There is only one kind of restoration that pleases God. n God restores the heart of people. (Psa 23:1-3)

There is only one kind of restoration that pleases God. n Psalm 23:1-3 (NKJV) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

There is only one kind of restoration that pleases God. n Anything less than this is to “play religion and to play church.” (Joel 2:12-13)

What are we Offering to God? n Joel 2:12-13 (NKJV) “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart,With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

What are we Offering to God? n What does God see in your heart?

What are we Offering to God? n What does God see in your heart? n As a fruit of restored hearts we find obedience to God in all things.

What are we Offering to God? n What does God see in your heart? n As a fruit of restored hearts we find obedience to God in all things. n What should the local church be like? A restored heart will want to know and make corrections.

What are we Offering to God? n Is it unspiritual to talk about the “one true church” or point out the differences between denominational practices and what our head wants? NO!

What are we Offering to God? n Is it unspiritual to talk about the “one true church” or point out the differences between denominational practices and what our head wants? NO! n Where is our emphasis when we say these things, the head or us? (Col 2:18-19)

What are we Offering to God? n Colossians 2:18-19 (NKJV) Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

What are we Offering to God? n Are you in need of a restored heart?

What are we Offering to God? n Are you in need of a restored heart? n Just as we see in spring a renewal and revival of life, we too can have our hearts drift from fervent service to Him. (Hos 14:7)

What are we Offering to God? n Hosea 14:7 (NKJV) Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

What are we Offering to God? n How does one come out of the spiritual doldrums and have this needed revival?

We must have our sight renewed. n Will the real blind man please stand up? (Jn 9:32-41)

We must have our sight renewed. n Will the real blind man please stand up? (Jn 9:32-41) n Self-deception is easy. (Jer 17:9-10)

We must have our sight renewed. n Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NKJV) “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10 I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

We must have our sight renewed. n Jesus spoke of blindness. (Jn 9:32-41) n Self-deception is easy. (Jer 17:9-10) n Opening hearts is dangerous business. (Acts 2:37; 7:54)

We must have our sight renewed. n Jesus spoke of blindness. (Jn 9:32-41) n Self-deception is easy. (Jer 17:9-10) n Opening hearts is dangerous business. (Acts 2:37; 7:54) n Only the humble can profit. (Isa 57:15)

We must have our sight renewed. n Isaiah 57:15 (NKJV) 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.

We must have our sight renewed. n This is how suffering helps us. (Ex. “Discontentment in life always has a spiritual root. Look to your spiritual foundations first.”

We must have our sight renewed. n This is how suffering helps us. (Ex. “Discontentment in life always has a spiritual root. Look to your spiritual foundations first.” n The humble man will welcome an open Bible. He will listen.

We must have our sight renewed. n Jesus spoke of blindness. (Jn 9:32-41) n Self-deception is easy. (Jer 17:9-10) n Opening hearts is dangerous business. (Acts 2:37; 7:54) n Only the humble can profit. (Isa 57:15) n This is our challenge. (Rev 3:14-19)

We must see God anew n Whose glory do you see? (2 Cor 4:3-6)

We must see God anew n Whose glory do you see? (2 Cor 4:3-6) n How the knowledge of God renews us.

We must see God anew n Whose glory do you see? (2 Cor 4:3-6) n How the knowledge of God renews us. –We see His word and not worthless things. (Psa 119:25, 37)

We must see God anew n Whose glory do you see? (2 Cor 4:3-6) n How the knowledge of God renews us. –We see His word and not worthless things. (Psa 119:25, 37) –We see His lovingkindness. (Psa 119:88, 156; Psa 36:7)

We must see God anew n Whose glory do you see? (2 Cor 4:3-6) n How the knowledge of God renews us. –We see His word and not worthless things. (Psa 119:25, 37) –We see His lovingkindness. (Psa 119:88, 156; Psa 36:7) –We see His justice. (Psa 119:149)

We must see God anew n Whose glory do you see? (2 Cor 4:3-6) n How the knowledge of God renews us. –We see His word and not worthless things. (Psa 119:25, 37) –We see His lovingkindness. (Psa 119:88, 156; Psa 36:7) –We see His justice. (Psa 119:149) –We trust in His judgements. (Psa 119:156; 1 Sam 3:17-18)

We must see God anew n The power of worship. (Psa 73:14-17)

We must see God anew n The power of worship. (Psa 73:14-17) n Why do we emphasize the Lord’s supper? (2 Pt 1:9; Gal 3:1)

We Need Conviction n God’s word is powerful. (Jn 16:8-11)

We Need Conviction n God’s word is powerful. (Jn 16:8-11) n What kind of preacher did God use? (Mk 9:11-13; Mt 3:2,7-10)

We Need Conviction n God’s word is powerful. (Jn 16:8-11) n What kind of preacher did God use? (Mk 9:11-13; Mt 3:2,7-10) n Conviction does not come from a casual approach. (1 Cor 14:24-25)

We Need Conviction n God’s word is powerful. (Jn 16:8-11) n What kind of preacher did God use? (Mk 9:11-13; Mt 3:2,7-10) n Conviction does not come from a casual approach. (1 Cor 14:24-25) n Our Elders have a great responsibility. (Acts 20:27-28)

We Look to Renew Others n What is your influence? (Mt 5:13-16)

We Look to Renew Others n What is your influence? (Mt 5:13-16) n Are you zealous? (Rev 3:18-19)

We Look to Renew Others n What is your influence? (Mt 5:13-16) n Are you zealous? (Rev 3:18-19) n Are you part of God’s Restoration movement? (Acts 3:19-21)