No Stones. Just Grace. | Overflow II

Anchor Verses:

John 8:1-17, John 5:39-40, Philippians 4:12-13

Focus Statement:

When pressed to condemn, Jesus instead extended mercy and called for obedience. True transformation comes not through human effort or knowledge but through the mercy and empowering grace of Christ.

The Woman Caught in Adultery

• John 8:1–11 — Woman caught in adultery
  • Jesus under pressure to condemn
  • Instead, He offers mercy + obedience

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Using People Destroys Us Too

• Pharisees exploited the woman to trap Jesus
  • The law required both man and woman, yet the man is absent
  • Romans prohibited Jewish executions → political trap
  • Their real aim: to discredit Jesus
• When we use people as objects, we dehumanize them and kill love in ourselves
• Reflection: Where do we reduce people to tools instead of seeing them as image-bearers?

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Mercy Commands Obedience

• Jesus: “Let the one without sin cast the first stone” → accusers walk away
• Mercy doesn’t excuse sin; it empowers obedience
• We are not choosing to love; we are empowered to love through the Spirit
• Reflection: Who do you struggle to see with mercy? Where do you need to receive it?

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Knowledge Alone Isn’t Enough

• Pharisees mistook Scripture knowledge for righteousness
  • John 5:39–40 — Scriptures point to Christ, not life in themselves
• Knowledge puffs up; Christ fills up
• Accusers left hardened; the woman, fully exposed, left forgiven and freed
• Reflection: Am I chasing knowledge of God, or the God knowledge points to?

Walking it Out: 

• Philippians 4:12–13 — Paul’s secret: contentment in every circumstance through Christ’s strength
• Life poured out = Spirit-led availability
• No interruptions, only invitations when surrendered to the Spirit