GUILTY AS CHARGED: FIGHTING TO CLEAR MOUNTING PILES

•    relying on law-observance obligates us to never stop shovelling
•    critical of other driver, but suddenly reminded of our own shortfalls

GOD’S LONG-RANGE BLESSING PROJECT

•    life about sharing ourselves in relationship, not accumulating possessions
•    God’s intention: bless all nations through Abraham
•    best blessing possible: God’s own self - Holy Spirit
•    knowing God outranks knowing state of our bank accounts

THE CURSED CULT OF IMPERFECT SELF-IMPROVEMENT

•    grievous conditions in Victorian workhouses
•    curse of trying to become righteous by the law: never good enough
•    Paul’s experience: a prisoner of the law of sin

ABRAHAM GETS IT, CHRIST GUARANTEES IT

•    God credited Abraham’s faith as righteousness
•    curse borne by Christ at cross to redeem us / buy us back

STEP INTO THE BLESSING BY BELIEVING

•    receive the promise of the Spirit by believing, not works
•    quality of Abraham’s faith: fully persuaded of God’s power to do what promised

BILLBOARDS FOR JESUS

•    Paul “clearly portrayed” / “publicly exhibited” Jesus as crucified
•    Wisconsin man’s portraying Jesus on billboard amidst ads for adult stores
•    take a stand, raise the issues