Only_God_Restores_by_Pastor_EJ.pdf

of the Sermon:**

In this sermon, we explored the truth that while people can offer comfort, support, and even solutions, only God can truly restore what is broken in our lives. Using the analogy of repairing an Apple device, we saw that the best restoration comes from returning to the hands of the Creator. Through the stories of Mary and Martha grieving for Lazarus, the demon-possessed man in the tombs, and the woman with the issue of blood, we witnessed how human efforts—though well-intentioned—fall short of the full restoration that Jesus brings. Whether it’s our joy, our mind, or our health, Jesus steps in where others cannot, offering not just healing but wholeness and salvation. The call is clear: don’t settle for partial fixes from people or systems—draw near to Jesus, the true Restorer.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Restoration Begins in the Hands of the Creator: Just as a broken device is best repaired by its maker, our deepest wounds and brokenness are best restored by God, our Creator. Human help, while valuable, has its limits. True restoration requires us to place ourselves fully in God’s hands, trusting that He knows the design and purpose of our lives better than anyone else.
• 2. Comfort and Restoration Are Not the Same: Community, friends, and even religious rituals can offer comfort in times of grief or struggle, but only Jesus can restore what has been lost. The story of Mary and Martha shows that while others can sit with us in our pain, Jesus alone has the power to bring dead things back to life and restore our joy. We must not confuse the presence of comfort with the presence of restoration.
• 3. God’s Power Exceeds the Strength of Our Demons: The demon-possessed man’s story reminds us that some battles are beyond human control or understanding. Attempts to “tame” or manage our inner struggles may fail, but Jesus’ authority is unmatched. When we invite Him into our darkest places, He doesn’t just manage our symptoms—He brings true deliverance and peace of mind.
• 4. Faith Presses Through Barriers for Wholeness: The woman with the issue of blood pressed through the crowd and social barriers, driven by faith that Jesus could do what doctors could not. Her healing was not just physical but holistic—Jesus declared her “whole.” Sometimes, restoration requires us to move beyond what is comfortable or acceptable, daring to believe that God’s touch can reach us where nothing else can.
• 5. Restoration Is Both Physical and Spiritual: Jesus’ work in our lives is not limited to the visible or immediate needs. He desires to make us whole—body, mind, and spirit. The ultimate restoration is salvation: being delivered from the power of sin and brought into the safety of God’s embrace. Our journey toward wholeness begins when we stop trying to fix ourselves and instead come honestly to Jesus, trusting Him to do what only He can do.

1. In John 11, what did the community do for Mary and Martha after Lazarus died, and what did Jesus do that was different?
2. According to Mark 5, what attempts did people make to help the demon-possessed man, and what was the result when Jesus stepped in?
3. In the story of the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5), what had she tried before coming to Jesus, and what happened when she touched Him?
4. What are some ways the sermon compared our brokenness to a broken device needing to go back to its creator?

1. Why does the sermon make a distinction between comfort and true restoration? How does this show up in the story of Mary and Martha?
2. The demon-possessed man’s friends tried to help him but failed. What does this say about the limits of human help when facing deep struggles?
3. The woman with the issue of blood pressed through the crowd despite social and religious barriers. What does her action teach about the kind of faith that leads to wholeness?
4. The sermon says Jesus offers not just healing but wholeness and salvation. What does it mean for restoration to be both physical and spiritual?

1. Think about a time when you or someone you know received comfort from others but still felt broken inside. What would it look like to invite Jesus into that situation for true restoration?
2. Are there areas in your life where you’ve been trying to “fix” yourself or manage your struggles on your own? What would it mean to place those areas fully in God’s hands this week?
3. The demon-possessed man’s story shows that some battles are too big for us or our friends to handle. Is there a “battle” in your life right now that you need to stop trying to control and instead ask Jesus to step in?
4. The woman with the issue of blood had to push past what was comfortable or acceptable to reach Jesus. Is there a step of faith you feel God is asking you to take, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable?
5. The sermon says restoration is not just about feeling better but being made whole—body, mind, and spirit. What area of your life do you most long for Jesus to restore? How can you bring that honestly to Him in prayer?
6. The analogy of the Apple device reminds us that only the Creator truly knows how to restore what’s broken. Are there “quick fixes” or “DIY solutions” you’ve been relying on instead of going to God? What would it look like to trust Him as your Restorer?
7. The stories in the sermon all end with people drawing near to Jesus. What is one practical way you can draw nearer to Jesus this week, especially in an area where you feel broken or in need of restoration?