100:00:00,380 –> 00:00:02,860John Smith200:00:02,960 –> 00:00:09,980John is telling us here that Jesus is our advocate, that is Jesus speaks in our300:00:09,980 –> 00:00:18,840defense he advocates for us. Now what could our defense possibly be?400:00:18,879 –> 00:00:23,240Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David pick and we’ll hear the answer500:00:23,240 –> 00:00:27,379to that question in just a moment but Colin hearing it described that way600:00:28,100 –> 00:00:32,520Makes us picture a courtroom Yeah that’s right and if you think about a courtroom700:00:32,520 –> 00:00:37,060and the way in which a lawyer functions on behalf of his or her client, usually800:00:37,060 –> 00:00:42,599the presentation is my client is absolutely innocent of the charges that900:00:42,599 –> 00:00:46,619have been brought against him or her well of course before the throne of God1000:00:46,619 –> 00:00:51,139that can’t be our defense because we’re not entirely innocent1100:00:51,139 –> 00:00:56,220we are all sinners by nature and by practice and so how does the Lord Jesus1200:00:56,959 –> 00:01:00,299defend us? Well that’s what we’re going to look at and of course it points us to1300:01:00,299 –> 00:01:04,220what he has accomplished on the cross for us he doesn’t plead that we’re1400:01:04,220 –> 00:01:09,519innocent but he does present himself in the presence of the Father as being our1500:01:09,519 –> 00:01:14,320own marvelous Savior we’re really looking at the very heart of Christian1600:01:14,320 –> 00:01:19,000faith and of course it’s the very heart of assurance as well. We know that we’re1700:01:19,000 –> 00:01:25,779not innocent we know that our lives are not what God calls us to be and to do.1800:01:25,779 –> 00:01:31,459So thank God for a Saviour who’s able to plead for us. And is our advocate in the1900:01:31,459 –> 00:01:35,660presence of the Father in heaven. So we’ll answer that in today’s message2000:01:35,660 –> 00:01:40,019we are in the first letter of John chapter 2 as we continue the message2100:01:40,019 –> 00:01:46,839assurance grows as you trust in Jesus. Here is Colin. Truth’s get abused when2200:01:46,839 –> 00:01:54,860they are isolated from other truths that belong beside them and so John does not2300:01:55,000 –> 00:02:01,120want the truth that God calls us not to sin to lead someone into despair. And so2400:02:01,120 –> 00:02:07,300alongside this vital truth he now places the other truth that belongs beside it2500:02:07,300 –> 00:02:16,119which is that God has provided for when we sin. Look at verse 1 and into verse2600:02:16,539 –> 00:02:26,3602, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. Period. Take that in2700:02:26,360 –> 00:02:30,479don’t fall off that side of the cliff.2800:02:30,479 –> 00:02:39,600But if anyone does sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ2900:02:40,000 –> 00:02:46,660the righteous now an advocate is very simply someone who is called alongside3000:02:46,660 –> 00:02:54,559to help and the word was used of an attorney defending a client in court and3100:02:54,559 –> 00:03:01,720John is telling us here that Jesus is our advocate that is Jesus speaks in our3200:03:02,320 –> 00:03:13,619he advocates for us now what could our defense possibly be clearly our advocate3300:03:13,619 –> 00:03:17,919cannot plead that we have not sinned because quite clearly we have that’s3400:03:17,919 –> 00:03:22,360what we saw in verse 8 if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves the truth is3500:03:22,360 –> 00:03:28,800not in us so clearly our advocate cannot present a defense on our behalf along3600:03:28,800 –> 00:03:35,039the lines that we haven’t sinned that is not an option and our advocate