Help! I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up | KidzQuest Pastor Nolan Carpenter
by Nolan Carpenter
First Apostolic Church of Maryville (Maryville, TN)
Kind: sermon
Scripture: 1 John 2:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Romans 5:17-19, Hebrews 4:15-16, Micah 7:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 9:10-15

Source: https://acts238.life/repository/sermons/nolan-carpenter--help-i-ve-fallen-and-i-can-t-get-up
Published by Acts 2:38 Life from the sermon transcript on that page.
Free to copy and share with attribution.

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Please remain standing with me. We'll go quickly into the word of the Lord tonight. It's such an honor to stand before you great people this evening and preach the word to you wonderful people. And I want to tell you uh from the bottom of my heart and uh you are God's very best. And uh y'all are such a a gift to >> >> our family, our pastoral team. Uh the fact that there is a great crowd on the Sunday night before Christmas either you're crazy or you love God, and I think it's a little bit of both. All right, I think you love God. And we're all a little crazy, too. But it's so good. It's so good to be here tonight with everyone. Pastor sends his greetings tonight. He's here. Uh but after two messages today and a wedding uh his voice is not up to par and uh I'm feeling close to the same tonight. Uh I got the honor of preaching in our Spanish church this morning. And then people about preached me to death. And uh and so tonight you get the leftovers of my voice. It's like my body doesn't like it going from 65 to 30, then back to 65, then back to 30 and um degrees that is. And this Christmas we get to celebrate being 67° here. And uh we we thank God for that. And no, I didn't mean to say 67. No, that was not on purpose. Hey, for Christmas, how about this? For Christmas, there'll be no more. Does that sound like a good gift to every parent, every grandparent, every teacher? Amen. Amen. Whatever you that even means. Uh but you are such a such a gift to our family. And you know, I I I feel like having a little bit of fun before we get into the word tonight. You know, each of us in the family, uh we love different things, you know. Uh people bring food to my parents all the time and and to me and my brother-in-laws, we love text, you know, encouraging us. And and uh you know, Sister Lauren has come into her own. She really enjoys hugs. And so, you know, I think for Christmas it'd be just a good idea for everybody, you know to give her the greatest gift and uh she she just a little bit of fun here tonight, but uh it's good. It's good in the family tonight. We are so honored to have our two school parents tonight, the Dickinson family. Uh the Dickinson family, and I believe I'm pronouncing this correct correctly, the Magyar family. It's so good to have you all. Can we give our our school parents a big round of applause? Thank you so much. Thank you so much for coming. And uh God bless them tonight. Turning quickly to 1 John chapter 2 and verse number 1. 1 John 2 and chapter chapter 2 verse number 1 says, "My little children these things are written to you that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous. And He is the propitiation for our sins. Not just for us but also for the sins of the whole world." Tonight, I don't want to seem overconfident because as you can tell through my energy tonight and and and probably my voice, I should not be confident in the the skill of preaching or anything like that. But I'm confident in God's word tonight. I felt this for some time and I want to deliver this to you tonight that God wants to restore someone. God wants to restore someone in this house. If you'll respond to God's word, I believe God is speaking to someone tonight on restoration. Whatever that means for you tonight, I believe that God wants to restore you of some things that have been lost lost to sin and shame. And just for a few moments, if you'll help me, I I have confidence what God wants to do tonight. I want to preach for just a few moments. Help, I've fallen and I can't get up. Help, I've fallen and I can't get up. You put your Bibles down. You lift your hands to heaven, but most importantly, lift your voice. Let's ask God to do something in this room tonight. Come on, I believe there's been some saint of God that you've stumbled and fell. And God wants to pick you up and put you back on your feet again. Or whether you be A SINNER HERE TONIGHT, GOD WANTS TO SHOW YOU HIS mercy and to show YOU HIS LOVE. COME ON, CHURCH, would you help me for just a moment? LET'S GO AND REACH FOR SOMEONE IN THIS HOUSE. I PROMISE YOU THERE'S SOMEONE IN THIS PLACE THAT HAS BEEN RUNNING THIS RACE AND STUMBLED AND FELL. AND THEY NEED THE HAND OF A MERCIFUL GOD AND THE OPEN ARMS OF A CHURCH READY TO RECEIVE THEM TONIGHT. COME ON, LORD, I THANK YOU TODAY FOR WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO. I THANK YOU for your goodness AND MERCY, FATHER. I I LORD, I STAND HERE INADEQUATE, LORD. I DON'T HAVE THE WORDS TO CONVEY TO THESE PEOPLE WHAT YOUR WORD SAYS. BUT GOD, WE KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR POWER. AND WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO. AND we believe it in Jesus' name. Can someone say in Jesus' name? Now, LET'S CLAP OUR HANDS UNTO the Lord tonight. