognize the profound truth that everyone is undeserving of God’s grace, but we have the opportunity for a new beginning in Christ.
How this passage could point to Christ: In this passage, Jesus embodies the purpose of His mission: to seek and save the lost. He not only fulfills the law but also reveals the heart of God—one that extends mercy to the forgotten. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, pointing to Christ as the one who redefines our identity and restores us to God regardless of past sins.
Big Idea: Jesus’ grace releases us from shame and guilt and allows us to live in His forgiveness, encouraging transformation instead of condemnation.
Sticky Idea: Jesus’ grace writes the final word.
Recommended Study: Consider studying the original Greek terms used for 'sin' and 'forgiveness' in this passage, as understanding these nuances can greatly inform your sermon. Explore commentaries or theological writings on the theme of grace versus law to draw parallels with contemporary issues of judgment within the church. Utilizing Logos, look for articles that address the psychological aspects of shame and redemption in religious contexts, which can deepen your application for modern audiences.

ME (Intro)

How do I struggle with this?
Good morning, everyone. My name is Jayson, and I’m the Student Ministry Director here for our middle and high school students.
I want to take a moment to say welcome to everyone here today, especially if it’s your first time. So glad you’re here with us! And if this is your first time ever stepping into a church, thank you for taking that step—thanks for being here.
In fact, Journey was created with you in mind. Our heart is to share the love of Jesus with you, and you’re invited to go at your own pace.
I want to start with an embarrassing story. Maybe you’ve been in an embarrassing situation and wished you could just disappear into the floor.
Like when you trip in public and then pretend to ‘dance’ to make it look intentional? Or when you accidentally text the wrong person and spend the next 10 minutes trying to explain how that was totally meant for someone else?
A few years back I was walking around from place to place doing my job in a new work area, when all of a sudden I ran face first into what I thought was a walkway...but it ended up being a glass wall. I just imagine this is what I looked like [show the picture]. It caught me so off guard because I thought it was an open area leading into office cubicles.
As soon as I ran into the wall I looked around to ensure no one else saw. It looked like I was good, but I was so embarrassed.
Then I’m walking around the next day in the same area and someone stops me and says, “hey do I know you, you look familiar?” I said, “No, I don’t think so.” Then that person said, “Oh, I remember you, you’re that guy that ran face first into the wall the other day...we all saw you.” Guys, I wanted to disappear.
Chances are you’ve been in an embarrassing situation before. A time where you wished the outcome was different. Or maybe where you saw something embarrassing happen to someone else.
We all know what it’s like to feel embarrassed or ashamed, right?
Being embarrassed is unpleasant, but have you ever experienced shame or guilt?
Studies show that when we have shame or guilt, it’s on a different level than just being embarrassed. (Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10773588/#sec1).
On one end, Guilt comes from having “remorse,” “regret,” or feeling like you did something wrong. Shame is feeling humiliated or rejected by others.
But in the middle of our experiences of shame and guilt that we may experience, God was able to place himself on this earth as a human being and provide a gift to us that we don’t deserve. This is what’s called “grace.”

WE (Tension)

How do we all struggle with this?
When I say that word, “grace,” what comes to mind?
Let’s start with a more formal definition. Grace is the undeserved favor and love of God, where He offers forgiveness, acceptance, and a new life through Jesus. The opposite of grace is judgment or condemnation, where people are held strictly accountable without forgiveness or mercy. It’s when our shame and guilt are lifted so high that it’s overwhelming.
For most of us, something came to mind when we heard the words shame and guilt? Maybe you’ve witnessed someone experiencing it firsthand. Maybe you’ve seen people purposely choosing to cast judgement on others and and not care how their actions might impact people around them. Maybe you’ve experienced shame and guilt personally and you know the pain all too deeply.
As a matter of fact, the world we live in is filled with hurt, pain, and sin. It doesn’t take much to see how this fills our workplaces, culture, and our everyday lives.
What I’m getting at is that when we hear the words “shame” and “guilt,” something comes to mind for all of us.
The real question we all face is not, “Do guilt and shame exist?” The question is, “If God’s grace is truly free and He offers us forgiveness, how can we live in a new life?” And that’s the question we’re going to wrestle with today. What does it look like to live in His grace and forgiveness? To turn away from our sins, our shame, our guilt? To walk in the favor of Jesus here and now.
Now, I have to admit that a conversation like this can be tricky because so many of us have seen two sides on this balance between sin and grace. Maybe you’ve heard about these talks at church or experienced it firsthand at church.
On one end, there can be a hyper focus on sin over grace. You leave a place fully convicted of your wrongdoings and sin, and grow even deeper in your shame and guilt. There is not restoration in your life. There’s no way forward besides condemnation. A Pastor by the name of Gary Hamrick would say that this is when “God is presented as the godfather, instead of father God.”
On the other end, there can be too little of a focus on sin. This same Pastor would say that, and I’m paraphrasing here, this is where “God’s grace just tolerates our sinful lives, but that we can go on doing whatever we want.” It’s like that fun grandpa giving loading you up on candy as a kid, even though you’re a rascal.
Today’s response that we’re going to see from Jesus is different. It’s the perfect taste and balance of grace and forgiveness.
My point is this: Jesus doesn’t leave us stuck in our shame or guilt. He offers a new life that goes beyond what’s on the surface. He doesn’t just give us a second chance—He gives us a completely new identity. One that frees us from shame and guilt and helps us to live fully in the freedom of His forgiveness.
I love this about Jesus because He doesn’t see us as "the one who messed up" or "the one who ran into a wall." He sees us through the lens of grace and love. He doesn’t offer condemnation—He offers a new life.
If you’ve ever felt weighed down by mistakes or past failures, this message is for you. Thankfully you’re not defined by those moments—you’re defined by something different...His grace.

