5TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Scripture: Romans 7:15-25

Sermon: Accepting Grace Is Hard 

Cheap grace is easy. When we just think we can take advantage of the gift without any response or responsibility, when we don’t have to take stock of ourselves and look into the mirror with honesty, when we don’t have to wrestle or look deeply, this is cheap grace. But God’s grace, and what makes it amazing, is that when we look hard and long and honestly at ourselves, when we reckon with our weaknesses and those addictions which pull us away from God (and from the person we long to be) and even in spite of what we discover we come to the realization that GOD LOVES US ANYWAY. Then and only then, can we get unstuck and let love be our point of view for creation, for others and for ourselves. Today’s sermon is shortened slightly due to technical difficulties.