ï» Back to title page "Restoration IS our Business!" "BRETHREN, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1) In our physical world today, there are many folks who are involved in the restoration business. Ranging from antiques to automobiles, this business has become very popular in recent years. It is interesting to know that the God of the Bible is also in the restoration business. He specializes in restoring those who have fallen into a broken state. However, while the restoration of old cars and unique furniture seems very valuable to many, few Christians seem interested in the restoration of fallen brothers and sisters. What a shame it is that the world has more interest in the restoration of things than the Church has in the restoration of people! Local businesses all across the land advertise their ability to take old and broken objects and make them like new again. This is a commendable business, and no offense is aimed at any person who practices is. However, the most important restoration business of all belongs to the Church. The people of God in local churches everywhere should be willing to minister to and restore the broken vessels of clay who stumble through the doors of the assembly. Restoration IS our business! Consider the inspiring words to the old hymn of faith called
Rescue the Perishing. These beautiful lyrics were written by Sister Fanny Crosby in 1869. Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave; Weep o er the erring one, lift up the fallen, Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save. Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save. Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting, Waiting the penitent child to receive; Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently; He will forgive if they only believe. Refrain Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, Feelings lie buried that grace can restore; Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, Chords that were broken will vibrate once more. *May God help the Church to abandon the retribution business and to adopt the restoration business! INTRODUCTION: The Apostle Paul begins this instructive verse with the word, brethren. The indication is that saved people are given the responsibility of restoration. The address is not given to the lost world in general. Since God specializes in restoring the broken, God's people should follow His example. "Into all of the squabbles now raging in the Galatian churches, Paul injects this one word: brethren! In all matters, except the surrender or compromise of some vital doctrine, Paul was the most conciliatory of men. Even then, he was courteous. Mutual love, respect, and assistance are the thought behind the word. We have
much in common. We are brothers." (J. Phillips) I. The Offense "if a man be overtaken in a fault..." (Galatians 6:1) A. The Person "if a man" *The person who has been overtaken by a fault in our text is obviously a born again believer in Jesus Christ. The verse clearly does not speak of a lost person, for the need of the lost is not restoration, but rather, the new birth. Therefore, it is the fallen Christian that the apostle is concerned about. *No Christian is exempt from falling. The Christian life is a spiritual warfare. There will always be casualties in the midst of a war. Every believer at some point fails and comes short of the standards of God's word. No Christian is perfect in the flesh. "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." (Romans 7:18) B. The Problem "overtaken in a fault" *The word, fault, carries the idea of stumbling, falling, or a lapse in judgment. It is a breach of God's law, a moral fall, or a falling away from the truth. The problem area for some may have no drawing power for others. Every believer has distinct weaknesses and temptations that can lead to a departure from his fellowship with the Lord. 1. Peter had a problem with:
ARROGANCE! "But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise..." (Mark 14:29-31) 2. James and John had a problem with: ANGER! "And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village." (Luke 9:54-56) 3. Thomas had a problem with: ATTENDANCE! "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came." (John 20:24) *A Christian may fail in many ways, but restoration can only come through the avenue of true repentance. -A Christian may fail morally and be restored, once repentance is exercised! -A Christian may fail emotionally and be restored, once repentance is exercised! -A Christian may fail spiritually and be restored, once repentance is
exercised! II. The Outlook "ye which are spiritual..." (Galatians 6:1) A. The Character *The command to restore is given to those who are spiritual. To be spiritual is to have the fruit of the Spirit growing in one's life. The fruit is listed in the closing verses of chapter five. The context is no coincidence. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) *It would be wise for every Christian to examine his or her life and see if these attributes are present and active. It is also very interesting to note the characteristics that are NOT listed in these verses. They are not listed simply because they are NOT the fruit of the Spirit. -Hatred -Bitterness -Strife -Anger -Harshness -Condemnation -Unforgiveness -Arrogance -Wrath
