It all began as I sat on the floor of the YMCA on the campus of the University of Illinois on the evening of February 29,

After ten wonderful days the Jesus people left town. I was on my own.

but lost the horizontal relationship with my spiritual family. It's hard to grow up on your own. I still had the vertical relationship with God...

My name is David Kueker, and the title of this talk is Sanctifying Grace

The following slides are a smorgasbord of ideas about sanctifying Grace. One of these ideas will speak to your heart, mind and soul. Make a note of it.

God offers us a growing relationship of unconditional love and grace. As with all relationships that matter, it evolves and changes over time (because we evolve & change over time). Sanctifying grace is about growing up.

We are a functional family of God where Jesus is Lord and people grow.

Sanctifying grace begins to work in the moment we say “yes” to the relationship God offers us in Christ. Sanctifying grace is the gift of God providing the desire and power to grow in our relationship with God.

Conversion continues as we all learn how to walk with the Lord. We never stop growing.

We all begin at the beginning, and grow up from there, always with God's help.

What is hard at first Will someday become natural. (It may take a few years.)‏

Over time, we strive to improve. Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Eventually, it may seem to all fall into place... that we have “arrived”... but we are never finished growing.

Finally, life comes full circle and we help others grow. We are never finished growing.

Sanctifying grace: as we open ourselves up to God, the Holy Spirit works in and through us.

Restoring Imparting Perfecting Equipping John 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Restoring We are made whole by God's love. Our needs are met in Christ – God is healing us. This spiritual “reparenting” can heal childhood hurts. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. Psalm 27:10

Imparting We are filled. What God begins inside of us, flows outside of us. God is investing in our lives. Luke 6.38: Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’

Perfecting Are you going on to perfection? You are God's return on investment. Evaluate yourself: Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.

Perfecting Are you ready for pruning? John 15:1-2 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Perfecting Are you properly yoked? Mat 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (priorities)‏

Equipping 1 Cor 12:7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.... tools are to be used.

For three days we have prayed for the Holy spirit to come and fill us with the fire of love.

Sanctifying grace: our primary task is to open our hearts to God's life and walk in the Spirit with Christ day by day.

God's love and power flows in - toward us to fill us... God's love and power flows out toward others, both within and beyond the family of God. John 7:38 He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.'"

Grace flows in... piety study Grace flows out... Christian action

Small groups are an important means of sanctifying grace for disciples. Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Small groups are an important means of sanctifying grace for disciples – from the time Jesus called the first disciples to this very day, small groups are an essential means of grace. Reunion Groups

Would it benefit you to sit down with Jesus once a week and answer a set of questions that would help you systematically evaluate your spiritual life? Reunion Groups