Jesus: Our Advocate and Transformative Love

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, Our Advocate and Intercessor

Jesus Christ stands as our advocate before God, acknowledging our guilt but offering His sacrifice as the atonement for our sins. This profound truth highlights the grace and mercy available to us, reminding us that our relationship with God is not based on our righteousness but on Christ's righteousness. In the heavenly courtroom, Jesus acts as our defense lawyer, not by denying our guilt but by presenting His own righteousness and love as the basis for our forgiveness. This understanding should fill us with gratitude and humility, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles with sin. [05:56]

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: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on Jesus as your advocate, rather than trying to justify yourself through your own actions?

Day 2: The Power of Propitiation

The concept of propitiation emphasizes that Jesus' sacrifice turns away God's wrath, not through our efforts or good works, but through His own righteousness. This challenges us to rely on Christ's sacrifice rather than trying to earn God's favor through our actions. Understanding propitiation means recognizing that our salvation is a gift of grace, not a result of our own merit. This realization should lead us to a deeper trust in Jesus and a greater appreciation for the love He has shown us. [12:45]

Hebrews 2:17 (ESV): "Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from trying to earn God's favor to fully trusting in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice today?

Day 3: Evidence of Knowing God

True knowledge of God is evidenced by keeping His commandments. Our relationship with sin changes when we truly follow Christ, leading to a life marked by obedience and transformation. This challenges us to examine whether our actions align with our claims of knowing God. As we grow in our relationship with Him, our lives should increasingly reflect His character and values. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about a genuine desire to live in a way that honors God. [17:12]

1 John 2:3-4 (ESV): "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says 'I know him' but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

Reflection: What specific commandment of God do you find most challenging to keep, and how can you take a step towards obedience in that area today?

Day 4: Walking as Jesus Walked

Being a Christian means living a life that mirrors the way of Christ. This involves a heart and conduct that reflect His love and character, challenging us to live in a way that honors Him and demonstrates our relationship with Him. Walking as Jesus walked is not about achieving sinless perfection but about striving to embody His love, humility, and compassion in our daily lives. This journey requires intentionality and a willingness to let the Holy Spirit guide our actions and decisions. [25:18]

1 John 2:6 (ESV): "Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can reflect the love and character of Jesus in your interactions with others today?

Day 5: The Transformative Power of God's Love

Knowing the love and grace of God compels us to obey Him more. When we understand how much God loves us, it changes our hearts and motivates us to live in a way that pleases Him, demonstrating the transformative power of His love in our lives. This transformation is not just about external behavior but about a deep, internal change that affects every aspect of our being. As we grow in our understanding of God's love, we are empowered to love others more fully and to live out our faith with authenticity and joy. [18:06]

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV): "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."

Reflection: How has the understanding of God's love transformed your heart, and how can you let this transformation influence your actions and decisions today?

Sermon Summary

In 1 John 2, we are reminded of the profound truth that while we are all sinners, we have an advocate in Jesus Christ who stands before God on our behalf. John writes to encourage us not to sin, but also reassures us that if we do, Jesus, our righteous advocate, is there to intercede for us. This passage highlights the balance between acknowledging our sinful nature and striving for a life of obedience and righteousness. John emphasizes that knowing God is evidenced by keeping His commandments, and that our relationship with sin changes when we truly follow Christ.

The concept of Jesus as our advocate is likened to a defense lawyer who pleads our case before God. Unlike human lawyers who might try to deny guilt, Jesus acknowledges our guilt but offers His sacrifice as the atonement for our sins. This is a powerful reminder of the grace and mercy available to us through Christ. The idea of propitiation is introduced, explaining that Jesus' sacrifice turns away the wrath of God, not through bribery or good works, but through His own righteousness and love.

