WEBVTT 00:00:00.720 --> 00:00:02.020 Well, please do have a seat. 00:00:02.120 --> 00:00:03.240 And if you've got a Bible there, 00:00:03.500 --> 00:00:07.060 or if you're one of scrollers, as I like to call them, 00:00:07.120 --> 00:00:08.339 then turn to Joel chapter two. 00:00:08.460 --> 00:00:09.700 This is where we're going to be this morning, 00:00:09.779 --> 00:00:11.019 the first 17 verses. 00:00:11.960 --> 00:00:12.759 While you're doing that, 00:00:12.780 --> 00:00:14.519 let me just welcome everyone to church this morning. 00:00:14.599 --> 00:00:15.759 How great to see you all. 00:00:15.980 --> 00:00:16.940 Thank you so much to everyone 00:00:16.940 --> 00:00:18.940 who's participated so far in our service. 00:00:19.379 --> 00:00:20.980 And it's wonderful to meet so many visitors 00:00:20.980 --> 00:00:21.820 as well this morning, 00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:23.960 who've traveled from all over parts of the world 00:00:23.960 --> 00:00:27.039 to be in Edinburgh and with us today. 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:29.019 And I hope you've enjoyed the weather. 00:00:29.019 --> 00:00:29.839 It's always like this. 00:00:30.280 --> 00:00:31.519 Always like this, I tell you. 00:00:31.719 --> 00:00:34.420 You have got the best of Scotland this week. 00:00:34.480 --> 00:00:36.719 So I hope you guys have enjoyed your time with us. 00:00:36.780 --> 00:00:38.000 This is Joel chapter two, 00:00:38.380 --> 00:00:39.060 and we're just going to get, 00:00:39.159 --> 00:00:39.980 Alistair's already prayed, 00:00:40.100 --> 00:00:41.420 so we're just going to get stuck in 00:00:41.420 --> 00:00:43.159 straight from verse one. 00:00:46.659 --> 00:00:48.219 These hard-hitting verses 00:00:48.219 --> 00:00:50.100 that the people of Judah need to hear, 00:00:50.620 --> 00:00:52.980 but have so much to teach us about our God this morning. 00:00:53.079 --> 00:00:54.579 So this is from verse one. 00:00:56.480 --> 00:00:58.219 Blow the trumpet in Zion. 00:00:58.219 --> 00:01:01.519 Sound the alarm on my holy hill. 00:01:02.439 --> 00:01:04.260 Let all who live in the land tremble, 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:06.379 for the day of the Lord is coming. 00:01:07.420 --> 00:01:08.640 It is close at hand, 00:01:09.039 --> 00:01:10.439 a day of darkness and gloom, 00:01:10.500 --> 00:01:12.079 a day of clouds and blackness. 00:01:12.780 --> 00:01:14.859 Like dawn spreading across the mountains, 00:01:14.939 --> 00:01:16.739 a large and mighty army comes, 00:01:16.859 --> 00:01:18.439 such as never was in ancient times, 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:20.680 nor ever will be in ages to come. 00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:23.060 Before them fire devours, 00:01:23.180 --> 00:01:24.680 behind them a flame blazes. 00:01:25.940 --> 00:01:28.280 Before them the land is like the Garden of Eden, 00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:29.900 behind them a desert waste, 00:01:30.060 --> 00:01:31.760 and nothing escapes them. 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:34.020 They have the appearance of horses, 00:01:34.240 --> 00:01:36.380 they gallop along like cavalry, 00:01:36.580 --> 00:01:38.400 with a noise like that of chariots, 00:01:38.480 --> 00:01:39.680 they leap over the mountaintops, 00:01:40.680 --> 00:01:43.380 like a crackling fire consuming a stubble, 00:01:44.060 --> 00:01:44.820 consuming stubble, 00:01:44.960 --> 00:01:47.160 like a mighty army drawn up for battle. 00:01:47.159 --> 00:01:50.519 At the sight of them nations are in anguish. 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:52.859 Every face turns pale. 00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:55.280 They charge like warriors, 00:01:55.479 --> 00:01:57.099 they scale walls like soldiers, 00:01:57.319 --> 00:01:58.959 they all march in line, 00:01:59.060 --> 00:02:00.459 not swerving from their course. 00:02:01.539 --> 00:02:03.000 They do not jostle each other, 00:02:03.079 --> 00:02:04.500 each marches straight ahead. 00:02:05.159 --> 00:02:08.259 They plunge through defences without breaking ranks, 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:09.620 they rush upon the city, 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:10.840 they run along the wall, 00:02:11.219 --> 00:02:13.099 they climb into the houses like thieves, 00:02:13.180 --> 00:02:14.400 they enter through the windows. 00:02:14.400 --> 00:02:16.680 Before them the earth shakes, 00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:17.800 the heavens tremble, 00:02:18.420 --> 00:02:20.200 the sun and moon are darkened, 00:02:20.300 --> 00:02:21.860 and the stars no longer shine. 00:02:22.700 --> 00:02:25.819 The Lord thunders at the head of his army. 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:28.439 His forces are beyond number, 00:02:28.700 --> 00:02:31.599 and mighty is the army that obeys his command. 00:02:32.640 --> 00:02:34.140 The day of the Lord is great, 00:02:35.080 --> 00:02:36.860 and is dreadful, who can endure it? 00:02:36.860 --> 00:02:40.100 Even now declares the Lord, 00:02:40.880 --> 00:02:43.780 return to me with all your heart, 00:02:44.420 --> 00:02:47.040 with fasting and weeping and mourning. 00:02:48.120 --> 00:02:50.840 Rend your hearts and not your garments. 00:02:52.180 --> 00:02:53.700 Return to the Lord your God, 00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:56.580 for he is gracious and compassionate, 00:02:57.400 --> 00:02:59.720 slow to anger and abounding in love, 00:02:59.960 --> 00:03:02.340 and he relents from sending calamity. 00:03:02.640 --> 00:03:03.280 Who knows? 00:03:03.920 --> 00:03:06.140 He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing. 00:03:06.139 --> 00:03:07.939 Grain offerings and drink offerings 00:03:07.939 --> 00:03:09.079 for the Lord your God. 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:11.139 Blow the trumpet in Zion, 00:03:11.259 --> 00:03:12.399 declare a holy fast, 00:03:12.519 --> 00:03:13.759 call a sacred assembly. 00:03:14.679 --> 00:03:15.500 Gather the people, 00:03:15.939 --> 00:03:16.959 consecrate the assembly, 00:03:17.119 --> 00:03:18.259 bring together the elders, 00:03:18.859 --> 00:03:19.719 gather the children, 00:03:19.859 --> 00:03:21.199 those nursing at the breast. 00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:23.319 Let the bridegroom leave his room 00:03:23.319 --> 00:03:24.639 and the bride her chamber. 00:03:25.719 --> 00:03:27.539 Let the priests who minister before the Lord 00:03:27.539 --> 00:03:29.899 weep between the portico and the altar. 00:03:30.279 --> 00:03:30.939 Let them say, 00:03:31.099 --> 00:03:32.279 spare your people, Lord. 00:03:33.019 --> 00:03:35.599 Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:37.500 a byword among the nations. 00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:40.280 Why should they say among the peoples, 00:03:40.439 --> 00:03:41.859 where is their God? 00:03:43.479 --> 00:03:43.840 Amen. 00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:46.659 This is the word of our great God this morning 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:47.900 and he will bless it to us. 00:03:48.620 --> 00:03:51.400 I became a Christian when I was 18 years old, 00:03:51.479 --> 00:03:52.159 something like that. 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:55.799 And my mom and dad took me to church growing up. 00:03:55.879 --> 00:03:57.459 I grew up in Christian circles, 00:03:57.560 --> 00:03:59.539 but Christianity meant nothing to me growing up. 00:03:59.979 --> 00:04:01.079 So my life, I like to say, 00:04:01.139 --> 00:04:02.519 it was a lot more about goals 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:03.580 than it was about God, 00:04:03.680 --> 00:04:04.580 if you catch my drift. 00:04:05.180 --> 00:04:07.360 But I remember I had this one friend called Fiona. 00:04:08.600 --> 00:04:10.780 And Fiona was part of our group of friends. 00:04:10.860 --> 00:04:13.740 And I remember the time of her life 00:04:13.740 --> 00:04:14.560 that God saved her. 00:04:14.600 --> 00:04:15.920 He just opened her eyes to the truth 00:04:15.920 --> 00:04:17.840 about who his son Jesus was. 00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:20.420 And we're together with our group of friends 00:04:20.420 --> 00:04:22.000 as she announces to us one day, 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:23.220 hey guys, I'm going to get baptized. 