OBSTACLES TO GRACE Women’s Walk Spring 2012

1. OBSTACLES TO GRACE Women’s Walk Spring 2012

2. We like to imagine the Christian life to be like this... “free running”

3. But in reality, it's more like this. We learn our limitations. We are forced to accept help.

4. We like to imagine the Christian life to be like this... floating lazily downstream in the river of God...

5. But in reality, it's more like this: a “disturbance in the force.”

6. We like to imagine the Christian life to be like this...

7. But in reality, it's more like this. There are obstacles. There are challenges.

8. There are obstacles to grace. Serious ones. Be careful!

9. My name is David Kueker. This is the “Obstacles to Grace” talk.

10. We live in a world of alienation. 1994 EMT Pawnee: check ABC Airway/Breathing/Circulation - Blood is life; all parts of the body must be continually surrounded by the flow of life’s blood: circulation. Sign: first it will hurt ... then it will begin to die. God’s grace is like life’s blood. It must circulate without obstruction through all aspects of our life.

11. What causes a blockage of grace? sin sin sIn _________ ~ ~ ~ sIn ~ ~ ~ The flow of grace … Sin is pretending that we are the center of the universe. It’s an “I” problem … the “I” swells up and becomes an obstacle to grace. Sign: first it will hurt ... then it will diminish ... then it will begin to die.

12. We cannot deny that we experience sin. Missing the mark: Hamartia - ἁμαρτία “Sin is anything that causes us to miss the target of God’s will for our lives.” Life diminishes where sin is, because sin creates an obstacle to grace.

13. 1972: I was feeling a little superior that evening.

14. Uncle John: “On the contrary, you are a very sinful man. I can tell you all your secret sins.” And he did... How did he know?

15. How did Uncle John know the secret sins of my life, when I didn’t know them myself?

16. How did Uncle John know the secret sins of my life, when I didn’t know them myself? “It’s the ten commandments,” he said “We all have a problem with every one of them.”

17. My name is David Kueker, and I have a problem with sin. I have a problem obeying God. • … and the title of this talk is • Obstacles to Grace.

18. Can you see the problem? My name is David Kueker, and I have a problem with sin. I have a problem obeying God. Idolatry Priority Blasphemy Resisting Disrespect Disobedience Lazy Unbelief Ignorance Pride Unforgiveness Matthew 22:37-38 And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment.

19. Can you see the problem? Murder Lying Coveting Gossip Addiction & Abuse Stealing Envy Mat 22:39 And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-38 And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment.

20. Sin makes it hard for us to see Christ. Idolatry Priority Blasphemy Resisting Disrespect Disobedience Lazy Unbelief Ignorance Pride Unforgiveness Sins are like ugly graffiti on the work of art that is God’s love for us. Murder Lying Coveting Gossip Addiction & Abuse Stealing Envy Mat 22:39 And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-38 And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. The image of Christ is obscured by our trash. Our garbage.

21. Can you see the savior now? Can you see the instructions? Idolatry Priority Blasphemy Resisting Disrespect Disobedience Lazy Unbelief Ignorance Pride Unforgiveness Murder Lying Coveting Gossip Addiction & Abuse Stealing Envy Mat 22:39 And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-38 And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment.

22. Romans 6:14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. Idolatry Priority Blasphemy Resisting Disrespect Disobedience Lazy Unbelief Ignorance Pride Unforgiveness Murder Lying Coveting Gossip Addiction & Abuse Stealing Envy If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sinsand cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:9-10

23. Let God mend what is broken, open what is blocked, heal what is sick, correct what is wrong. Keep your heart open and grace flowing.

24. Be willing to do your part. Clear out the clutter of sin and the debris of past mistakes, and anything else that is an obstacle to grace.

25. Powerful words for cleansing: I’m Sorry. Clear out the clutter of sin and the debris of past mistakes, and anything else that is an obstacle to grace.

26. Powerful words for cleansing: I’m Sorry. Please forgive me. Clear out the clutter of sin and the debris of past mistakes, and anything else that is an obstacle to grace.

27. Powerful words for cleansing: I’m Sorry. Please forgive me. …would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'

28. Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." …would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'

29. Struggling under obstacles can seem a little bit like being in labor. Something … your new self … is trying to be born Heb 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. through obstacles.

30. “It’s the ten commandments,” he said “We all have a problem with every one of them.” The size of the problem can vary.

31. Chapter OneI walk down the street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I fall in.I am lost…I am helpless.It isn’t my fault.It takes forever to find a way out. Autobiography in Five Short ChaptersBy Portia Nelson

32. Chapter TwoI walk down the street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I pretend that I don’t see it.I fall in again.I can’t believe I am in this same place.But, it isn’t my fault.It still takes a long time to get out.

33. Chapter ThreeI walk down the same street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I see it is there.I still fall in…it’s a habit…but,My eyes are openI know where I amIt is my fault.I get out immediately,

34. Chapter FourI walk down the same street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I walk around it.

35. Chapter FiveI walk down another street. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

36. “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do...” Have compassion. People need forgiveness. (You, too.)

37. Be aware of hidden obstacles. A “disturbance in the force.”

38. Respect and learn your limitations. Don’t wait until you are forced to accept help.

39. Be a part of repairing the problems.

40. Follow Jesus. Watch your step. There are obstacles to grace. Take care!