Sexual Wholeness

Introduction:

· Introduction: The CRC & Human sexuality.

I WANT TO LOOK AT THE TEST, THE JUDGMENT, AND THE PARDON.

I) The Test (Before Jesus…And Us)

A. Caught in the Act: Sexual Sin

i. A Concerted effort to point the finger (vs. 3)

1. The law held a high bar for accusing someone of sexual infidelity

2. The law required punishment for the man à no interest in Law (vs. 6)

ii. A serious Sin: “Moikea” (vv. 3, 4)

1. The word refers to adultery, but can include all kind of sins.

2. These are painful, destructive sins.

B. The Dilemma: What do we do with sexual sin?

i. Jesus of Righteousness: Traditional Jesus insists on righteousness, justice

1. Like Pharisees, we emphasize behavior: I obey à I’m blessed (or not)

2. EXAMPLE: Purity culture – “Who wants the rose?”

ii. Jesus of mercy: Jesus in modern times pushes for acceptance, tolerance, etc.

1. Now – even in Christian circles – we push for acceptance.

2. Yet: are there NO limits? We’ve seen the fruits of this too.

iii. SO: Which Jesus will show up with this woman?

1. Justice Jesus who will demand punishment…

2. OR Mercy Jesus who will offer forgiveness at the expense of God’s Law?

THIS IS THE ONLY TIME ANYWHERE IN SCRIPTURE WE READ THAT JESUS WRITES.

II) The Judgment

A. Our Literate Lord: What did Jesus write?

i. Jesus writes on the ground…but what? (vv. 6, 8)

1. We don’t know what Jesus wrote, but does the word suggest charges?

2. What matters: from the oldest (and wisest?) People leave (vs. 9)

i. In all likelihood Jesus exposes their sin, upholding justice (vv. 7, 10-11)

1. Jesus actually raises the bar we all fall short (no one can pick up a stone)

2. Yet Jesus also shows radical mercy for sinners: Every sin erased!

B. What does it mean to be Christlike?

i. God’s word will challenge some of us to show mercy:

1. Those who see “righteous” Jesus: How do we love sexual sinners

2. EXAMPLE: Pornography? LGBTQ? Living together?

ii. God’s word will challenge others of us to seek holiness: (vv. 7, 10-11)

1. Those who see “love” Jesus: Have we minimized obeidnce? Is law antithetical to love?

2. EXAMPLE: What boundaries do you set? Why? What is your compass?

JESUS REPSONSE SHOWS THAT IT’S NOT ONE OR THE OTHER – BUT WHAT IS STRKING IS HOW JESUS RERAMES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO

III) The Pardon (vs. 11)

A. The Motive for obedience: Grace precedes obedience, obedience proceeds from grace.

i. Grace precedes obedience

1. We get it backwards: clean up your act, …then come to Church

2. Before we deserve it, every one of us may find frogivness in Jesus

3. Since Jesus “raises the bar” we ALL need this!

ii. Obedience proceeds from Grace

1. Grace is the motivation for obedience to him:

2. Jesus calls us to reject any and all sins that enslave us (incl. Sexual sin)

B. The Clothing of Christ

i. Returning to our dilemma:

1. How can Jesus pardon, and still take sin seriously?

2. The woman’s shame returns us to Eden (as in paintings)

ii. Jesus is stripped naked, humiliated, so that we might be clothed

1. The Pharisees succeed in catching Jesus, stripoing, humiling no one to speak up,

2. The Law is “written against” Jesus and he is condemned under the law

3. Therefore God knows us down to the very core, sees it all, but we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus.

Transition:

Conclusion

Matti Pretia captures the scene on canvas