Finding True Joy Through Holiness and Grace
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to worship God and to immerse ourselves in His presence, setting aside the worries of the world. We explored the profound teachings of Jesus by focusing on what He did not say, which helps us understand the true essence of His words. Jesus never promised a life of ease or self-indulgence; instead, He called us to a life of discipleship, self-denial, and carrying our cross. We delved into John 8, where Jesus encounters a woman caught in adultery. The Pharisees used her to trap Jesus, but He responded with wisdom and grace, highlighting the hypocrisy of her accusers and offering her a path to redemption.
Jesus' response to the woman, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her," reveals the depth of His understanding of human nature and sin. He did not condone her sin but offered her a way out, urging her to "go now and leave your life of sin." This story underscores the importance of grace, mercy, and the transformative power of Jesus' love. It also challenges us to examine our own lives, recognizing our sins and the need for true repentance.
We discussed the dangers of relativism, where truth becomes subjective and is often defined by what makes us happy. This mindset leads to a life of fleeting pleasures and eventual pain. True happiness, as Jesus teaches, is found in holiness and living according to God's will. We are reminded that we are not created for this world but for a higher purpose, and our ultimate joy comes from walking in truth and holiness.
In conclusion, we are encouraged to seek God's grace and find the way out of our temptations and sins. Jesus offers us freedom and a better path, urging us to live a life of truth and holiness, which leads to lasting joy and fulfillment.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Sacredness of God's Presence: Our gathering in worship is not about the physical building but about the presence of God among us. His presence turns any place into sacred ground, offering comfort and peace that surpasses worldly concerns. This sacredness invites us to focus solely on Him, setting aside our worries and allowing His word to speak to our hearts. [23:47]
2. Jesus' Response to Sin: In John 8, Jesus demonstrates profound wisdom and grace when confronted with the woman caught in adultery. He highlights the hypocrisy of her accusers and offers her a path to redemption, emphasizing that true repentance involves leaving a life of sin and embracing a life of holiness. This story teaches us about the balance of justice and mercy in Jesus' teachings. [38:00]
3. The Danger of Relativism: Relativism, the belief that truth is subjective and based on personal happiness, leads to moral confusion and spiritual emptiness. True happiness is not found in fleeting pleasures but in living according to God's absolute truths. As Christians, we are called to reject relativism and embrace the unchanging truth of God's word. [50:04]
4. Holiness and Happiness: Contrary to popular belief, holiness and happiness are not mutually exclusive. True happiness is found in the pathway of holiness, where we live according to God's will and purpose. Jesus teaches that a life of holiness leads to abundant life and lasting joy, as we align ourselves with God's higher purposes. [54:25]
5. God's Faithfulness and Grace: In times of temptation and sin, God is always faithful to provide a way out. Every temptation is an invitation to depend on Christ, who offers us grace and the strength to overcome. By relying on His faithfulness, we can break free from the bondage of sin and live a life of truth and freedom. [01:06:09]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:47] - Sacredness of God's Presence
[24:30] - Opening Prayer
[32:31] - Personal Reflections
[33:27] - What Jesus Didn't Say
[34:37] - Misconceptions About God
[35:34] - The Trap Set for Jesus
[37:03] - Jesus' Dilemma
[38:00] - Jesus Writes in the Sand
[39:25] - The Meaning of Katagraphene
[40:16] - Without Sin
[41:54] - Pointing Fingers
[42:36] - Jesus' Response to the Woman
[43:07] - Go and Sin No More
[44:34] - The Woman's Humiliation
[45:56] - Jesus' Grace and Freedom
[48:09] - The Allure of Sin
[50:04] - The Problem of Relativism
[54:25] - Holiness and Happiness
[55:47] - Max Lucado's Fish Illustration
[57:29] - True Happiness in Holiness
[58:17] - David's Psalm 16:11
[59:07] - Finding a Way Out
[01:06:09] - God's Faithfulness
[01:11:52] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 8:2-11 - The story of the woman caught in adultery and Jesus' response.
