The Advocate

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Introduction

It is Memorial Day weekend—the time of year where we pay are respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

It is also a time where many will visit the graves of loved ones, place flowers or other objects of endearment.

It is also Sunday, the say in which Christians around the world celebrate Christ’s work on the Cross and His victory over death and the grave.

We have the victory through Christ!

We can know we are saved and secure in our faith.

We can live our lives as a living, breathing testimony of God’s grace, forgiveness, goodness, love.

We can—but sometimes we struggle. Sometimes live gets complicated. Sometimes we wonder if we are going in the right direction.

…a direction that loves God and loves people.

…a direction that demonstrates a commitment to living life in holiness and righteousness.

…a direction that imitates the passion and steadfastness of Jesus Christ.

In our passage () we are given six principles that can empower us to live life in a way that honors and glorifies God.

I believe that God’s Word if filled with principles that help us overcome fear, anxiety, doubt, faithlessness, and anger that so easily holds us back from fulfilling our God-given purpose.

So, here in 1 John, chapter 2, we have some incredible truths that can transform our thinking.

We have the Word to Guide Us.

1 John 2:1 ESV

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

My little children—this was John’s way of addressing his readers—people that he deeply loved.

He wanted Christian people to know he has been given a word—a message—that can help us not to sin.

This is one of the purposes of Scripture. Scripture shows us, from God’s perspective, what we ought to do.

The Apostle Paul:

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NLT

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

We can know the way—objectively know the way. Not by emotions or the opinions of others—but we can know exactly how God wants us to live life!

TRANSITION: Not only do we have the Word of God to guide us...

We have an Advocate to Stand for Us.

1 John 2:1 ESV

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

1 John 2:

Jesus takes up the cause of believers in the presence of God the Father.

Without Jesus, our sins would bring judgment upon us.

Jesus stands for us!

tells us that Jesus is our mediator.

1 Timothy 2:5 ESV

5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

tells us that Jesus is our high priest.

Hebrews 8:1 ESV

1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

IMPORTANT: We do not go through live as Christians alone. Jesus is standing for us!

TRANSITION: Through Christ...

We have a Savior to Redeem Us.

1 John 2:2 ESV

2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:

Propitiation: a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath and turns it to favor.

Because Jesus is the perfect sacrifice for our sins, He turns away the righteous wrath of God.

CAUTION: Now, some may wrongly interpret verse 2 as a support of universalism (God saves everyone, regardless if they believe in Christ or not).

What John is saying here is that Jesus’ sacrifice is offered and made available to everyone in “the whole world” who would believe—not just to John and his current readers.

The fourth principle given in this passage to empower believers is that...

We have an Assurance to Sustain Us.

1 John 2:3 ESV

3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.

It is all too easy to get discouraged—painfully discouraged!

ILLUSTRATION: The death of a student at Shoreland Lutheran High School. Getting the word on Wednesday (what was to be a week of celebration turned into a lesson that life can be filled with hardship.

But this passage reminds us that we can know, that we know, that we know!!!

And, how can we know that we truly know Christ?

We can know by that fact that we do what He says!

Now, remember, we have an Advocate—Jesus, who stand for us. So, when we fall short of God’s glory—when we sin—there is Jesus who provides forgiveness and restoration.

CAUTION: If we are not careful, we can drift from this truth—we can neglect this truth—we can forget this truth!

So God gives us another principle that we would do well not to ignore...

We have a Warning to Help Us.

1 John 2:4 ESV

4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,

1 John

To know Christ involves a personal relationship that transforms practical behavior.

Obedience to God does not bring about salvation, but obedience as a pattern of life does give evidence that one has been born again.

This leads us to our final principle from this passage in 1 John 2...

We have a Promise to Lead Us.

1 John 2:5–6 ESV

5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

1 John

There is power in God’s Word.

As we honor God’s Word and following its precepts—we change.

God’s Word, with the work of the Holy Spirit, transforms us.

We can then know the way we ought to do life.

Illustration: Watching the direction people were going to find the elevator at the hospital so I can know which way to go.

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

on: Watching the direction people were going to find the elevator at the hospital so I can know which way to go.6

Conclusion

Six principles to live by:

We have the Word to Guide Us.

We have an Advocate to Stand for Us.

We have a Savior to Redeem Us.

We have an Assurance to Sustain Us.

We have a Warning to Help Us.

We have a Promise to Lead Us.

Hebrews 12:1–3 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

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