Embracing Reconciliation and Restoration in the Church
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound themes of reconciliation and restoration as outlined in Galatians 6. We began by celebrating the joy of baptism witnessed in Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of taking the step of faith and obedience through baptism. This act of faith is a public declaration of belonging to Christ and the church. We then delved into the Great Commission, which calls us to make, mark, and mature disciples, summarizing these actions into the ministry of reconciliation. This ministry involves leading others to Christ, marking them through baptism, and maturing them through teaching. However, we also introduced a fourth ministry: the ministry of restoration, which focuses on mending disciples who have fallen into sin.
Paul's message in Galatians 6 is clear: when a brother or sister is overtaken by sin, those who are spiritual should restore them with gentleness. This restoration is not about condemnation but healing, akin to setting a broken bone. We are reminded that every Christian has a responsibility to mend broken relationships within the church community. The ministry of restoration is a healing, humbling, and helping work, requiring us to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ, which is to love our neighbors as ourselves.
We also discussed the importance of humility in restoration, recognizing that pride can hinder brotherly love. We must be cautious, as anyone can fall into temptation. The way we respond to a fallen brother or sister reflects our spiritual maturity. Instead of ridiculing, reporting, or rejecting them, we should restore them, understanding that we too may need restoration one day.
Finally, we emphasized that the church should be a place where both the unsaved and the fallen saved feel welcome. It should be a hospital for the sinning and suffering, where reconciliation and restoration are practiced. We are our brother's keeper, and our ministry should always be about reconciliation and restoration.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Ministry of Reconciliation and Restoration: We are called to make, mark, mature, and mend disciples. Reconciliation involves leading others to Christ, while restoration focuses on healing those who have fallen into sin. This dual ministry is essential for a thriving church community. [45:11]
2. Gentleness in Restoration: Restoration is a healing work that requires gentleness and humility. It is not about condemnation but about setting broken bones, spiritually speaking. We must approach fallen brothers and sisters with compassion and a spirit of gentleness. [58:42]
3. Bearing One Another's Burdens: We are called to bear each other's burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ, which is to love our neighbors as ourselves. This involves sharing in the brokenness of others and helping them carry their burdens. [01:03:13]
4. Humility and Self-awareness: Pride can hinder our ability to love and restore others. We must be aware of our own vulnerabilities and approach restoration with humility, recognizing that we too can fall into temptation. [01:05:36]
5. The Church as a Place of Healing: The church should be a welcoming place for both the unsaved and the fallen saved. It should be a hospital for those who are sinning and suffering, where reconciliation and restoration are practiced with love and compassion. [01:13:57]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[41:44] - Baptism in Pakistan
[44:13] - Parental Job Description
[45:11] - The Great Commission
[58:42] - Restoration with Gentleness
[59:51] - Avoiding Friendly Fire
[01:03:13] - Bearing Burdens
[01:05:36] - Humility in Restoration
[01:11:01] - Personal Responsibility
[01:13:57] - The Church as a Healing Place
[01:15:50] - Invitation to Respond
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Galatians 6:1-5
- 2 Corinthians 5:18
- Matthew 7:3-5
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul instruct those who are spiritual to do when a brother or sister is caught in transgression, according to Galatians 6:1? [01:03:13]
2. How does the sermon describe the act of restoration in terms of a medical analogy? [01:03:13]
3. What are the three actions mentioned in the Great Commission as outlined in the sermon? [45:11]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of baptism as witnessed in Pakistan? [41:44]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of reconciliation in 2 Corinthians 5:18 relate to the ministry of restoration discussed in the sermon? [45:11]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that pride can hinder the process of restoration and reconciliation? [01:05:36]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of gentleness in the process of restoring a fallen brother or sister? [58:42]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of the church as a place of healing for both the unsaved and the fallen saved? [01:13:57]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you witnessed or participated in the restoration of someone who had fallen into sin. How did the principles of gentleness and humility play a role in that process? [58:42]
2. Consider your own life. Are there areas where pride might be preventing you from fully engaging in the ministry of reconciliation or restoration? How can you address this? [01:05:36]
3. The sermon emphasizes the church as a hospital for the sinning and suffering. How can you contribute to making your church a more welcoming and healing place for those in need? [01:13:57]
4. Think about a relationship in your life that may need mending. What steps can you take to initiate reconciliation or restoration in that relationship? [01:03:13]
5. How can you actively participate in bearing one another's burdens within your church community? Identify a specific person or situation where you can offer support. [01:03:13]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of self-awareness in avoiding temptation. What practical steps can you take to remain vigilant against falling into sin? [01:05:36]
7. Reflect on the Great Commission's call to make, mark, and mature disciples. How can you personally engage in each of these aspects in your daily life? [45:11]
Devotional
Day 1: The Dual Ministry of Reconciliation and Restoration
The ministry of reconciliation and restoration is a profound calling for every believer. Reconciliation involves leading others to Christ, marking them through baptism, and maturing them through teaching. Restoration, on the other hand, focuses on healing those who have fallen into sin. This dual ministry is essential for a thriving church community, as it ensures that both new believers and those who have stumbled are cared for and nurtured. The Great Commission calls us to make, mark, and mature disciples, but it also implicitly includes the responsibility to mend and restore. This holistic approach to discipleship reflects the heart of Christ, who came to seek and save the lost and to heal the broken. [45:11]
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience reconciliation or restoration? How can you actively participate in this ministry today?
Day 2: Gentleness in Restoration
Restoration is a delicate and healing work that requires gentleness and humility. When a brother or sister is overtaken by sin, the response should not be one of condemnation but of compassion and care. Just as a broken bone needs careful setting to heal properly, so too does a fallen believer need gentle restoration. This process involves approaching them with a spirit of gentleness, understanding that we too are susceptible to temptation. The way we respond to those who have stumbled reflects our spiritual maturity and our understanding of Christ's love and grace. [58:42]
Galatians 6:1 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think of someone who has fallen away from their faith. How can you approach them with gentleness and help them find their way back to Christ?
Day 3: Bearing One Another's Burdens
Bearing one another's burdens is a fundamental aspect of fulfilling the law of Christ, which is to love our neighbors as ourselves. This involves sharing in the brokenness of others and helping them carry their burdens. It is a call to empathy and compassion, recognizing that we are all part of the same body and that when one member suffers, we all suffer. By bearing each other's burdens, we demonstrate the love of Christ and create a supportive and nurturing community where healing and growth can occur. [01:03:13]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who is struggling under a heavy burden? How can you practically help them carry it today?
Day 4: Humility and Self-awareness
Pride can be a significant barrier to loving and restoring others. It is essential to approach restoration with humility, recognizing our own vulnerabilities and the fact that we too can fall into temptation. Self-awareness allows us to see our own weaknesses and to approach others with empathy and understanding. By acknowledging our own need for grace, we can extend that same grace to others, fostering an environment of mutual support and growth. [01:05:36]
1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV): "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when pride hindered your ability to help someone. How can you cultivate humility and self-awareness in your interactions with others?
Day 5: The Church as a Place of Healing
The church should be a welcoming place for both the unsaved and the fallen saved. It should be a hospital for those who are sinning and suffering, where reconciliation and restoration are practiced with love and compassion. This vision of the church as a place of healing reflects the heart of Christ, who came to heal the brokenhearted and to bind up their wounds. By creating an environment where people feel safe to confess their struggles and receive support, the church can be a powerful agent of healing and transformation in the world. [01:13:57]
Isaiah 61:1 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."
Reflection: How can you contribute to making your church a place of healing and restoration for those who are hurting?
Quotes
"I had the privilege of preaching this morning at 7 a .m. on a Zoom call to Pakistan, and it was a blessing for me to be able to do it, but I was blessed in the process because when the service was over, these folks walked about 10 minutes away to an animal feeding trough that had about a foot and a half of water in it, filthy water, and 16 of them got baptized this morning. Amen. Praise God." [00:42:08] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Reconciliation is simply when we take the hand of a sinner and place it in the hand of the savior jesus christ who says i am the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the father except through me the result of that is salvation and that is the ministry of reconciliation but i believe that the text we're going to get into today gives us one other ministry of the church we are not only to make mark and mature disciples we're also to mend disciples." [00:52:53] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Because Paul tells us, hey, there but by the grace of God go you. That's what he says. He says about restoration, he gives us this warning, keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. And listen, friends, there may come a time when you personally need the ministry of reconciliation. And you might think, well, not me. I'm never going to fall. I'm never going to get into any kind of terrible temptation. Hmm, really? Let me tell you what God's word has to say to you. 1 Corinthians 10, 12, Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed, lest he fall." [01:04:23] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We were made in the image and likeness of God, friends. That image and likeness has been distorted by sin. And sin has a gravitational pull on us. And no matter how spiritual you may act on the outside, there but by the grace of God go you. Remember the last words that Jesus heard Peter say before he died on the cross? I will never deny you." [01:05:52] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Restoration is a helping work. Now, the commentators and the guys who spend their lives parsing the book, Bible I'm so grateful for them they have they have come across what appears to be a contradiction from verses 2 to verse 5 but listen there is no contradiction in God's word I won't argue about a lot of things because I don't really care about that much I do care about God's word and that's something I will argue until I'm standing in the presence of Jesus the veracity of the Bible it is true now verses 2 and verses 5 sound kind of similar verse 2 says bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ but in verse 5 it says for each will have to bear his own load but if you look at these and you look at the original languages you'll know that these are not contradictions they're actually complementary to each other not only are they two different words in English but they're two different words in Greek in verse 2 the word burden means a burden too heavy to carry alone and the meaning is clear there are certain things in life that are simply too hard to bear alone we need help we need help to bear these burdens but the word in verse 5 load refers to a soldier's backpack so whereas the the burden in verse 2 is a disability the load in verse 5 is a responsibility." [01:06:33] (89 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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