(This is not an original sermon. It draws heavily upon points from sermon by Robert Massey’s manuscript from 2002. Sermon has been adapted and expanded upon with my thoughts and direction of Holy Spirit)
TITLE: REND YOUR HEARTS AND NOT YOUR GARMENTS
SCRIPTURE: JOEL 2:1 / 12-14
Joel is listed as one of the MINOR PROPHETS, in contrast to the MAJOR PROPHETS such as – ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, EZEKIEL, DANIEL. They are called the minor prophets simply because of the short length of their works. The title, “minor prophets”, I believe, is somewhat misleading. Many people think because they are minor prophets, their message must not be all that important. However, I beg to differ. God’s word is divinely inspired, all of it, and that includes the so called minor prophets.
There is not a lot that we know about the prophet Joel. All the information we have about him from his prophecy is that he was the Son of Pethuel which means vision of God.
• This prophecy is primarily addressed to the nation of Judah, the southern kingdom
• And even more specifically, Jerusalem
• He is a Minor Prophet with a Major Message
There is not anything within this book that would tell of when it was written, we have no listed date, nor any references to any date within the book. Some scholars believe that Joel was written about 400 BC, others believe it was written as early as 800 BC.
• Perhaps no date is given so we will not be guilty of dating the message as being too old
• The message of this book applies to us today in America and especially to the church
• It is a message that is not too old
• Nor is it one that can’t apply to any generation, past, present, or future
This message found in the Book of Joel is profoundly important for us to hear today. It is important because the sad reality is instead of being a nation founded on THE FREEDOM OF RELIGION we seem to be turning into the nation founded on THE FREEDOM FROM RELIGION. We as a nation now behave as though the Bible is to old fashioned. Society feels as though the Bible has not kept up with the changing times. They tell us things are different today:
• Anybody can now marry whomever they want
• Can I tell you when I roll over in the morning I want to smell Chanel #7 not Old Spice or Aqua Velva
• NRA has their fingerprint in most of our politics
• Churches are more about entertainment than spiritual development
• Go to Church now just to see who the big name guest is going to be
• Go to Church with our Business Cards instead of the Bible
I am so glad at PPWC the biggest name in the Church every week is the Name of Jesus! Someone recently asked me who are the Preachers at our Church because they don’t know me. I mentioned:
• Bishop Palmer – I don’t know him
• I mentioned Rev Frank W. Lawson, Sr. – Oh, I don’t know him
• I mentioned Elder Lawson and Minister Palmer – I don’t know them
• They were waiting for me to speak a big name
• They would probably make a decision to come to our Church based upon the big name
• Finally, I said let me give you someone, a Big Name that perhaps you might know
• Jesus - you do know Him don’t you?
So, what is the message of this minor prophet? To understand his message, we must first understand the spiritual climate of his time. If the book was written around the 800’s, Joel would have been close to the time period of Isaiah and many of the problems of Isaiah’s time would also be faced by Joel and his people. There are certain “Keys” found throughout the prophecy that give us insight to the spiritual climate of Joel’s time.
The Short three chapters of this book help us understand the Climate of the day. In Chapter 1 - we find the word “awake” as it is addressed to the drunkards. This implies either sleep or slumber. The people of Joel’s day had a lack of awareness of the times in which they lived.
• They were asleep spiritually
• They were also intoxicated with alcohol
• The command is given to be ashamed
• Apparently there were those who were filled with pride and arrogance and failed to understand that God was the One in control
• In CHAPTER 2 - we find the phrase “ALL YOUR HEART”
• In CHAPTER 3 - we find reference to those “IN THE VALLEY OF DECISION”
• The Hebrew word for decision is the word "CHARUWTS" - this comes from a threshing instrument that was sharp or sharp-pointed
• The idea here is of something being balanced upon the sharp end of an object, and could fall either way
This tells us that many were on the edge of their commitment to God, they were half-hearted, not totally sold out for the Lord. Another key that we find in JOEL 2:13, is the phrase “REND YOUR HEARTS AND NOT YOUR GARMENTS.” The rending of garments was an outward sign of repentance and deep sorrow among the Jewish people. Outwardly, things looked good, but God sees inwardly, and judges accordingly. No doubt, people were making a show of religion, doing all the right religious rituals, yet, inwardly, their hearts were far, far away from God.
