Embracing Christ's Ongoing Advocacy and Daily Renewal
Summary
Beloved congregation, as we've journeyed together through the heart of Jesus, we've come to understand His gentle and lowly nature, His approachability, compassion, and sympathy. Today, I want to delve deeper into the ongoing work of Christ in our lives, not just what He accomplished on the cross but what He is actively doing for us now.
During a recent retreat with fellow pastors, a common thread emerged: the struggle with the need to appear perfect and the shame that accompanies our failures. This is not the life of freedom Christ has called us to. The gospel tells us that Jesus has saved us completely, our past is taken care of, and He is saving us to the uttermost. This means His saving power reaches into the darkest parts of our lives.
Justification is not just a past event; it's an ongoing reality. Jesus is interceding for us, advocating on our behalf, applying our past justification to our current struggles. This is not a God who is tired of our failures but One who counts down our sins, not up. He is our Advocate, ensuring that we do not have to carry the weight of sin and shame.
We've all felt like my brother Rob and I did as children, knowing we would mess up again. But Jesus, our Advocate, intercedes for us, understanding that we will struggle with sin this side of heaven. When we feel shame, we must remember that Jesus is advocating for us, declaring us not condemned but rescued, transformed, and His own.
As we consider the work of Jesus, we must also reflect on our response. Are we living as if we are saved to the uttermost, or just for the most part? Are we trusting in what Jesus is currently doing for us? Hebrews 7 reminds us that Jesus lives to make intercession for us. He enjoys it; it's what He lives for because it's what He died for.
When we sin, we must remember two things: Jesus justified us, giving us a new status before God, and He is currently interceding for us. His heart is to be our ever-present Advocate. The Apostle John assures us that if we sin, we have Jesus Christ the righteous as our Advocate with the Father.
In closing, I invite you to embrace the daily forgiveness restart that Jesus offers. He teaches us to confess and ask for forgiveness daily. Every confession is a reminder that Jesus is carrying the weight for us. He invites us to live freely and forgiven. Let us smile knowing that Jesus finds joy in giving us a clean start each day.
Key Takeaways:
1. The ongoing intercession of Jesus is not a mere theological concept but a vibrant, life-giving reality. He advocates for us with joy and commitment, applying the victory of the cross to our present struggles. This truth should embolden us to approach God with confidence, knowing that our Advocate is always pleading our case. [49:33]
2. Justification is not a static state but an active, present-tense assurance. It is the daily application of Christ's righteousness to our lives, reminding us that our status before God is secure and unchanging, despite our ongoing battles with sin. This understanding liberates us from the cycle of guilt and shame. [42:21]
3. The concept of being saved to the uttermost challenges us to live in the fullness of God's grace. It invites us to shed the remnants of shame that cling to our identities and to embrace the complete work of Christ, which reaches into the deepest recesses of our brokenness. [45:58]
4. The heart of Jesus, gentle and lowly, is not passive but actively engaged in our sanctification. His advocacy is a testament to His enduring love and commitment to our transformation. This should inspire us to persevere in our faith journey, knowing that we are never alone in our struggles. [52:13]
5. Daily confession is not a ritual of defeat but a practice of renewal. It is the means by which we experience the fresh mercies of God and the ongoing work of Jesus in our lives. Each confession is an opportunity to be reminded of the depth of Jesus' love and the breadth of His forgiveness. [01:01:53]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 7:25-27: "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself."
2. 1 John 2:1-2: "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."
3. Romans 5:1: "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 7:25, what is Jesus currently doing for us? How does this relate to the concept of being saved "to the uttermost"? ([36:38])
2. In 1 John 2:1-2, what role does Jesus play when we sin? How does this passage describe His relationship with the Father? ([52:53])
3. Romans 5:1 mentions a specific result of being justified by faith. What is that result, and how does it impact our relationship with God? ([39:05])
4. The sermon mentioned that Jesus is not counting up our sins but counting them down. How does this perspective change our understanding of Jesus' intercession? ([49:51])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be saved "to the uttermost" as described in Hebrews 7:25? How does this concept challenge the way we view our salvation and ongoing struggles with sin? ([45:58])
2. How does the role of Jesus as our Advocate in 1 John 2:1-2 provide comfort and assurance in our daily lives? What does it mean for Jesus to be our "righteous" advocate? ([52:53])
3. Romans 5:1 speaks of peace with God through justification. How does this peace manifest in our daily lives, especially when we face guilt and shame? ([39:05])
4. The sermon emphasized that Jesus lives to make intercession for us. How does this ongoing intercession affect our confidence in approaching God with our struggles and failures? ([51:01])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by guilt and shame. How can the understanding that Jesus is interceding for you change the way you handle these feelings? ([49:51])
2. The sermon mentioned that many people live as if they are saved "for the most part" rather than "to the uttermost." In what areas of your life do you struggle to believe that Jesus' saving power reaches? ([45:58])
3. How can you incorporate the practice of daily confession into your routine to experience the fresh mercies of God? What specific steps will you take to make this a habit? ([01:01:53])
4. Think about a current struggle or sin in your life. How does knowing that Jesus is advocating for you right now give you hope and strength to overcome it? ([49:10])
5. The sermon highlighted the joy Jesus finds in interceding for us. How can this understanding impact your prayer life and the way you approach God with your needs and failures? ([51:01])
6. Identify one area where you feel you need a "restart" in your spiritual life. What practical steps can you take this week to embrace the fresh start that Jesus offers? ([59:48])
7. How can you remind yourself daily of your justified status before God, especially when you are tempted to fall back into guilt and shame? What specific actions or reminders can help reinforce this truth? ([42:21])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Our Divine Advocate
The ongoing intercession of Jesus is a profound truth that impacts the believer's daily life. It is not merely a theological concept to be acknowledged, but a vibrant, life-giving reality that should shape one's approach to God. Jesus, as an Advocate, takes joy in representing believers before the Father, applying the victory of the cross to their present struggles. This advocacy is rooted in love and commitment, and it provides believers with the confidence to approach God, knowing that their case is being pleaded by Christ Himself. The knowledge that Jesus is actively interceding should embolden one's faith and dissolve the fear of condemnation that often hinders a full and free relationship with God. [49:33]
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit." (1 Peter 3:18)
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as your Advocate change the way you approach God in prayer and in times of failure?