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. You may you may be seated here in the house of the Lord. Few months ago there was quite a stir that hit social media. This stir was caused by a few prophets from other countries putting a date to when they felt like the Lord was coming back. It was a a prop couple prophecies that they felt like that Jesus Christ was going to come on a certain date. This idea went from behind pulpits in other countries to then social media on threads. It was trending. The subject of the rapture was trending. On X for quite a while through the whole week where they felt like the Lord was coming back. This this subject of the rapture was trending on X. And of course it goes from pulpits in other countries to social media and and then it went to our kids in our school. And it's it's a fun time when the kids feel like the Lord is coming back in a week. We had some fun with this. I cannot tell you a lie. The Bible class before the certain date that the rapture was coming back was a fun one. I've never had the kids attention like I had in the Bible class before the rapture. It was wonderful. Even better than that, we had a had a golf match on September 17th and uh and it was the day that they found out that the Lord was coming back the next week and um this was the day they found found out they had about a week here on Earth and uh well we we hope they just had a week here on Earth and uh for 40 minutes in a van I heard every single question. From who's the Antichrist to even some serious ones to well Nolan, do you think I'm ready? I just you know, just play along with it a little bit. Trying to get them back focused. Not that we shouldn't focus on the rapture, but I was a golf coach at the time. I was trying to focus them on playing some good golf. And I want to tell you that's the worst we've ever played in the season that we had this year cuz the whole team the whole time was thinking about the rapture. So a week later a week later and some of you know about this or some of you I might be telling you this for the first time. Jesus was either coming back on the 23rd or the 24th of September. And because this was a certain feast that they felt like that Jesus was coming back surely on September 20 by the latest September 24th at 7:30 here local time. The kids had it all. They had it all figured out. And this morning of the 24th we had our district golf tournaments where we left the church here 6:30 a.m. sharp. And I you know, just trying to be a good coach Jackson, Sydney and Seth and some others have never turned down a good meal, especially a free meal. If this was going to be our last time together, figured I'd take them to Chick-fil-A. And so our last brother Eric said it's our last supper. Yes. They have never turned down food. No, not not once. Well, turns out a few of them were fasting. Okay? Then on our way I mean if you're going to eat anything before the rapture, needs to be Chick-fil-A. That is God's manna to the New Testament church. And 6:30 rolls around, we leave, we go through Chick-fil-A. Some of them eat, some of them don't. And then questions start to be asked like you know, what music should we be listening to while we're being raptured? They're kids. I mean, they're grown men, but in that time they were kids. And uh of course the only option is Kirk Franklin, you know, that's the only option. Do you want a revolution? Some of you are saved and sanctified. It's good. It's good. Just a little side note here. Magnolia was born to Kirk Franklin. Stomp if you want to know the exact song. Plan or he was wanting, you know, so I throw up my hands, praise No, my daughter was born to Kirk Franklin. That's just a side point. My car went from loud and obnoxious to around 7:25 things started to get serious. Then at 7:29 1 minute before the Lord was coming back everything was silent. For 1 whole minute I don't think there was anybody who breathed in the car. Prayers of forgiveness and repentance were being prayed in my in my car. Until Sydney John Phillips said guys, it's 7:31. And everybody exhaled with a little sigh of of relief. Even makes the story even better. We were playing at a a golf course in Knoxville and it was right next to the gun range. And they had these big old guns over there and every so often you just heard boom. And I mean the boys never played worse in their life, okay? How can you play good golf when you think Jesus is coming back every other hole? You can't you you you can't. You can't do it. Even though we know that Jesus did not come back at that certain date. He didn't come back at that certain date. This is my biggest help right here. Thank you, Dad. He didn't come back at this certain date. Um we know that he is coming. We know that he is coming. We we spoke with the kids that it was a good dress rehearsal of what it's going to feel when it does happen. It's going to it's going to be what it what it's what it's just a little bit of a practice run. And uh some people got this idea and I'm going to hopefully start preaching here in a moment, but some people got this idea from the timeline from the beginning. And uh to put a certain date on it, I guess you got to go back and you got to find out exactly when Adam fell in the garden. And as I begin to do a little research and and obviously we we we see that maybe somebody missed it or the Bible says that no man knows the day nor the hour and that's what I would lean on. Um but I I you know, there there there's something to what they had to say about this. EVEN THOUGH JESUS GOD in all of his wisdom is going to decide when he comes back. It is Jewish tradition that Adam sinned when it was when he was 33 and a half years old. Which if that is true, if I I I keep on saying if. I don't want anybody to be mad at me tonight. I'm not making you can't find this in scripture. You can find this in Jewish tradition that if Adam sinned when when he was 33 and a half years old, it sure does make some good preaching. All right. That it's possible to be in the presence of God for a long time and still stumble and fall. That should encourage someone here today that you can live your whole life living for God doing your absolute best, but if you stumble and fall, there's still restoration for you and still forgiveness for you. That should be the greatest encouragement that you can receive here tonight that you can LIVE FOR GOD A WHOLE LONG WHILE, BUT LET A TEMPTATION COME AND AND YOU STUMBLE AND FALL, BUT GOD'S ABLE TO restore you. It's possible to be in perfection but still need to be picked up after you fall. Adam's imperfection, Adam has this perfect surroundings but Adam still slipped and he still fell into sin. You don't get a MORE PERFECT PLACE. YOU DON'T get a more perfect pastor if you would to walk with God every day. But even in perfection we could still all make mistakes. This got me thinking