Restoration

The Lord is trying to get out attention.

Were in a pivotal time. Revival is breaking out across the world.

Fear of the Lord. Gospel of the Kingdom. Return to Me

· The theme of the gospel is about restoration.

· Restoration – The action of restoring something to a former owner, place or condition

The reinstatement of a previous practice, right, custom or situation.

o Restoration of all things

§ Acts 3:20–21 (NKJV): and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

o Restoration of man to relationship with God

§ Genesis 3:8 (NKJV): And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

§ John 1:12 (AMP): But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—

o Restoration of the Kingdom of God - the rulership of God

§ Luke 10:9 (NKJV): And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

o Restoration of dominion and authority

§ Genesis 1:28 (NKJV): Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

§ Luke 9:1–2 (AMP): THEN JESUS called together the Twelve [apostles] and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases, 2 And He sent them out to announce and preach the kingdom of God and to bring healing.

o Restoration of provision and prosperity

§ Genesis 2:9 (NKJV): And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

§ Philippians 4:19 (AMP): And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

o Restoration of health and healing

§ Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV): But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

§ Mark 16:17–18 (AMP): 17 And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; 18 They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.

o Restoration of the earth and Jerusalem

§ Isaiah 65:17 (NKJV): For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.

§ 2 Peter 3:13 (AMP): But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to His promise, in which righteousness (uprightness, freedom from sin, and right standing with God) is to abide.

· The early Church looks difference from the current Church in ownership

o The early church was totally surrendered to God. They understood kingdom rule.

o They were totally in love with Jesus

o Their lives belonged to Him

o Galatians 2:20 (AMP): I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

o 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (AMP): Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, 20 You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.

· The early Church looks difference from the current Church in condition

o Lives were radically changed

o They lived lives of holiness

o The fivefold ministry gifts were all in operation

o The gifts of the spirit were in full operation

· The early Church looks difference from the current Church in situation

o They were influencers

o They turned the world upside down

o Acts 17:6 (NKJV): But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.

Daily growth was common

o Acts 2:47 (NKJV): And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

o They were building the kingdom, not a kingdom

WHY do we see these differences?

· The early Church looks difference from the current Church in practice

o Acts 2:42–47 (NKJV): And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved

o They had all things in common

o They met together daily, broke bread

o It was full of the power of the Holy Spirit

o They prayed together regularly

The fear of the Lord was evident in the Church

o They preached the gospel and saw multitudes saved daily