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James 05:19-20 Restoring Straying Saints – audio
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Text: James 5:19-20
Introduction
1. As James comes to the close of his epistle, he stresses the importance of restoring those who wander from the truth:
2. Restoring straying saints is a responsibility given to ALL who are truly the children of God – Galatians 6:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14
3. Yet, it is a responsibility that is so easy to neglect, and in most cases IS neglected!
4. The purpose of this lesson is two-fold:
a. To impress upon our minds the importance of engaging in this work of restoring straying saints
b. To tell us how we should carry out this important work
Body
I. THE CONDITION OF SAINTS WHO HAVE STRAYED FROM THE TRUTH
A. AS DEFINED BY JAMES IN OUR TEXT
1. They are in danger of DEATH! – James 5:20
2. One who has wandered from the truth has also wandered from the from the source of forgiveness – 1 John 1:6-7
3. Separated from the blood of Christ to cleanse him of his sins, he is in danger of suffering the consequences of sin: DEATH! – Romans 6:23
B. AS DEPICTED BY PETER
1. “The latter end is worse for them than the beginning” – 2 Peter 2:20-22
2. That such a person is in danger of more serious punishment is stressed by Jesus – Luke 12:47-48
C. AS DESCRIBED IN THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS – Hebrews 10:26-31
1. “There no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” — the blood of Christ is no longer available for him in this state!
2. “but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation” — all that remains is to be eternally lost in hell!
3. “much worse punishment…will he be thought worthy” — because such a person is trampling underfoot the Son of God, counting the blood of Jesus which had sanctified him a common thing, and is insulting the Spirit of grace!
4. “the LORD will judge His people” — for those who despise His mercy, they will face His righteous indignation!
D. AS DECLARED BY JESUS HIMSELF
1. Such will be removed from His presence! – Revelation 2:4-5
2. He will expel such from His presence! – Revelation 3:15-16
E. When we truly understand the spiritual condition of our friends and loved ones who have strayed from the truth, it should move us to do something!
II. RESTORING STRAYING SAINTS
A. IT REQUIRES SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES
1. PEOPLE WHO ARE SPIRITUAL – Galatians 6:1
a. Those who are producing the fruit of the Spirit in their own lives – Galatians 5:22-23
b. Unqualified personnel need not apply for this work
1) They might best work on themselves first – Matthew 7:3-4
2) Then they can help others – Matthew 7:5
2. A SPIRIT OF GENTLENESS – Galatians 6:1
a. We are engaged in delicate “soul surgery”
b. This is not the time to misuse the “sword of the Spirit”!
3. A CONSTANT SENSE OF SELF-EXAMINATION – Galatians 6:1
a. If we are not careful, we can easily fall into the same fault!
b. As many do when they counsel those with marital problems without proper supervision
4. A WILLINGNESS TO BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS – Galatians 6:2
a. Which involves an expense of time and energy to help the weak to overcome their faults
b. Our responsibility is not fulfilled by simply pointing out our brother’s faults!
5. HUMILITY
a. This is implied in Galatians 6:3
b. It is stated outright – 2 Timothy 2:24-26
c. People will not accept correction or advice coming from an arrogant person!
d. In many cases, we may need to confess our own sin of negligence first! (For not coming sooner)
6. AMPLE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WORD – 2 Timothy 2:24
a. We must be able to teach and apply God’s Word to the situation
b. For it is important that they respond to GOD’S word, and not just to OUR views or opinions!
7. PATIENCE (Longsuffering) – 2 Timothy 2:24
a. The same kind that we receive from God for our faults
b. The same kind that Paul showed towards the church at <a target=”_blank” href=”http://www.biblemap.org/#Corinth”>Corinth</a> – 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:3
c. Of course, if repentance is not forthcoming, we can wait for only so long – 2 Corinthians 13:1-2
8. A SINCERE DEMONSTRATION OF LOVE
a. Both at the time of rebuke – 2 Corinthians 2:4
b. And at the time of repentance – 2 Corinthians 2:6-8
B. IT REQUIRES THE PROPER PROCEDURE
1. The wrong procedures:
a. Running around and talking to everyone but the person who needs to be corrected and restored!
b. Preaching about these people from the pulpit at the very outset!
c. Bringing it up at congregational business meetings at the very first!
