Christ Our Advocate

Because God is the Judge of the world, we must be prepared to meet Him in court.

1. We must confess we are guilty.
2. We must seek legal help.
3. We must give a good testimony.

Sermon Text: 1 John 1:8-2:2

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Why We Do What We Do

Dear friend,

Why do we do what we do?

This is an important question. For the Christian the answer is found readily in the Word of God: “So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Everything we do, even the most mundane things, must be done in a way that makes God looks great!

First of all, this means that your job, your recreation, your study, your personal time, your management of money, your interaction with family, and even your thoughts are all significant in the eyes of the Almighty. Everything matters. There are no unimportant people, no unimportant jobs, no unimportant moments. Second, living for the glory of God is a great motivation for us when we are weary and discouraged. Perhaps if we lived for a lesser reason we might not want to go on. But if we are living to serve and honor the King of the world, then we can face those long and hard days that may come. Finally, if we are living for the glory of God and delighting ourselves in Him, then we have His almighty help, support, wisdom, grace, and love. These blessings are ours to enjoy now and will be ours in the most complete way when we enter into heaven.

So don’t give up. Don’t be discouraged. Do great things with your life! Do them for God!

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory!” (Ps. 115:1a).

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

For more visit Pastor Stephen’s Blog

The Christian Life

If we have believed the message of the gospel, then we must live a life that matches our profession of faith.

1. This life is not going to be perfect this side of heaven (we must admit we are sinners).
2. This life is going to be made clean by the blood of Christ.
3. This life must be consistent with the character of God.

Scripture reading from 1 John 1:5-8

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Happy New Everything

Dear friend,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

“And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Rev. 21:5-6).

Happy New Everything! I know, you expect me to say, “Happy New Year!” But if you are a Christian, I can congratulate you in this special way because you have new life. Of course when you first believed you became a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). You were saved from the guilt of original sin and every sin you have committed against the Lord. Christ’s perfect righteousness was given to you through your faith in Him and you were made new!

Furthermore, the Lord is faithful to help you each day. You do not need to live in the past. No matter what your past is, when you have placed your hope in the work of Christ for eternal salvation, you are new. And the newness, despite our many sins and failures, cannot wear off. This is because it comes from an infinitely powerful source, the grace of our Awesome God. He is faithful to help us overcome the failures of yesterday and today. He makes all things new!

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lam. 3:22-23).

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder

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