01 Aug Aim for Restoration – Aug 14

By Ps Samuel Yusuf

AIM FOR RESTORATION!

Finally, brothers, rejoice. AIM for RESTORATION, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Cor. 13: 11. ESV)

There is no question that we are living in times of RESTORATION. Never before was God so active as in the past century in RESTORING what needs to be restored. Both the whole world (COSMOS) and the church have experience extended period of DIVINE RESTORATION. God is surely at the end of this process, as the WORD OF GOD tells us THE BEST IS YET TO COME. These are truly exciting days to be alive.

OUR GOD IS THE GOD OF RESTORATION.

Jesus’ ministry on earth was one of restoration. He restored the health and well being of countless people in Israel. He restored sinners and lepers back to society. Freedom and deliverance was restored to the demon possessed as they were set free by the power of His Word.

RESTORATION is the essence of the cross of Calvary, where a powerful exchange took place from MINUS to PLUS. After His death on Calvary and then His RESSURECTION, millions and millions of people from all tribes and tongues and nations have been restored to a relationship with their God and Creator. Families have been restored, broken married have been mended, many have experienced financial restoration, and even emotionally wounded people have experienced the restoring power of Holy Spirit.

Apostle Peter encourages the Church with these words: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself RESTORE, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10. ESV). So Peter sees for the suffering church including the ROCK Sydney church that has been waiting for 18 years for a coming divine period of RESTORATION, as the apostle Paul also admonished the church in Corinth: ” Finally, brothers, Rejoice. AIM FOR RESTORATION….”

RESTORATION THROUGH THE CHURCH.

It is a fact that without the TRANSFORMING power of the church, our societies would not be what we are today. Loren Cunningham, founder of YWAM, in his book “TRANSFORMATION” documented how the reformation of John Calvin and Martin Luther had a major impact in shaping European culture from their time until our time today.

Martin Luther said that whatever they do, they should do so to the glory of God. Whether you are carpenter, blacksmith, you can do the work of God by carrying out your work for His glory. He took sanctity out of the cathedral and brought it into the homes and work places of the believers. Out of this emerged what became known in coming centuries as the GERMAN WORK ETHIC until now.

John Calvin challenged the ruler of Geneva over usury, as money lenders asked for interest rate of up to 60%. Calvin called for fixed interest rate of no more than 4%, which was implemented and became the start of the Swiss banking system, and Swiss is very famous as the safe place where many of the wealthy people store their wealth. Calvin also called for every believers to own a watch so they “SHOULD NOT WASTE GOD TIME “. His summons gave Switzerland its reputation for punctuality and builds the foundation for its WORLD RENOWNED WATCH INDUSTRY “.

RESTORATION IN TROUBLESOME TIME.

It is true that the Word of God does speak about great falling away and apostasy ( 2 Thessalonians 2:28-32 ), but it also talk about God preparing an end time church without spot or wrinkle ( Ephesians 5:25-27 ). This is what Isaiah foresaw: “For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the people; but the Lord will arise up on you, and His glory will be seen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:2). It would indeed be foolish to ignore the difficult time which the word of God foresees ahead. Looking on our world today, we cannot help seeing the dark sign on the horizon like Nehemiah sees the ruin of the wall and the holes in the building of the temple. But in the midst of all the chaos, God is doing marvellous work through him and his companions.

As prophet Isaiah called upon Israel to rise and shine, God is calling the whole Rock Sydney families to RISE and SHINE in the middle of our world which is increasingly covered with darkness. This year is the 18th anniversary celebration of His goodness to us and we believe that God will bring RESTORATION to our life, our family, our church as well as our market place. There is still great HOPE of RESTORATION FOR ALL OF US IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. HAPPY 18th ANNIVERSARY and make a decision today to expect HOPE and WORK for RESTORATION. As a child of God, our personal agenda needs to be an agenda of RESTORATION. Think of what you can do in the sphere where God has placed you to bring RESTORATION to the people and situation around us. AIM FOR RESTORATION. Amen.