00:04:23.699 --> 00:04:24.639 Because I want the world to know 00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:26.500 that I follow this man called Jesus Christ. 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:28.860 And I'm thinking, Fiona, what are you doing? 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:31.139 What are you doing? 00:04:32.639 --> 00:04:33.860 I just didn't understand it. 00:04:33.939 --> 00:04:35.920 But I tell you what, I looked into Fiona's life 00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:40.019 and I saw something compellingly different in her. 00:04:41.420 --> 00:04:44.819 She was acting differently. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:46.740 She was talking differently. 00:04:47.639 --> 00:04:49.139 And she wasn't perfect. 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:50.800 But do you know what? 00:04:50.819 --> 00:04:52.480 She wasn't the same as what she used to be. 00:04:52.480 --> 00:04:57.220 And I looked in and I saw that there was a light on 00:04:57.220 --> 00:04:58.600 in her heart that wasn't on the mind. 00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:01.340 I saw that there was a bigger reality 00:05:01.340 --> 00:05:03.480 that was true for her that wasn't true for me. 00:05:03.540 --> 00:05:05.120 And I longed to have what she had. 00:05:08.100 --> 00:05:10.220 And I looked as an outsider into her life. 00:05:10.300 --> 00:05:12.319 I looked at what was going on in her heart 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:13.620 as God was transforming her. 00:05:13.720 --> 00:05:17.000 And my reaction, my gut instinct was, 00:05:17.080 --> 00:05:18.280 I think her God is real. 00:05:19.800 --> 00:05:20.340 Isn't it amazing? 00:05:20.420 --> 00:05:22.319 I wonder if some of us here have got testimonies 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:23.980 stories like that about how we came to know 00:05:23.980 --> 00:05:24.899 Jesus Christ for ourselves. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:26.959 Isn't it amazing how God uses his people 00:05:26.959 --> 00:05:30.120 as he transforms them, as he rescues them, 00:05:30.180 --> 00:05:31.800 as he puts lights on in their hearts, 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:34.360 that as they shine as stars for him 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:35.639 in a world that is dark, 00:05:36.319 --> 00:05:39.680 that God uses them to draw people outside to himself. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:42.219 I think as you read the Bible story, 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:44.560 that's always the way it was meant to be 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:47.360 as God does his work in his people. 00:05:47.360 --> 00:05:52.620 But that's not happening with Joel's generation of God's people. 00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:55.360 Look at verse 17 of chapter 2. 00:05:56.939 --> 00:06:00.360 The nations, the people around about their neighbours, 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:02.879 as they look at this generation of God's people 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:05.120 and everything that's going on in Judah, 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:08.319 here is what either they conclude or they will conclude. 00:06:09.340 --> 00:06:10.300 There is a God. 00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:11.000 No, no, no. 00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:12.379 Where is their God? 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:15.259 Now, why are they saying that? 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:16.560 Well, two reasons really quickly. 00:06:16.659 --> 00:06:17.300 Here's the first one, 00:06:17.339 --> 00:06:18.740 because of how God's people are living. 00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:21.579 Instead of standing out for the Lord, 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:23.219 they are blending in with the world. 00:06:23.339 --> 00:06:24.519 They're worshipping their gods. 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:25.740 They're just following their ways. 00:06:25.819 --> 00:06:26.959 They're adopting their values. 00:06:27.100 --> 00:06:29.680 They are deliberately and blatantly ignoring 00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:32.819 the instructions and commands that God has given them 00:06:32.819 --> 00:06:33.639 as he has said, 00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:35.939 that's how you are to live as my rescued people, 00:06:36.360 --> 00:06:37.259 my ransomed people. 00:06:38.379 --> 00:06:41.000 And secondly, as a result of what they are, 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:43.459 because of their blatant disregard for the Lord, 00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:44.980 because of what they are experiencing. 00:06:46.500 --> 00:06:49.899 That's where we need to tap into our Bible story here. 00:06:49.980 --> 00:06:52.160 Remember, this is God's people. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:54.160 This people that he'd set his heart upon, 00:06:54.699 --> 00:06:56.480 he'd rescued from Egypt, 00:06:56.800 --> 00:06:58.540 he'd brought them to Mount Sinai 00:06:58.540 --> 00:06:59.639 under the leadership of Moses, 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:01.120 and he'd made a covenant with them. 00:07:01.899 --> 00:07:04.920 This binding promise sealed with the strapline 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:07.920 that I will be your God and you will be my people. 00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:11.740 And it was to be a relationship filled with mutual delight 00:07:11.740 --> 00:07:15.420 as they delighted in God and God delighted in them. 00:07:15.960 --> 00:07:21.140 And together, they showcased to the world God's glory. 00:07:21.780 --> 00:07:23.360 And the nations would look in 00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:25.980 and they would declare that truly Israel's God 00:07:25.980 --> 00:07:27.639 is the God of all gods. 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:34.120 The heart of their lives as God's people was to be this. 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:37.519 The mantra that we find in Deuteronomy 6 verse 4, 00:07:37.599 --> 00:07:38.539 you can check it out later, 00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:40.180 that the Lord your God, O Israel, 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:41.939 here is to be one. 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:46.120 God is to be number one in their lives. 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:48.360 And he would not share the throne of their hearts 00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:50.759 with any pretenders of the nations round about them. 00:07:50.959 --> 00:07:54.379 He wanted his people's wholehearted devotion. 00:07:54.379 --> 00:07:57.439 And God gave his people a choice. 00:07:57.560 --> 00:08:00.199 Again, you can check it out later, Deuteronomy 28. 00:08:00.659 --> 00:08:02.899 If you go on with me, I will bless you. 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:06.500 But if you turn away from me, I will curse you. 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:11.079 Those were the terms of this old covenant arrangement 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:12.319 that God had with his people. 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:14.860 You read the story all the way through. 00:08:14.920 --> 00:08:16.600 God's people, they make their choice. 00:08:17.579 --> 00:08:18.819 They turn away from the Lord. 00:08:18.899 --> 00:08:20.339 And because of their disobedience, 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:23.620 here they are in Joel's time in the land, 00:08:23.620 --> 00:08:26.100 experiencing those covenant curses 00:08:26.100 --> 00:08:28.160 in the form of this locust plague. 00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:29.740 Now we heard that last week from Alistair. 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:32.419 This is an event that this generation 00:08:32.419 --> 00:08:33.620 are never going to forget. 