REPENTANCE, TRANSFORMATION & RESTORATION

GOOD MORNING 1ST CHURCH! WHEN YOU CAME TO CHURCH THIS MORNING, DID YOU ASK YOURSELVES ”WHY IS PASTOR JOSH NOT PREACHING ? IS HE OK? WILL I GET OUT OF CHURCH SOONER TODAY, OR NOT?

ANYWAYS YOU ARE STUCK WITH ME THIS MORNING (SMILE)

I HOPE THIS MORNING YOU BROUGHT YOUR BIBLES WITH YOU, BECAUSE YOU’LL NEED IT BUT IM SURE YOU KNEW THAT ALREADY! LETS TAKE A QUICK CENSUS HERE:BY A RAISING OF HANDS, HOW MANY OF YOUR BROUGHT AN ACTUAL BIBLE? (EVERYONE TAKE A LOOK AROUND) NOW HOW MANY OF YOU USE YOUR PHONE, FOR THE BIBLE PART? (NOW LOOK AROUND AGAIN) ARE YOU SURPRISED? IM NOT GOING TO RAIL ON YOU, EXCEPT TO SAY BE PREPARED TO LEARN WHEN YOU GO TO CHURCH. AMEN? THERE IS ALSO PEN AND PAPER IN THE PEWS FOR YOUR USE AS WELL. MY RP FAMILY KNOWS WHERE IM GOING ALREADY, RIGHT?

BECAUSE I AM A RECOVERY LEADER, I ASK MY FAMILY ALOT OF QUESTIONS. SO BE PREPARED THIS IS WHAT I CALL PARTICIPATING IN YOUR RECOVERY (SMILE) (ASK) HOW MANY PEOPLE HERE IN LIFE HAVE BEEN BROKEN ? (RAISE YOUR HANDS) IM TALKING SERIOUSLY BROKEN. NOW LET ME ASK YOU , WERE YOU GLAD YOU WERE BROKEN? (RAISE YOUR HANDS) ANYONE CARE TO SHARE A BRIEF TESTIMONY?

AS I PREACH THIS MORNING, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT I AM A RECOVERY PASTOR, AND I’LL PREACH IN THAT STYLE (OF COURSE).😂😂

AS YOU THOUGHT ABOUT BROKENESS, DID YOU ALSO THINK ABOUT REPENTANCE, TRANSFORMATION, & RESTORATION?

IN MY OPINION, THINKING AND DOING THESE THINGS WILL KEEP YOU HUMBLE AND FOCUSED ON DOING AND LIVING OUT THE GREAT COMMISION

From Ashes to Beauty: The Journey of Repentance

WHAT IS REPENTANCE? TURNING AWAY FROM SOMETHING THAT GOD SAYS IS WRONG FOR US TO DO (SIN HE CALLS IT) IT IS A CHANGE OF MIND, THAT LEADS TO A CHANGE OF HEART, THAT LEADS TO A CHANGE OF ACTIONS! (SAY THAT SLOWLY) THIS CHANGE INVOLVES BOTH A TURNING FROM SIN, AND A TURNING TO GOD. NOW SHARE THE STORY OF HOW I STOLE A CANDY FROM THE STORE AND DIDNT GET CAUGHT!

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SHARE THIS FOR CHILDREN:

HOW MANY PEOPLE HERE HAVE CAUGHT AND KEPT A CATERPILLAR? DID YOU KEEP IT LONG ENOUGH TO SEE IT TRANSFORM INTO A BUTTERFLY? TO SPIN AND MAKE A COCOON? At first, it looks ugly and crawls around aimlessly, but with God's grace, it emerges transformed and beautiful.

God and the things that he has created shows us transformation , like the dropping of leaves in the fall.

