Key verses: Isaiah 58

Key thought: One important key element in the great harvest is when we rebuild, repair and restore, and the key to all this is reverence for God and a return to true worship

As individuals and a church, God has called us to make a positive difference, we are light and salt to our communities.

One important dimension of kingdom harvest is spiritual restoration, because many times individuals and nations drift from the presence and purposes of God.

The whole reason Jesus came to earth was to rebuild, restore and repair the relationship between God and man

Isaiah 58:12 and your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. 

This is our calling both as individuals, a church and a nation!

Part of our work as we desire a great harvest is to rebuild and repair our spirituality to the extent that it must make a genuine impact.

1. We have been called to rebuild the ancient ruins
   • The fallen nature of man and our individual sins lead to the destruction of orderliness that God intended
   • We are to rebuild the ancient ruins, raise the foundations of many generations.
2. We have been called repair of the breaches
   • As believers we cannot be indifferent to what is happening around, our harvest should be framed in line with where we are.
   • A breach was an opening in the wall, without repairing a breach disaster would surely be certain.
   • It is a weak point that has to be strengthened to avoid weakening the entire wall.
   • It is any opening through which darkness can come into our lives and communities
3.  We have been called to restore streets to dwell in
   • We are to be path finders, restorers of streets to dwell in
   •  The context in the passage was the rebuilding of Jerusalem but this truth even applies to our world.
   • God is calling on his children that they will make their city habitable again.
   • It is our collective responsibility as believers to make our communities thrive again

Prerequisites of being restorers- a return to true worship

1. We must be watchful not to fall into religious practices that are diluted of its power
   • Our pursuit of godliness must not just be external, there must life inside of us that is connected to Christ.
   • Spiritual disciplines must be practiced from a heart that is fully surrendered and committed to following the Lord
2. We must be watchful not divorce our worship from compassion
   • Our sensitivity to the brokenness and needs in society is heightened when we are sincere in our pursuit of godliness
   • Isaiah is challenging us that our pursuit of godliness without doing what God desires is futile.
   • Godliness is not just in the practice of spiritual disciplines but also taking part in God’s agenda of restoration
3. We must not divorce our worship from fighting injustice
   • It is hypocrisy to continue pursuing spiritual disciplines when we pay a blind eye to injustice.
   •  God is asking the people that why do you fast and yet at the same time cannot deliver justice?

A return to true worship brings light, healing and restoration

• Conclusion
  • True worship is liberating, it addresses the challenges of society by rebuilding, repairing and restoring.
  • The church as salt and light must find its relevance, it must contribute to the rebuilding of the society.
• Prayer time
  • Lord show me what I need to rebuilding in my spiritual walk with you
  • Lord show me where I need to come in to repair the brokenness in my society