Restore final outline

“Forward Restoration”

#### I. **Introduction: The Promise of Restoration**

- **Theme Verse**: *Joel 2:25* - “I will restore the years that the locust has eaten.”

- This promise of restoration came to Israel during devastation, reminding us of God’s ability to restore in our lives.

- **Main Question**: What if God’s restoration is not about going back but about moving forward?

- Restoration is often thought of as a return to a previous state, like restoring old furniture.

- But **God’s restoration** takes us beyond the past, moving us forward into greater Kingdom living.

#### II. **God’s Restoration is Better Than Before**

- **Job’s Restoration** (*Job 42:10*):

- Job lost everything, yet in the end, God restored *double* what he had before.

- His faithfulness in trials led to a better outcome than his original state.

- **Joseph’s Journey** (*Genesis 41*):

- From slavery to second in command, Joseph’s life demonstrates how God’s restoration can fulfill promises even after deep loss.

- God’s plan wasn’t just to restore Joseph’s family but to elevate him to a position to bless many others.

#### III. **The Struggle in the Midst of Loss**

- **Loss vs. Promise**:

- It’s hard to hold onto God’s promise when we are in the middle of loss.

- The enemy wants us to believe that our problems are bigger than God’s provision.

- Faith is essential for navigating through the loss toward restoration.

#### IV. **The Eternal Promise of Restoration**

- **Revelation 21:1-4**:

- God promises a New Heaven and a New Earth – not a return to the Garden of Eden, but a forward move into an eternal kingdom without sorrow.

- This future restoration is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan for humanity, showing that God's restoration always looks forward.

#### V. **Examples of Restoration and Necessary Endings**

- **The Israelites in Egypt and the Wilderness**:

- Israel endured 400 years of bondage before God brought them out, but a generation failed to enter the Promised Land due to disobedience.

- **Moses' Death**: Moses led for 40 years, but his ending was necessary for Joshua’s leadership to bring the people into the promise (*Joshua 1:1-2*).

- **Necessary Endings** (*Dr. Henry Cloud*):

- Growth requires letting go of the past.

- Some endings are forced upon us, others are chosen. Both present emotions of loss but are necessary for progress.

#### VI. **Lessons from Joshua’s Leadership Transition**

- **Joshua 1:6-7** – *Be strong and courageous*:

- After Moses’ death, Joshua is commanded to lead the people forward.

- **Strength**: To be restored to strength – not from past miracles but through obedience in the present.

- **Courage**: To step forward personally, taking ownership of God’s promise.

#### VII. **Crossing Over Requires Strength and Courage**

- **Vicarious Christianity Won't Sustain Us**:

- We cannot live off others’ experiences of God’s faithfulness. We need personal encounters to fuel our strength and courage.

- **God’s Timing** (*Joshua 3:15*):

- The Jordan River was at flood stage when God commanded the Israelites to cross. God’s timing is often inconvenient but crucial to trust.

- Stepping into God's plan often means acting in faith despite obstacles.

#### VIII. **Three Commands to Move Forward into Restoration**

1. **Pass Through**: (*Joshua 1:10*) – Move through the camp, encouraging people to prepare for the next steps.

2. **Prepare**: Get ready for the challenges ahead by deepening personal faith and reliance on God.

3. **Possess**: God’s promises must be claimed. We must have the courage to take what God has already provided.

#### IX. **Conclusion: Stepping Into Forward Restoration**

- **God's Promise for Us Today**:

- Restoration isn’t about going back. It’s about moving forward into a greater realization of God’s Kingdom.

- Like Joshua and the Israelites, we are called to arise, go over, and possess what God has promised.

- **Final Charge**: Let us trust in God’s ability to restore not only what we’ve lost, but to move us into a better, more Christ-like future.