RE-STORING RELATIONSHIPS

We began this series by Re-Evaluating relationships.

We talked about what it took to Re-Evaluate relationships.

It was in Re-Evaluating relationships that we learned that your relationship with YOU has to be right, and your relationship with God has to be right.

We talked about 6 different types of relationships

Platonic Romantic Codependent Casual Toxic and Intimate

We asked three questions to evaluate the relationship.

1. What is the Purpose? 2. Is this a Godly Relationship? 3. Am I practicing the Love of Christ?

Last week, we discussed RE-PAIRING RELATIONSHIPS

We talked about 1. Taking God with us.

There were three things we had to do in repairing relationships

1. Be Honest with ME 2. Be Gracious with THEM AND 3. Be Patient with IT.

These are in fact tools that will help us to repair relationships.

But after Repairation comes Restoration

What is restoration?

Restoration : to put or bring back into existence or use to bring back to or put back into a former or original state

To restore is to put something back where it once was.

RESTORATION IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT, NOT THE PROCESS

YOU HAVE NOT RESTORED A RELATIONSHIP IF YOU’RE STILL WORKING ON IT.

What does restoration look like in relationships?

There are many relationships restored in the Bible. This one is one of extreme grace and mercy.

LUKE 15:16-24

Luke 15:16–24 (ESV)

16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

RESTORATION IS A TWO WAY STREET

TO RESTORE A RELATIONSHIP BACK TO IT’S NORMAL PARTS THERE HAS TO BE TWO THINGS.

Two people have to be willing to restor a relationship to where it once was.

THERE IS THE PERSON WHO IS

This is a story about a relationship with a father and his son.

HONEST ENOUGH TO RECEIVE GRACE

This child knew he was wrong. He had to be honest with himself. He had to repent.

Some of your relationships have not been restored because you are trying to give something you actually need to receive....

This man literally came to his senses.

He is in a low place and realizes, it does not have to be this BAD.

I HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO, I HAVE SOMEONE TO TURN TO.

I HAVE SOMETHING TO GLEAN FROM.

IT IS ON US TO COME TO OUR SENSES, GET OUT OF OUR FEELINGS AND REALIZE THAT WE ARE THE ONES WHO SHOULD SAY I’M SORRY.

THEN THERE IS A PERSON WHO IS

OPEN ENOUGH TO GIVE GRACE

the father gives grace in spite of.

This son actually asks for his inheritance.

The disgust. One does not actually get an inheretance until the father is DEAD!

THIS SON IS LITERALLY SAYING YOU’RE DEAD TO ME.

he was 1. rude.

2. he was out of place. He was the YOUNGER SON. he would only get a third of his possessions. YOU ARE TRIPPING OFF OF SOMETHING SMALL.

some of yall haven’t forgiven or restored because they acted a fool off of something SMALL.

BUT HERE IS WHAT THE FATHER DOES.

HE 1. MEETS HIM WHERE HE IS.

WHICH SHOWS HE’D BEEN LOOKING.

HE’D BEEN HOPEFUL THAT THE SON WOULD COME BACK.

THERE IS A LEVEL OF HOPE ONE HAS TO HAVE

HERE IS WHAT RESTORATION LOOKS LIKE.

HE GIVES HIM\

A ROBE

A RING

AND SLIPPERS

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 15

a robe of distinction, signet ring of family authority, sandals worn by a son, in contrast to barefoot slaves

HE IS STILL UNIQUE IN SPITE OF

HE GETS A FAMILY RING. HE STIL HAS POWER IN SPITE OFF

HE RE ASSURED HIM THAT HE WAS A SON. not a slave but a son.

RESTORATION AFTER GRACE ENOUGH TO FORGIVE AND

GRACE ENOUGH TO PUT THEM IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

THERE IS ONE MORE THING I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER....

RESTORATION RUFFLES FEATHERS

IT IS NOT THEIR JOB TO TELL YOU WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR RELATIONSHIPS. BECAUSE TODAY HE NEEDED GRACE BUT TOMORROW YOU MAY NEED THAT SAME GRACE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

SOME OF YOU ARE THE GIVERS OF GRACE

BUT SOME OF YOU ARE HORTERS OF GRIEF.

YOU HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SITUATION, YOU JUST GOTTA SAY WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY.