Encountering Jesus: The Sinful Woman

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the seventh sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Sinful Woman’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Luke 7:36-50DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 7:36-50 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”“Tell me, teacher,” he said.“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How can we live in a way that points to the certain hope that we have of resurrection? WARM-UP Can you recall a time when you have felt out of place in a social event or gathering? What attitude does Australian culture have towards sin and ʻthe sinnerʼ? Read Luke 7:36-38 What is so remarkable and surprising about Jesus going to eat at the house of the Pharisee? How is the woman described in the passage? What is your initial reaction to hearing someone being described in this way? What does she do for Jesus? Why does she do this? What has caused her to be overwhelmed with emotion? Can you remember when you first accepted Jesusʼ forgiveness? How did you react? Read Luke 7:39-50How did the Pharisee react to this womanʼs actions? Why did he react in this way? What is Jesusʼ response? What is the meaning of this parable? If someone was to pay your electricity bill how would you react towards them? If someone was to pay off your housing loan, how would you react? How much have we been forgiven by Jesus? How then are we to act towards him? What are the differences between Simonʼs welcome of Jesus and that of the woman? What does this tell us about the condition of their hearts? What is the relationship between forgiveness and love? Should we sin more so that forgiveness may increase? Why/why not? Why is it so important to recall our sins and confess them to God? What does this achieve? How can we grow in our love and gratitude for who God is and what he has done for us? APPLY: How can we live in a way that demonstrates how thankful we are for our forgiveness? PRAYER Gracious Lord, you are our just and loving heavenly Father. Thank you that because of Jesusʼ death and resurrection we donʼt have to fear condemnation but can enjoy peace with you for eternity. We are sorry for when our lives donʼt reflect this. Help us to grow in our love for you and gratitude for all you have done. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Who on your frontline is finding life challenging at the moment? How can you take extra time and care to show them Godʼs love? Listen, Watch, and Read: Audio: “Can I be raised from the dead” by Rico RiceAudio: “Jesus: An Example of Compassion” by Alistair BeggAudio: “Salvation and Death” by William TaylorArticle: “5 Minute Jesus: How are we to view Jesusʼ Miracles” by Dr John DicksonSERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom WrightSt Bartʼs Library Resources for Current SeriesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.BONUS: Collect the St Bartʼs Kids Family Lenten Devotional Pack.If youʼre an online member of St Bartʼs, contact the St Bartʼs Kids Team and they will send one out. Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray