JOHN 7:53-8:11          ”SLEDGE HAMMER OR CROW BAR?”                                    Mark Kolbe

Biblical Principles for Confronting Sin

 

 

THESE PASSAGES ARE MOST KNOWN FOR:

·         forming o___________  about how or even whether we should confront sin.   

·         the mystery surrounding their o________ .   

WHY AN INDUCTIVE STUDY AND SERMON MAY NOT BE BEST

·         The story cannot be found in the o__________ surviving manuscripts which were written between the 2nd and 4th centuries. 

·         The verses are suspicious due to l______________ differences compared to the verses around it. 

·         The story was most likely a___________ to the text by a scribe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU8YfC77RBg&list=PLNOXJdb0gACFBB43j4YwG9fYGE-YtRzhG&index=6 (Wesley Huff.  See “Differences” from 9:00 - 14:30 mark of the video).

TWO EXAMPLES OF CONFRONTING SIN

The Pharisees:   

1.      were s______________ in whose sin they called out. (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22).

2.      didn’t hold a t________ to hear all the evidence (Exodus 21:12-13, Numbers 35:11-15, Joshua 20:4-6).

3.      didn’t have any c_________________ witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:2-6).

4.      sought to impose judgement p________________ (Deuteronomy 17:7).

5.      didn’t allow for a s______________ (ransom) method of payment for the sin (Numbers 35:31).   

Jesus:

·         was never afraid to confront evil with confidence, t________, and persuasion. 

·         showed c______________ for the spiritual condition of others.

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR CONFRONTING SIN

1.      K_________ what sin is.

·         Sin is anything that falls s_________ of the glory and perfection of God (John 7:24, Acts 5:29, James 1:22).

·         The B__________ lets us know what God has commanded and how to obey it (John 14:15).

·         We must study scripture to know the author’s intended meaning, thereby coming to know the h________ and m_______ of God.

 

2.      C______ sin, sin (Don’t redefine it)

·         P_____________ (Psalm 32:5, 1 Timothy 3:15, 1 John 1:10).

·         E_____________ (Ephesians 5:8-11, Leviticus 5:1 and Ezekial 3:18-19)


 

3.      Have proper m_______________.

·         Jesus came to the earth the first time to s_____________ people from sin (John 3:17, 1 Corinthians 15:56-67, 2 Peter 3:9). 

·         When Jesus comes again it will be to j_____________ people for their sin (2 Thessalonians 1:7b-9).

·         Sin s_______________ people from God either temporarily or eternally.

·         Our motivation for confronting sin should be for r_________________ not condemnation.

·         We should confront sin in ourselves to show our l________ for God, remain in close f_____________ with Him (1 John 1:6-7) and earn r_______________ (Revelation 22:12).

·         We should confront sin in others to move them away from death and towards abundant l_______.

 

4.      A________________ it.

A.      In y______________ (Romans 3:23, Psalm 139:23-24, Matthew 7:1-5).

·         Expectation: To o______________ it (Romans 6:12-14, Hebrews 12:4).

·         Strategy: Use a_______ means possible (Matthew 18:8-9a), including the p_______ of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

B.      In the c__________.

·         Sin harms: a believer’s w_______ with Christ, the n_________ of Christ, and the b_______ of Christ.

·         Expectation: The person will see the error of their ways and r____________ (James 5:19-20).

·         Strategy: Lovingly r____________ (Galatians 6:1a), with increasing p____________ (Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:11-13).

C.     In the w____________ (John 7:24).

·         Strategy:

a)      Have a heart of l________ (Ephesians 4:15, Matthew 5:44, Colossians 4:5-6).

b)      L________ as a light: making non-believers feel uncomfortable or d_____________ with their sin, and displaying spiritual f_________ that is appealing to them (Matthew 5:16, Ephesians 5:8-11).

c)      S________ openly, confessing the name of Jesus (John 18:20-21, Luke 12:8).  

d)      R__________ on the Holy Spirit (Luke 12:11-12).

e)      Make it more d____________ for them to sin (Leviticus 5:1, Ezekial 3:18-19).

·         Expectation: To be p_______________ (John 15:18-20a), because non-Christians:

a)      don’t know what sin is, they only know about their o__________ and c___________ norms. 

b)      call e________ good and g________ evil.

c)      eliminate b___________ to committing their evil and focus on this w________ not heaven.

d)      confront the faults in o_________ first, not themselves.  

 

“In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. 24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 1:18-25).