Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• John cannot contain his joy in this letter
  • He wants people to have fullness of joy
• There is a problem raised - sin in the life of the believer
  • He is deals with those who treat sin lightly
  • There is a false teaching - 'we are not above sinning'
  • We are a work in progress
  • Quote from Ruth Graham
• There is another problem - being overwhelmed by sin to be robbed of their joy and peace
• He writes that we have a glorious advocate (2:1)
• This is like a court-room drama

The Sinner

• Centring first on those who sin
• The believer is accused
  • Yes - our sins have been forgiven and God remember's them no more
• The sin of the believer is worse than the unbeliever
  • Due to the amount of gospel light that we have known
• Satan in the accuser of the brethren
  • Example of Jesus being tested in the wilderness
  • Example of accusations

The advocate

• Centring next on the advocate
• A paracletos (in Greek)
• The same word used of the Holy Spirit
• We have an advocate in the Son of God in heaven
  • In spite of all of what we are not / what we should be
  • Here is Jesus
  • He has taken upon Himself our cause
  • We entrust our entire defence to Him
• He is Jesus - His personal name
  • All that was in His humanity - examples
    • Are we guilty of detaching His person from His work?
  • Two persons - one nature
  • He comes alongside us
  • He understands us
• He is Christ - His official title
  • God the Father delights in His Son and gives our case to Christ
  • He comes to take away our sin
  • Song lyrics - Might Christ from time eternal
  • He is pre-figured in the sacrifices of the Old Testament
  • Song lyrics - Before the throne of God above
  • He is a high-priest
• He is the righteous
  • He will fully expose our sin and guilt
  • He will establish a way where we are justly and mercifully forgiven of sin

The Acquittal

• The basis of acquittal - on He Himself
  • Jesus Christ alone is the propitiation for our sins
    • The wrath of God diverted from us
  • Example of Swansea Castle and diverting the River Tawe
  • Isa 12
• The propitiation
  • Jesus bearing away our sins
  • The just died for the unjust
• We have a wonderful Advocate how lays down His life for us
• We have not just an acquittal, but approval and acceptance too
  • We can be called children of God
  • Our relationship with God has fundamentally changed
  • Personal example of paternal relationship/love
  • We are brought into a world of guilt free living
  • Quote from McShane

Closing Remarks

• If He represents us in heaven - we must represent Him on earth
• Song Lyrics: I am not ashamed to defend my Lord
• We live in a world of strident sin
  • We must be bold and courageous in our stand for Christ
• Closing Prayer