It is easy to form an opinion about someone before hearing their story. A failure becomes a label, and a person’s need for grace gets lost in the verdict. Following Jesus calls for the patience to listen, the courage to speak honestly, and the humility to remember our own need for mercy.

Through Jesus’ encounters with people others had dismissed, Pastor Mark Phillips explores how mercy opens the door to repentance and restoration. His message invites us to examine our own hearts, pray before passing judgment, and help others come to know Christ. Lay down the stones, and let Jesus shape the way you see people.

Sermon Notes

Big Idea: God alone is Judge; our calling is to find common ground, share Christ, and let mercy triumph over quick condemnation.

Overview

Pastor Mark observed how rapidly society—and even churches—label and dismiss people, especially through social media and polarized opinions. Drawing on Scripture and several encounters from Jesus’ ministry, he urged believers to resist the impulse to condemn, remember that every person will ultimately stand before Christ, and choose instead to build bridges so “some might be saved.” Before celebrating Communion, the congregation was invited to examine their own hearts, lay down their figurative stones, and pray for eyes that see others through Jesus’ compassion.

Key Scripture

• 2 Corinthians 5:10 — The theological anchor: every person will face the judgment seat of Christ.
• 1 Corinthians 9:22 — Missional strategy: “find common ground with everyone” to win some.
• John 8 — Pivotal example: Jesus refuses to condemn the woman caught in adultery.
• Luke 18:27 — Hopeful reminder: what is impossible for people is possible with God.

Main Points

1. Our culture is addicted to quick judgment.

• Politics, driving habits, celebrity deaths, and even church preferences spark harsh opinions.
• Social media “grew like a bad fungus,” making it easy to post destructive comments without knowing people’s stories.
• Modern cases—public reactions to high-profile tragedies and even Dolly Parton’s passing—show how little reverence remains.

2. Ultimate judgment belongs to God, not us.

• 2 Corinthians 5:10 places every human before Christ’s tribunal; that should humble us.
• Instead of speculating about a person’s eternal destiny after they die, tell them about Jesus while they live.
• Like the disciples in John 9 who assumed a blind man’s suffering was someone’s fault, we often jump to blame rather than serve.

3. Jesus models compassion over condemnation.

• Woman caught in adultery (John 8): He invites the sinless to cast the first stone—no one can.
• Samaritan woman (John 4): Instead of dissecting five failed marriages, He offers living water and purpose.
• Zacchaeus (Luke 19): A despised tax collector becomes a generous repentant after Jesus dines at his house.
• Bleeding woman (Mark 5): Her secret touch brings healing, and Jesus calls her “daughter,” not “law-breaker.”
• Legion (Mark 5): A tormented man is restored, then sent to testify in his own town.
  These stories prove Jesus starts with mercy that leads to transformation.

4. Practical path: advocate, don’t accuse.

• Paul’s approach—“I try to find common ground with everyone”—means listening first, not compromising truth.
• Prayer precedes confrontation (Mark 9’s lesson when the disciples failed to cast out a demon).
• Communion self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28-31) reminds believers to judge themselves honestly before judging others.

Application

The call: Lay down your stones of condemnation; pray, listen, and share Jesus so others meet the true Judge with hope.

Head — Remember that all—including you—will appear before Christ, so rethink any rush to label or dismiss others.

Heart — Ask God for compassion that sees brokenness beneath behavior, just as Jesus did with the outcasts He met.

Hands

1. Begin each day praying by name for people you’re tempted to judge.
2. Start one conversation this week that seeks “common ground” rather than proving a point.
3. Before Communion (or any worship), pause for self-examination and repentance.

Reflection Questions

1. When do you catch yourself reaching for a “stone” of judgment most quickly—and why?
2. How does remembering 2 Corinthians 5:10 change the way you talk about others, alive or dead?
3. Which of Jesus’ encounters (woman at the well, Zacchaeus, etc.) challenges your attitude toward certain people today?
4. What would it look like for you to “find common ground” with someone whose lifestyle or beliefs differ sharply from yours?
5. During self-examination, what area is the Spirit highlighting as a first step toward greater mercy?

Prayer

Father, You alone are righteous Judge. Forgive us for the times we seize that role, speaking condemnation instead of life. Give us eyes like Jesus—eyes that notice the wounded, the searching, the dismissed. Teach us to pray first, to listen well, and to speak Your gospel with humility. May our words and actions draw many to the cross, where mercy triumphed over judgment. In Jesus’ name, amen.****

Recorded October 4th, 2026
Message by Pastor Mark Phillips
Scripture: John 8:1-11