• Walking down the isle of the Church at end of Sermon for decision – Should not be a Ritual
• Being Baptized – Should not be a Ritual
• Communion Service – Should not be a Ritual
• Giving a Testimony – Should not be a Ritual
• God is searching us Inwardly
One final key is found throughout the short book - It makes references to either the Priesthood or the Temple. The implication here is the priests, the ministers of the Lord, were unconcerned about the people under their care. As long as they received their portions, they had no concern for making intercession and carrying the needs of the people before God.
• Seems like the same spirit has made its way back into the local Church
• Don’t do Hospital – Nursing Home – Sick Shut in any longer
• Don’t attend Sunday School, Bible Study
• Don’t support kids local Basketball Games or School Plays
• Don’t attend and support local Revivals
• Just concerned about living large
This was a nation that while outwardly looked religious, inwardly they were far removed from God – lukewarm and indifferent. If Joel was written about the 800’s BC, this would have been before Judah fell into deep idolatry.
• Before anyone falls away from God outwardly - they first, inwardly fall away from God
• Such was the condition of Judah
• The prophecy of Joel points out certain truths that we need to see today
There is the sober condemnation of indifference. Let me begin by asking you a series of questions –
• Are you as excited for God now as when you were first saved?
• Are you as concerned about spiritual things now as when you were first saved?
• Do you love the Lord as much now as when you were first saved?
There is a song that states –
--He gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by, Oh what a love between my Lord and I
-- I keep falling in love with Him, over and over and over and over again
Isn’t that the way that it should be, that every day, we find that the Lord is better to us than we could ever imagine? Are we excited to understand that God’s promises are real and trustworthy? As we find these things out, it ought to excite us all the more for the Lord. I believe God wants us excited as Christians.
• I can’t come to Church sit quiet and listen to the Word of God
• I can’t come to Church sit quiet and enjoy Praise & Worship Team or Choir
• I know our other Brothers and Sisters that don’t look like us can do it
• They can sit in Church all day long like the are scared to move or open their mouths
• I watch the same ones, paint up their bodies and act a fool at Football and Thunder games
• Sit still and try to act dignified on Sunday morning
• I can’t do it
• I believe God wants us excited about who He is in our lives
Have you ever noticed how Satan’s tactics change over time and growth in the life of a Christian? When a person first gets saved, Satan knows that they are not long removed from the pleasures of the flesh, so he tempts them with the old sinful lifestyle. However, as the individual grows in the Lord, Satan realizes that this is no longer as successful as it first was (I’m not saying that he won’t still use it but generally he mixes in some other methods as well). So he changes his approach. One of Satan’s tactics that he uses very well against the “more mature” Christians is the lie that says now since you have grown, there no need to be as concerned about spiritual things as you once were. He will tell you that it’s alright as a baby Christian, but now you have arrived, you can just sit back and let others be concerned about such things as witnessing, or spiritual worship. Someone of your maturity doesn’t need to be seen as a fanatic.
So often what happens is people lose their zeal for God, and become content to just go through the motions of serving God. The Bible says in
II THESSALONAINS 2:3 “LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU BY ANY MEANS; FOR THAT DAY SHALL NOT COME, EXCEPT THERE COME A FALLING AWAY FIRST, AND THAT MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED, THE SON OF PERDITION”
I don’t believe Paul was so much as talking about church attendance. Someone said that more people go to church today than any other time in our history. I believe he was talking about those who fall away from a true sincere faith in God, who lose their zeal for God and just go through the motions of serving God. “HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS BUT DENYING THE POWER THEREOF” – This would be a good way to describe this current generation.
