(Text Only)
Title: Christ as the Advocate
As we move further into I John, now into the second chapter, my hope is that you are feeling more comfortable with the language that John uses, his style, and his method of almost understating dramatic truths to his readers.
Today, I want to outline four brief points that can be found in verses 1-2 of his second chapter.
I. John knew his audience
When John writes, “My Little Children” in verse one, we can’t overlook the fact that this is rather personal language. Today, if someone talked to us like that, we’d most likely be offended and maybe even think it to be patronizing.
But if there is an established relationship, that dynamic changes a bit. I’m 32 years old, and my mother still calls me “Pumpkin” from time to time and I’m fine with it, I don’t think she’s patronizing me.
Occasionally my father will pull me aside and say, “Son, there is something you should know” and I take no offense.
I share in the assumption of most biblical scholars who point to this particular language to come away with two conclusions:
1. The congregation John was writing to was most likely young in their faith.
2. This congregation may have also been young in years.
3. This congregation knew, trusted, and respected John. (Unlike Paul in many of his letters, John did not need to defend his authority, it was assumed.)
II. John’s call was to bring his readers to a place of obedience
The next thing I want to focus on are John’s words, “That you may not sin” found again in verse one.
J.I. Packer says it simply this way:
John wants his readers to respond to God’s mercy with a life of obedience
John carefully explains the mercy of God, (verse 9 from last week) so that the natural result will be our obedience to not sin.
Again, in typical John fashion, this can be seen as rather simplistic, but there are some layers to unpack. Last week I was quite explicit in teaching that we must talk about individual sin and responsibility when we evangelize and share the gospel.
Others should understand what they are being saved from. Once we have a grasp on our own salvation, then the task for us is be obedient unto God’s Law that we would not sin anymore.
Think of Christ writing in the sand when the Pharisees throw the adulterous woman at his feet and remind Jesus that the Law states she should be stoned for the offense. His response is three-fold:
1. You who is without sin, cast the first stone (total depravity)
2. Your sins are forgiven (mercy)
3. Go and sin no more (obedience)
III. Christ is our legal counsel
John uses the word “Advocate”, the Greek being parakletos, to describe the relationship that Jesus has with the father on our behalf.
What, essentially, is a lawyer, and why are they so important? (Take answers)
A lawyer is your advocate, someone who understands the law better than you, and stands before a judge to defend your position.
Christ, stands in front of his own father, the Holy Sovereign Lord of the Universe, as our advocate, as our appointed expert in the Law, to defend us.
And how does he do this?
By being the propitiation for our sins.
The difference is that Christ’s plea to God is not based on a crafty understanding of how to get our from under the Law’s requirements, but rather to show, that sufficient blood has been spilt for the satisfaction of the Law’s demands.
(Example of someone being found guilty, but getting off by being punished by “time served”)
IV. Efficient for all, effective for the Elect
John is also careful to say that the propitiation of Christ is “not ours only, but also for the whole world.”
What John is underscoring is, of course, not that the whole world is covered by Christ’s blood, but that the whole world could be covered by Christ’s blood.
Just as we tell the lost that no sin is capable of being too great a sin for Christ to forgive, also there is no number of sins or sinners that Christ’s blood isn’t efficient to cleanse.
Let’s put it this way: If the whole world got saved, Christ’ one-time sacrifice would still be enough to cover all of those offenses.
John is also saying that the Gospel message is effective anywhere, anyplace, at any time. You don’t have to be a Jew, or a Baptist, or Caucasian to be saved.
What’s my point: Our sin is great. Christ’s blood is greater.
Now this great promise only goes into effect for those who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. All the power in the world is useless if we don’t have access to it. The fastest car in the world goes exactly 0 MPH if nobody is driving it.
While the blood of Christ is efficient for anyone, it is effective only for those who are, as Paul said, “are called according to His purpose.”
Let’s Pray.