The Next Day Q&A - Episode 4

Listen to Glenn's sermon on 10-8-23 if you missed it:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/554773/13738839

Show notes:
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John Piper:  "Jesus Christ Is an Advocate for Sinners"
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/messages-by-desiring-god/id196050704?i=1000622667227

Mike Winger's thoughts on Limited Atonement, Universalism:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biblethinker/id1358056327?i=1000521923397

Scripture References: 1 John 1:8-2:2; James 5:16; Hebrews 12; Matthew 12:31-32

Intro: These sermon notes cover the "Next Day Q&A" discussion following the previous sermon on 1 John 1:8-2:2, which focused on confessing sin, Jesus as our Advocate, and propitiation. Featuring guest Matt Flummer, this session addresses listener questions on these topics and related theological points.

Key Points:

1. Responding to Confession: Revisited how to respond when someone confesses sin: Balance truth (take sin seriously) and mercy (don't act shocked or lecture). Affirm their courage and lead them to Jesus in prayer. Allow grace if you were the one hurt by the sin.
2. Ongoing Need for Confession: Reaffirmed the necessity of confessing current sins (James 5, Lord's Prayer, Gen 3) for relational health, personal healing, and acknowledging sin's weight, even though ultimate forgiveness is secured in Christ.
3. God's Anger & Jesus as Advocate: Addressed concerns about God still being angry and needing Jesus to appease Him. 
   • God's anger against sin stems from His love and justice (indifference to evil would be unloving).
   • For believers, God's response to sin is loving discipline aimed at redemption (Heb 12), not condemning wrath.
   • Jesus advocates with the unified Father, based on His completed work, not against Him.
4. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit: Explained why this sin is unforgivable (Matt 12:31-32). It represents a final, hardened rejection of the Spirit's clear testimony about Jesus, attributing God's work to evil. It's unforgivable because it constitutes a refusal of the only means of forgiveness (Christ's work applied by the Spirit).
5. Extent of the Atonement (1 John 2:2): Discussed the phrase "propitiation... for the sins of the whole world." 
   • Rejected universalism (salvation requires faith).
   • Explored Limited Atonement (Calvinist view: Christ died only for the elect) vs. Unlimited Atonement (Arminian/other view: Christ's death was sufficient for everyone but is applied only to believers).
   • Emphasized this is a secondary theological issue allowing for disagreement within Christian unity.

Conclusion: This Q&A sermon provided practical guidance on confession, clarified God's loving discipline versus wrath for believers, explained the nature of the unforgivable sin, and explored different perspectives on the scope of Christ's atonement, highlighting the importance of unity in core gospel truths.

Call to Action: Continue to practice confession honestly and receive others' confessions graciously. Rest in God's loving discipline, not fearing His wrath if you are in Christ. Be assured all sin is covered by Christ for those who believe (barring final rejection). Focus on the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and maintain unity on essential doctrines.