THE GREATEST RESTORATION
PSALM 23:3
INTRODUCTION:
ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE DEVELOPED AN INTEREST IN OVER THE YEARS ARE RESTORATION PROJECTS. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES OF RESTORATION PROJECTS. WE RESTORE HOUSES, ROADS, CONFIDENCE, HEALTH, AND MANY OTHER THINGS. A FEW YEARS AGO,ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN I RETIRED WAS SETTING UP A FURNITURE RESTORATION BUSINESS. I DON’T KNOW I MAY STILL DO IT, JUST NOT ON THE SCALE THAT I WAS THINKING.
THE THING ABOUT RESTORING SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY IS THAT YOU ARE WORKING FROM SOMETHING THAT IS ALREADY CONSTRUCTED. IT HAS FORM AND FUNCTION, AND WHAT IS DONE IN RESTORATION IS A REFORMATION AND REFUNCTIONING OF WHAT IS BEING RESTORED.
IN PSALM 23:3 DAVID SPEAKS ABOUT THE GREATEST RESTORATION OF ALL WHEN HE SPEAKS ABOUT THE RESTORATION OF OUR SOULS. THIS IS A GOOD PHRASE THAT HE USES HERE “HE RESTORES MY SOUL.” IT COMPLETES THE THOUGHT FROM VERSE TWO, AND HE IDENTIFIES GOD AS THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN RESTORE OUR SOULS.
WHEN WE ACCEPT CHRIST GOD RESTORES OUR SOUL AND OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD, THAT WAS DESTROYED BY OUR SINFUL NATURE. SECOND, AS IN THE CASE OF DAVID, GOD WILL RESTORE OUR SOULS AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM AS WE COME TO HIM CONFESSING OUR GUILT AND IN REPENTANCE AND SEEKING FORGIVENESS.
WE ALL NEED TO HAVE OUR SOULS RESTORED, MOST OF US SEVERAL TIMES OVER. WE MAY FACE GREAT HURST IN OUR LIVES THAT LEAVE US DEVESTATED AND UNABLE TO GO ON. THE OTHER SIDE CAN ALSO BE TRUE, WHERE LIFE IS SO EASY, THAT WE FORGET OUR NEED OF GOD’S PROVISION AND PROTECTION, AND WE BECOME VULNERABLE TO THE TEMPTATION OF SATAN.
WHEN GOD RESTORES OUR SOULS, HE RESTORES OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. HE REMOVES OUR GUILT, OUR GRIEF, OVER SIN, AND HE REPLACES OUR GRUDGES WITH HIS COMFORT AND PEACE. WHEN GOD FORGIVES AND RESTORES IT IS IMMEDIATE, FREE, COMPLETE, AND UNCONDITIONAL.
1 JOHN 1:8-10:
f we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
POINT ONE; HOW DO WE GET INTO THIS CONDITION:
THE FIRST QUESTION WE NEED TO LOOK AT IS HOW CAN WE GET INTO THIS CONDITION IN THE FIRST PLACE. WELL I BELIEVE THE ANSWER COMES AS A COMBINATION OF VERSE TWO AND THREE. WE DON’T KNOW HOW TO REST IN CHRIST AND SO WE PILE WAY TOO MUCH ACTIVITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN OUR LIVES. THEN THERE COMES TIMES IN OUR LIVES WHERE THERE IS A LULL AND THINGS CALM DOWN, AND WE FEEL THAT WE HAVE ALL IN CONTROL. THAT’S WHEN THE TROUBLE COMES, WHEN THINGS ARE CALM, BECAUSE WE ARE RESTING IN OURSELVES AND NOT DEPENDING ON THE SHEPHERD.
