Restoring What Was Lost: The Redemption of Christ in Psalm 69
Pastor John Opferman
September 15, 2024
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Main Topics Discussed
Introduction
Scripture Reading: Psalm 69:1-4 (Focus on Verse 4)
Invitation to open Bibles to Psalm 69.
Discuss the structure of Psalms as ancient hymns, now forgotten in melody but powerful in message.
Main Focus: Verse 4, especially "Then I restored that which I took not away."
Prayer for Insight: Yielding to the Holy Spirit and asking for eyes to be opened to God’s Word.
Context of Psalm 69
Messianic Psalm: A prophetic reference to Jesus Christ.
Verse 8: Jesus’ alienation even from his family (brothers not believing until after His resurrection).
Verse 9: Fulfilled in John 2 when Jesus cleanses the temple.
Verse 21: Foreshadowing of Jesus being offered gall and vinegar during the crucifixion.
Christ’s Enemies Without a Cause (Verse 4)
Jesus’ Persecution:
He was hated without reason, as seen in His trial before Pilate and Herod.
Even Judas, who betrayed Him, acknowledged His innocence.
Today’s Rejection of Christ: Schools and nations ban the Bible, prayer in Jesus’ name, and preaching, despite the message of love and peace.
The rejection of Christ continues without cause.
Christ Restored What He Did Not Take Away (Main Theme)
What Did We Lose That Christ Restored?
Eternal Life:
Adam and Eve’s sin led to death. Jesus came to restore eternal life, which was lost through disobedience.
Romans 6:23: "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus."
Abundant Life:
John 10:10: "I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly."
We lost joy, peace, and love through sin. Christ restores them.
Paradise and Fellowship with God:
Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden, losing direct fellowship with God.
Jesus restores our relationship with God and promises eternal life in His presence.
How Did Christ Restore What Was Lost?
Becoming Flesh and Blood:
Jesus had to become a man (the second Adam) to undo the damage caused by sin.
His Suffering and Death:
Jesus suffered hunger, thirst, and death to restore fullness of life to humanity.
He took the curse (thorns, blood, and separation from God) upon Himself.
His cry on the cross, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" reflects the separation from God we all deserved.
His Resurrection:
Jesus rose to life, giving us the promise of new, eternal life with God.
Victory over death and sin—He lives to restore what was lost.
How Can We Have This Restoration Personally?
Through Faith in Christ:
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world..."
Romans 10:13: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Example of the thief on the cross: salvation through simple faith and repentance.
Daily Walk with Christ:
Abiding in Him brings continual restoration of joy, peace, and love.
Confess sins, trust in His forgiveness, and walk in restored fellowship with God.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Call to Salvation:
An invitation to those who have not yet trusted in Christ to call on Him today for restoration.
Encouragement to Believers:
Stay close to Christ to enjoy the abundant life He offers.
Remember that Jesus came to restore what we lost, and we should walk in the fullness of that restored life.
Closing Prayer
Thanking God for His Word and the work of Christ in restoring life, joy, peace, and fellowship.
Praying for those hearing to not only be hearers but doers of God’s Word, trusting in Christ for full restoration.
Biblical References
Psalm 69:1-4:
Verse 1: "Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck."
Verse 2: "I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me."
Verse 3: "I am weary with my crying; my throat is dry; my eyes fail while I wait for my God."
Verse 4: "Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; they are mighty who would destroy me, being my enemies wrongfully; though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it."
Psalm 69:8:
"I have become a stranger to my brothers, and an alien to my mother's children."
Interpreted as a prophecy about Jesus and His relationship with His siblings.
Psalm 69:9:
"For zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me."
Fulfilled in the New Testament when Jesus cleanses the temple (John 2:17).
Psalm 69:21:
"They also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."
Direct reference to the crucifixion of Jesus (Matthew 27:34, John 19:29).
John 10:10:
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
Referenced in contrast to what was lost through sin and what Christ came to restore.
Genesis 3:19 (Implied through context):
"By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."
This verse explains the curse that resulted from Adam and Eve's sin.
Romans 6:23:
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Used to explain the penalty of sin and the restoration offered by Christ.
Romans 10:13:
"For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Used to illustrate the simplicity of calling on Jesus for salvation.
Luke 23:42-43:
The thief on the cross says, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Jesus replies, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
An example of faith leading to restoration, even in the last moments of life.
Reflection Questions
What areas of your life do you feel have been "lost" or broken because of sin, and how can you look to Christ for restoration in those areas?
Reflect on how Jesus restores what we’ve lost, both in terms of eternal life and our daily walk with Him.
In what ways do you identify with the feelings of alienation or rejection described in Psalm 69:8-9? How does Jesus' own experience with rejection offer you comfort?
Consider how Jesus understands personal rejection and how He responded to it in love and grace.
How do the themes of restoration and renewal in Psalm 69 challenge your current understanding of what it means to live an abundant life in Christ?
Reflect on John 10:10 and think about how the abundant life Christ offers contrasts with worldly promises of fulfillment.
When faced with trials or criticism, how can you emulate Jesus' response, especially when He was hated without cause, as described in Psalm 69:4?
Consider how Jesus’ calm and obedient response to wrongful persecution can inspire your own actions in difficult circumstances.
How does Christ's restoration of what He "took not away" motivate you to walk more closely with Him? What steps can you take to abide more fully in His peace, joy, and love?
Reflect on your daily relationship with Christ and the importance of staying connected to Him through faith and trust.
Daily Activities
Reflect on What You’ve Lost
Activity: Spend 30 minutes in quiet reflection, journaling about areas in your life where you feel you’ve experienced loss—whether it's peace, joy, relationships, or spiritual closeness with God.
Application: Identify how these losses might be connected to sin or disobedience. Pray for God to begin the process of restoration in these areas, trusting in His power to heal and renew.
Practice Gratitude for Restoration
Activity: Write down three things that Christ has already restored in your life. This could include peace after a difficult situation, restored relationships, or personal growth.
Application: Spend time thanking God in prayer for these restorations. Acknowledge how Christ has restored these things in your life through His love and sacrifice, and ask for continued renewal in other areas.
Engage in Acts of Reconciliation
Activity: Reach out to someone with whom you’ve had a strained relationship. Send a kind message, offer forgiveness, or take steps to mend the relationship.
Application: Just as Christ restored what was lost without taking it away, seek to restore peace and fellowship with others. Reflect on how reconciliation mirrors the restoration work of Jesus in your own life.
Renew Your Mind with Scripture
Activity: Read John 10:10 and Romans 6:23 aloud multiple times. Meditate on the promises of abundant life and eternal life through Christ.
Application: Ask yourself how you are currently living out the abundant life that Jesus promises. Spend time in prayer asking God to help you live in a way that reflects the fullness of life Christ came to give you.
Live Out the Abundant Life
Activity: Take a step of faith in an area of your life where you feel God is calling you to act. This could be sharing your faith with someone, serving others, or stepping out of your comfort zone in obedience.
Application: Remember that Christ came to restore life abundantly, not just in eternity but now. Reflect on how living out God’s calling is part of embracing the fullness of the restored life that Christ has given you.