a little bit. If this is true and I emphasize the word if it makes sense that Adam was 33 and a half years old because the second Adam was the fulfillment and the restoration of the first Adam. And we do know that the second Adam lived 33 and a half years and he died on a cross for our sins. What are you trying to tell me? I'm trying to tell you that Jesus will pick you up exactly where you fell. Through every season, through every year of your life, Jesus wanted to experience everything that you would experience. Every trial, every temptation and then when everything was fulfilled, he chose to restore the first Adam. So the second Adam will do anything to restore the first Adam that lived. Jesus chose a Friday, a Friday, the sixth day to begin the restoration process and that just so happens to be the day that man was created. Why? Because he wants to show us throughout the pages of scripture that he wants to pick you up exactly where you fell. We don't serve a God that puts you on probation. We don't serve A GOD THAT MAKES YOU think that you have to act a certain way that you would then qualify for his mercy. I'M TRYING TO PREACH TO SOMEONE TONIGHT THAT YOU HAVE SLIPPED AND YOU have fell and you're crying out for help and I want TO BE THE PREACHER THAT TELLS YOU THAT GOD WANTS to pick you up right WHERE YOU FELL. GOD WANTS TO PICK YOU UP RIGHT IN THE ministry that YOU FAILED IN. GOD WANTS to pick YOU UP. YOU DON'T HAVE TO PROVE good behavior TO GOD. YOU JUST GOT TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, AND THAT HE IS A PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS. HE PAID THE PENALTY FOR OUR SINS. He wants to pick us up right where we fall. There's more consequences we know that will come from sin. The Bible says that thorns also and thistles shall bring forth to thee. Thorns and thistles will be for thee. And thou shalt eat of the herb of the field. And we know that Jesus took a crown, they took a crown of thorns and they put it on his head. Just telling us again that everything that you would face because of sin Jesus took upon himself. The first Adam, 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, "For as in Adam all die." That's the first Adam. EVEN SO IN CHRIST, THE SECOND ADAM, shall all be made alive. We can't help it. We can't help it, BUT WE ARE ALL BORN IN SIN and shaping in iniquity. That's the first Adam. But if I can GET IN THE SECOND ADAM, JESUS CHRIST AND I COULD BE BORN INTO CHRIST THROUGH THE WATERS OF BAPTISM, AND I COULD IF I COULD be born again then I could receive restoration. I want to tell somebody under the sound of my voice, IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN BAPTIZED in Jesus' name yet THAT'S HOW YOU GET INTO CHRIST. THAT'S HOW YOU GET INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST THAT HAS BEEN RESTORED. OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY. BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE MADE NEW. COME ON, I'M TRYING TO PREACH TO SOMEONE TONIGHT. HELP! I'VE FALLEN, AND THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET UP IF IS IF I GET INTO JESUS CHRIST. The second Adam. Few more scriptures about the first and second Adam. Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offense death reigned by one much more than which we were which received abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one. There therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation even so BY THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF ONE THE FREE gift came upon all men into justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners. That's the first Adam. BUT IT'S BY THE SECOND ADAM'S JUST OF OBEDIENCE, act of obedience one shall be many be made righteous. That second Adam something you need to get a part of because that's where through the pit of SIN THAT WE FIND OURSELF IN WE CAN FIND RESTORATION. The greatest gift in this Christmas season IS NOT GIFTS UNDERNEATH a tree BUT IT'S THE SECOND ADAM CAME in the form of a baby and lived A LIFE 33 AND A HALF YEARS to take every sin that WE WOULD HAVE EVERY CONDEMNATION THAT WE WOULD FEEL EVERY OUNCE OF GUILT THAT WE WOULD FEEL AND HE WOULD TAKE IT UPON HIMSELF SO THE FIRST ADAM CAN BE RESTORED. Hebrews 4:15 says, "FOR WE HAVE NOT A HIGH PRIEST WHICH CANNOT BE TOUCHED WITH THE FEELINGS of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we yet without sin." NOW BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT LET US THEREFORE come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy AND FIND GRACE TO HELP IN TIME of need. If you forget anything I've said tonight, just remember this WE SERVE A GOD THAT WANTS TO pick you up right where you fell. We serve A GOD THAT WANTS TO PICK YOU UP. I'M GOING TO SAY it over and over again WHEREVER YOU FELL THAT'S WHERE GOD WANTS TO MEET YOU AT. YOU DON'T HAVE TO PROVE IT TO GOD. YOU DON'T HAVE TO TRY GOOD BEHAVIOR. GOD WANTS TO MEET YOU ARE WHEN GOD WANTS TO PICK YOU UP WHEREVER YOU ARE TONIGHT. HELP! I've fallen and I can't get up. EVERY BOOK IN THE BIBLE there is an overwhelming theme of restoration. Every single book. Man would fall God would pick them up. And a good idea tonight let's go through every single book. And I know what you're thinking. We're going to be here all night. I've timed it, 6 minutes and 27 seconds. All right, so just give me 6 minutes and 27 seconds if you would. Genesis Adam and Eve fall God clothes them and promises a redeemer. Exodus Israel enslaved and broken in Egypt, God raises them up as his redeemed people. Leviticus, the sinful nation will fall into exile if disobedient, but God promises to remember the covenant and restore them when they confess. Numbers, Israel rebels repeatedly after the wilderness and God raises up the next generation to enter into the land. Deuteronomy, Moses prophesies Israel's future fall and followed by God's restoration when they return to him. Joshua, Achan's sin causes Israel to fall at Ai and after judgment God gives them the the victory again. Judges, the entire cycle of the book Israel falls into idolatry and and oppression. They cry out and then God raises up