He Is An Advocate

“He Is An Advocate”
by Pastor Kent Munsey
June 14, 2020

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 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, purifies us from all[b] sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

• 1 John 1:5-2:2 (NIV)

At City Church Chicago, we are a diverse community, and we have the opportunity to represent the image of God in this world by advocating for those who need comfort, counsel, and hope. Racism is not a skin problem; it is a sin problem. The sin of racism has created brokenness in our nation, the lives we live, and the opportunities that we have. Maybe God has given us this moment of grace, where we have had time away from our busy lives to let us know that he wants justice. God wants his church in this season to take on his righteousness, his image.

God says he purifies us as we confess our sins (1 John 1:5-2:2). Moreover, God declares he is not pleased with assemblies that do not honor him and practices that do not resemble his purpose for us (Amos 5:7). He wants us to advocate for the poor and those in need. Jesus advocated for us when we were guilty, and it is now our honor to do this for others.

Neither party affiliation nor educational background are needed to qualify us to listen to and weep with those in pain. We should bring comfort to weary and exhausted souls. Martin Luther King Jr. said that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” It is always the right time to do what is right. 

The Holy Spirit, also identified by the word, Paraclete, serves as a comforter, counselor, and a helper. The Holy Spirit is our advocate and helper so that we can be a help to others. We have been advocated for, and now we are called to live like the advocate.

Here is what our advocacy should look like in this season:

Comforter. Our advocacy should look like comfort. We have encouraged our church in this season to talk. The challenge in talking is that we have to be vulnerable, and there has to be trust. Everything that we do should bring comfort. No matter your political party, background, experience, or education, it’s clear that our brothers and sisters in the black community are hurting and in pain. We need to listen, be present, be ministers and advocates of comfort. Comfort is not knowing all the answers, but it is simply saying, “I am here with you. I am going to advocate with you.” If you want to know what comfort looks like, look to the Holy Spirit who brings comfort. 

Counselor. The Holy Spirit is our counselor. The Holy Spirit will lead us in paths of righteousness. It’s always the right time to do what is right. Right is right, and there is a lot of right that needs to be done in this country. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into paths of righteousness, not a political party. The word of God should be our counsel in leading in paths of righteousness. 

Helper. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to work through us so that we can be a help. The Holy Spirit, our advocate, helps us. Let’s be a church that helps our brothers and sisters. We are called to live like the advocate. Let’s minister comfort, the counsel of God’s word, and offer help. Often we give the help that we think others need, but true help is giving the help that is needed. We don’t have to have all the answers to be a help. 

We need to promote righteousness, fairness, and justice. This pandemic has given us time and opportunity to reflect on what our lives are for, and it is to advocate for those in need. We as a church should be like Christ, and we should be a help. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to guide us as we become advocates in this season and beyond. 

Reflection/Discussion Questions:

1. How can you be an advocate and support others?

2. How does helping like the Holy Spirit express our calling?

3. How has God advocated for you?

4. What does it mean to give yourself fully to advocate for others?