Sermon Outline

1. Imitation is the best form of flattery (1Jn 2:6)
2. The Imitation of Christ
   1. Choosing not to sin (1Jn 2:1a, 1Cor 10:13, John 5:14)
   2. Keeping his commandments/words (1Jn 2:3, 5)
   3. Walking like Christ (1Jn 2:6)
      1. So how did Jesus walk?
      2. So are you ready to live a life of submission?
   4. Only happen because we truly ‘know’ him (1Jn 2:3)
3. Recognizing Impostors
   1. Say but don’t do (1Jn 2:4)
   2. Hate their Christian brothers (1Jn 2:9)
   3. Love the world (1Jn 2:15-17)
   4. So what is one to do with the tests for recognizing an impostor?
4. Our hope when we fail: Christ our advocate (1Jn 2:1b-2)
   1. When we sin, we have an advocate (1Jn 2:1b)
      1. We will all sin and fall short. (Rom 3:23)
      2. What is an advocate?
      3. Why a righteous advocate is best
   2. When we sin we have a sacrifice already (1Jn 2:2a)
      1. Propitiation is a sin offering, an offering that turns away one’s wrath.
   3. Christ’s Cosmic Scope: What does ‘the whole world’ mean? (1Jn 2:2)
      1. This doesn’t mean that everyone’s sin is covered by Christ.
      2. What it does mean, however, is that Jesus’ death and resurrection are sufficient for any and every sin that it covers, and for the effects those sins have on a cosmic scale.