RESTITUTION AS REVEALED BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

RESTITUTION AS REVEALED BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

                                                     LESSON THREE

MAIN IDEA:  Jesus Christ our Lord revealed that restitution is to be done by all including those who offer gifts or render service on the altar of God.

STUDY TEXTS: “Luke 19:1-10”

LESSON OBJECTIVE:       To tell all that even Christ’s sermon on the Mount talks of restitution by all believers.

INTRODUCTION:

In Matthew chapter 5 verses 23 and 24, Jesus has this to say which is part of the sermon on the Mount. “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee: leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift”. The above scriptural quotation is indicative that God does not accept any gift or service rendered upon His altar by professing believers who have issues with others and do not want to settle it.

Because restitution is Christ’s doctrine, all believers irrespective of denominational backgrounds must practice it. Christians do earnestly uphold and practice all that Christ taught in His written Word.

SUBJECT MATTERS:

1.                 Zecchaeus’ encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ presents another practical example of obedience to make restitution. (Luke 19:8)

2.                 Although some people murmured that Jesus was gone to be a guest of a sinner, Jesus pronounced that salvation had come to Zacchaeus’ house. (Luke 19:9, Gal. 3:7)

3.                 It is worthy to note that Zacchaeus was ready to make right his life and wholly follow the Lord (1^st Sam. 12:3, 2^nd Sam. 12:6)

4.                 Heart-felt repentance should naturally lead a person to return all possessions that rightfully belong to other people. (Exo. 22:1)

PRACTICAL LESSON:

1.                 Zacchaeus could not allow anything to stand on his way of salvation, not even his ill-gotten wealth, why will one allow other things such as club/family meetings, political pursuits, campaigns to stand in ones way, the only reason is that he person is not truly saved.

2.                 Examine yourself are there some believers in the church you cannot eat together with on the same table? Better endeavour to reconcile with such ones in a jiffy before it is too late.

MEMORY VERSE:     “Matthew 5:23 and 24”

          Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

 
DISCUSSION:

1.                             How related is the gift to be presented before the altar when one is not reconciled to his brother with the subject of restitution?

2.                             Do we still hear sermon on restitution nowadays when it is more acceptable to preach about blessing and receive the applaud of men and women?