Spiritual Restoration

Forgiveness of all of her sons is one of the brilliant benefits of our salvation, the forgiveness of sins is a gift from God to something that we can achieve. We can't atone for our own sins we cannot eradicate even the smallest of sins from our lives and so we are saved. The Bible says our sins are forgiven by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Paul writes to the Colossians that God has delivered us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his beloved son through the redemption through his redemption, the forgiveness of our sins we sign them saying my sin or the bliss of this glorious thought my sin not in part but in the whole, is nailed to his cross and I bear it no more praise the Lord. Praise the Lord will my soul wonderful to know that in the grace of God, you, whatever your past. Whatever you have done whatever you thought that all of that can be eradicated eternally eradicated through the grace of God and one of the marks of those who have been transformed by the grace of God is that we who have had our sins forgiven should be characterized by forgiving others. Why are we sometimes so slow to forgive others when we have received such a magnificent salvation sometimes is difficult, isn't it, to forgive others will think of that next week there are situations in life. All of us have experienced them and experience them when we are offended when we feel someone has wronged us and were going to deal with that.

But before looking at the particulars of the teaching of Jesus this morning.

Let me say that there are many situations in life and you notice of your matter where every wrong perceived a real doesn't require confrontation were going to deal with situations which require confrontation with her many situations in life when we are bit offended and rather than make an issue of it. We should show what the Bible calls as forbearance or bearing with one another. Paul writes with all humility and gentleness with patients bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the submitted in the bond of peace.

True of the home of the church through your workplace, that when would offended would not need to make an issue of something, but rather suddenly those of us were following Jesus. Sometimes we choose to ignore the situation to suffer the salt set me to forgive from our hearts to move on to be kind, not to gossip about this wrong but rather to understand, as Peter tells us that love covers a multitude of sins. No chips is not saying that we covered a person, but we are saying in a loving situation with us and our manager only work certainly in the church that when we love someone we show that forbearance that gentleness that patients with them understanding that we ourselves are also sinful people but how do we act and what should we do when we are aware that a brother or sister in Christ is sitting against us, whether we to do if that person persists in that sin in that wrongdoing in that divisive conduct in that malicious gossip in that false teaching in the very sinful behavior that we to do well, it's time to Matthew chapter 18 the Lord Jesus is going to tell us exactly what we are to do. Sadly, this Scripture is rarely followed but is very very clear with doing this morning with spiritual restoration when 31st of all verses 12 through 14 where Jesus in a sense summarizes the story which is given in more detail in Luke chapter 15 of the chief which strays but he's really not so much.

I think with the unbeliever. But when we as believers straight your straight, spiritually speaking, and when he got off track spiritually.

I should see a flood of hands which one of us would say that we have never strayed. Which one of us that we would say that we have always faithfully followed Jesus every day know the reality is that we do straight. Verse 12 than of Matthew 18. What do you think is in Jesus the perfect teacher, what do you think the man has 100 sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does not does he not leave the 99 on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray, and if he finds it. Truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the 99 that never went astray. So it is not the will of my father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. A reminder that our Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect shepherd three times in the verses I read we have the words going straight.

I remember when I was practicing law. We had client I was a very wealthy farmer and I remember going to his farm and him explaining his problem to me that he was good order of leaks and swelling. We a lot of links you don't so much here that he had many many acres of leaks and that during the winter months when there was snow on his neighbor, farmer, and said of taking care of the shape and building offenses between the two farms he let the fences at least this was our clients contention. I was believe what our client said of course but that this is his explanation and that they neighbors. She strayed into his field and in fact a the leak sheep do not normally eat links but because the farmer in the neighboring field was a poor Shepherd wasn't feeling a shape, and the sheep straight on Jesus is reminding us that we are like sheep.

The Bible tells us that in several ways. All we like sheep have gone astray.

One of the characteristics of sheep men are the most intelligent animals.

