Over the last twenty years or so, do-it-yourself, home renovation TV shows and channels have really grown in popularity. Many of us love watching old homes restored, and the more dilapidated the home the more dramatic the restoration. In most of these shows, there is a big reveal at the end, and we are left in awe as we see the before and after pictures. We can’t believe the difference! In some ways, this isn’t dissimilar to our own experience as Christians. Sometimes, we have the privilege of witnessing God’s restorative power on display in our lives and in the lives of people around us. However, if we are being honest, we sometimes feel lost in our sin, as if we have made such a mess of our lives that we might wonder if we are beyond hope.

This Sunday we will be diving back into our series The Great Exchange, looking at 1 Chronicles 21-22, where we find David in a similar situation. He had sinned against God and was desperate for forgiveness and restoration. As we examine that story more closely, we will see how God works in the process of restoration and that he truly is mighty enough to bring "beauty from ashes”.

Series: The Great Exchange
Nathan Hooper
Message: From rebellion to restoration
Harvest Bible Chapel
Text: 1 Chronicles 21-22:5
January 5, 2025

God will restore me when I…

…recognize and confess my sin (v. 21:1-8)

Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind…… it is Pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began. - C.S. Lewis

Until this disease is cured, medicines are applied in vain to heal all other diseases. - Jonathan Edwards

Our sin is great. We could easily be discouraged because we understand the greatness of our sin…But knowledge of our sin can also cause us to rejoice in his grace. He runs toward them, and as he does, he brings glory to his name. It’s who God is, and it’s what he does. He saves us because our sin is great. - Darryl Dash

In confession the break-through to community takes place. Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. Our brother breaks the circle of self-deception. A man who confesses his sins in the presence of a brother knows that he is no longer alone with himself; he experiences the presence of God in the reality of the other person.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

…accept the consequences of my actions (v. 21:9-17)

Hebrews 12:6

1 Peter 5:6-7

If we think we are basically perfect, then discipline doesn’t make sense, or it just seems cruel. But if we know that sin is our most dangerous and deepest problem, then discipline is a gift of love. - Ed Welch

…watch for God to work it for good (v. 21:18-22:1)

Romans 6:1-4

…respond in obedience and faith (v. 22:2-5)

And why do I confess? Because I need help, because I can run from a situation, I can run from a relationship, but I can’t run from me! I find when I try to run from me, I always show up with me at the end of the run – it doesn’t work! And so, I need to be rescued from me. I need rescuing, forgiving, transforming, empowering grace. And I enter into that grace by confession; confession is an admission that I need divine help. - Paul Tripp

Episode: https://www.harvestbible.ca/sermons/from-rebellion-to-restoration/

Podcast: https://www.harvestbible.ca