a judge to deliver them and to restore them. That not only happens twice once, twice, BUT IT HAPPENED SEVEN TIMES. RUTH, NAOMI and Ruth are widowed and destitute. God raises them UP UP THROUGH BOAZ THE KINSMAN REDEEMER. First First Samuel, Eli's house falls UNDER JUDGMENT AND GOD RAISES UP SAMUEL, later David as the anointed line. And you remember that David? Second Samuel the David the anointed one he falls to Bathsheba, after repentance God forgives him and restores him. First Kings, Solomon falls into idolatry, the king the kingdom split but God preserves and later restores a remnant line for David's sake. Second Kings, the northern kingdoms fall to Assyria, God promises future res- restoration of all Israel. First Chronicle David Chronicles, David falls with the sin sin- census and after repentance God restores blessings and lets David purchase the temple site. Second Chronicles, multiple kings fall into idolatry and Manasseh repents in captivity and God restores him to Jerusalem. Ezra, Jer- Jerusalem and the temple lie in ruins and God raises up men to rebuild and restore the people. Nehemiah, the walls of Jericho are broken down and God RAISES UP NEHEMIAH TO rebuild and to restore the city. Esther, the Jewish people face annihilation with Haman's plot BUT GOD RAISES UP ESTHER AND MORDECAI TO DELIVER THEM. JOB, JOB LOSES EVERYTHING AND FALLS INTO SUFFERING BUT GOD RESTORES HIM DOUBLY IN THE END. PSALMS, many Psalms describe falling into the pit or under the ENEMY'S DISTRESS BUT GOD REPEATEDLY lifts him up. Proverbs I know we're we're halfway there. Let's take a little intermission. Everybody take a deep breath, all right? Proverbs the righteous fall seven times and seven times they rise again. The entire book teaches us that God upholds those who fear him. Ecclesiastes, everything under the sun, it's a depressing book it's vanity and falls apart but the conclusion is to fear God who will bring every deed into judgment and make all things right. Song of Solomon the Shulamite woman is looked down as a lowly vineyard keeper but THE THE KING RAISES HER TO BE A bride and this IS A TYPOLOGY OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH. ISAIAH, ISRAEL, Judah falls at the exile BUT GOD PROMISES A NEW EXODUS AND FULL RESTORATION. JEREMIAH, JERUSALEM falls to Babylon, BUT GOD PROMISES A NEW COVENANT AND FUTURE RESTORATION. LAMENTATIONS, Jerusalem is completely fallen and desolate yet there IS NO HOPE BUT UNTIL GOD STEPS IN AND BEGINS to restore them. Ezekiel, and I'm pretty sure you can guess where I'm going here. Israel is dead. THE BIBLE SAYS THE WHOLE HOUSE OF ISRAEL IS DRY THEY WEREN'T DRY, they were very dry. BUT GOD RAISES THEM to life. I'M SO THANKFUL WE SERVE A GOD THAT WILL RESTORE US. I'M SO THANKFUL WE SERVE A GOD THAT HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON US BECAUSE THE WHOLE HOUSE OF ISRAEL WAS IN THE VALLEY OF THE DEAD BONES AND GOD RAISED UP LEVI. HE RAISED UP THE MINISTRY AGAIN. GOD RAISED UP JUDAH. HE RAISED UP THE PRAISE AGAIN. GOD RAISED UP ISSACHAR. HE RAISED UP THE REWARD AGAIN. OH, it gets better than that. You may be seated. Daniel three Hebrew boys have fallen to the trap of an evil king but the cry FROM THE FURNACE TELLS US THE LORD WAS WITH THEM IN THE FIRE. HOSEA HOSEA'S WIFE GOMER FALLS INTO WHOREDOM HOSEA BUYS HER BACK AND RESTORES her and God WILL DO THE SAME FOR US, CHURCH. JOEL, LOCUST PLAGUE AND JUDGMENT DEVASTATE THE LAND AND GOD PROMISES TO RESTORE THE YEARS THE locust ate. Amos Israel will fall AND BE SIFTED. GOD WILL RAISE UP THE FALLEN TABERNACLE OF DAVID. OBADIAH, EDOM CELEBRATES JUDAH'S FALL BUT NOT SO FAST GOD WILL BRING EDOM DOWN AND restore Israel again. JONAH, GOD RESTORED A BACKSLIDDEN PREACHER AND WHILE GOD WAS AT IT HE WAS RESTORING A WICKED CITY OF NINEVEH, AND MICAH, ISRAEL WILL FALL, BUT A RULER WILL COME FROM THE TINY BETHLEHEM AND RESTORE THE REMNANT THAT GOD STILL HAD. NAHUM, Nineveh falls forever, AND JUDAH IS COMFORTED WITH future restoration. Habakkuk, Judah will fall to Babylon, but Habakkuk ends up rejoicing that God causes us to live by faith and his feet like hinds' feet on high places. Zephaniah, many will fall in that day, but God will restore a remnant. Haggai, the people are and the temple are in a fallen state, but God stirs them up in the promise to fulfill the new temple with greater glory. Zechariah, Jerusalem is fallen and trampled, but God promises to return, rebuild, and make Jerusalem a cup of trembling and a heavy stone. Malachi, the priesthood and the people who know better have fallen INTO CORRUPTION, BUT GOD SENDS ELIJAH BEFORE THE GREAT DAY AND PURIFY AND RESTORE THE sons of Levi. And that's in the Old Testament when they did not know the name of my sweet Jesus. All they had was a title of what they needed. If they needed a certain healing, they would call on a certain name. But now WE STEP INTO THE NEW TESTAMENT, WE ARE GIVEN A NAME that is ABOVE EVERY NAME THAT CAN RESTORE every issue, CAN RESTORE EVERY PROBLEM. If you have A SIN IN YOUR LIFE, YOU NEED TO CALL ON THE NAME OF JESUS BECAUSE WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED. IT'S JESUS HERE TO TAKE AWAY OUR SINS. IT'S JESUS HERE TO RESTORE OUR DISEASED BODY. IT'S JESUS that's going to restore us. I didn't account for you helping me preach during that. So, we're just give me a few more minutes. Matthew, Peter denies Jesus three times, but Jesus restores him personally after the resurrection. Mark, all disciples forsake Jesus and flee, but Jesus said to the whole group, "I need you to meet me in Galilee." Luke, the prodigal son falls into the far country, but the father runs to restore him. JOHN, PETER'S DENIAL AGAIN, BUT JESUS RESTORES HIM WITH A SIMPLE QUESTION, "PETER, do you love me?" If it doesn't get better than that, THERE THEY GO TO A CHRISTIAN killer named Saul in the book of Acts. SAUL IS PERSECUTING THE CHURCH AND JESUS KNOCKS HIM DOWN FLAT ON HIS BACK ON THE DAMASCUS ROAD. I FEEL THE HOLY GHOST IN THIS ROOM TONIGHT. AND JESUS RAISES HIM UP, FILLS HIM WITH THE HOLY GHOST, BAPTIZES HIM IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AND HE IS AN APOSTLE to the