The Lord Will Do Great Things

Joel 2:12-27 THE LORD WILL DO GREAT THINGS

I - The Desolation Taught (a) The Darkened Skies The Vision Of Heaven Obscured v 2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. (b) The Deafening Sounds The Voice Of God Unheard v 5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. (c) The Desolate Scenes The Vexation Of Sin Removed v 3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. Picture Of :- Sinner's wasted years Luke 15 v 3&4 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Backslider's wasted years Ruth 1 v 21 I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? Church's wasted years 1 Cor 5 v 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 2. The Dedication Sought The PREREQUISITES TO BLESSING 1 - PREPARATION Sound a Solemn Alarm v 1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; Summon a Solemn Assembly v 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Sanctify a Seperate Congregation v 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. 2 - PENITENCE - Turn back to God v 12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: (a) The Reason for Penitence 12 Therefore 1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Because Of Who Comes, When He Comes, & Why He Comes. (b) The Request for Penitence v 12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, This was a Divine Requirement, a Distinct Requirement, & a Direct Requirement. (c) The Reality Of Penitence v 12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: It Was to Be :- Spontaenous Therefore also now, Specific turn ye even to me Sincere with all your heart, Sacrificial and with fasting, Sensitive and with weeping, and with mourning:

3 - PRAYER 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

3. The Deliverance Wrought

- The PROVISION v 19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: I will send food

- The PROTECTION v 20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things. I will remove the foe - The PROMISE v 25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. I will restore the years - The PRESCRIPTION The Lost Years Made Good v. 25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, The Sad Hearts Made Glad v. 26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. God's Name Made Great v. 27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.