2021.05.23 Restoration
William Akehurst, HSWC
Restoration Farm's Spring Celebration (last evening)
As you enter the property, you are greeted with a sign with the following scripture verse on it.
2 Corinthians 13:9 (NIV) 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.
2 Corinthians 13:9 (KJV) 9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
2 Corinthians 13:9 (ESV) 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
My message didn’t come to me until an hour or so before service. The LORD prompted me with one word…Restoration.
So my message began with a word and a quick look at Webster’s Dictionary on its definition. The LORD filled in all the rest as I began to write and Scriptures came to remembrance…by the POWER of HIS SPIRIT.
Define Restoration: action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition
• Owner
• Place
• Condition
OWNER – Our Creator.
Genesis 1:26-31 (KJV) 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. 31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Once Sin entered into the world, mankind became separated from this intimate relationship with the LORD GOD. Restoration is the process of returning to that prior relationship. And it comes through JESUS.
Restoration to our Owner, as GOD intended, before the FALL of Mankind to Sin.
John 3:3-6 (KJV) 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
To be Restored to our Owner/Creator, we must be born…again.
PLACE – Kingdom of GOD.
John 3:3-6 (KJV) 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
It is the place we are to seek
Matthew 6:33 (KJV) 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
It is that Secret Place of the Most HIGH. Under the Shadow, that closeness to the ALMIGHTY
Psalms 91:1-2 (KJV) 1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust.
THE PLACE where HIS ANGELS watch over you.
Psalms 91:11-12 (KJV) 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee,
to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
CONDITION – Spiritual
Born of Spirit
John 3:5-6 (KJV) 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
WATER/SPIRIT from CHRIST, HIS SPIRIT FLOWING IN YOU.
John 4:14 (KJV) 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Our Restoration comes through Christ JESUS.
RESTORATION DEFINED IN PSALMS 23
Psalm 23 give us a look at Restoration through the LORD
We can see Restoration to Owner, Condition and Place
• OWNER, Creator, Provider and Care Giver.
Psalms 23 (KJV) 1 The LORD is my shepherd (my Caregiver, my LORD, my Owner)
• CONDITION - Restorer of our Souls
23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
HE not only restores, but also leads us.
• PLACE
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
HE (JESUS) came to save us and restore us to who we were created to be, if we simply follow HIM.
FATHER, we come and give praise for RESTORATION that comes through JESUS. HE gave HIS life for us (the sheep), and HIS Blood, for our lives. We ask for YOUR Restoration back to who YOU designed us to be, and to begin in us, and to sweep through our nation and the world, to turn their hearts to YOU, for it is by and from YOU, that we are restored. Restore unto me, the Joy of My Salvation, and renew that right Spirit within me. Restore us to YOURSELF, YOUR Kingdom, and YOUR Spirit within us. AMEN.
BENEDICTION*
2 Corinthians 13:11 (KJV) 11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV) 11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
*2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
