Jesus Christ, Our Only Advocate before God

Introduction

• Responding to Sin:
o Denial,
o Blame Game,
o “I-was-Born-This-Way,”
o Twist Scripture (Matthew 5:27-28, 21-22; 1 John 1:9-10)
• Anticipation of False Conclusions

I. Exhortation (v. 1a) – the reason for writing these things:

A. No Justification for Sin Found in Scripture

• Doctrine of Grace does not Justify sin (Heidelberg Catechism #64; Romans Chapter 6)
• Paul’s Exhortation (Titus 2:11-12)
• Nor the Confession of Sins

B. Aorist Tense of the Greek Word for “Sin” (Contrasted to its use in 1 John 3:8)

II. Comfort and Assurance, If We Do Sin (vs. 1b-2; see also 1 John 1:7, 9)

A. An Advocate with the Father – Intercessor – Jesus Christ (v. 1b; Hebrews 7:24-25, 27; )

B. The Qualifications of Jesus Being our Advocate (vs. 1c-2a)

• Perfectly Righteous – Without Sin (v. 1c; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22; 3:18; 1 Corinthians 5:21)
• The Propitiation for Our Sins (v. 2a; Hebrews 9:24, 26) – Puts our Sin Continually, Appeasing God’s Wrath Forever

C. The Reach of Christ’s Office, as our Advocate (v 2b; Jn. 11:51-52; Eph. 1:4, see also, Revelation 5:9 and Ephesians 2:11-13)

Conclusion and Application

• Desire & Seek to not Sin
• Take Comfort & Be Assured of Christ’s Intercession on Your Behalf
• With a Repentant Heart, Come to Christ by Faith – the Lamb Slain from before the Foundations of the World (Revelation 13:8)