• We have more Bishops
• We have more Prophets
• We have more Prophetess
• We have more Apostles
• We have more Overseers
• We have more Prelates
• One thing we don’t have is more Power
This is what happened to Judah. They had become indifferent concerning their relationship with God. One thing that people fail to realize is the danger that comes from this type of spiritual climate. It doesn’t take long for the person who is just going through the motions to fall asleep spiritually. Then we expect those around us to respect our title and not necessarily our lifestyle.
• A person who is asleep is not aware of what is going on around them
• They are not really concerned about what is going on around them
• They could be close to spiritual death and not even be aware of it
• The house could be on fire for the Lord and they not know until it is too late
• Indifference leads to spiritual sleep
The nation of Judah is in trouble! They are experiencing a dreadful drought and a massive invasion of locusts. They’re under constant attack by their enemies. These events have left the land ruined and the people demoralized. God is judging Judah. The specific sins of the nation are not named in this book, but a careful reading indicates that the people had slipped into a state of spiritual apathy concerning the things of God
I believe that one of the greatest sins found in the church today, is NOT ADULTERY, even though it is there, it is NOT HATRED and PREJUDICE , even though it is there, it is NOT GOSSIP, even though it is there, but I believe that one of the greatest problems in the church today is the SIN OF INDIFFERENCE.
• Every day there are souls that slip off into eternity and we don’t seem to care
• Every day Satan enters our homes and families and steals from us and we don’t care
• We go through the motions of having church
• But we don’t allow God to make a difference in our lives
• We have become lukewarm concerning our relationship with God
God told the Laodicean Church that they needed to repent. REVELATION 3:19 “AS MANY AS I LOVE, I REBUKE AND CHASTEN: BE ZEALOUS THEREFORE, AND REPENT.” Israel had grown lukewarm, they were indifferent to the things of God and here God judges them by sending a swarm of locusts against them in JOEL 1:3-6. God reminds the people in Joel’s time that judgment is coming.
• While certainly God is a God of love, He is also a God of judgment, and He will not tolerate indifference
• He will judge us and chasten us
• God cannot tolerate indifference among His people
• We are often guilty of thinking that God will not judge His church but listen to what His Word says
--I PETER 4:17 “FOR THE TIME IS COME THAT JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD; AND IF IT FIRST BEGIN AT US, WHAT SHALL THE END OF THEM THAT OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL OF GOD?
Have you noticed the amount of Churches that have Fallen and Pastors that have fallen over the past five years?
• This week Pastor of Mars Hill resigned after being accused of bullying his board and other leaders. Pastor large Churches in 5-6 different states – Church he began in 1996
• Just last week - Alabama Pastor who admits to having AIDS and slept with multiple women from the congregation and stealing money from the Church
• Pastor of Calvary Chapel, Ft. Lauderdale, FL – resigned out of moral failure of mega-ministry – Church he founded in 1985
• 65 Year Old Pastor in Stratford, Conn. Defrauding the Elderly out of over $230,000 buying Mercedes and other high dollar items
• Mission Community Church, Gilbert, AZ, Mega-Church Pastor resigns after multiple affairs with congregants
• Mega Pastor in Florida after divorcing his wife he was soon found dead of Drug overdose in a hotel room in NY
• Even here in our own City – Pastor resigned because of infidelity of a mega ministry, Victory Church
• Sadly the list goes on and on all over the Country
• I don’t mention any of this with Joy but with Sadness
• I don’t mention any of this as though it is beyond me
• I don’t mention any of this as though I am any better
• I mention it to help us understand - Judgment is beginning in the House of the Lord
There are significant commands given in the book of Joel. It is interesting to note that in Chapters 1 and 2 - an unusual pattern develops. There is an alternating pattern of God either describing what He is doing or going to do, and then a command is given. God says to His people “TURN YE EVEN TO ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.”
