Rev. David Holwick C Twelve Step Christianity series
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
January 16, 1994
Hebrews 11:1-6
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Step #2: Come to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore
us to sanity.
Step #3: Make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care
of God as we understand him.
I. What do you REALLY want?
A. A definition of addiction by psychiatrist Gerald May:
"Addiction is giving ourselves over to things that,
in our deepest honesty, we really do not want.
It is a process of attachment which 'nails' our desire
to specific objects, with the result that our will
and desire become enslaved.
Addiction breeds willfulness within us, yet paradoxically
it erodes our free will and eats away at our dignity."
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B. The epiphany of inadequacy.
1) The wonderful thing about addiction is that is brings us
to our knees.
2) When we "hit bottom" we come to know that we cannot solve
all our problems, no matter how hard we try.
3) Something deep inside us points us to something, someone
who is greater than us.
C. There is a Higher Power beyond ourselves.
1) Step #2: Come to believe that a Power greater than
ourselves could restore us to sanity.
2) Step #3: Make a decision to turn our will and our lives
over to the care of God as we understand him.
3) Old Testament image: coming to the Rock who is higher
than we are. Psalm 61:2
II. "God as we understand him."
A. Oxford Group meaning: openness to people who are searching.
1) Beginners do not automatically become experts.
a) Even after decades of maturity we still know but a
fraction about God.
b) Those who think they know the most often live it the
least.
2) Jesus accepted those who were weak in faith, if their hearts
were well-intended.
a) God accepts honest immaturity.
b) Churches should also.
1> There is no such thing as a "dumb question."
2> Be more concerned about their soul than their doctrine.
B. "God as we understand him" leaves room for those who prefer to
define God, rather than to allow Him to define them.
1) Many believe any view of God is ok.
a) Twelve Step group itself.
b) Inner self.
c) Other gods, or an undefined Supreme God.
2) Tendency is to yield to a God we feel comfortable with.
Often he bears a striking resemblance to US.
C. We must understand God as Bible portrays him.
1) No other gods before me - first commandment. Exod 20:3
a) Addictions are really a form of idolatry.
b) We worship these objects of attachment, and are prevented
from truly, freely loving God and one another.
2) Jesus taught that our view of God is critical.
a) Matthew 11:27 - no one knows Father, except through
Jesus.
b) John 8:24 - must believe Jesus represents God.
3) We cannot experience the full awakening proclaimed by the
Twelfth Step, until we call the Higher Power by his
true name announced in the Bible.
4) The basic message of recovery groups: "Something saves."
5) The basic message of the Bible: "JESUS saves."
"At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow."
III. Surrendering to the Higher Power.
A. "Let go, and let God."
1) There is an element of passivity, in that we realize we
cannot solve our problems no matter how hard we try.
2) We surrender when we realize that our deepest needs can only
be met by God, not by our addictions.
As an infantry company commander in Vietnam in 1967, Paul
Stanley saw Viet Cong soldiers surrender many times.
As they were placed in custody, marched away, and briefly
interrogated, their body language and facial expressions
always caught his attention.
Most hung their heads in shame, staring at the ground,
unwilling to look their captors in the eye.
But some stood erect, staring defiantly at those around them,
resisting any attempt by the Americans to control them.
They had surrendered physically but not mentally.
On one occasion after the enemy had withdrawn, Stanley came
upon several G.I.s surrounding a wounded Viet Cong.
Shot through the lower leg, he was hostile and frightened,
yet helpless.
He threw mud and kicked with his one good leg when anyone
came near him.
When Paul joined the circle around the wounded enemy, one
soldier asked him, "Sir what do we do?
He's losing blood fast and needs medical attention."
Stanley looked down at the struggling Viet Cong and saw the
face of a 16- or 17-year-old boy.
He unbuckled his pistol belt and hand grenades so the boy
could not grab them.
Then, speaking gently, he moved toward him.
The young soldier stared fearfully at him as he knelt down
but he allowed the American to slide his arms under him
and pick him up.
As Stanley walked with him toward a waiting helicopter, the
wounded soldier began to cry and hold him tight.
He kept looking at him and squeezing him tighter.
They climbed into the helicopter and took off.
During the ride, the young captive sat on the floor,
clinging to the Americans leg.
Never having ridden in a helicopter, he looked out with
panic as they gained altitude and flew over the trees.
He fixed his eyes back on Stanley, who smiled reassuringly
and put his hand on his shoulder.
After landing, Stanley picked him up and walked toward the
medical tent.
As they crossed the field, he felt the tenseness leave the
young man's body and his tight grasp loosen.
His eyes softened, and his head leaned against Stanley's
chest.
The fear and resistance were gone - he had finally surrendered.
The God to whom we surrender is not our enemy.
He heals and cares for everyone he takes captive.
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B. We must turn our will over to God.
1) It's not enough to accept God's existence - Satan does that.
2) Honest seekers must "surrender as much of ourselves as we
can to as much of Christ as we understand." (Shoemaker)
3) Example of Zacchaeus. Luke 19:8
C. Obedience - doing what God says.
1) Surrendering is active as well as passive.
2) We don't just accept God, we obey him.
a) Obey what he tells us through our conscience.
b) Obey what he tells us through the Bible.
D. How surrendered are you?
1) It is more than an initial commitment to Jesus.
2) Even believers can allow other Masters into their lives.
3) Our God is a jealous God. He wants all of us.
IV. Restored to sanity.
A. Susan Powter and "Stop the Insanity" diet plan.
1) High volume, low fat diet works for the long haul.
2) My last chance - I am allergic to Slim-Fast!
3) God has an even more sensible plan for us.
B. Genuine faith produces balance in life.
1) The book of Ecclesiastes discusses the extremes of life,
but settles for humble trust in God.
2) Everything else is vanity, meaninglessness.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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