The Proof Is in the Pouring: Jesus Is Both Lord and Christ (2022.01.30 Lord's Day morning sermon in Acts 2:14–36)

The Spirit’s coming at Pentecost proved that Jesus—Who had risen and ascended as Scriptures prophesied and the apostles witnessed—had taken His seat on the throne as both Lord and Christ, as the Scriptures prophesied.

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2021.07.19 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joel 3:16–21

Read Joel 3:16–21

Questions from the Scripture text: In addition to the Yahweh’s nearness in the valley of decision (Joel 3:14-15), from where else does Yahweh do what in Joel 3:16? What effect does this have on what parts of the creation? What is He being for His people in this way? What is He being for whose children? What will they know about Him (Joel 3:17)? Whose is He? Where does He dwell—what is its name, and how else does He describe it? What does this do to Jerusalem? Who will not pass through her again? What will the mountains do in that day (Joel 3:18)? And the hills? And the brooks? From where will a fountain flow? What will it water? What will be a desolation (Joel 3:19)? What will be a desolate wilderness? Why? What have they done? But what will happen to Judah (Joel 3:20)? And Jerusalem? For how long? How/why—what happens to their guilt (Joel 3:21)? How?

There’s nothing that we can offer God by which to escape His judgment (Joel 3:1-8) and no power in us by which to endure His judgment (Joel 3:9-15). So, how can it be that believers come into such perfect protection, peace, possession, purity, pleasure, provision, permanence, and presence? By God’s free atonement of His people. The blessing He gives us is perfect…

Protection, Joel 3:16a–c, Joel 3:19. The roaring of Yahweh is infinite danger for His enemies, regardless of origin. But its origin here is important: Zion, Jerusalem. The power that petrifies them is the power that protects His people.

Peace, Joel 3:16d–e, Joel 3:17d. This is the great reversal of coming to God through faith in Jesus Christ. All of the power that once struck terror into you now shelters and strengthens you. Here is shelter that cannot be penetrated, strength that is always more than enough, and both of which will never cease.

Possession, Joel 3:17a. The believer is his Beloved’s, and his Beloved is his. Here is the great promise of knowing union and communion (fellowship) with the living God: “So you shall know that I am Yahweh your God.”

Purity, Joel 3:17b–c. Whatever belongs to Yahweh in a covenantal sense is holy. If He personally identifies Himself with Zion, then the mountain itself is holy. If we are His Jerusalem, then we must be holy. When He appeared before Moses or before Joshua, the dirt itself became so holy that footwear had to be removed. And He commands us to be holy because He is holy. Here in Joel 3:17 is the implication that He Himself will give the required holiness. And if this is our hope, we should strive for it as well.

Pleasure, Joel 3:18a–c. The land is described to be gushing, oozing, flowing not only with bare necessities but with rich luxuries of wine and milk. Truly, Yahweh will have restored what the locusts had consumed.  And with the provision of holiness, there will not even be the danger of drunkenness or gluttony—only physical manifestation of and enjoyment of God’s great goodness to His people. He created us with bodily capacity for pleasure so that we might be pleased with Him in every pleasantness. And the ultimate expectation that He sets before His people is that our final state will overflow with rich pleasure in this area.

Provision, Joel 3:18d–f. In a land that depended on two brief rainy seasons, here is a super-abounding promise of provision. But it is made even better by the personal nature of that provision. There was never a river in or by Jerusalem during the biblical record, but here (as with the temple in Ezekiel and Eden itself in Genesis 2) the water flows out from the place that God has made the center of His people’s experience of Him. The picture is that the luxuriant gifts of the first half of the verse are produced by this new way of watering that comes from the second half.

Permanence, Joel 3:20. A new age is truly in view, for Judah and Jerusalem had dwelt under continual threat of covenant curses that included the removal of rain and climactically of exile. But the provision in Joel 3:18 neutralizes the danger of the drought, and the permanence in Joel 3:20 eliminates the possibility of exile. Here is the everlasting covenant, a final day in which the church has been purified and glorified; there is no longer any mixture or lacking in her, and there is no longer any possibility of an exiled people or a removed lampstand. 

Presence, Joel 3:21. “For Yahweh dwells in Zion” is the ultimate explanation of each of these other blessings. He Himself is His own greatest blessing. He would be without any of the others, and all of the others are ultimately ways by which to enjoy Him. Man’s chief end is to glorify God and fully to enjoy HIM forever.

Why will this be true in Judah and Jerusalem (Joel 3:20), when it is most surely and horrifically not true for Egypt and Edom? It is not because Judah is not guilty of bloodshed. The translation of Joel 3:21 is difficult, because it says, “I will acquit of bloodguilt those whom I don’t not-acquit.” He forgives His people by determining not to condemn them. 

In order for this to occur, Christ had to be condemned in our place, so that we might be vindicated in union with Him. But, He tells us in Joel 3:21 that He will give us all this blessing by putting us into a position in which His justice will DEMAND these blessings for us. He Who did not spare His own Son, will most certainly and freely give us ALL things together WITH HIM (cf. Romans 8:32)! 

What blessings are you already enjoying that are smaller foretastes of each of these blessings? How can they be actual blessings to you, instead of occasions for sin, or goodness that testifies against you on the last day? How does this affect the way that you should be enjoying them? 

Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH73C “In Sweet Communion”

A Day of Sevenfold Blessedness (2021.07.18 Morning Sermon in Joel 3:16–21)

Ultimately, the reward that we receive for being acquitted is the eternal enjoyment of Him by Whom and in Whom we have been acquitted!

2021.07.17 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joel 3:16–21

Read Joel 3:16–21

Questions from the Scripture text: In addition to the Yahweh’s nearness in the valley of decision (Joel 3:14-15), from where else does Yahweh do what in Joel 3:16? What effect does this have on what parts of the creation? What is He being for His people in this way? What is He being for whose children? What will they know about Him (Joel 3:17)? Whose is He? Where does He dwell—what is its name, and how else does He describe it? What does this do to Jerusalem? Who will not pass through her again? What will the mountains do in that day (Joel 3:18)? And the hills? And the brooks? From where will a fountain flow? What will it water? What will be a desolation (Joel 3:19)? What will be a desolate wilderness? Why? What have they done? But what will happen to Judah (Joel 3:20)? And Jerusalem? For how long? How/why—what happens to their guilt (Joel 3:21)? How?

There’s nothing that we can offer God by which to escape His judgment (Joel 3:1-8) and no power in us by which to endure His judgment (Joel 3:9-15). So, how can it be that believers come into such perfect protection, peace, possession, purity, pleasure, provision, permanence, and presence? By God’s free atonement of His people. The blessing He gives us is perfect…

Protection, Joel 3:16a–c, Joel 3:19. The roaring of Yahweh is infinite danger for His enemies, regardless of origin. But its origin here is important: Zion, Jerusalem. The power that petrifies them is the power that protects His people.

Peace, Joel 3:16d–e, Joel 3:17d. This is the great reversal of coming to God through faith in Jesus Christ. All of the power that once struck terror into you now shelters and strengthens you. Here is shelter that cannot be penetrated, strength that is always more than enough, and both of which will never cease.

