Defending Our Faith: Christ as Our Advocate
Summary
In our spiritual journey, we often face accusations from the enemy, who seeks to disrupt our fellowship with God and derail His plans for our lives. The devil, known as the accuser, brings charges against us, aiming to separate us from God's purpose. However, we have a powerful ally in Jesus Christ, our advocate and defense attorney, who stands in our defense in the heavenly court. Jesus credits His righteousness to our account, granting us victory over the enemy's accusations.
The Bible is rich with legal language—covenants, laws, judges, and rulings—illustrating the legal framework within which we can defeat the devil. When we pray and bring our case to the heavenly court, we appeal to the legal transaction that occurred on Calvary. Jesus declared, "It is finished," signifying that the debt has been paid in full. Even when the devil's accusations are accurate, God uses the righteousness of Christ to defend us, thwarting the enemy's attempts to limit God's plans for our lives.
We are no longer bound by satanic threats and deception. By staying in God's presence, confessing, and repenting of our sins, we activate the blood of Christ on our behalf. This allows us to stand confidently in the heavenly court, where mercy prevails. With a repentant heart and Jesus as our advocate, we can witness God turning the tables, dismissing the devil's case against us. Our relationship with God and communication through prayer provide the defense we need to be released from judgment. Embrace this divine legal victory and experience the freedom and fulfillment of God's purpose in your life.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Accuser's Strategy: The devil's primary goal is to accuse and separate us from God's purpose. By understanding his strategy, we can better prepare ourselves to stand firm in our faith and maintain our fellowship with God. [00:25]
2. Jesus as Our Advocate: Jesus Christ serves as our defense attorney, crediting His righteousness to us. This divine advocacy ensures that we have victory in the heavenly court, even when the accusations against us are true. [00:51]
3. The Legal Framework of Faith: The Bible's legal language—covenants, laws, and judgments—illustrates how we can defeat the devil legally. By appealing to the legal transaction of Calvary, we claim the victory Jesus secured for us. [01:24]
4. Activating Christ's Blood: Confession and repentance activate the blood of Christ on our behalf, allowing us to stand confidently in the heavenly court. This spiritual practice is essential for overcoming the enemy's accusations. [02:15]
5. Experiencing Divine Victory: With Jesus as our advocate and a repentant heart, we can witness God dismissing the devil's case against us. This divine victory releases us from judgment and empowers us to fulfill God's purpose. [02:55]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:25] - The Accuser's Strategy
- [00:39] - Disrupting God's Purpose
- [00:51] - Jesus as Our Advocate
- [01:06] - Legal Language in the Bible
- [01:24] - Defeating the Devil Legally
- [01:34] - The Calvary Transaction
- [01:48] - Righteousness as Defense
- [02:00] - Freedom from Satanic Threats
- [02:15] - Activating Christ's Blood
- [02:26] - Mercy at the Bench
- [02:41] - Taking the Devil to Court
- [02:55] - Case Dismissed
- [03:08] - Conclusion and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 12:10 - "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: 'Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.'"
2. 1 John 2:1 - "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."
3. Colossians 2:14 - "Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross."
Observation Questions:
1. What role does the devil play according to Revelation 12:10, and how does this relate to the sermon’s description of him as the accuser? [00:25]
2. How does 1 John 2:1 describe Jesus' role in our spiritual lives, and how does this align with the sermon’s portrayal of Jesus as our advocate? [00:51]
3. In Colossians 2:14, what does it mean that our legal indebtedness was canceled, and how does this connect to the sermon’s message about the legal transaction on Calvary? [01:34]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding the devil's strategy as the accuser help believers prepare to maintain their fellowship with God? [00:39]
2. What does it mean for Jesus to credit His righteousness to our account, and how does this impact our standing in the heavenly court? [01:48]
3. How does the concept of legal language in the Bible, such as covenants and laws, help believers understand their spiritual battles? [01:06]
4. What is the significance of confession and repentance in activating the blood of Christ on our behalf, according to the sermon? [02:15]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt accused or condemned. How can the knowledge of Jesus as your advocate change your perspective in similar situations? [02:55]
2. In what ways can you actively stay in God's presence to prevent the devil from disrupting God's purpose in your life? [02:00]
3. How can you incorporate regular confession and repentance into your spiritual practice to activate the blood of Christ in your life? [02:15]
4. Consider a current challenge you are facing. How can you bring this issue to the heavenly court in prayer, trusting in Jesus' advocacy? [02:41]
5. What steps can you take to better understand the legal framework of faith as described in the Bible, and how might this understanding empower you in spiritual battles? [01:24]
6. How can you cultivate a repentant heart to experience the divine victory and freedom from judgment that the sermon describes? [02:55]
7. Identify an area in your life where you feel bound by satanic threats or deception. What practical actions can you take to break free and fulfill God's purpose for you? [02:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding the Accuser's Strategy
The devil's primary goal is to accuse and separate us from God's purpose. By understanding his strategy, we can better prepare ourselves to stand firm in our faith and maintain our fellowship with God. The enemy often uses accusations to create doubt and fear, attempting to derail our spiritual journey. Recognizing these tactics allows us to remain vigilant and grounded in our faith, ensuring that we do not fall prey to his schemes. [00:25]
Zechariah 3:1-2 (ESV): "Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, 'The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?'"
