Restoration and Hope: Overcoming Addiction Through Faith
Summary
The sermon begins with a prayer of surrender and restoration, acknowledging the struggles of those battling addiction. The pastor emphasizes the importance of God's restoration in our lives, referring to Psalm 51, where David expresses his desire to teach and declare God's ways after experiencing restoration. The pastor assures those battling addiction that they are not alone and that many have been restored by God. He encourages them to stick with God and allow Him to restore them, promising that their lives will be used to bless others.
The pastor then discusses the importance of faith, perseverance, repentance, and restoration in addiction recovery. He uses the biblical example of the prodigal son to illustrate how God embraces, loves, forgives, and restores those who come to Him broken and repentant. He compares a life caught up in addiction to a precious vessel that shatters into many pieces, but God, as the owner of that vessel, carefully gathers and mends the broken pieces. He emphasizes that while there are action items for individuals to do, the ability to live a restored life comes from God's power working through them.
The sermon continues with a focus on the importance of truth and wisdom in moving forward. Drawing from Psalm 51, the pastor highlights how God delights in truth and teaches wisdom to those who seek it. By studying God's word, individuals can overcome addiction and understand their brokenness. The pastor uses the example of the movie Apollo 13 to illustrate how setbacks can ultimately make individuals stronger and better equipped to face challenges.
The pastor then discusses the importance of getting real with oneself, God, past, and future in order to embark on a road to recovery. He emphasizes that it is common for people to disregard the feedback of others, especially those who love us, and become blinded by addiction. The first step towards recovery is acknowledging one's transgressions and sins, and not pretending that everything is alright when it clearly isn't. The pastor reminds the congregation that everyone is broken in different ways and that it is essential to get real with oneself.
The sermon concludes with the pastor encouraging the congregation to focus on one of three qualities over the next 30 days in order to see positive movement away from addiction and towards a better life with God. The pastor expresses confidence in the principle that redirecting desires can deliver individuals from their dependencies. He concludes with a story about David Wilkerson, a young pastor who reached out to gang members in New York City and led them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, recognizing that their addiction to drugs was keeping them enslaved in a deadly lifestyle.
Key Takeaways:
- God's restoration is a powerful force in overcoming addiction. By turning to God and allowing Him to mend the broken pieces of their lives, individuals can experience a new beginning. This restoration not only benefits the individual but also serves as a beacon of hope for others struggling with similar issues. ([12:45])
- The journey towards recovery requires honesty and self-reflection. Acknowledging one's transgressions and sins is the first step towards recovery. It is essential to get real with oneself, God, past, and future in order to embark on a road to recovery. ([24:30])
- God's word provides the wisdom and truth needed to overcome addiction. By studying God's word, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their brokenness and find the strength to move forward. Setbacks can ultimately make individuals stronger and better equipped to face challenges. ([32:15])
- Redirecting desires can deliver individuals from their dependencies. The pastor expresses confidence in the principle that focusing on positive qualities can lead to significant movement away from addiction and towards a better life with God. ([45:20])
- Everyone has a unique contribution in life to help others achieve greatness. However, addiction functions as a barrier, stealing the air from one's lungs and pulling them down, preventing them from reaching their full potential. The pastor shares alarming statistics on substance use and the lack of treatment, emphasizing the devastating effects of addiction. ([58:10])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
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1. Psalm 51:1: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions."
2. Isaiah 30:18: "Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"
3. 2 Corinthians 4:7: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
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Observation Questions:
1. In Psalm 51:1, what is the psalmist asking God to do and why?
2. What does Isaiah 30:18 reveal about God's character and His attitude towards us?
3. How does 2 Corinthians 4:7 describe our human condition and God's power?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the plea for mercy in Psalm 51:1 relate to the concept of repentance and restoration?
2. In Isaiah 30:18, how does waiting for the Lord connect to the idea of faith and perseverance in overcoming struggles?
3. What does the metaphor of treasure in jars of clay in 2 Corinthians 4:7 suggest about God's power in our lives, especially in the context of addiction recovery?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like a broken vessel, as described in 2 Corinthians 4:7. How did you experience God's power in that situation?
