The Believer's Soul Restored
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Restoration is a process.
I have a cousin who runs a custom car garage called KG Custom Garage.
He has been restoring a 1970 Chevelle.
Here’s what it looked like when he got it and first sanded it.
He then did a lot of welding, gap filling, and some custom door handles.
After that he fitted a front end and primed it.
Now, you might think all that’s left is to paint it.
Nope.
Next you tear it all apart and paint the pieces.
Then you put them back together.
Now, you will notice in this last picture, the car isn’t finished yet.
I’ll explain that more in a minute.
The point here is that restoration is a process.
It doesn’t happen all at once.
It takes time, effort, and a willingness to engage in a difficult process.
God is in the process of restoring our souls.
Like the 1970 Chevelle, we are not finished yet.
And like that project, sometimes we have to be taken apart and put back together.
This is our communion Sunday.
Each month we set aside one Sunday to remember the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We do this service completely different from all our other services.
We want this service to be a special event.
We want it to be something we look forward to.
This year we are taking a slow tour through Psalm 23.
Today, we will deal with only the very first part of verse 3 where David writes “He restores my soul.”
Restores – שׁוב (šwb) turn back, return. to restore v. — to bring back into original existence, use, function, or position. Verb, third person, masculine, singular +- Polel, yiqtol (imperfect), Pi”el, active, preterite.
Restores – שׁוב (šwb) turn back, return.
This is an interesting Hebrew verb because it has both a past tense as well as a continual action.
Here’s what David is telling us.
Restoration is something that God has done in our lives. It is also something God continues to do.
There are two questions that we are going to be engaging as we think through restoration today.
Question #1 - How does He restore our souls?
Question #2 - Why would a soul need to be restored?
Learning what restoration is and why we need it gives us a place to turn when we face difficulty.
As we are restored by Christ we are able to draw others into His restoration.
As people experience the restoration of their souls, the body of Christ grows and is strengthened.
How does God restore our souls?
First…
1. Through Salvation
1. Through Salvation
As we tackle this point we will begin by dealing with our second question.
Why would a soul need to be restored?
Because of sin.
The book of Romans helps us to understand just what the effects of sin are and what Christ has done about them.
Romans 5:12 says this.
Romans 5:12
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
All of humankind has a problem, we are guilty of sin.
We are sinners by nature and by choice.
This is clearly laid out in Romans 3:23.
Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
All have sinned.
This is not said as a scare tactic.
It is revealed as a motivation for us to believe in Jesus.
I believe that for the gospel to truly be good news, we need the bad news of sin and its penalty.
What is that penalty?
Romans 6:23 explains.
Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The penalty for sin is death.
This is why we need our souls to be restored.
We are all sinners.
I was born a sinner and I immediately chose to sin.
I am a sinner by nature and by choice.
This is the bad news.
And yet, This bad news is given to make the good news good!
So, what is the good news?
Let’s start with John 3:16.
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
God loves you.
He loves me.
His love for all of us caused him to sacrifice His Son.
Anyone who believes in Jesus is given eternal life!
What does it mean for Jesus to have died for sin?
What does it mean for us to believe in Him?
Go with me to Romans 3:21-26.
We already quoted v. 23, but when we look at the whole section, it shines light on our discussion.
Romans 3:21-26
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
We’re going to bounce around a little bit in this passage as we seek to understand just what exactly the gospel is.
Verse 24 tells us that we are able to be justified by the grace of God because of the redemption we have in Christ.
To be justified means that we are declared righteous.
It is the declared part that is important. Justification is the act by which God blots out our sin. Because of what Christ has done, God the Father declares us righteous.
What did Christ do?
He redeemed us.
This word “redeemed” describes being purchased out of the slave market of sin.
Scripture describes us as having been bought by the blood of Christ.
This is what verse 25 is talking about. Christ is the propitiation for our sin through His blood.
Propititation means satisfaction. What did Christ satisfy? The wrath of God.
Now we go to verse 21. God is righteous even apart from the law.
He is righteous to all who believe, all who place their faith in Jesus.
Verse 26 declares that God is righteous in declaring all who trust in Jesus to be righteous because of what Christ has done.
Christ paid the penalty for our sin.
His sacrifice satisfied the wrath of God.
This justification and propitiation is only applied to those who place their faith in Jesus.
When Romans 6:23 states that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, this is what it’s talking about!
Romans 10:9 gives us the final piece.
Romans 10:9
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
It isn’t that we just believe Jesus existed. We believe in all that He did.