Then in the spring the leaves growing again! Just as the caterpillar sheds its old self, we are called to shed our old ways through repentance. It’s a beautiful transformation we can all relate to—and it's a journey THAT CAN BE filled with grace, TEARS, AND MAYBE and laughter! I CALL IT THAT BEAUTY FROM ASHES THING! (SMILE)

ITS ALL BECAUSE OF GODS GRACE AND MERCY THAT EVEN IN OUR BROKENESS, IT CAN LEAD TO BECOMING A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST! EVEN BECOMING WHOLE!

DURING MY PERIOD OF BROKENESS I LEARNED A POWERFUL STATEMENT, THAT I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN: EMBRACE THE PAIN!

IN LIFE WE LEARN EARLY ON ABOUT DENIAL, AND TURNING AWAY FROM THE PAIN. THIS IS WRONGFUL THINKING, THAT BECOMES SUPER EASY TO DO.

WE AS HUMAN BEINGS LOVE THE EASY THINGS TO DO! YOUR SHAKING YOUR HEADS NOW IM SURE (SMILE) WOULDNT IT BE BETTER TO GROW...THROUGH THE PAIN? NOTICE I SAID GROW & NOT GO.

BY EMBRACING THE PAIN, YOU WILL GROW THROUGH IT QUICKER, AND BECOME STRONGER AS WELL.(THAT’S MY OPINION BECAUSE I HAVE EXPERIENCED IT AND SEEN IT IN OTHERS AS WELL)

BIBLICALLY KING DAVID DID THE SAME THING AFTER BEING CONFRONTED BY THE PROPHET NATHAN, AND ACTIONS BECAUSE OF BATHSHEBA & URIAH THE HITTITE Death 2 Samuel 12:13 “David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.”

AFTER DAVIDS SIN WITH BATHSHEBA AND THE KILLING OF URIAH. CAME DAVIDS EMBRACING THE PAIN OF HIS SIN, AND I BELIEVE THAT AFTERWARDS THE BIBLE SAYS HE FOLLOWED GODS COMMAND.

HE WAS TRULY REPENTANT AND OBEYED GOD!

FAMILY PLEASE HAVE A transformative relationship with God that restores YOUR identity and purpose.

True repentance is not just feeling remorse but is a decisive turn towards God, resulting in genuine transformation and restoration within our lives.

Throughout scripture, Christ embodies repentance as He calls sinners to Himself, offering not just forgiveness but a profound transformation that restores their lives and relationships with God.

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

God's grace is the catalyst that transforms our lives when we genuinely repent and seek restoration through Jesus Christ.

LET ME SHARE WITH YOU THE MEANING OF REMORSE. IVE ALREADY SHARED WITH YOU THE MEANING OF REPENTANCE.

REMORSE MEANS:DEEP REGRET OR GUILT FOR A WRONG COMMITTED

MANY PEOPLE CAN FEEL REMORSE ABOUT SOMETHING, BUT NOT NECESSARILY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE WRONG COMMITTED, BY THEM OR OTHERS. WHEN I STOLE THAT CANDY BAR, I DIDNT FEEL REMORSE UNTIL AFTER I KNEW MY DAD FOUND OUT AND I RECIEVED THE ONLY SPANKING IN MY LIFE. I NEVER STOLE ANYTHING AFTER THAT, AND LATER I WOULD ACTUALLY WORK AT THAT STORE, ODDLY ENOUGH REMORSE COMES FIRST AND IS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY REPENTANCE

LET ME SHARE WITH YOU DIFFERENT KINDS OF REPENTANCES

1. Heartfelt Repentance

Joel 2:12–13 ““Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”

GOD IS WAITING FOR YOU TO RETURN BACK TO HIM WITH A HEARTFELT REPENTANCE Don't WAIT TO REPENT, DO IT NOW

LOOK AT Joel's powerful call to repentance, where the prophet urged the people to return to God with their hearts and not just outwardly. YOUVE HEARD THE PHRASE-GET REAL? GET REAL WITH GOD/JESUS This is YOUR opportunity to realize the necessity for sincere heart transformation, rather than superficial actions. WHY FAKE IT, WITH GOD? ITS NOT LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO FOOL HIM, RIGHT?