John challenges us to examine our lives and see if our actions align with our claims of knowing God. True knowledge of God results in obedience to His commandments and a transformation in our relationship with sin. As Christians, we are called to walk as Jesus walked, not in sinless perfection, but in a life that reflects His love and character. This is the essence of being a Christian—living a life that mirrors the way of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. The Role of Jesus as Our Advocate: Jesus stands as our advocate before God, acknowledging our guilt but offering His sacrifice as the atonement for our sins. This highlights the grace and mercy available to us, reminding us that our relationship with God is not based on our righteousness but on Christ's righteousness. [05:56]
2. Understanding Propitiation: The concept of propitiation emphasizes that Jesus' sacrifice turns away God's wrath, not through our efforts or good works, but through His own righteousness. This challenges us to rely on Christ's sacrifice rather than trying to earn God's favor through our actions. [12:45]
3. Evidence of Knowing God: True knowledge of God is evidenced by keeping His commandments. Our relationship with sin changes when we truly follow Christ, leading to a life marked by obedience and transformation. This challenges us to examine whether our actions align with our claims of knowing God. [17:12]
4. Walking as Jesus Walked: Being a Christian means living a life that mirrors the way of Christ. This involves a heart and conduct that reflect His love and character, challenging us to live in a way that honors Him and demonstrates our relationship with Him. [25:18]
5. The Transformative Power of God's Love: Knowing the love and grace of God compels us to obey Him more. When we understand how much God loves us, it changes our hearts and motivates us to live in a way that pleases Him, demonstrating the transformative power of His love in our lives. [18:06]
** [18:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Introduction to 1 John 2
[01:28] - Purpose of John's Writing
[02:08] - The Reality of Sin
[03:33] - The Seriousness of Sin
[04:17] - Jesus as Our Advocate
[05:56] - The Role of Our Advocate
[07:00] - The Heavenly Courtroom
[08:49] - The Advocate's Plea
[10:32] - God's Love and Our Guilt
[12:45] - Understanding Propitiation
[15:59] - The Scope of Jesus' Sacrifice
[17:12] - Evidence of Knowing God
[21:38] - Obedience and Love
[25:18] - Walking as Jesus Walked
[28:41] - Conclusion and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 John 2:1-6

Observation Questions:

What does John mean when he refers to Jesus as our "advocate" in 1 John 2:1? How is this role similar to or different from a defense lawyer? [04:58]
According to 1 John 2:2, what is the significance of Jesus being the "propitiation" for our sins? How does this concept differ from the idea of bribing God? [12:45]
How does John describe the evidence of knowing God in 1 John 2:3-4? What does he say about those who claim to know God but do not keep His commandments? [19:11]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the role of Jesus as our advocate affect our understanding of sin and forgiveness? What does it mean for our daily lives to have Jesus interceding for us? [05:56]
In what ways does the concept of propitiation challenge the idea that we can earn God's favor through good works? How does this understanding impact our relationship with God? [14:25]
John emphasizes that knowing God results in obedience to His commandments. How does this challenge the common perception that faith and works are separate? [18:06]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt guilty about a sin. How does knowing that Jesus is your advocate change your perspective on that situation? [06:13]
Consider the concept of propitiation. How can you rely more on Jesus' sacrifice rather than your own efforts to earn God's favor? What practical steps can you take to shift your focus? [14:25]
John challenges us to examine whether our actions align with our claims of knowing God. Identify one area in your life where your actions may not reflect your faith. What changes can you make to align your actions with your beliefs? [19:11]
How can you walk as Jesus walked in your daily life? Identify one specific behavior or attitude you can adopt this week to reflect His love and character. [25:18]
The sermon mentioned the transformative power of God's love. How has understanding God's love changed your heart and motivated you to live differently? Share a specific example. [18:06]
Think about your current relationship with sin. How has it changed since you began following Christ? What steps can you take to continue transforming your relationship with sin? [23:49]
How can you demonstrate the love of God in your interactions with others this week? Identify one person you can show love to and plan a specific action to express that love. [21:57]

Sermon Clips

John writes saying uh 1 John 2:1 my little children these things I write to you that you may not sin and if anyone sins we have an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous and he himself is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the whole world now by this we know that we know him if we keep his Commandments. [00:00:28]

He says my little children these things I write to you that you may not sin now I think it's interesting in why he puts us in because if we consider what he's written to us before we've already seen in chapter one it makes a lot of sense take a look at what he says in chapter 1:8 he says if we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [00:01:38]

