Apr. 30, 2023

Joel 2:12-17

No Regerts: Part 1

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…” Joel 2:25 ESV

1. Return to Me (vs. 12-14)

A. Who is being addressed and why?

B. NOW!

C. With All of Your heart

Psalms 86:11

Ezekiel 11:19

Luke 6:45

James 1:5-8

James 4:8-10

D. Physical Repentance. Personal Interaction

Joel 1:14

Lamentations 3:40-41

Psalm 51:17

E. Who the LORD is…

2 Peter 3:9

Romans 10:8-11

Chronicles 29:14

2. Drop Whatever You are Doing (vs. 15, 16)

A. When the Land of Opportunity Becomes Reason for Regret

Luke 14:15-24

B. The Command to Gather

Hebrews 10:23-25

C. Every Age Group

D. Even True Love?

Deuteronomy 24:5

3. Leaders Plead for the People (v. 17)

A. Put Down Your Work

2 Chronicles 4:9

Ezekiel 8:16

B. Plead for the People

Numbers 14:13-19

Ezekiel 36:20-21

C. Christ Our Intercessor

1 Timothy 2:3-6

Reflection:

1. When you hear the words “now” and “return” in relationship to the Lord, how do you respond in the present?

2. Are there ways in which you have placed Jesus on the back burner of life, and you need to return and repent to Him now?

Follow Up in the Word through the Week...

Monday:

Read: Psalms 86:11

In what ways does your heart split time and loyalty with the Lord?

Tuesday:

Read: Ezekiel 11:19

The promise is that God will give them an undivided heart and remove their heart of stone. Have you felt a hardening of your heart? Have you asked the Lord to soften your heart?

Wednesday:

Read: Lamentations 3:40-41

Are you willing to allow Jesus to test your heart? 

Thursday:

Read: Luke 14:15-24

What are the excuses listed by those in this parable? How do these excuses square with the host’s expectations of their participation? How do these excuses look in comparison to yours?

Friday:

Read: Hebrews 10:23-25

What are the benefits of being together in this passage? We have heard the commands to gather together, what keeps that from happening in your life and other’s lives?

Saturday:

Read: Numbers 14:13-19

What is the case that Moses makes for the people of Israel? Is there someone you are praying this way for?

Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash