“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” -Titus 3:8
“Wrong doctrine will lead to wrong living.” -Pastor Steve Wainright (excerpt from Sunday Morning Sermon “Wanderers & Restorers” from James 5:19-20)
“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.” -Joel 2:25
Yes, those wasted years over which we sigh shall be restored to us. God can give us such plentiful grace that we shall crowd into the remainder of our days as much of service as will be some recompense for those years of unregeneracy over which we mourn in humble penitence. The locusts of backsliding, worldliness, lukewarmness, are now viewed by us as a terrible plague. Oh, that they had never come near us! The Lord in mercy has now taken them away, and we are full of zeal to serve Him. Blessed be His name, we can raise such harvests of spiritual graces as shall make our former barrenness to disappear. Through rich grace we can turn to account our bitter experience and use it to warn others. We can become the more rooted in humility, childlike dependence, and penitent spirituality by reason of our former shortcomings. If we are the more watchful, zealous, and tender, we shall gain by our lamentable losses. The wasted years, by a miracle of love, can be restored. Does it seem too great a boon? Let us believe for it and live for it, and we may yet realize it, even as Peter became all the more useful a man after his presumption was cured by his discovered weakness. Lord, aid us by Thy grace.
[from Morning & Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon]
Sunday Morning | Pastor Steve Wainright | Living Out Walking by the Spirit | Galatians 6:1
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” -Galatians 6:1
When one is caught in sin, ones who are walking by the Spirit should approach them in gentleness and set them back in place. Don’t just tell them about their wrong, stick with them through the process. But watch yourself if you’re the one who is seeking to help restore because you are also susceptible to sin.
——-Audio——-
*Click here for Sunday Morning Sermon Audio: Living Out Walking by the Spirit (Galatians 6:1)
*Click here for Sunday Evening Sermon Audio: Walk in the Love of Christ (Ephesians 5:2)
“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” -Genesis 1:27
Because a God who is ultimately most focused on His own glory will be about the business of restoring us, who are all broken images of Him. His glory demands it. So we should be thankful for a self-sufficient God whose self-regard is glorious.
-Matt Chandler in The Explicit Gospel, page 32
“If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up.” Job 22:23
Eliphaz, in this utterance, spoke a great truth, which is the summary of many an inspired Scripture. Reader, has sin pulled you down? Have you become like a ruin? Has the hand of the Lord gone out against you so that in estate you are impoverished and in spirit you are broken down? Was it your own folly which brought upon you all this dilapidation? Then the first thing to be done is to return to the Lord. With deep repentance and sincere faith find your way back from your backsliding. It is you” duty, for you have turned away from Him whom you professed to serve. It is your wisdom, for you cannot strive against Him and prosper. It is your immediate necessity, for what He has done is nothing compared to what He may do in the way of chastisement, since He is Almighty to punish.
See what a promise invites you! You shall be “built up.” None but the Almighty can set up the fallen pillars and restore the tottering walls of your condition; but He can and He will do it if you return to Him. Do not delay. Your crushed mind may quite fail you if you go on to rebel; but hearty confession will ease you, and humble faith will console you. Do this, and all will be well.
[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]
“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” -2 Corinthians 13:11-14
Paul’s Last Words to this troubled Corinthian Church:
1) Rejoice!
-Paul has just spent most of his letter rebuking them and now tells them to rejoice. They should rejoice that someone loves them enough to rebuke them and help them get back on track!
-No matter what goes on in your life, because Jesus rose from the dead, no one can take your joy from you! (John 16:22)
-Joy is hooked into the doctrine of the sovereignty of God. If you lose sight that God is in control, you lose the hold on your joy. (Romans 8:28; Philippians 4:4)
2)Be perfect. Aim for restoration. Complete something that is incomplete. Put back in order that which is out of order.
Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 4:11-12
3)Be of good comfort. Comfort one another. Come alongside.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
4)Be of one mind. Believe the same truth.
Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 4
5)Live in peace.
John 14:27, 16:33; Romans 8:6
Promise: When you are doing these things, the God of love and peace will be with you!
vs. 12-13- Paul desired the believers there to show genuine affection. Greet others affectionately…not sensually, but affectionately, genuinely showing the love of Christ to one another.
“By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
vs. 14- The grace of Christ was displayed on the cross, came from the love of God, and once you experience that grace and love, you have fellowship with the Spirit!
“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.” -Joel 2:25
Yes, those wasted years over which we sigh shall be restored to us. God can give us such plentiful grace that we shall crowd into the remainder of our days as much of service as will be some recompense for those years of unregeneracy over which we mourn in humble penitence. The locusts of backsliding, worldliness, lukewarmness, are now viewed by us as a terrible plague. Oh, that they had never come near us! The Lord in mercy has now taken them away, and we are full of zeal to serve Him. Blessed be His name, we can raise such harvests of spiritual graces as shall make our former barrenness to disappear. Through rich grace we can turn to account our bitter experience and use it to warn others. We can become the more rooted in humility, childlike dependence, and penitent spirituality by reason of our former shortcomings. If we are the more watchful, zealous, and tender, we shall gain by our lamentable losses. The wasted years, by a miracle of love, can be restored. Does it seem too great a boon? Let us believe for it and live for it, and we may yet realize it, even as Peter became all the more useful a man after his presumption was cured by his discovered weakness. Lord, aid us by Thy grace.
[From Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]
New Life Baptist Church 