Restoration: Embracing Our Identity and Family in Christ
Summary
In today's message, I explored the profound theme of restoration, a concept central to our faith and the very heart of the Gospel. I began by reflecting on the nature of God's response to humanity's fall. Unlike us, who might have chosen to start anew, God instead set forth a plan of redemption through His Son, the Restorer. This plan, foretold by generations who longed for the Messiah, has now been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who not only came but is coming again for His church.
I then turned to 1 Peter chapter 1, emphasizing the great mercy of God that allows us to be born again through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This passage reminds us to live with great expectation, knowing we have a priceless inheritance kept in heaven, pure and undefiled. Our faith, more precious than gold, is protected by God's power and will be revealed in the last days. Despite the trials we face, which test the genuineness of our faith, we are called to rejoice with inexpressible joy, trusting in the salvation of our souls.
I shared the importance of preparing our minds for action and exercising self-control, as well as the significance of the prophets who spoke of the grace that was to come to us. They served not themselves but us, and now we have received this good news by the Holy Spirit. I reminded us that angels are eagerly watching as we step into our faith, cheering us on.
The first point I made was that Jesus is restoring us. He is bringing us back to our original identity, the one He created us to be. We often believe lies about ourselves, but Jesus restores us to believe what He says about us. True humility involves accepting God's view of us, and anything less is a sin. I referenced Romans chapter 8, where Paul assures us that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. We are God's children, heirs of His glory, and though we share in His sufferings, we also share in His resurrection.
I then spoke about the fire pit at the sunrise service and how it symbolized the warmth of comfort versus the call to stand with Jesus at the cross. Those who stood by Jesus, like Mary and John, were the first to witness the resurrection and received profound revelations.
The second point was that Jesus is restoring family. Despite the enemy's attempts to divide, Jesus is turning the hearts of fathers to their children and children to their fathers. He is bringing unity and inviting us into His family, regardless of our earthly circumstances.
I concluded by inviting the ministry team to pray for anyone needing restoration and announced the community lunch and Easter egg hunt for the children. Now, let's reflect on the key takeaways from today's message:
- Understanding Restoration: Restoration is not merely a return to a previous state but an elevation to the fullness of God's original design for us. Jesus's resurrection is the cornerstone of this restoration, offering us a renewed identity and purpose. As we embrace this truth, we become active participants in God's redemptive plan for the world. [49:33]
- Living with Expectation: Our daily lives should be infused with the anticipation of God's ongoing work. This expectation is not a passive waiting but an active readiness, looking for opportunities to align with God's will and to witness His kingdom breaking into our reality. [01:05:41]
- The Value of Trials: Trials are not merely obstacles but are transformative processes that refine our faith. Like gold tested by fire, our faith becomes purer and stronger, leading to praise, glory, and honor at Jesus's revelation. This perspective shifts our understanding of suffering and aligns it with the joy set before us. [01:07:14]
- The Power of Identity: Recognizing ourselves as God's children changes everything. It affects our self-perception, our interactions with others, and our approach to life's challenges. When we understand our identity in Christ, we walk with a confidence that is rooted in divine affirmation, not in our achievements or failures. [01:11:34]
- The Restoration of Family: Jesus's work on the cross has profound implications for our relationships, especially within the family. He is actively working to heal, reconcile, and strengthen these bonds, reflecting the unity and love found within the Trinity. As we align with His vision for family, we experience a foretaste of the heavenly community we are called to be part of. [01:17:04]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 1:3-9
2. Romans 8:12-17
3. Malachi 4:5-6
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Peter 1:3-9, what are the key elements of the inheritance that believers have in Christ?
2. In Romans 8:12-17, what does Paul say about the relationship between believers and their sinful nature?
3. How does Malachi 4:5-6 describe the restoration of family relationships?
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to live with "great expectation" as mentioned in 1 Peter 1:3-9? How can this expectation influence a believer's daily life? [01:05:03]
2. How does the concept of "no condemnation" in Romans 8:1-17 affect a believer's understanding of their identity in Christ? [01:10:01]
3. Malachi 4:5-6 speaks of turning the hearts of fathers to their children and vice versa. How does this prophetic vision align with the sermon’s message about Jesus restoring family? [01:23:22]
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#### Application Questions
1. Living with Expectation: How can you cultivate a daily habit of living with great expectation for God's work in your life? What practical steps can you take to start each day with this mindset? [01:05:03]
2. Facing Trials: Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How did it test and refine your faith? What can you do to maintain joy and trust in God during future trials? [01:06:02]
3. Identity in Christ: What are some lies you have believed about yourself that contradict what God says about you? How can you actively replace these lies with the truth of your identity in Christ? [01:08:03]
4. Restoration of Family: Think about your family relationships. Are there any broken or strained relationships that need restoration? What steps can you take to initiate healing and reconciliation? [01:23:22]
5. Community and Support: How can you be a part of restoring and supporting families within your church community? Are there specific actions or ministries you can get involved in to help others experience the restoration Jesus offers? [01:17:04]
6. Self-Control and Action: 1 Peter 1:13 encourages believers to prepare their minds for action and exercise self-control. What areas of your life require more self-control, and how can you prepare your mind to take action in those areas? [01:06:38]
7. Witnessing Restoration: Share a testimony of how you have seen Jesus restore something in your life or the life of someone you know. How can sharing this testimony encourage others in their faith journey? [01:19:04]
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This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of restoration, identity, and family as presented in the sermon. Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal application.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Divine Restoration
Restoration in the Christian faith is not simply a return to a previous state; it is an elevation to the fullness of God's original design. This concept is deeply rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which provides believers with a renewed identity and purpose. As individuals embrace this truth, they become active participants in God's redemptive plan for the world. This restoration is a transformative process that goes beyond mere repair, aiming to bring about a complete renewal that aligns with God's intention for humanity. It is a restoration that touches every aspect of life, including personal identity, relationships, and the broader creation. [49:33]
"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." (Romans 8:19-21 ESV)
Reflection: How does the concept of restoration influence your understanding of your personal journey with God, and in what ways can you actively participate in this divine restoration today?
