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THE COMFORT OF RESTORATION

Text: Isaiah 57:15-20
15 April 2007

(I) DISCOVERING MORE COMFORT THROUGH “RESTORATION”

“I have seen his ways…and restore comforts to him…” Isaiah 57:18

1. God knows our ways

“For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.” Isaiah 57:17

a) He knows how rebellious we are.

b) Common ways for God to deal with sin

i) Disciplining

ii) Cleansing

c) Restoration as a deeper way to deal with sin and to gain more comfort.

2. Restoration as a concept of extension

“For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would fail before Me, and the souls which I have made.” Isaiah 57:16

a) As an extension of God’s mercy

b) As an extension of God’s grace

c) As an extension of God’s love.

3. Aspects of God’s restoration

a) God’s healing

“…and will heal him…” Isaiah 57:18

b) God’s leading

“…I will also lead him…” Isaiah 57:18

c) God’s peace

” ‘I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,’ says the LORD, ‘and I will heal him.’ ” Isaiah 57:19

(II) FINDING EVEN MORE COMFORT THROUGH FULLNESS

1. Perfecting work that needs to be done

“Night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?” 1 Thessalonians 3:10

2. Our aim – Spiritual Fullness

“Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ ” Ephesians 4:13

3. The challenge to be fully restored and have more comfort

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort…” 2 Corinthians 13:11

(III) NECESSARY APPRORIATE RESPONSES

“For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’ ” Isaiah 57:15

1. Contriteness of heart

2. Humility of spirit