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THE MINISTRY OF RESTORATION
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (I do this in two parts)
HOW ABOUT SOME LOGICAL ADVICE TO START THE LESSON? Be the change you want to see!
TEXT: Psalm 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
***LET US SEARCH FOR THE MEANING OF RESTORE USING ENGLISH WORDS FROM THE HEBREW WORDS. 1. BE COMPLETED, READY, TO REMAIN HEALTHY, UNHARMED, KEEP PEACE, DELIVERED UP. TO TURN BACK. 2. TO BRING BACK, TO REPAIR. 3. TO RECOVER, TO RETURN TO LIFE, REVIVE. 4. TO REPAY. TO BE ALIVE, STAY A LIVE. 5. TO ARISE OR ASCEND. 6. RENEW. 7. REESTABLISH. 8. TO GAIN MORE, TO BE IMPROVED.
The word restore is in the Bible 136 times. 60 of those 136 are bringing very powerful words of great encouragement.
MOTIVATION? HOW FAST CAN YOU RUN? YOU CAN CHANGE IF YOU ARE HIGHLY MOTIVATED.
I heard a question: HOW FAST DO YOU THINK YOU CAN RUN? The old man was quick to answer. He said: It depends? Depends on what? They asked him to explain his answer. He said that is easy. For exercise I can’t run very fast. But if there was a BIG BLACK BEAR behind me I could run a whole lot faster.
The answer to how fast can you run might depend ON MOTIVATION! Seems the Moabites were hot and heavy on the trail of the Israeli soldiers. They were going to bury their friend in the graveyard with the OLD PREACHER. When the enemy was closing in on them they decided: LET US JUST PITCH HIS BODY ON THE PREACHER’S (ELISHA’S) GRAVE. They were motivated by the enemy chasing them.
THE SOLDIERS HAD A NEW MOTIVATION TO RUN MUCH FASTER. They let down the DEAD MAN when his body touched the bones of ELISHA, the dead man stood up. I THINK AFTER HE WAS RESTORED HE COULD RUN VERY FAST. But I think his friends saw the DEAD MAN JUMP UP… I THINK AFTER THE MAN WAS RESTORED THE OTHER SOLDIERS WERE HIGHLY MOTIVATED--- My opinion, they out ran everyone and maybe set a new world speed record.
2 Kings 13:20 And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. 21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
GOD HAS A PLAN OF RESTORATION THAT IS UTTERLY IMPOSSIBLE… GOD CAN RESTORE LITTLE THINGS. THERE IS A RESTORATION ANTIDOTE!
The church has been thriving and there is a historic growth in a great time of drought. The young preachers in training and were remodeling the students dormitory. They had a food shortage and the food was scarce. SO ELISHA SAID LET US MAKE A GREAT POT OF POTTAGE.
2 Kings 4:38 And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.
The great pot of soup smelled good as the young men were donating what they had. There was one young preacher that must not have been too smart. His momma must have done all the cooking. The young man had a HEART larger than his brain…
2 Kings 4:39 And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not.
I understand RESTORATION, but the Antidote worked before they ate it, not just afterwards. GOD’S RESTORATION WORKED ON THOSE THAT ALREADY ATE THE POISON… AS WELL AS THOSE THAT HADN’T. THE RESTORATION IN GOD’S PLAN WORKED ON THOSE THAT ALREADY ATE AS WELL AS RESTORED THE GREAT POT TO BE EDIDABLE. Talk about THE RESTORATION PLAN OF GOD.
2 Kings 4:41 But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.
WE NEED A SPIRITUAL REVELATION TO UNDERSTAND GOD’S PLAN OF RESTORATION: THERE ARE OPTIONS TO OUR CHOICES. WE MUST UNDERSTAND IN LIFE THERE ARE TWO MOTIVATING EXPERIENCES.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Option 1. THERE IS AN ETERNAL ENEMY OF GOD. This thief has your number and he wants to STEAL, KILL AND DESTROY. The enemy hates God and he hates God’s children. He desires for you to GO TO HELL to get back at God. Have it your way? TO LIVE FOREVER IN HELL.
Option 2. There is a LOVING GOD WITH TENDER MERCIES. God’s plan is to RESTORE UNTO FALLEN MAN THE OPPORTUNITY of abundant life, life eternal, … TO LIVE FOREVER IN HEAVEN.
JESUS LEFT HEAVEN ON A DIVINE MISSION OF RESTORATION FOR A LOST AND DYING HUMANITY. JESUS’ MISSION IS CLEAR… GOD’S PLAN OF RESTORATION IS THE DIVINE PLAN OF RENEWING OUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH, OUR PHYSICAL HEALTH AND OUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH.
IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN GOD GAVE MAN THE KEYS OF AUTHORITY. SEEMS MAN SOLD THE KEYS TO OUR ENEMY. LET US MAKE A NOTE THAT REVELATION TEACHES A RESTORATION OF THE KEYS.
