This Sunday's sermon explored Joel 2:18-32, revealing God's heart for restoration and His sovereign plan to redeem His people. We examined how God removes the reproach of His people, destroys their enemies, and ultimately brings joy and restoration to those who return to Him with humble hearts. The message reminded us that just as God is faithful to restore Israel, He is equally committed to restoring each of us when we cry out to Him in repentance. We saw that prophecy isn't just about distant future events—it's about understanding God's character and His unwavering commitment to fulfill His promises, which should give us confidence in our own spiritual journey.
Takeaways:
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God is in the restoration business: No matter how many "years the locusts have eaten" in our lives—whether through personal sin, poor decisions, or spiritual wandering—God stands ready to restore us when we return to Him with sincere hearts. His promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 remains true: if we humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, He will hear, forgive, and heal.
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"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved": Salvation is beautifully simple yet profoundly life-changing. It doesn't require advanced education or elaborate religious performance—just a humble heart that cries out, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." If you haven't placed your faith in Jesus, today is the day of salvation. Don't put it off.
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We're called to live on mission right where we are: God's restoration story isn't just about us—it's about His glory being revealed to the world. We don't need to travel overseas to share the gospel; we can point people to Jesus from exactly where we are. Let's be bold in sharing His love with both Jewish people and Gentiles, knowing that God desires all people to come to know Him.
As we move through this week, we encourage you to take time to read Ezekiel 38-39 and consider how current events align with biblical prophecy. More importantly, ask the Lord to bring to mind someone who needs to hear about His restorative love—and then be courageous enough to share it with them.
