3.10.2024 | RESTORE

Mark 3:4-6 4

Then He said to them “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.

1. What is restoration?

Psalm 23:3

He restores my soul.

Psalm 51:12 NLT

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

Joel 2:26a

So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.

 “When something is restored in Scripture it is always increased, multiplied, or improved, so that its latter state is significantly better than its original state.” James Robison

 “Nothing is ruined beyond God’s ability to restore.” Jack Hayford

 Ephesians 4:12

For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

 Ephesians 4:12 NLT

Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

 A. The setting of a broken bone

B. The realignment of a displaced or out of joint limb

C. “Mending”: Disciples mending the nets still carries a sense of healing brokenness.

 2. Beware Restoration Blockers

 Ruth 1:9 NLT

May the Lord bless you with the security of another marriage.” Then she kissed them goodbye, and they all broke down and wept.

“In each of our lives there are things the Lord wants to deal with: Hidden areas of pride, lingering habits of the flesh, gaps in discipline, hardening in our attitudes and hearts, a cooling in our zeal.” Hayford

 3. Align with God’s Restoration

 A. Cling

 Ruth 1:14 NLT

And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi.

 B. Grieve

 C. Surrender

Surrender to community

 Ruth 1:16 NLT

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.

“You don’t always have the power to control, but you always have the power to surrender.” Craig Groeschel

Surrender to Jesus

 Isaiah 38:16 NLT

Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health. You restore my health and allow me to live!

Surrender to serving

Surrender to the Word

Psalms 1:2-3 NLT

But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

D. Worship

Colossians 3:10 NLT

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

E. Be agents of restoration

Isaiah 58:12 NLT

Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.

 

Questions for discussion/reflection:

  1. At first glance, do you see areas of your life in need of restoration?  Share why or why not?

  2. Have you ever sensed God’s leading to step out in some uncomfortable way like the man wit the withered hand may have felt?

  3. What areas of your life do you think God wants to restore?  (be specific if you can)

  4. What restoration blockers have you observed in your life?

  5. What do you need to do this week to better align with God’s restoration work in your life?

  6. Where is God calling you to be an agent of restoration in the world around you?

JC Editor