Jesus returns VICTORIOUSLY on a white horse. His head was white as snow, his eyes were as a flame of fire, his feet was like fine brass, his voice sounded as the sound of many waters, he had 7 stars in his right hand, his mouth as a sharp two edged sword, his countenance was as the bright sun, --- BUT GOD! SEE WHAT ELSE JESUS HAD…
Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
JESUS HAS THE KEYS BACK. Man sold the keys to our enemy… JESUS WENT INTO THE ENEMY’S CAMP AND TOOK BACK WHAT BELONGED TO HIM. JESUS DEFEATED OUR ENEMY AND HE TOOK BACK THE KEYS. Keys represent ownership. JESUS OPENED THE DOOR TO BOLDLY APPPROACH THE THRONE ROOM OF GOD. Jesus made COMPLETE RESTORATION of God and man, and man to God. The keys released RESTORATION.
DO YOU KNOW: WE HAVE A REDEEMER. DO WE KNOW GOD LOVES US AND HE HAS A PLAN OF RESTORATION.
**REDEEM: To buy back, to win back, to free from distresses and alarms, to pay the ransom, to free from debt,
Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
Psalm 103:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Ask the crowd do they remember S&H Green stamps or TOPS Yellow stamps. We would lick the stamps and put them in a book and redeem them for gifts. JESUS IS OUR REDEEMER.
THROUGH OUT THE WORD WE FIND 3 DESTRUCTIVE FORCES, THE SWORD, FAMINE AND PESTILENCE ALWAYS FACING PEOPLE AND WE SEEM JOYLESS AND HOPELESS --- BUT GOD… EVERYTHING IS GONE…
Joel 1:4 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.
Not to worry my friend. We don’t have to weep any more for we give no place to doubt, fear, or worry. God has a plan of restoration for HIS people.
Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
GOD LOVES YOU! HE LOVES US SO MUCH HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON TO BRING DIVINE RESTORATION WITHIN THE REACH OF FALLEN HUMANITY.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
God’s love can bring GREAT RESTORATION. Justification= just like we had never FALLEN into the pit of hopelessness.
OUR LIFESTYLES CAN SELL OUR HEALTH. GOD HAS A PLAN TO RESTORE DIVINE HEALTH AND DIVINE HEALING INTO THE CAMP OF GOD…
Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Stress, panic attacks, smoking, poor diets, lack of exercise, high blood pressure, anger, worry can steal our health. GOD’S RESTORATION PLAN COVERS OUR HEALTH. The Bible is a book rich in healing and restoration.
Jeremiah 30:17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
Hosea 6:1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
THE ENEMY HAS A WAY OF SNEAKING IN AND STEALING OUR JOY… RESTORE HIS JOY…
God made today for one reason, for us to rejoice and be glad in it. God designed us to operate on joy.
Psalm 118:24 his is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
1 John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
God knew that we would have a downward tendency and lose our joy. So God made provisions for us to FILL’ER UP…
Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
MORE! MORE THAN BEFORE! GOD’S RESTORATION PLAN IS MORE THAN GLUEING THE BROKEN PIECES TOGETHER. HIS PLAN OF RESTORING IS MORE, MUCH MORE.
Zechariah 9:12 Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;
Zechariah 9:12 (MSG) Come home, hope-filled prisoners! This very day I'm declaring a double bonus— everything you lost returned twice-over!
Have you ever watched CASH CAB? They have a video question that you can DOUBLE or nothing? God’s plan is to BLESS US OVER AND OVER AGAIN… restore double.
Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Job 42:10 (MSG) After Job had interceded for his friends, GOD restored his fortune—and then doubled it!
NOW I AM ASKING GOD FOR A REVELATION OF HIS TEACHING, JESUS RESTORES, BUT CAN WE SEE IT?
WITHOUT VISION WE PERISH. GOD OPEN OUR EYES THAT WE MAY SEE THE VISION OF RESTORATION!
Mark 8:25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
JESUS IS MORE THAN THE MASTER OF THE SEA. JESUS IS THE MASTER THAT CAN OPEN OUR EYES THAT WE MIGHT SEE THE POWER OF DIVINE RESTORATION. CLAIM IT. CLAIM IT FOR YOU TODAY.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Come let us be RESTORED into the place near THE HEART OF GOD.
Jeremiah 27:22 They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place..
DAVID HAD BEEN IN BATTLE AND RETURNED TO ZIG LAG TO FIND EVERYTHING WAS GONE… EVERYTHING.
David’s men spoke of killing their leader and they blamed David personally. David prayed. In a time of crisis we seem to pray earnestly.
1 Samuel 30:8 And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
After prayer RESTORATION OF ALL BECAME DAVID’S BATTLE CRY.
1 Samuel 30:18 And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.
19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
CONCLUSION: May we grow into the ministry of RESTORATION. Man is never any taller/greater than when he is on his knees reaching down to the fallen individuals and helping them to arise and be restored.
COME LET US LAY OUR PROBLEMS, TRIALS, FAMILIES, BURDENS AT THE FEET OF JESUS. GOD HAS A PLAN OF RESTORATION. WILL WE ACCEPT GOD’S PLAN OR WILL WE TRY TO SOLVE EVERYTHING WITH OUR HANDS AND MOUTH?
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
May God richly bless us to become AGENTS OF RESTORATION. Thank you for reading my work. Could you pass in on to others? I do this in two parts.