2. Psalm 16:11 - "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
3. 1 Corinthians 10:13 - "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the Pharisees' intention when they brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus? ([35:34])
2. How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees' challenge regarding the woman caught in adultery? ([38:00])
3. What did Jesus write on the ground, and what was its significance? ([38:40])
4. What did Jesus tell the woman after her accusers left? ([43:36])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to write on the ground instead of immediately responding to the Pharisees? ([38:00])
2. How does Jesus' statement, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her," challenge the Pharisees' understanding of sin and judgment? ([40:16])
3. What does Jesus' instruction to the woman, "Go now and leave your life of sin," reveal about His view on repentance and grace? ([43:36])
4. How does the concept of relativism, as discussed in the sermon, conflict with the teachings of Jesus? ([50:04])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt judged by others. How did you respond, and how might Jesus' example in John 8 guide you in similar situations? ([38:00])
2. Jesus offers grace and a path to redemption. Is there a sin or habit in your life that you need to leave behind? What steps can you take to embrace this change? ([43:36])
3. The sermon discussed the dangers of relativism. How can you ensure that your beliefs and actions are aligned with the absolute truths of God's word? ([50:04])
4. True happiness is found in holiness. Identify one area of your life where you can pursue holiness more intentionally. What practical steps will you take this week? ([54:25])
5. God is faithful and provides a way out of temptation. Can you recall a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in overcoming a temptation? How can this experience strengthen your faith in current struggles? ([01:06:09])
6. Jesus' response to the woman caught in adultery was full of grace and truth. How can you show a similar balance of grace and truth in your interactions with others? ([43:36])
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of living according to God's will for true happiness. What is one specific way you can align your daily actions with God's will this week? ([54:25])
Devotional
Day 1: The Sacredness of God's Presence
Description: Our gathering in worship is not about the physical building but about the presence of God among us. His presence turns any place into sacred ground, offering comfort and peace that surpasses worldly concerns. This sacredness invites us to focus solely on Him, setting aside our worries and allowing His word to speak to our hearts. When we come together to worship, we are reminded that God is with us, and His presence is what makes our gathering holy and meaningful. [23:47]
Bible passage: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (Matthew 18:20, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a place where you have felt God's presence most strongly. How can you create an environment in your daily life that invites His presence more consistently?
Day 2: Jesus' Response to Sin
Description: In John 8, Jesus demonstrates profound wisdom and grace when confronted with the woman caught in adultery. He highlights the hypocrisy of her accusers and offers her a path to redemption, emphasizing that true repentance involves leaving a life of sin and embracing a life of holiness. This story teaches us about the balance of justice and mercy in Jesus' teachings. Jesus' response, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her," reveals His deep understanding of human nature and sin. He did not condone her sin but offered her a way out, urging her to "go now and leave your life of sin." [38:00]
Bible passage: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a sin you struggle with. How can you seek Jesus' grace and strength to overcome it and live a life of holiness?
Day 3: The Danger of Relativism
Description: Relativism, the belief that truth is subjective and based on personal happiness, leads to moral confusion and spiritual emptiness. True happiness is not found in fleeting pleasures but in living according to God's absolute truths. As Christians, we are called to reject relativism and embrace the unchanging truth of God's word. This mindset of relativism can lead us away from the path of righteousness and into a life of fleeting pleasures that ultimately result in pain and emptiness. True joy and fulfillment are found in aligning our lives with God's will and His eternal truths. [50:04]
Bible passage: "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions." (2 Timothy 4:3, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have been influenced by relativism. How can you realign your beliefs and actions with the absolute truth of God's word?
Day 4: Holiness and Happiness
Description: Contrary to popular belief, holiness and happiness are not mutually exclusive. True happiness is found in the pathway of holiness, where we live according to God's will and purpose. Jesus teaches that a life of holiness leads to abundant life and lasting joy, as we align ourselves with God's higher purposes. The pursuit of holiness brings us closer to God and allows us to experience the fullness of life that He intends for us. By living a holy life, we find true and lasting happiness that goes beyond temporary pleasures. [54:25]
Bible passage: "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you have been seeking happiness apart from holiness. How can you shift your focus to pursue holiness and find true joy in God's presence?