Possession, Joel 3:17a. The believer is his Beloved’s, and his Beloved is his. Here is the great promise of knowing union and communion (fellowship) with the living God: “So you shall know that I am Yahweh your God.”

Purity, Joel 3:17b–c. Whatever belongs to Yahweh in a covenantal sense is holy. If He personally identifies Himself with Zion, then the mountain itself is holy. If we are His Jerusalem, then we must be holy. When He appeared before Moses or before Joshua, the dirt itself became so holy that footwear had to be removed. And He commands us to be holy because He is holy. Here in verse 17 is the implication that He Himself will give the required holiness. And if this is our hope, we should strive for it as well.

Pleasure, Joel 3:18a–c. The land is described to be gushing, oozing, flowing not only with bare necessities but with rich luxuries of wine and milk. Truly, Yahweh will have restored what the locusts had consumed.  And with the provision of holiness, there will not even be the danger of drunkenness or gluttony—only physical manifestation of and enjoyment of God’s great goodness to His people. He created us with bodily capacity for pleasure so that we might be pleased with Him in every pleasantness. And the ultimate expectation that He sets before His people is that our final state will overflow with rich pleasure in this area.

Provision, Joel 3:18d–f. In a land that depended on two brief rainy seasons, here is a super-abounding promise of provision. But it is made even better by the personal nature of that provision. There was never a river in or by Jerusalem during the biblical record, but here (as with the temple in Ezekiel and Eden itself in Genesis 2) the water flows out from the place that God has made the center of His people’s experience of Him. The picture is that the luxuriant gifts of the first half of the verse are produced by this new way of watering that comes from the second half.

Permanence, Joel 3:20. A new age is truly in view, for Judah and Jerusalem had dwelt under continual threat of covenant curses that included the removal of rain and climactically of exile. But the provision in Joel 3:18 neutralizes the danger of the drought, and the permanence in Joel 3:20 eliminates the possibility of exile. Here is the everlasting covenant, a final day in which the church has been purified and glorified; there is no longer any mixture or lacking in her, and there is no longer any possibility of an exiled people or a removed lampstand. 

Presence, Joel 3:21. “For Yahweh dwells in Zion” is the ultimate explanation of each of these other blessings. He Himself is His own greatest blessing. He would be without any of the others, and all of the others are ultimately ways by which to enjoy Him. Man’s chief end is to glorify God and fully to enjoy HIM forever.

Why will this be true in Judah and Jerusalem (Joel 3:20), when it is most surely and horrifically not true for Egypt and Edom? It is not because Judah is not guilty of bloodshed. The translation of Joel 3:21 is difficult, because it says, “I will acquit of bloodguilt those whom I don’t not-acquit.” He forgives His people by determining not to condemn them. 

In order for this to occur, Christ had to be condemned in our place, so that we might be vindicated in union with Him. But, He tells us in Joel 3:21 that He will give us all this blessing by putting us into a position in which His justice will DEMAND these blessings for us. He Who did not spare His own Son, will most certainly and freely give us ALL things together WITH HIM (cf. Romans 8:32)!

What blessings are you already enjoying that are smaller foretastes of each of these blessings? How can they be actual blessings to you, instead of occasions for sin, or goodness that testifies against you on the last day? How does this affect the way that you should be enjoying them?

Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH73C “In Sweet Communion”

The Day of the LORD's Judgment (2021.07.11 Morning Sermon in Joel 3:1–15)

The day of judgment is coming, in which the Lord's people—and especially the Lord Himself—will be avenged. You must have Yahweh Himself as your atonement and Yahweh Himself as your righteousness and Yahweh Himself as your power before you leave this life. And that is the Christian confession: all who call upon the name of Yahweh will be saved. All who call upon the name of Jesus will be saved!

[clicking the stream title will take you through to a page at which you can download the audio/video/pdf]

2021.07.12 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joel 3:1–15

Read Joel 3:1–15

Questions from the Scripture text: What days and time is Joel 3:1 talking about? Whom else will the Lord also gather(Joel 3:2)? Where will He bring them? For what will He judge them? What will all nations have done (Joel 3:2-3)? Whom does He address in Joel 3:4? Whom did they think they were repaying? But what were they doing instead? Upon whose head will their intentions fall? From Whom? How fast? Whom have they ultimately attacked (Joel 3:5)? What else have they done to whom (Joel 3:6)? What will Yahweh do for the people of Judah and Jerusalem (Joel 3:7a–b)? But what will He do to those who sold them (Joel 3:7c –Joel 3:8)? What makes this sure and final (verse 8e)? What is to be proclaimed among whom in Joel 3:9? What do they need to use as weapons (Joel 3:10)? What is their actual condition, but what will they say about themselves for this battle? Who come and gather all around (Joel 3:11)? Whom does Yahweh cause to go down there? Where do the nations go (Joel 3:12)? Why—what is Yahweh doing there? To what does Joel 3:13 compare this judgment? What does the scene look like (Joel 3:14)? What is nearby there? What heavenly signs correspond to His appearance (Joel 3:15)?

There’s a day coming (Joel 3:1a), when the gathering-in of the Lord’s elect ones is complete (verse 1b). And that’s a gathering-day too (Joel 3:2a), but not a pleasant one. It’s a gathering-in to the valley of Yahweh-Judgement (verse 2b)!

Not only will the nations be judged for what they have done to Yahweh Himself, but the Lord so identifies Himself with His people, that He will take everything as personally done to Him that was done to them (cf. Matthew 25:31–46; Acts 9:1–5). When He says “I will enter into judgment with them” (Joel 3:2c) and “What have you to do with Me” (Joel 3:4a), He doesn’t just mean that He is the Judge (though He most certainly is!). He is also the Prosecutor and the Plaintiff. This is why He keeps saying “My.” My people (Joel 3:2d). My heritage (verse 2d). My land (verse 2f). My people (Joel 3:3a). My silver (Joel 3:5a). My gold (verse 5a). My precious good things (verse 5b). How dreadful such a court scene and judgment will be!

There is no payment that can avail in that day, Joel 3:4, Joel 3:7. There will be no bargaining in the last day. Even any bargaining now is offensive to God. You have nothing good with which to repay Him for your sin. All of it is marred with sin and demands further retribution. “Will you repay Me? But if you repay Me, swiftly and speedily I will return your repayment upon Your own head” (Joel 3:4c–e, cf. Joel 3:7c).

Because Yahweh’s justice will be exactly corresponding to the wickedness. That’s the point of Joel 3:8 set against the backdrop of Joel 3:3 and Joel 3:6. But again, we see that the crime is not merely against the people of Yahweh, but against Yahweh Himself. This is the great problem of Romans 1:18–21. The wrath of God against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men is a wrath that is equal to God’s own glory in its intensity. What atonement can possibly avail? Only the propitiating sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Himself (cf. Romans 3:25) so that the righteousness that is given is the very righteousness of God Himself (cf. Romans 1:16–17). This is the only repayment there is to offer, and you are already in the day of laying claim to it. It is appointed to man to die once, then after that the judgment (cf. Hebrews 9:27–28). Will this repayment have been paid for you in that day?