cannot3700:03:35,039 –> 00:03:42,220plead mitigating circumstances verse 9 God has called us to confess our sins3800:03:42,220 –> 00:03:50,800and a large part of confession is to admit that we are without excuse so you3900:03:50,800 –> 00:03:57,679see if you come to God and you say well no Lord I want to confess to you that I4000:03:57,919 –> 00:04:05,479lost my temper but lord you know how badly I was provoked4100:04:05,479 –> 00:04:09,580well you’re actually not making a confession at that point at all what4200:04:09,580 –> 00:04:13,520you’re doing is you’re making an excuse4300:04:14,520 –> 00:04:20,859God has given us His Holy Spirit he has blessed us with every spiritual4400:04:20,859 –> 00:04:25,820blessing in Christ after all that he’s done for us after all that we’ve4500:04:25,920 –> 00:04:31,399received and continue to receive from his loving hand what excuse for the sin4600:04:31,399 –> 00:04:37,279that remains do we have answer none whatsoever4700:04:37,279 –> 00:04:39,279none whatsoever4800:04:41,799 –> 00:04:48,019So the defence that Jesus offers as our advocate is not that we are innocent,4900:04:48,019 –> 00:04:53,359and it is not that there are mitigating circumstances that excuse our sin,5000:04:53,880 –> 00:05:02,420The defence that Jesus offers is that the price of our sin has been paid5100:05:03,000 –> 00:05:06,299Friends, this is the most marvellous Good News5200:05:07,220 –> 00:05:13,739C.H. Spurgeon paints the picture of a heavenly courtroom in which5300:05:13,739 –> 00:05:22,100Satan accuses us and Jesus defends us5400:05:22,179 –> 00:05:31,660This is probably my most favourite Spurgeon quote5500:05:31,660 –> 00:05:37,540Let me read the paragraph to you5600:05:37,540 –> 00:05:42,040When we stand before the judgment bar of God5700:05:42,040 –> 00:05:47,640Satan will rise up, that old accuser of the brethren5800:05:47,640 –> 00:05:51,640And will gather together the evidences of our guilt5900:05:51,640 –> 00:05:57,119And the reasons why we should be condemned6000:05:57,119 –> 00:05:59,559Then says Spurgeon I think I hear him say6100:05:59,559 –> 00:06:02,799That we were born in sin6200:06:02,799 –> 00:06:06,079That we were shaped in iniquity6300:06:06,079 –> 00:06:09,679And therefore we deserve to be lost6400:06:09,679 –> 00:06:12,079That we have a corrupt nature6500:06:12,079 –> 00:06:15,799That we had the sin of Adam laid to us6600:06:16,000 –> 00:06:19,720And then with malicious spleen6700:06:19,720 –> 00:06:22,279He will allege that we transgressed6800:06:22,279 –> 00:06:27,040At such and such a time when we were young6900:06:27,040 –> 00:06:30,320Following up our career from youth to manhood7000:06:30,320 –> 00:06:34,320And even down to the hairs of our old age7100:06:34,320 –> 00:06:39,600Clenching his arguments by an appeal to our unbelief7200:06:39,600 –> 00:06:43,079Declaring that though we have professed to believe7300:06:43,079 –> 00:06:45,160We have doubted the promises7400:06:45,160 –> 00:06:51,440And could not therefore be children of God7500:06:51,440 –> 00:06:52,799Spurgeon continues7600:06:52,799 –> 00:06:56,440Well might we as transgressors tremble7700:06:56,440 –> 00:07:00,359When the grounds of judgment against us7800:07:00,359 –> 00:07:05,760Are so maliciously stated7900:07:05,760 –> 00:07:08,940But here stands forth on our behalf8000:07:08,940 –> 00:07:10,220The wonderful counsellor8100:07:10,399 –> 00:07:13,920He takes his brief in his hand8200:07:13,920 –> 00:07:15,540and begins to plead8300:07:15,540 –> 00:07:17,140Listen to what he says8400:07:17,140 –> 00:07:19,519And see how all opinion8500:07:19,519 –> 00:07:21,239in the court is turned at once8600:07:21,239 –> 00:07:25,420I confess, says he,8700:07:25,420 –> 00:07:28,239that every word8800:07:28,239 –> 00:07:31,239That the accuser has uttered is true8900:07:31,239 –> 00:07:36,600My client pleads guilty to every charge9000:07:36,660 –> 00:07:42,019But I have a full pardon9100:07:42,019 –> 00:07:45,399signed in God’s own hand9200:07:45,399 –> 00:07:50,880Purchased by my own blood9300:07:50,880 –> 00:07:54,320If anyone sins,9400:07:54,320 –> 00:07:58,559we have an advocate9500:07:58,559 –> 00:08:03,760with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous9600:08:03,760 –> 00:08:09,839Before the throne of God above9700:08:09,839 –> 00:08:14,119I have a strong and perfect plea9800:08:14,119 –> 00:08:17,720a great high priest whose name is9900:08:17,720 –> 00:08:24,540love whoever lives and pleads for me10000:08:24,540 –> 00:08:28,880Now remember John wants us to be sure10100:08:28,880 –> 00:08:31,959that’s his objective right throughout the book10200:08:32,119 –> 00:08:34,960and he therefore takes us further10300:08:34,960 –> 00:08:38,359he wants us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt10400:08:38,359 –> 00:08:39,460not only that we have an advocate10500:08:39,460 –> 00:08:41,479but that the advocate will be successful10600:08:41,479 –> 00:08:43,880in what he pleads on our behalf10700:08:43,880 –> 00:08:47,460and so he tells us we have an advocate10800:08:47,460 –> 00:08:49,679with the father Jesus Christ the righteous10900:08:49,679 –> 00:08:54,479he is the propitiation11000:08:54,479 –> 00:08:57,479for our sins11100:08:57,479 –> 00:08:58,960Now there’s a really long word11200:08:59,799 –> 00:09:01,619but it’s a bible word11300:09:01,619 –> 00:09:05,500and it conveys a wonderful truth11400:09:05,500 –> 00:09:08,479that I hope will get settled in our minds11500:09:08,479 –> 00:09:10,520and in our hearts today11600:09:10,520 –> 00:09:12,940I think perhaps the best way11700:09:12,940 –> 00:09:13,979to get at this11800:09:13,979 –> 00:09:15,940is by way of an illustration11900:09:15,940 –> 00:09:17,440so let me tell you a story12000:09:17,440 –> 00:09:22,440and introduce you to Neil and to Sally12100:09:22,440 –> 00:09:24,640Neil was in his early twenties12200:09:24,640 –> 00:09:27,239when he began dating Sally12300:09:27,239 –> 00:09:28,479a girl he met at the office12400:09:28,500 –> 00:09:31,599Neil had a bit of a reputation12500:09:31,599 –> 00:09:33,780for being on the wild side12600:09:33,780 –> 00:09:35,580there were certainly times12700:09:35,580 –> 00:09:37,979when Sally felt uncomfortable with him12800:09:37,979 –> 00:09:42,179one night Neil took Sally to a party12900:09:42,179 –> 00:09:43,979things got out of hand13000:09:43,979 –> 00:09:45,619Neil began drinking13100:09:45,619 –> 00:09:47,440and by the time they drove home13200:09:47,440 –> 00:09:49,640in the early hours of the morning13300:09:49,640 –> 00:09:52,960Neil was scarcely able to control the car13400:09:52,960 –> 00:09:55,880and then the unthinkable happened13500:09:55,880 –> 00:09:57,260the car careered off the road13600:09:57,460 –> 00:09:59,280hit a bank13700:09:59,280 –> 00:10:00,320turned over13800:10:00,320 –> 00:10:04,500and both Sally and Neil were out unconscious13900:10:04,500 –> 00:10:05,960several hours later14000:10:05,960 –> 00:10:08,020Neil comes round in the hospital14100:10:08,020 –> 00:10:09,219his head is thumping14200:10:09,219 –> 00:10:10,760his body is aching14300:10:10,760 –> 00:10:14,760as he tries to remember what has happened14400:10:14,760 –> 00:10:17,200how’s Sally? he says14500:10:17,200 –> 00:10:20,140it was bad news, says the doctor14600:10:20,140 –> 00:10:22,719she’s paralyzed14700:10:22,719 –> 00:10:24,880she’ll never walk again14800:10:25,619 –> 00:10:28,020can I see her?14900:10:28,020 –> 00:10:31,679no she won’t talk to you15000:10:31,679 –> 00:10:32,840well sometime later15100:10:32,840 –> 00:10:36,419Neil receives a letter from Sally’s lawyer15200:10:36,419 –> 00:10:38,400in the light of her permanent disability15300:10:38,400 –> 00:10:41,900she is bringing a legal action15400:10:41,900 –> 00:10:43,640Neil wonders how he15500:10:43,640 –> 00:10:44,739could have been such a fool15600:10:44,739 –> 00:10:46,979he’s so sorry15700:10:46,979 –> 00:10:48,960he doesn’t know what to do with himself15800:10:48,960 –> 00:10:50,440and he certainly has no idea15900:10:50,440 –> 00:10:54,619as to what to do about Sally16000:10:54,679 –> 00:10:56,159now there are several factors16100:10:56,159 –> 00:10:59,799in this little scenario16200:10:59,799 –> 00:11:01,619there’s an offense16300:11:01,619 –> 00:11:04,820Neil has acted recklessly16400:11:04,820 –> 00:11:06,299in deciding to drive home16500:11:06,299 –> 00:11:09,380after drinking to excess16600:11:09,380 –> 00:11:10,780there’s an offended person16700:11:10,780 –> 00:11:12,979Sally’s whole life is changed16800:11:12,979 –> 00:11:14,700she’s angry and rightly so16900:11:14,700 –> 00:11:18,559she’s, she’s not speaking to Neil17000:11:18,719 –> 00:11:20,820and there is an offender17100:11:20,820 –> 00:11:22,380Neil knows that he’s to blame17200:11:22,380 –> 00:11:23,679he doesn’t dispute that17300:11:23,679 –> 00:11:25,539he’s deeply sorry for what he’s done17400:11:25,539 –> 00:11:27,440but none of that changes the reality17500:11:27,440 –> 00:11:30,020that Sally is paralyzed17600:11:30,020 –> 00:11:31,500and that her lawyers are bringing17700:11:31,500 –> 00:11:34,859illegal action against Neil17800:11:35,440 –> 00:11:36,739and so Neil hires a lawyer17900:11:36,739 –> 00:11:39,520and Neil’s lawyer talks to Sally’s lawyer18000:11:39,520 –> 00:11:40,859and they’re talking now about18100:11:40,859 –> 00:11:42,940what it will take to settle this case18200:11:42,940 –> 00:11:44,320and their discussion18300:11:44,320 –> 00:11:46,179centers around a single question18400:11:46,179 –> 00:11:48,500what will satisfy Sally?18500:11:48,500 –> 00:11:50,780That’s the question18600:11:50,780 –> 00:11:51,919really what Neil thinks18700:11:51,919 –> 00:11:53,440doesn’t particularly matter18800:11:53,440 –> 00:11:54,400it’s all about Sally18900:11:54,400 –> 00:11:57,539because she is the offended party19000:11:59,080 –> 00:12:00,760now suppose the lawyers identify19100:12:00,760 –> 00:12:04,479a sum of money that would be acceptable to Sally19200:12:04,479 –> 00:12:07,260the payment of that money would be19300:12:07,260 –> 00:12:09,500a propitiation19400:12:09,500 –> 00:12:11,940that is, a propitiation is a payment19500:12:11,940 –> 00:12:16,179offered to placate an offended person19600:12:16,179 –> 00:12:18,320to satisfy the needs of justice19700:12:18,320 –> 00:12:20,099and to settle a case19800:12:20,099 –> 00:12:23,900and that’s what a propitiation is19900:12:23,900 –> 00:12:27,299now that’s a story just to illustrate20000:12:27,299 –> 00:12:29,280here’s the point20100:12:29,280 –> 00:12:31,799the point is that since our sin20200:12:31,799 –> 00:12:35,000is by definition an offense against God20300:12:35,000 –> 00:12:37,479it follows that God and God alone20400:12:37,479 –> 00:12:39,559is the one who determines20500:12:39,559 –> 00:12:42,179what the propitiation should be20600:12:42,179 –> 00:12:43,299the question is20700:12:43,299 –> 00:12:45,780what will satisfy God?20800:12:47,440 –> 00:12:49,960and John tells us the answer20900:12:50,260 –> 00:12:52,219he, Jesus21000:12:52,479 –> 00:12:53,760is21100:12:54,179 –> 00:12:56,559the propitiation21200:12:56,559 –> 00:12:58,440for our sins21300:12:58,440 –> 00:13:00,099and aren’t we grateful for that21400:13:00,099 –> 00:13:02,780in Christ Jesus today21500:13:03,000 –> 00:13:03,919the message is called21600:13:03,919 –> 00:13:05,159Assurance Grows21700:13:05,159 –> 00:13:06,500As You Trust In Jesus21800:13:06,500 –> 00:13:08,159and it’s part of our series21900:13:08,159 –> 00:13:09,140How Can I Be Sure?22000:13:09,140 –> 00:13:12,119all about how you can be sure of salvation22100:13:12,119 –> 00:13:13,219if you missed any of the series22200:13:13,219 –> 00:13:14,900don’t forget you can always catch up22300:13:14,900 –> 00:13:16,179or go back and listen again22400:13:16,280 –> 00:13:18,000online at our website22500:13:18,099 –> 00:13:21,020openthebible.org.uk22600:13:21,020 –> 00:13:22,059back to the message now22700:13:22,059 –> 00:13:24,020we’re in the first letter of John22800:13:24,020 –> 00:13:25,099chapter 222900:13:25,099 –> 00:13:26,840here again is Collyn23000:13:26,840 –> 00:13:28,919the Bible speaks23100:13:28,919 –> 00:13:32,919about the wrath of God23200:13:32,919 –> 00:13:36,320that is revealed against all23300:13:36,320 –> 00:13:40,460ungodliness and unrighteousness of men23400:13:40,460 –> 00:13:43,539and it speaks about the wrath of God23500:13:43,539 –> 00:13:51,159being poured out and spent23600:13:51,159 –> 00:13:52,820Ezekiel chapter 7 and verse 823700:13:52,820 –> 00:13:56,880God says, I will soon pour out23800:13:56,880 –> 00:14:01,619My wrath upon you and spend23900:14:01,619 –> 00:14:05,479My anger against you24000:14:05,479 –> 00:14:08,239So, the wrath of God towards sin24100:14:08,239 –> 00:14:11,960can be poured out in such a way24200:14:11,960 –> 00:14:14,820That when it is poured out it is spent24300:14:14,820 –> 00:14:19,900And friends that takes us to the very heart24400:14:19,900 –> 00:14:25,380of what Jesus Christ has accomplished on the cross24500:14:25,380 –> 00:14:28,200The divine wrath, the divine justice24600:14:28,200 –> 00:14:32,659the penalty for our sins24700:14:32,659 –> 00:14:36,059Has been poured out on Jesus24800:14:36,140 –> 00:14:41,960That he became the propitiation for our sins24900:14:42,159 –> 00:14:46,400What was due to us on account of our sins25000:14:46,400 –> 00:14:48,799in God’s holiness and justice25100:14:48,799 –> 00:14:55,440was poured out on Jesus Christ at the cross25200:14:55,919 –> 00:14:58,559Now remember this principle that we’re learning today25300:14:58,559 –> 00:15:01,520That truths get abused25400:15:01,520 –> 00:15:04,479when they are isolated from other truths25500:15:04,520 –> 00:15:06,359that belong beside them25600:15:06,359 –> 00:15:08,599We’ve spoken about God’s wrath25700:15:08,599 –> 00:15:10,359We’ve spoken about God’s justice25800:15:10,359 –> 00:15:13,320We’ve spoken about it being poured out25900:15:13,320 –> 00:15:15,880And we’ve spoken about this being at the heart26000:15:15,880 –> 00:15:18,280of what a propitiation is26100:15:18,280 –> 00:15:20,119and what propitiation means26200:15:20,119 –> 00:15:23,799But I want you to notice that John uses this word26300:15:23,799 –> 00:15:26,520propitiation not once but twice26400:15:26,520 –> 00:15:28,640in this little letter26500:15:28,640 –> 00:15:30,200and if you will just turn over a page26600:15:30,200 –> 00:15:31,559or scroll down a little further26700:15:31,559 –> 00:15:33,239if you’re looking at it on the screen26800:15:33,440 –> 00:15:35,840to 1 John 4, verse 1026900:15:35,840 –> 00:15:37,000you will see these words27000:15:37,000 –> 00:15:38,400that are really important27100:15:38,400 –> 00:15:39,840John wants us to understand27200:15:39,840 –> 00:15:43,840that the propitiation supremely27300:15:43,840 –> 00:15:47,039was an unfolding of God’s love27400:15:47,039 –> 00:15:52,320In