Gentiles. ROMANS TELLS US THAT ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALLEN SHORT OF GOD'S GLORY, BUT ROMANS ALSO TELLS US THAT WE ARE JUSTIFIED FREELY AND RAISED TO NEW LIFE. First Corinthians, the Corinthian church is carnal, falling into division and immorality, BUT GOD SAYS THROUGH PAUL THAT HE WILL RAISE UP BY HIS own power. Second Corinthians, Second Corinthians says Paul himself is cast down, but not destroyed. Galatians, the Galatian church fall from grace into legalism, but Paul writes into the writes until Christ is formed in them again. SOMETIMES THE GREATEST RESTORATION that we need is the word being preached to us over and over and over and over again. It might have not worked in the first sermon, BUT IF YOU COME BACK FOR THE SECOND SERMON, IT MIGHT DO SOMETHING IN YOUR SOUL. YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD ABOUT A FORGIVING GOD ONCE BEFORE, BUT LET YOU BE WASHED BY THE WORD OVER AND OVER AGAIN. HOW MANY TIMES I GOT TO TELL YOU THAT JESUS LOVES YOU? HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU NEED TO HEAR THAT JESUS CARES FOR YOU? AND HE WANTS TO PICK YOU UP RIGHT WHERE YOU FELL. LORD, where was I Ephesians, we were dead in sin, but God raises US UP WITH CHRIST AND HAS US TO SEEK SIT IN HEAVENLY PLACES. PHILIPPIANS, Paul considers everything a loss, but one day he realizes he's going to get a new body. Colossians, believers were enemies, but God reconciles them and puts them in the body reminds him they are in the body of Christ. First and Second Thessalonians, believers who have died, God Paul reminds them that God will one day resurrect them and their bodies will be restored. First Timothy, HYMENAEUS AND ALEXANDER SHIPWRECKED of faith, BUT PAUL KNOWS RESTORATION THROUGH REPENTANCE and recovery is possible. SECOND TIMOTHY, ALL THINGS FALL APART FOR PAUL. HE'S ALL BY HIMSELF. DEMAS FORSAKES PAUL FOR LOVING this present WORLD, BUT YET PAUL IS CONFIDENT THE LORD WILL PRESERVE HIMSELF TO THE HEAVENLY kingdom to be profitable. Titus, we weren't WERE FOOLISH AND DISOBEDIENT, BUT GOD SAVES US BY THE WASHING OF REGENERATION. Uh Philemon, Onesimus the runaway slave, AND PAUL SENDS HIM BACK REDEEMED as a brother. Hebrews, ISRAEL REPEATEDLY FELL IN THE WILDERNESS, BUT YET GOD SWEARS THEY WILL ENTER into his rest in Christ. James, the brother who wanders FROM THE TRUTH, BUT HE LETS THEM KNOW THAT THAT HE WHICH CONVERTED the sinner from THE ERROR OF HIS WAYS SHALL SAVE A SOUL FROM DEATH AND SHALL HIDE IN THE MULTITUDE I SHALL HIDE A MULTITUDE OF SINS. FIRST PETER, BELIEVERS SUFFER and are grieved, BUT THE GOD OF ALL GRACE PERFECT THEE, ESTABLISH THEE, AND STRENGTHEN THEE, and settle you. Second Peter, false teachers and scoffers cause many to fall, but the Lord knoweth to deliver how to deliver them out of godly temptations. First, Second, Third John, if any man sins, we have an advocate with the Father. Doesn't matter how you fall, whether that be in First First John, it's your own doing, sins of the world, whether it be in Second John, deceivers and Antichrist and false prophets, or whether somebody in the church who tempts you to get out of CHURCH AND REBEL, DOESN'T MATTER WHAT IT IS, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER THAT WE CAN FIND MERCY AND GRACE IN in the time of need. Jude, some crept in and perverted grace, took advantage of grace and mercy, BUT GOD IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM FALLING AND PRESENT you blameless. And now Revelation. Thank God. >> >> The entire book is filled with the ultimate restoration of all things. You know that garden that Adam messed up in the beginning in the book of Revelations is restored. We find a tree and then we find a river next to the tree just like the Garden OF EDEN. YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW THOSE PEOPLE THAT FELL. NO, THE CHURCH IS PRESENTED AS A BRIDE TO JESUS CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION. I'M SO THANKFUL. AND THROUGH EVERY BOOK, THROUGH EVERY CHAPTER, THERE IS AN OVERWHELMING THEME OF RESTORATION. THERE'S AN OVERWHELMING THEME OF A GOD THAT CARES FOR YOU. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO PREACH TONIGHT, SO I FIGURED I'D PREACH THE WHOLE BIBLE TO YOU BECAUSE MICAH 7 AND 8 SAYS, "REJOICE NOT AGAINST ME, OH MY ENEMY, WHEN I FALL, I SHALL ARISE." YOU WAIT, SATAN, YOU HAVEN'T SEEN NOTHING YET. I'M COMING OUT OF THIS. I'M COMING OUT OF THIS. I'M NOT GOING TO BE DEPRESSED ANYMORE BECAUSE GOD IS PICKING ME UP RIGHT WHERE I I WANT TO TELL YOU GOD DOES HIS BEST WORK IN THE RESTORATION BUSINESS. GOD WANTS TO RESTORE YOUR SOUL. GOD WANTS TO HEAL YOUR BODY. GOD WANTS TO RESTORE YOU OUT OF THE PIT OF SIN. How you know it's for me? Did you hear who it was for? It's the whole Bible. You can't turn your page without seeing a God that restores. If you're tired of being knocked down, know that God's about to do what he's always done. And that is to pick you up, Israel, right right where you fell. IT'S TO PICK YOU UP, SINNER, RIGHT WHERE you fell. I'm so thankful. We serve a God that restores. So thankful. We serve a God. Do I have anybody here just a moment who's thankful for some restoration? Do I have anybody tonight that you'd be honest with the person beside you that they is struggling with the same thing you used to struggle with? And just for a moment, you lift both of those hands and maybe they can see that I'm not the only one who has faced this. I'm not the only one with questions in my mind. And when I begin TO SEE THAT BROTHER BEGIN TO PRAISE THE LORD, I KNOW if he can DO IT FOR HIM AND HE HAS, I SEE HIS FAMILY. HOW'D YOU GET THAT? I'M GOING TO TAKE YOU BACK to where GOD PICKED ME UP. HELP, SOMEBODY HELP. I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP, BUT YOU'VE COME INTO THE HANDS OF A MERCIFUL GOD. YOU'VE COME INTO THE HANDS OF A GOD who's reaching, who's pulling. Peter, 53 days after you denied him, 53 days of saying 53 days after saying I don't know that Jesus. I don't know him. I once You know, once you say Jesus, forgive me of all my sins. All right, you can keep going. That's terrible. Peter again, I don't know him. Oh God. For the third time, a crows. 