Josh McGuire - Jesus, Our Attorney-At-Law | Austin CFC | 2021-10-30
Summary
The speaker discusses John's writings, noting that while Revelation was written on Patmos, First John is believed to be his last letter penned in Ephesus. He emphasizes the importance of remembering one's 'first love' for Christ, drawing parallels between this spiritual neglect and a need for childlike trust in God. The message centers on understanding the proper order of Christian doctrine—that we first approach God through His grace before contemplating His justice.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why did John write this letter?At 95 years old, the apostle John writes his final letter with a heartfelt plea for believers not to sin.1 John 2:1
Approach God with childlike humilityJust as a small child reaches up to be held by a parent, believers should come to God with needy, childlike trust and dependence.
Learning the reality of God's justiceThrough years of service in military justice, the speaker learned that God is just as well as a justifier, forcing us to confront the true weight of sin.
Have you ever done what you knew was wrong?When we examine our lives against God's light, we realize we have no excuses for our disobedience, making us truly recognize our need for mercy.
We have an advocate with the FatherJohn reassures us that when we do sin, we are not without hope because we have Jesus Christ the righteous acting as our legal advocate.
Standing on judgment dayWhen faced with the accusations of the enemy and our own guilty conscience, Jesus steps in to declare us innocent on the merit of His blood.
Jesus lives to make intercessionJesus is not reluctant to help us; He actively lives and delights in being our intercessor and advocate whenever we call on Him.
Recap of humility, holiness, and our advocateThe message concludes by reviewing our call to childlike humility, the warning against sin, and the comfort found in Jesus Christ the righteous.
