Pastor Rev. Steven Wagner Telephone: 573-437-5190

Rt 3, Owensville MO. 65066

GOD OF FAILURES

Open Door Fellowship

August 11, 1996

Rev. Steven Wagner

Scripture:

John 8:1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

John 8:2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

John 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

John 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

John 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

John 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with [his] finger wrote on the ground, [as though he heard them not].

John 8:7 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.

John 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

John 8:9 And they which heard [it], being convicted by [their own] conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, [even] unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

John 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

* Did you know that one of Satans biggest jobs is to keep you beaten down and feeling like God doesn't like you or won't forgive you.

* He wants you to believe that God hates failures, that he doesn't forgive them, that he only forgives perfect people.

* Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

A. Scribes and Pharisees

a. The scribes and Pharisees was caring out the wishes of Satan when they accused the woman of adultery.

b. Its sad when people put themselves in the place of God and think they are holier than thou, they look at people and judge them and compare them with themselves God forbid.

c. If you where to answer Jesus question about the sin and stones could you cast a stone? Then why do you.

d. I've had people in my ministry say things like I can't believe he allowed that in his Church or let that person stay in his Church. Isn't good that God didn't give up on those people when they were in sin. Its funny how quickly we forget and become a Pharisee.

(GOD LOVES FAILURES)

A. John 3:16-For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life.

B. God loves failures

a. If we read the Gospels in the Bible it is a story of

1. love, compassion, and mercy

b. Jesus always excelled in mercy

c. He was always outstanding in compassion.

C. Never on time did the Son of God turn away anyone who came to Him for help.

D. There's never been anyone like Him before or since, nor will there ever be.

E. He is God's beloved Son who came to his world for the express purpose of redeeming man-giving him a way out of his problems, heaviness, and burdens and giving him light for the darkness of life.

F. Gods love is so enduring that you can't exhaust it.

A. If you lifted the grace of God for one second, we'd be one colossal failure.

a. That is all we are, human failures, apart from God.

b. If you take the grace of God from our lives, we are failures.

c. Except for God's grace, we would all probably be in hell today.

A. Pharisees question to Jesus he just stooped down to write in the sand.

a. Maybe he was writing John 3:16- For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

B. Jesus answered the Pharisees once and for all. "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her".

C. Then again He stopped down and began to write in the sand again maybe he was writing Romans 5:1- "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"

D. After a few seconds no one could stand there and condemn this woman.

E. After a few moments Jesus lifted His eyes and looked at the woman and she was still standing there.

a. She didn't run away she couldn't have left.

b. She realized that the only person in that crowd that had any right to condemn her was the spotless, sinless Son of God, who was kneeling down writing in the sand.

c. He was the only one that had any right to point an accusing finger at her.

d. She stood trembling and perhaps weeping as she waited for Jesus to make some statement to her.

e. Jesus asked her where are those thine accusers?

f. They brought her in as a cheap harlot of the streets and threw her down before Jesus.

g. He lifted her back up to the position God had intended for her to have.

h. By this time conviction had gripped her heart and she said, no man, Lord.

i. He looked at her and said "Neither do I condemn thee"...Go and sin no more.

j. I believe that from that day until she died, she followed Christ everywhere.

k. The Pharisees wanted to kill her, but Jesus wanted to save her.

A. Adam and Eve-failed God but he still used him

B. Moses-couldn't speak

C. David in Adultery-Man after Gods own heart

D. Jonah Ran From God-Used to save Ninavah

E. Paul killed the Christians-Apostle for God

F. Peter denied Christ three times-Jesus said feed my sheep

G. All the disciples ran-Christ appeared to them first and used them

H. Man on the Cross-This day you will be in paradise with me.

GOD LOVES FAILURES, THE BIBLE IS FULL OF THEM ,THIS ROOM IS FULL OF THEM

* Don't allow the accuser to discourage you.

* Remember God loves failures and all he wants for you is to rise above your sin and follow him.

* God sent his son to die for mankind because of sin, God hates sin but loves the sinner and Jesus died for you.

Conclusion: Maybe you are here today and fill like a failure with God, don't allow the devil or self-righteous people cause you to live in your guilt and give up. Jesus loves you and will forgive you. Jesus wants that more than you do, remember he died for you when you where still a sinner.