Day 2: Anticipating God's Unfolding Plan
Living with expectation is about infusing daily life with the anticipation of God's ongoing work. This expectation is not passive but an active readiness, looking for opportunities to align with God's will and to witness His kingdom breaking into reality. Believers are encouraged to live in a state of spiritual alertness, always prepared for the ways in which God might move. This readiness involves a heart posture that is open to change, growth, and the unexpected ways God may choose to work in and through His people. [01:05:41]
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." (1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV)
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can cultivate a heart of expectation for God's work in your life, and how can you demonstrate active readiness for His unfolding plan today?
Day 3: The Refining Power of Trials
Trials are not simply obstacles to be endured; they are transformative processes that refine faith. Like gold tested by fire, faith becomes purer and stronger through trials, leading to praise, glory, and honor at Jesus's revelation. This perspective on suffering is crucial for believers as it aligns with the joy set before them. Understanding trials as a means of spiritual refinement changes the way one perceives and responds to challenges, allowing for a more resilient and joy-filled faith journey. [01:07:14]
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How can you view it as a refining process for your faith, and what steps can you take to respond with joy and resilience?
Day 4: Walking in Our True Identity
Recognizing oneself as a child of God changes everything—from self-perception to interactions with others, and the approach to life's challenges. Understanding one's identity in Christ allows for walking with confidence rooted in divine affirmation, not in personal achievements or failures. This profound sense of identity empowers believers to live out their faith with boldness and to approach every situation with the assurance of who they are in God's eyes. [01:11:34]
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to accept your identity as a child of God, and how can you affirm God's truth about who you are today?
Day 5: Healing and Strengthening Family Bonds
The work of Jesus on the cross has profound implications for relationships, especially within the family. He is actively working to heal, reconcile, and strengthen family bonds, reflecting the unity and love found within the Trinity. As believers align with His vision for family, they experience a foretaste of the heavenly community they are called to be part of. This restoration of family is a testament to the power of the Gospel to transform not only individuals but also the most intimate of human connections. [01:17:04]
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!" (Psalm 133:1-2 ESV)
Reflection: Consider your family relationships. Is there a specific step you can take today to foster healing, reconciliation, or unity in your family, reflecting Jesus's restorative work?
Quotes
1) "I believe today he is restoring our identity, our worth, our value. Our belief in who he created us to be. Our belief in him, that he is so much bigger than we give him credit for. That we, he's restoring the fact that we can actually bust him out of the box that we try to put him in as a church." [01:15:45]
2) "I believe that Jesus is restoring family and for some of you when I even say that word you feel like a little stab in your heart because maybe you did not have the kind of family that you deserve but I want to tell you that Jesus is restoring family." [01:17:04]
3) "Limits off of what he can do through us. Come on. He's so good. This is, this is the Jesus that comes to us. The Jesus who says, I'm restoring you back to who I originally created you to be. Because man, we get things messed up." [01:08:38]
4) "I don't even care what we've gone through. I don't even care what I'm struggling with. I don't care how many times I've messed up. I don't care how many times I fell down. If you just stand back up and you go, but now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ." [01:10:01]
5) "We are together heirs of God. We are together united with Christ to be his children. Like these realities should make us want to get up out of our seats and jump, right? Like this, these realities should be changing every decision we make every day." [01:11:34]
6) "Maybe when we're willing to remain standing at the cross, we get to experience the realities of the resurrection. I believe today he is restoring our identity, our worth, our value. Our belief in who he created us to be." [01:14:15]
7) "So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this glorious salvation prepared for you." [01:07:14]
8) "He is coming to restore everything and actually the destruction that comes after Jesus in 70 AD there's the destruction the complete destruction of Jerusalem which ends the old testament the covenant of curses and blessings and curses the covenant of having to strive for your faith." [01:24:18]
9) "I actually, as I've looked at it, there were generations where fathers were pretty much absent, where fathers were the ones who would just go to work, provide for the families, and that was it, and now we've got these men who are stepping in, and they're knowing how to be mentors, and dads, and good big brothers." [01:25:39]
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