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:36.200 This is an event when the locusts came 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:38.500 that this generation would have to pass on 00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:39.480 down the generations 00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:41.139 because there was lessons to be learned 00:08:41.139 --> 00:08:42.120 from what has just happened. 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:47.279 God's people have wandered far away from the Lord. 00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:51.059 And they have settled for a pick and mix, 00:08:51.379 --> 00:08:54.620 half-hearted, empty shell of a religious life. 00:08:54.959 --> 00:08:56.439 And because of the people's sin, 00:08:56.779 --> 00:08:58.659 because of the curses they are experiencing, 00:08:58.860 --> 00:09:01.539 God's people are de-glorifying him 00:09:01.539 --> 00:09:04.860 in the sight of the surrounding nations. 00:09:05.059 --> 00:09:07.199 Because they look in and they see everything 00:09:07.199 --> 00:09:08.699 that's going on in Judah 00:09:08.699 --> 00:09:10.480 and they think, well, Israel's God 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:11.600 can't be up to that much. 00:09:12.299 --> 00:09:14.019 Because they're being humiliated. 00:09:14.419 --> 00:09:15.399 He can't be that great. 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:20.899 To see, instead of seeing and marvelling 00:09:20.899 --> 00:09:23.519 like I did with my friend from the outside, 00:09:24.039 --> 00:09:27.059 the nations are looking in at this generation 00:09:27.059 --> 00:09:28.860 and they are doubting and they are mocking. 00:09:32.220 --> 00:09:32.919 And I think, friends, 00:09:32.959 --> 00:09:35.379 as we journey through these verses this morning, 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:37.919 God is going to challenge us 00:09:37.919 --> 00:09:40.600 as to the true devotion of our hearts 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:42.100 as we stand here. 00:09:43.460 --> 00:09:44.559 Like that experience, 00:09:44.559 --> 00:09:46.000 I had it a few weeks ago 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:48.019 when you drop your car off for its MOT 00:09:48.019 --> 00:09:51.439 and you hand the mechanic the keys 00:09:51.439 --> 00:09:53.199 and you go to pick it up a few hours later 00:09:53.199 --> 00:09:54.579 and they produce for you the report. 00:09:55.739 --> 00:09:57.039 And you never get that back 00:09:57.039 --> 00:09:57.859 and the report says, 00:09:57.939 --> 00:09:58.279 do you know what? 00:09:58.299 --> 00:09:59.979 See if you just gave that a wee clean. 00:10:00.579 --> 00:10:02.179 See if you gave that just a wee spray paint. 00:10:02.279 --> 00:10:03.059 See if you brought one of those 00:10:03.059 --> 00:10:04.159 pine cone to your freshers 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:05.459 and just stuck it on your dashboard. 00:10:05.619 --> 00:10:06.539 That would be great. 00:10:07.319 --> 00:10:08.939 Because that would be a lot cheaper, wouldn't it? 00:10:09.839 --> 00:10:10.659 It's not what they do. 00:10:10.659 --> 00:10:14.559 The mechanic's job is not to look at what's going on in the outside. 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:17.679 Mechanic's job is to get to the heart of what's going on in the inside. 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:21.819 The job is to get to the heart of the car. 00:10:22.939 --> 00:10:28.439 And here, as we hear God through Joel speak to this generation of his people, 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:30.559 God is going to challenge us to think about 00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:32.879 what is really going on in the inside. 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:35.039 Joel. 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:36.779 Do you know what his name means? 00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:39.259 Learned it a couple of weeks ago. 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:40.139 The Lord is God. 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:41.399 This is what his name means. 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:42.439 Love that. 00:10:43.259 --> 00:10:45.000 Picture Joel walking around Jerusalem 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:46.500 the first day into the marketplace. 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:47.240 There he is. 00:10:47.299 --> 00:10:48.200 People looking at him. 00:10:48.500 --> 00:10:49.860 Oh, there's that guy called Joel. 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:51.240 Do you mean the Lord is God? 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:52.200 Yeah, that's him. 00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:54.080 Oh, he's a prophet. 00:10:54.820 --> 00:10:56.399 Oh, I wonder what he's going to say to us. 00:10:57.100 --> 00:10:58.419 The Lord is God. 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:01.600 Yahweh is Lord. 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:03.879 God comes back in the next day. 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:06.080 Oh, there's that guy called Joel again. 00:11:06.899 --> 00:11:08.040 Didn't like his message yesterday. 00:11:08.139 --> 00:11:08.460 Did you? 00:11:08.560 --> 00:11:09.800 No, didn't like his message yesterday. 00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:10.800 Far too in my face. 00:11:11.100 --> 00:11:13.220 I wonder if he's got a different message for us today. 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:16.139 The Lord is God. 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:17.720 He does not have a different message. 00:11:17.920 --> 00:11:20.300 This is what God is saying to this generation of his people. 00:11:20.779 --> 00:11:22.480 He's raised up this prophet 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:25.840 and he's speaking to them 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:28.420 that the confession of their lips 00:11:28.420 --> 00:11:30.580 and the reality of their lives 00:11:30.580 --> 00:11:32.180 are completely different. 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:34.620 And God has raised up Joel 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:36.379 as a megaphone to his people 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:37.860 to convict them of their sin 00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:39.620 and to call them back 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:41.980 to a life of covenant faithfulness 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:43.800 to the Lord who has rescued them and loves them. 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:47.579 God's got news for his half-hearted people. 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:51.579 Key verse is verse 13. 00:11:52.959 --> 00:11:54.419 Look at it there if you've got it with me. 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:58.459 This is the heartbeat of these verses this morning 00:11:58.459 --> 00:11:59.519 and this is the heart, I think, 00:11:59.579 --> 00:12:01.240 you could argue of the whole entire book. 00:12:02.459 --> 00:12:03.879 Look what it says, verse 13. 00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:05.359 See God's heart here. 00:12:05.459 --> 00:12:05.919 Feel it. 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:07.639 Return to me. 00:12:07.639 --> 00:12:09.460 Do you feel it? 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:11.139 Return to me. 00:12:11.319 --> 00:12:12.659 Come back to me. 00:12:13.439 --> 00:12:13.919 Repent. 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:14.779 Turn around. 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:16.279 Don't run over there. 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:18.019 Run to me. 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.240 There's nowhere else to go. 00:12:19.799 --> 00:12:22.000 Return to me. 00:12:23.799 --> 00:12:24.819 And in these verses, 00:12:25.480 --> 00:12:27.299 God's got some bad news for his people. 