• This is written in the imperative tense
• In other words, it is a command
• The Hebrew word is the word shuwb {shoob} and it means “come back to”
• God is telling His people that if you want to get out from under judgment, you must come back to Me
• Not to your Religion
• Not to your Big multi-million dollar Cathedrals you have built
• Not to your Big Lights and Stage Productions
• Not to your Stadium filled Arenas
• God says, Return Unto Me
People go to Church looking to receive their blessing, to get from God, and they have the audacity to complain if they are asked to serve in ministry because in reality, although they are in Church, their heart is not into serving.
• Talked with a young man the other day says he just moved his membership from one Church to one of the local multi-site churches in the City
• Says he goes at 9 am. by 10:15 or so they are on their way home
• Says he just wants to go to church listen, give his money and go home
• Does not have time for fellowship or any connection and the Church service is designed that way
• Pastor was telling me he has over 800 people in worship every Sunday, yet he can’t find enough Sunday School teachers on Sunday Morning
• We cannot think for a moment that type of attitude will escape the judgment of God
Here God gives significant commands to His people. GOD IS CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR LACK OF UNCONCERN. First is the command to “BLOW THE TRUMPET AND SOUND THE ALARM”. Again, this is written in the imperative tense. This is a command. Now I realize that we don’t blow trumpets in church that much today. What I believe the prophet was saying is be concerned about your lack of unconcern. To blow the trumpet was to announce to the people that something important was occurring. The Lord said the reason you are to do this is that the “Day of the Lord” is coming. God will judge unconcerned lifestyles. We have the responsibility to let people know that God still judges indifference.
• We don’t blow the trumpets in the Church any longer
• We need to make some noise and wake the Church up this morning
• Wake us from our indifference
• Sound the Alarm that it is time for the Church to take Charge
• We make a lot of Noise in the Church today
• Most of the time making Noise over the Wrong Stuff
Natural disasters are ripping through our nation with far greater frequency than ever before.
• While the south is devastated by drought, the mid-west is inundated by severe flooding
• Tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires have caused loss of life and damages costing tens of billions of dollars
• Last Week Two Hurricanes, one on each side of the nation Pacific and Atlantic Oceans
• Is America under God’s judgment?
• Am I the only one asking this question?
COULD IT BE THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT GLOBAL WARMING, BUT CHRISTIAN COOLING? Consider the sin and evil that runs rampant in our nation.
• Our generation calls “evil good” and “good evil”
• Our society Hails the wicked and Hates the righteous
• We live in a spiritual climate where
• Fear has replaced Faith
• Sin has replaced Sanity
• Greed has replaced Grace
• Our churches are under the judgment of God
I am so glad that is not the end of the process however. Next is the command to return back to the Lord. The Lord says to give Him all of your heart. How many times are we guilty of just half-way doing what God says to do? THE LORD MUST BE LORD OF ALL OR HE IS NOT LORD AT ALL. It is not enough to just give God control over part of your life, that will certainly lead to indifference. He must have control over all of your life. He is calling, “Turn to Me with all your heart”. God says REND YOUR HEARTS, NOT YOUR GARMETS. Among the Jews, a sign of extreme sorrow was to take the outer garment, and tear it as a sign of mourning and sorrow. What God was saying to them was this –
• Do more than just go through the motions of being sorry for your sins
• Truly look at your heart and rend it
God isn’t looking for more external displays of religion!
• He is looking for a change of heart
• He is looking for people who are broken over their sin
• He is looking for people who are honest, open, and repentant
Though Joel is a book of judgment, it is also a book of hope. In this book, God’s people are made to understand that even in the midst of divine judgment there is always hope if they will simply and humbly seek the Lord. While this book was written to Judah, there’s a message here for us. We look at our nation and our world and we wonder what the future holds? We wonder if there is any hope for Revival? These verses teach that there is Hope!
--Joel began with a prophecy about the destruction of the land and concluded with a prophecy about its restoration
--He began by urging repentance and ended with the promise of forgiveness that repentance brings
--A wonderful promise is held out to us
--The promise of the Holy Spirit, along with the assurance that all who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved
--We are reminded “The Wages of Sin is Death, But the Gift of God is Eternal
