Biblical Restoration
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.
Intro: I have always been fascinated with the restoration process of broken things. I enjoy watching videos of how people restore old cars or trucks. They will take a rusted-out clunker and turn it into an amazing, expensive automobile that can bring thousands at an auction. People restore old knives, old guns, pieces of furniture. I love seeing old houses restored. The before and after pictures are so neat to see.
Another favorite of mine is seeing reclaimed lumber being used for things. Flooring, furniture, etc. People pay good money for old barn lumber, dilapidated houses, etc. and use it for a variety of things.
There’s even a huge demand for new stuff that looks old and restored.
- Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
I love the old song, He Never Gave Up.
He Never Gave Up
Verse 1 – Now it`s been a long, long road and my soul has grown so weary, I just can`t understand all the struggles within me, there been times I strayed away, and even times I could not pray, somehow my faith would say just hold on, there`s a brighter day.
Chorus – He never gave up, He never gave up,Mercy reached down, that was enough
If you could see who I was before, then I`m sure that you`ll agree, He never once ever gave up on me.
Verse 2 – If your backs against the wall and you feel all hope is gone, If you often ask yourself, is there a reason to go on, well he looks beyond your guilt and shame, you see his mercy takes the blame, so just forget about your past and praise the Lord your free at last.
I. The Common Reality – …if a man be overtaken in a fault…
OVERTAKEN: to be surprised; without detection
FAULT: a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness; a sin, misdeed
Paul described these situations as “the wiles of the devil” in Ephesians 6.
WILES: cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery
A prime example of this would be the sin of David with Bathsheba.
Another would be Peter around the fire denying Jesus.
FYI, Jesus saw that coming and warned Peter of it!
- Luke 22:31, 32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
II. The Clear Requirement – ye which are spiritual…
Carnal people will generally fail in the restoration process because:
- I Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly [that there is] fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
A. They fail to recognize a fault as a fault
B. They will deny that a man is overtaken that is overtaken
C. They will see no need to biblically restore
D. They will abuse or subvert true restoration
III. The Considerate Restoration
A. Consider the Fallen – …restore such an one in the spirit of meekness…
RESTORE: to mend or to repair
God believes in restoration.
- Psalms 23:3 He restoreth my soul…
- Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.
God wants to restore the fallen to full fellowship.
God wants to restore the fallen to the joy of their salvation.
God wants to restore the fallen to a place of usefulness and service.
SEE verse 2 – Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
- Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
NOTE: That may not include full restoration to certain positions of leadership.
The qualifications for the deacon and for the office of the bishop are clear.
Disqualification is a separate issue from restoration.
B. Consider the Flesh – …considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted…
CONSIDERING: to take heed; to look at; to observe
- Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly [is] ready, but the flesh [is] weak.
- 2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
- 2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.