They love to stray, and when sheep astray. They tend to get into trouble. Here they are in a property they shouldn't belong to their fall into the ditch. They get injured and the reality is that when you and I were following Jesus Christ when we are like sheep and we go astray we get ourselves into all kinds of problems that only a light begins to unravel. We we create problems for ourselves or for our parents for her husband for our live over those that we work with. When we get off track. When we straight, but notice what Jesus says what is the good Shepherd do all the bad Shepherd wouldn't care less. Good Shepherd goes after the sheet in Luke 15 story as he searches and searches for that string sheep on till he finds it wonderful. Then there we who are sinful people who disregard God Google are on the way that God does not leave us total on devices but rather in love. He sends his son into this world as the good Shepherd who gives his life for the sheep who comes to seek and to save those that are lost, our Lord Jesus Christ comes on them on a mission on a rescue mission to search and search for that low sheep is God for that we would never ever ever find their way back to God. We would go farther and farther away, and how wonderful that God intervenes in our lives and brings us to a place called Calvary church where we can hear the wonderful message of the gospel that if you repent of your sin and if you turn from your sin and if you look to Christ and Christ alone. He will save you. He will claim June will bring you to that eternal fold because what he finds that sheep gives that sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish, and all of heaven rejoices all of heaven rejoices over the one sheep the wonder of that that heaven itself rejoices when that string sheep is found and brought to the fold. So all of us stray from time to time, but even and here's the point in this passage is the context that we who are following Jesus. We also sometimes straight and praise God for spiritual shepherds for pastors for elders for parents for Sunday school teachers for friends in Christ that when we stray. They don't leave us total on devices but they and tenderness, as we will see confront us. Subject is spiritual restoration. What do you do when this person you know is a brother or sister in Christ trace and perhaps you're aware of their sin and factor sin may be against you and is step one private confrontation that one private confrontation. Verse 15 if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone underline the word alone very very important if you listens to you, you have gained your brother is a first step, then private confrontation you're aware of a brother or sister who has since whether you to do your to approach that person to learn the attitudes in which we approach that person in a minute but we approach that person. Notice what you do not do.

And sadly, we often do you don't talk about that person's other people you don't gossip about that person.

You don't maligning that person you don't jump to a false conclusion possibly notice what Jesus said and this is the teaching of Jesus, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. Private confrontation when you say what is very intimidating.

I don't know if I can do that. It always. I'm always amazed that people who say well I couldn't do that with. Apparently what they can do is to tell other people about it is the teaching of Jesus and how wise it is sins against you, you yes you must go to the alleged offender. In fact, this confrontation is a sign of your love and your care and your friendship of that person programs 27 verse six better is open rebuke, then hit in love like to be rebuked. No one likes to be rebuked, but it is necessary if we are going to grow in the Lord from time to time. All of us including pastors needs open rebuke bed that is open rebuke then hidden love their six faithful are the wounds of a friend.

Proof use are the kisses of an enemy.

Here is a passion of Flanders you kisses you, but as they do that they're starting your mind the back is a very antithesis of the teaching of Jesus, faithful are the wounds of a friend I can I say, brother, sister Wednesday when you are confronted regarding that sin do not present. I realize your first reaction is going to be defensive, you're going to try and think of something where you can attack that person don't do that member last week we learned that humility is key in the Christian life. When you go astray and your brother or your sister has the integrity and the spiritual maturity to speak to you privately, one on the one say praise God that this person loves me faithful of the wounds of a friend and listen as Jesus says your brother or sister may listen to. They may agree with you if you listens to you, verse 15, you have gained your brother. That's your goal.

Goal is not to devastate a person.

Your goal is not to humiliate them you want to gain them you want to bring them back because there were to the path. Also, you may have prejudge the issue you may have come total.

In conclusion, you month you may not know all the relevant facts. You may have thought while I'm reading between the lines, but your reading long lines you're adding to into your coming to five this very very wise procedure taught by the Lord Jesus protects us against premature judgment and also prevents casting a shadow over someone's reputation where you make a judgment which should be very, very wrong and instead of resolving that question with the individual in a private basis. You maligning that that person and in a sense assassinates the character. One of the principles of natural justice and law. Sometimes the world can be wiser than the church.

