Restoration Church

This Resurrection Sunday, we gathered at Nordson Depot to worship Christ and celebrate His Resurrection. Pastor Dan taught from John 20, but not before establishing the context for the resurrection by addressing the Grand Narrative (Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration). We discussed the need for atonement, what Christ did on the cross, and then discussed how the disciples (most specifically, Thomas came to believe as Jesus revealed Himself!

Despite popular opinions in both secular and “Christian” groups, salvation is exclusively in Christ alone. Religious pluralism fails the test of logical coherence and fails to pass the text of biblical accuracy. As we will see in Romans 5 as well as in the whole counsel of Scripture, Christ alone can save.

This is a critical doctrine of the church not just for the time of the Reformation, but also for now. Whereas the Catholic Church falsely elevates tradition to be on par with Scripture, now many others elevate things like experience, emotions, and culture to be on par with Scripture. The message of “Sola Scriptura” (Scripture Alone) is as relevant now as it ever was. As we note in the message, this is not a new teaching or a “made up” doctrine. Rather, it comes directly from the Word of God.

If you are looking for a deeper understanding of the doctrine of Faith Alone, a great way to start would be to study Scripture (all of it). Special focus on Romans and Ephesians will bring great clarity. Additionally, the documentary American Gospel: Christ Alone provides a lot of clarity. The documentary goes to great lengths to bring clarity to the gospel, contrasting both ancient and modern false teaching with biblical teaching on the truth of the Gospel.

Additionally, here is a link to several resources on the topic from the Gospel Coalition.

Guest Speaker, Calvin Dorsey teaches from Scripture on Revelation 7 and what it means for people of all nations and tribes to be gathered before the throne.  He addresses what "nations" means in the original text and how the concept of ethnic division has entered into the Church and how it can and must be overcome by the gospel.  This is a powerful message that everyone needs to hear.  

Todd Sovine, Director of Church Planting for the Central District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance talks about Matthew 13:33 and the role we have to infuse the Kingdom of God into culture rather than isolate ourselves from it.  

Dan teaches on giving from 2 Corinthians 9.  Giving isn't a way to get more money back from God, it is a way to give Him glory and advance His Kingdom.  He always provides our needs, but trusting Him is essential.  

Dan Samms introduces Ephesians and talks about new life in Christ.  He goes into detail about the three parts of a person (Body, Soul, Spirit) and what it means to be physically alive but spiritually dead.  Jesus' role in spiritual regeneration and His glory and dominion are essential.  

God came to earth to reveal Himself and pay your sin debt (John 1:14, 1 John 2:2, 1 Peter 3:18).  Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Put simply, we earn death by sinning, but God gives us the free gift of eternal life, because of Jesus' sacrifice.  There is nothing you can do to earn a gift.  All you have to do is accept it.  Romans 10:9 gives us a simple way to accept it: "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  

• Declare "Jesus is Lord. "  This is no small thing.  It means acknowledging that He is God and choosing to follow Him.  Implicit in this declaration is an acknowledgement that you have sinned and that you can't be your own God.  

• Believe God raised Jesus from the dead.   Implicit in this belief is that Jesus died to pay your sin debt and rose from the dead to give you new life.  

1 Peter 2 talks about how every believer has a priestly ministry to bring Jesus to everyone.  We discuss what that means on a practical level.  We are to make disciples everywhere we go, understanding our role as priests is vital to that task.  Dan Samms get's specific and practical about how to bring Jesus into situations as we make disciples and live our lives.  

Pastor Dan Samms delivers a sermon on Easter Sunday about the Resurrection and what it means to both believe and proclaim the Gospel.  Music Credit: Seven Year Glitch "Love's Last Fight"

Restoration is a church in Amherst, OH that is designed for people who feel like they don't fit in at church.  We exist to glorify God by making disciples together.  We are different than a lot of churches.  Instead of a large building and a lot of programming, we keep it simple.  Our church meets in coffeehouses, bars, parks, and homes to keep cost low and maximize our ability to connect people with God and each other.  For an understanding of simple church, we recommend reading Simple/House Church Revolution by Roger Thoman.  Download it free here.  

At Restoration, we believe that people matter more than programs.  We don't offer a lot of activities to keep you busy; we offer relationships to make you whole.  Have you ever gone to a church with good music and good teaching but where no one would notice if you were gone?  We don't let that happen, because we have a lot of small groups rather than one large one (though we sometimes get everyone together for special times of worship, teaching, and prayer).  It is hard to be forgotten when everybody knows your name.  

You may be searching for meaning or for help in the midst of some crisis.  You may be searching for answers or just for meaningful relationships.  Either way, you might find what you are looking for here.