this is love27500:15:52,320 –> 00:15:55,679Not that we have loved God27600:15:55,679 –> 00:15:58,000but that He loved us27700:15:58,000 –> 00:16:00,640and sent his Son to be27800:16:00,640 –> 00:16:05,880the propitiation for our sins27900:16:05,880 –> 00:16:08,840Do you see what he’s saying?28000:16:08,840 –> 00:16:12,400You want to know what love is?28100:16:12,400 –> 00:16:14,679Look here28200:16:14,679 –> 00:16:16,640This is it28300:16:16,640 –> 00:16:19,159right here28400:16:19,159 –> 00:16:21,520This is love28500:16:21,520 –> 00:16:24,119That God the Father gave28600:16:24,119 –> 00:16:26,440his Son for us28700:16:26,440 –> 00:16:28,159that God the Son gave28800:16:28,159 –> 00:16:30,239himself for us28900:16:30,239 –> 00:16:31,479There was absolutely29000:16:31,479 –> 00:16:33,919no coercion involved in this29100:16:33,919 –> 00:16:36,000The Father and the Son29200:16:36,000 –> 00:16:41,799were one in self-giving for us29300:16:41,799 –> 00:16:43,960Don’t ever think29400:16:43,960 –> 00:16:44,919that God loves you29500:16:44,919 –> 00:16:46,640because Jesus died for you29600:16:46,640 –> 00:16:47,960Always remember29700:16:47,960 –> 00:16:49,320that Jesus died for you29800:16:49,320 –> 00:16:51,520because God loves you29900:16:51,520 –> 00:16:54,080It’s John who says30000:16:54,080 –> 00:16:57,960God so loved the world30100:16:57,960 –> 00:16:59,159that he gave30200:16:59,159 –> 00:17:00,719his one and only Son30300:17:00,719 –> 00:17:02,479that whoever believes in him30400:17:02,479 –> 00:17:03,960should not perish30500:17:03,960 –> 00:17:07,040but have everlasting life30600:17:07,040 –> 00:17:10,119So here’s this word30700:17:10,119 –> 00:17:11,599long word30800:17:11,599 –> 00:17:13,359Preparation30900:17:13,359 –> 00:17:15,839Settle its meaning31000:17:15,839 –> 00:17:17,359and its wonderful truth31100:17:17,359 –> 00:17:19,520in your mind and in your heart31200:17:19,520 –> 00:17:23,920It means that the divine wrath31300:17:23,920 –> 00:17:26,479towards your sin and mine31400:17:26,479 –> 00:17:29,359was poured out on Jesus31500:17:29,359 –> 00:17:32,479and because it was spent on Jesus31600:17:32,479 –> 00:17:34,959there is nothing left31700:17:34,959 –> 00:17:37,040to be poured out on you31800:17:37,040 –> 00:17:38,920and it is for this reason31900:17:38,920 –> 00:17:40,760that the Apostle Paul is able to say32000:17:40,760 –> 00:17:42,560There is there for now32100:17:42,560 –> 00:17:43,839no condemnation32200:17:43,839 –> 00:17:45,680for those who are in Christ Jesus32300:17:45,680 –> 00:17:46,560and this32400:17:46,560 –> 00:17:48,599is the greatest expression of love32500:17:48,599 –> 00:17:49,920the world has ever seen32600:17:49,920 –> 00:17:51,160or ever will see32700:17:51,680 –> 00:17:52,719This is love32800:17:52,719 –> 00:17:55,119Not that we loved God32900:17:55,119 –> 00:17:56,560that He loved us33000:17:56,560 –> 00:17:59,599and gave His Son33100:17:59,599 –> 00:18:01,199as the propitiation33200:18:02,160 –> 00:18:03,239for our sins33300:18:04,239 –> 00:18:05,880so John is saying33400:18:05,880 –> 00:18:09,959don’t let your failures33500:18:09,959 –> 00:18:11,599in the battle against sin33600:18:11,599 –> 00:18:12,640This is someone here33700:18:12,640 –> 00:18:14,319who’s failed in a battle33800:18:14,319 –> 00:18:15,640against temptation33900:18:15,640 –> 00:18:16,599you feel, oh34000:18:16,599 –> 00:18:18,319I just feel I’ve failed too many times34100:18:18,319 –> 00:18:22,199Don’t let that lead you to despair34200:18:22,199 –> 00:18:24,920Don’t let remaining sin34300:18:24,920 –> 00:18:28,280cause you to give up34400:18:28,280 –> 00:18:32,520When Satan tempts me to despair34500:18:32,520 –> 00:18:35,160and tells me of the