Sermon Tone Analysis

*BBC NOVEMBER 4, 2007  “FASTING FOR THOSE WHO ARE FAR AWAY “ JOEL 2:23-27*

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/23// BE GLAD THEN, YOU CHILDREN OF ZION, AND REJOICE IN THE LORD YOUR GOD; FOR HE HAS GIVEN YOU THE FORMER RAIN FAITHFULLY, AND HE WILL CAUSE THE RAIN TO COME DOWN FOR YOU -- THE FORMER RAIN, AND THE LATTER RAIN IN THE FIRST MONTH.

24 THE THRESHING FLOORS SHALL BE FULL OF WHEAT, AND THE VATS SHALL OVERFLOW WITH NEW WINE AND OIL.  25 "SO I WILL RESTORE TO YOU THE YEARS THAT THE SWARMING LOCUST HAS EATEN, THE CRAWLING LOCUST, THE CONSUMING LOCUST, AND THE CHEWING LOCUST, MY GREAT ARMY WHICH I SENT AMONG YOU.  26 YOU SHALL EAT IN PLENTY AND BE SATISFIED, AND PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHO HAS DEALT WONDROUSLY WITH YOU; AND MY PEOPLE SHALL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME.

27 THEN YOU SHALL KNOW THAT I AM IN THE MIDST OF ISRAEL: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD AND THERE IS NO OTHER.

MY PEOPLE SHALL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME.

28 " /

 

*INTRO:*  IN 1928, A VERY INTERESTING CASE CAME BEFORE THE COURTS IN MASSACHUSETTS.

IT CONCERNED A MAN WHO HAD BEEN WALKING ON A BOAT DOCK WHEN SUDDENLY HE TRIPPED OVER A ROPE AND FELL INTO THE COLD, DEEP WATER OF AN OCEAN BAY.

HE CAME UP SPUTTERING AND YELLING FOR HELP AND THEN SANK AGAIN, OBVIOUSLY IN TROUBLE.

HIS FRIENDS WERE TOO FAR AWAY TO GET TO HIM, BUT ONLY A FEW YARDS AWAY, ON ANOTHER DOCK, WAS A YOUNG MAN SPRAWLED ON A DECK CHAIR, SUNBATHING.

THE DESPERATE MAN SHOUTED, "HELP, I CAN'T SWIM!" THE YOUNG MAN, AN EXCELLENT SWIMMER, ONLY TURNED HIS HEAD TO WATCH AS THE MAN FLOUNDERED IN THE WATER, SANK, CAME UP SPUTTERING IN TOTAL PANIC, AND THEN DISAPPEARED FOREVER.

THE FAMILY OF THE DROWNED MAN WAS SO UPSET BY THAT DISPLAY OF CALLOUS INDIFFERENCE THAT THEY SUED THE SUNBATHER.

THEY LOST.

THE COURT RELUCTANTLY RULED THAT THE MAN ON THE DOCK HAD NO LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY WHATEVER TO TRY AND SAVE THE OTHER MAN'S LIFE.

IN EFFECT, THE LAW AGREES WITH CAIN'S PRESUPPOSITION: I AM NOT MY BROTHER'S KEEPER, AND I HAVE EVERY LEGAL RIGHT TO MIND MY OWN BUSINESS AND TO REFUSE TO BECOME INVOLVED.

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*WE FAST FOR THOSE WHO ARE FAR AWAY BECAUSE WE REFUSE TO BE UNINVOLVED.

WE FAST AND PRAY BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

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EXPL: IN THE TEXT...JOEL IS ONE OF THE MINOR PROPHETS, BUT HE HAS A MAJOR MESSAGE.

THE MESSAGE FROM THE MASTER HAS TO DO WITH THE DAY OF THE LORD.

JOEL WRITES ABOUT TWO ASPECTS OF ISRAEL;

 

THE CURRENT CONDITION  OF ISRAEL

THE FUTURE CONDITION OF ISRAEL

 

PERIL - IN CHAPTER ONE THEY ARE FACED WITH DEVASTATION – DEVASTATION THAT IS TIED TO THEIR DISOVEDIENCE TO GOD.

THEY ARE FACING DESTRUCTION FROM THE WORST LOCUST PLAGUE IN JUDAH’S HISTORY.

LOCUST...GRASSHOPPER TYPE INSECTS THAT EAT EVERYTHING IN IT’S PATH.

WE REMEMBER THE PLAGUE OF LOCUST FROM THE STORY OF MOSES.

CH. 1 SAYS THE LOCUS WERE CHEWING, SWARMING, CRAWLING, HOPPOING AND CONSUMING EVERYTHING.

THE LOCUST LEFT THE PEOPLE LOOKING FOR FOOD.

HUNGER PAINS LEAD TO THE CRIES OF THE PEOPLE.

