Sermons on 1 John 2:2

1 John 2:2 Interpretation:

Celebrating God's Provision and the Power of the Gospel (Daniel Kiefer) offers a notable interpretation of 1 John 2:2 by focusing on the word "propitiation," which the preacher calls "one of my favorite words that's in all of scripture." He explains propitiation as meaning that "Jesus Christ's death on the cross completely satisfies God's wrath towards humanity's sins on earth." The sermon uses the analogy of Jesus "taking the blow for you for your sins," emphasizing the substitutionary aspect of Christ's atonement. This interpretation is distinct in its practical, pastoral application, highlighting the ongoing work of the gospel in both justification (saving from the penalty of sin) and sanctification (saving from the presence of sin), and how the satisfaction of God's wrath is not just a theological point but a source of hope for breaking the power of sin in believers' lives.

The True Purpose of Christmas: Salvation Through Christ (Tony Evans) provides a unique perspective by connecting 1 John 2:2 to the Christmas narrative, emphasizing that the birth of Christ is inseparable from his role as the "propitiation for our sins." Evans draws out the meaning of "propitiation" as Christ being the "sacrifice for sin eternally," and uses the metaphor of Jesus being "death wrapped" in swaddling clothes at birth, foreshadowing his sacrificial death. He also uses the analogy of a "perfect credit score" to explain how Christ's righteousness is credited to believers, making salvation possible for all. This sermon stands out for its integration of the Christmas story with the doctrine of atonement and its vivid, accessible metaphors.

The Cross: Justice, Mercy, and God's Character Revealed (MLJTrust) interprets 1 John 2:2 by emphasizing the cross as the ultimate demonstration of God's justice and mercy. The preacher explains that Christ's death is the "propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world," and that this act vindicates God's character by showing that he does not simply overlook sin but deals with it fully in Christ. The sermon distinguishes itself by focusing on the cross as the public declaration of God's righteousness, ensuring that forgiveness is not arbitrary but grounded in the satisfaction of divine justice.

Jesus: Our Advocate and Transformative Love (David Guzik) offers a vivid and unique courtroom analogy to interpret 1 John 2:2, portraying Jesus as a defense lawyer (Advocate) who not only admits the guilt of the accused (us) but also satisfies the demands of justice by offering himself as the atoning sacrifice (propitiation). Guzik explains the Greek term for "Advocate" (parakletos) as a legal defender and unpacks "propitiation" as a concept from ancient sacrificial systems, contrasting pagan attempts to bribe the gods with the Christian understanding that God himself provides the sacrifice. He emphasizes that Jesus' sacrifice is not a bribe but a self-offering that turns away God's righteous wrath, and that the atonement is sufficient for the whole world, though only effective for those who accept it. The analogy of passing the "bar exam" in heaven—where only the sinless, righteous Jesus is qualified to represent us—adds a fresh metaphorical layer to the interpretation.

Understanding Jesus' Sacrifice: Who Did He Die For? (David Guzik) provides a nuanced distinction between the sufficiency and efficacy of Christ’s atonement in 1 John 2:2. Guzik draws a parallel between Old Testament atonement (where all Israel received atonement, but not all were forgiven) and the New Testament, suggesting that Christ’s propitiation is sufficient for the whole world but only effective for those who believe. He also explores the Greek term "propitiation" and its implications, and references Martin Luther’s insistence that the phrase "for the whole world" is meant to assure every individual that they are included if they believe. Guzik further interprets the passage as teaching that Jesus’ death is the ground for both salvation and final judgment, and that the atonement is the basis for God’s love and justice being demonstrated to all humanity.

Understanding the Depth of Christ's Resurrection and Salvation (SermonIndex.net) interprets 1 John 2:2 by focusing on the meaning of "propitiation," explaining it as the satisfaction of God’s wrath through Christ’s sacrifice. The sermon uses the analogy of a judicial system where justice must fall on someone, and Christ absorbs the penalty on behalf of sinners. The preacher also employs a vivid story of a father sacrificing his son to save many (the drawbridge analogy) to illustrate substitutionary atonement, connecting it to the idea that Jesus’ death was not just for a select few but for the whole world, though only those who accept it benefit from it. This approach emphasizes the personal and universal aspects of Christ’s atonement in a way that is both doctrinal and emotionally resonant.

1 John 2:2 Theological Themes:

Celebrating God's Provision and the Power of the Gospel (Daniel Kiefer) introduces the theme that propitiation is not only about initial salvation (justification) but also about ongoing sanctification. The preacher asserts that the gospel, rooted in Christ's propitiatory sacrifice, continues to work in believers' lives to free them from the power and presence of sin, offering hope for victory over persistent struggles and addictions. This extends the application of 1 John 2:2 beyond conversion to the daily Christian walk.

The True Purpose of Christmas: Salvation Through Christ (Tony Evans) presents the theme that Christmas is fundamentally about the need for and provision of propitiation. Evans reframes the holiday as a response to the "scar on the soul of humanity"—sin—and insists that the joy of Christmas is rooted in the reality that Christ's birth was for the purpose of becoming the atoning sacrifice for the whole world. He also introduces the idea of "perfect credit" as a metaphor for imputed righteousness, making the atonement accessible and relatable.

