THE HANDWRITING OF GOD Ex. 32:16 There are three places in the Bible where God physically wrote something with His own hand.   I. The Handwriting on the tablets COMMANDS US (Ex. 20:1-17) — Writing that reveals God’s Demands: A. Sin is a transgression of these commandments (1 John 3:4). B. No one has obeyed these commandments (Rom. 3:23) C. To offend in the least is to be guilty of all (James 2:10) II. The Handwriting on the wall CONDEMNS US (Dan. 5:1-30) — Writing that reveals a Glaring Deficit. A. We lack righteousness because we have broken God’s Law. B. We are weighed in the balance and found wanting. III. The Handwriting in the sand CLEARS US (John 8:1-11) — Writing that precedes a Gracious Deliverance. They were trying to trap Jesus. The same problem God faced when Adam sinned: How can God be holy and just and still be merciful and gracious to sinners? Can justice and mercy meet? Here is a case of a guilty sinner leaving the presence of Christ UNcondemned! A. The first writing (v. 6) indicated that the original Ten Commandments were written by His finger (cf. Lev. 20:10; Dt. 22:22-24). 1. The first tablets were BROKEN. 2. They were all as guilty as she was (v. 7). 3. "You remind Me of what the Law saith! It was My finger that wrote the Law!" B. The second writing (v. 8) indicated the second set of tablets that were placed in the ark and covered by the mercy seat where the blood was sprinkled (Ex. 40:20). C. Law and Grace are not in competition with each other. They compliment each other. Before we can be cleared by God’s grace we must be see ourselves condemned by God’s Law. There must be conviction, before conversion. 1. The basis for Jesus statement, "Neither do I condemn thee," was the fact that shortly He would be "condemned" in her place. 2. Notice the order of Jesus’ words to the woman. It was not, "Go and sin no more, and I will not condemn thee." That would have been works, not grace. "There is therefore NOW no condemnation" (Rom. 8:1).   SERMON OUTLINE By Al Hughes, Pastor Bible Baptist Church, Port Orchard, WA <avhughes@kjv.com>