Author: Chuck & Deb

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'”
(Matthew 4:4)
As we looked at the role of each person of the Trinity, I compare them to the mechanics in the repair shop. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit each have specific roles in the restoration process. And just as a mechanic would use tools to restore a wrecked vehicle, so the persons of the Trinity use tools to restore individuals to the original image of God.

The first tool that comes to my mind is the Word of God. Jesus taught the Word of God was more important to Him than His very food (Mt 4.4). He uses God’s Word to sanctify his disciples and change their lives (Jn 17.6,8,17). He saw the Word of God as such a critical factor in the restoration process that He didn’t speak his own words but only the words the Father (Jn 12.49).

When it comes to original design, the Word of God facilitates transformation at the deepest levels. His Word can reveal our deepest motives and intentions (Heb 4.12). It guides and leads us on the path of God’s desire for our lives (Ps 119.105).The Father designed us to do good works (Eph 2.10). The word of God repairs us in such a way we are able to perform good works (2 Tim 3.16-17).

The word of God is the mind of God. In order for us to fully understand who God is and become like Him, we must be saturated with His Word (Deut 6.5-9). And it is not enough to simply know the Word of God. We must be actively applying it in our day-to-day lives (Jm 1.22). The Bible is far from just ink and paper. Aside from the Trinity itself, the Word of God is our best hope to achieving complete restoration.

(Part 1) – The Glory of His Image

(Part 2) – Too Much of a Good Thing

(Part 3) – We Need a Savior

(Part 4) – The Restoration Process: The Father

(Part 5) – The Restoration Process: The Son

(Part 6) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship

(Part 7) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship Continued

(Part 8) – The Restoration Process: One-on-One Discipleship

(Part 9) – The Restoration Process: Tools and Techniques

(Part 10) – The Restoration Process: Dangers

(Part 11) – The Holy Spirit: The Breath of Life

(Part 12) – The Holy Spirit: Indwelling

(Part 13) – The Holy Spirit: His Work

(Part 14) – The Word of God: Essential

(Part 15) – The Word of God: Essential but Neglected

(Part 16) – The Word of God: Setting the Heart

(Part 17) – The Word of God: Intake

(Part 18) – The Word of God: Application

(Part 19) – The Word of God: Passing it On

(Part 20) – Interaction with Others: The Image is not and Island

(Part 21) – Interaction with Others: Intentional Co-Restoration

(Part 22) – Interaction with Others: An Invitation to Restoration

(Part 23) – Interaction with Others: Restoration begins with Explanation

(Part 24) – An Evangelistic Obstacle to Following Jesus

(Part 25) – The Transforming Power of Prayer

(Part 26) – It’s Me, O Lord Standing in the Need of Prayer

(Part 27) – Reproduction: Creative like the Creator

(Part 28) – Reproduction: Helping Others Changes Us

(Part 29) – Reproduction: Changing the World

(Part 30) – Pressing On Toward the Finish Line

(Part 31) – Crossing the Finish Line

(Conclusion) – To Be Like Jesus

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com or click the envelope below to send this post to a friend…

“He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.”
(John 16:14)

First and foremost, the primary work of the Holy Spirit is to reveal the Son of God and bring glory to Him (Jn 15.26, Jn 16.7-8,14). This makes perfect sense when we keep the restoration process in mind. Jesus, not the Holy Spirit, is the model for mankind to be restored to the image of God. The Holy Spirit is the Parakletos (Gk), “One who comes alongside” to help the disciple become like Jesus. Yet, I have seen individuals and ministries make the Holy Spirit the centerpiece of their teaching and practice. I believe this is a subtle error that distracts from God’s full intent. Notice that even the Father puts the focus on the Son for our sake (Mk 1.11, Mt 17.5, 28.18). It is not my goal to pit the members of the Trinity one against the other, but for the purpose of restoration, the focus must be on Christ (Jn 14.6). This emphasis on the Son by the other two members of the Godhead is not an issue of rank but one of clarity. Jesus is our clearest example of what God intended for mankind in the original image (Gen 1.26-27).