GOD (Truth)

The Bible is divided into two sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Scriptures, are the books of the Bible that record what happened before Jesus walked the Earth. The New Testament consists of books that account for the time that Jesus walked the Earth and beyond. But ultimately, whether it’s an Old Testament or New Testament book, they all point to Jesus.
The first four books of the New Testament are called the Gospels. They are the accounts of Jesus’ life when He lived among us. One of those gospels is the Book of John. We pick up our series on John with a particular story where Jesus is interacting with a group of people who had accused a woman of committing adultery; breaking the law.

1. Scene of Accusation

John 8:1-5
You could begin by exploring the scene of accusation as the woman is brought before Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees. This moment highlights the tension between the law's demands and the grace that Jesus embodies. Emphasize that, like the accused woman, we all face moments where we fear condemnation, yet Jesus points us towards grace. This passage sets up a contrast between legalistic judgment and Christ's redemptive presence, encouraging hearers to choose compassion over condemnation.
Let’s start reading what John said here:
“Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.” (John 8:1-3 NLT)
Now, these teachers of the law, they were Jewish religious professionals. They were specifically trained to teach and ensure others applied the law. And the Pharisees were strict followers of the law who wanted nothing to do with the cultural influences around them. Simply put, they were religious legalists.
As you can imagine, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees were not pleased. These guys were by the book when it came to the law. They cared so much about it and its demands on others.
When it came to talking about right and wrong, the religious leaders would have been very familiar it. After all, they were required to memorize the first five books of the Bible, called the Torah. So they would have been able to quote the law she broke, which said: “If a man commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, both the man and the woman who have committed adultery must be put to death.” (Lev 20:10 NLT)
Or this one...
“If a man is discovered committing adultery, both he and the woman must die. In this way, you will purge Israel of such evil.” (Deut 22:22 NLT)
Now, if you were here watching this situation go down, especially as a religious leader in the crowd, something was off...it seemed as if the religious authorities were being selective in their approach. Because the law says both the man and the woman must die. Where was her partner? He was no where to be seen.
But despite them knowing the law, they wanted to know what Jesus would say.
Let’s continue...
“4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say? “6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him...” (John 8:4-6 NLT)
Here, there is no question of the woman’s guilt. Jesus didn’t even question it. She was caught red handed. Guilty as charged. Back in the day, the punishment for adultery was as severe as it gets—but over time, it ‘softened’ (relatively speaking) to stoning instead. Imagine if we were to get stoned or killed for all of our sins today, no matter what it is.
But, as the religious leaders asked Jesus, “What do you say?”, they knew what they were doing. It was a trap for Jesus. At the end of the day, they had little to no regard for the woman. They were using her as bait to reel Jesus in.
The thing is, if Jesus upheld the law on one side, he would be endorsing execution under Roman rule (which only Rome had authority to carry out); on the other end, if he rejected it, he could be accused of completely disregarding Jewish law.
Jesus was faced with a choice that could either honor the law or show mercy, a tension we often encounter in difficult situations. Have you ever been in the place of the accused woman? Have you ever faced condemnation?
Imagine standing in a crowded courtroom, the weight of judgment in the air as people glance your way with disgust. You feel exposed, vulnerable, and alone. Like the woman caught in adultery, you are at the mercy of others. In that moment, what if someone stood up to defend you, not with anger but with compassion?
This is where Jesus steps in, showing us that mercy outweighs over judgment and encouraging us to extend the same grace to others. The crowd was waiting for Jesus’ verdict...

