Restored
Forgiveness – Part 3
October 16-17, 2021
Dr. Jeffrey Allen Love
Matthew 26 & John 21
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (p.862)
- Let God Restore What Is Lost.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.” Psalm 51:10–12 (p.436)
- Let God restore my heart.
“Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, ‘You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.’ But Peter denied it in front of everyone. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he said.” Matthew 26:69–70 (p.758)
“After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter replied, ‘you know I love you.’ ‘Then feed my lambs,’ Jesus told him.” John 21:15 (p.829)
- Let God restore my spirit.
“Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, ‘This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ Again, Peter denied it, this time with an oath. ‘I don’t even know the man,’ he said.“ Matthew 26:71–72 (p.758)
“Jesus repeated the question: ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter said, ‘you know I love you.’ ‘Then take care of my sheep,’ Jesus said.” John 21:16 (p.829)
- Let God restore my joy.
“A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, ‘You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.’ Peter swore, ‘A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!’ And immediately the rooster crowed.” Matthew 26:73–74 (p.758)
”A third time he asked him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Then feed my sheep.” John 21:17 (p.829)
My Next Step This Week:
____ I need God to restore what I have lost. I am asking Him, through His grace, to restore my _____________. (Heart, Spirit, Joy)
Discussion/Groups Guide
Weekend Talk of October 16/17, 2021
Forgiven – Part 3: Restored
Life Groups use this guide in their discussion and study of the Weekend Talk. Use this also as a discussion guide with your family and friends.
Find out more about Groups (in person and online) at alivechurch.com/groups.
Conversation Starters
- Have you ever made a bad decision which had hilarious results or completely worked out in the end? What happened?
- Jeff told a story about his and Kathy’s pew. Have you ever been part of a restoration project? What was it? What did it mean to you? Were you able to fix it up?
- What does “restoration” mean to you?
Quick Review
Looking back at your Talk Notes, was there anything you heard in the service that stood out, challenged, or maybe even confused you?
Discussion Starters from the Weekend Talk
Refer to the Talk Notes and Bible verses from the Talk Notes.
This week’s One Thing: The key principle that Pastor Jeff Love emphasized is:
Let God Restore What Is Lost.
- Series Memory Verse: Colossians 3:13 (p.904)
- See Psalms 51:10-12 (p.436)
- Let God restore my heart. (Matthew 26:33-35; 69–70 (p.758); John 21:15 (p.829)
- Have you ever made a bold declaration that you failed to keep?
- When have you felt like your heart was restored? Whether in your spiritual relationship with God or with another person?
- If you were Peter, how would you have reacted to Jesus in John 21?
- Let God restore my spirit. (Matthew 26:33-35; 71-72 (p.758); John 21:16 (p.829)
- When have you seen someone make a bold declaration to you and then fail to deliver? Perhaps it was your spouse or child. How did you respond?
- When have you had that sinking feeling in your gut that you’ve been busted/found out/exposed? What did you do? What is our typical tendency?
- Let God restore my joy. (Matthew 26:33-35; 73-74 (p.758); John 21:17 (p.829))
- The last 18+ months have stolen the joy from a lot of people. Are you one of them?
- What steps can you take to live in the restored joy that Jesus brings? Does this happen overnight?
Digging Deeper (usually to study on your own)
To be clear, unforgiveness is a sin. Sin has consequences as we see in the case with David and Bathsheba.
- Read the entire Psalm 51 (p 436) and its background in 2 Samuel 11 and 12 (p.242) to remind yourself of the fall and restoration of David by God and the contagion of consequences that began with a single sin.
- Sin robs us of a close communion with God and God’s people.
- Unforgiveness can lead to physical and physiological manifestations: guilt, which can lead to sleeplessness, which can then bring on short temper; migraine headaches, irritability, depression, even a feeling of paranoia. This is not the sort of life God wants for us.
- Look at the definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (p878) and fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 (p893) and consider how these two passages balance out against the spirit of unforgiveness.
- Discuss/consider what actions we can take/should take when we see a spirit of unforgiveness in ourselves or in a fellow believer.
My Next Step This Week: I need God to restore what I have lost. I am asking Him, through His grace, to restore my _____________. (Heart, Spirit, Joy)
Use the link on the app or go to your Connection Card at www.alivechurch.com/card to indicate you are taking this Next Step so that we can pray for you.
Note: Page numbers are from the Alive Church Life Transformation Bible. It is the New Living Translation of the Bible, with many useful tools to help you better understand God’s Word, including our own Alive Church Life Transformation Discipleship Plan. They are available FREE. Let us know if you’d like to have one. We also have a Kids Edition of the Bible, as well.