PATTERN: PASTORAL CARE INTERVENTION
THIS IS OUR PROBLEM:
Everyone in this room has seen someone with a worn out, dried up, caved in, torn down, burned out soul this morning. Perhaps you woke next to him. Possibly it was the guy who cut you off in traffic on the way to worship. By chance it was someone in the aisle as you made your way to your seat. Maybe you saw her in the mirror when you brushed your teeth.
Wherever and whomever, I’m sure you all saw someone whose soul needs refreshment and renewal. They are everywhere.
Let me explain what I mean.
• SOUL = The emotional-mental ingredient to humanity
• Other ingredients = BODY, HEART (or will), & SPIRIT
• “Ingredients” because they cannot be separated and they influence each other
• EXAMPLES: When your body is in pain, your soul can be irritable; when your soul is tired, your heart can make stupid decisions; when your spirit is out of touch with God, your soul and heart make stupid decisions; When your heart makes stupid decisions, your soul feels guilt/shame, your body feel sick and your spirit is broken or contrite.
So let me repeat my opening line. Everyone in this room has seen someone with a worn out, dried up, caved in, torn down, burned out soul this morning. Perhaps you woke next to him. Maybe you saw her in the mirror when you brushed your teeth.
How can you tell if your soul is tired and needs restoration?
CHECK LIST OF SYMPTOMS:
A. Feeling more irritated than you used to
B. Feeling frustrated often or all the time
C. Feeling a little blue or slightly depressed for unknown reason
D. Feeling apathetic
E. Feeling trapped in problems
F. Just can’t get to sleep at night
G. Just want to be left alone
H. Watching more and more TV
I. Not taking care of yourself – missing sleep, skipping meals and not exercising
J. Unable to relax and enjoy life
K. Caught yourself acting like a martyr telling others how hard you work
L. Feel no hope for rest, relieve or help
How did you do? Do you have a worn out, dried up, caved in, torn down, burned out soul?
If you checked several of these symptoms then you need to know why your soul is tired out.
WHAT CAUSES WORN OUT, DRIED UP, CAVED IN, TORN DOWN, BURNED OUT SOULS?
1. Fear drives you to find security, good feelings and power
2. You might be latching onto familiar things that make you feel safe – even though they don’t really give you security.
3. You may be grasping for good feelings in activities and things that have made you feel good in the past.
4. You could be grabbing for power over life in general or another person in particular – like trying to give the wind a bear hug.
5. Perhaps you work hard at home and in the church out of a sense of duty, loyalty, guilt or pride and not because of God’s love.
6. Perhaps you have an inner need to be “indispensable”.
7. Maybe you’ve worked your fingers to the bone and put your nose to the grind stone only to find out no one notices all your sacrifices. Resentment can grind your soul to dust over time.
Do you have a worn out, dried up, caved in, torn down, burned out soul?
I HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU. THE LORD RESTORES SOULS.
Psalms 23 NIV (p. 544)
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
THESIS:
“The Lord is my shepherd … he restores my soul” because he is my Provider, my Protector, my Party Host and my Present Comfort.
FIRST, THE LORD CAN RESTORE YOUR SOUL AS THE ANTIDOTE FOR YOUR FEAR.
• Your security comes from God’s protection and provision.
• Your good feelings come from His presence.
• Your power for facing life comes from surrendering to the Lord’s power and provision.
SECOND, THE LORD CAN RESTORE YOUR SOUL WITH A NEW VIEW OF LIFE.
• In grace, the Lord invites you to follow him (not a cattle drive) in the right paths.
• In grace, the Lord delivers you from the causes and symptoms of your burned out soul.
• In grace, he encourages you to live in concert with his will.
• In grace, he waits for your consent and participation in order to change your behaviors.
• But the Lord’s grace does not wait to give us good things! At any moment – today or tomorrow or the next day – his love can breakthrough upon you!
• In grace, the Lord, your Shepherd, will work miracles in and through you as you follow him.
THIRD, THE LORD CAN RESTORE YOUR SOUL WITH A PRESCRIPTION FOR VICTORY.
• Your Shepherd provides a sense of purpose in all you do – when you do it all to share his love.
• Your Shepherd provides support as you follow him with others.
• Your Shepherd will guide you into places of balanced rest by giving you limits and boundaries.
REPENTANCE POINT: How should we change?
We often seek restoration for our weary souls in the very things that tear us down -- alcohol, relationships, food, drugs, entertainment, sleep, and even more work. These things are not destructive in themselves; however, when we expect them to do what only God can do they let us down painfully. We need the Lord to restore our worn out, dried up, caved in, torn down, burned out souls.
RESPONSE GOAL INVITATION:
Will you pray, "Restore my soul" as you receive communion this morning? Will you accept the Shepherd’s invitation to follow him into true security and peace? Will you line your will up with his in order to know the power of his miracle working love and grace?
If you will, then don’t hesitate. Start praying now as we prepare to celebrate at the Lord’s Table.