2. Silent Redirect

John 8:6-8
Perhaps focus on the silent power of Jesus as He writes on the ground. This act, shrouded in mystery, redirects the attention from the woman to her accusers' hearts. It invites them to reflect on their own sinfulness instead of pointing fingers. Emphasize how Jesus encourages introspection and communion with God as pathways to transformation, rather than outward judgment. This moment prompts us to seek personal humility and grace-filled interactions in our own communities.
Here is how Jesus responds to both sides, as the author writes in verse 6.
“...but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.” (John 8:6b NLT)
Jesus didn’t say anything. He is silent as he writes in the dust. What do you think Jesus was writing on the ground? Scholars say this is full of mystery.
Why did Jesus do this? What did he write? I’m going to give you the answer answer to both questions: We don’t know.
For fun, I asked Chat GPT what Jesus could have written in the dust. Here’s what it came up with...
"Y’all ain’t so innocent either."
"Thou shalt mind thy own business."
Or just a tic-tac-toe game because He knew He had already won.
Then Chat said the moral of the story is this: “Don’t try to trap Jesus unless you’re ready to get served.” I don’t think these are accurate.
But the one thing we know is that Jesus was silent and just wrote. Jesus responded with a deeper challenge to everyone present. Instead of playing into the trap set before him, he pointed to a higher call: mercy. Just like the accused woman, we all face moments where we fear condemnation, but Jesus points us towards grace.
In that very moment, as the crowd pressed for judgment, Jesus responded in a way that turned the tables completely. Here is one of Jesus’ most famous responses...
“7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.” (John 8:7–8 NLT)
Imagine a woman, trembling and ashamed, stands in front of a crowd, her life laid out before everyone. Picture the stones in their hands, ready to condemn her. But then, the quiet voice of Jesus disrupts the chaos. He tells them, ‘let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.’ How often have we, too, been quick to judge, missing the chance to show grace?
Jesus’ response challenges us to pause and reflect before passing judgment. Jesus' words remind us that we are all flawed and in need of grace. When we approach others with humility, remembering our own imperfections, we create space for compassion instead of condemnation. It’s about letting grace lead, rather than our own sense of right or wrong.

3. Redemption Released

John 8:9-11
In the final verses, Jesus forgives the woman, offering her redemption instead of condemnation. This is a decisive moment where Jesus affirms her worth beyond her sin, embodying the passage's core message of liberation through grace. Encourage the congregation to embrace their identity in Christ—loved and forgiven—and to extend the same grace to themselves and others. Highlight the enduring theme of redemption found in Jesus, leading us to live lives marked by transformation and hope.
And here’s what happened next...
“9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.” (John 8:9 NLT)
I’ve wondered why they left oldest to youngest. The thing is the text doesn’t tell us. We could speculate, but at the end of the day no one could accuse her and it was just Jesus and her with a crowd disappearing in the distance.
I can’t help but imagine the faces of her accusers—surprise, perhaps shame, or even relief. As they walked away, burdened by their own sins while witnessing each other’s reactions, it prompts us to consider our own approach to judgment. When we empathize with others, recognizing we’re all imperfect people, we can also find the courage to step away from pointing fingers. All of us is are in need of Jesus’s love and forgiveness and we’re all sinners in need of grace.
Here are the final two verses:
“10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:10-11 NLT)
Jesus knew the answer he was going to give. Jesus knew everything about the woman’s life. He knew the answer to his next question, but he asked it to her anyway. “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
The hate that the accusers had of Jesus was just as bad as her immorality. Now, with her accusers gone, there was no condemnation. Jesus wasn’t going to keep hammering at her sin.
He said...”go and sin no more.”
Jesus, a man, was here to save her, not exploit her. He was here to forgive her rather than condemn for her wrongdoings. To this woman, this was all new. He gave her a clean break and support.
I think Jesus was trying to teach her and us something important. It’s just like when one of my kids accidentally spills their drink everywhere. It’s easy to just scold them, but what would it look like if I would sit beside them, comfort them, and put together a plan to fix it together.
This is what Jesus did. The woman was caught in sin. Jesus didn’t focus on what was broken in her life, he offered hope and healing. He shows us that his love is greater than our failures. There is no condemnation in Jesus. He offers forgiveness. Because of Jesus our sins are erased, crossed out, marked out, and set aside.
Why? Because Jesus’ grace writes the final word.
Instead of the condemnation of this world, Jesus offers us:
Forgiveness
Peace
Comfort
and a new and transformed life
At summer camp a couple years ago for our high schoolers, students were invited to the stage, one-by-one, to pick up a set up heavy chains and drop them. These chains symbolized their burdens and sins that only Jesus can bare. And One-by-one students came up, picked up the chains, and dropped them. As the chains dropped you could hear the noise of chains echo throughout the entire auditorium. This is a beautiful picture of how Jesus alone, through his grace and love, gives us freedom. Nothing in this world can compare.
You see, Satan is a master of lies, who wants us to bask in our sins, in our shame, and in our guilt. Brennan Manning, a Christian author, would say Satan “is the great illusionist.” 1 John 1:8 says, “If we say, ‘We have no sin,’ we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth has no place in us.”
And as Brennan Manning, wrote in his book called the Ragamuffin Gospel, would continue to say that, “Satan prompts us to give importance to what has no importance. He clothes trivia with glitter and seduces us away from what is real. He causes us to live in a world of delusion, unreality, and shadows (p. 134).
This was the case for both the woman accused of adultery and her accusers. But Jesus’ grace was sufficient for them and for you and me. Jesus is the one who redefines our identity and restores us to God regardless of past sins.
This is why John 8:36 says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NLT)

