"Those People" - The Needy, October 30, 2011. Lifechurch

Those People
Those "overly needy" people.

Emotionally needy people.
Sometimes when we encounter needy people and don't help them in the right way, we hurt them and overselves.

Difference between relief & restoration:

Relief: Immediate & temporary assistance.
We should ambush them with the love of God. Be there for them in a massive way.

Restoration: Working with people to restore them to their God-given potential.
It takes a lot of time and effort, which is why not a lot of people do this. You help them work with their problems through long periods of time, and they might fall again and you will need to pick them up til they are secure.

The problem is, today, we tend to provide relief and not restoration.

Restoration:
Acts 3:1-8
"One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer - at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put everyday to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles become strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God."

The crippled man was provided relief by people by helping him to rich places so he can beg from the rich who want to look good.
Peter gave him restoration by reaching out to him, so that the man can pick himself up.


Three Prayers of a Restorer:

1. God help me give people what they truly need not just what they want.
Peter gave the man the ability to walk. People would ask for what they want rather than need. The crippled man "needed money" but Peter knew he needed a job.

There will be times when we are tempted to tell/give them what they want, but let God tell you what they need.

Acts 3:6

2. God help me stay out of your way by not continually rescuing people from their consequences.

Do not be decieved: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7

When you sow stupid seeds, you reap stupid people.
Don't give stupid advice/help.

Consequences, consequences, consequences...

The prodigal son, who took his fortune and spent it all, ended up in a pig pen. His father did not look for him but let his son come to his senses to come back to his father.


3. God, help me remember that I'm in need too and that you are always the answer.

"Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay."
Psalm 70:5

When you and other another person realize that we're all in need, then both of you come together for a similar need. Mutually broken people in need of Christ.
Then we can come to our sens for our God-given potential.

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