One of the principles of natural justice is that the individual has the right to be heard that the individual has the opportunity to state their case, we know that in the legal system but are two sites. It was in the criminal case there's a prosecution, the jury may think all this person is obviously go take in the light. Then along comes the defense and says with a minute and with skillful examination of a witness may say this witness is biased of this witness is wrong of this witness is lying. There's the opportunity to state your case. You know that someone is saying something again soon, is simply not true and you want the opportunity to state your case again. The wisdom of Proverbs Proverbs 18 verse two. Proverbs 18 verse two a fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion, was a man I know who know this judgment of the church is to call me from time to time, and was always unhappy about something, and after a couple calls I realized he is not interested in my response factor couple of times. He said well that's it going to teleport back; I said listen, listen to what you say clearly are unhappy about something, but before you state your case. Please listen to my response for trying to get resolution that is a full fool only wants to express his opinion approval is not willing to hear the other side that is verse two – 13. If one gives an answer before he hears it as his folly and shame you have in the other sites you giving the answer you making a judgment. This is foolish. Verse 17 the one who states his case first seems right until the other calms and examines him as the practice before the judge was well: but by the judge that he tended to go with the site stated the case.

First, so the criminal presentation he tended to convict because the prosecution presented the case. First, in the civil case he gently went with the person, the person pursuing the case. The plaintiff, that is the way he was judge. No wise judge hears the case, was the one side and says all right but here's the other side is that right is not what you would want. So what are you to do when a person offends you.

Don't jump to conclusion first set private confrontation.

Seconds because my goal is spiritual restoration when you confront the person may admit the wrongdoing.

You may say that is right is wrong. I did say that I am so sorry. Please forgive me in the matter is resolved. You have one ritual brother and sister in Christ, he or she has been spiritually restored.

That's that one step two private set one private confrontation set to plural reproof verse 16 but if he does not listen person offends me to listen to me. If he doesn't listen, take one or two others along with you that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses is a brilliant pitching budget is so you go to the person they don't listen listen stronger Galway to meet with you to meet with you in and they start insulting you there there there for their products.

What you to do you take one or two others with you bringing someone else with you communicates to the person that this is serious third-party also provides young bring your best friend, but you bring someone who you feel can bring some objectivity and it also provide some protection for your and as Jesus says it provides corroboration of the conversation was very very important in Jewish law.

Deuteronomy 19 verse 15 only on the evidence of two or three witnesses, charge the established that's wise. Sometimes we don't have in this legal system that someone can be convicted on the evidence of only one person not under Jewish law, but under the law.

I practiced corroboration so one person brought you into the person the don't listen to you bring another person with your two people with you, and you say the facts as they listen to the individual as well.

Here is corroboration, and in particular, don't bring a charge against an elder. Don't bring a charge against the pastor, except on the evidence of two or three witnesses is a really yes really.

First Timothy 517 $19 first Timothy 519, do not admit a charge against an elder, except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. That was part of the Jewish law.

Paul is making it part of the evidence of the New Testament. Why is that because church leaders are particularly susceptible to unfair criticisms and accusations malicious rumors and gossip viewer in the public eye. If you're a politician if you're in the media. If you doing anything in public, you realize that your target and sometimes there is malicious statements.

Think of all that goes on on social media today with people pontificating on subjects they know nothing about on people passing judgment of people making the most awful awful accusations against people that has no part in the recovery of the Christian.

So I go to the individual he doesn't listen to me take a couple of the brothers with me. We go to the individual if the individual then admits the wrongdoing individual repents. The method as an end, you have gained your brother. Spiritual restoration has been achieved reasonable happens if you still don't listen. I'm glad you asked. Verse 17 if you refuses to listen to them tell it to the church and if you list and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. Whatever you lose an hour shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two or three if two of your other if two of you agree you announced about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name and then on my among them that one private confrontation. Step two plural reproof. Step three public rebuke.