guilt within34600:18:35,160 –> 00:18:37,680You know what that’s like34700:18:37,680 –> 00:18:42,160Upward I look and see Him there34800:18:42,160 –> 00:18:45,000who made an end34900:18:45,000 –> 00:18:48,319to all my sin35000:18:48,319 –> 00:18:50,160and then John takes us35100:18:50,199 –> 00:18:53,719one step further35200:18:53,719 –> 00:18:56,079he wants us to be sure35300:18:56,079 –> 00:19:00,800and so he’s telling us that God has provided for when we sin35400:19:00,800 –> 00:19:03,599that Jesus is the advocate35500:19:03,599 –> 00:19:07,119that Jesus is the propitiation35600:19:07,119 –> 00:19:10,959and then he wants to underline that Jesus is35700:19:10,959 –> 00:19:13,040ours35800:19:13,040 –> 00:19:15,880look at the pronouns here35900:19:15,880 –> 00:19:18,839if anyone does sin36000:19:18,839 –> 00:19:23,359WE have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous36100:19:23,359 –> 00:19:28,599he is the propitiation for our sins36200:19:28,599 –> 00:19:31,560let’s pause there for a moment36300:19:31,560 –> 00:19:33,640notice the pronouns36400:19:33,640 –> 00:19:36,959WE have an advocate with the Father36500:19:36,959 –> 00:19:41,719he is the propitiation for our sins36600:19:41,719 –> 00:19:45,479which naturally raises the question who are the we36700:19:45,479 –> 00:19:49,160and who are the our36800:19:49,160 –> 00:19:52,959and the answer is very clear its right at the top of the verse there36900:19:52,959 –> 00:19:57,719John is writing to my little children37000:19:57,719 –> 00:20:01,479he is writing to people who have come out of the darkness37100:20:01,479 –> 00:20:05,359he is writing to people who have fellowship with God37200:20:05,359 –> 00:20:08,119he is writing to people who are walking in the light37300:20:08,119 –> 00:20:10,160and to them he says37400:20:10,160 –> 00:20:13,319Jesus is our advocate37500:20:13,459 –> 00:20:20,140but He is the propitiation for our sins37600:20:20,140 –> 00:20:23,040so to be clear37700:20:23,040 –> 00:20:25,599Jesus is not the advocate37800:20:25,599 –> 00:20:30,060for the person who remains in darkness37900:20:30,060 –> 00:20:33,780He is not the propitiation for the self righteous person38000:20:33,780 –> 00:20:39,180who insist that they are witchout sin38100:20:39,180 –> 00:20:41,000but then38200:20:41,000 –> 00:20:47,780someone says something else that is just very wonderful38300:20:47,780 –> 00:20:51,920and not only ours only38400:20:51,920 –> 00:20:53,619but also He says38500:20:53,619 –> 00:20:58,500for the sins of the whole world38600:20:58,500 –> 00:21:00,959do you see what He is saying38700:21:00,959 –> 00:21:06,760what Jesus accomplished on the cross is so great38800:21:06,880 –> 00:21:09,959but it is sufficient for every person38900:21:09,959 –> 00:21:13,079who will come out of the darkness and into the light39000:21:13,079 –> 00:21:15,780it is sufficient for every person39100:21:15,780 –> 00:21:19,260who will confess their sins39200:21:19,260 –> 00:21:22,819it is sufficient for every person here today39300:21:22,819 –> 00:21:28,479and any day who wants to be forgiven and reconciled to God39400:21:29,979 –> 00:21:31,599Friends if I can put it this way39500:21:31,599 –> 00:21:35,339because I have the privilege of standing in the pulpit39600:21:35,359 –> 00:21:40,219I have the privilege today of saying on behalf of The Church of God39700:21:40,219 –> 00:21:44,780Jesus is ours and Jesus can be yours39800:21:45,500 –> 00:21:47,459It’s the most glorious good news39900:21:49,079 –> 00:21:55,040Jesus offers himself to you as your advocate and as your propitiation40000:21:55,040 –> 00:22:00,439he offers himself to you as your saviour, as your lord, as your king40100:22:01,420 –> 00:22:05,900Jesus