He died on the Cross bearing the penalty for my sin, He did this because there was nothing I could do to save myself. He was buried. He rose again three days later.
This is what I have to believe!
When we believe this we are declared righteous by God based on the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.
Colossians 2:13-14 explains it this way.
Colossians 2:13-14
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
The picture is this.
God, as the judge is sitting at His bench ready to pass judgment.
He is handed the list of our offenses.
Our rap sheet is long. It is detailed. Nothing is left out.
We begin to tremble!
We know we are guilty and now the judge knows it too!
Right as he is about to pass sentence, another person walks in.
He walks to the front, grabs the list and completely erases it.
The judge then pronounces us innocent because the charges are gone!
Jesus Christ took the list of our offenses. He nailed that list to the Cross!
This is why Romans 8 states that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus!
Our souls need to be restored because of sin.
That restoration happens through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
For those of us who have placed our faith in Him, this is the restoration we have already experienced.
There is also an ongoing element to God’s restoration.
That’s what we will talk about next.
If you have never experienced the restoration of God in salvation.
Do it today.
Place your faith in Jesus.
Be saved from the penalty of sin.
Salvation is given to all who believe.
This is the restoration that our souls so desperately need.
We need the cleansing and forgiveness that only comes from Jesus Christ!
There is only one way, one truth, one life. There is only one way to the Father, Jesus Christ.
He is the only door. He is the good shepherd. He gave His life for the Sheep.
There is salvation in no other!
There is no other name, under heaven, given among men by which we must be saved.
TRUST IN JESUS!
Trust. In Jesus.
#530 “Saved, Saved!”
God resores our souls through salvation.
He continues to restore…
2. Through Sanctification
2. Through Sanctification
We need restoration because of sin.
That restoration is a one time event.
I wish that I could tell you salvation brings an end to sin in our lives.
It doesn’t. Yet. There will be an end, but we’ll talk about that a little later.
We still sin.
But. The solution to our sin is the same as it has always been.
The solution to our sin is the finished work of Christ on the Cross.
Look at 1 John 1:9.
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
We are saved from the penalty of sin in salvation.
We are saved from the power of sin in sanctification.
This verse in 1 john is about the process of sanctification.
Sanctification deals with our growth; our consecration and dedication to God.
As we seek to follow Christ, sin is going to come in and mess that up.
This verse explains how we get back on track.
The process of sanctification begins at salvation and continues until death.
We have never arrived.
The goal of the Christian life is to become progressively more holy, more and more like Jesus.
Like our opening illustration with the 1970 chevelle, this is a process of restoration that sometimes requires us being taken apart, cleaned, repaired, and put back together.
We need restoration in times when we have failed.
We need restoration when we are getting worn down and worn out.
When our spiritual life begins to look like a broken-down, weather-beaten car, we need a tune up.
How do we get that?
How do we get the spiritual tune up, the restoration, that we need?
In John 17:17 Jesus prayed this for His disciples.
John 17:17
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Read that again.
It is the Word of God that sanctifies!
It is not human effort.
Is not trying harder.
Look at Ephesians 5:26-27.
Ephesians 5:26-27
26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
How do we become holy and without blemish? How can we be without spot or wrinkle?
We need the santifying and cleansing power of God’s Word!
Psalm 119:9-11 says this.
Psalm 119:9-11
9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
This is how our soul is restored!
We need the Word of God.
This is why, here at Grace Church, we teach through books and passages of Scripture.
This is why we developed the Scripture worksheet.
This is why we memorize a verse every month, why we have a Bible reading plan each year, and why we offer Bible studies.
The Word of God cleanses!
The Word of God keeps us from sin!
Someone who is seeking the Lord with their whole heart, is someone who sticks close to His Word.
If you’re not married and you are looking for someone, this is the kind of person you want.
This is also the kind of person you want to be.
If you are married, be a man or woman of the Word!
Single? Be a man or woman of the Word!
Still young? Be a person of the Word!
Young or old, rich or poor, married or single.
Be a person who sticks close to God’s Word!
In John 10:10 Jesus said this.
John 10:10
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Sin is a poison.
If we are drinking poison, we will never have the abundant life Jesus promised.
Sin is a cancer.
Until the cancer is removed, life cannot be abundant!
We are saved from the penalty of sin through the sacrifice of Christ.
As we grow we are increasingly deliverd from the power of sin.
The good shepherd restores my soul.
That restoration requires that I trust the Shepherd more than my own feelings.
His Word has everything I need for faith and godliness. But it does me no good if I do not do what it says.
