Restoration

Restoration

Intro.: Rochester has a unusual historical note in its history – is the place where Super Glue was invented. Earlier this year we purchased a small tube of Super Glue

1. Now, I mention this because earlier this year we purchased a small tube of Super Glue.

2. Nothing major broken – in fact our need for the Super Glue was a stupic mistake on my part.

3. I was trying to dig a shirt out of the clothes hamper and kicked box on the floor.

4. In that box was a mug from our mug collection. And when I looked in the box, I found I had broken the handle off side of the mug.

5. Now the amazing thing is that though we were quick to buy what we needed to in order to repair the mug – but we still have not completed the repair.

Read: Romans 3:21-26

Pray

1. If there is one thing true throughout scripture, it is the brokenness of all mankind.

   1. With the exception of Jesus, there is not one person, man or woman, in scripture that is even pictured without evidence of his or brokenness.

   2. Think of the great men of scripture – starting with Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David, Solomon, the prophets – and the apostles: each of them fell short.

(Ill.) It has been said that Peter was the most important disciple – the rock upon which the church was built, but he had some of the greatest failures on the way getting there. Peter fell into the water when his faith wavered. Even after calling Jesus to task telling Peter that he would do it, he denied Jesus three times. And Paul, he called himself, “the chief of sinners.”ⁱ

3. Really nothing new – I have said it before. It is as true for these men as it is for you and me.

4. And it is where we have to begin – admitting that we are broken, admitting that we are fallen.

5. David understood when he wrote: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

6. It was what David had to do, it was what Peter had to do, it was what Paul had to do.

(Ill.) If you have ever been part of a twelve-step group, this is also where they start. I am powerless, I have no control over alcohol, drugs, gambling – or sin.

2. Though we are broken, God offers restoration

(Ill.) When we purchased the Super Glue, our goal was to repair the broken mug. There are all kinds of ways to repair those things that are important to us – it might involve glue, varnish, tape, wires – anything that will restore some of the value of an item.

Yet I am told that if you or I restore an antique, we might also be decreasing its value. You see, we may know something about restoration, but we don't have the whole picture.

1. But God has the whole picture – regardless of how we are broken we are God is the one who is in total control

2. Restoration comes in many forms

3. For some it will be physical healing – but, as a writer recently said, “What good is an arm or a leg that is healed when the mind is still broken.”ⁱⁱ

4. Somewhere in each of us there is a broken part that needs healing – healing that cannot be touched by a carpenter or electrician, healing that cannot be touched by a doctor or nurse. Healing that cannot be touched by a dentist or a nutritionist.

3. We each need a restoration of the heart

(Ill.) And that gives two points –

1. First, we want to get healing from the one who can cure us – I won't go to a carpenter for a broken leg. I won't go to a doctor to get an upgrade to my bathroom.

2. Second, we each have a heart that needs to be healed.

1. And God is in the business of healing hearts.

2. Restoration begins with Rest – both literally and figuratively.

3. Remember the words of Jesus: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

4. Paul put it this way: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

(Ill.) Fresh out of Oxford, John Wesley was perplexed over England’s complicated social problems: slavery, economic uncertainties, corruption, drunkenness, gambling, and prostitution. This deeply religious, sensitive soul became a parish minister and, subsequently, a missionary to American Indians along the coast of Georgia. His ministries were far from successful. Disappointed and discouraged, he returned to Britain.

During the voyage, his ship was raked by a raging storm. Wesley was unashamedly frightened. In fact, the only calm persons aboard were Moravian missionaries. Noticing their behavior, Wesley asked if they were not afraid. “Why should I be afraid,” one answered, “I know Christ.” Then, with disarming directness, he asked, “Do you know Christ?” Wesley was uncomfortable, for in his heart he now realized he did not know Christ.

Back in London, on Wednesday evening, May 24, 1738, John Wesley attended a society meeting and worship at Aldersgate Street and listened to a reading of Martin Luther’s preface to the Book of Romans. The rest is history. According to Wesley, “About a quarter before nine.… I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for my salvation.”

5. Here is a man whose heart was healed.

6. Each of us here has a heart that needs to be healed.

   1. A heart that has baggage that we have been holding

   2. – baggage that we need to give to God

   3. baggage that God is ready to carry.

Conclusion:

Pray

iDavis, Katie with Clark, Beth (2011). Kisses From Katie: A Young Woman's Journey of Faith. Howard Books: New York.

iiRubart, James (2011). The Chair. B & H Publishing Group: Nashville.