Understanding Propitiation: God's Justice and Love Revealed (MLJTrust) develops the theme that true biblical propitiation involves both the appeasement of God's wrath and the restoration of relationship, countering modern tendencies to downplay divine wrath. The sermon insists that God's love is most clearly seen not by ignoring his wrath but by recognizing that God himself provides the means of satisfying it through Christ. This theme is further nuanced by the preacher's critique of translations and theological trends that seek to replace propitiation with expiation, arguing that such moves diminish the depth of God's justice and love.

The Cross: Justice, Mercy, and God's Character Revealed (MLJTrust) adds the theme that the cross is not merely a declaration of forgiveness but the very means by which God remains just while justifying sinners. The preacher argues that the cross vindicates God's character, showing that forgiveness is not a simple act of leniency but a profound act of justice and mercy intertwined, thus rejecting the "moral influence" theory of the atonement as insufficient.

Jesus: Our Advocate and Transformative Love (David Guzik) introduces the theme that the real barrier between God and humanity is not sin itself—since Christ’s atonement has dealt with sin for the whole world—but rather the refusal to accept Jesus as Advocate. This shifts the focus from the magnitude of sin to the necessity of relying on Christ’s advocacy, and challenges the notion that good works or self-defense can reconcile us to God.

Understanding Jesus' Sacrifice: Who Did He Die For? (David Guzik) adds the distinct theological theme that Christ’s atonement is the universal ground for both salvation and judgment. The sermon asserts that Jesus’ death demonstrates God’s love to the whole world and serves as the basis for the final reconciliation of all things—either in mercy (heaven) or in judgment (hell). This dual function of the atonement as both inclusive and exclusive is a nuanced theological angle.

Understanding the Depth of Christ's Resurrection and Salvation (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme that most people are "half right, almost saved"—believing that good works can satisfy God’s justice, when in fact only Christ’s propitiation is sufficient. The sermon also stresses the urgency of full surrender to Christ, warning against complacency and partial acceptance of the gospel, and highlighting the necessity of embracing the atonement personally.

1 John 2:2 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Understanding Propitiation: God's Justice and Love Revealed (MLJTrust) provides extensive historical and cultural context by discussing the use of the Greek terms for propitiation in both the New Testament and the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament). The preacher explains the significance of the "mercy seat" in the Tabernacle, where the high priest would sprinkle blood on the Day of Atonement to atone for the sins of the people, and how this imagery informs the New Testament understanding of Christ as the ultimate propitiatory sacrifice. He also references the historical debates over translation and doctrine, situating the discussion within the broader history of Christian thought.

The Cross: Justice, Mercy, and God's Character Revealed (MLJTrust) offers historical insight into the Old Testament sacrificial system, explaining that the sacrifices under the old covenant were provisional and pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. The preacher highlights the problem of God's apparent forbearance in passing over sins before Christ and how the cross publicly resolves this tension by demonstrating God's justice and faithfulness to his own character.

Jesus: Our Advocate and Transformative Love (David Guzik) provides historical context for the term "propitiation," explaining its roots in ancient sacrificial practices where gifts or sacrifices were offered to appease the wrath of the gods. Guzik contrasts this with the Christian understanding, where God himself provides the sacrifice in Christ, and emphasizes that the Christian concept is not about bribing God but about God’s initiative in reconciliation.

Understanding Jesus' Sacrifice: Who Did He Die For? (David Guzik) offers a historical insight by comparing the Old Testament Day of Atonement—where atonement was made for all Israel, but not all were individually forgiven—to the New Testament application of Christ’s atonement. This contextualizes the idea of a universal provision that requires individual appropriation.

1 John 2:2 Cross-References in the Bible:

Celebrating God's Provision and the Power of the Gospel (Daniel Kiefer) references 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 to define the gospel as Christ's death, burial, and resurrection "according to the scriptures," and 2 Corinthians 5:17 to illustrate the transformative power of the gospel in making believers a "new creation." These passages are used to support the claim that Christ's propitiatory work is both the foundation of salvation and the ongoing source of sanctification.

The True Purpose of Christmas: Salvation Through Christ (Tony Evans) references Matthew 1:21 ("he will save his people from their sins") to connect the birth of Jesus directly to his atoning mission, and 2 Corinthians 5:21 ("he who knew no sin became sin for us") to explain the mechanics of imputed righteousness. Evans also alludes to John the Baptist's declaration in John 1:29 ("the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world") to reinforce the universality of Christ's atonement. He explicitly cites 1 John 2:2 to highlight the global scope of Christ's propitiation.

Understanding Propitiation: God's Justice and Love Revealed (MLJTrust) cross-references Romans 3:25 (Paul's use of "propitiation"), Hebrews 9:5 (the "mercy seat"), and 1 John 4:10 (another use of "propitiation" by John). The preacher uses these passages to trace the development of the concept of propitiation across the Old and New Testaments, showing its centrality to the biblical doctrine of atonement.