There is no power that can avail in that day, Joel 3:9-15. The valley of Yahweh-Judgment (Joel 3:12a) is filled with multitudes of multitudes (Joel 3:14a) when the day of Yahweh has come near in the valley of decision (verse 14b). The greatest powers that we know in the creation will be nothing by comparison (Joel 3:15), and the mightiest from all the nations (Joel 3:9) will be as trained and able and equipped as crop-farmers (Joel 3:10). All will be weak, and it is a delusion to think that in that day you could be strong against Him. There is nothing that can be done against Him any more than the grape can defend itself against the vintner from being cut down and stomped (Joel 3:13, cf. Revelation 14:6–20). 

The only thing that can possibly avail in that day is to have Yahweh Himself as your atonement and Yahweh Himself as your righteousness, so that it will actually be a day when Yahweh avenges you for Himself, rather than avenging Himself upon you!

How has the Lord given Himself to pay for sins and be righteousness for sinners? How have you taken hold of Him, so that He is your payment and your righteousness? What will the judgment day be like for you?

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear”

2021.07.10 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joel 3:1–8

Read Joel 3:1–8

Questions from the Scripture text: What days and time is Joel 3:1 talking about? Whom else will the Lord also gather(Joel 3:2)? Where will He bring them? For what will He judge them? What will all nations have done (Joel 3:2-3)? Whom does He address in Joel 3:4? Whom did they think they were repaying? But what were they doing instead? Upon whose head will their intentions fall? From Whom? How fast? Whom have they ultimately attacked (Joel 3:5)? What else have they done to whom (Joel 3:6)? What will Yahweh do for the people of Judah and Jerusalem (Joel 3:7a–b)? But what will He do to those who sold them (Joel 3:7c –Joel 3:8)? What makes this sure and final (verse 8e)?

We’ve seen several layers to the day of the Lord in Joel. The locusts were a day of the Lord for judgment. The repentance and restoration were a day of the Lord. The cross was a great day of the Lord with signs in heaven and earth. Pentecost initiated a great day of the Lord: the age of the Spirit, the Bible, the gospel, and the church.

But there is one that is yet to come, even for us. The great day of judgment, with all the nations gathered up. What will that judgment be like?

It will be a confrontation with the Lord Himself. On that day, all will be judged for what they have done with the Lord—and, by extension, with His people. When He says “I will enter into judgment with them,” He is not only taking the position of the judge but also of the accusing prosecutor and the aggrieved plaintiff. 

This is the great wickedness of sin, that it is against God. “My” people. “My” heritage. “My” land. “My” people. What have you to do with “Me”? Will you repay “Me”? But if you repay “Me.” “My” silver. “My” gold. “My” prized possessions. Sin is all about what we have done to God. This is what Paul discovered in his conversion, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me.” This is why he knew himself to be the chief of sinners.

The day of judgment is a day in which every person from every nation discovers himself to be the chief of sinners, for all of his sin is personally against the glorious, holy Yahweh. On that day, when the man stands before Jesus, he will realize that all of his sin has been against this glorious God-Man.

It will be a confrontation with irremediable guilt. The word translated ‘retaliate’ in Joel 3:4-5 has a basic meaning of “repay.” The problem that is being exposed is that these nations actually think there might be some way they could pay back Yahweh. They have zero appreciation of the greatness of their guilt. They have zero appreciation of the impossibility of them doing anything good. Whatever they do will just incur more guilt; “swiftly and speedily I will return your repayment upon your own head.”

It will be confrontation with exactly appropriate punishment. In this particular case, for these particular sins of selling His people (Joel 3:2-3, Joel 3:6-7), the punishment will be exactly corresponding (Joel 3:8). But this is not the only sin. And it is not the greatest part of their sin. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. They have pushed down upon the knowledge of His glory, refusing to worship Him or give thanks. And their punishment will be equal to the glory of that God Whom they have despised. In fact, the fiery and everlasting destruction will come upon them from that glory itself (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:5–10).

What will that day be like for you? We are now in that day of Yahweh in which “everyone who calls upon the name of Yahweh will be saved.” Have you given up the idea of atoning for your own sin? Have you recognized that Jesus is Yahweh? Have you called upon that God before Whom you will stand to be Your Savior? The One Who has offered an atonement as great as the glory of God!

What will come of you in the last great day of Yahweh, if you do not receive the gift of repentance now? How have you sought it from Him?

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song” or TPH389 “Great God What Do I See and Hear”

2021.07.05 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joel 2:28–32

Read Joel 2:28–32

Questions from the Scripture text: When will this happen (Joel 2:28a)? What will God do (verse 28b)? Onto whom? Who will prophesy (verse 28c)? Who will dream dreams (verse 28d)? Who will see visions (verse 28e)? Upon whom else will Yahweh pour out His Spirit (Joel 2:29)? Then, what will Yahweh show, where? (Joel 2:30a)? What three things on earth (verse 30b)? What two things in the heavens (Joel 2:31a–b, cf. Revelation 6:12)? Before what (Joel 2:31c, cf. Revelation 6:17)? Who will be saved (Joel 2:32a–b)? What will be where (verse 32c)? What establishes/guarantees this salvation (verse 32d)? Who are the ones who end up calling on the name of Yahweh (verse 32e–f, cf. verse 32b)?

Earlier in the chapter, Joel 2:1-11 asked the question, “For the day of Yahweh is great and very terrible; who can endure it?” By the time we finish the chapter, we get the answer, “whoever calls on the name of Yahweh.” 

Joel 2:28 begins, “and it shall come to pass afterward.” The locust plague was a foretaste of judgment to come. And the repentance that He has commanded Israel in the face of the locust plague, and to which He has responded with marvelous grace, is a foretaste of salvation to come. What are some of the features of that salvation? 

In Joel 2:28-29, we saw that this salvation comes by a pouring out of the Spirit that would give to Gentile slave girls more of God’s revelation, and more understanding of it even than the prophets of old! But as they begin to understand the Bible, what is it that they will understand? They will understand a day of salvation for those who, by the pouring out of the Spirit of the Lord, recognize the death and resurrection of the Lord, call upon the name of the Lord, and join the church of the Lord, all by the electing grace of the Lord.

Because God is God of creation and providence, Lord of heaven and earth, He attended great redemptive works with wonders in the heavens and wonders in the earth. The Exodus event was full of them; if you include Sinai and the wilderness wanderings, there were multiple signs of the kind mentioned here. Fire and smoke at the bush, but the bush unscathed. The river turned to blood. The plague of darkness being second greatest, only eclipsed by death of the firstborn. Pillar of fire, pillar of cloud. Sinai shaking and smoking and burning. All of the blood, fire, and smoke of the sacrifices at the consecration of the tabernacle and the priesthood.

Joel puts us in expectation of such signs. So, when darkness covers the land at high noon with Jesus on the cross. And the juxtaposition of His dying with the slaughter of the Passover lambs. And the earthquake that opened the tombs, with the dead rising.  The blood that He shed from His side. The earthquake at His resurrection. Less than two months after these things, surely the wonders in heavens and the earth were still remembered and talked about.