53 days after this, one would think, "How can you preach about a person who you've denied?" But that's what we think. But what God thinks is 53 days later, I'm going to anoint him. He's going to preach the greatest message that the church could be founded upon. You realize we're serving a God through the the knowledge and the doctrine that he has revealed to us in Acts 2:38 from a man that was far from perfect, from a man that 53 days prior to proclaiming to repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of the your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 53 days earlier, he was saying Jesus, I'm not with him. I'm not that guy. Or what about Saul? We've mentioned him in the book of Acts. And some of us find ourselves where Saul is at. But even though when God speaks to a man named Ananias to go and lay hands on Saul in Acts chapter Acts chapter 9 verse number 10. There was a certain man at Damascus named Ananias. He said to him, "Lord, in a vision." Ananias, he said, "Behold, I'm here, Lord." And the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the street which is called straight and inquire the house of Judas for one named Saul for behold he prayeth." The first step in restoration. If you have anything to give to God, you have a prayer to give to him. That's where we all started. Was a prayer to God. And Ananias this man named Saul has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him who that he might receive his sight. Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard by many how much evil this man has done to the saints at Jerusalem. And here he hath authority from the chief priest to bind all that call on your name. Here he hath authority. He's got He's got authority that if I go in, Lord, can you imagine? You imagine, Brother Wimberly? You're back talking God. I've heard by many. God, have you not heard, Mom, this man's reputation? HAVE YOU NOT HEARD OF THE SAUL of of Tarsus? No, you got the wrong What about if you try Saul of Bethlehem? Maybe that's a better guy, but but not Saul of Tarsus. And while people know him FOR HIS REPUTATION, THIS IS WHAT JESUS CHRIST KNOW knew Saul as. BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, "GO THY WAY, for he IS A CHOSEN VESSEL UNTO ME TO BEAR my name BEFORE THE GENTILES." JESUS WASN'T CONCERNED WITH HIS PAST. HE WAS JUST CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROMISE that he had ON SAUL'S LIFE. AND MANY OF US ARE LIKE SAUL TONIGHT. WE THINK THAT EVERYBODY ELSE KNOWS US BY WHAT WE'VE DONE. WE THINK THAT EVERYBODY ELSE KNOWS US BY OUR REPUTATION, but it doesn't MATTER WHAT ANYBODY ELSE THINKS OF ME. IT JUST MATTERS WHAT GOD THINKS OF ME. AND HE CALLS US A CHOSEN VESSEL. HE DOESN'T KNOW YOU BY WHAT YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH. HE DOESN'T KNOW BY YOU BY THE MISTAKES THAT YOU'VE MADE. He just knows you by what you're going what you're going to do. Help, I've fallen I can't get up. We find a woman. You can hardly preach on restoration without making your way to the prodigal son story or making your way to a woman that was caught in the act of adultery. We know this story all too well. There was a group people that tried to corner Jesus. They tried to corner him because if Jesus would want to stone this woman, he would break the Roman law. But if Jesus would forgive this woman, he would break the Mosaic law, the law of Moses. But what happened next would change her life. Because it's not what he said, for the mayo, it's what he did. Jesus did not save us with our words. He saved us with his actions. That's how powerful a God that we serve. God did just speak our forgiveness, but he committed he paid for our forgiveness. And to the woman that was caught in the act of adultery, it's not what Jesus said, but it's what he did. The Bible says that he stooped down to the ground and took his finger and began to write. You look in the Old Testament, that's the same finger that wrote the Old Testament law, the Mosaic law. That same finger now has skin and bones through Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, that finger was writing, "You shall not You shall not commit adultery." It was writing all the laws, the very laws that she broke. But now in the New Testament, that same finger is writing her her freedom. That same finger is writing the declaration for HER FINGER. THAT SAME FINGER THAT'S WRITING HER FREEDOM from punishment that she deserved. I've come to preach here to someone tonight who's broke a lot of rules for a lot of things. And maybe you've you've broke some rules from the finger that was in the book or maybe you've you've BROKE SOME RULES BY THE FINGER THAT HAS BEEN preached across this pulpit by a man of God. But this same pulpit now is a finger coming across to say you can get up where you fell. IT'S NOT A FINGER OF CONDEMNATION, BUT IT'S A FINGER LOOKING AT YOU THAT GOD CAN RESTORE YOU. IF YOU'RE THAT WOMAN CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF ADULTERY AND YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE FINGER OF JESUS CHRIST WRITING your declaration of freedom, I just CAN'T HELP BUT THINK IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THAT FINGER WAS PUTTING HER TO DEATH because she committed adultery, but in the New Testament WE SEE A GOD THAT WITH THAT VERY FINGER WAS WRITING HER DECLARATION OF FREEDOM. I'm so thankful tonight. But before we talk about the stoning, it'd be a good idea to preach about the stooping for a moment. She was about to get stoned, but before she did, Jesus stooped to the ground. It's because Jesus stooped down to become a man. It's because God stooped down to become a man is the reason we all don't get what we deserve tonight. The Christmas season is the greatest gift because it's God stooping down to take on flesh and be born as a baby. But he made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in a fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the cross even the death of the cross. And when he Tonight I feel the Holy Ghost in my soul tonight. WHEN HE WAS DONE WRITING THE FIRST TIME, he said to them, "He