Christ will be yours if you will have him40200:22:08,739 –> 00:22:12,079And if he does not become your advocate and if he does not40300:22:12,079 –> 00:22:18,579become your propitiation the only reason would be that you didn’t want him40400:22:21,839 –> 00:22:23,479And that’s how it’s always been40500:22:24,420 –> 00:22:35,479because John at the beginning of his gospel says he came to his own and his40600:22:35,479 –> 00:22:50,040own didn’t want him is owned received him not but to as many as receive him to40700:22:50,040 –> 00:22:59,660those who believe in his name he gives the right to be called children of God40800:22:59,660 –> 00:23:04,040you’ve been listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith and a message40900:23:04,040 –> 00:23:09,560called Assurance Grows As You Trust in Jesus it’s part of our series how can I41000:23:09,560 –> 00:23:13,880be sure and if you have missed any of the series or if you want to go back and41100:23:13,880 –> 00:23:18,599listen again you can do that by coming online to our website open the Bible41200:23:19,439 –> 00:23:21,839and there you’ll find all the41300:23:21,839 –> 00:23:26,439messages which have already gone out on air Open the Bible is supported41400:23:26,439 –> 00:23:31,380financially by our listeners by many groups and individuals who make generous41500:23:31,380 –> 00:23:36,339donations regularly or just once if you’re considering becoming one of our41600:23:36,339 –> 00:23:37,439contributors41700:23:37,439 –> 00:23:42,880thank you so much you can give online at our website which makes it easy to set41800:23:42,880 –> 00:23:47,979up either a one-off gift or a regular direct-debit just click on the donate41900:23:48,500 –> 00:23:52,500at the top right of your computer screen or at the bottom of the drop-down menu42000:23:52,500 –> 00:23:53,500on your phone42100:23:53,500 –> 00:23:57,699here’s Open the Bible’s Amanda Cunningham to talk about this month42200:23:57,699 –> 00:24:03,660Thank You gift Do you sometimes feel like life is a constant battle in the42300:24:03,660 –> 00:24:05,81910 greatest struggles of your life42400:24:05,819 –> 00:24:11,439Colin Smith looks at the everyday struggles we all face like time, truth,42500:24:11,439 –> 00:24:16,619contentment and shows us how they connect to our relationship with God and42600:24:16,619 –> 00:24:17,500the Ten Commandments42700:24:17,719 –> 00:24:23,619but this book isn’t about rules it’s about finding real freedom and purpose42800:24:23,619 –> 00:24:28,920plus it has a great study guide at the back perfect for reading on your own or42900:24:28,920 –> 00:24:30,920with a small group at church perhaps43000:24:30,920 –> 00:24:36,579We’d to send you a copy along with 5 beautiful Psalm 23 note cards43100:24:36,579 –> 00:24:42,680when you give a one-off gift of £50 or set up a New Direct debit of43200:24:42,680 –> 00:24:45,020£5 or more this September43300:24:45,719 –> 00:24:49,219just don’t forget to include your address when you donate43400:24:49,219 –> 00:24:55,020This offer is available all this month when you set up a New Direct Debit for £5 or more43500:24:55,020 –> 00:24:57,979or one-off gifts of £50 or more43600:24:57,979 –> 00:25:02,859Full terms and conditions are on our website openthebible.org.uk43700:25:02,859 –> 00:25:05,560and you can give directly online43800:25:05,719 –> 00:25:10,939please remember to include your full name and address so that we can send you your free gift43900:25:10,939 –> 00:25:16,920For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick and I hope you’ll join us again next time44000:25:23,699 –> 00:25:26,199How can you be sure that you know God?44100:25:26,199 –> 00:25:29,099Find out next time on Open the Bible