The Holy Spirit also guides us into truth and teaches us (Jn 14.16-17,26, 16.13) by illuminating the Scriptures and assisting us in prayer (Rom 8.26). As He helps us in the process of becoming like Jesus and the image is being restored, we begin to exhibit the fruit of the original image: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal 5.22-23). The Holy Spirit also distributes spiritual gifts to the Body for mutual edification and the advancement of God’s Kingdom (1 Co 12). As a result, we begin to function as the community that God originally intended.

And the Holy Spirit gives us the power to be Jesus’ witnesses (Ac 1.8). This is the reproductive aspect of the image of God and we will discuss this at a later point.

As I stated previously, the Holy Spirit’s role should never be minimized. Without His influence and power, discipleship is not possible. We do well to submit to Him and allow Him to abide in us without resistance or restraint (1 Sam 16.13, Eph 4.30, 5.18, Gal 5.16, 1 Thes 5.19).

(Part 1) – The Glory of His Image

(Part 2) – Too Much of a Good Thing

(Part 3) – We Need a Savior

(Part 4) – The Restoration Process: The Father

(Part 5) – The Restoration Process: The Son

(Part 6) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship

(Part 7) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship Continued

(Part 8) – The Restoration Process: One-on-One Discipleship

(Part 9) – The Restoration Process: Tools and Techniques

(Part 10) – The Restoration Process: Dangers

(Part 11) – The Holy Spirit: The Breath of Life

(Part 12) – The Holy Spirit: Indwelling

(Part 13) – The Holy Spirit: His Work

(Part 14) – The Word of God: Essential

(Part 15) – The Word of God: Essential but Neglected

(Part 16) – The Word of God: Setting the Heart

(Part 17) – The Word of God: Intake

(Part 18) – The Word of God: Application

(Part 19) – The Word of God: Passing it On

(Part 20) – Interaction with Others: The Image is not and Island

(Part 21) – Interaction with Others: Intentional Co-Restoration

(Part 22) – Interaction with Others: An Invitation to Restoration

(Part 23) – Interaction with Others: Restoration begins with Explanation

(Part 24) – An Evangelistic Obstacle to Following Jesus

(Part 25) – The Transforming Power of Prayer

(Part 26) – It’s Me, O Lord Standing in the Need of Prayer

(Part 27) – Reproduction: Creative like the Creator

(Part 28) – Reproduction: Helping Others Changes Us

(Part 29) – Reproduction: Changing the World

(Part 30) – Pressing On Toward the Finish Line

(Part 31) – Crossing the Finish Line

(Conclusion) – To Be Like Jesus

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
(1 Corinthians 3:16)As we continue in our discussion about the Holy Spirit’s role in the restoration process, we must acknowledge there is much confusion in Christendom today. Our personal convictions on this doctrine affect how we disciple young believers.

I believe every true born-again follower of Jesus is indwelled by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8.9). I believe upon conversion, a disciple is baptized with the Holy Spirit (Ac 2.38, 10.47, 11.16-17, Rom 8.9). I also believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the filling of the Holy Spirit can be two separate events (Ac 2.4, Ac 13.52 NASB). But in these beliefs, I choose not to wrangle with my Pentecostal or Fundamental brethren. We all agree the presence and the work of the Holy Spirit is essential to every believer’s transformation in pursuing the image of God (1 Cor 3.18, 12.13, Rom 8.9).

However, there are two grave errors in Christianity today regarding the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. One is to focus on the Holy Spirit and his supporting role as primarily an emotional event rather than a life-changing agent. I find many who are so “filled with the Holy Ghost” on Sunday bear no evidence of the Holy Spirit’s transforming power during the rest of the week (1 Cor 3.11-17, 14.7-11,26, 2 Cor 3.18).

The second error is just as dangerous. Some fundamental Christians, in reaction to the abuses of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, have completely discounted any role or function of the Holy Spirit in the Christian’s life. Jesus give a very stern warning against such an abuse (Mk 3.28-29).

The Holy Spirit abides in every authentic believer and is the true power for real transformation (2 Cor 3.18, Gal 5.22-23).