So, when another sign of fire from heaven appears at Pentecost, with the pouring out of the Spirit, they know that the day has come. For, the word “before” in Joel 2:31 means not “in advance of” but rather “in the presence of.” The day of darkness has come! There had never been a day like it, and never would be.

But the greatness of the day was not only the day of darkness on the cross, but the day of salvation that the cross and resurrection had ushered in. The day of verse 31 ushers in a new age of salvation by calling upon the Name of Yahweh. The poured-out Spirit brings those who are being saved to the understanding that the day of darkness was Jesus’s crucifixion, and especially that Jesus Himself is the Yahweh of Joel 2:32b. 

The apostle Paul especially picks this truth up in Romans 10:9–14. The fact that Jesus is Yahweh Himself is the basic belief of all Christian hearts, the basic confession of all Christian mouths, the basic message of all gospel preachers. It is only in calling upon the name of Jesus as the LORD that we can be saved, and everyone who calls upon Jesus as the LORD in Spirit-given faith, will surely be saved.

We are also not surprised to find that the primary place where this preaching and believing occurs is the gathered church, because Joel tells us this too: in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance (Joel 2:32d). Here is where one tastes heavenly gifts, the work of the Holy Spirit, the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come (cf. Hebrews 6:4–5). 

This doesn’t mean that everyone in church is saved, but it does mean that though God be free to do otherwise, we ought not expect that anyone will be saved apart from His church. Here, especially, is that prophesying of all to all in the singing and supping, to which Joel 2:28-29 alluded. It is this way because Yahweh has said that it would be this way (Joel 2:32e).

And salvation comes in the way that Yahweh has said, because it comes to the men of God’s choosing by the method of God’s choosing. There is a remnant, those set aside from the whole. And it is God Who does the setting aside. If He didn’t all would perish. But He has a remnant, and when He calls them, they call upon the Name of Jesus as Yahweh, and are saved. This believing and confessing and calling continues for the rest of this life—and, because of His salvation, for unending ages to come!

Have you come to recognize the death and resurrection of Christ as the great day of the Lord that has brought in the day of salvation? Whom do you know Jesus to be? Who convinced your heart of this? How is your life one of calling upon His Name? How are you connected to the church within which He says this deliverance is found? 

Suggested songs: ARP130 “Lord, from the Depths to You I Cried” or TPH413 “Revive Thy Work, O Lord!”

Jesus Is Yahweh Who Saves (2021.07.04 Morning Sermon in Joel 2:30–32)

The cross and resurrection were testimony that Jesus is the Yahweh upon Whom we must call to be saved, and that the age has come in which He is heard in His church, and people from all nations and walks of life call upon His Name and are surely saved.

WCF 15.2.1, pt3, What Real Repentance Looks Like (2021.07.04 Sabbath School Lesson in Jer 31, Joel 2, Amos 5, Psa 119, 2Cor 7)

▫ Restoration and New Covenant section in Jeremiah ▫ Yahweh gives repentance and restoration ▫ This repentance includes both bemoaning self and a view of God's tender and persistent 'affections' and actions ▫ Intensity, sincerity of turning ▫ Character of God and promise of God ▫ Laying hold of His willingness ▫ Not only turning from evil, but turning to good ▫ Turning to good a necessary component of turning to God ▫ Not all sorrow is repentance. ▫ Evidences of godly sorrow include: diligence, re-earning trust/honor, indignation/renewed hatred of sin, vehement desire, zeal. These are the things that vindicate (justify or prove/declare true) the sorrow as godly and repentant.

2021.07.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joel 3:1–8

Read Joel 3:1–8

Questions from the Scripture text: What days and time is Joel 3:1 talking about? Whom else will the Lord also gather(Joel 3:2)? Where will He bring them? For what will He judge them? What will all nations have done (Joel 3:2-3)? Whom does He address in Joel 3:4? Whom did they think they were repaying? But what were they doing instead? Upon whose head will their intentions fall? From Whom? How fast? Whom have they ultimately attacked (Joel 3:5)? What else have they done to whom (Joel 3:6)? What will Yahweh do for the people of Judah and Jerusalem (Joel 3:7a–b)? But what will He do to those who sold them (Joel 3:7c –Joel 3:8)? What makes this sure and final (verse 8e)?

We’ve seen several layers to the day of the Lord in Joel. The locusts were a day of the Lord for judgment. The repentance and restoration were a day of the Lord. The cross was a great day of the Lord with signs in heaven and earth. Pentecost initiated a great day of the Lord: the age of the Spirit, the Bible, the gospel, and the church.

But there is one that is yet to come, even for us. The great day of judgment, with all the nations gathered up. What will that judgment be like?

It will be a confrontation with the Lord Himself. On that day, all will be judged for what they have done with the Lord—and, by extension, with His people. When He says “I will enter into judgment with them,” He is not only taking the position of the judge but also of the accusing prosecutor and the aggrieved plaintiff. 

This is the great wickedness of sin, that it is against God. “My” people. “My” heritage. “My” land. “My” people. What have you to do with “Me”? Will you repay “Me”? But if you repay “Me.” “My” silver. “My” gold. “My” prized possessions. Sin is all about what we have done to God. This is what Paul discovered in his conversion, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me.” This is why he knew himself to be the chief of sinners.

The day of judgment is a day in which every person from every nation discovers himself to be the chief of sinners, for all of his sin is personally against the glorious, holy Yahweh. On that day, when the man stands before Jesus, he will realize that all of his sin has been against this glorious God-Man.

It will be a confrontation with irremediable guilt. The word translated ‘retaliate’ in Joel 3:4-5 has a basic meaning of “repay.” The problem that is being exposed is that these nations actually think there might be some way they could pay back Yahweh. They have zero appreciation of the greatness of their guilt. They have zero appreciation of the impossibility of them doing anything good. Whatever they do will just incur more guilt; “swiftly and speedily I will return your repayment upon your own head.”

It will be confrontation with exactly appropriate punishment. In this particular case, for these particular sins of selling His people (Joel 3:2-3, Joel 3:6-7), the punishment will be exactly corresponding (Joel 3:8). But this is not the only sin. And it is not the greatest part of their sin. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. They have pushed down upon the knowledge of His glory, refusing to worship Him or give thanks. And their punishment will be equal to the glory of that God Whom they have despised. In fact, the fiery and everlasting destruction will come upon them from that glory itself (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:5–10).

What will that day be like for you? We are now in that day of Yahweh in which “everyone who calls upon the name of Yahweh will be saved.” Have you given up the idea of atoning for your own sin? Have you recognized that Jesus is Yahweh? Have you called upon that God before Whom you will stand to be Your Savior? The One Who has offered an atonement as great as the glory of God!

What will come of you in the last great day of Yahweh, if you do not receive the gift of repentance now? How have you sought it from Him?

