Sermon Central
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Honest To Goodness Lawyers
Contributed by Craig Benner on Jul 25, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: It is very hard to find an honest lawyer these days. Especially, if you know that you are guilty and you need someone who will defend you and help you come out of the courtroom unscathed.
2 Very Good Lawyers
1 ¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (KJV)
1 Hijitos míos, estas cosas os escribo para que no pequéis; y si alguno hubiere pecado, abogado tenemos para con el Padre, a Jesucristo el justo. (RVG04)
It is not if, but when you will be accused by the devil.
Rev. 12:10
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (KJV)
10 Y oí una gran voz en el cielo que decía: Ahora ha venido la salvación, y el poder, y el reino de nuestro Dios, y la potestad de su Cristo; porque el acusador de nuestros hermanos ha sido derribado, el cual los acusaba delante de nuestro Dios día y noche. (RVG04)
Key words--fellowship, walk, no darkness, confess
No sin = sinful nature, ability to sin
I. Jesus Christ, Our Advocate
Walk in the light --- a prerequisite (1 Jn. 1:5-7)
In Him is no darkness at all.
What about those gray areas? It is an indication that you are in a place of in-between. Be sure that you are walking towards the light and not with your back to the light.
A. Don't live with your Loss---v.6 "walking in the darkness"
You are making so hard on yourself. Light is readily available.
B. Don't Lie about your Loss--v.6 "lie, do not the truth"
You don't have to be a loser. The only one that you are really deceiving is yourself.
C. What is the root cause of the Loss?
Pride---You are worried about what others will think.
Fear---You are concerned about what others will do.
D. Investigate the Cause of the Loss
2 Co. 13:5
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (KJV)
5 Examinaos a vosotros mismos si estáis en la fe; probaos a vosotros mismos. ¿No os conocéis a vosotros mismos, que Jesucristo está en vosotros, a menos que seáis reprobados? (RVG04)
You can't just point at the darkness and blame it. The real culprit is the present sin in my life.
E. Don't Pretend to be so Sanctimonious v. 8
This verse is refering to the person who is walking in darkness.
It also may be refering to the sin nature (or capability of sinning) that abides in each our mortal beings.
F. Confession v. 9
It means to agree with God.
Make your plea as being "guilty".
As a gentleman, Christ will not force you to make the confession, you must do it willingly.
G. Defense Attorney
Jesus is ready to take your case and stand in your behalf.
If you have followed the steps in chapter 1 of 1st John, then Christ is right there by your side, in case you stumble.
Stay in fellowship, Keep in the light. Confess to Him anytime you may sin.
Sin may fall in two categories:
1. A slip up; failing in a moment of weakness.
2. A habitual, premeditated act.
II. The Holy Ghost
26 ¶ But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (KJV)
26 Pero cuando viniere el Consolador, al cual yo os enviaré del Padre, el Espíritu de verdad, el cual procede del Padre, Él dará testimonio de mí. (RVG04)
Comforter = Paraclete = one who comes along side
He is there, in your behalf, testifying of the price that has already been paid by Christ.
Romans 8:26,27
26 ¶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (KJV)
26 Y asimismo también el Espíritu ayuda en nuestra flaqueza; porque qué hemos de pedir como conviene, no lo sabemos; mas el Espíritu mismo intercede por nosotros con gemidos que no se pueden expresar. (RVG04)
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (KJV)
27 Y el que escudriña los corazones sabe cuál es la intención del Espíritu, porque conforme a la voluntad de Dios intercede por los santos. (RVG04)
The devil will try to overload you with guilt, until you feel it is all hopeless.
Remember that you have two very capable Lawyers working on your case. They are just a prayer away.
Avail yourself to their services.
