Step One: Powerlessness & Unmanageability

Step One: Powerlessness & Unmanageability

Hurts, Habits, and Hang-ups

Step One 1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.

Romans 7:18 For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18

What are You Powerless Over? Alcohol / Drugs / Legal Prescriptions Anger Food / Anorexia / Bulimia / Diets Lust / Sex / Pornography / Flirting Money/Debt/Spending Exercise / Working Out / Sports

What are You Powerless Over? Tobacco Depression Fear & Anxiety Isolation Lust for Power, Prestige, & Glory Gambling

What are You Powerless Over? Internet Workaholic Social Media Online Games Phone &/or Tablet Video Games

For Me it is Many Alcohol Drugs Tobacco Food Fear & Anxiety Money Etc..

Unmanageability? My life is not unmanageable! You might think. I have kids, a nice spouse, a good job. It s just this problem I need to get a grip on.

Unmanageability? To clarify let s look as some definitions. Powerless is defined as lacking authority, strength or capacity to act; helpless and totally ineffectual. Unmanageable is defined as difficult or impossible to manage; not submitting to discipline, unruly.

The Delusion & Illusion of Sin We can t see ourselves for what we truly are, and we can t differentiate the truth from the false. Our lives seem pretty normal, but are they? What if we ask those closest to us what they think? What would they say were your hurts, habits, and hang-ups?

The Great Illusion The great illusion is that some how and some way I will be able to control and enjoy the hurt, habit, or hang-up like other people I see. This idea has to be SMASHED if we are to have victory over the GIANT in our life.

Step One We had to concede to our innermost selves that we were powerless over.. This is a very personal thing, nobody can do it for us, but once we do, we have taken Step One, and we are on our way to having victory over our hurt, habit, and hang-up.

Back To Romans 7:18 For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18

What is Paul Talking About? Does this mean he is not really healed, transformed, and/or saved? If he was filled with the Holy Spirit, then why did he struggle with his hurt, habit, or hang-up? Was he always struggling until his death?

Greatest Expression of Depravity There could not be possibly a stronger expression of belief of the doctrine of total depravity. It is Paul's own representation of himself. It proves that his heart was wholly evil. And if this was true of him, it is true of all others.

Step One in Biblical Terms It is a good way to examine ourselves, to inquire whether we have such a view of our own native character as to say that we know that in our flesh there dwells no good thing. The sense here is, that so far as the flesh was concerned, that is, in regard to his natural inclinations and desires, there was nothing good; all was evil.

Was Paul Just Plain Evil? This was true in his entire conduct before conversion, where the desires of the flesh reigned and rioted without control; and it was true after conversion, so far as the natural inclinations and propensities of the flesh were concerned. All those operations in every stake were evil, and not lesser evil because they are experienced under the light and influenced by the gospel. Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:10

To will - To purpose or intend to do good. Is present with me - I can do that. It is possible; it is in my power. The expression in greek may also imply that it was near to him, that is, it was constantly before him; it was now his habitual inclination and purpose of mind. It is the uniform, regular, habitual purpose of the Christian's mind to do right.

But How? The sense would have been better retained here if the translators had not introduced the word "how." The difficulty was not in the mode of performing it, but to do the thing itself.

Finding Out The Hard Way I do not find it in my power; or I find strong, constant obstacles, so that I fail of doing it. The obstacles are not natural, but such as arise from long indulgence in sin; the strong native propensity to evil.

Answer = Jesus As result of our sin nature, and the evil that exist in us all, we need a Savior. Here is the GREAT NEWS, we have one, His name is JESUS! Halleluiah! Jesus left so the advocate could come, and His name is The Holy Spirit.

Surrender The solution to Step One is to simply surrender, but before one can surrender, they must concede that they are powerless, and that their life has become unmanageable? Can you concede today that GIANT of a hurt, habit, and hang-up for yourself? Not for your spouse, kids, job, etc, but for YOU?

What Do I Do Now? Get with someone and share the hurt, habit, and hang-up you have going on. This must be someone you trust, e.g. a friend, doctor, counselor, and/or pastor. You want to be sure they can guide you on the right course of action to deal with your hurt, habit, and hang-up. But do it ASAP!

Join a Support Group? There are hundreds of 12 Step Group s specifically focused hurts, habits, and hang-ups. We have A.A. Meetings at Mt. Olivet and La Grange, and a new group to start at Durham this spring.

Celebrate Recovery Celebrate Recovery is Christian Based 12 Step Group, centered around 8 spiritual principals. There are groups in Quincy, IL and Hannibal, MO. We are looking to starting a group in one of our three churches late 2017 to Spring 2018.

Celebrate Recovery Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered program with foundations firmly established in Biblical truth. The 12 Steps with accompanying Scriptures and the 8 Principles based on the Beatitudes offer participants a clear path of salvation and discipleship; bringing hope, freedom, sobriety, healing, and the opportunity to give back one day at a time through our one and only true Higher Power, Jesus Christ. The 12 Steps and the 8 Principles work seamlessly together, tying historical recovery to timeless Biblical teaching.

Just Think If Everyone Worked Step One? How great would our world be if everyone just stopped and dealt with their own hurts, habits, and hang-ups! Just think how great your life will become when you finally bring the evil that lives in you out of it s hiding place? Remember nothing grows in the dark, we must bring it into the light. Jesus is the light of the world, so I can promise you He could and would if He were sought! SO SEEK ;-) Today is the day you start to have victory over your hurt, habit, and hangup. Halleluiah & a BIG AMEN!