2. The proper procedure is outlined by Jesus – Matthew 18:15-17
a. Even though the sin may not be against you personally
1) This is still a good way to avoid misunderstanding
2) This is still more likely to succeed
b. Therefore:
1) Go to the person first
2) Then take others, if necessary
3) Then tell it to the church, if necessary
4) If he won’t hear the church, withdraw any association that might appear to give approval to their behavior – 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; Romans 16:17
Conclusion
1. The work of restoring or correcting saints may be unpleasant at times, but it has the potential for great joy!
a. Both in heaven: “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” – Luke 15:7
b. And in our hearts: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” – 3 John 1:4
2. It comes down to this:
a. Do we really love God?
b. Do we really love our straying brethren?
c. Read 1 John 3:16-19, and substitute “spiritual goods” for “world’s goods” to answer our question
3. Brethren, let us love one another!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Psalm 051:01-19 Confessing Our Sins
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(The Art of Confessing our Sins)
Text: Psalms 51:1-19
Introduction
1. Do you remember the joy and the relief you experienced when you were baptized?
a. Knowing that your sins had been washed away by the blood of Christ?
b. Knowing that you then stood before God holy and without blame?
— Wouldn’t it be great to experience that same joy and relief, time and again?
2. There is no reason why you cannot!
a. Even though you may have sinned terribly after your baptism
b. For God has made provision whereby we can enjoy the continual cleansing of the blood of Christ!
3. Not by being baptized again and again…
a. But by confessing our sins to God – cf. 1 John 1:9
b. For God who is faithful and just has promised to forgive our sins!
— Just as we were raised from the grave of baptism cleansed by the blood of Jesus, so we can rise from our prayers knowing that we have been cleansed from all unrighteousness!
4. The key is to confess our sins…
a. But how does one do that effectively?
b. Are there some things to keep in mind as we confess our sins?
5. In Psalms 51, we have what David wrote after he was guilty of adultery with Bathsheba…
a. He provides an example of how one should confess their sins to God
b. He provides what I like to call “The Art Of Confessing Our Sins”
[How should one go about confessing their sins to God? From the example of David, a good place to begin is…]
Body
I. APPEAL TO GOD’S MERCY AND LOVE (Psalms 51:1-2)
A. NOTE THE BASIS OF DAVID’S PLEA FOR FORGIVENESS…
1. “according to Your lovingkindness”
2. “according to the multitude of Your tender mercies”
— David sought forgiveness based upon God’s lovingkindness and tender mercies
B. THE PARDON WE SEEK SHOULD HAVE AS ITS BASIS…
1. Not in the merit or worthiness of man
2. But in the goodness and grace of God!
C. AS WE SEEK “WASHING” AND “CLEANSING” FROM OUR SINS…
1. Don’t base our appeal on our past accomplishments
a. E.g., how much we have done for the Lord
b. E.g., how long we have been a member of His church
2. But upon the goodness and mercy of God!
a. Appeal to His mercy and grace!
b. Knowing that He is slow to anger and abounding in mercy! – cf. Psalm 103:8-10
— Remember the parable of the Pharisee and the publican! – Luke 18:9-14
[As we seek forgiveness, we must of course…]
II. ACKNOWLEDGE OUR SINS TO GOD (Psalms 51:3-4)
A. NOTE HOW DAVID ACKNOWLEDGED HIS SIN…
1. He did not try to hide it: “my sin is ever before me”
2. He admitted that it was a sin against God Himself: “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight”
a. While it is true he had sinned against Bathsheba, Uriah, his own wife…
b. …David knew that it was ultimately against God Himself!