(Part 1) – The Glory of His Image

(Part 2) – Too Much of a Good Thing

(Part 3) – We Need a Savior

(Part 4) – The Restoration Process: The Father

(Part 5) – The Restoration Process: The Son

(Part 6) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship

(Part 7) – The Restoration Process: Discipleship Continued

(Part 8) – The Restoration Process: One-on-One Discipleship

(Part 9) – The Restoration Process: Tools and Techniques

(Part 10) – The Restoration Process: Dangers

(Part 11) – The Holy Spirit: The Breath of Life

(Part 12) – The Holy Spirit: Indwelling

(Part 13) – The Holy Spirit: His Work

(Part 14) – The Word of God: Essential

(Part 15) – The Word of God: Essential but Neglected

(Part 16) – The Word of God: Setting the Heart

(Part 17) – The Word of God: Intake

(Part 18) – The Word of God: Application

(Part 19) – The Word of God: Passing it On

(Part 20) – Interaction with Others: The Image is not and Island

(Part 21) – Interaction with Others: Intentional Co-Restoration

(Part 22) – Interaction with Others: An Invitation to Restoration

(Part 23) – Interaction with Others: Restoration begins with Explanation

(Part 24) – An Evangelistic Obstacle to Following Jesus

(Part 25) – The Transforming Power of Prayer

(Part 26) – It’s Me, O Lord Standing in the Need of Prayer

(Part 27) – Reproduction: Creative like the Creator

(Part 28) – Reproduction: Helping Others Changes Us

(Part 29) – Reproduction: Changing the World

(Part 30) – Pressing On Toward the Finish Line

(Part 31) – Crossing the Finish Line

(Conclusion) – To Be Like Jesus

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com or click the envelope below to send this post to a friend…

I’ve been talking a lot about the role that Jesus Christ plays in restoring us to the original image of God. To summarize, first, He is the only perfect example of both morality and ministry. Second, there are many methods in both group sizes and tools that we use to help people follow His example. And last, we are responsible for using the techniques that are effective in helping others become like Him. The bottom line is that He is the only adequate model we have in order to rebuild the original image (Col 1.15, Heb 1.3). The restoration process requires us to continuously examine Christ’s life and conform ours lives to His. This is true discipleship.

We discussed two persons of the Trinity: the Father and the Son; now I’d like to talk about the Holy Spirit’s role in the restoration process. First, we need to recognize the parallel between God breathing into his nostrils of Adam (Gen 2.7) and the Holy Spirit being our spiritual breath of life. The powerful residence of the Holy Spirit is promised with Jesus’ arrival by John the Baptist (Mt 3.11, 1 Cor 3.16). Jesus alludes to the Holy Spirit’s coming in the future (Jn 7.37-39). Then in John chapter 20, He breathes on them and they receive the Holy Spirit (Jn 20.22). As the breath of God filled Adam’s lungs so the breath of Jesus filled the spiritual lungs of the apostles with the Holy Spirit. The regeneration of the Spirit is the only means for the beginnings of real spiritual transformation (Titus 3.5). The Holy Spirit is the power for every believer to live life in the original image of God (2 Cor 3.18).

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com or click the envelope below to send this post to a friend…

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast. (PSALM 139:7-10)

But things did change. They changed for the worse. I was feeling pretty good about myself as a soldier but my activities with my friends were beginning to impact my life in a negative way. We were doing things that the Army frowned on. (Not a lot of detail because I don’t want to give my sons any bright ideas.) You know the kind of stuff privates do and normally get themselves booted out of the Army. Well, I was having fun but I knew I was eventually going to wind up in big trouble. So I had a better idea. I thought “If I get away from these characters, it will solve my problems.” Ah, yes. The geographical solution. Don’t change your behavior, run away. Change your location. So I pushed to be assigned to a Special Operations Unit (like I had asked my recruiter in the first place!) and I figured that the hard core, Hooah ranger guys would never think about doing the things my buds and I were doing. After much paperwork, a Ranger recruiting team, and the promise of the XVIII Airborne Corps Commander ( I was too young to realize that when a General says to a young Recondo school graduate, “If there’s anything I can do for you, boy, let me know,” he was just making conversation.) I found myself at the 2nd Ranger Battalion at Ft. Lewis, WA.

Chapter 1: The Beginning
Chapter 2: Jesus is Watching You
Chapter 3: Paratrooper Religion
Chapter 4: Afraid of being Left Behind
Chapter 5: The Geographical Solution
Chapter 6: The Geographical Solution Fails

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com or click the envelope below to send this post to a friend…