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:29.740 And in these verses, 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:31.679 God's got some good news for his people. 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:33.679 As he speaks to Joel, 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:34.580 we're just going to journey through 00:12:34.580 --> 00:12:37.320 these two bits of news in these verses. 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.580 Here's the bad news. 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:40.100 Verses 1 to 11. 00:12:41.160 --> 00:12:42.040 God says, 00:12:43.560 --> 00:12:45.200 see if we keep on going the way we're going, 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:47.340 that he's going to judge us. 00:12:48.900 --> 00:12:49.660 So this people, 00:12:50.200 --> 00:12:51.660 remember how costly this must have been 00:12:51.660 --> 00:12:53.860 for Joel to speak into this generation. 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:56.360 It's costly to speak for the truth, isn't it? 00:12:58.160 --> 00:13:00.600 Here, they have just experienced 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:02.280 the devastating locust plague. 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:03.840 Joel sounds the alarm and he says, 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:04.840 if we don't learn the lessons, 00:13:04.920 --> 00:13:06.120 if we don't turn back to the Lord, 00:13:06.420 --> 00:13:07.780 there's a greater day of judgment 00:13:07.780 --> 00:13:08.820 that's coming upon us. 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:11.300 Now, let's just journey through these verses. 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:12.600 Let me pick out a few things 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:13.840 to help us see what's going on. 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:16.000 Notice the where of verse 1. 00:13:17.399 --> 00:13:18.820 Where is this alarm to be sounded? 00:13:19.800 --> 00:13:20.519 In Zion. 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:22.940 In Jerusalem. 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:25.259 So God's judgment, 00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:26.139 if they do not turn, 00:13:26.399 --> 00:13:28.460 is going to come to the very capital city 00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:29.180 of this nation. 00:13:29.280 --> 00:13:30.280 Now, that's important to see 00:13:30.280 --> 00:13:32.040 because so complacent were the people 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:33.599 in this day that they thought 00:13:33.599 --> 00:13:34.819 Jerusalem was untouchable. 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:38.120 Surely God would not judge Jerusalem. 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:39.620 Surely, would he? 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:42.019 He would, says Joel. 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:44.779 God will judge other places, 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:45.740 but will he judge Jerusalem? 00:13:45.839 --> 00:13:46.459 Of course he will. 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:47.639 Just because you're in Jerusalem 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:49.439 does not mean that you are right with God. 00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:52.439 I see the what of verse 2. 00:13:53.719 --> 00:13:56.120 An army even greater than that 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:57.579 of the locusts will come upon them. 00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:59.200 Now, whether this is referring 00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:00.840 to a future locust plague, 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:02.080 whether this is referring 00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:03.800 to a future physical army 00:14:03.800 --> 00:14:05.560 who are being portrayed as locusts, 00:14:05.660 --> 00:14:07.000 people differ on that one. 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:08.620 But whatever it is, 00:14:09.160 --> 00:14:11.280 this terrifying future day of the Lord 00:14:11.280 --> 00:14:12.320 because of the people's sin 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:13.720 is not something that you want 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:14.879 to be in the wrong end of. 00:14:16.400 --> 00:14:18.180 See the how of verses 3 to 10? 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:20.820 What will the army do? 00:14:21.800 --> 00:14:22.680 Glance at the verbs. 00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:28.319 They will gallop, leap, consume, 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:33.379 charge, march, plunge, rush, run, climb. 00:14:33.459 --> 00:14:34.019 Do you get the picture? 00:14:34.979 --> 00:14:37.039 Total devastation from this army. 00:14:38.459 --> 00:14:39.779 And see the who of verse 11. 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:42.699 Who's behind this? 00:14:43.579 --> 00:14:45.059 Who is at the front of this army? 00:14:45.739 --> 00:14:46.579 The Lord. 00:14:46.580 --> 00:14:49.920 This is his army 00:14:49.920 --> 00:14:52.400 that he is using 00:14:52.400 --> 00:14:56.500 to accomplish his sovereign purposes. 00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:58.720 And lastly, see the why. 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:01.300 Why would God do this to his people? 00:15:03.040 --> 00:15:04.200 Because they are spiritually 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:05.160 all over the place. 00:15:06.540 --> 00:15:07.300 Saying God, 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:10.139 and get into what they're doing here, 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:11.680 saying God, we want your stuff, 00:15:11.780 --> 00:15:12.540 we want your blessings, 00:15:12.680 --> 00:15:13.440 we just don't want you. 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:16.700 taking his covenant love for granted, 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:19.140 presuming on his kindness, 00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:20.900 abusing his grace, 00:15:21.060 --> 00:15:22.500 this people have offered to God 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:24.440 a half-hearted religiosity. 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:25.980 And they think God is okay with that. 00:15:27.560 --> 00:15:29.220 But God will not be mocked. 00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:32.160 God will not be mocked. 00:15:33.920 --> 00:15:35.560 Someone once asked J.C. Ryle, 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:37.760 the former bishop of Liverpool, 00:15:37.920 --> 00:15:39.420 Mr. Ryle, what is a true Christian? 00:15:39.520 --> 00:15:40.260 And he responded, 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:42.259 a Christian is a person 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:43.100 whose faith 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:45.039 is not a mere Sunday quote, 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:46.240 but rather, 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:47.860 it's a compelling principle 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.460 that governs 00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:49.939 every single day of their lives. 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:52.299 These people are offering to God 00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:53.080 their Sunday best. 00:15:53.939 --> 00:15:54.559 During the week, 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:55.779 we can live wherever we want. 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.799 The Lord wants his people's 00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:00.480 whole hearts. 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.879 And if they keep on going 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:04.700 with their half-hearts, 00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:06.659 then they will have to face 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.740 that chilling thought 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.840 at the end of verse 11. 