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song” or TPH389 “Great God What Do I See and Hear”

The Day of the Spirit (2021.06.27 Morning Sermon in Joel 2:28–29)

The day of the locusts, the day of repentance, and the day of restoration all looked forward to the coming day of the Spirit—when there would be an outpouring of gospel grace, and God's people of all sorts from all nations would have His Word and both understand and use it to announce salvation in Christ. How have you availed yourself of the day of the Spirit?

2021.06.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joel 2:28–32

Read Joel 2:28–32

Questions from the Scripture text: When will this happen (Joel 2:28a)? What will God do (verse 28b)? Onto whom? Who will prophesy (verse 28c)? Who will dream dreams (verse 28d)? Who will see visions (verse 28e)? Upon whom else will Yahweh pour out His Spirit (Joel 2:29)? Then, what will Yahweh show, where? (Joel 2:30a)? What three things on earth (verse 30b)? What two things in the heavens (Joel 2:31a–b, cf. Revelation 6:12)? Before what (verse 31c, cf. Revelation 6:17)? Who will be saved (Joel 2:32a–b)? What will be where (verse 32c)? What establishes/guarantees this salvation (verse 32d)? Who are the ones who end up calling on the name of Yahweh (verse 32e–f, cf. verse 32b)?

Earlier in the chapter, Joel 2:1-11 asked the question, “For the day of Yahweh is great and very terrible; who can endure it?” By the time we finish the chapter, we get the answer, “whoever calls on the name of Yahweh.” 

Joel 2:28 begins, “and it shall come to pass afterward.” The locust plague was a foretaste of judgment to come. And the repentance that He has commanded Israel in the face of the locust plague, and to which He has responded with marvelous grace, is a foretaste of repentance to come. What are some of the features of that repentance?

That repentance comes by the pouring out of His Spirit, verse 28b. The repentance of the heart (Joel 2:12), that responds to Yahweh’s grace (Joel 2:13), by calling upon Yahweh’s Name (Joel 2:32), is a work of the Holy Spirit.

That repentance comes  not in a trickle but a pouring out on all flesh (Joel 2:28b), not to a narrow cross-section of Adam’s children but to all flesh. Jew and Greek, young and old, male and female, slave and free.

That repentance comes by the Word and the understanding of the Word, verse 28c–e. Note the words ‘prophesy’, ‘dreams’, and ‘visions’. The Lord spoke to the fathers at many times in many ways (cf. Hebrews 1:1). But in the last days, He has spoken to their children by His Son (Hebrews 1:2). 

The coming of Christ and completion of the Scriptures puts a slave-girl’s covenant child, with an open Bible, in a better position than the prophets of old. When the apostle explains the phenomenon of tongues at Pentecost, he announces the gift of repentance and the Spirit that is for believers and their children. Not all were called to be apostles then, just as not all are called to be pastor-teachers then or now. 

But the work of the Spirit is for all. Giving us the Word. Giving us light to respond to it. Employing us in one another’s salvation. Filling us and making His Word to dwell in us richly, etc. But especially in granting unto us repentance and making us to call upon the name of Yahweh.

That repentance comes by Christ as the presence and power of Yahweh with men, Joel 2:30-31. His name is Immanuel, “God with us.” And in the presence of the coming of His day, the Lord indeed showed wonders in the heavens and the earth. Darkness covered the land at high noon. The earth shook, and the tombs were opened. All of the various physical manifestations of God’s great visitations were eclipsed at the cross. Christ’s cross opened wide the age of the Spirit, the age of the church, the age of repentance, the age of calling upon the name of Yahweh, the age of salvation.

That repentance comes by calling upon the name of the Lord. The basic confession of Christianity is that this Yahweh of Joel 2:32 is Jesus of Romans 10:9–14. Salvation by Him is what He has sent preachers to announce.

That repentance comes in the context of the church, Joel 2:32d. Outside of Mount Zion and Jerusalem, outside of Christ’s church, there is no ordinary hope of salvation. The gathered congregation, especially, is the place of the Spirit’s signs, and more importantly, the Spirit’s great work. The gathered congregation, especially, is the place of the preaching of the words of eternal life. The gathered congregation, especially, is the place of the people saved by that Word, and prepared by that Word to build one another up. The gathered congregation, especially, is the worship in which they all admonish one another and proclaim the Lord’s death. 

That repentance comes as prophesied by Yahweh, Joel 2:32e.

That repentance comes to those whom Yahweh selects and calls, verse 32f. It is to a remnant, leftovers selected after cutting. How can we know that remnant, and how will that remnant be brought to call upon the name of Yahweh? By the effectual call of the Lord, bringing them to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have you been brought to this repentance? Have you called upon the name of the Lord Jesus? How are you participating in others doing so? Why should you urge to come to church those whom you wish to see saved?

Suggested songs: ARP51B “From My Sins, O Hide Your Face” or TPH546 “God of the Prophets!”

2021.06.26 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joel 2:28–32

Read Joel 2:28–32

Questions from the Scripture text: When will this happen (Joel 2:28a)? What will God do (verse 28b)? Onto whom? Who will prophesy (verse 28c)? Who will dream dreams (verse 28d)? Who will see visions (verse 28e)? Upon whom else will Yahweh pour out His Spirit (Joel 2:29)? Then, what will Yahweh show, where? (Joel 2:30a)? What three things on earth (verse 30b)? What two things in the heavens (Joel 2:31a–b, cf. Revelation 6:12)? Before what (verse 31c, cf. Revelation 6:17)? Who will be saved (Joel 2:32a–b)? What will be where (verse 32c)? What establishes/guarantees this salvation (verse 32d)? Who are the ones who end up calling on the name of Yahweh (verse 32e–f, cf. verse 32b)?

There is another Day of Yahweh (Joel 2:31c) coming. This one is coming with the day of the wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16–17). That is the day on which the sun turns to darkness (verse 31a, cf. Revelation 6:12) and the moon to blood (verse 31b, cf. Revelation 6:12). 

But something marvelous becomes apparent, when we compare these two scriptures. The sixth seal in Revelation concludes with, “for the day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:17). But the passage in Joel ends with “whoever calls on the name of Yahweh shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance” (Joel 2:32).

Who can endure the final day of the Lord? The one whom the Lord spares by the means described in Joel 2:28-29. Something marvelous is initiated on the day of Pentecost. The Lord is now to pour out His Spirit not only upon Israel (Joel 2:27) but upon all flesh (Joel 2:28). 

In Numbers 11:29, Moses had prayed, “Oh, that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” At Pentecost, that prayer is answered in the apostles’ preaching in all sorts of languages that they had never studied (cf. Acts 2:5–21). Here is conclusive definition of the gift of tongues: it is a form of prophecy, for the apostle identifies the tongues of Pentecost with the prophesying of Joel 2:28–29. 

Here also is a glorious characteristic of worship in the New Testament age. Though ruling and teaching in the church is reserved for those men whom the Lord gifts and calls for that office, the pouring out of the Spirit shows that Christ has taken His seat as the ultimate Prophet, the ultimate Priest, and the ultimate King. 

And Christ expresses this through those who dwell on the earth in union with Him. All believers have prophetic and kingly functions in the state, as well as prophetic and priestly functions in the church. All believers give an answer for their hope; all believers are royalty on the earth. In taking the supper together, each one who eats the bread or drinks the cup shows forth the Lord’s death. In congregational song in the New Testament, we are filled with the Spirit, and the Word of Christ dwells in us richly, and we admonish one another with Scripture. 

All believers come all the way through the curtain into the Holy of Holies. All believers are members of the priestly choir. All believers eat from the table that has been provided through the sacrifice of Christ. All believers carry on a ministry of intercessory prayer.

So, there is a remnant whom Yahweh calls to Himself (Joel 2:32f) and for Himself by the pouring out of His Spirit (Joel 2:28-29), resulting in their calling upon His Name (verse 32b). And the day of Pentecost heralds the beginning of the age of great ingathering of this remnant from all nations (“all flesh,” Joel 2:28). A day when God extends to all nations that repentance to which He calls them in Joel 2:12-17 and His response which He promises in Joel 2:18-27.

How have you exhibited that calling upon the name of the Lord that comes from the Spirit’s being poured out upon you? How have you fulfilled prophetic, priestly, and kingly functions?

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH546 “God of the Prophets!”

2021.06.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joel 2:18–27

Read Joel 2:18–27

Questions from the Scripture text: What two things will Yahweh do (Joel 2:18), when His people have repented as instructed in Joel 2:12-17? What will He say (Joel 2:19)? What will He do? What will He stop doing? What will He do to the invader (Joel 2:20)? With what effect? Why—what effect has the invader had? What should the land stop doing (Joel 2:21)? What should the land start doing? Why—Who else has had the same effect in verse 21 as the invader has in Joel 2:20? Who else is not to fear (Joel 2:22)? Why? Who are to do what in Joel 2:23a? In what (Whom!), especially, are they to rejoice (verse 23b)? How will the drought conclude (verse 23c–d)? With what results (Joel 2:23-24)? How will the restoration occur (Joel 2:25a)? With what effects (Joel 2:25b–Joel 2:26a)? How will the people then respond (verse 26b)? Why (verse 26c)? With what effects (verse 26d)? What will they then know about God’s active presence (Joel 2:27a)? And about His relationship with them (verse 27b)? And about Him (verse 27c)? With what (again) effect (verse 27d)?

In these ten verses, we have the response of the Lord to the repentance that He has commanded, and that they have evidently followed: reaction (Joel 2:18), refreshment (Joel 2:19a–c), restoration (Joel 2:19d–Joel 2:20), rejoicing (Joel 2:21-23b), redemption (Joel 2:23 c-Joel 2:25), reverence (Joel 2:26), and reconciliation (Joel 2:27).

Reaction (Joel 2:18). The Lord has commanded His people to repent with their hearts, and He responds to our repentance with zeal and pity. There is in God that perfect disposition toward His repenting people of which the most intense human zeal and the warmest human compassion are just a copy. What a marvelous “reaction” from our God!

Refreshment (Joel 2:19a–c). Whereas the Lord had used His creation to make His people feel their neediness of Him, He now uses it to make them feel His abundance for that need. The covenant relationship is restored, the covenant blessings begin to flow again, and not just in the renewed supply (verse 19b) but in a renewed satisfaction (verse 19c). Of course, the first provision isn’t actually grain and new wine and oil, but the Word (verse 19a, “Yahweh will answer and say to His people). Now the resurrected Redeemer refreshes His people in Word and sacrament, giving them not merely sounds in their ears and snacks in their mouths, but giving Himself to their souls.

Restoration (Joel 2:19d-Joel 2:20). With the covenant relation restored, the Lord takes away their shame (verse 19d, cf. Joel 2:26d, Joel 2:27d); they no longer appear as a people under judgment. Instead, those by whose mandibles He had judged them now themselves come under judgment. There will always be vindication and vengeance for you, dear believer, even if you deserved and needed what the enemy has done to you. 

Rejoicing (Joel 2:21-23 b). We had seen in chapter 1 that the land mourned (Joel 1:10), and the beasts groaned (Joel 1:18), in order to help the farmers, the priests, and indeed all of the people to mourn for the lack of their joy in the Lord. In a real sense, the earth and its creatures had been cursed for their sake. And now that it’s time for the people to rejoice, He once again uses the land and its creatures to lead the way. The greatness of the restoration (Joel 2:21c) has exceeded the greatness of the chastening (Joel 2:20g). The time for fear has passed, the time for gladness and rejoicing has come! 

Redemption (Joel 2:23c–Joel 2:25). The children of Zion are brought to rejoice in Yahweh their God not only by circumstances, but again by words, and indeed by a great Preacher. There’s a play on words in verse 23c that is obscured by our version. It uses a homonym so that the same form for “former rain” in verse 23e should probably be “teacher” in verse 23c, and that line should read “For He has given you the Righteous Teacher.” 

The Lord uses His Word to bring His people back and to announce to them their blessedness. Though this surely included Joel himself, and those priests who fulfilled his prophecy’s call upon them, it is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our great Prophet and Righteous Teacher.

Not only does God’s Righteous Teacher bring us back, but the years that we spent in error or under discipline are not ultimately lost. As the blessing of God starts to pour back down (Joel 2:23d–e), there is enough both for the moment and for filling/overflowing the storage (Joel 2:24), until the effects of the locust army are entirely reversed (Joel 2:25). 

It is the opposite of Pharaoh’s dream that Joseph interprets in Genesis 41; this is fullness so great that it wipes out the effects of the famine. This is God’s way with His repenting people; He takes away their grief by bringing them to a better place than they would have been in if they had been steady from the start.

Reverence (Joel 2:26). The ultimate blessing, however, is satisfaction with God and adoring of God. It’s one thing to eat plenty, but many people do so without contentment; it is a separate and greater gift to be satisfied (verse 26a). And it is one thing to be satisfied with God’s gifts, but it is a separate and greater gift to be satisfied with the God of the gifts Himself (verse 26b). Being restored to a God-delighted worshiper is the greatest blessing of all. God brings us into the true riches when He brings us into reverence! This is God’s great work on earth (verse 26c), and those who are made worshipers in this way will find their joy to be full and forever (verse 26d, cf. Romans 10:11). 

Reconciliation (Joel 2:27). Indeed, for the one who has been brought to treasure God above all else, there is one blessing higher than the privilege of adoring God; and, that is the communicated presence of the God he adores. Yahweh Himself in their midst (verse 27a), Yahweh Himself as their own (verse 27b–c)—that is the ultimate, full-and-forever blessedness of the people of God (verse 27d). 

Of what do you need to repent? How does desire for these blessings encourage this repentance? 

Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH73C “In Sweet Communion, Lord with Thee”

 

2021.06.19 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joel 2:18–27

Read Joel 2:18–27

Questions from the Scripture text: What two things will Yahweh do (Joel 2:18), when His people have repented as instructed in Joel 2:12-17? What will He say (Joel 2:19)? What will He do? What will He stop doing? What will He do to the invader (Joel 2:20)? With what effect? Why—what effect has the invader had? What should the land stop doing (Joel 2:21? What should the land start doing? Why—Who else has had the same effect in verse 21 as the invader has in Joel 2:20? Who else is not to fear (Joel 2:22)? Why? Who are to do what in Joel 2:23a? In what (Whom!), especially, are they to rejoice (verse 23b)? How will the drought conclude (verse 23c–d)? With what results (Joel 2:23-24)? How will the restoration occur (Joel 2:25a)? With what effects (Joel 2:25b–Joel 2:26a)? How will the people then respond (verse 26b)? Why (verse 26c)? With what effects (verse 26d)? What will they then know about God’s active presence (Joel 2:27a)? And about His relationship with them (verse 27b)? And about Him (verse 27c)? With what (again) effect (verse 27d)? 

In these ten verses, we have the response of the Lord to the repentance that He has commanded, and that they have evidently followed: reaction (Joel 2:18), refreshment (Joel 2:19a–c), restoration (Joel 2:19d–Joel 2:20), rejoicing (Joel 2:21-23b), redemption (Joel 2:23c–Joel 2:25), reverence (Joel 2:26), and reconciliation (Joel 2:27).

Reaction (Joel 2:18). The Lord has commanded His people to repent with their hearts, and He responds to our repentance with zeal and pity. There is in God that perfect disposition toward His repenting people of which the most intense human zeal and the warmest human compassion are just a copy. What a marvelous “reaction” from our God!

Refreshment (Joel 2:19a–c). Whereas the Lord had used His creation to make His people feel their neediness of Him, He now uses it to make them feel His abundance for that need. The covenant relationship is restored, the covenant blessings begin to flow again, and not just in the renewed supply (verse 19b) but in a renewed satisfaction (verse 19c). Of course, the first provision isn’t actually grain and new wine and oil, but the Word (verse 19a, “Yahweh will answer and say to His people). Now the resurrected Redeemer refreshes His people in Word and sacrament, giving them not merely sounds in their ears and snacks in their mouths, but giving Himself to their souls.

Restoration (Joel 2:19d–Joel 2:20). With the covenant relation restored, the Lord takes away their shame (Joel 2:19d, cf. Joel 2:26d, Joel 2:27d); they no longer appear as a people under judgment. Instead, those by whose mandibles He had judged them now themselves come under judgment. There will always be vindication and vengeance for you, dear believer, even if you deserved and needed what the enemy has done to you. 

Rejoicing (Joel 2:21-23b). We had seen in chapter 1 that the land mourned (Joel 1:10), and the beasts groaned (Joel 1:18), in order to help the farmers, the priests, and indeed all of the people to mourn for the lack of their joy in the Lord. In a real sense, the earth and its creatures had been cursed for their sake. And now that it’s time for the people to rejoice, He once again uses the land and its creatures to lead the way. The greatness of the restoration (Joel 2:21c) has exceeded the greatness of the chastening (Joel 2:20g). The time for fear has passed, the time for gladness and rejoicing has come! 

Redemption (Joel 2:23c–Joel 2:25). The children of Zion are brought to rejoice in Yahweh their God not only by circumstances, but again by words, and indeed by a great Preacher. There’s a play on words in Joel 2:23c that is obscured by our version. It uses a homonym so that the same form for “former rain” in verse 23e should probably be “teacher” in verse 23c, and that line should read “For He has given you the Righteous Teacher.” 

The Lord uses His Word to bring His people back and to announce to them their blessedness. Though this surely included Joel himself, and those priests who fulfilled his prophecy’s call upon them, it is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our great Prophet and Righteous Teacher.

Not only does God’s Righteous Teacher bring us back, but the years that we spent in error or under discipline are not ultimately lost. As the blessing of God starts to pour back down (Joel 2:23d–e), there is enough both for the moment and for filling/overflowing the storage (Joel 2:24), until the effects of the locust army are entirely reversed (Joel 2:25). 

It is the opposite of Pharaoh’s dream that Joseph interprets in Genesis 41; this is fullness so great that it wipes out the effects of the famine. This is God’s way with His repenting people; He takes away their grief by bringing them to a better place than they would have been in if they had been steady from the start.

Reverence (Joel 2:26). The ultimate blessing, however, is satisfaction with God and adoring of God. It’s one thing to eat plenty, but many people do so without contentment; it is a separate and greater gift to be satisfied (verse 26a). And it is one thing to be satisfied with God’s gifts, but it is a separate and greater gift to be satisfied with the God of the gifts Himself (verse 26b). Being restored to a God-delighted worshiper is the greatest blessing of all. God brings us into the true riches when He brings us into reverence! This is God’s great work on earth (verse 26c), and those who are made worshipers in this way will find their joy to be full and forever (verse 26d, cf. Romans 10:11). 

Reconciliation (Joel 2:27). Indeed, for the one who has been brought to treasure God above all else, there is one blessing higher than the privilege of adoring God; and, that is the communicated presence of the God he adores. Yahweh Himself in their midst (verse 27a), Yahweh Himself as their own (verse 27b–c)—that is the ultimate, full-and-forever blessedness of the people of God (verse 27d).

Of what do you need to repent? How does desire for these blessings encourage and begin this repentance?

Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH73C “In Sweet Communion, Lord with Thee”

 

Allured to True Repentance by God's Gracious Character (2021.06.13 Morning Sermon in Joel 2:12–17)

The Lord makes us grieve our having turned from Him, so that seeing His gracious character we will turn to Him in the way that He says to do so. O turn to the Lord, entirely and sincerely, for His great graciousness is glorified by receiving You and blessing You, together with all that holy assembly, whom He has set apart for His own glory!

2021.06.14 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joel 2:12–17

Read Joel 2:12–17

Questions from the Scripture text: Who is speaking in Joel 2:12? What does He say to do? With how much of what? And with what three activities? What does He tell them to tear/rend (Joel 2:13)? And to what to return? For what four characteristics of the Lord, and what one action? What is still a possibility (Joel 2:14)? What form would such a blessing take? What does He tell them to blow (Joel 2:15)? Where? What to consecrate? What to call? Whom to gather (Joel 2:16)? Whom to sanctify? Whom to assemble? Whom else to gather? And which two specific people from which locations? Whom does Joel 2:17 address? What are they to do where? Who gives them what to pray? Whom are they to pray that they would be spared? Whom not to be given to reproach? What would this reproach look like? And then what would be said among whom?

To what to repent, Joel 2:12a–b, Joel 2:13b. Often, we focus upon from what we are to repent. But the focus here is almost entirely upon to Whom we are to repent. The main thing, after all, isn’t leaving the sin—though that is absolutely necessary. The main thing is coming to the Lord!

In what manner to repent, Joel 2:12b–Joel 2:13a. With all your heart. With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. Rending your heart and not your garments. There are half-hearted things that look like repentance but aren’t. There’s repentance that has the appearance of intensity and the indicated actions, but isn’t genuine. But the Lord commands repentance that is intense complete (Joel 2:12b), intense (verse 12c), and genuinely from the soul.

Why to repent, Joel 2:13c–e. Because of how wonderful this God is to Whom we are turning! Look at His graciousness! Look at how merciful/compassionate He is! Look at how patient and slow to anger! Look at His exceeding covenant love! Look at His forgiveness! Truly, this is a God worth turning to, and He is worthy of the glory that we will magnify by turning to Him. 