Day 5: God's Faithfulness and Grace
Description: In times of temptation and sin, God is always faithful to provide a way out. Every temptation is an invitation to depend on Christ, who offers us grace and the strength to overcome. By relying on His faithfulness, we can break free from the bondage of sin and live a life of truth and freedom. God's grace is sufficient for us, and His faithfulness ensures that we are never alone in our struggles. He provides the strength and guidance we need to overcome temptation and live a life that honors Him. [01:06:09]
Bible passage: "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)
Reflection: Think about a recent temptation you faced. How can you rely on God's faithfulness and grace to find a way out and overcome it in the future?
Quotes
1. "As I was studying for this sermon, this message, one of the things I realized as I was looking through the New Testament is there is so much that Jesus said that sometimes it's hard to focus in. And pull one thing and apply it to our lives. And it's all good stuff, right? We're supposed to say yes. That's the Sunday school. Yeah, okay. There we go. Yeah, everything Jesus said is good, even when it steps on our own toes." [32:31] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus did not say go into the world and preach things that make everyone happy. He didn't say that. He didn't say go into all the world and preach things that make people happy. He also didn't say whoever wants to be my disciple must affirm themselves. And avoid the cross. And, you know, just follow your own heart." [33:27] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "One of the other things that, and this one I think is appropriate for us to focus on a little bit today, is Jesus did not say ask and it will be given to you because God is your celestial sugar daddy. That God is going to give you everything that you want. He's your, you know, divine vending machine. He's a supernatural Santa Claus. Jesus didn't say that. That's nowhere in the Bible." [34:37] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. Again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground. So he stooped down and he's writing. And they kept questioning him. So he stands up and he says those words. There are two very important words in that phrase. Without sin. Because once again, in the original Greek, it doesn't mean just someone who's been good." [40:16] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus didn't say, Neither do I condemn you. So now go do whatever you want. That makes you happy. I'm not going to condemn you. So go ahead and follow your heart. Isn't that what people say today? You do you. You know? Jesus didn't say that. As long as you're not hurting someone else, then just go on. Go your own way. Jesus did not say those things." [43:07] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Go now. Don't wait. Live differently. Go now. Don't wait. Live better. I've freed you from this persecution. Live a better life. Don't wait. You don't have to live in shame anymore. You don't have to live afraid of the darkness that's around there. Go now and do that." [44:08] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Holiness is the pathway to true happiness and joy. I love how David says it in Psalm 1611. He says, God, you will make known to me the path of life. Your presence. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever, not the fleeting pleasures of the world. That's it. Jesus says to the woman in her most embarrassing, humiliating moment, go now. You don't have to be here. You don't have to live this life. Leave sin." [59:07] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Every temptation is an invitation to depend on Christ. He gives you a way out and when you take that way, when you see it and you take it, you're depending on Christ. You're now following Him at a deeper level. You recognize that He gives you a way out and you look down and you say, and Jesus doesn't look down at you and say, I'm embarrassed, I'm ashamed. He didn't say that to that woman." [01:07:52] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "He says, no, go now. You be free. Because of my grace, you can be free. He says, I've got a better path, a better plan for you. He says, I'm not gonna let anyone else throw stones at you. Go be free, because holiness and happiness are not at odds. They're not separate. They're together. They're actually connected. And you, you, every one of us, we were created walk in truth and that's where we'll find real lasting joy." [01:08:51] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Why is it that so many of us, including me, find ourselves giving in to temptation so often? Why is that? Well, most of the time because sin is fun, right? I mean, how many of you know that sin is fun? Raise your hand. Oh, you're not going to raise your hand because you're like, I'm not going to say that in church because I can't be struck by lightning or something. But Hebrews talks about it, doesn't it? The fleeting pleasures of sin." [48:09] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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