Joel 2:18-31

Bringing the sermon home:

Despite His people’s sin, when they return to Him in repentance, the Lord always responds in mercy. In this particular instance, we see many of the effects of the curse of sin being reversed, giving us a glimpse of what awaits all those who repent and believe and pointing us to the perfect restoration with God that He is so graciously offering to us today.

The Lord declares through Joel that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (v.32). But, as the Apostle Paul reflects, “How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching” (Rom 10:14)? Having received the matchless mercy of God ourselves, may we be moved to love our neighbors by opening our lips and our lives to share this undeserved gift of grace.

(Special thanks to our guest preacher, Will Beckham, for faithfully unpacking God's Word for us on Sunday.)

Sermon Outline:

1. God responds in mercy to His people’s repentance. (vv.18-20)
2. God’s mercy reaches all areas of life. (vv.21-27)
3. God’s mercy will one day be fully realized. (vv.28-32)