Scripture: 1 John 2:1 Series: 2020
An Evensong sermon on 1 John 2:1 reminding hearers that though God does not wish us to sin, mistakes happen, and we are not left alone. Jesus Christ the righteous one is our advocate, and the Greek ‘Iēsoun Christon dikaion’ shows that our advocate is justice itself, the Logos and Torah of God. Drawing on the preacher’s own childhood guilt over stealing fruit and a recent personal mistake, the message insists that being a Christian is not about new ways of feeling guilty or inadequate. When we sin, God does not cast us out but draws closer, standing with us. The closing call: do not be afraid, for God offers life not guilt, hope not shame; may we let Jesus advocate for us.
Illustrations: stealing-fruit-as-a-kid, downloading-wrong-video-resolution, building-a-garden-for-the-long-term
August 30
1 John 2:1
Children’s: How many of you like making a mistakes? How many people wake up in the morning, saying to yourself: gosh, i hope i make a bunch of mistakes today. But it happens, right? For me, being caught in a mistake is one of the loneliest.(stealing fruit as a kid). Deny, divert, or distract.
Our reading today reminds us that we have an advocate in Jesus.
“My little children, I’m writing these things to you so that you don’t sin. But if you do sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one.” 1 John 2:1 CEB https://www.bible.com/37/1jn.2.1.ceb
- Same question as the kids. How many of you like making mistakes?
- Downloading 1080p instead of 740p was and lagging like crazy.
- Being a Christian is not about having new ways of feeling guilty of inadequate.
- God doesn’t wish us to sin, but it happens and we are not alone. We have an advocate. Who is justice
- “Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν δίκαιον,”
- Our advocate is justice itself.
- Jesus is the Logos of God, the Torah of God
- Meanings of Torah.
- We don’t like making mistakes. It is good to seek a life of excellence. It is good to build a garden for the long term even if it means a few more weekends and hours. God doesn’t want us to cut corners.
- 1 John reminds us that life happens and that sometimes you don’t want you wish you would have done, and that is not the end of the story. God does not cast you out when you sin. God draws closer to you. God stands with you. Jesus advocates for you, helps you. Do not be afraid.
- I had to preach to myself this morning about my own mistake.
- Do not be afraid. God offers life not guilt. God offers hope not shame. May we accept God’s. May we let Jesus advocate for us.