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:11.460 The day when God comes 00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:12.899 to judge his people. 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:13.820 Darkness. 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:14.259 I mean, 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.960 the language here 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:16.500 is so striking. 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:17.420 Darkness, 00:16:17.620 --> 00:16:18.899 symbolizing God's judgment, 00:16:19.040 --> 00:16:20.660 will fall on God's people. 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:22.780 And it will be dreadful. 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:26.560 Rhetorical question at the end, 00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:27.480 who can endure it? 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:29.840 Who can endure it? 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:30.180 Answer, 00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:31.080 no one. 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:33.840 No one can endure this. 00:16:33.900 --> 00:16:34.519 Do you feel the weight 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:35.200 of these verses? 00:16:36.560 --> 00:16:37.259 The weight. 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:38.139 God says, 00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:39.419 your sin is a big deal. 00:16:41.819 --> 00:16:42.860 So where does it leave 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:43.379 this people? 00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:46.299 As they come face to face 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:47.580 with the God who made them, 00:16:47.659 --> 00:16:48.620 with guilty hands, 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:49.819 with nowhere to run, 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:50.639 what can they do? 00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:54.000 Well, 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:54.480 do you see, 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:57.159 when it comes to being right 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:58.779 with their covenant God, 00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:00.080 as they look at their hand 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:01.480 of cards, 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:02.340 they've only got one card 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:02.919 they can play. 00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:04.779 And that card 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.740 is not marked ace. 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:08.740 That card is marked grace. 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.619 That's the only card 00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:11.259 they've got to play. 00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:12.279 This is the only place 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.879 they can run. 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:13.879 Grace. 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.799 God's grace. 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.460 Grace that is greater 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:18.659 than all our sin. 00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:21.639 Heard somebody recently talk 00:17:21.639 --> 00:17:22.799 about how they explain grace 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:23.659 to their little children. 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:25.960 Imagine that somebody 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:26.940 hit you in the face 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:28.599 and you hit them back. 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:30.039 That would be justice. 00:17:31.139 --> 00:17:31.619 Imagine if somebody 00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:32.500 hit you in the face 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.559 and you didn't hit them back 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:33.919 and you said, 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.599 I forgive you, 00:17:34.659 --> 00:17:35.779 that would be mercy. 00:17:36.699 --> 00:17:37.259 Imagine if somebody 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:38.159 hit you in the face, 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.379 you didn't hit them back, 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:39.879 you said, 00:17:39.919 --> 00:17:40.579 I forgive you, 00:17:40.699 --> 00:17:41.459 and you took them out 00:17:41.459 --> 00:17:42.139 for an ice cream. 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.159 That would be grace. 00:17:44.159 --> 00:17:44.819 Getting something 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:47.399 so much outrageously better 00:17:47.399 --> 00:17:48.879 than you deserve. 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:50.699 Do you see how 00:17:50.699 --> 00:17:52.279 the only hope 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:53.759 that God's people have 00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:56.279 is not in themselves, 00:17:56.979 --> 00:17:58.919 it's in who this God is. 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:00.880 the only hope 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:01.740 that they have 00:18:01.740 --> 00:18:03.440 is to turn again 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:04.180 to the Lord 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:05.300 in faith, 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.220 trusting that He is 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:08.560 who He says He is, 00:18:09.060 --> 00:18:10.580 trusting that He is gracious, 00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:13.220 trusting that He will make a way 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:14.680 for them to be right 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:15.440 with Him again. 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.420 He will make a way 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.320 for their sin 00:18:17.320 --> 00:18:19.100 to be dealt with 00:18:19.100 --> 00:18:21.320 and that He will treat them 00:18:21.320 --> 00:18:22.460 so outrageously better 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.320 than they deserve. 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:25.420 Friends, 00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:26.120 you see the gospel 00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:27.559 in Joel chapter 2. 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:30.139 It's all they have. 00:18:30.979 --> 00:18:32.019 It's all we have. 00:18:32.979 --> 00:18:33.939 It's the way it's always been. 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.179 That God is, 00:18:36.939 --> 00:18:38.759 as we come on to see, 00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:39.500 He is 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:41.639 the giver of good news. 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.199 Here's the good news, 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:44.559 verses 12 to 17. 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:46.099 God says, 00:18:46.959 --> 00:18:48.079 if we return to Him, 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:51.039 then grace is a possibility for us. 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:51.819 See verse 12. 00:18:51.919 --> 00:18:52.739 What will God say 00:18:52.739 --> 00:18:53.639 if His people return? 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:56.960 It's about time? 00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:58.280 No. 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:00.580 Drop and give me 20? 00:19:00.800 --> 00:19:01.140 No. 00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:02.500 What will they say? 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.680 Even now? 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.380 Do you feel it? 