LAST WEEK WE SAW THE WISDOM OF DAVID IN COMPARING US TO SHEEP. THAT IS GOING TO BE REINFORCED IN THIS VERSE. THERE IS A CONDITION THAT SHEEP GET INTO WHERE THEY CAN’T GET UP BY THEMSELVES. THIS CONDITION IS CALLED “CAST”
THIS CONDITION WILL HAPPEN TO THE FAT OR LONG-FLEECED SHEEP WHEN THEY LIE DOWN. THEY PICK A COMFORTABLE PLACE LIKE A LITTLE DEPRESSION IN THE GROUND. THEY LIKE THE SPOT, IT FEELS GOOD, SO THEY STRETCH OUT A LITTLE TO LET THEIR LEGS RELAX AND IN AN INSTANT THEY ROLL INTO THAT DEPRESSION AND ARE IN TOO FAR. THEY ARE ON THEIR BACK WITH THEIR LEGS POINTING STRAIGHT UP.
WHAT HAPPENS IS THEIR CENTER OF GRAVITY IS OFF AND ONCE THEY LOOSE CONTACT WITH THEIR FEET THEY CAN’T RIGHT THEMSELVES. SEVERAL THINGS HAPPEN TO THE SHEEP WHEN IN THIS CONDITION. THEY BEGIN TO PANIC. THE STOMACH BEGINS TO EXPAND DUE TO GAS AND STRESS. BLOOD CIRCULATION TO THEIR LEGS ARE CUT OFF. IN JUST A FEW HOURS THE SHEEP COULD BE DEAD IF ITS HOT OR A FEW DAYS IF ITS COLDER.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO US. WE DON’T KEEP OURSELVES IN GOOD SHAPE SPIRITUALLY. WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO GET FAT AND OUT OF SHAPE BY AVOIDING BIBLE STUDY, PRAYER, AND FELLOWSHIP. THEN AS OUR LIVES PROGRESS COMFORTABLY, WE TAKE ON MORE AND MORE THINGS AND ADD LONG BAD FLEECE THAT WE NEED TO CARRY. WE TRY TO DEAL WITH THE LOAD OURSELVES AND EVENTUALLY WE FIND A PLACE WHERE WE FEEL WE CAN REST. WE LIE DOWN AND SOON WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE SAME POSITION AS THE SHEEP “CAST”. THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN SAVE US IS THE SHEPHERD. JESUS WARNS US ABOUT CHURCHES WHO THINK THEY’VE ARRIVED BUT ARE REALLY “CAST”
REVELATION 3:17-19:
You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
A SOUL CAN BE CAST DOWN FOR MANY REASONS. HERE ARE FOUR:
GUILT OVER SINFUL WAYS
GRIEF OVER A LOSS
TRAGEDY OVER A FRIENDSHIP
SICKNESS IN YOUR BODY.
POINT TWO: HOW ARE WE RESTORED
THE NEXT QUESTION WE MUST ASK OURSELVES IS “HOW ARE WE RESTORED?” THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO EALIZE IS THAT GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN RESTORE. YOU OR I CAN’T DO IT. REMEMBER WE’RE THE SHEEP. WE’RE THE ONES IN TROUBLE.
WELL LET’S FIRST LOOK AT HOW THE SHEPHERD DISCOVERS THE TROUBLE. HE BEGINS BY LOOKING UP NOT OUT. IN THE AIR A BUZZARD IS CIRCLING. A LOOK OF FEAR GOES OVER THE SHEPHERDS FACE AS HE BEGINS TO FRANTICLY SEARCH FOR A “CAST” SHEEP. IT MAY TAKE HOURS BUT THE SHEPHERD CONTINUES LOOKING UNTIL HE FINDS THE CAST SHEEP. ONCE THE SHEEP IS SPOTTED THE SHEPHERD RUNS TO THE SHEEP AND BEGINS BY ROLLING THE SHEEP ON ITS SIDE. THE SHEEP MAY NEED EVEN MORE HELP AND THE SHEPHERD LITS THE SHEEP UP AND STRADDLES THE SHEEP. THIS IS NEEDED BECAUSE THE SHEEP HAS LOST EQUILIBRIUM AND CANNOT STAND ON ITS OWN. THE SHEPHERD DOES NOT TAKE TIME TO DISCIPLINE BUT RATHER BEGINS TO RUB THE LEGS, GETTING THE CIRCULATION BACK. WHILE RUBBING THE SHEPHERD BEGINS TO SPEAK TO CALM THE SHEEP DOWN AND SOON THE SHEEP BEGINS TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP. FIRST ONE IS A LITTLE SHAKY BUT SOON THEY REGAIN THEIR BALANCE AND THEY HEAD OUT TO GRAZE ONCE MORE.
