SCRIPTURE - John 8:7                                                                                                                                 February, 2008

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you,
let him first cast a stone at her.

SUBJECT - GETTING THE FACTS STRAIGHT

The message this month, was brought about, by something that happened here, in the city of Detroit, over the past few weeks.

To make the story short, a few months ago, the mayor, was testifying in a court case, and was being questioned by prosecuting attorney, when, he was asked if he had ever had an affair with a woman, who, at that time, was his chief-of-staff.

The mayor, answered, ‘No!!’

Later, the woman, was asked the same thing, in which she replied, ‘No.”

Well, a few weeks ago, information came to light, by way of text messages, that proved, that the mayor, and his chief-of-staff, lied, while under oath.

The news stations, and talk shows here in this city, started reporting the story, and taking calls, from citizens of the city, and suburbs, and in some instances, from callers, in other states, as to what they thought about it.

Many of the callers, from this city, said they had, had it with this mayor, who is 37 years old, an African American, and is the youngest mayor in the history of this city, that is over 90% black, and is serving his second term.

From the start of his first term, his youth, and reputation, as the ‘hip-hop’ mayor, caused all sorts of problems for this city.

He was caught in several lies, which showed that he had been using taxpayer dollars, for his own personal use. Police officers, investigating a party, at his official residence, which is also paid for by the taxpayers, were fired, for no good reason. Files on their computers, in the police headquarters, were mysteriously erased.

During this party, that the mayor keeps saying, never happened, two young ladies, were hired as strippers. The mayor’s wife, showed up at the party, and assaulted one of them.

Now, remember, this is a party, that never happened. Anyway, during the course of the investigation in to this party, the young lady was gunned down, near her home, here in Detroit. The other young lady, fled the city, to Atlanta. Several weeks later, she is gunned down, down there.

Investigations show, that both were shot, with weapons, like the ones police are issued.

All, of this, seemed to point to the mayor, directing all of this, through the police chief.

So, anyway, my point is, there was a plethora of outrage, over this, and other incidents, that point to the mayor. And people calling in, were, and are saying he needs to resign. Not only because of this, but because, a lawsuit brought by the fired police officers, at this trial, where he lied, was decided in their favor, for over $9 million.

It was later learned, that the officers, had only wanted to retire with their pensions, and the mayor, in an arrogant manner, said, ‘no’, believing., they didn’t have a case. But the jurors said different.

Some of the callers, in support of the mayor, called in, and defended him by literally quoting the subject scripture.

And, this is not the only time this scripture has been used.

Time and again, I have heard people, either defending themselves, or others, use it as well.

This message, is going to clear up just exactly what this scripture really means, and how, many Christians, along with the ungodly, really don’t have a clue, about what they are saying.

In order for me to clear this up for you, we need to first, look at the circumstances, in scripture, that led up to this comment, from Christ.

The religious leaders of the city, brought a woman to Him, that had been caught in the very act of adultery [John 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.]. Since Jesus, was living, and operating, during the dispensation of the law, then, the penalty for that crime/sin, was that the guilty party should be stoned. If you will notice, Jesus did not dispute that.

However, Jesus started writing something in the sand. They repeated their accusations against her, several more times. Then He stood up, and made the statement, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

So, from this one statement, people, both saved, and unsaved, get the idea that no one has the right to accuse someone of anything, because we all have sin in our lives.

That, my friends, is the biggest lie, that the devil has used, to further his war against God, and His Children, the Church.

First, look at this verse, that is in the passage. John 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. This means they were trying to set Him up. How?? I believe one of several scenarios were at play.

First, if the woman was caught in the very act, where was the man she was committing it with?? It takes two to tango. Why didn’t they bring him??

Second, under old testament law, seeing another person’s nakedness, outside of a spouse, or your child’s, was also a sin.

In the passage of scripture Gen 9:22-27, Canaan was cursed by Noah, because he had seen Noah, naked. Ham, and Japheth, covered their father’s nakedness, by backing up to him, without looking at him. Lev. 18,20, address the subject of nakedness. If she was caught in the act, then they, her accusers, violated the law, because they saw them, naked.

Three, maybe one of them, was the other guilty party, or was a friend of his.

Fourth, looking again at verse 6, it says they were tempting Him. That means they were breaking the commandment, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Anyway, Jesus, knowing all things, probably wrote in the sand, one, or all of these situations, and then, made His statement.

In other words, they were guilty of committing one sin, to accuse this woman, and Jesus wasn’t going to have it. If it wasn’t for that, then Jesus would not have made this statement.

By no means, is Jesus implying that, under the proper circumstances, we should not accuse another before a court of law, or the church, for that matter, of committing a crime, or sin.

Remember this passage of scripture?? Mat 18:15-18 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

If Jesus meant what most people want to think He meant, in the subject verse, then, He has just contradicted Himself, here. There is a right way, and a wrong way of doing things, and we need the Wisdom, of God, through the Holy Spirit, to know when to do, what.

Today, many Christians, including pastors, don’t have it. How do I know?? By listening to them. You say, that’s judging. Jesus says, Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits[the things they say, and do]. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

The same Jesus, that said, Mat 7:1-2 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Also said, John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. This means, we are to judge people, but only according to the guidelines, that God has laid out for us, [righteous judgment.]

Using myself as an example, I thank God, that someone, could see I was a sinner, and on my way to hell, while I was trying to pass myself off as being saved, and told me the truth about myself, instead of tippy toeing around the facts, to keep from judging me. How many people are you tip toeing around?? How many are slipping in to hell every minute, because someone, maybe you, was afraid of being accused of casting stones??

