Transformational Ministry Part 9. Restitution All Bible quotations are NKJV unless otherwise noted.

Overview of Transformation Five Rs –Regeneration –Revelation –Repentance –Restitution –Renewing of the mind

The Cycle of Renewal Acts 26:18a, 20b to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God … 20 … that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance Paul is describing the gospel –The gospel is not just presenting Jesus –It is total reclamation of people –Works befitting repentance = Restitution –Restitution is part of the gospel

What is Restitution? Restitution appears in Exodus 22 (e.g., Ex. 22:6) If fire breaks out and catches in thorns, so that stacked grain, standing grain, or the field is consumed, he who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution. –Has the sense of restoring what was taken –Peace and reconciliation should be the result –This is a reactive use of the word: looking back to damage done and undoing it as much as possible Restitution also has a proactive sense –Taking steps to change future behavior –Akin to instruction in righteousness of 2 Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

Danger of Going from Revelation to Restitution Youll usually wind up with a form of penance –Penance is relying on self to get in Gods good graces –The result is legalism that leads to no character change –It may even make pride problems worse Repentance involves standing on Gods provisions Restitution comes as we are led by the Holy Spirit

Completing the Cycle Often proactive restitution leads to further revelation –We may start repenting of actions, but end up at the deeper levels –Our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 5:20) For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. –The Pharisees had outward conformance (at best) –Our obedience should spring from a heart of love

The Cycle May Need to Repeat Itself Several Times Eventually, our deepest motives are revealed, and true healing takes place Renewal occurs when a transformation is so thorough that we instinctively get a different reaction Think of it as a stimulus-response –Example: man saying ouch when he drops a weight on his foot –Those who act godly are not necessarily renewed (mere behavior); those who react godly are.

There are Barriers in the Cycle Restitution has a role in bringing about renewal –Restitution can bring us face-to-face with our brokenness –We will see where barriers lie to further growth –Each barrier is a road mark to more illumination Where do barriers come from? –The barriers come from pride –Salvation is a matter of shifting loyalties –We shift from this world to God –Before were saved, we are the authority –The I is central: this is Pride

Manifestations of Pride I One subtle way is self-centeredness Many Christians are self-centered and dont know it They can only see the world through their eyes Example of wife saying the children need something and the husband saying I dont see that Not seeing it doesnt mean it doesnt exist We need to see our point of view is not the only one Just because we cant see anothers viewpoint does not make it invalid

Manifestations of Pride II Another way is self-consciousness This is usually seen as a problem of low self- esteem Poor me, Im so worthless. Im not any good. Such people say negative things, but theyre still the center of their world Just count how many times they use the word I

Two Extremes of Pride Peacock Pride –They strut around all puffed up with themselves –Its easy to see theyre the center of their world –Theyre easy to work with: theyre obvious Turtle Pride –They are self-effacing, self-protective –They are just as self-centered –Few people recognize a Turtle is being self-centered –Most Turtles are motivated by fear –We need to replace it with love (I John 4:18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. –Love is concerned with others; fear is concerned with me (self-preservation)

How to Deal with Peacocks Peacocks barriers: between Revelation and Repentance –Peacocks often refuse to see the problem (2 Cor. 10:12) For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by them- selves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. –They try to explain things away –They have all kinds of excuses –Or they use mirrors and complain about the person bringing the light –They wont admit they were wrong –You have to focus on attitudes such as arrogance

How to Deal with Turtles Turtles raise the barrier between Repentance and Restitution or Restitution and further Revelation –Turtles tend to superficial repentance, constantly saying Im sorry –How can you tell if a person repents in his heart? He brings forth fruit Here Turtles are exposed –They dont do anything about it I could never do that. They try to seem a passive victim –Turtles will need help and close accountability to make progress –We need to follow up to make sure restitution occurs

Turtles Need to be Confronted Turtles need to be confronted with their Turtle- ness: why hasnt he followed through? –Need to get to the heart of the Turtle (usually fear) –Turtles usually get angry when confronted this way –Theyve made a living out of being victims –They want to look like the good guy (weak but good), not villains –Peacocks usually angry up front; the Turtle doesnt get angry until you push and push and push for restitution –When he finally explodes may be the first time hell be able to see his sinfulness and take steps toward real repentance

How Do You Know if Youre Dealing with a Peacock or Turtle? From his response to the light Example of parable in Matt. 21:28-31a about the two sons: which is the peacock? 28 But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, Son, go, work today in my vineyard. 29 He answered and said, I will not, but afterward he regretted it and went. 30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir, but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father? They said to Him, The first. –The first

How Can We Practice Restitution? It is important for restitution to fit the sin Go through Proverbs and find the things warned against and encouraged Go through Eph. 4:25-6:9 looking at the put-offs and put-ons. –Example: Eph. 4: Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. –Put off bitterness –Put on kindness, gentleness, forgiveness Covenant of Forgiveness (next lesson)

Summary The cycle of renewal: Restitution is part of the Gospel The role of restitution –Reactive restitution: trying to undo the damage –Proactive restitution: taking steps to change future behavior –Proactive restitution often leads to further revelation –The cycle continues until we instinctively react godly Types of pride –Self-centeredness (peacock): unable to see others viewpoint –Self-consciousness (turtle): low self-esteem Barriers to healing –Peacock: between Revelation and Repentance –Turtle: between Repentance and Restitution Practice restitution using Proverbs, Eph. 4:25-6:9