March 3, 2024 - How to Empower the Lives of Others in Their Brokenness - Pastor Paul Vallee

John Series, John 8:1-11 Nobody likes to be disciplined. When it is done right, it brings about a healthy outcome. Disciplining your children is one of the most difficult challenges of being a parent. Everything is great when kids obey, but if they say or do something that needs to be addressed, then it causes tension. Discipline often creates pressure on the relationship. That is one reason why people avoid doing it. Some parents are afraid to discipline their children because they think their kids will interpret their actions as unloving. But the reality is that if we don’t discipline our children when they do what is wrong, it ultimately is the unloving thing to do. If we don’t correct in love, we allow that person to eventually learn behaviours and patterns that will be self-destructive and cause pain. Healthy discipline is an expression of love, one reason God disciplines us as His children. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son: ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. (Hebrews 12:5-6) God has an aim and a goal for each of us.  He wants us to grow up as godly, loving people.  Another way to express this is that we will become like Him.  And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those, God foreknew he also predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son... (Romans 8:28-29a) God is shaping us through life’s journey to become Christ-like. God helps us be filled with humility, compassion, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness and to be able to face life’s difficulties and injustices, just like He did when He lived on earth as a man. Why? So that our lives will be lighthouses guiding those living in the dangerous storms of life. So, how do we handle sin? Usually, in our own lives, we act far more mercifully than we do with others. It is amazing how blind we are to our faults. Generally, the things we despise in others are usually those we struggle with ourselves.  That is why Jesus warns us against judging others.  Is there a right road to take when dealing with sin issues in a social context? How are we to treat people who have made terrible decisions?    Here, in this incident in the life of Jesus, we learn of three attitudes in our approach to dealing with others involved in sin. As I’ve already stated, Two of these attitudes are ungodly and unhealthy in restoring a person to a right relationship with God. Jesus addressed both of these attitudes and then showed us a model of how to address the issue of sin in the lives of others.