This message has to do with an important issue that is sad to say, goes on far to much in our workplaces, our neighborhoods, our schools, our homes and families, even our church's. It is a social moral problem. I cannot point fingers at anyone because I have myself been involved in this dreadful activity. I am sure you have been caught up in this at times yourself and may have encouraged others to do the same. The casting of stones for the sake of causing harm or injury to another fellow human being.
I believe you know exactly what I mean, someone crosses your path that rubs you the wrong way and you react to the situation with a verbal attack that is right from the depth of your heart. You may even seek revenge on someone who has done you wrong using the old command an "eye for an eye" or a "tooth for a tooth." If you had stones to throw you would probably be the first to throw it. Stone casting, the ancient law that was used back in Moses time to correct wrongs. Today at least in the free world we no longer throw stones to bring justice to a breaking of the law, we just verbally abuse someone, cut them down in front of their peers or snub them in some other way. Look at the Old Testament Law and you can justify yourself by this. Examine the following scriptures so you get a clear picture of the Old Testament Law and just how strict it was. Leviticus 24:16 says that people who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be stoned to death. Deuteronomy 13:10 makes it clear that anyone who tried to turn the Israelites away from the Lord were to be stoned to death. Numbers 15:35 instructs Moses to stone to death anyone who breaks the Sabbath day. Deuteronomy 22:13-30 speak of marriage violations and virgins promiscuity, any violation of these laws will result in stoning to death or paying of fines.
Yes, the casting of stones was a means of purging the nation of Israel from different sins. The laws go on and are extensive and were to be adhered to strictly. The problem was that every man, woman and child were born with a sin nature. The sin nature was brought into the world by Adam and Eve when they disobeyed God, or should I say rebelled against Him. Ever since then man has had to struggle with sin. God set up a standard by which man was to live, any disobedience of His laws would bring some form of punishment. Now we must ask ourselves what this has to do with us today? Are we under these laws today? First we have to realize the purpose of Jesus Christ, and then we have to understand Grace.
The purpose of Christ was to to provide a means or way for mankind to return to God's presence. And secondly, after Christ gave His life for mankind, we live under the law of Grace. So what does that mean for us today? It means that we no longer live under the Old Testament Laws, even though those laws are not done away with, we do not have to live under them as long as we under God's Grace. Christ provided that for us. Now we live under a much more stringent law, Grace. Stoning is no longer a valid means of punishment, and those who think they can go about stoning people for violations of the law are mistaken. We need to examine what Christ taught concerning throwing stones at others.
Now look at John 8:1-11 we find a very interesting story. Some Pharisee's had brought a woman caught in the act of adultery, which meant by the law she was to be stoned to death. They confronted Jesus with this woman and stated the law to Him. Jesus without hesitation bent down and wrote something in the sand, He said nothing for a moment. Then He looked up and said "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Christ stooped down again and wrote something in the sand. The scripture says "At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there." Christ at this point stood up and ask the woman where her accusers were. No one was left to condemn her except Jesus. You have to realize the significance of this, Christ was the only one who knew no sin, He was sinless and had every right to cast the stone. He did not do so because He came to save the sinner's or the lost sheep, not to destroy them. He did not cast the stone because He was bringing Grace into the world. He ask the woman "where are those who condemned you?" "There are none, replied the woman." At this Christ said "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." Here is the crux of the matter, we are all sinners, we were born into this. Because we are all in the same boat, we really have no right to cast stones at others. You may not like what someone else has done or take offense at what they might say, but you still have no right to cast stones at them in return for some law you think they violated. Yes, we may well deserve what you think about us and we may well deserve to be stoned to death, but before you cast that first stone ask yourself if you truly have that right. If you are wondering, let me say it plainly, YOU and I do not have that right because you are just as guilty of sin as I am. We all deserve death as a punishment for our sins. Only Christ has the right to condemn you, and as long as you put your belief and trust in Him then He will not condemn you.
So how do we cast stones today? Matthew 15:16-20 says this; "Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them." Christ was basically rebuking some pharisees for their question about the followers of Christ not washing their hands before eating. This was brought up because the Old Testament Law was still in play. Christ was trying to show them that they were missing the whole point of the law. Christ in these scriptures pointed out the true concept of what the law was supposed to do, and that was to show man that everything about man was evil by showing that what came from a person's mouth is actually what is in their heart, a sinful nature. Christ was showing them through these events that He came to give mankind a new heart. Ezekiel 36:25-27 shows us that God has planned our salvation from long ago. He says; "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."
The conditions for this heart change are laid out in the New Testament, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Read these scripture verses and see where you stand in the crowd of stone casters. John 3:3; John 3:5; 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Psalm 51:10; Jeremiah 24:7; Ezekiel 11:19. God has planned your return to Him, but it is contingent upon what you do with His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Through Christ you can have that renewed heart, you can experience the presence of God in your life. Without Christ in your life, you are just another stone thrower from the world. You will cast your stones at other's even though you have no right to do so. With Christ you can step away from the old way of stoning others for their faults. In Christ you are set free from the old laws and live under the new way of Grace. Grace forgives and leaves the stones on the ground condemning no one.
We may not always agree with people and we may know what they are doing is wrong, but under Christ we do not pick up the stones of condemnation and cast them at our fellow man. We are to love them as He loved us and bring them into Christ's boat of salvation. So which are you going to be? One who cast's stones at other's or are you going to join Christ in sharing God's love for other's by being an example of Christ who left the stones on the ground and did not condemn the harlot to death.
A few more scriptures to leave you with, a scripture that describes us all, Romans 3:21-25a "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood, to be received by faith."
Look these scriptures up if you still are struggling with this; Genesis 8:21; 1 Kings 8:46; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 1:1; Romans 3:22; Romans 3:21; Romans 3:9, 19; Romans 1:28-32; Romans 11:32; Galatians 3:22; 1 John 1:8-10
If you have not received Christ as your savior, then why not do so now. You can do this by saying this simple prayer. There is only one condition before you say this prayer, and that is this; You must believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, that He was crucified, was buried and rose again on the third day. If you believe this then say this prayer; Heavenly Father, I am a sinner, I believe in your Son Jesus Christ as Your only begotten Son and that He was crucified for my sins and that on the third day He rose up from the grave to give me eternal life. Forgive me of my sins and create in me a new heart fashioned after the heart of Christ. Thank you Father for saving me and setting me free from my sins. Help me to live a life for Christ and show His love to the world around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
If you have already accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior but are struggling with sin still, you need to recommit your life to Jesus Christ and ask Him to forgive you for the sins that you are still struggling with. Pray this prayer; Heavenly Father, thank you for giving your Son so I can live eternally with you. Father, I am still struggling with sin in my life. I know Christ forgave me once and for all. Help me to live in His forgiveness and not allow sin to control my actions or my thoughts. Forgive me of these sins (you can name them). Thank you Father for setting me free and for giving me Your Holy Spirit. Help me to put other's before myself so the love of Christ will shine through me, in Jesus' name, Amen.
I believe you know exactly what I mean, someone crosses your path that rubs you the wrong way and you react to the situation with a verbal attack that is right from the depth of your heart. You may even seek revenge on someone who has done you wrong using the old command an "eye for an eye" or a "tooth for a tooth." If you had stones to throw you would probably be the first to throw it. Stone casting, the ancient law that was used back in Moses time to correct wrongs. Today at least in the free world we no longer throw stones to bring justice to a breaking of the law, we just verbally abuse someone, cut them down in front of their peers or snub them in some other way. Look at the Old Testament Law and you can justify yourself by this. Examine the following scriptures so you get a clear picture of the Old Testament Law and just how strict it was. Leviticus 24:16 says that people who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be stoned to death. Deuteronomy 13:10 makes it clear that anyone who tried to turn the Israelites away from the Lord were to be stoned to death. Numbers 15:35 instructs Moses to stone to death anyone who breaks the Sabbath day. Deuteronomy 22:13-30 speak of marriage violations and virgins promiscuity, any violation of these laws will result in stoning to death or paying of fines.
Yes, the casting of stones was a means of purging the nation of Israel from different sins. The laws go on and are extensive and were to be adhered to strictly. The problem was that every man, woman and child were born with a sin nature. The sin nature was brought into the world by Adam and Eve when they disobeyed God, or should I say rebelled against Him. Ever since then man has had to struggle with sin. God set up a standard by which man was to live, any disobedience of His laws would bring some form of punishment. Now we must ask ourselves what this has to do with us today? Are we under these laws today? First we have to realize the purpose of Jesus Christ, and then we have to understand Grace.
The purpose of Christ was to to provide a means or way for mankind to return to God's presence. And secondly, after Christ gave His life for mankind, we live under the law of Grace. So what does that mean for us today? It means that we no longer live under the Old Testament Laws, even though those laws are not done away with, we do not have to live under them as long as we under God's Grace. Christ provided that for us. Now we live under a much more stringent law, Grace. Stoning is no longer a valid means of punishment, and those who think they can go about stoning people for violations of the law are mistaken. We need to examine what Christ taught concerning throwing stones at others.