*The spirit of meekness should be exhibited in every attempt at restoration. A humble attitude that truly wants to see a person helped should be used in every conversation with the fallen. Words of anger and harshness will only worsen the strife. Speech that is controlled by the Spirit of God is much more effective and efficient. "All of this is done 'in the spirit of meekness.' This particular fruit of the Spirit is most helpful in dealing with the fallen. It is very disarming and carries with it no atmosphere of blame. It does not lecture or express censorious surprise and disapproval. It is alive to the weakness of the flesh, aware of how easy it is for anyone to fall." (J. Phillips) B. The Consideration *Mark these words in Galatians 6:1, "considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." *The spiritual person must consider the fact that he or she is not above sin. Temptation lays a trap for all of God's people. No one is too tall to fall! "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (I Corinthians 10:12) *The person attempting to reach out in restoration should use the same treatment that he or she would want if the situation were reversed. This is hard medicine to swallow, but it is the truth! "The person who would thus minister to a brother in need will be 'considering' himself lest he, too, be tempted. Although the spiritual person will be quick to see a brother's peril and need, he will be ever mindful of his own frailty and danger because temptation lurks in the path of all of us. No state of holiness exists in this life that is beyond temptation." (J. Phillips)
III. The Object "restore such an one..." (Galatians 6:1) *The ultimate goal of restoration is simply that the broken person be restored to his original state of fellowship and service. The purpose is not embarrassment or condemnation. The true Christian's only desire is to see the offender brought back into his or her former place of fellowship. A. The Meaning of Restoration 1. To Repair to a functioning condition 2. To Return to a previous position "The Greeks used the word to describe the action of a physician setting a broken bone. Such a procedure called for knowledge, skill, and care. It was not a task for just anyone. Mishandling of a fracture could make it worse." (J. Phillips) *The spiritual person must see the value and the potential in the fallen person. Just as a restored antique can be more valuable after its restoration, broken Christians can be of great value and service to the Lord after their restoration. Therefore, careful efforts should be made in restoring the believer to his or her former place of service. When restoration is made, it should be sincere and complete. If the person who has fallen was once in a position of leadership, that person should be restored to the former position based on his or her genuine repentance. *No person in their right mind really enjoys cleaning up a mess. However, sometimes it is absolutely necessary. It is not wise to just deliver the mess to another church down the street. To restore is to clean up the mess and fix broken lives. Exiling a hurting member would be like amputating an infected leg. Amputation should never be used in the body of Christ until all other attempts at restoration have failed!
B. The Method of Restoration 1. Lift them! *Remember the words to the song, "weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen..." 2. Love them! *Illustration: A man fell into a terrible pit one day and was not able to get out by his own strength and power. -A sympathetic person came along and said, "I feel for you down there." -A philosopher said, "It s logical that someone would fall down there." -A Pharisee said, "Only bad people fall into pits." -A mathematician calculated how deep the pit was. -A news reporter wanted the exclusive story on the pit. -An IRS agent asked if he was paying taxes on the pit. -A legalist said, "You deserve your pit." -A scientologist observed, "The pit is just in your mind." -A psychologist said, "Your mother and father are to blame for your being in that pit." -A self-esteem counselor said, "Believe in yourself, and you can get out of that pit." -The county inspector asked if he had a permit to dig a pit. -A hyper-calvinist said, "You were predestined to be in this pit." -A charismatic said, "Just CLAIM that you're not in a pit." -An optimist said, "Things could be worse." -A pessimist claimed, "Things couldn't be worse."
-Jesus, seeing the man, took him by the hand, lifted him out of the pit, and healed and loved him back to health! CONCLUSION: *Praise the Lord for Galatians 6:1. It says what it means, and it means what it says. Many of the independent, fundamental Pharisees would like to pretend that it is not in the Bible. Others would love to rewrite it completely. "BRETHREN, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are judgmental, condemn such an one in the spirit of anger; forgetting thyself, for thou can never be tempted." *Don't change the word, let the word change you! God's people desperately need to learn a lesson on love. Too much condemnation and judgment have been the ruin of many who could have been restored. May God help us to take His word seriously and to reach out with genuine restoration to those who are ready to come home. Evangelist Jeremiah Dixon www.liftingupjesus.com