PROCLAMATION – V. 14 THEY DECLARED A FAST; THEY DRESSED IN SACKCLOTH, FASTED AND GATHERED AT THE TEMPLE  WHERE BOTH MAN, WOMAN, AND BEAST CRIED OUT TO THE LORD.

THE PROPHECY – THE DAY OF THE LORD.

JOEL USES THE PLAGUE OF THE LOCUST AS AN OBJECT LESSON OF FUTURE INVASION ...NOT LOCUST ..BUT A MIGHT ARMY OF BABYLON WHO WILL RAVAGE THE LAND.

IN CHAPTER TWO – JOEL SAYS...

 

ALARM  – V.1 AND V. 15.

ATTACK – RUIN V. 2-11

ADMONITION – REPENT V. 12-13

ASSURANCE – RESTORATION V. 18-21

 

THEN THE END OF CHAPTER TWO WE SEE THE ..DAY OF PENTECOST .

V. 28-32.

AND THE INTO CHAPTER THREE WE SEE...THE DAY OF CHRIST 3:18-21.

PROP: TODAY CONDITIONS ARE A FORESHADOWING OF TOMORROWS CHAOS.

THUS WE FAST FOR THOSE WHO ARE FAR AWAY FROM GOD

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*INTER: WHAT IS OUR MINDSET AS WE FAST FOR THOSE WHO ARE FAR AWAY.

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*WE FAST AND PRAY THAT GOD IS ABLE TO MOVE ON THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE*

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*MPI.

REPENTANCE  OF THE PEOPLE V. 11-14.**

*  11 THE LORD GIVES VOICE BEFORE HIS ARMY, FOR HIS CAMP IS VERY GREAT; FOR STRONG /IS THE ONE /WHO EXECUTES HIS WORD.

FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD /IS /GREAT AND VERY TERRIBLE; WHO CAN ENDURE IT?  12 " NOW, THEREFORE," SAYS THE LORD, "TURN TO ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH FASTING, WITH WEEPING, AND WITH MOURNING."

13 SO REND YOUR HEART, AND NOT YOUR GARMENTS; RETURN TO THE LORD YOUR GOD, FOR HE /IS /GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL, SLOW TO ANGER, AND OF GREAT KINDNESS; AND HE RELENTS FROM DOING HARM.  14 WHO KNOWS /IF /HE WILL TURN AND RELENT, AND LEAVE A BLESSING BEHIND HIM -- A GRAIN OFFERING AND A DRINK OFFERING FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD?

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RETURN – COME BACK TO CHRIST; GO BACK TO GOD.

IT’S AN IMPERATIVE, A COMMAND.

REND YOU HEART – COME BACK TOTALLY COMMITTED TO CHRIST.

IMP.

GOD PUTS US IN POSITION TO “GET OUR ATTENTION”.

WHEN GOD SHAKES THE HEAVENS AND EARTH...IT IS TO GET OUR ATTENTION, SO WE REPENT AND RETURN.

IMP.

RIGHT NOT IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO RETURN TO GOD; WE LIVE IN AN AGE OF GRACE; RETURN WHILE YOU HAVE A CHANCE BECAUSE GOD IS MERCIFUL, AND GRACIOUS, AND PATIENT.

HE DOES NOT SET US UP FOR THE FALL; AND IF WE CHANGE OUR MIND; RESET OUR MINDS AND FIX THEM ON GOD, NOT ONLY WILL HE KEEP US IN PERFECT PEACE BUT HE WILL CANCEL THE COMING CHAOS.

IMP.

YOU TURN AND GOD TURNS; GOD TAKES US FROM WRATH TO RIGHTEOUSNESS.

APP: WE FAST AND PRAY THAT PEOPLE, REPENT.

THAT THEY TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS AND TURN TOWARD GOD.

AND WHEN THE PEOPLE FAST AND PRAY AND REPENT THEY JOIN IN THE FASTING AND PRAYING FOR OTHERS.

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*MATTHEW 3:2* AND SAYING, "REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND!"

 

*ACTS 2:38* PETER REPLIED, "EACH OF YOU MUST TURN FROM YOUR SINS AND TURN TO GOD, AND BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS.

THEN YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

*2 PETER 3:9* THE LORD IS NOT SLACK CONCERNING /HIS /PROMISE, AS SOME COUNT SLACKNESS, BUT IS LONGSUFFERING TOWARD US, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.

THE APPLICATION IS FOR THE SAINTS TO FAST AND PRAY, APPEAL TO GOD, BECAUSE WE KNOW THE CHARACTER OF GOD.

“FOR HE IS GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL, SLOW TO ANGER, AND OF GREAT KINDNESS.”

ILL: GOD WILL TAKE NINE STEPS TOWARD US, BUT HE WILL NOT TAKE THE TENTH.

