God is Equipping You to Bounce Back: RESTORATION

10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Galatians 6:1-5

“Just because you have sinned does not mean you cannot be restored.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

“You cannot restore yourself!” – Pastor Billy Johnson

What Is Restoration?

 

Restore – NT:2675 ‎katarti/zw ‎katartizo (kat-ar-tid’-zo); from NT:2596 and a derivative of NT:739; to complete thoroughly, i.e. repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust:

The word translated “restore” has several meanings, all of which help us understand how to restore someone who has been caught in sin:

• Setting a broken bone. We should be helping to reduce pain and promote healing and rehabilitation.
• Mending a fishnet. We should repair torn relationships in order that they might be returned to useful service.

• Refitting a ship after a difficult voyage. We should fix the damage, restock the supplies, and prepare the vessel for its next voyage.

To mend what has been broken; to repair; to fix or adjust; to arrange or put in order; to strengthen, complete, to make one what he ought to be

Who Needs Restoration?

A person who has been suffering needs restoration

1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)

¹⁰And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Suffered (pascho) – to experience harm or emotional pain

A person who is overtaken in any trespass needs restoration

Galatians 6:1 (NKJV)

¹Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Who Can Minister Restoration?

 

Who is spiritual?

One who can properly judge/evaluate – 1 Cor. 2:15/Heb. 5:13-14

1 Corinthians 2:15 (NKJV)
¹⁵ But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

Hebrews 5:13-14 (NKJV)
¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
¹⁴ But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

One who is not involved in envy (jealousy), strife, or division – 1 Cor. 3:3

1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (NKJV)
¹ And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
² I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;
³ for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
⁴ For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

One who acknowledges the authority of the written Word – 1 Cor. 14:37

1 Corinthians 14:37 (NKJV)
³⁷ If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

One who is able to restore others – Gal. 6:1

Galatians 6:1 (NKJV)

¹Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

To mend what has been broken; to repair; to fix or adjust; to arrange or put in order; to strengthen, complete, to make one what he ought to be

 

 

How to Restore?

With Gentleness

Finally Paul explained how to restore in one word: gently. He used the same word form in 5:23, translated “gentleness.” Those walking in the Spirit and exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit will be gentle. They should apply that quality in dealing with sin in the church. They should be humble and patient, realizing that no one is immune to sin — even the “entrapping” kind. They must speak the truth while being considerate of the other person’s feelings. They must always act in submission to God and his Word. Then leaders can help without resentment or a judgmental spirit (see also 2 Tim 2:24-26; James 2:13).

(The Life Application Commentary Series Copyright)

Considering yourself

Why Are We to Restore?

To fulfill the law of Christ

Galatians 6:1–2 (NKJV)

¹Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

²Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 5:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

To avoid the deception of self importance – Gal. 6:3

Galatians 6:3 (NKJV)

³For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.