Day 2: Living in Justified Freedom
Justification is not a one-time event but an ongoing, present-tense reality that assures believers of their secure status before God. This daily application of Christ's righteousness to our lives is a powerful antidote to the cycle of guilt and shame that can ensnare us. It is a reminder that, despite our battles with sin, our position before God remains unchanged because of Jesus' sacrifice. This liberating truth allows believers to live with a sense of freedom and assurance, knowing that their justification is an active and continuous work of grace in their lives. [42:21]
"But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet." (Hebrews 10:12-13)
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself of your justified status before God when you face temptation or feelings of unworthiness?
Day 3: Saved to the Uttermost
The concept of being saved to the uttermost invites believers to live in the fullness of God's grace, shedding the remnants of shame and embracing the complete work of Christ. This profound truth reaches into the deepest recesses of our brokenness, offering a comprehensive salvation that covers every aspect of our lives. It challenges us to live not as those who are partially redeemed but as those who are wholly transformed by the power of the gospel. This understanding calls for a radical trust in the sufficiency of Christ's work and a rejection of any notion that our efforts could add to what Jesus has already accomplished. [45:58]
"Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." (Hebrews 7:25)
Reflection: What areas of your life have you not fully surrendered to the transformative power of Christ's complete salvation?
Day 4: The Active Heart of Jesus
The heart of Jesus is not passive but actively engaged in our sanctification. His advocacy is a testament to His enduring love and commitment to our transformation. Understanding that Jesus is gentle and lowly in heart, yet actively involved in our lives, provides comfort and motivation to persevere in our faith journey. We are never alone in our struggles; Jesus is intimately acquainted with our weaknesses and is constantly working to bring about our growth in holiness. This active engagement of Jesus in our sanctification process is a source of strength and encouragement for believers to continue pressing forward. [52:13]
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)
Reflection: How can the knowledge of Jesus' active role in your sanctification inspire you to face a current spiritual challenge with hope and perseverance?
Day 5: Renewal Through Confession
Daily confession is not a ritual of defeat but a practice of renewal. It is the means by which believers experience the fresh mercies of God and the ongoing work of Jesus in their lives. Each confession is an opportunity to be reminded of the depth of Jesus' love and the breadth of His forgiveness. This practice allows believers to cast off the weight of sin and embrace the forgiveness that Jesus offers, providing a clean start each day. It is a tangible expression of Jesus' teaching to seek forgiveness and to live freely in the grace that He provides. [01:01:53]
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Reflection: What specific sin or struggle can you bring before God in confession today, and how can this act of confession lead to a renewed experience of Jesus' love and forgiveness?
Quotes
1) "Jesus is interceding for us, and that means that he's not counting up our sins with God... he's counting them down." [49:51] ( | | )
2) "Jesus Lives to make intercession for you. It gives Jesus great joy to intercede on your behalf; he never gets tired of it." [51:01] ( | | )
3) "Jesus Justified you, meaning you have a new status before God, just as if you've never sinned." [52:13] ( | | )
4) "When you sin... Jesus your Advocate is ready to give you a restart every day... He lives to do it because he died for it." [59:48] ( | | )
5) "Every day that we confess our sin and we ask forgiveness, it's a reminder to you and to me that Jesus is carrying that weight for us." [01:03:10] ( | | )
6) "Jesus is standing up for you in your worst moments, declaring you not condemned but rescued, transformed, and His own." [58:25] ( | | )
7) "Jesus has saved us completely, and our past is taken care of, and He is saving us to the uttermost." [48:28] ( | | )
8) "Jesus is sitting at God The Father's Side and he's making a case for you and for me... applying our past justification into our current struggle with sin." [49:10] ( | | )
9) "Every confession is a reminder that Jesus is carrying the weight for us. He invites us to live freely and forgiven." [01:02:30] ( | | )
10) "Jesus is advocating for you... He bore all of your sin and shame on the cross so you don't need to carry it." [57:48] ( | | )
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