Life, Light, and Love: Advocate

February 24
1 John 2:1
KEY QUESTION:
What is John’s goal for the believer?
MAIN IDEAS:
John wants believers to recognize 4 things:
1. His Authority
– “my little children, beloved”
– John speaks with tenderness but for the purpose of instruction
– his message: don’t be content with sin in your life!
2. Their Challenge
– John challenges them to live sinless lives
– It is a high goal, John does not leave room for mediocrity
– His instruction will help them move in this direction
– Why try not to sin?
– because God has given us new hearts
– because God has forgiven us and given us hope
– because God have redeemed me
– because we have been bought with a price
– because God wants to be glorified in me
– because God is my life
– because God has rescued me from that which was worthless
3. God’s Grace
– but if we do sin, there is grace
– this is a failsafe not an excuse
– all is not lost – why?
– every believer has no righteousness of their own
– we are redeemed by Christ’s merit
4. Christ’s Role
– he is an advocate: a person who pleads on someone else’s behalf
– he stands in our defense
– why is Christ identified as “the righteous”?
– his righteousness is ours
– see also: 2 Cor 5:21, 1 Cor. 1:30-31, Phil 3:8-10
– because