Christ encourages us to repent genuinely, promising to restore us and fill us with His grace, transforming ashes into beauty.

WHAT IS Transformational Repentance? SO WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE WORD TRANSFORMATION MEAN? “ A THOROUGH OR DRAMATIC CHANGE IN FORM OR APPEARANCE” I PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED TO YOU ABOUT A CATERPILLAR AND ITS TRANSFORMATION!

Psalm 51:10–12 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

DAVID WROTE THIS PSALM AFTER HIS SIN WITH BATHSHEBA

CAN YOU FEEL David’s heartfelt plea for God’s transformative work within him? David longs for a pure heart and a steadfast spirit, encapsulating his deep desire for inner change. TRANSFORMATIVE RESTORATION TAKES TIME-REMEMBER THAT! DAVID HAD SOME FALLOUT BECAUSE OF HIS SIN, BUT HE WOULD BE KNOWN AS A MAN AFTER GODS OWN HEART! WHAT ABOUT YOU MAN OR WOMAN........NOW? WOULD YOU WANT SOMEONE TO KNOW YOU WERE THAT WAY AS WELL?

Jesus Christ’s role in OUR LIVES, cleansing and renewing us, IS AMAZING, EVEN WHEN WE Don't DESERVE IT. IT ILLUSTRATES how true repentance BRINGS God’s restorative power, resulting in a transformed life.

3. Restorative Repentance/RESTORATION

2 Corinthians 5:17–21 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

WHEN WE TURN TO CHRIST AND ACCEPT HIS FORGIVENESS FOR OUR SINS. WE BECOME TOTALLY NEW. CAN YOU SAY BORN AGAIN? I THOUGHT YOU COULD! (SMILE) WITHOUT CHRIST’ FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS. WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU’LL GO AFTER YOU PASS AWAY? WE WOULD BE DESTINED FOR HELL. IS THAT APPEALING TO YOU? OR ANYBODY ? HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD WHAT GOD DOES WITH OUR SINS, WHEN THEY ARE FORGIVEN? Psalm 103:12 “as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”

I ENCOURAGE YOU WHEN YOU GO HOME TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE CHAPTER BUT LETS LOOK AT VERSES 1-13

(READ SLOWLY) Psalm 103:1-13 “Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

This passage illustrates the miraculous transformation that occurs in Christ, making us new creations. Paul articulates the idea that those who are in Christ are wholly transformed, shedding the old self.

Repentance is a part of salvation, and when Christ saves us, he saves us by making us repent. But repentance does not save. It is the work of God alone.

It Affirms that through Christ’s reconciliation, genuine repentance leads to a vibrant and restored relationship with God, capturing the reality of moving from ashes to beauty.

Charles Spurgeon

Repentance will not make you see Christ, but to see Christ will give you repentance.

Charles Spurgeon

Let me you some biblical illustrations;

LET ME SHARE WITH YOU A FEW ILLUSTRATIONS TO HELP YOUR BRAIN WRAP AROUND THE MESSAGE TODAY:

In the Bible, after Peter denied Jesus three times, he was restored by Jesus by the Sea of Galilee. The reinstatement wasn’t a heavy message; it was inviting and full of grace. Jesus told him to feed His sheep, symbolizing that after repentance, Peter's transformation led him to serve and lead. It’s a lighthearted reminder that even our failures can lead us to a path of restoration!

Jesus told him to feed His sheep, symbolizing that after repentance, Peter's transformation led him to serve and lead. It’s a lighthearted reminder that even our failures can lead us to a path of restoration!

