1. 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, 1972...

2. As the Andrae Crouch song the band sang that night says: I didn't think it could be until it happened to me...

3. My name is David Kueker, and the title of this talk is Justifying Grace

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

5. 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).

6. Prevenient - - - The Light Bulb Grace is a process. Justifying - - - Sanctifying

7. Born (again) Pregnant Born Grow up! Prevenient - - - Justifying - - - Sanctifying Grace is a living process.

8. Most children do not remember their own birthday. It's only later that they realize that they are alive.

9. We are created by God to be in such a relationship. It's natural and normal.

10. It's normal to breathe. It's normal to be in a relationship with God.

11. Justifying grace is at work in the moment we say yes to the relationship God offers us in Christ.

12. We do not earn this grace. The root meaning of the word grace is gift. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God -- not because of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

13. Because God created us and designed us for a living relationship with God, nothing else can satisfy our soul.

14. The central theme of the bible is the story of God calling us into the relationship with God for which we were created.

15. Because of sin Gods perfect design is broken. Sin brings separation.

16. The path toward God is obscured by what we have done. Sometimes it seems hard to find our way back.

17. We are always falling on our face in this relationship with God. Rom 7:18-19 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.

18. But in a moment of Justifying grace, all things are made new. Our relationship with God is born anew.

19. Like falling in love, it happens all at once. And then it happens over and over and over again with that person.

20. In a moment of Justifying grace, all things are made new. Our relationship with God is born anew over and over and over and over again...

21. Conversion continues as we keep saying yes to Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. We all learn how to walk with the Lord.

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

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

24. God's love is a commitment to a relationship with us.

25. Justifying grace is about love in its highest form. Our love relationship with God fulfills our soul's deepest human needs, and frees us to love others in a healthy way.

26. Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Jesus offers us a new covenant and a new relationship with God, a spiritual friendship.

27. We are surrounded our entire life with the love of God helping us grow. (vertical)

28. 1 John 4:10-11 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. This new covenant also includes a new relationship with God's people. (horizontal)

29. A faith that fulfills our deepest human needs requires both vertical and horizontal relationships of love. 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

30. We are surrounded by the love of other people throughout our spiritual lives.

35. 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. In the Emmaus movement, expressions of love toward us from others in the family of God are called agape. (ah-GAH-pay)

36. 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. During this weekend, Christians will express unconditional love to you in sacrificial ways by praying, serving, and performing other acts of agape – so that you will know more clearly how much God loves you.

37. The freedom to express Christian love to one another is one of the great joys of Emmaus. It feels wonderful to meet someone's needs in a perfect way. Usually, agape is right on target, but...

38. Sometimes people do their best but don't understand what agape really means. Please forgive them. Pray for them.

39. Emmaus communities across the nation and around the world have sent letters here to let you know about this agape love they have for you.