REPENTANCE AND RESTITUTION: THE CHURCH’S ROAD TO RESTORATION

By Frank and Cecilia Contreras

LESSON 35 

INTRODUCTION

How important is the Church? Jesus Himself called it into being and we know the real definition of “the Church” is “the body of Christ”.  That body extends around the world and will one day take in every nation, kindred, tongue and people. In each city and village, we find “the local church” – made up of believers from that general area.

Many people complain about the condition of the Church today. We would be wiser to pray more and complain less. One great man of God was asked if he was discouraged over the condition of the Church today – especially in the western world. He answered that he is sometimes disappointed but never discouraged. That is a wise answer.

Many pastors and congregants are seeking the Holy Spirit to become the head of their assemblies as He was in the book of Acts. The following simple outline is what is beginning to take place in many local churches around the world. I call it God’s eight-fold goal for the local Church and I hope it will be an encouragement to pastors and the flocks they lead. Scriptures are quoted from the New International Version.

Number One

A GROUNDED CHURCH – (Grounded on the foundation of repentance and restitution.)

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Number Two

A GATHERED CHURCH – (Where believers enjoy coming together for mutual exhortation and edification.) 

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42)

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”(Hebrews 10:25)

Number Three

A GIFTED CHURCH – (Where each believer seeks, finds and uses his/ her God-given gifts, abilities and talents for the mutual blessing of the body of Christ.)

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”. (Ephesians 4:11-12)

“So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:5-8)

Number Four

A GROWING CHURCH (Where no believer – including pastors – ever thinks he/she knows it all—but all continue to grow in knowledge of, and obedience to, the Word of God.)

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)

“Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:13-16)

Number Five

A GOING CHURCH (Where each believer is challenged to be a witness for Christ and the Holy Spirit chooses some of them for full-time service including going to the mission fields of the world.)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Act 1:8)

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

Number Six

A GIVING CHURCH (Where believers give joyfully from the bottom of their hearts – not reluctantly from the top of their purses.)

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Number Seven

A GOVERNED CHURCH (Directed by the Holy Spirit and Spirit-led leaders to develop “disciples in shoes”; not to leave them “infants in pews.”)

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3)

Number Eight

A GLORIOUS CHURCH (Where God’s glorious presence is manifested in a body of believers whose lives are filled with obedience to God and unconditional love for each other.)

“And to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:27)

CONCLUSION

If you are part of a church like the above, thank God for it. If not, ask the Holy Spirit to use you to help bring His refreshment and change in a loving and humble way.