that's without sin cast the first stone AT HER. SHE DESERVES TO BE PUT TO DEATH for her actions." He that was out without sin cast that first stone. And you can imagine the guilty begin to cover her face not knowing when the first stone would be cast. Tonight it's NOT WHAT SHE FELT, but it's what she heard. She heard stones begin TO DROP. SHE HEARD STONES BEGIN TO HIT THE GROUND. And what's that I hear? I hear my punishments BEING FORGIVEN. I FEEL I I HEAR MY CONSEQUENCES. I hear my consequences being forgiven. Why do I hear the stones dropping? Because the ones who wanted to throw the stones could not. And the one THAT WANTED THAT COULD THROW THE stones would not. AND THAT'S THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU COME INTO the church because the ones WHO WANT TO THROW STONES OF HOW YOU LIVE, they can't throw anything at at you. BUT THE ONE THAT CAN THROW A STONE AT YOU for your sins TOOK THE STONE UPON HIMSELF WITH THE DEATH ON THE CROSS. THE ONE THAT COULD THROW THE STONE AT YOU WILL NOT. HE'LL TELL YOU TO GO AND SIN NO MORE. I'M THANKFUL WE SERVE A GOD that even though he can, HE WON'T BECAUSE HE PAID THE PRICE FOR OUR SIN. HE PAID THE PRICE FOR OUR GUILTY. WE KNOW WE DESERVE DEATH. WE KNOW WE DESERVE PENALTY FOR OUR SIN, BUT THE ONE THAT COULD CAST THE FIRST STONE would not. And they which heard it being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one beginning at the eldest even until the last. And Jesus was left all alone with the woman. And the woman, first we see her afraid, ashamed, condemned, guilty? Absolutely. We see her through at the feet of Jesus. But once Jesus stoops down, and I want to tell you, it's such a good thing to believe in the oneness of God for a multitude of reasons. We know God's name is Jesus and that's one great reason. But another is to know that the creator has the pain of his creation. That God did not just send somebody else. Put it upon somebody else. But God humbled himself. >> >> And took on every sin that we would face. AND I'M SO THANKFUL MY JUDGE IS NOW MY ADVOCATE. THE ONE THAT COULD PUT ME TO DEATH, PUT HIMSELF TO DEATH ON THE CROSS AND PAID the penalty FOR EVERYTHING. IT'S SUCH A GOOD THING TO BELIEVE in the one that's of God because I know that God humbled himself and stooped down to take my sin. And when Jesus got done with the accusers the next time we see the woman the Bible says she's standing in the midst. And when Jesus had lifted himself up, saw none but the woman, he said to her, "Woman, where are those acc- Where are those uh thine accusers? Have no man condemned thee?" She said, "No, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more." Our opening text tonight, our musicians will begin to come this evening. Our opening text tonight uses language found that could be used in a a courtroom setting. And we know that Jesus is our advocate. He's our propitiation for our sins. He is our penalty. And we know that Satan the Bible calls him the accuser of the brethren. And some things he accuses the people of is not far from the truth. Cuz he's accuser of the brethren. Pastor, if we were in a courtroom tonight and you had the accuser on one side and you had the one being accused on the other everything that's coming across the aisle for that woman is nothing but the truth. The accuser is saying she's no good. She's trash. She's a mistake. She's a failure. And all those things are true. But we have an advocate with the Father. We have an advocate with the Father named Jesus Christ. And what's awesome is when God, the almighty judge hears the side from the accuser he looks to the advocate, the lawyer of the one being accused, he says "What do you think about all this?" And the advocate says "Guilty as charged." Everything the accuser said is true. Everything the accuser said is true. And that judge in all of his wisdom, he's a just judge. He's a just judge. There has to be a payment for our sins. That gavel slams to the to the desk. That gavel slams down and says "Guilty. Guilty as charged." And now let's talk about the sentence for the accused. Let's talk about the the sentence because if you sin according to scripture, God has to be just. It deserves Any penalty for sin is always death. The sentence for the guilty is death. Jesus Christ our advocate. You begin to notice the judge looks a whole lot like your advocate on the side. Your judge has got a name named Jesus Christ. You notice, "Well, I've got attorney at law Jesus Christ." And that advocate with the Father begins to say "I know he deserves death. But I want to tell you that his payment has been made in full." "How in the world is that possible?" "Because I took every sin that every person would ever commit ALL THE WAY BACK TO ADAM AND EVE FOR THE PARRY. God took those sins on the cross and then he paid it forward all the way to December. HE PAID IT ALL THE WAY TO DECEMBER 2025 as a credit of everything that would ever be committed. And I want to tell somebody ON THE SOUND OF MY VOICE TONIGHT that your sin is already covered. THAT YOUR SHAME IS ALREADY COVERED. THAT YOUR GUILT HAS ALREADY BEEN PAID FOR. That your CONSEQUENCE FOR SIN HAS ALREADY BEEN PAID FOR. ALL YOU GOT TO CRY OUT IS HELP, "JESUS, I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP. JESUS, I'M IN MY FIT OF SIN. I RECOGNIZE MY WRONGDOING." AND GOD, WHEN YOU CALL UPON HIM, GOOD PEOPLE, JESUS WILL NOT CLOSE HIS EAR TO YOU, BUT JESUS WILL PICK YOU UP RIGHT WHERE YOU FELL. JESUS WILL PICK you up RIGHT WHERE YOU STUMBLED BECAUSE HE TOOK EVERYTHING THAT YOU WOULD EVER DO and paid for it in full. Be so kind to stand with me all across this room tonight. Felt the Lord speak to me so strong. I felt the Lord speak to me so strong in the prayer room tonight that there might be someone tonight that you're going to give your life to God. You recognize that you have a propitiation of your sins that has been paid for. Jesus Christ is the advocate. There is also a person on the sound of my voice that you've been living this way. You lived for God a long while. You lived for God a long while. You served in ministries. You served in ministries in this church. But