Consider the story of the Prodigal Son. This young man took his inheritance and squandered it on wild living, leaving him destitute and alone. Yet, when he hit rock bottom, he remembered his father and decided to return home in repentance. QUICK NOTE HERE: YOU MAY NOT LIKE HITTING ROCK BOTTOM, BUT IN THE LONG TERM YOU WILL. MY RP FAMILY KNOWS IM GLAD TO HAVE HIT THAT ROCK BOTTOM POINT! LETS CONTINUE SHALL WE? The joy of the PRODIGAL’S father's embrace illustrates not just the act of repentance but the profound transformation and restoration that follows. No matter how far we've wandered, God waits with open arms to restore us, reminding us that it's never too late to turn back.

This young man took his inheritance and squandered it on wild living, leaving him destitute and alone. Yet, when he hit rock bottom, he remembered his father and decided to return home in repentance.

The joy of the father's embrace illustrates not just the act of repentance but the profound transformation and restoration that follows. No matter how far we've wandered, God waits with open arms to restore us, reminding us that it's never too late to turn back.

In the Bible, Saul was a vehement persecutor of Christians—an enemy of the Church. Yet, on the road to Damascus, an encounter with Jesus changed everything. Saul's heart was transformed, leading him to become Paul, one of the greatest apostles.

His conversion is a vivid example of how God can redeem even the most unlikely individuals. Repentance is not merely feeling sorry for our sins but allows for a transformative journey toward restoration and purpose in Christ's plan.

The story of King David shows a powerful example of repentance. After committing grave sins, David cried out to God through the Psalms, expressing deep remorse.

His heartfelt cries reflected true repentance, leading to transformation in his heart and spirit. Restoration followed as God forgave him, and he returned to his role as a king, now wiser and humbler.

David's journey illustrates how genuine repentance opens the door to divine transformation and ultimate restoration in our lives.

His heartfelt cries reflected true repentance, leading to transformation in his heart and spirit. Restoration followed as God forgave him, and he returned to his role as a king, now wiser and humbler. David's journey illustrates how genuine repentance opens the door to divine transformation and ultimate restoration in our lives.

SIN IN OUR LIVES CAUSES US TO STOP FOLLOWING GODS PLAN, AND LETS SATAN START CONTROLLING US. IS THAT WHO YOU WANT TO BE IN CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE?

THESE passages illustrates the miraculous transformation that occurs in Christ, making us new creations. Paul articulates the idea that those who are in Christ are wholly transformed, shedding the old self. Know that through Christ’s reconciliation, genuine repentance leads to a vibrant and restored relationship with God, capturing the essence of moving from ashes to beauty.

IN CLOSING LET ME SHARE WITH YOU, SOMEWHAT ABOUT RESTORATION POINTE: RESTORATION POINTE IS NOT A PROGRAM WE ARE ACTUALLY A DISCIPLESHIP SOLUTION. WHETHER YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH SOMETHING? (BY THE WAY WE ALL STRUGGLE WITH SOMETHING, UNLESS YOUVE FIGURED OUT HOW TO STOP SINNING?) (SMILE)

OR MAYBE YOU JUST WANT TO HELP OUT AT RP? WHATEVER YOUR PERCEPTION ABOUT IT IS? YOU WONT KNOW FOR SURE UNLESS YOU COME HERE AND FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF! RP WILL PROBABLY MAKE YOU SOMETHING MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE NOW. HEALING AND RESTORATION BLESSES EVERYONE WHO COMES HERE. LET ME SHARE SOMETHING HEAVY WITH YOU: TREATING RECOVERY AS A PROGRAM WILL LEAD YOU ASTRAY.

IN THE PAST IVE SEEN TOO MANY PEOPLE TREAT RECOVERY LIGHTLY.

KINDA LIKE, IF THEY GOT TIME TO GO TO A RECOVERY MEETING-THEN MAYBE?

IVE SEEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE SO, TURN TO WITCHCRAFT, ABUSE AND EVEN DEATH UNFORTUNATELY SO. (I’M TOTALLY SERIOUS WITH YOU)

YOUR RECOVERY IS SO IMPORTANT, THAT JESUS DIED FOR IT. RECOVERY IS TRULY A LIFE LONG PROCESS, THAT WE DONT GIVE UP ON IT, OR TAKE A BREAK FROM IT.

