Joel

-Israel was warned by the Lord through prophets to turn to Him or face God’s judgment

vs1-4 – tell everyone what has happened so they will not make the same mistake

-Joel has a cure for Israel to get back to the Lord

(1) PUT ON SACKCLOTH AND FAST – v13

-this represents a time of mourning and repentance

v13 – it was a time of sorrow and mourning

-Joel said to repent – change your mind…humble yourself……turn to Jesus

(2) GET TO THE TEMPLE – v14

-call a solemn assembly

elders – the older leaders and then also all people

-Hebrews 10:25

(3) cry out to the Lord – Pray

NT – Matthew 14:22-33

OT – Psalm 61:1-2

Defn of crying out – to shriek…to shout…to make a loud humming noise…to roar like a lion…a ringing or shrill sound

                1. we cry out to the Lord because it is scriptural

-it is a word from the Lord – Jeremiah 33:1-3

                2. we cry out to the Lord continually

-not just in desperate times – Matthew 7:7-8

                3. Crying out to the Lord is being bold

bold – means to have confidence/being strong & not being timid/being courageous

***We can be bold to the Lord because He can do anything…

*Mark 10:46-52 –  (v51 – What do you want me to do for you)

                 4. Crying Out to the Lord is a Supernatural Weapon – 2 Cor 10:4-5

-we can just pray and the Lord will move mightily without doing anything else

-things happen as we cry out to the Lord – Psalm 30:2

                 5. Crying Out To The Lord is a Way To Give More to God – Psalm 28:1-2

-we give more to the Lord by giving more of our voice to Him

-as we give the Lord more, He gives us more

Verses 15-20 – THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DAY OF THE LORD

v15 – Alas for the Day – this speaks of the day of the Lord

a. v15b – The day of the Lord will come

-this is a promise from the lord

b. The Day of the Lord is at hand –

@ hand – means to be next door

c. the Day of the Lord is the Lord’s Day

-It is all about Jesus returning

d. The Day of the Lord is a day of judgment

Almighty means the powerful One and Mighty One

-people who have rejected Jesus and live at this time will face the judgment of God

v16 – famines are a part of the judgment of God

-Israel lost its joy as they lost everything and were away from the Lord

v17 – the storage areas in Israel are empty

grain withered – there was no rain and the grain was dying

    THE RIPPLE EFFECT

v18 – animals are groaning and dying because of no water

-sin has ripple effects – therefore do not sin and turn to the Lord

v19 – there will be a remnant who will cry out to the Lord…

-we have a promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14