Reflection: Identify a recent situation where you felt accused or discouraged. How can you remind yourself of God's purpose for you in such moments?
Day 2: Jesus as Our Advocate
Jesus Christ serves as our defense attorney, crediting His righteousness to us. This divine advocacy ensures that we have victory in the heavenly court, even when the accusations against us are true. Jesus stands in our defense, offering His righteousness as a shield against the enemy's charges. This powerful truth reassures us that we are not alone in our spiritual battles; we have a Savior who intercedes on our behalf. [00:51]
1 John 2:1-2 (ESV): "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. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy or guilty. How does knowing Jesus is your advocate change your perspective on that situation?
Day 3: The Legal Framework of Faith
The Bible's legal language—covenants, laws, and judgments—illustrates how we can defeat the devil legally. By appealing to the legal transaction of Calvary, we claim the victory Jesus secured for us. This framework provides a structured understanding of how spiritual battles are fought and won, emphasizing the importance of Jesus' sacrifice as the ultimate legal victory over sin and death. [01:24]
Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV): "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."
Reflection: Consider the legal language used in the Bible. How does viewing your faith through this lens impact your understanding of Jesus' sacrifice?
Day 4: Activating Christ's Blood
Confession and repentance activate the blood of Christ on our behalf, allowing us to stand confidently in the heavenly court. This spiritual practice is essential for overcoming the enemy's accusations. By confessing our sins and turning away from them, we invite the cleansing power of Christ's blood into our lives, which not only forgives but also empowers us to live victoriously. [02:15]
Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to seek forgiveness and activate the power of Christ's blood today?
Day 5: Experiencing Divine Victory
With Jesus as our advocate and a repentant heart, we can witness God dismissing the devil's case against us. This divine victory releases us from judgment and empowers us to fulfill God's purpose. Embracing this truth allows us to live in the freedom and fulfillment that God intends for us, knowing that no accusation can stand against the righteousness of Christ credited to us. [02:55]
Romans 8:33-34 (ESV): "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."
Reflection: How can you live out the freedom and purpose God has for you, knowing that the enemy's accusations have been dismissed?
Quotes
"Did you know it's time to take the devil to court? You see what he does is he brings up a case against us. That's why he's called the accuser, because he's accusing us, and his goal of accusing us is to cause us to lose fellowship with God so that God's purposes cannot be fulfilled in our lives. He wants to detour us from what God has planned for our lives." [00:13:55]
"But guess what? You've been taking the court because you have an advocate, Jesus Christ, who stands in as your defense attorney and who credits his own righteousness to your account and mine, which gives us victory in the court of heaven." [00:45:36]
"There's so much in the Bible about a legal aspect—covenants and laws and judges and rulings and judgments and all of those illegal languages. And if you understand that, we defeat the devil legally. So when you pray and take it to court, that is when you appeal to the legal transaction that took place on Calvary." [00:63:84]
"When Jesus says it is finished, that means the bill has been paid in full, and that now Jesus Christ stands in to give testimony on your behalf in defense of you, even when the devil's accusations are correct, because God can take the righteousness of Christ and use it to defend you against the evil one who wants to thwart and destroy and limit what God has planned for your life." [00:92:47]
"So you no longer have to live under satanic threat and satanic deception. That's why we need to stay in God's presence, confessing and repenting our sins, which actually activates the blood of Christ on our behalf, so that now we can show up in court and even though his accusations may be accurate, by mercy at the bench where the judge sits." [00:123:68]
"I want to challenge you to take the devil to go to God's presence in prayer with your advocate, Jesus Christ, and a repentant heart, and watch God flip the script, turn things around, and dismiss the devil. Case dismissed. Why? Because you had an advocate and you had a relationship, and you communicated with God and got the defense that you need to release you from judgment." [00:152:64]
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