The Advocate and the Accuser
Zac Poonen teaches that Jesus is our righteous advocate who pleads on our behalf in heaven, while Satan is the relentless accuser, and believers must live in honesty and walk in the light to overcome accusation through the blood of Christ.
This sermon emphasizes the role of Jesus as our righteous advocate in heaven, contrasting earthly advocates who may compromise the truth. It highlights the importance of walking in the light, being honest with God about our thoughts and motives, and acknowledging our faults without justifying them. The sermon delves into the dynamics between the accuser (Satan) and the advocate (Jesus), illustrating instances from Zechariah 3 and John 8, urging believers to align with the advocate's ministry of making others glorious rather than accusing them.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Jesus as the righteous advocate in heaven
- The necessity of walking in the light and honesty before God
- The role of Jesus' blood in cleansing sin
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II
- Satan as the full-time accuser of the brethren
- The three heavens and spiritual realms
- Overcoming accusation by the blood of the Lamb and testimony
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III
- Examples of the advocate and accuser in Scripture: John 8 and Zechariah 3
- The danger of joining Satan’s side by accusing others
- The call to minister to and glorify our brothers and sisters
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IV
- The poison of accusation from Adam’s example
- The effect of accusation on prayer and relationships
- Isaiah 58:9 call to remove accusation and receive answered prayer
Key Quotes
“He's called in 1 John and chapter 2 a righteous advocate.” — Zac Poonen
“We must always be in that position that Satan has nothing to accuse us of.” — Zac Poonen
“Whatever you do for the least of my brothers, remember that you're not doing it to them, you're doing it to me.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Confess your sins immediately and walk in the light to maintain a clear conscience before God.
- Resist the temptation to accuse others and instead seek to encourage and glorify your brothers and sisters in Christ.
- Trust in Jesus’ advocacy and the cleansing power of His blood to overcome all accusations from Satan.