The Road To Restitution

The ROAD to RESTITUTION

Repentance, Redemption, Restoration, Reconciliation and Restitution

Exo. 22:3-6

3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.

5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

6 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.

What is the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector? The taxidermist just gets your skin.---Mark Twain

Luke 19:8-----recompense

Mt. 17:11; Acts 1:6----reconstitute

The only thing little about Zaccheus was his stature.

Grace Killers

1. Love of Money

2. Unbelief

3. Assumption

Central Text --- Luke 19:1-9

I. Repentance

Zac was a man with a more than modest income, but he realized that something was missing from his life. There was a void. His conscience troubled him and he knew that he needed to make things right in his life.

Ac 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

He repented before God--this is evident by the words of Jesus in verse 9

He repented before men--this is assumed by his own words to Jesus and those who accompanied Him.

II. Redemption

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Redeemed---to be purchased

After Zac repented, he became redeemed. The price could not be paid by any amount of money or gold that he had in his possession. Redemption only comes through the blood of Jesus.

III. Restoration

Restoration--to be made as good as new.

Our transgressions tarnishes many things and many people.

God takes care of our soul and cleans it up, but it is our job to make things right with those we have wronged.

It may be finances.

It may be property.

It may be a relationship.

It may be a promise not kept.

To restore an old automobile requires much time, money, and patience. Many times, it is the same in our task of restoring things spiritually.

Saying "I'm sorry", does not constitute restoration. It is a process that will prove sacrificial if it is genuine.

Zac surely had to take some time to find each one that he had wronged. He probably had to sell some things or close out a savings account to fulfill his vow.

IV. Reconciliation and Restitution

2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Reconciled---to make the tally of different accounts balance out justly.

We understand that God takes up the slack in the areas that we come up short in relationship to Him and His holiness.

It is up to us to be sure that those whom we have transgressed have been paid back fairly and justly.

Ex.: An item that was stolen 20 years ago had a value of $50. Could that same item be replaced for that same amount of money today? To be reconciled correctly, the current value would need to be repaid.

Ex.: A tool is borrowed. After some months, it is given back; but now it is rusty from being left in the rain, and the motor is whining. What would be the correct reconciliation?

Socially and Spiritually, we need to examine our standing with our fellow man. Don't let it be said that there are irreconciliable differences.