The Cross: Justice, Mercy, and God's Character Revealed (MLJTrust) references Hebrews 9 and 10 to explain the insufficiency of Old Testament sacrifices and the finality of Christ's sacrifice. The preacher also alludes to Luke 16 (Abraham's bosom) and Romans 3:25-26 to discuss the justification of Old Testament saints and the public vindication of God's justice at the cross. 1 John 2:2 is cited as the summary statement of the universal scope of Christ's propitiation.

Jesus: Our Advocate and Transformative Love (David Guzik) references Romans 3 ("all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God") to reinforce the universality of sin, and 1 John 1:8-9 to highlight the availability of forgiveness. The sermon also alludes to the biblical figure of Satan as the "accuser of the brethren" and to Charles Spurgeon’s teaching on the Christian’s changed relationship to sin, though these are more illustrative than direct cross-references.

Understanding Jesus' Sacrifice: Who Did He Die For? (David Guzik) draws on several passages: John 3:16 to establish the necessity of faith; 1 Timothy 4:10 to show Christ as the "Savior of all men, especially of those who believe"; Hebrews 2:9 ("taste death for everyone") to support the universal scope of Christ’s death; John 4:42 ("Savior of the world") to affirm the global reach of salvation; Colossians 1:20 ("reconcile all things to himself") to explain the cosmic impact of the cross; John 5:22 and Acts 10:42 to emphasize Jesus as the judge of all humanity. Each reference is used to build the case that Christ’s atonement is both universally sufficient and individually effective.

Understanding the Depth of Christ's Resurrection and Salvation (SermonIndex.net) references Romans 3 (all have sinned), 2 Corinthians 5:21 (substitutionary atonement), Colossians 1:13 (redemption), Romans 5:1 (justification), and 1 Corinthians 6:11 (sanctification) to explain the multifaceted work of Christ’s atonement and its application to believers. These references are woven into the explanation of propitiation and the necessity of personal faith.

1 John 2:2 Christian References outside the Bible:

Understanding Propitiation: God's Justice and Love Revealed (MLJTrust) explicitly references several Christian scholars and theologians in the discussion of propitiation. The preacher cites Dr. John Owen, a Puritan divine, for his fourfold definition of propitiation (offense, offended party, offender, and sacrifice). He also discusses the translation debate between C.H. Dodd, who advocated for "expiation" over "propitiation," and Leon Morris, whose book "The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross" robustly defends the traditional view of propitiation. The preacher also mentions Dr. Moffatt as a non-evangelical scholar who nevertheless supported the translation "propitiation." These references are used to situate the sermon within ongoing scholarly debates and to bolster the argument for the traditional understanding of 1 John 2:2.

Jesus: Our Advocate and Transformative Love (David Guzik) explicitly quotes Charles Spurgeon, who said, "The Christian no longer loves sin; it is the object of his sternest horror... sin is dejected in the Christian's heart though it is not ejected." This citation is used to illustrate the transformative effect of Christ’s atonement on the believer’s relationship to sin.

Understanding Jesus' Sacrifice: Who Did He Die For? (David Guzik) references Adam Clarke, quoting his commentary: "What God intends for all he actually gives to them that believe in Christ who died for the sins of the world." Guzik also mentions Martin Luther, noting Luther’s insistence that the phrase "for the whole world" in 1 John 2:2 is meant to assure every individual that they are included in the atonement if they believe.

1 John 2:2 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

The True Purpose of Christmas: Salvation Through Christ (Tony Evans) uses several vivid secular illustrations to explain 1 John 2:2. He tells the story of a man trying to teach his friend about the dangers of alcohol by dropping worms into water and booze, only for the friend to miss the point—an analogy for how people miss the true meaning of Christmas and Christ's atonement. Evans also uses the metaphor of a "perfect credit score" to explain imputed righteousness, likening salvation to having Christ's perfect record credited to one's account. Additionally, he shares the story of two men stuck in a ditch, unable to help each other, until a third man outside the ditch throws them a rope—illustrating that only someone not trapped by sin (Christ) can save humanity. These illustrations make the theological concept of propitiation accessible and memorable for a broad audience.

Jesus: Our Advocate and Transformative Love (David Guzik) uses the analogy of bribing a traffic officer (slipping a $100 bill under the registration) to illustrate the futility of trying to "bribe" God with good works, emphasizing that God’s justice cannot be bought and that only Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient. He also references lawyer jokes and the process of passing the bar exam to practice law, using these as metaphors for Jesus’ unique qualification as our Advocate in the heavenly court.

Understanding the Depth of Christ's Resurrection and Salvation (SermonIndex.net) employs the story of a father operating a drawbridge who must choose between saving his son or hundreds of people on a train. The father sacrifices his son so that many may live, paralleling God’s sacrifice of Christ for the world. The preacher also references the video game "Grand Theft Auto" as an example of cultural influences that desensitize people to sin, using it to highlight the real problem of sin in society and the need for Christ’s atonement. Additionally, the preacher uses the analogy of arm-wrestling with a younger, stronger person to illustrate Christ’s apparent defeat and ultimate victory over Satan, and references popular culture figures like Tim McGraw and Miley Cyrus to contrast worldly distractions with the call to worship and surrender to Christ.