On what basis to repent (Joel 2:14). We repent on the basis of God’s freedom to bless (Joel 2:14a–b). Repentance does not manipulate Him or force His hand (indeed, He is the One Who gives it, cf. Acts 11:18). Rather, it lays hold of His freedom in which He delights to display the character described in Joel 2:13 (cf. Romans 9:23–24). We know that He loves to forgive, so we play into His free pleasure when we come to Him in repentance.

With whom to repent, Joel 2:15-16. The entire holy assembly. The people. The congregation. The elders. The children. The nursing babes (there’s no one to young/unable). The bridegroom and bride (there’s no one too busy or with a higher-priority activity). Though each must repent from the core of who he is, with all that he is, if you haven’t become part of His holy assembly you have not biblically repented. The truly repentant are not just those who have turned from sin, but especially those who have been gathered unto the Lord with His people.

Through whom to repent, Joel 2:17. Repentance is led by priests, mediators who go between (verse 17a–b). God has given them the office, and God has given them the words. 

Ultimately, God has given us Jesus as our Priest through Whom we come to Him. And He has given us an entire Bible of Jesus’s words with which to do so (cf. 1 Peter 1:11). Repentance is through God Himself and for God Himself. For His people. For His heritage. For His honor among the nations and the peoples.

O dear reader, turn to the Lord, entirely and sincerely, for His great graciousness is glorified by receiving You and blessing You, together with all that holy assembly, whom He has set apart for His own glory! 

Which aspect of biblical repenting in this passage offers you the most room for growth? How will you work on it?

Suggested songs: ARP130 “LORD, from the Depths” or TPH130A “LORD, from the Depths”

God's Gracious Warnings (2021.06.12 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald)

Hopewell Herald – June 12, 2021

Dear Congregation,

Thank you for your prayers for elder Rentschler and me while we were at General Synod this week. I trust in the Lord to give you an informal report at open mic time tomorrow afternoon and to write up something a little more thorough by next week’s Herald.

Last week, in Joel 2:1–11, we were quite sternly and frighteningly warned against assuming that the Day of the Lord is going to be a good day for us just because we’re part of His church or know some good doctrine.

Such warnings are sometimes unpopular in preaching, and sometimes I even hear people say that that’s “Old Testament preaching” as if the New Testament is different or that strong warnings are somehow incompatible with the gospel.

But complaints like these commit serious errors in themselves. For, the Old Testament and New Testament are from the same God, by the same Spirit, and rich with the same gospel of the Son. If you miss the gospel in the Old Testament, or the warnings in the New, then you’re not reading either one with good understanding.

In tomorrow’s Luke reading, Jesus tells a parable in which the Master wants his servants to be about His business (19:13). He then characterizes as those who hate (!) Him, anyone who does not want to be ruled by Him (v14). Then at the end of the passages, He calls such people “those enemies of mine” and commands for them to be slaughtered (!) in front of Him (v27).

It just will not do to pretend that Jesus is some undemanding, tame teddy-bear of a God-Man.

Luke, Joel, and the entire Bible are clear: if your life isn’t being ruled by Christ, if you are not living in order to be about His business, then Jesus is your enemy, and the Day of the Lord is a day of terror for you. All of the churchianity and grace-speak in the world will do you no good.

But He is a marvelous Redeemer, who has come to seek and to save the lost (cf. Luke 19:10)—which is exactly what He is doing when He alarms you at your sin and guilt, so that His Spirit may also allure you by Him and His grace.

This alluring is what we are looking forward to in Joel 2:12–17 tomorrow!

Looking forward to sitting with you under such a gracious word as we worship our gracious and glorious God,

Pastor

2021.06.05 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joel 2:12–17

Read Joel 2:12–17

Questions from the Scripture text: Who is speaking in Joel 2:12? What does He say to do? With how much of what? And with what three activities? What does He tell them to tear/rend (Joel 2:13)? And to what to return? For what four characteristics of the Lord, and what one action? What is still a possibility (Joel 2:14)? What form would such a blessing take? What does He tell them to blow (Joel 2:15)? Where? What to consecrate? What to call? Whom to gather (Joel 2:16)? Whom to sanctify? Whom to assemble? Whom else to gather? And which two specific people from which locations? Whom does Joel 2:17 address? What are they to do where? Who gives them what to pray? Whom are they to pray that they would be spared? Whom not to be given to reproach? What would this reproach look like? And then what would be said among whom? 

To what to repent, Joel 2:12a–b, Joel 2:13b. Often, we focus upon from what we are to repent. But the focus here is almost entirely upon to Whom we are to repent. The main thing, after all, isn’t leaving the sin—though that is absolutely necessary. The main thing is coming to the Lord!

In what manner to repent, Joel 2:12b–Joel 2:13a. With all your heart. With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. Rending your heart and not your garments. There are half-hearted things that look like repentance but aren’t. There’s repentance that has the appearance of intensity and the indicated actions, but isn’t genuine. But the Lord commands repentance that is intense complete (Joel 2:12b), intense (verse 12c), and genuinely from the soul.

Why to repent, Joel 2:13c–e. Because of how wonderful this God is to Whom we are turning! Look at His graciousness! Look at how merciful/compassionate He is! Look at how patient and slow to anger! Look at His exceeding covenant love! Look at His forgiveness! Truly, this is a God worth turning to, and He is worthy of the glory that we will magnify by turning to Him. 

On what basis to repent, Joel 2:14. We repent on the basis of God’s freedom to bless (verse 14a–b). Repentance does not manipulate Him or force His hand (indeed, He is the One Who gives it, cf. Acts 11:18). Rather, it lays hold of His freedom in which He delights to display the character described in Joel 2:13 (cf. Romans 9:23–24). We know that He loves to forgive, so we play into His free pleasure when we come to Him in repentance.

With whom to repent, Joel 2:15-16. The entire holy assembly. The people. The congregation. The elders. The children. The nursing babes (there’s no one to young/unable). The bridegroom and bride (there’s no one too busy or with a higher-priority activity). Though each must repent from the core of who he is, with all that he is, if you haven’t become part of His holy assembly you have not biblically repented. The truly repentant are not just those who have turned from sin, but especially those who have been gathered unto the Lord with His people.

Through whom to repent, Joel 2:17. Repentance is led by priests, mediators who go between (verse 17a–b). God has given them the office, and God has given them the words. 

Ultimately, God has given us Jesus as our Priest through Whom we come to Him. And He has given us an entire Bible of Jesus’s words with which to do so (cf. 1 Peter 1:11). Repentance is through God Himself and for God Himself. For His people. For His heritage. For His honor among the nations and the peoples.

O dear reader, turn to the Lord, entirely and sincerely, for His great graciousness is glorified by receiving You and blessing You, together with all that holy assembly, whom He has set apart for His own glory!

Which aspect of biblical repenting in this passage offers you the most room for growth?

Suggested songs: ARP99A “Let the Nations Tremble” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear!”