This sermon outline reminds us of how each human being can be trapped. Satan has all kinds of them at his disposal. Blessed is the man or woman who can see them for what they are and avoid them. Pastors and all spiritual leaders should certainly be astute enough to recognize them, but spiritual enough to avoid their sticky web!
Title: “Traps We Should Avoid!”
Text: John 8:1-11
(John 8:1-11) “Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 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. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 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. 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. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 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. 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? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” (KJV)
Preamble:
• In our lives we know how traps can benefit and how they can destroy!
• For example, we often trap animals for food and clothing. However, we are equally aware of the fact that traps can cause irreparable harm to us and others when they are not avoided.
• The latter is what I want to speak to this morning!
Introduction:
• Verse 1 – Our text reveals to us a situation where Jesus had taken leave and, no doubt, rested, refreshed, and rigorously prayed in the Mount of Olives before returning to the Temple to teach!
• Verse 2 – He began to teach early in the morning: He was there, and the people were there. Consider what can happen, depending on whether or not we choose to listen or not!
(Proverbs 8:17) “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”
(Isaiah 26:9) “With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”
(Proverbs 1:28) “Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:”
• Among those that were present for Christ teaching were the “Scribes & Pharisees”, a religious order of Jesus’ day who were strict interpreters of the Scriptures.
• These individuals had one problem; they went too far and actually missed the entire spirit of the Law.
• They, in their misguided effort, begin to try and lay a trap for Jesus by bringing a guilty adulterous woman before Him.
• We can be assured that the enemy will do what he can to try and cause a disruption when we try to endeavor to serve the Lord.
Transition:
• In spite of the effort to bring harm to the woman, and to trap Jesus, the Pharisees and Scribes were unable to do either.
• In our verses we see three different traps we can fall into:
o Trap of Religion
o Trap of Dialogue
o Trap of Sin.
Proposition: There are three distinct traps in our verses that we need to examine so we will not be ensnared by our enemy!
I. Notice The Trap Of Religion!
A. The Scribes and Pharisees were trapped by their own religion!
B. These people were so meticulous in their way of interpreting the Law, that they actually became guilty before God and condemned themselves, for their hypocrisy! The Law became the end in itself, not God!
C. They focused on the outward rather than the inward!
D. Jesus called them “whited sepulchers”!
E. Religion is the most damnable thing in all of the world!
F. The Devil does not mind if you get religion, but he does mind it when you get the truth!
G. Don’t be trapped by religion!
H. Paul, who was a Pharisee, was saved from the trap of religion!
(Philippians 3:4-9) “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” (KJV)
II. Notice The Trap Of Dialogue!
A. These Pharisees and Scribes prompted a question assuming Christ would contradict the Scriptures and say that they should show mercy instead of stoning her as the law commanded.
B. Jesus instead responds by saying “He that is without sin” cast the first stone.
Matthew Henry said “It is common for those who are indulgent to their own sin to be severe against the sins of others.”
C. Jesus’ answer was preceded by a time of silence in the face of incessant questioning (verse 7)
Matthew Henry said, “The heart of the wise studies to answer!”
D. We know there is a time we should speak as Solomon said in Ecclesiastes, but we need to answer rightly!
E. Many a person has quickly fallen into the trap of dialogue by letting their emotions get the best of them!
(Proverbs 25:28) “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” (KJV)
F. Consider the following Scriptures:
(Proverbs 15:1-4) “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.” (KJV)
(Proverbs 17:27-28) “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” (KJV)
(Proverbs 25:11-12) “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.” (KJV)
(Proverbs 25:15) “By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” (KJV)
G. Jesus escaped the trap of dialogue and so can we!
III. Notice The Trap Of Sin!
A. The adulterous woman, who was being exploited for the good of the Pharisees and Scribes, was trapped by her sin.
B. The Scribes and Pharisees were also held by the “cords” of their own sins as well.
C. In the case of the adulterous woman, she was shamed, but better to be shamed now, and that, publicly, than to be condemned later!
D. She was exposed and she stood before wicked accusers…her accusers left one by one as Jesus dealt with them.
E. She was told to repent, that is, “go and sin no more”. We do not know if she did, but most assume so because of her use of Lord when answering Jesus!
F. The woman most likely was saved, but whether she did or not, she had the opportunity to escape the trap of sin!
G. You and I can escape the trap of sin by repenting and being saved, and by staying close to God as a Christian!
Conclusion:
• Are you trapped by your religion?
• Are you trapped by dialogue?
• Are you trapped by a particular sin?
• In either case, come to Jesus and He will help you!
• Will you come and be saved?
• Will you, dear Christian, get help so you can escape the traps of the enemy?
To The Sinner:
• Be saved!
To The Christian:
• Beware of the traps of the Satan!
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Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible
By Hendrickson Publishers This one-volume edition of a beloved classic features a trimmer size, and includes everything from the original multivolume commentary! (Only the KJV text has been eliminated to save space.) Combining practical application, devotional insight, and scholarship, Henry offers profound wisdom on the content, message, and nature of God’s divine revelation in Scripture. |
