"RESTORATION"
I. RESTORED FROM THE TERRIBLE EFFECTS OF SIN.
A. In Chapter 1, God promises to send desolation into the land.
1. Whatever the palmerworm left the locust would eat -
cankerworm, Caterpillar.
B. The devouring of these insects was a picture of the effects of
sin.
1. Slowly eat away at your life until nothing left.
2. Gradual destruction.
3. The years spent in sin are wasted years.
a. "Only one life, twill so be past, only what's
done for Christ will last."
C. As we must each give an account of ourselves before God.
1. Should you have to do so today, what do you have to
show for your life?
2. Many would have to confess of wasted years.
II. GOD'S PROMISE TO RESTORE - "I WILL RESTORE TO YOUR THE YEARS..."
A. An honest look at one's life often creates hopelessness and
despair.
1. "No hope for me, I've blown it."
2. "I've seen lives destroyed by drugs, alcohol, lust."
3. They have spent years of vanity, frustration, wasted.
4. Yesterday is lost, gone forever.
B. How beautiful to see God's work of restoration in a life.
1. To see the clearness and brightness return to eyes.
2. To see the spring return to step.
3. To see purpose and direction for their lives instead of
aimless wanderings.
III. MORE THAN RESTORATION.
A. A continual fullness and richness to life. "Ye shall eat in
plenty and be satisfied."
1. One thing can never be said of man's lust. "Ye shall be
satisfied."
2. Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life."
B. A consciousness of God's presence. "And ye shall know that I am
in the midst..."
1. What an incentive for a holy walk.
2. How it dispels all fears.
C. The empowering of His Spirit, "I will pour out my spirit upon
all flesh."
1. Gives me the power to be and to do.
IV. GOD'S INVITATION, "WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD, SHALL
BE SAVED."
A. Saved from the power of sin.
1. That grip that it has on your life.
B. Saved from the effects of sin.
1. A restoring of damage done during the wasted years.
2. An erasing of the stains.
C. Saved to new life sublime.
1. A life of fullness.
2. A life of satisfactions.
3. A life of fellowship.
4. A life of power.
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Chuck Smith (1927 - 2013)
Pastor Chuck was used in the Jesus People revival where he was used along with others to minister to the hippy young people. They saw a work of the Spirit where many were added to the church and discipled. He has raised up many pastors who are a part of the Calvary Chapel movement now and where he pastors the large Costa Mesa church in California.The Calvary Chapel movement is based of simple principles that Chuck Smith taught over the years such as: The priority of agape love, Simple fellowship amongst the saints, the breaking of bread, the teaching of God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse. And lastly and most importantly the principle not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord.