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Lesson Title: Restore: Aren’t You Glad – The Power of Placement!

📅 Date: March 2, 2025

📖 Text: 2 Corinthians 5:21

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the

righteousness of God in Him.”

I. INTRODUCTION

Key Thought:

Restoration is not just about regaining what was lost—it’s about returning to God’s

original placement for us in right standing with Him.

• Definition of Restoration: The action of returning something to its former owner,

place, or condition.

• Biblical Restoration:

• Not just about regaining blessings, but returning to right relationship

with the Father.

• Restoring our identity, position, and inheritance in Christ.

II. THE PRODIGAL SON: RESTORATION THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS

Luke 15:22 – The Best Robe

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a

ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.’”

Greek Word for "Best" in Luke 15:22

The Greek word used for “best” is (prótos), which means:

- First in rank

- Foremost, preeminent

- Chief, Principal, most excellent

The father didn’t just give the son any robe—he gave him the highest-ranking,

preeminent robe.

Hebrew equivalent to this word best is H7223 - רִאשׁוֹן†(Rishon) means "first, chief,

former, foremost, best, or primary." It is derived from the root ראש†(rosh), meaning

"head" or "beginning."

This word appears in various contexts, all pointing to priority, preeminence, and

excellence.

First in Time (Beginning, Former)

Genesis 8:13 – "And it came to pass in the first (rishon) month, on the first day of the

month, that the waters were dried up from the earth."

Isaiah 41:4 – "I, the Lord, am the first (rishon), and with the last I am He."

In Isaiah 41:4, God uses Rishon to describe His eternal preeminence—He is the First.

First in Excellence (Best, Most Honored)

• 1 Samuel 15:21 – "But the people took of the best (rishon) of the sheep and

oxen."

Restoration isn’t just about forgiveness—it’s about placement!

Reflection Question: Do you see yourself as fully restored in Christ, or are

you still living with a servant mindset?

III. THE POWER OF PLACEMENT IN INHERITANCE

Understanding Jewish Inheritance Laws (Deuteronomy 21:17)

• Firstborn Son (Bekor) Always received a double portion of the father’s

estate.

• Younger Sons: Received a lesser portion.

How This Relates to the Prodigal Son:

• The prodigal demanded his inheritance early, dishonoring the father.

• The older brother was angry because restoration felt unfair.

• Legally, everything left belonged to the older son.

But in Christ, we have an older brother (Jesus) who was not angry about our

restoration—He made a way for it!

Reflection Question: Are you embracing the inheritance of Christ, or still living as if

you’re unworthy?

IV. JESUS: OUR TRUE OLDER BROTHER

Aren’t You Glad?

• We have an older brother who didn’t resist our restoration—He made a way for

it!

• Jesus laid down His life so we could be restored.

Hebrews 2:11 – “Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy

are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.”

We are not just forgiven—we are placed back into sonship.

Reflection Question: Am I responding to grace like the older brother in the parable, or

am I embracing my full restoration in Christ?

V. INHERITANCE & SONSHIP IN CHRIST

2 Corinthians 5:21 – Jesus, Our Best Robe

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the

righteousness of God in Him.”

• The best robe in Luke 15 symbolizes Christ’s righteousness placed on us.

• We didn’t earn it—it was given through Jesus!

• Just like the father covered the prodigal in the best robe, God covers us in

Christ’s righteousness.

You don’t have to clean yourself up first—the robe is waiting for you!

Galatians 3:26-29 – “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on

Christ… If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the

promise.”

Reflection Question: Have you fully accepted your restored identity, or are you still

trying to earn it?

VI. RIGHTEOUSNESS: THE REQUIRED GARMENT FOR THE

KINGDOM

The Robe is the Proper Attire!

• Matthew 22:11-12 – The man without a wedding garment was cast out.

• Isaiah 61:10 – “He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, the robe of

righteousness.”

• Romans 13:14 – “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the

flesh.”

Righteousness is something we wear, a visible expression of God’s justice only

found and executed in Jesus.

Reflection Question: Am I still wearing the garments of my past, or have I fully put on

Christ?

VII. THE DANGER OF SEEKING JUSTICE WITHOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS

True Justice Requires Righteousness

• Psalm 89:14 – “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne.”

• Proverbs 14:34 – “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any

people.”

Without Christ, justice is distorted and self-seeking.

The Problem with Human-Led Justice:

• When people pursue justice without Christ, they…

• Overcorrect and distort truth.

• Push personal agendas.

• Operate from anger, revenge, and pride instead of God’s wisdom.

True justice is found only in Jesus Christ!

Reflection Question: Am I seeking His righteousness first (Matthew 6:33), or am I

trying to create my own justice?

VIII. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S ROLE IN RESTORATION

John 16:8 – What is the Holy Spirit Doing Today?

“When He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of

judgment.”

The Holy Spirit is leading people back to the righteousness of Christ!

Three Areas the Holy Spirit Convicts:

1. Sin → Because they do not believe in Jesus.

2. Righteousness → Because Jesus returned to the Father.

3. Judgment → Because the ruler of this world is already judged.

The Holy Spirit is drawing people back home—into restoration with the Father!

Reflection Question: Am I in alignment with what the Holy Spirit is doing in this

season?

IX. CLOSING DECLARATION

Declare This Over Your Life:

“I declare that I am fully restored in Christ! I no longer wear the garments of my past—I

have been clothed in the robe of righteousness. I accept my placement as a son/

daughter of God. I am an heir, not a servant. I reject the lies of the enemy, and I

embrace my full inheritance in Christ. I am home, and I am covered in the best robe—

Jesus Christ!”