IN THIS CONDITION YOU AND I ARE PRIME CANDIDATES FOR
2 COR. 12:9: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
THE SCRIPTURES GIVE US SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO WERE RESTORED BY THE LORD.
JOHN 21:15-17:
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
LUKE 15:3-7:
Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
PSALM 42:11: Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 56:13: For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God in the light of life.
WE NEED TO BE RESTORED BOTH PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY. HERE ARE FIVE THINGS
THAT CAN RESTORE
1. SLEEP: NOT IN CHURCH! SLEEP RESTORES THE BODY. A STRONG BODY IS RECEPTIVE TO SPIRITUAL THINGS.
2. REST: NOW REST IS DIFFERENT THAN SLEEP. I’VE KNOWN PEOPLE WHO CAN SLEEP EIGHT HOURS AND WAKE UP TIRED. I KNOW PEOPLE WHO CAN REST FOR TWO HOURS AND THEN DO A TWELVE HOUR SHIFT.
3. REFLECTION: RESTORES THE SOUL EASPECIALLY WHEN WE REFLECT ON POSITIVE THINGS AND EXPERIENCES. REFLECTION IS THE SOUL GAZING ON ITSELF FROM FOUR DIRECTIONS:
LOOK BACK: WHAT WAS LAST WEEK LIKE? WHAT PRIORITIES WERE LOST? WHICH ONES WERE REGATHERED?
LOOK UP: TURNING TO GOD – HIS WORD – PRAYER
LOOK AROUND: WHO HAVE I HURT? WHO HAS NEEDS I COULD BE HELPING? PEOPLE MATTER TO GOD, THEY SHOULD MATTER TO ME!
LOOK AHEAD: HOW SHOULD I BE DIFFERENT? HOW CAN I MAKE IT SO? WHAT PRIORITIES SHOULD I BE CONCENTRATING ON? WHAT FRIVILOUS MATTERS SHOULD I LET GO OF?
4. DIVERSION: DOING DIFFERENT THINGS CAN RESTORE THE SOUL. THINGS SUCH AS
READING FOR PLEASURE
SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
GARDENING
FISHING
HIKING AND WALKING
THE RESULTS OF A RESTORED SOUL IS SPIRITUAL PRODUCTIVITY. IT MAY BE IN EVANGELISM, IT MAY BE IN DISCIPLESHIP.
POINT THREE: GOD LEADS US TO THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
A RESTORED SOUL WILL ALWAYS WALK TOWARD GOD ON THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BECAUSE A RESTORED SOUL WILL ALWAYS FOLLOW THE SHEPHERD. A RESTORED SOUL HOWEVER IS ALSO A VULNERABLE SOUL. SATAN WAS ABLE TO LEAD HIM AWAY ONCE, AND NOW HAS THE KNOWLEDGE TO DO IT AGAIN.
SHEEP CAN BARELY SEE 10 YARDS IN FRONT OF THEM. THEY ARE SO BLIND THEY COULDN’T GET A JOB AS MR.MAGOO IN THE CARTOON SERIES. THEY WILL EASILY FOLLOW THE WRONG PATH BECAUSE THEY DON’T KNOW BETTER.
A RESTORED SOUL COULD EASILY BE LIKE THE SHEEP. WHILE DEPENDING ON HIMSELF FOR DIRECTION HE COULD EASILY FALL OFF THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. HEAR THE SCRIPTURES:
ISAIAH 53:6: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his
own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
PROVERBS 14:12: here is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it
leads to death.
PROVERBS 12:28: In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is
immortality.