If spiritual restoration has still not been achieved, the matter is brought to the church.

We've taken a couple people with your distilled a listen. The person sin continues either a morality that lies wherever it is a false doctrine that continues you bring it to the church leaders.

Then of the church approached the individual who is yet another opportunity to repent the leadership of the church will be in prayer. They will give time to that individual to think of the seriousness of the situation. Having listen to the person. Of course when people fall in sin and you know this if you going astray your hearts hardened when you're confronted you may not initially admit your sin was true of David King David with his sin of Bathsheba took a long time before he finally admitted this Nathan went to him and said no you are the man you are wrong.

You have offended God the leaders of the church. Here, then will call the person to repent. Again, the goal is forgiveness. The goal is not to humiliate the person. The goal is to restore them to true fellowship to anyone who is involved in repeated and unrepentant sin as I do fellowship with Jesus is the head of the church. Therefore this person as long as they continue in that deliberate premeditated sin and they continue to go astray, probably composite, causing more and more havoc in their personal lives and the lives of their family and the lives of the church. The longer they go through that deeper problem. So the leaders of the church, and the fact individual soul does not repents, he or she is told he cannot enjoy the fellowship of the Lord's table was one of our greatest privileges as followers of Christ is to come. As the family of God, and to take the bread and the cup symbolizing our union with Christ but also our common union with one another and that we have to say I'm sorry brother. I'm sorry sister you cannot enjoy the fellowship of the church.

If you're involved in a ministry in the church, you cannot continue to minister to that and I church until he repents.

The goal is always repentance you save them.

That's pretty extreme.

John, what's alternative.

Paul when he deals with immorality in the church in Corinth. He says in first Corinthians 5 verse six a little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Here is an individual account of the church is being very divisive teaching false doctrine transited the small group Pfizer that the life group becomes very, very adamant to spread this false doctrine continues to do it and some people who are naïve, who made like the person or his wife buying into this and so there comes a time to say brother says that if you continue to do that we must ask you to be removed from fellowship and send doctrine disunity listen to Paul in Romans chapter 16 Romans 16 verse 17 says I appeal to you brothers to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you've been taught of idem for such people do not serve the Lord Christ, but by their own appetites and by smooth talk and flattering. They deceive the hearts of the naïve. That's it. By the way, here's one of the characteristics of the false teacher. They drove people to themselves reflective people since Paul may have smooth talk with us all about them.

The drawing people to follow them out rather than pointing them to Christ. Again, Paul writes to Titus and Titus chapter 3 verse 10 says.

As for the person who stirs up division after warning him once and then twice nothing more to do with it, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful. He is self condemned. Paul and Jesus and what he says in verses 18 and 20 is saying that the offending person must understand that this action is taken on is in accordance with heaven that these spiritual shepherds are acting in this way in this very difficult way.

This discipline is very very difficult. You know, to discipline someone is very very difficult when that was difficult things you have to do is apparent is the discipline your children, you realize it is necessary and sometimes they have to be removed as it were from the family supper table and say until you learn to speak respectfully, until you learn to do this time. Right time right sometimes.

If an individual continues in their sin. The leaders of the church to say I might tighten it so that person will understand the seriousness of their offense and so be spiritually sort the goal. The goal in all of this is spiritual restoration and reconciliation. The goal is not to punish the individual, but to restore him or her to the Lord and to reconcile with those who have been offended by the offender's actions goal is always restoration you Matthew 18 the sometimes been used as a legalistic club to be people know the others. The context of Matthew 1852, 24 precedes it shepherds it was after the string shape what comes after that, as will see next week how often will my brother and my brother sin against me. How often can I for must I forgive him your time to forgiving someone for keeping the same thing. Jesus is keep doing it, not just 7×70×7.