you stumbled and fell. I want to prophesy you tonight that you're finding restoration at this house. I want to prophesy to a father that you fell in front of your family. I WANT TO PROPHESY TO A FATHER TONIGHT, A HUSBAND, THAT YOU FELL IN FRONT OF YOUR FAMILY. COME ON, JESUS HAS NOT TURNED his back to you because he's dealing with some sinner that's never had the Holy Ghost before. NO. HE DON'T CARE WHERE YOU'VE BEEN. IF YOU'RE FIRST TIME COMING TO CHURCH, HE'S DEALING with you tonight. BUT IF YOU'RE A GOOD FAITHFUL SAINT OF GOD THAT YOU STUMBLED AND FELL TONIGHT, GOD WANTS TO MEET YOU RIGHT WHERE YOU WERE. GOD WANTS TO MEET YOU RIGHT WHERE YOU FELL AND PICK YOU BACK UP. Because we have an advocate with the Father. Come on, every head would be bowed, every eye would be closed all across this room tonight. Come on, there's somebody that's calling out for help. There's somebody that's calling out for help tonight. Come on, I'm going TO GIVE YOU THE GREATEST GIFT AND THAT IS THE opportunity to come to the altar tonight. Come on, whether you're a faithful saint faithful saints need restoration, TOO. IF YOU'RE A FAITHFUL SAINT, AND MAYBE YOU STUMBLED AND FELL. YOU USED TO BE IN THE CHOIR. I WANT TO TELL YOU RESTORATION IS HERE for you tonight. I want TO ASK YOU, ARE YOU TIRED OF LIVING THE WAY YOU'VE BEEN LIVING? ARE YOU TIRED OF RUNNING FROM THAT CALLING TO GET BACK IN THE CHOIR? ARE YOU TIRED OF RUNNING FROM THAT CALLING TO GET BACK TO PRAYER? ARE YOU TIRED OF RUNNING TONIGHT BECAUSE WE'RE PULLING for you. GOD IS CALLING SOMEONE TONIGHT. COME ON, SIR, WOULD YOU RESPOND TO THE CALL OF GOD? WOULD YOU RESPOND to the call of God tonight? He's pulling. You don't have to prove IT TO GOD. WOULD YOU JUST COME TO THE ALTAR AND LIFT YOUR HANDS AND CALL upon the name of the Lord? Come on, that's it. Every eye. Come on, every person the sound of my voice. Restoration is for you tonight. Restoration is for you tonight. Come on, Jesus stooped down FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO COME DOWN to the altar. COME ON, HE HUMBLED HIMSELF and took every payment, every penalty for your sin. Come on, that's it. Come on, that's it. Come on, that's it, church. Would you lift your voice with me for just a moment? I'm very confident what God's about to do in this room. I I I'm very confident with what God is about to do. COME ON, YOU'RE MAYBE A SINGLE MOTHER in this house. YOU JUST STUMBLED AND FELL. YOU'VE TRIED TO LIVE ON YOUR OWN. COME ON, YOU'VE TRIED TO LIVE ALL BY YOURSELF. YOU THINK YOU CAN DO IT ON YOUR OWN. GOD IS GOING TO MEET YOU IN THIS ALTAR if you make your way. Come on, you need restoration. Maybe it's not for a sin, but you're just not living for God like YOU USED TO. COME ON, HE SEES He's looking down at you in the eyes and he's calling you. Come on, LET THAT DESPERATION CRY COME from your soul. "Help, I've fallen AND I CAN'T GET UP. I NEED SOMEBODY TO PICK ME UP. SOMEBODY HELP ME." COME ON, HE'S MOVING IN THIS ROOM. Come on, church, I NEED YOU TO HELP ME FOR a moment. I NEED YOU TO HELP ME FOR A MOMENT. COME ON, I I RESTORATION IS FOR YOU TONIGHT. COME ON, NOBODY LOOKING AROUND. I'm talking about me, MY THE PREACHER TONIGHT needs some restoration. Come on, the preacher's NOT BEEN THE FATHER HE SHOULD BE. THE PREACHER'S NOT been the husband that he should be. Come on, every person restoration is for you. Come on, GOD RESTORED PETER. GOD CAN RESTORE THE FAITHFUL SAINT in this house. >> >> God, I love you today. Come on, that's it. That's it. That's it. Come on, we're going to break through tonight. We're going to break through tonight. COME ON, IF YOU MAKE A DECISION TO COME TO THE ALTAR, YOU WON'T FIND STONES AT THE ALTAR. YOU'RE GOING TO FIND PEOPLE that are helping YOU TO PICK YOU UP TONIGHT AT THE ALTAR. COME ON, THAT'S THE HOLY GHOST THAT'S ENTERED INTO THIS ROOM. COME ON, GOD IS HERE RIGHT NOW. COME ON, RESTORATION IS TAKING PLACE. Come on, restoration is taking place. >> >> Come on, church. Come on, church. I I LOOSE YOU RIGHT NOW to find somebody to pray for tonight. Come on, IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED RESTORATION in your soul, if you've received restoration in your soul, come on, I CHALLENGE YOU TO FIND SOMEBODY WE'VE ALL GOT ISSUES, WE'VE ALL GOT PROBLEMS, and we are all IN NEED OF A RESTORE. WE ARE IN all we all need a restoration to happen in our life. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah, Jesus. Come on, that's it. That's it. That's it. I love you today, Lord. I love you today, Lord. Come on, it's time for some of you to get back IN THE CHOIR. COME ON, IT'S TIME FOR SOME OF YOU TO TO GET BACK TO TEACHING SUNDAY SCHOOL. COME ON, IT'S TIME FOR SOME OF YOU TO GET BACK ON the greeting team. COME ON, THAT'S THE RESTORATION WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT. Come on, YOUR MINISTRY HAS BEEN IN THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES, but he restored the whole house of Israel. COME ON, IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO BE RESTORED TO PRAISE YOUR GOD AGAIN. OLD JUDAH WAS LAYING IN THOSE BONES, BUT LET GOD GET A hold of you. Come on, let the restorer get a hold of you tonight. Hallelujah, Jesus. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Come on, find somebody right now. Come on, find somebody right now. COME ON, GOD'S MOVING right now. Come on, I'm going to ask this church to lift your voices a little bit louder just a moment. Come on, I'm asking if you've ever been restored from something, IF YOU'D LIFT YOUR VOICE, IF WE'RE HONEST, EVERY SINGLE PERSON HAS BEEN RESTORED in the sound of my voice. >> >> Come on, we've all been the father. COME ON, WE'VE ALL BEEN the father that hasn't led our family in THE RIGHT WAY. >> >> HALLELUJAH. HALLELUJAH. COME ON, HE'S AS CLOSE AS A MENTION OF HIS NAME. ALL HE'S waiting for you TO DO IS CRY OUT TO HIM. ALL HE'S WAITING TO DO is for you to open up yourself to him. >> >> Oh, God's looking for you tonight. >> >> Come on, you can't get up on your own. You can't do it by yourself, mama. You can't do it by yourself, daddy. You're not a self-made man. You need a restorer. You need a restoration