Sermons About Advocate
OUR VICTORY OVER SIN AND OUR CHRIST-CENTERED ASSURANCE IN LIFE (1 John 1:5-2:2 * Message #3/14) 10-18-09
NOTE: To receive these Sermon notes below in an outline form (which is easier to read), please email your request to Pastor Marcus Johnson (efcamarcus@sbcglobal.net). INTRODUCTION: SOME KEY DEFINITIONS – The Definitions below are taken from: {1} “Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms” by Grenz, Guretzki & Nordling; {2} “Systematic Theology” by Wayne Grudem; and {3} “1-3 John” by Robert W. Yarbrough. SIN: “The fundamental unbelief, distrust and rejection of God and human displacement of God as the center of reality. The Bible presents sin as both fallen humanity’s state of separation and alienation from God and as a person’s purposeful disobedience to God’s will as evidence in concrete thought or act. As an inherent part of the human condition sin is universal, and it is both corporate and individual.” {1}. ATONEMENT (atone means “to make amends”): what God has done thru the life and death of Jesus Christ to remedy the human problem of sin {1}, leading to the salvation of His people. It includes two key concepts: propitiation (“a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath to the end and in so doing changes God’s wrath toward us into favor” {2}); and expiation (the covering of sins and the cancelling of debts {1}). ADVOCATE: translated from the Greek word paraklētos (par-ak'-lay-tos) which means helper, or intercessor. (Other definitions: a righteous intercessor; a legal assistant who intercedes; an advocate who assists a sinner seeking forgiveness; a mediator who assists a sinner seeking remission of penalty at the temple; an advocate who gains a hearing for you {3}). The NIV translates this word as “one who speaks to the father in our defense.” RIGHTEOUS: As a noun, it means one who stands in a right relationship with God and whose life is in line with the will and nature of God. “Righteousness” is the doctrine that “God always acts in accordance with what is right and that he himself is the final standard of what is right” {2}. In 1st John 2:1, Jesus is called “the righteous.” The NIV translates this as “the righteous one” and the NLT replaces the word “righteous” with this phrase: “the one who pleases God completely.” PROPITIATION: (see definition above under “Atonement”) translated from the Greek word hilasmos (hil-as-mos') which means “an atoning sacrifice” (NIV/NRSV). This word is translated “propitiation” in the ESV/NASB, as “expiation” in the RSV, and as “the sacrifice that takes away” in the NLT. SUMMARY: “While Jesus’s death certainly has the effect of expiating sin (wiping away its penalty), it is difficult to avoid the impression that it also propitiates (turns away the wrath of) God’s promised punishment of sin and sinners whose transgressions are not atoned for on the last day–a day of condemnation spoken of by Jesus in John 12:48” {3}. LIVE IN VICTORY OVER SIN – 1st, By Knowing God and Walking in the Light: v1 (see 1Jn 1:5-10) [John’s Purpose: I write these things that that you may not sin]. 2nd, Thru Jesus Christ our Advocate: vs1-2 [The Righteous One/the Propitiation for Our Sins]. 3rd, By Seeking Holiness with Humility: vs1-2 [Live a holy life in Christ & Humbly seek His forgiveness daily]. LIVE WITH CHRIST-CENTERED ASSURANCE – 1st, Our Relationship with Christ: vs3-4 [We know that we know Christ if we keep His Commandments]. 2nd, Our Perfection in Christ: vs3-5 [We know God’s love is perfected in us if we keep His word] “Made complete” [perfected] means that the Christian’s love is entire and mature … To receive and obey God’s word is to be made perfect in love; the thought of pleasing and serving God is supreme in the Christian’s motives and molds his conduct … We must bear in minds two things: first, that perfection is not incompatible with further progress and development, and second, that John’s statement here must be place (paradoxically) alongside his earlier assertion that it is wrong for us to say “we are without sin.” (The Epistles of John, by I. Howard Marshall). 3rd, Our Life in Christ: vs5-6 [We know we are in Christ if we walk like Jesus did].
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A Reformed-Charismatic Approach to Prayer
Prayer is communion with God, and God desires that we approach him as confident seekers when we pray. We are to be confident in God's presence because we come in the name of Jesus Christ, our mediator and advocate. We are confident to make requests of him because we are not simply allowed but <i>welcomed</i> to make requests; we should pray with the expectation that God's spirit will move and intervene. And we are to pray with confidence in God's sovereignty, knowing that not only is he in complete control of all things, but he is good and wise and loving.
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Our Advocate (1 John 2:1-6)
Pastor Kim continues our series in 1 John, offering a challenge to flee from sin and the comfort that comes from Christ being our advocate and propitiation.
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The Way of Salvation: Part 1 (Romans 3:21-22)
This passage serves as a key turning point in Paul's letter to the Romans. Until now he has been demonstrating our sinfulness before God, the fact that we have nothing to commend ourselves to God, and that we cannot possibly do anything to earn God's favor. Now Paul shifts to show how we can receive God's favor and mercy -- through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus becomes not simply our advocate, but he becomes our substitute, taking upon himself our sins and punishment and giving us his righteousness -- a righteousness that comes only through him. The faith that receives this gift of righteousness is a faith that knows the gospel, believes the gospel, and entrusts ourselves to Christ.
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That Every Mouth May Be Silent (Romans 3:9-20)
Paul's argument in this passage is that of a prosecutor. He demonstrates beyond any doubt that we are totally depraved, that our sin leaves us with no defense before a holy and righteous judge. By ourselves we cannot earn God's approval, and we deserve only wrath and judgment. But praise God for his provision of a Savior, Jesus Christ, who is our advocate and our righteousness. Though everyone stands guilty before God, everyone who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved, accepted by God, and adopted into God's family as his child.
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Part 4: The Great High Priest
Part 4 of the series, this installment examines Christ's role as our High Priest. Unlike any other High Priest, He has a special ministry, pleading our case before God in a way that no high priest of old ever could. He mediates our new and better covenant, and so faithfully forgives and cleanses us of our sins.
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Do You Feel Empty? Invite the Holy Spirit In.
PERSONS WHO ARE NOT CHRIST FOLLOWERS Do not have the Holy Spirit residing in them. Romans 8:9 The Holy Spirit does bring conviction about sin, righteousness and the coming judgment. John 16:8 FOUR VERY IMPORTANT THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU BECOME A CHRIST FOLLOWER AND THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES INTO YOUR LIFE! Your spirit which was dead became alive . Ephesians 2:5 Your body became the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19 You were adopted into the family of God. Romans 8:15 You received an advocate to help you and be with you forever. John 14:16 WARNING DO NOT PUT OUT THE SPIRIT'S FIRE! 1 Thessalonians 5:19 "If the Holy Spirit were taken completely from the church, what percent of the work of the church would go right on as if nothing happened?"
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