The goal is not to win your brother sometimes people in church have been wounded terribly wounded through the wrongful interpretation of these verses. The goal is to restore when you do this you have one, your brother wonderful. The goal of spiritual restoration very easy to criticize and reliving a very critical society of very judge mental exercise amazing. What is said on social media, isn't it amazing what is said by politicians you should know better by one another. Know the goal is not to criticize. The goal is not to be judgmental. The goal is certainly not to ignore sin. The goal is spiritual restoration usage on this is very difficult is very difficult and requires spiritual maturity and that require spiritual sensitivity, turn in your Bibles over to Galatians 6 and Paul will give us very practical help as to how we do this restoration. Spiritual restoration must be done in the spiritual way. Galatians 6 verse one brothers of anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness, keeping watch on yourself unless you be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Notice you who are spiritual should restore him this word restore means to repair them into may complete it means the man is used by Mark and Mark one where Jesus is calling the disciples and some of them are mending the nights restoring the nights sword used as a word of the orthopedic surgeon who is putting together a broken bone and number.

When we lived in Canada. We were part of that was to be an elder's party and some others in good and I go and the Canadians are born with ice skates on their feet, as was in Nova Scotia outside.

I've skated a little bit difficult can it be expertise even though it is only when a line of ice skates and I this elder had the skating rink in the back of his hearts very home made, certainly not slick like these beautiful shrinks. I had always been on and they said the even Scalise when I can scare my son Dominic ice skates and when the elders who succeed for an head size 13 feet. He said John Allen Jemima okay and I do take 9 1/2 ago. Very cute feet not like you're the guy had feet like skis and that but anyhow very foolishly good. He declined wise woman that she was. But no, I think okay pastor and been there long sure miss cool as the next guy is always a mistake and that I put on these skates and when in these Canadians amend their amazing there always little twirls and jumps in all these things are much. I think I'm pretty athletic and tried one of them and that had quite a fall, and as I was falling into something very foolishly I put my wrist to protect me instead of landing on my gluteus maximus that the good Lord has given us and I think you'll never broken a bone in my life and I felt my have done something good is that I turned green and photogenic throughout and the hospital orthopedic surgeon comes tells me to breaks one of my arm in a very small bone which is difficult to fix in my wrist.

I remember feeling really foolish by this thinking. Why didn't I follow my wife's example orthopedic surgeon need not TSP who have no course and he didn't criticize me even see that was pretty stupid wasn't putting on these big skates and what you think you are, you know you can do these fancy little loops and triple axles all these kind of things and do that which is concerned, his concern is demand as his training he wants to restore me. His goal was so that my arm and my wrist were as strong as they were prior to the accident restoration is brother history eight is by authorities. Bruce is been very foolish as she said some really terrible things that that that's true. They should never have been said, the goal is not to abrade the person. The goal is not to humiliate them. It is to restore notice the aptitudes first of all goal in a spirit of gentleness. Verse one restored in a spirit of gentleness. This is the opposite of arrogance and self-assertion rules turn on their own when the wounded and devour them rules when they attack an animal that will look at the most. Week one and they'll bite it in the get the animal to bleed so we can Paul says here in Galatians 5 verse 15 if you buy the rights and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another that sad sometimes in the church that is biting devoting one another to be tightening in the church in English brothers and sisters biting and devouring one another so you have may have been part of churches have done that has had no followers of Christ, we are not to engage in the wolf like behavior were not to attack. We are to restore in a spirit of gentleness. We go to that person go in the spirit of gentleness. Secondly, go in a spirit of humility pulsates.

Keep watch on yourself last you to be tempted. Listen, brother. You also have straight. Why are you so arrogant.

Why are you denouncing the person in such a judge mental hearts way as if you were perfect. No, you go you recognize that you two can be tempted. Paul says in verse good thing stand by him that Stan take heed lest he fall. Recognize your own vulnerability due to conformant decision. You two can go astray going the spirit of gentleness on the spirit of humility and above all go in the spirit of Christ. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ as our Savior deal with us and our Savior rescue your when you were saying and you and your sin did Jesus come and belittled him and tenderness. He sought me weary and worn by sin and on his shoulders brought me back to his fold again while the Angels in his presence. Sign until the courts of heaven running or the love sought me or the blood that brought me or the grace that brought me to the fold wondrous grace that brought me to the full my brother, my sister, all of us have sinned of messed up and when our Lord Jesus Christ comes to us comes. He said not to condemn but to save.