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.040 As if to say, 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:06.640 there is time. 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.759 Return to me, 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.580 says God. 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:11.700 Return to me. 00:19:11.840 --> 00:19:13.220 Come back to me. 00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:15.720 With fasting 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:17.280 and weeping 00:19:17.280 --> 00:19:18.280 and mourning. 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:19.140 It's not your clothes 00:19:19.140 --> 00:19:20.680 that I want you to rip and break. 00:19:21.620 --> 00:19:22.600 It's your hearts. 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:25.259 Because what your sin is doing. 00:19:25.399 --> 00:19:26.079 Verse 13. 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.299 Rend your hearts 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:28.480 and not your garments. 00:19:30.659 --> 00:19:32.480 Do you see God's heart here? 00:19:33.399 --> 00:19:34.299 For His people. 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.799 I don't want your religious acts. 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:37.459 I want you. 00:19:38.899 --> 00:19:40.719 I don't want your religious attendance. 00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:42.379 I want your whole life. 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:44.959 I don't want your religious stuff. 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:46.679 I want your heart. 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:48.600 Why? 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:51.039 Because He is gracious. 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:52.720 Look at the description on the screen. 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:54.180 This is who this God is. 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:55.660 He is gracious. 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:58.080 He is compassionate. 00:19:58.980 --> 00:20:00.360 He is slow to anger. 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:01.940 He is abounding. 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:03.620 Get that word in your heads. 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:05.980 Abounding in steadfast love. 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:09.140 And He relents from sending calamity. 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:12.079 If His people would turn back to Him 00:20:12.079 --> 00:20:14.140 just as He is being faithful to His word 00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:15.940 to curse them for their disobedience, 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:18.200 He will be faithful to His promise to turn 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:20.640 and to hear His people's cries for grace. 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:24.100 And as you see God's heart here, 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:25.400 I wonder if your mind is gone 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:26.759 where my mind went this week. 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:29.920 You can't help but think of the prodigal son. 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:33.420 The son who had no right, 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:35.640 no right to come back to his father 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.660 after everything that he'd done. 00:20:37.560 --> 00:20:39.040 And yet what does the father do 00:20:39.040 --> 00:20:40.520 when he gets the first sniff, 00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:43.259 the first glance of a son that has turned 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:45.000 and has said, 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:45.980 I'm not going that way. 00:20:46.040 --> 00:20:46.720 I'm going that way. 00:20:46.780 --> 00:20:47.940 I'm heading for my father at home. 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:48.660 What does he do? 00:20:49.340 --> 00:20:50.900 He runs to embrace Him. 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:53.220 Now I remember growing up thinking 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:54.420 that the God of the Old Testament 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.820 was a big, bad, scary God. 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:57.120 The God of the New Testament 00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:58.320 was a big, loving God. 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.960 And I had to count my lucky stars 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:01.240 that I didn't live in the Old Testament. 00:21:01.300 --> 00:21:02.320 I lived in the New Testament. 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.540 He was like Jekyll and Hyde. 00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:05.120 But how wrong was I? 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:08.840 This God, the three in one, 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:12.400 is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:21:12.580 --> 00:21:14.100 God says to His people here, 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.519 return to me. 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:18.279 All of us, sounds Joel, 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.339 are to turn back to Him. 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.639 Verse 16, look at this. 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.799 Whole of the people. 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:23.259 Gather the people, 00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:24.799 the elders, the children, 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:26.339 the mothers, the bride and groom. 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:27.200 But we're on our honeymoon. 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:27.899 I don't care. 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:29.319 This is where you need to be. 00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:31.700 Seek in the face of the Lord your God. 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:34.240 And the priests, 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:36.899 lead us with tears in your eyes. 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:37.559 Do you notice that? 00:21:37.639 --> 00:21:39.240 This is a deep work of repentance 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:39.980 that's going on here. 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:41.480 Lead us at the temple 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:43.339 in this national repentance ceremony. 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:45.919 Verse 17, 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:47.659 do not let your inheritance, 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.339 as if to say, 00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:50.619 Lord, did you remember 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.599 your covenant promises 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:52.459 to us, your people? 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:54.839 Although we deserve disgrace, 00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:56.819 do not let us be disgraced by you 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:58.139 in the eyes of the watching world. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:58.599 Why? 00:21:58.980 --> 00:22:00.179 Because you are gracious. 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.779 That's who you are. 00:22:04.179 --> 00:22:05.000 Here's the question 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:06.099 you might be asking this morning 00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:07.199 as you stand here. 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.420 How do you know God is gracious? 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:12.660 How do you know? 