Recompense Through Recovery
Matthew 18:12-14 NLT. “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he recovers it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away

On an African Safari trip, some tourists were short filming a watering spot for the animals in the area, they were observing and suddenly a pride of lions were spotted crouching in stealth mode. The film only lasted a little under 8 minutes, so what happened next was second by second and minute by minutes. The camera spanned just a little over and this herd of buffalo antelope were seen coming to edge of the watering spot. There was this toddler antelope seen trailing the edge. the herd watered and started leaving the spot as a herd but the baby antelope was still trailing and was not leaving with the herd. The camera moved slightly to the left the Pride of lions were still stealthing upon the baby antelope. It was now obvious what their prey was.

They pounced on the baby antelope, it went up in the air. It went back and forth a few times–going back and forth in a matter of seconds now. The pride somehow rolled over into the water and the crocodiles got in on the action. There was thrashing in the water, the antelope was up in the air again. The pride got it back, the rolled back out of the water–all this happening in a matter of minutes. The antelope seen in the air again. By this time, the herd of Buffalo Antelope had noticed they were missing a BABY. They had rushed back up and began horning this Pride of lions anyway they could to get their attention. One of them flew up in the air this time. The millions of us watching were saying like, “Man, I know that hurt!” The film had millions of views last time I checked.

The herd horned them a couple more times and the Pride backed down and ran away. The herd was filmed leaving the watering spot again with the little buffalo antelope enveloped back in the herd (congregation) of buffalo. It was trotting along like it was not majorly hurt. Which was amazing to see after all that flipping and flying up in the air it had experienced. The main point was that herd stood up for their own and recovered him back. There’s power in community. God designed it that way with all kinds of communities.

SHORT REVIEW:

Recovery is a layer and type of Recompense along with restoration. I taught about Recompense itself then Restoration. We told the beautiful and enlightening story of the Shunamite Restoration principles. I hope by faith you were able grab hold of it for yourself and your family’s life. The good news is God is still working Shunamite Restoration miracles today.

End of Review

Today we continue with another kind of recompense story. We started last time with King David before he was king. He had an occasion with his men to “RECOVER ALL” after returning from battle and discovering all his camp taken. He and the priest sought God and he told them they could ‘Recover All.” Along with those instructions came the strategy. He set the strategy, went after it and just like God told him, they recovered all.

In most of my teachings, recently have been designed especially for those that already have come to faith. I believe this is a special insert for those who have not or have newly come to faith. Father God is reaching for you. This month was the theme focus RECOVERY. Hence, the ‘LEAVING THE 99 TO GO AFTER THE ONE PRINCIPLE.’ It implicates God’s concern and care for those who have not believed to receive. The same way you believe and receive Christ is the same way you believe and receive your miracle of Recompense through Restoration and Recovery. We are covering today more stories about Recovery before wrapping up the month. Starting with the story of Abraham Rescuing Lot, the tithing principle, Jesus and the order of the Melchizedek Priesthood. The three short recovering-something-valuable-that-was-lost stories. What does it all have to do with us and our faith today?

In other words, you could be in doubt about receiving your recovery prayer of faith and a few minutes from now you could be praying in faith in agreement with the rest of us for your RECOVERY Miracle. So, keep reading or keep listening. I have more to say.

Without further ado, let’s go after it:

1. STORY OF JESUS, THE PHARISEES AND RECOVERING THE LOST
   While Jesus was traveling in ministry, he was accused of welcoming, eating and hanging out with sinners by some religious leaders of that day. They marveled at his healing a man’s withered hand on the Sabbath, rescuing a fallen woman caught in the act of adultery (reason for stoning by their traditions), inviting a former tax collector to be on his ministry team…

WHAT DOES IT SAY TO US: Jesus said, I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

2. THE STORY OF ABRAHAM RECOVERS LOT & HIS FAMILY

This particular story highlights the brotherhood of the community (his household, 318 who took up arms to rescue a member of Abraham’s family). The Apostle says it well in his second book 2 Peter 1, he urges us to partake of God’s divine nature of goodness, patience…on down to brotherly kindness and love. We focus in on the brotherhood (sisterhood) of life. I love the brotherhood and sisterhood I see in the Blue, First Responders, military and even fraternities. I know these are not religious organizations. I’m simply saying that Brotherhood is a godly principle, no matter who uses it.

In the biblical story of Genesis 14, Abram (later Abraham), upon hearing that his nephew Lot had been taken captive, gathered his 318 trained men and pursued the invading kings, ultimately rescuing Lot and his possessions

Abram willingly went to the rescue of those captured by enemies, a selfless act of service to his community. Abram’s unselfish nature is further demonstrated when he gives a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek and returns the other nine tenths to the king of Sodom. Abraham recovers his Nephew Lot, his family and his material goods. God’s faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant was also a deciding factor in Lot’s rescue.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO US: In this series ‘The Year of Recompense’ we studied the Covenants of Promise. It was the Abrahamic Covenant in action. God gave Abraham success in the recovery of Lot, his family and possessions. He returned and gave honor and tribute to Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest for God the Most High. He met Abraham when Abraham was coming back after defeating the kings. That day Melchizedek blessed him. Then Abraham gave him a tenth of everything he had. It was the first mention of the tithing principle in the Bible. The inspired writer of the book of Hebrews proclaims Jesus was appointed by God to High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

3. THE STORY OF THE LOST SHEEP: A shepherd has 100 sheep, and one goes astray. He leaves the 99 to search for the one lost sheep, and upon finding it, he rejoices more over that one than the 99 who didn’t stray. Even the angels are said to rejoice in heaven over the repentance of one sinner.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO US: This parable illustrates God’s love and concern for each individual, even those who have strayed from him. It emphasizes that God seeks out and welcomes back those who have wandered from his path.

In summary, on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus face was set like a flint heading toward his destiny. On the way, they passed a town that met them at the gate of their township saying we don’t want you here Jesus. The disciples were offended and asked, “Should we call fire down on them like Elijah did?” Jesus said, “No, you don’t know what spirit you’re speaking in. I didn’t come to condemn the world. I came to save the world.”

PRAYER: Father, according to Matthew 18:19, “If two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven,” I agree with your people for miraculous recovery of all kinds. Not just we can do on our own but what you can do. May it be designed just for them—exceedingly abundantly above what they ask or imagined and in a way that it blesses them brings wealth and adds no trouble to it. In Jesus Name. Amen.

God bless yall, see you next week.
Pastor Earma