Giving Away Your Faith: Joel

A famous news anchorman used to end his nightly program by saying, “And that’s the way it is!” He covered many disasters and tragedies over the years. Human history is filled with those horrible events.

Some of them are called “acts of God.” The prophet, Joel, wrote about what God had revealed to him through just such an event.

We can see how bad it is, but how bad can it get?

Joel 1:1-20

1. A plague of locusts had devastated Judea.

Joel 2:1-11

2. The Lord uses disaster to accomplish His purposes.

Joel 2:12-17

3. Knowing what is coming, God’s people should repent and return to Him.

Joel 2:18-26

4. God forgives and restores those who do repent.

Joel 2:27

5. The Lord will do all of this to remind everyone of Who He is.

Conclusion:

We must warn others of what’s coming and of the need to repent. But to help them get ready, we must be ready!

Repent, for there is a day coming that is worse than any other day in history!

”Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Matthew 24:21-22; Joel 2:32

[Series: Giving Away Your Faith, Part 1-Why? Message 2]

With the locust plague in view, Joel has proclaimed the word of the LORD to Judah that Yehovah will punish them for forsaking their God by sending an invading army to carry them off into exile but will restore them in the land once they repent. Now, he proclaims that God will send a future day, of even greater destruction that will affect the whole world, and will bring the final, eternal restoration of those who are faithful to Yehovah Elohim!

What’s coming:

Joel 2:28-29

1. The Day of the LORD will involve a spiritual awakening. (Ez. 37)

Joel 2:30-31

2. Frightening things will happen in the heavens and the earth. (Rev. 6,8,9,16; Matt 24:6-12,21-22,29)

Joel 2:32-3:8

3. Israel will be restored, nations will be judged, and whoever calls on the name of Yehovah will be saved. (Rev. 20:11-15; Romans 10:14)

Joel 3:9-16

4. As the world prepares for war, God will smite the world with His fury. (Rev. 19:11-21)

Joel 3:17-21

5. When Jerusalem is restored forever, all will know that Yehovah is the only true God. (Rev. 21:22-27)

What’s commanded:

6. Preach the gospel to all. (Mk 16:15; Mt 28:19)

If you have the Holy Spirit you will witness. (Acts 1:8)

God is going to make very clear to everyone that He is in charge.

This is why we must give away our faith: God’s judgment is coming and He commands us, who believe, to tell those who don’t.

“…the day of the LORD is near…..

… then you shall know that I am the LORD your God!”

“Therefore, go…and preach the Gospel!”

Joel 3:14,17; Mark 16:15

Next time we will examine how to give away our faith.