Now look at John 8:1-11 we find a very interesting story. Some Pharisee's had brought a woman caught in the act of adultery, which meant by the law she was to be stoned to death. They confronted Jesus with this woman and stated the law to Him. Jesus without hesitation bent down and wrote something in the sand, He said nothing for a moment. Then He looked up and said "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Christ stooped down again and wrote something in the sand. The scripture says "At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there." Christ at this point stood up and ask the woman where her accusers were. No one was left to condemn her except Jesus. You have to realize the significance of this, Christ was the only one who knew no sin, He was sinless and had every right to cast the stone. He did not do so because He came to save the sinner's or the lost sheep, not to destroy them. He did not cast the stone because He was bringing Grace into the world. He ask the woman "where are those who condemned you?" "There are none, replied the woman." At this Christ said "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." Here is the crux of the matter, we are all sinners, we were born into this. Because we are all in the same boat, we really have no right to cast stones at others. You may not like what someone else has done or take offense at what they might say, but you still have no right to cast stones at them in return for some law you think they violated. Yes, we may well deserve what you think about us and we may well deserve to be stoned to death, but before you cast that first stone ask yourself if you truly have that right. If you are wondering, let me say it plainly, YOU and I do not have that right because you are just as guilty of sin as I am. We all deserve death as a punishment for our sins. Only Christ has the right to condemn you, and as long as you put your belief and trust in Him then He will not condemn you.
So how do we cast stones today? Matthew 15:16-20 says this; "Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them." Christ was basically rebuking some pharisees for their question about the followers of Christ not washing their hands before eating. This was brought up because the Old Testament Law was still in play. Christ was trying to show them that they were missing the whole point of the law. Christ in these scriptures pointed out the true concept of what the law was supposed to do, and that was to show man that everything about man was evil by showing that what came from a person's mouth is actually what is in their heart, a sinful nature. Christ was showing them through these events that He came to give mankind a new heart. Ezekiel 36:25-27 shows us that God has planned our salvation from long ago. He says; "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."
The conditions for this heart change are laid out in the New Testament, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Read these scripture verses and see where you stand in the crowd of stone casters. John 3:3; John 3:5; 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Psalm 51:10; Jeremiah 24:7; Ezekiel 11:19. God has planned your return to Him, but it is contingent upon what you do with His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Through Christ you can have that renewed heart, you can experience the presence of God in your life. Without Christ in your life, you are just another stone thrower from the world. You will cast your stones at other's even though you have no right to do so. With Christ you can step away from the old way of stoning others for their faults. In Christ you are set free from the old laws and live under the new way of Grace. Grace forgives and leaves the stones on the ground condemning no one.
We may not always agree with people and we may know what they are doing is wrong, but under Christ we do not pick up the stones of condemnation and cast them at our fellow man. We are to love them as He loved us and bring them into Christ's boat of salvation. So which are you going to be? One who cast's stones at other's or are you going to join Christ in sharing God's love for other's by being an example of Christ who left the stones on the ground and did not condemn the harlot to death.
A few more scriptures to leave you with, a scripture that describes us all, Romans 3:21-25a "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood, to be received by faith."
Look these scriptures up if you still are struggling with this; Genesis 8:21; 1 Kings 8:46; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 1:1; Romans 3:22; Romans 3:21; Romans 3:9, 19; Romans 1:28-32; Romans 11:32; Galatians 3:22; 1 John 1:8-10
If you have not received Christ as your savior, then why not do so now. You can do this by saying this simple prayer. There is only one condition before you say this prayer, and that is this; You must believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, that He was crucified, was buried and rose again on the third day. If you believe this then say this prayer; Heavenly Father, I am a sinner, I believe in your Son Jesus Christ as Your only begotten Son and that He was crucified for my sins and that on the third day He rose up from the grave to give me eternal life. Forgive me of my sins and create in me a new heart fashioned after the heart of Christ. Thank you Father for saving me and setting me free from my sins. Help me to live a life for Christ and show His love to the world around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
If you have already accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior but are struggling with sin still, you need to recommit your life to Jesus Christ and ask Him to forgive you for the sins that you are still struggling with. Pray this prayer; Heavenly Father, thank you for giving your Son so I can live eternally with you. Father, I am still struggling with sin in my life. I know Christ forgave me once and for all. Help me to live in His forgiveness and not allow sin to control my actions or my thoughts. Forgive me of these sins (you can name them). Thank you Father for setting me free and for giving me Your Holy Spirit. Help me to put other's before myself so the love of Christ will shine through me, in Jesus' name, Amen.