3. He accepted the condemnation of God against him
a. That God was both “just” and blameless” in judging him
b. As God did when He sent Nathan to condemn him
B. AS WE CONFESS OUR SINS…
1. Appreciate that this is key to receiving God’s grace – cf. 1 John 1:9
2. Acknowledge the sin; while we may at times simply confess tobe sinners, it never hurts to actually mention the sin for which we seek forgiveness
3. Understand that all sin is ultimately a sin against God Himself!
4. Don’t fault God (His Word or His messengers) when we are exposed and condemned for our sins!
— As we confess our sins, there is more that we should bear in mind. From David we learn that we should also…
III. UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE GOD WANTS US (Psalms 51:5-6)
A. UNTIL FORGIVEN, ONE IS DEEP IN SIN…
1. Using hyperbole so common in poetic language, David describes the depravity in which he finds himself
2. He is not trying to escape responsibility by saying he was born that way; only that he knows he is utterly sinful
B. BUT GOD DESIRES MUCH MORE…
1. David knew that God wanted:
a. “truth in the inward parts”
b. “wisdom in the hidden parts”
— Again, figurative hyperbole illustrating that truth and wisdom are to be as pervasive as sin had been!
2. David knew that God desired to provide more than just forgiveness, He also desires:
a. Total restoration, with understanding and wisdom on our part
b. That we be equipped for faithful service
[Understanding what God wants of us helps us to appreciate what David goes on to say. Indeed, confession of sins should also mean that we…]
IV. PRAY FOR RENEWAL AND RESTORATION (Psalms 51:7-12)
A. DAVID DESIRED MORE THAN JUST FORGIVENESS OF SIN…
1. He does pray for forgiveness, using figurative language in asking God…
a. To purge him with hyssop – Psalm 51:7
b. To wash him whiter than snow – Psalm 51:7
c. To hide His face from his sins – Psalm 51:9
d. To blot out all his iniquities – Psalm 51:9
2. But he also sought for more; he desired…
a. Joy and gladness – Psalm 51:8
b. A new heart, and renewal of a steadfast spirit – Psalm 51:10
c. Continuation of God’s presence and Spirit – Psalm 51:11
— As summarized in verse 12: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your generous Spirit.”
B. AS WE CONFESS OUR SINS…
1. We should look to God for more than just forgiveness!
2. We should also ask for:
a. A complete renewal and total restoration!
b. A return to “the joy of salvation” (that joy experienced when we first obeyed the gospel!) – Acts 8:35-39
[As we consider further David’s confession of sin, we find it proper to…]
V. RESOLVE TO OFFER GRATEFUL SERVICE (Psalms 51:13-17)
A. DAVID RESOLVES…
1. To teach other sinners and transgressors – Psalm 51:13
2. To praise God for His righteousness in delivering him from sin – Psalm 51:14-15
a. Knowing that God delights in something more than animal sacrifices – Psalm 51:16
b. A broken spirit and contrite heart is what really pleases God – Psalm 51:17; cf. Isaiah 66:1-2; 57:15
B. SUCH RESOLUTION IS IN KEEPING WITH TRUE REPENTANCE…
1. For God desires more than just forgiveness, but total restoration – cf. Psalm 51:6
2. And zealous service is indicative of true repentance, as taught in 2 Corinthians 7:10-11
C. AS WE CONFESS OUR SINS…
1. We should look beyond obtaining forgiveness for past sin
2. We should look beyond obtaining present joy and gladness of heart
— We should be making commitments regarding future service!
