Preparing For Restoration

OVERFLOWING GRACE GOD’S LOVING FAVOR IN MY INADEQUACY RESULTING IN OVERFLOWING BENEFITS. PHILEMON 4-7 PREPARING FOR RESTORATION LIVE OUT THE GOODNESS OF CHRIST IN YOUR LIFE THROUGH EVIDENT LOVE FOR OTHERS AND CONSISTENT FAITH IN GOD. Foundation of Restoration PHILEMON 8-14 PART 1 FOUNDATION OF RESTORATION 1. Restoration is boldly pursued upon our position in Christ not our position in the church. 8 2. Restoration is built upon relationships of faithfulness. 9 3. Restoration’s motive must be one of love. 9 4. Restoration must flow out of a willing heart and not coercion. 14 RESTORATION IS BUILT UPON OUR FAITHFUL POSITION IN CHRIST WHILE MOTIVATED BY WILLING LOVE. APPLICATION 1. Contemplate what does it mean to be IN CHRIST together as believers. Write out what you share together with a fellow believer with whom you are in conflict. What are the implications on that for your relationship. APPLICATION 2. In the midst of conflict, check your heart and make sure that you are operating out of the right motives. Identify your motives and be honest with yourself if they are biblical. Selfprotection must not be our motive but living out who we are in Christ in love. APPLICATION 3. Live in such a way that your faithful testimony would allow you to help others pursue reconciliation. APPLICATION 4. Restoration can’t be forced – if restoration isn’t done willingly then there really hasn’t been restoration because the heart has not been reached. What restoration have you really not willingly resolved, and tensions quietly remain because you perhaps have externally resolved but have not internally resolved? BUILD RESTORATION ON WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST WITH A MOTIVATION OF WILLING LOVE. THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOUR SPIRIT. AMEN.