I have to trust the Lord and walk in obedience to His Word.
This is a battle.
Sanctification requires commitment and dedication.
It is not easy.
It takes work.
But it is worth it. It is possible.
“His Robes For Mine”
Our souls are restored through salvation.
That restoration is continued through sanctification.
The restoration of our souls is finished…
3. Through Glorification
3. Through Glorification
Here again is the picture of the unfinished Chevelle.
This is us.
We are not yet finished.
We have not yet been fully restored.
We mentioned earlier that there is coming a day when sin will no longer be an issue.
We have been saved from the penalty of sin through salvation.
We are being saved from the power of sin through sanctification.
One day we will be saved from the very presence of sin through glorification.
One day, we are going to be finished. Fully restored.
Colossians 3:4 declares that…
Colossians 3:4
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
There is coming a day when Christ will return, when He will call us home to be with Him.
This daily, moment-by-moment battle is going to be over.
Sin will be no more.
Beloved, I can’t wait!
But… I have to. And so do you.
What do we do while we wait for the coming of our Lord?
Go with me to 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.
This passage gives us a glimpse of what is coming.
It reminds us of what Christ has done.
It also issues a challenge in light of Christ’s immanent return.
Remember, immanent means that Jesus could come back at any moment.
1 Corinthians 15:50-58
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
This is the ultimate restoration.
We are all going to be changed!
It is going to happen in a moment!
The trumpet is going to sound and we are going to be with Jesus forever!
Death has been defeated!
The victory has been won through Jesus Christ!
Glory! Hallelujah! Praise His name!
But. The passage ends with a reminder.
We still have a job to do.
Be steadfast, immovable, and serve faithfully.
Why?
Because our labor is not in vain.
The anticipation of glorification should inspire faithful service.
Are we ready for His return?
#210 “Jesus Paid It All”
This side of heaven the Shepherd’s work in us is incomplete.
Folks, our Shepherd is coming back!
Will we be found faithfully serving Him?
Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
This is a time for believers to remember the price that was paid. To be reminded of the penalty of sin. Taking part of communion does not save you. This is simply a way for us to be reminded of what Christ has done. If you know the Lord as savior this morning, please join us in bread and juice as we remember Jesus Christ. These are only symbols, they represent the body and blood of our Savior. Examination – verses 26-32
1 Corinthians 11:26-32
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION
OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION
1 Corinthians 11:23-32
The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 #418 “All Your Anxiety” (chorus only)
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
The Cup (His Blood) v. 25 #415 “He Giveth More Grace” (chorus only)
25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Conclusion
Conclusion
“He restores my soul.”
We need the restoration that Christ offers.
This is a personal need.
On a personal and individual level, we will never be all that we long to be until we have submitted ourselves to Jesus Christ.
Will we submit for salavation? Will we submit for sanctification? Are we living with the expectation of an “any moment” glorification?
This is a need in our relationships.
Apart from Christ we cannot love others, we cannot serve them, and we will never put them ahead of ourselves. These are all things Christ commands us to do.
We need His restoration! We need His Word to wash us, cleanse us, and transform us.
Will we get into His Word?
This is a need in our parenting.
A parent who has not surrendered their life to Christ cannot equip children to live for Him.
If we are holding back a part of ourselves from total surrender, we are limiting our ability to parent.
Will we give everything to the Lord?
This is a necessity in our marriages.
The center of our marriage must be Jesus. When we live to please Him, we will inevitaby serve our spouse.
In my marriage, I want to live every moment as if the trumpet of Christ’s return was about to sound.
I have not always done that. That is my commitment.
In every relationship. In every area of life. May we be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
COMMITMENT:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
We close this morning with three challenges and a question.
Challenge #1…
Believe that restoration is possible.
Jesus died for it.
The Holy Spirit is at work even now moving people towards it.
Reconciliation for salvation. Reconciliation for sanctification.
It is not too late!
Challenge #2…
Seek restoration in Christ.
Restoration is not something that can be purchased on a clearance rack.
It takes work and it takes commitment.
But it is worth it.
Christ offers restoration through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at salvation and through the work of the Holy Spirit’s conviction by the Word of God for sanctification.
Challenge #3…
Draw others into the restoration that only Christ provides.
Do we know people who need to trust Jesus as their Savior?
What are we doing to influence them for Christ?
Have we fully surrendered to Christ for sanctification?
Are there others we can influence to surrender?
Question for us all to ponder.
Will we live in anticipation of Christ’s return?