Do you realize you are playing right in to the devil’s hands??

Let’s look at it from the natural standpoint.

Many neighborhoods in this city, and around the nation are infested with crime. And, for the most part, they are like that, because, people, good people, sit around, and do nothing. Many of them, know who the culprits are, but act as if, saying something to them, or the law, is casting stones.

Someone once said, ‘For evil to flourish, the good people, must do nothing.’

Getting back to the mayor of this city, and the woman he was involved with. Both of them, went to their pastors. After consultation, with their pastors, the woman, apologized to the city, and resigned her position. Her pastor, said, what advice he gave her, and she made her decision to step down.

On the other hand, the mayor, chooses to just apologize, and keep on going. His pastor, also gave a short statement, saying that he ministered to him. Well, I don’t know what the pastor told him, but, there is a problem with the mayor’s thinking.

You say, ‘there you go judging.’ I say, ‘you are right. I am looking at the fruits, with the wisdom of God [1Cor 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;] and I see a man, that will say, and do whatever he can, to keep the power that he has. And if that includes, getting a bunch of preachers to back him, he will do it.’

If you have a problem with me talking about preachers, then may I remind you of something, or rather, someone. Stephen.

If you want to talk about someone, casting stones, read about Stephen Acts 7:51-60, blasting the people and leaders he was facing. Is anybody going to accuse Stephen of casting stones, while still having sin in his life??

Can you imagine one of these religious leaders saying to Stephen, ‘he that is without sin, cast the first stone.’

Do I sound like I am angry?? Good, because I am. But, as the bible says, Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: and, in case you are wondering, wrath is when you are driven, by your anger, to commit some sort of injurious retaliation, against a person, through sin.

Look. None of us is perfect. That is a fact. However, to use that excuse, to try to skip over our responsibilities, not only to ourselves, but to our friends, our society, and especially to God, is a sign of total ignorance of what God, and righteousness is about.

If God didn’t want us to judge others, then why did he appoint judges, like Moses and Samson?? There is a book of Judges in the bible. Why do we have courts?? What about juries?? Maybe we ought to close down the courts, and let all of the criminals out of prison, and turn them loose on society. I am sure they would be appreciative of it, by becoming law abiding citizens.

Maybe God doesn’t know human nature??

It appears to me, that He does. And he knows that if you keep giving a person a break, just because they say ‘I am sorry’, without them having to prove it, then they will only get worse. Many of you should know that from being kids, or even parents.

If you were allowed to get away with doing wrong, because you cried those big crocodile tears, or allowed your kids to do it, then you, or they were spoiled.

This mayor, may think he is getting away with apologies, that mean nothing, if he wasn’t sincere, but at some point, things are going to catch up with him. And he will find out that justice, may carry a bigger stick, than he will be able to deal with. God, will see to it.

Sometimes it is better to learn your lesson earlier in life, than to go on and meet a more serious lesson, later.

Prv 23:12-14 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

There are a lot of things in the mayor’s past, and in the present, meaning coverups, and recent infidelity, that need to be taken care of. But, if he can keep things secret, which he can’t, then those that back him, will be partakers in his wrongdoings, and God will meet out the appropriate punishment to them as well, when the time comes.

This man, is an example of what happens, when parents, allow their children to become spoiled. He is an example of the reality of God’s word. And if allowed to continue, his end result will probably be, in hell.

The citizens of this city, are right to want him to resign. and if he doesn’t resign, then he needs to be recalled.

Might I remind you about all of the wicked kings in the old testament, and the trouble they brought on their nations. Wicked kings, brought curses on their cities.

Now look at the condition of the mayor, and the condition of Detroit. Do you see the similarities??

Wake up Christians.

Before I close, let me address this one last thing.

This idea of being without sin, is not a myth.

Follow what Jesus says.

He commands us, to be perfect, Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Perfect means, without sin, in the eyes of God.

In the old testament God commands, Lev 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. Holy means, without sin, in the eyes of God.

Now, unless you want to say that God, and Jesus are being unreasonable by commanding us to do, or be something that they know full well that we can’t be, then you better start learning what it takes for you to attain that goal.

Remember, God never commands us to do something, without giving us what is needed [the means] for us to attain it. That means, is the Holy Ghost.

If you read about Job, in the old testament, you see God, saying that he, Job, was perfect [Job 1:8, 2,3], Abraham was considered righteous [Rom 4:3]. Enoch was so close to God, that God took him, so he didn’t see death. Elijah, was wisked away to Heaven, and didn’t see death, because of his righteousness.

Neither of these men, had the Holy Ghost residing in them, like those of us that are saved do, yet we tend to believe, none of us is, or can be perfect.

We tend to let the ungodly, define what we are, and what we can’t be, instead of listening to what God has to say about us. Then we go around preaching what they say, rather than what God says.

The basic solution to our becoming perfect, is this. 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If a person has sin in their lives, and confesses it (acknowledges it, and repents], then, in God’s sight, all that sin has been removed [covered by the Blood].

And, the end result is, you are now without sin, or, perfect, in God’s eyes.

You can forget being perfect in man’s eyes, no matter how hard you try.

This is just one more example of how the devil, uses ignorance, to keep Christians from being what God wants them to be. And the end result is, the Church, can’t be what it should be, and the ungodly, will see no need to come to God, because they will feel, they are just as good as Christians, because all of us are sinners.

This is why this mayor, feels he can do what he is doing.

If his pastor told him, what is right, and he rejected it, then he needs to be treated as ‘an heathen, and a publican.’

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