A SHEPHERD WAS A MASTER AT READING PATHS IN THE WILDERNESS. PREDATORS MADE PATHS, ROBBERS OF SHEEP MADE PATHS. ALL PATHS WERE NOT GOOD PATHS TO TRAVEL AND ONLY A SHEPHERD WITH EXPERIENCE KNEW IF THE PATH THEY WERE FOLLOWING WAS
A GOOD ONE.
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS:
JAMES 1:5-6:
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
WE CAN THEREFORE COME TO GOD ASKING FOR WISDOM AND DIRECTION. GOD WILL GUIDE OUR WALK AND GUARD OUR WAYS.
ISAIAH 30:21: Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
PSALM 139:23-24: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my
anxious Thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the
way everlasting.
CONCLUSION:
JOHN IS THE KIND OF GUY YOU LOVE TO HATE. HE’S ALWAYS IN A GOOD MOOD AND HAS SOMETHING POSITIVE TO SAY. WHEN ASKED HOW HE WAS DOING HE WOULD ALWAYS REPLY “IF I WERE DOING ANY BETTER I WOULD BE TWINS.”
WHEN ASKED HOW HE COULD MAINTAIN THIS ATTITUDE HE REPLIED “EACH MORNING I WAKE UP AND SAY TO MYSELF, YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES TODAY. YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BE IN A GOOD MOOD, OR YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BE IN A BAD MOOD. WHEN SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS I HAVE TWO CHOICES. I CAN CHOOSE TO BE THE VICTIM, OR, I CAN CHOOSE TO LEARN FROM IT.
LIFE IS ALL ABOUT CHOICES, AND EVERY SITUATION IS A CHOICE. YOU CHOOSE HOW TO REACT TO SITUATIONS, YOU CHOOSE HOW PEOPLE EFFECT YOUR MOOD. IT’S YOUR CHOICE HOW YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE.
SEVERAL YEARS LATER JOHN’S MENTOR AND THE PERSON WHO TAUGHT HIM THIS WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS FALL AT WORK. HE FELL SOME 60 FT FROM A COMMUNICATIONS TOWER, AND IT DIDN’T LOOK AS IF HE WERE GOING TO LIVE.
WHEN ASKED WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH HIS MIND AT THE ACCIDENT HE REPLIED: I HAVE TWO CHOICES: I COULD CHOOSE TO LIVE, OR I COULD CHOOSE TO DIE. I CHOSE TO LIVE. HE SAID HE KNEW IT WAS SERIOUS BECAUSE HE COULD SEE THE FACES OF THE PARAMEDICS AS THEY WHEELED HIM INTO THE ER, AND GOT REALLY SCARED WHEN HE SAW THE EXPRESSION ON THE FACES OF THE DOCTORS AND NURSES. SO HE TOOK SOME ACTION.
A BIG BURLY NURSE WAS ASKING HIM QUESTIONS. SHE ASKED IF HE WAS ALLERGIC TO ANYTHING. TO WHICH HE RESPONED HE WAS. THE DOCTORS AND NURSES STOPPED WORKING TO WAIT FOR HIS REPLY AND MAKE SURE THEY DIDN’T GIVE ANY MEDICATION HE WAS ALLERGIC TO. JOHN TOOK A DEEP BREATH AND YELLED “GRAVITY. OBVIOUSLY I’M ALLERGIC TO GRAVITY!”
WHEN THEY RELAXED AND LAUGHED, HE TOLD THEM I’M CHOOSING TO LIVE. OPERATE ON ME AS IF I’M ALIVE, AND NOT GOING TO DIE.”
ATTITUDE THEN IS EVERYTHING IN BEING RESTORED AND WALKING THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. EVERY DAY WE MUST MAKE THE CHOICE TO LIVE OUR LIVES FULLY, AND POSITIVELY. WE NEED NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW.
MATTHEW 6:34: therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
WHEN WE REST IN THE SHEPHERDS STRENGTH AND HE RESTORES US THEN WE CAN CLAIM THE PROMISE OF PSALM 27:1-6:
PSALM 27:1-6:
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. 4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his Temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I
sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