You know in our culture it's pretty common today for people tell lawyer jokes you know and I could go through and say a few but you get the idea you know everybody's you know uh making fun of lawyers and poking fun at them uh every day in our culture why want you to know that perhaps some of it's deserved but I want you to know that Jesus Christ is a lawyer because in 1 John chap 2 verse1 it tells us that he is our Advocate. [00:04:31]

You see God's desire is that we may not sin but when we do sin we have a lawyer a defense lawyer in Heaven There representing us now in our modern legal system it really seems that uh whether or not you did the crime is so important whether whether or not you get off or or declared not guilty the most important thing isn't whether or not you committed the crime the most important thing is if you can hire a good lawyer. [00:05:05]

Well I'm here to tell you we've got the best lawyer on our side Jesus Christ we have an advocate it says and this Advocate this lawyer this Defender is Jesus Christ I want you to notice what it says there and this is a point that many people seem to miss it says that my little children if any these things I write to you that you may not sin and if anyone sins we have an advocate. [00:05:35]

In other words this Advocate is available for you right now Jesus isn't just available to forgive the sins that you committed uh perhaps in your youth or before you came into a relationship with him but he's here to forgive your sins right now can I just remind you that God isn't shocked by human behavior he's seen it all in advance you know sometimes we feel like that don't we. [00:06:00]

God didn't forgive you at one time just later on to say oh my heavens look what they did if I would have known that they would have gone off and done that I I would have never forgiven them to begin with no God knows and when Jesus Christ paid the penalty for your sin he paid for it all past present and future his forgiveness is available to us right now. [00:06:32]

And so it's as if we stand in a Heavenly Court uh accused before our righteous judge God the father and and our Advocate our lawyer stands up to plead the case on our behalf he answers the charges on you know the judge says well what's say how do you declare yourself and Jesus stands up and we get ready for our lawyer to make this fancy statement on our behalf and he goes up to the judge and Jesus says in our behalf well your honor he's completely guilty. [00:06:54]

In fact he's even done worse than what he's been accused of before this court right now and my client just makes a humble and complete confession before the court right now well that's not going to work in a human court is it that's not what you want your defense L to do but in the Heavenly Court that's the only way you can find Mercy so the gavl slams down and the judge answers and he he says uh what shall a sentence be he asks her advocate what do you propose for a sentence. [00:07:21]

And The Advocate answers well judge his sentence should be death my client deserves the full Wrath of this Court's Justice and we're shaking in our boots you know we've declared ourselves guilty our own lawyers standing before us saying that we deserve the full Wrath of the Court we're in a bad situation then all along there the accuser of the Brethren which the Bible calls Satan he's our accuser he's standing off laughing he's thinking that he has a great victory over us he's having great fun we're guilty we admit our guilt we see our punishment. [00:07:48]

But then our Advocate asks to approach the bench doesn't he say your honor may I have a word with the court he goes up to the bench and he walks up to the judge and he says Dad says Dad this one this one belongs to me he's guilty he deserves the punishment but I paid his price I took the punishment and the Wrath that this court deserves to bring upon this man well instantly the gavl Slams on the judge's bench again and it it it makes a sound and the judge Cries Out guilty is charged but the penalty is satisfied. [00:08:25]

You could just see our accuser the prosecuting attorney over there Satan over there he's going crazy he's saying this can't be says aren't you even going to put this man on probation the judge answers he goes no the penalty has been completely paid by my son there's nothing to put him on probation for but but then the judge turns to our Advocate and he says I'm going to release this man into your custody Jesus you take care of him from thereof and so that's where we stand right now we're in the custody of our advocate he stands as a Bond as a city for us and we're forgiven the case is closed it's case dismissed it's done completely guilty. [00:09:08]

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Jesus: Our Advocate and Transformative Love

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, Our Advocate and Intercessor

Day 2: The Power of Propitiation

Day 3: Evidence of Knowing God

Day 4: Walking as Jesus Walked

Day 5: The Transformative Power of God's Love

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Jesus: Our Advocate and Transformative Love

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