He comes to seek and to save the lost. And when the good Shepherd goes after that lost sheep when he finds the sheep he doesn't take the sheep back to the fold. He doesn't say your silly silly sheep.

Sheep are silly animals with this Jesus said in Luke 15 puts on the shoulders shot part with that dirty smelly sheep on his shoulder. Yeah, that's the good Shepherd. The hireling couldn't care last darling would say about 99 sheep bother with that one. But in love and in tenderness. The good Shepherd comes in success, so you as a follower of Christ who have experience.

I trust that forgiveness that restoration of your own soul. When you approach that person do it in love do it in gentleness, do it in humility and do it in the spirit of Jesus prayer, spiritual sensitivity, kindness, grace and patience go is restoration and reconciliation.

So the individual is reconciled to God. And where that individual's behavior and attitudes has caused a breach between people and the one that of the grace of God there is reconciliation. Some of you have asked spirits that in your own, manage some of your experience that in your own family.

You see when a sinner repents.

There is joy in the presence of the Angels. Once there was a hard heart negative repentance.

Once their suspicion, and neither scholarship once there was this unity that is unity.

Once it was criticism and backbiting, but neither is love, tenderness.

Restoration Friday morning with an early meeting with the executive committee can church walking over the parking lot 630 and I heard a noise above me of home. I thought it's a disgruntled member of the church not really know. I looked up and here's the magnificent sites of geese in the beautiful, the formation seen and they flew right over my head.

I looked at them and experts tell us that geese flying together and that formation fly 70% faster than flying alone. Perhaps we watch that beautiful scene of these magnificent birds that are much better than the air than on the ground, flying in as we watch we see a break in the ranks, we see that the VA becomes a bit disjointed was happened a goose falls and that's a goose falls to the grind to of the geese flanking it come down in with it and come to the garden to take care of the following: next morning the dawn comes the goose that has fallen is healthy and the three birds go up into the air to begin the bearing and then flying towards the flock of geese together tonight reconciled they will reach their destination together brothers or sisters. Sometimes a brother or sister falls. Maybe you you may be here and you have fallen what to say cover church, we do not shoot our wounded wood on the front. Devour the defeated them. The depressive broken.

The discouraged the following care for them we love them.

Yes, they can be very hard and very difficult conversations. That is true we cannot compromise sin, we cannot overlook the teaching of Scripture.

But I don't love a night of compassion for you. We seek for you to be spiritually stored in one here this morning and right in the industry straight from the Lord.

Effective never yet come to the safe we open your heart to the good Shepherd the love ship died for Rosa K comes not to condemn you but to save you, but you have to repent of your sin and if that client asked for his salvation.

And there are some here who are followers of Christ, but your straight and your saying is impacting your relationships, possibly with people in this community.

Perhaps in your home.

Perhaps your sin brother sister is affecting your marriage affecting your children affecting your parents. God's name I ask to repent. We, the pastors, the elders and leaders of Calvary church. Many here in the congregation are here to help and to be vessels of the grace of God.

This, together, we seek to engage in this beautiful but difficult privilege of spiritual restoration. Father, help us all of us like sheep have gone astray would turn everyone total in the way. But we thank you for your grace, magnificent grace, we thank you for Jesus is a good Shepherd is not a Highland he loves us. He knows us by name. He cares for us. He cries for us is where in our sin, and so I pray that you will give those who have strayed the spirit of repentance of humility will be not only restoration but reconciliation between husbands, wives, between brothers, sisters, between families who through sin have gone astray, and in your magnificent grace your store. We thank you. As David could write that of his own experience that the Lord restores us.

We thank you that you're restoring God, we thank you that the Lord Jesus Christ came from heaven to rescue us to restore us to forgive us all of his grace and his name