[Finally, as we come to the end of David’s psalm, we find that “The Art Of Confessing Our Sins” includes that we…]
VI. PRAY FOR GOD’S PURPOSES (Psalms 51:18-19)
A. DAVID OFFERED A PRAYER REGARDING GOD’S PURPOSES…
1. That God would fulfill His purpose for Zion – Psalm 51:18
2. That God would be pleased with Israel’s sacrifices – Psalm 51:19
— Thus his confession of sin ends with a desire for that which pleases God
B. AS WE CONFESS OUR SINS…
1. We should not be selfish, praying for only our needs
2. What about God’s desires? His purposes?
— As Jesus taught us in “The Lord’s Prayer”, it is important to pray for God’s will as well as our own (cf. “Thy Will be done on earth, as it is in heaven”)
Conclusion
1. I hope I have not made the practice of confessing sins sound complicated…
a. Certainly there are occasions where a simple “I have sinned…” may suffice
b. As illustrated in the prayer of the tax collector – Luke 18:13-14
2. Yet if we desire to be less self-centered in confessing our sins, we can follow David’s example:
a. Appeal to God’s mercy and lovingkindness
b. Acknowledge our sins to God
c. Understand where we are and where God wants us
d. Pray for renewal and restoration
e. Resolve to offer grateful service
f. Pray for God’s purposes
3. By praying as David did, we are to sure to experience two things:
a. Forgiveness itself
b. The joy of forgiveness
— As David expressed in Psalm 32:1-5, written after receiving forgiveness for his sins
4. The Christian who confesses his sins is the truly happy individual (“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven…”), for they have the assurance of salvation (cf. 1 John 1:9).
5. Have you confessed your sins to God today?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Leviticus 06:01-07 Restoring First Century Christianity – audio
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Text: Leviticus 6:1-7
Introduction
- The word restore, or restoration, means to bring back to or to put back into a former or original state; a return of something to a former, or original condition like a building, stature, or painting.
- In our scripture reading (Leviticus 6:1-7), we learn the Law of Moses provided a plan of restitution to those whom were victims of robbery (Leviticus 6:4-5).
- Today, we want to focus our attention to bringing back Christianity, the church, to the original state it was in the first century when it was established to achieve the unity that Jesus prayed to His Father about (John 17:20-23).
- To restore Christianity, we must follow God’s plan (Colossians 3:17). A return to the total authority of the Bible as God’s Word is necessary to restore Christianity. A return back to the Bible (the original) in all things we must do, so we can speak the same thing & be of the same mind and same judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Restoration Implies Man Has Left God’s Pattern
- It is unfortunately that man has left God’s pattern for him through the deceitfulness of sin. If you depart from the pattern God has laid down for us, you will
(1) be separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2)
(2) Suffer the consequences of sin (Romans 6:23). Did not Nadab and Abihu suffer the consequences from leaving God’s pattern in regard to their service a priest (Leviticus 10:1-2)? - In 1 Timothy 4:1-2, the Spirit teaches us that some will depart from the faith because they have submitted themselves to seducing spirits and doctrines of the devil. As a result of departing from the faith and God’s message, you have no fellowship or relationship with God (2 John 9-11).
- In Romans 10:1-3, Paul expresses his desire for his brethren to be saved but they could not because their religious zeal was not according to the Word of God and they were not willing to submit to the righteousness of God. The scribes and Pharisees are like the denominations of today because they vainly honor & worship God by teaching doctrines of men [a departure from God and His Word] (Matthew 15:8-9).
God Wants His Church Restored
- God wants members of the brotherhood of the Lord’s church to return to the original pattern for the church, and God’s wants members of denominations to leave their doctrines of men & false religious bodies, and be added to the original, the one true church and be saved (Acts 2:47).
- God wants His church to be restored to its’ plan of salvation (Acts 2:38), mission (Matthew 28:18-20), organization (Titus 1:5), and worship (John 4:24). But we have to be willing to bring back the church in all things to the original pattern which is contained in the Word of God (Acts 17:10).
- Are you ready to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent? Are you prepared to call Bible things by Bible names and do Bible things in Bible ways? Why not, restore Christianity today (1 Peter 4:11)?
HEAR BELIEVE REPENT CONFESS BAPTISM LIVE FAITHFULLY
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page