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.380 Well, we know 00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:17.980 because ultimately, 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:19.180 standing where we do in history, 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.180 that God sent his son. 00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:22.180 John chapter one, 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:22.559 Jesus, 00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:23.600 how does he describe him 00:22:23.600 --> 00:22:24.279 in his epilogue? 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.140 His opening, 00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:27.180 opening gambit about Jesus 00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:28.400 full of grace and truth. 00:22:29.360 --> 00:22:30.340 The person of Jesus, 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.299 God in the flesh, 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:32.559 grace has a face. 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.620 That's what John is saying. 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:36.940 As Jesus hangs there on the cross, 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:38.299 as he goes to deal with our sin, 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:39.100 what is it that 00:22:39.100 --> 00:22:42.120 the passersby say of him? 00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:43.400 His darkness is falling 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:44.360 all around him. 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.160 What did he say? 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:47.059 Matthew records it 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:48.620 in chapter 27 of his gospel. 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.740 People mocked him. 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.360 Surely his God 00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:52.460 will come to save him. 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.299 As if to say, 00:22:54.580 --> 00:22:55.700 where is his God? 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.120 To see, 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:59.660 he takes our disgrace, 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:02.420 the disgrace that his people deserved, 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:04.080 and he gives us his grace. 00:23:05.100 --> 00:23:05.759 And in so doing, 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:09.160 he ushers us into this new covenant relationship 00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:10.099 with his people, 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:13.099 established on better truths 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:14.680 by his shed blood 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:16.059 and his broken body. 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:17.299 In Jesus, 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:19.240 his people will never face 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.339 ultimate disgrace 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:21.160 because Jesus, 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:21.839 our king, 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:23.180 took it for us. 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.839 And what do we get in return? 00:23:25.879 --> 00:23:26.379 Forgiveness, 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.059 newness of life, 00:23:28.379 --> 00:23:28.720 peace, 00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:29.839 and ultimately, 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.599 God himself. 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:34.019 as the three-in-one 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:35.179 comes to live in the hearts 00:23:35.179 --> 00:23:35.659 of his people 00:23:35.659 --> 00:23:36.579 through the Holy Spirit. 00:23:36.679 --> 00:23:37.599 See, the gift of the gospel 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:38.939 is not material things, 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:40.399 it's not an easy life, 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:41.859 and it's certainly not a private jet 00:23:41.859 --> 00:23:42.599 before you ask. 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.659 The gift of the gospel 00:23:44.659 --> 00:23:45.699 is God himself. 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:47.459 We get God. 00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:48.839 This is the good news 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:50.179 of the gospel. 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:51.240 For all those 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:52.659 who would put their trust in Jesus, 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:54.619 God. 00:23:55.419 --> 00:23:56.319 For all those 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:57.240 who would throw themselves 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:58.259 and nothing of themselves 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:59.379 in all of God's grace, 00:23:59.380 --> 00:24:01.240 God is here. 00:24:03.260 --> 00:24:04.100 God's got news 00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:05.240 for his half-hearted people. 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:06.320 He's got bad news. 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:07.900 If you keep on going 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.800 the way that you're going, 00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:10.860 he will judge us. 00:24:11.840 --> 00:24:13.020 And he's got good news. 00:24:13.760 --> 00:24:15.040 If we return to him, 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:17.320 then he might be gracious to us. 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:18.940 Friends, 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:20.560 as we work towards a close, 00:24:20.600 --> 00:24:21.600 what are we going to do with this? 00:24:23.340 --> 00:24:24.700 Well, to quote Matt Redman, 00:24:25.800 --> 00:24:28.080 as we read this, 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:29.980 as God's new covenant people, 00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:31.639 friends, 00:24:31.679 --> 00:24:32.240 we need to come back 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.000 to the heart of worship. 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:36.359 And we need to fall on our knees 00:24:36.359 --> 00:24:36.919 and declare, 00:24:37.419 --> 00:24:38.419 it's all about you. 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:40.139 It is all about you, Jesus. 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:41.259 I'm sorry, Lord, 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:43.799 for the thing I've made it. 00:24:44.399 --> 00:24:45.740 When it's all about you, 00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:47.319 it's all about you, Jesus. 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:49.740 As we feel God's heart 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.319 to his people, 00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:51.399 return to me. 00:24:52.199 --> 00:24:52.720 Do you know why 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:54.099 Matt and his church 00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:54.779 wrote that song? 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:57.240 Because as a church, 00:24:57.599 --> 00:24:58.339 their lives together, 00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.619 stuff was just getting in the way. 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.920 Stuff was just getting in the way 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.879 in terms of their love 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:03.440 for the Lord 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:05.160 and their devotion to him. 