BIBLICAL FELLOWSHIP: CONCERN AND RESTORATION

BIBLICAL FELLOWSHIP
CONCERN AND RESTORATION -
Gal. 6:1-2, James 5:19-20, 1 John 3:16-18
Cooper P Abrams III

Introduction:   Introduction: Most of the time when a person falls, makes a mistake, or fells at something he is doing, other are quick to judge, ridicule, make fun, point out the mistake. It is a trait of our carnal nature to belittle others when they have problems. Children can be especially cruel to those they think are inferior. Most people have a little "bully" in them and are ready to put some one down.
          It is worth noting though that when a person fails at something, they most need the understanding and help of those around them. Yet, in time of failure they are most venerable to ridicule and less likely to get the sympathy and help from others.
          This is the trait of the carnal nature, but the believer in Jesus Christ is made a new creature as 2 Corinthians 5:17 says. Christians are giving a new nature and that new nature should reach out in love to all around us regardless of who or what they are. The new creature in Christ has been forgiven by God all their sins, and the Lord tells us to do like wise and forgive others.
          1 John 3:14 makes a definitive statement about true Christians and distinguishes them from the phony ones. It says, " We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." (1 John 3:14) The professing Christian that loves their brethren give evidence of true salvation. Sadly, the one that does not show love to their brethren show they abide in death. Being unloving is a clear sin one is not saved....no matter how much the claim to be a Christian. Salvation is something that if their will effect the heart and it will show itself in love and kindness to others. You cannot serve God without serving others.

I. THREE TYPES OF CHRISTIANS.

There are three types of Believers who need restoration. Restoration means restoring the believer to effectively living for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Trespassing or Blundering Believer
Carnal Believer
Suffering Believer

Each case represents a need in their life and an opportunity for their fellow Christians to help.
We can help with:

-CONCERN: Seeing the need
-RESTORATION: Helping them
-THE PRINCIPLE: To live by.

A. The Trespassing Believer (Gal. 6:1-2). When a person is taken fault it does always not mean that a person willfully disobeyed the Lord. The word "fault" means to commit a trespass. Sometimes people are misled by misinformed church members, false teachers and churches.

There are times when a believer willingly commits a sin against the Lord through spiritual weakness. God tells us "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:8-10)
We all are subject to fail the Lord and sin. God has made provision for us to overcome the sin as 1 John 1:9 states. We confess the sin and ask God to helps us to overcome the temptation and act of sin.

l. The concern: "...even if a man is caught in any trespass" (v.1).

a. "Caught" means "to take beforehand, before one is aware of danger." The idea is caught unaware or trapped.
b. Trespass means "a blunder, a false step; a slip or lapse."
c. We all know that no one is prefect! You aren't nor is the man or woman setting beside you. We all make mistakes. We all TRESPASS! We all have faults and make mistakes!

So when it says it a "brother be taken in a fault"...understand that "brother" could be you! And without a doubt will happen at one time or the other.
This recognizes the fact we all at times become a "blundering believer."
2. The restoration : "...restore such a one" (v.1).

a. "Restore" has the thought of "mending a tear." The next verse describes practically how restoration works--by bearing one another's burdens (v.2).
b. The major idea refers to bearing another's burdens and involves providing what is needed and adding that which is missing. . . always in a spirit of gentleness.

3. The biblical principle is that God has established a mutual ministry for His family whereby the healthy assist the weak...the strong bear the infirmities of the struggling (v.2).
Romans 15:1 says " We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves."

a. There will be times when you will be weak! You will fall, and the responsibility God has given us to help each other when we have a need.
b. It means you put forth the effort to help. It means going to the person, forgiving and forgetting, giving a listening and sympathetic ear, then you do it.
You don't wait for the pastor, or trustee or Sunday School teacher, or anyone else you try to help and do what is needed as best you can.

B. The Carnal Christian (James 5:19-20). This refers to willful disobedience.

l. The concern:"...if any one among you strays from the truth...(v.19).

a. Strays implies a deliberate waywardness. Our word "planet" comes from this term, to describe a wandering body in the sky.
b. Truth represents specifically all that Jesus Christ lived, taught, instituted--the standard of life He presented and promoted.

2. The restoration:"...one turns him back"(v.19). Here is grass-roots Christianity. How is it performed? Through:

a. Incessant prayer
b. Personal concern
c. Spirit-directed words
d. Loving actions

All of these can only take place when we see ourselves as a family, and being concerned for the well being of others in the family.
3. The biblical principle: The one who turns the sinning one back to his original condition will achieve two results (v.20):

a. Save the sinning one's soul from death. Physical death. This is a "brother."
b. Cover a multitude of sins

C. The Suffering Saint (1 John 3:16-18). (No sin involved: simply overcome by need)

1. The concern: "But whoever...beholds his brother in need..."(v.17). Needs vary--unemployment: loss of a child, a mate, a friend: marital or family failure; financial reversal; overwork, etc.
2. The restoration: partly stated, partly implied (v.17).

a. Stated--The process begins with seeing a brother in need, perhaps without solicitation.
b. Implied--Koinonia will prompt opening the heart to assist him.

3. The principle(v.18): Love must be expressed in deed and in truth. This is personal, active love.

III. Four Steps for Reaching Out to Others.

A. Selection--A person in need must be singled out and chosen.
B. Association--A personal contact must be made and maintained. This demands availability.
C. Impartation--There must be the giving of resources, time and self, to the point of sacrifice if necessary...even without thanks or public knowledge.
D. Devotion--True koinonia refuses to give up on someone else. This is the spiritual glue that binds.

CONCLUSION:

FIRST: Do you know a Blundering, Carnal Christian.
Or a suffering saint.
Have you considered that you may be the one who can help them.
What can you do?

1st: Concern: Not be critical: This causes us to be stand-offish.
2nd. Pray for them.

Call them, visit, send a card. You do not even have to say anything about a problem you think they have. Just move closer to them.

3nd. Just make your self available. If they will except your help they will open up.
4th. Be willing to be used. Put their interests first. Try without being pushy.
5th. Suppose they do not respond? Continue so concern. You may have to back off some. Be patient. You may not ever be successful, but in love we should try never closing the door.

If you liked the message and would like to see sermons regularly posted to the Bible Truth Sermons Page would you let be know? I would like to hear from you. Please click the button below. Thanks