2. In the next week, identify one area in your life where you need God's mercy and compassion as expressed in Psalm 51:1. What is one step you can take towards repentance in this area?
3. How can you actively wait for the Lord's compassion and justice, as mentioned in Isaiah 30:18, in a current situation you are facing?
4. Think of a person in your life who is struggling with addiction. How can you demonstrate God's love and compassion to them this week?
5. What is one truth from God's word that you can meditate on this week to gain wisdom and strength in your personal journey of recovery or in supporting someone else's journey?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Restoration
God's restoration is a powerful force that can help overcome addiction. By surrendering to God and allowing Him to mend the broken pieces of life, a new beginning can be experienced. This restoration not only benefits the individual but also serves as a beacon of hope for others struggling with similar issues. ([12:45])
Bible Passage: Joel 2:25 - "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you."
Reflection: How can you surrender to God's restoration in your life today? Can you identify one area of brokenness that you need God to restore?
Day 2: The Power of Honesty and Self-Reflection
The journey towards recovery requires honesty and self-reflection. Acknowledging one's transgressions and sins is the first step towards recovery. It is essential to get real with oneself, God, past, and future in order to embark on a road to recovery. ([24:30])
Bible Passage: Lamentations 3:40 - "Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!"
Reflection: What is one sin or transgression you need to acknowledge and bring before God today? How can you be more honest with yourself and God about your struggles?
Day 3: Wisdom and Truth in God's Word
God's word provides the wisdom and truth needed to overcome addiction. By studying God's word, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their brokenness and find the strength to move forward. Setbacks can ultimately make individuals stronger and better equipped to face challenges. ([32:15])
Bible Passage: Proverbs 2:6 - "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
Reflection: What is one verse or passage in the Bible that has given you wisdom or understanding in your struggle with addiction? How can you apply this wisdom to your life today?
Day 4: Redirecting Desires Towards God
Redirecting desires can deliver individuals from their dependencies. Focusing on positive qualities can lead to significant movement away from addiction and towards a better life with God. ([45:20])
Bible Passage: Colossians 3:2 - "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: What is one desire or dependency you need to redirect towards God? How can you focus on this positive quality today?
Day 5: Overcoming Addiction to Reach Full Potential
Everyone has a unique contribution in life to help others achieve greatness. However, addiction functions as a barrier, stealing the air from one's lungs and pulling them down, preventing them from reaching their full potential. ([58:10])
Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 10:13 - "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
Reflection: How has addiction prevented you from reaching your full potential? What is one step you can take today to overcome this barrier and move closer to your God-given potential?
Quotes
"We need to stop pretending that everything is all right when clearly it's not... I don't care if you're going through an addiction or you're not, everybody in this room is broken just in different places." #!!12:13!!#
"Some of you today are broken in such a way that you're crying out for help and it's hurting your life and hurting the life of those around you... it's time for you this morning to get real with yourself." #!!12:47!!#
"God's ability to restore a person's life... your bad decisions do not have to lead you to your final defeat... God can use a defeat in your life to make you stronger to make you wiser to better equip you to face your challenges ahead." #!!16:40!!#
"A life caught up in addiction is much like a precious vessel that falls to the ground and shatters into many pieces. But the owner of that vessel, being God, comes and picks up those pieces, carefully gathering and mending them." #!!18:43!!#
"God is in the restoration business. Throughout the pages of the Bible, we read and hear the stories of men and women that God has restored. He can restore you too." #!!20:08!!#
"God restores us so that God can shine through us... I can overcome my addiction when my life reflects him." (source: #!!20:50!!#)
"Know that if you stick with God and you allow him to take you through a time of restoration, on the other side of that experience he's going to use your life to bless others." (source: #!!23:15!!#)
"Addiction functions like a barrier, preventing you and I from climbing to great heights with God. Just when you attempt to ascend new mountains, addiction steals the air from your lungs and it pulls you down." #!!02:07!!#
"If you have a desire to be free from your addiction, don't think for a minute that God's not going to help you along the way...because of God's love and mercy, he will provide the tools and resources that you need." #!!10:21!!#
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