The Solution: The Gospel of Jesus Christ The Remedy for our Insanity "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” Matt. 7:13

“Gospel from the air” Creation Fall Redemption Consummation

Redeemer Prophesied… Isa. 52:13—53:12

Consummation The Village Church Statement of Faith “The consummation of all things includes the visible, personal, physical, future and glorious return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead and the translation of those alive in Christ, the judgment of the just and the unjust, and the fulfillment of Christ’s kingdom in the New Heavens and the New Earth. In the consummation, Satan with his hosts and all those outside Christ are finally separated from the benevolent presence of God, enduring eternal punishment, but the righteous, in glorious bodies, shall live and reign with Him forever, serving Him and giving Him unending praise and glory. Then shall the eager expectation of creation be fulfilled and the whole earth shall proclaim the glory of God who makes all things new.” The Village Church Statement of Faith

“Reformission”

Three-part disease model taught in treatment settings and AA Spiritual malady Physical allergy “craving” Mental obsession

Three-part disease model taught in treatment settings and AA Spiritual Malady Physical Allergy Mental Obsession

Three-part disease model taught in treatment settings and AA Spiritual malady Physical allergy Mental obsession

Three-part disease model taught in treatment settings and AA Spiritual malady Physical allergy Mental obsession False gospel – promising recovery from the spiritual malady apart from the redemptive work of Christ (God’s plan).

Irritable, restless and discontent Spiritual Malady Irritable, restless and discontent

Irritable, restless and discontent Spiritual Malady Irritable, restless and discontent Desire for Relief

Irritable, restless and discontent Spiritual Malady Irritable, restless and discontent Desire for relief See others

Irritable, restless and discontent Spiritual Malady Irritable, restless and discontent Desire for Relief See others Think/Obsess

Irritable, restless and discontent Spiritual Malady Irritable, restless and discontent Desire for Relief See others Think/Obsess 1st drink

Irritable, restless and discontent Spiritual Malady Irritable, restless and discontent Desire for Relief See others Think/Obsess Spree 1st drink

Irritable, restless and discontent Spiritual Malady Irritable, restless and discontent Desire for Relief See others Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree 1st drink

Irritable, restless and discontent Spiritual Malady Irritable, restless and discontent Desire for Relief See others Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree 1st drink DEATH

Irritable, restless and discontent Spiritual Malady Irritable, restless and discontent Desire for Relief See others Remorse “sorrow” Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree 1st drink DEATH

Irritable, restless and discontent Spiritual Malady Irritable, restless and discontent Resolutions “promises” Desire for Relief See others Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree 1st drink DEATH

Irritable, restless and discontent Spiritual Malady Irritable, restless and discontent Resolutions Desire for Relief See others Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree 1st drink DEATH

Irritable, restless and discontent Insanity Cycle Spiritual Malady Irritable, restless and discontent Resolutions Desire for Relief See others Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree 1st drink DEATH

Insanity Cycle Spiritual Malady Resolutions Desire for Relief Irritable, restless and discontent Resolutions Desire for Relief See others Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree 1st drink DEATH “Self-knowledge alone avails us nothing”

Observation apart from revelation leads to speculation as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18

At every point we need God’s revelation for a correct interpretation.

Relief (or for Pleasure) Insanity Cycle Spiritual Malady Rom. 5:12 Desire for Relief (or for Pleasure) Resolutions Temptation Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

Spiritual malady– “spiritual problem” Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— Rom 5:12 “Restless, irritable and discontent” “Sin is the marring of Shalom (peace).” Mark Driscoll

Relief (or for Pleasure) Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Desire for Relief (or for Pleasure) Resolutions Temptation Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation Desire for Relief Rom. 8:22 Resolutions Temptation Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

We groan… For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. Rom. 8:22

Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation Desire for Relief Resolutions Temptation Remorse James 1:13-16 Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

Dancing shiny things before our deceitful hearts Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James 1:13-14

Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation Desire for Relief Resolutions Jer. 17:9 Temptation Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation Desire for Relief Resolutions Mark 7:20-23 Temptation Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation Desire for Relief Resolutions Temptation Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree LIE: Rom. 1:25 Action DEATH

The Lie… … because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Rom. 1:25

Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation ADDICTION: Rom. 1:24,26,28 / Isa. 5:5 Desire for Relief Resolutions Temptation Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

Given over… Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, Rom. 1:24

Given over…  For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature Rom. 1:26

Given over…  And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. Rom. 1:28

Overrun… And now I will tell you  what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge,  and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall,  and it shall be trampled down. Isa. 5:5

Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation Desire for Relief Resolutions Temptation Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Prov. 16:25 & 14:12 Action DEATH

Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation Desire for Relief Resolutions HOPE Rom. 8:20-21 Temptation Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Rom. 8:20-21

GOD Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation Desire for Relief Resolutions Grace Temptation Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

Our Testimony… For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,“ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 4:6

GOD Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation Desire for Relief Resolutions Grace Christ Temptation Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

By what means?

GOD Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation Desire for Relief John 1:1-14 Resolutions Grace (Romans 5:17) Christ Temptation Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:17

GOD Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation Desire for Relief Resolutions Grace (Romans 5:17) Christ Temptation Remorse REPENTANCE 2 Cor. 7:10 Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Cor. 7:10

GOD Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation Desire for Relief Resolutions Grace (Romans 5:17) Christ Temptation Remorse BROKENESS Ps. 51:17 Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

GOD Spirit Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation Desire for Relief Resolutions Christ Grace (Romans 5:17) Spirit Eze. 36:26-27 Temptation Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

Changing affections… And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Eze. 36:26-27

GOD Spirit Insanity Cycle of Sin Spiritual Malady Temptation Desire for Relief Resolutions Christ Grace (Romans 5:17) Spirit Life and Peace Temptation Remorse Injuries (pain) Think/Obsess Spree Action DEATH

Traditional Step 2: We came to believe that a power greater that ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Acts 17:16-34

Redeeming Truth of Step 2 God lovingly stepped into human history by taking on flesh in the person and work of Jesus Christ in order to provide hope and a remedy for the insanity of our sin and a way back into fellowship with Him. He succeeded where we have failed in living a life that we cannot, taking on our sin, dying a death that we deserve and through His resurrection conquered sin and death and shame so that those who believe in Him might live. He promises new life, the forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit to those who repent and trust in Him. We came to believe that, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be restored. Not only do we get a taste of restoration in this life, but upon Christ’s return, we will see the fullness of all that He has promised.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Eph. 2:4-9