RESTITUTION

Memory Verse
"And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold." Luke 19:8
BIBLE PASSAGE: Exodus 22:1-13
INTRODUCTION
Restitution is commanded by God to enable us follow peace with all men. It is an act of putting right what has been done wrongly. It is divine restoration of all things to their original order. In this lesson, we shall consider what restitution is and its blessings.

OUTLINES
1. WHY MAKE RESTITUTION?
2. EXAMPLES OF RESTITUTION IN THE BIBLE
3. SOME SPECIFIC RESTITUTION TO MAKE

WHY MAKE RESTITUTION?
We make restitution for three major reasons:

1.  God commands it – Lev. 6:1-5; Ex. 22:10-13.
2. To have a clear conscience towards God and towards man – 1 Sam. 12:1-5; Acts 24:16.
3. It is the evidence of our conversion which shows our readiness to obey the scriptures Luke 19:8-9; Ezek. 33:14-16.

EXAMPLES OF RESTITUTION IN THE BIBLE
There are also examples of people who made restitution in the Bible. These include Abimelech, Joseph’s brothers, Old Testament kings and prophets, Zacchaeus, during the time of our Lord Jesus and the apostles – Gen. 20:6-9, 14; Gen. 50:15-19; 1 Kgs. 20:34; Neh. 5:11-12; Lk. 19:8-9; Acts 23:1-5; Philm. 10:17-19.      

SOME SPECIFIC RESTITUTION TO MAKE
a. We should return things that we have stolen, picked or converted to our own use but which belong to another person or to our place of work. These include our tithes and first fruits, the non-payment of which is robbery and which we must restore – Lev. 6:2-5; Lk. 19:8; Mal. 3:8; Lev. 5:14-16.
b. We should replace things we have destroyed which belong to another person - Ex.22:5-6; Ex.21:18-19.      

1. We should also reconcile with people we quarrelled with in the past - Matt.5:23-25; Matthew 18:15-17.
2. We should make restitution of all lies and things wrongly said about someone and which has affected the person or is presently causing trouble 2 Sam.16:5-8; 2 Sam.19:18-20; Acts23:1-5.
3. Marriages contracted contrary to biblical standards should also be visited. Lawful parental demands should be granted while people who have married another person's spouse must prayerfully take steps towards restitution - Luke 3:8; Gen.20:14; Romans 2:13-16.

CONCLUSION
Do you have any restitution to make? Pray to God for help and take the right steps. The Holy Spirit will help you.

PROCRASTINATION

Memory Verse
"Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Proverbs 27:1
BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 9:59- 62
INTRODUCTION
To procrastinate is to put off a required action until a future time. It means to defer or to postpone. Life is full of decisions and time is often of essence in these decisions. Procrastination is, therefore, a character flaw that affects millions of people in every walk of life. While it is regarded as normal for people to procrastinate, it can become a problem that can hinder normal life functioning. It cuts across all areas of life, from accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to attending to assignments by students and many other areas. It is our prayer that the Holy Spirit will teach us as we study in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
OUTLINES
1. CAUSES OF PROCRASTINATION
2. EFFECTS OF PROCRASTINATION
3. SOLUTION TO PROCRASTINATION

CAUSES OF PROCRASTINATION
People procrastinate because of their' personal convenience - Acts 24:25. This is a major reason people do not give their lives to God immediately they hear the word. Procrastination happens when people are sluggish and show spiritless attitude to the things of God - 2 Chr. 24:4­5. One other cause of procrastination is laziness - Proverbs 26:13-16; 10:4. When people allow worldly entanglement it could lead to procrastination - Gen. 19:16; Matthew 19:22.
Consideration of family pressure at the expense of God's business could lead to procrastination of God's business - Matthew 8:21; Luke 9:59-62. Elisha ran after Elijah immediately at the expense of family business - 1 Kings 19:20-21. Environmental distraction is another cause of procrastination - Eccl. 11: 4. We can add to this list.
EFFECTS OF PROCRASTINATION
One of the effects of procrastination is loss of fellowship and opportunities Matthew 25:11-12; Luke 13:24-25. Procrastination could cause one to be caught off guard and be met unprepared - Matthew 24:48-51. We could lose souls if we procrastinate in witnessing - Jeremiah 8:20.
SOLUTION TO PROCRASTINATION
Proper planning and constant reminder is a solution to procrastination - Luke 14:28. Priorities should be set right - Ecc. 3:1; Isaiah 56:12; Acts 24:25. Self discipline could help against procrastination. This includes the areas of eating: talking, watching TV, movies, use of telephone and other areas of distraction. It is always better to focus on today and not tomorrow - Matt. 6: 25-31. Always remember that you are here on earth temporarily and let this guide you in your commitment to the work of God - Hab. 2: 3; Matt. 24:48-51.
CONCLUSION
You may procrastinate but time does not. It keeps on moving. Time waits for no man and the lost time can never be regained. Today's duty that is put off till tomorrow usually gives you a double burden to bear. The best way is to do it at the proper time. Christ will come like a thief in the night. Repent now and do not postpone your salvation. Tomorrow might be too late - 2 Corinth: 6:2, Deut. 23:21, Ecc. 5:4, 12:1

BE YE HOLY

Memory Verse
" .. ./ am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." Genesis 17:1b
BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalm 24:3-10
INTRODUCTION
In our last lesson, we considered why believers must be holy and some benefits of holiness. Today, we shall look further into the benefits· of holiness and why God does not condone unholy living.

OUTLINES
1. OTHER BENEFITS OF HOLINESS
2. WHY GOD DOES NOT CONDONE UNHOLY LIVING

OTHER BENEFITS OF HOLINESS
There are many rewards attached to holiness. One of them is answered prayers - Luke 1:13; Psalm 34:15-17. The tomorrow of a righteous person is determined by God Isaiah 3:10: Jer.29: 11. A man that fears and obeys God will enjoy divine health Exodus 15:26. He also enjoys supernatural provisions from the EI-Shaddai God - Psalm 92:12. The cup of a holy child will always overflow and as well enjoy overtaking blessings - Psalm 23:5; Deut. 28:1-2. Lastly, he that loves to do that which is right in God's presence will be victorious, promoted and endowed with supernatural anointing - Deut. 28:7; Hebrews 1 :9.
WHY GOD DOES NOT CONDONE UNHOLY LIVING
If two do not agree, they cannot walk together. God cannot condone sin because everything about Him is holy and hence Christians are commanded to be perfect in holiness, body, soul and spirit. Our glorious God lives in holiness. His throne is holy. The angels around are holy and holiness is their song. In fact, He also lives in a holy city. - Romans 6:19, 22; 2 Corinth. 7:1; Ephesi.ans 4:24; 1 Thess.4:7; Exodus 15:11; Psalm 47:8; Rev. 14:10; Rev. 4:8; Rev. 22:19.


CONCLUSION
A nation that fears God and lives righteously shall be exalted. Disobeying God’s instructions will lead to divine rejection and eternal condemnation. 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Revelations 22:14-15; Proverbs 14:34.


QUESTIONS
1. Supply the right answers to the question in Psalm 24:3.
2. What are the other benefits of holiness?
3. Why will God not condone ungodliness