Chuck Smith emphasizes the theme of restoration in Joel 2:25, illustrating how sin can gradually destroy our lives, leaving us with wasted years. He reassures that God promises to restore those years and bring hope to the hopeless, transforming lives from despair to purpose. Smith highlights that restoration is not just about recovering what was lost, but also about experiencing a fullness of life, the presence of God, and the empowerment of His Spirit. He invites all to call on the Lord for salvation, emphasizing the transformative power of God's grace in overcoming the effects of sin.

"RESTORATION" I. RESTORED FROM THE TERRIBLE EFFECTS OF SIN. A. In Chapter 1, God promises to send desolation into the land. 1. Whatever the palmerworm left the locust would eat - cankerworm, Caterpillar. B. The devouring of these insects was a picture of the effects of sin. 1. Slowly eat away at your life until nothing left. 2. Gradual destruction. 3. The years spent in sin are wasted years. a. "Only one life, twill so be past, only what's done for Christ will last." C. As we must each give an account of ourselves before God. 1. Should you have to do so today, what do you have to show for your life? 2. Many would have to confess of wasted years. II. GOD'S PROMISE TO RESTORE - "I WILL RESTORE TO YOUR THE YEARS..." A. An honest look at one's life often creates hopelessness and despair. 1. "No hope for me, I've blown it." 2. "I've seen lives destroyed by drugs, alcohol, lust." 3. They have spent years of vanity, frustration, wasted. 4. Yesterday is lost, gone forever. B. How beautiful to see God's work of restoration in a life. 1. To see the clearness and brightness return to eyes. 2. To see the spring return to step. 3. To see purpose and direction for their lives instead of aimless wanderings. III. MORE THAN RESTORATION. A. A continual fullness and richness to life. "Ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied." 1. One thing can never be said of man's lust. "Ye shall be satisfied." 2. Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life." B. A consciousness of God's presence. "And ye shall know that I am in the midst..." 1. What an incentive for a holy walk. 2. How it dispels all fears. C. The empowering of His Spirit, "I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh." 1. Gives me the power to be and to do. IV. GOD'S INVITATION, "WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD, SHALL BE SAVED." A. Saved from the power of sin. 1. That grip that it has on your life. B. Saved from the effects of sin. 1. A restoring of damage done during the wasted years. 2. An erasing of the stains. C. Saved to new life sublime. 1. A life of fullness. 2. A life of satisfactions. 3. A life of fellowship. 4. A life of power.