Restoration - Getting Back To Right Image

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.