IN MY OPINION EVERY CHURCH SHOULD HAVE RECOVERY SOLUTION IN IT. BUT WE IN THE CHRISTIAN WORLD LOVE DENIAL TOO MUCH OR ARE TOO INVOLVED IN NON KINGDOM MINDED THINGS.

THINGS THAT DONT MATTER TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD

I PROMISE YOU THAT THOSE WHO KEEP COMING BACK, WILL TELL YOU THAT THEY LOVE RP AND THE FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER BROKEN PEOPLE.

SO LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION, THAT YOU DONT HAVE TO ANSWER OUT LOUD!

WHAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK FROM COMING TO RP?

IF YOU ARE “TOO BUSY” THEN RECOVERY WILL NOT BE A PRIORITY FOR YOU, AND YOU WILL GRADUALLY FALL IN TO A DOWNWARD SPIRAL .

SATAN KNOWS HOW TO KEEP BELIEVERS BUSY WITH THINGS THAT DONT MATTER TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

PERSONALLY I LOVE COMING TO MY CHURCH AND FELLOWSHIPPING WITH MY FAMILY AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE.

I KNOW OF A LADY WHO CAME WHEN WE FIRST STARTED A RECOVERY MEETING HERE.

SHE CAME FOR THE DINNER PART OF IT THAT WE STILL HAVE EVEN NOW, BUT WHEN SHE FINISHED THE LARGE GROUP TIME, I ASKED HER IF SHE WAS GOING TO GO TO THE LADIES SMALL GROUP MEETING THAT FOLLOWED AFTERWARDS. AND BE WITH THE OTHER LADIES.

BY THE WAY IN SMALL GROUPS GUYS ARE WITH GUYS, AND LADIES ARE WITH LADIES-SHARING AND APPLYING James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

ANYWAYS SHE SAID IM NOT, GOING IN THERE WITH THOSE PEOPLE. TO MY DISPLEASURE I SAID OK, DO AS YOU WANT, AND I WALKED AWAY.

THE HOLY SPIRIT GOT A HOLD OF HER NEXT, AND PROMPTED HER TO GO IN THAT CLASSROOM.

WHEN SHE GOT DONE, JEANIE SAID THAT SHE REALLY ENJOYED SHARING WITH THE LADIES IN HER GROUP. GOD HAS MADE JEANIE JENSEN INTO A LEADER, WHO IN THE BEGININNG SAID NO!

REPENTANCE, TRANSFORMATION & RESTORATION WORKS IN OUR LIVES.

BUT IT WONT HAPPEN IF WE SIT ON OUR BOTTOMS AND WATCH!!!

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NOT ABOUT WATCHING OTHERS, BUT ACTUALLY PARTICIPATING IN OUR OWN RECOVERIES, AND IN SOME CASES THEIRS

THAT IS WHY RP WORKS, BECAUSE PEOPLE KEEP COMIING BACK!

SO AS THE LADIES COME TO PLAY AND GARRY LEADS US IN SONG. LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION.

HAVE YOU ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR?

IF NOT, WHAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK?

THE BIBLES SAYS” TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION” IF YOU HAVE ACCEPTED JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR, DO YOU REALLY WANT THAT ABUNDANT LIFE JESUS PROMISED YOU? OR IS HO HUM LIFE WHAT YOU WILL SETTLE FOR?

DO YOU NEED TO REDEDICATE YOUR LIFE BACK TO JESUS? THE ALTAR IS OPEN IF YOU WANT TO COME AND PRAY. SOMEONE WILL COME AND PRAY WITH YOU AS WELL.

ANNOUNCEMENTS SHARED! MINISTRY PRODUCT IS COMING IN MONDAY AFTERNOON (HELP?)

OCC BOXES ARE HERE FOR YOU TO TAKE AND FILL UP, BY NOVEMBER 16TH