Why God: “Why Can’t I Stop?”

Why God?
Why Can’t I Stop?
6/7/26
Pastor Mark England

Why can’t I ?

• Doom scrolling social media.
• Over-eating.

You want to change.  You asked God for help.  You tried to stop.  But it didn’t work!

You have the right intentions with the wrong strategy.

You’re focusing on the poison of religion and forgetting the power of grace.

Hebrews 4:15-16 (CSB) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Religion is our attempt to earn God’s approval by following all the rules and appearing holy on the outside.

Religion is the effort in trying to please God without the power of God.

One of the greatest reasons people can’t change is because they are trying to change by their own strength in religion, and not by grace.

Titus 2:11 (CSB) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people…

What is “grace”?

Grace that saves you is the grace rooted in faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (CSB) For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— ⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast.

Grace is God giving you something that you do not deserve.

Grace: Charis (Hb)- Diving enablement.  The unmerited goodwill and favor of God.

Titus 2:11-12 (CSB) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,¹² instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age…

How does God’s grace change me?

• Grace teaches me to say “no” to ungodliness.
• Grace teaches me to deny my worldly passions.
• Grace teaches me to live a self-controlled, upright, and Godly life.

The focus of religion is outward.

Matthew 23:25-26 (CSB) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside of it may also become clean.

The power of grace is inward.

Ephesians 3:16 (NLT) I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.

Religion says: Try harder.

Grace says: Trust more.

Real and lasting changes doesn’t come from changing behavior, but from changing your heart.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (CSB) But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. ¹⁰ So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Asking for help is never a sign of weakness.  It’s a sign of wisdom.

You are only as strong as you are honest.

Are you trying to meet a need or relieve a hurt with something besides God’s grace?

Romans 5:20 (CSB) …But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more

Grace doesn’t just forgive you from sin.
Grace frees you from sin!