Ellisville Church of Christ

What This World Needs

“WHAT THIS WORLD NEEDS...” Glann M. Lee Introduction: I. A popular advertising jingle of a few years ago said, “What this world needs more of is...” A. In today’s troubled world, it is fitting that we consider the thoughts in this jingle. B. Instead of filling in a few words, we’ll look at several verses and case studies. C. Note the theme running through the following verses. D. Observe the summary of what Jesus is saying in these verses. II. One of the greatest needs of today’s world may be seen from six verses. A John 12:47 – Jesus said: “I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” B. Matt. 9:10-13 – “And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” C. Matt.7:1-5 – “Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” D. Lk.. 6:36-38 – “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” E. Eph. 4:32 – “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” F. Matt. 6:14-15 – “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Discussion: I. CASE STUDY #1 – THE WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY. A. John 8:2-11. B. Many had come to recognize the teachings of Jesus as both profound and meaningful. 1. They followed him and eagerly listened to His message. 2. Jesus sat on some parapet in the temple area and the people surrounded him. C. A group of rowdy men, speaking in strident, angry tones, invaded the quiet temple scene. 1. Visualize the poor woman, disheveled in appearance, clothing torn, hair streaming across her face, cowering on the floor, trying to bury her head in her arms, sobbing convulsively. 2. Why had not these angry leaders brought the man? a) Who was he? b) Where was he? c) Why should the woman be made to pay the full price? 3. Why had they brought this sinful woman? a) Were they really disturbed by her sin? b) They were not concerned about her at all. c) John 8:6 – “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.” d) They were only using the woman to attempt to frame Jesus. e) If Jesus should reply that she ought to stoned, they would accuse Him to the Roman Centurion and as disregarding the Roman regulation concerning capital punishment. f) If Jesus called for the woman’s release, they would accuse Him to the High Priest as disregarding the law of Moses. D. Jesus’s “turned the tables” on them. 1. Jesus choose the side of mercy. 2.<