YOU (Application)

So, what does the grace of Jesus mean for you?
1. Jesus’s grace meets you where you are. Jesus' grace doesn’t wait for us to have it all together. It meets us exactly where we are—mired in sin, overwhelmed by shame, and burdened by guilt. Rather than condemning us for our failures, Jesus offers forgiveness and the chance to start fresh. This grace isn’t just about wiping the slate clean; it’s an invitation to be changed. By embracing His grace, we no longer have to carry the weight of the past or live under the fear of judgment. His grace empowers us to step into new life, living with freedom and the hope of ongoing transformation.
2. Jesus’ grace is forgiveness without strings. Jesus wasn’t about transactional forgiveness. He offered grace freely, even to those who betrayed or abandoned Him. What if Jesus is offering a fresh start with no strings attached? Would you take it? His words in John 8:11—“Neither do I condemn you”—are an invitation to walk away from sin, not wallow or tumble around in it.
3. You can extend Jesus' Grace to others. Imitate the compassion Jesus showed to others. In John 13:34, Jesus tells us to, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Choose to offer grace, forgiveness, and encouragement to those struggling with their sins, just as Jesus did for you.
In light of what we talked about today, there are three things that I’d love for you to walk away with. Maybe pick one to try out this week:
Pray and reflect. If you often feel overwhelmed by guilt from past choices, take a week to practice daily prayer and reflection on Psalms 103:12, which speaks of God's forgiveness. It says “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12 NLT) Each morning, remind yourself that your sins are removed as far as the east is from the west.
Write a letter. If you're struggling to accept Jesus' forgiveness, it might help to reflect on a specific thing that's weighing heavy on your heart. Take time this week to write a letter to God. List the things you’re having trouble forgiving yourself for, and then ask Him to help you see yourself through His eyes.
Pray for others. It’s easy to fall into the trap of judging others. Next time you catch yourself thinking negatively about someone, challenge yourself to pray for them instead.

WE (Landing)

This morning can be different, from this moment forward. Jesus’ grace offers healing, freedom, a new life. All you have to do is accept it.
As we close, I want to share with you a remix of a song by one of my favorite artists right now, Forrest Frank. This paints a clear picture of the grace of Jesus in our lives.
[I] Lived a double life when nobody was around Tattooed in my mind, images I can't take back And dressed in all white when my soul was still black
Been sick to my stomach in a prison of regret Felt so full of shame that I wished that I was dead Until I realized that somebody paid the price The gift was free for me, but He had to give His life
And the song continues...
Jesus paid it all All to Him I owe Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow
I want you to imagine this: What if the Church actually didn’t just, what Brennan Manning says, accept “grace in theory but put it to practice” (p. 147). Not just our church, but THE Church; The entire community of people who follow Jesus. How might the people in our schools, our neighborhood see Jesus differently if Christians were known for choosing to see people the way Jesus sees them and treat them as Jesus would? It’s not impossible. When you begin to think and imagine that kind of future, it’s actually filled with possibility.
And here’s what’s wild. This CAN happen...but only if we live as if Jesus’ grace writes the final word not only for us but for others. Jesus is here this morning with a bag packed full of His grace. My prayer is that each of you fully experiences His grace and walks in the new life He has given you.
Let’s pray.
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