HE WILL INCLINE US TO REPENT, BUT HE CANNOT DO OUR REPENTING FOR US.

 

ILL:  LLOYD H. STEFFEN WROTE IN THE CHRISTIAN CENTURY HOW WHEN KING FREDERICK II, AN EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY KING OF PRUSSIA, WAS VISITING A PRISON IN BERLIN, THE INMATES TRIED TO PROVE TO HIM HOW THEY HAD BEEN UNJUSTLY IMPRISONED.

ALL EXCEPT ONE.

THAT ONE SAT QUIETLY IN A CORNER, WHILE ALL THE REST PROTESTED THEIR INNOCENCE.

SEEING HIM SITTING THERE OBLIVIOUS TO THE COMMOTION, THE KING ASKED HIM WHAT HE WAS THERE FOR.  "ARMED ROBBERY, YOUR HONOR."

THE KING ASKED, "WERE YOU GUILTY?"  "YES, SIR," HE ANSWERED.

"I ENTIRELY DESERVE MY PUNISHMENT."

THE KING THEN GAVE AN ORDER TO THE GUARD: "RELEASE THIS GUILTY MAN.

I DON'T WANT HIM CORRUPTING ALL THESE INNOCENT PEOPLE."

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*MPII  REVERENCE OF THE PEOPLE V. 15-18 *

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15 BLOW THE TRUMPET IN ZION, CONSECRATE A FAST, CALL A SACRED ASSEMBLY;  16 GATHER THE PEOPLE, SANCTIFY THE CONGREGATION, ASSEMBLE THE ELDERS, GATHER THE CHILDREN AND NURSING BABES; LET THE BRIDEGROOM GO OUT FROM HIS CHAMBER, AND THE BRIDE FROM HER DRESSING ROOM.  17 LET THE PRIESTS, WHO MINISTER TO THE LORD, WEEP BETWEEN THE PORCH AND THE ALTAR; LET THEM SAY, "SPARE YOUR PEOPLE, O LORD, AND DO NOT GIVE YOUR HERITAGE TO REPROACH, THAT THE NATIONS SHOULD RULE OVER THEM.

WHY SHOULD THEY SAY AMONG THE PEOPLES, 'WHERE /IS /THEIR GOD?' "  18 THEN THE LORD WILL BE ZEALOUS FOR HIS LAND, AND PITY HIS PEOPLE.

CONSECRATE – SANCTIFY – BE HOLY BECAUSE GOD IS HOLY AND SET APART.

CALL – CALL THE PEOPLE BECAUSE GOD HAS CALL US TO HIMSELF VIA COVENANT.

GOD PROMISES TO DELIVER HIS PEOPLE ONCE THEY HAVE REPENTED.

CONGREGATE - GATHER – ROOT MEANING IS THAT OF HARVEST......WHEN THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF REPENTANCE GOES THROUGH THE CONGREGATION ~/ CHURCH...WE DECLARE A DAY OF REPENTANCE, A DAY OF FASTING; A DAY WHEN EVERYONE COMES TOGETHER....ELDERS, MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN, EVEN THE NEWLYWEDS.

FOR A TIME OF PRAYER, INTERCESSION AND SUPPLICATION....WHERE WE CRY OUT UNTO THE LORD...HAVE MERCY ON YOUR PEOPLE.

DON’T LEAVE US TO THE ENEMY.

DON’T LEAVE US TO THE AGENTS OF SATAN, DON’T ALLOW YOUR NAME TO BE SMEARED.

CLERGY – CRY OUT BETWEEN THE ALTAR AND THE SANCTUARY...ON THE DAY  OF ATONEMENT.

IMP.

JUST LIKE PRIDE GET’S GOD’S ATTENTION, UNITY AND HUMILITY OF THE PEOPLE GET GOD’S ATTENTION TOO.

AND IT’S NOT JUST A FEW PEOPLE, A FEW MEN AND WOMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS...BUT THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION.

RESTORATION LEADS TO REVERENCE WHICH LEADS TO REVIVAL.

REVIVAL DOESN’T COST A RED CENT..BUT A RENT HEART.

AND THE PRIEST WHO STAND BETWEEN THE ALTAR AND SANCTUARY...”ARE STANDING IN THE GAP”   WE REVERENCE GOD BECAUSE HE REACHED BACK AND GRABBED US.........

 

PSALMIST SAID – HOW GOOD AND PLEASANT IT IS WHEN BRETHREN DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY

 

JEHOSHAPHAT – EVEN WHEN THERE WAS TROUBLE...THE PEO.

CAME TOGETHER...IN PRAYER...AND NEITHER KNOW WE WHAT TO DO BUT OUR EYES ARE ON THEE.

NEHEMIAH – THE PEOPLE HAD A MIND TO WORK.

JONAH – THE PEOPLE REPENTED AND PUT ON SACKCLOTH AND ASHES