Does it seem that the number of people attending church has dwindled in recent years? Most pollsters seem to think so.

It is my impression that (at least in the smaller congregations), there is a trend toward lower numbers each week. At such a point, the devil tries to plant feelings of despair & hopelessness in both the leadership and the congregation. And, that despair tends toward even greater losses.

The Psalmist (in Ps. 80) uses a vine (or a tree) as a metaphor for the church. It seems to be an appropriate analogy since Jesus used a similar thought in John 15:1-8. Jesus said that we are the branches of the True vine. But Satan tries to tell us that if the church is going through a period of decline, then our branch is dead and we might as well quit.

We must REJECT the lies of Satan (that we the church is dead)!

It seems to me from reading these and other Scriptures that we are God’s vineyard… a vine that He picked out, purchased, & personally planted… And when His vine gets  trampled, He will step in and lift it up & restore His vine!

Here is a short outline of a message that I preached recently…

Restore the Vine

Introduction:

• When the numbers are declining in church, the devil tries to plant a feeling of despair
• In such a state, God’s true church does not run away – instead it seeks restoration
• The Psalmist used a vine to describe God’s church & asked God to restore the vine to health

I. The vine (church) was planted by God (Ps 80:8-11)

1. God purchased the vine
2. God nurtured the vine
3. God adopted the vine (v.15; Ro 8:17)

II. The vine (church) goes through suffering

1. They were operating with a bad reputation (Ps 80:6; Eze 36:23)
2. They even felt that GOD was responsible (Ps 80:4-6,12,16)
3. In truth, the devil is responsible for destruction (Jn 10:10)
4. The vine (church) will be saved

A. Three times (vv.3,7,19) the Psalmist asked for God’s restoration

1. In v.17, the Psalmist asked God to put His hand on Jesus – rather than us
2. The New Testament parallel is John 15
3. The Father encourages the weak branches (Jn 15:2; Mt 4:6)
4. When the Father “prunes,” He is encouraging growth
5. It is encouraging when God works inside us (Ezek 36:26,27)
6. Psalm 80:18,19 “Revive us… Restore us… that we may be saved” (Is 26:12)

Conclusion: Our heavenly Father will revive & restore His trampled vine!

• He will make His face shine upon us (shekinah glory upon His church)
• He will lift up the withered vine & inject new life in it – revive us & restore us
• He will turn us & establish peace for us – all our accomplishments He has done for us!

You are welcome to download a complete copy of my sermon notes on this subject here. There is also an audio recording here (45min)….[podcast]http://chiefshepherd.com/serm/08/081005_restorethevine.mp3[/podcast]