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:06.660 And let me ask you, 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.680 are you here this morning 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:08.440 and in your life, 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:10.279 stuff is just getting in the way? 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:13.259 Is there unchecked 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:14.960 and unspoken serious sin 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.599 in your heart, 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:16.859 growing arms and legs 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:17.379 in your life, 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.019 it's killing you 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:19.579 because it's clogging up 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.680 your spiritual arteries? 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:22.079 Hear what God is saying 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:23.099 this morning to his people. 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:24.000 Return to me. 00:25:25.199 --> 00:25:26.299 Don't look to yourself. 00:25:26.439 --> 00:25:27.039 Come to me. 00:25:27.139 --> 00:25:27.819 Return to me. 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.939 Come to the cross. 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:31.819 Come to my son 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:33.699 and know that I am a God 00:25:33.699 --> 00:25:34.919 full of grace 00:25:34.919 --> 00:25:36.740 and steadfast love. 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:38.839 As we close, 00:25:38.919 --> 00:25:39.519 let me take you back 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.359 to my friend Fiona. 00:25:43.139 --> 00:25:44.199 Let us think about that. 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:45.539 What do people in our lives 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.099 on the outside, 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.319 as they look into us, 00:25:48.219 --> 00:25:48.480 friends, 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.179 what do they see? 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.039 Do they see a people 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:53.379 who are half-hearted? 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.920 Do they look in 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:56.119 and they see a people 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.480 and they think, 00:25:56.559 --> 00:25:57.359 where is their God? 00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:00.079 Or do they look in 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:00.500 and they say, 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.019 do you know what? 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.659 Maybe God is real. 00:26:03.399 --> 00:26:03.559 You know, 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.399 I'll never forget the day 00:26:04.399 --> 00:26:04.899 when Fiona, 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:06.019 not long after she'd become 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.500 a Christian, 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:06.859 she, 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.180 we're chatting outside, 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:09.440 I can't remember where we are, 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.119 we're chatting outside 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:10.799 and she looks at me 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.159 and she says, 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:11.420 Graham, 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:11.879 where are you at 00:26:11.879 --> 00:26:12.480 in all of this? 00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:13.839 Where are you at? 00:26:13.879 --> 00:26:14.519 What's going on? 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.899 We'd never had that chat before. 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.480 All of a sudden, 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.159 she starts asking 00:26:18.159 --> 00:26:19.019 those kind of questions. 00:26:19.639 --> 00:26:20.119 Where are you at 00:26:20.119 --> 00:26:20.700 in all of this? 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:22.019 I don't care what's going on 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.420 on the outside, 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.200 I don't care about that, 00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:23.759 what's going on 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.299 on the inside. 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:25.980 And God, 00:26:26.080 --> 00:26:26.519 by his grace, 00:26:26.580 --> 00:26:27.200 was just poking, 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:28.900 poking at me, 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.600 poking at my heart, 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.460 getting me to think, 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:32.039 where am I at? 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:32.920 What is going on 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.539 in my life? 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.860 Where am I at 00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:36.340 before this, 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:36.640 God? 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:39.059 Let me just ask you, 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:39.880 just as we close, 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:41.460 just to think about that 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:43.080 in your own life. 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:44.740 Friends, 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.299 where are you at 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.960 in all of this? 00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:48.000 Not what's going on 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.559 on the outside, 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:50.559 what's going on 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.099 on the inside. 00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:53.000 Let's pray. 00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:02.059 Give praise to the Lord, 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:04.299 proclaim his name, 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:07.000 make known among the nations 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:08.740 what he has done. 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:10.599 Father God, 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:12.339 thank you for Joel chapter 2. 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:14.559 And would you help us 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.779 by your spirit this week 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.500 to be a people 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.279 who know 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:19.079 and who tell 00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:21.319 the outrageous grace 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.079 that you show 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:23.079 to sinful people. 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.919 And we see it 00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:26.279 so wonderfully 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:29.559 at the cross of Christ. 00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.500 So Lord, 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.379 help us to be 00:27:32.379 --> 00:27:33.959 lights that shine for you 00:27:33.959 --> 00:27:34.959 in a dark world, 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:35.500 we ask. 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.879 In Jesus' name. 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:37.659 Amen. 00:27:37.659 --> 00:27:37.799 Amen.