True
Repentance
Introduction:
Joel
2:26-27 – God had a great desire to have a relationship with His people. 2:27
– personal: I am the Lord, your God. It is as if God
always has His hand reaching out to us – earnestly desiring us to draw
near to Him. Ours is a God that holds out for our repentance – and is
someone who cannot wait to dispense His loving-kindness and mercy upon us.
I.
Judah during the days of Joel.
A.
When Joel was
written, Judah found itself in a state of transition. National uncertainty.
1.
Judah was full
of idol worship, evil immoral activity.
2.
God sent a
plague of locusts over Judah – The people were truly suffering.
3.
1:4, 10, 11d,
16-20
B.
In times like
this, man has only one place to turn – God.
1.
Everything we
have is from and because of God.
2.
Joel calls
Israel to draw near to God with reverence & humility!
II.
A Day of Destruction is coming.
A.
2:1-2 –
Joel urgently warns that a day of destruction was coming.
1.
Blowing of
trumpet – is the sound of a warning or alarm.
2.
The attention of
the people was needed. They needed to turn to God.
B.
2:1 – the
day of the Lord (a time of judgment) was coming.
1.
2:2 – day
of the Lord described.
2.
Complete &
total destruction was coming.
3.
2:11
C.
2:12-17 –
the people needed to repent to stave off disaster.
III.
We need this lesson today.
A.
Think nationally
for a moment. Is God trying to urge us toward repentance?
1.
Nationally, do
we need to be reminded of our dependence upon God?
2.
Are we guilty of
flaunting our national sins in the face of God?
3.
Is God working
through various means to prompt us to return to Him?
B.
Joel 1:14,
2:15-16 – in Joel’s day priests urged to consecrate a fast & proclaim
a solemn gathering of God’s people.
C.
It is time for
us to do the same. Do we realize the power of fasting & corporate prayer
that is available to us today?
D.
Before we leave
this point, having reflected nationally, shift your focus to your own life. Are
there things in life for which you need to repent?
IV.
How can we truly repent?
A.
Joel 2:12-13
– repentance must be done from the heart.
B.
2:12 –
repentance involves a sense of urgency to act.
C.
2:13 –
repentance must come from the heart.
D.
2:12d, 15
– true repentance is seen in our actions.
Conclusion:
A.
2:18-32 –
If the people of Joel’s day would follow through, God would relent from the
terrible Day of the Lord and spare His people.
B.
2:13 – a
description of our God.
C.
God is: Gracious;
compassionate; slow to anger; abounding in loving-kindness; and relenting of
evil.
D.
Reflect. Repent.
Renew.
1.
Do you need to
get your life in order?