Restoring the Soul

TEXT:  Psa. 23:3

INTRODUCTION:

A.      RICH BLESSINGS RECALLED HERE..."I SHALL NOT WANT."

B.      CALL ATTENTION TO ONE..."HE RESTORETH MY SOUL."

          1.       Deilitsch says, "to bring back the soul that is as it were flown away, so it

                   comes to itself again."

          2.       The Lord restores the souls of his children today thru his word, dwelling in us,

                   directing our way, giving confidence and consolation.

C.      PURPOSE:  TO BRING TO LIGHT SOME OF THE AVENUES OF SPIRITUAL

          RESTORATION TO WHICH THE LORD LEADS US IN HIS WORD.

RESTORATION IS FOUND IN...

I.      ASSEMBLING WITH THE SAINTS TO WORSHIP.

A.      WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY( Heb. 10:24-25 ).

B.      JESUS IS THERE( Matt. 18:20 ).

C.      Psa. 122:1.

II.     PRAYER.

A.      ADMONITIONS TO PRAY( 1 Thes. 5:17 ).

B.      RESULTS RESTORE( James 5:16 ).

C.      RELATIONSHIP TO GOD ENHANCED.

          1.       God is our Father( Matt. 6:9 ).

          2.       He loves and provides( Matt. 7:7-11 ).

          3.       The peace of trust( Phil. 4:6-7 ).

III.    THE RICH INDWELLING OF HIS WORD( Col.3:16 ).

A.      Psa. 119;81-82, 92-93, 97-104, 105, 113, 116, 123.

B.      KNOWING GOD'S WORD WILL HELP US TO BE BETTER SERVANTS

          ( 2 Tim. 2:15;  3:16-17 ).

C.      SALVATION IS IN GOD'S WORD( Rom. 1:16 ).

IV.   ASSOCIATION WITH FAITHFUL CHILDREN OF GOD.

A.      NOT FOUND IN ASSOCIATING WITH THE UNGODLY( Psa. 1:1-2 ).

B.      WHAT DO WE BASE OUR RELATIONSHIP ON?( 2 Cor. 6:11-18 ).

C.      WE ARE TO PREFER ONE ANOTHER( Rom. 12:9-10 ).

D.      CHRISTIAN COMPANIONSHIP SHOULD WORK LIKE IT DID IN NT

          TIMES( 2 Cor. 7:13;  2 Tim. 1:16;  Philem. 7 ).

V.    MUTUAL LOVE.

A.      JESUS GAVE US THIS DISTINGUISHING MARK( John 13:34-35 ).

B.      THIS LOVE IS ACTIVE( 1 John 3:18 ).

C.      WE WILL BEAR ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS( Gal. 6:1-2 ).

D.      THE PROMISE OF THE LORD( Gal. 6:6-10;  Acts 20:35 ).

VI.   OBEDIENCE TO JESUS.

A.      RESTORATION & BLESSING IN FORGIVENESS( Psa. 32:1-2 ).

B.      FORGIVENESS IS HAD IN OBEDIENCE( 1 Pet. 1:22; Heb. 5:8-9 ).

C.      1 Pet. 3:21.  HOW DO WE APPEAL TO GOD FOR CLEANSING?

CONCLUSION:

A.      LIFE IS FILLED WITH PROBLEMS.

B.      RESTORATION COMES FROM GOD.