Sermon Notes 2/23 – Joel 2 – The Last Days

Verse 1 – Joel is writing to all believers and to the priests or spiritual leaders of Israel

 verse 2 – The trumpet was used to announce something and get people’s attention

           a.) the day of the Lord is coming – for sure/certain

verse 2 – the dawn comes every day and cannot be stopped  – the return of Jesus will never be stopped

vs3-11 – refers to the enemies of Israel invading Israel

verse 11 – in the middle of a storm, the Lord speaks

     a. The Lord says His day will be great and terrible

-great for the believer and terrible for the unbeliever

     b. The Lord says the person who endures to the end will be saved – Matt 24:9-14

The Lord is returning soon and so:

1. We need to know that we serve a NOW God

2. We need to turn to the Lord

believers need to turn to the Lord

unbelievers need to turn to the Lord to be saved

turn – means to change our mind—repentance

With all of your heart  – from your innermost being/admitting we have sinned

v12 – with fasting & mourning and weeping – the fruit of repentance

             Two Things We Do Know

                      1. Whatever everyone says is not always true

1 John 1:5-7…Matt 7:21-23…Luke 13:22-28

                      2. Is their continual fruit?

Matthew 7:15-19

verse 13 – Rend your heart and not your clothes

Rend – means to tear

*tearing your clothes is fake repentance – shows up on the outside with words…

*tearing your heart is true repentance – examine yourself

We must turn to the Lord because of who He is…

!.) THE LORD IS MERCIFUL AND GRACIOUS – DEUT 4:30-31

-They are used together.  The Lord enters into our situation and misery and helps us

2.) THE LORD IS SLOW TO ANGER – He is patient and waits and calls to us

3.) THE LORD IS TOTALLY KIND AND ABOUNDS IN GREAT LOVE

-this is an action word and speaks of blessing someone

verses 13-14 – relents – the Lord draws back His judgment

verse 14 – the Lord will bless people as they turn to Him

verses 15-16 – Blow the trumpet to gather the people together.  Everyone must be involved…

verse 17 – this verse was for the spiritual leaders of Israel to repent

—there needed to be a testimony that the Lord is a great God & there is a God